Page 195 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

49 including utilizing services from programs such as
50 USDA Wildlife Services.
51 Increased use of technology, including QR codes,
52 electronic data reporting and unbiased surveys, along
53 with voluntary check stations for wildlife need to be
54 explored. This could be utilized to help provide better
55 population data, control disease and management of
56 wildlife in Michigan. In cases of diseased animals,
57 replacement tags should be issued.
58 We support programs and methods that help control
59 problem species, including the concept of earn-a-buck
60 or other doe management techniques. However, we
61 oppose concepts that will have adverse effects on
62 agriculture, including the use of mandatory antler point
63 restrictions.
64 We urge the DNR to finalize its plan for citizen
65 advisory councils in the Lower Peninsula. Two citizens
66 advisory councils have been created in the Upper
67 Peninsula. These advisory councils have provided an
68 excellent forum for interaction between stakeholders
69 and individual citizens. The end result has allowed for
70 better resource management with increased
71 transparency.
72 We support the report of the MFB Wildlife Action
73 Team which encourages farmer participation at Natural
74 Resources Commission meetings.
75 In an effort to have a balanced wildlife population
76 based on the carrying capacity of each region of the
77 State, the Wildlife Action Team supports managing
78 wildlife populations on a regional quota-based system.
79 When quotas are not achieved, additional hunting
80 seasons should be made available or existing seasons
81 extended. If needed, consideration should be given to
82 an agency culling/harvest.
83 We support the Michigan Wildlife Management
84 Education Fund which is financed by a fee on hunting
85 and fishing licenses and used to educate the public on
86 natural resource issues.
87 To prevent the spread of infectious and contagious
88 disease, we oppose the translocation of terrestrial
89 wildlife species from one area of the state to another.
#92 FEES
1 As the state faces continued revenue shortfalls, we are
2 concerned that adequate funding be available to continue
3 to protect food safety, plant and animal health and other
4 agricultural programs including agricultural research and
5 diagnostic capabilities. We are very concerned with the
6 expansion of new and increased fees which impact
7 agriculture because:
8  Fees constitute taxation without representation.
State Policies – Page 109