Wisconsin Has a New Record Whitetail Buck
How ’bout over 200 inches bow hunting? Outdoor Hub has it here…
Category: Hunting
Federal court order returns wolves to endangered species list
Ruling suspends Michigan’s lethal control laws and permits
A federal court judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to immediately return wolves in the Great Lakes region to the federal endangered species list, making it illegal for Michigan citizens to kill wolves attacking livestock or dogs.
Under endangered species status, wolves may be killed only in the immediate defense of human life.
Two state laws allowing livestock or dog owners to kill wolves in the act of depredation are suspended by the ruling.
Additionally, lethal control permits previously issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to livestock farmers to address ongoing conflicts with wolves are no longer valid; permit holders have been contacted regarding this change.
The return to federal endangered species status also means DNR wildlife and law enforcement officials no longer have the authority to use lethal control methods to manage wolf conflict.
However, non-lethal methods – such as flagging, fencing, flashing lights and guard animals – may still be used and are encouraged. Compensation for livestock lost to wolves continues to be available through the DNR and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Citizens in need of assistance with problem wolves should contact their local DNR wildlife biologist or DNR wolf program coordinator Kevin Swanson at 906-228-6561.
Friday’s federal court order came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Humane Society of the United States challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove wolves in the Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment from the federal endangered species list in January 2012. The ruling affects wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
“The federal court decision is surprising and disappointing,” said Russ Mason, DNR Wildlife Division Chief. “Wolves in Michigan have exceeded recovery goals for 15 years and have no business being on the endangered species list, which is designed to help fragile populations recover – not to halt the use of effective wildlife management techniques.”
The DNR will work closely with the Michigan Attorney General’s office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine the full impact of this ruling on the state’s wolf management program and identify next steps.
“In the meantime, the Wildlife Division will continue updating the state’s wolf management plan, which includes the use of hunting and other forms of lethal control to minimize conflict with wolves,” Mason said. “Although the federal court’s ruling prevents the use of these management tools for the time-being, the Department will be prepared for any future changes that would return wolves to state management authority.”
For more information about Michigan’s wolf population and management plan, visit www.michigan.gov/wolves.
Joe’s Muzzleloading Doe
During the final hour of Michigan’s muzzleloading season, Joe took this mature doe with his CVA Accura loaded with a 250-grain tipped Barnes bullet over two magnum Triple 7 pellets.
Tracking dog, Reese, was called in to help in the recovery effort, and he did the job in about one minute.
- Joe’s muzzleloader doe
Michigan’s 2014 elk hunting season just completed
Michigan’s 2014 elk hunting season just ended with multiple successes. Hunters experienced a one-of-a-kind hunt and filled the freezer with local meat, while also helping to accomplish valuable elk management on both public and private land.
“The elk hunt is an exciting time for everyone,” said Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Jennifer Kleitch. “We control the elk population through very intense management – we target specific areas and properties during certain time periods.”
The elk season had two hunt periods – the early season, Aug. 26-29, Sept. 12-15 and Sept. 26-29 and the late season, Dec. 6-14. Just fewer than 30,000 eligible Michigan hunters applied for 100 elk licenses. Both the early and late season had quotas of 15 any-elk or bull licenses and 35 antlerless licenses. Read more
Great Lakes Wolves Protected by Obama-Appointed Judge
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTFOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES,
et al.
,Plaintiffs,v.SALLY JEWELL,
Secretary of the Interior
,
et al.
,1Defendants,v.STATE OF WISCONSIN,
et al.
Intervenor-Defendants.Civil Action No.13-186(BAH)
ORDER
Upon consideration of the plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment,ECF No. 24,the defendants’ Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 27,defendant-intervenor Hunter Conservation Coalition’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 33,thesubmissions of defendant-intervenors, the States of Wisconsin and Michigan, ECF Nos. 29 and 30, the submissions of amici curiae the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, ECF Nos. 31 and 38,the Administrative Record submittedby the defendants, ECF No. 45,the related legal memorandain support and in opposition,the exhibits,declarations, and affidavitsattached thereto,and the entire record herein, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying Memorandum Opinion,the Court finds that “there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact,” F
ED
.R.C
IV
.P.56(a), and it ishereby
ORDERED
that, because the plaintiffs areentitled to judgment as a matter of law,the
1
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(d), Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior, is automatically substituted for her predecessor in office.
Case 1:13-cv-00186-BAH Document 53 Filed 12/19/14 Page 1 of 2
2 plaintiffs’Motion for Summary Judgment,is GRANTED; and it is further
ORDERED
thatthedefendants’ and defendant-intervenor’s Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment are DENIED; and it is further
ORDERED
that, because therule Revising the Listing of the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) in the Western Great Lakes(the “Final Rule”), 76 Fed. Reg. 81,666 (Dec. 28, 2011), isarbitrary and capricious and violates the Endangered Species Act of 1973,as amended, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531
et seq.
, the Final Rule is VACATEDand SET ASIDE; and it is further
ORDERED
that therule in effect prior to the Final Rule vacated by this Order, namely, the rule regarding Reclassification of the Gray Wolf in the United States and Mexico, with Determination of Critical Habitat in Michigan and Minnesota, 43 Fed. Reg. 9607(Mar. 9, 1978), is REINSTATED to govern management of gray wolves in the nine states affected by the vacated Final Rule, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act;and it is further
ORDERED
that theClerk of the Court close this case.
SO ORDERED
Date: December 19, 2014
This is a final and appealable Order.See F ED.R.APP.P.4(a).
__________________________ BERYL A. HOWELLUnited States District Judge
Case 1:13-cv-00186-BAH Document 53 Filed 12/19/14 Page 2 of 2
Digitally signed by Beryl A. Howell DN: cn=Beryl A. Howell, o=District Court for the District of Columbia,
ou=District Court Judge, email=howell_chambers@dcd.uscourts.gov, c=US Date: 2014.12.19 14:38:35 -05’00’
SCI Foundation’s HLF Aid Anti-Poaching Efforts in Tanzania
(Washington, DC) On December 17, 2014, SCI Foundation’s Hunter Legacy Fund (HLF) donated $100,000 to provide the Wildlife Conservation Foundation of Tanzania (WCFT) with vehicles to be used by anti-poaching patrols.
SCI Foundation has outfitted anti-poaching units with two fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers to monitor the Selous Game Reserve. These new Cruisers will allow teams to locate and track areas most susceptible to poachers.
“I am very sure that the elephants and other wildlife are more secure today and we already see the difference in the bush,” WCFT Trustees and Executive Vice President Eric Pasanisi said. “On behalf of the Wildlife Conservation Foundation of Tanzania, I would like to sincerely thank you for your generous donation to our fight to preserve our wildlife in Tanzania.” Read more
E-Duck Stamp Passes Senate
On December 15, the Senate approved the “Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp,” (H.R. 1206), which was passed by the U.S. House in June 2013. This legislation, sponsored by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Vice-Chair Congressman Rob Wittman (VA), allows the Department of Interior to authorize states to sell duck stamps online which can be used immediately after purchase, avoiding an unnecessary trip to the Post Office or sporting goods store. Read more
DNR awards $930,700 in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that nine community parks across the state and one DNR recreation facility in Oceana County have been recommended to share $930,700 in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants. This federal program, administered in Michigan by the DNR, supports cities, townships, counties and the DNR in their efforts to provide better public outdoor recreation opportunities for their residents.
The LWCF grants have been recommended to be awarded to: Read more
Predator Gear Drysuit – For The Committed Waterfowler
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Predator Gear has launched the first and only drysuit made specifically for hunting. Its revolutionary design uses a neoprene neck seal, latex wrist seals and completely waterproof zippers to keep you dry and in the field longer.
The one-piece Predator Gear Drysuit is designed to increase comfort and safety for hunters who venture out in the most challenging conditions. Instead of needing breathable waders that leave you wishing for better fitting boots and a waterproof jacket for warmth and protection up top, the Predator Gear Drysuit solves both needs in one product. Unlike waders, you remain agile even while walking in soft mud. Since the suit won’t fill with water like waders. you are safe even if you end up swimming.
“Predator Gear is proud to be partnering with Mossy Oak,” said John Loe, Founder and CEO of Predator Gear. “The combination of either Mossy Oak’s Shadow Grass Blades® or Break-Up Infinity® and Predator Gear’s revolutionary design will give dedicated hunters the ultimate advantage. After years of dissatisfaction with waders you can’t walk in, jackets that leak and gear that isn’t as serious as we are, we’d had enough. So we invented the world’s first drysuit for hunting. The Predator Gear Drysuit is the solution for hunters who will stop at nothing to reach the birds.”
Powderhook and USSA Celebrate Victory in Maine
LINCOLN, Nebraska – In celebration of the recent bear hunting victory in Maine, Powderhook has joined with partner U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and sponsors Horseshoe Hill Outfitters ,Families Afield, Wide Open Spaces and ScoutLook to offer a black bear hunt package giveaway valued at $3,000. Read more