OCSC MUCC Update | March 2026

Greetings, fellow club members.

In last month’s newsletter and at the General Membership meeting, I described the seven resolutions that were to be debated at this year’s MUCC convention. That convention occurred February 21 and 22, 2026. The discussion of the resolutions, both in support of and in opposition to, was interesting and respectful. Wellmeaning sportspeople on both sides of the issues represented the conservation community honorably. Special thanks to Carl Bidinger for also attending and representing OCSC. All resolutions had the outcome for which we voted. #6 was withdrawn; we supported it. Here are the seven resolutions and the outcome.

1. Request DNR to form Panfish Committee and/or specific management plan–PASSED
2. Support of huntingbobcatsatnightwithcallingmethods–PASSED
3. Bear Trapping – FAILED
4. Resolution to direct MUCC staff to lobby against the defunding of the United States Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory–PASSED
5. Balance Bear Numbers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – PASSED
6. Deer Management Flexibility Across Michigan – Withdrawn by author. Deemed unnecessary.
7. Use of Crossbows (disallowed during certain seasons) – FAILED

We heard from the Lansing-based conservation policy group (McAlvey and Merchant) who have become MUCC’s policy advocacy partner. We saw a video presentation from Rusted Rooster, a production company that will help with MUCC branding and communications. Kip Adams, the Chief Conservation Officer for the National Deer Association, gave an informative presentation on the status of deer and deer management in North America. He did a great job of supplementing the information with lots of Michigan specifics. Mike Avery, radio host and podcast host specializing in the outdoors and Michigan, also presented and served as MC during the banquet.

Those were the good parts of the convention. The not-so-good part was the detailed and ominous presentationsvregarding the financial stability of Michigan United Conservation Clubs. A plan has been created with the assistance of many partners. Parts of that plan have been implemented. But much of that plan – the financial part – must occur during the remainder of 2026 if the organization is to survive. And that means fundraising. It will also mean an increase in membership fees paid by clubs to MUCC. We are to learn more about that in the months ahead.

MUCC meets with the DNR a minimum of every month and more often when needed. MUCC presents to legislative committees and congressional meetings. MUCC hosts informal gatherings with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. No other organization has this kind of access. MUCC works on our behalf and has a long and continual track record of success. According to MUCC’s website, “For more than 88 years, Michigan United Conservation Clubs has been the watchdog for Michigan’s natural resources and our outdoor heritage. Today, MUCC is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Through tens of thousands of individual members and members through hundreds of affiliated clubs, MUCC works to accomplish its mission of Uniting Citizens to Conserve Michigan’s Natural Resources and Protect our Outdoor Heritage.”

Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the single most important voice of sportspeople in Michigan. To lose that would be devastating. And senseless. And it would mean turning our back on decades of conservation accomplishment. We must ensure it will endure.

Kind regards,
Dave Budnick
OCSC rep to MUCC
(248) 978-3454
davebudnick@comcast.net
davebudnick.com