Wisconsin Wolf Damage Claim Payments

WI DNR pays compensation for verified wolf depredation of livestock (calves, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, farm-raised deer, horses and poultry), hunting dogs and pets, including some veterinary costs, after USDA-Wildlife Services investigates. The DNR publishes annual payment summaries for 2021 through 2025.

• Loss must be verified; USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services investigates reported wolf conflicts for the DNR.

• Compensable categories published by the DNR: calves (including missing calves), cattle, sheep, goats, swine, farm-raised deer, equine animals, poultry, other farm animals, hunting dogs and pets, plus vet costs for cattle, hunting dogs and pets.

Paid per verified loss. The DNR publishes annual payment summaries; for summaries older than five years, email DNRWMWildlifeDamageAndNuisance@wisconsin.gov.

Published amounts: Published payment categories: calf, missing calf, cattle, cattle vet, sheep, goat, swine, farm-raised deer, equine, poultry, other farm animals, hunting dogs, hunting dog vet, pets and pet vet. 2025 figures: calf payments $57,986.36 (25 losses), missing calf payments $47,005.36 (24 losses), cattle payments $11,660.00 (4 losses). No per-claim cap is published.

If you suspect wolf depredation, immediately contact USDA-Wildlife Services (northern Wisconsin 1-800-228-1368 or 715-369-5221; southern Wisconsin 1-800-433-0663 or 920-324-4514). Preserve evidence at the site and limit human activity there. The DNR Wolf Depredation Program (608-576-3914) handles payments.

Deadline text on the page: No deadline is published. The wolf page says to immediately contact USDA-Wildlife Services to investigate a suspected depredation.