Thumb-area APRs fall short, NRC takes aim at deer regulations in May

lschultz • May 1, 2019

Chronic wasting disease regulations and U.P. antlerless deer license quotas are up for information, with fall turkey regulations up for action at the May Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting.

The meeting will take place at Lansing Community College at Gannon Bldg., 422 N. Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933. If you are unable to attend but would like to watch, check out the MUCC Facebook page ! A full agenda for the day can be found here .

The day will kick off at 9 a.m. with the NRC Marketing, Partnership, Youth and Outreach Advisory Committee. The agenda includes a discussion about the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) sustainable forestry campaign. Following the campaign overview, MDNR staff will provide an update on changes to the license sales system . Stay tuned for the NRC recap later in May for what changes are to come. Lastly, MDNR staff will provide an overview of non-resident marketing efforts.

At 10:30 a.m., the NRC Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries will convene. Updates from both the MDNR Wildlife Division and MDNR Fisheries Division will be given by the respective chiefs. The wildlife report will include a USDA Wildlife Services memorandum of agreement, results from the thumb area APR survey, antlerless deer license quotas in the Upper Peninsula, and chronic wasting disease (CWD) regulations.

The NRC Committee of the Whole will meet at 1 p.m. A director’s report will be given by MDNR Director Dan Eichinger. Eichinger will recognize MDNR Deputy Director Bill O’Neill for his accomplishments and dedication of more than 30 years working for the department. O’Neill will be retiring on May 31, 2019. Eichinger will also introduce Shannon Hanna, who will serve as the new MDNR Deputy Director. Hanna has over 20 years of experience working with the MDNR. The director’s report will be followed by legislative and committee reports.

For Information

Commissioners will listen and consider recommendations on CWD regulations from the department.

Definition of baiting

One of the sections in the proposed regulations clarifies the confusion around the definition of bait. The definition of bait currently includes scented materials like oil-based attractants. The MDNR is recommending to change the definition to define baiting as consumption only. MUCC is amicable to this change, as it falls in line with our resolution opposed to baiting and feeding. This also matches the best practices for CWD management that was released by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies last month.

The Liberty Hunt

During a discussion on bear regulations and license quotas, a recommendation was made by the department to move the Liberty Hunt to the second weekend in September in order to reduce conflicts between hound hunters and youth deer hunters. This change could be beneficial to hound hunters and waterfowl hunters, but some deer hunters are opposed to this change. MUCC has no position on this issue.

Upper Peninsula Regulations

MDNR is proposing a new CWD core area to be established in the 10-mile radius surrounding the positively-tested deer in Dickinson County. A baiting and feeding ban would go into effect in this area immediately. MUCC supports these measures as necessary steps in disease prevention. MUCC continues to support a full ban on baiting and feeding, except for supplemental feeding when deemed necessary in the U.P. during particularly harsh winters.

Lower Peninsula Regulations

The department recommends adding Barry, Lenawee and Midland counties to the CWD Management Zone due to the proximity of deer that are testing positive for CWD. Adding these counties to the management zone will allow for further testing and surveillance of CWD in the 2019 hunting season.

Implementation of a 4-point Antler Point Restriction (APR) on the deer license and deer combination license for Mecosta, Montcalm, and Ionia Counties

During the August 2018 NRC meeting, the NRC passed a resolution to work with the department to establish an experiment in the CWD core area to test the effectiveness of APRs as a CWD management tool. The department proposes dividing the five-county CWD Core Zone in half and enforcing APRs on one side while maintaining existing regulations on the other.

The proposed study would help to determine the effect of APRs on deer numbers, antlerless harvest and the sex and age composition. The study will not provide information on the prevalence and spread of CWD.

APRs in Huron, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties

At the August 2018 NRC meeting, the NRC requested that the department evaluate the public opinion of APRs in the counties listed above. The survey resulted in 55 percent support for the proposed APR regulations. The department requires a 66 percent response in support of the regulation in order to recommend APRs to the NRC. The NRC could still put forth the regulations without a recommendation from the department, however.

The department reports having seen a recovery in the Upper Peninsula deer population since the harsh winters of 2013 and 2014. With the recent CWD-positive deer found in Dickinson County, the department is recommending increased antlerless harvest to manage the local deer herd. Increasing antlerless harvests can help with aggressive CWD surveillance and management.

For Action – NRC

Commissioners will be taking action on proposed fall turkey regulations presented at the April 2019 meeting. These proposed regulations will take effect during 2019, 2020 and 2021 fall seasons. The total number of licenses the department recommends is set at 51,350. The season will run from Sept. 15 through Nov.14. As mentioned in the April NRC posts , these proposed regulations are largely unchanged.

For Action – Director

A land use order is up for action before the director. Some of the changes are in response to statutory changes made during the previous legislative session. The order would allow for Class I electric bikes on certain improved and rail trails and prohibit Class II and III electric bikes on the same trails. A class I electric bike includes pedal assist. Sky lanterns will also be prohibited on state land due to their risk of fire hazard and minimal forms of control.

The director will also be taking action on an acquisition of land which will add 40.94 acres to the Allegan State Game Area.

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