Wolves Off Endangered Species List

It’s a big day for the Department of Natural Resources in the Upper Peninsula: wolves have been officially removed from the federal endangered species list, returning management authority to the state.

However, with the change, the DNR says some clarification is in order: there are specific guidelines for lethal control of wolves by livestock and dog owners in Michigan AND Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have each devised their own different wolf management plans.

The second point is especially important in border areas.

In a press release, the DNR says wolves remain a protected, nongame species in Michigan, but state management will afford more options when dealing with wolves preying on livestock or dogs.

“Delisting is a victory for the state and for Michigan citizens who have been affected by this issue,” said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. “The state’s healthy wolf population is a reminder that Michigan still has places where wild animals such as wolves can live and thrive. Fully implementing the state’s Wolf Management Plan will allow us to more effectively respond to problem wolves, while maintaining a self-sustaining wolf population and increasing social acceptance of the species as a whole.”

The DNR will continue to recommend nonlethal methods of control as the first option for residents. However, in cases where nonlethal methods are not working or are not feasible, state officials will now have greater flexibility to use lethal means to remove problem wolves when appropriate. In addition, Michigan residents will be able to legally protect their livestock and dogs if an animal is being attacked by a wolf.

The Michigan Legislature passed laws in 2008 to allow livestock or dog owners, or their designated agents, to remove, capture, or, if deemed necessary, use lethal means to destroy a wolf that is “in the act of preying upon” (attempting to kill or injure) the owner’s livestock or dog(s). These state laws took effect Jan. 27, 2012.

Livestock owners who use lethal means to destroy a wolf or wolves in the act of preying upon their livestock must observe the following guidelines:

1. The owner of livestock or his/her designated agent may use lethal means to destroy a wolf that is in the act of preying upon (killing/injuring) the owner’s livestock.

2. The owner of the livestock or his/her designated agent shall report the taking of a wolf to a department official as soon as practical, but not later than 12 hours after the taking.

3. Except as otherwise provided in section (4), the owner of the livestock or his/her designated agent shall retain possession of a lethally taken wolf until a department official is available to take possession of the wolf.

4. If lethal means are used to destroy a wolf, the DNR prefers that the dead wolf is not moved or disturbed. If normal farming practices would be impeded by leaving the carcass, a person may move the carcass to a secure location after photographs are taken of the dead wolf and of the immediate area of the kill. Copies of the photographs may be requested by the department for examination.

5. A department official shall respond to the scene where lethal means were used to destroy a wolf not later than 12 hours after notification.

6. The owner of the livestock or his/her designated agent may report the taking of a wolf by utilizing the department’s Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-292-7800.

Dog owners who use lethal means to destroy a wolf or wolves in the act of preying upon their dog must observe the following guidelines: A person who violates these subsections is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not less than $100 or more than $1,000, or both, and the costs of prosecution.

1. The owner of a dog or his/her designated agent may use lethal means to destroy a wolf that is in the act of preying upon (killing/injuring) the owner’s dog.

2. The owner of the dog or his/her designated agent shall report the taking of a wolf to a department official as soon as practical, but not later than 12 hours after the taking.

3. The owner of the dog or his/her designated agent shall retain possession of a lethally taken wolf until a department official is available to take possession of the wolf.

4. If lethal means are used to destroy a wolf, a person shall not move or disturb the dead wolf until a department official is available to take possession of it. A person shall not disturb the area where lethal means were used to destroy a wolf until after an official investigation by the department is complete. If a dog is physically attacked or killed, a person who uses lethal means to destroy a wolf shall produce the dog that was attacked for inspection by department officials.

5. A department official shall respond to the scene where lethal means were used to destroy a wolf not later than 12 hours after notification.

6. The owner of the dog or his or her designated agent may report the taking of a wolf by utilizing the department’s Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-292-7800.

Illegally killing a wolf is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and the cost of prosecution.

There are an estimated 687 wolves in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. For more information on Michigan’s wolf population, greater detail about the two laws governing wolf depredation, and to see the state’s Wolf Management Plan, visit www.michigan.gov/wolves.