Simone Lawson
Hunting, fishing, and trapping are considered a valued part of Michigan's cultural heritage and are protected by the state's constitution. In 2016, a Michigan wolf hunting law was ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court, but lawmakers are pushing to expand hunting rights in a statewide effort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Right to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife | Proposed amendment to Michigan's constitution |
| Right to hunt, fish, and take game | Part of Michigan's cultural heritage, important to the state's economy and natural resources |
| Wolf hunting law | Ruled unconstitutional by appeals court |
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What You'll Learn
The right to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife
Hunting, fishing, and trapping wildlife are considered a valued part of the cultural heritage of Michigan. The state's legislature has declared that these activities play an important part in the state's economy and in the conservation, preservation, and management of the state's natural resources. As such, citizens of Michigan have a right to hunt, fish, and take game, subject to the regulations and restrictions prescribed by subsection (2) and law. In 1996, an amendment was added to the Michigan Constitution to ensure the right of citizens to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife.
In 2014, a law was passed that allowed for the hunting of wolves. However, this was later ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court, which found that the law violated the "title-object clause" of the Michigan Constitution. The group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP) had challenged the state's authority to hunt wolves, arguing that the law was a "blatant power grab" by politicians to take away voting rights from Michigan citizens.
In 2025, lawmakers pushed to expand hunting rights in Michigan. House Joint Resolution C, introduced by Rep. James Desana, R-Carleton, would ensure the right of citizens to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife as part of Michigan's heritage. The resolution, if approved, would go to voters in the next general election. In addition to this resolution, Rep. Desana also introduced legislation to ban the production and sale of lab-grown meat and to allow deer and elk baiting on private property in the Lower Peninsula.
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The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Hunting, fishing, and trapping wildlife are considered a valued part of the cultural heritage of Michigan and are protected by the state's constitution. The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, also known as Public Act 281 of 2014, was challenged by the citizen group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP) as unconstitutional. The group argued that the circulated petition resulting in the 2014 law misled electors by stating that the law would provide free hunting licenses for veterans and prevent invasive species, without mentioning that it would permit wolf hunting. The appellate court ruled in favour of KMWP, stating that the Act violates the "title-object clause" of the Michigan constitution.
However, there have been efforts to further protect hunting and fishing rights in Michigan. An amendment to the Michigan constitution, known as House Joint Resolution C, would formally recognise the right of all citizens to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife as part of the state's heritage. Introduced by Rep. James Desana, R-Carleton, the resolution, if approved, would go to voters in the next general election.
The Michigan Legislature also declares that hunting, fishing, and the taking of game are essential to the state's economy and the conservation, preservation, and management of its natural resources. As such, citizens have the right to engage in these activities, subject to regulations and restrictions prescribed by law.
In conclusion, while hunting and fishing are currently protected in Michigan's constitution, there are ongoing efforts to further entrench these rights through amendments such as House Joint Resolution C. The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, while ruled unconstitutional by an appellate court, highlights the importance of transparency in the legislative process and the power of citizen groups to challenge laws they deem unjust.
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The Michigan constitution's title-object clause
The Michigan Constitution already declares that hunting, fishing, and taking game are valued parts of the state's cultural heritage and should be preserved. It acknowledges the importance of these activities in the state's economy and natural resource management. However, these rights are subject to regulations and restrictions prescribed by law.
In 2016, a Michigan wolf hunting law was ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court. The law, known as Public Act 281 of 2014 or the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, was challenged by the citizen group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP). They argued that the circulated petition for the law misled electors by emphasising free hunting licenses for veterans and preventing invasive species without mentioning wolf hunting. The appellate court agreed, stating that the law violated the title-object clause of the Michigan Constitution.
The protection of hunting and fishing rights in Michigan's Constitution reflects the state's cultural heritage and the value placed on these activities by its citizens. While there have been legal challenges and proposed amendments to clarify and expand these rights, the Constitution already provides a framework for preserving these traditions while also allowing for necessary regulations and restrictions.
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The role of hunting and fishing in Michigan's economy
Hunting, fishing and trapping are currently not protected in Michigan's constitution, but there is an amendment that would ensure the right of citizens to do so. This amendment, called House Joint Resolution C, was introduced by Rep. James Desana, R-Carleton, who also hopes to change the state's Food Law to ban the production and sale of lab-grown meat. The resolution would formally recognise the right of all citizens to hunt, fish, trap and harvest wildlife as part of Michigan's heritage.
Hunting and fishing play an important role in Michigan's economy, as well as in the conservation, preservation and management of the state's natural resources. The activities are also a valued part of the state's cultural heritage.
In 2016, a Michigan wolf hunting law was ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court. The law, known as the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act or Public Act 281 of 2014, was challenged by the citizen group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP). The group argued that the law was a "blatant power grab" by politicians to take away voting rights from Michigan citizens. The appellate ruling in favour of KMWP said that the act violated the "title-object clause" of the Michigan constitution.
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The right to hunt, fish, and take game
In 2016, a Michigan wolf hunting law was ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court. The ruling was in favour of the citizen group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP), which challenged the state's authority to hunt wolves. The group argued that the circulated petition resulting in the 2014 law, "routinely told electors targeted for signature" that the law would provide free hunting licenses for veterans and prevent invasive species without mentioning that it would permit wolf hunting. The appellate ruling said that the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, also known as Public Act 281 of 2014, violates the "title-object clause" of the Michigan constitution.
In 2025, an amendment to the Michigan constitution was proposed to ensure the right of citizens to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife. The proposed resolution, called House Joint Resolution C, would formally recognize the right of all citizens to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife as part of Michigan's heritage. It was introduced by Rep. James Desana, R-Carleton, who also hopes to change the state's Food Law to ban the production and sale of lab-grown meat.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, hunting, fishing, and trapping are considered a valued part of the cultural heritage of Michigan and citizens have a right to hunt, fish, and take game, subject to regulations and restrictions.
Also known as Public Act 281 of 2014, this act was ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court in 2016 as it violated the "title-object clause" of the Michigan constitution.
The Michigan wolf hunting law was ruled unconstitutional by an appeals court in 2016 as it was deemed a "blatant power grab by politicians to take away voting rights from Michigan citizens".
The proposed resolution, House Joint Resolution C, would formally recognise the right of all citizens to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife as part of Michigan's heritage.
The proposed resolution was introduced by Rep. James Desana, R-Carleton, who also hopes to change the state's Food Law to ban the production and sale of lab-grown meat.
