Photo of hunter and dead wolf not taken in Michigan, DNR says

The Michigan DNR said Thursday, Nov. 12, it was aware of the photo of a hunter with a dead wolf circulating online that claims to be "a wolf shot and killed near Claire, Michigan." The photo was actually taken at a game ranch in Canada, the DNR said in a statement released Thursday.

By Brad Devereaux 

November 12, 2015 

CLARE, MI — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources debunked a photograph of a hunter and dead wolf said to be taken in Michigan. The DNR said the photo was taken in Canada.

The Michigan DNR said Thursday, Nov. 12, it was aware of the photo of a hunter with a dead wolf circulating online that claims to be "a wolf shot and killed near Claire, Michigan."

"The photo was actually taken at a game ranch in Canada," the DNR said in a statement released Thursday. 

Searches on Facebook for "Clare wolf" and "Claire wolf" lead to the original post, featuring a man holding the wolf.

The photo garnered more than 6,000 shares by Thursday.

Others shared the photograph and added captions about wolves in Michigan.

The DNR was "inundated" with poaching calls and tips about the photo, DNR Captain Wade Hamilton said.

The DNR got 30 tips about the photo in the past 12 hours, he said, but noted the DNR appreciated every tip, encouraging residents to report any other incidents they think the agency should investigate.

He believes the rumor may have started because the wolf was shot at Harrison Crossing Outfitters in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Harrison, Michigan, is near Clare, Michigan, Hamilton pointed out.

The DNR released the message about the wolf photo attempting to free up phone lines for legitimate poaching complaints, hunter harassment or other violations, the agency said, "especially as we approach the start of the firearm deer season."

Anyone with information about poaching within Michigan is asked to call the DNR's Report All Poaching hotline at 1-800-292-7800 FREE.
Wolf hunting is currently prohibited in Michigan, the DNR said.

— Brad Devereaux is a public safety reporter for MLive/The Saginaw News. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

  
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