LANSING, MI (WLNS) – There’s a new initiative to change the way Michigan determines which animals can be hunted in the news.
6 News Mariah Harrison was at the Capitol when supporters turned in petitions.
Merle Shepard has hunted all his life
“There are millions of people here in Michigan that do hunt and fish and it affects you. It’s in your blood, you grow up with it,” said Merle Shepard, Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management.
Today he’s Chairman of the Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management. The group wants to protect fishing, hunting and trapping rights in the state of Michigan.
They’re sponsoring the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. It would provide free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for active members of the military. Plus, fight invasive species like Asian Carp.
On Tuesday the group turned in their petitions in support of the act with nearly 375,000 thousand signatures.
“A lot of this will come down to the wolf issue but it also would include maybe say bear hunting in the future, trapping.”
Michigan wolves are the hot button issue.
“There are only 636 wolves in Michigan they’re just now recovering from being wiped out,” said Jill Fritz, Keep Michigan Wolves Campaign, director.
“The people of Michigan really do care about wolves and protecting wildlife,” said Fritz.
Come November Michigan voters will see two choices on the ballot, should wolves stay at game status and continue to be hunted.
And should the natural resources commission be allowed to designate game without voter approval.
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