Michigan United Conservation Clubs. 80th Annual convention JUNE 17-18, 2017 COMSTOCK INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER OWOSSO, MICHIGAN

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1 Michigan United Conservation Clubs 80th Annual convention JUNE 17-18, 2017 COMSTOCK INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER OWOSSO, MICHIGAN

2 Greetings and welcome to MUCC s 80th Annual Convention! In November of 1937, a collection of representatives from sportsmen s clubs from around the state met at the Shiawassee Conservation Association to form Michigan United Conservation Clubs. From that humble beginning, we return to the place of our founding as the largest, most effective state-based conservation organization in the nation. As we always do, this weekend will be full of information, learning, and debate on the conservation and natural resources issues that are driving the day. The work you do is important, as it sets our policy agenda and establishes organization-wide positions on issues of great importance. Policymakers, lawmakers, and other organizations look to MUCC for leadership, and the work we do at convention sets the tone for that leadership. In an effort to have a little more fun in between our hard work, we have been working hard to plan out a weekend that ensures that we have enough time to build and renew the connections to one another that drive our great organization. A family-style barbecue on Friday night and a smoked prime rib dinner from an award winning competition BBQ pitmaster on Saturday night with a social hour and silent auction afterwards should make for a memorable couple of days. We will also gather to recognize the men, women, and organizations that have contributed so much to the success of MUCC and advancing the cause of conservation in our annual awards ceremony. I am looking forward to see you all in Owosso in June and thank you for your enthusiastic support of MUCC and your tireless efforts in support of conservation. Yours in Conservation, Daniel Eichinger Executive Director

3 When... Convention Announcement Convention: June 17-18, 2017 Convention Registration will be held on Friday, June 16 from 5:00 pm 7:00 pm and Saturday, June 17 from 7:00 am 9:00 am. Where... Comstock Inn and Conference Center 300 E. Main St. Owosso, Michigan SPECIAL EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE AT: Shiawassee Conservation Association 4247 M-52 Owosso, MI Comstock Inn and Conference Center LODGING INFORMATION: To make a reservation, please call and mention that you are a part of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs event. Camping: Campgrounds-R-Us Campgrounds-R-Us is located approximately six miles from the Comstock Inn and Conference Center. If you are interested in camping at Campgrounds-R-Us, please use the following information to register: Address: 1255 S. Ruess Rd, Owosso, MI Sleepy Hollow State Park Sleepy Hollow State Park is located approximately 16 miles from the Comstock Inn and Conference Center. If you are interested in camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park, please use the following information to register: Address: 7835 E Price Rd, Laingsburg, MI Phone:

4 Board of Directors Officer Nominations Executive Board Two-year terms, except where indicated; Other Executive Board positions are entering second year of two-year terms. Region 1 Region 3 Region 5 Region 7 Region 9 At Large Director Richard P. Smith Jane Finnerty Dawn Levey Fran Yeager Bruce Levey (No nominations) Policy Board One-year terms *Club members are elected; IM representatives are appointed by the President Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Trevor Hodges (Club) Joe Hudson (Club) (No nominations - Club) Tim Kobasic (IM) Gary Gorniack (Club) Don Canfield (Club) (No nominations - Club) (No nominations - IM) Jim Maturen Greg Nicolaou (No nominations - Club) Fred Truschke (IM) Pete Demos Jim Chaskey David Markle (No nominations - IM) Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Ted Schulz (Club) (No nominations - Club) (No nominations - Club) Melanie Ross (IM) Roberta Reed (Club) David VanLopik (Club) Furmer Reed (Club) Ryan Holem (IM) Matt Lubaway (Club) Roger Calhoun (Club) Jim Pryce (Club) (No nominations - IM) Sam Morello (Club) Gary Summers (Club) (No nominations - Club) Region 5 Kevin Eldred (Club) Jack VanRhee (Club) Bob Novosad (Club) Judy Van Rhee (IM) 2

5 Memory Moments of Straits Area Sportsmen Club Stanley Osowski Michigan Hunting Dog Federation Hal Haverstick Huron Sportsman s Association Ronald Laurain Michigan Steelhead Salmon Fisherman s Association Metro West Dave Skrobot Alpena Longbeards Ray LaCross Tony Kowalski Bridgeport Gun Club Richard Murlick Jerome Wolbrink David Gilbert Chelsea Rod & Gun Club Charles Stapish Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers Association Donna Cullers Beaver Island Wildlife Club Roy Elsworth Bob Banville Shirley Detwiler Saginaw Field & Stream Nancy J. Heritier Ravenna Conservation Victoria Jean Lieffers German American Marksmanship Club Oskar Pscheidi Donald Geppert Klaus Scholz Franz Binder Werner Hohlstein Freda Tanzer Alpena Sportsmen s Club Charles Morrison Mike Polaski Allen Lazarowicz Eugene King John Darga Elizabeth Willis Rayla Cross David W. Mix Gerald Leginza Presque Isle County Sportsmen s Club John Darga Black Mountain Chapter - NWTF Jacob Dankers Kent County Conservation Club Gary McAleenan Warren Hoogandyke John W. Benson South Kent Sportsman s Club John W. Benson West Walker Sportsman s Club Rady Delgado John W. Benson Multi Lakes Conservation Association Frank A. Marchione James R. Griggs Richard C. Davio Robert G. Ritter Frank R. Nettleton Buford L. Simpson, Jr. Gerald G. Bohn George W. Balbaugh Robert Callsen William Boecki Robert Daniel Dr. Robert L. Lederman Tony Serano Peter J. Cesaro, Jr. Richard C. Bryson Keith H. Johnson Michael J. Funni John W. Houser Robert W. Lemon Francis F. Houttekier Jay W. Staup, Jr. Thomas (Jake) Jakubiec Albert R. Kirn Mark Florkowski Clarence F. Haskin Thomas R. Johnston Robert R. Stoutenburg Edward J. Reinert St. Joseph County Conservation & Sportsman Club, Inc. Bill Douglas William Dobberteen 3

6 Instructions to Club Presidents, Sec r 1. CLUB DUES: Your club dues for 2017 must be paid up to date to qualify as voting delegates for the Convention. We suggest that you check with your treasurer to make sure these dues have been paid prior to registering. 2. PROXY VOTES: All proxies must be signed and returned to the MUCC office before May 31, A club will not be permitted to vote if affiliate dues are not paid up to date, this includes proxies. No proxies or credentials will be transferred at the Convention except in case of extreme emergency or illness, such as determined by the Executive Committee. 3. CLUB DELEGATES: Please bring this agenda with you to convention. Additional copies will not be made available at the convention site. A full book is available online at 4. PRE-REGISTRATION: Pre-registration information has been included in this Convention Agenda. You will find the appropriate forms needed to pre-register and a return addressed envelope for your convenience. Your materials will be available at the convention site. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO PREREGISTER TO AVOID DELAYS AT CONVENTION. 5. REGISTRATION: If you do not pre-register, voting delegates must bring their completed voting forms with them to the convention registration desk. These forms were mailed to the club president and/or club representatives. No delegate will be allowed to vote without authorization from the club officers. You may not use any cards other than your own to vote. AN ADDITIONAL $10 FEE WILL BE INCURRED FOR REGISTERING AT THE DOOR. 6. THE CLUB AUTHORIZATION FORM must be signed by not less than two officers of the affiliate club. (Please review the agenda on the following pages with your voting delegates so they know your club s decisions and vote accordingly at Convention.) 7. THE ATTENDEE REGISTRATION AND VOTING DELEGATE FORM must be filled out showing the total number of club votes, proxy votes and if the member is entitled to a statewide officer vote. 4

7 retaries and Convention Delegates 8. THE CLUB NAME AND NUMBER: Please remember to fill in your club name and number wherever requested. 9. EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS are considered under New Business. Items shall be restricted to emergency resolutions and only those emergency resolutions not considered at a prior district, regional or Board of Directors meeting. To be considered as an emergency, such proposal or resolution shall deal with an issue that must be considered prior to the July Executive Board meeting due to time limitations. No more than two (2) proposals under new business shall be presented by any member or member club at the Annual Convention and considered as new business and must be affirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of delegates present and voting. A total of 175 copies must be made available for distribution and a copy made available on a CD or flash drive to be given to the recording secretary. Resolutions Chair, Jack VanRhee, must receive 15 copies as soon as possible. 10. VOTING FOR OFFICERS will take place on Saturday, June 17 from 5:30-6:30 pm. Voting will re-open Sunday, June 18 from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. 11. To expedite the annual meeting and accuracy of resolution amendments, it is required that you use the resolution amendment form in the back of this book. Additional copies will be available on the information table at the convention site. 5

8 Rabbitat at Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area June 16 10:00 am VOLUNTEER On Friday, June 16, 2017 at 10:00 am, we will be kicking off MUCC s Annual Convention with a rabbitat event at the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area. We will be building large brush piles on the edges of a timber sale area to create cover for rabbits and other small game species. Tools such as loppers, handsaws, and a few extra chainsaws will be available for volunteers to use as well as all required safety gear. Lunch will be provided by MUCC after the event and all volunteers will receive a free Wildlife Volunteer T-shirt. Please RSVP by returning the form on pg. 7 or by signing up online at for Wildlife 6

9 WILDLIFE HABITAT VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION OT Rabbitat at Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area June 16 Name Address City, State, Zip PLEASE CUT ALONG DOTTED LINE AND RETURN FORM TO MUCC Phone ( ) Are you bringing additional volunteers? If so, how many? Are you able to bring a chainsaw and appropriate safety equipment (helmet, ear/eye protection, chaps, etc.)? Not required, but helpful. Please indicate how many you can bring. T-Shirt Size If inviting additional volunteers, please indicate the number of each. Sizes are adult and run a little small. Small Medium Large Extra Large 2X Large Other 7

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11 CLUB AUTHORIZATION FORM Use this form for your club to authorize their voting delegates. *Must be signed by two officers. MUCC Annual Convention Membership Club Information 2017 Voting Delegates CLUB AUTHORIZATION Please use this form to register your club for the Annual Convention. Please list voting delegates on the lines provided below and indicate the percentage of club votes you would like for each of them to carry. Please remit ONLY ONE Club Authorization Form to MUCC for your club. Club Name: Club County: Club Address: Club City: State: Zip: Phone: Delegate 1: # of Club Votes: Delegate 2: # of Club Votes: Delegate 3: # of Club Votes: Delegate 4: # of Club Votes: Alternate Delegate 1: Alternate Delegate 2: THIS FORM MUST BE SIGNED BY TWO (2) OFFICERS OF YOUR CLUB AND SHOULD BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MAY 31, VERBAL AUTHORIZATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Signed: Title: Date: Signed: Title: Date: If you would like for someone to carry Proxy Votes for your club, this form MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MAY 31, Please mark one (1) box below. No, this club will not have an individual carry proxy votes. Yes, (print name) will carry proxy votes for this club. MEMBERS VOTE MEMBERS VOTE MEMBERS VOTE PLEASE RETURN TO MUCC VIA MAIL: P.O. BOX LANSING, MI OR CLUBS@MUCC.ORG 9

12 2017 CLUB AUTHORIZATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS On the reverse you will find the Club Authorization Form. Rather than requiring each voting delegate to have their own Voting Authorization form signed, we request that an MUCC club representative complete ONE (1) Club Authorization form for all of your club s voting delegates and return it to MUCC by mail, , or fax. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Write the name of your club on the line provided. 2. Write the county in which your club resides on the line provided. If your club does not have a physical location, this should be the county of residence for the main club contact. 3. Write the address, city, state, and zip code of your club on the lines provided. 4. Provide the phone number and address of your club or MUCC club representative. 5. List the names and distribution of your club s votes to voting delegates. It is up to you to determine how you would like the votes distributed. If you do not indicate how you would like the votes distributed, the Credentials Committee will distribute them as evenly as possible among your authorized delegates. The number of votes to which your club is entitled is based on dues paid by Records Day. A table with the number of club members and corresponding number of votes is provided at the bottom of the form. 6. List the names of alternate delegates in case one of your authorized voters is unable to attend Convention. 7. Two (2) club officers are required to sign the form prior to submission in order to authorize voting delegates to vote for your club. 8. If your club is unable to send club delegates, but would like to send your votes with a proxy voter, please indicate the person who will vote for your club at the bottom of the form. A proxy voter is someone who is not a member of your club to whom your club authorizes to vote on your club s behalf. Each club can send up to one (1) proxy voter. If you are planning to send your votes with a proxy voter, the Club Authorization form MUST BE POST- MARKED NO LATER THAN MAY 31, 2017 NO EXCEPTIONS. 9. Mail or the Club Authorization form to the address or address provided on the form. All Club Authorization Forms without proxy voters MUST be received by the beginning of Convention on June 16, If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Rustem at srustem@mucc.org or

13 ATTENDEE REGISTRATION & VOTING DELEGATE FORM MUCC Annual Convention Membership Club Information 2017 Voting Delegate and Attendee Registration Form Please fill out one registration form PER PERSON. PLEASE PRINT ON FORM. There are 3 sections on this form. SECTION 1: ALL registrants must complete Section 1. Name: Home Address: Home City: State: Zip: Home Phone: Are you a voting delegate? (Mark One) Yes No SECTION 2: Only VOTING DELEGATES must complete Section 2. Are you carrying club votes? Yes No Club Name: Are you carrying proxy votes for a club? Yes No Proxy Club Name: Are you an MUCC Individual Member Representative or Delegate? Yes No County of Residence: Are you an Officer of MUCC? Yes, Region/District #: No SECTION 3: PAYMENT. ALL registrants must complete Section 3. Return to MUCC via mail: P.O. Box 30235, Lansing, Mi or srustem@mucc.org Voting Delegate Registration ($50 Registration fee at the door; Includes 2 breakfasts and lunches)... $40 x = A. Non-voting Delegate (Includes 2 breakfasts and lunches)... $20 x = B. Steak Awards Dinner (Sat, June 17 at Shiawassee Cons. Assoc.)... $20 x = C. Donation for Picnic Dinner (Fri, June 16 at Shiawassee Cons. Assoc.)...D. TOTAL:...(A+B+C+D) METHOD OF PAYMENT Check (Enclosed) Visa MasterCard Discover Name on Credit Card: Credit Card Number: Exp. Date: CVV #: THIS SECTION FOR REGISTRATION CLERK S USE ONLY DELEGATE NAME: Voter Certificate #: Region: CLUB VOTING AUTHORITY: Club Dues Paid: Proxy Dues Paid: THIS DELEGATE IS ENTITLED TO: Regular Club Votes: Proxy Club Votes: MUCC Officer Vote: IM Votes: TOTAL VOTES: SIGNATURE: 11

14 2017 ANNUAL CONVENTION ATTENDEE REGISTRATION AND VOTING DELEGATE FORM INSTRUCTIONS We ask that ALL Convention attendees complete the Attendee Registration and Voting Delegate Form in order to minimize confusion during check-in at Convention. If you are paying for more than one person, you may remit one payment, however, please complete one form for each attendee, so each attendee has their own form for check-in. The Attendee Registration and Voting Delegate Form contains three (3) sections. Section 1 should be completed by ALL Convention attendees even if you are not a voting delegate. Please fill out this section completely so we can quickly process your paperwork. 1. Please list the name, address, city, state, and zip code for the person registering to attend the Annual Convention. 2. Please include your home phone and address on the registration form. 3. Please indicate whether or not you are a voting delegate by checking the box for Yes or No on the form. a. A voting delegate is someone who has been given authorization to carry votes by an MUCC affiliated club, is an MUCC officer, or MUCC individual member representative or delegate. Section 2 should be completed by voting delegates ONLY. This section will help the Credentials Committee determine to how many votes a voting delegate is entitled to carry. 1. Mark Yes or No to answer whether or not you are carrying regular club votes. If you mark Yes, please write the name of the club for which you are carrying votes on the line provided. In order for a voting delegate to carry club votes, (s)he must be authorized by an MUCC member club. If MUCC has NOT received a Club Authorization Form from your club by the beginning of Convention, a registered delegate will NOT be able to carry club votes. 2. Mark Yes or No to answer whether or not you are carrying proxy votes. If you mark Yes, please write the name of the club for which you are carrying proxy votes on the line provided. A proxy voter is someone who is not a member of a club to whom a club gives permission to vote on their behalf. A Club Authorization form must authorize all proxy voters. 3. Mark Yes or No to answer whether or not you are an MUCC Individual Member Representative or Delegate. If you mark Yes, please write your county of residence on the line provided. 4. Mark Yes or No to answer whether or not you are an Officer of MUCC. If you mark Yes, please write the Region/District number on the line provided. Section 3 should be completed by all registrants. Please mark if you will be paying for a voting delegate and write the amount on line A. Please write the number of lunch tickets you will be paying for on the line provided. Write the total cost of the purchased lunch tickets on line B. Please note that NO LUNCH TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR. All lunch tickets MUST be purchased prior to Convention. For the total amount due, add all lines together and write this number on the line provided. Please remit payment to MUCC online or via mail. If you would like to pay with a credit card, please include the CVV# 10

15 Orders of the Day RULES A. ROBERT S RULES OF ORDER SHALL BE THE AUTHORITY ON CONVENTION PROCEDURE. B. ALL VOTING WILL BE BY VOICE UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED. A SHOW OF HANDS OR A ROLL CALL VOTE MAY BE ORDERED BY THE CHAIR FOR ACCURACY. C. ONLY VOTING DELEGATES MAY BE SEATED IN THE DELEGATES VOTING SECTION. D. ONLY REGISTERED VOTING DELEGATES MAY VOTE OR MAKE/SUPPORT MOTIONS. E. VOTING DELEGATES MUST WEAR BADGES AND CARRY VOTING CARDS INDICATING THE NUMBER OF VOTES CARRIED. F. RESOLUTIONS TO CHANGE THE BYLAWS REQUIRE A 2/3 VOTE. G. RESOLUTIONS TO CHANGE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW OR RULES OR NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ORDERS REQUIRE A 2/3 VOTE. AMENDMENTS LENGTHY AMENDMENTS (MORE THAN A FEW WORDS, TYPOS OR SIMPLE EDITORIAL CORRECTIONS EXCEPTED) SHOULD BE SUBMITTED ON THE RESOLUTIONS AMENDMENT FORM (AVAILABLE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING) WITH A COPY, OR THE ORIGINAL, SUBMITTED TO THE RECORDING SECRETARY. THE AMENDED RESOLUTION WILL THEN BE DISPLAYED ON A SCREEN FOR ALL TO REVIEW. PROCEDURE FOR TESTIMONY ON RESOLUTIONS IN ORDER TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR A FULL EXPLORATION OF EACH RESOLUTION BEFORE THE ANNUAL CONVENTION, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED: 1. THE SPONSOR OR SPONSORING CLUB OF A RESOLUTION HAS FIVE MINUTES TO EXPLAIN THE RESOLUTION AND ADVOCATE FOR ITS PASSAGE. 2. TWO MICROPHONES, DESIGNATED SUPPORT OR OPPOSED, WILL BE AVAILABLE. SPEAKERS MUST USE ONE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR DISCUSSION AND THEY WILL SPEAK ALTERNATELY. PLEASE USE THE APPROPRIATE MICRO- PHONE FOR YOUR POSITION (SUPPORT OR OPPOSE) ON THE ISSUE. 3. ALL MEMBERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, IF SO INTERESTED, TO SPEAK FOR TWO MINUTES FOR OR AGAINST A RESOLUTION. 4. MEMBERS MAY TESTIFY TWO TIMES ON A RESOLUTION. A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE DELEGATES IS REQUIRED FOR A PERSON TO TESTIFY MORE THAN TWO TIMES. 5. MUCC S PARLIAMENTARIAN (OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE) WILL KEEP TRACK OF THE TIME OF EACH TESTIFIER TO ENSURE THE TIME LIMITS ARE NOT EXCEEDED. 6. MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO NOT DUPLICATE TESTIMONY AND TO STRUCTURE THEIR TESTIMONY TO IN- CREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONVENTION AUDIENCE ON THE ISSUE. 7. A MOTION, AND A SECOND, TO BRING A RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR WILL NOT REQUIRE USE OF THE MICRO- PHONES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME CLEARLY. 8. SPEAKERS MUST IDENTIFY THEMSELVES WITH THEIR NAME, CLUB NAME OR MUCC TITLE EACH TIME THEY USE THE MICROPHONE FOR ACCURATE RECORDING BY THE RECORDING SECRETARY. 9. IF NO ONE IS AT THE OPPOSITE MICROPHONE THE CHAIR MAY SUGGEST A VOTE BE TAKEN. 12

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17 2017 MUCC Convention Schedule *All business will take place in the Grand Ballroom unless otherwise specified. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, :00 am 2:00 pm On-the-Ground: Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area 5:00 pm 7:00 pm Convention Registration Open Shiawassee Conservation Association 5:00 pm 9:00 pm MUCC s 80th Anniversary Family Picnic and Fun Shoot Shiawassee Conservation Association Archery: $5 Trap Shooting: $10 SATURDAY, JUNE 17, PAST PRESIDENTS DAY 7:00 am 9:00 am Convention Registration 9:00 am 9:15 am Pre-Convention Board Meeting 9:15 am 9:17 am Call to Order and Welcome 9:17 am 9:19 am Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge 9:19 am 9:25 am Moments of Memory and Moment of Silence 9:25 am 9:35am Orders of the Day 9:35 am 9:40 am Report of the Credentials Committee 9:40 am 9:45 am Report of the Nominating Committee 9:45 am 9:46 am Approval of Agenda and Approval of 2016 Convention Minutes 9:46 am 9:48 am New Affiliate Club Recognition 9:48 am 9:50 am Emergency Resolution Announcements 9:50 am 10:30 am Candidate Speeches 10:30 am 11:30 am Bylaws Amendments and Policy Resolutions 11:30 am 12:00 pm Annual Report Dan Eichinger, Executive Director 12:00 pm 12:15 pm Break 12:15 pm 1:45 pm Luncheon Grand Ballroom 2:00 pm 2:30 pm Director Addresses Director Keith Creagh, Department of Natural Resources 2:30 pm 5:15 pm Policy Resolutions 5:15 pm 5:30 pm Announcements 5:30 pm Recess for Dinner 13

18 5:30 pm 6:30 pm Open Voting Board Room Polls Open for Officers of MUCC 6:30 pm 7:30 pm Conservation Awards Dinner Shiawassee Conservation Association 7:00 pm 10: 00 pm Hospitality Suite Shiawassee Conservation Association SUNDAY, June 18, :30 am 8:30 am Open Voting Board Room Polls Open for Officers of MUCC 8:30 am 8:31 am Call to Order 8:31 am 8:32 am Invocation 8:32 am 8:40 am Announcements 8:40 am 8:50 am Treasurer s Report Jim De Clerck, MUCC Treasurer 8:50 am 9:20 am Special Report 9:20 am 9:35 am New Business 9:35 am 11:45 am Policy Resolutions 11:45 am 11:50 pm Report of the Elections 11:50 am 12:00 pm Introduction of New Officers 12:00 pm Final Adjournment 12:15 pm 12:45 pm Post-Convention Board Meeting New resolutions (those not approved by the Regions or by the Board of Directors) may be considered under New Business if approved by the bylaws & Resolutions Committee and announced by noon on June 17,

19 MUCC S HOSPITALITY ROOM We would like to invite you to a social gathering at the Shiawassee Conservation Association. After a long day of official MUCC business, please join us for an evening of relaxation and refreshments. This is an opportunity to socialize with your colleagues and meet the candidates. A silent auction to raise funds for MUCC will also take place during this time. Saturday, June 17, :00 pm until midnight Shiawassee Conservation Association Refreshments: Contributions of food are welcome. Please contact Jane Finnerty at jbfinnerty08@gmail.com A complimentary shuttle bus will be provided to take MUCC members and guests to and from the Comstock Inn and the Shiawassee Conservation Association. This shuttle will run between 5pm and midnight. 15

20 MICHIGAN UNITED CONSERVATION CLUBS 79 th Annual Convention Draft Minutes June 18-19, 2016 Holiday Inn Big Rapids, Michigan Pre-Convention Board Meeting Saturday, June 18, 2016 Acting President and Statewide Vice President Jack VanRhee called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. Fran Yeager, Chair, Credentials Committee, verified a quorum was present to conduct business. Old Business: none Membership Committee Report: Report given by Kris Matthew (standing in for Dawn Levey), Membership Committee. The membership committee is recommending one club to the Board for statewide club affiliation. Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society The membership committee is recommending one club for the Board for disaffiliation, at the club s request. Grand Blanc Huntsmen s Club Matthew asked for a motion to approve the affiliation and disaffiliation. Yeager (Kasdorf) moved Vote on Motion New Business: Yeager explained a new situation has come up with credentialing for the Convention that must be resolved for 2016 and perhaps will need further discussion later about an updated procedure. Two individuals have requested to carry votes for their club and a proxy club, where the club and proxy club are in different MUCC regions. This complicates the voting process since the club and proxy may want different votes to be cast on resolutions and election ballots. It has not been precedent to allow an individual two voting cards to be able to split their vote, but these individuals have requested it. This situation may arise more regularly now that the MUCC Regions are smaller. DeClerck (VanLopik) made a motion to allow the two individuals to split their vote among two voting cards and officer ballots according to region. Vote on motion.. VanRhee asked for a motion to adjourn the pre-convention board meeting. P. Farrell (Lindquist) moved Vote on Motion The Board of Directors pre-convention meeting adjourned at 9:08 a.m. General Session Saturday, June 18, 2016 Call to Order and Welcome of the 79 th annual meeting was made at 9:15 a.m. by Statewide Vice President, Past President, and Acting President Jack VanRhee, serving on behalf of President Ron Burris. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Statewide Vice President George Lindquist and the Conservation Pledge was led by Statewide Vice President Tom Heritier. 16

21 Past Presidents of MUCC in the audience were introduced: Fran Yeager, Bill Krepps, Don Meixner, and Jack VanRhee. Paul Rose will join later in the day and Dawn Levey is serving as MUCC s delegate to the National Wildlife Federation s (NWF) annual meeting in Colorado. VanRhee introduced guest Russ Mason, Chief of the DNR Wildlife Division. VanRhee introduced MUCC District 4 Director Carol Rose who shared the 2016 Moments of Memory. VanRhee asked for a moment of silence for those we have lost and those serving in the military around the world. VanRhee gave an update on President Ron Burris condition since his recent heart attack and recovery. Orders of the Day reviewed by Parliamentarian Thomas Heritier. Report of the Credentials Committee: Quorum Call: Fran Yeager, Chair of the Convention Credentials Committee and Attendance Committee, announced that there was a quorum, with 93 voting delegates holding 332 votes. She will have the updated number of votes and delegates tallied prior to voting on the Bylaws Amendments. Report of the Nominating Committee given by Statewide Vice President Tom Heritier. The Nominating Committee has accepted the following candidates for office (those in italics or strikethrough were offered and accepted on the floor of Convention): EXECUTIVE BOARD Presidential nomination: Tom Heritier Vice President/President-Elect: George Lindquist and Scott Kallenberg Treasurer: Fran Yeager and Jim DeClerck Immediate Past President: Ron Burris Region 1: Richard P. Smith Region 2: Bill Malloch Region 3: Jane Finnerty Region 4: Carol Rose Region 5: Jack VanRhee Region 6: Chuck Hoover and Dawn Levey Region 7: David VanLopik, Bob Jenson, and Bob Krueger Region 8: Kris Matthew Region 9: Bruce Levey At Large Director (Region 8): Greg Peter At Large Director (Region 5): Bill Krepps CONSERVATION POLICY BOARD (Three elected positions for each region) Region 1: Tim Kobasic and Richard P. Smith Region 2: Gary Gorniack and Don Canfield Region 3: Bruce Finnerty, Jim Maturen, and Greg Nicolaou Region 4: Pete Demos, Jim Chaskey, and David Markle Region 5: Kevin Eldred, Rick McKenna, Penny Lepley, Bob Novasad Region 6: Ted Schultz Region 7: Roberta Reed, Allen Kasdorf, Julia Meixner, Furmer Reed, and Ted LoPresto Region 8: Matt Lubaway and Jim Pryce. Paddy Doherty was previously nominated and has not officially withdrawn her name, but people have indicated she is no longer affiliated with her local club or MUCC. Region 9: Rob Miller, Sam Morello and Gary Summers 17

22 In addition, IM Representatives nominated for the Conservation Policy Board include Jordan Kettlewell (Region 4), Judy VanRhee (Region 5), Melanie Ross (Region 6) and Cathleen Farrell (Region 8). These are not elected positions, but the President will these nominations under advisement when making appointments. Nominations will be taken from the floor. Tim Kobasic nominated Richard P. Smith for the Executive Board Region 1 Director and remove him as a candidate for the Conservation Policy Board. Smith accepted the nomination. Bruce Levey nominated two Region 9 Conservation Policy Board Candidates: Sam Morello and Gary Summers, both with the Michigan Bow Hunters. They both accepted the nomination. EXECUTIVE BOARD Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for President. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for President. Krepps (Lindquist) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for Vice President/President Elect. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for Vice President/ President-Elect Kobasic (Lubaway) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for Treasurer. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for Treasurer. C. Farrell (Kallenberg) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 1 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 1 Director. Jane Finnerty (Kobasic) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 2 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 2 Director. Yeager (Krepps) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 3 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 3 Director. C. Farrell (Miller) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 4 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 4 Director. Krepps (Kallenberg) moved to close. Vote on motion 18

23 Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 5 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 5 Director. Krepps (Markle) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 6 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 6 Director. Kasdorf (Ted Schultz) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 7 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 7 Director. Rob Miller (Yeager) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 8 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 8 Director. Jenson (Lubaway) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board Region 9 Director. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board Region 9 Director. Krepps (Schultz) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Executive Board At Large Directors. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Executive Board At Large Directors. Jody Matthew (Kallenberg) moved to close. Vote on motion CONSERVATION POLICY BOARD Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 1 Voting Members. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 1 Voting Members. Keim (Paul Farrell) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 2 Voting Members. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 2 Voting Members. Jody Matthew (C. Farrell) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 3 Voting Members. No nominations. 19

24 Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 3 Voting Members. Silarski (Kallenberg) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 4 Voting Members. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 4 Voting Members. Demos (C. Farrell) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 5 Voting Members. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 5 Voting Members. Benson (Yeager) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 6 Voting Members. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 6 Voting Members. DeClerck (Hoover) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 7 Voting Members. Ted Lopresto withdraws his name from consideration. No further nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 7 Voting Members. C. Farrell (Kallenberg) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 8 Voting Members. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 8 Voting Members. Keim (Lubaway) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier asked if there were any other nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 9 Voting Members. No nominations. Heritier asked for a motion to close nominations for the Conservation Policy Board Region 9 Voting Members. Jane Finnerty (Demos) moved to close. Vote on motion Heritier will be accepting nominations for committee appointments throughout the Annual Convention. Lubaway asked whether you can sign up for committees if you are an elected officer of either board? Heritier responded that yes, you can, however you can t serve on both the Executive and Conservation Policy Boards. New Business VanRhee asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Demos (C. Farrell) moved to approve the 20

25 Vote on motion VanRhee asked for a motion to approve the 2015 Convention minutes. DeClerck (Lubaway) moved to approve the minutes Vote on motion Acting Chair of the Membership Committee Kris Matthew announced the newly affiliate Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society (Region 9), which was just approved today. They have members in attendance today. Emergency Resolution Announcements VanRhee stated there is one Emergency Resolution at this time. As Resolutions Committee Chair, VanRhee reminded attendees that they can submit Emergency Resolutions to the Committee until noon today, they must be in their final format and by tomorrow, the writer would have to provide 100 copies for the delegates. The committee will meet at the lunch recess. VanRhee announced that another special guest, Todd Grishke from DNR Fisheries Division, joined us. Candidate Speeches: Candidates of contested races were offered a 3 minute opportunity to give speeches. The following candidates chose to do so: Scott Kallenberg (VP/President Elect) George Lindquist (VP/President Elect) Fran Yeager (Treasurer) Jim DeClerck (Treasurer) Bruce Levey on behalf of Dawn Levey (Region 6 Executive Board) Chuck Hoover (Region 6 Executive Board) David Van Lopik (Region 7 Executive Board) Bob Jenson (Region 7 Executive Board) Annual Report Executive Director Dan Eichinger introduced himself and MUCC staff: Amy Trotter, Deputy Director Drew YoungeDyke, Chief Information Officer and Magazine Editor Logan Schultz, Digital Media Coordinator Stephanie Rustem, Project Manager Lindsay Rochefort, Executive Assistant & Club Membership Coordinator Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator Sarah Topp, Wildlife Volunteer Coordinator Shawn McKeon, Camp Director & Educator Sue Pride, Membership Relations and Coordinator Mikaylah Heffernan, Glassen Scholar Eichinger then presented the Annual Report, which included policy accomplishments, discussed the On the Ground volunteer habitat program and moving into connecting classrooms to public lands this Fall, highlighted MUCC s education programs such as the Youth Camp (in 80 years having served 60,000 children) and a goal to have Tracks Magazine in the hands of 17,000 kids in Eichinger reported on membership growth and financial stability and described new grants received and fundraising efforts, membership trends, and future activities. The Sporting Clays Charity Shoot has doubled its revenue this year from last year. He announced the Conservation Jackpot, a high dollar 50/50 raffle. He discussed the importance of the board restructuring and creation of the Conservation Policy Board meetings, which will kick off this fall. BYLAWS AMENDMENTS VanRhee turned the chair over to George Lindquist, as VanRhee has proposed the first Bylaws Amendment #1. 21

26 Krepps (Demos) made a motion to bring the Bylaws Amendment #1 to the floor. Motion carried. Proposed Amendments to the Bylaws are in CAPITAL BOLD UNDERLINED AND strikethrough Proposed Bylaws Amendment #1 Submitted by: Jack VanRhee, Statewide Vice President and Chairmen, Bylaws & Resolutions Committee Recommended: Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, February 26, 2016 Passed: MUCC Board of Directors, February 13, 2016 Title: CORPORATE OFFICERS Purpose: The following Bylaws amendment is offered to protect the corporation from a real or perceived conflict of interest and to protect the corporation s status as a 501(c)3 organization. ARTICLE III CORPORATE OFFICERS SECTION 2 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION B. No member either currently serving as, or seeking election to political office at the NATIONAL, state OR LOCAL level may be an officer of the corporation. VanRhee explained the proposed Amendment. Bruce Levey spoke in support George Lindquist was opposed to including the local level of elected officials Kallenberg asked a question and VanRhee responded Kobasic supports, but would support an amendment to strike local and also add a staff member for the elected official. Lindquist (Kobasic) made a motion to strike Local from the proposed bylaws amendment. Motion carried. This requires 2/3 majority to pass. Call for Division. On the proposed amendment: Yes: 182, No: 126. The motion fails due to the requirement for 2/3. Kobasic (Lubaway) made a motion that this prohibition include or a paid staff member of a national or state elected official may be an officer of the corporation. Motion failed. On the original proposed Bylaws Amendment #1. Motion carried. VanRhee returned to chair the discussion and called for a motion to bring Bylaws Amendment #2 to the floor. Jane Finnerty (Kettler) made a motion to bring Bylaws Amendment #2 to the floor. Motion carried. Proposed Bylaws Amendment #2 Submitted by: Dawn Levey, Immediate Past President Recommended: Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, February 26, 2016 Passed: MUCC Region III, February 20, 2016 Title: ANNUAL CONVENTION AGENDA ITEMS Purpose: The following Bylaws amendment is offered to ensure there is an opportunity for member input into the budget development process. 22

27 SECTION 2 ANNUAL CONVENTION AGENDA ARTICLE VI ANNUAL CONVENTION 4. Receipt and consideration of financial reports for the corporation REVIEW OF THE CURRENT FISCAL BUDGET AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DELEGATE INPUT. DeClerck is opposed, Yeager is opposed. Bylaws Amendment #2 fails. Resolutions led by Statewide Vice Presidents Jack VanRhee, George Lindquist, and Tom Heritier Text of the resolutions passed by the Convention are available as an attachment. (Resolutions to change state or federal law or rules or Natural Resources Commission orders require a 2/3 vote to pass per MUCC bylaws). Summary of resolutions passed, failing, and postponed at MUCC s 2016 Annual Convention #01: ISLE ROYALE MOOSE MANAGEMENT: MUCC supports culling moose on Isle Royale National Park to manage the population and protect the island s vegetation and that the public be permitted to do the culling through a limited entry drawing from groups of two to four participants that would purchase a moose culling permit; and MUCC supports such measures as an alternative to artificial relocation (human placement) of predator species to this island, such as wolves. #02: TO DISCOURAGE THE USE OF CHOCOLATE AS BEAR BAIT: MUCC resolves to help educate bear hunters about the danger of using chocolate in bear bait. #03: CHOCOLATE IN BEAR BAIT: MUCC supports banning the use of large quantities of chocolate in bear bait. #04: URBAN BOWHUNTING AND DEER MANAGEMENT: MUCC supports the creation of a statewide urban deer management plan emphasizing bowhunting and venison donation. #05: NEUTRAL ON CROSSBOWS: MUCC adopts a position of no longer opposing the use of crossbows during the archery season as they have not resulted in any significant conflict to the archery deer season. #07: TO SUPPORT ATV/ORV APPROPRIATE USE WITHIN THE MICHIGAN DESIGNATED MOTORIZED TRAIL SYSTEM AND GROUSE ENHANCEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROGRAM AREA IN THE UPPER PENINSULA : MUCC supports the designation of a 1.8-mile stretch of county road in a Grouse Enhanced Management System in Marquette County, currently open for ORV use, as a multi-use ORV route to allow funding allocation for signage as a pilot program. #09: NIGHTTIME HUNTING WITH CENTERFIRE FIREARMS: MUCC supports the use of centerfire rifles at night for coyote hunting. #12: CHANGING THE STARTING DATE OF THE EARLY SPRING TURKEY SEASON: MUCC supports moving the start date of the early turkey season in southern Michigan (private land unit ZZ) up from a Monday to the prior Saturday. #13: WATERFOWL HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES ON COUNTY PARKS IN MICHIGAN: MUCC resolves to work to increase waterfowl hunting opportunities in county parks and supports the extension of liability protection to local government units which allow hunting on their properties. #14: INCREASED PENALTIES FOR HARASSMENT OF ANGLERS, HUNTERS, AND TRAPPERS: MUCC supports increased penalties for harassment of anglers, hunters, and trappers engaged in legal activates. 23

28 #15: PURPLE PAINT TRESPASSING LAW: The MUCC supports the use of purple paint in place of No Trespassing signs. #16: RECOGNIZING DIVERSITY: The MUCC encourages the DNR to recognize Michigan s diverse landscape in management decisions. #17: DESIGNATE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY AS THE STATE INSECT OF MICHIGAN: MUCC supports the designation of the monarch butterfly as the official state insect. #18: DEFINING PNEUMATIC GUNS THAT LAUNCH ARROWS: MUCC resolves to support the definition and regulation of airbows as pneumatic firearms, not archery equipment. #19: FEDERAL FISH AND WILDLIFE DISEASE TRUST FUND: MUCC supports the creation of a Federal Fish and Wildlife Disease Trust Fund. #23: WISE UTILIZATION OF ALL OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES: MUCC supports the utilization of rough fish harvested during bowfishing tournaments by donation to rendering facilities. #24: BASS TOURNAMENTS ARE LEGITIMATE, LEGAL FISHING STYLE: MUCC supports bass tournament fishing as a legal, legitimate form of fishing that is good for Michigan; and should work with bass tournament groups and anglers to investigate and promote more bass tournament opportunity in Michigan as long as there is a sustainable and resilient bass population available. #25: BASS FISHING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2016: MUCC supports the use of adaptive management for bass by the DNR #26: LIMITING KILLING AND REMOVAL OF AQUATIC PLANT HABITAT : MUCC recognizes the importance of aquatic plant habitat to Michigan s natural resources, supports a reduction in the use of chemicals in native aquatic vegetation management, and supports work on appropriate recovery plans for native aquatic plants. #27: RESCIND MUCC CHUMMING BAN: MUCC resolves to use the best available science to determine where, what, and in what quantity chumming should, or should not, be regulated, and the previous ban has been lifted. Failed Resolutions #06: SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZING CROSSBOWS DURING THE LATE ARCHERY SEASON IN THE UP: The MUCC will support the legalization of crossbows during the late archery deer season in the UP. #08: COYOTE BOUNTY: MUCC will work with the DNR to start a bounty on coyotes in Michigan. #20: NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE: MUCC supports legislation to allow the NRC to meet as often as necessary to accomplish their duties, as long as it is no less than eight times per year. #21: BEAR BAITING DURING DOG TRAINING SEASON: MUCC will work with the NRC and the DNR to allow bear baiting to being July 8 th, during dog training season. POSTPONED FOR FUTURE CONSERVATION POLICY MEETING #10: YOUTH HUNTER SUPERVISION REQUESTED BY THE MAKER TO POSTPONE UNTIL POLICY MEETING: MUCC will work to change the statute to allow hunter safety trained youth with some level of experience in the woods to hunt further away from their adult mentor. #11: ALLOW HUNTERS TO POSSESS AND USE MULTIPLE TYPE LEGAL WEAPONS WHILE HUNTING MORE THAN ONE LEGAL SPECIES DURING OVERLAPPING SEASONS: MUCC will work with the DNR to remove the prohibition against using more than one legal weapon while hunting multiple species during overlapping seasons. #22: BAITING WITH BARRELS WITHDRAWN BY MAKER FOR A REWRITE: MUCC will work with the NRC and the DNR to allow the use of barrels for baiting bears. 24

29 PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS Heritier took over as the chair for the resolutions discussion. Point of personal privilege (PPP): Yeager gave an update from the Credentials Committee, reporting that there are 94 delegates present carrying a total of 334 votes. Bruce Levey introduced his granddaughter Kayla McKern, who is attending as a voting delegate for the first time. Thorman (Yeager) made a motion to consider resolutions out of order and move proposed resolutions 21 and 22 to immediately after resolutions 2 and 3 in order to keep the bear discussion together. Motion carried. VanRhee recognized Interim DNR Director Bill Moritz as joining the Convention. Heritier asked for a motion to bring Proposed Resolutions 1-9 and 21 and 22 to the floor for consideration. C. Farrell (DeClerck) moved Vote on motion. Proposed Resolution #01 Richard P. Smith offered a technical correction on the number of moose as a minimum of 1,300. The Wildlife Committee, as maker, accepted that technical correction. Lindquist made a motion on an amendment to add the following at the end of the resolution: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT MUCC SUPPORTS THE NPS IN MOVING FORWARD WITH ALTERNATIVE B, WHERE THE NPS WOULD BRING WOLVES TO ISLE ROYALE AS A ONE-TIME EVENT OVER A DEFINED PERIOD OF TIME (E.G. OVER A 36 MONTH PERIOD) TO INCREASE THE LONGEVITY OF THE WOLF POPULATION ON THE ISLAND. THIS ACTION WOULD OCCUR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING A SIGNED RECORD OF DECISION. There was no second on the amendment and after discussion, Lindquist withdrew the amendment. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #01 carried unanimously. Proposed Resolution #02 Richard P. Smith supports Mike Thorman opposes (discourage is not enough) Roger Thorman opposes Tim Dusterwinkle opposes Rob Miller stated that discouraging is still good to do, even if there is a regulation and that both this resolution and #02 can be approved and not be in conflict according to the Therefore Be it Resolved sections. DeClerck says, Wasting chocolate on bears is an absolute sin. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #02 carries. Announcements: VanRhee announced that the Convention was joined by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Keith Creagh Convention was recessed for the Conservation Awards Luncheon Proposed Resolution #03 Rob Miller offered the following amendment on behalf of the Wildlife Committee: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this regulation should balance the relative risk of solid chocolate bait compared to 25

30 bait with trace amounts of chocolate. As we understand, LARGE QUANTITIES OF CHOCOLATE solid chocolate, such as chocolate bars or chocolate-coated candy, is a much higher risk to wildlife compared to a food source that might contain chocolate as a minor component as in trail mix. The makers accepted this amendment as a technical clarification which does not change their intent. The maker of the resolution and many delegates testified in support, 1 opposed. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #03 carries. Proposed Resolution #21 Rob Miller offered the following amendment on behalf of the Wildlife Committee: Strike lines 5-7 in their entirety, we do not see any proof to these statements and believe them to be suggestive only. The makers accepted this amendment as a clarification which does not change their intent. The maker of the resolution, Mike Thorman, spoke in support as did Richard P. Smith. Opposed: Bruce Levey, Bill Malloch. Greg Peter offered some insight on baiting and disease in general. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #21 fails. Call for Division. On the proposed resolution #21: Yes: 214, No: 118. Resolution #21 fails due to the requirement for 2/3. PPP: Stan Bydlos announced it would be his last convention. Tim Muir is the new representative for Lake St. Clair Walleye. Proposed Resolution #22 Rob Miller offered the following amendment on behalf of the Wildlife Committee: Amend Line 5 to stop the point after the word out and strike out the words as well as other types of baiting. Amend Line 6-7 to add after word through WITHOUT MECHANICAL AID. Amend Line 9 to add these words after the word attached IN A PERMANENT MANNER. The makers accepted this amendment as a clarification which does not change their intent. Support: Mike Thorman, maker. Tim Dusterwinkle, Jim Wale, Tim Kobasic Opposed: Bruce Levey, Summers, Lehto, Declerck. Carol Rose expressed concerns over baiting in areas such as the TB Zone. Richard P. Smith offered a clarification that in Line 4 the word grain should be changed to bait and in Line 5 the word grain should be changed to food. This is more consistent with the baiting regulations, which vary across the state. The maker accepted this correction. Norman Miller asked questions. Mike Thorman requested more time at the microphone to be able to respond. Norman Miller (Jim Wale) made a motion to give Mike Thorman extra time to be able to answer the questions. Motion failed. 26

31 Mike Thorman, as the maker, withdraws Resolution #22 to rewrite it and bring it back to the first Conservation Policy Board meeting. Proposed Resolution #04 Greg Peter (C. Farrell) made a motion to amend the resolution by striking Lines He felt this was written too broadly and may take necessary tools out of the hands of the DNR in the future. Motion on the amendment carried. Vote on the resolution. The amended Resolution #04 carries unanimously. Proposed Resolution #05 Opposed: Rob Miller, Wildlife Committee, Sam Morello, Bruce Levey, George Lindquist, Harry West Support: Jim DeClerck, Tom Heritier (stepped down from chair to comment, VanRhee took chair), Bob Novasad, Greg Peter, Rich Porteen, Sam Mullen, Cathy Farrell, Richard P. Smith Peter (Richard P. Smith) made a motion to strike the word on Line 19 neutrality and replace with no longer opposing. The maker accepted this amendment as a clarification which does not change their intent. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #05 carries. Call for Division. On resolution #05: Yes: 219, No: 93. Resolution #05 carries. Announcements: Yeager gave an update on the number of delegates from the Credentials Committee: 99 voting delegates carrying 355 votes. VanRhee will have a meeting of the Resolutions Committee immediately upon recess to consider the Emergency Resolution. Krepps announced the times and location for voting. VanRhee announced that general session will recess until 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. Sunday, June 19, 2016 VanRhee called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Invocation was given by Past President Paul Rose PPP: Kallenberg, Jim Pryce, and Kris Matthew presented MUCC with the results of the Region 8 Fundraiser. Members sang Happy Birthday to Deputy Director Amy Trotter Jim DeClerck presented MUCC with the remaining money in the account of District 10. Judy VanRhee presented MUCC with the results of the fundraiser for the On The Ground program from the MUCC quilt raffle. Rick McKenna presented MUCC with the remaining money in the account of District 11. Stephanie Rustem presented the results of the Saturday night Silent Auction and announced the winner of the statewide raffle. Treasurer s Report Fran Yeager, Treasurer, gave the Treasurer s report by reviewing the financials as of April 30, Kallenberg (Demos) moved to accept the report and place it on file. 27

32 Vote on motion MUCC Communications: Michigan Out-of-Doors Magazine MUCC Chief Information Officer and new Michigan Out-of-Doors Magazine editor Drew YoungeDyke gave a presentation on the magazine history, mission and goals, and the new transition to a redesigned and reimagined publication. Executive Director Eichinger thanked Matt Lubaway for donating the beautifully crafted antique fly rod for the statewide raffle this year. He also recognized the many first time Convention delegates. Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) Jordan Burroughs, Michigan State University Burroughs gave a presentation on the research and national planning process to address the decline of hunters, anglers, and trappers around the country. She explained the Outdoor Recreation Adoption Model and how groups like MUCC and local clubs can consider how to create and reformat their programs to do a better job of moving people along the spectrum to become long-time hunters, anglers and trappers. New Business VanRhee presented the Emergency Resolution #27 that was submitted on Saturday. He said that the Resolutions Committee reviewed it and it fits the requirements to be an emergency. Matt Lubaway (Kallenberg) made a motion to bring Emergency Resolution #27 to the floor. Motion carried. Yeager (Kobasic) made a motion to read only the maker, title, and Therefore Be it Resolved portion of the resolution for this and the remaining resolutions today. Motion carried. Lubaway supports resolution. Vote on Emergency Resolution #27 Resolution carried. Statewide Vice President Tom Heritier took over as chair of the resolution process. Resolutions 6-9 were already brought to the floor yesterday. Proposed Resolution #06 Richard P. Smith, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Opposed: Sam Morello, George Lindquist Vote on the resolution. Resolution #06 fails. Proposed Resolution #07 Tim Kobasic, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Opposed: Bruce Levey, John Page, David Van Lopik Paul Rose offed an amendment on Line 37 to strike the words endorses and and Line 40 to strike the word endorses and replace it with recommends. The maker accepted these as technical clarifications that did not change the intent. Heritier stepped down as chair to speak in support; VanRhee resumed as chair for this resolution. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #07 carries. 28

33 Proposed Resolution #08 Gary Gorniak, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Opposed: Bruce Levey, Lubaway, C. Farrell, Ted Schultz Supports: George Lindquist Rob Miller supports with the following amendment offered on behalf of the Wildlife Committee: (adding a new Whereas after line 3 and Amending Lines 4-5) WHEREAS, WOLVES ARE HAVING AN IMPACT ON DEER AS WELL YET THERE ARE NO LEGAL MANAGEMENT OPTIONS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AND MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE to start a bounty on coyotes in THE UPPER PENINSULA OF Michigan. The maker accepted this amendment as a technical clarification of his intent. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #08 fails. Proposed Resolution #09 Chris Kettler, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Opposed: Jim DeClerck, Chuck Hoover Supports: Gary Gorniak, Sam Morello, Jim Wale, Dale Hendershot Vote on the resolution. Resolution #09 carries. Kallenberg (Lindquist) made a motion to bring Proposed Resolutions and to the floor for consideration. Vote on motion. Statewide Vice President George Lindquist took over as chair of the resolution process. Proposed Resolution #10 Staff indicated that the maker Robert Pattison would like his resolution postponed for consideration as he wanted to be present to explain and answer questions. Kasdorf (Lindquist) made a motion to postpone Resolution #10 until a future Conservation Policy Board meeting. Motion carried. Proposed Resolution #11 Millard Holton, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Opposed: Bruce Levey, C. Farrell, Kobasic Supports: DeClerck, Furmer Reed Paul Rose (Paul Farrell) made a motion to postpone Resolution 11 to a future Conservation Policy Board with possible amendments addressing the concerns that have been brought up. Motion carries. Proposed Resolution #12 Millard Holton, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Opposed: Pete Demos Supports: DeClerck, C. Farrell 29

34 Vote on the resolution. Resolution #12 carries. Call for Division On resolution #12: Yes: 194, No: 58. Resolution #12 carries. PPP: Kettler shared that the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association will be helping to host the National Trappers Association s convention this August in Kalamazoo, MI. Gorniak from Straits Area Sportsmen s Club have an update on the youth fishing day they host each year. Proposed Resolution #13 Jack VanRhee, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Rob Miller and Wildlife Committee support the resolution with the following amendment, an addition at the end of the resolution: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT MUCC EXPLORE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO OFFER THE SAME LIABILITY PROTECTION THAT STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT ALLOW HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRAPPING. The maker accepted this amendment as a technical clarification of his intent. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #13 carries unanimously. Proposed Resolution #14 Jim Pryce, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Dale Hendershot supports with the following amendment: Insert after Line 4: WHEREAS, ANTI-HUNTERS AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN HARASSING HUNTERS THOUGH PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO RECORDING, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS; AND Insert after Line 19: THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE MICHIGAN UNITED CONSERVATION CLUBS WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHING, VIDEOTAPING, AUDIOTAPING, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS OF MONITORING OR RECORDING THE ACTIVITIES OF A PERSON ENGAGED IN LEGAL HUNTING, TRAPPING, AND FISHING WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT, IN THE DEFINITION OF HUNTER HARASSMENT. Rob Miller and Wildlife Committee support the resolution with the following amendment: Line 12: with the MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) The maker accepted these amendments as a technical correction and further explanation of his intent. Van Lopik is concerned about the constitutionality of these amendments regarding First Amendment rights, Hendershot responded that Wisconsin has already enacted this law. Jim Pryce indicated that the Hunter Safety Committee also supports Vote on the resolution as amended. Resolution #14 carries unanimously. Proposed Resolution #15 Jim Pryce, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Vote on the resolution. 30

35 Resolution #15 carries. Proposed Resolution #16 Vote on the resolution. Resolution #16 carries. Proposed Resolution #17 Opposed: Rob Miller Supports: Carol Rose Gary Summers asked why not the mayfly? Vote on the resolution. Resolution #17 carries unanimously. Proposed Resolution #18 Sam Morello, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #18 carries. VanRhee took over as chair of the resolution process. Proposed Resolution #19 Rob Miller on behalf of the Wildlife Committee, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #19 carries unanimously. Proposed Resolution #20 Opposed: Bruce Levey, DeClerck, Lehto Supports: Dale Hendershot Vote on the resolution. Resolution #20 fails. Proposed Resolution #23 Rob Miller, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #23 carries unanimously. Proposed Resolution #24 Dan Kimmel, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Matt Lubaway (Rob Miller) made a motion to amend the resolution as follows: Line 5: Strike there are no studies or evidence that bass tournaments harm bass populations, but Lines 24-28: Strike entirely Amendment carries. Vote on the amended resolution. Resolution #24 carries. Proposed Resolution #25 31

36 Dan Kimmel, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Supports: Matt Lubaway Vote on the resolution. Resolution #25 carries unanimously. Proposed Resolution #26 Dan Kimmel, as maker, spoke in support of the resolution. Vote on the resolution. Resolution #26 carries unanimously. Elections Committee Report: Past President Bill Krepps and Kay Leja are co-chairs. Krepps gave the report on the elected officers and Conservation Policy Board voting members for EXECUTIVE BOARD (2 year terms for everyone except ODD numbered Region and At Large Directors for this year only in order to stagger terms) President: Tom Heritier, Saginaw Field and Stream Conservation Club Immediate Past President: Ron Burris, Individual Member Vice President/President Elect/Chair of the Policy Board: George Lindquist, U.P. Whitetails of Marquette County Treasurer: Jim DeClerck, Saginaw Field and Stream Conservation Club Region Directors: Region 1: Richard P. Smith, Life Member Region 2: Bill Malloch, Individual Member Region 3: Jane Finnerty, Cadillac Sportsmen s Club Region 4: Carol Rose, Montmorency County Conservation Club Region 5: Jack VanRhee, Hamilton Rod and Gun Club Region 6: Chuck Hoover, Saginaw Field and Stream Conservation Club Region 7: David Van Lopik, Kalamazoo Rod and Gun Club Region 8: Kris Matthew, Huron Valley Conservation Association Region 9: Bruce Levey, Michigan Bow Hunters At-Large Directors: Greg Peter, Chelsea Rod and Gun Club (Region 8) Bill Krepps, Ravenna Conservation Club (Region 5) CONSERVATION POLICY BOARD (Three elected positions for each region, 1 year term) Region 1: Tim Kobasic Region 2: Gary Gorniak and Don Canfield Region 3: Bruce Finnerty, Jim Maturen, and Greg Nicolaou Region 4: Pete Demos, Jim Chaskey, and David Markle Region 5: Kevin Eldred, Rick McKenna, Bob Novasad Region 6: Ted Schultz, Les Loynes (write in, should be confirmed by Executive Board) Region 7: Roberta Reed, Julia Meixner, and Furmer Reed Region 8: Matt Lubaway and Jim Pryce. 32

37 Region 9: Rob Miller, Sam Morello and Gary Summers Silarski (DeClerck) moved to keep the ballots for 30 days and then destroy. Vote on motion VanRhee asked for a motion to adjourn at 11:37 a.m. Bruce Levey (Lubaway) moved Vote on motion Post-Convention Executive Board Meeting Sunday, June 19, 2016 President Tom Heritier called the meeting to order at 11:40 a.m. Newly elected officers took their oaths of office. President Heritier announced that the first meeting of the new Executive Board will be July 6, 2016 at 10 AM at MUCC s headquarters in Lansing. Van Lopik and C. Rose requested excused absences. President Heritier explained that the newly adopted Bylaws indicate that the Executive Director is the Secretary of the Corporation, so there is no longer a motion required to appoint him as such. President Heritier asked for a motion to appoint the following people as signatories on the corporate bank accounts: Daniel Eichinger Amy Trotter Tom Heritier Jim DeClerck DeClerck (Rose) moved the signatories be appointed. Vote on Motion President Heritier asked for a motion to adjourn at 11:45 a.m. Van Lopik (Lindquist) moved Vote on motion 33

38 PROPOSED MUCC BYLAWS AMENDMENTS The proposed bylaws amendments #1-4 are offered as amendments to the current bylaws (effective June 19, 2016). Proposed changes to bylaws are in CAPITAL BOLD UNDERLINED AND strikethrough Proposed Bylaws Amendment #1 Submitted by: Jack VanRhee, Executive Board Region 5 Director Passed: MUCC Executive Board, January 18, 2017 Title: MEMBERSHIP Purpose: To include Sustaining Members in the Executive Board section for approval of affiliation. This was an oversight when the Bylaws were restructured ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP SECTION 3 -QUALIFICATIONS, ACCEPTANCE, DISAPPROVAL, AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP B. Acceptance of Application for Affiliation All applications for affiliation as a Member Club, or Junior Member Club, or Statewide Affiliated Club, OR SUSTAINING MEMBER shall be subject to the approval by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall approve or disapprove the class designation and designate the Region in which the club will belong. A Statewide Club may be assigned to a Region representing Statewide Affiliate Clubs and those Member Clubs with a statewide mission and membership composed of geographical representation of the state or a Region on the basis of their club s primary location or mailing address of record. After assignment to a Region affiliates may request a change, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. Proposed Bylaws Amendment #2 Submitted by: Jack VanRhee, Executive Board Region 5 Director Passed: MUCC Executive Board, January 18, 2017 Title: CORPORATE OFFICERS Purpose: To remove the requirement of the President to appoint two at large directors to the Executive Board, but retain that 34

39 authority if the President, with the approval of the Executive Board, see the need of a board member(s) with a specific area of expertise that would be of benefit to the board SECTION 3 - DUTIES A. President ARTICLE III CORPORATE OFFICERS 2. The President MAY, shall WITH THE CONSENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, appoint UP TO 2 At Large Directors as members of the Executive Board not later then 60 days following Annual Convention. Proposed Bylaws Amendment #3 Submitted by: Jack VanRhee, Executive Board Region 5 Director Passed: MUCC Executive Board, January 18, 2017 Title: EXECUTIVE BOARD Purpose: To adjust the number of members required to be at a meeting to constitute a quorum for official transaction of business The number now required is based on the full number of officers as allowed by the bylaws (17). Two of these members (appointed At Large Directors) are appointed by the President if he/she can find someone that will agree to the appointment. The idea behind these appointments is to find someone with an area of expertise (law/finance/real estate etc.) that would be of extra benefit to the Executive Board. If these appointments cannot be made, it lowers the number of officers that can attending a meeting (15). This puts the Executive Board in a position of not having a quorum if more than 3 members are not able to make a meeting. There was at least one instance last year where we could not conduct business because we did not have a quorum due to the vacancies. To assure a reasonable expectation of having a quorum at all meetings, the Executive Board is proposing to lower the quorum requirement to 10 members. SECTION 2 - MEETINGS A. General and Special Meetings of the Executive Board ARTICLE IV EXECUTIVE BOARD 4. Twelve (12) TEN (10) members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the official transaction of business 35

40 Proposed Bylaws Amendment #4 Submitted by: Jack VanRhee, Executive Board Region 5 Director Passed: MUCC Executive Board, January 18, 2017 Title: ANNUAL CONVENTION Purpose: A clarification to limit those members of the Conservation Policy Board that can vote at the Annual Convention to the Voting Members of the Conservation Policy Board SECTION 6 - VOTING 2. Voting Delegates ARTICLE VI ANNUAL CONVENTION 2. Members of the Executive Board and VOTING MEMBERS OF THE Conservation Policy Board B. Number of Votes 5. All VOTING members of the Conservation Policy Board shall be entitled to one (1) vote at the Annual Convention 36

41 2017 MUCC PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS Proposed Resolution #01 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Robert Pattison, St. Joseph County Conservation Club MUCC Region: 7 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, September 24, 2016 Title: YOUTH HUNTER SUPERVISION WHEREAS, the current law states that youth hunters who have completed a hunter safety course must be accompanied by an adult hunting, which is the same criteria for an apprentice youth hunter who have never held a gun; and WHEREAS, the word accompany is defined to mean to go along with and while staying within a distance from the person that permits uninterrupted, unaided visual and auditory communication ; and WHEREAS, the current law does not acknowledge the different developmental levels that youth hunters are at, and there is no mechanism that relates these levels to the amount of supervision necessary; and WHEREAS, treating these classes of youth hunters equally is illogical; and WHEREAS, Michigan has three categories of youth hunters: youth who are eligible for the mentored youth hunting program; youth who are eligible for an apprentice license; and, youth who have completed a certified hunter safety program; and WHEREAS, all three of these categories require adult supervision; and WHEREAS, the current law recognizes the importance and value of supervision with a younger, inexperienced hunter, but does not recognize the importance and value of higher education and experience in youth hunters. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Michigan Legislature, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to institute the following: On private land only, a minor who is at least 14 years old shall be permitted to hunt within a distance no greater than 660 feet from the parent or legal guardian which permits uninterrupted electronic communication and allows the parent or legal guardian to come to the immediate aid of the youth. The youth hunter MUST have 37

42 completed all of the following criteria: has successfully completed a certified hunter safety program, has been properly licensed and been supervised hunting for at least 20 hours in each of the immediately preceding two hunting seasons the parent or legal guardian of the youth hunter must submit a signed affidavit at the time of the youth hunter s license is purchased stating that the applicant has completed at least 20 hours of supervised hunting in each of the immediately preceding two hunting seasons AND that the youth hunter was properly licensed in the immediate two preceding seasons. Proposed Resolution #02 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Mike Thorman, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation MUCC Region: 9 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, December 10, 2016 Title: BEAR BAITING WITH BARRELS WHEREAS, many states and Canada use barrels for baiting bears; and WHEREAS, bait barrels are currently only legal on private property in Michigan; and WHEREAS, there would be benefits of also allowing the use of bait barrels on public property; and WHEREAS, steel barrels with a secure lid can help for comparison in judging the size of a bear; and WHEREAS, there is a problem with wolves in the Upper Peninsula; and WHEREAS, wolves would not be able to access bait in a barrel with 3 holes no more than a ½ inch in diameter; and WHEREAS, hunters who plan on using barrels on public property shall be required to purchase 3 tags from the DNR identifying the owner, which must be posted at the bait site; and WHEREAS, barrels must be anchored to a post in the ground with a chain or cable no more than 8 feet in length; and WHEREAS, this would help prevent bait sites from becoming littered; and WHEREAS, hunters using bait barrels shall be required to remove barrels at the end of the season, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) to allow the use of bait barrels on public property in Michigan. Proposed Resolution #03 38

43 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Millard H. Holton, Individual Member MUCC Region: 7 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, December 10, 2016 Title: ALLOW HUNTERS TO POSSESS AND USE BOTH A CROSSBOW AND LEGAL FIREARM, SIMULTANEOUSLY, WHILE HUNTING DEER DURING THE DECEMBER MUZZLELOADER AND LATE ANTLERLESS SEASONS (EXCEPT THE UPPER PENINSULA DECEMBER DEER SEASONS) WHEREAS, the 2016 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest explains each hunting season and what weapons can be used, or those prohibited in each; and WHEREAS, the firearm deer hunter may carry afield [during the firearm deer season] a bow and arrow, crossbow and firearm (page 20); and WHEREAS, both a Spring and September turkey hunter can legally possess a shotgun, bow or crossbow at the same time; and WHEREAS, during the Mentored Youth Hunting Season, The mentor is limited to two hunting devices (shotgun, rifle, bow or crossbow) in the field (page 26); and WHEREAS, a deer combo license allows a hunter to use both kill tags in either the firearms season, the muzzleloader season, the archery seasons, or use one license in any of these seasons (page, 31); and WHEREAS, A crossbow can be used during any season in which a firearm is allowed, for both big and small game, except hunters in the Upper Peninsula may not use a crossbow or a modified bow during the December 1-January 1 late archery deer season and December muzzleloader season (page 18); and WHEREAS, during the December muzzleloader seasons (except in the Upper Peninsula) a deer hunter is limited to possessing either a crossbow or a muzzleloading firearm (page 21); and WHEREAS, it is illegal to possess a crossbow and a firearm at the same time, in the field, during the late antlerless deer season which requires a separate Antlerless Deer License (page 17, 2015 Michigan Antlerless Deer Digest); and WHEREAS, hunter orange clothing is required in all deer seasons where a firearm may be used unless using a bow or crossbow during an archery season (page 18); and WHEREAS, allowing a hunter to hunt deer with more than one type of legal weapon and ammunition in December firearms seasons could increase hunting opportunities, hunter participation and hunter satisfaction, and boost legal harvesting success, with minimal harm to the Natural Resources, NOW 39

44 23 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) and frame a Wildlife Order that would eliminate certain, conflict ing or contradictory statements and confusion from the Hunting Digests, along with removing the prohibition against possessing and using a crossbow and legal firearm, simultaneously, during the December firearms seasons (except in the U.P.); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the MUCC, the DNR and NRC work out the hunter orange requirements the above changes 28 would create, along with aligning the elements of the December firearms deer seasons with those presently enjoyed by hunters 29 during the November deer season. Proposed Resolution #04 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Saginaw Field and Stream Club MUCC Region: 6 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: SANDHILL CRANE HUNTING (GRUS CANADENSIS) WHEREAS, Sandhill Cranes have a viable population, which resides and migrates through the State of Michigan; and WHEREAS, over 16 other states along with Canada and Mexico have Sandhill Crane Seasons, and WHEREAS, Michigan Hunters have to leave the state to enjoy this sport; and WHEREAS, there is no scientific reason why we should not hunt this game bird; and WHEREAS, this recognized game bird is responsible for a lot of crop damage. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and anyone else to establish a Sandhill Crane Hunting Season in the State of Michigan. Proposed Resolution #05 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Jim Pryce, Region 8 Policy Board MUCC Region: 8 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: DESIGNATE MOURNING DOVE AS A GAMEBIRD 1 2 WHEREAS Governor Snyder signed Senate Bill 1187 into law reaffirming the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act ensuring that fish, wildlife, and conservation decisions are made by the State of Michigan s 40

45 professional fish and wildlife biologists using sound scientific management methods; and WHEREAS the most popular gamebird in the United States is the mourning dove in which over 20 million are harvested annually in 42 States including surrounding States of Michigan (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois); and WHEREAS the mourning doves are prolific breeders and can have up to six broods a year which are more than any other bird species and a mourning dove s life span is less than 1 year. It is a great species to introduce to beginning hunters, youth hunters, and it is a great way to ensure hunting for the elderly and disabled hunters with mobility issues; and WHEREAS in 2006, the State of Michigan had a successful dove season when Act 160 of 2006 listed the dove as a gamebird until the 2006 election vote on a referendum sponsored by out of state anti-hunting groups misguided Michigan s voters with untruths about doves and hunters, in a similar way that they have done with wolves. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Michigan Legislature to eliminate the unnecessary restrictions on the Natural Resources Commission in naming game species; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Michigan Natural Resource Commission and Michigan s wildlife biologists use sound science to once again designate the mourning dove as a gamebird. Proposed Resolution #06 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Ducks Unlimited, Inc. MUCC Region: 9 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT TERM (7 DAY) NON-RESIDENT WATERFOWL LICENSE SYSTEM WHEREAS, Michigan is a premier destination for waterfowl hunters throughout the Midwest, and WHEREAS, Michigan s requirement for non-resident waterfowl hunters is that they must purchase the annual nonresident base license at $151 in addition to the $12 Waterfowl License, and WHEREAS, Michigan s current waterfowl hunting license system does not provide a comparable cost short term waterfowl license package similar to surrounding states Michigan s current fees for non-residents are 2-3 times higher, and WHEREAS, non-resident waterfowl license buyers have declined 27 percent since the new license structure was 41

46 implemented in 2014, and WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other waterfowl groups have received multiple complaints regarding the high cost for a weekend of waterfowl hunting, often from visiting family members, and WHEREAS, there are easy and practical methods to fix this situation, such as providing that the current 7-day nonresident small game license include waterfowl hunting, with an accompanying Michigan waterfowl license, or some other developed solution, and WHEREAS, the proposed solution does not add additional licenses and maintains the simplified structure of the most recent license package, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Legislature and waterfowl conservation groups to provide for a short term non-resident waterfowl license system; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MUCC explore and develop legislative changes to implement a short term nonresident waterfowl license system. Proposed Resolution #07 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Ken Dalton, Individual Member MUCC Region: 8 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: MICHIGAN PHEASANT RELEASE FOR HUNTER RECRUITMENT WHEREAS, the current regulations state that pheasants not established in the wild (farmed) in the state may be released and shot on licensed preserves; and WHEREAS, individuals may buy birds from licensed breeders of pheasants to release on their own private land to hunt as well, but are prohibited (with some exceptions as allowed by the land manager) from releasing ring-necked pheasants and other game birds on state-owned lands; and WHEREAS, The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative (MPRI) is a conservation initiative to restore and enhance Michigan pheasant habitat, populations and hunting opportunity on private and public lands; and WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has discontinued its own pheasant breeding and release program; and WHEREAS, there is a large segment of hunters who recall their first experience in hunting was through pheasant and other small game and wish to pass this experience on to generations to come; and 42

47 WHEREAS, the Michigan Pheasant Release for Hunter Recruitment initiative has a mission to recruit and retain our pheasant hunting heritage as many other states are already doing through release; and WHEREAS, the desired outcome is to release pheasants on state game areas in order to recruit and retain small game hunters and provide opportunity for success because of the yearly decline in young hunters; and WHEREAS, this is not a program to re-establish a pheasant population, this is strictly for hunter recruitment, retention and opportunity; and WHEREAS, The Natural Resources Commission, in consultation with DNR biologists, would establish and oversee the source of pheasants and breeding standards (whether private breeders or DNR facilities are used), release guidelines (not to do it in an area of bird disease, only to release in well-established habitat on publicly-accessible lands, etc) and any other regulations or policy necessary; and WHEREAS, there is a goal to establish a long-term, user-pay funding source through either the creation of a pheasant stamp or purchasing separate pheasant tags (as we do for deer and turkey); and WHEREAS, this investment will give opportunity and provide additional income to local game bird breeders, dog breeders, sporting goods stores, restaurants, hotels, and many more. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Michigan Legislature, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to support the Michigan Pheasant Release for Hunter Recruitment with the mission, goals, and outcomes indicated. Proposed Resolution #08 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Tim Kobasic, MUCC Conservation Policy Board; Fred Truschke, MUCC Conservation Policy Board; and Tomahawk Archers MUCC Region: 2, 3, and 8 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: TREESTAND SAFETY WHEREAS, treestand falls are the top source of serious deer hunting injuries in the United States, with an estimated 5,600 reported injuries in 2015 by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS); and WHEREAS, two men in different Michigan counties died on the same weekend in October, 2016 from treestand falls; and WHEREAS, the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation conducted a study of 484 treestand falls from in eight Midwest and Southeastern states (not including Michigan); and 43

48 7 8 9 WHEREAS, this study showed that 85% of falls occurred when the victim was not wearing a treestand harness; and WHEREAS, of the 15% who were wearing a harness, in only one instance was the harness attached to the tree at the time of the fall; and 10 WHEREAS, falls occurred from all treestand types (32% loc-on, 24% climber, 20% ladder, 19% homemade); and WHEREAS, 92.6% of falls resulted in injury, while 7.6% resulted in death; and WHEREAS, 42% of falls occurred on stand, while 58% occurred while climbing, descending, transferring or erecting; and WHEREAS, The Treestand Manufacturer Association s Treestand Safety Guidelines recommend always wearing a fall arrest system/full body harness, rather than a single-strap belt and chest harness. NOW, 16 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with the Michigan Department 17 of Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Commission, the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation and/or 18 the Legislature or other interested partners in adopting regulations requiring treestand hunters to wear a fall arrest 19 system/full-body harness while climbing, descending, transferring and on stand; and 20 THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Michigan United Conservation Clubs use its communication assets 21 to educate hunters about the risks of hunting from a treestand without a full body harness. Proposed Resolution #09 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Saginaw Field and Stream Club MUCC Region: 6 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: REINTRODUCTION OF LAKE HERRING (CISCO) IN SAGINAW BAY WHEREAS, Lake Herring (Cisco) were a native species in this region, and WHEREAS, Lake Herring (Cisco) died out in the Saginaw Bay, lower Lake Huron in the 1950 s mainly due to water pollution; and WHEREAS, the Lake Herring (Cisco) is a deeper and cooler water fish, and WHEREAS, the Lake Herring (Cisco) has its own niche in the food Web, and WHEREAS, Lake Herring (Cisco) do not compete for the same food sources as Walleyes, and WHEREAS, the Lake Herring (Cisco) will provide another forage fish for the lower Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay; and WHEREAS, the Lake Herring (Cisco) will provide relief for the yellow perch, and 44

49 WHEREAS, the discussion to reintroduce the Lake Herring (Cisco) for over 15 years, and WHEREAS, the Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee endorses this. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with and urge the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and any other agency, committee or group to get the Lake Herring (Cisco) reintroduced into Saginaw Bay, Lower Lake Huron. Proposed Resolution #10 Submitted by: Cedar Rod and Gun Club MUCC Region: 3 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: RESEARCH IMPACTING FISHERIES AND ANGLER EXPERIENCE WHEREAS, Access to public lands and waters and hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities is of paramount interest to the membership of Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), as is the scientific management of our resources. WHEREAS, a recent fisheries research project proposed by the Little River Band of the Ottawa Indians included the need for a temporary resistance board weir (RBW) on National Forest System lands in the Manistee River; and WHEREAS, there was no analysis prior to the project development on the populations of sportfish that may be impacted by this resistance board weir, which could impede natural reproduction and could contribute to the mortality of non-target species. There was also no analysis on the use of this stretch of river by anglers, commercial fishing guides, paddlers, or other recreational users, whose use may be impeded (whether actual or perceived) by the resistance board wier resulting in a negative economic impact on the community; and WHEREAS, while MUCC generally supports fisheries research to achieve management objectives, this Special Use Permit application deserves significant further analysis on the potential impacts of a resistance board weir (RBW) and possible alternatives before it should be approved.; and WHEREAS, this example of research not considering the impact to non-target fisheries and angler recreation is only the most recent among others where the research biologists have not done a thorough analysis of recreational impacts or public scoping of their project prior to deciding a course of action for their study methodology; and WHEREAS, the importance of the proposed study species versus other species cannot be overlooked when determining impact on lost license sales and fisherman hours on the affected waters.; and WHEREAS, it becomes very important that the impact study includes the possible advantages versus the disadvantages to all parties involved, loss of license revenue, loss of outdoor opportunities, lost days that cannot be 45

50 20 recovered; and 21 WHEREAS, the MDNR should take an active role with USFS in conducting and analyzing the impact study and 22 provide for public review. NOW, 23 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) work with the Department of 24 Natural Resources (DNR) and the Michigan Legislature if needed to implement a fisheries research policy that would: Engage sport fishing and conservation interests in scoping the needed research projects; Seek to avoid or reduce conflict with major seasonal runs of sport fish; Consider maintaining angler access to the maximum extent possible during the research period BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MUCC oppose the future use of resistance board weirs for research purposes unless: 1) the project development has included public input from anglers and others who may be impacted by the study and 2) that the benefits of the research outweighs the impact that research may have on the local non-target fisheries populations and recreational users. Proposed Resolution #11 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Paul Rose, MUCC Past President MUCC Region: 4 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: SURPLUS STATE OF MICHIGAN-OWNED PUBLIC LAND DISPOSAL PROCESS WHEREAS, in 2011 Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) adopted a resolution which opposed Senate Bill 248 (Land Cap Bill), and WHEREAS, in 2012, SB 248 was signed into law by Governor Snyder with the commitment that a strategic land plan be developed within two years which included a process of identifying surplus or excess State lands, and WHEREAS, this Public Land Management Strategy was completed in July of 2013 by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and presented to the State Legislature for approval, and WHEREAS, legislation which included approval of this Public Land Management Strategy was never bought out of House or Senate Committees for legislative consideration, and WHEREAS, Senate Bills 39 and 40 proposed in the legislative session would have required that the DNR consider applications for land sales and exchanges which involved state-owned public lands which have not been previously determined to be surplus or excess, and WHEREAS, a public engagement process has traditionally been employed in prior DNR surplus land 46

51 identification efforts, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) oppose any legislation or other Department of Natural Resources administrative activities which would allow for the sale or exchange of State of Michigan-owned or managed lands greater than 80 acres in size, or parcels which would restrict public riparian access without having been previously designated as Excess or Surplus through a transparent process which includes a local and regional Departmental review, as well as a public comment or engagement process. Proposed Resolution #12 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Paul Rose, MUCC Past President MUCC Region: 4 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: UNFUNDED MANDATES ON THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WHEREAS, recently introduced and passed legislation has required significant expenditures of Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) funding for new field responsibilities for which no funding has been provided, and WHEREAS, one such example is House Bill 5275 (P.A. 288 of 2016) which requires that the DNR complete a comprehensive road and trail mapping effort of the 4.6 million acres currently under State of Michigan management, and WHEREAS, this legislation alone will likely require costs well in excess of the $500,000 estimated in the legislation for which no funding was provided, and WHEREAS, other recently proposed legislation such as Senate Bills 39 and 40 would have required significant expenditures of DNR staff time and field resources for land management, land sales and exchange activities which expand those currently performed for what would also be a reduced fee structure, and WHEREAS, legislation of this type requires the use of staff time for biologists, foresters and technicians for activities which would be inadequately funded, potentially shifting these costs to budget sources which include fisheries and wildlife management dollars. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) oppose or seek to amend any legislation which requires the expenditure of Michigan Department of Natural Resources funds for tasks or functions which may result in a diversion of hunting and fishing license revenue or funding whose use may otherwise be restricted, and 47

52 19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any such legislation should include the appropriation of the necessary 20 supplemental funding in an effort to avoid such a diversion before it would be supported by Michigan United 21 Conservation Clubs (MUCC). Proposed Resolution #13 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: U.P. Whitetails of Marquette County MUCC Region: 1 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: BRINGING CERVID CARCASSES INTO MICHIGAN FROM OTHER STATES WHEREAS, chronic wasting disease, (CWD), has been discovered in some 23 States, 3 Provinces and 1 Scandinavian country; and WHEREAS, this number has been increasing and the number changing every year; and WHEREAS, Michigan s current regulation prohibits whole cervid carcasses from being brought into the state from infected states and lists every state and province that has CWD, yet this list of CWD areas could change even before the Hunting Digest is published; and WHEREAS, there is a need to simplify this regulation, increase penalties, and further reduce the chances of CWD or other diseases being brought into Michigan. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Michigan adopt a stance that Minnesota, Montana and other states have adopted in that any cervid, (deer, moose, elk, ) carcass brought into Michigan (whether taken from a wild or captive population) be in the form of deboned meat, clean skullcap, finished taxidermy, and/or other parts not anticipated to carry CWD prions; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Michigan Legislature work to increase the fines and penalties for violations of this whole carcass prohibition; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies as necessary, with support from the Michigan delegation of U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives, work to make this a federal regulation. Proposed Resolution #14 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Michigan State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association MUCC Region: 9 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11,

53 Title: CAPTIVE CERVID REGULATION REFORM WHEREAS, Chronic Wasting Disease poses an existential threat to Michigan s deer herd and Michigan deer hunting. WHEREAS, Chronic Wasting Disease, if it becomes established in the wild herd, cannot be eliminated using any currently known methods. WHEREAS, Two captive cervid facilities in Michigan have contracted Chronic Wasting Disease WHEREAS, there is a real threat of disease transmission if captive and wild deer can comingle at a captive cervid facility fenceline. WHEREAS, the ongoing investigation into a Mecosta county captive cervid facility has exposed gaps in the current captive cervid regulations, enforcement process, and funding of necessary enforcement and disease control. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, Quality Deer Management Association, and other interested parties, to reform captive cervid facility regulations to reduce the chance of Chronic Wasting Disease transmission between captive cervid facilities and the wild deer herd. These regulatory reforms should include, but not be limited to: establishing double fencing to reduce opportunities for transmission through the fence, a mandatory supervised testing process to eliminate opportunities for illegal substitution of deer for testing from outside the facility, a state funding mechanism that would provide adequate funding for Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance and response both inside and outside of captive cervid facilities, improved cervid facility record keeping requirements, non removable cervid tagging, oversight of cervid transportation, a 30-day maximum period for depopulating an infected facility once the decision has been made to do so, and improved enforcement mechanisms. 49

54 Proposed Resolution #15 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: South Kent Sportsman s Club MUCC Region: 5 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: SUPPRESSOR TAX ELIMINATION WHEREAS, the use of suppressors for the taking of game was approved through the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) in 2016; and WHEREAS, in certain situations, the sound of gun fire can cause nuisance noise complaints; and WHEREAS, gun fire has been proven to cause hearing loss; and WHEREAS, suppressors typically reduce the sound of gun shots by decibels, roughly the same as your typical ear muffs/plugs; and WHEREAS, as suppressors are currently regulated, you are required to pay an extra federal tax to protect your hearing while exercising rights protected through our second amendment WHEREAS, there are currently 42 states where the private ownership of suppressors is legal. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That MUCC works with the Michigan delegation of U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to remove regulations for suppressors from the National Firearms Act of 1934; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That MUCC work with our U.S. and state legislature to allow the purchase of a suppressor to follow the same guidelines currently in place to purchase firearms through the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) program. Proposed Resolution #16 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Michigan Resource Stewards MUCC Region: 9 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: STATE OWNED MINERAL EXCHANGES AND PURCHASES TO PROTECT PUBLIC LAND WHEREAS, Mineral exploration in Porcupine Mountain State Park has elevated public concern regarding mineral development in State Parks; and WHEREAS, mineral development can be a conflict with the intended purpose of lands purchased with Pitman Robertson and Game and Fish funds; and WHEREAS, the State owns approximately 700,000 acres of surface only where the minerals are severed and 50

55 owned by a private entity; and WHEREAS, the mineral estate is dominant and the surface owner has limited control over mineral exploration and development; and WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources historically has supported the acquisition of private minerals where the surface is owned or managed by the State; and WHEREAS, the State has the legal authority to buy and exchange minerals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Michigan United Conservation Clubs urges the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to make it a priority to acquire severed minerals where the State owns the surface only to protect and control the commercial use of public land; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the highest priority should be given to minerals in State Parks and lands purchased with PR and Game and Fish Funds. Proposed Resolution #17 Requires 2/3 Majority Submitted by: Straits Area Sportsmen s Club MUCC Region: 2 Passed: MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting, March 11, 2017 Title: REINSTATE CORMORANT CONTROL WHEREAS, The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on May 25, 2016 vacated the depredation order for double-crested cormorants until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepares an adequate Environmental Assessment; and WHEREAS, the double-crested cormorant have decimated game fish populations while their numbers are not kept in check; and WHEREAS, game fish numbers are finally somewhat stable due to the past Depredation Order; and WHEREAS, plenty of documentation exists from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Division that shows the overwhelming success of cormorant control to the elevations of game fish populations. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate the Public Resource Depredation Order on cormorants; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with our U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators to come up with a law to reinstate cormorant control. 51

56 Michigan United Conservation Clubs Resolution Amendment Form Resolution Number: Amendment: Beginning on Line # Everywhere: Appears - Change to: Beginning on Line # After: (Please check one) _ Add _ Insert _ Delete The following: Beginning on Line # After: Between: And: (Please check one) _ Add _ Insert _ Delete The following: Beginning on Line # After: Between: And: (Please check one) _ Add _ Insert _ Delete The following: (office use) Maker of the Motion to Amend: Seconded By: Amendment: _ Passed _ Failed Date: Count: Yea Nay Abstain No count Notice: Provide a copy of this amendment to the person chairing the meeting or recording secretary prior to making the amendment. 52

57 STAFF DIRECTORY Dan Eichinger Executive Director Amy Trotter Deputy Director Shaun McKeon Education Director Anna Mitterling Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator Sue Pride Membership Relations & Tracks Coordinator Taylor Renton Gourmet Gone Wild Program Manager Amber Albert Business & Membership Affairs Coordinator Stephanie Rustem Project Manager Logan Schultz Digital Media Coordinator Sarah Topp Wildlife Volunteer Coordinator Ashley Bur Policy Assistant Tyler Butler Youth Camp Director MICHIGAN UNITED CONSERVATION CLUBS P.O. BOX LANSING MI PHONE: FAX:

58 MICHIGAN UNITED CONSERVATION CLUBS P.O. BOX LANSING MI PHONE: 517/ PLEASE NOTE: NO REGISTRATION ON SATURDAY UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE Michigan United Conservation Clubs... Uniting Citizens to Conserve, Protect and Enhance Michigan s Natural Resources and Outdoor Heritage.