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By Justin Tomei, Michigan United Conservation Clubs
On March 28, the nation’s largest statewide conservation organization filed suit against the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), challenging the three-month closure of the coyote hunting season.
At the March NRC, the commission, in a 4-2 vote, voted to close the coyote hunting season from April 16 through July 14 through the adoption of Wildlife Conservation Order #1 of 2024. Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) testified in opposition to the closure.
MUCC filed in Ingham County, arguing that the commission unlawfully closed Michigan’s coyote season, violating their responsibility and legal charge. The Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers (MTPCA) has also filed a lawsuit against the commission in Mackinac County.
The groups argue that the NRC relied on unsubstantiated claims of negative public perception and perceived potential loss of management control, said MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter.
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Starboard Choice Report
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, stop into Starboard Choice Marine for its Open House.
The dealership will be offering manufacture rebates and several incentives for buying a new boat, outboard or other boating equipment on Friday and Saturday.
“We will have our lowest prices of the year,” said Andy Peterson of Starboard Choice. “We also will have food and drinks both days.”
In addition, radio station U93 FM from South Bend will be there broadcasting live on Saturday.
Hours for the Open House are 9-5 Friday and 9-3 Saturday.
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By Louie Stout
Elite Series Pro Greg Hackney
D&R Sports Center will host its annual Spring Fishing Show Friday and Saturday with a stellar lineup of seminar speakers.
In addition to Kevin and Jonathon VanDam and Mark Zona, the speaker lineup includes pro bass anglers Bryan Thrift, Casey Ashley, Ron Nelson, Greg Hackney and Cooper Gallant.
Noted smallmouth expert and Traverse City, Mich. area guide Chris Noffsinger will also share his expertise.
Store officials say everything will be on sale. For example, Lew’s KVD rods will be offered at $69.99 and Humminbird buyers will get up to $500 rebates on electronics.
Thrift will kick the seminar program off Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. followed by Zona at 11, Ashley at 12, KVD at 2, Nelson 3:30, Hackney at 5 and JVD at 6:15.
On Saturday, it’s Hackney at 9:30 in the morning followed by Gallant at 10:45, KVD at noon, Ashley at 1:15 and Noffsinger at 2:30.
For more information, call the store at 269 372-2277.
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MDNR Report
Beginning March 1, sport fishing guides operating in Michigan will need an inland guide license to take clients on guided trips on inland lakes, rivers or streams. The license is required for anyone guiding on any water except the Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters and bodies of water with a surface area of less than 5 acres.
Great Lakes connecting waters refers to specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River (beginning at the Fort Gratiot Light), Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River (beginning at the imaginary line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne County, and ending at the imaginary east/west line drawn through the most southernly point of Celeron Island).
An inland sport fishing guide can get a license by completing the following steps:
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MDNR Report
Updated guidelines for co-management of fishery resources in parts of Michigan’s Great Lakes are now in effect for the next 24 years. The new Great Lakes Fishing Decree between Indian tribes and the DNR was approved last fall by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. In the months since the decree’s signing, the State of Michigan and tribal governments have been preparing to implement the provisions of the document.
This decree is necessary because five tribes – the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians – reserved fishing rights in the 1836 Treaty of Washington. Those rights were affirmed by federal courts more than four decades ago, resulting in the need for a co-management framework that allows for sharing of the fishery resource. This decree is the third since 1985, and each one has included a fishery management structure that dictates who can fish where, when and how, and what can be brought home or sold.