Policy
2021 Deer Regulations Postponed at December NRC Meeting
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met Thursday to hear public testimony on new rules for the 2021 deer hunting season, including revisions to antlerless deer licenses, crossbow use and antler point restrictions (APRs). While deer regulations are normally brought before the NRC on a three-year cycle, they have recently been brought up annually to…
Read MoreBe a partner in disease surveillance; turn in deer heads for TB
Guest Writer: Phil Durst, MSU Extention and Ian Fitzgerald, MUCC Policy Assistant Turning in the heads of deer taken is important for the management of Bovine Tuberculosis. There is a critical need in December to meet the county level goals set by USDA in Northeast Michigan. The help of every hunter and landowner is needed.…
Read MoreDeer Regulations up for Action at December NRC Meeting
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will meet Thursday to take up a slate of new rules for the 2021 deer hunting season, including revisions to antlerless deer licenses, crossbow use and antler point restrictions (APRs). Deer regulations are normally brought before the NRC on a three-year cycle, however, they have come up annually for…
Read MoreDeer Regulations Appear at November NRC, Wolves Discussed
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met Thursday to review proposed rules for the 2021 deer hunting season. These include a removal of the Upper Peninsula’s (U.P.) “Hunter’s Choice” option, the creation of a universal antlerless license and legalizing crossbows during the late U.P. archery season. However, most of the public comment period centered around…
Read MoreTests needed for Bovine TB Surveillance Program
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) work in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish surveillance quotas in order to detect changes in the occurrence of bovine TB in free-ranging white-tailed deer. The seven counties surrounding MDARD’s Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) have…
Read More2021 Deer Regulations Appear at November NRC Meeting
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will meet Thursday to review new rules for the 2021 deer hunting season, including a universal antlerless license, removal of the Upper Peninsula’s (U.P.) “Hunter’s Choice” option and the use of crossbows during the late archery season in the U.P. Each of these rules, and others presented in WCO…
Read MoreMUCC’s Statement on Federal Wolf Delisting Announcement
Michigan United Conservation Clubs strongly supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s final rule that delists the gray wolf in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Western Great Lakes Region gray wolf population is beyond recovered. Science dictates the management decisions of our natural resources in Michigan, and the wolf population in our state needs management.…
Read MoreMUCC Supports Suit Against SOS Benson
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) voted to support a lawsuit Wednesday filed by a trio of firearm rights advocacy groups against Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. On Oct. 16, Benson announced a directive to local election officials disallowing open carry of a firearm within 100 feet of a polling place entrance or exit, inside…
Read MoreOctober NRC Rules on Walleye, Rare Herptiles
Regulations surrounding tackle during walleye-spawning season, the collection of reptiles and amphibians and fish possession limits were passed at this month’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. The NRC met virtually on Thursday to consider a brief agenda. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hosted the meeting, and a recording can be viewed on this…
Read MoreAction Alert: Call your senator urging them to support commercial fishing legislation
Current statutes and administrative rules regarding the licensing and regulation of commercial fishers in Michigan are decades old and do not sufficiently protect game fish from commercial impacts. Further, MDNR conservation officers are unable to adequately protect the fisheries from exploitation and illegal activity due to the outdated statute. House Bills 4567, 68 and 69…
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