Michigan is closer to gray wolf hunt under law signed by Gov. Snyder

12/31/2012

LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan commission now has the authority to establish hunting seasons for the gray wolf under a law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The Natural Resources Commission is expected to get an update on the once-imperiled species in January.

The number of wolves in Michigan is about 700 and has grown since the federal government outlawed killing wolves four decades ago to keep them from going extinct in the lower 48 states.

The law signed Friday authorizes the creation of a wolf hunting season and sets license fees. But the decision on whether and when to have a hunting season is left to the commission.

Supporters say wolves are too prevalent in some areas of the Upper Peninsula. Opponents say it's not time to kill wolves once protected from extinction.