UPPER MICHIGAN WOLVES - ONLY 600 WOLVES IN THE U.P.? 

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Started hunting the central U.P. at family camp in 1980. I've seen the deer numbers crash since then forsure. The big slide downward started in the mid 90's. Just prior to that was the wolf protection/introduction and a major shift in the DNR's giving out of extreme amounts of antlerless tags starting in the late 80's in areas far outside of what was traditionally only in the menominee "banana belt" area. Initially hunters brought down the deer population a lot in the 90's and into the 2000's. Deer poles were loaded equally with bucks to does in the 90's and also about that time the bridge count started showing way more does than bucks being taken across the bridge. If you seen a truck and trailer on the road hauling a couple bucks back then, you'd almost always see a few does on the trailer as well. Hunters shot the crap out of deer back then believing everything the dnr was saying about shoot more does. The big deer party came to an end with the two back to back winters of 95-96 & 96-97 and has never fully recovered. Man did we ever have deep snow those years. I remember driving down the roads and you couldn't even see into the woods cause of such high snow banks. Deer season of 96 we seen 30% fewer deer than in 95 and then another 30% fewer again in the 97 season. Every year we kept a daily camp log of what we seen hunting. It was shocking but still way better numbers than what we have now. What was crazy is in the fall of 96 the DNR was still giving out large amounts of antlerless tags after we just lost 30% of the population. The dnr slowed down some in 97 but by 2000 were back at it giving out craps loads of antlerless tags and hunters gobbled them down. In the mid 2000 the deer population seemed to stall regardless if we had a mild winter or not. In the 2000's I started spending alot more time at camp, putting in food plots, feeders all the good stuff to attract the deer and no matter what we did we never got back to the numbers we'd had seen in our fields prior to 95. Also in the 2000's hunters in camp starting seeing the sight of wolf tracks more often and every now and then a wolf itself while out hunting. For 10+ years around 2000 the DNR protected the Coyote from being shot during the november rifle season. The DNR and NRC were too concerned hunters would shoot a wolf mistaking it for a coyote. Oddly enough for the past 10+ years it been legal again to shoot a coyote during deer season and no ones been making that mistake. When the dnr tells us hunters we have too many coyotes and they are the biggest contributing factor to fawn predation, just remember who protected them when the vast majority of hunters were afield every year and would have been happy to bag a coyote. I wonder how much coyote populations expanded due to the dnr not allowing them to be shot during rifle deer season?. We will never get back to the deer numbers we used to have, it won't be allowed. As Chad Steward with the Mi DNR called them "Stake holders" Well there are too many "stake holders" at play now. Combined with years of mismanagement and continued mismanagement we'd be lucky if we could just maintain populations. However its showing we can't even keep the numbers at a stable level and this now is mainly due to the wolves having come on so strong. There are many "Stake holders" that benefit from a low deer population and they hire lobbyist to rub shoulders with the politicians and donate to political campaigns to get what they want. Some of these "stake holders" love the fact we have wolves. Wolves can do what hunters can't and pick at the deer herd 24/7/365. Farm bureau loves we have wolves. Less crop damage. Auto insurance industry, just in Michigan in 2022 it was estimated at 130 million in claims due to car deer accidents. Forestry/Timber industry, faster tree regeneration. Certified forest initiative. Beef industry, control of food. Less free venison, have to buy more beef. It's always about the money, follow the money and you'll get your answers to why the deer herd is being allowed to evaporate. The exploding wolf population is a benefit to some "stakeholders" What's also concerning is in 1996 we voted in Proposal G which is " To use the sound scientific management". It seems to me that the DNR has failed to live up to what we told them to do instead allowing "stakeholders" to guide them in making decisions regarding game in the state. Not only is our deer herd faltering but look at our moose population. In the 80's and 90's the goal was a huntable moose population of 2000 moose by year 2000. How cool would've a limited U.P. moose hunt have been? The wolves have set that back how far? Decades perhaps or worse yet we may lose that reintroduction effort all together because of the wolves. Much is out of our control until elections come around. The director of the DNR is appointed. The NRC members are appointed. It matters who we allow to make those appointments for those positions. Lastly, just because the DNR gives out lots antlerless tags it does not mean we hunters need to buy them or use them regardless of the populations numbers they feed us. By now we know the accuracy of their numbers they dished out over the years and it never seems to line up. The DNR has stated that Michigan has 1.8 to 2 million deer, they've been using this same number for the most part since the 90's. There's always some or multiple excuses being pushed as to low harvest numbers, too much snow, too warm, rut was over, too windy, to rainy, opener during the week, corn still up, too many acorns, full moon, deer are nocturnal because we bait, deer were nocturnal because we didn't bait, deer avoid bait piles now and deer have adapted to move less now because of wolves on the landscape. The deer season of 2024 is going to be really interesting for sure with such a mild winter this year. If the population is down again this year and we don't see fawns what excuse are they going to use this year. Maybe the deer had heat stroke over the winter. It's obviously up to us to practice conservation now, the DNR has had years to get it right, to keep a balance and they've clearly failed and do not have the outdoorsman or the outdoor community as their priority "stakeholder".

I’m in my 70s, originally from Michigan and I hunted many seasons in the UP. 50 years ago there were no wolves in the UP and few coyotes. The DNR championed the reintroduction of wolves against the residents wishes. After several attempts it seems to have worked. Although I love Michigan and the God’s country of the UP I left 30 years ago due to the deranged liberals that were destroying the state’s economy all around. I now live in South Carolina where sanity in government still exists, where wildlife abounds, the deer season is three months long and the first day of spring is always Groundhog Day.

We used to have a good deer population around crystal falls and now the deer are next to extinction, cancel deer season and put on wolf season, the DNR has the wrong animal protected, the whitetails in the upper peninsula are getting the same stupid management as the ring neck pheasant got 40 and 50 year's ago to the present day, the sport is over

Maybe per county.

The Northern 1/3 of Wisconsin holds approximately 4,000 Wolves and the DNR says we have 1,000 to 1,200. I also hunt in Michigan between Ontonagon and Toivola, and from what we see I'd estimate there's at least 3 to 4,000 Wolves in the UP. I had 4 Wolves right up to my tent the opening day of the MI. Rifle hunt, and another member of our group had a Wolf follow him through the woods for 2 hours second day of season. Not too sure what happened to that one? The DNR in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have been managing for predators since about 2000. We have a bunch of Anti hunters running our DNR in all 3 States. It's a crying shame whats happening. Vote Republican and get these Wolves off the Federal List. Every Wolf accounts for roughly 20 to 25 Deer per year. Calculate what the Deer per square mile used to be and realize each pack stays in a 25 to 40 Sq. Mile area respecting the next packs territory. The Wolves are running out of Deer to kill. I was a professional hunting guide and trapper for 30 years. By 2019 my lifelong business ended because I didn't have the inventory to support my business....not even close.

I love knowing those kind of animals. Moose, Bears, Wolves, And so on live in the UP. It tells you you're in a special place. A place that can sustain that kind of wildlife if some place special. But, On the other hand some of these animals like the wolf needs to be put kept in check. I own a camp near iron river. And I witness the decimation of the deer herd. It's all but gone.

Great job keeping the content coming in a tough Winter to do so Dave. The ice for fishing has been goofy, the crusty snow has made rabbit dogs struggle, and the lack of snow has made snow shoeing almost pointless. You and I both are used to our typical winter weather, and have planned our normal activities accordingly. When we get a curveball like this year every 12-15 years, it really throws a wrench in the works.

I have a camp in the middle of the upper. The deer herd has been going down for at least 10 yrs

People should be practicing the 3 S' 😉🤫

Bear hunted up around our camp near Trout Lake last year. Did not Deer hunt there the past 2 years. No Deer on any of our game cameras and no Deer tracks on over 12 miles of 2 track around camp. Lots of wolves on the cameras however. Some with collars some not. Im sure there are a great deal more then 600 wolves in the UP.

A good friend of mine has been going to deer camp in the Watton, Sidnaw area for about 60 years. 2023 firearm is the first year he did not go, he went fishing instead. He said there are no deer in the area anymore. Wolves and bears were the only critters on his cameras.

Wow, I've seen every wolf in the UP then. All 600.

Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have 2 to 3 times the Wolves than what they admit to. All the motel businesses, the bars, cafe's , gas stations and grocery stores have suffered for it. And for what? Kids have misssd out on a great tradition. Long time deer camps are gone. People have bought land and cabins for hunting and now they have no deer. And for what? All this public hunting land in northern Minnesota and no deer. So everyone hunts the southern half of the state. Very crowded. And for what? This is so stupid

I remember when you did a few videos like this last year. I really enjoy them. Also there are many more than 600 wolf in the U.P. The DNR just seem to like that number for some reason. The DNR has a wolf trail cam set up close to where we hunt in Central Menominee County. If really like to see the pictures on that. Todd from da U.P.

A timbershepard rescue sanctuary in MN says it takes 40 pounds of meat to feed a timbershepard for a week. 600 wolves X 40 pounds X 52 weeks= 1,248,000 pounds of meat. WI just did a survey and found only 47% of fawns live to see the gun deer season. Add killer winters to the mix. PS I grouse hunted all fall, I never saw a buck.

The UP is officially 10.5 million acres. 600 wolves equals only one wolf per 17,500 acres. I live down in the Mountains of NC...but I'm following this wolf thing very closely. All I can say is "I don't freakin' think so!"

Sharpest intellectual approach on this subject yet, without ruffling to many feathers (chickens). Nice work, hats off to you.

There's thousands of wolves aka,pos in Minnesota. If you need some let me know.

I got a hunting cabin near Rudyard and over the years the deer population has definitely dropped, we actually see more wolf signs than deer

Exactly!! I would say 600 in Marquette alone. I have never seen so much wolf sign

I've been hunting the Sidnaw area since the early 90's. This year, 3 guys in camp hunted 17 days. We collectively saw 2 deer (probably the same one). I have four deer that don't go more than 100 yds from my cabin, and they're nocturnal and spooky (I've got them on multiple cell cameras in video mode). On 60 acres, I run 10 cameras. I only have occasional wolf pics, but several coyotes, which we shoot if we see them. I'll never stop hunting the U.P. but it is a real bummer right now. My guys are all newish to hunting and haven't gotten their first deer yet. I'm hoping they'll hang in there.

And here in the LP we have the second most deer of any state behind Texas. I see them everyday in suburban Detroit. Makes sense since we supposedly don’t have any wolves yet. But coywolves have been found in northern Michigan so some seem to have snuck down.

That's 600; more than we want

I've hunted the three lakes area For many years. Last year our Party of four saw one deer over The first four days of rifle season. One of the guys has A great video of wolf tracks Following deer tracks down His driveway.

Rather have lots of deer than wolves.

They are even digging bears out of their dens this year

We need wolf seasons brought back to stabilize the population.

Hey Dave ya there’s way to many wolfs We have lots at our camp as well. I think they better put new batteries in there calculators cause there’s way more than the 600 they claim there is. Nice video

Why isn’t there a wolf hunting season?

Love the pics

I've spent quite a bit of time in the UP and there are deer all over the place.

I had a black bear tear thru my trash can last night...trash freakin everywhere...thanks yogi. Love living in the UP.

Great show

Do they estimate them using the same method as deer population? Count droppings in a square area?

i talked to many deer hunters this past deer season and all saw wolves or lots of sign. lots of coyotes as well. my feeling is what is more important -a deer or a wolf. a wolf does not generate the $ that a deer does.

I love those gloves. Theyre the best.

I’ve seen a lot of the recent reports on RU-vid and I’m wondering if that figure or those claims are an estimate per county.

Wolves have knocked deer numbers down in Reston by our camp too. 100 years ago they trapped, shot,and poisoned they to get rid of them. The native Wolves were smaller. The land should be managed to best benefit man.

My camp is in western Alger county. Thick with wolves.

Thanks for another great vdeo. We're having a predator problem plus a lot of disease in our deer herds in WY

All animals have high and low cycles. Predator numbers follow the prey cycles. I live and hunt in the UP. In the last 3 years I have seen more deer and more wolves than before. I watched from my blind 3 wolves chasing a doe. They didn't get the doe it was healthy and strong. The wolves went the other way to find a sick, old weak deer. Wolves keep the deer healthy. Again, all animals have cycles up and down. Fact. The wolves are a must. I lived by Oscoda, MI in 1989. Five countries around there had deer with TB. Why? No wolves. Wolves can sense sickness, weakness.

As a Menominee County resident, I’ve had wolves in my driveway and front yard. They even killed a deer in my backyard, and once attempted to kill my black lab. Yup, I love wolves.

Tons of wolves. Count not accurate just based on declining deer. Ask any UP dairy farmer.

I give Chad stewart credit for trying to do interviews. But dnr biologists dont travel out of Lansing much. but, ibet 1000 to 1500 wolves. Shame UP is so forgot about in Lansing.

Wolf and bear populations everywhere need to be controlled. Northern Ontario deer and moose population has been devastated by those predators. Spring bear had been cancelled 25 years ago due to Toronto bleeding hearts that have never been north. When crops are ripening for harvest in my area of the north its not unusual to see up to 20 - 30 bears in a field eating destroying a farmers livelihood. Bears are omnivores, wolves on the other hand are not but both eat meat. Bleeding hearts many years ago destroyed the fur trade and wolf populations took off.

Hunted 10days by ELO Michigan seen three deer. but on trail camera had 10 to 20 wolves every night. four different Hunters, four different areas

It's pathetic what we've allowed happen to the U.P.

That 600 is just propaganda to try to keep the ya's and na's from fighting..

2013 they said there were 650 or more????

From what I hear and read you'll need to take matters into your own hands. S.S.S. !!

Fk the Boot commercial!

😂😂😂😂😂 Bullshit 600. I spent two years surrounded by a large pack in Bruce Crossing off North Baltimore road .

Have you ever considered that deer are overpopulated? Stop using the boom years as a baseline.

You look like you’ve lost some weight. The easy winter must’ve kept you active.

Yes in northern Wisconsin there are way more then 600 wolves .....but they are a historical part of the region, just need to keep the population in check.

#WolfNumbersEqualsMDNRBullshit #LetsGoBrandon Triple the 600 and you might be close

600 is plenty...to many

Well, OK...Whatever! I will try and be kind because you seem like a great guy, which sort of comes from living in this magical place we call the UP. That being said there is nothing, and I do not mean a little of nothing, but a whole lot of nothing, about hanging a couple of dead chickens to a tree, and then seeing what comes and eats it, proving anything. If anything your data just proved that wolves do not kill anything, they just eat what is already dead. Not the point I think you were trying to make. And the reason why actual wildlife biologist do not listen to anything you all say. I have a suggestion. Since you do know the woods, instead of fighting with people that know a whole lot more about biology than you do, invite them in, show them the woods, and work together. There may well be the need for a wolf hunt in the UP, but the people that will make that decision are laughing at this video. But otherwise I really did like the video.

I sawq 3 wolves last year so there cant be 600. lol.

Definitely a Wolf

What eats a dead chicken in the woods, everything.

550 to many

The color pictures looks like 2 different wolves! The tail is different on one of them!

Chootem

All bs

Title on this video is very misleading. Do a better job with that

Wolves are great for the ecosystem consider yourself lucky.

Davemindenont.wehavetomanyalso