ThinkingAfield.org

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media

Introduced August 11th, Michigan House bill 5232, cited as the Michigan Firearms Freedom Act, seeks to invoke the power of the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution relative to looming federal gun regulations. As the federal government attempts to expand its reach into our daily lives more and more, some have come to realize it is time to make a stand. Town hall meetings are one thing, but when the politicians return to the security of the House and Senate chambers, they know they can spin the current vocal contempt into nothing more than bellyaching by a vocal minority. Sure they can be voted out of office, but in the meantime with their power-hungry liberal majority, they can do as they please. Not any more. Not in Michigan, if we stick by our guns!

The concept is simple: Declare big government’s reach into Michigan’s matters null and void. The bill was authored by Rep. Phillip Pavlov and has 44 co-sponsors. That’s a bunch! Here’s what it states: “A bill to create the Michigan firearms freedom act; to make certain findings regarding intrastate commerce; to prohibit federal regulation of firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition involved purely in intrastate commerce in this state; to provide for certain exceptions to federal regulation; and to establish certain manufacturing requirements.

The regulation of intrastate commerce is vested in the states under amendments IX and X of the constitution of the United States, particularly if not expressly preempted by federal law. Congress has not expressly preempted state regulation of intrastate commerce pertaining to the manufacture on an intrastate basis of firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition.”

Both Tennessee and Montana already have adopted Firearms Freedom acts and other states are following suit. However, the Federal Government’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) has already vilified states’ positions on this issue. In a written statement, BATF claims ‘Federal law supersedes the [Tennessee] Act’, and thus the ATF considers it without merit. Somebody’s got things backwards but it’s going to be difficult to weasel out of the U.S. Constitution’s clear language and intent. The shoe fits, boys, and it’s time to try it on for size.

I see this as an opportunity for sorely needed Michigan industry. If law-abiding Michigan citizens create enough demand by virtue of their refusal to go along with the federal programs relative to restrictive gun laws, then supply will follow demand. Michigan manufacturers will make Michigan guns and we’ll buy them here, too.

National health care can be handled in the same manner and is already being addressed in Arizona with a vote on the issue next year. Similarly, medical marijuana laws are in effect in 11 states and hinge on the same principle in spite of the U.S. Government’s position that marijuana is illegal anywhere. The power is vested in the people and the states. The Federal Government seems to be thumbing its nose at the U.S. Constitution when doing so is convenient to their schemes. Time has come to stand up, as written and ratified December 15, 1791.

And, this just in:

Michigan House Rep. Opsommer offered the following concurrent resolution:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 9.
A concurrent resolution to reaffirm the right to bear arms under the Michigan Constitution, the supremacy of the Second Amendment over the Commerce Clause, and the intent of the Michigan Legislature to not recognize or enforce unconstitutional firearm restrictions placed upon its citizens.
Whereas, Article I, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution, clearly affirms a right to bear arms. This provision prescribes that the primary purpose of the right to bear arms is not related solely to hunting but clearly allows Michigan citizen’s to be able to protect one’s self, family, and possessions from the private lawlessness of other persons or potential tyranny of governments; and
Whereas, There are also federalism provisions under the United States Constitution that prohibit the federal government from interfering with the right to bear arms within Michigan. The Tenth Amendment guarantees to the states and their people all powers not granted to the federal government elsewhere in the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution provides the federal government with the power to regulate commerce. However, this provision only empowers the government to regulate commerce between states and cannot be used to impose regulations onto firearms beyond this scope or that are at cross-purposes with the Second Amendment; and
Whereas, Several new federal laws have been proposed that would overstep the bounds of both the Second Amendment, Michigan’s sovereign constitution, and its firearm laws; and
Whereas, It is not the intent of the Michigan Legislature to pass laws that would mandate the use of “coded,” “serialized,” or “chipped” ammunition, to create databases of such ammunition, or to outlaw the ability of people to hand load otherwise lawful ammunition. Furthermore, it is not the intent of the Michigan Legislature to pass laws that would mandate the use of so called “smart gun” technology that wirelessly or otherwise authenticates and enables a firearm to be used by only one person. Furthermore, it is not the intent of the Michigan Legislature to allow for licensing schemes for the purchase of firearms that would mandate facial recognition, iris scans, fingerprinting, or other advanced biometric technology. Furthermore, it is not the intent of the Michigan Legislature to regulate the private transfer or sale of firearms beyond what is currently required by law. Furthermore, it is not the intent of the Michigan Legislature to pass laws that would make firearm ownership or use dependent upon the purchase of personal insurance policies or other similar risk instruments. Furthermore, it is not the intent of the Michigan Legislature to prohibit firearm ownership to individuals based upon their reporting of the past use of pain killers or other medications for surgical recovery, dental procedures, and other legitimate medical purposes. Furthermore, it is not the intent of the Michigan Legislature to pass laws that would infringe upon the ability of firearm owners to keep such weapons loaded and readily accessible within their homes, or that would allow for officials to inspect firearms within their homes without first obtaining a valid search warrant issued in conjunction with a lawful criminal investigation. It is however the intent of the Michigan Legislature to ensure that such firearm schemes are not imposed upon the citizens of Michigan by either the federal government or itself, and would view such infringements as violations of both the Second Amendment and the Michigan Constitution; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we reaffirm the right to bear arms under the Michigan Constitution, the supremacy of the Second Amendment over the Commerce Clause, and the intent of the Michigan Legislature to not recognize or enforce unconstitutional firearm restrictions placed upon its citizens.
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Amen.

The new Winchester® Ammunition Ballistics Calculator is the most innovative program on the market, using cutting-edge technology to offer ballistics information for shooters and hunters.

The Winchester Ballistics Calculator allows users to choose their type of ammunition and compare up to five different Winchester products with easy-to-read, high-tech ballistic charts and graphs. You can customize shooting conditions by entering wind speed and outside temperature, adjust zero marks for sighting in – then print the ballistics for later reference on the range or in the field. The calculator is now live at www.winchester.com/ballistics.

“The Winchester Ballistics Calculator is the most interactive program on the market and is available to anyone who visits our site,” said Greg Kosteck, director of marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “The technology used in this program makes understanding ballistics and bullet performance easy; and it’s the ideal resource for shooters and hunters.”

Winchester teamed up with Quilogy, a St. Charles, Missouri-based IT and Marketing consulting company, to develop the state-of-the-art ballistics calculator. The ballistics calculator was built using Microsoft Silverlight, a cutting-edge technology that integrates seamlessly into a Web browser and allows the user to run highly advanced software applications over the Web.

For more information about Winchester Ammunition and its complete line of products visit www.winchester.com.

The 6th Annual Perry Youth Hunt Extravaganza is slated for September 26th and 27th this year and will be held at the Perry VFW, 601 N. Main, Perry. The event has grown to become a unique celebration of the special two-day, youth-only deer hunt for youngsters and rewards young men and young women for participating. There is no entry fee and no requirement to harvest deer; only a valid hunting license is needed. Simply stated, the goal has been to get kids out of the house and away from computers long enough to sample the thrill that awaits them afield.

Overflow crowds have been a testament to the success of the occasion and registering could not be easier. Those fortunate enough to harvest deer bring them in for photos beginning at 10 am September 26th and continue to do so throughout the following day, Sunday. Beginning at 8:30 pm Sunday the 27th, tickets are drawn for T-shirts and valuable prizes until everything is gone. All prizes are drawn randomly and are done so with no regard to hunters’ success – and, that’s what makes this celebration so unique!

Organizers of the Perry Sons of Amvets encourage everyone that supports the concept, and/or that has youngsters participating, to join us at the Perry VFW on Friday, August 28th from 5 pm to 8 pm for a New York strip steak dinner to help us raise necessary funding. The cost is a mere $8 for a quality, 12-ounce, Angus steak dinner grilled over an open flame to order. All proceeds go directly to purchase prizes for the youngsters.

Since the youth hunt began a few years ago, 283,000 new hunters have been added to the shrinking ranks of the national hunting fraternity in no small measure attributable to a program named Families Afield launched in 2004 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF.org). Michigan is one of 28 states that has passed legislation lowering barriers to hunting and the effort has made a remarkable difference in hunter recruitment with over 30,000 young adults added to our hunting ranks.

Hunters contribute more than $30 billion annually into the American economy, much of it directed to rural areas such as ours. Approximately about a million jobs in America are supported by hunters. Over the past 40 years, hunters have spent $13.4 billion for hunting licenses, tags and permits, all funding wildlife conservation.

For every 100 adult hunters today, only 69 youth hunters are being recruited. Because of the declining numbers, economic projections indicate funding for wildlife conservation could drop commensurately.
Years ago, most hunters started hunting small game such as rabbits and squirrels; however, today it’s all about big game and there is no better way to experience such a thrilling hunt right in our own area.

So, bring the whole family for a top-quality steak dinner August 28th to the Perry VFW and help to promote the cause.

Salt Lake City – If the Archery Trade Association could be classified as barnstormers delivering both funding and a strong message to promote its Community Archery Program (CAP), then Michigan must be a fast-moving army as its leaders and foot soldiers boost archery participation statewide.

“We really have great momentum right now with a few standout states moving forward and making archery readily available to youths,” said Michelle Doerr, the ATA’s director of archery and bowhunting programs. “Michigan is among the states leading the way. They continue to make great investments in recruiting archers and bowhunters.”

Proof of this investment is the program’s progress: Since 2006, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) staff-person has been assigned fulltime to coordinating archery in the state, 10 more archery-focused, regional staff members are in the pipeline, and the $3.5 million Demmer Shooting Sports, Education and Training Center is set to open in September. The Michigan DNR partnered with Michigan State University in 2006 to develop the center, with a large contribution from the Demmer family. Archery became a viable part of the facility through contributions from the ATA and Easton Sports Development Foundation.

In 2008, the ATA provided the first $100,000 installment toward its $500,000 pledge to support the center and its outdoor Humphries Archery Park. Recently, the ATA contributed another $100,000 installment for 2009. The shooting center will serve as the hub of Michigan’s CAP, as well as the focal point for archery/bowhunting recruitment and retention efforts by the state’s wildlife agency. It includes a 30-meter, 12-lane indoor archery range and a 15-meter, 16-lane indoor firearms range, which can also be used for archery, and Michigan’s first outdoor archery park.

But an archery facility needs archers and bowhunters as much as archers and bowhunters need a shooting facility, which is why the ATA recently contributed $30,000 to Michigan’s state wildlife agency to help fund the 10 part-time, regional archery coordinator positions. Before this investment, the ATA invested $250,000 to fund the archery position filled in 2006, bringing total staff funding to $280,000.

The regional coordinators are now being hired to assist the agency’s Mary Emmons, who was hired in 2006 to promote archery and bowhunting statewide.

“As archery programs grew, we couldn’t keep up with demand,” said Emmons, the state’s full-time chief archery coordinator. “The regional coordinators allow us to put more instructors in the field, whether it’s for NASP, 4-H, Scouts or whatever. We’ve had a waiting list for archery classes. Now we can start filling those needs.”

In the 30-plus months since the MDNR designated a full-time position to archery, Michigan schools participating in National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) have grown from 40 to 320, promoting the need for more staff to accommodate this growth.

“The deeper we grow archery across the state, the more important it becomes to provide staff support,” said Rebecca Humphries, MDNR director. “Mary is a dedicated, enthusiastic leader, but she can only train so many people herself to teach archery. These regional coordinators aren’t full-time positions, but they’ll help Mary carry out her work.”

To date, the ATA has contributed $595,000 to Michigan’s CAP. This doesn’t include future commitments, which will bring total contributions to more than $1 million. Nationally, the ATA has provided funding totaling about $900,000 – including grants provided through CAP – to initiate NASP in the United States, Canada and Australia since 2004. It has also contributed nearly $960,000 in CAP grants, equipment and direct aid to state wildlife agencies to grow archery and expand bowhunting opportunities.

For more information about the ATA’s efforts to grow archery and bowhunting, please contact Michelle Doerr at michelledoerr@archerytrade.org or call (320) 562-2680.

About CAP: The ATA created the Community Archery Program (CAP) in 2005 as a multi-pronged effort to grow archery and bowhunting participation by working with city, county and state agencies while also enlisting help from archery shops, clubs and organizations. As such, CAP promotes NASP as an introduction to archery in schools, and the After School Archery Program (ASAP) as a vital component of community recreation programs. CAP also includes shooting facilities for year-round practice and competitions. The ATA supports CAP efforts by providing expertise, equipment and targets as well as cost-sharing for staff and facilities. Leaders in local CAP initiatives are state wildlife agencies that work with communities to develop and manage archery parks, school and after-school programs.

About the ATA: Since 1953 ATA has been the trade association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. ATA is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, and reducing taxes and government regulation while increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. ATA owns and manages the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest running trade show worldwide.

The U.S Senate recently voted on an amendment that would have allowed Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry in all other states that also grant carry permits. The amendment, sponsored by Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and David Vitter (R-La.), won a significant majority of votes, 58 to 39, but failed to reach the 60 votes needed to avoid a Senate filibuster.

Anti-gun senators have long argued that the majority of Americans do not support firearm freedoms. They made this erroneous claim once again during the debate on the Thune/Vitter amendment. Now, a new poll has proven them wrong.

Conducted by Zogby International and The O’Leary Report, the poll looked at Americans’ opinions on some key issues related to the Second Amendment. One of the questions asked: “Currently, 39 states have laws that allow residents to carry firearms to protect themselves, only if they pass a background check and pay a fee to cover administrative costs. Most of those states also require applicants to have firearms safety training. Do you support or oppose this law?”

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation today filed a lawsuit on behalf of three residents of the District of Columbia and a New Hampshire resident, seeking to compel the city to issue carry permits to law-abiding citizens.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of Tom Palmer, George Lyon and Amy McVey, all District residents, and Edward Raymond, a New Hampshire resident. SAF and the individual plaintiffs are being represented by attorney Alan Gura, who successfully argued the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller case in 2008 that overturned the District’s handgun ban on the grounds that it was unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.

“Once again,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb, “we’re heading back to court because the anti-gun city administration refuses to abide by the law. It is beginning to appear like residents of the District are up against a rogue city government that simply does not want to ease its stranglehold on the most important civil right of all, the right of self-preservation.”

“In most major American cities,” said attorney Gura, “where the right to bear arms is respected, licensed permit holders have proven themselves safe and effective. Washington, D.C. already requires handgun registrants to complete the background checks and training classes required of carry permit holders throughout the country. It is pointless to deny these individuals the right to bear arms.”

SAF previously sued the District over its restrictive handgun registration policies, leading the city to amend those policies. This time, SAF is alleging that the District previously had a city code under which the police chief could issue licenses to carry handguns to individuals, including citizens not residing in the District, though the city did not issue such licenses as a matter of policy for several years. That authority was revoked last December by the Mayor and City Council.

Plaintiffs are seeking a permanent injunction agai nst the continued ban on carrying handguns by law-abiding citizens for personal protection.

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

A challenge to individual First Amendment protections under the U.S. Constitution is headed for a showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court this fall in U.S. v Robert J. Stevens. Mr. Stevens of Virginia was convicted of criminal charges for producing and selling films about dogs. Stevens’ conviction was overturned as a result of a Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision that said the law relied upon to convict Stevens was unconstitutional. Stevens may still go to prison and your right to watch hunting and fishing shows on television, or to read about them in printed media may end, as well, if the government succeeds in its quest to skewer him.

Whether the case has been suppressed or ignored by the media is ironic in that the guarantees of the First Amendment form the basis of free speech no matter how much we, as Americans, may disagree with how the messages are being conveyed.

Of particular concern to those in the hunting and fishing industry is the fact Stevens’ prosecution rested on his film “Catch Dogs”, which showed how dogs are trained to help catch prey (wild boar, etc.).

There is no allegation that Stevens engaged in dog fighting or any acts of animal cruelty. Nor is it even alleged that the images depicted in his films were illegal when taken. Furthermore, he did not take the images himself, but edited together films taken by others — films that were recorded in Japan, where the conduct is perfectly legal, and from historic films from the 60s and 70s in rural America.

No doubt, the latter two films contain extensive images of dog fighting. But Stevens is not a dog fighter – he opposes dog fighting – but loves the qualities in Pit Bulls that make them fighters. The outcome of the verdict could be devastating to all journalists and specifically to the traditional outdoor sports of hunting, fishing and trapping.

The Third Circuit struck down a federal law banning “depictions of animal cruelty.” 18 USC 48. The statute does not ban acts of animal cruelty themselves (and so this case is not about such actions). It bans images of animals being hurt, wounded or killed if the depicted conduct is illegal under federal law or illegal under the state law either (i) where the creation of the depiction occurs, or (ii) where the depiction is sold or possessed.

That means that a picture taken of the killing of an animal during a hunt (perfectly lawful where it occurred) could be a federal felony crime if that picture is sold or possessed somewhere in the United States where hunting (or the particular type of hunting, i.e., crossbow) is prohibited.

As the court of appeals explained, the law now makes it a federal felony to buy a picture of deer hunting in Shiawassee County or an image shot by a journalist of a hunter or angler taking a shot at a legal game animal or catching a fish — if that action is unlawful anywhere in the U.S.

Of little consequence, the law creates an exception if a jury finds that the images have “serious” value. The government defined “serious” as “significant and of great import.” The result accordingly is that all depictions of animal killings that might be unlawful somewhere in the U.S. are now presumptively federal felonies, with the only hope of protection being that a jury in San Francisco (or wherever an eager prosecutor wants to go) agrees that the images are “significant and of great import” – whatever those weasel words mean.

The government and Humane Society, which is pushing this issue with all its might, are trying to portray this as a case about dog fighting, because of the emotional appeal it stirs in many. Hogwash! It’s about the First Amendment!

When it comes to legal hunting, I am a realist, knowing full well that wildlife must be managed; we have made it so with our ever-encroaching and irreversible lifestyles into their territories.

As long as hunting is legal, I will be a strong proponent of any activity that can manage game in a manner that is actually more humane than that of Mother Nature’s own cruel reality. Depicting it should not be a crime and that’s why I have signed on to an Amicus Curiae brief, along with fellow journalists, in opposition to our current government’s will.

The very fact that this matter has progressed to this stage is further evidence that our country continues on its path away from the virtuous nature of our Founding Fathers’ wisdom. If the government wins this one, free speech will cost plenty.

NEWTOWN, Conn., July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — During a time period of great economic uncertainty, firearm and ammunition sales have continued to increase throughout the country.

According to the most recent Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection Report, released earlier today by the Department of the Treasury, firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid more than $109.8 million in the first calendar quarter of 2009; up 43% over the same time period reported in 2008.

This dramatic increase follows a 31.3 percent increase in excise taxes from the previous quarter (4Q, 2008) and eight straight months of increased FBI background checks – another strong indicator of firearm sales.

A third reliable source, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), reported that in 2008, “Hunting and Firearms” equipment was the only category to grow double digits and only one of seven categories that exhibited growth. NSGA’s forecast for 2009 shows “Hunting and Firearms” as one of only two categories to exhibit growth.

Manufacturers of firearms and ammunition pay a federal excise tax — a major source of wildlife conservation funding — on all firearms and ammunition manufactured (11% on long guns and ammunition and 10% on handguns).

This latest excise tax report, which covers the time period of January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009, shows that $33.0 million was collected in taxes for pistols and revolvers, $38.9 million for long guns and $37.8 million for ammunition. Compared to the same quarter in 2008, collections were up 65.5% for handguns, 42.9% for ammunition and 28.3% for long guns.

Translation to sales:
Using the latest collections as an indicator of sales, a projection of $1.03 billion was generated in the first quarter (calendar year) of 2009. Please keep in mind that although excise taxes are one of the best indicators of industry performance, they only report what the manufacturers paid in taxes and do NOT reflect retail mark-up and final retail sales.

Pistols and revolvers: $33,043,554.83 / .10 = $330,435,548.30 = $330.4 million for handguns

Long guns: $38,979,972.16 / .11 = $354,363,383.27 = $354.3 million for long guns

Ammunition: $37,846,038.52 / .11 = $344,054,895.64 = $344.0 million for ammunition

Total estimation for the quarter: $1.028 billion

SOURCE National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)

Michigan’s Newest Hunting Opportunity Launched at Pure Michigan Hunt
Kick-Off

LANSING – A new hunting opportunity in Michigan today was launched with the
opening of the Pure Michigan Hunt application period. Dunham’s Sports in
Madison Heights sold the first Pure Michigan Hunt applications to Lt.
Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. and Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Director Rebecca Humphries at a special kick-off event. Application sales
for this new, multi-species hunt are now available to the public.

The Pure Michigan Hunt will allow three lucky individuals to hunt for elk,
bear, spring and fall wild turkey, and antlerless deer. The successful
applicants will also have first pick of hunting sites at managed waterfowl
areas during the reserved hunt period. Hunters can purchase as many
applications for the Pure Michigan Hunt drawing as they wish. Applications
are $4 and will be sold at license retailers through December 31, 2009.
Three applicants will be chosen in January 2010 for eligibility to
participate in the 2010 hunting seasons.

“This is an outstanding way to continue Michigan’s hunting and conservation
heritage,” said Cherry, an avid hunter and angler. “I encourage hunters to
apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt to experience an unparalleled hunting
opportunity.”

The drawing is designed to increase opportunity for hunters to participate
in some of Michigan’s most-prized hunts, making it a hunt of a lifetime for
Michigan hunters, Humphries said.

“The Pure Michigan Hunt will allow individuals an additional opportunity to
participate in our most in-demand, limited-access hunting opportunities
through one application,” Humphries said. “We think this is an outstanding
opportunity to get the full flavor of Michigan hunting.”

“Michigan is the first state east of the Mississippi to create a
multi-species hunt,” said DNR Wildlife Chief Russ Mason. “This is a popular
type of hunting opportunity in western states, and we felt it was worthwhile
to offer here in Michigan where we have some of the best hunting in the
Midwest.”

The first Pure Michigan Hunt will be in 2010. Hunters may apply for this
hunt beginning July 27 through December 31, 2009. The Pure Michigan Hunt is
designed to be an annual event. Applications will cost $4, but unlike other
limited-access hunts, individuals can apply as many times as they wish.

Being selected to participate in the Pure Michigan Hunt will not impact
eligibility to apply for any other limited-access hunts. It will not negate
any preference points for bear nor weighted chances for elk. Similarly,
hunters who are disqualified from applying for future regular elk hunts
because of past success will be eligible for the Pure Michigan Hunt. In
addition, the applicants who are chosen for the hunt are not excluded from
future limited-access elk drawings.

Successful applicants can participate in any open season until they fill
their tags and can hunt in any unit or hunt period that is open for hunting
that species (except for bear on Drummond Island).

In addition, the DNR has a commitment from the archery industry to donate
equipment to each of the three chosen hunters.

Applications will be available at all license vendors or online at
www.michigan.gov/dnr .

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that hunters who
are successful in the upcoming drawing for antlerless deer hunting
licenses will no longer be notified by postcard.

“Drawing notification postcards are being eliminated as a cost-saving
measure,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “This will
save more than $40,000 per year in postage and printing costs and allow
staff time to be reallocated to other projects.”

During this transition period, applicants for fall’s turkey hunting
licenses and managed waterfowl area reserved hunts will still receive
postcards because the change in notification was not announced prior to
the closure of the application period. However, applicants for all
limited-access hunting opportunities beginning in 2010 will not.

Applicants for antlerless deer licenses and other limited-access
hunting opportunities may check to see if they were selected for a hunt
at www.michigan.gov/dnrdrawings.