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Thank you for reading these important updates. We appreciate your support as we educate, advocate and participate on behalf of wolves.
 
In This Issue
News & Notes
Comments Sought
Nonlethal Works!
Support Us through AmazonSmile
Holiday Ideass
Grant Received
About Us
News and Notes

In a major victory for wolves, Michigan voters repealed two pro-wolf hunting measures.  Proposal 1 designated the wolf in Michigan as a game animal.  This proposal was defeated by a margin of  55% to 45%.  

Proposal 2, which extended the authority to the politically appointed Natural Resources Committee to designate species as game (not just the wolf) was defeated by an even larger margin of 64% to 36%.  The "no" side, for Proposal 2, received more than 1.8 million votes, more than any candidate who won statewide office, and prevailed in 69 of Michigan's 83 counties.

These laws would have allowed wolves in Michigan to be hunted / trapped and would have stripped the right of voters to have a say on wildlife issues. This was the first statewide vote on wolf hunting in any state since wolves lost their federal protections.

But, the fight for science-based wolf management is far from over.  Michigan State Senator Tom Casperson and State Representative Scott Dianda, who each won re-election, have vowed to make wolf hunting one of their top priorities.

A third law, the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, was adopted by legislators this past August and will become effective Spring 2015.  This Act would, once again, open the door to designating the wolf as a game animal and allow for hunting and trapping of wolves in Michigan.  However, legal challenges are expected to be filed.

The Michigan election results mirror public opinion polling elsewhere.   Wisconsin residents, by huge majorities, appreciate wolves and want them conserved.  

A 2013 Mason Dixon poll showed that 81 percent of Wisconsin voters oppose the trophy hunting of wolves, and 87 percent believe it's unfair to trap, bait, and hound wolves.  Yet, public opinion and sound science have been ignored.  

Since the Great Lakes wolves lost their federal protections (January 2012), more than 500 Wisconsin wolves have been killed through hunting and trapping resulting in a rapid decline of  the wolf population.

COMMENTS  SOUGHT IN  UPDATE OF MICHIGAN'S
WOLF MANAGEMENTPLAN

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is updating the 2008 Michigan Wolf Management Plan and is seeking comments.   

   

You do not need to be a Michigan resident to comment. 

 

The survey will take about 15-20 minutes to complete and is structured around 12 strategic goals and corresponding actions within the 2008 plan.  For each question, there is an opportunity to add comments.  

  

YOU CAN ONLY COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE AND YOU MUST COMPLETE THE SURVEY DURING YOUR INITIAL VISIT.

  

Suggested talking points and other helpful links are shown below.

  

There are four principal goals within the Wolf Management Plan:

  • Maintain a viable wolf population;
  • Facilitate wolf-related benefits;
  • Minimize wolf-related conflicts;
  • Conduct science-based and socially acceptable management of wolves. 
 
Comments will be accepted through December 11, 2014. Those unable to participate in this survey electronically are asked to contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517 284 9453 to receive a paper survey.

Talking Points:

  

The 2008 plan does not identify a target population size, nor does it establish an upper limit for the number of wolves in the State.  We support this concept and do not want this criterion to be changed.

  

Although the wolf plan placed a strong emphasis on education, outreach to other organizations and promoting the positive aspects of wolves, the DNR failed to follow through with their commitment.

 

Since implementation of the plan in July 2008, there has been a change in leadership within the DNR.  Wolves are now being managed by politics rather than the science based data that was used to create the plan.

The wolf information posted to the DNR website is seriously out of date.

The DNR has failed to promote the positive aspects of wolves.

The DNR has failed to address misinformation and in several situations actually put forth incorrect information.

The DNR has fostered an environment that pits hunters against non-hunters.  Little is done to foster relationships with wolf conservation groups.

To justify the 2013 wolf hunt, DNR misled the public claiming the hunt was needed to reduce conflicts.  However, DNR utilizes a permit system which allows hunters and trappers on a local level to resolve wolf related conflicts

on specific farms,  making a hunting season unnecessary.

  

Many unanswered questions remain regarding the 2013 hunting season.  DNR has not released to the public any analysis following last year's wolf hunting season.

  

There is no evidence that suggests wolves killed in remote areas or the collared animals killed during the hunt were ever on a farm that experienced a conflict.


The November election and a recent poll made it clear - 

THE PUBLIC DOES NOT SUPPORT A WOLF HUNTING / TRAPPING SEASON. 

 

Helpful Links:

2008 MICHIGAN WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN  

MICHIGAN DNR WEBSITE - WOLF BIOLOGY & IDENTIFICATION 

MICHIGAN DNR WEBSITE - WOLF NEWS & POLICY 

  

Fast Facts:

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is home to 636 wolves and about 900 working farms. 

In 2014, wolves were responsible for either the death or injury of livestock at 14 farms.

Seven of those farms had one event causing death or injury to livestock.

NWC ADVOCATES FOR
NONLETHAL CONTROL METHODS
Last summer, the National Wolfwatcher Coalition contributed to the  
Wood River Wolf Project, a program of Defenders of Wildlife.  
Livestock carcass removal, range riders, fladry, electric fencing and guard dogs are just some of the nonlethal tools being used. 

This project has successfully protected more than 10,000 to 27,000 sheep annually grazing on the Sawtooth National Forest (Idaho), losing fewer than 25 sheep over six years with no government lethal control of wolves in the 1,000 square-mile project area.
 
Nonlethal management strategies are a better solution for ranchers, livestock and for wolves in Idaho. 

Now that is something to howl about!
Your support enables our mission to thrive...
Shop AmazonSmile!
If you purchase items through Amazon, you can show your support for the National Wolfwatcher Coalition, every time you shop by using AmazonSmile.

 

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. 

 

You use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

 

On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select National Wolfwatcher Coalition to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation to us!

 Holiday Gift Ideas!
Wolf Warriors Now Available 

Just released "Wolf Warriors: The National Wolfwatcher Coalition Anthology.  It is full of poems, short stories, flash fiction, essays, photographs, and artwork all submitted by our faithful Wolfwatchers! Available through Amazon Smile. You shop - Amazon gives Wolfwatcher a donation at no extra charge to you.  

To Get Started with Amazon Smile, Click Here  - select National Wolfwatcher Coalition as your charity. Wolf Warriors: The National Wolfwatcher Coalition Anthology is now available for only $13.39 
Shirts Available for Purchase

Federica Guidottti of Switzerland is one of the many artists featured in the Wolf Warriors Anthology.  

Federica donated her image, "We are all Connected" for our use as a fundraiser.    These shirts are available in long, short sleeve, youth sizes and hoodies.  


Together they will make a great holiday gift.

To see other work by Federica go to https://22dreamofmidnight22.deviantart.com/
Just in time for the holidays, we are offering a second shirt for purchase.

 

Artist, Madison Littlefield also donated her talents to NWC for our fundraising efforts.  Madison was inspired by a mix of tribal tattoo and Native Alaskan artwork.

This shirt is also available in long, short sleeve, youth sizes and hoodies.


YOU NEED TO HURRY, THESE SHIRTS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE THROUGH 11/27/2014 TO ALLOW TIME FOR HOLIDAY SHIPPING.
The National Wolfwatcher Coalition 
Named Grant Recipient
The National Wolfwatcher Coalition is deeply honored and grateful to be awarded a grant by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the ASPCA).

Nominated by Wolfwatcher, Ashley Chengerian, the $500 grant will be used for education and assist with our advocacy in ending the recreational hunting and trapping of wolves. 
 

     501(c)(3) nonprofit, all volunteer organization  

     

  

  

Our mission:  

We 'educate, advocate, and participate' for the long term recovery and preservation of wolves based on the best available science and the principles of democracy.  We:  

  1. Educate the public about the important role that wolves play in maintaining healthy ecosystems
  2. Inform the public about challenges to wolf recovery
  3. Support measures that promote peaceful coexistence with wolves on the landscape
  4. Educate the public about the issues in all regions and ways it can effectively participate in the democratic process to promote science-based decision-making about wolves.

All donations, no matter the amount, will be appreciated because they will enable us to: 

  • Provide educational programs, materials and events
  • Participate in conferences, seminars, and consultation with other professionals in the fields of wolf biology, research, conservation, eco-tourism and environmental law.
  • Secure a Wolfwatcher Legal Fund to sustain potential engagement in litigation that challenges local, state and/or federal policies that affect wolf preservation.

To donate online, please click on the Donate button at the top. To donate by check or money order,  please send your donation to our business office at: National Wolfwatcher Coalition, PO Box 161281, Duluth, MN   55816-1281