State Rep. Ann Bollin today voted to eliminate a requirement recently put in place by the unelected Natural Resources Commission (NRC) that, if allowed to stand, could result in criminal penalties for deer hunters who fail to comply.

The NRC mandate that takes effect this year requires all hunters to report detailed information to the Department of Natural Resources within 72 hours of harvesting a deer in Michigan. Anyone who does not complete the online report can be charged with a misdemeanor. House Bill 6354, approved by the House today, would prohibit the NRC from requiring hunters to report harvested deer.

“This new mandate is just not feasible,” said Bollin, of Brighton Township. “Half of the reason people go Up North to deer camp is to disconnect and get away from civilization. You don’t have internet service to hop online and notify the NRC as soon as you shoot a deer – and you certainly shouldn’t face jail time as a result.”

House Bill 6354 now advances to the Michigan Senate for further consideration.

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