State of Michigan
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor	DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lansing	REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER: HOUSE BILL 4407, AS INTRODUCED

TOPIC: Allow use of raised platform when hunting fox or coyote

SPONSOR: Representative Spade

CO-SPONSORS: Representatives Polidori, Hansen, Gonzales, Jones, Dean and Booher

COMMITTEE: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Analysis Done: March 7, 2007

POSITION

The Department opposes this bill and prefers that the Natural Resources Commission address this proposal under their authority to regulate the taking of game.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

All bow and crossbow hunters may hunt from a raised platform or tree stand, and bear and deer hunters may hunt from a raised platform or tree stand when using a firearm. All other hunters are prohibited from using a raised platform or tree stand. A raised platform means a horizontal surface constructed or manufactured by a person that increases the field of vision of a person using the horizontal surface beyond the field of vision that normally would be attained by that person standing on the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

House Bill 4407 proposes to amend Part 401, Wildlife Conservation, 1994 PA 451, to prohibit the Department or Natural Resources Commission from making hunting fox or coyote from a raised platform unlawful.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

Predator hunting is growing in popularity. Hunters have been seeking to use raised platforms for this activity believing it may improve hunting conditions for these species.

Large numbers of deer hunters have successfully adapted to and have employed this technique for several hunting seasons.

Con

Proposal G from 1996 (MCL 324.40113a) gives the Natural Resources Commission the exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game in this state.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

None

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Nighttime hunting of fox and coyote is lawful. The Department would oppose allowing raised platforms for fox and coyote at nighttime.

Coyote season is closed in the northern portions of the state during the November 15-30 firearm deer season. There are specific firearm restrictions during and immediately preceding the November 15-30 firearm deer season. The Department would oppose allowing raised platforms for fox and coyote hunting prior to December 1.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

None

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

_______________________________

Date

LED/WLD