Senate passes HB 6354, MUCC requests veto

Justin Tomei • September 29, 2022

Mandatory deer reporting will likely remain a misdemeanor following both chambers’ political stunts

On Wednesday, the Michigan Senate followed the House’s lead and chose to score cheap political points and forgo good policy, the best interests of Michigan’s hunters and Michigan’s natural resources.

The Senate passed, on a bipartisan 26-10 vote, an amended version (H-5) of HB 6354 which subverts Natural Resources Commission (NRC) authority and almost guarantees Michigan hunters could continue to face misdemeanor charges for failing to report deer harvests if vetoed by Gov., Gretchen Whitmer.

The bill removes the NRC authority to require reporting of a deer harvest. It also sets a dangerous precedent for subverting NRC authority.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) has sent a letter to Governor Whitmer requesting a veto, that letter can be viewed in its entirety HERE .

While MUCC remains neutral on the implementation of mandatory deer harvest reporting, we will adamantly oppose attempts by the legislature to seize power from the politically-insulated commission process solidified in state law through Proposal G of 1996 . 

MUCC was founded in 1937 under the belief that politics should not play a role in the management of our natural resources. While the commission decision-making process may at times be far from perfect, it provides some level of insulation from political whims and is far superior to allowing wildlife management to occur by popular vote.

The legislature’s amended bill, if vetoed by the governor,  means that non-compliance with mandatory harvest reporting will remain a misdemeanor, which the NRC or DNR have no authority to change; that power rests solely with the legislature.

MUCC sent an email yesterday to senators urging an amendment to restore the original bill language which simply would have decriminalized failure to report a deer harvest, if the language remained unchanged the letter asked for a NO vote on HB 6354. That letter can be viewed HERE .

Recent Posts

The Legacy of Michigan Logging

By Olivia Triltsch • April 24, 2025
Historically, Michigan experienced a lumber era in which the state was a leading producer for 50 years starting in 1860.

MUCC celebrates a successful Clinton River Cleanup

By Katelyn Helsel • April 23, 2025
Rochester Hills, MI — On the Ground, MUCC’s volunteer stewardship program, celebrated its 250th habitat improvement project in Oakland County this past weekend. In partnership with Metro-West Steelheaders and the Clinton River Watershed Council , 62 volunteers removed more than 460 pounds of trash from the Clinton River watershed and surrounding areas, restoring more than 80 acres of fish and wildlife habitat. Volunteers focused on picking up trash and other debris in the river near Yates Park and along various walking trails near the Yates Cider Mill. Many different items were collected, including a couple of tires, fishing line, old cans, a sign, and even a car bumper. “We definitely wanted to clean up as much trash as possible because that's going to help the watershed as a whole, and it’s going to clean up the river for both humans aesthetically, and also the animals that live in it, and create safer drinking water” said Olivia Triltsch, MUCC’s Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator.

Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies, Oh My!

By Olivia Triltsch • April 17, 2025
In addition to their impact on water quality, these three orders of insects are an important part of the diet of game fish, making anglers, especially fly fishermen, interested in the conservation of these small animals.
More Posts