Sea Turtle Nesting Season Arrives Along Florida’s Coasts

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that sea turtles are starting to nest on our beaches. Residents and visitors can play a big part in helping to protect vulnerable nesting sea turtles this spring and summer while visiting Florida’s coastal habitats.

Because our state’s shorelines provide important nesting habitat for several species of threatened and endangered sea turtles, beachgoers can have a significant impact on their nesting success. To help nesting sea turtles, people can take easy steps to protect them, including giving them space, minimizing disturbances and keeping beaches clean and dark. Read more

Create High-Quality Cover Screen with Antler King’s Barricade

Antler King provides an easy solution for hunters and land managers to develop all-season cover with Barricade plot seed.

Formulated with a blend of grain sorghum, forage sorghum, and sorghum sudangrass, Barricade grows up to 8 feet tall, thick and fast. The annual sorghums can create funnels and travel corridors, divide food plots, grow bedding cover, block poachers, conceal ground blinds, and provide cover for sneaking into hunting spots. Barricade growth also provides a cold-weather food source well into the winter.

Barricade should be planted in the summer for full growth by hunting season. A three-pound bag, which covers ¼ acre or 100 square feet, retails for $24.99, and a 40-pound bag retails for $199.99.

To learn more about Barricade and browse the full Antler King lineup, visit antlerking.com.

Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Found in Western Antrim County

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently verified a new detection of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid near Torch Lake in western Antrim County. The extent of the infestation has not yet been determined, but an extensive survey of the surrounding area is underway. With this new detection, Antrim becomes the seventh county in the state with an active hemlock woolly adelgid infestation, joining Allegan, Benzie, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties.

“The new infestation was found by a landowner who learned about the hemlock woolly adelgid while attending an educational outreach event held by the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area that serves Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Emmet Counties,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “Situations like this demonstrate the importance of public awareness in our fight against invasive species.” Read more

Warden K9 Storm, Game Warden Robertson Locate Missing Abbot Man

Warden K9 Storm and Game Warden Chad Robertson located a missing 71-year-old man in Abbot last night, deep in the woods, approximately 1.5 miles from his house.

Howard Weymouth, age 71 of Abbot, had gone for a walk on his property yesterday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. His family became concerned when he did not return, as Weymouth has alzheimers, and they began searching for him, following tracks in the snow behind his house.

When they were unable to locate him, they contacted the Maine Warden Service, and the Maine Warden Service began searching for Weymouth at approximately 7:30 p.m. last night. A family member and Game Warden Taylor Valente located new tracks that appeared to be going in circles and backtracking over a mile and a half from his house.

Game Warden Robertson and K9 Storm were given the coordinates, and they were able to quickly locate Weymouth at approximately 9:30 p.m. Weymouth was still able to walk under his own power with assistance, and he and several game wardens walked out to the nearest road where they met other wardens who transported him back to his home and family.

New QuietKat Ranger AWD E-Bike

Eagle, CO – QuietKat Electric Bikes, a leader in off-road eBikes and a Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) brand, is proud to unveil the latest innovation in electric biking, the Ranger All Wheel Drive (AWD) eBike. Building on the renowned Ranger model, the AWD version introduces dual 750w motors and a 17.25Ah UL certified battery, coupled with a single-speed drivetrain and a premium comfort saddle for an unmatched off-road experience.

The Ranger AWD’s all-wheel-drive capability, enabled by a unique controller scheme, minimizes the front wheel “tug” commonly experienced with AWD bikes, offering better traction, more power, and ultimately more fun. Designed for both thrill-seekers and casual adventurers, the Ranger AWD’s motor selector switch allows riders to toggle between front, rear, and both motors, accommodating various riding conditions and preferences.

With an emphasis on efficiency, durability, and rider comfort, the Ranger AWD stands out with its whisper-quiet operation, peak system input of 2000W, and specialized components that ensure a seamless integration of power and performance. Highlights include a suspension seat post, a linear throttle response system, and the bike’s capability to handle the most challenging terrains without compromising on riding experience. Read more

Learn Arboriculture Basics at Tree Work 101

Jumpstart a career in arboriculture this spring with the Tree Work 101 course. Class dates will be offered at Lansing’s Fenner Nature Center April 11-May 3.

Experts from Michigan State University’s Forestry Department and the International Society of Arboriculture will lead a series of classes on climbing, chainsaw and chipper operation, tree identification, pruning and more. A limited number of scholarships are available. Learn more and register for Tree Work 101.

Timber Harvest Will Take Place Near DNR’s Customer Service Center in Cadillac

Timber harvest activities will begin Monday around the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ customer service center on Mackinaw Trail in Cadillac.

Here’s what’s local folks should know:

The DNR buildings are surrounded by about 26 acres of land that is part of Michigan’s state forest system. The harvest involves 15 acres and has been carefully planned to remove invasive trees such as Scotch pine and black locust as well as invasive shrubs like honeysuckle. These aggressive species can prevent native trees and shrubs from growing. Read more

Proposed change would expand allowable e-bike operation in Michigan

Land use update would affect state park-managed nonmotorized trails open to bicycles

Biking at Van Buren State Park

Operation of Class 1 electric bicycles on state park-managed nonmotorized trails open to bicycles would expand under a proposed Michigan Department of Natural Resources land use change that could go into effect as early as this spring.

Under current Michigan law, only Class 1 e-bikes – e-bikes that are pedal-assisted and can go up to 20 miles per hour – are allowed on improved surface trails, which are trails that are paved or consist of gravel or asphalt. Current law also allows for local entities to expand or further regulate e-bike usage in their respective communities.

The proposed DNR land use change would expand allowable e-bike use to include Class 1 e-bikes on natural surface, nonmotorized trails on state park-managed land open to bicycles.

In addition, the proposed change would allow operation of Class 2 e-bikes Read more

Developing a cost-effective technique to estimate wolf abundance in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

By JOHN PEPIN
Deputy public information officer
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

On a desolate two-track road, a man approaches on a snowmobile.

Watching the road ahead, he notices a line of tracks in the snow that lead from a dense stand of trees along a creek. The man stops the sled and as it idles, he leans over for a better view.

He’s found what he’s looking for – gray wolf tracks. Read more

Michigan March ‘Wildtalk’: American Woodcock, Black Bears and More

The newest episode of the DNR Wildlife Division’s “Wildtalk” podcast is now available. The March show covers Michigan’s largest carnivore, the black bear, and does a deep dive on the American woodcock, a peculiar little ground-nesting bird with lots of charisma and some unique physical adaptations.

James Miller, a DNR wildlife biologist based in southwest Michigan, stops by to talk about spring infrastructure projects such as maintenance of the dike systems and water control structures at Maple River State Game Area, habitat work at Allegan State Game Area to support the Karner blue butterfly and prescribed burn planning for several locations.

DNR wildlife biologist Pete Kailing also drops in with an overview of hunting and trapping opportunities, plus a nod to filmdom’s famed mountain man, Jeremiah Johnson.

Visit the “Wildtalk” webpage for the March episode, as well as show notes and links to past episodes. Questions about the podcast? Email DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov.

1 2 3 329