Michigan Votes Forum

 This is the old crop damage program with a new name. the DNR didn't have enough staff to police the program when it was first enacted years ago, they don't have it now, and with this administration they never will have it..

Farmers have lied about the amount of damage, and the DNR isn't able to check it. the shooters take bucks when they are not suppose to. and the farmers give permits to friends and relatives.

 I'm surprised we don't see the name of Sen. Tom "Sneaky" Casperson among the supporters of this bill. As is the usual case with  Republicans they'll pass bills, the guv will sign them and then they'll all claim DNR staff are too lazy to enforce the program. The fact they have stripped staff, added geographic coverage for those still lucky enough to have a job is of no significance or concern other than the fact they can run around the state claiming they have done all the things their farmer friends have asked of them.

Hopefully this is all online registration for both the hunters and landowners to reduce the data entry tasks of the DNR. The DNR could limit this to licensed hunters only by having the registration through their online license sales.

I don't think it should be limited to just two counties per hunter.

Some kind of insurance protection should be provided for the landowner and the hunter so that if any injuries occur both parties would be protected. Insurance companies should be in favor of this, particularly the auto insurance carriers. The collateral effect of this program would definitely reduce the automobile/deer accidents. As far as the insurance companies go instead of the state spending more money to implement the service, it should be provided by the insurance companies themselves.. The DNR is already short staffed and doesn't mean any more administrative costs.

The hunting should be limited to ground blinds/ground hunting only to help limit the liability and instance of injuries.

In my opinion, all hunters should have some type of verification that they have taken the Michigan hunter safety course and this should be provided to the landowner.

This program should be applied to all game species, including predators that may damage livestock or household pets.