By Ed Golder
Michigan’s Wolf Management Advisory Council (WMAC) will meet from 1 to 5 p.m. April 24 at the Little Bear Arena, 275 Marquette St., St. Ignace.
The WMAC (previously known as the Wolf Forum) was codified under a law passed by the Legislature in December 2012 that reclassified wolves as a game species and directed the WMAC to report its recommendations on wolf management annually to the Legislature and the Natural Resources Commission (NRC). The NRC has the authority to determine whether public harvest of wolves should be allowed and to regulate season structure and method of harvest.
The WMAC includes members from a diverse group of organizations with an interest in wolves and wolf management, including hunting and trapping, conservation, tribal government, agriculture and animal advocacy.
At the April 24 meeting, staff from the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division will gather input from council members about a current proposal to use hunting and trapping to manage and resolve conflict issues.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the council’s discussions and will have the opportunity to provide written comments at the meeting.
The NRC is in the process of considering the authorization of the hunting and trapping of wolves as a management tool. The NRC may take action on a proposal for the public harvest of wolves in May. The council will develop information at the April 24 meeting to help inform the NRC in preparation for its decision.
Contact the council’s DNR liaison, Adam Bump, at (517) 373-1263 for more information about the WMAC meeting. Visit www.michigan.gov/wolves to learn more about Michigan’s wolf population and Wolf Management Plan.