Time for MI Anglers and Hunters to Step Up

[EdB]

Time for MI Anglers and Hunters to Step Up and Stop the Anti's.

The Citizens for Professional Wildlife is underway with a petition campaign that will stop anti hunting and fishing organizations like HSUS from launching ballot drives to stop hunting and fishing methods like they did with dove hunting in the past and are trying to do with wolf hunting now.

Here is a link to the website and more info on this:

http://www.citizenswildlife.com/

The wolf population has been steadily growing in the UP of MI and has exceeded all population goals for their recovery. Conflict with humans has been increasing and the DNR established the first controlled hunt this year with a very conservative quota for 43 wolves to be taken.

The anti-hunting group HSUS has a petition drive going to place a ballot initiative to stop this hunt forever on the 2014 Nov. election. If it gets on the ballot, they will pour in millions of out of state money to run misleading TV and radio ads that focus on emotion and not scientific wildlife management. Urban voters in SE Michigan will buy into the misinformation and stop the hunt, much like was done with the dove hunt a few years back. The real concern is if they are successful, they will raise even more money from anti-hunters and come back and attack other hunting and fishing activities. Right now they have a campaign going on in Maine to ban the use of lead for fishing. They will probably do something similar here or go after trapping, hound hunting or baiting one by one if they win.

Our initiative will stop these anti-hunting and anti-fishing ballot activities once and for all in MI. Here are the key points of our initiative:

The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act is a citizen-initiated law to:

Ensure that decisions affecting the taking of fish and game are made using principles of sound scientific fish and wildlife management

•Provide for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for active members of the military

•Provide appropriations for fisheries management activities within Michigan necessary for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp

A citizen-initiated law requires over 258,000 valid signatures to present the law to the Michigan Legislature. If the Legislature passes the law without change within 40 days, then it becomes law.

Features of the Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act:

•“Game†means any species of wildlife designated by the Legislature or the Natural Resources Commission as game.

•“Conservation†means the wise use of natural resources.

•The Legislature or bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may designate a wildlife species as game, but Natural Resources Commission orders must be consistent with its duty to use sound science.

•The bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may take testimony from DNR biologists and other experts, and review scientific literature and data to support its duty to use sound science.

•Only the Legislature or Natural Resources Commission may establish the first open season for game.

•Only the Legislature may remove wildlife from the game species list, but the Natural Resources Commission may decline to authorize a hunting season if it conflicts with sound science.

•Declare that the fish and wildlife populations and their habitats are important to the citizens of Michigan.

•Declare that the conservation of fish and wildlife populations depend upon the wise use and sound scientific management of natural resources.

•Allow active duty members of the military may obtain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses free of charge.

•Declare that aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp, represent a significant threat to the state’s fisheries, aquatic resources, outdoor recreation and tourism economies, and public safety.

•The Natural Resources Commission has the exclusive authority to regulate fishing. It must use principles of sound science and may take testimony from DNR personnel, experts and others, and review scientific literature, data and other sources in support of its duty to use sound science.

•Appropriates $1 million to the DNR for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp.

If Asian carp get into MI waters, the appropriation will be important to help the DNR assess and try to contain them. If we are successful, the way MI law is written along this initiative, the anti-hunters and anti-anglers will not be able to use ballot drives and emotional arguments ever again to alter hunting and fishing rules. We need to collect 258000 valid signatures on our petition for this to be successful

To put it another way, if 1 out of 10 hunters or anglers got 4-5 signatures from their family and close friends, we would have enough. The key is to get the word out and petition forms to as many of our fellow sportsman as possible. This is a grass roots initiative of MI citizens. Here is a growing list of the supporters of this, a number of angler groups are involved.

Kirk Gibson - Former Detroit Tiger and current Arizona Diamondbacks Manager

Jimmy Gretzinger - Host of Michigan Out-of-Doors TV

Mike Avery’s Outdoor Magazine

Wild Michigan – Outdoors Radio Show w/ Duran Martinez

Michigan Outdoor News

Haggard’s Plumbing and Heating

State Sen. Tom Casperson (R – Escanaba)

State Rep. Ed McBroom (R – Vulcan)

State Rep. Scott Dianda (D – Calumet)

James A. Lorenson – President of Gogebic Community College – Ironwood, MI

Michigan United Conservation Clubs

U.P. Bear Houndsmen

Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance

Michigan chapters of Safari Club International

Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association

Michigan Hunting Dog Federation

U.P. Whitetails, Inc.

Michigan Bear Hunters Association

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

U.P. Whitetails, Inc. of Marquette County

Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen’s Association

Michigan Bow Hunters Association

Great Lakes Council – Federation of Fly Fishers

Trapperman Trapping and Nuisance Control

Saginaw Field & Stream Conservation Club

Negaunee Rod & Gun Club

Frankenmuth Conservation Club

North Macomb Sportsmen’s Club

North Oakland Sportsmen’s Club

Please sign the petition or better yet, get some petitions and collect some signatures from friends and family and turn them in. You can get petitions from the website I linked in or send me a PM and I'll get some mailed to you.