February NRC Preview for Michigan

By Justin Tomei | February 5, 2024
“…close coyote season from April 15 to July 15.”  GW:  Hold the NRC’s feet to the fire relative to scientific rationale.
Sound scientific management could be tested at the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), as information presented at the February meeting will be up for action in March.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at 9:30 a.m. at Lansing Community College West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Drive.

Wildlife Conservation Order #1 of 2024 sets furbearer regulations for the 2024-2026 regulatory cycle. The order has multiple positive changes, generally expanding opportunities with no biological impact, which Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) supports.

One significant change that commissioners will consider is whether to close coyote season from April 15 to July 15.

MUCC opposes this change per a 2005 resolution stating: “Urge the MDNR to allow for the year-round taking of coyote and establish year-round, safe methods and areas of coyote hunting and trapping in urban state parks and recreation areas.”

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources memo accompanying the order states that this proposed change is not biological and that moving to a year-round season in 2016 had no significant biological impact on coyotes.

“Since the coyote hunting season was extended year-round, statewide harvest estimates and average number of coyotes harvested per hunter have not increased,” the DNR memo reads.

In 1996, the conservation community united behind the idea that political pressures should not influence our game management decisions. The voters of Michigan agreed, passing Proposal G.

Proposal G requires commissioners to use principles of sound scientific management when making wildlife management decisions. MUCC believes this order is not sound scientific management, said MUCC Policy and Government Affairs Manager Justin Tomei.

“Michiganders spoke loudly when they passed Proposal G in 1996 in favor of scientific wildlife management,” Tomei said. “Proposal G was meant to shield natural resources from politics. Acquiescing to social pressures will start a long downward spiral – one we can’t afford to go down as hunters.”

MUCC’s grassroots membership is considering a new policy in March that would confirm and bolster the organization’s stance on year-round coyote hunting.

The Department of Natural Resources remains neutral in the memo, only taking a position to retain the prohibition on hunting or training dogs on coyotes from April 16 to July 7, a position MUCC shares.

The precedent this order could set will have far-reaching consequences, Tomei said.

“The anti-conservationist assault will never stop. They want to see our outdoor heritage and way of life dismantled bit by bit until there is nothing left,” Tomei said. “We, as conservationists, need to stick to our science-based principles even in uncomfortable situations. The science speaks for itself.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan’s Deer Dilemma: DNR is all Ears

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Management of Michigan’s deer herd will require changes, if ever we are to achieve a workable balance between the animals we cherish and our populace.  Whether a hunter or non-hunter, our livelihoods will be affected by managerial decisions aimed at solving the issue of over-population in the southern portion of the state and a lack of deer in the far north regions.

The good news is that our DNR is seeking input from anyone interested in submitting thoughts on topics for consideration for the new Deer Management Initiative groups charged with improvement by simply emailing DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov, including the term “DMI” in the subject line.

Everyone is affected when vehicles meet deer.  State Farm Insurance indicates the average cost per deer collision has grown over $5,000 nationally.  Our vehicle insurance costs rank at or near the top of the country narrowly behind only Louisiana and New York.  Michigan is second nationally in terms of highest claims counts with 133,636 from July 2022 to June 2023.

One of the contributing factors is our penchant to hunt for any legal buck.  For years Michigan hunters certainly do take a lot of bucks, as evidenced by its standing behind only Texas in sheer numbers.  At the same time, however, we take so many yearling bucks – those 1.5 years of age – they are not allowed to grow up.

When we compare the Boone & Crockett’s top states for totals of record typical and non-typical bucks produced, the figures demonstrate our weakness.  Of the top 12 states for whitetail submissions, Michigan is dead last and woefully so.  Wisconsin tops the list at 1770 followed by Illinois (1405), Iowa (1,291), Minnesota (1,168), Kentucky (1,009), Ohio (977), Missouri (851), Kansas (828), Indiana (739), Texas (731), Nebraska (349), Michigan (296).

Whitetails need three things to achieve record status: age, nutrition and genetics (in that order) and we miss the mark based on age.  So, instead of killing adolescent bucks, why not take does instead?

Our hunting population continues its downward spiral of approximately 2 percent per year, with no signs of improvement.  The older generation is aging out, while younger hunters are not coming forward.  We’ve made it easier to get youths involved in hunting over the years but the efforts haven’t resulted in enough of an impact.

In the state of Michigan, hunters born on or after January 1, 1960, are required to successfully complete an approved hunter education course.

Anyone ages 10 and older can be a part of the hunting experience by purchasing a base apprentice (APC) license. The base apprentice license, which can be purchased for two license years before needing to complete a hunter safety course, allows anyone to hunt small game and purchase licenses to hunt other species like deer and turkey.

With that said, I’ll be sending in another idea to the DNR to help with youth recruitment.  I’d like to see the Field Day requirement to gain a certificate to be administered by a licensed adult, as an option to attending the current formal Field-Day session.  The same class could be conducted on one’s private land instead, but only after an individual has passed the classroom course – either online or in person.

This suggestion, along with myriad others to be submitted, is meant to begin a conversation and that’s the intent of the DNR’s invitation to participate in the hunting model of the future.  There is no silver bullet, but with input from concerned citizens, we can all have a voice at the table.

Hunting, Wildlife

Kimber KDS9c Rail Model Begins Shipping

TROY, AL  —  Kimber Mfg. has begun shipping the KDS9c Rail model.

After a highly successful SHOT Show 2024, Kimber began shipping the KDS9c Rail – 3 weeks after the product launched in early January. Like the original KDS9c, the railed model is built to be the next generation of hammer fired semi-automatic pistol from Kimber. Following a great response from media and industry partners during Industry Day at the Range, dealers can gain access to the new KDS9c Rail almost immediately following its debut.

New accessories are also readily available for the new model with holsters from TXC out of Texas with their X1 Pro in both right and left-handed as well as their OVRT holster in both right and left hand as well as the OVRT Mag pouch. Plus, the team at Black Point Tactical and Mission First Tactical have holsters ready to order now. The KDS9c Rail will come standard with one 15 round magazine and one 18 round magazine with alloy extended base. The optics capability mimics that of the legacy KDS9c and features mounting plates for the Trijicon RMR family of footprints, Holosun K, and Vortex Venom red dot optics. With an MSRP of $1,903, the complete combined features of the KDS9c Rail deliver a concealed carry firearm simply unmatched in the current market delivering more features than any other firearm of this quality at this price point. Featuring an alloy frame made with 7075 aerospace grade aluminum and a fully integrated crosshatch textured design for the front strap and grip panels, the ergonomics of the KDS9c deliver terrific comfort and superior control. Read more

Firearms

EAA Corp and Girsan Begin Shipments of the Witness2311 Hunter 10mm

[Cocoa, FL] – It’s here and it’s shipping! EAACorp and Girsan announce the beginning of shipments for the awaited Witness2311® Hunter in 10mm 6” Barrel configuration, breaking new ground in the field of affordable yet high-performing hunting pistols.

The Witness2311® Hunter is the first reasonably priced 6″ barrel double-stack 1911 in 10mm. Pistol hunters asked and EAA/Girsan delivered. This firearm combines precision to acquire distant targets with practical features, meeting the exact standards of those in the pursuit of game.

Key Features of the Witness2311 Hunter include: Read more

Firearms

NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks for January 2024

The January 2024 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,197,294 is a decrease of 5.6 percent compared to the January 2023 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,268,236. For comparison, the unadjusted January 2024 FBI NICS figure 2,180,262 reflects a 16.6 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,612,736 in January 2023. January 2024 marks the 54th month in a row that has exceeded 1 million adjusted background checks in a single month.

Please note: Twenty-four states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. The number of NICS checks in these states does not include these legal transfers based on qualifying permits and NSSF does not adjust for these transfers.

The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks and permit rechecks used by states for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. NSSF started subtracting permit rechecks in February 2016. Read more

Firearms

Last Chance to Apply for a Spring Turkey License is Today

Spring turkey applications are $5 and can be purchased online at DNR eLicense, on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App or anywhere DNR licenses are sold. See the 2024 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulation Summary for hunt unit information and dates.

Drawing results will be available .

Questions? Call 517-284-9453 (WILD).

Hunting

2024 Black Lake sturgeon season canceled

Feb. 2, 2024

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is announcing the cancellation of the 2024 Black Lake sturgeon season, which was scheduled to start , Feb. 3.

A harvest limit is set for each Black Lake sturgeon season. With the current marginal ice conditions and depletion of ice on Black Lake, there is concern of excessive harvest with the inability to effectively track harvests with limited DNR personnel on the ice.

“In addition to protecting the lake sturgeon population, the safety of anglers and staff is critically important,” said Randy Claramunt, DNR Fisheries chief. “We encourage all anglers across Michigan to use extreme caution while on the ice, as we have been experiencing above-average temperatures.”

This is the first time the Black Lake sturgeon season has been canceled. It is too soon to determine whether this cancellation will influence the harvest limit next year.

Part 411 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act grants the DNR the authority to cancel the season.

Contact: Tim Cwalinski (DNR Fisheries), 231-340-0276 or

Fishing

Kimber Begins Shipping KDS9c Rail Model

After a highly successful SHOT Show 2024, Kimber began shipping the KDS9c Rail – 3 weeks after the product launched in early January. Like the original KDS9c, the railed model is built to be the next generation of hammer fired semi-automatic pistol from Kimber. Following a great response from media and industry partners during Industry Day at the Range, dealers can gain access to the new KDS9c Rail almost immediately following its debut.

New accessories are also readily available for the new model with holsters from TXC out of Texas with their X1 Pro in both right and left-handed as well as their OVRT holster in both right and left hand as well as the OVRT Mag pouch. Plus, the team at Black Point Tactical and Mission First Tactical have holsters ready to order now. Additionally, optional barrel colors in Titanium Nitride, Rose Copper, and Black DLC will be available in late February. Read more

Firearms

Michigan Free Snowmobile Weekend is Feb. 9-11

We recognize that snow conditions may determine your ability to pull out the sleds, but when winter weather truly returns, a full weekend of free snowmobiling Feb. 9-11 is a great way to ignite (or reignite) your love of winter trail riding!

Grab your friends and ride 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (where authorized). You legally can ride all weekend long without the regular requirement of a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

Also upcoming: Free Fishing Weekend, Feb. 17-18, when all fishing license fees will be waived for these two days. Residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply. Read more

General
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