Plaintiff accuses Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (state agency) over Wolf Management Plan

The Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, a non-profit organization, has filed an appeal against the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The appeal was filed in the Court of Appeals for Dane County on January 29, 2026. The case centers around a wolf management plan approved by the Board in October 2023, which Great Lakes claims violates several laws and constitutional provisions.

The controversy began when the Department of Natural Resources started drafting a wolf management plan in 2021 after gray wolves were removed from federal and state endangered lists. The plan was intended to regulate hunting and trapping of wolves as required by Wisconsin Statute § 29.185(1m). However, Great Lakes argues that the development and adoption of this plan violated Wisconsin’s open meetings law, administrative procedures act, and various constitutional rights including due process and equal protection. They allege that private listening sessions held by pro-hunting groups influenced the plan without public notice or participation, thus breaching open meetings law.

Great Lakes contends that their comments during the public review period were disregarded while feedback from these private sessions was incorporated into the final plan. They assert this process violated their rights under the Wisconsin Constitution and failed to uphold duties under the public trust doctrine to conserve wildlife responsibly. Furthermore, they argue that these actions infringe upon their right to hunt as protected by Article I, Section 26 of the state constitution.

In response to these allegations, the respondents moved to dismiss Great Lakes’ petition on grounds that it failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. The circuit court agreed with this motion and dismissed the petition with prejudice—a decision now being appealed by Great Lakes.

Great Lakes is seeking judicial review to overturn this dismissal and have their claims heard. They aim for declaratory judgment on violations of open meetings law and administrative procedures act along with recognition of constitutional breaches regarding due process and equal protection. Additionally, they seek acknowledgment of infringements on their right to hunt under state law.

Representing Great Lakes are attorneys whose names are not mentioned in this document; however, Judge Stephen E. Ehlke presided over initial proceedings at Dane County Circuit Court before Judges Graham P.J., Kloppenburg J., Nashold J., reviewed it at appellate level under Case ID No. 2024AP1220.