Table 1. Public opinions about Wisconsin's compensation policies for losing domestic animals to wolves

Attitude or result

Bear hunters
(n=198)

Livestock producers 
(n=107)

Other rural residents  
(n=224)

Total
(n=529)

I. Compensation for livestock loss

A. If an individual believes he/she has lost a farm animal to a wolf, he/she:

- Should be compensated for loss no matter how he/she is managing livestock.

69.1%

66.7%

26.0%

49.3%

- Should be compensated for loss only if following best management practices.

24.6%

29.5%

62.6%

42.6%

- Should not be compensated.

6.3%

3.8%

11.5%

8.1%

B. If an individual believes he/she has lost a farm animal to a wolf, he/she:

- Should be compensated for loss whether or not he/she can produce evidence of a wolf.

25.0%

23.4%

10.5%

18.1%

- Should be compensated for loss only if government agents find evidence of a wolf.

68.8%

70.2%

77.6%

73.1%

- Should not be compensated.

6.3%

6.4%

11.9%

8.8%

II. Compensation for hounds

If an individual believes his or her hunting dog has been injured or killed by a wolf while it was on public land:

- Should be compensated for loss whether or not he/she can produce evidence of a wolf.

23.2%

16.7%

10.2%

16.0%

- Should be compensated for loss only if government agents find evidence of a wolf.

65.5%

46.1%

52.2%

55.6%

- Should not be compensated.

11.3%

37.3%

37.6%

28.3%

III. Compensation for individuals

A cap on individual compensation payments should be made when claimed losses exceed:

$2,000

13.6%

14.9%

32.7%

22.3%

$5,000

8.3%

7.4%

14.4%

10.8%

$10,000

7.1%

8.5%

11.5%

9.3%

$50,000

4.1%

4.3%

1.9%

3.2%

No cap on compensation payments

66.9%

64.9%

39.4%

54.4%

 

 

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