This week, Attorney General Bill Schuette announced that he will be working with the legislature to continue to protect Michigan’s hunting and fishing heritage through a series of legal changes aimed at enhancing the outdoor experience.  According to the Attorney General, Michigan’s laws and regulations don’t all match up with the intended goal of promoting recreational activities.  He proposed a series of five steps to the legislature and state agencies:

• A Legislative Resolution supporting the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.
• Remove the prohibition on transporting an uncased hunting weapon in a vehicle on private property. This provision will not alter the current ban on using or possessing a loaded or strung hunting weapon in a vehicle.
• Make statute consistent with the Department of Natural Resources conservation order allowing the hunting of waterfowl from a motorboat if the motor is turned off and its progress has ceased.
• Encourage the Natural Resources Commission to review the turkey license process and lottery program.
• Require written permission from a property owner to hunt or fish on private land and increase fines for those who don’t have such permission. Additionally, include a pre-written form when hunting or fishing licenses are sent.

Michigan’s hunting and fishing economy is a major contributor to the state’s overall economy, with the Department of Natural Resources selling about 600,000 hunters approximately 630,000 licenses of all types. In 2011 alone, Michigan hunters boosted the state’s economy, by spending $2.3 billion on trip-related expenses and equipment. That same year, anglers boosted the Michigan economy by spending $2.4 billion in trip-related expenses and equipment. “Outdoor activities, in particular hunting and fishing, are part of what defines Michigan. Our natural resources are one of our most valuable assets and that’s why the legislature and state departments are consistently looking at ways to improve the usage and protection of this vital resource,” stated Matt Sowash of MLC.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.