MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – The battle continues in Lansing over wolves in the Upper Peninsula.
First, the legislature approved a measure allowing the Natural Resources Commission to schedule a wolf hunting season, as residents of the U.P. say the resurgence of the wolf population has been enough to make the animals a nuisance.
That was followed by a petition drive pushed by an advocacy coalition that wants to block any wolf hunt. Signatures for a referendum have been turned in, and supporters hope to convince voters to block wolf hunting.
But lawmakers pushing for the hunt have taken another step, via a bill before the State Senate this week to allow the NRC to decide which animals are game animals, and also to spend $1 million dollars on game and fish management. And laws that include an appropriation, under the Michigan Constitution, cannot be overturned by voters.
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