DNR Letterhead

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER:	House Bill 4016, AS INTRODUCED
TOPIC:	Revise opening day for firearm deer season to second Saturday in November
SPONSOR:	Representative Rick Shaffer
CO-SPONSORS:	None
COMMITTEE:	Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Analysis Done:	February 14, 2007

POSITION

The Department of Natural Resources opposes House Bill 4016.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Annually, some firearm deer hunters express an opinion that the firearm deer season should always open on a Saturday, instead of the traditional opener on November 15. The main argument for this change is that a Saturday opener will increase participation in the season opener. Some individuals are not able to take off work during the week.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

House Bill 4016 would establish the firearm deer season as a yearly occurrence. In addition, this bill would change the opening day of the firearm season from November 15 to the second Saturday in November.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

A number of reasons have been cited for changing the firearm deer season to always open on a Saturday: a) reducing absenteeism in schools, b) reducing absenteeism in factories, c) potentially increasing deer harvest, d) increasing spending in northern Michigan communities and, e) increasing young hunters.

Con

If HB 4016 is enacted, opening day could be as early as November 8, or as late as November 14, ensuring that opening day would always be earlier than November 15. November 15 was selected as opening day to follow the peak of the rut (breeding

season for deer). Moving opening day up to seven days earlier could disrupt the rut by removing a large percentage of the breeding bucks prior to the rut.

HB 4016 is contrary to Public Act 451 Section 324.4017 (b) which grants the authority to the Natural Resources Commission to "…establish open seasons for the taking or possessing game" and to Section 324.4017 (h) which grants the authority to the Natural Resources Commission to "…establish geographic areas within the state where certain regulations may apply to the taking of animals."

Mandating the deer season to always open on a Saturday ensures that those hunters who work on Saturday will always have a work/opening day conflict.

Department of Natural Resources opinion surveys in 1982 and 1999 asked hunters their opinion on changing the firearm season opening day from November 15 to a Saturday. On those surveys, 66% (1982) and 59% (1999) of the respondents preferred November 15 as the opener. A Saturday opener was preferred by 27% in the 1999 survey. In April 2007, the results of a new opinion survey, including opening day preferences, will be available.

Enacting HB 4016 would also result in years when the firearm deer season opens on November 8 or 9, and the Thanksgiving holiday would not be included in a 16-day season.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary: NA

Revenue: Unknown

Comments:

(b) State

Budgetary: NA

Revenue: Unknown

Comments:

(c) Local Government

Comments:

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None known

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

In 1965, 1966, and 1967, the opening day of the firearm deer season was established as a Saturday in November statewide, following 36 years of a November 15 opener. Complaints from firearm deer hunters compelled the Department to change the opener back to November 15, for the 1968 and subsequent, firearm deer seasons.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

N/A

_____________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

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Date

WLD/LED