By Blake Thorne
GENESEE COUNTY, MI — Todd Minock thinks he has a chance at a rare accomplishment for a hunter, bagging a wolf.
The Fenton man is one of 41 Genesee County residents who have secured a wolf-hunting license for the state’s first managed wolf hunt.
The state issued 1,200 licenses for the hunt beginning Nov. 15. Genesee County has the state’s fourth-highest number of hunters with wolf permits
Minock, a longtime hunter who deer hunts in two Upper Penninsula locations, said he first became interested in wolves when he encountered two on a box hunt.
He had a deer decoy set up and the two animals began to stalk it. Then they heard the hunter and ran off.
“I took a picture of my hand next to their paw print and it was massive,” said Minock, 55.
Hunters allowed to purchase a license in Michigan this year were chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. The state has said the hunt is necessary to reduce wolf numbers in places where cattle and dogs have been killed. Critics, however, say numbers on these killings of domestic animals are exaggerated, and allowing a wolf hunt is premature.
The hunt will target only 43 wolves total in three Upper Peninsula locations.
Minock agrees with the state, and said the hunt is needed to control the predators’ population.
“They’ve been devastating the deer herd pretty good,” he said.
Minock said he will be hunting wolves near the Porcupine Mountains, near a site where he regularly hunts deer. He’ll also spend a few days deer hunting during the week long trip.
Despite their reputation as incredibly difficult to hunt, Minock said he thinks he has a good chance.
“You have to sit and wait the animal out,” he said.
Michelle Allen has nothing against hunting, but she thinks the wolf hunt is unnecessary.
Allen is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who operates Wild Oat Rescue in Fenton Township.
“I’m not against all hunting,” she said. “I just don’t think this particular animal is ready for a hunt.”
Allen said she believes there are other tactics that can be used to protect livestock. And tampering with the wolf population, she added, could have unintended consequences, like skyrocketing populations of animals they prey upon.
“We need to learn how to live in concert with nature,” Allen said. “We have to find that balance. If it’s just a few farm animals, I think maybe those farmers need to put up better fences and maybe get a donkey.”