GAME BIRD HUNTING PRESERVES
House Bill 4412
Sponsor: Rep. Larry DeVuyst
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 3-19-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4412 AS INTRODUCED 3-6-01
Currently, Part 417 (MCL 324.41701 et al.) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) regulates private shooting preserves. House Bill 4412 would amend the act to refer instead to "game bird hunting preserves;" to increase current licensing fees; to extend -- from one to three years -- the length of time a license is valid; to add artificially propagated ducks to the list of birds that may be hunted under the provisions of Part 417; and to rescind the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) authority to promulgate rules regarding game bird hunting. The bill would also delete current references to the shooting of animals in these preserves. In addition, House Bill 4412 would amend Part 435 (MCL 324.43530) of the NREPA, which concerns hunting and fishing licensing, to change provisions regarding the hunting of small game on preserves to comport with the above-described amendments.
License Fees. Currently, the act specifies that the license fee for operating a preserve is $35 for a preserve of 320 acres or less; and $60 for a preserve in excess of 320 acres. The bill would increase these fees to $105 and $180, respectively. The act also specifies that licenses are valid from July 1 through June 30. Under the bill, they would be valid from the date of issuance until June 30th of the third license year. The bill would also specify that each game bird hunting preserve would have to be owned or leased by the licensee.
DNR Orders. Currently, the act specifies that the DNR may promulgate rules governing the administration of Part 417. House Bill 4412 would delete this provision, and would specify, instead, that the DNR could only issue orders governing the administration of Part 417. Further, these orders would be subject to the act's provisions concerning game management by the DNR. The bill would also rescind the shooting preserve rules in the administrative code (299.641).
Stamp Marks on Carcasses. Currently, the act specifies that a stamp mark, band, tag, or seal must be affixed to the carcass or wrapper of each bird shot before it is either consumed or removed from the property, and that such markers may not be removed until the carcass is prepared for consumption. House Bill 4412 would specify, instead, that the stamp mark, band, tag, or seal should be affixed to the carcass or to the container holding the carcass, and that these provisions would apply except as otherwise provided under an order issued by the DNR. In addition, the bill would add that the stamp mark, band, tag, or seal could not be removed from the container until each carcass in the container was prepared for consumption.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.