Can a wolf 'season' be far behind?

[Ferg]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 02 March 2005
Contact: Todd Hogrefe, 517-373-1263

DNR Applying for Permit Following Court Decision

Following a recent court decision, state wildlife officials are seeking to regain the necessary tools to effectively conserve and manage wolves in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is preparing a federal permit application to restore its authority to use lethal control to deal with wolf-related livestock depredation.

In January, a federal district court in Oregon withdrew a 2003 federal decision that had reclassified gray wolves from endangered to threatened status throughout much of the United States. Due to the change, management actions pertaining to the species are now more restricted. The DNR lost the legal authority to use lethal control to deal with wolf-related livestock depredation. In response, the department is preparing the federal permit application to restore its authority to use lethal control.

Although the wolf populations in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota have been exceeding recovery goals for several years, the status of wolves elsewhere in the country drove the court's decision. As a result of this ruling, the federal status of wolves in Michigan has reverted to endangered.

"We are seeking this permit to regain our ability to manage the wolf population in both an ecologically and socially responsible manner," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries.

DNR officials indicate the best interests of Michigan residents and the wolf population are served when the agency possesses the tools necessary to address depredation and human safety concerns. The ability to respond effectively can minimize the development of negative public attitudes and better ensure the persistence of the wolf population as a whole.

"Public support is absolutely necessary for the long-term persistence of the wolf population in Michigan," said Humphries. "By being able to deal with problem wolves effectively, we stand a much better chance at preventing that support from eroding."

Although lethal control may not be used in response to depredation until a federal permit is granted, the DNR can still offer help with regard to depredation or habituated wolves. The DNR encourages residents in need of assistance to call a local Operations Service Center or the RAP hotline 1-800-292-7800.


ferg....

[Huntsman27]

Man, this is sure to stir the pot with the wack jobs. Can see the signs now...save the wolves.....wolves are family too.....

[Bwana]

Don't try and apply logic to getting a Wolf Hunt Ferg. We will have the mother of all political fights to get this one passed when the time is appropriate (when we have hit population goals). Luckily, the Western States will already have fought the battles but the anti's know they have no chance obtaining a majority in those states. Michigan and Minnesota however, being the blue states that they are, will be the hotbed of the fight IMHO.

[Lunker]

Now thats a predator Hunt! I cant wait to wear my first wolf coat.

[Buddy Lee]

Don't try and apply logic to getting a Wolf Hunt Ferg. We will have the mother of all political fights to get this one passed when the time is appropriate (when we have hit population goals). Luckily, the Western States will already have fought the battles but the anti's know they have no chance obtaining a majority in those states. Michigan and Minnesota however, being the blue states that they are, will be the hotbed of the fight IMHO.

I think we could get a hunt...we just need to be clear and articulate about it. Set a population goal, say 400. Estimate the number of wolves in the UP, say 450. Issue 50 permits on a lottery system. All wolves are required to be checked in. Run it similar to the elk hunt.

Since there's already a significant SSS crowd in the UP taking things into their own hands (trust me I know), throw a bone to the anti's and really, and I mean really stiffen the penalty for poaching a wolf. I'm talking a significant prison term if you're caught.

There's my proposal. Fire away. :yikes:

[Adam Waszak]

Unfortunately, I think something bad will have to happen first like much more livestock and dog issues or even an encounter with humans. There is too much out there that stands in the way right now. Look at the doves they have been hunted everywhere for years and years but we can't even get that season through successfully yet let along the magestic wolf. It will happen but it won't be too sonn I don't think.

AW

[Huntsman27]

to back this one...........gonna be a huge uphill battle.

[Ferg]

Alpena News 4 March 2005

DNR continuing wolf survey

By AMANDA CAIRO
News Staff Writer
CLEAR LAKE — With the accidental shooting of a wolf in Presque Isle County in January, the Department of Natural Resources is looking for more signs of wolf presence in northern lower Michigan.


“We’re not attempting to do a survey of how many wolves there might be, but if we have any and where they are,” said Dave Smith, DNR wildlife habitat biologist.


Smith and DNR wildlife biologist Joe Valentine drove around the Clear Lake area Thursday, looking for tracks that may be wolfish.
“It’s a long shot,” Smith said.


So far, the survey has not revealed any signs of wolves, but the wolf killed and tracks of two other wolves found soon after show signs they are in the Presque Isle area.


“We don’t know if there are anymore here,” Smith said.


Smith said the wolf was caught in a trap in January and was shot before the trapper saw there was a radio collar on, and that it was a wolf.
He added the trapper shoots trapped animals from a distance so it does not needlessly struggle.


The wolf, which wore a radio collar was from the Upper Peninsula last known to be hanging around the Lake Michigan shore when she disappeared February 2004.


Smith added last year was the first time in many years there was an ice bridge between the peninsulas.


“We don’t know when she crossed or why. It was a real shame for us to lose her,” Smith said.


The study is from Alpena to Traverse City and north, with Smith and his team covering Vienna east and north to about Onaway.


With a lot of land to cover, about seven regions, Smith said the DNR, tribal biologists and Central Michigan University have been working together to look for evidence.


“Some are higher priority, but with the university and the tribal biologists we can cover them all,” Smith said.


The teams are focusing on areas that would make a good wolf habitat.


“You just don’t know where they’re going to be hanging out,” Smith said.


The teams are traveling throughout the area largely by truck on plowed roads and two tracks, and the teams are traveling by snow machines in areas where vehicles cannot go.


Smith said the office has been running crews on days without snow so they can see the tracks.


“We need to give them a chance to make tracks,” Smith said.


When a track is found, the teams look at it to determine whether it is a wolf track. Smith said the teams carry digital cameras to take photographs and send them to counterparts in the U.P. who are well acquainted with wolf prints.


If a track is found, it is measured. A wolf’s print will be three by four inches, substantially larger than most wild animals other than large dogs.


“You can usually tell the difference,” Smith said.


He added the team also will look at other tracks and the stride to determine if it is a wolf. The teams will look at where the animals is going and where it has been to see what the movement habits are.

[Linda G.]

The wolf that was caught in Presque Isle County was caught and trapped late last October. In early December another pair of wolf tracks was confirmed near that area. Nothing since then.

I talked to Brian Mastenbrook, the biologist who is leading the survey, yesterday. No wolves, but a lot of coyotes and dogs, in fact, they've been amazed at all the loose pet dogs they've found running around out there.

They will continue the survey for another couple of weeks or until the snow melts. They need snow to verify tracks, etc. Mastenbrook had no idea why they had not found any sign of wolves, the surveyors have covered literally every square inch of Presque Isle, Cheboygan and Alpena Counties, the area most believed to possibly hold wolves. Landowners have been very cooperative. They have received literally thousands of reports from the public, none confirmed as yet.

Mastenbrook wouldn't speculate on the possibility on what might have occurred IF there indeed was at least another pair of wolves in the NLP. It is believed by some that the wolves may have returned over the ice of the Straits to the UP.

Oh, btw, surveyors haven't seen any sign of cougars in the NLP, either.

[safetreehunt]

If I'm remembering correctly, all game decisions are now a part of the DNR's full responsibility, not the Michigan legislature, as it has always been in the past. I thought that this was part of the dove bill that was passed. It would seem to me that it would apply to a wolf season or any other animal season now.

Any lobbying effort would go directly to the DNR now.

[backwaterbuck]

All game decisions are part of the NRC and DNR's decision, unfortunately, wolves are not on the list of game. The same fight that was used to add doves to the list will also have to be used to add wolves. You can check out the link that shows what the "Dove Bill" added to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act at

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=mcl-324-40110a&queryid=9442367&highlight=mourning%20dove

[MI_Bowhunter]

You know, if you put one of those PETA rejects out in the woods in the UP all alone they might think again about hunting wolves

[xringer223]

to back this one...........gonna be a huge uphill battle.

On the other hand Canada has a wolf trapping/hunting season and since Jenny is from Canada and she wants to make Michigan part of Canada I think a wolf season is in the cards for us. Face it we take Canada's trash with no fight from the gov, just as if we are Canada.

[Huntsman27]

for good measure? I maybe wrong [doubtful] but she hasnt really done much. The economy sucks, job outlook sucks, I guess I just dont know what were paying her for? To look good?

[codybear]

After reading the title to this thread, I had to pop in.

All I can say is from what I have heard, the Wolf season is alread open in the western end of the U.P., if you know what I mean :lol:

CB

[bioman]

Feds are keeping a good eye on the UP wolf situation and the rampant killings during the recent years. All this will delay eventual delisting as Michigan needs to prove they can in fact protect the wolf before it is delisted.

I like the suggestion of stiffening the penalty for killings wolves in Michigan. Send a few poachers to jail and perhaps this shoot, shovel and shut up attitude established by poachers can be curtailed

Once delisting has occurrs it will take an act of legislation to make the wolf a game animal. Then and only then can the DNR set the stage for public harvest through trapping and or hunting. Of course the NRC and the Gov must sign off on this too.

Plan on miles of red tape and at least several law suits, one for sure from the Defenders of Wildlife. The group that led the Oregon suit to move the wold from threatened back to endangered.

[yooper357]

it would be really nice to shoot some wolves i saw 11 diffrent dogs this season from oct1 to the end of december 7 of them were running deer its getting hard to compete with them up here. i really dont want to start on those ignorant animals have fun

[Rondevous]

Although at first I was against the wolf, I have changed my mind.

A limited population could exist without creating a conflict.

Tourism could be boosted by the presence of wolves.

We are better off excepting the wolf than to waste monies fighting for a premature season.
In time we may hunt them in Michigan but now is not the time.
We should concentrate on combining all sportsmen for one cause.
Protect the rights we currently have and insure our future.

[hunting man]

I think they will get this through so the DNR doesnt have to take a farmer to court for shooting the wolf in their pastures chasing their farm animals.

We will have a wolf hunt right after they start moose hunting in Michigan. Not in my lifetime though.

[stream wader]

Huntsman27 for good measure? I maybe wrong [doubtful] but she hasnt really done much. The economy sucks, job outlook sucks, I guess I just dont know what were paying her for? To look good? hmmmmm can we say recall