Make Every Day Earth Day for Wolves

April 2021

With the loss of federal protection, legislators, hunting groups and natural resources commissions are pushing for wolf hunting/trapping seasons in the Great Lakes Region, particularly in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is the only state that requires a wolf hunting/trapping season be held when wolves are not federally listed. Wisconsin is also the only state that allows the use of dogs to hunt wolves.

In compliance with Act 169, the Wisconsin DNR announced a wolf hunt would be held in November 2021, however, a lawsuit filed by Hunter Nation forced a wolf hunt in February, during peak wolf breeding season. The results were devastating. It wasn't a hunt; it was a slaughter. We may never know the full impact for years.

Dozens of dogs were turned loose on wolf packs. The wolves didn't have a chance. Night hunting was allowed with high-powered scopes. Wolves were lured with bait and predator calls and chased with snowmobiles.

Social media posts advocated not to timely report kills in a deliberate attempt to exceed the quota. And they succeeded. With a quota of 119 wolves, 218 were killed, most with the use of dogs. Hunters boasted when they killed a collared research wolf.

And Wisconsin is planning this all over again for November 2021.

In Michigan, the Department stated there will not be a wolf hunting / trapping season in 2021, but petitions are being signed, resolutions passed in the legislature in an attempt to override the Michigan DNR.

We must push back; We will push back; For the Wolves.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Wisconsin DNR is seeking public comment on a Fall 2021 Wolf Hunting and Trapping Season and the Future of Wolf Management

ANYONE CAN RESPOND - YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A WISCONSIN RESIDENT

A “push poll” is a technique, disguised as research aimed to persuade large numbers of respondents to answer questions a in a way to obtain desired results rather than measure opinions.

Several of the questions contained in the Wisconsin Survey (online tool) are designed to get a desired result, typical of a push poll. You can leave questions blank. Below are some work-arounds:

For Question 2: note the chart shows a wolf population for 2020 as 1034 (before the February hunt). But the question reads: "There were an estimated 1,200 wolves in Wisconsin in the winter of 2019/20. In the future, I would like to have_________wolves in Wisconsin." (more)

Q4 Asks if you Agree/Disagree with Statements (leave blank)

The potential for conflict between wolves and livestock and/or dogs is a concern to me.

I am concerned about the potential impacts of wolves on deer and elk.

Q6 Asks how important the issues are to you:

Population management: wolf population objectives and strategies to reach those objectives

Depredation conflicts: wolf depredation of livestock and dogs

Depredation compensation: reimbursement payments for animals killed or injured by wolves

Wolf hunting and trapping: regulated public harvest of wolves by licensed participants

Impacts on deer and elk: Wolf population impacts on deer and elk populations

There is a place where you can add remarks – some suggested points:

Decisions based on facts and scientific data is critical; It is important to address the positive ecological benefits of wolves and must include the role of wolves in keeping ungulates healthy; do not support depredation payments for hounds released in wolf territories; there is no scientific evidence to support the need for a recreational hunting / trapping season.

Q10 If you have any other comments specific to the wolf management plan update, please comment below.

Response limited to 300 characters! Some suggested points

No population cap, No night hunting - Work with legislators to remove compensation for hounds and the use of dogs for wolf hunting, modify 24 hour zone closure requirement – any excess above quota for a zone should be applied to another zone, reducing that quota.

Q11 Allows for comment – Some suggestions

Work with legislators to repeal Act 169 – there is not a legislative mandate to hunt any other species.

Establish protected areas where wolves will not be hunted, trapped or chased by dogs. This includes training season for dogs. Our national forests / refuges belong to all of us. This is also prime wolf territory where there should be zero quota.

Restrict any hunting/trapping to areas within a 5 mile radius of where conflicts are likely to occur.

Establish a 5-10 mile buffer zone around reservation lands where no wolf hunting/trapping is permitted.

Q13 allows for comment – Some suggestions:

There should not be a fall wolf hunting/trapping season. Legislature mandated one per year and that one took place in February. The impact of the February hunt is not yet known, especially pack disruption, pup survival, illegal kills.

Ban training of dogs on public lands.

MICHIGAN WOLF FACTS

Based on the latest population estimate, Michigan has 695 wolves, spread across 16,400 square miles, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

There are also about 900 working farms in the Upper Peninsula, with about 50,000 head of livestock.

In 2020, 4 farms experienced a conflict with wolves resulting in the dead of 4 calves and 6 sheep. Producers were reimbursed the fair market value for their loses as determined by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Total payments amounted to $3269. This is consistent with the past several years.

Scientific studies have amply demonstrated, though, that indiscriminate killing of wolves by trophy hunting and trapping not only does not mitigate livestock conflicts, but could even make those few problems worse by dispersing packs, sending inexperienced juvenile wolves out on their own.

PUSHING BACK

Earlier this year, Michigan DNR announced plans to reconvene the Wolf Advisory Council. More than 100 individuals and organizations applied, including the National Wolfwatcher Coalition. The council will be responsible for developing the guiding principles for the update to the Wolf Management Plan.

Wolfwatcher was among the 20 organizations represented when the 2015 update was done and Nancy Warren, our current Director, served on the council when the 2008 plan was developed.

However, the DNR Director selected only five organizations to serve on the council: Michigan United Conservation Club (hunting organization); Hunting Dog Federation; Farm Bureau; Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission; Attorneys for Animals. No primary wolf organizations were selected.

The O6 Legacy (who also applied to serve)filed a lawsuit against the Michigan DNR over the appointments to the council which is stacked with members who favor a wolf hunting/trapping agenda. You can read a summary.

The people of Michigan have twice voted overwhelmingly against wolf hunting. 64% of Michigan voters said “NO” to wolf hunting. Voters cast 1.8 million votes against Proposal 2. By stacking the Council, wolves lost fair representation in defiance of the will of the people of Michigan.

LET THEM HOWL

SHIRTS AVAILABLE

Show your support for wolves through the purchase of our new shirt, "Let Them Howl".

The image used on the shirt comes from a photo of a wild Michigan wolf (shown above).

These shirts are available in a variety of styles and colors. Order yours today!

THANK YOU!

Without YOU, our loyal supporters, the National Wolfwatcher Coalition would not be where we are today, with over 800,000 followers. We are appreciative of your support throughout the past years and look forward to your continued support in the future!

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