Time for MI Anglers and Hunters to Step Up

[EdB]

Time for MI Anglers and Hunters to Step Up and Stop the Anti's.

The Citizens for Professional Wildlife is underway with a petition campaign that will stop anti hunting and fishing organizations like HSUS from launching ballot drives to stop hunting and fishing methods like they did with dove hunting in the past and are trying to do with wolf hunting now.

Here is a link to the website and more info on this:

http://www.citizenswildlife.com/

The wolf population has been steadily growing in the UP of MI and has exceeded all population goals for their recovery. Conflict with humans has been increasing and the DNR established the first controlled hunt this year with a very conservative quota for 43 wolves to be taken.

The anti-hunting group HSUS has a petition drive going to place a ballot initiative to stop this hunt forever on the 2014 Nov. election. If it gets on the ballot, they will pour in millions of out of state money to run misleading TV and radio ads that focus on emotion and not scientific wildlife management. Urban voters in SE Michigan will buy into the misinformation and stop the hunt, much like was done with the dove hunt a few years back. The real concern is if they are successful, they will raise even more money from anti-hunters and come back and attack other hunting and fishing activities. Right now they have a campaign going on in Maine to ban the use of lead for fishing. They will probably do something similar here or go after trapping, hound hunting or baiting one by one if they win.

Our initiative will stop these anti-hunting and anti-fishing ballot activities once and for all in MI. Here are the key points of our initiative:

The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act is a citizen-initiated law to:

Ensure that decisions affecting the taking of fish and game are made using principles of sound scientific fish and wildlife management

•Provide for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for active members of the military

•Provide appropriations for fisheries management activities within Michigan necessary for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp

A citizen-initiated law requires over 258,000 valid signatures to present the law to the Michigan Legislature. If the Legislature passes the law without change within 40 days, then it becomes law.

Features of the Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act:

•“Game†means any species of wildlife designated by the Legislature or the Natural Resources Commission as game.

•“Conservation†means the wise use of natural resources.

•The Legislature or bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may designate a wildlife species as game, but Natural Resources Commission orders must be consistent with its duty to use sound science.

•The bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may take testimony from DNR biologists and other experts, and review scientific literature and data to support its duty to use sound science.

•Only the Legislature or Natural Resources Commission may establish the first open season for game.

•Only the Legislature may remove wildlife from the game species list, but the Natural Resources Commission may decline to authorize a hunting season if it conflicts with sound science.

•Declare that the fish and wildlife populations and their habitats are important to the citizens of Michigan.

•Declare that the conservation of fish and wildlife populations depend upon the wise use and sound scientific management of natural resources.

•Allow active duty members of the military may obtain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses free of charge.

•Declare that aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp, represent a significant threat to the state’s fisheries, aquatic resources, outdoor recreation and tourism economies, and public safety.

•The Natural Resources Commission has the exclusive authority to regulate fishing. It must use principles of sound science and may take testimony from DNR personnel, experts and others, and review scientific literature, data and other sources in support of its duty to use sound science.

•Appropriates $1 million to the DNR for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp.

If Asian carp get into MI waters, the appropriation will be important to help the DNR assess and try to contain them. If we are successful, the way MI law is written along this initiative, the anti-hunters and anti-anglers will not be able to use ballot drives and emotional arguments ever again to alter hunting and fishing rules. We need to collect 258000 valid signatures on our petition for this to be successful

To put it another way, if 1 out of 10 hunters or anglers got 4-5 signatures from their family and close friends, we would have enough. The key is to get the word out and petition forms to as many of our fellow sportsman as possible. This is a grass roots initiative of MI citizens. Here is a growing list of the supporters of this, a number of angler groups are involved.

Kirk Gibson - Former Detroit Tiger and current Arizona Diamondbacks Manager

Jimmy Gretzinger - Host of Michigan Out-of-Doors TV

Mike Avery’s Outdoor Magazine

Wild Michigan – Outdoors Radio Show w/ Duran Martinez

Michigan Outdoor News

Haggard’s Plumbing and Heating

State Sen. Tom Casperson (R – Escanaba)

State Rep. Ed McBroom (R – Vulcan)

State Rep. Scott Dianda (D – Calumet)

James A. Lorenson – President of Gogebic Community College – Ironwood, MI

Michigan United Conservation Clubs

U.P. Bear Houndsmen

Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance

Michigan chapters of Safari Club International

Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association

Michigan Hunting Dog Federation

U.P. Whitetails, Inc.

Michigan Bear Hunters Association

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

U.P. Whitetails, Inc. of Marquette County

Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen’s Association

Michigan Bow Hunters Association

Great Lakes Council – Federation of Fly Fishers

Trapperman Trapping and Nuisance Control

Saginaw Field & Stream Conservation Club

Negaunee Rod & Gun Club

Frankenmuth Conservation Club

North Macomb Sportsmen’s Club

North Oakland Sportsmen’s Club

Please sign the petition or better yet, get some petitions and collect some signatures from friends and family and turn them in. You can get petitions from the website I linked in or send me a PM and I'll get some mailed to you.

[danthebuilder]

Is this a joke?

[EdB]

No, did you view the attached link or the list of angling and hunting organizations that support this? Do you have any questions?

[danthebuilder]

Military members that live in Michigan pay nothing for hunting/fishing licenses. My B.S. meter went off right away when I first read the proposal.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130520/NEWS06/305200092/

Furthermore, you say the real reason for our problems is OUTSIDE money coming inside Michigan. Why does this proposal do NOTHING to fix the real problem?

I know people who supported the ending of the DOVE hunt. They don't live in southeast michigan. Birds are an emotional thing when it comes to people who feed birds. They don't like people shooting them. You think these people want wolves in their backyards? They may only be in the U.P. right now but all it takes is a couple to run across that ice and we've got that problem down here too. People care about their dogs/cats/kids. The wolf hunt isn't in as much danger as people claim it is.

"Sound Science" Is used a lot but it was left out in a few places when it matters to you.

You mention Maine banning lead anchors. "SOUND SCIENCE" says lead is bad for you. I have had lead poisoning my life. IT SUCKS. I don't wish that on anyone. I'll gladly pay a little more for weights if they're not made with lead. It sucks that nobody here sells anything other than stuff for ice fishing. I understand a little lead here and there isn't that bad what about say the allegan dam area? That place has to be full of lead. That can't be good.

It sounds like this "SOUND SCIENCE" is only important when the issues matter to you and the science aligns with your believes. 97% of scientists believe in global warming 3% don't. What it "SOUND SCIENCE" in this instance? If you ask both sides I'm sure they both say what they're saying is "SOUND SCIENCE" Just because its been VERY cold lately and areas of our ice caps are growing doesn't mean the world isn't warming. There is a reason why many people like to call it climate change other than use the words global warming. "Sound Science" can be whatever the ruling party says it is.

Where the proposal doesn't use "SOUND SCIENCE" is where it talks about giving the DNR $1 million to fight asian carp. Do you really believe the DNR has a prayer of stopping anything with a million dollars? Once they're in our system the party is over. If we can't stop them in a narrow river how are we going to stop them in lake michigan and our rivers? I'm for giving them money to tackle this issue but this is just pandering. Where is this money coming from btw? Are we going to plant $1 million worth of less salmon so the DNR can electrocute some fish?

Lastly, Why would you ever knowingly strip the rights of voters and give it to somebody in the government? There are countries that never get to vote. We have military members giving their lives so others in the future will be able to vote. All while you're at home giving military members free fishing licenses in trade for taking away our voting rights. BUT HEY! We killed 23 wolves this year! Weakening our voting rights is worth it and maybe next year we can get the quota and kill all 43!!!!!

I'd love to shoot a wolf in my life but this trade off isn't worth it.

[EdB]

Dan, the link you cited on military licenses only applies to MI residents. This

citizens initiated law will apply to all military members. So if a person from another state is active duty military stationed here or visiting on leave, they can hunt and fish for free. I think that is a good thing for the sacrifices they make for our freedom. You may not agree but there is no BS on this aspect of this proposal.

I'm sorry you got lead poisoning. How did you get it? I don't know anyone who did from handling lead fishing tackle. You can order non lead tackle through the internet if you prefer at a very substantial price increase. I think most anglers who use lead fishing tackle would agree it does not pose a risk to our health from using it as intended. Now if you are going to eat it, it will cause problems.

This initiative is not about lead tackle but I shared that information to illustrate how anti hunting, anti fishing animal rights groups will attack fishing methods at the ballot box as they have done in other states.

If you dont think our hunting and fishing rights are threatened from out of state animal rights groups I guess you wont be signing this petition. That's your choice and that's ok.

[Dr Hook]

While I wouldn't go so far as to call the petition BS, it certainly seems naïve and unfocused. My first thought on reading the summary as well was that "sound science" is a rather vague expression. While I'm all for limiting outside special interests, I don't see how the invasive species issues or benefits for active military servicemen directly relate. Though those are both worthy issues in their own right. From my perspective the petition violates the KISS principle as so much legislation usually does.

[EdB]

Dr. Hook, I can understand why you feel it appears naive and unfocused but based on how Michigan law is written, the reason for adding the Asian carp appropriation and benefits for active duty military was well thought out and strategic.

Not many people, especially in the LP, have much interest in hunting wolves. I know I have no desire or intentions to hunt wolves. If wolves were here in south central MI, I'm sure I'd feel differently and perhaps pursue them. I bet many in the LP feel the same way. If this was solely about the wolf hunt, not sure this initiative would get much interest from most MI residents who don't live in wolf country. That is what the anti's are counting on. Once they get their proposal to stop the wolf hunt on the ballot, they'll dump in loads of money for inaccurate TV and radio ads and most likely convince the non-hunting public and sportsman who don't care to vote to stop it. This was the model they used to stop the dove hunt and other successful campaigns in other states where they got trapping and hunting methods banned. They are counting on hunters and anglers not being united to oppose them. By adding the benefits for active duty military in our initiative, it will help get more signatures from people who really don't care about wolves, hunting or fishing. I know a number of people who aren’t hunters or anglers that I collected signature from signed it for this reason.

Based on Michigan law, by adding in the appropriation for a rapid response to Asian carp, the stops the anti's from launching ballot drives to prohibit any type of hunting or fishing approved by the NRC or Legislature. This is the real key part of this whole campaign. It not only protects the wolf hunt, it protects all the hunting and fishing activities we enjoy. I know Dan was concerned on taking away voting rights but I don't see any negative impacts to anglers or hunters over this. The representatives we vote for in our legislature can change this law at any time. There have not been any sportsman’s ballot initiatives in the last 50 years that this law would curtail.

The main benefit from this law is that it will stop animal rights groups from attacking hunting and fishing at the ballot box. Keep in mind, hunters and anglers are a minority in this state. If this is successful, we block HSUS and PETA from winning in Michigan ever again. I hope people can see the big picture that this is not just about wolf hunting.

[Line Dancin]

Dr. Hook, I can understand why you feel it appears naive and unfocused but based on how Michigan law is written, the reason for adding the Asian carp appropriation and benefits for active duty military was well thought out and strategic.

Not many people, especially in the LP, have much interest in hunting wolves. I know I have no desire or intentions to hunt wolves. If wolves were here in south central MI, I'm sure I'd feel differently and perhaps pursue them. I bet many in the LP feel the same way. If this was solely about the wolf hunt, not sure this initiative would get much interest from most MI residents who don't live in wolf country. That is what the anti's are counting on. Once they get their proposal to stop the wolf hunt on the ballot, they'll dump in loads of money for inaccurate TV and radio ads and most likely convince the non-hunting public and sportsman who don't care to vote to stop it. This was the model they used to stop the dove hunt and other successful campaigns in other states where they got trapping and hunting methods banned. They are counting on hunters and anglers not being united to oppose them. By adding the benefits for active duty military in our initiative, it will help get more signatures from people who really don't care about wolves, hunting or fishing. I know a number of people who aren’t hunters or anglers that I collected signature from signed it for this reason.

Based on Michigan law, by adding in the appropriation for a rapid response to Asian carp, the stops the anti's from launching ballot drives to prohibit any type of hunting or fishing approved by the NRC or Legislature. This is the real key part of this whole campaign. It not only protects the wolf hunt, it protects all the hunting and fishing activities we enjoy. I know Dan was concerned on taking away voting rights but I don't see any negative impacts to anglers or hunters over this. The representatives we vote for in our legislature can change this law at any time. There have not been any sportsman’s ballot initiatives in the last 50 years that this law would curtail.

The main benefit from this law is that it will stop animal rights groups from attacking hunting and fishing at the ballot box. Keep in mind, hunters and anglers are a minority in this state. If this is successful, we block HSUS and PETA from winning in Michigan ever again. I hope people can see the big picture that this is not just about wolf hunting.

Ed is entirely right. I was at a MUCC board meeting and they were discussing this. If you think HSUS is only after the wolf hunt you are sadly mistaken. They are putting 50,000 dollars into tv and radio ads to not just stop the wolf hunt but other hunts as well. Plus they have over 200,000 that they are using against the state of michigan outdoorsman. All the money that has been put up from this is based from an organization not located within this state. Why should a group out of this state have a say in what i do. This will protect us from these outside organizations and needs to be passed or they wont stop till all hunting and fishing is stopped.

[Dr Hook]

There is the way things are and then there is the way they ought to be.

I am well aware of how laws and legislation is written and why seemingly unrelated measures are included having had to deal with the headaches HIPAA has caused over the last few years. Using that as an example, I whole heartedly agree with the goals the HIPAA act set out to achieve, but the results have been just one big pain in the buttocks from being manipulated and rewritten by the political system.

I just hope the politicos don't get bored with the invasives problem and point to this legislation saying, "See! We've addressed the issue. We've passed legislation. We've fixed the Asian Carp problem and for only $ 1 million."

That being said, you've convinced me. Will there be a petition to sign at the MUCC booth in Novi?

[EdB]

Thanks Kabet. There should be petitions at the Novi show. They may be at a separate booth than the MUCC booth, I'm not positive on that. If so, the MUCC folks can point out where they are. This is not a sole MUCC initiative. It's led by a coalition of sportsman's group under the name Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management. They are trying to organize collectors to be at every big sportsman show coming up this spring.

[EdB]

Here is an article that appeared in Outdoor Life on this:

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/open-country/2013/12/michigan-hunters-ready-defeat-hsus-wolf-battle

December 10, 2013

Michigan Hunters Ready To Defeat HSUS in Wolf Battle - 5

by Tony Hansen

The Humane Society of the United States is a veritable ATM of anti-hunting cash.

Michigan hunters, however, are on the verge of proving that all that HSUS cash still can't buy you love. Or the ability to strip us of our hunting rights.

According to the Federal 990 reports to the Internal Revenue Service, the Humane Society of the United States stockpiled nearly $523 million in donor support from 2007-2011.

With that cash in hand, HSUS has been attacking the rights of hunters and anglers across the nation.

As a Washington-based lobby group, HSUS understands how political games are played. It understands that ballot initiatives are the very best route to achieve its goals.

Why? Simple. Money wins. Here’s how it works…

The Money Game

First, HSUS will identify an area of vulnerability. Usually, this comes in the form of a newly-created hunting season or the hunting of a new species that hunters have not yet developed an allegiance to.

It then follows up by creating a "citizen's" group that includes the name of the state in it to make it appear as if local residents are the ones behind the actions. HSUS will seek out local "hunters" willing to speak out against the hunting of the new species.

Then it spends money. The group will flood the airwaves and mailboxes with propaganda that contains very little truth. As an example, during a fight over dove hunting in Michigan a few years ago, HSUS spent millions on TV ads that made the following claims: No one hunts doves. Hunters don't eat the doves that they kill.

The above formula is the precise path the group is taking in Maine where HSUS is funding a front called "Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting."

Despite the home-grown title, the group's mandatory campaign finance reports show that of the $85,000 reported in the group's 2013 report, all but $881 of that came directly from Washington-based HSUS.

It's the same story in my home state of Michigan.

A group labeled "Keep Michigan Wolves Protected" is attempting to repeal a law that designates wolves as a game animal and created the state's first regulated wolf hunting season.

The Keep Michigan Wolves Protected group also touts itself as a Michigan-based organization.

Campaign finance reports clearly prove that it's anything but. Of the half-million raised by the group in 2013, $260,000 came directly from HSUS and another $200,000 came from another Washington-based animal rights group, the Doris Day Animal League.

Fighting Back

But there is something afoot in Michigan that HSUS clearly has not accounted for. A movement that no amount of money can defeat: Hunters are standing up for their rights.

Michigan's hunting community has already handed HSUS a stinging defeat on the wolf issue. After the state's legislature named wolves a game species and opened the door for a hunting season, HSUS announced it would run a ballot referendum to overturn it. The group spent some $300,000 to pay for signatures in Detroit and other urban areas of southern Michigan (where no wolves live) to put the issue on the ballot.

The group was already notching it up as another victory at the polls.

But a group of hunters and conservation organizations, opted not to play the cash game. Instead, they played smart and worked with the state legislature to pass a second bill that allows the state's Natural Resource Commission to share authority with the legislature in the naming of game species.

This coup rendered HSUS' initial ballot referendum null and void.

HSUS' response? It filed yet another petition for a ballot referendum and once again stacked cash and collected signatures, convinced that it had the funding to win.

But it seems the group has once again been outfoxed.

The Final Blow

Earlier this week, the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved petition language for the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act as part of a citizen-initiated law.

This effort, which is being spearheaded by a newly-created committee called the "Citizens For Professional Wildlife Management," requires the group to collect 258,000 signatures in 180 days.

If successful, the law would be presented to the legislature for approval.

The law would maintain the Natural Resources Commission's authority to designate game species using sound science, maintain free hunting and fishing license for active military members, and appropriate $1 million for rapid response measures in the event that invasive Asian carp are confirmed in Michigan's Great Lakes waters.

If approved by the legislature, HSUS would finally lose the wolf battle in Michigan.

As proposed, the citizen-initiated law is not subject to ballot referendum and no amount of HSUS money could change that.

Michigan is just a few hundred thousand signatures away from delivering a final blow to HSUS.

And, it will be a blow delivered not by cash but by the stroke of the pen and the conviction of Michigan's hunting community.

Edited January 18, 2014 by EdB

[Line Dancin]

Not sure if they will be at the booth or not. The group that runs that show for MUCC is Oakland county sportsman's club and I know they have the petitions. My Dad has a bunch also but again not sure if we will have them at the show.

[Line Dancin]

Not sure if they will be at the booth or not. The group that runs that show for MUCC is Oakland county sportsman's club and I know they have the petitions. My Dad has a bunch also but again not sure if we will have them at the show.

From what I understand we will have the petition at the MUCC booth stop by and sign to protect your right to hunt and fish.

[Rascal Trophy Fishing]

Ed and Aaron, thanks for your focused views, links, and help in protecting hunters/fisherman in Michigan, all the best. This HSUS, PETA, HS, and other like feely-good liberal minded orgs., are disrupting life to all sportsman across the nation. They will stop at nothing with huge pockets of cash and misinformation, "unsound science", aka lies/farces to get their ways with new government legislation. Consider "global warming", aka "climate change", another huge farce perpetrated on the US public, for a means to an end, that of quashing and ending life as we as Americans have known it forever. Gore's very own favorite scientists have recently come out and admitted to a warped agenda to gain attention, and make huge amounts of money. Global warming is the biggest lie ever! Our freedoms and sporting activities, along with rights, are being attacked everyday, and from every direction. Standing by idly while these sort of acts are being proposed as future legislation, will nullify and crush our sportsman rights forever. Out-of-state PETA bums came to Ludington too years ago, and made some nasty advertisements and drive-by's of lake fisherman claiming the hooks are inhumane to the fish harvesting. They haven't been back since we fisherman made them quite unwelcome on several fronts, including shots across their bow when running over charterboat lines. Keep the faith, and keep this important petition circulating so as many signatures we need, are had.

[EdB]

I was at the meeting today and I'm pleased to announce the Ludington Charter Boat Association has endorsed this petition drove.