Michigan Moose Hunting Advisory Council to Hold Public Input Meetings in Upper Peninsula in May
Michigan –-(Ammoland.com)- The Moose Hunting Advisory Council will host two public input meetings in the Upper Peninsula this month, offering an opportunity for interested parties to submit public comment regarding the future of moose management in Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.
The meetings will be held at the following locations and times:
- Monday, May 16, Comfort Inn, 13954 State Hwy. M-28, Newberry, 6-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 18, Ford Center, 21030 Hwy. 41, Alberta, 6-8 p.m.
The meeting agenda will include a presentation from DNR staff regarding the charge of the Moose Hunting Advisory Council and current moose research results. The remainder of the meeting will be set aside for the council members to hear public comment and address questions.
“The council members would like to make this process open and transparent, and we welcome participation from the public,” said Moose Hunting Advisory Council chairman Jim Ekdahl. “It will benefit the council members greatly to hear from the public on this issue, and it presents an opportunity for the public to learn more about the council and current moose management issues.”
Those who are unable to attend the public input meetings, or who wish to offer comments after the meetings have taken place, are encouraged to submit their comments electronically to moosecomments@michigan.gov or by mail to DNR Wildlife Division, attn: Dan Eichinger, 530 W. Allegan, Lansing MI 48909.
The seven-member council was created under a law passed by the Legislature in 2010. The council is charged with considering the impacts moose hunting would have on the moose population and the various economic benefits associated with moose hunting.
The council will meet regularly throughout the next year and will submit its report to the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), the Department and the Legislature no later than Dec. 22, 2011. Whether or not a moose hunting season is established and what a season would entail is at the discretion of the NRC.
The legislation that created the Moose Hunting Advisory Council specified that the seven-member council would include representatives from the following stakeholder groups: the DNR Director or his designee, an organization promoting conservation in Michigan, organizations promoting hunting or fishing in Michigan, representatives nominated by the speaker of the house and senate majority leader, and a representative chosen by the Michigan Intertribal Council.
Members appointed to the council include Jim Ekdahl of L’Anse, Jim Hammill of Crystal Falls, Mick Jarvi of Houghton County, George Lindquist of Marquette County, Jason Dinsmore of Ann Arbor and DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason.
For more information about the public input meetings, contact Dan Eichinger, DNR Wildlife Division Policy and Regulations supervisor, at 517-373-9337. To learn more about moose in Michigan and the moose hunting advisory council, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.