Michigan DNRE & NRC

The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) is a seven member body, appointed by the Governor who oversee and give direction to the Department of Natural Resources. Every Month the NRC meets in a public meeting forum to discuss and review issues pertaining to our Natural Resources.

Attending these meetings on a monthly basis allows us to stay up to date on events that affect our Hunting and Wild-Game in this State. As an organization, we are committed to attending NRC meetings as well as the wildlife division sub-committee meetings. This allows us to bring the latest information to our members on a monthly basis as well as gather feedback to present at future meetings and workgroups.

In addition to attending meetings and serving on workgroups, Michigan Hunters Alliance has taken the proactive step of entering into a memorandum of understanding with the DNRE in order to facilitate working together towards positive outcomes. 

Michigan Hunters Alliance named to the
Regional Deer Advisory Team
Zone 3

Managing our Whitetail Deer

As you may be aware, our current management practices for whitetail deer are generally based on the recommendations of the Michigan Deer Advisory Team and the current Deer Management Plan. In an ongoing effort to further increase the successful management of our whitetail herd, the Natural Resource Commission established regionalized advisory teams. These Regional Deer Advisory Teams (RDAT’s) coincide with the three zones already established in the State.

The zone 1 RDAT was formed early on with the two zones in the Lower Peninsula to follow. The zone 3 RDAT was formed just recently and will be meeting for the first time soon. Zone 2 RDAT is yet to be finalized from what we hear. Each of these teams will focus on the whitetail deer herd in their designated zone in an attempt to manage the herd regionally instead of statewide.

The concept of regionalized management is not necessarily new to Michigan. In fact the DNR have managed this way for years through the use of DMU’s. The major difference with the Regional Deer Advisory Teams is that you are bringing in the “stakeholders” to help manage the deer they call their own. Hunting Organizations as well as individual hunters will now have a prominent voice in the management of the deer herd in their zone.

We strongly support this proactive approach and applaud the DNR and the NRC for taking the necessary steps to make this happen. We are proud to be a part of the team and look forward to participating. Making Michigan a better place to Hunt is a priority for our organization, this is clearly an opportunity to help make that goal a reality.

Over the next several months you will see us out and about gathering opinions, questions, comments and concerns from the hunting public. We look forward to hearing what you have to say about the RDAT’s. As always, contact us with any comments or questions and be sure to sign up for email updates to stay informed on the latest information.