Category: Hunting

Michigan: suspected CWD-positive deer identified in Gratiot and Eaton counties

Two new counties likely will be added to the list of Michigan counties where chronic wasting disease has been found. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose.

A 4-year-old hunter-harvested buck in Pine River Township (Gratiot County) and a 2-year-old hunter-harvested buck in Carmel Township (Eaton County) are suspected positive for the disease. The samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for confirmation, which is expected next week. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

U.P. CWD Task Force continues work after deer confirmed with disease in Dickinson County

The Upper Peninsula Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force has taken several positive actions – working in concert with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources – since the Oct. 18 confirmation that a 4-year-old doe tested positive for chronic wasting disease in Dickinson County.

The task force includes representatives of U.P. hunting groups, the DNR and Michigan Natural Resources Commissioner J.R. Richardson.

“We convened this task force about three years ago to begin a dialogue with hunters, realizing the possibility and eventual likelihood CWD would find its way to the U.P.,” Richardson said. “Our efforts to discuss potential outcomes and to inform hunters and the public about this fatal deer disease have put us ahead of the game today.”

Since the lone deer tested positive for the disease – the region’s first confirmation – the DNR has set up two surveillance areas around Waucedah Township, where the doe was shot in September on a deer damage control permit.

Hunters are being asked to voluntarily submit deer heads for testing to help define the extent of the disease. No hunting regulation changes are in place.

“We at the DNR have followed up on multiple recommendations of task force members,” said Stacy Welling Haughey, DNR U.P. regional coordinator. “They have also assisted us in funding hunter CWD educational materials, helping to ensure they get distributed across the region, while continuing radio ad coverage begun during bow hunting season.”

The task force has met with representatives or members of the Natural Resources Commission, DNR, Michigan Farm Bureau, U.S. Forest Service and commercial forest landowners.

“We’re all going to have to work together as we go forward in the fight against CWD spreading across the U.P.,” Richardson said.

For more information, visit michigan.gov/cwd.

Hunting, Wildlife

Introducing the GutDaddy

Field dress a big-game animal faster, safer and more effectively with the new, patented GutDaddy field-dressing kit. Unlike anything else on the market, the GutDaddy is a game changer, solving the common problems hunters encounter when cleaning a game animal in the field.

Thoughtfully designed, this compact, all-in-one kit features everything from well-placed posts to secure the animal’s legs in an ideal gutting position, to rib hooks and a set of knives, all secured in a durable scabbard.

Bowhunters, rifle hunters, Western spot-and-stalk hunters, Midwestern treestand sitters and every hunter in between will appreciate the GutDaddy’s useful design.

Pat Palmer, inventor of the GutDaddy and CEO of Dark Moon Hunting, has a passion for hunting and the outdoors and a desire to share that with others.

Palmer designed the GutDaddy out of a desire to make the old field-dressing process safer, faster and cleaner for himself and others.

“I was tired of trying to cut on an animal that was flopping around and not stable,” Palmer said. “I knew there had to be an easier way, and so I began the process of designing the GutDaddy.”

During creation of the GutDaddy, Palmer focused on making a strong and durable all-in-one case that encompassed everything a hunter would need to get the job done.

The GutDaddy Case cradles the animal securely in place, the uprights with leg restraints secure the front legs and the one-of-a-kind rib spreaders allow easy access to the animal’s chest cavity. The GutDaddy knife collection includes a high-quality, stainless-steel gutting knife with gut hook, a knife for caping and skinning and a handy folding bone saw, all conveniently stored in a custom heavy nylon scabbard.

“In addition to making the field-dressing process easier, safer and faster, the GutDaddy provides a safe way to teach new hunters how to field dress a large animal,” Palmer said. “It also creates independence for physically challenged hunters. Without a doubt, this tool will assist hunters of all ages, all levels of experience and those with physical challenges.”

Each GutDaddy field dressing case comes with a step-by-step guide for ease of use.

For more info, visit GutDaddy.com.

Hunting

Michigan DNR encourages Alcona County hunters to get deer checked for bovine TB

In October, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that a large beef herd in Alcona County is infected with bovine tuberculosis, the 18th herd infection in this county since cattle testing began in the late 1990s.

“We also observed an increase in the apparent prevalence of the disease in free-ranging deer last year,” Emily Sewell, Department of Natural Resources wildlife health specialist for the northern Lower Peninsula, said. This increase occurred in both Deer Management Unit 452, the core area for the disease, and in the surrounding Deer Management Unit 487. Read more

Hunting

Michigan Hunters: Know Your Does!

By Glen Wunderlich

As we deer hunters take to the woods and fields for opening day of firearms deer season November 15th, we become a throng of wildlife managers no matter the result.  As with any management practice, we have room for improvement.  Accordingly, a look at the most recent verifiable statistics through year 2016 relative to how we’re doing is a good place to start on the path to betterment.

Ardent hunters understand that allowing deer to mature is a worthy goal.  However, if we consider the fact that Michigan hunters continue to kill one of the highest percentages of yearling bucks in the country (1 ½ year-old antlered deer), we certainly are not allowing them to get old.  In fact, close to half of all bucks taken in 2016 were yearlings!  Maybe it’s time to consider another option to fill that freezer:  does.

Michigan’s antlerless take of 145,054 was up 6 percent compared to the previous season but down 15 percent compared to the 5-year average.  Some of that may be attributable to the fact that Michigan’s hunting community has shrunk 14 percent over the past five years.  At the same time, if we were to concentrate our efforts on taking more does, we’d be allowing more bucks to live another year or more.  Realizing that some may want to claim bragging rights for bagging a buck, our combined “achievements” are nothing to brag about compared to other regions of the nation.

Disturbingly, Michigan hunters are killing fawns at the rate of 26 percent of the total antlerless harvest – a sign that indicates hunters need a better understanding of distinguishing fawns from adult does.  To make matters worse, many buck fawns are mistaken for adult does – a sure way to reduce the potential for more mature bucks in the herd.

Identifying Does

There are several easy ways to differentiate between does, doe fawns and buck fawns and a sensible place to start is with good binoculars to determine detail.

Obviously, the best way to compare deer is when they are grouped together.  A mature doe will be more observant – a sentry, if you will.  On the other hand, fawns tend to be more playful and will feed without paying attention to their surroundings.  Fawns also have a shorter nose compared to an adult doe’s head.

Lone antlerless deer are typically buck fawns or commonly referred to as button bucks.  Here’s where the binoculars come in handy:  At this stage of the season, an observant hunter should be able to see developing antler bases or pedicles (immature antlers) giving them the name “button” bucks.  Buck fawns also have a head that is squarer than others.

Just because a group of antlerless deer may contain one larger one, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an adult doe.  Again, use your glass or hold your fire.

By taking more female deer, we will have done our part to balance the herd and to promote the quality of hunting we all seek in future years.  Be safe, get those deer checked, be respectful of others, and good hunting.

Hunting, Wildlife

Hunters who donate deer to help Michigan’s hungry can win Jay’s Sporting Goods gift card

Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger – in partnership with the DNR, Jay’s Sporting Goods, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and deer processor Carson Village Market – is offering a special opportunity for hunters to donate venison to those in need during an event at Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare Nov. 16-18.

The event runs from noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17 and from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 18. Hunters who donate a deer during these three days will be entered to win a $500 Jay’s Sporting Goods gift card (some restrictions apply). Read more

Hunting

Michigan: 2018 bear hunting season recap

Preliminary results from the 2018 bear hunting season show hunters found success across Michigan’s bear hunting management zones.

“While we are still waiting for all data from check stations and hunter harvest surveys, it appears that we’ll be on track for good harvest numbers and success rates,” said DNR Bear and Wolf Program specialist Kevin Swanson. “It seems that weather and mast availability may have impacted the harvest in some areas, but these factors are natural defense mechanisms that reduce the harvest in certain years.”

For the 2018 hunting season, approximately 54,000 hunters applied for 7,140 bear hunting licenses, the same number of licenses that was available last year. In 2017, 1,691 bears were taken. This year, preliminary numbers appear to be slightly below the 1,500-target harvest.

“Bear hunting seasons have staggered openings across the state, so we have seasons that have been opening and closing since early September,” said Swanson. “All bears must be registered within 72 hours of harvest, so eventually we’ll have all that information, along with completed hunter harvest surveys, to give us great data regarding days of hunter effort and also success rates.”

See current bear hunting regulations at michigan.gov/bear.

Hunting

A Variety of Auction ItemsAt the 2019 Sci Hunters’ Convention

From top of the line guns, to once-in-a-lifetime hunts, the finest artwork, stunning jewelry and more, SCI’s auctions at the 2019 SCI Hunters’ Convention offer a variety of items sure to delight any bidder. Everyone is a winner: the bidder is awarded a valuable product or experience and SCI gets crucial funds to help preserve our hunting heritage and enable conservation efforts to occur around the globe.

Below are items you will find at this year’s auction. For an extensive list of auction items and their descriptions, go to https://www.showsci.org/auction/.

Fausti ‘Classico’ Side-by-Side Shotgun

Fausti Stefano SRL has donated a Fausti ‘Classico’ Side-by-Side Shotgun in 20 gauge. The hammer gun has always fascinated and attracted the more traditional hunters and collectors of fine guns. Fausti remains today as one of the few manufacturers to produce these gorgeous guns for their passionate followers. The ultimate model is called ‘Classico.’ It features newly designed external hammers finished entirely by hand as well as the engraving, a mix of traditional and modern pattern harmoniously engraved in ‘bulino’ style and signed by the engraver, the Master Stefano Muffolini. The ‘Classico’ that Fausti has donated for the Safari Club International 2019 Auction is a 20 gauge version, featuring a 28-in. barrel length, improved cylinder/modified fixed chokes, selected wood with rubber pad, oil finished, hand-checkering, bone and charcoal exclusive finishing and leather case. Beauty and harmony, these are the proper words to describe a remarkable example of Italian craftmanship in this Fausti masterpiece. For more information, visit www.faustiarms.com. Valued at $16,000 Read more

Hunting

Michigan: share your thoughts with the DNR at upcoming meetings

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing Michigan citizens the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs and other aspects of natural resource management and outdoor recreation opportunities. One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural resource management.

The following boards, commissions, committees and councils will hold public meetings in November. The public is encouraged to attend. The links below will take you to the webpage for each group, where you will find specific meeting locations and, when finalized, meeting agendas. Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife
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