Michigan Groups’ Battle over Wolves Looms
By Glen Wunderlich
Now that Michigan’s first wolf hunt is over, one thing is clear: hunters did not wipe out our wolf population. In fact, only about half of the kill quota was met, or more precisely, 23 of the maximum quota of 43. That won’t stop the anti-hunting-anything contingent from furthering its emotionally founded cause to prevent another wolf hunt. It also won’t stop wolf hunting advocates from squaring off all over again in the political arena this year.
Predictably, the protections afforded the gray wolf over the decades would end eventually based on the remarkable growth of the wolf population, which is far beyond recovery goals established under the Endangered Species Act.
The wolf hunt was the state’s first to feature online and call-in reporting of killed wolves and allowed hunters to get text alerts or to check a given hunt’s status via a state website. The system also ensured that no over-killing would take place. From a management standpoint, the system worked as planned.
But, groups like Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP), an arm of the world’s largest anti-hunting organization, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is still kicking and screaming. Read more
Fortunately, getting started ice fishing is relatively simple. Anglers need just three basic pieces of equipment – something to make a hole with, something to clear the slush from the hole, and something to fish with – and they’re in business.
The Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to take advantage of the upcoming annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16. On those two days, residents and non-residents can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.