December 26, 2013
Officials: At least 21 wolves killed in Michigan hunt
Marquette — Michigan authorities say at least 21 wolves have been killed in the Upper Peninsula during the state’s first wolf hunt in decades.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says that’s the total as of 6 a.m. Thursday. The department has expressed doubt that the hunt will reach its quota of 43 by year’s end.
The take in the wolf hunt remained at 20 for around three weeks as frigid weather kept the killing down.
The season opened in three sections of the U.P. on Nov. 15.
Before the season, the DNR estimated that Michigan had 658 wolves.
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Weather, altered behavior could be reasons few wolves killed in state hunt
The state Department of Natural Resources says hunters are unlikely to bag the limit of 43 wolves before the season ends on December 31. In fact, it’s been two and a half weeks since the last wolf was taken on December 5.
State wildlife officials say an extreme cold snap in the Upper Peninsula may be responsible. They say it’s also possible wolves have learned to avoid hunters.
“Talking to some of these wolf hunters, they say the wolves have definitely changed their behavior and have become very difficult to get once they were hunted,” said Brian Roell, wildlife biologist for the state Department of Natural Resources.
Roell says it’s too soon to tell whether that means wolves will stay clear of areas populated by humans and livestock.
“Even if we reach our goal of 43, it would still be way too early to say, if we saw lower depredation rates this coming summer, is that the reason why,” he said. “I just wouldn’t go there yet.”
State wildlife officials say the wolf season will help reduce attacks on pets and livestock. A total of 20 wolves have been killed in the season that began in late November.
Opponents of the wolf season say it’s not necessary so soon after the species was taken off the endangered list. They’ve launched a ballot drive to challenge the law that allows the wolf season.
source
State wildlife officials say an extreme cold snap in the Upper Peninsula may be responsible. They say it’s also possible wolves have learned to avoid hunters.
“Talking to some of these wolf hunters, they say the wolves have definitely changed their behavior and have become very difficult to get once they were hunted,” said Brian Roell, wildlife biologist for the state Department of Natural Resources.
Roell says it’s too soon to tell whether that means wolves will stay clear of areas populated by humans and livestock.
“Even if we reach our goal of 43, it would still be way too early to say, if we saw lower depredation rates this coming summer, is that the reason why,” he said. “I just wouldn’t go there yet.”
State wildlife officials say the wolf season will help reduce attacks on pets and livestock. A total of 20 wolves have been killed in the season that began in late November.
Opponents of the wolf season say it’s not necessary so soon after the species was taken off the endangered list. They’ve launched a ballot drive to challenge the law that allows the wolf season.
source
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