Two Men Convicted of Shooting Wolves During U.P. Deer Season

Two men have been convicted for shooting wolves in the Upper Peninsula during last year's firearm deer hunting season. The men were both found guilty of shooting wolves while hunting deer November 16, 2006.

Robert Wudzinski, 70, of Richmond pled guilty in 98th District Court in Ontonagon County to shooting a radio-collared wolf while hunting near Trout Creek. A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife biologist was patrolling the area in an airplane that day, tracking radio collar signals, when the collar on that particular wolf issued a mortality code.

Conservation officers found the animal's carcass and conducted an investigation that led to the arrest. Mr. Wudzinski pled guilty to one count of taking a protected animal and paid $2,150 in fines, costs, and restitution. He was placed on probation for nine months and lost hunting privileges for the remainder of 2007.

In a separate case, William Jason Morgan, 28, of Iron Mountain pled guilty in 98B District Court in Iron Mountain to shooting a wolf near Felch in northern Dickinson County. Conservation officers recovered the carcass and, after evaluating evidence at the scene, arrested Mr. Morgan. He was ordered to pay $2,385 in fines, costs, and restitution, lost his hunting privileges through 2010, was placed on six months probation, and ordered to participate in the county's tether program for 30 days, while he was confined to work and his residence only.

The Upper Peninsula's wolf population is 434 animals. All Michigan wolves are protected by law.