If you harvested an otter during the 2019 trapping season you can now schedule an appointment at a DNR furbearer registration station to bring your otter in to be sealed.

2019 otters must be registered by Oct. 2, 2020. Read more

This year, 57,162 hunters applied for either a preference point or bear license, and 7,080 bear licenses were awarded.

• Hunt period 1 begins Sept. 9 for Bergland, Baraga, Amasa, Carney, Gwinn, Newberry and Drummond Island bear management units.
• Red Oak, Baldwin and Gladwin units open Sept. 13.

Check drawing results and get the information you need to be ready for bear season at Michigan.gov/Bear.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Muzzy Pheasant Farm
1210 N. Durand Road
Corunna, MI 48817

The Flint River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation presents this event, which includes a safety orientation, clay bird shooting, a mentored pheasant hunt, and bird cleaning and preparation.

The cost is $50 and includes two birds released per person, lunch and an orange hat. Register online at NWTF.org/Events.

Contact Steve Sharp at 517-930-0947 for more information.

Although this is an outdoor program and proper social distancing of at least 6 feet is required, participants still are encouraged to wear face coverings as an added precaution.

Register for hunt ?

DANVILLE, Ala. — There are all kinds of hand warmers available on the market, but none compare to Hunter Safety System’s new Heated Muff Pak. It works by heating coils with any USB battery. It can heat up in less than two minutes and lasts for up to five hours depending on the battery charging capacity.

The USB battery powered heating system gently provides warmth and comfort for your hands while you enjoy the cozy, ultra-soft polar fleece lining of the muff’s interior. Whether you are in a treestand hunting, outside at a sporting event or waiting in line for concert tickets, the Hunter Safety System Heated Muff Pak will keep you comfortable in the most extreme weather conditions.

The new Muff-Pak has been ingeniously designed with four pockets to keep important items right at your fingertips: two zipper pockets and an accessory pocket in the front, and a large mesh bellow pocket on the back. The web belt makes it portable so you can take it anywhere you go and it adjusts to accommodate multiple layers of clothing with adjustment ranging from 34 inches up to 49 inches. An included 11-inch expansion strap brings the maximum adjustment length up to 60 inches. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

After receiving an email from Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) reminding me of my last chance to be heard on various conservation policies, I dared to peek into the matter before blowing it off.  Since MUCC’s annual convention has been canceled, its board and staff have invited all members to review and to vote on myriad resolutions, which have the potential to become not only proposals, but hunting regulations, if adopted by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC).  While the survey itself is not a voting document, the results will be aggregated by region and provided to delegates and representatives who will represent all of the Individual members in various regions – a virtual conference, if you will.

Here is one example – and, an important one for us all that will be put on the table:  MUCC will support a three-year trial of a regulation that would include an antlerless tag with combination license (3 tags total), which will include two bucks and one antlerless deer in units where antlerless harvest is valid.

If ever Michigan is to reduce the over-abundance of whitetail deer, it will have to change its policies, because the status quo has failed.  For too many years, our deer herd has been managed for sheer numbers; however, nobody has ever found the “off switch” to our self-inflicted predicament of too many deer.

Part of the challenge has been to convince the older generation of hunters to take antlerless deer; I’m not sure it has ever sunk in.  However, as a new generation of hunters enters the hunting community, the appeal to manage the herd for health and balance may become more genuine, if tags are at no additional cost.  Obviously, that doesn’t necessarily mean that this one step will get Michigan’s deer herd to numbers that will significantly reduce vehicle/deer collisions or will it necessarily reduce crop damage substantially for farmers, but it certainly could help.

Each deer tag filled has the potential to minimize costs to consumers, because each vehicle that avoids a collision with a deer saves on average approximately $3,000 each.  Oh, but Glen, insurance pays for the damage.  True.  But, we must remember that ultimately the consumer pays in increased premiums.  Insurance companies are building skyscrapers with our premiums that are inflated to cover expenses.  And, if you drive a vehicle, you pay.  If you don’t drive a vehicle, you still pay the rates, which are buried in the cost of doing business for those that drive anything anywhere.

The proposal may not go far enough to significantly alter outcomes, though.  Why not give an antlerless tag to a hunter that purchases only one tag for antlered deer in affected areas?  And, if that’s too far-fetched, maybe cutting the cost to $10 or even $5 for an antlerless tag would keep the momentum going in the proper direction.

One thing is for certain:  If we keep on doing what we’ve always done, we’ll keep getting the same results.

Time is running out to apply for reserved waterfowl hunts

Waterfowl reserved hunt applications are available through this Friday, Aug. 28.

Applications are $5, and hunters may apply only once. Apply at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or anywhere licenses are sold.

Drawing results will be posted Sept. 21.

Reserved hunts will be held mornings and afternoons of the opening weekend of waterfowl hunting season (Oct. 10 and 11) at:

• • Fish Point State Wildlife Area.
  • Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area.
  • Harsens Island Unit of the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area.
  • Shiawassee River State Game Area.

Another reserved waterfowl hunt opportunity

Hunters have an additional opportunity to participate in a reserved waterfowl hunt by applying for the 2021 Pure Michigan Hunt. Each application is $5, and hunters may apply as many times as they like through Dec. 31. Three lucky winners will receive a hunt package that includes first pick for a reserved waterfowl hunt and elk, bear, turkey and antlerless deer licenses. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/PMH.

Milner, GA –The original Firminator was a brilliant solution for land managers looking to maximize their time, energy and financial resources by incorporating all the necessary food plot implements into one unit. But as the popularity of food plots grew, so did the demand, from a broader and more diverse group.

There were those who realize the best hunting plots are designed less for agricultural efficiency and more to maximize “huntability” by taking advantage of natural cover, terrain, wind direction and deer movements. As a result, these plots are often irregularly shaped and sometimes well off the beaten path, down the narrow trails, in the bottoms or up on the smaller ridges – places not easily accessible by heavy equipment and implements. There were more than a few land owners/managers who simply did not have tractors or larger implements, even for larger or more accessible areas. Read more

QuietKat revamped the single wheel trailer, making it much more stable and robust. New for 2020 is the addition of the Pannier Rack, increasing cargo load and providing additional stability. The upgraded suspension is ready for any terrain on your next adventure. Also new for 2020 is the dual post kickstand, ensuring your trailer is secure while parked, loading, or unloading. The 2020 Cargo Trailer is perfect for packing in large items and packing out elk, deer, or any gear for your adventure. The Cargo Trailer is only as wide as the bike itself, making it easy to maneuver in tight areas. The trailer comes with BOB axle attachments compatible with all QuietKat electric bikes!

https://quietkat.com/product/2020-quietkat-cargo-trailer-single-wheel/

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