GW: And, Arizona is fostering wolves to grow its population. Genius!

SHOW LOW, Ariz. – The Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (EACO) has made a contribution of $25,000 for 2021 to support the Range Rider Program managed by the Arizona Interagency Field Team (IFT) of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Project.

Last year EACO made a $35,000 contribution toward the Range Rider Program, and depredations dropped 39% compared to the same time period the previous year, even though the Mexican wolf population grew. The end-of-year population count increased 14% from 163 in 2019 to 186 in 2020.

Range riders are people who spend time in areas where wolves and cattle are in proximity and chase wolves from the area. It is a way of proactively deterring conflict between wolves and livestock. The work occurs in much of eastern Arizona and is directed to areas where high levels of depredations are occurring. Read more

Michigan’s warm, dry, weather has created a lot of beautiful days for outdoor activity – and a steeply increased risk of fire. That means taking extra care when camping, burning, or using equipment outdoors.

“Although there have been scattered rains, rainfall is below normal and it’s dry out there,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “People cause the vast majority of wildfires, so it’s critical to use common sense and be careful.”

Fire danger is elevated from the southwest corner of the state into the Upper Peninsula. The National Weather Service is issuing red flag warnings for spots around the state where very warm temperatures, low humidity and stronger winds are expected, including the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. Read more

UrgeMedia is proud to announce its renewed partnership with ATV Silencer, helping them to reach all varieties of outdoor enthusiast with television placements, influencer marketing, and other digital marketing efforts through UrgeMedia’s marketing platform.

The Silencer Rider is one of the most valuable ATV/UTV accessories a hunter can have. The Silent Rider® is an auxiliary muffler that when attached to your stock/OEM exhaust system quiets the popping noise of your ATV/UTV’s stock muffler alone. It is easy to install and remove, giving you the flexibility to stalk your target in stealth, or have fun being loud. With The Silent Rider® installed, you can ride closer and walk less. The low rumble that our muffler system changes your exhaust sound to travels a much shorter distance away from your ATV/UTV. Check out https://atvsilencer.com to learn more.

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has introduced the 2021 collector’s-edition Michigan duck stamp and prints.

The Michigan Duck Stamp Program was established in 1976 and has become an icon for waterfowl hunters and wetland conservation enthusiasts. During the past 44 years, the program has gained popularity with collectors and conservation groups throughout the U.S.

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to waterfowl and wetland conservation, coordinates the program in partnership with the DNR. Proceeds from stamp sales will be used to fund MDHA projects, with 10% used to match DNR funding for purchasing, restoring and enhancing wetlands.

Read more

SALT LAKE CITY — You are in the middle of a hike to your favorite waterfall. You come around a corner and notice a large moose in the middle of the trail. What should you do? Here are a few things to know about moose in Utah and how to avoid conflicts with them:

Utah is home to between 2,500 and 3,000 moose. The largest animals in the deer family, moose can be found along the Wasatch Front and in northern and northeastern Utah, typically in forested areas. Moose generally eat aquatic vegetation during spring and summer, and then switch to a diet of bark and twigs in the winter.

Due to drought conditions this summer, people may see more moose in urban areas in search of water sources. Moose are also more impacted by ticks during drought seasons because winter ticks have a higher survival rate during mild winters and springs, like we experienced this year. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists have reported up to 10,000 ticks on a single moose. As a result, people may see an increase in “white moose” in Utah next spring, due to the animals rubbing off hair in an attempt to get rid of the ticks.

Adult moose can weigh between 800 to 1,200 pounds, and bulls can stand 6 feet tall at the shoulder. Due to their large size, moose can be dangerous when they feel threatened. In some areas of the U.S., wildlife agencies report that more people are injured by moose than bears each year. Read more

Fostered Mexican wolf pups advance genetic recovery effort

PINETOP, AZ — A record 22 captive-born Mexican wolf pups were placed in wild dens to be raised in the wild by their surrogate parents after another successful cross-foster season. For six years, wild Mexican wolves have been raising captive-born pups as their own, helping to boost the genetic diversity of this endangered subspecies and moving the wild population towards recovery.

During April and May, nine pups were fostered into three different packs in eastern Arizona and 13 were fostered into five packs in western New Mexico.

“Fostering is an outstanding example of a working private-public recovery program. Wolf recovery has to recognize the importance of meeting genetic criteria, which requires many private organizations maintaining captive wolves for release into the wild. Without this important partnership, genetic recovery would be essentially impossible,” said Jim deVos, AZGFD Mexican Wolf Coordinator. “Importantly, we are now seeing Mexican wolves that have been fostered producing litters themselves supporting the use of fostering as an effective conservation tool.”

Cross-fostering is a proven method used by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team (IFT) to increase genetic diversity in the wild Mexican wolf population. It involves placing genetically diverse pups that are 14 days or younger from the captive breeding population into wild dens with similarly aged pups to be raised in the wild by experienced wolves. The IFT has documented that cross-fostered pups have the same survival rate as wild-born pups in their first year of life (about 50%). Read more

BUFFALO, MO – June 8, 2021 – In response to the plight of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations across their range, Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc., (QUWF) designed and built wild turkey nesting boxes and are now offering those nesting box building plans for free. “The wild turkey decline is cause for serious concern, and we’re delighted to offer this option to help the turkey during this perfect storm,” stated QUWF Executive Director, Craig Alderman. “Nesting site survival rates have decreased steadily due to many factors including extreme weather changes, cold and heavy spring rains, and loss of habitat. Also, due to longer nesting periods, wild turkey nests, hens and their eggs are increasingly exposed to opportunistic predators,” Alderman stated.

Nesting boxes have shown success for many wildlife species and, where utilized, seem to be strong indicators of improved nest survival. Similar nesting boxes have been used on farms and ranches, not on commercial turkey farms. The QUWF wild turkey nesting box is based on a compilation of those designs. Scientific data has yet to be recorded to determine the efficacy of the nesting box, but helping nature out a little, can’t hurt.

“Key design benefits of the nesting box include stable legs – which elevate the box off the ground – and closed sides, back, and top which limits predator approach, especially avian. The box is vented, but prevents access through the vents and due to weather-resistant construction design, averts water saturation of the nest. The center hold-down ground anchor further stabilizes the unit during intense weather conditions, and the box should be positioned with its back to the prevailing winds,” says Nick Prough, Chief Wildlife Biologist of QUWF. “The design incorporates a natural roost bar for easier poult access and egress, and also includes a means by which to attach limbs and branches to the sides of the box, helping conceal its location,” Prough said. Read more