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Senate adopts wolf hunting initiative

PHOTO: Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge

The Michigan Senate has said “yes” to a petition-initiated measure to allow wolf hunting in the Upper Peninsula. It would also overhaul Michigan’s wildlife management rules to let a state commission decide which species can be hunted. And the measure would circumvent two ballot challenges to wolf hunting laws.

The Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management gathered almost 300,000 signatures of registered voters to put the question to the Legislature.

If the initiative is adopted later this month by the state House, it becomes law. If not, it would go on the November ballot alongside the two referendums on wolf hunting. Those referendums are also the products of petition drives.

Democrats like state Senator Coleman Young (D-Detroit) said the initiative should go to the November ballot, so the public can decide the question.

“I rise in opposition to this poorly disguised plan to avoid a vote of the people,” he said.

But Republicans like state Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) said the Humane Society and a larger anti-hunting agenda are behind the opposition to wolf hunting.

“This isn’t about the wolf,” said Casperson. “This is about taking away our hunting and fishing privileges.”

He said the initiative would take wolf hunting and other wildlife management issues out of the political arena.                

The initiative would put future hunting species decisions before the appointed Natural Resources Commission. Its decisions are not subject to referendum challenges. The initiative also includes a $1 million appropriation earmarked for combatting Asian carp and other invasive species. The appropriation makes the initiative legally immune to a referendum challenge. 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.