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This document is a review of scientific information pertaining to wolves, wolf-related issues, and wolf-management options in Michigan. Consideration and integration of this information will be critical to efforts to plan wolf management in the State. Evaluation of available science is a necessary component of decision-making; however, wolf management decisions must also address value conflicts among stakeholders and the acceptability of risks associated with uncertainty. Accordingly, this document does not provide answers to questions of how wolves should be managed in Michigan. Rather, this document facilitates understanding of the potential consequences of certain management approaches, and will thus help managers make decisions based on the best available science.

The Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan supports numerous furbearer species, and the Department of Natural Resources is charged with managing the "Endangered" but rapidly recovering gray wolf (Canis lupus), the reintroduced fisher (Martes pennanti) and marten (M. americana), the Federally regulated bobcat (Lynx rufus) and river otter (Lutra canadensis), and a number of other furbearers of varying status. Harvest information and physical data have been collected as part of the registration process for fisher, bobcat, river otter, badger, and incidental marten captures. Furbearer Winter Track Count Surveys have been attempted in the UP since 1996, and formal summaries of the results of the survey conducted in 1998 and 1999 were reported. A winter track count approach was selected, because many of the species of greatest concern are active on the surface of the snow during winter, and suitable snow tracking conditions in the UP normally extend from late January until early April. Routes were surveyed 1-3 days after a marker snow, and data from 11 furbearers and 5 other species of interest were collected. Marten tracks were found along 48% of the segments surveyed in 2000. The coyote (Canis latrans) was the most widely distributed furbearer, leaving tracks along 78% of the segments surveyed. The Lagomorphs (snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus and cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus) were the most widely distributed species group, being detected along 79% of the segments surveyed.

The Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan supports numerous furbearer species, and the Department of Natural Resources is charged with managing the "Endangered" but rapidly recovering gray wolf (Canis lupus), the reintroduced fisher (Martes pennanti) and marten (M. americana), the Federally regulated bobcat (Lynx rufus) and river otter (Lutra canadensis), and a number of other furbearers of varying status. Reliable and efficient methods to census these furbearers currently do not exist. In addition to this, unusually mild winter weather, attributable to the EI Nino climatological phenomenon, minimized survey opportunities during February and March. Thirteen of the 20 routes assigned were surveyed, and 10 of the 13 routes attempted were completed. The Western UP Management Unit completed all or most of 11 of 12 routes assigned. The Research Section completed two routes in the central UP, and the Eastern UP Management Unit completed 0 of 6 routes assigned. Therefore, the results of this survey in 1998 were derived only from the western two-thirds of the UP. Data acquired indicates that coyote (Canis latrans) and wolf abundance may have increased between years in the areas surveyed. Fisher, fox, hare/rabbit (Lepus americanus and Sylvilagus floridanus), and grouse abundance may have decreased, while marten and bobcat numbers showed little change.

Report on territories of coyote and wolf in the Upper Peninsula.

Results of a survey of wolf hunters contacted after the 2013 hunting season to estimate hunter participation, hunter satisfaction, and wolves seen and harvested.

The Michigan DNR has the primary responsibility and statutory authority for the management of resident wildlife in Michigan. Accordingly, this plan was developed primarily to guide the Michigan DNR’s management of wolves. This plan provides strategic guidance for the management of wolves in Michigan. It was developed to help: 1) maintain a viable Michigan wolf population above a level that would warrant its classification as threatened or endangered; 2) facilitate wolf-related benefits; 3) minimize wolf-related conflicts; and 4) conduct science-based wolf management with socially acceptable methods. This plan does not outline operational details of wolf management in Michigan. Operational details will be specified within an adaptive-management framework, in which specific management methods are routinely adjusted and updated as local conditions, technology, regulations, and other aspects of management context change.

Report summarizing wolf population monitoring and management activities in Michigan during 2009.

Comments on the 1950-1951 kill by hunters and trappers of most species (not including pheasants and deer).

The Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan supports numerous furbearer species, and the Department of Natural Resources is charged with managing the "Endangered" but rapidly recovering gray wolf (Canis lupus), the reintroduced fisher (Martes pennanti) and marten (M. americana), the Federally regulated bobcat (Lynx rufus) and river otter (Lutra canadensis), and a number of other furbearers of varying status. Harvest information and physical data have been collected as part of the registration process for fisher, bobcat, river otter, badger, and incidental marten captures. Furbearer Winter Track Count Surveys have been attempted in the UP since 1996, and formal summaries of the results of the surveys conducted in 1998-2001 were reported. A winter track count approach was selected, because many of the species of greatest concern are active on the surface of the snow during winter, and suitable snow tracking conditions in the UP normally extend from late January until early April. In 2001, survey routes were redefined as a single stretch of road or trail with minimum right-of-way improvement, approximately 8 km in length. Most of the former route "segments" were designated as "routes", individual routes were surveyed as time and snow conditions permitted, and routes became the sampling unit from which data were analyzed. Ninety-three routes were surveyed in 2002 and routes were surveyed 1-3 days after a marker snow. Data from 9 of 11 furbearers and 4 of 5 other species of interest were collected along the 744.8 km of roads and trails surveyed. Marten tracks were found on 41% of the routes surveyed in 2002. Coyote (Canis latrans) was the most widely distributed furbearer, leaving tracks along 74% of the routes surveyed. Lagomorphs (snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus and cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus) were more widely distributed, being detected along 81% of the routes surveyed.

Report on the status of the gray wolf in Michigan between 1954-55.

Report summarizing wolf population monitoring and management activities in Michigan during 2008.

Report on the observations of the conditions of various species on a trip by the author to the Upper Peninsula

Report outlining the major findings in various research projects at Cusino Wildlife Experiment Station.

The Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan supports numerous furbearer species, and the Department of Natural Resources is charged with managing the "Endangered" but rapidly recovering gray wolf (Canis lupus), the reintroduced fisher (Martes pennanti) and marten (M. americana), the Federally regulated bobcat (Lynx rufus) and river otter (Lutra canadensis), and a number of other furbearers of varying status. Harvest information and physical data have been collected as part of the registration process for fisher, bobcat, river otter, badger, and incidental marten captures. Furbearer Winter Track Count Surveys have been attempted in the UP since 1996, and formal summaries of the results of the surveys conducted in 1998-2000 were reported. A winter track count approach was selected, because many of the species of greatest concern are active on the surface of the snow during winter, and suitable snow tracking conditions in the UP normally extend from late January until early April. Routes were surveyed 1-3 days after a marker snow, and data from 11 furbearers and 5 other species of interest were collected. Marten tracks were found along 48% of the segments surveyed in 2001. The coyote (Canis latrans) was the most widely distributed furbearer, leaving tracks along 78% of the segments surveyed. The Lagomorphs (snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus and cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus) were the most widely distributed species group, being detected along 75% of the segments surveyed.

A random sample of archers was contacted prior to the 2003 archery deer hunting season and asked to record numbers and types of furbearers observed while deer hunting during the early archery season (October 1-November 14). The most frequently observed furbearers were raccoon and coyote. Indices for the muskrat populations were highest in the southern Lower Peninsula (SLP), and indices for wolves, fisher, and moose were highest in the western Upper Peninsula (WUP). Confidence limits associated with statewide indices usually were >30% of the estimate for most species. Consequently, comparisons made using these indices must be viewed cautiously. Increasing the sample size from 400 to 3,000 would be expected to reduce the confidence limits of the indices to about 20% of the statewide index for the common species.

Map from approximately 1950 showing details of the gray wolf territory in Alger County, Michigan. Included are areas of sightings and trails.

Report on a systematic investigation into the various roles predatory mammals play and their values in Michigan.

Report on the pest problem of coyote and wolves with background on attempts to control them.

Report on the situation of coyotes and wolves in Michigan focused on methods, costs and needs for control.

Report on the purpose and methods of predator control in Michigan.