Michigan: learn new outdoor skills from the experts February-June

What began with a handful of classes at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac, Michigan, has evolved into a statewide opportunity for in-depth learning about a variety of outdoor topics – from fly fishing to food plots to photography.

About 300 students participated in the DNR’s Outdoor Skills Academy during its first year in 2014. By 2018 that number had nearly doubled to almost 600 participants.

“Our classes offer more than just a brief taste of outdoor activities – we spend a full day or more teaching the needed skills to get out and try those activities,” said Ed Shaw, interpreter at the Carl T. Johnson Center and originator of the Outdoor Skills Academy. “We provide gear, hands-on experience and expert instructors.”

These instructors – also known as “pro staff” – are knowledgeable and proficient in the outdoor pursuits they teach. Among the upcoming classes, for example, are a whitetail food plot and habitat management clinic with staff from Killer Food Plots, a class on attracting butterflies with native plants taught by naturalist Craig Elston of CDE Nature, a walleye fishing clinic with professional anglers and a wildflower photography workshop by world-renowned photographer Tom Haxby.
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The Destructive Red Squirrel

By Glen Wunderlich

In Michigan’s hunting digest there are a handful of critters listed together for which there is no bag limit, the season never closes, and all that is needed is a valid Michigan small game license.  Pound for pound, none is more destructive than the red squirrel or pine squirrel, as some call it.  If you’ve ever had any of them in your attic or garage, you also know how difficult it is to keep them from their incessant, chewing ways.  They can get through the smallest of openings, and if their entrances are blocked, they’ll simply chew their way around or through just about any barrier.  Their habitual nature of constantly biting and chewing makes them the most destructive of the four Michigan species.

Red squirrels are about half the size of their cousins – the fox, gray, and black squirrels – and have a reddish brown color on their upper parts and cream or white colored under parts with white circles around their eyes.  Their favored habitat is mature conifer trees, where they’ll strip conifer cones for the seeds within.  Other items on the menu include bird eggs, young rabbits, acorns, berries and mushrooms.

Predators of the red squirrel are raccoons, foxes, weasels, bobcats, coyotes, minks, fishers, owls, hawks, martens – and humans.   It’s easy to understand how a hawk or owl is able to snatch them from the heights of the tallest trees, but for any other animal with four legs to run them down in the treetops is simply amazing.

When hunting them in the woods, the best way to find them is to sit still and listen for their chattering sounds.  They have a hard time being still for any prolonged time periods, so patience is the key to spotting them.  Although they can be nearly impossible to shoot with anything but a shotgun while in motion, they’ll also make the mistake of facing off with humans and chattering for any and all wildlife to hear from a nearby perch; that’s the opportunity I look for with a .22 rimfire rifle

Four Red Squirrels Taken with a Ruger 10/22 and Lapua Sub-Sonic Ammo

I prefer subsonic ammunition, because it’s relatively quiet and accurate – which is extremely important when going after such small targets.  One of my favorite firearms is an old Marlin model 81 bolt action produced in 1937 and topped with a 3×9 power Hawke Sport scope with parallax adjustment.  I picked up the rifle for a song and found the trigger to be too poor for any good level of accuracy, so I had a qualified gunsmith massage the trigger a bit.

One brand of ammo that’s quite suitable around the home is CCI Quiet .22 ammo.  It uses a 40-grain solid-lead bullet traveling at a scant 710 feet-per-second – well below the speed of typical sub-sonic .22 rimfire ammo.  If you have a semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifle, this ammo will not cycle the action; single-shot, lever, or bolt guns are in order, if you choose this type of ammo.  The parallax adjustment feature allows a shooter to focus as close as 30 feet and really comes in handy for up-close opportunities.

Squirrel season in Michigan closes March 1st, but again, red squirrel season is open year-round.

Senate Passes Natural Resources Management Act, Recognizing Sportsmen’s Access Priorities

Washington, DC – The Senate approved the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47), which contains many longstanding priorities advocated by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), on a bipartisan vote of 92 – 8.

Introduced by Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Chair and Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) along with Senator Maria Cantwell (WA), this comprehensive package of legislation includes numerous provisions that will improve access for sportsmen and women and will provide resources for habitat conservation programs. Following introduction in January, nearly 50 organizations submitted a support letter urging Senate Leadership to consider S. 47. Some of the priority sporting provisions in this bill include:

  • Authorizing the transportation of archery equipment through National Park Service (NPS) Units.
  • Directing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands to be open for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting unless specifically closed.
  • Directing the NPS, BLM, USFS, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to annually identify lands where sporting related activities are permitted, but where access is currently unavailable or restricted.
  • Permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund with 3% or $15 million of annual appropriations made available for the purpose of securing additional access for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other outdoor related activities.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation applauds the Senate Leadership for bringing this important legislation for sportsmen and women to the floor for a vote,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “This is common sense legislation that is the result of years of negotiations with Congressional champions to get to this point, and CSF will work with the House of Representatives to pass this legislation and get it signed into law.” Read more

NWTF Launches Sweepstakes with GoWild to Help Tackle Hunter Recruitment

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — GoWild has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation to promote hunter recruitment with a sweepstakes valued at over $4,500.

One winner will receive an all-expense-paid turkey hunting trip for two to Wisconsin, where they will enjoy the full experience of chasing that morning thunder! The great team from Wolf Pack Adventures will guide the adventure.

“Few things are more exciting than hearing morning gobbles roll through the hills” said Brad Luttrell, Co-Founder and CEO of GoWild. “This sweepstakes and experience brings a chance to support the great conservation work done by the NWTF, and to take some personal responsibility for the future of hunting.”

By taking the NWTF & GoWild 2019 pledge, community members are committing to take someone hunting or fishing who has never gone before. The sweepstakes is open to any NWTF member — new or old. Sign up for a chance to win the Turkey Hunting Sweepstakes on the GoWild app (available on iTunes or Google Play). Entry is easy and free for members. Newcomers are encouraged to sign up and take the pledge with a friend.

Details & How to Enter for a Chance to Win*

  • All-expense-paid trip to Wisconsin for two (2) to hunt turkeys with the Wolf Pack Adventures guides on May 18-19, 2019.
  • Guide fees, hunting licenses, and ammunition provided.
  • Lodging and meals are included.
  • Take advantage of Wisconsin’s great Walleye fishing when you arrive! Fishing licenses will also be included.
  • To enter, download the GoWild app and create your account. Then, open the app and find the details by searching “NWTF.”

*Terms and Conditions may apply. See complete details on GoWild. Read more

SCI: We Broke No Laws at Convention

Anti-hunters fired blanks last month when they took verbal shots at Safari Club International and its Convention exhibitors in a media blitz, alleging that a new Nevada law had been violated.

“We are the good guys and through science-based conservation, we protect wildlife,” said SCI President Paul Babaz. “The antis only whine while hunters are out there in the wilds, protecting animals and fighting criminal poachers.”

In January 2019, representatives for anti-hunting groups gained entry into SCI’s membership-restricted annual Convention in Reno, NV for the purpose of exposing what they characterized as potentially illegal conduct by Convention exhibitors.

The anti-hunters publicized their findings, targeting SCI and several individual exhibitors. The accusers claimed that the exhibitors were selling items in violation of Nevada state law.

Not surprisingly, the accusers appear to have failed to properly research the law—or intentionally mischaracterized it–before publicizing their accusations. Also not surprisingly, the accusations were rebroadcasted by hundreds of internet communicators who similarly chose to skip the investigation that would have demonstrated the weakness of the accusations.

Nevada did pass a law that went into effect in 2018. N.R.S. 597.905 controls the sale of or possession with intent to sell products from shark fin, lions, elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, pangolin, sea turtle, ray, mammoth, narwhal, walrus or hippopotamus.
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Pope And Young Club Names New World Record Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep During Special Panel

Chatfield, MN – On Thursday, January 24th, the Pope and Young Club convened a Special Panel of Judges in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a potential P&Y World Record Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Clayton Miller’s massive ram is now the largest hunter-killed bighorn sheep with both Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett. The ram was shot in Pennington County, South Dakota on October 30th, 2018. Measurers present at the Special Panel were Ed Fanchin, Stan Rauch, Ricky Krueger, and Justin Spring. With a final score of 209 1/8″, Clayton’s ram was confirmed as the new P&Y World Record Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. This ram surpasses the previous World Record Rocky Mountain ram shot by Todd Kirk in 1998 by almost 10 inches.

“The Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep is such an American icon. To have the privilege to be part of a Special Panel of Judges to authenticate its final score was a special treat, said Ed Fanchin, Records Chair for the Pope and Young Club. “This ram exceeded the previous Pope and Young Club Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep World Record by almost 10″, a record that stood for the last 20 years. Congratulations to Clayton and the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks for practicing sound wildlife management. This ram will be on display at the Pope and Young Club Convention in Omaha, Nebraska in April 2019, it’s a must-see.” Read more

Michigan: UP Trappers Association Offers Kids’ Workshop

Contact: Mike Lewis, 906-774-3592

Kids of all ages are invited to attend the U.P. Trappers Association’s 14th annual Midwinter Trappers Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Hermansville Community Center in Menominee County.

The workshop will begin at 8 a.m. CST, featuring trapping and fur handling demonstrations, supplies for young trappers, fur buying and more.

“Every kid that is the least bit interested in learning to trap should be at the Community Center in Hermansville,” said Mike Lewis, association contact for the event. “We are hoping that parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors and friends will do what they can to get as many kids there as they can. Read more

Leupold Announces Launch of RX-950 Rangefinder

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., has announced the launch of its new RX-950, a new laser rangefinder that’s designed to provide incredibly fast ranging speeds and making getting out to 950 yards easier than ever while providing angle compensated distances – at a price point that’s impossible to argue with.

The RX-950 delivers exceptionally bright and clear images with its high-contrast LCD display. A 6x magnification makes acquiring your target and ranging long distances easy. It will deliver 950-yard ranging distance on reflective objects and hit 900 yards on trees. A fully multi-coated lens system ensures maximum brightness for clarity, contrast, and color fidelity. Read more

SPYPOINT Introduces World’s Smallest Cellular Trail Camera

With a focus on continuing its dominance in the cellular trail camera segment, SPYPOINT is introducing something increasingly rare, a genuinely revolutionary product.

The new LINK-MICRO from SPYPOINT builds on the already class-leading technology, by delivering all the features and functionality hunters expect in the smallest cellular trail camera available in the market. Don’t let it’s size fool you, (4.4”W x 3.1”H x 2.2”D) the LINK_MICRO still delivers 4G photo transmission (where available), a 0.5 trigger speed, and 80’ flash range courtesy of low-glow LEDs. MSRP – $169.99

As with all SPYPOINT cameras, however, the camera is only the beginning. The true genius is in the SPYPOINT EXPERIENCE. The SPYPOINT LINK APP drives that experience, allowing you manage settings and view photos remotely, wherever your phone has service. As easy as that is, it gets better. The exclusive BUCK TRACKER feature sorts your photos using advanced photo analysis technology. Skip the photos of raccoons and focus on pictures of the bucks you are watching. The easiest activation in cellular trail cams has only three steps, download the free SPYPOINT APP, connect your camera, start receiving photos courtesy of the pre-activated SIM card. Every camera delivers unlimited photos during the first month after activation. Thereafter, choose from three easy to understand plans on a month-to-month or annual basis. You can also take advantage of the industry’s only FREE DATA PLAN, that will send 100 photos every month for as long as the camera is operational, at absolutely no additional charge to you. No visiting a cell phone store. No loading up your personal data plan. SPYPOINT negotiates the data plan for you, so you can worry about finding big bucks, not spending them.

The LINK-MICRO from SPYPOINT will be available April 1, 2019. Read more

Michigan Deer Hunters Need More Thinking Afield

By Glen Wunderlich

The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) has compiled its annual “State of the Whitetail” report based on data gathered from the whitetails’ range across North America and what follows is a snapshot of how Michigan stacks up to other states.  Keep in mind that the information cited is from hunting seasons from 2017/2018 and prior and not the most recent seasons just completed.

For the 2019 Whitetail Report, QDMA compared harvest data from the three most recent seasons available: 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18.  

Beginning with disease reports, Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a bacterial infection of the respiratory system. Bovine TB is a chronic, progressive disease that can take years to develop. There is no vaccine. Prior to 1994, only eight wild white-tailed deer and mule deer were reported with bTB. Since then, it has been discovered in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin. With the exception of Michigan, bTB appears to be eradicated in the other states.  As of late November 2018, over 21,000 samples had been tested in Michigan with five new positive cases that year.  As you may know, the DNR had established two additional short deer seasons in Alpena County to mitigate the spread of this disease.

In October 2018 Michigan DNR discovered its first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the Upper Peninsula, just four miles from the border of Wisconsin. Additionally, two bucks suspected to be CWD-positive were harvested in late November in Gratiot and Eaton counties, where CWD has not previously been found.

Across the U.S. motorists killed over 1.33 million deer in 2017-18; that’s a whopping 22 percent of the deer harvest!  Michigan continued its bang-up job contributing some 87,959 whitetails to the roadside tally putting it in second place behind Pennsylvania’s staggering total of 141,777.  For another perspective, Michigan drivers killed .34 deer per road mile.  Based on these dismal figures, Michigan should consider lowering the cost of antlerless deer licenses below the current amounts – especially in CWD Management Zones – if it ever wants to get serious about minimizing vehicle/deer collisions.   And, the result of more antlerless deer being taken will have delivered the desired effect to minimize the spread of CWD.

Bowhunting opportunity and harvest has dramatically increased during the past two decades. In 2002, only 15 percent of the total deer harvest was taken with archery equipment, and that increased to 23 percent in 2017; amazingly, New Jersey archers took nearly 60 percent of its total deer harvest.

Michigan hunters took 311,000 whitetails with 5.5 hunters per square (PSM) mile behind only Pennsylvania’s total of 339,600 with its 7.6 hunters PSM.  This puts Michigan nearly three times the national average of bucks taken PSM!

Michigan’s antlered buck harvest is up 14 percent over its five-year average with a total of 226,656 bucks taken in 2017.  Compared to the previous year alone (2016), the total was over 30,000 more bucks taken.  However, when analyzing the composition of the bucks taken by age class, Michigan’s propensity to kill adolescent bucks (those 1.5 years old) at the rate of 46 percent of the total bucks killed continues.  In addition, with only 22 percent of the bucks taken having been 3.5 years old or older, Michigan has the fifth lowest number in the country.  Not surprisingly, there appears to be a correlation between these age-class totals.

The antlerless deer kill figures represent a five-percent decrease over the previous five-year average, although 2017 saw 5,000 more antlerless deer taken than the previous year.  What’s most concerning about the antlerless kill numbers is the fact that some 24 percent of these animals were fawns!   Either our hunters are hungrier than those in other states or we could certainly do a better job of identifying our intended targets.

One final statistic seems to be in order:  the number of non-resident deer hunters participating in Michigan deer hunts.  A scant two percent of our hunters were from other states putting us behind all but North Dakota’s one percent.  Compared to the leader in this category – Kansas with its 27 percent non-resident tags issued – Michigan with its sheer deer-herd numbers has not been a desirable destination for out-of-state whitetail hunters and it’s not because we don’t have deer.

So, there you have it – the good, the bad and the ugly.  Michigan can do a better job of deer management whether it’s on behalf of the DNR’s policies or that of its army of hunters.

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