Bipartisan event fosters understanding and commitment to Michigan’s sportsmen and women

lschultz • May 30, 2019

Michigan legislators and members of the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen Caucus gathered at the Capital Area Sportsmen’s League for a night of outdoor activities and wild game feasting on May 21.

The Afternoon Outdoors & Wild Game dinner was a huge success, bringing in 16 legislators representing all different areas of the state and both major political parties.

Hunting and fishing has an economic impact of $11.2 billion dollars according to a study commissioned by Michigan United Conservation Clubs. This event provided an opportunity for legislators to see the importance of the industry and why the outdoor heritage in Michigan and across the country needs to be conserved and protected.

Rep. Leslie Love (D-Detroit) takes aim at a clay pigeon

Rep. Leslie Love (D-Detroit), a co-chair of the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, is rather new to the world of sportsmen and women.

“As co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, I have taken the opportunity to sample the many outdoor activities sportsmen and women enjoy in Michigan — from shooting to fishing,” Rep. Love said. “The recent dinner in Lansing offered a wide variety of outdoor activities. Michigan ranks first among the Great Lakes states for jobs created from hunting and fishing activity-related purchases, and it’s an important economic sector.”

After the outdoor festivities, there was a wild game dinner featuring elk loin, duck and pheasant stir-fry, venison meatloaf, mashed potatoes with squirrel gravy, and wild mushroom and rabbit rice. The Michigan Wildlife Council gave a presentation explaining the importance of connecting with non-hunters and the perception of hunting and angling among Michiganders.

Carol Rose, a member of the Michigan Wildlife Council, speaks about building bridges between consumptive and non-consumptive users.

The event was put on by the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council, made up of sportsmen and women organizations across the state.

Amy Trotter, executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs, said working both sides of the aisle to achieve conservation victories is vital to conservation now and in the future.

“This event shows that protection of our natural resources is not a partisan effort. Today, we had members from both sides of the aisle side by side shooting sporting clays and eating game and fish,” Trotter said. “Having a hands-on opportunity for our legislators to experience the outdoors is vital to us. They have a tangible experience to walk away with and an understanding of what we do as conservation organizations.”

Organizations represented at the event included National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Ducks Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association, Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association and Trout Unlimited.

Recent Posts

New Partnership: Certified Wildlife Habitat with National Wildlife Federation

By Olivia Triltsch • October 23, 2025
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to bring the Certified Wildlife Habitat ™ program to communities across Michigan. This collaboration connects MUCC’s long-standing commitment to conservation with NWF’s national effort to create, restore, and certify habitats that provide food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Together, the organizations aim to inspire individuals, schools, and communities to take action in their own backyards to support native species. Through this initiative, MUCC will help expand awareness of the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, integrate it into its volunteer network, and provide resources to landowners interested in enhancing habitat on their property. One of the greatest benefits for volunteers comes from the knowledge gained in understanding wildlife habitat enhancement, allowing for the application to private land habitat enhancement. In addition to this, much of the work we do for habitat can apply to a variety of species, from rabbits to wood ducks, even birds of prey. The partnership will also promote community engagement opportunities through educational events, workshops, and collaborative restoration projects. In coordination with efforts like the certified wildlife habitat, MUCC hopes to expand conservation efforts across Michigan. Our award-winning, statewide volunteer habitat program, On the Ground (OTG), works to conserve, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat. In 2025 alone, OTG worked with 739 volunteers across 27 habitat projects, from invasive species removal to river clean-ups. Through the hard work contributing over 2,900 volunteer hours, habitat stewards were able to improve 423 acres of land for wildlife conservation in Michigan. Although OTG projects are not active year-round, we encourage Michigan residents to continue land stewardship on both public and private lands. To qualify for certification through the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, a property must include: Three natural food sources One water source Two places for shelter Two places to raise young Two sustainable practices To determine if your habitat qualifies, visit the NWF website and take the habitat quiz or download the checklist. If your habitat needs native plants, check out Garden for Wildlife to find species native to your area. The $25 application fee includes a personalized paper certificate, a 1-year NWF membership, and the option to purchase lawn plaques and garden flags. Habitats located on school grounds do not have a fee to get certified, so check to see what you might need to qualify today. If you are interested in joining our On the Ground program for the 2026 season, stay connected through our Facebook , Instagram , and OTG webpage for upcoming events.

On the Ground Junior: Fall Event Recap

By Olivia Triltsch • October 16, 2025
In 2025, the On the Ground program conducted 8 junior projects with schools involving 316 students from across the state. From tree plantings to invasive species removal, these students worked to enhance 39.3 acres of public land after contributing over 200 volunteer hours. Visit our website to learn more information about our On the Ground program and On the Ground Junior . To wrap up the 2025 field season, the On the Ground program worked with two classrooms to enhance wildlife habitat and recreational access. Junior programs like these allow teachers to get their students out of the classroom and into hands-on learning about the importance of habitat work while meeting individuals in the field.

October NRC Recap

By Justin Tomei • October 9, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today, Thursday, October 9th for their October meeting. The commission reaffirmed its intent to allow for lethal year-round coyote management on public and private land via a unanimously passed resolution before passing fisheries orders, and tabling more for consideration in November. The commission passed Fisheries Orders 210.26 , and 254.25 before tabling 206.26, 219.26 , and 253.26 . Commissioner John Walters provided an amendment to the fisheries order to expand underwater spearfishing opportunities to most of the Great Lakes, allowing for some spatial closures for the protection of particularly sensitive areas. The commission took steps to make good on their promise to allow year-round coyote management, unanimously passing a resolution more clearly stating their intent and what the pending wildlife conservation order will look like. The next meeting is Thursday November 6 in Lansing.
More Posts