Sen. Hoitenga renews effort to remove criminal penalties associated with 72-hour deer harvest reporting window

Sen. Hoitenga renews effort to remove criminal penalties associated with 72-hour deer harvest reporting window

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Michele Hoitenga on Wednesday introduced legislation to reduce the penalty for failing to report a deer harvest to the Department of Natural Resources within 72 hours from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction.

“Hunters shouldn’t be facing criminal charges for not reporting a deer harvest within 72 hours. Many deer camps have no internet or limited cell service to report a deer harvest to the DNR,” said Hoitenga, R-Manton. “Other states have more options, including call-in reporting. Michigan should provide hunters with more options instead of harsher penalties.”

Senate Bill 46 would remove the misdemeanor penal code from mandatory 72-hour deer harvest reporting rules and mirrors legislation Hoitenga introduced as a representative in the state House in 2022.

SB 46 will be referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture for consideration.

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