State of Michigan DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lansing
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor		REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER:	House Bill 5031, AS INTRODUCED
TOPIC:	Designate deer hunting season for certain disabled veterans
SPONSOR:	Representative Richard LeBlanc
CO-SPONSORS:	Representative Michael Sak
COMMITTEE:	Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Analysis Done:	October 16, 2007

POSITION

The Department of Natural Resources (Department) supports the concept, however, opposes House Bill 5031 as written.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Deer hunting in Michigan is a popular sport, with over 734,000 individuals purchasing a deer hunting license in 2006. Crowded hunting conditions exist during the regular firearm deer season in many publicly-owned areas of the state, which adds to the difficulty of the hunt for disabled persons. The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) previously established a deer hunting season on private lands exclusively for disabled persons on private lands during the third weekend in October with a standing vehicle permit. This provides disabled hunters an opportunity to deer hunt without the crowded conditions. In 2006, the NRC expanded this hunt to include public land requiring an access permit, which allowed the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to facilitate a special hunt on Fort Custer Military lands on this designated weekend in 2007.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

This bill would expand the youth firearm deer season to include totally disabled veterans, as defined by the United States Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

The bill would increase recreational deer hunting opportunities by providing disabled veterans the option of a firearm deer hunt outside the normal firearm deer hunting season. The Department supports increasing recreational opportunities where the resource is not negatively impacted.

Con

The NRC has the authority under Part 401 of PA 451 of 1994 to address the needed changes through an amendment to the Wildlife Conservation Order.

The bill proposes to amend Part 435 of PA 451 of 1994 which deals with hunting and fishing licenses for the purpose of creating a special season.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

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

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

Potential increased license sales would be minimal.

Comments:

None

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

NA

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Proposed deer regulation changes are typically addressed by the NRC during the months of March through July. The Wildlife Division is in the process of drafting a proposed change to the Wildlife Conservation Order (WCO) to authorize the inclusion of certain disabled veterans in the established Special Disabled Firearm Hunt creating the desired additional opportunities for disabled veterans. The proposed change to the WCO will be included with other proposed deer regulation changes presented to the NRC for 2008.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

None

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

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Date

WLD/LED