A Michigan conservation group is promoting the hunting- and fishing-related industries here in the state this weekend.
The Michigan Wildlife Council is encouraging people to support conservation by buying fishing and hunting licenses for National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The owner of Lyman’s On The Lake in Houghton Lake, Kurt Beachnau, said hunting and fishing are critical to his business and the local economy.
He said he’s seen more people take up fishing since COVID, but hunting numbers remain on the decline.
“I would like to see the state do more to encourage people from out of state because they will stay multiple days. They will stop at the restaurants, they’ll go to the gas stations, they’ll come in at stores like mine. So we need to encourage more of that. We also need to encourage more of the youngsters to do it because hunting is declining,” said Beachnau.
Hunting and fishing licenses are available at stores statewide and online.