July 2024 NRC Recap
Commissioners adopted changes to deer regulations for 2024 at the July 11th Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting.
After over 20 amendments to Wildlife Conservation Order #6 of 2024 were debated, commissioners landed on an order with most changes taking effect in the 2024 season.
Among other changes for 2024, the commission adopted several amendments. Of the most notable changes, there are new expanded opportunities in January. The use of any legal firearm in zone 2 during muzzleloader season, and beginning in 2025 the youth and liberty hunt will be antlerless only.
No statewide antler point restrictions, hunters’ choice, or lower peninsula baiting legalizations were approved.
A more expansive summary of the 2024 regulation changes will come once a complete and accurate summation of the changes can be made.
After the flurry of amendments, the final order passed on a 5-1 vote.
Chair Baird assured Michigan hunters that this is not the closing chapter of deer regulations, and work on deer management will continue.
Michigan Deer and Elk specialist Chad Stewart presented department responses to the proposed deer regulations, and amendments.
Before the deer debate, there was a presentation on updates to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project, and a pair of awards from the DNR.
The commission approved Wildlife Conservation Order #5 of 2024, which sets up a framework for voluntary use of electronic kill tags for the 2024 fall turkey season.
Wildlife Conservation Order #7 of 2024 was up for information and if adopted, changes the duck stamp regulations to follow modernized federal rules. This order will be up for action at the August meeting.
The August meeting is Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Cadillac Place in Detroit.
are the NRC meetings recorded so they can be watched. If so, where can I find the recorded meetings?
Mandating that youth hunts be limited to antlerless deer is a significant mistake! It is entirely irrational to exclude the younger generation—the very future of this sport, hobby, pastime, and industry. How can we justify telling a young person who has diligently honed their skills throughout the year that they are prohibited from harvesting the 10-point buck that appears before them?
Why is there such a lack of interest in getting bucks to a more mature age? I understand there are population issues, but can someone please explain how APR’s have a single affect on that. Everyone i know shot more does and seen much better bucks when APR’s were in affect. Hell, if people are hunting for meat and don’t see a large enough buck to legally shoot they may be forced into finally shooting a doe or two. You say there is a decline in hunters but yet keep making hunting less appealing every year. Makes zero sense.
Thanks
Dud they legalize drone use for deer recovery? I can’t find anything on the vote.
What was the final decision regarding the use of drones to assist in recovering downed game?
So did they approve baiting in the lower peninsula?
What happened to the using drones for recovery proposal?
Why will you not get it thru the heads that if you want more deer killed especially does you need to reopen baiting where possible not every body has access to food plots and private lands hunt state land and see how many Opportunities you get in 1 hunting season to get any deer in bow range… Especially for younger hunters.
I’m very disappointed that 4 point on side/antler and only 1 buck was not adopted.
I believe the commission has wrong on Liberty and Independence hunt. Going antlerless only! Giving way to the trophy hunting adults.
Thank you
Hunter safety instructor here. We just shot the foot off our recruitment efforts with that youth season rule. Unfortunately they acquiesced to the loud self centered boomers who seem to be obsessed about a kid getting a crack at a buck before they do.
Sad.
No baiting sucks ,when farmers and more local just feed the deer year round on there farms
No “statewide” APR’s. What about the APR’s that existed before, are they lifted?
FINALLY!!!! 10 years I’ve complained about that youth hunt and how they should have to at least shoot a doe first and NOW, they finally do it….. Youth hunt was implemented and has proven in articles to NOT be effective at what it was intended to do. Instead, it was just license revenue for the DNR and easy bucks year after year for the youth learn nothing about real hunting. Then, 1 in 4 do NOT keep hunting after they’ve shot their big easy bucks for years and have to start hunting like real hunters, old school hunters.
Do you agree we should do something to help young hunters? As a retired educator I can tell you a Saturday opener for firearm season would be a fair trade off.
APR have encouraged some hunters, in antrim county anyways, to NOT attempt to harvest antlerless as there are so many sub-legal bucks with hard to notice 3″ antlers and well, im not taking that chance. I almost do not attempt to even shoot a doe anymore because of this and it holds true with some fellow hunters. Im not knocking the APR rule im just sharing my experience. I welcome more doe in antrim county, I do not oppose doe harvest either.
Thanks
I’m disappointed if we put into effect a does only rule for the youth hunt. It will teach patience that’s for sure. But I would rather we get a kid out hunting and have him excited with zero restrictions, and be successful. This will bring them back to the woods and help promote the sport we all love so dearly. Anyone that has reservations about it I encourage you to mentor a youth and take them out for this hunt. My kids are grown but I still enjoy taking and mentoring other youth with the use of this hunt. The excitement they get is beyond explanation. Through positive feed back I hope we can reconsider this before it goes into effect in 2025.