Gov. Snyder signs bill allowing wolf hunting season in Michigan

Decision to hunt gray wolves in commission's hands after governor signs bill allowing kill season

LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan commission now has the authority to establish hunting seasons for the gray wolf under a law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

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The Natural Resources Commission is expected to get an update on the once-imperiled species in January.

Read: Wolves removed from endangered list.

The number of wolves in Michigan is about 700 and has grown since the federal government outlawed killing wolves four decades ago to keep them from going extinct in the lower 48 states.

The law signed Friday authorizes the creation of a wolf hunting season and sets license fees.

But the decision on whether and when to have a hunting season is left to the commission.

Read: Man, dog rescued from icy Lake Erie.

Supporters say wolves are too prevalent in some areas of the Upper Peninsula.

Opponents say it's not time to kill wolves once protected from extinction, purely for sport.

Other recent bills signed into Michigan law: