The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is inviting the public to participate in the deer management planning process. Four public meetings have been held, and another four are occurring in the next couple weeks. The DNRE will present and discuss the draft statewide deer management plan. These meetings will be held 7 to 9 p.m. EST, with the exception of the Crystal Falls meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. CST.
“These open houses are to present the first draft of the Deer Management Plan to the public and to receive comments on the plan,” said John Niewoonder, DNRE wildlife habitat biologist.” The citizen-based Deer Advisory Team, DNRE staff and others involved with the recommendations for this plan have worked diligently to create this document.”
Local staff will be available after the meeting for other deer questions; the open house portion will focus solely on the draft plan. The plan is available for review on the DNRE Web site under www.michigan.gov/dnrhunting.
Public open house locations and dates are as follows:
Tuesday March 9, Comfort Inn, 13954 State Highway M-28, Newberry
Wednesday March 10, Forest Park Elementary School, Multi Purpose Rm., 810 Forest Parkway, Crystal Falls (6 to 8 p.m. CST).
Tuesday March 16, Quality Inn, 3121 East Grand River Ave., Lansing
Individuals can also submit written comments via e-mail or U.S. mail. Send comments to: John Niewoonder, DNRE Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909, or via e-mail, at dnr-wld-wild@michigan.gov.
Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in the meeting should contact Alice Stimpson at 517-373-1263, or at stimpsona@michigan.gov, at least seven days prior to the meeting date to request mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance.
