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Letters to the Editor

Justifications for wolf control unfounded

EDITOR: The decision to delist wolves should be based on the best available scientific evidence and research, not unfounded claims or politics. In his recent guest opinion, state Rep. Greg Markkanen argued for the federal delisting of wolves because, “Pet owners and livestock farmers from nearly every U.P. county have horror stories of dogs and cattle falling prey to wolves.” This is a gross misrepresentation of the facts. The U.P. has approximately 900 working farms with about 50,000 head of cattle and more than 18,000 chickens. In 2019, six farms experienced a conflict. This ...

Wants to hear more on term limit change

State Rep. Beau LaFave wants to change the constitutional amendment to extend house and senate term limits. Instead of representatives serving three terms of two years each, and senators two terms of four years, the measure would allow 14 years in either the house, the senate or some of each. More information on this change would be nice.

Trump pardons undercut military justice system

Does it hurt the country when a president protects and exonerates U.S. military war criminals? I believe it does. From a military standpoint, it seriously undermines military law and respect for law, military command, military discipline and the military image develop over the years. The military has been governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, giving all military a set of binding laws they are required to follow and a legal procedures to follow. President Donald Trump has decided to ignore this and vacate any military court finding or summary finding he choses — hence ...

Funding for nursing facilities among Whitmer budget vetoes

For several weeks now, everyone has heard of the substantial cuts and vetoes made by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as part of her rejection of the budget. One thing you might not have heard is more than $35 million in Medicaid cuts to nursing homes could begin to take effect at any time due to a proposed policy issued by the state. Twelve Upper Peninsula nursing facilities would lose a combined estimated $1.8 million. Pinecrest Medical Care Facility is estimated to lose approximately $175,000. Together, 27 nursing facilities in the Upper Peninsula urge the governor to rescind this ...

Response to wolf column by Rep. Markkanen

EDITOR: Thank you for publishing “It’s time for feds to let Michigan manage its own wolf population” I am writing to point out an error: The very definition of an apex predator is an animal who is at the top of the food chain. That means other factors than someone else killing them control apex predators’ numbers: factors such as starvation, the difficulty of their lives, intraspecific aggression. Mr. Markkanen states: “Without management (read: hunting), its (wolves) population could reach numbers that will be detrimental to other species” No, sir. This is not how ...

Natural ways to draw in deer

It’s hunting season and everyone wants deer on their land. From baiting to food plots, people will do whatever they can to get a big buck. One of the best ways to entice deer to your hunting grounds is creating more habitat through forest management. Forest management is cost effective and doesn’t require constant maintenance every hunting season. To attract deer and keep them on your land year-round, you have to provide them with the five things deer want: — Thermal cover: Conifer trees like cedar and white pine that provide refuge during the winter; — Hard mast: ...