The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday the gray wolf will be removed from the endangered species list in Michigan, Minnesota, and here in Wisconsin. Governor Scott Walker has ordered that the DNR can now begin implementing the state's wolf management plan.

Now that the wolf is off the endangered species list, the DNR says that means farmers can now start protecting their livestock. This has been a very controversial subject over the years, but the DNR is hoping now with the announcement today it will be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

"I know it is a big concern that people have and I know especially up north there's a lot of problems with that," says Julie Imgrund. She lives outside and Osseo and had a wolf eat one of her calves back in the spring of 2008. "I think this is a great example of federal government letting state governments be able to take care of a local problem."

The state's wolf management plan starts January 27th. At that time the DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp says land and property owners will be able to acquire a 90 day permit from the DNR to hunt and kill any wolf on their property. She says the permits will be issued based on several factors including proof of degradation in the last two years within a mile of their land and harassment or safety concerns.

"Additionally we'll be able to capture and euthanize wolves that are causing degradation on farms and attacking near residential areas," says Stepp.

The wolf population in Wisconsin has grown from 25 in 1980 to more than 800, which is well over the federal and DNR goal. Until now the DNR has been able to do little to help people protect their livestock and pets.

"You have public sentiment turning the wrong way with the wolves and being much more of a negative light, which they view the wolf instead of a positive success story about saving them from extinction," explains Stepp.

"I think like it seems like a nice middle ground," says Imgrund.

Stepp says the decision is all about balancing respecting and protecting the wolf, but also protecting people and their property. It will still be a crime if you don't have a permit unless you catch the wolf in the act of killing your livestock.

For more information about the delisting of the gray wolf check out the link below to the DNR.

Gray Wolf Delisting Information

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TLANTA, Mich. (AP) -- The Obama administration is taking gray wolves in the western Great Lakes region off the federal endangered species list.

The Associated Press obtained a Wednesday statement in which Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the more than 4,000 wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have exceeded recovery goals and no longer need federal protection.

Responsibility for managing and protecting those wolves will be turned over to state wildlife agencies. The populations will be monitored for at least five years to make sure they remain at sustainable levels.

The Interior Department also says it's reconsidering a previously announced plan to remove endangered species protections for wolves in 29 Eastern states, even though they aren't believed to have any established wolf populations. Officials say they'll decide on the status of Eastern wolves later.