Not long ago, wolves were nearly extinct in Michigan. Then a carefully managed conservation program brought them back to the state’s Upper Peninsula. Today, there are an estimated 650 wolves in the U.P., most of them in its sparsely populated western half — territory that is closer to St. Louis than Toledo.

 I spent the past summer in the remote woods and mountains of Washington State, hiking nearly 1,000 miles on the Pacific Northwest Trail over the course of 50 days. Wildlife was abundant and diverse.

 With Michigan's first-ever wolf hunt well underway, a new coalition of conservationists and sportsmen is seeking to protect future hunts from a planned voter referendum.

 To the Journal editor:

Thank you for your article, "Wolf Hunt Lessons," (Nov. 17, 2013). In the article, Michigan Department of Natural Resources furbearer specialist Adam Bump said, "The hunt is not about managing the number of wolves, but reducing conflicts."

I would like to respectfully assert that shooting a random 43 wolves in the U.P. is like going to New York City and arresting a random 43 people to reduce the crime rate.

Last week marked the first day of that annual seasonal rite in Michigan, deer hunting. Lots of people actually started last month, but it’s the first day of firearms season that kids get the day off school.

 While hunters were excited about the event, opponents are protesting it.