Natural resources: hunting; gray wolf hunting and trapping season; provide for. Amends sec. 40110b of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.40110b).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 12 co-sponsors

Authorizes the first open season for gray wolves in Michigan, enabling annual hunting/trapping seasons once companion laws take effect and regulations are issued.

bill electronically reproduced 05/21/2026

#naturalresources:hunting

Summary of HB 6008 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (1994 PA 451), specifically section 40110b, to authorize and establish the first open season for gray wolf hunting and trapping in Michigan.

It reflects a policy position from the Legislature that management of wolf populations, including hunting as a management tool, is important for stabilizing game species, reducing negative human-wolf encounters, and protecting humans, livestock, and pets.

Key provisions and changes

Declares the Legislature’s findings that:

Wildlife populations and their habitat are of paramount importance.
Sound management of wolf populations is necessary, and hunting can be used as a management tool to achieve several objectives (stabilizing game populations, minimizing conflicts, and protecting people and livestock).

Authorizes the establishment of the first open season for gray wolves.

Provides a timeline for implementing wolf seasons:

The Department of Natural Resources (the commission) may issue orders establishing annual wolf hunting and trapping seasons no later than 90 days after sections 1 and 3 of 2008 Public Act 290 become operational and enforceable. These sections pertain to regulatory deadlines and processes for open seasons and related enforcement.

Enacting clause notes that the amendments take effect only if specific related bills (from the 103rd Legislature) are enacted into law. In other words, the bill’s effectiveness is contingent on companion legislation.

Who or what would be affected

Gray wolves in Michigan, including their habitats and population management programs.

Hunters and trappers seeking to participate in wolf seasons, as well as associated licensing, bag limits, season dates, and regulations administered by the DNR.

Livestock producers, pet owners, and rural communities that may experience changes in wildlife-management practices and potential human-wolf interactions.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Policy framework governing wildlife management and hunting/trapping regulations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism.

A key procedural trigger is the requirement that companion bills (S03935'25 or H03935'25 from the 103rd Legislature) become law for this act to take effect.

If those companion bills are enacted, the commission would be authorized to issue orders establishing annual wolf hunting and trapping seasons no later than 90 days after the relevant 2008 PA 290 sections become operational.

Notes

The bill is limited to establishing the framework for a first open season for gray wolves; it does not itself specify season dates, limits, or exact regulatory details beyond authorizing the process and tying timing to other statutes.

Sponsors include a broad group of representatives, indicating bipartisan interest in wolf management topics.

If you’d like, I can pull out potential fiscal considerations (e.g., regulatory costs for DNR, potential impact on livestock, or revenue from licenses) once the accompanying regulatory details are available.