Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

Classic rocker Ted Nugent was back in Michigan Wednesday, testifying before a state house committee on what many describe as an overreach by Michigan DNR and Natural Resources Commission with regard to hunting and fishing laws.

The "Motor City Mad Man" wants lawmakers to lessen restrictions on deer hunting limits, tweak deer baiting laws, expand bow hunting season, lift the ban on possessing Russian boar and reclassify some animals as game species that can be hunted.

“The DNR and the NRC have chased families out of the sport over absolutely insane, anti-nature, anti-science regulations,” Nugent said.

Nugent talked about his legal battle against the DNR that involved a game hunting ranch in Ingham County and alleged possession of Russian boar.

Nugent countersued the DNR two years ago, in an effort to remove Russian boar from the state’s list of prohibited species.

A judge ultimately dismissed the case against Nugent's ranch, stating the DNR couldn't prove the animal harvested was a Russian boar or hybrid.

In a statement to MLive, DNR spokesperson Ed Golder pushed back on Nugent’s assessment that the department is responsible for the decline in Michigan hunters and that the DNR isn’t being flexible with hunting licenses in overpopulated areas. The hunter decline is part of a national trend, Golder said.

“The DNR would welcome the opportunity to appear before these House committees to provide factual information on these matters,” Golder said. “We have not been asked.”

Meanwhile, Oak Park Democratic state Rep. Regina Weiss criticized Republican leaders for hosting Nugent and the hearing when they still had a budget to pass.

“I’ve got to say, I feel really emotional, really upset, because I’m a mother and a teacher and the fact that we’re sitting here talking about salt licks and feral pigs when we are a month away from a deadline to get a budget passed. I think it’s shameful,” said Weiss.

Video of Nugent's speech is linked below.