LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A group of Republican legislators are advocating for leniency towards a Michigan hunter who recently killed an endangered gray wolf, contending that pursuing criminal charges would be on “shaky grounds.”
27 Lawmakers ask for leniency in wolf killing incident.
In a letter addressed to Scott Bowen, Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Representative Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Twp.), along with 26 co-signers, express reservations regarding the ongoing criminal investigation.
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The incident in question involves a hunter who was on a guided hunt and who claims to have mistakenly identified a wolf as a coyote while hunting in Calhoun County, southwest lower Michigan, a significant distance from the known habitat of the animal.
Photos on social media brought issue to the forefront.
The DNR was alerted to the incident in late January when photos surfaced on Facebook depicting a Michigan resident posing with the carcass of an 84-pound animal, misidentified as an “absolutely huge coyote.”
Subsequent genetic testing confirmed the animal to be a Great Lakes wolf, a species predominantly found in regions far north of where the incident occurred, prompting further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the kill.
Questions arose regarding how the animal ventured so far from its typical habitat and how experienced individuals, including the hunter, a guide, and a taxidermist, failed to recognize it as a wolf.
Legislator asserts that penalizing the hunter will negatively impact his life for years to come.
DeBoyer emphasizes the importance of common sense in his letter and a focus on finding solutions rather than imposing criminal charges that could have lifelong consequences for the individual involved in the investigation saying, “Punishing Michigan hunters and farmers will not help alleviate the issues we are facing. I am hoping common-sense and a commitment to solutions will come of this event – not criminal charges that will impact someone for the rest of their life.”
DNR law enforcement officials have described the circumstances surrounding the killing as “very atypical,” prompting heightened scrutiny and speculation within the state.
What are the penalties?
Under federal law, the killing of Great Lakes wolves is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $50,000 fine, as the species is listed as endangered.
Investigators have yet to announce whether they intend to pursue charges in this case. Nancy Warren, Executive Director of the National Wolfwatcher Coalition, has criticized the involvement of lawmakers in what she deems to be political interference in an ongoing criminal inquiry, questioning the appropriateness of legislative intervention prior to any formal charges being filed.
Management of wolves and coyotes in the spotlight again.
The letter by the lawmakers also underscores concerns about the management of both wolf and coyote populations in Michigan and reignites a debate surrounding the management of Michigan’s wolf population, which has remained stable for over a decade, primarily inhabiting the Upper Peninsula.
Republican lawmakers have long advocated for the legalization of wolf hunting in Michigan, citing increased encounters between wolves and humans as well as livestock. They argue that hunting represents the most viable solution to mitigate conflicts.
Bowen says in his letter, “This rare incident has shed some light on the mismanagement of both wolves and coyotes in Michigan. As the wolf population grows, there has been increasing interactions between wolves and human populations, particularly in rural Upper Peninsula communities where livestock is raised. The loss of livestock to wolf predation not only creates significant financial hardship to farmers but also threatens the livelihoods of those who depend on agriculture for their survival.”
In contrast, advocates for wolf conservation, like Nancy Warren, assert that incidents such as the January killing highlight the need for continued legal protections for Michigan’s wolves. They argue against the perpetuation of myths and fears surrounding wolf populations, pointing to data indicating a decline in wolf attacks on livestock in recent years.
While calls for wolf hunting persist among some legislators, federal protections for Great Lakes wolves supersede any state-level policies regarding hunting. State officials have affirmed their commitment to upholding federal regulations, indicating that the authorization of a hunt will not be considered until wolves are no longer classified as endangered at the federal level.
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