Deer Management is an initiative created by Whitetails Unlimited to help landowners who are managing their land. There are numerous ways to manage deer, and each landowner must determine their objectives and develop a plan that best suits their goals and property. These signs will serve as visible reminders to others that the area is private property being managed for deer.

Deer Management property signs are made from PVC, measuring 11.25 inches on a side, and are white with red and black printing. The signs are suitable for use anywhere in the United States.

A Deer Management booklet is also available that explains basic management styles and habitat enhancement. The booklet can be downloaded from our website, or a physical copy can be requested.

To order complimentary Deer Management signs or booklets, please call Whitetails Unlimited National Headquarters at 920.743.6777 or send an email to nh@whitetailsunlimited.com. Read more

A rare photo of a spectacularly plumaged male Green-crowned Plovercrest was taken in southeast Brazil by Sergio Gregorio.

Even if you still have snow on the ground, here’s an article to get you thinking about warmer days ahead with some information about how to transform your garden into a Hummingbird Haven. And if you are a Sunbelt birder, you can start planning and planting a hummingbird garden today. But first, we wanted to introduce you to a stunning example of the 363 different species of hummingbirds found in the Americas – a Green-crowned Plovercrest. Endemic to Brazil, Green-crowned Plovercrests are found in the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil.

Shared with us by the International Hummingbird Society, the photograph of this male Green-crowned Plovercrest was taken by Sergio Gregorio, who pointed out that this hummingbird species “holds a special place in my heart because it symbolizes the resilience and splendor of Brazilian nature.”

A theme of the International Hummingbird Society is that seemingly small efforts can make a big difference, such as planting flowering plants that hummingbirds prefer along with maintaining clean, healthy feeders with sugar-water nectar. Read more

Because large natural cavities are in limited supply, Wood Ducks and other large cavity nesting birds have benefitted as populations and a species by birders who have provided big nest boxes.

There is probably no greater level of nest box excitement than when you are successful in attracting a small owl, kestrel, or duck to a Big Nest Box on your property or a nearby location. Imagine the thrill of attracting larger cavity nesting birds, like a pair of colorful Wood Ducks or impressive Hooded Mergansers – or screech owls or a pair of American Kestrels – all exceptional birds that anyone would be thrilled to assist by providing a sturdy, safe, and dependable nest site. Adding a big nest box to the local environment is very positive way of joining in a true conservation effort because you will help cavity nesting birds during the most important part of their life cycle – the nesting season – by ensuring there is another safe nesting site available each spring.

Installing a single big nest box is not an overpowering effort for most birders, but when birders across a state or around our nation make that effort, it can make a huge difference to birds looking for a nesting cavity each spring – especially considering the short supply of suitable large natural nesting cavities. Read more

Congress is considering legislation that would return wolf management authority to the States—a position long supported by Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ member-driven policy and our commitment to science-based wildlife management.

A national coalition, led by the Western Justice Legislative Fund, is urging Congress to act. MUCC has been invited to join this effort, and you can add your voice as well.

We encourage you to sign on as an individual supporter through the WOLF Coalition’s online portal. Your participation helps demonstrate broad, grassroots backing for a durable, legislative solution.

You can join the coalition and learn more here:

https://link.horsebusinessmanager.com/widget/form/RgylzQ46Pqo2gwV6bBhV?fbclid=IwY2xjawP7JIxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYaXROd2NENjNWR1lQYWNac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkrAKwyx_mfWU7CXcTsVaOyEDoh_567o42EaP3RWbZ-2EEYsr-IaoUdpaAUt_aem_beIsfoHk8k_LP7sYllmSGQ

Thank you for standing up for Michigan’s conservation heritage and for supporting responsible, science-based wildlife management.

Feb. 18, 2026
Contact: John Pepin, 906-226-1352 or 906-250-7260

A cooperative moose research team, including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Northern Michigan University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has concluded its efforts to capture and collar moose in the core moose population area in the western Upper Peninsula for this winter.

The project began last winter, with the collaring of 20 moose, to help learn more about the region’s moose herd and why population levels have stagnated. GW:  Wondering how much of an impact our protected wolves are having on moose.  Typically, it seems to  be downplayed.

This month, the team worked from Feb. 14-17 with a goal of capturing 40 moose.

A total of 41 new moose were captured, and two more moose were recollared over the four days. The 41 moose included 20 adult females, 10 adult males and 11 calves. The team now has a total of 56 collars deployed, including the moose collared in last year’s capture efforts. Read more

When an Eastern Bluebird lands on your nest box the first time, it’s the start of a whole new episode among your varied birding activities (photo by Paul Konrad).

With spring in the air, it’s time to make a nest box plan and prepare to put it into action – soon. If you already have nest boxes in your yard or another area, if you haven’t already prepared them for the coming season, watch the weather for a nice day when you can do a clean and maintenance update that will welcome cavity nesting birds to use them as the nesting season approaches. It’s also time to select and install a new nest box if you choose, which is pretty easy for smaller cavity nesting birds, like bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, and others; for larger birds like cavity nesting owls, kestrels, and ducks, it may take some extra effort.

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for birders to help provide appropriate nest boxes for birds, because natural cavities are in especially short supply, as are woodpecker-created cavities. Read more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced plans to hire up to 2,000 seasonal positions for the upcoming summer recreation season, helping to support active management work and improve access and experiences on national forests and grasslands.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is restoring fiscal responsibility, efficiency and accountability so that Americans can count on services that endure,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We have addressed millions of dollars in salary deficits inherited from the previous administration. The Forest Service is now on a path to fiscal solvency and able to fill these critical seasonal positions to improve services for visitors this summer.”

“Hiring these seasonal positions is essential to delivering the services visitors rely on,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “Our seasonal employees are active members of the communities they serve. They keep forests open and accessible, campgrounds and other facilities clean, and neighboring towns thriving. It’s a direct investment in the people who make our national forests and grasslands special.”

Now that the Forest Service has streamlined its hiring process and shortened hiring timeframes, seasonal employees can begin work earlier — opening more opportunities for people in rural communities to compete for jobs close to home. Read more

Gladwin is now the 18th Michigan county where chronic wasting disease has been identified in the wild deer population, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A hunter-harvested deer from Clement Township recently tested positive for the disease.

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the CWD finding. The sample was also sent for a secondary confirmation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, where results are pending but anticipated to confirm CWD infection. Read more

The Boone and Crockett Club cheered the infusion of new funds available for big game migration habitat conservation and restoration announced today as part of the Make America Beautiful Again Commission. To support this core sportsmen’s priority, almost $8 million has been added to the $2 million in base funds available this year through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for their Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund. Private and tribal funding is also included in the total.

Projects funded by the program improve habitat in priority areas identified by state wildlife agencies to address the needs of big game species as they travel to and stopover in their summer and winter range habitats.

“The migration corridors program began in 2018 as a proof-of-concept for a few species of big game. Having continued ever since, it has now proved the concept,” said Simon Roosevelt, Executive Vice President of Conservation at the Boone and Crockett Club. “The Trump administration, Secretary Burgum and Director Nesvik in particular, has recognized this and we look forward to further expansion of this invaluable effort. More species, and more areas – especially in summer ranges – need to benefit from this work.”

Big game such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn are iconic species in the West, providing important hunting and recreational opportunities and contributing a vital source of protein for western ecosystems. Read more