Press Release 12-2-08
Yesterday, the Michigan Senate Hunting and Fishing Committee met on HB 5741 but did not take a vote on the bill. The S-3 version of the bill being considered by the Senate would retain the permanent permit for the permanently disabled. It would allow the use of crossbows to take any game in any season in which a firearm is allowed. It would also create a new crossbow deer season that would run concurrently with the archery deer season. In order to participate in the crossbow deer season, a person would need to purchase the combination deer license plus a new crossbow stamp. The DNR could charge up to $5 for the crossbow stamp. The number of crossbow stamps would be limited annually to no more than 20% of the number of combination deer licenses sold the previous year. For this year, that would have amounted to roughly 80,000 stamps. This is roughly the number of archery deer hunters lost over the past 10 years. In addition, the S-3 version gives the NRC broad authority to establish criteria to limit the distribution of crossbow stamps based on sound scientific management if it feels full inclusion of crossbow would create a negative management impact on the herd. Permanently disabled people who hold a crossbow permit issued under the DNR’s previous or new criteria would not need to purchase a crossbow stamp.
It appears all five members of the Senate committee will vote in favor of the bill and we anticipate near universal support in the Senate. Controversy surrounding full inclusions of crossbows is quickly evaporating. Supporters of the bill did an excellent job in committee yesterday and a number of private citizens showed up to testify in support of the bill who we had not heard from before. The more the issue is discussed, the more legislators understand that the arguments opposing the full inclusion of crossbow don’t have substantial merit and reflect an attempt by crossbow opponents to impose personal preferences on a public resource. In addition yesterday, both the Department of Natural Resources and the past president of the Michigan Farm Bureau testified in strong support of the bill and the National Rifle Association sent a letter to Senators in support of the bill focused on the hunter retention issue.
A vote on the bill make take place yet this month or it may take place early next year. Regardless of when the vote occurs, we are confident that there will be an expansion of crossbows to take deer next October, and recent indications from the DNR are that this will most likely mean full inclusion. This issue is near to being resolved.
We would like to thank all of you for your time, energy and commitment to this issue over the past year. We live in a changing world. Though it may seem ironic, it is necessary to adjust to those changes in order to protect Michigan’s hunting heritage. We understand the concerns of those who feel crossbows will destroy the archery deer season. Change is a scary thing but hindsight usually proves prior fears to be exaggerations. Thanks to those who have had the courage to overcome these fears. Thanks particularly to the many people who already hold crossbow permits yet have expressed support for expansion of crossbows to those who are not permanently disabled. Let’s hold no resentment to those who oppose crossbow expansion. It’s our hope that a rebound in the number of bow hunters will lead to a rebound in the membership of Michigan archery organizations and that these organizations will actively welcome new crossbow hunters.
We will continue to provide updates on any new legislative developments.
