State of Michigan

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Lansing

JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM

governor

REBECCA  A. HUMPHRIES

director

 

 

 

BILL ANALYSIS

 

BILL NUMBER:

House Bill 5983, AS INTRODUCED

TOPIC:

Eliminate Sunset on Taking of Raptors for Falconry

SPONSOR:

Representative Ebli

CO-SPONSORS:

Representatives Condino, Valentine, Lahti, and Brown

COMMITTEE:

Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Analysis Done:

April 21, 2008

POSITION

The Department of Natural Resources supports HB 5983.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

In 1999, legislation was passed to allow the take of wild raptors in Michigan for falconry purposes.  In the same year, the Department added regulations to the Wildlife Conservation Order governing this activity.  Prior to this, only captive-reared raptors and raptors captured outside of the state could be used for falconry in Michigan.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

This legislation would remove the sunset date on the state statute governing the take of wild raptors in Michigan for falconry purposes and remove the maximum harvest value for red-tailed hawks, Cooper's hawks, American kestrels, and sharp-shinned hawks.  It would also remove the requirements to initiate a raptor education program and to institute a study to establish raptor survey protocols.       

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

The legislation would provide statutory protection for the take of wild raptors for falconry purposes.

Con

Harvest quotas set in statute may not be responsive to changing wildlife population conditions and may allow for unsustainable take or may unnecessarily restrict recreational opportunities.  In the absence of statute, the Wildlife Conservation Order will continue to allow harvest opportunities for the take of wild raptors.

 

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

The Department recommends the amendment of this bill to remove explicit harvest quotas for all species.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

Rules can be promulgated to provide for administration of the act.

 

 

_______________________________

Rebecca  A. Humphries

Director

 

_______________________________

Date

WLD