Post by emily on Feb 25, 2008 10:28:12 GMT -5
from the Ironwood, MI Daily Globe. I have no idea how the DNR came up with a precise count of 509 wolves on the UP!
www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0223rolf.htm
Michigan wolf legislation overdue
Published Sunday, February 24, 2008 11:51:47 AM Central Time
Michigan finally appears to be on the right track when it comes to the Upper Peninsula's wolf population.
The recent news that legislation concerning animal losses from wolf attacks has been introduced is long overdue.
The state has too long lagged behind neighboring Wisconsin and also Minnesota in handling cases where wolves kill or harm animals or hunting dogs.
Area farmers like John Koski, who farms near Bessemer and Ontonagon and has been losing calves to wolves for many years, would be allowed to shoot problem wolves if the legislation is passed. In 2007, seven wolves were killed by a professional trapper at the Koski farm, since he couldn't shoot them on his own.
State Reps. Mike Lahti, D-Hancock, and Kevin Green, R-Wyoming, promised the legislation after they attended a meeting on wolf problems in Ironwood last summer.
They have joined State Sens. Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming, and Ron Jelineks, R-Three Oaks, in sponsoring four bills designed to allow Michigan residents to shoot wolves if their dogs or livestock animals are being attacked.
The incident in which a wolf was spotted in the center of the Village of Ontonagon last week is an example of the animals losing their fear of man, largely because they know they can't be removed. The wolf was seen two blocks from the Ontonagon Area High School in a residential neighborhood. It was in a yard next to a house where three small children reside.
In my book, that's shining example of a problem wolf that must be removed, whether by trap or bullet, although I doubt firing a gun in the village is permitted.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, giving the respective Departments of Natural Resources authority to manage wolf populations.
Wisconsin has been reimbursing owners of dogs and farm animals lost to wolves for years. From October 2006 through March 2007, Wisconsin payments ranged from $245 for two lambs to $2,500 for a Walker hunting dog.
Michigan law currently requires the state to compensate owners of livestock for animals killed by wolves, but the compensation is dependent upon the MDNR or U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services verifying the loss was due to a wolf attack. Koski said he has had disputes about that in the past, as it's often claimed that coyotes are responsible for dead calves.
Unlike Wisconsin, Michigan law currently does not require or allow the state to compensate people for dogs killed by wolves, however.
Michigan House Bills 5686 and 5687 and Senate Bills 1077 and 1084 would require the owner to report the taking of a gray wolf and transfer possession of the animal to the DNR as soon as possible. That would prevent random shootings of wolves.
"It makes sense that if a wolf is attacking a farmer's livestock, that farmer should be able to protect his animals," Lahti said when the bills were introduced.
The DNR says there were 509 wolves in the Upper Peninsula last winter, but many residents of the peninsula believe that estimate is far too low.
It's possible the legislation may be speeded up now that wolves have entered the lower peninsula.
MDNR officials said they will conduct a wolf survey in the northern lower peninsula through March 10. A wolf was accidentally shot in Presque Isle County in 2004, and the DNR also confirmed two other gray wolves in the peninsula in 2005.
I'd bet that if more wolves are discovered below the bridge, lawmakers from the lower peninsula will be pressured to pass those four bills.
www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0223rolf.htm
Michigan wolf legislation overdue
Published Sunday, February 24, 2008 11:51:47 AM Central Time
Michigan finally appears to be on the right track when it comes to the Upper Peninsula's wolf population.
The recent news that legislation concerning animal losses from wolf attacks has been introduced is long overdue.
The state has too long lagged behind neighboring Wisconsin and also Minnesota in handling cases where wolves kill or harm animals or hunting dogs.
Area farmers like John Koski, who farms near Bessemer and Ontonagon and has been losing calves to wolves for many years, would be allowed to shoot problem wolves if the legislation is passed. In 2007, seven wolves were killed by a professional trapper at the Koski farm, since he couldn't shoot them on his own.
State Reps. Mike Lahti, D-Hancock, and Kevin Green, R-Wyoming, promised the legislation after they attended a meeting on wolf problems in Ironwood last summer.
They have joined State Sens. Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming, and Ron Jelineks, R-Three Oaks, in sponsoring four bills designed to allow Michigan residents to shoot wolves if their dogs or livestock animals are being attacked.
The incident in which a wolf was spotted in the center of the Village of Ontonagon last week is an example of the animals losing their fear of man, largely because they know they can't be removed. The wolf was seen two blocks from the Ontonagon Area High School in a residential neighborhood. It was in a yard next to a house where three small children reside.
In my book, that's shining example of a problem wolf that must be removed, whether by trap or bullet, although I doubt firing a gun in the village is permitted.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, giving the respective Departments of Natural Resources authority to manage wolf populations.
Wisconsin has been reimbursing owners of dogs and farm animals lost to wolves for years. From October 2006 through March 2007, Wisconsin payments ranged from $245 for two lambs to $2,500 for a Walker hunting dog.
Michigan law currently requires the state to compensate owners of livestock for animals killed by wolves, but the compensation is dependent upon the MDNR or U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services verifying the loss was due to a wolf attack. Koski said he has had disputes about that in the past, as it's often claimed that coyotes are responsible for dead calves.
Unlike Wisconsin, Michigan law currently does not require or allow the state to compensate people for dogs killed by wolves, however.
Michigan House Bills 5686 and 5687 and Senate Bills 1077 and 1084 would require the owner to report the taking of a gray wolf and transfer possession of the animal to the DNR as soon as possible. That would prevent random shootings of wolves.
"It makes sense that if a wolf is attacking a farmer's livestock, that farmer should be able to protect his animals," Lahti said when the bills were introduced.
The DNR says there were 509 wolves in the Upper Peninsula last winter, but many residents of the peninsula believe that estimate is far too low.
It's possible the legislation may be speeded up now that wolves have entered the lower peninsula.
MDNR officials said they will conduct a wolf survey in the northern lower peninsula through March 10. A wolf was accidentally shot in Presque Isle County in 2004, and the DNR also confirmed two other gray wolves in the peninsula in 2005.
I'd bet that if more wolves are discovered below the bridge, lawmakers from the lower peninsula will be pressured to pass those four bills.