By Glen Wunderlich

When Michigan’s new hunting and fishing license structure was introduced, along with increases in license fees, reactions were predictably mixed.  With jaundiced eyes, many of us took a wait-and-see attitude.

With the cost of food and fuel at all-time highs, who wants to pay more for anything?  Nobody.   Government, on the other hand, likes to employ code words and phrases, such as “investments in the future” to soothe our trepidation.   “Grants” is another word which meets with widespread approval from those on the receiving end but raises suspicion from those funding them – and, in this instance, it’s the outdoors enthusiasts that pay to hunt and fish.

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has expanded its efforts to do what it said it would do with our money through the issuance of wildlife habitat grants, specifically designed to enhance food and cover for deer on private land.  Again, this is only one means cited in a dizzying array of grant programs available to applicants, but evidence of the new thinking has already materialized. Read more

New Haven, MO – Browning Camping introduces the Shadow Hunter Blind Chair for 2014 offering the ultimate in adjustability and comfort for the blind this fall. This blind chair is perfect for hunting in a permanent blind or to be used in a pop-up hunting blind on the ground The Shadow Hunter blind chair features a silent 360° swivel seat that is equipped with a sturdy base and a TechMesh seat with a backrest for unmatched comfort. When hunting on uneven ground, the Shadow Hunter has independently adjustable legs and large swivel feet to help with positioning that prevents the feet from sinking in. The Shadow Hunter has an adjustable seat height from 17”-23”, and has a weight capacity of 275 pounds. The Shadow Hunter blind chair has an MSRP of $119.99 Read more

Have you ever had a really nice food plot that the deer just didn’t seem to use that much, especially during the daylight? One really easy way to encourage whitetails to use a food source is making them feel safe. The older age class of both bucks and does can be really shy of big, open fields or food plots that are void of close cover. Here are a few suggestions you can try to make your food plots as effective as possible. Read more

GW:  So license fees went up a bit.  Totally justifiable under the condition that the increased revenue will be used wisely.  It’s all up front.  No tricks.  Very commendable in my opinion.

Michigan’s new hunting and fishing license structure brought many opportunities to invest in Michigan’s natural resources and improve outdoor recreation opportunities. One way the Department of Natural Resources is expanding its efforts to do more for Michigan’s wildlife and hunters is through wildlife habitat grants, specifically designed to enhance food and cover for deer on private land.

Several new grant programs are now available as a result of the new license structure. The Deer PLAN (Private Land Assistance Network) is a grant available for private landowners in a six-county area of northeast Michigan, for the first time, to improve deer habitat.

“Fifty thousand dollars will be divided among the 12 successful applicants,” said DNR habitat biologist Brian Piccolo. “Fruit- and nut-bearing tree species are very popular in this area because they provide a long-term food source for deer and many other wildlife species. On-the-ground habitat work like this will provide great wildlife benefits to the region as well.” Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

After being schooled by food-plot guru, Ed Spinazzola, over eight years ago, I’ve followed his advice religiously on planting wildlife mixtures that will attract and hold deer.  Here are a few things I’ve learned in the process.

Brassica mixtures containing rape and turnips can produce mixed results.  Some hunters swear deer won’t touch the stuff and spending the money and putting in all the hard work is a total waste.  What I’ve found is that it all depends on factors such as competing cash crops in the area – especially corn.  Deer can literally live in the seclusion provided by corn – and will.

However, what happens when the corn and beans are picked?  Obviously, deer can no longer hide where the tasty corn once stood.  Oh, they may pick away at the remnants left by farmers, but when the snow and ice arrives, the ever-lessening morsels require much more energy to seek out.  Not so with brassicas.

This past miserable winter was a perfect example of why it’s smart to have annuals (must be planted each year) and perennials (come up for years), as part of any Midwest food plot strategy.  Even with deep snow, deer are able to paw their way through to get at the above-ground nourishment of turnips.  In fact, foliage from turnips and rape is often available right through spring.

Turnip in April

Plants that are not eaten will rot to provide nutrients to enrich the soil for future use.

However, with deer stress levels much higher than usual this spring, perennials such as clover, grazing alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and chicory can give deer a running start.

Certainly, perennials can survive without care such as mowing and fertilization.  But, since you’ve spent the money prepping the soil and purchasing seed, etc. already, why not get the most out of the initial investment by taking care of it?  Clover and alfalfa love to be mowed and will be healthier for it.  Deer and other wildlife prefer the tender shoots provided by routine mowing, too. Read more