2 states, US government appealing wolf ruling

[Fish Felon]

NATION

2 states, US government appealing decision that restored protections for Great Lakes wolves

By JOHN FLESHER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
February 27, 2015 - 3:55 PM


TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Obama administration and two states have given notice of plans to appeal a federal judge's order that restored legal protection to gray wolves in the western Great Lakes region.

Michigan filed an appeal document Friday with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., a day after Wisconsin did so. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service filed notices earlier this month, although a spokeswoman said a final decision on whether to pursue the case would be made by the Department of Justice.

Either way, "the science clearly shows that wolves are recovered in the Great Lakes region, and we believe the Great Lakes states have clearly demonstrated their ability to effectively manage their wolf populations," Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Laury M. Parramore said.


Although scientists consider the Great Lakes wolves' territory to include nine states, just three — Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin — have established populations of about 3,700 animals total.

The government has tried four times since 2003 to strip protection under the Endangered Species Act, saying the wolves have far exceeded recovery goals after nearly disappearing from the lower 48 states in the last century. Each time, the proposals have been withdrawn or overturned in court.

In a December ruling, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said the three states' management plans — which allow sport hunting and, in Minnesota and Wisconsin, trapping of wolves — don't provide enough protection. She noted the predator species has not come close to repopulating its historic range.

The Endangered Species Act "offers the broadest possible protections for endangered species by design," Howell wrote. "This law reflects the commitment by the United States to act as a responsible steward of the Earth's wildlife, even when such stewardship is inconvenient or difficult for the localities where an endangered or threatened species resides."

Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said people who live near wolves, including in the state's Upper Peninsula, should be able to use a variety of control methods.

"Continuing to use the Endangered Species Act to protect a recovered species not only undermines the integrity of the Act, it leaves farmers and others with no immediate recourse when their animals are being attacked and killed by wolves," said Russ Mason, the DNR's wildlife division chief.

A coalition of environmental groups has proposed classifying all wolves in the lower 48 states, except Mexican wolves in the Southwest, as "threatened." That would enable wildlife managers to kill wolves that repeatedly prey on livestock, which is not allowed for species classified as "endangered."

"We think that is the right middle ground," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, which filed the lawsuit that led to Howell's ruling.

A number of sporting groups also have filed notices to appeal, including the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International and the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association.

[cstemig]

I hope that they win this appeal. It appears to me that the wolf population is stable enough to maintain itself even with hunting seasons.

From what I recently read, the farmers/ranchers are no longer able to receive reimbursement for livestock loses from wolf predation.

[Fish Felon]

It's pretty chicken shit that MN hasn't joined MI & WI in this appeal.

But why would our leadership do that when they can stand on the sidelines and not piss off the howling for wolves people AND claim that there is an appeal in the works to the pro-hunt guys?

Since MN has the most wolves of anyone in the lower-48 you'd think we'd want to have a dog in this fight.

[maplelakeduckslayer]

Wolves have not repopulated their historic range. That's rich. They never will its called human encroachment.

[get-n-birdy]

The wolf is an animal, manage it like one.

[Fish Felon]

Wolves have not repopulated their historic range. That's rich. They never will its called human encroachment.

It's funny how the endangered species act has done nothing for the repopulation of buffalo across their historic range.

Why is it expected that states like WI and MI that had extinct populations of wolves are expected to have them come back but all the state where bison roamed aren't required to do anything?

[get-n-birdy]

Wolves have not repopulated their historic range. That's rich. They never will its called human encroachment.

It's funny how the endangered species act has done nothing for the repopulation of buffalo across their historic range.

Why is it expected that states like WI and MI that had extinct populations of wolves are expected to have them come back but all the state where bison roamed aren't required to do anything?

Most people you talk to about wolves are just idiotic, they have no clue. It is all about how majestically, wild the wolf is. How beautifully, exotic they are. Bring up the prairie and wetlands ecosystem destruction, and the girls panties go desert dry, after getting all wet and juicy for the wolf, that isn't endangered, even a little, tiny bit. I blame the movie twilight. If vampires where real, all the pasty white chicks, with rich daddy's would support saving them too.

[Drunk_Dynasty]

I really think letting people shoot 400 a year would end up saving more wolves in the long run.

[Trigger]

I really think letting people shoot 400 a year would end up saving more wolves in the long run.

Without a doubt. The best way to shut up people celebrating the wolf delisting was to tell them it was the worst thing that could have happened. And I'm WAY more pro wolf than your typical redneck pos.

[get-n-birdy]

I really think letting people shoot 400 a year would end up saving more wolves in the long run.

Without a doubt. The best way to shut up people celebrating the wolf delisting was to tell them it was the worst thing that could have happened. And I'm WAY more pro wolf than your typical redneck pos.

A lot of law abiding, ethical hunters are feeling pushed by the wolves and now the fed's. There's a point when the bull $h!t isn't even remotely in touch with what's happening on the ground.