BOB@BBT
03-08-2006, 09:27 AM
One thing I can say is that there will be no (license) fee increase this year. There is no support for it (in the Legislature). State Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch
Sounds like politics is what matters most in Lansing and science or reality takes a back seat.
http://www.michiganoutdoornews.com/a...news/news2.txt
Petitioners question doe permit numbers
Thursday, March 2, 2006 11:49 AM EST
By Bill Parker Editor
Oxford, Mich. What started out as concern from a couple of frustrated hunters has snowballed into a statewide petition drive to encourage the DNR to rethink its white-tailed deer management philosophy.
Oxford residents Bob and Judy McReavy own a large parcel of land in Nestor Township in Roscommon County. They say theyve noticed a distinct decline in deer numbers on their property during the past few years and are concerned that deer are being slaughtered through the issuance of too many antlerless deer permits.
I surveyed neighbors and other clubs in the area and found they were all experiencing similar hunting with deer numbers down by as much as 60 percent, Bob McReavy told Michigan Outdoor News. I started a petition drive, basically to get the DNRs attention so they realize there is a problem out there.
What McReavy soon found is that many hunters believe there are similar problems across much of northern Michigan. He contacted state Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, explained his concerns, and asked for Sheltrowns support.
He offered his help and has basically taken over gathering and counting the petitions, McReavy said.
Sheltrown said he offered his support because he has heard similar concerns from many hunters, both inside and outside of his district (103), which includes Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco counties.
I basically got involved because over the past two years I have heard a lot of complaints from hunters complaining about low deer numbers, Sheltrown said. In June of 2005 I spoke with the DNR about some of these concerns and I dont think they were too receptive.
Deer hunting is an important part of our economy. Hunters are frustrated, as was shown with the turnouts at most of these (deer population goal) meetings. From what Ive heard, the DNR doesnt feel there is a problem, but many of my constituents feel there is a very serious problem. Theyre (constituents) in the woods. Theyre the ones who are out there and theyre not seeing any deer.
Sheltrown said that as word of the petition spread, his office started receiving petition signatures from hunters all across the state. As of Feb 22 he had received 5,903 signatures.
We cant get them (signatures) into the computer fast enough, Sheltrown said. With this much concern, were getting petitions from hunters all over the state, from Monroe County to the top of the U.P. Its speeding along quite rapidly.
The Bring Back the Deer petition reads, We believe the deer population in northern Michigan has been negatively impacted in recent years. In some cases, the population density of whitetails is lower than 10 animals per square mile. As a result, the popularity of hunting, deer watching, and the economic benefits related to it has dropped dramatically. We believe the population decrease has been caused by a combination of bad winters and the wholesale distribution of doe (antlerless deer) permits.
Until the deer herd in northern Michigan is restored, we respectfully request that the Natural Resources Commission significantly reduce doe (antlerless deer) permits in the DMUs in our region of the state.
The DNR had better listen, Sheltrown said. This is not a Representative Sheltrown and a Bob McReavy issue. This is a statewide problem and its not going away.
The deer population is something they (DNR) really, really need to take a close look at. Its hurting our economy and hunters are frustrated. At the present rate the DNR is going to start losing more and more hunters and theyll eventually end up with a financial problem.
The lions share of funding for the DNRs annual $250 million budget comes from license sales.
The DNR is currently studying options for a license fee increase, something the Legislature last approved in 1996.
I have legislators from places like Dearborn coming up to me and asking, Whats going on with the deer? Theyre hearing from a lot of their constituents who are concerned, Sheltrown said. One thing I can say is that there will be no (license) fee increase this year. There is no support for it (in the Legislature).
Sheltrown is holding a public hearing on deer population at 10 a.m. on March 4 at the Ogemaw Township Hall, 1990 Gray Road, West Branch.
Sounds like politics is what matters most in Lansing and science or reality takes a back seat.
http://www.michiganoutdoornews.com/a...news/news2.txt
Petitioners question doe permit numbers
Thursday, March 2, 2006 11:49 AM EST
By Bill Parker Editor
Oxford, Mich. What started out as concern from a couple of frustrated hunters has snowballed into a statewide petition drive to encourage the DNR to rethink its white-tailed deer management philosophy.
Oxford residents Bob and Judy McReavy own a large parcel of land in Nestor Township in Roscommon County. They say theyve noticed a distinct decline in deer numbers on their property during the past few years and are concerned that deer are being slaughtered through the issuance of too many antlerless deer permits.
I surveyed neighbors and other clubs in the area and found they were all experiencing similar hunting with deer numbers down by as much as 60 percent, Bob McReavy told Michigan Outdoor News. I started a petition drive, basically to get the DNRs attention so they realize there is a problem out there.
What McReavy soon found is that many hunters believe there are similar problems across much of northern Michigan. He contacted state Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, explained his concerns, and asked for Sheltrowns support.
He offered his help and has basically taken over gathering and counting the petitions, McReavy said.
Sheltrown said he offered his support because he has heard similar concerns from many hunters, both inside and outside of his district (103), which includes Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco counties.
I basically got involved because over the past two years I have heard a lot of complaints from hunters complaining about low deer numbers, Sheltrown said. In June of 2005 I spoke with the DNR about some of these concerns and I dont think they were too receptive.
Deer hunting is an important part of our economy. Hunters are frustrated, as was shown with the turnouts at most of these (deer population goal) meetings. From what Ive heard, the DNR doesnt feel there is a problem, but many of my constituents feel there is a very serious problem. Theyre (constituents) in the woods. Theyre the ones who are out there and theyre not seeing any deer.
Sheltrown said that as word of the petition spread, his office started receiving petition signatures from hunters all across the state. As of Feb 22 he had received 5,903 signatures.
We cant get them (signatures) into the computer fast enough, Sheltrown said. With this much concern, were getting petitions from hunters all over the state, from Monroe County to the top of the U.P. Its speeding along quite rapidly.
The Bring Back the Deer petition reads, We believe the deer population in northern Michigan has been negatively impacted in recent years. In some cases, the population density of whitetails is lower than 10 animals per square mile. As a result, the popularity of hunting, deer watching, and the economic benefits related to it has dropped dramatically. We believe the population decrease has been caused by a combination of bad winters and the wholesale distribution of doe (antlerless deer) permits.
Until the deer herd in northern Michigan is restored, we respectfully request that the Natural Resources Commission significantly reduce doe (antlerless deer) permits in the DMUs in our region of the state.
The DNR had better listen, Sheltrown said. This is not a Representative Sheltrown and a Bob McReavy issue. This is a statewide problem and its not going away.
The deer population is something they (DNR) really, really need to take a close look at. Its hurting our economy and hunters are frustrated. At the present rate the DNR is going to start losing more and more hunters and theyll eventually end up with a financial problem.
The lions share of funding for the DNRs annual $250 million budget comes from license sales.
The DNR is currently studying options for a license fee increase, something the Legislature last approved in 1996.
I have legislators from places like Dearborn coming up to me and asking, Whats going on with the deer? Theyre hearing from a lot of their constituents who are concerned, Sheltrown said. One thing I can say is that there will be no (license) fee increase this year. There is no support for it (in the Legislature).
Sheltrown is holding a public hearing on deer population at 10 a.m. on March 4 at the Ogemaw Township Hall, 1990 Gray Road, West Branch.