Wildlife management of all species should be based on peer-reviewed science that ensures a healthy balance in population, alleviates property damage, and reduces the risk of disease transmission.
We support:
- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) being the lead agency to advocate Michigan’s authority to manage federally protected species.
- Michigan Farm Bureau working with DNR, and other stakeholders, to ensure effective management and ecological balance that minimizes conflict.
- Hunting and trapping as the primary tool to manage population for all species. Hunting regulations should provide the maximum opportunities to harvest game species. This includes, but is not limited to, reduced cost or no cost licenses as well as creating, revising, or extending hunting seasons.
- Programs, regulations, and methods that lead to increased harvest and help control wildlife species as well as reduction of agricultural damage.
- Decisions on baiting and feeding should be based on science with consideration given to impacts on harvest as well as ongoing disease threats. Therefore, we support baiting to increase harvest and oppose feeding outside of hunting season to limit disease transmission.
- Agency culling.
- Financial incentives for managing wildlife species, which includes but is not limited to, sale of game meat.
- Farmers having the ability to effectively manage wildlife species that are causing damage or putting their agricultural operation at risk. Lethal authority should be given in a timely manner, provide greatest flexibility and at low or no cost.
- Increased access to processing as well as streamlined ability to donate game meat with options for free replacement license.
- Implementation of local tools and ideas in the management of wildlife issues.
- The consideration of a task force or advisory committee made up of stakeholders and landowners focused on wildlife management.
We oppose programs or regulations that have a negative impact on agriculture, which includes, but is not limited to, antler point restrictions.