The verified Wolf Livestock
Depredation Updates below were
received by On Wisconsin Outdoors
since July 1 from USDA-Wildlife Services.
In addition, a livestock guard dog listed as
injured by wolves in OWO’s July-August
issue on property in the town of Barnes,
Bayfield County on June 23 and receiving
veterinary care has since died.
On July 1, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a calf on a
property in the town of Kelly, Bayfield
County. The complainant will utilize nightpenning
as a non-lethal abatement.
On July 2, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a calf on a
property in the town of Hixton, Jackson
County. Auditory deterrents have been
deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On July 6, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed an adult cow
on a property in the town of Springfield,
Jackson County. Visual deterrents have
been deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On July 6, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a hunting dog in
the town of Komensky, Jackson County.
On July 7, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified that wolves killed a calf
on a property in the town of Maple Valley,
Oconto County. Auditory deterrents have
been deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On July 11, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a hunting dog in
the town of Cedar Rapids, Rusk County.
On July 11, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified that wolves killed a
calf on a property in the town of Maple,
Douglas County. Auditory deterrents have
been deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On July 11, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified that wolves killed a calf
on a property in the town of Bayfield,
Bayfield County. Visual deterrents have
been deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On July 13, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified that wolves killed a calf
on a property in the town of Ashland,
Ashland County. Auditory deterrents have
been deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On July 17, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves injured a pet dog in the
town of Amnicon, Douglas County. The dog
received veterinary care.
On July 21, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a calf in the town
of Ashland, Ashland County.
On July 22, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified that wolves injured a
calf on a property in the town of Gurney,
Iron County. Auditory deterrents have
been deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On July 24, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a hunting dog in
the town of Merrill, Lincoln County.
On July 25, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a hunting dog in
the town of Wilson, Eau Claire County.
On July 26, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a hunting dog in
the town of Port Wing, Bayfield County.
On July 29, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a calf in the town
of Cloverland, Douglas County. Audio
deterrents have been deployed as a nonlethal
abatement measure.
On July 30, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a calf in the town
of Cloverland, Douglas County. The calving
herd has been moved to fenced pasture as a
non-lethal abatement measure.
On Aug. 2, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a miniature horse
and injured another horse in the town
of Cloverland, Douglas County. Audio
deterrents have been deployed as a nonlethal
abatement measure.
On Aug. 3, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a calf in the town
of Cloverland, Douglas County. Audio
deterrents have been deployed as a nonlethal
abatement measure.
On Aug. 5, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a hunting dog in
the town of Gull Lake, Washburn County.
On Aug. 5, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed two miniature
horses in the town of Cloverland, Douglas
County. Additional non-lethal abatement
options are being discussed with the
landowner.
On Aug. 8, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a calf in the town
of Lakeside, Douglas County.
On Aug. 9, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed a hunting dog in
the town of Barksdale, Bayfield County.
On Aug. 9, 2026, USDA-Wildlife Services
verified that wolves killed one and injured
another hunting dog in the town of Port
7-8Wing, Bayfield County.
On Aug. 11, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified that wolves killed a calf in
the town of Brule, Douglas County. Audio
deterrents have been deployed as a nonlethal
abatement measure.
On Aug. 12, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified a level 3 human health and
safety complaint from wolves in the town of
Flambeau, Price County. Level 3 human and
health safety complaints are defined under
the wolf conflict investigation classifications.
Level 3: Wolf Exhibiting Normal Behavior
but in Frequent Close Proximity to People:
A wolf is exhibiting normal non-threatening
and non-habituated behavior but is in more
frequent contact with people than deemed
acceptable based upon the totality of the
circumstances. Management action may or
may not be warranted for this conflict level.
USDA WS should consult with DNR (and
any other agency/tribe as appropriate) to
determine response. Singular encounters
with wolves may be classified as Level 3 if
unique circumstances exist which could
cause a reasonable potential for escalation;
this is expected to be uncommon. Examples
of Level 3 conflicts include: Wolf shows signs of habituation to
people and is reluctant to leave location
but is not aggressive.
On Aug. 18, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified that wolves harassed a
herd of cattle in the town of Florence,
Florence County. Auditory deterrents have
been deployed as a non-lethal abatement
measure.
On Aug. 19, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified a level 2 (see Aug 17 report
above) human health and safety complaint
from wolves in the town of Flambeau, Price
County. Level 2 human and health safety
complaints are defined under the wolf
conflict investigation classifications.
On Aug. 23, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified wolves killed a hunting dog
in the town of Gull Lake, Washburn County.
On Aug. 24, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified wolves killed a miniature
horse in the town of Cloverland, Douglas
County.
On Aug. 26, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified wolves killed a donkey in
the town of Cloverland, Douglas County.
Visual deterrents have been deployed as a
non-lethal abatement measure.
On Aug. 26, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified a level 3 human health
and safety complaint from wolves in the
town of Cloverland, Douglas County. Level
2 human and health safety complaints are
defined under the wolf conflict investigation
classifications.
On Aug. 26, 2026, USDA-Wildlife
Services verified wolves killed a cow in the
town of Springfield, Jackson County. Visual
deterrents have been deployed as a nonlethal
abatement measure.
Wolf Tracks
Seeking Wisconsin wolf photos,
accurate state counts
Please send your Wisconsin trail cam
photos, videos or hand-held camera shots
of wolves for publication to: wolves@
onwisconsinoutdoors.com. Include the
date, the county where the photos were
taken, and verify the number of wolves
visible in each photo. Your name will not be
published or used without permission.
OWO publishers have stated for many
years that DNR population estimates are
not credible and far underestimate wolf
numbers based on our own informal
research, personal field experience in
the north country, and interaction with
hundreds of Wisconsin hunters. We
believe that DNR work with the wolf in
Wisconsin is not credible and has ignored
the most basic information imperative to
proper wildlife management; where are the
population numbers now, where should
population numbers be for proper balance
of predator and prey, and how do we
responsibly get there?
Our conclusions are largely supported
in recent years with your photo evidence
covering the majority of the state. But
we continue to hunt truth in numbers,
wherever it leads. Thank you for
participating.
