"State Land Hunters Association" Poll

[ArrowHawk]

I have seen alot of issues on here about the Baiting laws and would like to see a change, so I'm starting this poll to see how many people might stand behind me.
This is for all hunters.

So far tis is what I'm looking for:
I would like to see private land owners being able to have food plots over a certain sized property.
Baiting to start around mid-September on all lands and consist of one bag (50lbs) of feed.
Maybe the planting of food plots on state land.

Please add any comments and hopfully Hunters as a group can stick together and come up with a solution that everyone can agree with.

Thanks
Arrow (Rich)

[Ferg]

100 % - and so far - the poll shows that too :eek:

ferg....
I love polls, my uncle is a poll

[Neal]

Yes I would support it as long as it was for improving hunting conditions on state land and not restricting private land use.

Most of our statelands could use some work.

Neal

[Kevin]

Yes, even after I get my own land some day, I would support public land habitat and hunting improvement.

[NorthJeff]

As far as I know, the QDMA has been the only successful organization instrumental in trying to get food plots on public land. Does this mean you will all join the QDMA now?

Unfortunately, I personally see a lot of division from hunters who have land, and those who don't. I hunt on both, in fact, my last 4 bucks in MI have come from public land. But, as a landowner, not only can I have food plots, but I can build roads, have permanant shooting houses, screw-in steps, year-round fastened portable stands, cut trees, fertalize native vegitation, plant trees, build a pond, drive my ATV or tractor off designated roads on my property, etc.. There are lots of things a landowner can do, that someone who doesn't own land, can't.

Instead of attempting ways to restrict landowners...of any size parcel, we should attempt to improve the habitat for public land parcels.

[ArrowHawk]

Would like to see every member here vote and give their two cents on this topic, good or bad, its the only way for hunters to be heard.

We all need to come up with a solution that everyone can deal with.

[Brian S]

I'm not usually a fence sitter, but this one I'm not sure about.

Some thoughts:

- Improve state land hunting conditions? Like how? DNR planted food plots? I allready pay enough to hunt and fish. I don't want to see a license fee increase to pay for some whitetail welfare/food stamp program.

- Biggest problem I see on state land is the buck/doe ratio.

- The only problem I have with baiting is when people feel that a spot is "theirs" because they have some bait out. Increasing the limit to 50 lbs would just add to that misconception of "ownership" based on effort and investment that was put into getting the bait there.

[buktruk]

I do agree with planting food plots on state land. I am not sure about the whole baiting thing though. Just my 2 cents.

[Elk Guide]

Ok would be interesting in joining but need to know more of what you really want to accomplish.....As for baiting i would like to see it stoped 100% so you won't get my vote there.....As for food plots i am for them but can't really see the DNR letting everyone put out there own food plot .....And the next thing is geting any idea you have past the NRC commission.....And as far as a license increase i can understand maybe a $6 dollar increase but any higher and your trying to make it a rich mans sport is that what you want ? if so then it will only promote violateing.......

[predatordave]

i know of a few spots of public land that the dnr (at least i am pretty sure the dnr) planted some corn rows last year. i would not support any license increases to pay for food plots and such. but instead maybe some volunteer work and some sort of fund raisers and maybe some clean up days. maybe do some sort of sponsorship of land to people and businesses. kinda like what they do with highways....but that might make people feel like it is "their" land too.

i would support it and do some volunteer work and clean ups and such but wouldnt be for increased baiting and trying to put limitations on private land owners.

later, dave

[AFTERSHOCK]

I think state land foodplots would concentrate many hunters too close together and as far as baiting on private and state lands go I think it should be stopped. I have harvested animals over bait piles and it is a viable method but it seems that some follow the two gallon limit and some do not . I do not need to use bait to harvest venison but it is an alternative method that puts venison on many tables. if the law is two gallons of bait that is all that should at a hunting site.

[EdB]

I could support habitat development on state land but not an increase in baiting.

[NorthJeff]

A chain saw could be the best friend a public land hunter could have. No, I'm not saying you should go out and cut your own patch down like they would here in the U.P. 30 years ago before baiting became the rage, but any legislation that encourages "old-growth" forest needs to be absolutely shot down. Old-growth here and there is no big deal, but food supply, bedding cover, escape cover, screening cover, etc., could be increased many times over with rotational clear-cutting on many public land holdings, leading to greater populations, and increased carrying capacities.

Loggers get the income, sportsmen enjoy the bounty.

Cut,cut,cut.;)

[Luv2hunteup]

ArrowHawk

I need a few questions answered before I vote:

I don't understand what you are getting at on private land food plots.

Baiting issue, I don't care either way.

I'm all for improving habitat on public lands, including food plots.

What about federal land hunters? We have more federal land than state land in many parts of the UP.

I would be for a fee increase for all deer tags if the funds would be directed at habitat improvement on public lands. Lack of quality UP winter habitat is the biggest limiting factor on UP deer numbers.

[TrailFndr]

I'll stay on hte fence for now...its not really clear what you are asking about. how would it work? what would it cost? would it divide those that have land, and those that don't? will it elliminate the inequality that we currently have in hunting rights ( owner vs non-owner) Will it elliminate the multiple private land tag system? will it help the buck-doe ratio's?

too many questions...not near enough answers

[Bob S]

You talk about a State Land Hunter`s Assn., then the first thing you mention sounds like you want to regulate private land owner`s food plots.

Second, you want to increase baiting, which I am against.

Food plots on State land. If you are talking about a group that would work within the management parameters of the DNR and as a group plant wildlife food plots, I would be for it. The Mid-Michigan QDMA Branch is doing that now. If you want State land hunters to be able to plant their own private food plot to hunt over, then I would be against that. The DNR must be able to have control over what is planted on public lands.

I will hold off voting until I hear more of an explanation as to what you want to accomplish, but so far, I am leaning towards a no.

[vandermi]

All for improving State Land.
My land, well just that. It is mine and I pay for it including taxes, so it should be my buisness what I do with it.

[ddolph]

I agree with NorthJeff, rotational clearcuts, you can support a healthy public forest by supporting the Ruffed Grouse Society

[ArrowHawk]

the results would be. No need to take this any futher.

My land, well just that. It is mine and I pay for it including taxes, so it should be my buisness what I do with it.

My goal was to see how hunters could stick together and support eachother but this is how most hunters feel.

I was asked before to support the dove bill and even though I would never hunt them it means something to other hunters so I supported it.

I quess myself along with a few others will just keep doing what we can to try to make state land hunting better, but since the size of state land is not the large in Lapeer County the only ones that will benefit are the surrounding private land owners. They have the rights to create large food plots to attract wildlife all year and we don't.

Enough said I could go on but why.