A study by the American University of Wisconsin and the Swedish University of Agricultural Science questioned the theory that the legal hunting would help reduce poaching, in particular the killing of wolves and bears. The research was published in the British newspaper of the Royal Society of London B "Proceedings" and examined wolves in Wisconsin itself and Michigan, two states where animals have been placed under federal protection at different times. Researchers have focused on the effects of policies that authorize killing or selective killing wolves who are suspected of damaging property or threatening humans and other animals.
According to the study, in the period in which the experiments were conducted, poaching phenomena have increased, suggesting that the liberalization of hunting could be a negative message. Such a conclusion can only generate controversy e further divide hunters and animal rights activists. Furthermore, the authors said they were certain that the issue has been culpably underestimated so far. For the study, an indirect measure was examined, namely the growth rate of the wolf population, which is useful for determining the effects of poaching, according to the researchers.
In addition, a mathematical model was used to estimate the likelihood that this growth rate would change as a function of abatement policies. There are, however, those who disagree. Eg, Daniel MacNulty - wolf expert and university assistant - pointed out how the results of the study are dominated by uncertainty, as well as forced: in addition, the research according to which the growth of the wolf population in Wisconsin it has slowed significantly in recent years.