VOLUNTEER CARNIVORE TRACK SURVEYS - Part of an Integrated Approach to Monitoring Wisconsin Wolves by Jane E. Wiedenhoeft

WISCONSIN WOLF HISTORY

Primary Wolf Monitoring Techniques Live-trapping / radio monitoring Winter snow track surveys by DNR Summer howl surveys Snow track surveys by volunteers

Additional Wolf Monitoring Techniques Necropsy of dead wolves Depredation trapping by USDA - Wildlife Services Public observation reports

Monitoring to Determine: Distribution Minimum population count Mortality / Survival Reproduction Health Den & Rendezvous sites Dispersal

Winter Snow Track Surveys by DNR & Volunteers 7,713 miles were tracked by DNR & volunteer trackers during winter

Training Requirements : Wolf ecology (added 2001) Track training Track test (added 1999) Expectations : Survey block assignment Conduct 3 surveys Follow DNR guidelines Send results in on time Volunteer Carnivore Tracking Program

Survey Blocks Tracked by DNR & Volunteers

Winter Track Surveys in Wisconsin by WDNR & Volunteers

Wolf Detection Rates DNR vs. Volunteer Trackers With Varying Experience

Live-trapping / Radio monitoring Wolves are trapped & fitted with radiocollars; blood samples are taken for health monitoring measurements are taken physical condition of wolf is noted Pilots locate radiocollared wolves about once a week; packs counts can sometimes be made from the air

Radio Monitored Packs

Public Observation Reports (use with caution)

Minimum Statewide Wolf Counts & Counts Off Indian Reservations in Wisconsin Endangered Status Threatened Status Delisting Level Average rate of population increase was 20% Average rate of population increase was 9%

% of Wolf Count from Monitoring Sources DNR Pilots Volunteers Reports Volunteers DNR PilotsReports By Reliability 1. Pilots 2. DNR 3. Volunteers 4. Reports By Cost 1. Volunteers 2. Reports 3. DNR 4. Pilots

Average Pack Size Average Pack Territory Size

Wisconsin Wolf Distribution

Wisconsin Wolf Distribution

2005 Wisconsin Wolf Distribution 2000

Minnesota Type Wolf Estimate 875 wolves Estimate with most accurate data 991 wolves Estimate including public reports

798 wolves Estimate based on known pack distribution Minnesota Type Wolf Estimate Location of known wolf packs compared to modeled townships Actual high count was 410 wolves Adjusting for undercount of lone wolves 466 wolves

Major Funding: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service State Wildlife Grants Program Timber Wolf Alliance Defenders of Wildlife ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Other Contributions: WDNR Pilots WDNR Wildlife Managers National Wildlife Health Lab State Wildlife Health Lab USDA - Wildlife Services Volunteer Trackers