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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.

"The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant:   What good is it?"                   

     Aldo Leopold 


Thank you,
February 27, 2016
In This Issue
War Declared on Coyotes
Current Regulations
Proposed Changes
How to Comment
Talking Points
Help Support NWC
About Us
Increases to Coyote Hunting Proposed by Michigan DNR 
Pressured by hunting groups, the Michigan DNR has proposed changes to the already very liberal hunting season for coyotes.
 
At the September 2015 Natural Resources Commission meeting, the Michigan DNR provided three objectives:
  •  Address perceived safety threats
  • The desire to increase deer population
  • The interest in killing predators to reduce deer mortality
As explained by DNR Furbearer Specialist, Adam Bump,  "Typically over the long term and large scale, habitat management efforts are more effective and economically viable than predator control when managing deer and other prey species."

(Coyote presentation begins at Page 66)
Current Coyote Regulations
In Michigan:
  • Hunting coyotes is currently allowed July 15-April 15 with dogs and calls
  • Trapping coyotes is allowed October 15 - March 15
  • Nighttime hunting allowed
Coyotes can be killed anytime on private property, no license required,  when a coyote is doing or is about to do damage (though "damage" not defined).
 
Approximately, 11,000 coyotes were trapped & 23,000 were killed through hunting, in 2013.
 
DNR has stated that there is  no indication that killing more coyotes will result in a measureable impact on desired outcomes  is not likely to have a large scale impact on coyote population.
Proposed Changes
Current law prohibits the destruction, disturbance or molestation at any time any bear, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, squirrel, mink, badger, or rabbit house, hole, burrow, nest, dam, or den which may be used by such animals.

The coyote is not listed.
coyote pup
Coyote Pup


The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has proposed expanding the coyote hunting season statewide, year round (thus daytime hunting of coyotes will be expanded three months and nighttime hunting will be expanded 5 1/2 months) allowing,"individuals interested in taking coyotes more opportunity". 

It also means that coyotes can be hunted while at den sites.

The Department also recommends allowing the use of artificial lights when hunting coyotes a night.  

Predator /game calls and hunting with dogs is already allowed.  Baiting is not prohibited or restricted, therefore it is allowed and essentially anything is permitted including any legally obtained game such as road kill, deer parts etc.  

How to Comment
The proposed changes will be presented to the Commission for "Informational Only" at the March 10, 2016 meeting. 

The vote will take place at the April 14, 2016 meeting which will be held in Lansing. It is important for them to hear from us, now.


Send an email with the Subject line: Coyote Management to [email protected]
or
Via surface mail to Natural Resources Commission, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909
or
You can attend the meeting which will be held at:
DoubleTree Hotel Pointe West Conference Room 650 East 24th Street
Holland, MI 49423

There are specific instructions to address the Commission.  Appearance Guidelines
Talking Points
You do not need to be a Michigan resident to comment.

Simply send an email to [email protected]

Say, you oppose Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment 4 of 2016

The Michigan coyote hunting season is already very liberal. There is no scientific basis to expand the coyote season, statewide, year round.

It is unethical to hunt species while they are raising young at den sites.  

Expanding the season puts wolves at risk.  A wolf pup in the spring could be mistaken for an adult coyote.

The use of artificial lights is not necessary to kill coyotes.  

Help Support Our Work
We are an all volunteer organization dedicated to providing factual information about wolves through education and advocacy.  

The National Wolfwatcher Coalition has no membership dues and we do not send out mailers asking for money.  We exist because of the hundreds of hours donated by our volunteers, through your generous donations and through the sale of merchandise.


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or

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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