PKC participates in sportsman's rally

Lansing, MI - House and Senate office building hallways were jammed today with Michigan sportsmen and wome n rallying at the Capitol in support of House Bill 5478. Sponsored by Rep. Cameron Brown (R-Dist.59), the bill is designed to transfer the authority to designate game species to the Natural Resources Commission. Currently the task is assigned to the legislature.

Organized by Michigan Bear Hunter's Association past president and current board member Bill Walker of Bloomfield Hills, the contingent of 50 individuals representing several organizations met at Rep. Susan Tabor's (R-Dist.71) office. Steve Fielder, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Regulatory Affairs represented PKC at the rally.

A "door knocking" tour of the legislative offices in the Anderson and Farnum office buildings as well as those in the Capitol began at 9:00 AM. Additionally, targeted Representatives and Senators were "called out" of active sessions in order to present the merits of HB 5478. The group was energized by the support and acceptance of the effort by many members of the legislature and was challenged by the positions of those in opposition. It was decided to make the rally an annual affair.

Resisting the idea that the legislation is just another "mourning dove" bill, which has become a political football in Michigan, the mission of the group emphasized the importance of having the experts decide the important issues of game management. Believing that the citizenry has spoken in this regard with the passage of Proposition G in 1996, this bill simply ties up a loose end concerning the designation of species.

Both Representative Brown and Representative Tabor addressed the group, expressing thanks and appreciation for the strong showing by the sportsmen and women, many of whom made the long drive from Upper Michigan to attend. It should be noted that most of the individuals present were from the sporting dog community including coon hunters, bear hunters, rabbit hunters, waterfowl hunters, and upland game hunter, all of which hunt with dogs.

The following groups were in attendance:

Ducks Unlimited (DU)
Michigan Hunting Dog Federation (MHDF)
Michigan Bear Hunters Association (MBHA)
Michigan Association for Purebred Dogs
Professional Kennel Club, Inc. (PKC)
Metro Wildlife Management Base, Inc.
Michigan Bowhunter's Association
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO)
Michigan State United Coon Hunter's Association
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC)
National Rifle Association (NRA)
National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
Women in the Outdoors (WITO)
Second Amendment Sisters
Ted Nugent USA (TNUSA)
Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association (UPBHA)
Whitetails Unlimited

Thanks are due to Bill Walker, to Representatives Tabor and Brown, and to all who came to support the effort. It was refreshing to walk into a legislator’s office and hear the words, “We’ve heard you were coming. How may we help you?”

Through its Regulatory Affairs Department, PKC is dedicated to the protection of the dog hunter's right to free cast hunting dogs afield. We are proud of our association with the groups listed herein as well as similar groups across the nation. Together, we can make a difference.