Written by
Gannett News Service
Rick Snyder
LANSING — A group that opposes a gray wolf hunt says it will launch a second ballot petition drive to stop the proposed hunt after its first effort was thwarted by the Legislature.
Keep Michigan Wolves Protected submitted more than 255,000 signatures in March in an effort to overturn a December 2012 state law that allows the hunting and trapping of wolves.
But in May, lawmakers and Gov. Rick Snyder approved a new bill that allows the Michigan Natural Resources Commission to add animals to the list of game species.
That action meant Keep Michigan Wolves Protected could still go ahead with a vote on the earlier law, but it would not have the effect of stopping the hunt.
The commission is expected to approve a limited wolf hunt beginning in mid-November when it meets this month.
On Tuesday, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected announced it will launch a second signature drive, this one aimed at the new law.
“This second referendum will preserve the impact of our first referendum that has already been certified for the ballot — ensuring Michigan voters have the right to protect wolves and other wildlife matters,” said Jill Fritz, director of the group.
She said her group won’t be able to collect signatures and get them certified in time to stop the November hunt. Once the proposed repeal of a state law is certified for the ballot, that law is suspended pending the election.
If the new drive is successful, there would be two wolf-related ballot measures on the November 2014 ballot.
Keep Michigan Wolves Protected describes itself as a coalition of conservation groups, animal welfare organizations, Native American tribes, wildlife scientists, veterinarians, hunters, farmers and more than 7,000 citizens.
DNR: Informal shooting areas to remain open
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says informal shooting areas on some state forest land in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula will remain in use.
The DNR says areas will be designated for target shooting in Grand Traverse County’s Blair Township. An order takes effect Tuesday that sets restrictions.
Shooting will be allowed Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Hoosier Valley shooting areas will be closed Sundays.
The informal shooting areas are located near Traverse City, and the DNR says they have become popular with a variety of gun enthusiasts. Some used the area to sight deer rifles, while others shot at exploding targets and used semi-automatic weapons.
Area residents had voiced noise, safety, road congestion and litter concerns.