For a few weeks each year Jeff Stonerock lives as a Yooper.
That’s because for the past 20 years Jeff and his family, who own about 550 acres in Iron County in the Upper Peninsula’s western region, make the 500 mile trek from their home in Goodrich to stay in the U.P. The 11 hour drive to the remote wilderness area feeds the Stonerocks? strong conservationist endeavors, along with a love for hunting.
While the U.P. communities are typically void of legions of tourists’some residents are making noise heard statewide.
Wolves. Lots of ’em.
‘I see or hear wolves about 75 percent of the time I’m up there,? said Stonerock. ‘I can really notice a definite difference in deer activity, not to mention the overall wildlfe movement. Wolves cover a lot of ground fast so other animals know when they are in the area.?
‘I’m friends with a DNR conservation officer in the region of Iron County and they are called to remove wolves that have bee caught in coyote traps,? he said. ‘There are lots of wolves. The COs, along with locals, don’t have anything positive to say about them (wolves). Up there we all know area cattle farmers that have animals that have been clawed, they all know families that have pets eaten by wolves. All those residents in the Upper Peninsula have to live with a wolf population that seems to be swelling.?
Stonerock’s assesment of the U.P. wolf population issues has found its way to the ballot box this fall.
In November, voters will have a choice on two ballot proposals regarding the Michigan wolf hunt. By voting yes on Proposals 1 and 2, the wolf hunts will continue in three sections of the western Upper Peninsula similar to the 2013 season.
A no vote will dump the two laws, but only temporarily put a halt to future wolf hunts. According to a recent news report, a third wolf law was proposed in August by a group of wolf hunt supporters who collected sufficient signatures to put the issue again before the lawmakers. Having passed two pro-wolf hunt laws, lawmakers OK’d the third citizen-initiated legislation, circumventing the first two wolf hunt ballot proposals.
However, a wolf hunt this November is unlikely, announced the Natural Resources Commission last week. The timing with the November ballot will make a wolf hunt similar to 2013 not possible.
A Michigan wolf hunt became a possibility in 2012 when they came off the endangered species list and were placed in state control. The state House and Senate passed legislation listing wolves as a game species in Michigan. After Gov. Rick Snyder signed the law, the door was opened to a future wolf hunt. As a result, the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission began establishing the framework for the season. The season, was from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 and limited to 1,200 licenses costing $100 each for residents and $500 for non-residents. The total number of wolves harvested was limited to three management areas in the Upper Peninsula.
While voters decide the fate of a seemingly growing wolf population, the Stonerocks and other U.P. property owners must wait.
‘This past year we even had a wolf den with pups on property near us,? said Stonerock. ‘The conservation officier came out and checked on the den and the pups,? he added. ‘There are many wolves in the area and last year’s (wolf) hunt played little impact on the number. The state pays reserachers to determine the number of wolves in the area and to study the wildlife impact’it’s a science. It’s the people down state that don’t have to live with the wolves that want to keep them.?
Jill Fritz, director of Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, disagrees.
‘The wildlife of the state belongs to all people of Michigan, we have the right to decide on their care,? she said. ‘If there are problem wolves in U.P. communities residents can get a permit to have the wolf removed. The DNR will come out and remove the animal. Wolves are not threats to humans, in reality they are terrified of people. Wolves are part of the beauty of the Upper Peninsula they are not hurting anyone.?
Fritz, along with the Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, collected signatures twice in an attempt to repeal the two laws passed by the lawmakers. The group opposes the wolf hunt and has pledged to legally challenge the third law. The group has actively campaigned to repeal the first two laws, she added.
‘Voting ‘no? this November will restore the rights of citizens to decide on critical wildlife status,? she added.
The system to control the wolf population in the Upper Peninsula is already in place.
‘There are laws to protect livestock when wolves are an issue,? she said. ‘It’s the most effective way to deal with problem animals.?