MADISON, WI (AP)-- Hunters are four wolves shy of Wisconsin's statewide kill limit, throwing the prospect of using dogs in this year's hunt into doubt.
State tallies show hunters had taken 146 wolves as of Thursday, just short of the 150-wolf limit.
The 2012 Republican law that created Wisconsin's wolf hunt allows hunters to use dogs to trail wolves beginning the first day after the end of the nine-day gun deer season. That season ends Sunday, which means hunters can employ dogs beginning Monday.
Animal rights advocates have long contended that using dogs on wolves leads to bloody confrontations in the woods. If hunters kill four wolves before Monday dogs will be a moot point this year. The wolf season must end when hunters reach the statewide limit.