Ever since that gray wolf was shot by mistake in Calhoun County in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula I have wondered if there are more and so is the Michigan DNR.
Michigan Gray Wolf Population
Michigan’s gray wolf population continues to improve in the Upper Peninsula.
👇BELOW: 10 Amazing Things You Didn’t Know About Gray Wolves👇
When the Michigan Department of Natural Resources did the wolf survey in 2024, it estimated there are 762 wolves in the U.P. That is an increase of 131 from 2022.
My best friend Curt has lived in the U.P. for over 30 years which is how long I have traveled there. He and I are avid outdoorsmen and I remember wanting to see a wolf when I first started going to the U.P. My buddy said “You rarely see them,” and at that time, he had not seen one himself.
Now Curt and his wife see wolves all the time. Last year they were walking on their property and a wolf chased after their dogs. The two were bear hunting a few years back and two wolves chased a bear they were watching. This past fall one of the spots Curt set up for us to bear hunt we couldn’t use because wolves kept showing up.
I have always thought, it’s not that far of a walk across the ice where the Mackinac Bridge is located for a wolf to make the journey. After that wolf was killed in Calhoun County near Kalamazoo I realized that wolf had to walk past West Michigan to get there. I highly doubt that is the only wolf in the Lower Peninsula, and now the DNR is looking to see if there are more.
DNR to Conduct Survey on Potential Gray Wolves in Lower Peninsula
I remember growing up in Southeast Michigan and never hearing or seeing a coyote because they were more of an up north thing. Now they are in every county and even spread to Indiana and Ohio.
For years we have all heard the rumors of cougars in the Upper Peninsula and now there are several sightings and lots that have been captured on hunters’ trail camera’s. I have even heard about sightings in the Lower Peninsula so it only makes sense some wolves have crossed Lake Michigan or Lake Huron in the winter.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division, they will be looking for public help in letting them know if a gray wolf has been spotted, or shown signs in the Lower Peninsula. The DNR will stick to the northern part of the L.P. since there is a suitable habitat to sustain a small wolf population. If you have a cabin or live in the northern portion of the L.P. here is a link to make a report if you or someone you know has photos from trail cameras, pictures of tracks, or any other signs of wolves…