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

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER: SENATE BILL 531, AS INTRODUCED

TOPIC: Ban hunting with tranquilizer darts

SPONSOR: Senator McManus

CO-SPONSORS: Senators Basham, Garcia and Allen

COMMITTEE: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Analysis Done: June 8, 2007

POSITION

The Department is neutral on this bill. Legislation is not needed; current state law prohibits the conduct being addressed with this bill.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

The World Hunting Association announced on June 6, 2006, that it was creating a competitive hunting tour utilizing non-fatal tranquilizing capture of privately-owned cervidae (white tailed deer). The promoters of this venture have since withdrawn their proposal to use tranquilizers to capture these animals.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

Senate Bill 531 proposes to amend Part 401, Wildlife Conservation, 1994 PA 451, to prohibit taking of game by use of a tranquilizer, propelled from a bow or firearm.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

Any proposed use of animal tranquilizer drugs for “catch-and-release” type “hunting” contests is an inappropriate use of such drugs that would create considerable risks for the animals subjected to this activity.

Con

The “tranquilizer hunting” activity originally proposed by the World Hunting Association is prohibited under existing state wildlife regulations.

Privately-owned cervidae and other livestock animals are outside of the jurisdiction of regulations pertaining to taking of “game” animals.

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 World Hunting Association has modified its proposed activity to employ other methods of harvest consistent with state law.

The Michigan Penal Code was amended in 2005 by Public Acts 110-112 to prohibit computer-assisted shooting of animals, also known as “internet hunting.”

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

None

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Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

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Date

LED/WLD