Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

WILDLIFE GROUPS OPPOSE HORSEBACK RIDING BILLS

Passage of legislation that would guarantee the right for horseback riding on state-owned lands could threaten federal funding for wildlife resources as well as damage certain habitats, a number of hunting and fishing groups have said in a letter to Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Officials from more than 30 outdoor sporting groups, including the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Ducks Unlimited and Michigan Trout Unlimited, signed the letter which was also distributed to the Legislature and the Natural Resources Commission.

The letter did not specifically oppose HB 4610 and SB 578, but said the bills raised a number of concerns (See Gongwer Michigan Report, April 28, 2009).

The measures have been pushed by riding enthusiasts, in part as a way of promoting equine tourism in the state and in part because they argue the state has systematically closed down trails available to them.

But the letter said some public lands in the state were purchased for the specific purpose to manage fish and game resources. Allowing the lands to be open to horseback riding and pack animals could endanger as much as $25 million in federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Funds, an argument the Department of Natural Resources used in opposing the legislation.

"We cannot support legislation that could cause us to lose an annual influx of federal dollars that provide for hunting, fishing and trapping, especially when those funds came from the pocketbooks of hunters, angler and trappers. We also cannot support legislation that might hinder the hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities on lands that were purchased with those activities as their primary use," the letter said.

In addition, the letter said resource uses should not be legislated. Because the bills would allow one type of use across state lands, some habitats could be dramatically affected, the letter said. Cold-water streams that trout live in could be dramatically affected by increased traffic that horses and pack animals could represent

Yes, we have awakened the sleeping giant.  However we do have answers for the questions/complaints raised in this letter.  Now is the time to state our case loud and clear - far and wide! 

I know my legislators have not heard the last from me.  And Mr. Muchmore will find me quite persistent as well. 

Thanks for posting this info!

What is the status of the legislation now.  Will there be another vote to re-open horse use in the areas that have been closed?

it has been reported by the DNR that the pegion river has no fish it in due to the dam opening at the "Song Of The Morning Ranch", saying that the black silt killed all of the fish in the river!

......{some of the public land purchased with fish and game money }....guess I have every right to ride it then...I helped pay for it !!

....{Dramaitcally affected}....I see they are still up to trying to blame the horses for it all....while they are stripping trees by the thousands of acres .. wonder who's pocket that money is going into....:mad:

and excuse me but what and where did all the money go to that the horse camps brought in...15 of those camp where maintance free camps !!!:dry:

and Now they want ya'll to pay 20 bucks a night for rustic camping

on top of the millions of dollars the horse industry brings in this state...