Indiana- Public hearing Oct. 4 on proposed rule changes for deer and wild turkey hunting

The Natural Resources Commission will conduct a public hearing Oct. 4 in Plainfield on whether to permanently approve a rule package that includes allowing hunters to check-in deer and wild turkeys electronically. 

The electronic harvest reporting system, also called CheckIN Game, allows hunters to check in a deer or wild turkey using a computer or other Internet-capable device, or by telephone, and receive a unique confirmation number.

Hunters still have the option of checking in a deer or turkey at a check station.

CheckIN Game has been in effect by temporary rule since the spring 2012 wild turkey season, after the NRC gave the rule preliminary adoption.

With this proposed change, commercial deer processors will need to record the electronic harvest confirmation number on the record instead of the official metal tag number that is given by a check station, and register with the DNR prior to March 1 of each year.

Additional changes in the rule package:
– Removing the handgun license requirement to comply with state law in IC 35-47 because state law no longer requires an individual to have a handgun license while hunting lawfully.
– A provision to allow a person who buys a deer license bundle to also have the option of using it to take three antlerless deer.
– Clarifying the ending date for the fall wild turkey firearm season.
– Allowing an individual to call wild turkeys for another individual as long as the person calling for turkeys is properly licensed.

The proposed rule language can be viewed at: IN.gov/legislative/iac/20120822-IR-312120115PRA.xml.pdf

The public hearing will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library, 1120 Stafford Road in Plainfield. 
Comments can also be submitted online to the NRC at: nrc.IN.gov/2377.htm. Click on "Comment on Proposed Rule" next to the “Deer & Turkey Electronic Harvest Reporting.”  The deadline for submitting comments is Oct. 4.

Comments can also be mailed to:
 Natural Resources Commission
 Indiana Government Center North
 100 North Senate Ave., Room N501
 Indianapolis, IN 46204
All comments sent to the NRC regarding this rule package will be provided to commission members and DNR staff and will be publicly disclosed and searchable on the Internet and in a paper docket as part of the final report.

The NRC is expected to vote on final adoption of the rule package at its Nov. 20 meeting.

For more information: Linnea Petercheff, Division of Fish & Wildlife, (317) 233-6527.

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Michigan: Local organization to host meeting on proposed deer antler point restrictions June 21 in Custer

The northwest Michigan chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association, in partnership with Leelanau Whitetails, has proposed new antler point restrictions (APR) for the following 12 counties: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford.
This proposal seeks to require that all antlered deer harvested in the area have at least three antler points on one side. The statewide requirement that hunters taking two bucks must ensure at least one of those bucks has four or more antler points on one side would remain in place. The proposed regulations would be consistent with the current restriction in Deer Management Unit (DMU) 045, which is Leelanau County. The restriction will be considered for implementation starting with the 2013 deer season. Antlerless deer regulations within the proposed area would continue to be determined by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR supports the voluntary implementation of APR on private land. Under guidelines adopted by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), mandatory regulations proposed by sponsoring organizations will only be implemented where a clear majority of 66-percent support among hunters in the proposed area is documented. Support will be determined by a DNR survey mailed to a sample of hunters who indicated on the 2011 DNR deer harvest survey that they hunted deer in one of the 12 counties. Surveys will be mailed starting in August.
"The northwest Michigan chapter of the QDMA proposal is our first since the moratorium has been lifted," said DNR deer biologist Ashley Hippler. "We are looking forward to seeing how the majority of northwestern Michigan deer hunters feel about antler point restrictions."

The northwest Michigan chapter of the QDMA will host local meetings to answer questions and provide explanation. The next meeting is scheduled for June 21 at 7 p.m. at the Mason County Eastern Middle and High School in Custer. Meetings have already been held in Benzie, Kalkaska, Manistee and Wexford counties. Landowners in any of the 12 proposed counties who would like to offer input on the proposal may email comments to DNR-wildlife@michigan.gov.

The final meeting is scheduled for July 28 at 4 p.m. at the Petoskey High School.

Payment by the northwest Michigan chapter of the QDMA will offset survey costs incurred by this proposal.
The NRC had placed a moratorium on accepting APR proposals in 2006, to allow the DNR to assess experiences with initial guidelines implemented in 1999. The NRC assembled a stakeholder workgroup late in 2010 to provide recommendations regarding revisions to the process. The DNR is now evaluating proposals based on recommendations from this workgroup and other modifications to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The NRC retains full authority over decisions to implement APR and other harvest regulations, but the proposal review process provides valuable information to inform those decisions.

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• Michigan's NRC expands deer hunting territory for the fall

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Michigan's NRC expands deer hunting territory for the fall

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hunters will have a little more territory to hunt for antlerless deer this fall as the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) opened a few more deer management units (DMUs) in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula at its regular monthly meeting Thursday in Lansing.

Newly opened DMUs reflect increased deer populations in those areas, explained Department of Natural Resources (DNR) deer and elk program leader Brent Rudolph. The DNR will seek low quotas for the newly opened DMUs, Rudolph said.

A total of 72 DMUs will be open to antlerless deer hunting on public land, and 86 DMUs – plus the two multi-county DMUs in the Lower Peninsula (DMUs 486 and 487) -- will be open on private land. A complete list of open DMUs and their quotas will be published shortly in the 2012 Antlerless Deer Hunting Digest.

Antlerless deer license applications go on sale July 15 at all license agents and online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.

In addition, the NRC voted to restrict hunters in DMUs 486 and 487 to a maximum of 10 private land antlerless licenses this season, a decrease from five per day in 2011.

Special statewide hunts for youth and 100 percent disabled veterans will be held Sept. 22-23. The early antlerless season on private land in portions of the Lower Peninsula is being reduced from five days to two, also Sept. 22-23.

“There have been increasing concerns from some members of the hunting public that the recent expansion of September hunting is causing deer to be more wary during the traditional seasons,” Rudolph said. “By reducing and consolidating the September seasons, we’re addressing those concerns while maintaining opportunities for youth and disabled hunters throughout the state and for early harvest of antlerless deer on private land where it is most needed.”

In addition, the NRC changed conditions on special crop-damage permits in accordance with recent legislation. Public Act 65 of 2012 allows up to 15 authorized shooters on Deer Damage Shooting Permits. In the past, special authorization was required to allow more than three shooters to be designated per permit.

In other action, the NRC reaffirmed that naturally shed deer and elk antlers may be legally collected, possessed and sold.

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NRC extends 'one-buck rule' for deer hunting

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission on Tuesday approved an indefinite extension of what’s commonly referred to as the “one-buck rule” for deer hunting.
The decision to extend the rule removes the expiration date on a 10-year-old regulation that limits a hunter to taking no more than one antlered deer during the regular archery, firearms and muzzleloader hunting seasons.
The “one-buck rule” was first applied in 2002 for a five-year period. The Commission approved an extension in 2007 with an expiration date of Sept. 1, 2012.
This year, the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife proposed extending the rule indefinitely, stating that limiting deer hunters to only one buck per year is not needed to manage the deer herd. The DNR considers it a social issue, not a biological issue.
In other actions, the NRC:

–Approved the permanent appointment of three assistant property managers: Mike Miller at Ouabache State Park; Matt Wronowicz at Brookville Lake-Whitewater Memorial State Park Complex; and Lynda Ellington at Shakamak State Park.

–Granted nature preserve status to three properties: Elliott Woods in Vigo County; Section Six Flatwoods Addition in Posey County; and Glacial Esker at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Noble County.

–Authorized the Division of State Parks & Reservoirs and State Park Inns to conduct negotiations with a potential vendor for a restaurant and other operations at the Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion.

The Commission gave final approval to the following:

–Amendments that govern aquatic vegetation control permits (312 IAC 9-10-3).

–Amendments that govern entomology and plant pathology (312 IAC 18).

The Commission gave preliminary approval to:

–Amendments to fish and wildlife rules that include clarifying requirements for chasing wild animals with dogs during the hunting season, removing restrictions and handgun license requirements when chasing raccoons, adding the late season for taking lesser snow geese and Ross’s geese, adding the monk parakeet as an exempted species of bird that can be taken at any time, adding the use of bowfishing equipment and crossbows for taking Asian carp and other specified fish on rivers and streams, adding the rayed bean as an endangered species of mussel, and removing application deadlines and other changes to the special disability permit for hunters.

–Amendments to Indiana Administrative Code 312 IAC 9 governing commercial fishing, fishing guide licenses, and establishment of the new roe harvesters and dealers licenses.

–A rule to provide administrative review of testing results and continuing education credits required of individuals obtaining certain permits administered by the DNR.

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Local organization proposes antler point restrictions in northwest Michigan

The Northwest Michigan chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), in partnership with Leelanau Whitetails, has proposed new antler point restrictions (APR) for deer hunting in the following 12 counties: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Missaukee, Mason, Osceola, and Wexford.
This proposal seeks to require that all antlered deer (bucks) harvested in the 12-county area must have at least three antler points on one side. Current regulations allow hunters to take bucks that have at least one antler that is three inches long or longer. The proposal would continue the current statewide requirement that hunters taking two bucks must ensure at least one of those bucks has four or more antler points on one side. The proposed regulation would be consistent with the current regulation in Deer Management Unit (DMU) 045, which is Leelanau County. The restriction will be considered by the Natural Resources Commission for implementation starting with the 2013 deer season. Antlerless deer regulations within the proposed area would continue to be determined by the Natural Resources Commission based on recommendations by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division staff.
Under guidelines adopted by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), mandatory regulations proposed by sponsoring organizations will only be implemented where a clear majority of 66 percent support among hunters in the proposed area is documented. Support will be determined by a survey mailed to a sample of hunters who indicated on the 2011 DNR deer harvest survey that they hunted deer in one of the 12 counties. Surveys will be mailed starting in August.
"This proposal is the first to reach this stage since the moratorium has been lifted," stated DNR deer biologist Ashley Hippler, "We are looking forward to seeing how the majority of northwestern Michigan deer hunters feel about antler point restrictions."
The Northwest Michigan Chapter of the QDMA will be hosting meetings in each county to provide information, answer questions and explain their reasons for making the proposal. The first meeting is scheduled for April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Benzie Central High School.
Additional meetings will be announced as they are scheduled.
The Northwest Michigan Chapter of the QDMA will provide payment to offset the cost of doing the hunter opinion survey.
The NRC had placed a moratorium on accepting APR proposals in 2006, to allow the DNR to assess experiences with initial guidelines which were implemented in 1999. The NRC assembled a stakeholder workgroup late in 2010 to provide recommendations regarding revisions to the process. The DNR is now evaluating proposals based on the recommendations from that workgroup. The NRC is the body that has authority over decisions to implement APR and other harvest regulations. The proposal review process provides valuable information to inform those decisions.

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Michigan: NRC Approves Mentored Youth Hunting Program for 2012

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has approved a new program aimed at introducing children under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing. The Mentored Youth Hunting program will start with the 2012 season, with licenses on sale starting March 1.

"The Department is fully supportive of this new program that will help introduce children to the sport of hunting, ensuring that we successfully pass along Michigan's rich outdoor traditions," said Rodney Stokes, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "We wish to thank our many conservation partners who helped develop this program with the NRC, providing a new opportunity for us to interest Michigan's youth in hunting and fishing."

The $7.50 Mentored Youth Hunting license will be a "package" license that includes small game, spring and fall turkey (private or public land), two deer tags (any deer), a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license. An adult mentor must be at least 21 years old, have previous hunting experience and possess a valid Michigan hunting license. Another provision of the law allows 10-year-olds to hunt big game on private land with a firearm, which was implemented starting with the 2011 deer season.

The regulations approved by the NRC for the Mentored Youth Hunting program include:
No limit on the number of youth a mentor can have with him or her in the field, leaving it at the discretion of the mentor.
A limit of two hunting devices ? bow, crossbow or firearm ? per mentor.
The youth in possession of a hunting device and engaged in the act of hunting must be within arm's length of the mentor.
The mentor shall ensure that the hunting device is sized appropriately to fit the physical abilities of the youth to ensure safe and responsible handling.
The mentor will be held responsible for the youth's actions.
The issued deer tags under the Mentored Youth Hunting license can be used for either sex (antlered or antlerless), are not subject to antler point restriction regulations in certain parts of the state and can only be used on private land, consistent with current state law.



Voluntary mentor guidelines have been developed by the DNR, and are available atwww.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting, along with other information about the program.

A workgroup consisting of representatives of several conservation organizations, including three youth representatives, developed recommendations for the regulations, which were adopted by the NRC. Organizations serving on the workgroup included the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Michigan Hunter Safety Education Instructor Association.

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