May 2025 NRC Preview

Justin Tomei • May 6, 2025

May 2025 NRC Preview

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will act on fall turkey regulations, small game regulations, and deer regulations at Thursday’s meeting.  


The meeting takes place at Lansing Community College West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Dr. Lansing, MI, beginning at 9:30 a.m. 

There are no new orders for the director or the NRC to consider.  


The commission, at the April meeting, chose to table an order re-opening coyote season, ignoring their legal charge and responsibility under Proposal G. The order could be brought back up for action and voted on this week. The order has no timetable for action and can remain on the table indefinitely.

  

In response to the commission's failure to act, MUCC launched the Coyote Coalition, a petition of Michigan hunters, landowners, and citizens, who believe the commission is failing its constituents with its inaction and not following their legal charge. Sign the petition today to have your name included when we present it to the commission Thursday. 


Up for action is Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment #6 Small Game Regulations, Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment #7 Fall Turkey Regulations, and Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment #8 Deer Regulations. 


There are three amendments to orders that will be up for action, but at the time of writing the text was not provided. One is likely the amendment requested by Commissioner Walters to open archery opportunities for antlerless deer in the high snowfall zone of the UP. 


MUCC reviews all land transactions exceeding 80 acres, of which there are two.  


Land Transaction Case #20240130 is an exchange of 80 acres, this exchange consolidates state ownership in a deer wintering complex.  


Land Transaction Case #20240213 is an exchange of 160 acres of state-owned land under a conservation easement, for 139.5 acres of private land that offers better Pigeon River access and the same amount of river frontage. 


MUCC will be streaming the meeting on our Facebook and YouTube 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

On the Ground: Brush Piles and Invasive Species at Denmark Township Mini State Game Area

By Olivia Triltsch • May 21, 2026
On Friday, May 15, 2026, high school students who are part of the Reese High Outdoors Club joined MUCC’s On the Ground Junior program and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Denmark Township Mini State Game Area. Students completed a wildlife habitat improvement project by clearing a grassland habitat of invasive woody growth maintained for pheasants. Using the cut vegetation from the area, students constructed several large brush piles throughout the site to benefit small mammals and other wildlife in the area. Maintaining open grassland habitat is important for supporting species that rely on early successional cover for cover or feeding. Due to suppression of natural disturbances, active management helps to control woody vegetation from gradually overtaking the areas and reducing habitat quality for species that rely on the grassland. The project area is near fields planted by the DNR to provide both habitat and food sources for wildlife, making these improvements part of a larger habitat management effort on the property. In total, students directly improved 10 acres of wildlife habitat through this project. Beyond the on-the-ground impact, the event also allowed students to try a hands-on conservation experience and the ability to contribute to habitat management and public land stewardship in Michigan. Projects like this continue to demonstrate the value of engaging the next generation in Michigan's outdoor heritage and wildlife conservation efforts.

On the Ground: Jack Pine Planting Day 2026

By Olivia Triltsch • May 7, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a group of dedicated volunteers joined Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, Huron Pines, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and MUCC's OTG program in planting approximately 4,800 jack pine saplings within the Grayling Forest Management Unit in Crawford County. Jack pines are a critical nesting habitat feature for the once-threatened Kirtland’s warbler. In total, volunteers directly impacted about 7 acres of land were prepared by the Michigan DNR for this planting to allow volunteers to maximize their efforts across the land. This is one of our annual events that is perfect for helpers of all ages and interests.

MUCC Announces Dissolution After Nearly 90 Years of Conservation Advocacy

May 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its decision to dissolve after nearly 90 years of conservation advocacy, citing ongoing financial challenges and outlining next steps in an orderly wind-down process.
More Posts