http://www.cadillacnews.com/news_story/?story_id=1805657&year=2012&issue=20121214 Antler point restriction proposal passes
By Chris Lamphere
CADILLAC — The rumors are true.
Pending final approval, next deer season, hunters will only be able to take deer with at least 3 antler points per rack side, or 4 points per side with a combination tag.
A survey sent out to a sample of deer hunters by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources came back with a 68.5 percent approval of antler point restrictions.
Quality Deer Management Association member Ryan Ratacjzak said the response rate for the survey was 80 percent, which is extremely high, considering only 50 percent response was required for the proposal to pass.
"A lot of people took interest in deer management," Ratacjzak said. "They were aware changes needed to be made to improve things and get the ball rolling again."
Although the proposal has passed the survey stage, an antler point restriction program will not be official until it is approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission before deer season next year.
During the past year leading up to the survey mailings, QDMA members and DNR officials traveled throughout the 12 counties included in the proposal to talk with hunters and landowners and answer questions about deer management.
Proposal supporters touted the success of an antler point restriction program implemented in Leelanau County several years ago, while those who opposed the proposal said it would serve only to frustrate hunters and keep them out of local woods.
If approved, antler point restrictions will go into effect in Wexford, Osceola, Missaukee and Lake counties (also Benzie, Charlevoix, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Emmet, Kalkaska, Manistee and Mason counties) for a trial period of five years, after which time another survey will be mailed asking if hunters still approve of the program.
Topic: Michigan-Antler point restriction proposal passes (Read 1211 times)
