Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 22, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

Nov. 15 is a state "Holiday" and it should be left alone.

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???

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.

think they are trying to change it? anti-gun agenda? anti-hunting agenda? anti-tradition agenda?

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.

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.

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!!!!

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

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!!!!!

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.

"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.

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.

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

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.

LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!! NOVEMBER 15TH EACH AND EVERY YEAR!!!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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!

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.

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".

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".

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.

I am an avid deer hunter, I think the idea is great.

get it done

Leave the way it is

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

great the way it is

deer season isn't just about the big buck except to elitist morons

Leave it alone.

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.

I have said for many years now that the opening day of deer season should be moved to Saturday.

Saturday openers would be great!

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!

MAKE IT FRIDAY

It has been this way for ever, no need for a change

Please leave the opening on Nov 15th!