LENAWEE COUNTY: SUNDAY HUNTING OF PREDATORS
House Bill 4300
Sponsor: Rep. Doug Spade
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 5-16-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4300 AS INTRODUCED 2-20-01
Local Act 1 of 1931, Section 1, prohibits hunting on Sunday in Lenawee County. House Bill 4300 would amend the act to allow livestock producers to hunt certain predators on Sundays. (Note. Under the Animal Industry Act (MCL 287.705), "livestock" is defined to mean those species of animals used for human food and fiber or those species of animals used for service to humans. "Livestock" includes, but is not limited to, cattle, sheep, new world camelids, goats, bison, captive cervidae, ratites, swine, equine, poultry, aquaculture, and rabbits. The definition excludes dogs and cats. Under House Bill 4300, "livestock" would have the same meaning.)
Hunting of Predators. The bill would specify that the provisions of Section 1 of the act did not apply to a person, or the person's designee, who was engaged in the production of livestock on a parcel of land in the county, under the following conditions:
· The person or designee had a Sunday hunting exemption permit.
· The person was hunting predators of that type of livestock on the parcel, or a contiguous parcel, that was owned or leased by the person or by an immediate family member, which would be defined under the bill to mean a person's spouse, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, stepchild, sibling, or half sibling.
Sunday Exemption Permit. Under the bill, a person engaged in livestock production in Lenawee County could submit a written request for a Sunday hunting exemption permit to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR would be required to verify that the person was engaged in livestock production in Lenawee County before issuing the permit. The exemption permit would be valid for one year, but could be reissued.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.