Efforts led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) over the last two years in Michigan have put the state’s ability to properly manage its natural resources at risk. Thankfully, those from Michigan’s sportsmen’s community and the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus have joined forces to combat HSUS’s objective of stripping the Natural Resource Commission’s (NRC) authority to manage wildlife based on scientific principles. These sportsmen efforts translated into nearly 300,000 certified signatures in support of enacting the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (SFWCA). This citizen-initiated law will safeguard the NRC’s authority to manage Michigan’s fish and wildlife using the best available science.
On August 13, the Michigan Senate demonstrated its commitment to conservation by voting in favor of the SFWCA. The decision now goes to the House of Representatives, whose approval would codify the SFWCA without the need for the governor’s signature. Lack of approval would send the SFWCA to the November ballot for popular vote where the emotionally charged and ill-informed campaigns of HSUS could sway voters from making the best decision for Michigan’s wildlife resources.
It is imperative that representatives hear from constituents who support professional fish and wildlife management and are encouraged to vote in favor of the SFWCA on August 27. Opponents will be working hard to sway legislators, so it is up to the sportsmen’s community to surpass their efforts in these final two days. At nearly two million strong, the voices of Michigan’s hunters and anglers cannot be ignored.
Please contact members of the Michigan House of Representatives today and urge them to support the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act!
Look up your Michigan House member here.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
