Isle Royale National Park to hold public meetings on wolf management beginning Nov. 12 in Houghton

Wolves of Isle Royale. (Photo by Rolf Peterson and courtesy ScienceDaily.com. Reprinted with permission.)*

HOUGHTON -- This month Isle Royale National Park will hold a series of public meetings to discuss the status of wolf management on the island. During the meetings, the Natural Resources team will present information about the history of wolves on Isle Royale, climate change implications, and current and future status. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for the public to discuss natural resources, ecology, climate change, and wildlife management as well as ask questions and provide comments to park staff.*

"Isle Royale has a long-standing history of broad ecosystem management," commented Park Superintendent Phyllis Green. "I hope the public takes this opportunity to become more informed on the natural resources of the island."

The first of these meetings will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Franklin Square Inn, 820 Shelden Ave., Houghton. The presentation will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by an open house.

Additional public meetings will be held as follows:

Public Meeting 2: Chelsea, Michigan
Date: Thursday, Nov. 14,  2013
Location: Chelsea Depot, 125 Jackson Street
Time: 3 p.m. -5 p.m. (Presentation at 3:30 p.m. followed by open house)

Public Meeting 3: St. Paul, Minnesota
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19,  2013   
Location: TBA. 
Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Presentation at 3:30 p.m. followed by open house)

Public Meeting 4: Duluth, Minnesota
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013
Location: Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Continent Ecology Division Laboratory, 6201 Congdon Boulevard
Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Presentation at 3:30 p.m. followed by open house)

* Editor's Note:  According to Rolf Peterson, co-director of the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Study, the National Park Service (NPS) is considering three options: (1) do nothing, even if wolves go extinct; (2) allow wolves to go extinct (if that is what they do), and then introduce a new wolf population; or (3) conserve Isle Royale wolves with an action known as genetic rescue by bringing some wolves to the island to mitigate inbreeding. See "Message from Rolf Peterson: Public input needed on future of Isle Royale wolves," posted on Keweenaw Now Oct. 11, 2013.

Scientists, wildlife advocates ask legislators to consider science in wolf management

By Michele Bourdieu

Rolf Peterson, Michigan Tech professor emeritus of wildlife ecology, co-director of the Isle Royale wolf-moose study, and internationally known expert on wolves, presents "The Wolves of Isle Royale" during the 2010 "Celebrate the U.P.," in Marquette, sponsored by the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC). Peterson says Michigan legislators need to pay attention to science in managing wolves. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

MARQUETTE, HOUGHTON -- According to an April 26, 2013, article on Great Lakes Radio News (WKQS FM, Sunny 101.9), the amended version of SB 288 that passed the
Michigan House last week did not include the controversial appropriation that would have disallowed a referendum. A petition signed by more than 250,000 voters against PA 520 -- a December 2012 law making the wolf a game animal -- would not apply to this bill should it become law, but voters could organize a new referendum, the article notes.*

In addition, the Michigan House has now proposed their own version of the bill, HB 4552, which at present still has the appropriations attached. It is not certain when it will come up for discussion in the House Natural Resources Committee.**

Adam Robarge of Marquette, now director of Wildland Guardians -- a Marquette-based grass-roots group advocating for wildlife and wildlife habitat -- was one of the leaders of the petition effort in the Upper Peninsula and attended the April 23 rally in Lansing along with members and supporters of Keep Michigan Wolves Protected and the Humane Society of the U.S.

While in Lansing Robarge spoke with several U.P. legislators in their offices, including 32nd District Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, chair of the Michigan House Committee on Natural Resources; State Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), State Rep. John Kivela (D-Marquette); and 110th District Rep. Scott Dianda's aides, Elise Matz and Danielle Stein, about SB288 and HB4552

Robarge will be speaking on the Sunny 101.9 (FM) Morning Show in Marquette at 8 a.m. this morning, Monday, April 29. He will be discussing SB 288/HB 4552 and the idea of citizen participation.

John Vucetich, Michigan Tech associate professor and wildlife ecologist and co-director of the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Study, spoke at the rally in Lansing on April 23, as Robarge reports in his recent guest editorial on Keweenaw Now.*** A video clip of Vucetich's speech is now available through Drop Box.****

Following an April 18 presentation by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Keith Creagh at Michigan Tech, Keweenaw Now had an opportunity to speak with Rolf Peterson, Michigan Tech professor emeritus and co-director with Vucetich of the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose study. These two wildlife researchers are internationally known for their scientific knowledge about wolves.

On the subject of a wolf hunting season, Peterson said, "I don't see the best science surfacing at the level of legislation."

As for attaching appropriations to these bills to prevent a referendum, he noted, "It's an obvious effort to subvert democracy."

In the past, Peterson explained (when the wolf was a federally protected species) professionals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture would respond to farmers' complaints about wolf depredation. Those federal Wildlife Services were equipped to address that problem immediately, and the response could include lethal control.

"It's been extremely successful," Peterson said of that program.

Since the wolf was removed from federal protection, however, depredation control is under the states, not federal agencies.

Both Peterson and Vucetich have pointed out that wolf depredation is likely to happen in the summer. Control of these problems really can't wait until a hunting season in the fall.

Peterson said he wished legislators would pay attention to this fact and to the previous success of professional Wildlife Services.

He also noted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives funding from taxes on sportsmen's firearms and ammunition -- dispersed to the states based on land and the number of hunters.

"Michigan does well," he said. "It's been an enormously successful model for providing the money for wildlife conservation."

The DNR could pay the bills for Wildlife Services personnel to do the job of wolf depredation control, Peterson noted.

"This hunt is not going to substitute for the previously successful Wildlife Services depredation management," he added. "There are professionals able to respond to this problem."

Concerning the plan for a public wolf hunt, Peterson asked, "How do you plan to assess this hunt to determine whether you've succeeded? Probably depredation will never disappear completely."

Keweenaw Now attempted to interview J. R. Richardson, Natural Resources Commission chair, who was also present at the DNR Director's presentation at Michigan Tech.

Richardson, however, did not appear willing to answer questions about wolves. Instead he provided a written statement -- dated April 11, 2013 -- on a DNR plan for a public harvest of wolves in Michigan.

Here is an excerpt from his statement, commenting on a recent proposal from the DNR for a public harvest of wolves:

"The Natural Resources Commission takes seriously its obligations under the law to determine the method and manner of take for game species in the state, including the wolf. This (DNR) proposal is a good starting point for commission conversation. The commission will review the proposal and seek expert advice from inside and outside the department to determine what would be best for the people of the state and for the wolf population and other wildlife populations in Michigan.

"Consistent with the legal authorities vested in the commission that assure scientific game management, this proposal sets the framework for an initial wolf season and allows for the long-term viability of Michigan's wolf population."*****

* See "Wolf Hunt Legislation Passes in Senate with Major Changes."
** Click here to read about HB 4552. Click here for SB 288.
*** See "Guest editorial: There and Back, Again."
**** To access the videos of the rally, click here and sign in to Drop Box. The videos are courtesy Kent County Water Conservation.
***** Click here for the DNR's April 2, 2013, Memorandum to the Natural Resources Commission on Wolf Regulations and Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 6 of 2013.

UPDATE: Click here for the DNR's summary of questions and answers from four public meetings they held in March 2013 across the state to provide information on the potential public harvest of wolves in Michigan and to gather input on the issue.

DNR to host public information meetings on wolf management

LANSING -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a series of public meetings in March to provide information to the public and answer questions regarding wolf management and the possibility of a future wolf hunting season.

The meetings will take place in the following locations from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time:

Tuesday, March 12: Gogebic Community College, David Lindquist Student Center, E4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood

Wednesday, March 13: Northern Michigan University, Michigan Room, 2101 University Center, Marquette

Tuesday, March 19: Wisconsin Street Hall, 610 S. Wisconsin, Gaylord

Thursday, March 21: Lansing Center, Room 201, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing

The meetings will include a presentation by DNR Wildlife Division staff on wolf management techniques, including the potential use of public harvest as a management tool as prescribed in the state’s Wolf Management Plan, which was developed through consensus by a roundtable of stakeholders representing a wide variety of interests related to wolf management.

Following the presentation, DNR staff will hold a question-and-answer session with members of the public. Meeting attendees will also be asked to participate in a survey regarding the possibility of the use of wolf hunting as a management tool in Michigan.

"The public input we receive through this survey will provide valuable information as the Wildlife Division develops its recommendation on wolf hunting for consideration by the Natural Resources Commission," said DNR bear and furbearer specialist Adam Bump. "We encourage anyone interested in learning more about wolf management and a possible wolf hunting season to attend these meetings to have their questions answered and participate in the survey."

In January 2012, wolves in Michigan were removed from the federal list of endangered species. In December 2012, wolves were declared a game species when Gov. Rick Snyder signed Public Act 520 of 2012.

Upon the reclassification of wolves as a game species, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) -- which holds the exclusive authority to set hunting regulations for game species in the state -- directed the DNR's Wildlife Division to undertake a multi-pronged approach to developing a recommendation on whether a wolf management hunt should take place and what the parameters should be. The process currently under way includes:

•  Completing a wolf population survey

•  Compiling a thorough review of documented wolf conflicts, including depredation of livestock and pets

•  Meeting with the Wolf Management Advisory Council to discuss a possible wolf harvest aimed at resolving conflicts

•  Providing public input opportunities at meetings and through written comments

•  Conducting government-to-government consultation with tribal governments 

The DNR's recommendation on a wolf management season will be presented to the NRC for consideration no later than June 2013. Whether a wolf season will be established and what the season would entail is at the sole discretion of the NRC.

For more information about attending this series of public information meetings, contact Adam Bump at 517-373-1263. To learn more about the state's wolf population and Wolf Management Plan, visit www.michigan.gov/wolves.

Please note: A tentative meeting date for Newberry has been removed from the schedule of March meetings due to the potential for additional meetings later this spring. Dates and locations for any additional meetings will be announced once determined.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.