DU’s season in review offers an in-depth look at the 2023-24 waterfowl season

Ducks Unlimited proudly presents its 2023-24 Season in Review, a comprehensive analysis of waterfowling across the United States, focusing on a year marked by unique environmental challenges and conservation efforts.

The report offers a detailed overview of the environmental challenges and achievements encountered over the season, enriched by insights into specific phenomena such as El Niño and its implications for waterfowl habitats.

The 2023-24 waterfowl hunting season faced unparalleled challenges, marked by adverse weather conditions and ecological stresses. Despite an initial improvement in breeding conditions over 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (BPOP) revealed a troubling 7% decline in total duck populations across the Traditional Survey Area, indicating the most significant drop in nearly 15 years. Read more

Idaho Hunter Stats Show Drop in Elk and Mule Deer Harvest, Bump in Whitetails in 2023

For the first time since 2013, statewide elk harvest came in below 20,000.

It didn’t take a whole lot of rubbing the crystal ball to forecast a less-than-stellar mule deer harvest in 2023 because of the severe winter that preceded it. And with last fall’s harvest stats now available, the story that commenced after one of the worst eastern Idaho winters on record can be told.

Ironically, it may have been the opposite weather that contributed to the lowest elk harvest since 2013. Warm fall weather with little precipitation often creates poor hunting conditions, but weather or not, the statewide elk harvest dropped nearly 2,400 animals compared to the prior year.

But not all deer and elk harvests were down. White-tailed deer harvest had a modest bump—and the first increase in four years—signaling herds may be recovering from a large disease die-off in 2021.

“It was kind of a screwy year,” said Toby Boudreau, Deer and Elk Coordinator. “I think everyone expected the mule deer harvest to drop significantly, but we’re hopeful the mild winter will speed up their recovery, or at minimum, get it off to a good start.”

The elk harvest is a bit of a head-scratcher. Anecdotally, Fish and Game heard reports from experienced elk hunters who were not finding elk in their usual spots during fall, and suspect weather may have been a significant factor. Read more

New Elk Harvest Record Set by Wyoming Hunters

Wyoming hunters had one of the most successful elk hunting seasons on record in 2023-24, with nearly a five percent increase in harvest compared to the previous season, according to the latest elk harvest survey report. During the season, hunters spent more than 480,000 recreation days in the field and harvested nearly 29,000 elk. Over the last decade there has been an increasing trend in elk harvest. Read more

Spring and Summer Cast & Blast Doesn’t Get any Better: Fishing Tom Guide Service

That Southwestern Louisiana is a sportsman’s paradise for both anglers and hunters is no secret. Did you know that you can now successfully experience both world-class inshore fishing and hunting for wild hogs and coyotes on the same trip by booking a cast & blast adventure with Fishing Tom Guide Service?

“We get on popular inshore fish species like redfish, flounder, sheepshead, tripletail, trout, bass, and other prized saltwater and freshwater species all year around,” said Captain Tom Adams. “Our area is also full of wild hogs and coyotes. We have the land to hunt them and know where they are. Combining both fishing and the hunting in one trip makes for a truly unique and exciting adventure!”

Captain Adams and his crew have fished and hunted this area their entire lives and know the bayous and marshes of Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes like the back of their hands. On their highly sought-after fishing trips, anglers fish aboard a 24-foot Nautic Star center console boat equipped with a 250 HP Mercury outboard motor that gives gets you safely where you need to be in a hurry. The boat is fully equipped with all the latest electronics to help locate the most productive fishing spots each day. A wireless trolling motor allows the boat to move through the area’s tranquil waters without disturbing the sought after fish. State-of-the-art rods & reels will be on hand along with tried-and-true terminal tackle and bait. Read more

Michigan DNR hiring conservation officers

Michigan NRC Owes Michigan Voters an Explanation

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

In year 2016, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) requested the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop a recommendation to expand the coyote hunting season. Subsequently, the coyote hunting season was changed from July 15 to April 15, to year-round.  At the time, the DNR did not expect a year-round season to have a significant biological impact at the statewide level and all indications are that it did not.

However, at the March NRC meeting, closure of the season was adopted on a 4-2 vote, and it takes effect April 15.  So, why the about face?

Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ Policy and Government Affairs Manager Justin Tomei spoke at the meeting and said the science on coyote management is clear.

“Today, we laid out a clear scientific argument for the use of lethal coyote management, via hunters, during the spring and summer months,” said Tomei. “Coyote management is most effective in the spring when you can actively control local predator populations, limit depredation and increase deer densities.”

“The first question during the first DMI [Deer Management Initiative] meeting was about predator management,” Trotter said. “The DMI will inevitably make some recommendation regarding predator management, and the commission should wait to ensure all stakeholder opinions are considered.”

The vote came after commissioners rejected attempts from NRC members Nyberg and Walters to remove the closure from the wildlife conservation order and table the vote.

Since Proposal G of 1996 was passed by a whopping 69 percent of Michigan voters, it granted the NRC exclusive authority over the taking of game and required the commission, “to the greatest extent practicable, to use principles of sound scientific management in making decisions regarding the taking of game.”

“No scientific evidence has been presented to justify the closure of the coyote hunting season, and the NRC had an obligation to oppose this part of the order per Proposal G and the authority it provides to them,” Amy Trotter of MUCC said. “Now enacted, it will make the fight to defend lethal wildlife management that much harder.”

However, concern exists and has resurfaced about social perception and future loss of management tools, if the open season continues to allow coyotes to be taken when there are dependent young present. The proposed change will result in not allowing coyote harvest while female coyotes have dependent young. Additionally, coyotes will still be able to be taken year-round on private land if a coyote is doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.

But an animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says that while shortening the hunting season is a step in the right direction, banning coyote hunting altogether is a better solution.

It appears that our NRC has supplanted science for emotional rhetoric, and accordingly, owes Michigan voters an explanation relative to its betrayal of the peoples’ trust.

Maximize Turkey Hunting Efficiency with NBEF’s Precision Shot Placement Tools

RAPID CITY, SD – As spring turkey hunting season approaches the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) reminds bowhunters to revisit shot placement information. NBEF’s Advanced Turkey Anatomy and Shot Placement Guide is an essential resource to elevate success rates and promote responsible hunting practices. A quick harvest and reduced game recovery times are considered best practices for wild turkey hunters.

The Advanced Turkey Anatomy and Shot Placement Guide is an informative shot placement training aid with full color 8.5″ x 11″ transparent overlays. Separate acrylic overlays feature the muscular system, skeletal system, circulatory system, and vital organs specific to turkeys. Accompanying text includes shot placement information and illustrations for both firearm hunters and bowhunters. Useful for hunting guides, hunter education instructors or today’s informed hunter. Responsible hunting includes knowledge of accurate shot placement for a quick kill and game recovery. Technical expertise and guidance for this booklet was provided by the National Wild Turkey Foundation. This is part of the International Bowhunter Education Program Hunter Responsibility Series which includes anatomy and shot placement guides for whitetail deer, bear and elk. All guides are 3-hole punched making it easy to collect all four booklets. Suggested retail $12.50 each. Read more

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program Offers Turkey Hunt in Tuscola County

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program is offering a Beyond BOW Turkey hunt workshop for women.

Scheduled for the weekend of May 10-11, 2024, the program is for women with no previous experience or would like to expand on or learn new skills and abilities. Space is limited to seven participants.

This free Beyond BOW event will be held in Cass City and is sponsored by The National Wild Turkey Federation, Cabela’s and Ben’s Great Outdoors. The BOW program greatly appreciates the continued support of these sponsor organizations.

Ammo, shotguns and lunch will all be provided. However, overnight lodging will be the responsibility of the participants. Read more

Michigan Coyote Hunting to Remain Open Year-Round

Michigan’s NRC has been considering partially closing year-round coyote hunting since early 2024. In a unanimous vote on , MUCC members made clear that the organization does not support closing the season and that there is no biological evidence to support such a closure.

MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter said the organization’s stance on closing the coyote season is “abundantly” clear.

“No scientific evidence has been presented to justify the closure of the coyote hunting season, and the NRC has an obligation to oppose this part of the order in accordance with Proposal G and the authority it provides to them,” Trotter said. “If enacted, it will make the fight to defend lethal wildlife management that much harder.”

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