Group seeks to overturn wolf hunt law

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A group opposed to killing wolves says it will circulate petitions to force a referendum on a new Michigan law allowing hunting of the once-protected predators.

Organizers of the group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected said Monday that it will seek to gather 225,000 signatures by late march to qualify for the November 2014 ballot.

The coalition includes animal welfare, conservation and Native American groups.

The Legislature last month voted to classify gray wolves as a game species, and state officials are preparing hunting rules.  Michigan has about 700 wolves.

A phone request for comment was left Monday with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The U.S. removed wolves from the endangered species list last year, and hunting has begun in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

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Online:

KeepWolvesProtected.com