DNR Budget Cuts:
Postcard Notification for Limited-Access Hunts Eliminated…
If you apply for an antlerless tag this year you will not received a postcard notification in the mail!
“Drawing notification postcards are being eliminated as a cost-saving measure,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “This will save more than $40,000 per year in postage and printing costs and allow staff time to be reallocated to other projects.”
During this transition period, applicants for fall’s turkey hunting licenses and managed waterfowl area reserved hunts will still receive postcards because the change in notification was not announced prior to the closure of the application period. However, applicants for all limited-access hunting opportunities beginning in 2010 will not.
Applicants for antlerless deer licenses and other limited-access hunting opportunities may check to see if they were selected for a hunt at www.michigan.gov/dnrdrawings.
Fewer Deer Check Stations This Hunting Season
The DNR has announced that it will operate far fewer check stations for deer this fall and they will be open significantly fewer hours.
The DNR’s plans are to close more than half of its 125 check stations and operate the remaining stations only during the Nov. 15-30 firearms season. During other hunting seasons – archery, youth and muzzleloader — hunters will have to take their deer to DNR operation service centers during select hours.
“We just don’t have the funds to staff check stations at our past levels,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason, who estimated the changes will save the division more than a half million dollars.
“We can’t afford to keep doing business the way we have in the past.”
The decision to reduce check stations was necessary in the wake of increasing budget cuts in both General Fund and Game and Fish Protection Fund dollars. DNR Wildlife Division officials say that reducing check stations will not impact the quality of biological information collected and the mail survey will continue to provide the harvest data necessary to make management decisions.
The final list of check stations for the upcoming firearm deer season and their hours of operation will be announced as fall approaches.n
Pure Michigan Hunt
The Pure Michigan Hunt is the first multi-species hunting opportunity ever created in Michigan. In 2010, three hunters will be chosen at random to be automatically eligible to purchase licenses for the following seasons: elk, bear, antlerless deer, and spring and fall turkey. In addition, the winners will receive first selection for a reserved waterfowl hunt at a state-managed waterfowl area. Hunters may purchase as many applications as they wish for $4 each to be entered in to the drawing.
Pure Michigan Hunt application sales will go on sale at 11 a.m. Monday, July 27, and can be purchased until Dec. 31, with winners being announced in January 2010.
