MUCC’s 2016 Annual Convention Recap
Michigan United Conservation Clubs had its most important event of the year this past weekend in Big Rapids: our Annual Convention, where delegates representing our 50,000-plus members and 250-plus affiliated local sportsmen’s clubs vote on what hunting, fishing, trapping and conservation policies we will pursue, honor dedicated conservationists, elect officers and even improve local wildlife habitat.
New conservation policies adopted by MUCC’s membership (and their sponsors) this weekend include:
- Support for the use of centerfire rifles at night for coyote hunting. (Chris Kettler and Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association)
- Banning the use of large quantities of chocolate in bear bait. (Michigan Hunting Dog Federation and Michigan Bear Hunters Association)
- Educate bear hunters about the danger of using chocolate in bear bait. (Richard P. Smith)
- Base chumming regulations on the best available science. (Adam Trenz, Metro-West Steelheaders)
- Creation of a statewide urban deer management plan emphasizing bowhunting and venison donation. (Tomahawk Archers)
- Define and regulate “airbows” as pneumatic firearms, not archery equipment. (Michigan Bow Hunters)
- Reverse MUCC’s prior opposition to the use of crossbows during the archery deer season. (Elden Montross, Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club)
- Support for bass tournaments. (Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation)
- Encourage the DNR to use adaptive management for bass. (Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation)
- Increase waterfowl hunting opportunities in county parks and extend liability protection to local government units which allow hunting on their properties. (Macatawa Bay Waterfowl Association and Jack Van Rhee)
- Create a Federal Fish and Wildlife Disease Trust Fund. (MUCC Wildlife Committee)
- Reduce the use of chemicals in native aquatic vegetation management, which provides fish habitat. (Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation)
- Move the start date of the early turkey season in southern Michigan up from a Monday to the prior Saturday. (Millard H. Holton)
- Allow rough fish harvested during bowfishing tournaments to be donated to rendering facilities. (Rob Miller, Bowfishing Association of Michigan)
- Encourage the DNR to recognize Michigan’s diverse landscape in management decisions. (Tom Heritier, Saginaw Field & Stream Conservation Association)
- Increase penalties for hunter harassment. (Jim Pryce)
- Allow purple paint to be used in place of “No Trespassing” signs. (Jim Pryce)
- Support the designation of the monarch butterfly as the official state insect. (Tomahawk Archers)
- Support the designation of a 1.8-mile stretch of county road in a Grouse Enhanced Management System in Marquette County, currently open for ORV use, as a multi-use ORV route to allow funding allocation for signage. (Tim Kobasic, Hiawathaland Trail Association)
- Confirm an earlier emergency resolution to encourage moose culling at Isle Royale National Park. (MUCC Wildlife Committee) Read more