Page 8 — Thursday, May 18, 2023 — The Hastings Banner
Michigan officials propose changes
to deer hunting regulations
Ashley Zhou
Bridge Michigan
Spring has only just begun, but Michigan fish and
game regulators are already focused on the fall. Deer
season, specifically.
Officials in the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources last week recommended several changes to
deer hunting regulations for 2023, including new
opportunities for youth and disabled hunters, and
changes to hunting limits in parts of the Upper and
Lower Peninsulas.
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission could
approve the proposed changes as soon as next month.
Here’s a sampling of what’s under consideration:
Statewide
Across the state, DNR officials want to expand
opportunities for youth and disabled hunters to kill
deer during the annual “Liberty Hunt,” a weekend in
September that’s only open to those groups.
During a presentation last Thursday before the
Michigan Natural Resources Commission, Deer, Elk
and Moose Management Specialist Chad Stewart rec-
ommended lifting an existing limit of one deer per
hunter, instead allowing hunters to kill a deer for each
license type they possess.
Hunting’s waning popularity in Michigan has
caused Lower Peninsula deer populations to sky-
rocket, Stewart said. State officials hope that by
allowing hunters to kill more deer they can counter-
act that trend.
Upper Peninsula
In the area surrounding Dickinson County, DNR
officials want to lift a number of restrictions they
imposed to keep chronic wasting disease from
spreading in deer after officials discovered a deer
sickened with the disease in 2018.
That includes ending antler-point restrictions spe-
cific to the area, and removing a ban on baiting and
feeding deer.
The incurable disease, which is similar to mad cow
disease, attacks deers’ brains in ways that cause them
to stumble, starve and eventually die. It can spread
through proteins contained in their feces, urine or sali-
va, which makes communal bait piles a hazard.
But DNR officials said hunters in the area can safe-
ly resume baiting deer, because CWD doesn’t appear
to be spreading. Since the 2018 case, state officials
have tested nearly 2,100 local deer and found no new
infections.
“We feel pretty comfortable in essentially removing
the regulations around that surveillance zone and try-
ing to get back into a normal existence in that area,”
Stewart said.
In the northern U.P., DNR officials want to lift a ban
on killing does during archery season. The agency
established that restriction in 2015 after several cold
winters knocked back deer populations.
Avoiding does is one strategy to boost deer num-
bers, because does give birth to future generations.
But DNR officials believe it’s no longer necessary in
the northern U.P.
Some U.P. residents pushed back during Thursday’s
meeting, arguing there are still too few deer to justify
the change.
“We have a dwindling population of deer right now
in those counties,” said Mike Taylor, of Marquette. “Idrove down from Marquette all the way down here
and through the whole U.P. I did not see one roadkill.”
Lower Peninsula
In the Lower Peninsula, the department wants to
reinstate a 4-point antler point restriction in 19 south-
ern counties that make up the Lower Peninsula’s
chronic wasting disease management area.
Years after the disease was first identified in Mich-
igan’s wild deer, the DNR removed antler-point
restrictions that had applied to some deer licenses, in
hopes of containing the outbreak. By steering hunters
away from younger bucks, the agency hoped to
encourage hunters to kill more does, thereby driving
down herd numbers to keep CWD from spreading.
But DNR officials have found no evidence that easing
restrictions made a dent in the deer population, Stewart
said. Antler point restrictions are also generally popular
with hunters because they allow bucks to grow bigger.
As state regulators set the rules for next year’s deer
season, lawmakers are considering just how severely
hunters should be punished for breaking them.
Last year, it became mandatory for hunters to report
their deer kill to the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources within 72 hours. But the rule change also
triggered a state law that threatens hunters with a stiff
penalty – 90 days in jail – for failing to comply.
DNR officers have so far declined to enforce the
law, which the agency views as too strict. But chang-
ing it would require action from the legislature.
A bill sponsored by Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint,
would reduce that penalty to a civil infraction, punish-
able by a fine of up to $150. The bill has cleared the
Senate and is awaiting a hearing before the House
Natural Resources Environment, Tourism and Out-
door Recreation Committee.
Whether or not the bill passes, Stewart said DNR
officials will continue prioritizing hunter education
over doling out tickets, as hunters adjust to the new
reporting system.
“We know that it almost takes a couple of years to
reach everyone,” he said.Barry County ISD students
honored at graduation ceremony
Hunter McLaren
Staff Writer
The Barry County Intermediate School District
class of 2023 walked at their commencement ceremo-
ny this week.
An intimate ceremony was held Wednesday after-
noon at The Legacy in Hastings, where the school’s
three graduates were recognized. Steven Nagy, Austin
Morgan and Bodhi Pummill were all recognized
among family, friends and classmates.
Superintendent Rich Franklin was the event’s key-
note speaker. Franklin reflected on their time at the
ISD and some of the challenges they overcame,
including the trials of COVID-19 and remote learning.
“Your days are going to be different now with some
more time to do some of the things you really enjoy,
with fewer days to spend with this whole group of
friends,” he said. “As you begin this next phase of
your life, I hope you’ll remember all the teachers and
the staff who’ve helped you along the way and all the
lessons you’ve learned. Congratulations to our gradu-
ates and happy trails.”
Molly Keller, who teaches the applied life skills
program at the ISD, introduced and presented Steven
Nagy with his diploma. She said he enjoyed many ofthe school’s programs, but among his favorites were
music and art.
“Steven takes the smile everywhere and always
brightens our day. Steven continues to participate with
the music at Franciscan Life Process Center, working
out at Pennock Fitness Center and attending the
Emmanuel Episcopal Church with his family,” Keller
said. “As your journey comes to an end at Barry ISD,
we are so happy to have been a part of it and we love
you and can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Annette Shumay from the ISD’s young adult pro-
gram spoke about Bodhi Pummill and his passion for
current events, as well as his knack for conversation.
“Bodhi was talking about many of the people he’s
worked with, he has a history with the ISD and he met
so many staff members and remembers them all,”
Shumay said. “Those staff members also have told me
how much he has grown in his abilities and his cour-
age.”
Keller also introduced Austin Morgan and recog-
nized him for his strong and impactful personality.
“Enthusiastic, funny and full of willpower, our Pis-
tol Pete,” she said. “Even though Austin was with us
just for a short time, he made such an impact on all the
staff at the West Learning Center.”Michigan regulators want to make a host of
tweaks to Michigan’s deer hunting regulations
for next fall. (Stock photo)By: Shandy Longcore,
Founder of Embracing Imperfections (501c3)I have just nine toes.
Which makes me different.
Which makes me just as normal as you, because
when you stop and consider it, you too are
distinguished by something that separates your
essence from mine.And in embracing what makes us unique is just
one reason why our lives are so sacred. And why
it would be such a waste and a pity to succumb
to suicide.I nearly did. At the time, in my underdeveloped psyche, I thought myself not pretty
enough. So, I went into the basement of our family home where I knew a rifle to be
kept, aimed it at my chest and pulled the trigger.I was 10 years old.
Through what I can only attest was a series of miracles, I somehow survived.
Paramount was the mistaken notion that my heart was located on the right side of
my chest. Had I aimed more to the left, my name would only whisper to you from
some weathered tombstone.I went on to excel in school and sports and business and more. I came to
understand that I mattered. Today, I direct a one-woman non-profit called
“Embracing Imperfections.” My life is now dedicated to educating people about
what I call “the power of one.” I spend part of everyday trying to prevent suicide.Recently, I forged a connection with the DeCamp Family foundation. As part of our
collaboration, I hope to book more speaking engagements so I can further inspire
young adults about what options they have besides taking their lives.Why? Because suicide is a quiet monster. Each year, more than 800,000 people die
from suicide in the U.S. alone. That’s an average of 129 per day.Among those aged 10 through 24, it’s the second-leading cause of death. And for
every person who succeeds at suicide, an estimated 25 others attempt it.In a world made even more challenging by a recent Pandemic, suicide needs to be
addressed and better understood. My goal is to demonstrate how by harnessing
the power within you, it’s possible to beat depression and move forward in ways
that give you purpose. To soar.If your school or organization is seeking a passionate speaker craving opportunities
to share her story and inject a message of love and hope into your people and
your culture, please reach out. If together, we can save but one young adult from a
tragedy-in-the-making, we’ve made it a better world, haven’t we?Contact Shandy Longcore
by calling 616-516-
or visiting
http://www.embracingimperfections.orgembracingimperfections.org
LONGCORE
Barry County Intermediate School District graduate Steven Nagy walks out of his graduation ceremony with his
mother, Shannon Thornton Nagy. (Photos by Hunter McLaren)
Steven Nagy is recognized by Barry County ISD staff member Molly Keller at The Legacy at
Hastings.