2007 House Bill 4016 (Revise opening day of deer hunting )

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Introduced by Rep. Rick Shaffer on January 22, 2007, to move the opening day for deer hunting season to the second Saturday in November.
- Referred to the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, And Natural Resources Committee on January 22, 2007.

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Comments

Introduced by Rep. Rick Shaffer on January 22, 2007. New Comment

1) shoot more does [by Anonymous Citizen on April 27, 2008]
Leave the date the same but only shoot does for the first week, then buck season starts on nov. 23 thru end of month
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2) What about Virgina [by Anonymous Citizen on March 20, 2008]
when i was stationed in virgina, we were able to hunt deer for almost two months non stop ... Beat that Michigan
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3) My calender is full. [by Anonymous Citizen on January 4, 2008]
I'll be out of town Saturday, November 8, 2008. All of my family obligations & events have been scheduled around the 15th forever. A little consistancy in an ever-changing world is a good thing.
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4) If it [by Anonymous Citizen on December 27, 2007]
ain't broke, don't fix it. Leave it as it is.
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5) Move it ahead if anything [by Anonymous Citizen on December 27, 2007]
Look at Wisconsin...they have a 9 day season running the week of Thanksgiving and that's it.

We have a 2 week season that coincides with the rut to an extent. We'd save a lot of immature animals if we moved it ahead.

On top of that, let's get an 8 Point rule, a one buck rule, and many other things so we can compete with neighboring States for good hunting. Maybe that way, I'd continue to buy a MI license instead of traveling out of State for all my deer hunting. I won't drop a dime in MI to hunt all of these immature bucks here, but I sure as heck will pay upwards of $800 a trip to hunt elsewhere. Come on, I'd be more than willing to drop that money here if Gary Alt would just come in and turn things around for us!!!

Think about it...Michigan is losing deer hunters. I bet you any money one reason is because people gave up and hunt out of State now. Actually, I know it's a fact...I have at least 10 friends or aquaintences that haven't bought a MI deer license in a few years because they travel out of State for their hunting now.

This herd needs to be managed properly and then an increase in hunter numbers will come with it...with that, license sales will increase...with that, revenue will increase. And here we are arguing if we need to move the firearms opener ahead....FINE...move it ahead...move it to the last Saturday in November or even the first Saturday in December and run it for a week or even a few seperate weekends...heck IA does it! What's that tell you? Other Midwestern States do it too!
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6) so, you are trying to tell [by Anonymous Citizen on December 27, 2007]
me that you, as a michigan hunter, are incapable of self regulation?

you must follow the 'IF IT'S BROWN, IT'S DOWN' rule.

aren't hunters in this state disciplined enough to PASS on immature bucks?

aren't hunters in this state smart enough to take an extra doe or two to improve their herd?

aren't hunters in this state responsible enough to practice good management practices without the D.N.R. breathing down their necks?

obviously not.

giving legislators THOSE kinds of choices gives them the opportunity to eliminate hunting altogether.

michigan eliminating hunting altogether will cause other states to do it as well.

michigan has a very large deer herd, as opposed to other states. we need the hunters to more actively control those numbers if we are to see an improvement in that herd.
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7) What concerns me ... [by Jennybegone on December 10, 2007]
Is the increasing numbers of deer in the last several years, as the increasing amount of roadkill can attest. I think the deer population is exploding, and having a longer season may be an answer until the population is sufficiently under control - can sustain a decent hunt with quality deer without making them too scarce. I see lots of deer in Mid-Michigan and Southeastern lower Michigan than before. So, there are plenty of deer to be had around my area.
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8) Cross-bow [by Anonymous Citizen on December 5, 2007]
Legalize the use of crossbows.
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9) Yes - Saturday opener [by Anonymous Citizen on November 20, 2007]
Times change people! We are all busting out a#*es working harder and harder, and taking PRECIOUS TIME off is financially tough for ALOT of people nowdays. Plus businesses are not as forgiving for people to take time off, schools do not close for opening day like they used to, etc, etc. I can take the time off...but there is alot of people here at work who could not get the time off from work. It's not fair to them. People have little precious time to spare away from work and their families with today's new (but not better) economy.

Let's TRY a Saturday opener....maybe this will bring people in the woods... Maybe this will get the youth involved again...

I HARDLY saw anyone hunting in Mason county, especially the 15th, 16th, and 17th, when I came out of the woods to run errands...typically, I would see cars everywhere and orange in the fields. And when I drove back to Grand Rapids Saturday afternoon, I saw ONE hunter at 4:00pm in the fields\woods...90 miles of driving and ONE person hunting at prime time...what is that all about??? Hunting is declining folks!!!

Also...the LACK OF SHOTS. I herd 5 different hunters shoot opening morning in a 4 hour period, 7 hunters shoot opening evening in a 3 hour period, and about that same number average the 16th and 17th...

This tells me less people are hunting. I used to hear...seriously...20-30 shots from different hunters per morning and evening session up to 4-5 years ago.

Lack of hunters means lack of revenue to the DNR...lack of revenue to the DNR means cuts and license fees raising, which means even more hunters will say screw it, not hunting this year due to the fees and not seeing deer anyway, which means even more lack of revenue, and the vicious cycle will continue.

Let's try something different...WE HAVE TO...the see if we can get hunters, especially youth in the woods...

LET's HAVE OPENING DAY ON THE SATURDAY...why not?

To not even objectively or logically look at this possibility means short-sightliness. Or to just think that "too bad if people cannot take the 15th off...that's their problem...they have to manage their vacation time better..." is also short-sighted and SELFISH...these people may have circumstances at home that prevent them from burning a weekday to hunt. I am guessing the people on this board that think "too bad if they cannot take time off...that their problem..." have different job\financial circumstances, than someone who is in need of supporting their family and cannot afford a week day off....but is a passionate hunter and would like to be in the woods for the opener.

ALL hunters that want to be in the woods SHOULD have an equal chance to carry on Michigan's deer hunting tradition...and having a Saturday opener GREATLY INCREASES the odds of people getting that chance....unless they work for a service industry such as a gas station and have weekend hours...but I would assume that would be the minority.

Before deer hunting is extinguished from lack of interest by the majority...just look at licenses sales...they have been declining steadily...logic dictates other options need to be tried to bring up sales...

....LIKE A SATURDAY OPENER....WHAT CAN IT HURT???????
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10) sat opener [by Anonymous Citizen on December 5, 2007]
They tried a Sat opener in the early 60's - people didn't like it...
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11) how about we [by Anonymous Citizen on November 20, 2007]
lower the fee for licenses?

or reduce the D.N.R.'s responsibility to checking to see if licenses are present and current, and helping people manage plots of land so wildlife will thrive.

no, D.N.R. should not be running around with D.E.A. and federal agents, looking for drugs in people's houses.

no, D.N.R. should not be assisting animal control officers with dog problems in flint.

no, D.N.R. should not be doing anything except what they are supposed to be doing. maybe if they were, hunters wouldn't get treated the way they do, and land owners would welcome them year round.
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12) Why [by jessup_anthonymichael on November 19, 2007]
Why would anyone want the date one the beginning of rutting season. There may be people that want it changed but there's a lot of people that don't want it changed.
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13) wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on November 13, 2007]
Are u out of your mind this is all u can come up with u people mess every thing up everything u touch kids hunt in sept we hunt on nov 15th thats it man thing need to stay the same if you cant get out of school or off work u need to try harder make plans we need bigger bucks in mi this is not the way to get them i say dont let any one in any season shoot anything smaller than a five point who wants a spike u people look ---holes driving home with a spike hanging out of your truck cover them up on your way home keep opening day on the 15th thank u
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14) Sportsman, what a joke. [by Anonymous Citizen on November 13, 2007]
Man what a bunch of retards. It would be tragic to gun hunt during the peak of the rut. It would be unthinkable to promote increased participation in hunting by making it more accessible. Christ you self centered greedy morons would have to share a little of your resource with others. I have lived and/or hunted in 9 different states from New England to the Deep South but Michigan holds the greediest group to ever mistakenly call themselves "sportsman" that I personally have observed. I pay taxes in this god forsaken socialist hole so I take the liberty of drilling a couple of your deer every year but believe me when I’m ready to hunt each fall I go outside Michigan where I can hunt with sportsman who have IQ’s above 59.
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15) Un-safe to Open on Saturday [by Anonymous Citizen on November 12, 2007]
The opening days that fall on Saturday usually involve an excess of un-safe hunters. A hunter placed every 500 yards on Saturday compared to a hunter every 2-5 miles on Wednesday (Higgins Lake area). In 2003, the last Saturday opening, I watched some 18 year old kid shoot a buck about 8 times. When I went to investigate the deer was still alive and the kid forgot his knife. I loaned him my knife and he dam near cut its head off. This is the type of hunter that scares the crap out of me. Running around the wood with a rifle like it is some toy. A Wednesday hunter is committed to being a good hunter: courteous of other hunters, know where other hunters are positioned, safe and prepared. Blowing out of work on Friday night and getting out in the woods without knowing what's surrounding you is dangerous. If the politicians want to change the Nov 15 date, then change it to the second Wednesday in November - it would be much safer and much more enjoyable for the real hunters.
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16) Hunting season [by Anonymous Citizen on October 25, 2007]
It's apparent that those commenting having investigated this legislation at all and also don't know that it came from a constituent originally. Also it's not the first time that hunters have tried to make this change. If people would spend more time actually trying to understand the legislative process and the difficulties of trying to please all of the people all of the time, then they might have a better government!
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17) Remove the mole [by Anonymous Citizen on October 5, 2007]

RECALL GRANHOLM !
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18) OPENING DAY [by Anonymous Citizen on September 18, 2007]
Nov. 15, always has been, always should be, OPENING DAY. If you can't plan ahead for it, START NOW! If for any reason you believe, whether you're a diehard bow or diehard gun hunter, that there is no sacramental belief or history or brotherhood or common bond in planning for OPENING DAY and being there for OPENING DAY, go out and rent or buy Escanaba in Da Moonlight, grab a cold one and sit down with your grandpa, dad, brother, son or best buddy and watch the movie. It says it all. If you face scheduling conflicts for Nov. 15, PLAN AHEAD. If you would rather wait until the 3rd Saturday in November to hunt, it's the 17th this year...put in for the time off now! As for the rest of us, aside from all the biological related arguments and "whether or not the legislation will pass...", we know what OPENING DAY means, to plan A YEAR IN ADVANCE, to call the men together, pack the equipment, make the drive, clear the site, set up camp, roll out the sleeping bag, hang the buck pole, start that first fire and crack open a cold one! But that's not all.....to sit there as the sun's cresting the horizon on that cold November morning, it's OPENING DAY....listen to the birds come alive, switch on the sneak mode and spot the big one sneaking through the brush, hoping you get a shot between the next two trees...and then to have that buck make the ultimate sacrifice. That is what OPENING DAY is all about. So no more whining about when it is, right now it's Nov. 15. There isn't much we can do about "whether the legislation will pass or not". If you want to hunt opening day on a Saturday, I checked the calendar for you, Nov. 15, 2008 is a Saturday - I'll see ya there!
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19) TAX HIKE [by Anonymous Citizen on October 5, 2007]
67 Republicans voted NO
6 Republicans voted YES

69 Democrats voted YES
6 Democrats voted NO

TOLD YOU SO.... RECALL ANYONE?????
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20) Don't Change it!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on August 19, 2007]
If it's not broke don't fix-it, hunting seasons is a great money maker for michigan, why mess with it or is it time to add more messes to michigan? If you make opening day rifle sooner then the 15th you will be cutting in to the best bowhunting time for trophy bucks (beginning of the rut) us bow hunters already have may yahoo rifle hunters that can't use a gun range prior to opening day so they head in to the woods 3 days before the 15th when bowhunters are in are stands hunting and site there rifles and stink up the woods.If michigan wants to make opening day rifle the 3rd saturday of November us bowhunters are in!
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21) FIREARMS OPENER CHANGE [by Anonymous Citizen on September 11, 2007]
YOU BOWHUNTERS HAVE ALREADY GOT IT MADE. AND BY
THE WAY WHO'S STINKIN' UP THE WOODS FOR WHO?
YOU PEOPLE HAVE SIX WEEKS AT LEAST TO STINK
EVERYTHING UP FOR THE REST OF US. AS FOR THE
PROPOSED CHANGE, I'M AGAINST IT. AT MY LEAST MY
STINKY SELF AND WHOEVER THE HELL YOU ARE AGREE
ON SOMETHING.

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22) drop rifle season all together [by Anonymous Citizen on December 12, 2007]
gun hunting is a joke take all the gun hunters out of the woods give every real man a bow and we will see what state has the biggest bucks!
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23) What? [by Anonymous Citizen on July 17, 2007]
Can't we think of anything, oh, I don't know, more important to waste our time on?
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24) Is this all we have to [by Anonymous Citizen on July 12, 2007]
talk about? Deer hunting? Who cares? I'm surprised no right to lifers have complained about killing a living breathing creature such as a deer. Hilarious
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25) DEER HUNTING [by Anonymous Citizen on June 6, 2007]
YOU DON'T MOVE OPENING DAY TO AN EARLIER TIME RETARDS WHO DON'T DEER HUNT ONLY WOULD DO SUCH A THING I THINK ITS TIME FOR YOU ALL TOO START LOOKING UP ON DEER HUNTERS MORE BECAUSE YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING ON....HAVE A NICE DAY
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26) VOTED OUT ALREADY [by Anonymous Citizen on May 30, 2007]
DONT WORRY IT GOT SHOT DOWN THE RIGHT AWAY. I THINK EVEN THE IDIOTS WE HAVE IN LANSING REALIZED THAT SCHAFFER NEEDS TO KEEP HIS NOSE OUT OF HUNTING AND HELP GRANHOLM MAKE SOME OTHER RETARDED LEGISLATION. ANYONE WHO KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT DEER AND DEER HUNTING REALIZES THAT AN EARLIER OPENER IS A BAD IDEA(ALREADY TOO EARLY) THEIR IS NO GOOD REASON TOO CHANGE IT EXCEPT IF IT WAS TO GO LATER. AND TO THE CRY BABIES THAT SAY THEY CANT GET A DAY OFF OF WORK DURING THE WEEK LOOK AT A 2008 CALENDER AND QUIT YOUR BITCHING. I KNOW YOU GUYS TOOK VACATION TO DO THINGS LIKE GO TO VEGAS AND STUFF. IF YOU DONT PRIORITIZE DEER HUNTING LIKE YOU SHOULD WE AVID HUNTERS DONT WANT TO HEAR IT.
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27) VOTED OUT ALREADY [by Anonymous Citizen on May 30, 2007]
DONT WORRY IT GOT SHOT DOWN THE RIGHT AWAY. I THINK EVEN THE IDIOTS WE HAVE IN LANSING REALIZED THAT SCHAFFER NEEDS TO KEEP HIS NOSE OUT OF HUNTING AND HELP GRANHOLM MAKE SOME OTHER RETARDED LEGISLATION. ANYONE WHO KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT DEER AND DEER HUNTING REALIZES THAT AN EARLIER OPENER IS A BAD IDEA(ALREADY TOO EARLY) THEIR IS NO GOOD REASON TOO CHANGE IT EXCEPT IF IT WAS TO GO LATER. AND TO THE CRY BABIES THAT SAY THEY CANT GET A DAY OFF OF WORK DURING THE WEEK LOOK AT A 2008 CALENDER AND QUIT YOUR BITCHING. I KNOW YOU GUYS TOOK VACATION TO DO THINGS LIKE GO TO VEGAS AND STUFF. IF YOU DONT PRIORITIZE DEER HUNTING LIKE YOU SHOULD WE AVID HUNTERS DONT WANT TO HEAR IT.
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28) what difference does it make? [by devildog2033 on May 25, 2007]
So I am to believe that those of you that are so opposed to changing opening day because you like opening day to be during the work-week are dumb enough to believe that the 15th never falls on a Saturday or Sunday? Changing O.D. to the 2nd Sat of the month would just mean some years it would be as early as Nov. 8th, some years no later than the 14th.

If you really were concerned about the health of the herd you might be more concerned with the amount of out-of-state trash we take in not just from Canada, but from states as far away as NJ just because we happen to charge less than other states and that makes it economical for them. That trash encroaches the natural habitat of our wildlife and forces deer (along with all other animals) to seek new places to find food and shelter.

That's where your love of lower taxes has gotten us- the dumping ground for North America's garbage.
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29) No Way [by Anonymous Citizen on May 23, 2007]
The 15th is great. Saturday openers are dangerous. Too many people in the woods. I would vote for (If it were going to change)opening in on the first Wednesday after the 13th or something like that, never a Saturday. Mid week openers are the best, not only are you out there on opening day, your NOT WORKING! I have NEVER missed an opening day and never will. I have lost jobs, been written up etc. Its all worth it to be out there mid week with fewer more serious hunters.

Leave it on the 15th, it is tradition and it should remain that way. If the poloticians in Lansing want to do something better, work on the unemployment rate, lowering taxes, bettering our schools etc. Leave this sacred day as it is.

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30) Gun's What Gun's [by Anonymous Citizen on April 25, 2007]
If the goverment has anything more to do with this issue the time is coming that we won't have a "gun" season. Our society is fast changing and our numbers and credibility are dewindling. Everytime one of these mentally unstable individuals or groups have a slip up and murder people like the VT incident we as good guys take a beating. My friends, hunt as much as you can, take your kids, their friends, your wife, daughter, or girlfriend. We need numbers, plain and simple. I love the opener on the 15th, but if it comes down to hunting or not hunting, change it and fill the woods with family and friends. Take pictures of kids and women enjoying the hunt, send them to the media. We are the good guys, let us enjoy our heritage while it is still a privledge to do so. Remember, hunting is not a right, it is a privledge, regardless of what day it starts. We need unity,,all of us, now more than ever.

The Nuge & Michael Smerconish were on the Glenn Beck show on CNN Headline News on April 17th to discuss the tragedy of Virginia Tech and more!

Here's Ted's transcript from the show:

I’m just a guitar player, but I like to pay attention to my wonderful country. And the evidence is irrefutable once again that gun-free zones, which is what exists on the Virginia Tech campus, don’t work.

In Oregon, where a Columbine-level tragedy was unfolding, it was a student who went to his truck and got a .22 caliber squirrel rifle and stopped the mass murder. It was a citizen, an off-duty cop in Salt Lake City, who stopped an armed monster from killing citizens at random.

It was just up the road from Virginia Tech at Appalachialaw school where students retrieved legally owned firearms and stopped an armed assault. Who is not getting this information? Who is pretending this isn’t how it works?
There are hundreds of millions -- and I hope people in the news media will write this down some day -- hundreds of millions of law-abiding American families with hundreds of millions of lawfully owned guns, none of which are going to be used in violence, crime or accident.

The sheer numbers of zeros following the decimal point in the percentage of guns used in crime is beyond enormous. That does not compromise or negate the heartbreaking tragedy of any kind of accident, any kind of violent crime that involves guns, but it does put it in perspective.

We had two cops killed recently near a pizza parlor in New York City, in part, because Mayor Bloomberg thought it was reasonable gun control to disarm them. That’s how insane this has gotten. I know that at Virginia Tech there’s been quite about the fact that lawfully possessed firearms and gun owners with lawfully procured government-scrutinized concealed weapons permits are forbidden to use those concealed weapons permits on campus.

Does anybody join me in realizing that 32 people were killed because the killer wasn’t stopped? I don’t want to come off like I know all the answers. But, again, the evidence is overwhelming. If a good guy with a gun can stop evil crime and tragedy so often, why do we continue to create gun-free zones where killers can roam free?The Nugent family is praying as hard as we have ever prayed for the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We are praying just as hard that our fellow Americans would recognize that this kind of tragedy could be stopped if only more Americans were allowed to exercise their second amendment rights.

CNN Glenn Beck transcript 4-17-07 by Ted Nugent

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31) Guns [by Anonymous Citizen on October 2, 2007]
I am a mom who also believes in our 2nd Amendment rights. I believe law-abiding citizens should be allowed to carry to deter gun-toting (who are going to have them no matter how many laws are against guns) criminals who think they are going to be shooting fish in a barrel -if all the good people have no guns. And I have heard lots of stories about the liberal loonies who would put our freedoms at risk by taking away the citizens rights to bear arms, but I did not hear the New York City story of the police getting shot as a result of not having guns because of Mayor Bloomberg. Can this really be a true story? Because it sounds unbelievable and absolutely insane, why not just give the crooks the keys to the city?
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32) there are several cities [by Anonymous Citizen on October 3, 2007]
that are trying to BAN ALL HANDGUNS. they are all being brought to the supreme court. let's see how that works out.
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33) Michigan Deer Hunter [by Anonymous Citizen on May 15, 2007]
I'm only 28 yrs old and have been Deer hunting since I was....well not even legally old enough This would be the biggest mistake in a deer management program to date. Anyone and everyone know this would devastate the peak rut and destroy the (FEW) GENETICALLY SUPERIOR Bucks from spreading more of their genes. Wich there are few and far between Bucks in this class to begin with. I've had the fortunate luxury to hunt other states and Iowa is MY FAVORATE BY FAR and is a GODLY place to visit if you can draw a tag. Last year I was fortunate to shoot a 165' Brusiser with 13 1/2 G2's and a 22.75' inch spread and passed multiple 150's due to broken tines and probably another 15-20 bucks over 130' in 5 days in Mid-"DECEMBER" Obviously they know what their doing in their management program. I ALSO HAVE THE LUXURY of a prime tract to hunt in my family here in SE Michigan it's only 18 acres but on the corner of three 200+ acre crop fields and can sit from sun-up to sun-down on opening day and some years see 100-150 deer if the crops in the area are all cut but out of that I might only see 2-3 shooters being 130+ it's sick...that our mature bucks are more rare than purple squirls....Please, who ever proposed this bill is obviously not a Deer Hunter and doesn't understand the catastrophic effects it will put on an already mis-managed, abused and down right neglected deer herd we have. We have one of the top 5 states in terms of habitat for the Deer but year after year continue to fall off the map in terms of what we grow and sustain due to the TERDS like this idiot, who come up with some supid idea's to detroy an already crippled and inferior deer herd. Like someone said earlier "Leave US Hunters alone with you "MORONIC" ideas with regards to something you don't have the slighest clue about and do something positive and constructive for our one state depression like stop the bleeding and create and retain some jobs before this poor state slips further into our one state depression.

Regards,
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34) Pat Milostan [by Anonymous Citizen on April 17, 2007]
Great idea !!!!!!!
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35) bill 4016 [by Anonymous Citizen on April 11, 2007]
the reason for the nov. 15 is to coincide with the does being in estrus. i recently ran into some very not so nice people from chicago while i was hunting here and it was a saturday. you can keep those people in illinois and let me go hunting in our forests on opening day [november 15] on monday through friday and hopefully they won't be there
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36) It would improve ACADEMICS, be COMPETIVIE academically w/ other states [by Anonymous Citizen on March 30, 2007]
Kids take off all the time, so open on a Saturday. Makes SENSE. Also, workers take off, call in sick.
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37) why [by Anonymous Citizen on April 25, 2007]
Why can't the kids just go out on Saturday either way? I have no problem saying that I will never agree with a Saturday opener. I think it presses politics onto a biologically based season. What’s next; let’s allow hunters to shoot any sex of deer that comes by so that we can get more people excited about hunting? Come on people! Our natural resources here in Mich. have been mismanaged by the DNR for far too long, and if this goes through it will be another example of mismanagement in lieu of what will make the politicians popular.
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38) november 15 tradition [by marysunshine on March 30, 2007]
Leave it alone.
What's next Queen Jenny??
Change Christmas to "the last Saturday in December?"
Don't the people in Lansing have enough to do ? Maybe it's time they took out Mops and cleaned up that place in thier spare time.

Leave us Deer hunters alone,we are a happy group,and do NOT need politicians telling us how to hunt.
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39) Leave it. [by Anonymous Citizen on March 27, 2007]
I like the revolving opening day as it is now.
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40) 5 Bonus Hunting Days in 2007 [by Yooper_Dave on March 22, 2007]
The hunting season would begin on November 10th this year. Assuming that closing date and fees do not change, I would get more "bang" for my "buck". :-)
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41) more days?? [by Anonymous Citizen on March 25, 2007]
more days to gun hunt less to bow hunt. pick up a bow "yooper dave" you'l see what youve been missing. this date would be way too early and would be bad for the herd read the other comments. most of us that are out in the woods bowhunting for 1.5months before you hit the woods all know why.
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42) more days?? [by Anonymous Citizen on March 25, 2007]
more days to gun hunt less to bow hunt. pick up a bow "yooper dave" you'l see what youve been missing. this date would be way too early and would be bad for the herd read the other comments. most of us that are out in the woods bowhunting for 1.5months before you hit the woods all know why.
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43) more days?? [by Anonymous Citizen on March 25, 2007]
more days to gun hunt less to bow hunt. pick up a bow "yooper dave" you'l see what youve been missing. this date would be way too early and would be bad for the herd read the other comments. most of us that are out in the woods bowhunting for 1.5months before you hit the woods all know why.
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44) leave it or go later [by Anonymous Citizen on March 20, 2007]
opener of rifle has been on nov.15 since 1925 and its that way for a reason. this week is at the end of peak breeding an earlier opener would be a disaster to the quality of our herd. every state around us is known for their high quality deer. michigan could as well if we would manage for them. people spend a lot of money to hunt other states deer. i think most people have to work on saturdays anyway. and as far as kids go they can go in september. if parents hunted with their kids on just sat&sun they would not go away for several days as we do during the week while staying in hotel eating at resturaunts etc.and spending money. if it did go to a sat.should be later in season. i stop hunting with gun on nov.17
but bowhunt every weekend i can my money would stay at home 1more weekend with this bill. if it was later i would be in the woods more weekends i think most hunters do the same. bucks are all dead by nov.17 with our moronic 2 buck law thats why i stop. please leave it as it is or make it later. please realize that we could have more out of state hunters if we got smart about our deer herd. i think this bill would be a step backwards in michigans economy and it wouldnt take long to see the adverse results.
m. nowacki
auburn hills,mi
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45) leave us alone [by Anonymous Citizen on March 18, 2007]
time to start picking on hunters now is it iam sure their is more than meets the eye here. leave our traditions alone. let the sport we love remain unchanged.we spend millions of dollars just the way the season is now ,hell we are giving up money we dont have because the government wastes its time on stupid shit like this instead of creating or retaining jobs.
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46) forget about it [by Anonymous Citizen on March 16, 2007]
it is too early anyway. we should be looking more at improving buck quality. we took a step forward with our restricted tags lets not take a step backwards. every state around us is known for their big bucks. we could too if we would just have more laws that would protect our immature bucks. if it had to open on a saturday it should be later like 1st week of dec.
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47) no need [by Anonymous Citizen on March 15, 2007]
look at a 2008 calender its on a saturday it will be fine to keep it on nov15. it is on the 15th to keep it as early as possible without interfering with the rut. i think that most people have to work on saturdays anyway.
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48) rep shaffer [by Anonymous Citizen on March 14, 2007]
please quit screwing with our hunting season. try doing something usefull like creating jobs. i cant believe that someone would have the balls to even propose something like this when the state needs real help. lansing makes me sick seriously this is like a sick joke and quite frankly iam offended by this. mr. shaffer if you cant help us step down and let someone who cares about michigan take your place.
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49) MC [by Anonymous Citizen on March 13, 2007]
Leave it on the 15th. Making it the second saturday will only hurt the herd by killing to many bucks before they get a chance to breed. There is no reason to change it.
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50) why??????????? [by Anonymous Citizen on March 13, 2007]
for what reason would you change it. anyone serious enough about hunting can get a day off. if they arent serious about hunting they need to stay home in the first place!. most people have to work on saturday anyway. this date would be too early as well. some people say that kids cant get out of school but face it they have there own season in september. so why the hell is this even an issue. i can surely think of several things michigan needs help with. so please get to work on the real problems and let the dnr worry about screwing up hunting in michigan they are doing a good enough job of destroying trophy hunting in our state on there own.
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51) too early [by Anonymous Citizen on March 12, 2007]
why not the 3rd saturday this would satisfy biological needs along with what ever reason you see it fit to open on a saturday. if you look at a calender the earliest possible date would be nov. 15 -see 2008- this would work better although i still see no legitamate reason to change it in the 1st place.
i think you should be concentrating on some of the real issues in michigan. even putting this out there right now is sort of a "slap in the face" dont you.
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52) who is this guy [by Anonymous Citizen on March 12, 2007]
i must say i dont know much this politician. pollitics isnt my thing. i do however know a thing or two about deer and deer hunting (it is my lifeblood)and the negative effect this early opener would have.
this date is way to early and would interfere with the peak pursuing phase of the rut. this would result in higher buck kill,poor genetics,and increased premature buck kills.all things the dnr is trying to stop.
please sir stick to pollitics there is no room for it in deer hunting.
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53) ??? shaffer republican [by Anonymous Citizen on March 8, 2007]
you'd think this guy being a republican would be for tradition. leave it as it is a tradition
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54) unbeleavable [by Anonymous Citizen on March 7, 2007]
mr. shaffer is that the best idea you have to help out our state. i guess we are screwed.
keep up the good work buddy youve got my vote
LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS AND HAS BEEN FOR FORTY YEARS!!!!!!!
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55) stop right their [by Anonymous Citizen on March 7, 2007]
dont do it, too early already should be moved later if anything. people can always get days off
i have never missed one no matter where i was working. if its important to the people they will get out there no matter what day it is. although i
love the tradition and mystique of november 15th i wouldnt apose a later date such as the 1st sat in december it would be better for the animals and another two weeks of prime bowhunting would be great
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56) leave us alone lansing [by Anonymous Citizen on March 7, 2007]
mr. representative please leave our hunting season alone. have some foresights nov 15 2008 is a saturday and it will fall on a saturday again.
please place your focus on something that may be usefull to us citizens such as no more job loss or new jobs and let the dnr whose salary we pay through our taxes make these decisions. please do not offend us any longer with such ridiculous proposals. we voted you in so dont make us look like idiots any longer.
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57) what is wrong with you [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
why even think about this now the auto industry is gone we lost a toyota plant comerica is pulling out of michigan along with phizer whose next. get it together lansing or their will be no one around to buy a hunting license in this state why in the world are you wasting your time and michigans voters time. michigan sells thousands of licenses (of wich iam sure your working on raising the price of)with our hunting season opening on the 15th. leave it alone and concentrate on the real issues.
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58) Leave It on the 15th [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
Why do we want to mess with a tradition that have been in place in MI forever. This is nuts. If they really want to improve hunting in MI, don't let them double or triple the cost of a fishing/hunting lic. like they have plans to do next year. Hunting and fishing are some of the last things that people without a ton of money can still do for a reasonable price and with their family.
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59) I agree [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
We don't need to change the start day to deer season. The season was originally set up around the deer herd, not some politicians slanted view.I'm glad to see that so far the price hikes have been shot down. I think we can raise extra revenue by hiking the prices on non-resident licenses. Some states charge as much as $400 to $500 or more for non-residents. That would seperate the real hunters from the drunken idiots that invade the northwoods every November.
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60) leave it as it is [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
request it off now i did(yes i have to work on saturdays) if people are serious about hunting they will get it off. there is now good reason to pass this bill come on lansing get it together we have real issues in this state that need to be adressed. this bill will only make hunting worse in this state nov 15 although still too early is better that having it on the first saturday of november. go to any wildlife biologist and they will tell you why.
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61) YOU CAN GET DAY OFF [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
IF YOU WANT TO BE IN THE WOODS ON OUR GREAT TRADITION OF NOV15 JUST TAKE IT OFF. I KNOW YOU TAKE DAYS OFF TO GO TO BASEBALL GAMES FLORIDA ETC.
.WHAT IF YOU WORKED IN RETAIL OR SERVICE INDUSTRY SATURDAY IS THE BUSSIEST DAY WHAT ABOUT THEM. AS FAR AS SCHOOL AGED KIDS GO THEY ALREADY HAVE THEIR OWN SEASON IN SEPTEMBER. MICHIGANS OPENING DAY IS TOO EARLY ALREADY(GETS IN THE WAY OF RUTT)
IF YOU WANT IT ON SATURDAY WAIT UNTIL O8' YOU'LL HAVE IT THEN. LETS NOT SHORTEN BOW SEASON ANYMORE
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62) I Agree, but... [by Anonymous Citizen on March 4, 2007]
I think this is a great idea. I have missed many firearm opener due to school and work obligation with a mid week openers. I'll go a step further, why not have Saturday openers for all seasons. Pheasant, deer archery, turkey, etc... Weekend openers would be helpful in trying to include school age children with opening day. Taking them out of school for such activities is frowned upon. Yes, I know I could take them out the following weekend, and I do, but there is nothing like going out opening day. Also, as a avid bowhunter the shortening of bow season has me concerned. This should also be address by possibly adding days at the beginning of archery season, such as a second or third Saturday in September opening.
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63) HORRIBLE IDEA!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
THE IDEA OF MAKING THE OPENER THE 1ST SAT. OF NOV. IS RIDICULOUS. FIRST OF ALL IT IS TOO EARLY THIS WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE PRIME CHASING PHASE OF THE RUT BUCKS ARE NOT EVEN BREEDING DOES AT THAT POINT. THIS WOULD LEAD TO A SINGLE BUCK BREEDING A LARGER NUMBER OF DOES WICH WOULD PROMOTE INBREEDING. WE ALSO KILL TOO MANY BUCKS ALREADY HAVING AN OPENING DAY THAT WAS IN THIS CHASING TIME WOULD RESULT IN MORE DEAD 1.5YR OLD BUCKS. DOES THAT ARENT IN ESTRUS WILL ALWAYS BE THEIR AND THE GUY THAT JUST WANTS TO FILL HIS FREEZER CAN TAKE ONE ON THE 15TH OR ANY SATURDAY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. OUR BUCK QUALITY IS BAD ENOUGH IN THIS STATE ALREADY REFFER TO "BOWHUNTING PRESSURED WHITETAILS"(ITS A GREAT READ)TO SEE OUR LOW TROPHY ANIMAL TO HUNTER RATIO.
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64) nonsense!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 28, 2007]
well its feb 28 the stock market crashed yesterday ford is announcing more lay-offs phizer is leaving toyota is setting up shop in missippi good thing representative schaeffer is proposing this bill that ought to fix it.
c'mon lansing leave our hunting alone. this idea is biologically wrong due to the rutt. it is wrong also because it is a long standing tradition.
if this is supposed to stimulate the economy we should have voted in dove hunting instead of our dove hunters going out of state we should not have let mrs. rosenstien from birmingham make the decision because she likes to see them on her feeder. by the time hunting season roles around none of us are going to have a job to take days off from.
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65) Make it Later..not Earlier [by Anonymous Citizen on February 27, 2007]
The good Representative has it wrong. Rather than moving the opening day of firearm deer season forward (earlier)it would be much better for our herd if it was moved back...like the 3rd Saturday in November, or perhaps the day after Thanksgiving.

I see no good reason to move it forward.
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66) Our traditions [by Anonymous Citizen on February 27, 2007]
I would like to see the 15th stand as our season opener. It was and will always be magical day for me and my family, and I am looking forward to passing it on to my son. I have not always been able to hunt on that day, but it does not mean the magic is not there nor the tradition. Family values, our heritage, our culture and our tradtions mean something to a great deal of us. I say let it stand, a firm date that everyone knows and is a long standing traditon and heritage of Michigan hunters as well as everyone in the community.
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67) Resistance is Futile [by Anonymous Citizen on February 24, 2007]
The new world order will have its way. Government will be in our faces! The Illuminati have already won! No prayer in schools, homosexuals getting prefered status, girly men everywhere. Is just a matter time before the noose is cuts off the blood supply to our freedom! Where finished because we are stupid, stupid, stupid! Were off the gold standard. Our kids in school don't have any clue on how government operates or our constitution. We have new world order Federeal, State and Local judges who legislate from the bench. Were stupid, stupid stupid. We don't even own our own property! look what happens when you cant pay your property taxes! ITs gone, gone, gone! and so are we!
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68) EASY SPOCK!!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
LOOKS LIKE YOU AT LEAST DISSAGREE WITH THIS LEGISLATION
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69) why are we even [by Anonymous Citizen on February 24, 2007]
THINKING about this bill?

is this bill going to get the state out of the pit that it's in?

hell no.

but it's all the rage here.

let's just cut the funding for everything jennie likes, and lets see how she reacts.

let's get down to the basics of what government is about.

let's get government out of business.

let's get government out of our schools.

let's get government out of our houses.

let's put government ONCE AGAIN on the job that the government SHOULD be on.

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70) The Solution, Mr. Troll ... [by Anonymous Citizen on February 24, 2007]
“let's get government out of business. let's get government out of our schools. let's get government out of our houses. let's put government ONCE AGAIN on the job that the government SHOULD be on.”

Of course, you understand that means getting the Republicrats out of the legislature, don’t you, Mr. Troll?

Take a look at who sponsors bills like this one.

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71) as i have said before [by Anonymous Citizen on February 25, 2007]
those who govern here are only interested in "being in government", not in GOVERNING WELL.

there have been hundreds of bills proposed by both sides, and NONE of them seem pointed at curing the ills of michigan.
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72) Perhaps ... [by Anonymous Citizen on February 26, 2007]
government can't cure the ills of Michigan. Perhaps that is up to private individuals working hard to make things better.
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73) private individuals [by Anonymous Citizen on February 26, 2007]
will have to make things better, by digging deeper and paying the government more taxes.
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74) Move it Later [by Anonymous Citizen on February 24, 2007]
Moving the opener earlier in November would be disasterous. The rut peaks at that time (around the 8th or 9th) and even more yearlings would be slaugtered. If it's going to be move it later in Nov and get away from the rut.
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75) SICKENING [by Anonymous Citizen on February 22, 2007]
THIS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO DESTROYING OUR DEER HERD.
ANYONE WHO KNOWS DEER BIOLOGY (IF YOU HUNT YOU SHOULD) KNOWS THAT THE PEAK CHASING PHASE OF THE RUTT WHEN THE BUCKS ARE ON THE MOVE HAPPENS B4 THE 15TH BUCK KILLS WOULD BE RIDICULOUSLY HIGH. THIS WOULD RESULT IN MORE DOES BEING BREED BY A SINGLE BUCK THERFORE SHALLOWING THE GENE POOL. WE TOOK A STEP FORTH IN OUR RESOR DATE IT IS ALREADY TOO EARLY BUT A TRADITION NONE THE LESS. AS FAR AS GETTING A DAY OFF OF WORK GOES IF YOU ARE A SERIOUS HUNTER THAT LOVES THE SPORT YOU CAN GET THE DAY OFF.RETAILERS HAVE TO WORK SATURDAYS TOO I BET ON NOV15 2008 WHICH IS A SATURDAY THE SERIOUS HUNTERS WORKING IN RETAIL WILL BE IN THE WOODS.
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76) leave the tradition alone [by Anonymous Citizen on February 22, 2007]
Please leave the opener on the 15th. Not only is this a tradition, but also allows for some opening days to have less people in the woods which helps those who are traditional hunters.
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77) Good Idea [by Anonymous Citizen on February 22, 2007]
I think it is a great idea.
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78) It's a start [by Anonymous Citizen on February 22, 2007]
I would prefer the first Sat. in December.
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79) dec 1 [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
i agree this would be better from a biological view as well as satisfy whatever this guy is trying to accomplish
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80) No Way!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
Don't change a thing, Northern towns get enough money from hunters...
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81) LEAVE IT!!!!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
The date has a good deal to due with the rut. Nothern Mi towns just want two full weekends of hunters. NO!!!!
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82) Don't Change It [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
I see no reason to change the opener. It's worked for years and still works just fine nowadays.
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83) No [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
Survey after survey has shown overwhelming support for leaving the opening day of firearm deer season on November 15. Hunters do not want it changed.
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84) NO CHANGE [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
It's tradition and not everyone gets weekends off to hunt. I work weekends and would NEVER get the opener off!!!!!!! I have a chance to hunt the way it is now! The 15th is a majic day, don't change it. It's a Tradition for me for 21 straight years. I don't want that to end Is it all about killing deer and getting a better time to harvest? NO its about deer camp and tradition and the 15th of november. LEAVE IT ALONE
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85) Don't change opener [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
The November 15th opener should not be changed. Committed deer hunters find a way to get the opener off. Additionally, having opener on the fifteenth rotates the weekday/weekend start every few years, and this keeps everyone happy; some years those that like a weekday opener get what they want, some years those that like a weekend opener get what they want. This stuff about having a Saturday opener is the same thing as having QDM, it just makes it easier for those less committed to deer hunting to hunt on opener, just like QDM would help those less committed to the pursuit of big bucks to kill big bucks. Having to make sacrifices to participate in a Wednesday opener makes participation that much sweeter. Once big bucks are easy to kill, what's the accomplishment in killing big bucks? Let's quit changing hunting to accommadate those less committed to hunting.

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86) gunhuntonly [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
too many bucks are being killed during the guns seasons. we should open the gun season on thanksgiving day and close it on december 1st
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87) come on [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
Get serious now. Do you honestly think that killing less deer in MI is the right way to go? Shortening the season would be catastrophic for the deer heard in MI.
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88) he said bucks [by Anonymous Citizen on March 8, 2007]
bucks you can shoot does anytime
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89) No thanks [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
Leave it the way it is, many other things to worry about
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90) 3rd Saturday [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
I thinkit should be opened on the 3rd Saturday in November and the season should run for 9 days.
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91) No change [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
Just leave it where it is.
Nov. 15 works just fine.
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92) 2007 House Bill 4016 (Revise opening day of deer hunting )] [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
Just leave it where it is.
Nov. 15 works just fine.
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93) No - Too Early in Nov!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
Making it the second Saturday would open the season too early in November, which is when bucks are most vulnerable during the chase phase. Michigan already has one of the earliest and longest rifle seasons in the Midwest. Open the season the third Saturday in November and run season for 7-10 days. An earlier opening would also take away more of the archery season which is already being eroded by extended muzzleloader seasons and late antlerless seasons.
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94) Dont' Do it [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
There will be way too many people in the woods. I already hate hunting on Thanksgiving and the first saturday of deer season.
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95) If it ain't broke.... [by partymollusk on February 21, 2007]
...don't fix it! This is not the Manufacturing sector, with it's incessant cry for 'continouos improvement'. There's a lot to be said for 'time-tested'.....
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96) Good Move! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
This should have been done years ago. On weekday openers I'd have to take my kids out of school if they want to join me on opening day and thats not something that is encouraged in our school district. Enough with the emotional crying about "tradition", make it a Sat opener where the most people can enjoy it.
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97) youth season [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
hey your kids have a special season of their own in september. an opener that is that early would kill our hunting read a book on deer biology or go bow hunting and you will see why its not only a tradition but a important measure to protect our deer
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98) Tradition? [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
Come on guy's it would'nt make a difference in the long run when it opened. Opening day is opening day. From a biological standpoint and for the betterment of our deer herd we need to change.
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99) why [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
why would this be better for our herd you obviously need to learn a thing or two about the deer your hunting. why do we need to change the date it works look at our number of license purchases along side of other states its huge people are in the woods. the only people who the date of opening day doesn't matter to is the people who dont care for or respect our deer. an earlier opener would be disasterous to our herd.
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100) 3rd Sat of Nov.!!!!!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 21, 2007]
This would allow the bucks to pass on their genetics and have better hunting once the primary rut is over. It also makes it easier to travel and take time off from work. Knowing that you have atleast a Sat and Sun. to hunt every year. Would also increase the economics of Mich.
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101) Don't move it!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Don't move the opening date. Leave it as it is, the 15th is considered a holiday by many people in this state. Don't change to make it a convience for people who can't time off of work. They can hunt the first Saturday after the opener. It's been this way for a number of years, leave it that way.
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102) Sat opener Thanksgiving [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
When the season starts on the 8th or the 9th of nov, done the road it would end the 24th or 25th which is before Thanksgiving which is a time for almost everyone to hunt not everyone can get Saturdays off either but almost everyone has thanksgiving off and lots go hunting that day or following days like black Friday when the wife is out shopping getting those deals. With the proposed change that wouldn't be able to happen.
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103) No Change! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Please leave the opening on Nov 15th!
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104) Bad Idea. [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
It has been this way for ever, no need for a change
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105) MAKE IT FRIDAY [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
MAKE IT FRIDAY
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106) Leave It Alone x2 [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Leave it alone. It will not only effect the deer herd due to more active hunting days, but injuries will also increase and the tradition will be spoiled!
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107) Change would be good [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Saturday openers would be great!
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108) Its about time [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
I have said for many years now that the opening day of deer season should be moved to Saturday.
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109) Leave it as it is. [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Leave it on the specific date. The 15th has been long standing and if we change that to a SAturday opener we will have more DRUNK hunters in the wood. The serious hunters are able to take vacation mid week.
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110) Nope [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]

Leave it alone.
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111) Leave it alone [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
great the way it is
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112) Right Idea, Wrong Date [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
From a biological perspective, our gun opener occurs too early. Look at the openers in Illinios, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio, all of which have better hunting and better-balanced deer herds than we do in Michigan, largely because (don't take my word for this, look at what their resource professionals are on the record with) their gun openers occur after peak breeding dates. We should move our gun opener LATER, to at least the third Saturday of November, and perhaps even later than that. Conceptually, a Saturday opener is fine.

Dan Timmons
Secretary
QDMA - Michigan State Chapter
Days - 734.432.2659
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113) 90% agreement [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
i agree with you a later opener would be great (still like nov 15 tradition though) we are giving away potentially good thing to other states good hunting this fall to you and yours
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114) firearms deer opener [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Leave the way it is
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115) sounds like a great idea [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
get it done
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116) Sonds great [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
I am an avid deer hunter, I think the idea is great.
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117) learn about deer u hunt [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
if you are an avid hunter you should know about the animals you hunt and the impact that an earlier opener that falls before peak breeding would have on these animals.
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118) Leave it.. [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Its one of the few heritages left in this state.... November 15th is a well, "sacred" day to many day in this state, and any other day would just take away from some of the anticipation of it.
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119) enough about tradition [by Anonymous Citizen on May 27, 2007]
i am 42 years old and have never missed an opening day. believe me, no one loves november 15 any more than i do, but whatever day season opened would be the best day of the year! i can't understand why tradition would have anything to do with this decision. the health of the deer herd is the only thing hunters should be worried about.
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120) Leave it alone [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Why can't people just leave things alone. Someone always has to try to make changes. "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
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121) Leave it the 15th [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Why can't people just leave things alone. Someone always has to try to make changes. "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
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122) NO! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Leave it alone. If you think the hunting sucks in Michigan now, it will be even worse.

Concentrate on improving the quality of deer hunting in Michigan.

Look more closely at Antler restrictions or a one-buck rule.
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123) It isn't broke; don't fix it [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Leave it alone. The idea has been tried in the past and did not work well. In addition to that, even the DNR says more hunters are out on opening day and more deer killed when opening day is during the week instead of on a weekend.

Leave it alone!
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124) IT'S FINE HOW IT IS! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
We dont need this at all! It's fine how it is now and there is no need for this change! If it's not broke dont fix it!
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125) Whats next? [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Lets see what else we can add to another retarded idea

1) A fine for shooting button Bucks
2) One Buck a year with 6 or more antler points
3) No feeding or Food plots (Private, State, or Federal Lands)
4) No shooting Adult Does
5) No hunting out of an elevated stand over 15 feet off the ground
6) State wide shotgun only
7) Raising License Fees

Where will it end?
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126) What a Joke [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
That has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. The DNR have been going doing some pretty dumb things lately but that takes the cake.
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127) Leave it alone [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Many people want it in the middle of the week so Less hunters will be in the woods, many want it on a weekend. By having a rotating opener, it makes both sides happy.
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128) Opening Day [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!! NOVEMBER 15TH EACH AND EVERY YEAR!!!
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129) NO! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
Michigan has a rich tradion of deer hunting and November 15th is part of that. It's almost as sacred to the deer hunter as Christmas is to a small child.
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130) gimmie a break [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
lets concentrate on the real issues in this state and leave our great tradition alone. i agree in full
with the other comments opposing this ridiculous bill
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131) improve economy? [by Anonymous Citizen on February 16, 2007]
if the government of michigan wants to improve the economy in our state they should keep our rifle season opener the way it is and has been for most michigan hunters lives novi15 and enstate a one buck with a larger minimal antler restriction.
more and more our hunters as well as hunters from other states are going to states like illinoise, ohio, kansas and other states that manage for trophy animals.
we have the deer we have the genetics and the density to have trophy class animals that would bring out-of-state hunters here to spend thousands of dollars to hunt a michigan trophy. the 1st saturday of november is when the peak chasing period of the rut happens. this is when people should be sitting in their bowstands. a rifle hunt on this weekend would be a buck slaughter and add to our poor buck quallity.
to the working man that cant get a week day off take some vacation time, quit using your vacation time to stimulate the las vegas, florida, or mexican economy and enjoy your nov15.
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132) you hit nail on head [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
i agree with everything you said. this kinda seperates the people who are serious hunters from the people that give our sport a bad name also
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133) Great Idea!!!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 10, 2007]
A saturday opener would be great for all of the working people out there who cant get opening day off. It would also be great for those of us trying to get our kids involved in hunting,and dont want to pull them out of school during the middle of the week. It would also be a boost to our economy,getting more people out hunting and spending money.In my eyes it is a win win situation. For all of the retired people out there who dont want a saturday opener,put yourself in the working mans shoes!!!!!
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134) what about the [by Anonymous Citizen on February 11, 2007]
"Poor working man" like me who doesn't get saturdays off?

now, as long as you are in a 'thinking' mood, THINK about why you are suggesting changes on things that have been WORKING WELL for longer than you have been alive.

it's not just about the date, it's about MORE REGULATION of hunting. many have suggested that STRICTER LIMITS be placed on hunters (i believe with the ultimate goal of banning all hunting completely).

why are legislators doing this?

have conservationists called for these changes and cuts? NO.

has the DNR called for these changes and cuts? NO.

are these changes and cuts NEEDED? NO.

so WHY the changes and cuts? FOLLOW THE MONEY. SOMEBODY is pushing for these changes. somebody is pumping enough money at the issue to get legislator's attention. let's find out who that is.
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135) Opening Day [by Anonymous Citizen on February 9, 2007]
This is absolutely ridiculous! I've been an avid deer hunter for for over twenty years and watched the QUALITY of bucks in Michigan decline every year. If you've bothered to look two years down the road, the second Sat. in 08 falls on Nov. 8th. PRIME RUT PERIOD! To many mature bucks are already shot before they have a chance to breed. By opening the gun season earlier.....I'm sure the qualty of bucks in Michigan will only continue to worsen.
If the state wants to increase revenue, stop desimating the quality of bucks! Many hunters don't spend their money in Michigan because they are spending thousands of dollars in Canada, including myself. YOU want my money? Give me a reason to hunt here!
Brian Wiskur
Principal and Avid Hunter
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136) Bucks only [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
deer season isn't just about the big buck except to elitist morons
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137) elitist morons???? [by Anonymous Citizen on March 14, 2007]
these elitist morons you speak of have a concern for herd dynamics, the growth of the sport and, the tradition of the sport. if better deer management was done here in michigan we would have trophy bucks wich "elitist morons" would come to our state and spend good money to hunt.
i believe that the thrill of the hunt is why we are out there and big bucks are thrilling if you dont care about them shoot does. sir you may not be an elitist but your a moron none the less.
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138) oh boy what next [by Anonymous Citizen on March 7, 2007]
this can be picked apart in so many ways. i have read the previous comments and i have to say that the people that agree that this early saturday opener is a good thing have to learn a thing or two about deer. they may say that it is only a few days earlier bu those few days are critical that saturday would obliderate any chances of ever becoming a trophy destination state (like all of the states surrounding us)if it has to be on a saturday it should be later (nov 15 early already......"let em go so they can grow".......
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139) saturday!!!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 10, 2007]
A saturday opener is a great idea.I also believe a one buck limit is a great idea,most hunters would let the spikes and 4 points walk knowing their hunt for a buck would be over.
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140) Good Choice [by Anonymous Citizen on February 8, 2007]
We are one of the only states still with a opener tied to a date. Do not get me wrong I believe also Nov. 15th should be a state holiday. But there is more to it. People are losing their jobs all over the state and are having to take new jobs which they will not be able to take days off. Some people just cannot get the day off. This idea will help the total economy from restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. I am a lucky one that can get the opener off every year but I still support a Saturday Opener!!!!
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141) ok well [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
ok well what about all the retailers or service industry people that always work on the weekends wich is their bussiest time. these people make up most of the work force in this or any state i guess theyre S.o.l.
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142) Bad idea [by Anonymous Citizen on January 30, 2007]
there are many reasons why i would say this is a bad idea.
first of all with the way the moon phases hit nov, 10 opener would hit right in the prime chasing period of the rut wich would make the buck harvest higher. with a nov 15 opening day most bucks are paired with a doe. our buck harvest in michigan is ridiculous anyway with hunters killing mostly 18month old deer.
i believe their is a lot to be said for tradition and tradition states that nov'15 is the opener.
i believe that most bowhunters will agree that bow
season is too short and the second bow season is useless do to michigans high buck kill. i dont think most bowhunters want to give up the best week of bowhunting.

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143) Wouldn't You Know It ... [by Anonymous Citizen on January 24, 2007]
There is no good reason to throw out the long standing tradition of opening Michigan’s firearms deer season on November 15. None whatsoever.

Wouldn’t you know it? The sponsor of this legislation – Rep. Schaffer – is a Republicrat, a member of the party that has no respect at all for Michigan cultural tradition.

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144) so, why do you [by Anonymous Citizen on January 24, 2007]
think they are trying to change it?

anti-gun agenda?

anti-hunting agenda?

anti-tradition agenda?

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145) Sounds Great!!!!!!!!!!!! [by plumberboy on January 24, 2007]
It's about time someone started coming up with ideas to save the state money.It cost us taxpayers hunreds of thousands of dollars every year for opening day of deer season the price may be in the millions.The point is a lot state employees get it off ,schools shut down,and everything else just for deer hunting.The thing is the season would be the same lenght it wouldn't change anything except to save us tax payers a few bucks.It would also save people from using vacation time to hunt opening day.I personally haven't huntied in years because it has become a costly sport and there is just to many people.I personally think this is a great idea a step in the right direction.
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146) leave it [by Anonymous Citizen on March 6, 2007]
Do you really think that you will START hunting again if they put it on Sat? Ridiculous. Its tradition, and all the real hunters out there will agree that it should stay on the 15th. If hunting wasn't worth the price for you before, I really doubt that it will become economical for you if they move it to a Sat. AND, do think this will make the crowds in the woods less, or more? Stay out of this if you don't hunt.
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147) I don't hunt [by plumberboy on April 4, 2007]
I don't hunt but when your hobbies start costing me money my two cents will be in there.I will say this I have many friends who hunt and have nothing against hunting.I think in these economical trying times our state is having anything we can do to save a few bucks without infriging on the freedoms of our citizen's is great or they could leave it alone and continue down the path of doubling license prices to off set the cost of hunting expenses to our state.I guess have it your way $30.00 or so for a license awesome.
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148) why are the [by Anonymous Citizen on January 24, 2007]
legislators wasting time on a bill like this one?

i'm sure that changing the opening day of deer season is going to cure all the ills of michigan, and that's why they are doing it.

so, when do they get to the IMPORTANT work? or do they EVER get to it???
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149) LEAVE IT ALONE [by Anonymous Citizen on January 24, 2007]
Nov. 15 is a state "Holiday" and it should be left alone.
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150) Leave it on the 15th [by Anonymous Citizen on February 20, 2007]
The other hunting seasons go by a specific date, Oct 1 for Archery, September 15 for small game, and people still seem to hunt those seasons with out any problems. If its not broke, don't mess with it.
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