Contact:  Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
Agency: Natural Resources

March 6, 2009

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday approved a proposal to expand the use of crossbows for hunting in Michigan.

Under the new regulations, crossbows may be used:

• during any season in which a firearm may be used, for both big and small game;
• for any hunting season in Zone 3 of southern Michigan;
• by anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 deer season.

Included in the regulations are limits on the velocity of the crossbow. Crossbows used for hunting are restricted to no more than 350 feet per second.

The regulations have a three-year sunset. Crossbow hunters will be surveyed over the next three years and regulations will then be re-evaluated by the Department of Natural Resources. Data will be collected that analyzes impact on the resource and the crossbow’s potential to recruit or retain hunters. The data also will be analyzed to determine if crossbow use should be expanded further in the future.

A crossbow stamp will be required in addition to hunting licenses for those using crossbows. Stamps will be available at all license retailers starting March 15.

For more information on hunting opportunities in Michigan, visit the DNR’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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January 22, 2009

Michelle Dennehy (503) 947-6022/(503) 931-2748
Fax: (503) 947-6009

SALEM, Ore. — ODFW and partnering sportsman organizations will auction 11 big game tags at various events this year, with proceeds benefiting sponsors, wildlife and hunter access.
ODFW’s Access and Habitat (A&H) Program is providing nine big game tags—four statewide deer hunts, four statewide elk hunts and one Governor’s statewide deer and elk combination hunt. The auction tags award winning bidders extended hunting seasons from Sept. 1 – Nov. 30, 2009 anywhere in Oregon where there is an authorized season for deer and/or elk. Proceeds from these auctions will fund wildlife habitat improvement and public hunting access to private lands.
A pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep tag will also be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting research and management of these species in Oregon. Winning bidders may hunt anywhere there is an authorized season from Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 2009 for Rocky Mtn goat and Aug. 15-Nov. 22, 2009 for bighorn sheep.
Up to 10 percent of each auction’s proceeds will go to the sponsoring sportsman organization.
See page 21 of the 2009 Oregon Big Game Regulations for complete information on the auction hunts. Hunters may bid on tags in person by attending the events or by telephone after contacting event organizers to make advance arrangements. A list of 2009 auctions follows:

Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. PST – Statewide Elk
La Grande Chapter, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Blue Mountain Conference Center, La Grande
Contact: Jason Pennington (541) 910-1239

Feb. 5 at 8:15 p.m. MT – Statewide Deer
Mule Deer Foundation
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, UT
Contact: Shawna Huckabey (775) 530-6967

Feb. 5-8 – Bighorn Sheep
Western Hunting & Conservation Expo
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, UT
Contact: Don Whittaker (503) 947-6325

Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. PST – Statewide Elk
Santiam River Chapter, Safari Club International
Linn County Fairgrounds, Albany
Contact: Tom Trissel (503) 394-3759

Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. PST – Statewide Deer
Oregon Bow Hunters Association
Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City
Contact: Karen Demaris (541) 536-2252

March 6 at 11:15 a.m. PST – Governor’s Statewide Deer/Elk Combo
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX
Contact: Kristy Bosworth (406) 523-0242

March 7 at 8 p.m. PST – Statewide Deer
Rogue Gobblers, National Wild Turkey Federation
Red Lion Hotel, Medford
Contact: Jeff Heil (541) 779-8926

March 14 at 8 p.m. PST – Statewide Elk
Portland Chapter, Oregon Hunters Association
Embassy Suites, Washington Square, Portland
Contact: Leslie Shaw (503) 259-9821

April 11 at 8 p.m. PST – Statewide Elk
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep – Oregon
Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort, Warm Springs
Contact: Mike Boethin (541) 480-6203

May 16 at 8:30 p.m. PST – Statewide Deer
Oregon Hunters Association
Spirit Mountain Casino, Grand Ronde
Contact: Duane Dungannon (541) 772-7313

May 16 at 8 p.m. PST – Pronghorn Antelope
Oregon Hunters Association, Umpqua Chapter
Seven Feathers Casino, Canyonville
Contact: Cindy Rooney, (541) 430-4722