I am watching the Wisconsin Natural Resource Board's meeting on gray wolf hunting -
- as I noted this week, but I failed to emphasize that what is on the agenda is implementing an immediate wolf hunt.
Even though Wisconsin state law which mandates a hunt says it would begin in November, as was the case when previous hunts were legal between 2012 and 2014.
The entire matter is back before state regulators because the federal government removed in the closing days of the Trump administration the gray wolf from protected status.
The board oversees the DNR - and the agency does not support an immediate hunt, so it remains to be seen whether the agency position or the oversight board position will carry the day.
Walker appointees still make up the Board's majority.
Testimony so far reflects long-standing differences in positions between hunting interests and legislative backers, like now-US Cong. Tom Tiffany, (R), and opponents from environmental organizations, and native tribal bands which consider wolves to be their brethren.
It has been pointed today by opponents that holding a hunt right now with little advance notice would trigger litigation a) by disregarding the tribal bands' treaty rights, and b) by disrupting and endangering wolf packs during breeding season.
All of which could fuel pressure on the Biden administration to renew protections for wolves by proving that states would implement wolf hunts based on outdated science and rushed public input.
More later.