Need Help With A Tree Planting Project? Apply Now

Are you a part of a community or organization working to add to your area’s tree canopy? Assistance for public tree planting projects is available from the nonprofit ReLeaf Michigan. Here’s how it works: First, your organization applies for ReLeaf Michigan assistance, which includes site review, purchase and delivery assistance, 50% of tree purchase funding up to $2,000, marketing materials and volunteer training. Then, your organization organizes the volunteers, plans the event and selects the site. Together, you will hep bring the benefits of trees to your community. Interested? Learn more and submit an application.

Wildlife

Third Circuit Denies Rehearing in SAF PA Gun Rights Victory

The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a petition for a rehearing in the Second Amendment Foundation’s victory in a case challenging Pennsylvania statutes that prohibit law-abiding young adults from carrying firearms for self-defense and prevents them from acquiring a state license to carry (LTCF) because of their age. The case is known as Lara v. Evanchick.

The petition for an en banc rehearing had been filed by attorneys representing the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. SAF is joined in the case by the Firearms Policy Coalition and three private citizens, including Madison M. Lara, for whom the case is named. They are represented by attorneys David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson and John D. Ohlendorf at Cooper & Kirk, Washington, D.C.

Writing for the majority, Circuit Judge Kent A. Jordan explained, “The petition for rehearing filed by appellant in the above-entitled case having been submitted to the judges who participated in the decision of this Court and to all the other available circuit judges of the circuit in regular active service, and no judge who concurred in the decision having asked for rehearing, and a majority of the judges of the circuit in regular service not having voted for rehearing, the petition for rehearing by the panel and the Court en banc, is DENIED.” Read more

Gun Control

Slick Trick Introduces Deadly Turkey D-CAP Broadhead

Slick Trick Broadheads ®, the manufacturer of the deadliest broadhead on the market, today announces a new cut-on-contact broadhead to its successful lineup with the turkey D-Cap. Designed for the ethical bowhunter seeking the ultimate tool for spring devastation, the Slick Trick D-Cap offers a 5.1” total cutting edge that, when making contact with the turkey’s head or neck, will inflict maximum and immediate damage.

Razor sharp, crazy durable and extremely deadly, the Slick Trick D-Cap boasts .060” thick 420 Stainless steel blades that ensure no fly-aways, no wounded birds, and no tracking when the blade makes contact with the head or neck.

Turkey D-CAP Specifications Read more

Archery

Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission Has Some ‘Splainin’ to Do

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

On March 28, the nation’s largest statewide conservation organization, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), filed a legal suit against Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC), challenging the three-month closure of the coyote hunting season.  This action follows an inexplicable maneuver by the commission to revert to protecting one of the leading killers of new-born fawns – the ubiquitous coyote.  Accordingly, MUCC and its members will learn just how expensive the commodity of principle can become.

At the March NRC meeting with a 4-2 vote, the commission opted to close the coyote hunting season from April 16 through July 14 annually through the adoption of Wildlife Conservation Order #1 of 2024. MUCC testified in opposition to the closure but its pleas fell on deaf ears.   “The record is unambiguous: The commission has not heard or cited any scientific literature or rationale justifying the closure,” said MUCC Chief Executive Officer, Amy Trotter. “Meanwhile, there were hours of public testimony on the practical benefits of coyote hunting during the spring season, while being reinforced with cited literature.”

“The [MUCC] board voted unanimously to take this action, consistent with MUCC’s mission,” its president, Rob Miller, said. “MUCC was founded on the belief that game management decisions should be grounded in science and insulated from political and social pressures. This is a foundational issue for our organization, and we were obligated to act on behalf of Michigan’s conservationists.”

Mark Spencer, president of the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, said the idea that trappers and predator callers are behind the closure is misguided.  Interestingly, the commission explained that regulation changes were considered because of stakeholder requests and subsequent feedback from the “furtaker user group”.  Even if it were true, it doesn’t constitute science-based logic – a charge with which the NRC is saddled.

“The stance taken with litigation clearly shows the trappers and predator callers of Michigan are firmly united behind the principles of science-based management,” Spencer said. “Our groups present a united front to ensure our outdoor heritage is protected and grounded in science for generations to come.”

The NRC is a seven-member public body whose members are appointed by the governor to a term of four years and subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate.  Overwhelming voter support resulted in the adoption of Proposal G in November 1996, which vests exclusive authority in the NRC to regulate the taking of game.

The two sides will now lock horns.  However, one over-arching element is even more important than merely changing rules and it is the issue of acceptance by those that hunt.  A case in point relates to Wisconsin’s failed Earn-a-Buck regulation that required hunters to take a doe before being allowed to take a buck during its deer season. Even with science behind the regulation, hunters screamed and kicked enough that the rule was overturned.

Specifically, if anyone thinks that hunters in our Upper Peninsula will understand and cooperate, doesn’t know much about Yoopers, either.

Hunting

Large trout stocked in southeast Michigan’s Clinton and Huron rivers, Spring Mill Pond

Approximately 2,800 adult trout recently were stocked by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the Huron River (Proud Lake Recreation Area, Oakland County) and Spring Mill Pond (Island Lake Recreation Area, Livingston County) in southeast Michigan. These fish are retired broodstock from Michigan’s state fish hatcheries.

  • The Huron River, downstream of the Proud Lake Dam, was stocked with approximately 1,370 brown trout and 1,400 rainbow trout, all ranging in size from 13 inches to 19 inches.
  • Spring Mill Pond was stocked with approximately 450 brown trout and 200 rainbow trout, also ranging from 13 inches to 19 inches.
  • In addition, 400 yearling rainbow trout were stocked in the Huron River and 100 in Spring Mill Pond. Anglers should be aware that some portion of these yearlings may at first be smaller than the minimum size limit of 8 inches.

Special regulations apply for anglers interested in targeting these trout, as follows: Read more

Fishing

MUCC Files Suit Against Natural Resources Commission

By Justin Tomei | March 28, 2024 | 
On March 28, the nation’s largest statewide conservation organization filed suit against the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), challenging the three-month closure of the coyote hunting season.

At the March NRC, the commission, in a 4-2 vote, voted to close the coyote hunting season from April 16 through July 14 through the adoption of Wildlife Conservation Order #1 of 2024. Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) testified in opposition to the closure.

MUCC filed in Ingham County, arguing that the commission unlawfully closed Michigan’s coyote season, violating their responsibility and legal charge. The Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers (MTPCA) has also filed a lawsuit against the commission in Mackinac County.

The groups argue that the NRC relied on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception and perceived potential loss of management control, said MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter.

“The record is unambiguous: The commission has not heard or cited any scientific literature or rationale justifying the closure,” Trotter said. “Meanwhile, there were hours of public testimony on the practical benefits of coyote hunting during the spring season, while being reinforced with cited literature.” Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

Forest Legacy Program helps ensure the future of forests; nominations due May 3rd 

Aerial view of a lake and forested landscapeHow are forest lands in Michigan protected for the future?

Michigan’s Forest Legacy Program offers several paths. This program provides funding to purchase or secure conservation easements on environmentally important forest lands to ensure they will be enjoyed by our next generations.

The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“The Forest Legacy Program protects forest lands so they will provide the benefits of forests forever,” said Kerry Heckman, forest land administrator for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Forests are critical for the renewable forest products we use every day, clean air and water and the places we love to hunt, hike and fish.”

Have a parcel that could benefit from Forest Legacy Program protection? Nomination applications for the nationally competitive program are due . Read more

Wildlife

DNR announces field trial for the study of vaccinating deer against bovine tuberculosis

view of the head and torso of a healthy, mature white-tailed deer standing in the forest, a few narrow trees directly behind itA field study is underway in Alpena County to evaluate the delivery of an oral bovine tuberculosis (bTB) vaccine for wild deer. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is collaborating with Michigan State University (MSU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) to explore the development of a new, future tool to manage bTB, which could help to further protect wildlife, livestock and the public from this disease.

“We are very excited to explore a potential new tool that can facilitate efforts towards the long-term goal of bTB eradication in Michigan,” said Melinda Cosgrove, Laboratory Scientist Manager with the DNR. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan Government Land: Keep or Sell?

lush green wetlands spread out against a backdrop of tall, deep-green pine trees and a bright blue skyDNR’s nearly four-year intensive land review effort recently completed

By SARAH LAPSHAN
Senior Communications Advisor
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Three and a half years, nearly 9,800 individual parcels and more than 167,000 total acres comprehensively evaluated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources – it’s all part of the DNR’s agencywide state land review process that concluded in February with approval of the final group of staff recommendations on which parcels to keep, swap or sell.

It was a massive undertaking prompted by Michigan’s Managed Public Land Strategy (initially developed in 2013), which directs the DNR to evaluate how well the lands under its care contribute to the department’s mission.

The review focused on two basic types of parcels: those that are either 200 acres or smaller in size or those irregularly shaped with a significant shared private-public boundary that makes them difficult to manage.

Just how much land are we talking about? Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan’s MUCC Takes On the NRC

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.

 

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  • 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!

 

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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,

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Amy Trotter, Chief Executive Officer
Animal Rights, Hunting
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