SCI Michigan Hunting and Fishing Rights

Safari Club International Thanks Governor Snyder For Protecting Hunting, Fishing Rights in Michigan

Washington, DC – Governor Rick Snyder (Mich.) signed Senate Bills 288 and 289 into law today at a ceremony attended by many Safari Club International members. The new laws 1) state that the Natural Resources Commission has the authority to designate game species and 2) protect the right to hunt and fish. SCI’s Michigan Chapters, along with other sporting organizations in Michigan, advocated for final passage of both of these bills during this legislative session.

“The out-of-state forces, like the Humane Society of the United States, had attempted to undercut the authority of biologists and professional wildlife managers with their elaborate campaign to prevent hunting in the state of Michigan,” said SCI President John Whipple. “I am very proud of SCI’s Michigan Chapters for their continued efforts to advocate for hunting and conservation in their state. I would like to personally thank Gov. Snyder and every elected official who supported S.B. 288 and 289.”

S.B. 288 extends the Natural Resources Commission (NRC)’s authority and sound science mandate to naming animals to the game species list.  At the same time the bill retains the Legislature’s authority to do the same as well as its exclusive authority to remove game species from the list. S.B. 288 also grants the NRC the exclusive authority to issue fisheries orders, which currently rests with the director of the Department of Natural Resources, and also provides free licenses to active-duty members of the military. S.B. 289 establishes the rights to hunt and fish in state law, and makes protection of those rights a purpose of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

“Without the grassroots backing of all those who support hunting, and those that understand the valuable role hunting plays in wildlife conservation and management, this important legislation would never have passed. Every hunter that called their elected official should be proud of sharing in the success of S.B. 288 and 289,” concluded Whipple.

Conservation groups herald the bills as an extension of voter-approved Proposal G of 1996, which granted the Natural Resources Commission exclusive authority over game management and required it to use sound science in its wildlife management decisions.

Contact: Nelson Freeman; media@safariclub.org

About Peter Wood 1194 Articles
As an avid lifelong angler and hunter, Peter’s outdoor knowledge and experiences keep expanding through his hundreds of hours of hunting and fishing podcast interviews with like minded experts. He has received numerous national writing awards. With thousands of outdoor pictures on Ripple Outdoors and many full-length articles with outdoor magazine and video clips you might say that he not only enjoys his outdoor lifestyle, but he’s quite the fanatic! In 2015 he earned fifth overall on the King of the Wood Contest hosted by Canada In The Rough team, pretty good for a baby boomer deer hunter. His buck was also one of the top bucks taken that season. Through Peter’s deer hunting seminars or by attending outdoor trade shows, like the Toronto Sportsmen Show and The SWOC Big Buck Show, he has connected with thousands of like minded people that love hunting and fishing. As a volunteer or member of local and national outdoor groups like QDMA, SWOC, Outdoor Writers of Canada, Archery Trade Show Association he continues to learn and hone his craft. Read his many articles, listen to his podcasts and rifle through thousands of photos on Ripple Outdoors. Discover Peter’s latest posts about outdoor gear, destinations, how to articles and interviews and you’ll be a better angler and hunter for the experience.