Hunting Advocates Petition to Protect Michigan Wolf Hunt
OutdoorHub Reporters 12.05.13
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers formally approved the launching of a petition drive earlier this week to protect wolf hunting in the state’s Upper Peninsula. The group behind the petition, the Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management (CPWM), intends on gathering 258,000 signatures over the next 180 days in its petition for the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. If approved by legislators, the proposed act would protect the right of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to name game species such as wolves.
“This is about making sure that decisions about fish and wildlife management are made by relying on sound science and the recommendations of biologists, not activists or television commercials,” said Merle Shepard, chairman of CPWM.
Earlier this year Michigan lawmakers increased the powers of the NRC, making it possible to open a wolf season. Critics of wolf hunting saw this move as an overreach of the NRC’s authority, leading wolf advocate organizations to file petitions to end the wolf hunt. According to Detroit Free Press, two petitions are currently underway to repeal the laws that made the wolf hunt possible. Opponents of wolf hunting say CPWM’s petition is an attempt to circumvent the will of Michigan voters.
“It’s pretty clear that special interests will go to any lengths to keep their wolf hunt,” Jill Fritz, director of the Humane Society of the United States’ Michigan Chapter, told the Free Press. “And they’ll do an end run around the voters to get their way.”
CPWM supporters say this is not the case.
“This initiative will show that the people of Michigan believe in using biology to make fish and wildlife decisions,” said Erin McDonough, executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC). “It also provides the resources to make scientific fisheries decisions by making sure the DNR can respond rapidly to aquatic invasive species like Asian carp.”
One of the largest opponents of wolf hunting in the state, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, has already secured enough signatures to place one of its petitions on the November 2014 ballot and is aiming for 225,000 signatures on another petition to repeal laws which made the season possible.
Michigan’s wolf hunt, which began on November 15, has been controversial and the source of much attention since it was first announced. When wolf licenses went up for sale on September 28, the 1,200 licenses sold out in nearly the first two days.
“We sold 900 in the first half hour,” Michigan Department of Natural Resources information officer Ed Golder told OutdoorHub.
If legislators approve CPWM’s petition, the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act would automatically become law. If the petition is rejected, the issue will find a place on the November 2014 ballot for a statewide vote.
In addition to the MUCC, organizations that support the CPWM include the the Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, Upper Peninsula Whitetails Association, U.P. Whitetails of Marquette County, the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, the Michigan chapters of Safari Club International, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Michigan Bow Hunters, Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Anglers Association, and other local conservation groups.
Michigan’s wolf hunt will end on December 31. So far, wildlife officials have recorded 19 wolves harvested.
