The link below shows a good photo of the recently spotted Cougar in Houghton County.  The DNR says its the same cat that was captured on a trail cam in Ontonogan County.  Interestingly, it has a radio collar but the origin of the mountan lion has yet to be discovered, although some western states have tracking programs.  It will be interesting to find out just how far this cat has traveled.

http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2011/09/dnr_cougar_spotted_in_houghton.html

9/23/11

In case you have not heard, the U.S. economy is slow and federal dollars are scarce. Tax dollars are being very closely watched under public scrutiny. Now, there are less of those tax dollars to watch thanks to the former Fund for Animals, alias Humane Society of the United States.

Back in 2003, the Fund for Animals (this group merged with and is now HSUS) sued the U.S. Department of Interior and its director Steve Williams, plus former director Dale Hall. The charge: that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These charges targeted the USFWS ruling that permitted hunting on 60 units of the National Wildlife Refuge system, and the lawsuit covered periods ranging from 1998 through 2003.  The U. S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and others intervened in the case on behalf of sportsmen.

At great expense, the USFWS reviewed and update the NEPA status and findings on those 60 refuges. On April 13, 2011, a federal judge ruled that the USFWS new information met the criteria and hunting could continue on the listed NWRs. HSUS lost its lawsuit. Then, however, HSUS filed on July 12, 2011 for “an award of a portion of the attorney’s fees and costs.”

The result: the USFWS must pay the defeated HSUS $116,000.00 dollars. Can you say fleecing or milking the system? Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

The new 2011 Hunting and Trapping Digest by the Michigan DNR is now available and contains this season’s hunting rules and regulations.  However, absent from the
pages is the reference to the new state law (passed after the rules were published), that allows hunters of 10 years of age and above to hunt deer, bear, or elk with firearms.  The change is part of the Hunter Heritage Act, which creates a new mentored hunting program and eliminates the minimum age requirements for hunting in 2012. Read more

Below is a link from the Kalamazoo News to a bill that would allow farmers to kill more nuisance deer by signing up more shooters.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/09/legislation_would_allow_michig.html

We had some good quality whitetails , although the numbers are down so far.  A good ending to an 11-year old’s initial attempt at a deer with a crossbow will be shared in next week’s column.  But, here’s a peek at her trophy:

Brooke's First Deer

And, another young lady gets a dandy in the rifle zone but she used a compound bow.  Great job!

Courtesy of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
9/23/11

If you have held a bow these late summer days or will be holding one in the weeks ahead as bowhunting seasons open across America, you are not alone. Bowhunting is a popular American pastime with millions taking to the woods each fall. Hunters can pursue deer—the most hunted species with a bow—or bear, elk, pronghorns and many species of small game. Those up for a challenge also hunt pheasants and other upland game with bow and arrow. Before you grab your bow and head afield, however, know the requirements—and be prepared. Read more

Washington, DC – Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted Safari Club International’s (SCI) motion to participate as an intervenor against constitutional challenges to wolf delisting legislation filed by two sets of animal-rights groups. SCI is joined in their intervention by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA). Read more

The 8th Annual Perry Youth Hunt Extravaganza is an event whereby young hunters are provided with an opportunity to display deer taken in the two-day Youth Firearm Deer Season, September 24 and 25 and the chance to win valuable prizes.  The Youth Firearms Deer Season is open on all lands in Michigan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESept. 14, 2011 Contacts: Dean Molnar 517-373-1230 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014  New State Law Allows 10-Year-Olds to Hunt Deer, Elk or Bear With a Firearm A change in state law that took effect Sept. 1 makes it legal for 10- and 11- year olds to hunt deer, bear or elk with firearms in Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources announced. Read more