800 wolves in Wisconsin, DNR reports

PARK FALLS, Wis. — Wisconsin wildlife officials estimate as many as 880 wolves roamed the state at winter's end, up slightly from a year earlier.

The Department of Natural Resources says the population stood between 815 and 880 wolves, a 4 percent increase from the 2010-2011 end-of-winter count.

DNR officials say about 40 wolves were counted on American Indian reservations. The department tallied between 774 and 838 wolves outside reservations, far exceeding the goal of 350 wolves outside reservations.

The agency detected 213 packs consisting of at least two adult wolves over the winter. The largest pack in the state was a group of 10 wolves at Fort McCoy in Monroe County.

The DNR is currently developing the framework for a wolf hunt this fall.