Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
By Glen Wunderlich
When it comes to wildlife management, common sense dictates that such matters are best left to states’ control as opposed to that of federal agencies. But, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) doesn’t agree and will stop at nothing to further its agenda against hunting and has filed a federal lawsuit to drag us all into the mud, once again. This time around, its focus is on Michigan’s wolves. Read more
Washington, D.C. – Hunters and advocates for sustainable wildlife management are joining together to fight a legal challenge to the delisting of wolves of the Western Great Lakes. The large collaboration is a unique endeavor for national and regional organizations who recognize wolves as recovered in the Midwestern United States and who strive to make certain that management of the predator species remains with state wildlife authorities.
The national hunter-conservationist organizations include the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), Safari Club International (SCI), , and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF); the regional sportsmen’s organizations include the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association, Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, and the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association. Collectively these organizations speak for those who hunt wolves, deer, moose, elk, and other game species and who seek to make sure that hunting remains part of sustainable management and conservation strategies for all wildlife. Read more
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PHOENIX — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) released a pair of Mexican wolves into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area of Arizona on Thursday. In a separate action, the Service will also release a second pair of Mexican wolves into the wolf recovery area in New Mexico. Read more
Farmers and ranchers welcome the possible end of wolf protection, while the whackos cry wolf over their recovery.
The USFWS is moving forward and the story is here…
A famous Yellowstone National Park bull elk has been killed apparently by the Canyon wolf pack, which was observed feeding on his carcass. The animal-rights whackos have this blood on their hands. This is what emotion gets us instead of relying on science, facts, and wildlife biologists. The sorry report is here…
MISSOULA, Mont.– The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit by several animal rights groups seeking to return gray wolves in the Great Lakes region to the Endangered Species List. If granted, Judge Beryl A. Howell will consider RMEF positions in her U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. Read more
Didn’t have time to apply for a spring turkey license? Options are still available. The first is to purchase a Hunt 234 license, a statewide hunting license valid for all open areas, except public lands in Unit ZZ (southern Lower Peninsula). Hunters who did not apply for a license earlier this year can still purchase a Hunt 234 license until May 1. After May 1, Hunt 234 licenses will be available only to those who applied. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
When we think rodent, most of us may envision mice, rats, squirrels or 10-pound groundhogs. But, what if rodents grew to 50 pounds or more and lived right here in Shiawassee County? Well, lock your doors; they’re here!
Castor Canadensis is even known to kill humans, as evidenced this month when a fisherman in Belarus, Russia bled to death after being attacked and bitten by one, which severed an artery in his leg. If you’ve yet to picture the beast, it also goes by the moniker of North American beaver.
Weeks ago I discovered a poplar limb cleanly stripped of its bark lying alongside the Osborn Drain near home. Closer inspection revealed it had been chewed off by a beaver. I walked the edge of the waterway looking for more clues such as a dam or lodge but none was found, so I blew it off.
Weeks later, when a number of poplars were found chewed off at the water’s edge, my concern grew.
Poplar cut by beaver
We’ve got enough flooding already with all the spring rain and a beaver dam would be less than welcome. Oh, I know how useful the busy buggers are to the ecosystem by maintaining wetlands, but aren’t humans already required to do so by law?
A few years ago, the DNR had to remove them from the same drainage, because some homeowners’ needed a boat to get to their front door. Read more
We have one chance to defend the right to hunt, fish and trap from out-of-state anti-hunters for good.
Norfolk, Va. — PETA will soon have some impressive new weapons at its disposal to combat those who gun down deer and doves. The group is shopping for one or more drone aircraft with which to monitor those who are out in the woods with death on their minds. PETA aims to collect video footage of any illegal activity, including drinking while in the possession of a firearm, a common complaint from those who live near wooded areas; maiming animals and failing to pursue them so that they die slowly and painfully; and using spotlights, feed lures, and other hunting tricks that are illegal in some areas but remain common practices among hunters. PETA currently has its sights on Australia-based Aerobot and its state-of-the-art remote-controlled CineStar Octocopter. Read more