April 2025 NRC Recap

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) tabled a vital order that would have corrected the commissions grievous 2024 error at today’s April meeting at Lansing Community College West Campus this morning. 

Up for action was Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment #4 of 2025 (WCO), to reopen the illegally partially closed coyote season to a year-round season. The commissioners voted to table this order in a 6-0 vote. Ultimately the commission chose to table the amendment reopening Michigan’s coyote season, leaving conservationists across the state in limbo for the foreseeable future. 

MUCC has advocated for the application of sound scientific management to Michigan’s coyote population since this order was first introduced in early 2024. The organization believes the commission violated their legal charge and responsibility by failing to make their decision based in science. 

The decision in 2024 was based on social assumptions and unsubstantiated political threats from a tiny minority of hunters and anti-hunting zealots. 

Justin Tomei, MUCC’s Policy and Government Affairs Manager said now Michigan’s coyote hunters remain in limbo and face another spring with no good options to hunt. 

“Another season will be lost due to the commission's inaction, but this was about much more than three months of coyote hunting,” said Tomei. “This is about sound scientific management, and the commission failing their legal charge and conservation responsibility to follow science in their decision making, not the emotional pleas of a small group of anti-hunting zealots or the assumptions of an overwhelmingly tiny minority of hunters.” 

For information were WCO Amendment #6 of 2025, which reviews small game regulations for the five-year cycle of 2025-2029. 

WCO #7 of 2025, reviewing fall turkey regulations for the 3 year cycle of 2025-2027. 

Lastly WCO #8 of 2025, reviewing the deer regulations for the 3 year cycle of 2026-2028, while additionally reviewing recommendations from the UP and LP Deer Advisory Teams (DAT). 

Commissioner Walters requested an amendment to the order to create archery opportunity in the northern snowfall zone per the UP DAT recommendations. This amendment will be eligible for action at the May meeting. 

Commissioner Walters also requested an amendment to create statewide APR’s, however the amendment could not meet statutory scrutiny, and is ineligible for action before certain regulatory deadlines.

For more information on all the orders visit our NRC Preview HERE. 

Up for action was WCO #3 of 2025, setting the regulations for the 2025-2026 migratory game bird hunting seasons and managed waterfowl area regulations. The commission passed this order in a vote of 6-0. 



The last order up for action was WCO #5 of 2025, allowing an additional two dogs on leash while bear hunting, once a bear is treed for the purposes of training. The amendment failed on a 3-3 vote. 

The next meeting is Thursday, May 8, in Lansing.  

To ensure our natural resources remain protected and managed thoughtfully and our outdoor heritage defended, join Michigan United Conservation Clubs today: http://bit.ly/JoinMUCC.