While headlines for Tuesday’s general election primarily focused on the presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial races, voters were faced with state ballot proposals that directly impact hunters, anglers, and trappers in Colorado and Florida. We can rejoice in victory in 2 out of 3 of these critical ballot fights.

In Colorado, sportsmen enjoyed a major win and a disappointing loss. For a major victory against animal extremist groups, Proposition 127 failed by over 10 points in Tuesday’s election! Prop. 127 would have banned hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in the state. The voters directly rejected the emotional and misleading appeals by animal extremist ideologues and sent them packing on their anti-hunting initiative. The strong NO vote was despite millions of dollars being spent by anti-hunting groups to get 127 on the ballot and before the voters.

For the loss, Proposition KK will institute a new 6.5% tax on firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition, presumably to “pay” for the criminal misuse of firearms. This tax is a direct attack on lawful hunters and recreational shooters in the state and many groups, including the Sportsmen’s Alliance, are reviewing potential legal action to challenge the measure as a violation of our fundamental rights.

In Florida voters made it abundantly clear that hunting and fishing are fundamental rights for citizens of the Sunshine State. Florida voters approved Amendment 2, protecting a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, by an astounding 67% yes vote. Read more

“…commissioners clearly show that sound scientific management was not a consideration in the decision-making process.”

On September 6, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association (MTPCA) filed legal briefs in their lawsuits against the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC).

MUCC’s brief, which can be read HERE, argues that the NRC illegally closed Michigan’s coyote season for a quarter of the year in March of 2024 by failing to use the best available science, and focusing instead on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception.

MUCC’s brief highlights the statements of the commissioners who voted in support of the closure, and those of the exceptionally few hunters who joined the commission in disregarding the principles of sound scientific management. The statements from the commissioners clearly show that sound scientific management was not a consideration in the decision-making process.

MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter says that the public record is clear:  The commission’s decision failed to abide by their legal charge and responsibility to keep game management decisions based in science.

“The voters of Michigan were clear when they overwhelmingly passed Proposal G: scientific data needs to drive our game management decisions,” said Trotter. “After reviewing the public record, it is abundantly clear the commission failed in following their legal charge. By relying on social pressures, real or perceived, the commission set a dangerous precedent where our outdoor heritage is threatened based on the social and political winds of the day.”

MUCC is joined in the lawsuit by MTPCA who filed a separate brief, found HERE.

MTPCA’s brief highlights how commissioners trusted the instincts of one individual supporting the closure to appease anti-hunting interests, rather than the proven record of sound scientific management as dictated by Proposal G.

MTPCA President Joe Velchansky says this issue is larger than coyotes, and the future of Michigan’s outdoor heritage is at stake.

“This issue is so much bigger than coyotes, the very foundation of Michigan’s game management is at stake,” Velchansky said. “The minute we as conservationists compromise our principles is the minute we lose the whole thing, and that is not something we are prepared to do.”

The NRC will now file a response brief, due to the court in mid-October.

For more information on MUCC visit mucc.org.

Contact: jtomei@mucc.org

For more information on MTPCA visit mtpca.com

Contact: merlejones336@gmail.com

The Wild Sheep Foundation is donating $100,000 to Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better (CWDB) to defeat the ballot initiative Proposition 127 to ban the hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx. The Initiative will be on the state’s November ballot after obtaining the required signatures.

“This is wrong on so many levels, and it’s not just a Colorado issue,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “Science-based professional wildlife management and the proud traditions of legal, regulated public hunting are increasingly under attack. This ballot initiative is all about out-of-state animal rights and anti-hunting extremists funding a campaign based on misinformation to elicit an emotional response from voters who are being swayed by toxic or misleading headlines.”

Marketed as the “Stop the Trophy Hunting of Mountain Lions” campaign, the initiative, if passed, would eliminate all hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx statewide, even though lynx is not a legally hunted species in the state.

“I guess they threw lynx in for effect,” added Corey Mason, WSF’s Executive Vice President of Conservation and COO. “That’s not where the misinformation ends, however. Anti-hunting groups are throwing the kitchen sink at this to confuse not only those who do not hunt but sportsmen and women as well. Their propaganda attempts to call into question proven wildlife management principles and undermines Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you read all their hype, it’s a desperate attempt for a ballot measure that would tie the hands of Colorado’s wildlife professionals to act responsibly for all its wildlife and the safety of its citizens and disproportionately impact farmers and ranchers in rural communities.” Read more

Safari Club International vigorously opposes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) final rule restricting elephant imports released on Friday, March 29. The final rule will make importing legally harvested elephant parts substantially and unnecessarily more difficult, and African wildlife conservation will suffer as a direct result.

SCI opposes the rule for one simple reason: these regulations will neither stop poaching or human-wildlife conflict nor protect biodiversity. This amendment will only hamper elephant conservation conducted by local stakeholders, indigenous communities, and the African range state governments that are stewards of the world’s largest elephant populations.

Elephant hunting is an important management and conservation tool for the southern African countries with the world’s largest elephant populations. In these countries, elephants can create real burdens for the local and rural communities who share the same land, often leading to human-elephant conflict such as crop raiding. Elephant hunting generates funds and incentives to reduce such conflict, combat poaching, and secure habitat in these countries. Read more

The commission relied on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception, social pressures and perceived potential loss of management control.

After reviewing the options, MUCC’s executive board authorized legal action against the commission and filed suit against the NRC.

You can view a press release on the filing HERE.

MUCC was founded on the belief that game management decisions be insulated from social and political pressures to the greatest extent possible. Michigan voters agreed, passing Proposal G overwhelmingly in 1996.

MUCC believes the commission illegally closed Michigan’s coyote season in violation of their responsibility and legal charge to “the greatest extent practicable, utilize principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game.”

The process is expected to take months to complete, and we can only succeed with your help.

Conservationists of Michigan can strengthen our fight in the following ways:

If you are a member of an MUCC affiliate club, consider joining as an individual member. Having a direct link to MUCC will ensure you stay up to date with the suit, show you truly care about Michigan’s natural resources, and lend your voice to the largest and most successful statewide conservation organization in the country.	Donate. Whether you are a Life Member, Individual Member, or affiliate club member, we need your support. MUCC’s mission thrives with contributions from Michigan’s outdoor community. Our organization survives on $20 and $50 donations from everyday Michigan sportsmen and sportswomen. Making a difference is as easy as supporting MUCC!

Litigation is not a tactic MUCC uses frivolously, and our membership and hunters and trappers across Michigan have asked us to stand up and fight for this issue. Together, we will fight for the principles of sound scientific management. Together, we will ensure our children will have the same opportunities we did. Together, we can preserve Michigan’s outdoor heritage. Join, donate, and share. Yours in conservation,   Amy Trotter, Chief Executive Officer