Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

Here it is for those who would like to read it ASAP>>>>>Thank you SEMORE!

SEMORE on 05/09/09 at 2:42PM

Again the question of credibility arises pertaining to the DNR.

As I understand it, and to the best of my research, Pigeon River has just under 12 acres of it's 118000 acres that were purchased by Pittman Robertson Funds. If fencing off that area to all but people on foot satisfies the Pittman Robertson restrictions, so be it. Justify removing Horses, Snowmobiles, ATV's and Mountain Bikes from the remaining 117988 acres.

At least the Equestrians had the gumption to stand up and say NO MORE to the progressive incremental restriction continually coming out of Michigan's DNR.

The Michigan Snowmobile Association should have fought this, instead they simply argued that the ATV's had to go if Snowmobiles had to go......but hey, they got their trail permit fee increase legislation through a short time later.

Special interest ecology minded folks argue about the eco system and potential damage from horse traffic, trails etc. Well, Deer and Elk also create runways and trample the little critters the eco folks so earnestly fight for. In many cases most of us purchase insecticides and rodent traps to rid ourselves of these "pests".

ANY land takeaway is a bad takeway, ESPECIALLY in these current times. Michigan is rapidly becoming a "look but dont touch" state and it's unfortunate most dont take notice of the realities, see through this propaganda, and choose to get involved to preserve the public lands for ALL OUTDOOR USER GROUPS.

This bill may only authorize horse activities, but I dont blame that on HB 4610. The reality is, the Michigan Snowmobile Association, the ATV's riders, the Mountain Bikers should have done the same as the Equestrians did. Since they didnt, they certainly have had the opportunity to get on board with this legislation, and perhaps get themselves included?

A few months back Mr Meyerson wrote a praising article on the Michigan Snowmobile Association for initiating legislative action and successfully accomplishing their goal of increasing the overhead cost to snowmobilers after deceiving not only the snowmobilers but the legislature as well by telling snowmobilers they had proposed a 10.00 increase and asking for support, when in reality they proposed a 75.00 increase. MSA got 80% support from snowmobilers believing it was only a 10.00 increase and proceeded to tell the legislature of these results while failing to disclose the true intentions of their proposed legislation. They also told the snowmobilers former State Representative Tom Casperson and Mike Lahti had introduced legislation in the house while it was also introduced on the senate side. NOT TRUE. Research october, november and december 2008 magazine publications. They have edited their website. The snowmobile advisory committee meeting minutes also tell the story. By the time MSA told the membership, it was pretty much a done deal, the bills, 08-SB-1489 and 1490 were beyond opposing efforts by constituents to their respective representatives.

While MSA's agenda is to make Michigan a premier destination for Snowmobilers and is to be commended for their goals, and some of their accomplishments, the method utilized is dispicable. Is this what we have become?

The DNR and the MUCC have publicized inaccuracies, and their mission is suspect especially since it involves restricting the use of public land by "certain user groups" all the while claiming 4610 places one user group above all others. GIVE ME A BREAK!

The credibility of DNR and MUCC is suspect. One only needs to look back a couple of years when it was proven the DNR lied about a 10 million dollar budget deficit while maintaining the need to escalate hunting and fishing license fees, which the Director has since acknowledged and apologized for, citing bad communication. The MUCC at that time publicly stated they were going to have an audit conducted to find out the real truth. That audit has yet to be conducted or published to the best of my knowledge and research. It has been publicly admitted that it was never done. Not long after MUCC's announcement of their intentions to conduct this audit, the director was appointed by Governor Granholm to a committee, an apparent elimination of the intended audit. It was certainly a suspect coincidence to me.

Mr. Meyerson, a bit more research and credible reporting would go a long way to help eliminate the urban legends and rumors that keep Michigans residents so confused and divided, enabiling a complete distraction, while it's Government continues to make poor decisions apparently motivated by special interest groups that dont even reside in the state of Michigan.

As far as Mr Nyberg's statement of:

"Simply writing that horseback riding is compatible with management and conservation of fish and wildlife doesn't just make it so,"

I take issue with that statement, and believe that horseback riding is NOT incompatible with outdoor wildlife.

I believe with certain conviction that MUCC's membership numbers have dwindled because they have aligned themselves with the DNR instead of working to keep the Government in check on behalf of the outdoors enthusiast.

HB4610 is necessary due to an overbearing and deceptive DNR administration, empowered by apathetic and ignorant user groups and associations, amplified by divide and conquer tactics including deception and participant restrictions that in many cases create conflict one group to the next.

For the record, I am NOT an Equestrian, I hunt, fish, snowmobile, and ride an atv on occasion.