U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Comments on Michigan Passing the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
OutdoorHub 09.08.14
On Wednesday, August 27th, the Michigan House voted to approve the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. The Act, which was brought to legislature by Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management, gives the state’s Natural Resources Commission the ability to name game species, designates $1 million in rapid response fund to prevent aquatic invasive species, and provides free hunting and fishing licenses for active-duty military members.
“MBHA is excited and proud of our legislators for passing this act into law,” said Tim Dusterwinkle, president of the Michigan Bear Hunter Association (MBHA). “Hunters and anglers in Michigan trust the professional biologists in the DNR to effectively manage our game species. It was gratifying for us to be part of a broad coalition of conservation groups throughout the state taking the fight to the anti-hunters. We hope this effort encourages other states to be proactive in the fight against HSUS.”
The Act was presented to the legislature after sportsmen’s organizations, fed up with the barrage of anti-hunting ballot initiatives, collected nearly 300,000 signatures. Because it was submitted to the legislature by sportsmen and women, the measure does not require the approval of Governor Rick Snyder before becoming law.
“While Michigan will still face the two November 4th ballot referendums on wolves, this measure removes their sting as the state’s Natural Resource Commission now has the authority to designate game species using sound science, not anti-hunting politics,” said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA’s vice president of government affairs. “Our system of wildlife management is designed to be free of politics and anti-hunting rhetoric. Passage of this bill clearly demonstrates that Michigan will no longer allow out-of-state, anti-hunting organizations to misuse the ballot box to further their agenda.”
Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management is a coalition of conservation, hunting, fishing and trapping groups and individuals including the Michigan chapters of Safari Club International, the Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, the Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, U.P. Whitetails, Inc., the U.P. Bear Houndsmen, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.
