Proposal 9 – Treestands on Public Lands

WHEREAS: WCO lays out the dates a blind or stand can be left on public land, which varies by season, and;

WHEREAS: WCO also states if you leave a tree stand or blind in the woods overnight on public land, that stand becomes public domain, and therefore, anybody can use it, and;

WHEREAS: To purposefully use another hunter’s setup is arguably an unethical choice that most often creates immediate conflict between all parties involved, and;

WHEREAS: Michigan has +/- 8.2 million acres of public land available between state and federally owned, and;

WHEREAS: Michigan offers more public land opportunities than any other state east of the Mississippi, and;

WHEREAS: There is a genuine concern of liability should someone get hurt while using someone 16. else’s equipment, NOW;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: MUCC supports NRC action to change the current regulation 18. that allows an individual to utilize another individual's legally placed hunting equipment, such as a 19. tree stand or other portable blind on public property and make it illegal to knowingly use a legally 20. placed stand or blind that does not belong to you or one of your immediate hunting party, without 21. written permission to do so.