NR 12.52(7)(7) “Pets” mean dogs and other domestic animals maintained as companion animals. NR 12.52(8)(8) “Probable depredation” means that the department did not find a carcass from a reported depredation or the damage observed on the carcass was inconclusive but there is evidence of depredation such as a kill site, blood trails, tracks or scat located in the immediate vicinity. NR 12.52(9)(9) “Unconfirmed depredation” means any depredation that is not a confirmed depredation or a probable depredation. NR 12.53NR 12.53 Depredation verification procedures. NR 12.53(1)(1) Response time. Any person who believes that livestock, pets or hunting dogs owned by the person has been injured or killed by an E/T species and wishes to seek compensation under this subchapter shall contact the department within 24 hours of the depredation or within 24 hours of becoming aware of missing livestock, pets or hunting dogs. The complainant shall provide the location of the depredation and a description of the animals injured, killed or missing. The department shall make an onsite inspection within 48 hours of receipt of the complaint and draft a written report of the investigation, which shall include an estimate of the value of the loss. NR 12.53 NoteNote: The Department will contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-APHIS-Wildlife Services to handle complaint contacts and response.
NR 12.53(2)(2) Verification categories. Each complaint received under this section shall be classified by the department under one of the following: NR 12.53(3)(3) Claim submittal. The complainant shall submit a claim for reimbursement within 14 days of the loss on forms provided by the department. NR 12.53 HistoryHistory: CR 05-004: CR 05-005: cr. Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 23-047: am. (1), (2) (a) to (c) Register October 2025 No. 838, eff. 11-1-25. NR 12.54NR 12.54 Depredation reimbursement procedures. NR 12.54(1)(a)(a) Verified claims. Only cases classified as confirmed depredation or probable depredation by the department shall be eligible for reimbursement, except as provided in sub. (2) (c). NR 12.54(1)(b)(b) Compliance. Claimants need to be in compliance with carcass disposal requirements of s. 95.50, Stats., for livestock claims and, for farm-raised deer claims, the farm-raised deer fencing requirements of ss. 90.20 and 90.21, Stats., in order to be eligible for reimbursement. NR 12.54 NoteNote: Section 95.50, Stats., regulates disposal of livestock carcasses and requires burning or burying the carcass when the animal is suspected of dying from highly dangerous diseases. Sections 90.20 and 90.21, Stats., specify fencing requirements for those who raise or keep farm-raised deer. NR 12.54(2)(a)(a) Livestock. The department shall reimburse the claimant the fair market value, that is the feeder market value for young of the year or replacement value for adult (1+ years), of livestock killed by E/T species not to exceed the established maximum for that animal type. A maximum amount to be paid for each type of animal shall be established annually by the department. These maximums shall be determined each year by January 30, by a panel of 3 agriculture experts, one each from Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, University of Wisconsin−Madison agricultural extension, and the Wisconsin farm bureau federation. NR 12.54 NoteNote: The list of maximum allowable claims will be available from the Bureau of Endangered Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
NR 12.54(2)(am)(am) Hunting dogs and pets. The department shall reimburse the claimant the fair market value based upon recent sale records for similar animals of hunting dogs or pets killed by E/T species up to a maximum of $2,500 per animal. NR 12.54(2)(b)(b) Veterinary expenses. The department shall pay for all veterinary expenses incurred in the treatment of livestock, hunting dogs or pets injured by E/T species. If the animal dies from the injury, the veterinary treatment costs shall be paid in addition to the fair market value of the animal. If the animal does not die, only the veterinary treatment costs shall be paid. NR 12.54(2)(c)(c) Missing calves. Should wolves be listed on the endangered species list, the department shall reimburse the claimant for missing calves beyond those that would be lost according to the normal mortality rate determined by U.S. department of agriculture and that research has shown to be attributed to wolf depredation at a rate of up to 5 calves for each verified loss of livestock when all of the following criteria are met: NR 12.54(2)(c)1.1. The claimant tags all calves within 2 weeks of birth and provides a list certifying to the department an exact count at the beginning of the grazing season including information on the tag number, date and sex of all calves. NR 12.54(2)(c)2.2. The claimant records and provides a list certifying to the department an exact count of all calves rounded up at the end of the grazing season and a list of all tagged calves determined to be missing. NR 12.54(2)(c)3.3. The claimant provides a list certifying to the department all known deaths and losses of calves during the grazing season. NR 12.54(2)(c)4.4. The department has documented that at least one livestock loss on the claimant’s property within the same grazing season that is verified as a confirmed or probable wolf depredation and there is evidence that wolves continued to be present on the property during that period of time. NR 12.54(2)(c)5.5. The claimant certifies that they will cooperate with any research conducted by the department to determine the amount of mortality of missing calves that is caused by wolves, if such cooperation does not impact the claimant economically in a significant manner or impose an unreasonable burden or hardship on the claimant. Disputes as to whether claimants are impacted economically in a significant manner or what is an unreasonable burden or hardship shall be resolved by the panel of 3 agricultural experts identified in par. (a). NR 12.54 NoteNote: The U.S. department of agriculture calculates the normal calf mortality rate for beef cow-calf operations nationwide. In 2003 that rate was 2.3%. The department will conduct scientific field research in Wisconsin to determine how much mortality to missing calves can be attributed to wolves.
NR 12.54(3)(3) Insurance. The department shall reimburse owners for losses due to E/T species depredation regardless of any other insurance the owner may have on the animals that were killed or injured. NR 12.54(4)(4) Claim payments. If wolves are listed on the federal or state endangered species list, the department shall pay damage claims as soon as practicable after determining that the claim is eligible to be paid. NR 12.54 HistoryHistory: CR 05-004: CR 05-005: cr. Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 23-047: am. (2) (a), (am), (b), (c), (3), cr. (4) Register October 2025 No. 838, eff. 11-1-25. NR 12.55NR 12.55 Personal property. The department may not provide compensation for damage done by E/T species or wolves to personal property other than livestock, hunting dogs and pets. NR 12.55 HistoryHistory: CR 05-004: CR 05-005: cr. Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05. NR 12.60NR 12.60 Purpose. This subchapter is adopted to implement and administer the payment of claims for damage associated with wolves authorized by s. 29.888, Stats. In administration of the wolf depredation program the department shall ensure that the funds appropriated by the legislature are used first to pay wolf damage claims and if any funds remain after paying claims, funds may be used to pay for wolf management and control activities. NR 12.60 HistoryHistory: CR 23-047: cr. Register October 2025 No. 838, eff. 11-1-25; correction made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register October 2025 No. 838. NR 12.61NR 12.61 Applicability. This subchapter applies to claims for damages caused by gray wolves. It is not applicable to damage caused by gray wolves at times when the wolf is listed on the federal or the state endangered species list. NR 12.61 HistoryHistory: CR 23-047: cr. Register October 2025 No. 838, eff. 11-1-25. NR 12.62NR 12.62 Definitions. For the purposes of this subchapter: NR 12.62(1)(1) “Confirmed depredation” means that the department has found clear evidence that wolves were responsible for the depredation or injury, such as a carcass present with bite marks and associated hemorrhaging, tracks in the immediate vicinity or other sign. NR 12.62(2)(2) “Confirmed non-wolf depredation” means the department has found conclusive evidence that something other than a wolf killed or injured the animal. NR 12.62(3)(3) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of natural resources or agents designated by the department. NR 12.62(4)(4) “Hunting dogs” means any dog lawfully used in the hunting, tracking, or trailing of game animals other than wolves. NR 12.62(5)(5) “Livestock” means the following farm animals: bison and other bovine animals, sheep, goats, swine other than wild hogs, farm-raised deer, equine animals, poultry, ratites, llamas, alpacas, captive game animals, guard animals for livestock, and fish. NR 12.62(6)(6) “Pets” mean dogs and other domestic animals maintained as companion animals but does not include livestock or hunting dogs. NR 12.62(7)(7) “Probable depredation” means that the department did not find a carcass from a reported depredation or the damage observed on the carcass was inconclusive but there is evidence of a wolf depredation such as a kill site, blood trails, tracks, or scat located in the immediate vicinity. NR 12.62(8)(8) “Unconfirmed depredation” means any depredation that is not a confirmed depredation or a probable depredation. NR 12.62 HistoryHistory: CR 23-047: cr. Register October 2025 No. 838, eff. 11-1-25; correction in (7) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register October 2025. NR 12.63NR 12.63 Depredation verification procedures. NR 12.63(1)(1) Response time. Any person who believes that livestock, pets or hunting dogs owned by the person has been injured or killed by a wolf and wishes to seek compensation under this subchapter shall contact the department within 24 hours of the depredation or within 24 hours of becoming aware of injured, killed or missing livestock, pets, or hunting dogs. The complainant shall provide the location of the depredation and a description of the animals injured, killed, or missing. The department shall make an onsite inspection within 48 hours of receipt of the complaint and draft a written report of the investigation, which shall include an estimate of the value of the loss. NR 12.63 NoteNote: The department currently contracts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-APHIS-Wildlife Services to handle complaint contacts and response.
NR 12.63(2)(2) Verification categories. The department shall classify each complaint received under this section as one of the following: NR 12.63(3)(3) Claim submittal. The complainant shall submit a claim for reimbursement of a verified loss within 30 days of the loss on forms provided by the department. Missing calf claims shall be submitted by December 31st of the year the loss occurred. NR 12.63 NoteNote: The wolf damage loss reimbursement request form is available by contacting the department wildlife damage specialist.
NR 12.63 HistoryHistory: CR 23-047: cr. Register October 2025 No. 838, eff. 11-1-25; correction in (1) made under s. 35.17, Stats., and correction in (2) (a), (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 12., Stats., Register October 2025 No. 838. NR 12.64NR 12.64 Depredation reimbursement procedures. NR 12.64(1)(a)(a) Verified claims. Only cases classified as confirmed depredation or probable depredation by the department shall be eligible for reimbursement, except as provided in sub. (2) (d). NR 12.64(1)(b)(b) Compliance. A claimant for damage payments shall meet all of the following eligibility requirements: NR 12.64(1)(b)1.1. ‘Carcass disposal.’ A claimant shall comply with the carcass disposal requirements of s. 95.50, Stats., for claims for livestock other than farm-raised deer and, for claims for farm-raised deer, the farm-raised deer fencing requirements of ss. 90.20 and 90.21, Stats., to be eligible for reimbursement. NR 12.64 NoteNote: Section 95.50, Stats., regulates disposal of livestock carcasses and requires burning or burying the carcass when the animal is suspected of dying from highly dangerous diseases. Sections 90.20 and 90.21, Stats., specify fencing requirements for those who raise or keep farm-raised deer. NR 12.64(1)(b)2.2. ‘Open hunting access.’ Unless exempted by the department, a claimant seeking compensation for wolf damages that occurred on property a claimant owns or leases shall have hunting access control over all contiguous land on which they seek wildlife damage abatement assistance or claims. An enrollee shall open their land to hunting or trapping wolves during the wolf hunting and trapping seasons established in s. NR 10.01 (3) (j). A claimant may not charge any fees for hunting or trapping, hunting or trapping access or any other activity that includes hunting or trapping wolves. This hunting access requirement shall also apply to an enrollee who has also been issued a wolf removal permit under s. 29.885, Stats., and this chapter. An enrollee may restrict hunting access to normal daylight hunting hours and may restrict wolf hunters using dogs. An enrollee may refuse hunting access for reasonable cause as defined in s. NR 12.31 (7). NR 12.64(1)(b)3.3. ‘Hunter density and registration.’ The enrollee shall allow at least one trapper per enrolled property or 2 hunters per 40 acres of land suitable for hunting, as determined by the department using the criteria established in s. NR 12.36 (3) (b) 1. at any given time of the appropriate hunting season. The enrollee and hunting members of the immediate family that reside in the enrollee's household may be counted towards the hunter density requirement when they are actively hunting or trapping. To register for hunting or trapping access, a licensed hunter or trapper shall contact the claimant and arrange a meeting where the claimant shall describe any hunting constraints on the property, and any information necessary to promote safety and prevent trespass. NR 12.64(1)(b)4.4. ‘Compliance with wildlife damage abatement measures.’ In order to be eligible for wolf damage claim payments for an occurrence of wolf damage, a person seeking damage claim payments shall have complied with any wolf damage abatement measures to abate that wolf damage which were recommended by the department or its agent. Recommended measures shall be consistent with normal animal husbandry practices and may not interfere significantly with other normal animal husbandry practices in use on that farm. NR 12.64(1)(b)5.5. ‘Entry to land.’ An enrollee shall allow the department or its agent to enter and inspect, at reasonable times, any land for which a depredation claim has been filed or for which wolf damage abatement measures have been implemented. NR 12.64(2)(a)(a) Livestock. The department shall reimburse the claimant the fair market value, that is the feeder market value for young of the year or replacement value for adult (1+ years), of livestock killed by wolves not to exceed the established maximum for that animal type. Producers with multiple confirmed livestock depredation events during the same grazing season shall be reimbursed at 1.25 times fair market value. This enhanced rate only applies to confirmed livestock depredation events that occur after the first confirmed livestock depredation event. A maximum amount to be paid for each type of animal may be established annually by the department. The department shall determine the annual maximums in consultation with a panel of agriculture experts which includes an individual from Wisconsin department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation or the federation’s designee. NR 12.64 NoteNote: The list of maximum allowable claims will be available from the DNR bureau of wildlife management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
NR 12.64(2)(b)(b) Hunting dogs and pets. The department shall reimburse the claimant the fair market value, up to a maximum of $2,500 per animal, for hunting dogs. Fair market value will be based upon recent sale records for similar dogs or pets and the recommendation of individuals with expertise in establishing the fair market value of dogs and shall be approved by the department. NR 12.64(2)(c)(c) Veterinary expenses. The department shall reimburse the claimant for all veterinary expenses incurred in the treatment of livestock, hunting dogs or pets injured by wolves. If the animal dies from the injury, the veterinary treatment costs shall be paid in addition to the fair market value of the animal. If the animal does not die, only the veterinary treatment costs shall be paid. The claimant shall submit a detailed receipt to the department within 30 days of paying the veterinarian bill. NR 12.64(2)(d)(d) Missing calves. The department shall reimburse the claimant for missing calves beyond those that would be lost according to the normal mortality rate determined by U.S. department of agriculture and that research has shown to be attributed to wolf depredation at a rate of up to 5 calves for each verified loss of livestock provided all of the following criteria are met: NR 12.64(2)(d)1.1. The claimant tags all calves within 2 weeks of birth and provides a list certifying to the department an exact count at the beginning of the grazing season, including information on the tag number, date, and sex of all calves. NR 12.64(2)(d)2.2. The claimant records and provides a list certifying to the department an exact count of all calves rounded up at the end of the grazing season and a list of all tagged calves determined to be missing. NR 12.64(2)(d)3.3. The claimant provides a list certifying to the department all known deaths and losses of calves during the grazing season. NR 12.64(2)(d)4.4. The department has documented that at least one livestock loss on the claimant's property within the same grazing season that is verified as a confirmed or probable depredation and there is evidence that wolves continued to be present on the property during that period of time. NR 12.64(2)(d)5.5. The claimant certifies that they will cooperate with any research conducted by the department to determine the amount of mortality of missing calves that is caused by wolves, if such cooperation does not impact the claimant economically in a significant manner or impose an unreasonable burden or hardship on the claimant. Disputes as to whether claimants are impacted economically in a significant manner or what is an unreasonable burden or hardship shall be resolved by the panel of 3 agricultural experts identified in par. (a). NR 12.64 NoteNote: The U.S. department of agriculture calculates the normal calf mortality rate for beef cow-calf operations nationwide. In 2003 that rate was 2.3 percent. The department will conduct scientific field research in Wisconsin to determine how much mortality to missing calves can be attributed to wolves.
NR 12.64(3)(a)(a) The department shall review and act on eligible claims on or before January 31 of the calendar year following the year in which the damage occurred. NR 12.64(3)(b)(b) The department shall pay claimants the full amount of wolf damage claims if appropriations under s. 20.370 (5) (fv), Stats., are sufficient to pay all wolf depredation claims in a given fiscal year. NR 12.64(3)(c)(c) If the approved claims exceed the funds available under appropriation s. 20.370 (5) (fv), Stats., claims shall be paid on a prorated basis. When prorating claims, the department shall pay a percent of each eligible claim equivalent to the percent of the total approved claim amount that can be paid with the total available funds. NR 12.64(3)(d)(d) The department shall reimburse claimants for losses due to wolf depredation regardless of any other insurance the claimant may have on the animals that were killed or injured.
