An Unusual Stage for Rock Star Ted Nugent: Michigan State House Committee Hearing
Rock star Ted Nugent found himself center stage once again, but this time, the setting was a bit different. Nugent was not performing for a crowd of fans but rather testifying before a joint Michigan state House committee on the “Weaponization of State Government.”
During the hearing, Nugent and several other witnesses shared their encounters with Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers. They alleged that the officers had overstepped boundaries and enforced what they perceived as “anti-conservation” policies in a manner they deemed inappropriate.
Nugent voiced his concerns, stating, “That kind of jack-booted thuggery is why we have half the deer hunters that we used to have. I know our quality of life comes from the heroes of law enforcement who secure our neighborhoods and streets, but then there are jack-booted thugs.”
On the other side, DNR spokesman Ed Golder defended the agency’s officers, emphasizing their professionalism and rigorous training. He also reiterated the agency’s commitment to science-based natural resource management and the fair application of the law.
One notable incident involved a DNR lawsuit against Nugent’s 340-acre hunting ranch in Jackson County. The case was dismissed by a judge who found that the department had failed to prove that an animal harvested on the ranch was a Russian boar or a Russian boar hybrid.
Following the testimonies, the chair of the committee stated that DNR officials would be invited to testify once the committee receives requested documents from the agency. The formation of the “weaponization” committee earlier this year by Republicans taking control of the state House has led to hearings on various issues, including state COVID lockdown policies and antisemitism on state college campuses.
