Category: Hunting

WSF: Colorado Proposition 127, a Wake-Up Call

Bozeman, Montana. Colorado’s Proposition 127, which would have banned hunting mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx, failed at the ballot box. The Wild Sheep Foundation applauds the efforts of all those who stepped up and supported those who worked tirelessly to defeat this misguided anti-wildlife measure but cautions that scientific wildlife management that works for people and wildlife still has a target on its back.

“As an organization committed to ensuring that the most successful model for wildlife conservation devised by man continues to pay dividends, we’re pleased that the citizens of a state turned out to defeat this measure,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “Still, we’re concerned that conservation, which means properly managing the entire ecosystem, not just one species, and the proud traditions of regulated hunting that supports this system will continue to be under attack. Our other concern is that while some did, not enough sportsmen, other conservation organizations, and companies that depend on sportsmen and public hunting engaged in defeating this initiative. Our community must remain vigilant and proactive.”

In September, the Wild Sheep Foundation contributed $100,000 to Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better to help in their fight to defeat this ballot initiative. Read more

Hunting

Sportsmen Win 2-1 on Ballot Propositions

While headlines for Tuesday’s general election primarily focused on the presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial races, voters were faced with state ballot proposals that directly impact hunters, anglers, and trappers in Colorado and Florida. We can rejoice in victory in 2 out of 3 of these critical ballot fights.

In Colorado, sportsmen enjoyed a major win and a disappointing loss. For a major victory against animal extremist groups, Proposition 127 failed by over 10 points in Tuesday’s election! Prop. 127 would have banned hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in the state. The voters directly rejected the emotional and misleading appeals by animal extremist ideologues and sent them packing on their anti-hunting initiative. The strong NO vote was despite millions of dollars being spent by anti-hunting groups to get 127 on the ballot and before the voters.

For the loss, Proposition KK will institute a new 6.5% tax on firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition, presumably to “pay” for the criminal misuse of firearms. This tax is a direct attack on lawful hunters and recreational shooters in the state and many groups, including the Sportsmen’s Alliance, are reviewing potential legal action to challenge the measure as a violation of our fundamental rights.

In Florida voters made it abundantly clear that hunting and fishing are fundamental rights for citizens of the Sunshine State. Florida voters approved Amendment 2, protecting a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, by an astounding 67% yes vote. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

Michigan Deer Hunting

Online harvest reporting is required for all hunters who successfully take a deer. You can report your deer through the DNR Hunt Fish app or at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport.

Archery deer season: open through Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1, 2025.

  • Statewide on public or private lands.
  • Archery deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license.
  • In the Upper Peninsula, during the archery season, hunters can take an antlerless deer with either a deer or deer combo license, except in deer management units 007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131 (antlerless harvest is closed during all seasons) and deer management units 017, 027, 036, 117, 149, 152, 249, 252 and 349, where antlerless harvest with a deer or deer combo license is closed after Dec. 10 in the late archery season.

Firearm deer season: Nov. 15-30.

    • Statewide on public or private lands.
    • Deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license.

Read more

Hunting

Michigan Pheasant Releases

Pheasants are being released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan this fall. Releases will take place through Nov. 14 on 13 areas and Dec. 1-31 on 10 areas, coinciding with pheasant hunting season. Directions to parking areas are available on the pheasant release webpage. Locations include:

  • Cass City (Tuscola County) – fall and December release.
  • Cornish (Van Buren County) – fall release only.
  • Crane Pond (Cass County) – fall release only.
  • Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties) – fall and December release.
  • Dansville (Ingham County) – fall and December release.
  • Erie (Monroe County) – fall and December release.
  • Lapeer (Lapeer County) – fall and December release.
  • Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County) – fall and December release.
  • Townline 16 (Bay County) – fall release only.
  • Pte. Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties) – fall and December release.
  • Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties) – fall and December release.
  • Stanton (Montcalm County) – fall and December release.
  • St. Johns Marsh (St. Clair County) – fall and December release.

To learn more about the pheasant release program, visit Michigan.gov/SmallGame.

Hunting

The 10 best practices for the firearm deer hunting season

By KATIE GERVASI
Law Enforcement Division communications representative
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Opening day of the traditional firearm deer hunting season is right around the corner, and many hunters are busy scouting land, watching trail cameras and preparing equipment.

To ensure a safe season, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are sharing best practices and tips to help hunters avoid the most common violations and mistakes they see every year.

Here are 10 best practices for hunters to remember: Read more

Hunting

Fish Monkey: Prevent Cold Feet This Year

Picture this: You’re getting ready to walk into your stand or blind in the quiet darkness of predawn. The property has some standing water so you’re wearing knee-length rubber muck boots and, since the mercury is just above freezing, two pairs of socks. You walk in for a half mile or so, occasionally sloshing through some ankle-deep mud along the way, being as quiet as possible. You get set up and everything looks good—time to wait patiently and see what happens.

A little while later, the cold starts creeping in, starting with your feet. In another 30 minutes, they’re starting to get really chilly now. Read more

Hunting

Late October Magic

A flurry of factors is compiling now to make this your best whitetail hunting season…ever.

The first cool nights in October are a bellwether for the chaos that will soon occur in the deer woods when lovestruck whitetail bucks roam the countryside seeking out the first does that come into estrous. Like clockwork, the familiar scent of decomposing leaves and musty smoke drifts across the land and the deer hunter’s soul is triggered by primal instincts that even the most pedestrian lifestyle cannot conceal. This is Late October Magic.

Generally, big cool downs occur sometime in early to mid-October, but warm stretches of weather are less than ideal for deer hunting as well. That said, savvy deer hunters know the deer are still active.

“Weather trumps everything, but at the end of the day, I’ve learned deer are going to do deer things regardless,” says TheGame TV host Matt Jennings of Woodland, Alabama. “The weather bothers us more than it bothers the deer. They’re still going to do their thing, you just have to be in the right spot at the right time.” Read more

Hunting

DIY – Pronghorn

In many cases, a large portion of your scouting will be done ahead of season at fairly long distances, so a quality spotter will be your best piece of equipment. Our favorite units are heavily farmed and relatively flat without much in terms of coulees or cover.

From Summer 2020 Fair Chase Magazine
By Justin Spring, B&C Professional Member, photos courtesy of author
diy_pronghorn_fb.jpg

Pronghorn is probably the most straightforward western species to hunt on your own. While they are commonly (though incorrectly) called antelope (and also oftentimes referred to as speed goats or goats), they are more closely related to giraffes than Africa’s true antelope species. Antelocarpa americana has a couple of very unique traits that are extremely interesting. First, they are the only species that loses its horns every year. Secondly the pronghorn reaches maturity at 3 years, meaning with the right conditions, a third-year pronghorn has the potential to express his largest set of horns. Interestingly, a pronghorn’s age is easily determined to age 3 as each year they add an additional front incisor until they reach maturity.

I am clearly intrigued by this species for its uniqueness and also the fact that pronghorn are only found on the North American continent. Their popularity is relatively low compared to many other western species, which can work to the visiting hunter’s advantage. Especially in areas of high abundance, access can usually be obtained. Although the same rancher that will gladly let you on for pronghorn is more likely to give you some of his water or a date with his daughter than permission to hunt mule deer. Read more

Hunting

Michigan Fall Turkey Licenses Still Available

While you’re out hunting deer or small game, don’t miss the chance to bag a bird for Thanksgiving! Remaining fall turkey licenses are now available for everyone.

Purchase a license online or over the counter wherever DNR licenses are sold. Download the new Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app to buy licenses, look up regulations, get notifications from the DNR and much more.

eHarvest tags offered for fall turkey this year

The voluntary use of electronic harvest tags brings Michigan further into the digital age of hunting licenses. Electronic options have become more common around the country, and several states have developed electronic tagging systems for turkeys. Read more

Hunting

Everything You Need to Know About Testing Your Michigan Deer for CWD This Year

CWD testing in northern Lower and Upper peninsulas

This year, chronic wasting disease testing will still be focused in some areas of the northern Lower Peninsula as well as the Upper Peninsula. The counties for CWD testing in 2024 include Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Benzie, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Dickinson, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iosco, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Otsego and Schoolcraft.

In these counties, a variety of sites will be popping up, with at least one of the following depending on the county: drop boxes, staffed submission sites, and partner processors and taxidermists to assist with collection efforts. To find out about available sites near where you hunt, see the CWD testing page. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife
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