the outdoors
THE OUTDOORS THE 36TH DISTRICT
SPRING 2018 DEAR FRIEND: Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, hiking or camping, Michigan’s abundant natural resources offer a great outdoor experience! Many sportsmen and women are interested in policy and legislative issues that affect our outdoor heritage. I hope this report will help keep you up-to-date. Sincerely,
S TAT E S E N AT O R
JIM STAMAS TOLL-FREE 855.347.8036
E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorJimStamas.com
RENEW YOUR
BOAT REGISTRATION Michigan is one of the top marine markets in the country with nearly 800,000 registered watercraft. All watercraft, unless exempt, must be registered with the Michigan Secretary of State. Registrations are issued for three years and expire on March 31 of the third year. Visit www.ExpressSOS.com to renew, or renew by mail or at a Secretary of State branch office.
HUNT UPDATE Three lucky hunters from Ionia, Gratiot and Iosco counties were recently announced as the 2018 Pure Michigan Hunt winners by the DNR. The winners receive elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer licenses and a base license to be used in 2018 as well as first pick opening morning of the waterfowl season at any managed waterfowl hunt area. Each hunter also receives a package of donated hunting gear worth more than $4,000. The 2018 drawing had a total of 35,214 applications, generating more than $176,000 for habitat restoration and improvements. Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt drawing are now available. Visit www.mi.gov/pmh for more information.
WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
Stay up-to-date on the latest regional fishing news and fishing tips all year. The Weekly Fishing Report outlines fishing conditions around the state. Access it online at www.michigan.gov/fishingreport or by phone at 855-777-0908.
FISHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Anglers must purchase a license if 17 years of age or older. Anglers under 17 may fish without a license but are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. When fishing, carry your license and the identification used to purchase that license. Active duty military members who enlisted as Michigan residents and have maintained resident status may obtain a resident all-species license at no cost. A resident who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service may obtain any resident fishing license free of charge. Check the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide for more detailed information. Anglers can buy a fishing license online at www.mdnr-elicense.com, at any DNR license agent or at a DNR Customer Service Center.
2018 MICHIGAN FISHING GUIDE For rules, regulation changes, seasons, license information and more, consult the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide, available at major retailers and online at www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests. Rules apply from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019. A special section outlines inland trout and salmon regulations, including a list by county of the waters managed for trout and salmon with their respective regulation Type.
TOLL-FREE 855.347.8036 • E-MAIL [email protected]
2018 FISHING SEASONS This table provides general hook-and-line fishing seasons/dates for the species listed. There are many other fishing regulations associated with these species and seasons. Please refer to the rest of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide for regulations concerning size limits, possession limits, and other restrictions.
Page 4 of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide
STUDY TO FOCUS ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE The DNR is teaming up with Michigan State University to study and manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) and other deer disease. Under the collaborative effort, location-tracking collars will be placed on white-tailed deer in south-central Michigan to assess deer movement. An understanding of seasonal movement patterns and timing and direction will help researchers learn about the role deer play in moving the disease and better develop effective disease control strategies. CWD was first detected in free-ranging deer in midMichigan in 2015. The disease can spread through the herd and once established, could significantly reduce the number of deer in the region.
2018 LIMITED LICENSE CALENDAR (Note: Drawing results are posted online only)
SPRING WILD TURKEY Application Period: Jan. 1-Feb. 1; drawing results posted Mar. 5 at www.mi.gov/turkey Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) Mar. 12 Applicants Only; Mar. 19 Over-the-Counter Spring Season Apr. 23-May 31; see 2018 Spring Turkey Hunting Digest for applicable units
BEAR Application Period: May 1-June1; drawing results posted online June 25 Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) July 9 Lifetime License Holders; July 16 Applicants Only; July 23 Over-the-Counter
ELK Application Period: May 1-June 1; drawing results posted online June 25
SPRING 2018 DEAR FRIEND: Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, hiking or camping, Michigan’s abundant natural resources offer a great outdoor experience! Many sportsmen and women are interested in policy and legislative issues that affect our outdoor heritage. I hope this report will help keep you up-to-date. Sincerely,
S TAT E S E N AT O R
JIM STAMAS TOLL-FREE 855.347.8036
E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorJimStamas.com
RENEW YOUR
BOAT REGISTRATION Michigan is one of the top marine markets in the country with nearly 800,000 registered watercraft. All watercraft, unless exempt, must be registered with the Michigan Secretary of State. Registrations are issued for three years and expire on March 31 of the third year. Visit www.ExpressSOS.com to renew, or renew by mail or at a Secretary of State branch office.
HUNT UPDATE Three lucky hunters from Ionia, Gratiot and Iosco counties were recently announced as the 2018 Pure Michigan Hunt winners by the DNR. The winners receive elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer licenses and a base license to be used in 2018 as well as first pick opening morning of the waterfowl season at any managed waterfowl hunt area. Each hunter also receives a package of donated hunting gear worth more than $4,000. The 2018 drawing had a total of 35,214 applications, generating more than $176,000 for habitat restoration and improvements. Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt drawing are now available. Visit www.mi.gov/pmh for more information.
WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
Stay up-to-date on the latest regional fishing news and fishing tips all year. The Weekly Fishing Report outlines fishing conditions around the state. Access it online at www.michigan.gov/fishingreport or by phone at 855-777-0908.
FISHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Anglers must purchase a license if 17 years of age or older. Anglers under 17 may fish without a license but are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. When fishing, carry your license and the identification used to purchase that license. Active duty military members who enlisted as Michigan residents and have maintained resident status may obtain a resident all-species license at no cost. A resident who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service may obtain any resident fishing license free of charge. Check the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide for more detailed information. Anglers can buy a fishing license online at www.mdnr-elicense.com, at any DNR license agent or at a DNR Customer Service Center.
2018 MICHIGAN FISHING GUIDE For rules, regulation changes, seasons, license information and more, consult the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide, available at major retailers and online at www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests. Rules apply from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019. A special section outlines inland trout and salmon regulations, including a list by county of the waters managed for trout and salmon with their respective regulation Type.
TOLL-FREE 855.347.8036 • E-MAIL [email protected]
2018 FISHING SEASONS This table provides general hook-and-line fishing seasons/dates for the species listed. There are many other fishing regulations associated with these species and seasons. Please refer to the rest of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide for regulations concerning size limits, possession limits, and other restrictions.
Page 4 of the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide
STUDY TO FOCUS ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE The DNR is teaming up with Michigan State University to study and manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) and other deer disease. Under the collaborative effort, location-tracking collars will be placed on white-tailed deer in south-central Michigan to assess deer movement. An understanding of seasonal movement patterns and timing and direction will help researchers learn about the role deer play in moving the disease and better develop effective disease control strategies. CWD was first detected in free-ranging deer in midMichigan in 2015. The disease can spread through the herd and once established, could significantly reduce the number of deer in the region.
2018 LIMITED LICENSE CALENDAR (Note: Drawing results are posted online only)
SPRING WILD TURKEY Application Period: Jan. 1-Feb. 1; drawing results posted Mar. 5 at www.mi.gov/turkey Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) Mar. 12 Applicants Only; Mar. 19 Over-the-Counter Spring Season Apr. 23-May 31; see 2018 Spring Turkey Hunting Digest for applicable units
BEAR Application Period: May 1-June1; drawing results posted online June 25 Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) July 9 Lifetime License Holders; July 16 Applicants Only; July 23 Over-the-Counter
ELK Application Period: May 1-June 1; drawing results posted online June 25
