The Reality of the Wolf Debate in Michigan

By Glen Wunderlich

Wolf hunting licenses go on sale starting Aug. 3, reminds the Michigan Department of Natural Resources – a fact despised by the nation’s most powerful animal rights organization, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS, not to be confused with any local animal shelters.)  In fact, The anti-hunting coalition, called Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (backed by HSUS), has launched a petition drive to stop control of the burgeoning wolf population.  If paid workers can gather enough signatures, Michigan voters will decide on November 4, 2014, whether to overturn Senate Bill 288, which granted authority to designate game species to the state Natural Resources Commission.

If the most recent signature drive proves successful, Michigan citizens will be deciding on two anti-hunting issues on November 4, 2014 – the first to remove wolves from the game list, and the second to strip the Natural Resources Commission’s new authority to determine game species.

“All of these efforts have little to do with the number of wolves in Michigan, which have vastly exceeded their recovery goals, and has everything to do with the potential for a wolf hunting season,” said Nick Pinizzotto, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance president and CEO. “The possibility of a hunting season is simply unacceptable to these anti-hunting groups.”

Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) states Read more

2013 collector-edition duck stamp and prints available for purchase; proceeds contribute to wetlands conservation

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association (MDHA), in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has introduced the 2013 collector-edition Michigan duck stamp and prints.

2013 duck stampThe 2013 Michigan duck stamp, by wildlife artist Richard Clifton, features a beautiful black duck displayed in a swimming pose. For information about pricing and how to order duck stamps and prints, see Michigan waterfowl stamp order form, available online at www.michigan.gov/waterfowl (click on the Waterfowl Stamp Program link). Read more

SCI Takes Battle Over Polar Bear Imports to the U.S. Supreme Court

Washington, DC – Safari Club International (SCI) today filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to overturn the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2008 listing of the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.  After the listing of the species, private conservation funding generated through sustainable use hunting evaporated.  By filing this petition, SCI is seeking to rectify this bad public policy. Read more

Antis in Michigan Pushing Second Referendum on Wolves

On July 2nd, animal rights groups launched a petition drive to stop the state from controlling the growing wolf population.  If enough signatures are gathered, Michigan voters will decide on November 4, 2014, whether to overturn Senate Bill 288, which granted authority to designate game species to the state Natural Resources Commission.  The anti-hunting coalition, called Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, is backed by the nation’s most powerful animal rights organization, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Read more

Hundreds of geese banded in southeast Michigan

Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists, staff and volunteers helped to round up and band over 1,000 Canada geese in Southeast Michigan last month.

girl helps band gooseThe geese were banded as part of a national effort to track the population and movement of Canada geese in the United States. In North America, biologists band more than 200,000 ducks and nearly 150,000 geese and swans each year.

In the latter part of June, geese molt their primary flight feathers and are unable to fly, making them easier to capture and band.

“We banded 170 birds at three locations in Jackson and Hillsdale counties,” said DNR wildlife biologist Kristin Bissell. “We had 11 very enthusiastic, hard-working volunteers who helped make it a success!  We’re happy that a sample of the geese from the south central portion of the state will be represented in the banding effort!”

During the banding process, Read more

Michigan Warns Anglers of Invasive Crayfish

Red swamp crayfish

 

The Department of Natural Resources has recently discovered that anglers are purchasing red swamp crayfish from food markets and using them as live bait. It is illegal to import any live species of crayfish into Michigan for commercial bait purposes. Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) are native to the southeastern United States and are considered an invasive species in Michigan. Read more

1 282 283 284 285 286 359