April NRC Preview

Deer Management Initiative (DMI) updates are scheduled at the upcoming April Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Meeting. The meeting, on Thursday, April 11, will be held in the Gannon Building at the Lansing Community College downtown campus, located at 600 N. Grand Ave Lansing, MI, and is set to start at 9:00 a.m. The Fisheries Committee’s…

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White-tailed Deer: How do they Survive Michigan Winters?

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are considered to be one of the most popular game species in Michigan, and for good reason. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush when a big buck walks out in front of your hunting spot. During this time of year, deer are well adapted to survive the cold and snow, but why…

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January NRC Recap

January 2024 NRC Recap

The Natural Resources Commission’s first meeting of 2024 wrapped up just before lunch today, with no commissioner items for information or action.  This was the first commission meeting for new commissioner Robin Michigiizhigookwe Clark, who was appointed hours after the December NRC meeting concluded. More on her appointment can be found in MUCC’s December NRC recap HERE. …

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December NRC Recap, New Commissioners Appointed

Representative Seeks Funding for Sportsmen Against Hunger

Commissioners did not have any action items at the December Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. Michigan DNR Deer & Elk Specialist Chad Stewart was the most anticipated presentation, presenting to commissioners on the newly-announced Deer Management Initiative (DMI) and an update on reported deer harvest during the 2023 deer season. The DMI is a new…

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Commercial Guiding Bills: What’s Myth and What’s Fact?

The Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee passed out an MUCC-supported commercial guiding package (SBs 103,104 and 105) today.  Commercial guiding in Michigan is woefully unregulated. Nothing in state law prevents a serial poacher or felon from guiding. For more than 10 years, Michigan United Conservation Clubs has worked to provide much-needed sideboards for an…

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May NRC Preview

May NRC Meeting, Deer Regulations

Deer regulations will be on the agenda for the May 11 Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 9 am, Thursday, May 11, at 5708 Cornerstone Drive Lansing, MI 48917, West Campus Rooms M119-121. Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment #7 of 2023 is up for information at the May meeting, proposing changes to…

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April NRC Recap: Deer tracking with dogs debated , duck and goose seasons passed

A packed April meeting yielded little action for commissioners at their monthly Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. Wildlife Conservation Order #5 of 2023 was tabled by commissioners until the May meeting with more questions on the best approach to allow off-lead dog tracking. Conversations with the department, NRC, and stakeholders are ongoing regarding the proposed…

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April NRC Preview

Written by MUCC Barnum Conservation Policy Fellow, Tess Bradley Proposed deer regulations will be presented at the April Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting April 13. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. at Lansing Community College, 5708 Cornerstone Drive Lansing, MI 48917.  Topics include deer, nuisance animals, budget discussions, the Pure Michigan Hunt, fisheries…

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Michigan Youth Hunter Regulations

The opening day of firearm deer season is tomorrow! For many kids around the state, it is an unofficial school holiday. If you are skipping school or pulling your kid out for a day of quality family time in the woods, here are a few reminders to keep everything legal.  In case any last-minute license…

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Senate passes HB 6354, MUCC requests veto

Mandatory deer reporting will likely remain a misdemeanor following both chambers’ political stunts On Wednesday, the Michigan Senate followed the House’s lead and chose to score cheap political points and forgo good policy, the best interests of Michigan’s hunters and Michigan’s natural resources. The Senate passed, on a bipartisan 26-10 vote, an amended version (H-5)…

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