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Michigan lawmakers hear complaints of DNR 'overreach' from pig ranchers and hunters
Summary
At a Michigan House committee hearing, hunters, pig ranchers and property owners described aggressive enforcement and undercover operations by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), citing multiple court cases, an undercover hunt at a private ranch and disputes over trespass and baiting enforcement.
Members of Michigan House committees held an oversight-style hearing that drew testimony from hunters, livestock owners and residents who say the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has overreached its authority in enforcement of game and trespass laws.
The hearing included testimony from musician and longtime hunter Ted Nugent and several Upper Peninsula farm operators who described multi-year court fights with the DNR over classification of hogs, undercover DNR operations to document alleged illegal hunts, and disputes over when officers may enter private property. Witnesses asked legislators to clarify state rules on baiting, chronic wasting disease guidance and the DNR’s use of undercover operations.
Lawmakers said the hearing’s purpose was to examine DNR accountability and to gather examples of what members called burdensome or inconsistent enforcement. Representative Ken Barton introduced the panel, saying resident complaints about perceived DNR overreach are frequent and that the committee sought specific examples to guide policy changes.
Testimony and key claims
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