Hi Everyone,

This is VERY IMPORTANT and I hope we can get lots of participation with this request ASAP. I know many of you live outside of the United States, but we can still use your help.

Michigan will have a new Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, in January, 2019. She will be responsible for appointing our Department of Natural Resource’s officials. I am pretty much begging everyone who signed this petition to reach out to her and let her know your feelings about, not only the Michigan DNR, but other state’s DNR’s, DEC’s, and Wildlife Services across the United States. We need to get as many people as possible to tell her what these agencies are doing to our swans is unjust and unwarranted. The Mute Swans have been in The US since the 1800’s and there are no Michigan DNR Studies to back up any of the DNR’s claims about the swans. They have already slaughtered over 8000 in our state. We need to convince her that a moratorium should be placed on all swan killings until she has a chance to look over all the research and speak to our knowledgeable people and organizations who actually know swan behavior, etc.

Governor Elect Whitmer needs to know that the current officials of the DNR only care about mismanaging our wildlife in order to hunt it. There’s a severe problem when the people responsible for protecting our wildlife tell the residents of their state that their tax dollars do not fund the Wildlife Division of the DNR, and that hunters and fishermen monies do. The more guns, ammunition, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and permits people purchase, the more money goes into the DNR’s pocket. It’s like the fox watching over the hen house. When they blatantly thank the hunters, fishermen, and trappers for their support in their conservation efforts, it makes one that enjoys seeing our wildlife alive, wonder if the best interest of our wildlife and environment are truly being considered.                                                                                          From the DNR Chief of the Wildlife Division : “A tremendous ‘thank you’ goes out to Michigan hunters – their contribution to the conservation of our state’s natural resources is immense,” said Russ Mason, DNR Wildlife Division chief. “Many people believe that their general tax dollars fund the work we do, but it’s those who participate in hunting, fishing and sport shooting who support the vast majority of our wildlife conservation work.”  The Pittman-Robertson Act (PR) created a federal excise tax on the manufacture of guns and ammunitions, bows, crossbows and arrows. The money generated from this tax is allocated to state fish and wildlife agencies, based on the number of licensed hunters in a state and the state’s area, to use for projects like improving wildlife habitat, managing wildlife populations, research and hunter education. Manufacturers build the tax into the cost of the equipment they sell, so the hunters and sport shooters who buy the products pay for the tax.

 PLEASE, PLEASE urge Governor Elect Whitmer to weed out the old officials and appoint open minded officials that will help to protect the environment and wildlife and not constantly think of ways to kill or destroy it. We have entrusted this Department to do right by our environment and wildlife and they are not listening to the Michigan residents. If you live out of state or out of the Country, ask her if Pure Michigan really means no wildlife. Why would anyone want to visit a state that removes/kills waterfowl from their lakes?

 Governor Gretchen Whitmer        info@gretchenwhitmer.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. I know everyone is busy this time of year, but this is our chance to have our voices finally heard. If you could drop me a quick note letting me know that you wrote, I would really appreciate it. Please check out my Help Our Waterfowl Facebook Page too

Happy Holidays!

Karen