Tuesday Group -- Wolves, Deer, and Deer Hunting: The data matters with Thomas Gable

The Tuesday Group presentation on June 18, 2024 was provided byThomas Gable.

The relationship between wolves and deer populations has been a subject of interest and debate for decades. Recently, there has been intense interest in the topic given the decrease in deer populations—and subsequently deer hunter success rates—in northern Minnesota. Join Tom Gable, Project Lead of the Voyageurs Wolf Project, as he does a deep dive into the data on the relationships between wolf and deer populations in and around the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem as well as the role of wolves on deer hunter success. Tom will also discuss whether a recreational hunting and trapping season of wolves would likely lead to an increase deer populations or deer hunter success.

Tom is the project lead for the Voyageurs Wolf Project and has been studying wolves in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem for over a decade. Tom completed his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota and his Master's at Northern Michigan University. Tom is perpetually fascinated at how wolves and their prey interact and make a living in the southern boreal forests of the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem. As such, much of Tom's research is focused on trying to untangle and learn more about these species and their interactions.