Contact: Tony Hansen, Chief Information Officer; thansen@mucc.org 269-420-9510
Statement from MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough On Anti-Hunter’s Petition Collection Process
“We are not surprised that the group ‘Keep Wolves Protected’ was successful at purchasing the signatures required for a ballot referendum with funds provided by the anti-hunting organization, Humane Society of the United States. We are, however, saddened by the waste of resources expended by a group that claims to support wildlife in an effort that will ultimately delay science-based management of wolves,” said Erin McDonough, Executive Director of MUCC. “The coalition and Washington-based HSUS have openly boasted about the fact that they would spend between $3 and $6 per signature to obtain the necessary signatures in an effort to force their agenda on the people of Michigan. As true conservationists, we see that as a tremendous waste of resources that could have been put to use to actually help aid conservation efforts, improve habitat and ultimately make a real difference for wildlife.”
“MUCC will continue with its public education campaign to combat the many mistruths being spread by the coalition and HSUS as it attempts to come into Michigan and force its beliefs on our residents,” McDonough said. “The legislation in question does not create a wolf hunt nor does it describe any methods of which a hunt may be conducted. This has not stopped the coalition from stating repeatedly that a wolf hunt has already been established and that wolves are being killed arbitrarily and by any means necessary including aerial gunning. None of this is true. In fact, the legislation simply establishes wolves as a game animal and upholds the law established in 1996 with the overwhelming passage of Proposal G that requires Michigan manage wildlife based on sound science.”
“The fact that HSUS was able to collect the required number of signatures tells us nothing about the issue other than if you are willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and target areas of the state without a wolf population and refuse to educate the public about the issue, you can collect a lot of signatures,” McDonough said. “MUCC believes that HSUS has vastly underestimated the intelligence level of Michigan’s residents and has grossly overestimated this state’s tolernace for out-of-state extremists attempting to buy election results.”
### Founded in 1937, MUCC is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation and is dedicated to uniting citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.
