Safe Hunting Season Encouraged By Consumers Energy

Sportsmen reminded: No hunting on utility property

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Nov 07, 2013, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As opening day nears for Michigan's popular firearm deer season, Consumers Energy is reminding everyone that hunting is not allowed on the company's property.

The ban protects the safety of neighbors, utility workers and others. It also addresses the concerns of neighboring landowners that irresponsible hunters will use Consumers Energy property to trespass.

"We are asking everyone to help keep this a safe hunting season in our Great Lakes State," said Mike Williams, Consumers Energy's director of corporate security. "In that regard, we're asking Michigan sportsmen and sportswomen to remember that Consumers Energy property is private land, not public property."

If you observe anyone hunting on utility land, or damage or vandalism, you are asked to contact local law enforcement or Consumers Energy's corporate security office at 1-800-760-3295. Consumers Energy offers cash rewards of varying amounts for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who damage company equipment or property.

Special hunting provisions apply to Consumers Energy-owned lands bordering its AuSable, Manistee and Muskegon river hydroelectric plant reservoirs, where hunting is permitted.

Constructing blinds, target shooting, baiting, burning and fire pits are strictly prohibited on all Consumers Energy lands. The cost of removing blinds from utility property is charged to the blinds' owners.

In addition, the use of dirt bikes, ATVs and other off-road vehicles is not allowed on utility property due to the risk of resource damage, danger to drivers and passengers and damage to utility equipment.

Consumers Energy is one of the largest private landowners in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The utility owns more than 12,000 miles of electric and natural gas rights-of-way, and maintains easement rights on another 86,000 miles of rights-of-way.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media toolkit

AUDIO: Mike Williams, Consumers Energy's director of corporate security, talks about the hunting ban: https://soundcloud.com/consumers-energy/reminder-no-hunting-on

BROCHURE: A brochure, "A Guide to Consumers Energy Land: To Our Michigan Neighbors," provides information for landowners, developers and others on use of Consumers Energy property.

For more information regarding Consumers Energy, visit us at: www.consumersenergy.com or join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan

SOURCE Consumers Energy