2010 Michigan House/Senate Candidate Questionnaire

(Michigan OutofDoors Magazine will only publish “Yes” and “No” responses. If the
candidate has a specific interest in, or comment on a particular question, MUCC staff will
gladly discuss the issue with the candidate.)

Question 1: Support for Sound Scientific Management of Natural Resources

Natural resource decisions are legacy issues. The impact of a decision made today may not be
felt on the landscape for many years. With that in mind, in 1996 Michigan Voters
overwhelmingly supported Proposal G, which gave the Michigan Natural Resources
Commission the exclusive authority to regulate game according to the principles of sound
scientific management. The reason for the proposal was to allow science to dictate the
management of Michigan’s wildlife resources, not emotional appeals from those opposed to
hunting. Periodically, however, legislation is introduced that would circumvent Proposal G,
allowing the legislature to regulate the taking of game.

Question: Will you Question

oppose4:legislation
Hunter Recruitment
that proposes and toRetention
manage game statutorily, which
would conflict with Proposal G’s science-based management mandate? (Circle one)
An unfortunate trend across the nation shows that our youth’s spare time is filled with video
games, computers, “smart YES phones” and NO extra curricular schedules instead of quality outdoor
recreation. As recreation and time spent outside are becoming a smaller part of the lives of
today’s young people, the health of Michigan’s youth are in danger as well as the future of
conservation and our outdoor traditions. Michigan’s replacement rate for hunters falls well
below a sustainable level. For every 100 hunters that stop hunting in Michigan, there are
Question
Question 3:
2: Long-Term
Rightjustto26 replacing
Bear Funding
Arms them today, according to data from the National Rifle Association.
However, states like Ohio – which allow parents to decide what age their children are ready
Michigan’s
MUCC and unfortunateto hunteconomic
its members –have
recruit
longroughly
downturn
expressed three
has times
led to
strong assignificant
manyforyoung
support competition
gun people into
ownership for hunting
andlimited (76 for every 100
gun rights.
General Fund dollars
lost). among
Statistics
state also
agencies.
show that
The young
Michigan hunters
The Supreme Court recently held that the Second Amendment right to bear arms is a Department
are safer of
than
Natural
adults when proper safety
Resources
fundamentaland
Question
Environment
rightinstruction
that5: Ballot
cannot and
has
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mentorship
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circumvented ofrequired.
thestate
by hardestandhits
localin governments.
recent years, resulting
in an unstable dependence on hunting and fishing licenses, recreational fees and other
permit feesIfto
Question: Currently,
conserve
Stateswill
elected, alike
and
personPennsylvania,
enhance
you or group
work our may
state’s
Ohio,
to uphold place
greatest
Tennessee,
a proposed
Michigan assetand
– amendment
our
Minnesota
residents’ natural resources.
to
have
gun rights? Michigan’s
already
(Circletaken
Constitution
one) the leadon in the
Many feel that
ballottheimproving
by
current
simply funding
hunter
gathering scheme
recruitment
a setisnumber
not andsustainable,
retention.
of signatures,
nor
Michigan
wise
regardless
considering
should of do
where
the
thesame
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allowingare
benefit our natural
gathered.
parents
resources
Many to make
believe
contribute
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thatown
to
this
YES Michigan’s
decision
gives an about
unfair
NOtop industries.
what
advantage
time While
isto
right
ballot
many
to mentor
proponents
short theirwho
children
may about
hire
term solutions
paid such
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hunting,
as increased
safety,
or thoselicense
andbased
conservation
feesin or
well-populated
an “access
ethics. This
pass”
areas,
would
program
which
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for
frequently
non-
improve allows
hunter
forrecruitment
the adoption
consumptiveofusers
proposals
andhaveretention
been
viewed proposed,
inunfavorably
our state,most butby
agree
also
rural
create
that
voters.
a long
a more
Interm
recent
stable
solution
elections,
future is for
needed
out-of-state
our outdoor
in anti
traditions,
hunting get
order to adequately
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have
protect
kids
paid our
outdoors,
forresources
petition
further
collection
from instill
degradation
hunting
in population-dense
and
safetyin turn
and ethics
enhance
areasinofour theyouth,
state. By
andinstituting
contribute to
Michigan’s standards
potential
moreto that
on-the-ground
improve
requireits a more
rate
conservation
ofequitable
return from of
geographical
our
ourstate’s
naturaldistribution
natural
assetsresources.
– economically
of petition signatures (i.e., by
and socially.state senate district or congressional district), voters would be assured that any proposal placed
on theQuestion:
ballet hasWould a more you equitable
support levellegislation
of statewidethatsupport.
would direct the Natural Resources
Question: Will you Commission
support ato long-term
create a Mentored
funding plan Youthfor the
Hunting
conservation
Programand with minimum safety
enhancement Question:
of requirements
Michigan’s
Wouldnatural you
andsupport
arms-length
resources
a ballotor
parent/guardian
participate
referendumintothe supervision
establish
creation geographic
of
fora hunters distribution
less than 17
long-term funding
requirements
yearsplan?while (Circle
foralso
petition
eliminating
one) signatures Michigan’s
in voter minimum
initiatives?hunting
(Circle age?one) (Circle one)

YES NO
YES
YES NONO
 MUCC is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and does not endorse
political candidates.

Questionnaire responses may be completed online at http://conta.cc/2010Election, emailed to

dnyberg@mucc.org, mailed to MUCC, P.O. Box 30235 Lansing, MI 48909, or faxed to 517-371-
1505, Attn: Dave Nyberg. Questionnaires must be received by October 15, 2010 for publication. For
questions, please call 517-346-6462 or email dnyberg@mucc.org

Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the oldest and largest statewide conservation organization in the
nation and has represented the views of millions of hunters, anglers and conservationists since 1937.
MUCC has nearly 43,000 members and represents over 400 affiliated clubs, all united to conserve,
protect, and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and preserve our state’s rich outdoor heritage for
future generations.