Gov. Walker signs bill pushing back wolf seasons if they resume

ROTHSCHILD — Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that would push back the start of Wisconsin's wolf hunting and trapping season if the federal government allows it to resume.

The bill changes the season opener from Oct. 15 until the first Saturday in November.

Walker signed the bill Tuesday at the Chase Outdoors store in Rothschild. He says it will prevent conflicts with other hunting seasons in Wisconsin and produce better pelts.

Wisconsin held three wolf seasons before a federal judge placed Great Lakes wolves back on the endangered list in 2014. Some members of Congress, including Reid Ribble of Wisconsin, have been pushing legislation to undo the court decision, which Wisconsin and other states are appealing.

The wolf population in the western Great Lakes region is estimated at 3,700