New law affects all sportsmen, not just wolf hunters
by Yvonne Stegal
While controversy has existed since last year’s wolf hunt in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula over who should determine if the hunt happens, it will now be up to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) what animals are considered game animals.
This not only gives the right for them to chose if wolves will be hunted, but it also “allows the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to name game species and issue fisheries orders using sound science,” according to the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC).
On top of that, it creates a $1 million rapid response fund to prevent Asian carp and provides free hunting and fishing licenses for active military members.
On a mostly party-line vote of 23-10, the Michigan Senate passed the citizen-initiated legislation and the Michigan House of Representatives passed the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act this week, with a bipartisan vote of 65-43.
Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, a front for the Humane Society of the U.S., Director Jill Fritz had hoped the legislation would be shot down so that the general public, whether hunters or not, could vote on the matter of the wolf hunts in the UP.
“Wolves are already managed in Michigan. PA 290 and PA 318 allow for the removal or killing of problem wolves, which is the most effective method of dealing with conflicts,” said Fritz. Keep Michigan Wolves Protected believes that a “trophy” hunt for Michigan wolves would cause more harm than help, and that there is no threat to humans.
However, Mike Schippa, vice president of the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers Association (MTPCA) said, “DNR statistics have shown that just recently five dogs and a cow were killed by wolves in the UP.”
State Sen. Mike Green (R-Mayville) in a recent Detroit Free Press article said, “One in six Michiganders hunt or fish, it seems some people believe that even those that don’t hunt or fish should have the right to determine freedoms for those that do.”
Matt Evans, legislative affairs manager for Michigan United Conservation Clubs said in a letter, “The Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act definitely stems from the wolf hunt debate, but it’s about more than just the wolf hunt. The NRC has used science and sound management principles for years to regulate our ‘hunting’ seasons and this initiative will allow them to continue to do just that.”
There has been overwhelming support for the legislature to pass the Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act, according to Evans, though obvious by the signatures and that it passed the senate and house.
Evans added, “The State Board of Canvassers certified nearly 300,000 signatures to be valid as the voice of the Michigan sportsmen and women in this state.”
The first wolf hunt was held in November and December last year and had a goal of killing 43 of the Upper Peninsula’s population of more than 650 wolves. The hunt resulted in 23 wolves being killed by hunters. While the next wolf hunt isn’t scheduled yet, it will be in the hands of the DNR to determine its status.