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Wolf killed in Ontonagon County
Authorities asking for the public’s help in solving case

By JOHN PEPIN Journal Staff Writer
POSTED: December 7, 2009 Save | Print | Email
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(Mining Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE - State and federal officials are seeking the public's help in solving a wolf poaching case in Ontonagon County.

Investigators from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the incident occurred sometime between Nov. 12 and 16.

The dead animal's wolf radio collar was found in the Stony Creek area, east of the old White Pine Mine.

"Every wolf that is poached complicates our efforts and the efforts of other Great Lakes states to get wolves off the endangered species list and return management to the state natural resource agencies," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. "Any help toward closing this case is greatly appreciated. Assistance from the public helps prove the point that Michigan takes wolf management seriously."

The wolf killing is the second over the past few weeks. A Wisconsin man pleaded guilty to killing a wolf near a hunting camp in Iron County in that second case.

State conservation officers were told of a reported dead wolf south of Iron River on the evening of Nov. 17. Investigators found a dead wolf dumped at the edge of a field, which had apparently died from a gunshot wound.

A reward of up to $6,500 is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for the killing of the wolf in Ontonagon County.

Gray wolves are currently listed as an endangered species on the federal list under the Endangered Species Act. The animals are protected from harm, unless threatening human life.

The maximum penalty for illegally killing a wolf is 90 days in the county jail, or a fine of up to $1,000, or both, plus reimbursement to the state for killing an endangered species.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to call the DNR's RAP line at 800-292-7800, the USFWS at 989-686-4578, or contact a local DNR conservation officer.

Information can be provided anonymously. An online form to report poaching violations is available on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under the Law Enforcement menu.

I wish I knew who did this so I could buy this guy a beer or 12.

That whole bit about "taking wolf managment serious" is a complete joke. The entire deal is one big circle jerk. If anyone thinks that MI or WI will every get down to the ORIGINAL management goal of totals animals, please, please, please send me some of whatever drugs you've got. They MUST be top knotch.

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/pa ... 12730.html

Wolf reward increased
POSTED: December 17, 2009 Save | Print | Email | Read comments | Post a comment
ONTONAGON - The reward being offered in an Ontonagon County wolf poaching case has been increased from $6,500 to $7,000, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, Department of Natural Resources officials announced today.

The DNR and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are seeking information related to a recent wolf poaching case in Ontonagon County, occurring some time between Nov.12-16. The wolf's radio collar was found in the Stony Creek Area of Ontonagon County, east of the old White Pine Mine location.

"We are pleased to accept this donation, which hopefully will help us obtain the information necessary to prosecute and close this case," said DNR Lt. Tim Robson. "Anyone who would like to contribute to law enforcement rewards can do so by earmarking a donation to the DNR's Gift Account for a specific reward, such as wolf or eagle poaching or illegal hunting and fishing investigations."

DNR Gift Account donations can be made in person at any DNR Operations Service Center or Field Office or by mailing a check, made out to the State of Michigan, with the specific intent of the donation marked in the check's memo field.

The $7,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for the killing of the wolf. In addition to the $500 offered by an anonymous donor, the DNR's Report All Poaching (RAP) program has donated $500 toward the reward, while the USFWS has offered $5,000 and an additional $1,000 is provided by Defenders of Wildlife, an organization dedicated to protecting endangered species. Gray wolves were recently re-listed by the federal government as an endangered species.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to call the DNR's RAP line at 1-800-292-7800, the USFWS at 989-686-4578, or contact a local DNR conservation officer. Information can be provided anonymously. An online form to report poaching violations is available on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under the Law Enforcement menu.