SENATE BILL: SB 9 – The Mid-Michigan Wildlife and Hunter Freedom Act

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Formal Senate Version

 

A BILL
To enact the Mid-Michigan Wildlife and Hunter Freedom Act, restoring constitutional carry, honoring hunters as conservation heroes, and elevating wildlife populations beyond historical levels in Michigan’s 35th Senate District through habitat restoration, predator control, and deregulation of hunting—without new taxes.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

Section 1. Short Title
This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Mid-Michigan Wildlife and Hunter Freedom Act.”

 

Section 2. Purpose
To restore American freedom and make wildlife greater than ever in the 35th Senate District (Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties) by:
(a) Restoring constitutional carry to pre-1968 standards—no permits, no restrictions.
(b) Honoring hunters as conservation heroes with expanded seasons, bag limits, and tax-free gear.
(c) Elevating wildlife populations through $10 million in habitat restoration and predator control.
(d) Deregulating hunting to stop attacks on sportsmen and empower local control.
(e) Ensuring no new taxes—funded by state surplus, federal grants, and hunter license revenue.

 

Section 3. Definitions
(a) “35th District” – Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties.
(b) “Constitutional Carry” – The right to carry a firearm openly or concealed without permit, registration, or training mandate.
(c) “Hunter Freedom Fund” – The dedicated fund established under this act.
(d) “Wildlife Elevation” – Increasing deer, turkey, waterfowl, and fish populations by 50% above 2000 levels by 2030.

 

Section 4. Restoration of Constitutional Carry
(a) Repeals all permit, registration, and training requirements for lawful firearm carry in the 35th District.
(b) Restores pre-1968 standards: Any law-abiding citizen 18+ may carry openly or concealed without government interference.
(c) Prohibits local ordinances restricting carry in public spaces.
(d) DNR and local law enforcement shall recognize out-of-state permits and protect carry rights.

 

Section 5. Honoring Hunters as Conservation Heroes
(a) Declares hunters “Official Conservation Heroes” of Michigan, recognizing their contributions to wildlife funding (75% of Michigan’s conservation budget from hunter licenses).
(b) Expanded hunting seasons:

• Deer: Year-round on private land with landowner permission

• Turkey: Fall + Spring = 100 days total

• Waterfowl: +15 days in Saginaw Bay zone
  (c) Increased bag limits:

• Deer: 10 per season (with bonus tags)

• Turkey: 5 per season
  (d) Tax-free hunting gear: 100% sales tax exemption on firearms, ammo, bows, and blinds.
  (e) Hunter mentorship program: Free licenses for youth under 18 with adult hunter.
  (f) Protects hunters from attacks: Prohibits DNR overregulation, with $1 million “Hunter Defense Fund” for legal aid against anti-hunting lawsuits.

 

Section 6. Wildlife Elevation Program
(a) Allocates $10 million from Hunter Freedom Fund for:

• 5,000 acres of new public hunting land in 35th District

• Habitat restoration (food plots, wetlands, oak reforestation)

• Predator control (coyote/wolf bounties: $100 per pelt)
  (b) Goal: 50% increase in deer, turkey, and waterfowl by 2030.
  (c) Local control: County boards set season tweaks based on population data.

 

Section 7. Deregulation and Hunter Protection
(a) Eliminates DNR red tape:

• No baiting bans

• No caliber restrictions

• No magazine limits
  (b) Prohibits anti-hunting lawsuits against lawful hunters.
  (c) Mandates DNR prioritize hunter input in wildlife management.

 

Section 8. Funding Assurance
(a) No new taxes.
(b) Funded by:

• State budget surplus

• Federal Pittman-Robertson grants

• Hunter license revenue (100% reinvested)

• Predator bounty fees
  (c) DNR to pursue additional USDA wildlife grants.

 

Section 9. Economic and Conservation Metrics
(a) Targets:

• 10,000 new hunters in 35th District by 2030

• $50M economic impact from hunting/tourism

• 50% wildlife increase by 2030
  (b) Annual “Hunter Hero Report” to constituents.

 

Section 10. Severability
If any provision is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 11. Effective Date
This act takes effect January 1, 2027, upon passage and the Governor’s signature, with constitutional carry and hunter expansions immediate.