Michigan hunting numbers down 30% in 30 years, lawmakers push NRC reforms
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NORTHERN MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) — Michigan’s hunting population has dropped by roughly 30 percent over the past three decades, raising concerns about participation, deer numbers and how state wildlife policies are shaped.
30 years down roughly 30%. That’s not a good trend when it comes to hunters here in northern Michigan, and reversing it is a complex issue.
Some believe it could start with more hunter success, and that might start with Michigan’s Natural Resource Commission (NRC).
“My family’s five generations in northern Michigan and we’ve hunted,” State Representative Parker Fairbairn said.
Heisamongthearmyofdedicated,longstandingMichiganhunters.
“Meandmybrotherandmydadwehuntallyearlongforallsortsofdifferentspecies,”Fairbairnsaid.
Butit’sanarmythat’sdroppinginranks.Hundredsofthousandsoffewerhuntersthanusedtotaketothefieldacoupleofdecadesago.
“Michiganusedtobe,you’dtravelfromOhioandKentucky,”Fairbairnsaid.“They’dcomeuptotheUpp
