Legislative Alert to Michigan

Legislation, HB 4610, would establish a "right to ride horses on state-owned land." It is expected to be voted out of committee this Tuesday, May 5.

This legislation would force MI DNR to allow horseback riding on any state-owned lands where horseback riding has historically been allowed, regardless of the impact such riding has on habitat, wildlife populations and hunting. If this legislation passes, the right to ride horses would trump your right to hunt. This despite the fact that much of the public land affected was purchased with your hunting dollars (through license fees and federal excise taxes).

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry -- is encouraging all sportsmen and hunters to contact the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee and urge them to oppose this anti-hunting bill.

Contact for committee members is below:

Joel Sheltrown (D), Committee Chair, 103rd District
Jim Slezak (D), Majority Vice-Chair, 50th District
Kate Ebli (D), 56th District
Mike Huckleberry (D), 70th District
Steven Lindberg (D), 109th District
Mike Simpson (D), 65th District
Woodrow Stanley (D), 34th District
Jim Stamas (R), Minority Vice-Chair, 98th District
James Bolger (R), 63rd District
Goeff Hansen (R), 100th District
Kenneth B. Horn (R), 94th District