In a bold move to address the unique wildlife management needs of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a group of Republican lawmakers introduced legislation on August 21st that would potentially establish the Upper Peninsula Resources Commission. This new body would operate independently from the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which currently oversees fish and wildlife management across the state. The proposal, spearheaded by State Representatives Karl Bohnak, Parker Fairbairn, Greg Markkanen, and Dave Prestin - all representing U.P. districts - aims to tailor hunting and fishing regulations to the distinct ecological challenges of the region.
Given the unique differences between the two regions, the debate has become something of a tale of two peninsulas, a phrase coined by Rep. Dave Prestin. The Upper Peninsula is home to wolves, cougars, and moose, and struggles with deer management, while the Lower Peninsula grapples with a different set of problems including thriving elk populations and issues like crop damage caused by the abundance of whitetail deer. Rep. Prestin has stated that the NRC’s one-size-fits-all approach often fails to address these regional disparities. For instance, uniform deer hunting regulations may exacerbate population declines in the Upper Peninsula while doing little to curb overpopulation in the Lower Peninsula, where vehicle collisions and agricultural damage are growing concerns.
“There are numerous distinct differences between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and the list keeps growing,” said Prestin. “It truly is a tale of two peninsulas. The U.P. has wolves and Cougar, the Lower Peninsula does not. Moose in our peninsula, Elk in theirs. We have far too few whitetail deer due to out-of-control predation, and they have far too many. Yet, the NRC continues to clamor about how their statewide decisions are what’s best for everyone, when those same decisions are clearly putting the U.P. in jeopardy.”
The proposed UPRC would mirror the structure of the NRC, with commissioners nominated by U.P. lawmakers, appointed by the governor, and serving two-year terms. This new commission would have authority over hunting and fishing regulations specific to the Upper Peninsula, while the NRC would retain control over the Lower Peninsula. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources would continue to implement regulations statewide, ensuring continuity in enforcement.
Rep. Greg Markkanen, a key supporter, pointed to the state’s deer population imbalance as a prime example of why region-specific management is necessary.
“The Lower Peninsula’s deer are thriving, while the U.P.’s herds are in decline,” he noted. He believes that a dedicated UPRC could craft targeted policies, such as adjusting predator management for wolves in the U.P. or tailoring deer harvest rules to bolster local populations.
And while the idea may certainly have some merit, the proposal faces significant obstacles.
With roughly 97% of Michigan’s voters and most lawmakers residing in the Lower Peninsula, garnering statewide support may prove difficult. A similar bill backed by Markkanen in 2022 failed to advance, signaling potential political resistance. Critics argue that splitting regulatory authority could complicate coordination and strain the DNR’s already stretched-thin resources amid declining hunter numbers and funding shortages.
