An animal welfare group has the green light to start collecting signatures in its attempt to stop a new law opening Michigan to a wolf hunt.
On Thursday, a state board approved petitions drafted by the group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected.
Michael Hodge is their attorney. He said there is no evidence that wolves are a problem in the Upper Peninsula.
“So it’s a hunting season for trophy hunters who want to kill an animal that just basically reappeared in the state of Michigan in recent years,” said Hodge.
Under the new law, it will be up to state wildlife officials to decide whether to have a managed wolf hunt. Supporters of the measure say it’s the best way to preempt problems like attacks on livestock.
Opponents will have less than six weeks to gather more than 160,000 signatures.
If they do, the law will be suspended and Michigan voters will decide whether to repeal it in November 2014.
