1-buck in U.P. vote planned
1-buck in U.P. vote planned
By JOHN PEPIN
MARQUETTE — The Michigan Natural Resources Commission is scheduled to vote this week on a proposed one-buck hunting limit for deer hunters in the Upper Peninsula.
The NRC — which is the appointed rule-making body of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources — meets in downstate Big Rapids on Thursday at the Holiday Inn at 1005 Perry Ave.
Last month, the new one-buck regulation was proposed by NRC Commissioner John Madigan of Munising during a wildlife committee session at the NRC’s meeting in Lansing.
Madigan said the proposed rule would “limit hunters to one buck only in the Upper Peninsula, taken however.” If approved, the regulation would go into effect this year.
Madigan’s motion was seconded by NRC Chairman Keith Charters, with a vote proposed for the upcoming meeting. During the interim, language for the regulation was finalized.
So far, response to the idea has been nearly evenly mixed, Madigan said, with slightly more people he’s spoken to favoring the idea.
“There’s been some really good dialogue,” Madigan said.
As an alternative, Madigan said some hunters have proposed one buck for archery season and one buck for firearm deer season.
“Some people have proposed that saying, ‘Let’s walk before we run,’” Madigan said.
Also being considered at the same meeting will be a recommendation from the NRC Wildlife Committee to cutback on issuance of doe permits for the U.P. by about 5,000.
Other action items being considered by the seven-member panel include regulations for supplemental deer feeding, hunting rules for the Allegan State Game Area, elk season quotas, waterfowl regulations and hunting rules for select state parks.
Madigan said the deer issues are being explored in response to feedback from the public given at 21 recent meetings held across the state, including Marquette.
The one-buck rule is something hunters have been either strongly for or against for a long time, Madigan said. If the one-buck rule is approved, the DNR will lose revenue that will likely have to be addressed by increasing license fees, he said.
The NRC Committee of the Whole will meet at 3 p.m., and public appearances before the commission start at 4:30 p.m.
Those interested in speaking at the meeting before the commission makes its decision can register with Teresa Gloden, the NRC’s administrative assistant, by calling (517) 373-2352, or sending an E-mail to her at glodent@michigan.gov.
Speakers who register in advance receive five minutes to speak before the commission. Persons who register at the commission meeting receive three minutes to speak.
To view the full NRC agenda, go to the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on Natural Resources Commission link.
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