By Tom Watts, Digital First Media
Michigan’s first-ever managed wolf hunt begins Nov. 15 in three wolf management units in the Upper Peninsula.
In a conference call with reporters on Friday, state officials said wolf management units were designed around areas of chronic wolf-human conflict where other methods of controlling that conflict have proven ineffective.
The allotment of 1,200 wolf licenses sold out on Oct. 4.
Opening the wolf hunt on the firearms deer season opener on Friday was a calculated decision since many hunters will be out in the woods thus increasing the chances for the harvest of a wolf.
As opening day approaches, the DNR explained its rationale for the wolf hunt on Friday and how it will operate.
For starters, the plan is to remove 43 wolves in the Upper Peninsula. The wolf hunt will stop after sunset the day the quota of 43 wolves is met.
The three wolf management areas, which make up 12 percent of the Upper Peninsula, are: 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.
Officials said Friday the units are where wolf-human conflicts – including depredation of livestock and pets and human safety concerns – have been persistent despite employing a number of control measures.
According to the DNR, Michigan’s wolf population has grown significantly since 2000 with a current minimum winter population estimate of 658. The target harvest is not expected to affect the overall wolf population trajectory, based on published scientific research.
Adam Bump, bear and furbearer specialist with the DNR’s Wildlife Division, told reporters on Friday the state’s approach to the wolf hunt “is novel.”
“The primary purpose is to resolve conflict,” Bump said Friday. “This is a new idea and we’re learning about it as we implement it.”
Since the Federal delisting of wolves in January 2012, the state of Michigan (DNR) has full authority over wolf management issues.
“We began a planning process in mid 2000s with a Wolf Roundtable from different perspectives,” Bump said. “They were charged with guiding principles for a wolf management plan.
“Our activities for wolves (in 2007) helped shape where we are headed today.”
When the Natural Resource Commission asked the DNR Wildlife Division to examine hunting as a management tool, it required a plan, Bump said.
“First, we looked at the Wolf Management Plan,” he said. “The plan talks about use of a public harvest through local case-by-case, as long as we maintain populations above the endangered species list, and whether current methods were being effective at resolving conflict.”
Bump said the DNR looked at human safety and livestock depredation concerns.
“We were able to eliminate areas where we had conflicts, but (DNR) techniques resolved those conflicts,” he said. “We identified three areas not satisfactory to the tools we had. We recommended a limited (harvest) season.”
A Wolf Management Advisory Council was formed – basically the same group as the Wolf Roundtable – who had “underlying concerns when considering a wolf harvest.”
“First, recommend a harvest under the plan, evaluate biological parameters to implement a hunt and biggest component, we were challenged to meet the social needs on the social landscape and capture those perspectives,” Bump said. “We brought forward, presented an option and DNR’s charge is to try and find balance.
“As wildlife biologist we cannot present a plan saying this is their only option,” he continued. “Wildlife is often challenged this recommendation is the best balance. There is no way to satisfy everyone, it is our belief on how to handle a wolf management plan.”
When and if the goal of 43 wolves killed is reached, the DNR will notify hunters on its website within 24 hours that the hunt has ended.
“If we close at 7 a.m. on one day, you can hunt the whole time,” Bump said. “We’ve seen the call in system work.”
This marks the first time the DNR’s Wildlife Division has experienced the ‘call in system.’ Bump said Minnesota and Wisconsin have been effective in their first two wolf hunts using a similar call in system.
“We’ll update harvest amounts in the morning, updated once daily you see what the totals were by looking at website,” he said.
Successful hunters must register their wolf within 72 hours after harvest.
Of the 1,200 licenses issues, 25 percent were from the Upper Peninsula; 56 percent were from the Southern Michigan; and 17 percent were from northern Lower Peninsula.
Another interesting stat: almost 90 percent of those who got a wolf license have purchased at least 20 licenses in their lifetime.
The wolf hunt will end on Dec. 31 regardless of whether or not the quota of 43 wolves is met. The bag limit is one wolf per person per year. Firearm, crossbow and bow-and-arrow hunting will be allowed on public and private lands.
Trapping is not allowed.
Got it? Now go get it.
Hunting tips
With Michigan’s rich tradition of fall hunting getting under way, state conservation officers has offered their top 10 tips for a safe outdoor experience.
Lt. Andrew Turner, who leads the DNR’s Recreation, Safety and Enforcement Section for the Law Enforcement Division, said to make your hunt “a safe and responsible experience is key to having an enjoyable and memorable time.”
Turner said the top 10 safety tips for hunters to remember are:
– Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
– Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
– Be certain of your target, and what’s beyond it, before firing. Know the identifying features of the game you hunt. Make sure you have an adequate backstop; don’t shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
– Keep your finger outside the trigger guard and off the trigger until ready to shoot.
– Don’t run, jump or climb with a loaded firearm. Unload a firearm before you climb a fence or tree, or jump a ditch. Pull a firearm toward you by the butt, not the muzzle.
– Avoid alcoholic beverages before or during hunting. Also avoid mind- or behavior-altering medicines or drugs.
– All firearm deer hunters on any land during daylight hunting hours must wear a hat, cap, vest, jacket, rainwear or other outer garment of “hunter orange” visible from all sides. All hunters, including archers, must comply during gun season.
– Camouflage hunter orange is legal, provided 50 percent of the surface area is solid hunter orange. (Exceptions: waterfowl, crow and wild turkey hunters, and bow hunters for deer during bow season).
– Always let someone know where you are hunting and when you plan on returning. This information helps conservation officers and others locate you if you get lost.
– Carry your cellphone into the woods. Remember to turn your ringer off or set your phone to vibrate rather than ring.
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Just a reminder
Ruffed grouse season ends Nov. 14. … Fall wild turkey season ends Nov. 14. … Archery season ends Nov. 14. … Firearms deer season is open statewide Nov. 15-30. … Wolf season open Nov. 15. … The Wetland Wonders Challenge runs through Jan. 31, 2014. Visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.com.