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The 2011 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest is in distribution to all license outlets that include MDNR field offices and retail stores that sell licenses. It is required by law to be established to take effect by August 1 of each year through July 31 of the following year.

One of the most important sections that hunters and trappers need to review is listed as the second item in the table of contents, “Major Changes and Reminders for 2011.”

The two lists are found on page 7 of the Digest and are as follows:

*Baiting and Feeding in limited quantities is allowed in the Lower Peninsula except for DMU 487 - Bait mean a substance composed of grains, minerals, slat, fruits, vegetables, hay or other food materials, which may lure entice or attract deer as an aid in hunting. Baiting may occur only from October 1 to January 1 and the volume of bait at any hunting site cannot exceed 2 gallons distributed over a 10-foot by 10-foot area and scattered on the ground. Bait may be distributed by any means including mechanical that include a programmed spin-cast feeder.

*The season purchase limit for antlerless deer licenses has increased to five statewide (except DMU 486 and DMU 487 have no limit). The application period for adults to obtain an antlerless permit ran from July 15 to August 15. Young hunters, age 9 to 15 were able to purchase an antlerless deer hunting license over the counter in that same period, however, a nine year old must reach the age of ten by September 15, 2011to purchase this license. Hunters that did not apply or were not successful on the drawing for antlerless licenses may purchase over the counter antlerless deer hunting licenses in DMUs that will have antlerless hunting available this season, starting September 6.

*There are some new changes in the Private Lands Open to Public Hunting Section, where the State of Michigan has purchased public hunting rights for various privately owned lands. These lands are open to the public for hunting and do not require registration, but all applicable laws still apply. Unfortunately for us, all of these parcels are located in the southern Lower Peninsula. Those who hunt on Commercial Forest (CF) Lands, are still permitted foot access for fishing and hunting. Use of motorized vehicles for fishing and hunting access is at the landowners discretion. While a good deal of CF lands allow vehicle traffic on established roadways, all other activities such as (but not limited to) camping, leaving anything unattended (e.g. Bait, blinds, traps, etc.), and damaging or injuring vegetation (e.g. Cutting, nailing), require landowner’s permission.

*The martin/fisher bag limit has been reduced to a one-animal combined bag limit (1 fisher or 1 martin), details of which are on page 26 of the Digest. Beaver and otter trapping are closed in Alger County - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Schoolcraft County - in the Seney National Wildlife Refuge (closed to otter trapping). Contact the refuge on possible beaver trapping.

*The entire skull must be submitted for all registered furbearing species including marten, fisher, bobcat and otter.

*The mink and muskrat season has been extended to include the month of February statewide.

*The otter limit in Beaver/Otter Unit B (the northern Lower Peninsula) has been increased to two (2) with no change in the statewide bag limit of three (3) per person.

*Raccoons and opossums have been added to the list of species that may be taken at night with the aid of a call. An artificial light, which is the type ordinarily held in the hand or on the person (including flashlights, portable powered spotlights and headlamps, and similar portable lights designed to be carried in the hand or on the person), are legal.

*Trappers are allowed to use a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire, loaded only at the point of kill only, to dispatch lawfully trapped furbearers during the firearm deer hunting season, statewide.

The 42 plus page Digest also details the 2011 Reminders Section and sub-sections throughout.

It should also be noted that a lot of questions have been raised since news spread regarding the signing of HB4371 the Hunter Heritage Bill now a part of Public Act 120 of 2011. The new law will permit parents to decide at what age a youngster will begin to hunt. The special license will be applicable for multiple uses and will be discounted in price.

While it has become law, it will not take effect until 2012. Details of the regulations as part of the legislation are yet to be completed. The results will be placed in the Hunting and Trapping Digest for next year.

Crossbows may be used by youth hunters (ages 10 and older) throughout the early archery deer season in the Upper Peninsula (October 1 - November 14), and the special Youth Hunt (ages 10 - 11), September 24-25, 2011.

It is the obligation of all hunters and trappers to familiarize themselves each year with the new Digest prior to going afield. Any information not obtained within the Digest can be detailed by contacting you local MDNR office.