Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

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From: cmsc2 [mailto:cmsc2@cmsinter.net]

Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 2:04 AM

To: tranqual acers

Subject: Fw: Hunting Legislative Alert to Michigan

----- Original Message -----

From: John J

To: aaaSafe Hunter Mich

Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:30 PM

Subject: Hunting Legislative Alert to Michigan

Legislative Alert to Michigan

Legislation, HB 4610, would establish a "right to ride horses on state-owned land." It is expected to be voted out of committee this Tuesday, May 5.

This legislation would force MI DNR to allow horseback riding on any state-owned lands where horseback riding has historically been allowed, regardless of the impact such riding has on habitat, wildlife populations and hunting. If this legislation passes, the right to ride horses would trump your right to hunt. This despite the fact that much of the public land affected was purchased with your hunting dollars (through license fees and federal excise taxes).

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry -- is encouraging all sportsmen and hunters to contact the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee and urge them to oppose this anti-hunting bill.

Contact for committee members is below:

Joel Sheltrown (D), Committee Chair, 103rd District

Jim Slezak (D), Majority Vice-Chair, 50th District

Kate Ebli (D), 56th District

Mike Huckleberry (D), 70th District

Steven Lindberg (D), 109th District

Mike Simpson (D), 65th District

Woodrow Stanley (D), 34th District

Jim Stamas (R), Minority Vice-Chair, 98th District

James Bolger (R), 63rd District

Goeff Hansen (R), 100th District

Kenneth B. Horn (R), 94th District

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COME ON!!  An Anit-Hunting Bill!!  Are you kidding me!  This has nothing to do with restricting hunters from hunting.  Please!  I can't  believe the scare tactics these people are trying to pull.    Ahhhhhhhhh!

What website/organization did this come from... we need to post replies to this insanity!!!

I looked it up, It came from  the National Shooting sports Foundation.  here is the link:

http://nssf.org/legal/links/alerts/MI-HB4610.htm  ;

I have written a draft response that I'm waiting for approval on, for our response to this post. 

Please don't over react if you post on that forums page. Be polite and calm.

Here is the email address for NSSF:  address:  info@nssf.org

Please contact them, give them accurate information regarding HB 4610 and ask them to reconsider their stance on this bill.  This is a group that is usually pretty good on most issues. 

The President of UP Sportsmen's Alliance (UPSA) sent them a letter asking them to drop this alert and asked them to check with other sources to get complete information on this bill.  UPSA represents 34,000!

NSSF contact info:

National Shooting Sports Foundation

Flintlock Ridge Office Center

11 Mile Hill Road

Newtown, CT 06470-2359

Phone: (203) 426-1320

FAX: (203) 426-1087

info@nssf.org

Letter sent to to: cmsc2@cmsinter.net

and to: addresss.info@nssf.org   This is what I wrote, if anyone cares to use it for other sportsman groups:

Hello - Regarding you post saying:

Subject: Hunting Legislative Alert to Michigan

Legislative Alert to Michigan

Legislation, HB 4610, would establish a "right to ride horses on state-owned land." It is expected to be voted out of committee this Tuesday, May 5.

This legislation would force MI DNR to allow horseback riding on any state-owned lands where horseback riding has historically been allowed, regardless of the impact such riding has on habitat, wildlife populations and hunting. If this legislation passes, the right to ride horses would trump your right to hunt. This despite the fact that much of the public land affected was purchased with your hunting dollars (through license fees and federal excise taxes).

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry -- is encouraging all sportsmen and hunters to contact the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee and urge them to oppose this anti-hunting bill.

This legislation is NOT about preventing hunters from using the land.

It is about all users, using the land. Please keep reading.

This is more about allowing multiple users to use the land. I have heard from people who HUNT and FISH and RIDE HORSES. Because the equestrians have uncovered falsehoods that the MDNR perpetuates, it stands to reason that they do the same to all users of state land – regardless of its classification (forest, park, game).

Hunters who are also equestrians where I live in Lapeer County can't get through because the trails get so overgrown. They can't drag deer out that they kill because there are NO TRAIL or PATHWAYs and are told that they must CARRY their kill out so not to destroy the ecosystem of forest undergrowth. So – let’s say that equestrians help create pathways throughout the forest with the assistance of hunters (so as not to jeopardize any Federal funding such as Pittman-Robertson) … then hunters need only carry their kill to pathway, and could then drag it. Or – better yet – use a pack animal such as hunters in the Western United States and areas in the Appalachians do.

In fact, we have sportsmen that support us in approving this bill. (U.P. Sportsmen Alliance, the Outspoken Sportsman – Bill Moore, and others) because they know and understand the implications of what the MDNR has been doing over the years and they want accountability. The MDNR is simply targeting the horse user group these days. They have already targeted ATVs, snowmobiles, etc.

And, it is not true about what money purchased and maintains the land. Less than 1/3 of the money comes from hunting, fishing AND camping fees. LESS THAN 1/3. Hundreds of acres of land are acquired through donations. Hundreds of acres of land are acquired through tax foreclosure. Hundreds of acres of land are bought and paid for with the millions of dollars that Michigan receives each year in Mineral and Oil lease payments. (for further details, read NREPA 451) In 2008, MDNR received $67 Million from mineral and oil leases. They also received Federal grants that they could VERY possibly have co-mingled with other land management monies which has put the state at risk. Representative Darwin Booher is pursuing that.

If you or any of your colleagues had been at the committee hearing last Tuesday, April 28th, 2009; you would have heard the testimony from retired DNR personnel in support of this legislation as well as DNR rebuttal that is unfounded. You would have seen how a large portion of the more than 150 horse people present, ALSO have hunting and fishing licenses.

Please help us in recovering Michigan’s economy through outdoor recreation – all users.

Great letter Gabz!  It was well put, and I am remaining calm.....

Ommmmmmmmm!:)

This hunting forum is debating HB 4610. They seem to need some clarity on many of the issues and the facts regarding HB 4610.  I see there is much confusion on the facts that are being stated.  Do they realize how many riders are hunters too?  Do they understand that the DNR could go after snowmobiling next, cyclists, berry pickers or who knows what user group could go on the butcher block next?  I  don't care what user group it is...don't take away my rights, my children's rights, or my neighbor's rights to reasonably enjoy and use OUR public lands......that I might remind the DNR happen to be the property of all the citizens of this state!

Michigan Sportsmans Forum: 

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286987&page=3 

I didn't mean to get everyone in an up roar.

Ido get quite a few alerts from them.

But I do believe that with a watchful EYE we can all help put out FIRES.

I surf a good many of sites and the list just keeps growing like it did again today.

Here is just a few of them.

http://www.msma.us/index.html

http://nmawhc.com/forum/index.php

http://melmoderator.proboards.com/index.cgi

http://michiganhorsechat.proboards.com/index.cgi

http://mihorsecommunity.proboards.com/index.cgi

http://www.testrong.com/forum3/index.php

http://activerain.com/blogsview/925927/TRAM-Report-Follow-Up-Horses-were-first-in-Grand-Rapids-MI

AND NOW I CAN ADD THESE

http://www.nssf.org/

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196113

http://www.theoutspokensportsman.net/reinhardtinvestigation.htm

Boo

Good work everybody.  I am your cheerleader! 

Elaine

The DNR and MUCC are rallying their troops!  They will make another appearance at the hearing this Tuesday...and will give more testimony.   They are billing this legislation as the "anti-hunting" bill.  We need to clarify the facts on this where ever possible... via the forums, with phone calls to sporting groups etc. and clarify that this is not detrimental to the hunters.  If anyone knows of more opposition, please post it here. 

Please also continue to contact your legislators too.  And remember to remind everyone that many of us are also hunters.  This legislation is about so much more than just equestrian use, it's taking a stand for all user groups.  If they can do this to the equestrians, they can do the same to any of the other user groups! 

Please attend this Tuesday again and show your support for HB 4610, if at all possible!  We can't drop the ball now.  The way they're rallying the opposition together tells me we have them nervous...and that means one thing, we really rattled some cages in Lansing last week!  I want to see this through with a victory and so far we've done a great job! 

I'd like to personally thank everyone that came to Lansing!  I am so proud of everyone!

Here's another "anti-HB 4610" posting on the web:  http://thinkingafield.blogspot.com/2009/05/michigan-hb-4610-right-to-ride-horses.html

Note:  Comments can and should be posted. 

Sportsmen,

I just recieved notice concerning youe adverse reaction to the right to ride legislation. Let me explain under no circumstances do horse back riders have any intention of interfering with a hunter's right to hunt as has always been a time honored tradition. As you may well understand many who ride are also hunters, most of us hunting for our entire life. If you have recieved information horseback riders intend in any way to limit or interfere with your traditional rights nothing could be further from the truth. In all reality we should be in complete unison to make certain no citizen looses our right to enjoy Michigan's outdoors. Gentlemen we intend you no harm and only seek to enjoy what all of us (hunters and riders ) have enjoyed for years  and years. I believe the appropriate phrase here is divide and conquer. If you think for an instant what the d.n.r. is doing to the horsemen can not happen to you think again and research their long range plans for the future of Michigan's state land ( good luck getting that information ). as a member of the NRA I, like all of you have seen a drop in hunter numbers and our young straying away from hunting in general. So my question to all of you is why would you want to turn against fellow hunters who also happen to ride horses and allow any of us to be banned from that which belongs to all of us ? Most of us not only teach our Children to ride but to hunt ,care for and enjoy Michigan's bounty. If you care to check into it you may find the people with a great deal of influence with the d.n.r. are the radical animal rights and radical environmental activists which are definitely not our friends.If we join together we all win if not we all lose. Ken Thurlow

Pro - HB 4610 thread on MI-S Forum:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287417

Comments can be posted regarding this article:

"Proposed law to help Michigan horseback riders could backfire" Howard Meyerson | The Grand Rapids PressSaturday May 09, 2009

http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2009/05/proposed_law_to_help_michigan.html

And also at these:

Michigan Votes

http://www.michiganvotes.org/forum/forums/p/62740/274839.aspx

Revenue Enhancement Scheme for May 6: Bridle Tags

http://www.jackformichigan.org/core/2009/5/7/revenue-enhancement-scheme-for-may-6-bridle-tags.html

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FYI:

State budget cuts force campground closures.
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=296667

And then there's this.  Is it just me or does this make NO sense at all????

Michigan DNR aims for lots of happy campers

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/bay-city/index.ssf/2009/05/michigan_dnr_aims_for_lots_of.html

MIchigan Sportsman Forum...another thread on HB 4610:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2699319&posted=1#post2699319

DNR may have to reopen, maintain areas for horses

Note:  Comments can be left below this article at:  http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/Articles-i-2009-05-13-69522.113117_DNR_may_have_to_reopen_maintain_areas_for_horses.html

Brooke doesn't seem to have all the facts....

Here is a post from a fellow equestrian: 

Equestrian Access to Michigan State Park Trails:

http://www.moronacity.com/blog/2009/05/21/equestrian-access-to-michigan-state-park-trails/

Below are a couple of more places you can post your comments.

MIchigan Votes:

http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=90622

DNR Kicks Horseback Riders off State Forest Land. Who's Next?

http://www.civpro.org/blog/2009/4/8/dnr-kicks-horseback-riders-off-state-forest-land-whos-next.html

Yet another discussion.....

Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA)

Forum:

http://mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=90255