The role of democracy, technocracy and politics in wildlife management: A case study of wolf (Canis lupus) hunting in Michigan, United States

The development of sound carnivore conservation requires apt handling of technical information that is often beyond the capacity of most citizens. Carnivore conservation also rightly depend on the application of basic values.... [ view full abstract ]

The development of sound carnivore conservation requires apt handling of technical information that is often beyond the capacity of most citizens. Carnivore conservation also rightly depend on the application of basic values. Every citizen has a stake in the application of values to public decisions and technocrats may not be especially facile at handling those values. We explore these themes in the context of the decision process which led to wolf hunting in Michigan in 2013. We evaluate that process using 2 basic tenets of wildlife management. The 1st tenet is the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which is held in high regard by many hunting organizations, wildlife professionals, and state agencies. While that tenet is North American in origin, its constituent elements – invoking ideals such as science, democracy, and public trust – are broadly appreciated. The 2nd tenet pertains to the ability to answer 3 fundamental questions: What is the purpose or goal of a management action? How will the management action meet the purpose or goal of the actions? Why are the purpose and goals appropriate? Plans for hunting wolves in Michigan appear not to meet the principles of either tenet. This conclusion suggests that either wolf hunting as it has been planned in Michigan is inappropriate or both sets of standards for evaluating wildlife management are inappropriate. Better understanding of issues like this will require reflecting on the fundamental nature of wildlife management and its guiding principles.