U.P wolf attacks reported
The controversy of a scheduled wolf hunt in Michigan is heating up as another eight cases of wolves attacking domestic animals is being reported.
State Senator Tom Casperson says the Department of Natural Resources’ documentation of the attacks on livestock and pets is prompting him to repeat his call for the scientific management of wolves pursuant to Public Act 21 of 2013.
“The recent wolf attacks, which have occurred every few days, underscore the need for scientific wolf management in the Upper Peninsula,” said Casperson, R-Escanaba, in a press release Tuesday. “It is difficult to argue that fact with these incidents happening regularly across the U.P.”
The Casperson press release says the most recent attacks this month are:
· October 10 – 1 steer killed at an Engadine area farm
· October 12 – 2 dogs killed and 2 injured in Schoolcraft County
· October 13 – 1 steer killed at an Engadine area farm
· October 16 – 1 dog killed and 1 injured in Chippewa County
· October 16 – 1 pig killed at an Engadine area farm
“With the deadly impact that wolves are having across the U.P., it is no wonder that Michigan residents overwhelmingly support a limited wolf hunt,” Casperson said. “Groups including the U.S. Humane Society, who continue their efforts to implement its no-hunt agenda and stop a much-needed, recently approved and limited wolf hunting season in certain parts of the U.P., should reevaluate their opposition and join in the efforts to help control the wolves that are killing our domestic animals and livestock and impacting our way of life in the U.P.”
Michigan’s wolf hunting season is November 15 – December 31. No more than 43 of the estimated 658 wolves in the U-P will be taken as follows in three designated Wolf Management Zones:
- Gogebic County – target harvest of 16 wolves
- portions of Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon and Gogebic counties – target harvest of 19 wolves
- portions of Luce and Mackinac counties – target harvest of 8 wolves.