Natural Resources Board to weigh hiring outside legal counsel in wolf lawsuits

The state Department of Natural Resources policy board plans to vote next week on whether to hire its own attorneys in a pair of lawsuits seeking to block the fall wolf hunt.

The board is slated to meet Monday at noon.

A coalition of wildlife advocacy groups filed a lawsuit seeking to block the hunt in state court in August. Six Native American tribes filed a federal lawsuit in September to stop the hunt.

The Wisconsin Justice Department is representing the board in both lawsuits, but Board Chairman Fred Prehn said its attorneys haven’t been communicating with board members. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul runs the state Justice Department.

The board is controlled by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s appointees.