MUCC Supported House Bill 5737 Passes Senate, Providing Hunting Opportunities for Individuals with Special Needs 

Justin Tomei • June 27, 2024

Lansing, MI – On Wednesday, the Michigan Senate passed Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) supported House Bill 5737 on a 38-0 vote following its unanimous passage in the House of Representatives. The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to enable minor and adult individuals with certain disabilities to hunt in the presence of a mentor.  

The legislation adapts the successful Mentored Youth Hunting Program to a broader Mentored Hunting Program to provide supervised hunting opportunities for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities that prevent the individual from completing a hunter’s safety course.  

Under current law, the Mentored Youth Hunting Program allows individuals under the age of 10 to hunt with a guardian or authorized individual of at least 21 who holds a valid hunting license, excluding apprentice licenses. At that point, a hunter can hunt on an apprentice license for two years before state law mandates they take hunters’ safety allowing them to purchase a standard hunting license.  

The legislation allows the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to distribute mentored hunting licenses to minors and adults with special needs, allowing them to hunt under the conditions specified in the Mentored Hunting Program.  

This legislation will not affect a large number of Michigan’s hunters but will mean the world to those that it does, said Justin Tomei, MUCC’s Policy and Government Affairs Manager.  

“Often, we work on regulations or laws affecting hundreds of thousands of Michigan’s hunters, anglers, and trappers. This legislation is vastly different in terms of scope,” said Tomei. “To those hunters who will soon be able to pursue their outdoor dreams, and to their families, this legislation means everything.”  

The legislation now heads to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her signature. Once signed, the DNR can begin implementation and the program should be in place before the 2024 deer season.  

About MUCC: Michigan United Conservation Club is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Founded in 1937, our mission is to unite citizens to conserve, protect, and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.  

Justin Tomei    

Policy & Government Affairs Manager   

jtomei@mucc.org  

###  

Recent Posts

On the Ground: Clean Up at Yates Park

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.

OTG Volunteers Needed in Crawford County Tree Plantings

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.

White Oaks vs Red Oaks: Why Does It Matter?

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