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Hunter Orange Clothing a Good Choice for Everyone – Not Just Hunters
Michigan DNR Stresses the Importance of Safety for Everyone during Hunting Season.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- Hunting season is well underway in Michigan and now is a good time to remind everyone that it is wise to wear hunter orange clothing when you are out enjoying the state’s trails and forest lands.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources does not close trails or pathways during hunting season, and it is legal to hunt throughout these areas if you adhere to the laws regarding safety zones.

It is required by law that hunters wear “hunter orange.” There is no similar law for recreationalists, but because so much of state land borders private lands and the DNR allows hunting on portions of state-owned land, it is imperative that individuals take precaution and dress themselves and their pets in brightly colored clothing.

“Due to the very popular activity of deer hunting, now is not an advisable time to take a quiet, unassuming walk in the woods,” says Bill O’Neill, field coordinator for the Forest Management Division of the DNR. “Be smart about where you choose to go, wear brightly colored clothing and let hunters know that you are in the area. We must all work together to have a safe and successful hunting season in Michigan.”

It is also important as you go out and enjoy Michigan’s forest lands, that you understand the rules and regulations for hunting. In Michigan it is legal for hunters with disabilities to hunt from standing vehicles or off-road vehicles (ORV). This law does not grant any additional privileges for ORV operators with disabilities. It simply allows for hunters with disabilities better access to hunting locations on state-owned land. The DNR strongly encourages those hunters using alternative modes of transportation to mark their vehicles with hunter orange flags.

ORV operation is prohibited in public hunting areas during the regular November firearm deer season from 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.; except for these cases:

• · Going to or from a residence or hunting camp that is inaccessible by a conventional vehicle (subject to state land regulations)
• · On private property, with landowner’s permission
• · Passenger vehicles while being operated on roads capable of sustaining automobile traffic
• · Persons holding a “Permit to Hunt From a Standing Vehicle” or otherwise meeting disability requirements while engaged in hunting or fishing activity

For more information about ORV rules and regulations in Michigan please visit: www.offroad-ed.com/mi/handbook.

To find ORV trail maps for state-owned lands, visit www.michigan.gov/orvtrails.

For more information on hunting opportunities in Michigan, visit DNR’s hunting website at www.michigan.gov/hunting.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.

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Budweiser & Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Remind Hunters of Ethical Responsibilities

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont. --(Ammoland.com)- Two longtime partners in wildlife conservation and responsible outdoor recreation, Budweiser and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are reminding hunters of three general areas of sporting ethics to consider while afield this fall.

Ethics are the unwritten rules of traditional outdoor values.

Ethics are what guide a hunter’s behavior when no one else is looking.

Personal accountability, conduct and decisions cannot be legislated, but they are among the foundations beneath science-based conservation and wildlife management.

Three general areas of sporting ethics:

1. Honor game, other wildlife and the land
   Adhere to the tenets of fair chase. Know the limits of your firearm and ability, and only take shots that you are confident will result in a certain and quick kill. Treat quarry with respect before and after the shot. Make every effort to retrieve and use all edible game. Take only as much as you can use. Be proud of the long tradition and continuing role that hunters play in conserving the wildlife and wild places enjoyed by all Americans.
2. Respect landowners
   Always ask permission before hunting on private land, even if it’s posted. Ask every time. Do not assume that being a guest once is an open invitation. Be considerate of farming and ranching operations. Keep safely away from buildings, machinery, livestock and crops. Leave gates as you found them. Treat the land as if it were your own. Thank the landowner after your hunt–offering some of your game is a friendly gesture.
3. Extend courtesy to fellow hunters as well as non-hunters
   Know and follow all applicable regulations. But understand that just because an act is legal does not necessarily make it right. Or safe. Respect the customs of the local area where you’re hunting, including the values of those who do not hunt. The Golden Rule always applies. Exercise personal behavior that reflects favorably on your sensibilities both as a good hunter and good citizen.

Hunters should never drink alcohol or use over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or during the hunt.

“Many hunters enjoy relaxing with a beer back at the cabin or around a campfire with friends after the hunt,” said Bob Fishbeck, senior manager, Budweiser Brands. “It’s a great way to celebrate the day.”

Budweiser has been the official beer of RMEF for over 23 years.

Since 1999, the “Help Budweiser Conserve the Outdoors” program, along with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and RMEF members, has raised more than $1.1 million for conservation and education.

David Allen, RMEF president and CEO, said, “Budweiser continues to be a true friend to hunters and conservationists, and is one of RMEF’s longest standing and most valuable partners. The company’s dedication to our mission began in 1988 with a major gift for our first-ever permanent land protection project, and it continues today with sponsorship and support on many levels throughout our organization.”

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres–a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

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