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Impact LevelLow
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Scope LevelLocal
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Last Update2025-06-28
Key Impacts
Negative Impacts (1)
Event Overview
On June 25, 2025, musician Ted Nugent testified before Michigan House committees, lambasting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for its hunting regulations, calling them "immoral" and "insane." His remarks, invited by State Representative Ken Borton, drew criticism from Democratic members. Nugent, who owns a fenced hunting area, accused DNR of unfairly impacting families. The hearing also sparked an investigation into whether Nugent brought a firearm into the House, intensifying tensions between DNR and hunting advocates.
Event Timeline
Musician Ted Nugent Criticized for Testimony Against Michigan DNR and Possible Firearm Incident
On June 25, 2025, musician and conservative activist Ted Nugent testified before a joint meeting of three Michigan House committees, criticizing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its regulations regarding hunting and conservation. Nugent, invited by State Representative Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), expressed his disdain for what he termed "immoral" and "insane" regulations while referring to DNR officials in derogatory terms. His statements led several Democratic members of the committees to call the session "absurd" and "shameful," questioning the decision to prioritize Nugent's testimony over more critical legislative work. Nugent, who owns a 340-acre fenced hunting area near Jackson, alleged that DNR policies have unjustly pushed families out of hunting. This hearing followed scrutiny of DNR's enforcement against feral pig farming, including past legal conflicts that Nugent had with the DNR over these issues. Additionally, concerns arose regarding Nugent's possible bringing of a firearm into the House, prompting an investigation by the Michigan State Police (MSP). This incident has highlighted ongoing tensions between the DNR’s conservation efforts and the perspectives of certain hunting advocates, like Nugent.