Wolf Hunting Legislation Finds Opposition from Native Americans

“It’s like they want to come in here and shoot my brothers and my sisters,” Mary Favorite, a member of the Ojibwe tribe of Native Americans, told Minnesota Public Radio when asked about her thoughts regarding wolf hunting in Wisconsin.

Favorite’s statement is one echoed by many Great Lakes area Native Americans. According to the New York Times, “The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Game Commission which represents 11 tribes of the Ojibwe (also known as the Chippewa or Anishinaabe) in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan opposes the hunt on the basis of religious principle and tradition.”

Some tribes have already taken steps to prevent wolf hunting. In 2010, the Red Lake Band of Ojibe declared almost 850,000 acres of land as a wolf sanctuary. Other tribes have banned wolf hunts except for specific ceremonial purposes, or if the wolf is a threat to livestock or humans.

In a written letter to both Wisconsin legislative houses, James Zorn, executive administrator wrote “In the Anishinaabe creation story we are taught that Ma’iingan (wolf) is a brother to Original man.” He continued, ‘The health and survival of the Anishinaabe people is tied to that of Ma’iingan.” This belief is one that is common among many Native American tribes.

While the legal systems of state governments and tribal governing bodies are completely separate land ownership would complicate the enforcement of any law passed, in the Great Lakes states many tribal lands have a “checkerboard pattern” that could make determining whether or a not a wolf could be taken difficult for hunters.

Advocates of wolf hunting argue that wolves can be a very damaging species if not adequately controlled. Wolves prey extensively on other wild animals like elk and the reintroduction of wolves in several western states has had a corresponding (some would say unnatural) negative effect on the populations of other species in their ecosystems. Proponents of wolf hunting also point to the attacks perpetrated on livestock by wolves as evidence that they need to be controlled.

Long time Ojibwe tribal activist Bob Shimek believes opposition to wolf hunting laws will only get stronger— at least in Minnesota. However, he doesn’t believe Native American opposition will change the minds of law makers. “I honestly believe that a thousand Indians could show up in St. Paul to testify against this wolf legislation and it would not matter one single bit in terms of the outcome,” Shimek said to Minnesota Public Radio, “that’s just the nature of politics.”

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Minnesota DNR to Reassess Deer Population Goals

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin reassessing deer population goals this spring.

From 2005 through 2007 the DNR used an extensive public input process to establish deer population goals for all of the state’s approximately 130 deer permit areas. Now that those goal populations have been achieved in most areas, the DNR will use a similar process to reevaluate population goals in 23 permit areas in southwestern and north-central Minnesota.

“Hunter dissatisfaction has increased as deer numbers have decreased to meet established goals,” said Steve Merchant, DNR wildlife programs manager. “In fact, hunters are even expressing disappointment in certain areas where deer populations have increased to meet goals.” As a result, he said, the agency wants to revisit population goals in order to strike the right balance between hunter, landowner and other societal and resource interests.

The last time the DNR set population goals about one-half of the state’s deer hunting permit areas were slated for deer reductions. Conversely, about 40 percent of permit areas were slated for deer increases. Most of these areas were in the farmland country of western and southern Minnesota. Today, nearly 70 percent of deer populations are within goal, while 15 percent remain below goal and 18 percent are above goal.

“To a large degree we have achieved what we aimed to do,” said Merchant. “However, many Minnesota hunters are telling us they are not seeing the number of deer they have in the past. So, we intend to formally listen to their voices and those of others prior to setting 2012 deer hunting bag limits.” The agency intends to use the new population goals as an information tool for making 2012 deer season management decisions.

Merchant said the DNR decided to begin the reassessment process by convening stakeholder input groups in southwest and portions of northern Minnesota. As available, the agency will use the same stakeholder groups that met during the previous effort. The DNR will also take public comments via its website. The agency will make a formal announcement when the website’s public survey is online.

“We believe that the original stakeholder participants, many of whom were deer hunters, did a good job listening to each other’s points of view, and worked hard to reach consensus,” said Merchant. “Their input and that of citizens who complete the online survey will give us a good sense of public sentiment.”

The entire statewide reassessment process will take more than one year. It will begin by focusing on the following permit areas: 118, 119, 171, 173, 176-179, 181, 199, 234, 237, 238, 250, 252, 279, 286, 288, 289, and 294-296. Like last time, Merchant said, he expects stakeholders to bring forward their concerns about hunter satisfaction, forest health, crop depredation, deer-vehicle collisions and more. In the rest of the state where deer are at or below goal, DNR will set regulations for the fall of 2012 that will maintain or increase populations until the statewide goal review process is completed.

Acting Big Game Program Leader Erik Thorson will coordinate the reassessment. Thorson is serving in the position until a permanent replacement is hired for Lou Cornicelli, who recently vacated that position to lead the agency’s wildlife research unit.

Minnesota’s deer population has swung significantly over the past 50 years. In 1971, for example, the state closed the deer hunting season because the population was too low. The DNR rebuilt the deer herd through tighter hunting regulations during the following decades. The deer harvest peaked at 290,000 in 2003 as the agency began to reduce deer numbers. Last year’s harvest was 192,300, down 7 percent from the previous year and 15,000 fewer than the 2010 harvest.

Nationally, deer managers look at deer density goals as a societal issue more so than a biological issue. Deer are capable of achieving high densities, so are generally managed at a level of social tolerance rather than managed for the maximum number that can be supported by the habitat. This involves balancing desires of hunters, wildlife watchers and others who may support higher deer densities with those of farmers, foresters or others who experience conflicts with deer who may favor lower deer densities.

White-tailed deer are an important resource to the state of Minnesota. Nearly 500,000 individuals hunt deer and countless other people enjoy viewing deer in the state.

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A Mix of Good and Bad: Warm Winter Climate Effects on the Midwest

Temperatures in the Midwest and in many other parts of the United States have been unusually high and snowfall exceptionally low for the 2011/2012 winter season. Some industries are adjusting well to the unseasonably warm temperatures, while others have taken a hit, but are not suffering.

Given that so many parts of the outdoor industry are adjusting well, what is it exactly that’s being affected?

More Food and Less Predators for Michigan Upper Peninsula Deer

According to a Feb. 21, 2012 report by Jon Gaskell for the Capital News Service, the mild winter could provide more food for deer and give deer an advantage over their predators. The population could also grow, whereas in normal winters many fawns die off within their first year in extreme cold temperatures. Old and unhealthy deer that normally fall victim to severe temperatures might make it in greater numbers as well. All this could lead to an exceptional hunting season in the fall.

Hunting and Fishing Stayed the Same in Ohio, Even Though Patterns Changed

Vicki Ervin, the communications manager for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, said this year was the first time Lake Erie didn’t freeze over for fishermen. So there were no shanties on the lake with ice-fishers in them, anglers still took to the water on their boats.

As far as hunting goes, Ervin recalled one week in January where temperatures were in the 40s and 50s. She said the kill numbers went up that week as more hunters ventured out. “It doesn’t change those things,” Ervin said, referring to hunting, “it changes the patterns of those users; they adapt to it.”

Outdoor Product Sales Take a Big and a Small Hit

The final figures on outdoor product sales presented a complex result. Because of the “unusually late and tame onset of winter”, January sales rose by a slow one percent growth, according to a report by by the Outdoor Industry Association and The SportsOneSource Group. Certain outdoor products performed better than others, such as a strong sale of footwear and apparel.

Other outdoor products were not so fortunate to have grown. TMJ4 in Brookfield, Wisconsin reported that many motorsports shops are sitting on unsold snowmobile inventory. Bob VanZeist, owner of Don & Roy’s Motorsports, said, “People aren’t riding as much so service is down, parts, consumption’s down so it’s kind of hurt across the board and it’s really created more cabin fever than we’re accustomed to.”

On a side note, snowmobile registrations are down 40 percent from last year in the state of New York.

Snowmobile Fatalities Down in Wisconsin

Todd Schaller, the conservation warden for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said his department has noticed less snowmobilers and ice-fishers this year. “Three weeks ago our non-residence trail pass [for snowmobiles] was down over 30 percent,” Schaller said. On a positive note, less snowmobiles means less accidents. “We have had less snowmobile fatalities, which is reflective a little bit on the volume of use,” said Schaller.

Mountain Sports Will Survive Through the Mild Winter

Surprisingly, mountain resorts seem to be affected less than expected. Both Shanty Creek Resorts and Boyne Mountain Highlands Resort (and similarly Boyne Mountain) in Michigan reported that despite a very small Christmas-time/holiday season, which is their most important, the resorts have retained enough customers in January and February to keep the business afloat. “It will not be a record year, but it will not be our worst year,” said Steve Kershner, the director of snow sports at Shany Creek Resorts.

Boyne Mountain Highlands’ natural snowfall totaled 52 inches through February, which is 30 inches less than this time last year. Compare those numbers to the 2008-09 season when total snowfall reached a higher-than-average 157 inches. Erin Ernst, the director of communications for Boyne, said the biggest problem the ski resort has experienced is actually not the snowfall, but the warm temperatures. The resorts and ski hills at Boyne have had to put additional resources into snowmaking this season to keep surface conditions at their best.

Campers Venturing Out Early

Outside of the Midwest, campers in West Virginia are already making reservations for campsites. State Parks Chief Ken Caplinger said, “This time of year, with the temperature as mild as I can remember, more campers than usual are checking the state parks website for campsite reservation forms.”

Overall, there are ups and downs in response to the warmer weather all across the board in the outdoor industry. Some hunters and the hunted are reaping the benefits while they last, while others are keeping their fingers crossed that winter 2012/2013 won’t be so warm.

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Wolves May Soon Become a Game Species in Minnesota

Wolves that just last month were on the endangered species list in Minnesota could very well be a game species by the time the next deer hunting season rolls around in that state.

The opening of Minnesota’s first wolf hunting season would coincide with the opening of the state firearm deer season in fall, according to the text of a bill a state house committee is considering this week. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources had earlier recommended a later season for wolves.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, also shot down a Natural Resources recommendation that wolf hunting and trapping licenses be $50 each. His bill would make those licenses $26, the same as deer hunting licenses.

The bill would allow the harvest of 400 wolves annually and a lottery would be held for awarding licenses.

Minnesota has an estimated 3,000 wolves, the most in the lower 48 states.

Wolves were taken off the endangered species list last month in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, thus giving the individual states the right to determine whether wolves can be hunted within their borders.

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Wolves May Soon Become a Game Species in Minnesota

Wolves that just last month were on the endangered species list in Minnesota could very well be a game species by the time the next deer hunting season rolls around in that state.

The opening of Minnesota’s first wolf hunting season would coincide with the opening of the state firearm deer season in fall, according to the text of a bill a state house committee is considering this week. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources had earlier recommended a later season for wolves.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, also shot down a Natural Resources recommendation that wolf hunting and trapping licenses be $50 each. His bill would make those licenses $26, the same as deer hunting licenses.

The bill would allow the harvest of 400 wolves annually and a lottery would be held for awarding licenses.

Minnesota has an estimated 3,000 wolves, the most in the lower 48 states.

Wolves were taken off the endangered species list last month in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, thus giving the individual states the right to determine whether wolves can be hunted within their borders.

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Minnesota’s Moose Population Continues to Decline; Hunting Season in Jeopardy

Researchers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are still puzzled as to the reason for the steadily declining moose population in Minnesota. The population fell by an estimated 670 moose to a total of 4,230 moose from 2011 to 2012.

While they have attributed a small percentage of deaths to known causes, the causes of adult non-hunting mortality that drive population decline are largely unknown, according to the DNR’s Minnesota Moose Research and Management Plan.

In the interim, the DNR may invoke further restrictions on moose hunting as it has in the past by halving the number of moose hunting permits, allowing only bull hunting.

Original press release issued by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on February 23rd, 2012:

Minnesota’s moose population continues to decline, dropping from an estimate of 4,900 in 2011 to 4,230 in 2012, according to the annual aerial survey by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“Estimates from the survey and results from research using radio-collared moose both indicate that the population has been declining in recent years,” said Mark Lenarz, DNR forest wildlife group leader.

Minnesota’s moose population was estimated at 8,840 in 2006 and has trended downward since then.

The causes of moose mortality are not well understood. Of 150 adult moose radio-collared since 2002 in Minnesota, 119 have subsequently died, most from unknown causes thought to be diseases or parasites. Ten moose died as a result of highway vehicle accidents. Two were killed by trains. Only 11 deaths were clearly the result of wolf predation.

This year’s aerial survey, however, showed some positive trends. The number of cows accompanied by calves and twin calves increased in 2012, which means more calves can potentially mature into adults. But the cow and calf ratio, estimated at 36 calves per 100 cows in 2012, remains well below 1990s estimates that likely contribute to a peak population in the early 2000s.

The 2012 survey results also showed the bull-to-cow ratio increased from 2011 to an estimated 108 bulls per 100 cows, indicating that more bulls were available to breed with cows.

DECISION ON HUNTING SEASON TO COME

While this year’s aerial survey showed improved calf survival and bull-to-cow ratio, the DNR will be evaluating the data and consulting with tribal biologists before making a decision on a 2012 hunting season. The decision on the season will be announced in the coming weeks.

Last fall, the DNR continued a bulls-only hunting season and cut the number of moose-hunting permits by more than half, from 213 in 2010 to 105.

Although hunting mortality of bulls is not driving the moose population decline, the state’s moose management plan does have science-based triggers for closing the hunting season. One of those triggers is if the bull-to-cow ratio drops below 0.67 bulls-per-cow for three consecutive years.

While the bull-per-cow ratio dropped to .64 bulls/cow in 2011, it went up this year to 1.08.

About the aerial survey

DNR wildlife researchers estimate the moose population by conducting an aerial survey of the northeastern Minnesota moose range. The surveys, which have been conducted each year since 1960, are based on flying transects in 49 randomly selected plots spread across the Minnesota’s Arrowhead region.

Since 2005, the downward trend in moose numbers, as reflected in the survey data, has been statistically significant.

Moreover, a study of radio-collared moose in northeastern Minnesota between 2002 and 2008 determined that non-hunting mortality was substantially higher than in moose populations outside of Minnesota. Although the formal study ended in 2008, researchers have continued to monitor non-hunting mortality, which has continued to be high.

A new, two-year study begins in 2013 that will concentrate on identifying disease and parasites that might be responsible for high moose mortality. Funding for the $600,000 study comes from the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which gets proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery. The funding, recommended by Legislative-Citizen Commission on Natural Resources, has been appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature.

Funding and personnel for the annual DNR aerial survey are also provided by the Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa and 1854 Treaty Authority.

A copy of the 2012 aerial survey report is available online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/moose. The DNR’s Moose Management and Research Plan, approved in 2011 as a way to possibly identify causes of moose mortality and potentially slow Minnesota’s declining population, is available at www.mndnr.gov/moose

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National Pheasant Fest 2013 in Minneapolis to Mark Pheasants Forever’s 30th Anniversary

Pheasants Forever will hold its annual National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic on February 15, 16 and 17, 2013 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The national convention and outdoor tradeshow will mark the Twin Cities-based wildlife habitat conservation organization’s 30^th anniversary.

The nonprofit Pheasants Forever – which formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1982 and is currently headquartered in the nearby suburb of White Bear Lake – has grown to more than 130,000 members and 700 chapters across the U.S. and Canada.   Members, chapter volunteers and the public will celebrate at the organization’s largest event, which features hundreds of exhibits, bird dogs, seminars, special events and attractions. Pheasants Forever’s last national event in Minnesota drew 29,802 attendees in 2008, the largest event in PF history.

“What was, three decades ago, a fledgling conservation group being run out of a house basement has matured into an organization that delivered more than $50 million last year to our wildlife habitat conservation mission,” said Howard Vincent, President and CEO of Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever (which it formed in 2005), “Pheasants Forever’s success is built by thousands of volunteers who’ve donated time, money, sweat, energy and passion for the altruistic cause of conserving this nation’s precious uplands and wetlands. It’s important for us to celebrate these anniversary milestones, but more important to say ‘thank you’ to our supporters.”

Fittingly, the celebration will take place in the organization’s birth place, as Pheasants Forever was formed by a group of Minnesota pheasant hunters who saw the need for habitat preservation and restoration in 1982. Pheasants Forever’s first accomplishment was as the instrumental player in the passage of Minnesota Pheasant Habitat Stamp legislation, to this day required by all Minnesota pheasant hunters. Today, Minnesota is home to 77 Pheasants Forever chapters, 2 Quail Forever chapters and 25,000 members. Pheasants Forever has spent more than $52 million on habitat and conservation education in the state, including more than $37 million on 33,770 acres that have been purchased, permanently protected and opened to public hunting and outdoor recreation.

Nationwide, Pheasants Forever has spent more than $407 million on wildlife habitat projects and conservation education. Those funds have translated into 441,963 habitat projects benefiting 8.4 million acres across North America, and put 100,046 youngsters through mentored hunts and shooting sports events. Pheasants Forever also owns a program efficiency of 91.7 percent – the most efficient national conservation organization in the country.

Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic is the country’s largest event for upland hunters, sport dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists, combining a national outdoor tradeshow, wildlife habitat seminar series, and family event complete with puppies, tractors, shotguns and art.

“We are thrilled to be bringing our signature event home to celebrate 30 years of successes, but also to rally our supporters for the habitat battles on the horizon,” added Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Corporate Sales.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.

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Minnesota Gun Rights Bill Finds Staunch Opposition

The Minnesota State finance committee recently passed House File 1467 with a vote of 10 to 5. The bill will now be considered by the House Judiciary Committee.

According to therightofthepeople.org, HF 1467 contains several significant firearms policy reformations.

1. The law, if passed, would remove a Minnesotans’ legal responsibility to retreat from an attacker allowing an individual to stand their grown and protect themselves or their family anywhere they are lawfully present.
2. It would create a presumption that someone who enters another person’s home, either by force or stealth, is there to cause substantial injury or death. This would justify the use of deadly force against any home invader.
3. Currently Minnesota carry permits are valid in 15 states. The proposed law would make it easier for other states to enter into reciprocity agreements with Minnesota.
4. The law would forbid any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession of a firearm during a state of emergency.
5. It would extend the life of a gun permit from 1 year to 5 years and permit denials easier to appeal.

Many Minnesotans have voiced the opposition to HF1467.

The text often referred to by HF1467 opponents reads: “A dwelling includes, but is not limited to, a building or conveyance and that building’s or conveyance’s curtilage and any attached or adjacent deck, porch, appurtenance, or other structure, whether the building or conveyance is used temporarily or permanently for these purposes, is mobile or immobile, or is a motor vehicle, watercraft, motor home, tent, or the equivalent.”

You can read the entire text of HF1467 here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/getbill.php?number=HF1467&session=ls87&version=list&session_number=0&session_year=2011

The key term in question is “cartilage” which, in legal matters, refers to the land surrounding a dwelling.

Opponents of HF14677 refer to it as the “Shoot First.” Protect Minnesota, one such group of opponents, claim the bill’s language is too ambiguous and is worded in such a way that Minnesotan’s could should unarmed individuals simply for entering their yard.

At this time there is no word on if or how the bill we be changed in order to gain further support.

The bill was sponsored by Minnesota State Senator Gretchen Hoffen (R) and Representative Tony Cornish (R).

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Pheasants Forever Honors Partners and Volunteers at Minnesota Convention

Minnesota Pheasants Forever (PF) recognized chapters and individuals from across the state for their wildlife habitat conservation efforts at its recent state convention. The Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter was named the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year, Dennis Malmgren of Watonwan was named Minnesota Pheasants Forever Volunteer of the Year, the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Professional of the Year Award was given to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Region 3 (Midwest Region), and the USDA’s NRCS and Minnesota Board of Water and Resources were recognized for the Bill Sandy (Making a Difference) Award.

Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards

The Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter was recognized as the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year. The chapter supports Minnesota Pheasants Forever’s effort to build the state’s habitat capacity, has grown in membership, and had several committee members participate in the Minnesota Pheasants Forever State Convention, district meetings and an advisory Task Force. Further, the Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter is a strong proponent of state and federal conservation policy and is active in acquiring and improving habitat management on public lands. In addition, the chapter has worked closely with Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, USDA – NRCS, Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Otter Tail Soil Water Conservation District to bring a Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist to Otter Tail County to assist landowners in designing, developing and funding habitat improvements on private lands.

Two of the chapter’s committee members were also recognized at the awards banquet.  Aaron Larsen was the recipient of Pheasants Forever’s Dedication Award, and Ilga Polleitis was inducted to Pheasants Forever’s Long Spur Society for being instrumental in the creation or continuation of the chapter and playing an essential role in the development of chapter programs.

Other Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards: “Youth Chapter of the Year” – Tri-County PF Chapter • “No Child Left Indoors Youth Programming Award” – Metro Area PF & Lyon County PF • “Most Improved Banquet” – Mower County PF Chapter • “Best Banquet” – NW Suburban PF Chapter • “Conservation Excellence – $250K Spending on Habitat” – Buffalo Ridge PF, Murray County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $500K Spending on Habitat” – Watonwan County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $750K Spending on Habitat” – Kanabec County PF, Pelican River PF, Renville County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $1 Million Spending on Habitat” – Brown County PF Chapter, Mower County PF Chapter • “Conservation Excellence – $2 Million Spending on Habitat” – Goodhue County PF, Kandiyohi County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $3 Million Spending on Habitat” – Nobles County PF

Minnesota Pheasants Forever Overall Awards

Dennis Malmgren, President of  Watonwan County Pheasants Forever Chapter, was voted Minnesota Pheasants Forever’s Volunteer of the Year. Malmgren has worked diligently for the past 10 years with partners and volunteers to ensure his community has sustainable wildlife habitat and youth initiatives. Last year, Malmgren led his chapter in completing 48 habitat projects ranging from food plots to land acquisition. Equally important is Malmgren’s leadership in introducing Minnesota’s youth to the outdoors. In 2011, 58 children, along with their parent or guardian, experienced a mentored hunt hosted by Watonwan County Pheasants Forever. An additional 100 children participated in trap shooting.

Other Minnesota Pheasants Forever Awards: “Wildlife Professional of the Year” – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Region 3 (Midwest Region) • “Bill Sandy (Making a Difference) Award” – USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Minnesota’s Board of Water & Soil Resources – RIM/WRP Partnership • “Brood Booster Award” – Don Baloun, Natural Resources Conservation Service • “Private Donor of the Year” – Dennis & Lauren Leaf

Minnesota is home to 79 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters, and over 25,800 combined Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members. For inquiries, please contact Rehan Nana, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Public Relations Specialist, at (651) 209-4973 / Email Rehan.

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Wolf Removed From Endangered Species List in Western Great Lakes

The wolf continues to bounce back after it was hunted nearly to extinction by the early 20th century. This week, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service removed the wolf from the federal endangered list and put wolf-management control back in the hands of three Great Lakes states, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Now, it is up to the individual states to decide how to manage the population including hunting laws, lethal control in regards to livestock, personal property and other laws. USFWS reminds Great Lakes residents that each state has its own laws concerning wolves and those living on the border of two states, especially those in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan and north Wisconsin, should seek proper information regarding their state.

More information on your state’s laws on wolves can be found on your state’s Natural Resources or Fish and Game Department. Click for Michigan DNR Wolves, Wisconsin DNR Wolves, and Minnesota DNR Wolves.

Original press release issued by Michigan DNR on January 27th, 2012.

Management authority over wolves in Michigan has been officially returned to the Department of Natural Resources, putting the state’s Wolf Management Plan into effect, the DNR announced today.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove wolves in the western Great Lakes region from the federal endangered species list became official today. The Great Lakes region includes Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Wolves remain a protected, nongame species in Michigan, but state management will afford more options when dealing with wolves preying on livestock or dogs.

“Delisting is a victory for the state and for Michigan citizens who have been affected by this issue,” said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. “The state’s healthy wolf population is a reminder that Michigan still has places where wild animals such as wolves can live and thrive. Fully implementing the state’s Wolf Management Plan will allow us to more effectively respond to problem wolves, while maintaining a self-sustaining wolf population and increasing social acceptance of the species as a whole.”

The DNR will continue to recommend nonlethal methods of control as the first option for residents. However, in cases where nonlethal methods are not working or are not feasible, state officials will now have greater flexibility to use lethal means to remove problem wolves when appropriate. In addition, Michigan residents will be able to legally protect their livestock and dogs if an animal is being attacked by a wolf.

The Michigan Legislature passed laws in 2008 to allow livestock or dog owners, or their designated agents, to remove, capture, or, if deemed necessary, use lethal means to destroy a wolf that is “in the act of preying upon” (attempting to kill or injure) the owner’s livestock or dog(s). These state laws took effect Jan. 27, 2012.

Livestock or dog owners who use lethal means to destroy a wolf must observe the following guidelines:

1. Report the lethal take of a wolf by calling the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800 no later than 12 hours after the lethal take.
2. Retain possession of the wolf until a DNR official is available to take possession. A DNR official will respond to the scene within 12 hours of notification.
3. Do not move or disturb the dead wolf. The only exception to this rule is if a wolf has been killed in the act of preying upon livestock and leaving the wolf in place would impede normal farming practices. In that case the wolf may be moved to a secure location once photographs are taken of the wolf and the area where lethal means were used.

“Although lethal control methods are now legal in certain circumstances, wolves remain a protected species in Michigan and no hunting or trapping season is in place,” said DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler. “The DNR will investigate and continue prosecution of any wolf poaching cases.”

Illegally killing a wolf is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and the cost of prosecution. Suspected poaching violations may be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the DNR’s RAP hotline at 800-292-7800.

There are an estimated 687 wolves in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. For more information on Michigan’s wolf population, greater detail about the two laws governing wolf depredation, and to see the state’s Wolf Management Plan, visit www.michigan.gov/wolves.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.  For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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