Bill Text: MI HR0154 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to encourage the National Park Service to establish a moose tag lottery hunt to assist in controlling the moose population on Isle Royale.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2020-01-22 - Adopted [HR0154 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0154-Enrolled.html
house Resolution No.154
Reps. Steven Johnson, Markkanen, LaFave, LaGrand and Chirkun offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is home to an exploding population of moose. The Michigan Technological University Wolf Study 2018-2019 Annual Report estimates moose have increased sharply from a population of 515 in 2011 to a current moose population of 2,060, an average growth rate greater than 19 percent annually; and
Whereas, Issues with the moose-to-wolf ratio over the last several decades have now reached a tipping point, with a current population of only 15 wolves on Isle Royale as of March 2019. Wolves are the only natural predator of moose on Isle Royale but the diminishing wolf population has not contained the moose population in recent years; and
Whereas, The increased and unsustainable moose population on Isle Royale has created an ongoing ecological dilemma as the moose feed on the park’s balsam fir trees and other vegetation. The rapidly expanding moose herd will devastate these slow-growing trees and could eliminate them from Isle Royale; and
Whereas, Previous attempts to introduce additional wolves to balance out the moose-to-wolf ratio have not resulted in a long-term sustainable balance of predator and prey; and
Whereas, A moose tag lottery hunt will benefit Isle Royale National Park and help restore ecological balance among moose, wolves, and vegetation. Approximately forty national parks currently allow some form of hunting as part of their wildlife management practices; and
Whereas, This hunt will provide a unique hunting experience for a number of hunters each year, which in turn will bring increased economic activity to the western Upper Peninsula; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we encourage the National Park Service to establish a moose tag lottery hunt to assist in controlling the moose population on Isle Royale; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Director of the National Park Service, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Governor of Michigan.
