What is a citizen initiated law?
A citizen-initiated law requires approximately 258,000 valid signatures to place a law before the Legislature. The Legislature then has 40 days to pass it without amendment, otherwise it will go to the ballot at the next general election.
CPWM collected upwards of 340,000 signatures. We are currently still in the early stages and expecting an Legislative vote in early August.
Will the Legislature pass the initiative if we collect enough signatures?
We’re hopeful that the Legislature will pass the initiative if we show them that their constituents support it.
How does this initiative protect hunting rights?
By making decisions about fish and game species based on sound science, rather than emotion, biologists can structure seasons and limits that are good for fish and wildlife. Hunters, anglers and trappers don’t want to take more fish or game than are supported by sound science. If this initiative passes, anti-hunters won’t be able to arbitrarily block hunting that is supported by sound science.
Wasn’t Proposal G supposed to guarantee a scientific wildlife decision-making process?
The Natural Resources Commissioners aren’t all biologists, so how can they make scientific decisions?
The Natural Resources Commission takes testimony from DNR biologists, independent biologists and experts, and public input. They also review scientific data, biological studies, and DNR reports, memos and recommendations from DNR biologists. Just as a jury has a duty to consider the evidence presented to it at trial, the NRC has a duty to use principles of sound scientific fish and wildlife management when issuing fish and game orders, including designating game species. While the Natural Resources Commission is appointed by the Governor, they are statutorily required to be bipartisan.
What does the appropriation do? Will it block the anti-hunters from a third referendum?
It will have that effect, but it’s purpose is to support the NRC’s authority to issue fisheries orders using sound science. Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species represent a significant threat to Michigan’s fisheries. Once aquatic invasive species establish a population in Michigan waters, they are extremely difficult to eradicate. The appropriation creates a work fund that the DNR can use for rapid response to aquatic invasive species like Asian carp so that they can protect Michigan’s fisheries. For instance, if a sample came back positive for Asian carp eDNA in a Michigan tributary connected to the Great Lakes, DNR biologists could use the funds to implement their Asian carp response plan .
Isn’t this just about hunting wolves?
No. While the anti-hunters attack on the wolf hunt alerted us to the need to make fish and game management decisions scientifically, this initiative is about fundamentally how we manage fish and wildlife species in Michigan. If the anti-hunters win, fish and wildlife decisions will be determined by who can spend the most money on television commercials. This initiative will ensure that fish and game decisions are made based on biology. In fact, this initiative will not guarantee a wolf hunt; it will only guarantee that the decision about whether or not to have another wolf hunt is based on scientific data and the recommendations of professional biologists. For example, moose are currently listed as a game species but the NRC has not approved a hunting season because their population growth rate is not as high as biologists would like it to be for a hunt. That’s how wildlife management decisions should be made, not by who can spend the most on television commercials.
Why does this bill contain free licenses for active military members? Don’t they already get them?
Because they deserve it, and yes, they’ll be able to receive free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses beginning in March 2014 under current law. The anti-hunters are trying to repeal that law, though, SB 288, which also contained the NRC authorities to name game species and fisheries orders. By including it in this initiative we protect free licenses for active military members from the anti-hunters’ referendum.
Who’s behind the anti-hunting push in Michigan?
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the largest anti-hunting organization in the country. They’ve funded and staffed the front group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, which, according to its last campaign finance statement, receives 95% of its funding from out-of-state. They’re behind the referendum on Public Act 520 of 2012, which originally named wolves as a game species, and the current referendum drive to repeal the PA 21 of 2013, which authorized the NRC to name game species and issue fisheries orders using sound science, and provided free licenses to military members.
HSUS was also behind the California law banning lead ammo statewide, not just in the condor range, and they’re behind an anti-hunting initiative in Maine to ban bear baiting, hounding or trapping. HSUS was also behind the 2006 dove hunt ban in Michigan, and it merged with the Fund for Animals in 2005, which was behind the failed attempt to ban bearhunting with dogs or bait in 1996. That effort was defeated by the original Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management when the citizens of Michigan overwhelmingly approved Proposal G to grant the NRC the authority to issue game orders and required it to use sound science. With the renewed effort by anti-hunting groups like HSUS to strip away any hunting right they think they can get away with, it’s especially important to pass the Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act to protect Michigan’s outdoor heritage!
