December NRC Preview

Policy Intern • December 7, 2023

Deer season updates will be outlined by deer, elk and moose management specialist Chad Stewart at the upcoming December Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Meeting.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 9:30 am at Lansing Community College. 

Andrew Briggs of the Fisheries Division will kick off the meeting with the committee’s Lake Sturgeon Management Plan. Following this presentation, Stewart will lead a discussion on deer in front of the Wildlife Committee. 

The Thomas L. Washington Award for Lifetime Commitment to Conservation will be presented to Don Inman.

The director’s report will have a presentation led by Terry McFadden of Land Use Order of the Director Amendment No. 1 of 2024. Following this presentation, Stewart will address commissioners with more deer season information.

Land Use Order of the Director Amendment No. 1 of 2024 aims to address safety concerns at the Port Huron State Game Area (SGA) by closing the SGA to target shooting. The department is asking for a closure of target shooting at this SGA due to continued non-compliance with posted rules and to allow law enforcement to take enforcement action.

There are also two land transactions up for information. Land Transaction Case #20230173 involves the acquisition of 347.60 acres of land by the Wildlife Division to establish a new state game area on the Paw Paw River. The other land transaction falls short of the 80-acre minimum threshold that triggers an MUCC review.

Land Use Orders of the Director No. 5, 6, and 7 are up for action this month after review in November. For more information on these orders, visit our November  NRC Preview.

MUCC will be streaming the meeting on our Facebook page as technology allows.  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 .

Recent Posts

By Olivia Triltsch April 23, 2026
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, MUCC’s OTG program partnered with the Clinton River Watershed Council and Metro-West Steelheaders to host the annual Clinton River clean-up at Yates Park. Volunteers removed about 270 pounds of trash from the riverbanks and the surrounding watershed. Approximately 80.3 acres of fish and wildlife habitat were directly impacted by this project, in addition to improving local outdoor recreational opportunities. Cleaning up the watershed is critical for ensuring safe drinking water, safe recreation, and a clean habitat for fish and wildlife alike.
By Olivia Triltsch April 16, 2026
MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) will be in the northern lower peninsula in late spring to improve habitat for wildlife. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, April 25th, from 8 AM to 12 PM and Saturday, May 3rd, from 9 AM to 2 PM to plant trees across Crawford County. These projects will take place rain or shine, except in the event of severe weather, so please dress accordingly. All registered volunteers will receive lunch and a free appreciation gift for their efforts.
By Olivia Triltsch April 9, 2026
Oaks are a critical tree species for wildlife in Michigan as they provide food, cover, and long-term habitat in forests, field edges, and public lands. Both red oaks and white oaks are native to Michigan, but there are differences in management between the species, making an impact on conservation and hunting success. The growth patterns are important to understand when planning for land management due to variation in growth, acorn production (mast), and wildlife use.
More Posts