This bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by updating the definition of "game" to include mourning doves, which were previously not listed. The bill specifies that the term "game" now encompasses a variety of wildlife species, while explicitly excluding privately owned cervidae species located on registered cervidae livestock facilities. Additionally, the bill removes several species from the previous list of game, including muskrat, opossum, otter, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, ruffed grouse, sharptailed grouse, skunk, snipe, sora rail, squirrel, Virginia rail, weasel, wild turkey, and wolf.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section, 40110d, which authorizes the establishment of an open season for mourning doves. The commission is mandated to issue orders by April 1, 2026, to establish this open season, thereby formalizing the hunting regulations for mourning doves in Michigan.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.40103