Stop the Antis in Michigan

The Scientific Wildlife Management package (Senate Bills 288 & 289 and House Bills 4552 & 4553) will:

·         Establish a right to hunt, fish and trap in state law.
·         Allow the Natural Resources Commission to designate game species and issue fisheries orders.
·         Provide $1 million in conservation funding for fish and game management and research.
·         Provide free licenses to active-duty members of the military.

The anti-hunters, led by the Washington, D.C.-based Humane Society of the United States, are attacking this legislation because it means they won’t be able buy their way onto Michigan’s ballot to take away any more hunting rights. They’re even telling their members that it will lead to “dog, cat and horse” hunting, just as they lied about the wolf management law by telling people it would lead to “aerial gunning from helicopters.” And they’re repeating these lies to your legislators.

In 1996, hunters, anglers and trappers banded together and passed Proposal G to manage wildlife using sound science and defeat the anti-hunters’ attempt to limit bear hunting rights. In 2006, we were silent and the anti’s took away our rights to hunt doves. Now they’re back, like a wolf that’s lost its fear of humans, to attack your hunting rights one by one. What happens now is up to you.
Please call your state representative and state senator and tell them you support the Scientific Wildlife Management package. Don’t let the anti-hunters be the only ones your legislators hear from!

Hankering for some ‘Chuck Roast

By Glen Wunderlich

It was incomprehensible to me that Wisconsin does not have a hunting season for woodchucks, but sure enough, it’s true.  State Representative Andre Jacque (R) from De Pere, however, has prepared a bill to remove the burrowing rodents from protected status.  That’s right.  They’re protected in Wisconsin, while in adjacent Michigan the season is open year-round with no limit.

Apparently, Wisconsin is short on qualified weather forecasters.  Or, maybe it has a soft spot for the varmints because the city of Wausau has a baseball team dubbed the Woodchucks.  The DNR can’t offer a reason for protection, either.

Predictably, Wisconsin’s chapter of the Sierra Club’s director, Shahla Werner, thinks hunting woodchucks (or, groundhogs in some circles) is just plain irresponsible, because she’s never heard of anyone eating them.  Read more

How Michigan’s Wildlife Management is Undermined

This from Michigan United Conservation Clubs…

Contact: Tony Hansen, Chief Information Officer; thansen@mucc.org 269-420-9510

Statement from MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough On Anti-Hunter’s Petition Collection Process

“We are not surprised that the group ‘Keep Wolves Protected’ was successful at purchasing the signatures required for a ballot referendum with funds provided by the anti-hunting organization, Humane Society of the United States. We are, however, saddened by the waste of resources expended by a group that claims to support wildlife in an effort that will ultimately delay science-based management of wolves,” said Erin McDonough, Executive Director of MUCC. “The coalition and Washington-based HSUS have openly boasted about the fact that they would spend between $3 and $6 per signature to obtain the necessary signatures in an effort to force their agenda on the people of Michigan. As true conservationists, we see that as a tremendous waste of resources that could have been put to use to actually help aid conservation efforts, improve habitat and ultimately make a real difference for wildlife.” Read more

Animal Rights Groups Owe $Millions

Remember the legal odyssey involving Feld Entertainment, owner of the Ringling Bros. circus, and a cabal of animal rights groups? If you don’t, here’s the summary: Animal rights groups sued the circus alleging elephant abuse and lost. The court concluded that their key witness was a essentially a “paid plaintiff and fact witness” who was “not credible.” Feld countersued under federal RICO statutes, alleging racketeering, fraud and witness bribery.

The second case is ongoing, but it is in the first lawsuit that there is news.  Lots more here…

Montana Releases Wolf Numbers, RMEF Calls for Proper Management

MISSOULA, Mont.-The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation maintained its call for the science-based management of wolves as Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) released its 2012 estimate of the state’s wolf population. FWP reports there are a minimum of 625 wolves in Montana, which amounts to a four percent drop since the last count in December 2011 and equates to a wolf population remaining well above the state’s management objective. Read more

Supreme Court Reverses Devastating Decision to Forest Wildlife Habitat

Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society applauds the U.S. Supreme Court in its decision to reverse a 9th Circuit Court ruling to further regulate forest management — a judgment that was potentially devastating to forest wildlife habitat. The reversal makes a strong statement against additional and unnecessary permitting of forest management practices and is good news for forest wildlife. Read more

DNR announces first members of Natural Resources Commission Youth Conservation Council

GW:  Say what you will about the NRC and/or DNR, but one thing they’ve been is open-minded.  Now, everyone – including young adults – has a voice.  Good luck to our young leaders.

Last year, the Department of Natural Resources put out the call to find a cross-section of young people interested in Michigan’s great outdoors and in sharing their ideas about how to get new generations invested in the future of Michigan’s natural resources. Last week, at the regular monthly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Saginaw, the DNR was proud to announce the first 18 people selected to serve on the .

Ranging in age from 14 to 18 and hailing from all parts of the state, the first members of the Natural Resources Commission Youth Conservation Council are: Read more

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