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

2. WISCONSIN WOLF HISTORY

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

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

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

6. Winter Snow Track Surveys by DNR & Volunteers 7,713 miles were tracked by DNR & volunteer trackers during winter 2004-2005

7. 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

8. Survey Blocks Tracked by DNR & Volunteers 2004-2005

9. Winter Track Surveys in Wisconsin by WDNR & Volunteers

10. Wolf Detection Rates DNR vs. Volunteer Trackers With Varying Experience

11. 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

12. Radio Monitored Packs

13. Public Observation Reports (use with caution)

17. Minimum Statewide Wolf Counts & Counts Off Indian Reservations in Wisconsin 1980-2005 Endangered Status Threatened Status Delisting Level 1985-2002 Average rate of population increase was 20% 2002-2005 Average rate of population increase was 9%

18. % 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

20. Average Pack Size Average Pack Territory Size

21. 19801985 Wisconsin Wolf Distribution

22. 19901995 Wisconsin Wolf Distribution

23. 2005 Wisconsin Wolf Distribution 2000

25. 2003-2004 Minnesota Type Wolf Estimate 875 wolves Estimate with most accurate data 991 wolves Estimate including public reports

26. 798 wolves Estimate based on known pack distribution 2003-2004 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

27. 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