Hamilton Reef
02-27-2005, 08:47 AM
Decision on December pheasant hunt in Thumb likely in May
Sunday, February 27, 2005, By Bob Gwizdz
http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/statewide/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/110911380024030.xml
CASS CITY -- Sentiment about expanding December pheasant hunting into the Thumb is about equally split between those who support the idea and those who don't.
A recent meeting on the subject sponsored by the United Sportsmen's Alliance attracted 35 participants who discussed the proposal with Department of Natural Resources personnel and Natural Resources commissioner Jerry Hall.
Hall, an avid bird hunter, was leaning toward including the Thumb area in the late season last year, when the December season was lengthened to run through Jan. 1 in most of southeastern and southcentral Michigan. He is still in favor of opening the late season in the Thumb, but held off last year in order to gather more information on local sentiments.
Five sportsmen signed up to address the meeting -- two for the late season, two against it, and a fifth who said he wanted to thank state officials for the opportunity to comment on the proposal. after the meeting, the neutral speaker said he would support the late season.
"We stand for freedom of choice," said Ron Spaulding, vice-president of USA, a group that was founded to fight mandatory antler restrictions on deer harvest in the Thumb. "If three of our members want it and the other 27 don't, well, let's let those three hunt."
A mail survey conducted by the Thumb Chapter of Pheasants Forever's 600-plus members revealed that 146 approved the late hunt and 135 opposed it. Jerry Fisher, a United States Department of Agriculture conservationist and president of the chapter, said he was surprised by the amount of support the survey revealed.
Robert Papke, the Pheasants Forever chapter's secretary, spoke against the late season. "If we open up the Thumb and it's detrimental, how do we ever back up?" he asked.
Said Tom Jeffery: "I think the pheasant population is just coming back. I think we're going to take this population back down to where it was before.
"They want biological facts on why we shouldn't have this season, give me one biological reason why we should."
Pheasant biologists nationwide agree that late-running seasons are not biologically detrimental to pheasant populations as hunting is for roosters only and cock pheasants are capable of fertilizing numerous hens.
Speaking in favor of the proposal, John Wencley, who owns a cabin near Verona, said he'd like the opportunity to take his daughters pheasant hunting during the Christmas break.
"Ninety-seven percent of the land in the Thumb is private," he said. "If you don't want the late season, then don't let anyone on your land. It's up to you."
Also in favor of the late season, 31-year-old Don Schadd, from Huron County, said he'd put the effort into improving his habitat on the family farm and would like to have an opportunity to try hunting there in the late season.
Michigan first allowed December pheasant hunting for five days in 1993 in a small portion of southcentral Michigan. The number of days and the area open to hunting have been gradually expanded.
Hall said he was somewhat surprised by the support expressed at the meeting.
"Normally when you come to a meeting like this, more people who are opposed show up," he said.
DNR staffers will propose a course of action in March. The NRC will debate the proposal in April and likely make a decision on it in May. If approved, December pheasant hunting in the Thumb will begin this fall.
Sunday, February 27, 2005, By Bob Gwizdz
http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/statewide/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/110911380024030.xml
CASS CITY -- Sentiment about expanding December pheasant hunting into the Thumb is about equally split between those who support the idea and those who don't.
A recent meeting on the subject sponsored by the United Sportsmen's Alliance attracted 35 participants who discussed the proposal with Department of Natural Resources personnel and Natural Resources commissioner Jerry Hall.
Hall, an avid bird hunter, was leaning toward including the Thumb area in the late season last year, when the December season was lengthened to run through Jan. 1 in most of southeastern and southcentral Michigan. He is still in favor of opening the late season in the Thumb, but held off last year in order to gather more information on local sentiments.
Five sportsmen signed up to address the meeting -- two for the late season, two against it, and a fifth who said he wanted to thank state officials for the opportunity to comment on the proposal. after the meeting, the neutral speaker said he would support the late season.
"We stand for freedom of choice," said Ron Spaulding, vice-president of USA, a group that was founded to fight mandatory antler restrictions on deer harvest in the Thumb. "If three of our members want it and the other 27 don't, well, let's let those three hunt."
A mail survey conducted by the Thumb Chapter of Pheasants Forever's 600-plus members revealed that 146 approved the late hunt and 135 opposed it. Jerry Fisher, a United States Department of Agriculture conservationist and president of the chapter, said he was surprised by the amount of support the survey revealed.
Robert Papke, the Pheasants Forever chapter's secretary, spoke against the late season. "If we open up the Thumb and it's detrimental, how do we ever back up?" he asked.
Said Tom Jeffery: "I think the pheasant population is just coming back. I think we're going to take this population back down to where it was before.
"They want biological facts on why we shouldn't have this season, give me one biological reason why we should."
Pheasant biologists nationwide agree that late-running seasons are not biologically detrimental to pheasant populations as hunting is for roosters only and cock pheasants are capable of fertilizing numerous hens.
Speaking in favor of the proposal, John Wencley, who owns a cabin near Verona, said he'd like the opportunity to take his daughters pheasant hunting during the Christmas break.
"Ninety-seven percent of the land in the Thumb is private," he said. "If you don't want the late season, then don't let anyone on your land. It's up to you."
Also in favor of the late season, 31-year-old Don Schadd, from Huron County, said he'd put the effort into improving his habitat on the family farm and would like to have an opportunity to try hunting there in the late season.
Michigan first allowed December pheasant hunting for five days in 1993 in a small portion of southcentral Michigan. The number of days and the area open to hunting have been gradually expanded.
Hall said he was somewhat surprised by the support expressed at the meeting.
"Normally when you come to a meeting like this, more people who are opposed show up," he said.
DNR staffers will propose a course of action in March. The NRC will debate the proposal in April and likely make a decision on it in May. If approved, December pheasant hunting in the Thumb will begin this fall.