Multi-Year Regulations Proposal Summary Wildlife Division

STATE OF MICHIGAN D E P A R T M E N T O F N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S LANSING RICK SNYDER KEITH CREAGH GOVERNOR DIRECTOR Multi-Year Regulations Proposal Summary – Wildlife Division Introduction In the fall of 2012, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Governance Workgroup delivered a report to the full NRC regarding its findings and recommendations, including the need to review the frequency for setting changes to wildlife regulations. The workgroup recommended expanding the time between review cycles in order to allow for additional evaluation of social and biological impacts. The Department’s Wildlife Division (WLD) was asked to create a proposal for multi-year wildlife regulatory reviews. WLD Species Regulatory Cycle Management

Conclusion The WLD recommendation includes keeping with efforts to stabilize regulations and quotas by using multi-year cycles when optimal. Accordingly, the WLD recommends the following timing for updating regulations: deer, elk, furbearer, waterfowl, and wolf in 2014; bear, falconry, small game and upland game bird, waterfowl, and wolf in 2015; and duck season openers, elk, furbearer, waterfowl, wild turkey, and wolf in 2016. The WLD proposes that maintaining consistent regulations, when appropriate, will help to reduce public confusion, increase staff time to educate the public about the goals and methods of species management, assess public opinions and preferences, and aid law enforcement in achieving better rates of compliance. The WLD is committed to continuing to work to educate stakeholders, partners, and the public regarding the regulatory process and changes.