Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Governor Rick Snyder and Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh today announced the state will become an important partner in a collaborative effort to construct a new sea lamprey barrier in Manistique on the Manistique River. Read more
Emerald ash borer, beech bark disease infecting hardwoods…
Foresters from the Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Technological University are examining more than 30,000 acres of state forest land for signs of emerald ash borer (EAB) and beech bark disease (BBD). The process of harvesting ash and beech from identified areas is ongoing in an attempt to recover timber value before the resources are killed by the two exotic forest pests. Read more
Democratic National Convention Schedule — Charlotte , N.C.
4:00 PM – Opening Flag Burning Ceremony – sponsored by CNN
4:05 PM – Singing of “God Damn America ” led by Rev. Jeremiah Wright
4:10 PM – Pledge of Allegiance to Obama.
4:15 PM – Ceremonial ‘I hate America’ led by Michelle Obama.
4:30 PM – Tips on “How to keep your man trustworthy & true to you while you travel the world” – Hillary Clinton
4:45 PM –Al Sharpton / Jesse Jackson seminar “How to have a successful career without having a job.”
5:00 PM – “Great Vacations I’ve Taken on the Taxpayer’s Dime Travelog” – Michelle Obama.
5:30 PM – Eliot Spitzer Speaks on “Family Values” via Satellite
5:45 PM – Tribute to all 57 States – Nancy Pelosi
6:00 PM – Sen. Harry Reid – 90-minute speech expressing the Democrat’s appreciation of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and George Soros for sparing no expense, for all that they have accomplished to unify the country, improve employment and to boost the economy.
8:30 PM – Airing of Grievances by the Clintons
9:00 PM – “Bias in Media – How we can make it work for you” Tutorial – sponsored by CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, the Washington Post and the New York Times
9:15 PM – Tribute Film to Brave Freedom Fighters incarcerated at GITMO – Michael Moore
9:45 PM – Personal Finance Seminar – Charlie Rangle
10:00 PM –Denunciation of Bitter Gun Owners and Bible readers.
10:30 PM – Ceremonial Waving of White Flag for IRAQ , & Afghanistan
11:00 PM – Obama Energy Plan Symposium / Tire Gauge Demonstration / You too can get rich with Green Investment bankruptcies
11:15 PM – Free Gov. Blagovich rally
11:30 PM – Obama Accepts Oscar, Tony and Latin Grammy Awards
11:45 PM – Feeding of the Delegates with 5 Loaves and 2 Fish Obama Presiding
12:00 AM – Official Nomination of Obama by Bill Maher and Chris “He sends a thrill up my leg” Matthews
12:01 AM – Obama Accepts Nomination as Lord and Savior
12:05 AM – Celestial Choirs Sing
3:00 AM – Biden Delivers Acceptance Speech
J. Wayne Fears’ Latest Outdoor Book
Each day in the United States, over 2000 children get lost, some in the woods, some in malls. Most lost child situations last only a few terrifying minutes until the child is found; others may take hours or days. The Center to Prevent Lost Children states that 7 out of 10 children will get lost at least once and that less than 9% of parents are prepared for a lost child situation. In his new e-book entitled LOST-PROOF YOUR CHILD survival expert J. Wayne Fears prepares parents and child caregivers of children how to prevent losing a child and what to do if it happens. He teaches:
* How to lost-proof children in any situation from a shopping mall to thewilderness and everything in between. * How to create a plan that will keep your child from becoming lost.
* How to teach children what to do if they become lost. * What steps you should take if your child becomes lost.
* How to deal with childrenproperly when they are found Read more
GW: The revisions in the newly modified CWD response plan are focused more on affected areas, rather than the broad, far-reaching actions in the previous plan – no doubt resulting from hunter outrage. But, now, if neighboring states are found with CWD, Michigan’s plan may swing into action.
The Natural Resources Commission adopted changes to chronic wasting disease baiting and feeding regulations, as outlined in the state’s newly revised CWD response plan, at its regular monthly meeting Thursday in Lansing. Read more
After a week of intensive electrofishing and gill netting activities in Sandusky Bay, Maumee Bay and their main tributaries, officials have found no bighead or silver Asian carps in western Lake Erie. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) continue to work together to assess the current status of bighead and silver carp within western Lake Erie bays and select tributaries. Read more
Trees are cut down every day in Michigan, but not all of them have the rich history of a sugar maple that was removed from Rapid River Township in Kalkaska County on Tuesday. According to Department of Natural Resources foresters who examined the rings of this particular tree — an original “witness tree” from the 1850 resurvey of northern Michigan — the tree is believed to have been more than 200 years old.
Witness trees serve as reference points, or accessories, used to locate land corners in surveying. In rural areas, trees are often used as witnesses. This tree, which died last year, was originally marked by a U.S. government surveyor named Lucius Lyon on Sept. 26, 1850. Lyon served as Michigan surveyor general from 1845 to 1850. The tree was 10 inches in diameter at the time of that marking, and was 36 inches in diameter when it was cut down. Read more
The hot and dry conditions that have persisted over much of the state this summer are leaving many trees severely drought stressed and in need of a good watering. The Forest Resources Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today reminded residents that it is important to provide supplemental watering to help get these trees through the remainder of the summer and fall. Read more
GW: The linked post piece reminds me of a time when I went fishing in an inflatable boat, although certainly it should not be confused with an inflatable raft. In any case, I was ticketed for not having floatation devices on board, even though I pleaded my case that I was in a form of life boat. The mistake cost me $50 back in the 1980s. Listen up here…
By Glen Wunderlich
I goofed up! A recent posting about a black rat snake, which was originally thought to be a Massasauga rattlesnake, was not a rat snake, as I have learned. It was an Eastern milk snake.
An internet adviser alerted me of my mistake, and because of the education, I apologize for any confusion. And, that brings me to the point of this piece: the internet provides instant access to information, but it’s up to the web surfer to separate facts from falsehoods.
In my seventh decade on this planet, no advancements in technology compare to having myriad sources of information at our fingertips. We now have virtual hand-held libraries at our disposal. But, like any tool, the key is how it is used that makes the difference between fact and fiction. Read more