LANSING, Mich. – You may very soon be able to hunt frogs with a spear all year round in Michigan.
The Michigan House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill to repeal a part of the natural resources and environmental protection act of 1994 which banned taking or killing any species of frogs between November 16 to the Friday before the opening of black bass season.
The repeal also ends a prohibition of spearing frogs at any time with the aid of an artificial light.
The Michigan Senate passed their version of the bill in June. The House vote passed by a 69-39 margin. The House also voted 84-24 to prohibit hunting reptiles or amphibians for commercial purposes.
The bill’s opponents say frog-spearing is inhumane and frogs need protection to breed. Supporters say the legislation promotes outdoor recreation and it makes no sense to prohibit frog-spearing with a flashlight because hunters already can use artificial light to net or hook frogs.
Frog-spearing — or “gigging” — is supposedly popular among young people in southern states.
The Senate bill was sponsored by Senator Darwin Booher, whose district includes Mason County.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
