Michigan Compiled Laws § 324.95153 Gray Wolves; Removal, Capture, Or Use Of Lethal Force; Report To Department Official; Violations As Misdemeanors; Penalties; Photographs; Response By Department Official; Use Of Hotline To Report Taking Of Gray Wolf.

***** 324.95153 THIS SECTION IS NOT OPERATIONAL OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL 1 ONE OF THE CONDITIONS LISTED IN MCL 324.95155(1) OCCURS *****

324.95153 Gray wolves; removal, capture, or use of lethal force; report to department official; violations as misdemeanors; penalties; photographs; response by department official; use of hotline to report taking of gray wolf.

Sec. 3.

(1) The owner of livestock or his or her designated agent may remove, capture, or, if deemed necessary, use lethal means to destroy a gray wolf that is in the act of preying upon the owner's livestock.

(2) The owner of the livestock or his or her designated agent shall report the taking of a gray wolf to a department official as soon as practicable, but not later than 12 hours after the taking. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $1,000.00, or both, and the costs of prosecution.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4), the owner of the livestock or his or her designated agent shall retain possession of a gray wolf taken until a department official is available to take possession of and transfer the gray wolf to the appropriate department personnel for examination. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $1,000.00, or both, and the costs of prosecution.

(4) If lethal means are used to destroy a gray wolf, a person shall not move or disturb the deceased gray wolf until he or she takes photographs of the deceased gray wolf and of the area where lethal means were used to destroy the gray wolf. Copies of the photographs taken by the person may be requested by the department for examination. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $1,000.00, or both, and the costs of prosecution.

(5) A department official shall respond to the scene where lethal means were used to destroy a gray wolf not later than 12 hours after a department official is notified under subsection (2).

(6) The owner of the livestock or his or her designated agent may report the taking of a gray wolf by utilizing the department's report all poaching hotline at 1-800-292-7800.

History: 2008, Act 290, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2008

Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 1 of Act 290 of 2008 provides:"Enacting section 1. If any federal or state litigation overturns the decision to remove gray wolves from the list of endangered species, the Michigan department of natural resources shall report the impact of that litigation on this act to the standing committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over issues primarily dealing with natural resources and the environment."For transfer of powers and duties of department of natural resources and environment to department of natural resources, see E.R.O. No. 2011-1, compiled at MCL 324.99921.

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Last modified: October 10, 2016