deer hunting update
2012
HUNTING UPDATE DEAR FRIEND:
As summer draws to an end and the days get shorter, it’s time to start thinking about one of Michigan’s great outdoor traditions. With an abundance of game animals and birds, it’s no wonder our hunting heritage endures. Whether hunting deer, small game, turkey or waterfowl, there’s something to interest every hunter. Before you head for the field or the woods, I want to send along some hunting information, including updates on hunting seasons, licenses, new legislation, safety tips and more. I hope you find it useful. It is my privilege to serve as your State Senator and I will continue working to protect your hunting and sporting rights. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes for a safe and successful hunting season! Sincerely, S TAT E S E N AT O R
DAVE HILDENBRAND SENATE DISTRICT 29 TOLL FREE 866.305.2129 E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com
2011 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest Use your smartphone to scan this code to learn more about Pure Michigan Hunt or visit www. michigan.gov/ puremichiganhunt
A multi-species hunt opportunity. Apply as many times as you wish! See page 11.
2012-2013 MICHIGAN HUNTING AND TRAPPING DIGEST For rules, regulation changes, seasons, license information and more, consult the
Regulations apply August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012, unless otherwise noted.
Visit us on the Web at: www.michigan.gov/dnr
Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest.
This guide, along with other specialized hunting digests, is available online at www.michigan.gov/hunting.
2012
HUNTING UPDATE HILDENBRAND: PASS ALONG MICHIGAN’S “GREAT OUTDOORS” TRADITION It’s up to all of us who love the outdoors to keep our hunting heritage strong. In the past several years, the Legislature has established two programs to encourage more young people to try hunting and fishing.
A mentored youth hunting license is now available at a cost of $7.50. The “package” license includes small game, spring and fall turkey (private or public land), two deer tags, a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license. This special program introduces children under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing with a mentor while learning proper safety and ethics. For complete rules and restrictions, visit www.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting. An apprentice hunting license allows someone to hunt while accompanied by an adult licensed hunter for two years without taking a hunter safety class. After two years, the apprentice must apply for a standard license and pass a hunting safety course. The license cost the same as the corresponding regular hunting license.
HERE’S HOW TO GET A HUNTING LICENSE Visit www.mdnr-elicense.com to buy hunting and fishing licenses, special hunt applications and permits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week within applicable sales dates. You can print most small game and fishing licenses using your own printer. Kill tags are available for sale on E-License - expect kill tags to arrive within 7-10 business days of your purchase. Or purchase your license from a licensing agent. Not sure where to find a local licensing agent? Go to www.michigan.gov/dnr and type in the keywords hunting license agent or contact my office for a list of agents.
NEW LAW EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUNTERS WITH DISABILITIES Everyone should have the chance to enjoy our outdoor sporting heritage. I am pleased to support a new law that extends more opportunities to individuals with disabilities, especially our veterans. PA 246 of 2012 allows hunters to take upland game birds from a non-moving ORV or ATV when on a state-licensed game bird preserve in Michigan. Hunters with disabilities can carry their firearm, open and unloaded, when the vehicle is moving less than 10 miles per hour, and shoot once the vehicle is stopped. Participating hunters must have proof of eligibility, such as a Secretary of State disability parking placard. STATE SENATOR
DAVE HILDENBRAND
MICHIGAN LICENSE FEES: LICENSE TYPE
MINIMUM AGE FEE
Mentored Youth Hunting $7.50 Resident Firearm Deer 10 $15.00 Senior Firearm Deer (Resident) 65 $6.00 Junior Firearm Deer 10-16 See restrictions $7.50 Resident Archery Deer 17 $15.00 Senior Archery Deer (Resident) 65 $6.00 Junior Archery Deer 10-16 $7.50 Combination Deer Resident 17 $30.00 Combination Deer Senior 65 $12.00 Combination Deer Junior 10-16 See restrictions $15.00 Resident Small Game* 17 $15.00 Senior Small Game (Resident)* 65 $6.00 Junior Small Game* 10-16 $1.00 Gamebird Hunting Preserve** 10 $15.00 *Valid through March 31, 2013 except for 3-day licenses
** Valid through March 31, 2013
• Toll-Free: 866.305.2129 • E-Mail: [email protected]
HUNTINGUPDATE 2012
SAFE HUNTING: THE BASICS Most of the injuries and casualties associated with hunting are due to the careless handling of a firearm - and are entirely preventable. Before heading outdoors, remember to hunt with safety in mind and follow basic gun safety rules:
• Always have complete control of your firearm.
• Always treat your firearm as if it was loaded.
• Before firing, know your target and what is beyond.
• Be sure the gun is safe to operate and use only the correct ammunition.
• Unload your firearm when not in use, especially before putting it in your vehicle or camp.
• And, NEVER mix hunting and alcohol.
HILDENBRAND: HUNTERS CAN HELP BATTLE NUISANCE DEER Too many deer on farms across the state have led to significant crop, nursery and habitat damage. By some estimates, hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of crops are lost each year. A new law creating the “Hunters Helping Landowners” program allows hunters to help farmers protect their crops and keep the deer populations in check. Under PA 241 of 2012, hunters can submit an application to the DNR and select the two Michigan counties in which they are interested in hunting. Farmers can contact the DNR for a list of hunters willing to help take deer in their county.
DEER HUNTING UPDATE A LOOK AT LAST YEAR
A LOOK AHEAD — 2012 SEASONS
The number of deer hunters in 2011 was down 1 percent to 648,100. Those hunters harvested nearly 422,000 deer, an increase of about 1 percent from the number taken in 2010.
EARLY ANTLERLESS FIREARM
Statewide, 45 percent of hunters harvested a deer, a slight increase from 2010; about 15 percent harvested two or more deer. Crossbows are becoming more popular. About 118,600 hunters used a crossbow during the 2011 archery season, and they harvested about 54,900 deer - a substantial increase over the harvest in 2010.
(antlerless deer on private land in select DMUs)........................ Sept.
22-23
YOUTH & 100% DISABLED VETERANS.............. Sept. 22-23 SPECIAL DISABLED FIREARM............................. Oct. 18-21 ARCHERY......................Oct. 1-Nov. 14 & Dec. 1-Jan. 1 REGULAR FIREARM......................................... Nov. 15-30 MUZZLELOADING Zone 1 (UP)........................................................Dec. 7-16 Zone 2 (NLP)................................................... Dec. 14-23 Zone 3 (SLP)...................................................... Dec. 7-23 LATE ANTLERLESS FIREARM
(antlerless deer on private land in select DMUs)................... Dec.
17-Jan. 1
*Consult the 2012 Hunting Guide for restrictions and more information
VISIT: www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com • STATE SENATOR DAVE HILDENBRAND
HUNTING UPDATE DEAR FRIEND:
As summer draws to an end and the days get shorter, it’s time to start thinking about one of Michigan’s great outdoor traditions. With an abundance of game animals and birds, it’s no wonder our hunting heritage endures. Whether hunting deer, small game, turkey or waterfowl, there’s something to interest every hunter. Before you head for the field or the woods, I want to send along some hunting information, including updates on hunting seasons, licenses, new legislation, safety tips and more. I hope you find it useful. It is my privilege to serve as your State Senator and I will continue working to protect your hunting and sporting rights. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes for a safe and successful hunting season! Sincerely, S TAT E S E N AT O R
DAVE HILDENBRAND SENATE DISTRICT 29 TOLL FREE 866.305.2129 E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com
2011 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest Use your smartphone to scan this code to learn more about Pure Michigan Hunt or visit www. michigan.gov/ puremichiganhunt
A multi-species hunt opportunity. Apply as many times as you wish! See page 11.
2012-2013 MICHIGAN HUNTING AND TRAPPING DIGEST For rules, regulation changes, seasons, license information and more, consult the
Regulations apply August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012, unless otherwise noted.
Visit us on the Web at: www.michigan.gov/dnr
Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest.
This guide, along with other specialized hunting digests, is available online at www.michigan.gov/hunting.
2012
HUNTING UPDATE HILDENBRAND: PASS ALONG MICHIGAN’S “GREAT OUTDOORS” TRADITION It’s up to all of us who love the outdoors to keep our hunting heritage strong. In the past several years, the Legislature has established two programs to encourage more young people to try hunting and fishing.
A mentored youth hunting license is now available at a cost of $7.50. The “package” license includes small game, spring and fall turkey (private or public land), two deer tags, a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license. This special program introduces children under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing with a mentor while learning proper safety and ethics. For complete rules and restrictions, visit www.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting. An apprentice hunting license allows someone to hunt while accompanied by an adult licensed hunter for two years without taking a hunter safety class. After two years, the apprentice must apply for a standard license and pass a hunting safety course. The license cost the same as the corresponding regular hunting license.
HERE’S HOW TO GET A HUNTING LICENSE Visit www.mdnr-elicense.com to buy hunting and fishing licenses, special hunt applications and permits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week within applicable sales dates. You can print most small game and fishing licenses using your own printer. Kill tags are available for sale on E-License - expect kill tags to arrive within 7-10 business days of your purchase. Or purchase your license from a licensing agent. Not sure where to find a local licensing agent? Go to www.michigan.gov/dnr and type in the keywords hunting license agent or contact my office for a list of agents.
NEW LAW EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUNTERS WITH DISABILITIES Everyone should have the chance to enjoy our outdoor sporting heritage. I am pleased to support a new law that extends more opportunities to individuals with disabilities, especially our veterans. PA 246 of 2012 allows hunters to take upland game birds from a non-moving ORV or ATV when on a state-licensed game bird preserve in Michigan. Hunters with disabilities can carry their firearm, open and unloaded, when the vehicle is moving less than 10 miles per hour, and shoot once the vehicle is stopped. Participating hunters must have proof of eligibility, such as a Secretary of State disability parking placard. STATE SENATOR
DAVE HILDENBRAND
MICHIGAN LICENSE FEES: LICENSE TYPE
MINIMUM AGE FEE
Mentored Youth Hunting $7.50 Resident Firearm Deer 10 $15.00 Senior Firearm Deer (Resident) 65 $6.00 Junior Firearm Deer 10-16 See restrictions $7.50 Resident Archery Deer 17 $15.00 Senior Archery Deer (Resident) 65 $6.00 Junior Archery Deer 10-16 $7.50 Combination Deer Resident 17 $30.00 Combination Deer Senior 65 $12.00 Combination Deer Junior 10-16 See restrictions $15.00 Resident Small Game* 17 $15.00 Senior Small Game (Resident)* 65 $6.00 Junior Small Game* 10-16 $1.00 Gamebird Hunting Preserve** 10 $15.00 *Valid through March 31, 2013 except for 3-day licenses
** Valid through March 31, 2013
• Toll-Free: 866.305.2129 • E-Mail: [email protected]
HUNTINGUPDATE 2012
SAFE HUNTING: THE BASICS Most of the injuries and casualties associated with hunting are due to the careless handling of a firearm - and are entirely preventable. Before heading outdoors, remember to hunt with safety in mind and follow basic gun safety rules:
• Always have complete control of your firearm.
• Always treat your firearm as if it was loaded.
• Before firing, know your target and what is beyond.
• Be sure the gun is safe to operate and use only the correct ammunition.
• Unload your firearm when not in use, especially before putting it in your vehicle or camp.
• And, NEVER mix hunting and alcohol.
HILDENBRAND: HUNTERS CAN HELP BATTLE NUISANCE DEER Too many deer on farms across the state have led to significant crop, nursery and habitat damage. By some estimates, hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of crops are lost each year. A new law creating the “Hunters Helping Landowners” program allows hunters to help farmers protect their crops and keep the deer populations in check. Under PA 241 of 2012, hunters can submit an application to the DNR and select the two Michigan counties in which they are interested in hunting. Farmers can contact the DNR for a list of hunters willing to help take deer in their county.
DEER HUNTING UPDATE A LOOK AT LAST YEAR
A LOOK AHEAD — 2012 SEASONS
The number of deer hunters in 2011 was down 1 percent to 648,100. Those hunters harvested nearly 422,000 deer, an increase of about 1 percent from the number taken in 2010.
EARLY ANTLERLESS FIREARM
Statewide, 45 percent of hunters harvested a deer, a slight increase from 2010; about 15 percent harvested two or more deer. Crossbows are becoming more popular. About 118,600 hunters used a crossbow during the 2011 archery season, and they harvested about 54,900 deer - a substantial increase over the harvest in 2010.
(antlerless deer on private land in select DMUs)........................ Sept.
22-23
YOUTH & 100% DISABLED VETERANS.............. Sept. 22-23 SPECIAL DISABLED FIREARM............................. Oct. 18-21 ARCHERY......................Oct. 1-Nov. 14 & Dec. 1-Jan. 1 REGULAR FIREARM......................................... Nov. 15-30 MUZZLELOADING Zone 1 (UP)........................................................Dec. 7-16 Zone 2 (NLP)................................................... Dec. 14-23 Zone 3 (SLP)...................................................... Dec. 7-23 LATE ANTLERLESS FIREARM
(antlerless deer on private land in select DMUs)................... Dec.
17-Jan. 1
*Consult the 2012 Hunting Guide for restrictions and more information
VISIT: www.SenatorDaveHildenbrand.com • STATE SENATOR DAVE HILDENBRAND
