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MUCC Impacts Huron Manistee Forest Plan Review (with Video)

February 14th, 2012

On September 29, 2010, Kurt Meister, a southeast Michigan attorney won a case against the USDA Forest Service claiming that his right to enjoy public lands in Michigan were being infringed upon by noisy firearms hunters and folks using snowmobiles on designated trail. His solution? Ban guns and snowmobiles on almost 70,000 acres of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs, a non-profit conservation group that has served as Michigan’s most powerful voice for hunters and anglers in Michigan since 1937, blew the whistle on the suit and quickly organized a response fueled by sound science-based management principles and its tens of thousands of members who believe strongly in the rights of Michigan’s citizens to hunt, fish and trap on public lands.

Here’s MUCC’s Executive Director Erin McDonough with her take on how MUCC’s members and conservation partners came together to stop this attack on public land hunters.

Feb. 2nd OD: Hunting Ban? from OD Show on Vimeo.

While the first battle in this war has been won thanks to the efforts of MUCC and its members and partners, it is not yet over. The decision is still subject to appeals and MUCC will be actively monitoring the situation to ensure the final outcome is the best one for Michigan’s sportsmen and women.

A Legislative Fix?

MUCC is also supporting the Congressional bill, H.R. 2834–the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act sponsored by Michigan Congressman Dan Benishek (co-sponsors also include U.S. Reps Huizenga, McCotter, Miller, and Walberg), which would safeguard hunting, fishing and recreational shooting from arbitrary closure on federal lands. This bill is expected on the House floor in March.

A companion bill, S.2066 was just introduced in the U.S. Senate this month, however neither Michigan U.S. Senators have signed on yet as co-sponsors. Please contact U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin and ask them to sign on to this important piece of legislation.

  • Genselthomas

    Many thanks Erin. Keep up the good fight.

  • Russ_robinson2002

    I HAVE A CABIN AND PROPERTY ALONG THE FEDERAL LAND IN QUESTION FOR 47 YEARS I HAVE HUNTED ,WALKED AND ROAD MY ATV ‘S ON THESE AREAS . ENJOY THE WILDLIFE HOPE THINGS NEVER CHANGE ! R.P.ROBINSON > ( MOUNT MONTMORENCY COUNTY. )

  • http://rork.myopenid.com/ rork

    I think McDonough said hunting ban or stop hunting at least 4 times, but that is not accurate. The guy was proposing a gun ban, which I think would still have permitted bows. So she is overstating there.

    I favor getting some more road closures. If I walk in 3/4 of a mile to hunt or fish, I don’t want to be visited by folks with motors, or have land where there are 2-tracks all over the place. The vast majority of the land will still be within 15 min walk of the road. Please stop to consider if pro-hunting (or pro-conservation, if that is even on your map anymore) implies we should be pro-road. I think it doesn’t follow. Are some sportsmen lazy, yes. Are some unable to walk, yes, so they won’t be able to use as much land, but that has always been the case.

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