Ruffed Grouse Society Disappointed with Federal Ruling 10-31-2010
gengberg October 31st, 2010
Ruffed Grouse Society Disappointed with Federal Ruling
Decision could threaten hunting on all federal lands
Coraopolis, PA — The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is sincerely disappointed with a recent federal court ruling regarding recreation on the Huron-Manistee National Forest in central Michigan; noting that it sets a troubling precedent that could pose a threat to hunting on all of our federal lands.
The ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals states that the Forestmust consider banning gun hunting on 66,000 acres of areas designated as “Semiprimitive”. The ruling questions whether hunting is a compatible use of these areas given that Forest Plan direction states that users will find a “high probability of experiencing isolation from the sights and sounds of humans.” The following quote from the ruling is disappointing as it paints hunters and hunting in a very negative light - “And so, in striking a balance between competing uses of the Forests, one might expect the Service seriously to consider whether, say, birdwatchers in fall should be able to enjoy their pastime, in 6.75 percent of the Forests, without ducking for the occasional gunshot.”
Part of the court’s rationale for this ruling is that the Forest failed to consider land management direction (banning gun hunting on the Semiprimitive areas) that would minimize the duplication of recreational opportunity when considering state lands in Michigan. Because gun hunting is allowed on virtually all state lands, the court suggests that the Forest should have considered banning gun hunting on the Semiprimitive areas. This portion of the ruling could force federal agencies to consider restricting gun hunting to accommodate quiet pursuits in regions where other public lands open to hunting are abundant. Continue Reading »
