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Some lawmakers favor moose hunt on Isle Royale

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Some Michigan lawmakers believe the federal government should open Isle Royale National Park to moose hunters.

The House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony last week on a resolution supporting a limited moose hunt on the Lake Superior island, MLive.com reports. A vote could come at the next meeting.

There could be more than 2,000 moose on Isle Royale. Wolves are the main predator, but the wolf population is struggling.

“You can continue to establish that wolf pack, but why not do a moose hunt in the meantime to help cull the herd down to help manage that population, so you don’t destroy the vegetation on the island,” said Rep. Steven Johnson, a Wayland Republican.

Any hunt would be up to the National Park Service. A 2018 report dismissed the idea, MLive said. The park is accessible only by boat or seaplane.

“It’s likely that the survival in moose is lower this year, just because of that hard winter they experienced,” said Sarah Hoy, a researcher at Michigan Tech University. “I’m expecting growth of the population has slowed.”

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