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Tallbear
01-31-2012, 02:01 PM
Hunters' Rights Protected in Huron-Manistee Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2012

Contact: Amy Trotter (517) 331-1909
Erin McDonough (517) 775-9500

LANSING, MI -- On September 29, 2010, Kurt Meister, a southeast Michigan attorney won a case against the USDA Forest Service claiming that his right to enjoy public lands in Michigan were being infringed upon by noisy firearms hunters and folks using snowmobiles on designated trail. His solution? Ban guns and snowmobiles on almost 70,000 acres of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs (http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MichiganUnitedConser/bcfac2b3a8/a1ff9884d1/5051292da3/utm_content=mthiede%40migunowners.org&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Michigan%20United%20Conservation%20Clubs&utm_campaign=RELEASE%3A%20Hunters%27%20Rights%20Pr otected%20in%20Huron-Manistee%20Case), a non-profit conservation group that has served as Michigan's most powerful voice for hunters and anglers in Michigan since 1937, blew the whistle on the suit and quickly organized a response fueled by sound science-based management principles and its tens of thousands of members who believe strongly in the rights of Michigan's citizens to hunt, fish and trap on public lands.

Meister's suit was heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which identified deficiencies in how the Forest Service revised the 2006 Land and Resource Management Plan. The USFS was required to address those deficiencies. On Monday, those results were revealed.

MUCC and its members were heard loud and clear: Hunting is very much an accepted use of Michigan's public lands and no regulation changes will be made to impact those activities in the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

The USFWS adopted "Alternative 4" which maintains the rights of hunters to hunt in all areas as were allowed previously. Snowmobiling will also be preserved on designated trails.

"We're pleased to see that the USFS clearly understood that hunting is -- and always will be -- an accepted use on state and federal lands in Michigan," said Erin McDonough, Executive Director of MUCC. "The notion that hunters create conflicts with other users because of the noise of gunfire is silly. They're hunters not mercenaries. The sounds of the occasional gunshot during hunting season on public land is not something we should villainize. It's something we should celebrate because it is one the lifebloods of this state's economy."

The USFS ruling was not without some potential problems however. The agency also announced that it will retain the objective in several areas in the Huron-Manistee to provide for a “less-roaded opportunity” relative to the rest of the forest. Any road closures would still have to go through analysis and public comment before a site-specific decision would be made.

"We understand the Forest Service's desire to eliminate some roads that either were not intended to be permanent or were illegally created," said McDonough. "But there must be a process in place to determine which roads will be closed so that adequate access is maintained. There is a fine line between creating a more solitary experience for those who are seeking that and shutting the public out of the land that they own. We will be watching this process very closely to ensure that hunters, anglers and trappers are considered in those decisions."

While the first battle in this war has been won thanks to the efforts of MUCC and its members and partners, it is not yet over. The decision is still subject to appeals and MUCC will be actively monitoring the situation to ensure the final outcome is the best one for Michigan's sportsmen and women.

# # #

Michigan United Conservation Clubs is largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Through over 42,000 members and 260 affiliated clubs, MUCC works to accomplish its mission of Uniting Citizens to Conserve and Enhance Michigan's Natural Resources and Protect OUR Outdoor Heritage.

Toledo Kid
01-31-2012, 02:04 PM
:thumbup:

toast
01-31-2012, 04:51 PM
Well Done! Thanks for the hard work and vigilant stance.

Cackler
01-31-2012, 05:40 PM
Good news indeed!!!!!!

woody1960
02-01-2012, 07:55 AM
This is such bs . Why is it that the rights of 1 person is even considered, over tht rights of many? That suit prolly cost the tax payes of MI thousands of dollars. I am glad we won part of the suit anyway.I hope that he has to at least pay for the court cost since he lost. Snowmobilers,atv'ers and hunters always have to suffer/pay becauce some num nuts wants to have silence.Well last I checked they were "public" lands. They shut down a huge portion of that forest to atv'ers a few years ago because they wanted to "preserve" the land.But yet when they log it for timber they rape the land. I say BS! :cuss:
rant off.

steve243
02-08-2012, 06:51 AM
This is such bs . Why is it that the rights of 1 person is even considered, over tht rights of many? That suit prolly cost the tax payes of MI thousands of dollars. I am glad we won part of the suit anyway.I hope that he has to at least pay for the court cost since he lost. Snowmobilers,atv'ers and hunters always have to suffer/pay becauce some num nuts wants to have silence.Well last I checked they were "public" lands. They shut down a huge portion of that forest to atv'ers a few years ago because they wanted to "preserve" the land.But yet when they log it for timber they rape the land. I say BS! :cuss:
rant off.

Well said Woody. I'am withe you Bro.

makman1
02-19-2012, 06:46 AM
Glad that saner minds prevailed...