September NRC Meeting: Commissioners pass a handful of fisheries, propose amendments to others for Oct. meeting

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met last Thursday and passed four fisheries orders while tabling several other orders and requesting amendment drafts from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The fisheries orders that were passed by the commission (with no amendments or changes made) include the following: FO 248.22 – Possession limits for fish…

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DNR attempts to clarify proposed beach access order, presents deer survey at July NRC

A proposed director’s order that would limit swimming at state-managed beaches garnered the majority of public comment during last week’s monthly Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. Other topics covered include: 2020 preliminary deer harvest survey results, the state’s land strategy, a fisheries order update and land transactions. Proposed restrictions on water entry from state-managed beaches…

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New bill would require hunters and anglers to pay for public education on protecting species “adversely affected by human activity”

House Bill 5078 sponsored by Representative Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) would remove the nine-seat limit on the Michigan Wildlife Council and add requirements for an appointment to be made to two individuals who promote primarily non-consumptive wildlife use as well as a tribal representative and an individual with an advanced degree.  What is more concerning, however,…

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NRC: Deer urine-based lures and attractants remain legal

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) amended a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposal last Thursday that would have banned the use of deer urine-based lures and attractants. Commissioners voted to allow the continued use of deer urine-based lures and attractants, as long as the products have a seal from the Archery Trade Association (ATA)…

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NRC Passes 2021 Deer Regulations

A smaller Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) passed new rules for the 2021 deer hunting season Thursday, including changes to antlerless deer tags and archery hunting rules. Given the ongoing issues related to COVID-19, the NRC met virtually using an online platform to consider a full agenda. These deer regulations as proposed by the Department…

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NRC to Vote on 2021 Deer Regulations

A slightly smaller Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will meet Thursday to vote on new rules for the 2021 deer hunting season, including changes to the archery seasons and antlerless deer tags.  Recently, newly-appointed NRC Commissioners Thomas Baird and David Cozad were disapproved by the Michigan Senate, along with 11 other Whitmer appointees. This leaves…

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Deer Management Discussed, New Commissioners Seated at January NRC Meeting

Representative Seeks Funding for Sportsmen Against Hunger

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met Thursday to discuss new rules for the 2021 deer hunting season, including changes to archery regulations and the creation of new antlerless deer tags. If passed in February, the proposed deer regulations would impact deer hunters statewide and could include a removal of the Upper Peninsula’s (U.P.) “hunter’s…

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NRC Reviews Deer Management, New Commissioners Seated at Upcoming Meeting

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will meet Thursday to make decisions on new rules for the 2021 deer hunting season, including new antlerless deer tags and changes to a slate of regulations impacting the Upper Peninsula (U.P.).  The proposed deer regulations would impact deer hunters statewide and could include the legalization of crossbows during…

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USFWS Finalizes Cormorant Control Permits

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently finalized a rule that would facilitate the lethal take of nearly 120,000 double-crested cormorants annually nationwide.  This rule comes as the latest action in a yearslong process to manage cormorants more comprehensively. While cormorants are a native species, these birds wreak havoc on fisheries populations across the…

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