Gray Wolf. Image: Fish and Wildlife Service
By McKenzie Suarez
Wisconsin researchers say that farmers and hunters fear wolves and are angered by wolf biologists.
A study, published in the September edition of the journal Conservation Biology, says study participants feared wolves would kill their animals, get too close to their homes and threaten their families.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department of National Resources conducted the study.
They examined how killing wolves affect attitudes, beliefs and behavioral inclinations of farmers and hunters.
The researchers used focus groups to identify the attitudes that farmers, deer hunters and bear hunters have toward wolves
Most of the participants showed negative attitudes towards wolves, according to the study. Most were inclined to kill wolves illegally when they came too close.
Christine Browne-Nunez, a post-doctoral research associate working for the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the study, said that the focus groups revealed that the participants’ dislike for wolves is complex. Most of the participants were angry because of their perception that the state Department of Natural Resources failed to manage high wolf populations and the dangers they caused.
Among the responses recorded by the study:
- A northeastern bear hunter: “They talk wolf policy and deer policy and everything and managing our predators up north here and they have all these meetings down in Madison where all these anti-hunters don’t know jack about what’s going on up here, and they’re controlling what happens up here. We know what’s going on because we live here, and yet they’re telling us down there what we have to do up here.”
- Another: “I’m going to tell you straight out, plain and simple, the DNR is not honest in what they say. They lie, they lie, they lie.”
During the study, authorities opened a wolf season allowing the legal hunting of wolves in hopes of managing the population.
Participants were still unsatisfied when wolf hunting was legalized, according to the study.
They were either unaware of the permits, not able to get their hands on them or thought that they were not truly helping control wolves, the study said.
People felt-powerless, unheard and mislead regarding the population control of wolves, Browne-Nunez said.
“The themes projected within the study reveal how people felt,” she said. “It gave a voice to those who believed they didn’t have power or a voice.”
Browne-Nunez said the study was conducted to help policymakers, legislators and conservationists deal with wolves.
The focus groups revealed the complexity of the thoughts of local farmers and hunters in Wisconsin that can help create programs and policy to solve the issues regarding wolf management, she said.
I’m a wolf supporter, meaning, I realize they have value in the wild lands of Wisconsin and other states. However, I’m also a wildlife supporter – and hunter – and know what hunters bring in terms of economic impact to the state of Wisconsin. Wolf numbers have been more than double the original goal for decades, and even with three straight hunting and trapping seasons in Wisconsin, the 2015 overwinter count was up 13 percent, estimated at 746 to 771 wolves off reservation. That was before this year’s pups were born. Dozens of hunting dogs and pet dogs have been killed by wolves in Wisconsin this year. It’s time for state to resume management and work toward bringing the wolf population down closer to goal. When it was only in the 300 range, there were far fewer livestock depredations and dogs killed, and more deer for northern Wisconsin businesses that rely on hunting dollars.
I’ve conducted and attended many focus groups. When a question is asked and the first group member responds; typically their remark/attitude becomes contagious…the remaining members side with this individual which can offset the research. Other members are afraid to speak their mind if in disagreement. Focus groups can be discretely filmed as well. Individuals do not know they are being filmed. Their gestures and expressions also sway other members of the group once a question is posed. We appreciate your effort in researching local farmers and hunters comments regarding wolves in focus groups but it is just another method of exposing results which are based on opinions and not science.
Additionally, the comment made by a northeastern bear hunter: “They talk wolf policy and deer policy and everything and managing our predators up north here and they have all these meetings down in Madison where all these anti-hunters don’t know jack about what’s going on up here, and they’re controlling what happens up here. We know what’s going on because we live here, and yet they’re telling us down there what we have to do up here.” This is a false statement, I myself along with numerous other residents live with wolves in northern WI; see wolves in northern WI and co-exist with wolves in WI without any issues. Our dogs are not eaten…we are still alive! Wolves are no more evil than the poachers who stalk them.
It’s the same everywhere wolves have been introduced and/or allowed to prosper. The only people who like wolves are people who live where there are no wolves.
“The researchers used focus groups to identify the attitudes that farmers, deer hunters and bear hunters have toward wolves
Most of the participants showed negative attitudes towards wolves, according to the study. Most were inclined to kill wolves illegally when they came too close.” Come on now! Seriously? They had to make up a “study” and spend big bucks to get this!.
“Browne-Nunez said the study was conducted to help policymakers, legislators and conservationists deal with wolves.
The focus groups revealed the complexity of the thoughts of local farmers and hunters in Wisconsin that can help create programs and policy to solve the issues regarding wolf management, she said.”
All this did was re-affirm that Farmers and hunters hate wolves. We all already know that fact! When are you going to do the other side of the issue and interview pro wolf advocates, wolf researchers and biologists? Ask them how they feel about wolves? Seems to me , if you’re looking at an issue (wolves and how to manage them) in order to make future plans for managing them, you have to look at both sides. Let the science and biologists make up the management plan and leave money wasting surveys like this out of it. Do the right thing, let the science tell you how to manage them.
How were the farmers chosen for your focus groups…random sampling??? I think not. It sounds like a highly self selected group which would render your findings totally bogus. Amazed this journal would accept this for publication!