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Tallbear
05-09-2013, 05:08 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2013

Contact: Amy Trotter, Michigan United Conservation Clubs,
(517) 331-1909
atrotter@mucc.org

MUCC Applauds NRC in Approving Michigan Wolf Season

ROSCOMMON, MI – In a landmark decision this evening, the Natural Resources Commission approved a limited wolf hunting and trapping season for Michigan's Upper Peninsula. MUCC members have long supported a sustainable hunting and trapping season for wolves.

"Wolves are a conservation success story, with populations having been recovered for a decade. Having hunters and trappers assist the Department with their management continues the scientific-based framework that has been so successful in sustaining other recovered populations like elk and turkey in Michigan", said MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough.

Armed with quality information from a variety of in and out of state wildlife experts, the NRC made some amendments to the season initially proposed by the DNR wildlife staff.

There will be a target of 43 wolves among three management units; the level of proposed harvest and size and location of the units are commensurate with the level of recent nuisance complaints and depredation events.

Commissioner John Madigan, chair of the NRC Wildlife and Fisheries Committee, stated "As with other states that have authorized the public hunting of wolves, we believe that any target harvest level for a first hunt should be conservative....We believe that our recommendation will lead to a pragmatic and flexible program for managing wolves that recognizes the wide range of values people have for wolves."

In 2013, the season will open on November 15 and go through December 31, or whenever the desired unit harvest is met (which ever comes first). To manage this highly controlled season, a hunter will be required to report successful harvest by the end of the day via a designated phone line and also check in within 3 days to a DNR check station to allow them to collect biological information. Once the harvest is met (or expected to be met imminently) for an area, the entire unit will be closed for the season. Licensed hunters will be required to check daily online or by calling in to see if any units have been closed.

The NRC has proposed to offer 1,200 licenses over the counter, and available for sale on August 3, 2013 until October 31, or when ever they are sold out. Proof of a hunter safety certificate or previous hunting license must be shown at the time of purchase. Any legal hunting device, including firearms, archery, and crossbows, will be allowed for hunting as well as the use of foothold traps, on both public and private land.

As Michigan does with each and every game species and hunting/trapping regulation, the DNR intends to use adaptive management practices, which will evaluate the success of management, population levels, and the amount of effort spent to reach the desired harvest. This information will help to aide them in determining the parameters for future seasons.
Founded in 1937, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is the largest state-specific conservation organization in the country. Its mission is to conserve, defend and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.

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Tallbear
05-09-2013, 05:44 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2013

Contact: Adam Bump, 517-373-1263 or Ed Golder (GolderE@michigan.gov), 517-335-3014


Natural Resources Commission authorizes limited public wolf harvest aimed at managing the state’s wolf population

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) today approved a limited public wolf harvest in three distinct regions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The decision followed a process of dedicated conversation with the public and experts, along with a thorough review of the pertinent science.

"The recovery of Michigan's wolf population has been a remarkable success story," said Natural Resources Commission Chairman J.R. Richardson. "Today's decision by the NRC supports ongoing scientific management of this game species, just as voters intended when by an overwhelming margin they approved Proposal G in 1996. The public harvest proposal approved by the commission ensures the long-term presence of wolves while providing a valuable tool for managing conflicts between wolves and human populations. This is a thoughtful, science-based decision."

The commission adopted the regulations during its regular monthly meeting, held in Roscommon. The regulations establish a limited harvest of 43 wolves in three areas of the Upper Peninsula where wolf-human conflicts – including depredation of livestock and pets and human safety concerns – have been persistent despite employing a number of control measures.

Michigan's wolf population has grown significantly since 2000, with a current minimum population estimate of 658. The target harvest is not expected to impact the overall wolf population trajectory, based on published scientific research.

"This decision was the culmination of a long and thorough process by the NRC," said Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Keith Creagh. "The DNR will continue to work closely with the commission to be certain that Michigan's wolf population is managed according to the principles of sound science."

The regulations create three Wolf Management Units (WMU):

WMU A in Gogebic County in the far western Upper Peninsula – target harvest of 16 wolves;
WMU B in portions of Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon and Gogebic counties – target harvest of 19 wolves; and
WMU C in portions of Luce and Mackinac counties – target harvest of eight wolves.
The 2013 wolf season will open Nov. 15 and will run until Dec. 31 or until the target harvest for each WMU is reached. The bag limit is one wolf per person per year. Firearm, crossbow and bow-and-arrow hunting and trapping (foothold traps only, with an outside jaw spread of 5.25 inches to 8 inches) will be allowed on public and private lands.
Hunters will be required to report successful harvest over the phone on the day of harvest. Once the target harvest is met for a management unit, the entire unit will be closed for the season. Licensed hunters will be required to check daily by phone or online to determine whether any management units have been closed.

Successful hunters must present the carcass to a DNR check station within 72 hours of harvest. DNR staff members will seal the pelt and collect a tooth, female reproductive tracts and harvest location information.

A total of 1,200 licenses will be available for over-the-counter purchase, on a first-come, first-served basis, starting Aug. 3, 2013. Licenses will be valid for all three WMUs until each unit is closed. As established by the Legislature, the cost of a wolf hunting license is $100 for residents and $500 for nonresidents. In order to purchase a license, a hunter is required to have either purchased a previous hunting license or taken a state-approved hunter safety education course.

In developing its recommendations for a public wolf harvest, Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists gathered a variety of input and data. Actions by the DNR and the NRC included:

Completing a wolf population survey;
Reviewing documented wolf conflicts and the effectiveness of nonlethal and targeted lethal control measures;
Meeting with the Wolf Management Advisory Council, a diverse group of stakeholders, to discuss a possible wolf harvest aimed at resolving conflicts;
Providing public input opportunities, including four public meetings in March; and
Consulting with tribal governments through four meetings.
The NRC’s Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries presented a recommendation to the full commission that included a review of the experience of other states currently engaged in public wolf harvest and testimony from experts in the field with respect to wolf hunting issues, wolf biology and wolf population matters.
"We anticipate that this limited public harvest could both change wolf behavior over time – making them more wary of people, residential areas and farms – and reduce the abundance of wolves in these management areas that have experienced chronic problems," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. "We're aiming to decrease the number of conflicts and complaints while maintaining the long-term viability of the wolf population."

In January 2012, wolves in Michigan were removed from the federal list of endangered species. In December 2012, wolves were declared a game species when Gov. Rick Snyder signed Public Act 520 of 2012. State law authorizes the Natural Resources Commission to determine the method and manner of take for all game species in Michigan.

To learn more about the state's wolf population and Wolf Management Plan, visit www.michigan.gov/wolves (http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTMwNTA5LjE4NjIyNDMxJ m1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDEzMDUwOS4xODYyMjQ zMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NTU5NzIxJmVtY WlsaWQ9bWlrZXRoaWVkZUB5YWhvby5jb20mdXNlcmlkPW1pa2V 0aGllZGVAeWFob28uY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhd GVJZD0mJiY=&&&106&&&http://www.michigan.gov/wolves?source=govdelivery).