Posts Tagged ‘Fishing’
National Wildlife Federation Affiliates Vote to Address PFAS Concerns
Recently, delegates to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Annual Meeting voted to work to address the impacts of PFAS chemicals on fish, wildlife and human health. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are used in products ranging from firefighting foam and household cleaning products, to consumer goods like non-stick cookware, apparel waterproofing and…
Read MoreCommercial Fishing Legislation Brought Up in Senate Committee
The Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard its third round of testimony on House Bills 4567, 4568 and 4569 Wednesday. The three bills seek to protect game fish and update rules that have not been changed since 1971 for state-licensed, Great Lakes commercial fishers. The tie-barred, three-bill package would update decades-old statute by keeping…
Read MoreMUCC Advocates for Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access
The United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is considering an expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities on National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands, starting in the 2020-21 seasons. Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, all system lands are closed to hunting and fishing unless explicitly opened by the Secretary of Interior. This…
Read MoreFall 2020 Deer Regulations Up for Action
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will take action on deer regulations, including hunter orange on blinds, doe tags and season changes at their next meeting. NRC members will meet virtually at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11 to weigh a number of agenda items that will impact Michigan hunters next fall. The Michigan Department of…
Read MoreMichigan House Considers New Commercial Guiding Rules
Last week, members of the Michigan House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation approved three bills regarding commercial hunting and fishing guide rules. Currently, Michigan has limited rules for commercial guides. This allows convicted poachers, trespassers or other bad actors to guide hunters and anglers into Michigan’s outdoors, leaving customers vulnerable. This proposed legislation…
Read MoreeNRC 2.0, Deer Regulations
Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is slated to take up deer regulations and small game and upland bird rules at the May meeting. The meeting will take place virtually on May 14, and a full agenda for the day can be found here. The Department of Natural Resources…
Read MoreFishing guides can hit the water May 7, still no answer for gun ranges
Fishing guides are permitted back to work May 7 per Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s most recent executive order, but gun clubs will still not be open to the general public. Last week, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) sent two letters to Gov. Whitmer. The first provided language that would allow fishing guides to safely return to…
Read MoreGuides, ranges should be included in next industry reopenings
Fishing guides and outdoor shooting ranges should be among the next outdoor industries to reopen for Michigan citizens. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce Friday that the construction industry will be able to resume work May 7 providing adherence to strict social distancing protocols. Gov. Whitmer has explicitly stated throughout the reopening process that…
Read MoreMUCC Launches Responsible Recreation Photo Contest
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many people are realizing the benefit of getting outside to recreate as a healthy respite from the quarantine. As several of us already know, activities such as casting a line into our favorite lake, going out for a spring turkey hunt or going for a walk in the woods are…
Read MoreMUCC suit requests immediate injunction against criminalization of motorized boating
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sunday challenging the criminal prohibition against motorboat use recently announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The complaint alleges Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources Director Daniel Eichinger’s application of EO 2020-42 to prohibit motorboat use is…
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