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MikeK
WSC BOD
| Joined: | Tue Mar 10th, 2009 |
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#1 Posted: Tue Sep 8th, 2009 22:53 |
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MUCC Report 9-3-09
1)HB 5232 "Michigan Firearms Freedom Act" bill has been introduced that would exempt most non-military types of firearms, ammunition, and other firearm accessories made and kept in Michigan from federal
firearms regulations. Modeled after Montana legislation which was signed into law this past spring, HB 5232
would not apply to firearms that cannot be carried and used by one person only, nor firearms with a bore
diameter greater than 1 ½ inches that uses smokeless powder as a propellant. The bill would also require any
firearm manufactured or sold in Michiganto be stamped with the words "Made in Michigan."
2) A second bill to force the state sale of 475 acres of public hunting land to a golf course developer who wishes to build an exact replica of the famed St. Andrews has been introduced in the Michigan Senate. Six weeks after the Michigan House voted to approve a rare legislative land conveyance
MUCC opposes both bills not only because they would result in a 475 acre decrease in contiguous wildlife habitat and public hunting access, but because the legislature should not be interfering with resource management and public land sales when a fair and equitable process already exists for the sale and/or transfer of state public lands. The land in question is well utilized by hunters, contains quality wildlife habitat and valuable timber yields. Besides setting a poor precedent of legislative resource management, neither bill contains a reverter condition that would prevent a development change in heart from golf course to a different venture (which is not out of the question since 20 of Michigan's 800 golf courses have closed since 2006).
Certainly the idea of St. Andrews in Michigan is great news for sporting enthusiasts who also like to spend some free time on the golf course - and MUCC does not doubt the significant impact of tourism on Michigan's economy and the need to improve recreational opportunities. However, picking one winner and many losers in a forced sale of a contiguous tract of quality wildlife habitat and public hunting land just smells like a bad deal and is an insult to hunters.
With HB 5058, MUCC was criticized for advocating to preserve 475 of Michigan's 4 million acres of public land for hunting and recreation - we took it as a compliment. And we hope you'll join us in getting the sportsman's voice to our elected leaders, starting with the Senate Appropriations Committee members.
You may call Sen. Stamas' office toll free at 1-866-305-2136 or write to P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909. In regards to S.B. 730
3) The Michigan DNR and DEQ have released information regarding a significant fish kill spanned over twelve miles of the Black River in Sanilac and St. Clair Counties.
4) Over 200 people attended the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Michigan meeting on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and gave feedback on the multi-year funding proposal. A Possible share of roughly $475 million in Great Lakes restoration funding - funding for possible wildlife habitat improvements and aquatic invasive species prevention - is currently being considered in Congress.
5)MUCC representative Steve Wycoff reported recommendations from Citizen Waterfowl Advisory Committee
Meeting for the upcoming Waterfowl Season. CWAC learned that, as in hunting as a whole, there is a decreasing number of waterfowlers in Michigan. Last year, the number of duck stamps sold in the state was under 50,000, closer to 45,000. That is down from 65,000 in the last 10 years.
The next meeting of CWAC will be March 6, 2010.
6) On Tuesday, September 22, 2009 is Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol.
7) "Pure Michigan Hunt" applications are now available.Designed to give applicants the chance to pursue the "hunt of a lifetime" and also to raise revenue for fish and game conservation, the Pure Michigan Hunt will allow three lucky hunters to hunt for elk, bear, spring and fall wild turkey, and antlerless deer all in one year.
Applicants may purchase an unlimited number of Pure Michigan Hunt applications for $4 each now through December 31, 2009. Three applicants will be chosen in January 2010 for eligibility to participate in the 2010 hunting seasons.
8) Summary of proposed trout regulation changes :
1 - Create standard minimum size limits of seven inches for brook trout and eight inches for brown trout statewide. Currently size limits vary by peninsula and stream type.
2 - Combine Type 5, 6, and 7 streams and research streams into one "Gear Restricted Waters" category.
Eliminate Type 2 stream regulations, which currently require higher size limits for all species than Type 1 streams. DNR Fisheries said Type 2 streams would be reclassified into other types.
4 - Create a 24-inch minimum size limit on splake, making it consistent with lake trout regulations
There is a whole lot of info on the MUCC website, take a look! If you have any questions call Mike Kensinger at 734-652-3124 or E-mail at Hunter1mdk@yahoo.com
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