Authorities to thin deer herd in Barton Hills
AnnArbor.com file photo
This story has been updated with information from the USDA Wildlife Office.
Officials will take aim to thin the deer herd in the village of Barton Hills Wednesday afternoon.
The United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services will be conducting the hunt, a release from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said.
The hunt will start at 2 p.m. and run until about an hour after darkness, said Tim Wilson with the USDA Wildlife Office.
Two or three USDA employees will take to tree stands on private property in the village armed with silenced rifles for the hunt, Wilson said. The employees will also utilize bait piles. Wilson said any number of deer can expected to be "safely and effectively" removed from the area.
"We aim for neck and head shots that drop the deer right there,” Wilson said.
The deer are then processed and the meat is given to local charities to feed the hungry.
Roadway safety and landscaping issues were two of the reasons residents in the affluent village requested the USDA's services in the matter, Wilson said.
Riad Al-Awar, who sits on the village’s board of trustees, said the board approved the deer thinning at a meeting within the last few months.
Al-Awar said a survey had been sent out to all residents of Barton Hills and that this year the majority of them were returned in favor of thinning the deer herd.
“It has been back and forth,” Al-Awar said about the debate to use a hunt to control deer in the village, which is its own municipality just northwest of Ann Arbor.
Al-Awar said he was personally against it, but said democracy prevailed.
“I don’t like seeing animals killed, to be honest,” he said.
But on the other hand, Al-Awar said deer can carry Lyme disease and pose hazards on roads. He added that there are numerous deer that show up in the front and back yards of his property on Country Club Road.
Wilson said his office is contacted when there is "conflict between humans and wildlife." At first, non-lethal measures such as barriers, netting and electric fencing are suggested. When those don't work, municipalities have the option of the type of deer thinning going on Wednesday.
The village must pay the USDA an undisclosed amount of money for labor, travel expenses and other reimbursements, Wilson said. This is the first time the agency has been contracted to thin a deer herd in the Ann Arbor area, he added.
Private property owners have to secure tags from the Department of Natural Resources for the harvested deer, Wilson said.
If deer continue to pose a problem in Barton Hills, there could be another hunt day, according to Wilson.
"Safety is our number one concern," he said.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
northside
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 10:03 p.m.
Nine? That's it? It's now even more confusing as to why this hunt took place. It's hard to see how nine deer in a place the size of Barton Hills made for a problem that warranted a shoot.
John Counts
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
I just spoke with Tim Wilson from the Wildlife Office who said they removed nine deer from the Baron HIlls on Wednesday. He said everything went smoothly and according to plan. It remains to be seen if his office will be asked to conduct another deer thinning hunt.
jcj
Fri, Feb 1, 2013 : 1:48 p.m.
It would be interesting to know if they were all does. For every doe taken you really remove three from the population. 9? Not worth the effort or money.
jcj
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
John Do you intend to follow up and let us know how many deer were killed?
Paul Wiener
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 8:26 p.m.
Disgusting. Kinda makes you wonder just who or what the wealthy, remote, well-connected citizens of Barton Hills - many of whom live on properties any family of deer would die for - will target next. And who will enable them to get away with it?
jcj
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
And some families will die.
northside
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
Three reasons are given for this: (1) roadway safety, (2) concern about ticks/lyme disease, and (3) landscaping issues. John, do you know if anyone in Barton Hills has hit a deer on the road? Contacted lyme disease? If not, a lot of deer are getting killed to protect flowers.
roadsidedinerlover
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 4:42 p.m.
We have deer roaming around the Village of Manchester and we don't have a cull. We have accepted the deer as residents and we look out for them when they cross the road. Maybe we are more humane here than in Barton Hills.
genetracy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
Hire Ted Nugent for the day.
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:50 p.m.
Ray Lewis just called...wants to know whats going to happen to all the deer antlers
John of Saline
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 6:09 p.m.
We'd better come up with an answer before he gets all stabby.
prot
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:46 p.m.
venison is good
jcj
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 6:27 p.m.
Gout Would you like a package of burger to try for yourself? Venison is healthier for you than beef, pork or lamb due to its lower fat, calorie and cholesterol content. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/308128-how-healthy-is-venison/#ixzz2JU7J4Aee
Bcar
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
They're suppressors not silencers...
Billy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 12:58 p.m.
"The village must pay the USDA an undisclosed amount of money for labor, travel expenses and other reimbursements, Wilson said." The fact that is operation that is being performed by a GOVERNMENT agency has "undisclosed" fee is questionable... It may just be a financial burden that has fallen upon that municipality but anytime they refuse to disclose something that should clearly be public knowledge, questions will arise...
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:54 p.m.
Drones cost a lot to hunt down these Al Qaeda deer
Boo Radley
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.
They never disclose the cost of operating those mysterious black helicopters ....
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:05 p.m.
Or possibly it could be that it just hasn't been calculated yet (said labor and transportation activities not having actually happened yet), or that nobody had the exact amount on hand, or that nobody asked for the exact amount. It might not actually be a major conspiracy.
meddler76
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 12:25 p.m.
Deer do not "herd."
jcj
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:37 p.m.
meddler Do a little research then comment.
RunsWithScissors
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:36 p.m.
"Herd" is a collective noun and can be used correctly to refer to multiple deer. You could also say leash of deer, parcel of deer or bevy of deer (females only).
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:21 p.m.
Hi Meddler- Obviously herd in this context is referring to the total population. With that said deer do in fact herd, they particularly do so in the winter.
notyou
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 9:17 a.m.
Stupid deer are getting what they deserve. they find a pile of apples in the middle of a pine tree forest and don't realize its a trap. "Wow look at this pile of corn in the middle of a field. Strange there isn't a corn stalk for 2 miles..." Grow some thumbs instead of antlers and maybe humans would take you a bit more serious.
genetracy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 4:59 a.m.
Can't we do something a little more humane to control the deer population like pass out condoms to the bucks?
RunsWithScissors
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:32 p.m.
Or maybe mix a few "Plan B" pills into the deer bait. (I know. It's not as funny as the condom remark but that's a hard act to follow.)
Jim H
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 7:26 a.m.
That should be even more entertaining and opens up job opportunities for unemployed PETA people!
DJBudSonic
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 4:48 a.m.
I am sad to see this is happening, these deer have large ranges, they run the same range and trails every night, and these "Barton Hills Deer" are no more their property to dispose of than any other state wildlife, just because they are passing through regularly. I see these deer everyday, too, and it has never been a problem for me. They pass through my yard, who cares? Of course they eat your plants, what would you have them eat? Not everything has to be " us vs. them". (Unless you are rich, I guess.) I will be p!ssed if they take any bucks, those are supposed to be for the sportsmen.
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:33 p.m.
BTW I meant Amen to @DJBudSonic
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
Amen!
jcj
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
DJ How will they know the difference between bucks and does? The bucks are no more for the sportsman than the does.You don't control a herd by shooting bucks.
A2M3
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 3:42 a.m.
How about trapping them in huge deer pens and relocating them to places that have no deer to shoot. Isn' that "job creation" or revenue creation?
jcj
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.
A2M3 You forgot to mention where that deerless place is!
Jim H
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 7:23 a.m.
That should be very entertaining to watch!
Orangecrush2000
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 3:18 a.m.
Thank you.
talker
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:57 a.m.
Last week, a deer crossed the road ahead of my car. I avoided hitting that deer, but then another deer ran into my right, front fender and front passenger door. Apparently that second deer ran back into a wooded area. I never saw the deer that mangled my fender and door panel. Luckily, I escaped with just a bruise/pull of the right side of my lower ribs and nearby muscles. It was at dusk. My speed wasn't the issue. I didn't drive into the deer. A deer apparently ran into my car, leaving a sign in the form of what the police officer said was "deer poop." Checking on-line statistics, in 2011, there were about 53,000 deer-vehicle crashes and the deaths of 18 people in Michigan.
justcurious
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 10:52 a.m.
Hey, here's some advice. If you see one deer, be ready for more...they travel together. Slow down at dawn and dusk and give them a chance to hear you coming...especially in the spring and fall.
WWBoDo
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:10 a.m.
Lions and Tigers and Deer, oh my! Don't we have bigger issues than getting Dorthy back to Kansas. This is so silly. Do the people challenging the deer culling eat chicken, or beef, or lamb, or bacon, or ham. etc. And how many chickens, cows or pigs have jumped in front of a car lately and caused loss of human life, which, in my book, is more precious than animals. Sorry, just saying.... Get Real!
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:31 p.m.
You would think that there are bigger problems to deal with right now...
Michigan Man
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:02 a.m.
Can I bring my AK 47 out to Barton?
Ihatetobethatguy
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 9:57 p.m.
can those background checks for gun purchases everyone is talking about also include an idiot test?
Ken
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 11:36 p.m.
Oh deer!
martini man
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 11:28 p.m.
There definitely is a serious deer problem in all of this part of Michigan. Not just in the elite affluent neighborhoods. There are tens of thousands of car/deer accidents each year with untold amounts of injuries, to both deer and humans. The enviro-wacks want to thin out the humans rather than control the deer herds. Bringing in wolves to compete with the already large population of coyotes, might also pose a problem. I guess a few small children eaten by wolves would be acceptable to certain enviromentalists. These wild animals have somehow adapted quite well to human encroachment and thrive in numbers not associated with the "wild" . I'd rather see them thinned out with guns, by trained marksmen rather than being slaughtered on our highways, while causing traffic accidents and injuries to humans as well. But unless it's on an area wide level, not much will be accomplished for the regular folks.
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:52 p.m.
I hope they use a buck pole. I enjoyed watching Ann Arbor's reaction to the one that made the news in Dexter a couple years ago.
Billy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.
Made the news? The dexter buck pole has been in operation as long as I can remember...so that's at least 30 years.
John of Saline
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 11:32 p.m.
Then you'll enjoy this cartoon regarding show and tell: http://pinterest.com/pin/148126275214880925/
Mitch
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:49 p.m.
I want some Venison.
GoNavy
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:48 p.m.
When you think about "what situations would a hunter need an assault rifle," think of the "Two or three USDA employees will take to tree stands on private property in the village armed with silenced rifles for the hunt." Add to that the high capacity rifles so they can get plenty of deer without reloading.
jake
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.
Sorry, this is NOT a hunt. This is a deer massacre. Call it the way it really is instead of misrepresenting this action. I have serious reservations about this as I know that all God's sentient beings have feelings and have the right to be here on this planet. There are other, more humane ways to attack this problem. The wealthy of Barton Hills should be ashamed of their shortsightedness and dearth of conscience and caring of God's creatures. Beware, as karma ALWAYS prevails.
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.
Amen!
Candy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 12:56 a.m.
I totally agree with you, Jake! And I believe in karma, which is my only comfort here.
GoNavy
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:49 p.m.
If you want to see deer involved in massacres, look up the annual number of road fatalities from deer/car collisions. I'd rather there be fewer deer than attend a friends funeral from having a deer go through his windshield.
HONDO
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:40 p.m.
So if karma prevails better be watching out for the Indians.... just saying humans have displaced worse how about fighting for them and not deer who no worries wont become extinct this or next century. Just saying
tim
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:37 p.m.
Barton is a giant deer magnet, the local farmers and friends hunt deer so the deer looking for safety and food naturally move into Barton. This hunt will have to be an annual event if they really want to make a dent in the deer population.
Dog Guy
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:58 p.m.
The United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services joins coyote in mitigating this white-tailed rat invasion. Huzzah!
Jon Wax
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:56 p.m.
sad. a couple farmers lose a couple calves (cost of doing business) and what's the answer? shoot all the wolves. now we have too many deer. what's the answer? shoot the deer. brilliant. hope you guys never get involved in human population managment. Peace Wax
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.
Amen!
jcj
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:32 a.m.
wax You know of a birth control pill?
ypsi 1
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 12:28 a.m.
too late Waxie, man encroaches on wildlife= everyone loses. we're way too far past the hands off so might as well manage populations be managed by the pros.
Mitch
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:48 p.m.
What planet are you from, we are thining the human population. Just look at the change in birth rates.
HONDO
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:47 p.m.
We did remember the indians we displaced for their land... Wax Peace
wardsa
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:05 p.m.
"hope you guys never get involved in human population managment." Obama-Care, I think that's what they call it.
Margaret Leary
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:56 p.m.
Unfortunately, this will not do much good because the deer herd in southern Michigan is so huge. Killing even 100 deer in a small part of Barton Hills will just make room for more to move in. The deer is southern Michigan are a huge problem, and human landscaping damage is the least of it. The deer damage creeks and the edges of ponds, lakes and rivers, so that all kinds of aquatic life suffers. They browse fields to a nubbin, removing nesting and foraging for many different kinds of birds and smaller mammals. They damage forest both by browsing the bottom of trees, but worse by eating entire seedlings of important trees and shrubs. Take a look at the "exclosures" at the Botanical Gardens for evidence. The number of deer is also dangerous to the deer: overpopulation. The only solution is to end the century long ban on commercial deer hunting (i.e. legalize and license and inspect deer harvested and sold for a profit." Their natural enemies are gone for good.
jcj
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:31 a.m.
Its not so much a matter of more moving in as it is the reproduction rate. If you start with 100 deer say 30 bucks and 70 antler less kill 35 antler less, no need to kill the bucks although it will be hard to tell the bucks since none of them of them will have antlers. So you have 30 bucks and 35 antler less left come spring you will have 30 bucks 35 antler less and 70 fawns approximately.
ypsi 1
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 12:23 a.m.
Thoughtful post Ms Leary. Culling is something that needs to be managed and ongoing. Let's get some good out of the herd management and open it to more adjacent areas.
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 11:45 p.m.
We lost a lot of deer because of that blood disease this past summer. That was a horrible way for them to die.
Vivienne Armentrout
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:10 p.m.
And for further detail, read Margaret's excellent article on this subject in the Ann Arbor Observer. http://arborweb.com/articles/our_deer.html The deer also eliminate many small plant species (i.e. wildflowers). There was a classic "natural" experiment (one not planned by humans) on the Kaibab Plateau, where deer were cut off from natural predators on one side of the Grand Canyon, in a preserve where hunters were banned. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaibab_Plateau The resulting overpopulation damaged the ecosystem and the deer eventually had a catastrophic population crash due to starvation. Deer are evolved as a prey species. They will multiply far beyond the capability of any area to support them if protected from human and wild predation. They are a serious problem for me in my city lot. I'm having trouble keeping them out of my vegetable garden.
dsponini
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.
Rich people in Barton Hills getting their way... I hope Michigan tax payers are not on the hook for what this will cost. This hunt only benefits the few that live in Barton....
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.
Michigan tax payers most likely are on the hook for what this will cost. I agree with you @Desponini
jcj
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:17 a.m.
If you are not going to READ the story don't bother commenting!
Ricardo Queso
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:39 p.m.
Go tell Obama!
Louise
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:51 p.m.
So, the deer were there first...and instead of just relocating them the new human residents want to just kill them! Are only some of us God's creations? Good thing the deer don't have the guns!
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:28 p.m.
I totally agree!
Krupper1
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 1:48 a.m.
There are more deer in North America now than when the Pilgrims landed. . .
GoNavy
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.
I'm not religious. However, if you believe in "God" (you've indicated as much in your post), then you'll agree that he placed all the animals under us for our use. I found this under "Genesis 1:28": "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Sounds like a license from "God" to do whatever we please with these animals.
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
Louise, wherever you live, that location was once animal habitat. When are you going to be moving out of your home to rectify this sin?
Kyle Mattson
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:22 p.m.
Hi Margaret- Sorry, this was the most recent document from the state I could find but here is the deer population chart for the county between 1990 and 2005: http://bit.ly/WvYtR8
Margaret Leary
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:01 p.m.
The deer population in southern Michigan is MUCH larger than it has ever been. Before there were people, the deer here had natural enemies that kept the population in check. AND the landscape was not nearly so hospitable to deer. It is people that removed the forests and replaced them with corn, soy beans, lawns, delicious and nutritious bulbs and perennials. it is people who removed the natural predators. And it is people who limit the number of deer that can be hunted--and even if all those who hunt deer by all legal means were allowed to kill as many as they wanted, stats from the DNR show that the herd would not be significantly reduced in Southern Michigan. Even hunters reach a natural limit. And hunters like to go up north to hunt. But the deer are mostly down here in the south, and the number up north has dropped. The deer are, sooner or later, going to bring Lyme disease, bovine TB (that can be transferred to the cows we eat) and other diseases that will be very painful for the deer and potentially very harmful to people. It is never good to have one species artificially enabled to grwo disproportionately in relation to all others in a large region like southern Michigan.
Mousedeva
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9 p.m.
....and the whole point of moving out to the countryside was for nature right? Comes with the territory folks! Well, hopefully there's karma coming. Buy some deer whistles and use your horn when you see animals along side the road to alert them, it does work!
Jon Wax
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:57 p.m.
seriously, Chip? Peace Wax
Chip Reed
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.
I don't think there were very many dear here 100 or 200 years ago...
Trumpet
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:43 p.m.
I find this disgusting, and little more that a licensed slaughter. Don't get me wrong, I am a hunter, but this is not hunting, it is calculated mass shooting... So the wealthy of Barton Hills don't want to slow down to their posted 20 mph speed limit to avoid car-deer accidents. Estate owners are "devastated" by the loss of their favorite tulips and shrubs. And why does Barton Hills get "special" permission to do this? What is going on here???
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
I meant that I agree with @Trumpet.
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
Could not have said it better myself!
chapmaja
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.
Veracity, From everything I have read the deer population in the USA has exploded since the Mayflower arrived. The population has expanded and contracted over time. Deer were actually in serious danger just over 100 years ago. Rampant hunting for whitetails, plus predation lowered the nationwide total to roughly 500,000 total animals. At that point the US was undergoing many changes. Native Americans, who regularly hunted deer were put on reservations. The chief predators of deer were hunted to near extinction, and the land was cleared. Deer prefer open landscapes to eat and wooded areas to hide. As land was cleared for farming deer got the best of both worlds. The population of deer in the US is now a too healthy 30 million strong. That's 60 times the number that lived just 120 years ago in the US. Without natural predators, and given decent weather, the deer population can double in 2 years. Hunting is a major reason why deer populations don't explode more than they already have. Getting rid of hunting, including controlled hunts like this, prevent a severe overpopulation and major health risks to humans and deer.
Veracity
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 3:24 a.m.
Krupper1- Oh, so the pilgrims surveyed all of what is not the United States and did deer counts in the early 17th century? Where did they post their numbers? Seriously, I doubt that the deer population in the United States approaches the number that existed when the Mayflower landed but then I can not provide supportive numbers either.
Mitch
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:46 p.m.
Ohhh grow up!
tim
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:32 p.m.
This is a slaughter-- but so is the source of every piece of meat you eat. If you want competition then watch basketball --- not a harvest.
Kyle Mattson
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:11 p.m.
Hi jc & Trumpet- I just stumbled on this recently story from our neighboring county, Jackson. Apparently they have an annual cull that has been going on in one of their city parks for the past 6 years. http://bit.ly/VugBgh
Epengar
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:02 p.m.
Any local government can get a permit to do a controlled killing of deer. I imagine that the shooting after dark will be spotlighting deer that have been drawn to baits.
justcurious
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:54 p.m.
Actually other places around here have been granted permission to do the same in the past. Hudson Mills Park and Chrysler Proving grounds come to mind. In my opinion it would be best to make sure that the deer meat is used for public consumption in some way. I do find it odd that the permit allows shooting after dark though.
fieldfarms
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
They are nothing but giant rodents in your yard. If you deer lovers like them so much, can I bring mine over to your yard?
Westfringe
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 3:42 a.m.
I find it funny how people call common animals rodents. Humans are everywhere and they make a huge mess. If they're rodents in your yard what are you, a giant roach?
treetowncartel
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
And yet we are going to start hunting the Gray Wolf in this state, which naturally thins the deer population.
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 2:09 a.m.
Exactly. Complete backwards thinking.
treetowncartel
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:47 p.m.
Yoopers are tracked by the DNR?
Mitch
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 10:45 p.m.
Feel free to get a trailer and bring them south. Just let the DNR know.
sayzme
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.
That was Snyder caving in to yooper tea party master. The Grey Wolf is not much of a threat in this state, coyotes maybe.....but Snyder being the right wingnut he is...agreed that 700 grey wolves in Michigan is 699 too many! Kill away!!
Mousedeva
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:36 p.m.
Yes they should definitely utilize these senseless kills by donating everything they possibly can to the food gatherers, tanners etc. Don't let them die in vain b/c they ate someone's vegetable garden....better yet, bring some wolf packs down here from the UP instead of killing them too, let nature take its course.
OriginalSnookie
Thu, Jan 31, 2013 : 2:25 p.m.
I totally agree!
Emily
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:29 p.m.
Maybe they can donate the venison to Food Gatherers. ??
Kyle Mattson
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.
Hi Emily- John has updated the story to note that the meat will be indeed donated to area charities.
tdw
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.
Emily....Unless there are some dopey rules or regulations they can.Once when I was duck hunting we saw some jerk drown a deer that was swimming across the lake. Me and my partner called the DNR and ended up taking the officer across the lake and the officer took the deer.He told me it would be given to some charity ( can't remember what it was ) for food
aatownie
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:28 p.m.
Can they come thin the herd at my house too?
Mike
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 8:23 p.m.
How can the greenies do this to bambi?