For those of you who were excited as Jeff – after the recent passing of Hunter Heritage Legislation – and were chomping at the bit to get your kids out hunting this year, unfortunately, you’re going to have to wait one more year.  However, a recent press release from the DNR did give us some more insight into the new law and what it entails.

In a nutshell, the Natural Resources Commission has an entire year to develop the new Hunter Heritage Program, which will provide “hunting opportunities for youths under the age of 10 by allowing them to hunt in conjunction with the mentored youth hunting program”.  Basically, children ten and under can hunt, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult mentor.  And even more important than that is the fact that these children will also be allowed to purchase a youth hunting license, which entitles them to hunt deer, turkey, small game, trap fur-bearers and fish for all species.

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While the Michigan Legislature, along with the Governor, continue to make the “invasive species” debate almost comical, the Legislature has managed to take a huge step when it comes to continuing Michigan’s hunting heritage, by passing legislation which, if signed by the Governor, will eliminate a minimum hunting age in Michigan.

Abby and I are going to get a chance to hunt together much sooner than I expected, and that is awesome!

In a nutshell, this legislation creates a “Mentored Youth Hunting Safety Program” that eliminates Michigan’s minimum hunting age and allows parents – not a governing body – to choose the moment in time when their kids are ready to experience hunting for the first time.

I seriously can’t believe this is actually happening.  How cool is that?

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With a 4-3 vote last night, the Natural Resources Commission decided to allow baiting in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula once again.  Baiting will be allowed from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1, and all current baiting laws pertaining to the Upper Peninsula will stay the same.  The NRC has also decided to revisit the issue in three years.

If you recall, baiting was banned in the Lower Peninsula back in 2008, after a captive deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.  Since that time baiting has been quite the topic in Michigan – and while I’m still not so sure that this is the right move, the fact remains that it will be legal once again, so – if you choose to participate – I promise not to judge, even if I may not agree with you.

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Jeff, once he gets out of work tonight, is heading down to Indianapolis to attend the 2011 ATA show.  For those of you who do not know what that is, ATA stands for Archery Trade Association, and this show includes the who’s who in archery and outdoor-related business.

All of the big names will be there, and I’m sure Jeff will probably have a picture of him and Tiffany to share when he returns.  I think that is his only goal.

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On many blogs, and in many conversations with fellow hunters, I have discussed the topic of hunter “ethics”.  People have wondered if we need to establish a set of hunter ethics – a hunter code if you will – or if hunting “ethics” cannot be established at all.  I personally think, and many people I’ve seen comment and/or discuss the topic would agree, that defining hunting ethics is an impossible task.

How can one define the “right” way to hunt?  Who decides the “right” way?  And who decides what the “wrong” way to hunt is?  And, if, let’s say, hunting “ethics” were defined by a particular group of hunters, wouldn’t it then be possible that those hunters, who do not agree with the defined “ethics”, could be discriminated against because their choice of hunting tactics, methods, etc. are deemed “wrong”?

It’s a vicious circle, and it constantly revolves and evolves, but it results in a simple point: just because you don’t agree with my way of hunting, doesn’t mean that it isn’t the “right” way – or the correct way – or the desired way for everyone to hunt.  To each is own I always say.

And while hunting “ethics” have been a topic I’ve come across quite a few times, I have yet to see this issue be brought up when it comes to fishing.  A recent article I came across, however, brought it to the forefront for me.

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