By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
Tradition equals opening day of firearms deer hunting on November 15th for any serious Michigan deer hunter. Sportsmen and women know the date and make plans to be in their favorite hunting location no matter what. Avid hunters don’t have to consult a calendar to determine what day of the week the opener is; They’re just plain going. But one Michigan lawmaker is pitching change. Now, where have we heard that before?
Mt. Pleasant District 99 Representative, Kevin Cotter’s HB 4259 proposes to change the opener to the second or third Saturday, whichever is closest to November 15, while still retaining the current 16-day season. As I listened to his rationale, the emphasis for change was centered on the almighty dollar. He explained that according to a Michigan State University study, when we have a Saturday opening day, we have a 10 percent spike in participation. More hunters mean more license sales, more revenue for struggling businesses, which means more tax revenue to the state. He says, “The 15th is just tradition, but we have to balance that tradition against the very difficult impact that we are all facing together.”
With 3 weekends guaranteed each firearms deer season, he has a point. In addition, he bolsters his argument with the fact that some schools wouldn’t have to close for “deer day”, as they do now. Businesses that lose employees to the time-honored tradition wouldn’t have to shut down, either. Weekend warriors could hunt weekends and not miss as much work time.
He also explains how youngsters would be able to hunt with their parents without missing school. Once again, he makes a valid point, and when one considers Michigan’s poor hunter recruitment and retention numbers, his point is stronger.
Let me toss in one more reason to change opening day to a Saturday: Three weekends would mean more deer taken, thus having a greater impact on controlling regions with over-populated deer, although there are other options available for the same purpose.
Yes, Mr. Cotter’s case is strong. There’s just one fly in his venison stew: Proposition G.
On November 7, 1996 Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to grant the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game in this state. The amendment requires the Commission, to the greatest extent practicable, to use principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game. The Commission is to issue orders regarding the taking of game after a public meeting and an opportunity for public input. The margin: Yes: 2,413,730 (68.7%) and No: 1,099,262 (31.3%).
Oops, Mr. Cotter.
Your comments are worth consideration, but your methodology is not.
Russ Mason, Wildlife Chief for the Michigan DNR added that hunter surveys show by a wide margin to keep the status quo. As late as 2009, 84 percent of hunters said leave it alone. He went on to say that opening day on a Thursday would result in even more license sales, if that were the goal. He added that it would only be appropriate to “keep the discussion in front of sportsmen, not the legislature.”
Clearly the voters have spoken. Clearly the sportsmen have spoken. And, clearly, Mr. Cotter, you’re out of order. Game management is in the hands of the NRC and Michigan voters specifically changed the Constitution to keep your paws off it.
