Michigan U.P. wolves

As the wolf population steadily grows in the Upper Peninsula, hunters and other frequenters of the woods are reporting more sightings.

Perhaps the largest segment of the hunters getting a close look at wolves — or at least sign of them — is bear hunters.

This isn’t the case because bear hunters spend more time in the woods than others or practice their sport in areas of greater wolf numbers, but rather their hunting companions have a lot to do with it.

It seems gray wolves have taken a liking to bear hounds, and not to socialize with. Between 1996 and 2006 there have been 35 documented wolf attacks on dogs in Michigan. Forty-three percent of the attacks involved bear hunting dogs.

As a result of this trend, as well as more attacks on livestock, legislators are getting involved in seeking more leeway in dealing with wolves that attack pets and livestock.

Several senators and representatives — including Sen. Michael Prusi, D-Ishpeming, and Rep. Michael Lahti, D-Hancock — are behind legislation to allow pet owners and farmers to kill wolves that are attacking their animals.

With more than 500 wolves roaming the U.P. woods, the initiative to provide state residents the ability to protect their animals is not surprising.

After all, the main reason the wolf — as well as other large predators — was killed to near extinction was its impact on domesticated animals. There was obvious conflicts between man and predator when man expanded into the wolf’s range.

Humans once again feel the threat of the wolf population on their animals and provisions to protect pets and livestock are needed.

What Prusi, Lahti and the other sponsors of the wolf legislation are working on is a step in the right direction. It would provide a legal means to protect your animals but, as always, there is a lot of room for abuses.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out hunters or farmer who want to reduce the wolf population in their area could simply shoot them and have the danger to their pet or livestock excuse all set to go.

There undoubtedly would be cases of skirting of the law, but we’d like to think the majority of hunters and farmers are more ethical than that.

As far as deer hunters joining the movement against wolves in order to protect whitetails from predation, this would still be illegal under the legislation — as it obviously should be.

However, by having hunters with dogs and farmers taking pot shots at wolves, they might just re-acquire the fear of man that has been lost under the full protection the species has enjoyed for decades.

This fear of man could lead to a better separation of wolves and humans, with wolves inhabiting the more remote areas of the U.P. and staying away from pets and livestock — which must occur for the species to achieve a stable and accepted presence in the region.

1. SHOOT
2. SHOVEL
3.SHUT-UP
Case closed.
Sorry P.E.T.A

Kenny

The good ole out West 3S rule

Good article, but in a pinch, I'm afraid I'd have to refer to the 3S rule as well!

Don

Take all the bear hounds and take them into super clips. Shear them all bald except for a large part just behind the head. Shampoo that part and blow dry it and then set the dogs loose in wolf country.
The wolves will take one look, think they are being attacked by African Lions and run screaming from the woods... :frantic:

Leep out:

THE BEAR HOUNDS
I CAN SAY I BEAR HUNTED WITH PEOPLE WHO HAD GOOD BEAR HOUNDS.
THAT WAS THE MOST FUN UNTIL THEY PASSED A LAW HOT HO BEAR IN FLORIDA? WHAT A JOKE ? I GUESS THEY ARE TRYING TO STOP HUNTING ALL TOGETHER. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND .
I GUESS MARINES ARE NOT TO UNDERSTAND?
BLIND BUD :shoot: :shoot:

Only in the Marine Corp does that hold true

In civilian life we need to fight the antis all the way


Hope you pull that trigger on a turkey soon :D

Its the rule here in the east too. Just different animals than wolves. I know a few who used the three S's.

Mark