The United Tribes of Michigan (comprising 12 recognized Indian tribes in the northern part of the state) recently adopted a resolution opposing removal of federal protections for wolves and calling on people to recognize the historical and ecological significance of wolves.

The Humane Society of the United States and 21 other organizations — including the Detroit Zoo, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians — have petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to down-list wolves from "endangered" to "threatened" status across most of their range in the lower 48 states.

The November election results are indisputable. Voters repealed Proposal 1 (moving the wolf to the game species list) with a 55 percent “no” vote, and they defeated Proposal 2 (giving the NRC the authority to decide which species can be hunted), with a 64 percent “no” vote. Proposal 2 was defeated in 69 of 83 counties, in a landslide rejection of NRC decision-making power.

Wolves are once again an endangered species in Michigan following a surprise ruling by a federal judge late Friday.

For now, that ruling effectively ends the prolonged political chess match over whether wolves should be hunted here.

The three R's of electoral democracy are respect, responsibility, and right.

Right as opposed to wrong.

Wolf hunting opponents declared victory Tuesday night in Michigan, where voters rejected two separate laws that paved the way for an inaugural season last year.

While the victory was decisive, the impact remains unclear.

To the Journal editor: I am voting no on Proposals 1 and 2 for many reasons.

Michigan has fewer than 650 wolves, only recently removed from the Endangered Species List. It's already legal to kill wolves threatening livestock or dogs. Following a loss, landowners can be issued permits authorizing hunters/trappers to kill wolves.