Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Federal Ammunition Supports Boone and Crockett Club Poach & Pay Research

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Boone and Crockett Club announced today that Federal Ammunition will be supporting the Club’s Poach & Pay project as a Trailblazer in Conservation. The three-year sponsorship agreement will provide consistent support for this critical research and policy project and generally support the Club’s overall conservation mission. For over 130 years, the Boone and Crockett Club has led the way on hunting ethics and the Poach & Pay project continues this tradition in an effort to raise the stakes against wildlife crime. Trailblazer in Conservation is the highest, mission-focused partnership level available with the Club and many of the sponsors are directing their support toward this flagship anti-poaching effort.

“Federal and our other ammunition brands of CCI, Remington, and Hevi-SHOT greatly value the Boone and Crockett Club’s extensive history of fighting for conservation and hunter rights, and their latest leadership in initiating the Poach & Pay project continues this tradition,” commented Federal’s Conservation Manager, Jon Zinnel. “We believe this commitment to finding the real cost of wildlife crimes and helping develop policies that will deter future crimes are essential to clearly show the difference between law-abiding hunters and poachers.”

The Boone and Crockett Club’s Poach & Pay research will assess the barriers to prosecuting poachers, evaluate the detection rate and conservation impacts of wildlife crime, describe the motivational factors and potential deterrents that influence poachers, and provide solutions to improve prosecution and conviction rates, as well as a defensible framework for poaching penalties. In addition, the Poach & Pay outreach campaign will arm U.S. sportsmen and women with real poaching data that clearly separates poaching from hunting. Federal’s culture of innovation has guided their company since it was founded in 1922. The company has long supported conservation efforts both through the excise taxes it pays on the sale of ammunition through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program, as well as through philanthropic support of conservation and advocacy organizations working to continue the future of hunting, shooting, and wildlife management. Read more

Poachers, Wildlife

SCI Opposes U.K. Proposal as Threat to Wildlife Conservation

This week the United Kingdom’s (U.K.) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced their Animal Welfare Action Plan containing new proposals that threaten how, when, and where Britons can legally hunt. Among other potential harms, implementation of these proposals will detrimentally impact the conservation programs of countries effectively conserving the world’s largest populations of some species such as elephants, lions, and rhinos.

Safari Club International (SCI) strongly opposes these proposals in the Action Plan, which are unsupported by scientific evidence and will harm wildlife conservation efforts in and outside of the U.K.: Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Wild Sheep Foundation Spring Raffle is Live

Bozeman, Montana- The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) has launched its Sheep Week® Spring Raffle to benefit wild sheep conservation.

“We’re blessed,” said Gray N. Thornton, president, and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “I don’t know of a more engaged and giving group than sheep hunters and those who are simply fascinated by these iconic species and want to see them thrive. The proof is in the numbers. This spring we’re offering a fun way for anyone to participate in our purpose of, Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain®.”

In FY 2019-20 alone, WSF raised and directed over $6.2 million to its mission programs, which include;

  • Habitat restoration, transplants, separation strategies from domestic sheep, and management plans and research
  • State, provincial, tribal, and territorial agency funding
  • Education and advocacy
  • Industry support
  • International conservation

Thornton said, “Everyone likes sheep hunts, so we’re raffling off a Dall’s and a desert, plus two other highly sought after hunting adventures, and several other great items. We’re also offering a special mountain game Rifle Raffle featuring a Weatherby Backcountry Ti in the new 6.5 WBY RPM and a complete Best of The West Mountain Hunter Series System, chambered in 6.5 PRC.”

The WSF online raffles are available at these links:

www.wildsheepraffle.org

www.wildsheepgunraffle.org

Wildlife

The Science of Fawn Survival: Leave them Alone

So, you found an abandoned fawn and you’re wondering what to do with it. You may have even rescued it, and now that you brought it home you are wondering who to call. Is there anyone who will take it to raise? What does it eat? Can you house-train it? I know you mean well and want to help the fawn, so follow the best advice from science: leave the fawn where you found it. If you already removed it from the woods, take it back immediately to its hiding spot, or place it in good forested cover as close as you can get to the place you found it.

Let’s look at the science that explains why the fawn is well adapted to survive just fine without your intervention.

It’s Likely Not Abandoned At All

Every spring, people who stumble across fawns expect to see a watchful mother nearby, and when they don’t, they immediately assume the fawn is “abandoned.” This is understandable, but remember that the needs and survival behaviors of newborn deer are completely different than those of newborn humans.

Until a fawn is old enough to be fully mobile and able to outrun danger, the doe spends most of each day separate from the fawn to avoid attracting predators by her own presence and scent. Research at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia found that in the first three to four weeks after a fawn’s birth, does visited fawns primarily around sunrise and sunset, and visits were only long enough to nurse. Read more

Wildlife

NWTF Applauds Introduction of America the Beautiful Initiative

EDGEFIELD, S.C.—The National Wild Turkey Federation praises the Biden Administration’s recent announcement of a collaborative plan to expand conservation across the nation with a target of conserving a third of all lands and waters by 2030.

In a report released by the administration, the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Initiative will be a “locally led campaign to conserve and restore the lands and waters upon which we all depend, and that bind us together as Americans.”

The report identifies multiple priority areas that the NWTF provided early feedback on, including:

  • Expanding collaborative conservation of fish and wildlife habitats and corridors.
  • Increasing access for outdoor recreation.
  • Incentivizing and rewarding the voluntary conservation efforts of sportsmen and women, ranchers, farmers and forest owners.
  • Creating jobs by investing in restoration and resilience projects and initiatives. Read more
Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Wandering Dog Lost and Found

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Last week I came upon a wandering little dog, as I rode my ATV along a well-traveled trail on my Shiawassee County property.  At first glance it resembled the appearance of a neighbor’s dog, and since it was so close to his property, I motored past it under the assumption that it was heading home.  However, something seemed wrong.

I watched over my shoulder to make sure the animal wasn’t following me, as I lowered my speed.  It would take a few steps in one direction and then a few more in another direction.  This aimless wandering wasn’t normal, I thought, so I made a U-turn and idled next to it for a closer look.  At this moment, I figured it was deaf or very near so, because it didn’t pay any attention to my running motor, which was now only a few feet away.  Then, I noticed the malfunction:  It was obviously blind from the apparent milky colored eyes afflicted by cataracts.  I knew I had to do something.

Stepping off the 4-wheeler, I made a quick grab with both hands under the belly and felt wetness.  Either, the confused animal had gone into the adjoining creek willingly or otherwise and had me thinking it was possibly thirsty or just unwittingly fell in.  Regardless, it was going home with me.

The old dog never resisted, as I set it in a carry box in front of the handle bars.  When I began to motor on, it became frightened and attempted to jump out.  With one finger hooked around its tiny collar, it was easily restrained and seemed to settle down as I picked up speed along the side of the road.

Although it had a collar, no identification was attached.  I recalled that one of my neighbors, Marcella, had been involved in various physical searches for lost dogs through some internet sites.  My wife got the ball rolling and it wasn’t long before Marcella and her husband arrived to help – and, I was sure glad to see them.

Cell phones were used for photos, which were promptly uploaded to a Facebook site under the title of lost dogs of Shiawassee County.  In the meantime, the women took over care of the animal by giving it a bath in warm water, which it didn’t appreciate one bit.  Marcella even cleaned the ear canals, which seemed to need attention.  And, then the calls started to come in.

Some would send pictures of their own lost dogs, hoping we’d have the answer to their prayers.  One after another, hope was shot down.

I remembered my pal, Joe, leaves some dry dog food at my place for his dog when it visits, so I grabbed a handful and put it in a bowl in front of the dog.  It walked through it and scattered the feed on the floor.  Hmmm.  Into the house for some meat – any meat.  Nothing.  So, I took a small can of cat food and dumped the entire contents in another bowl.  (Yes, I know cat food is not good for dogs; neither is starving.)  It gobbled it up in a few bites and drank some clean water.  Now, we all felt better.

We had already begun to talk of temporarily caring for the critter, when someone from East Lansing had seen the online photos and contacted us.  Apparently, they were relatives of the owner, Chris, who lives about a mile down the road.  Everyone was excited to learn he was on the way for his pet!

In minutes, he arrived and was reunited with his ol’ pal and explained what had happened.  The day before, the animal apparently had gone through an open door unnoticed.  A frantic search was to no avail.  I can only imagine his thoughts.

The moral of the story is to make sure that proper identification is attached to dogs that have a propensity to wander.  A computer chip is also a common means to ID lost dogs – given the owners have had the foresight to have one implanted for a nominal fee.

With the mystery solved, the little pooch gave his owner a few licks on his cheek and they were on their way home at long last.

General, Wildlife

USFWS Moves to Strengthen MBTA Applauded

Announcement is a positive step forward for maintaining the integrity of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

(Washington, D.C.) — The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership applauds Interior Secretary Haaland and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for actions announced today to restore the integrity of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Since 1918, the MBTA has been the foundation to conserving the nation’s migratory birds, from warblers to waterfowl. It has provided clarity to industry, including the oil and gas and wind sectors, about allowable activities and provided reasonable exceptions for “incidental take”—the accidental death of birds.

Yet the previous administration severely weakened the law, eliminating any incentive for the regulated community to take prudent actions to avoid killing birds. Moving forward, sportsmen and sportswomen look forward to working with the administration and industry to continue America’s remarkable track record of migratory bird conservation.

“At a time when migratory birds are in serious decline, we see this as a positive step forward for not only maintaining the integrity of this bedrock conservation law, but also removing additional threats to species facing the impacts of climate change and other habitat stressors,” says Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “To effectively halt and reverse declines of migratory birds and reduce the risk of future endangered species act listings, we believe it is critical that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act remain an effective tool for addressing foreseeable and avoidable threats to birds.” Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: Governor Signs Trust Fund Bill for Outdoor Recreation Development and Acquisition Grants

Contact: Jon Mayes (DNR), mayesj@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bill Investing in Outdoor Recreation in 76 Communities Across Michigan

LANSING, MI — Yesterday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4469 which appropriates $37.8 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants that will support 76 recreation projects and land purchases throughout Michigan recommended by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board in December.

“The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund supports quality outdoor recreation, giving Michiganders the ability to safely enjoy the outdoors and boosting local economies,” said Governor Whitmer. “This funding is crucial to helping communities utilize their natural resources and make Michigan’s public spaces more accessible and attractive to residents and visitors. I am proud to sign this piece of bipartisan legislation into law and support Michigan’s recreational resources and economy.”

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource conservation and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest earned on funds derived from the development of publicly owned minerals. Over the past 45 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1.2 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan DNR eliminates poison as cause of death in Oakland County swans

Wildlife biologists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have confirmed that a disease caused by a parasitic flatworm killed three mute swans found dead earlier this year, near Maceday Lake.

Since January, DNR conservation officers have retrieved eight dead mute swans from the lake, located in a residential area of Waterford Township. Concerned residents initially questioned whether the swans were ingesting antifreeze or another form of poison. Read more

Wildlife

MDARD, DNR stress biosecurity to help protect Michigan’s rabbits and hares from fatal disease

The Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural Resources advise Michiganders to be aware of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2), which is a fatal disease for domestic and wild rabbits and hares.

While it has not yet been found in Michigan, the high mortality rates seen with this disease could have serious impacts on the state’s wild and domestic rabbits and hares. It is vital for those who handle, hunt and/or care for rabbits to be aware of this disease and to take precautions to keep the virus away from these animals.

Even though the disease does not affect people or other species of animals, RHDV2 is highly contagious and fatal to rabbits, and virtually all rabbits that contract the disease will die. RHDV2 is caused by a virus that can survive for a long time in the environment. A rabbit can develop the disease by having contact with an ill rabbit or its excretions or with an item that has touched an ill rabbit or its excretions.

In addition, people can inadvertently spread the virus into new areas by moving infected live rabbits, carcasses or parts from infected animals, as well as on clothing and shoes.

Disease onset is rapid. Often the only sign of RHDV2 is the sudden death of a rabbit. However, other signs can include fever, reduced appetite, lack of coordination, respiratory problems, diarrhea or constipation, and a bloody, foamy discharge from the nose. Read more

Wildlife
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