Wolves in the U.P. of Michigan

Nov 9, 2020  
The Department of Interior late last month announced the gray wolf would be delisted following the agency's determination that the species is no longer threatened or endangered. ... All gray wolves in the lower 48 states except for a small population of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico have been removed.

To achieve a permanent solution, SASC is working with Congressman Jack Bergman, Safari Club International, The Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, and the Michigan United Conservation Club to pass into law through the United States Congress a bill that will remove the gray wolf as an endangered species PERMANENTLY!

Check back we will keep you updated as we learn more.

Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan's Upper Peninsula via Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Since that time populations have increased and continue to expand their range. Evidence of range expansion into the Lower Peninsula came when a gray wolf was accidentally killed in Presque Isle County in 2004.   
In 2015 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the second confirmed presence of a gray wolf in the Lower Peninsula since 1910.   This wolf probably crossed on the ice between the U.P. and the Lower Peninsula.

Wolves are the largest member of the Canid family (wild dogs), which also includes coyotes and red and gray foxes.
As adults, wolves average 30 inches in height at the shoulder and 65 pounds. Their feet are generally 3 1/2 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches long, and provide an easy way of differentiating wolves from coyotes, whose feet are only 1 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches long.

To learn more about Wolves in Michigan click on the link below.

Click below to see the 2015 update to the 2008 Wolf Management Plan.

  July 27, 2020

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported the state’s wolf population has remained relatively stable over the past nine years, with the most recent survey completed this past winter. DNR Wildlife Division staff who participated in this latest survey estimate there was a minimum of 695 wolves, found among 143 packs across the Upper Peninsula. Pack size has remained stable and averages just under five wolves

The 2018 Winter Survey estimated there was a minimum of 662 wolves found among 139 packs across the Upper Peninsula. The 2016 minimum population estimate was 618 wolves. Fifteen more wolf packs were found during this past winter’s survey than in 2016, but pack size has decreased slightly and now averages less than five wolves.

It is important to note these are an estimate of the minimum number of wolves.

 The gray wolf is currently listed as a federally endangered species.  Wolves have been found in every county of the Upper Peninsula, but some years they have been absent from Keweenaw County (excluding Isle Royale) during the population surveys. Please report wolf sightings using the link below.