Take Action Today! Michigan members should contact their state senator and ask them to vote YES on House Bill 5711. Michigan sportsmen can contact their state senator by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
In Michigan, legislation that would expand access to public land for young people has passed the House of Representatives. House Bill 5711, introduced by Rep. Triston Cole (R-105), will permit youth 10 and older to hunt on public land. Under current law, a person must be at least 14. Those under the age of 14 may only hunt on private land.
On May 2, the Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 5711 by a vote of 102-7. The bill now heads to the Senate where it will be assigned to a committee.
Often, youth begin to get involved at an early age with extracurricular sports and other after school programs, which makes it harder for them to try hunting. Access to quality hunting areas is crucial in maintaining hunter participation. By allowing parents to take their child hunting on public land, House Bill 5711 will make it easier for parents to get youths more involved in hunting. More importantly, HB 5711 will help in the retention of these new young hunters.
