Dat Powerpoint: April 6, 2009

“Each of us carries within us a worldview, a set of assumptions about how the world works that forms the very questions we allow ourselves to ask and determines our view of future possibilities.” --Frances Moore Lappe

Michigan Deer Advisory Team Meeting April 6-7, 2009

My Role as your Facilitator 9 Design & facilitate a participatory meeting process 9 Help structure and support productive, conclusive discussions 9 Help create an environment in which disagreement can be expressed, and objections can be heard, not as attacks, but as a concern which, when resolved, will make the recommendation stronger 9 Propose a plan to seek consensus in allotted time 9 Assure that participants follow groundrules; assist participants to stay focused and on task

Your Role as the Deer Advisory Team 9 Explore possibilities -- offering or exploring an idea does not necessarily imply support 9 Listen to understand -- seek a shared understanding even if you don’t agree 9 Express and acknowledge differing views - no attacks or stereotyping 9 Represent and communicate your organization’s perspective (two-way) 9 When confused, ask for clarification or more info 9 HAVE FUN!!

Road Map Deer Management Planning Process DRAFT Strategic Deer Management Plan Presented to NRC January 2010

MSU Deer Questionnaire Results

April 6-7 DAT Work Session

Public Input

Public Comments

May DAT Work Session

Final Strategic Deer Management Plan Presented to NRC in April 2010 (& Action in May)

Implementation by the DNR

DAT Report Presented to NRC October 2009

June DAT Work Session

July DAT Work Session

August DAT Work Session

Sept. Finalize DAT Report

Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Excerpt)

Act 451 of 1994

Dennis Knapp - Presenter

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (EXCERPT) Act 451 of 1994 324.40113a Legislative findings and declarations; taking of game; issuance of orders. Sec. 40113a. (1) The legislature finds and declares that: (a) The wildlife populations of the state and their habitat are of paramount importance to the citizens of this state. (b) The sound scientific management of the wildlife populations of the state, including hunting of bear, is declared to be in the public interest. (c) The sound scientific management of bear populations in this state is necessary to minimize human/bear encounters and to prevent bears from threatening or harming humans, livestock, and pets. (2) The commission of natural resources shall have the exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game as defined in section 40103 in this state. The commission of natural resources shall, to the greatest extent practicable, utilize principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game. Issuance of orders by the commission of natural resources regarding the taking of game shall be made following a public meeting and an opportunity for public input. Not less than 30 days before issuing an order, the commission of natural resources shall provide a copy of the order to each of the following: (a) Each member of each standing committee of the senate or house of representatives that considers legislation pertaining to conservation, the environment, natural resources, recreation, tourism, or agriculture. (b) The chairperson of the senate appropriations committee and the chairperson of the house of representatives appropriations committee. (c) The members of the subcommittee of the senate appropriations committee and the subcommittee of the house of representatives appropriations committee that consider the budget of the department of natural resources.

324.40113a Legislative findings and declarations; taking of game; issuance of orders. Sec. 40113a (1) The legislature finds & declares that: (a) The wildlife populations of the state and their habitat are of paramount importance to the citizens of this state. (b) The sound scientific management of the wildlife populations of the state, including hunting of bear, is declared to be in the public interest. (c) The sound scientific management of bear populations in this state is necessary to minimize human/bear encounters and to prevent bears from threatening or harming humans, livestock, and pets.

...continued… (2) The commission of natural resources (NRC) shall have the exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game as defined in section 40103 in this state. The NRC shall, to the greatest extent practicable, utilize principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game. Issuance of orders by the NRC regarding the taking of game shall be made following a public meeting and an opportunity for public input.

...continued… Not less than 30 days before issuing an order, the NRC shall provide a copy of the order to each of the following: (a) Each member of each standing committee of the senate or house of representatives that considers legislation pertaining to conservation, the environment, natural resources, recreation, tourism, or agriculture. (b) The chairperson of the senate appropriations committee and the chairperson of the house of representatives appropriations committee. (c) The members of the subcommittee of the senate appropriations committee and the subcommittee of the house of representatives appropriations committee that consider the budget of the DNR.

Summary of Regional Deer Meetings

Amy Spray

Approach Used to Develop Recommendations

What is Consensus? 9 A decision in which all the group members find a common ground. 9 A search for the best decision through the exploration of the best of everyone’s thinking. 9 Final decision is often better than any single idea that was present at the beginning. 9 All sides of the issue are explored. Points of disagreement are sought and encouraged.

Consensus does not mean: ¾ Everyone getting everything they want ¾ Everyone is completely satisfied with the outcome ¾ Everyone finally coming around to the “right” opinion.

Consensus does mean: ¾ Everyone understands the decision and can explain why it is best ¾ Everyone “will live with” the decision

Reaching Consensus At the end of this process, I hope you’re able to say: – I believe that others understand my point of view; – I believe I understand others’ points of view; and – Whether or not I prefer the decision, I support it because it was arrived at openly and fairly and because it is the best solution we can achieve at this time.

Strategic Recommendations & Framework used to Develop Recommendations

Strategic Recommendations ¾ Guides overall direction & defines grand purpose ¾ Speaks in global terms about the strategies to pursue, and the benefits that will be achieved when the implementation has been completed. ¾Does NOT contain a lot of details about implementation (how/tools).

Recommendation Framework ¾ Discuss all sides/perspectives of the issue ¾ Determine whether the DAT would like to make a recommendation. ¾ If yes, brainstorm possible recommendations ¾ Craft language for recommendation ¾ “Will live with” recommendation ¾ Move on to next issue (will NOT be revisiting a decision or recommendation).

DAT’s Efforts and the Deer Management Plan

John Niewoonder - Presenter

The Deer Management Plan will be written by the DNR-WLD Deer Work Group with input from: • Deer Advisory Team • DNR Field Biologists • Public Survey • Public Review Process

How will the DAT’s efforts fit into Michigan’s Deer Management Plan? ¾ DAT Report consisting of strategic recommendations on a variety of deer management issues ¾ DAT discussions will also be summarized

Overview of Deer Issues

Overview of Deer Issues - #1 1. Why should the DNR manage deer (for what reasons)?

Overview of Deer Issues - #2 2. How (or should) the DNR get input from or represent the views of a broad spectrum of members of the public at large and members of the deer hunting community, some of whom are harder to engage than others?

Overview of Deer Issues - #3 3. Should the DNR manage deer to provide recreational opportunity or as an ecological resource or both? What should they be trying to achieve?

Overview of Deer Issues - #4 4. How should the DNR manage deer given regional differences? Should deer management be standardized across the state or structured to address regional issues?

Overview of Deer Issues - #5

5. What is the role of deer hunting?

Overview of Deer Issues - #6

6. How should the DNR address the decreasing number of deer hunters?

Overview of Deer Issues - #7 7. What role should the DNR play in protecting the future of deer hunting as a recreational opportunity in comparison to or in cooperation with the hunting community, shooting sports industry, and non-government organizations?