Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

USDA Expands and Improves CRP

Higher payment rates, new incentives to help spur future program enrollment

St. Paul, Minn. – April 21, 2021 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the open enrollment of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate resiliency. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are acknowledging the exceptional work of USDA Secretary Vilsack and agency officials to fast-track these critical improvements for the nation’s premier private lands conservation program.

“Today’s CRP announcement by Secretary Vilsack delivered upon every requested improvement we’ve made since he returned to USDA leadership. At the top of that list was the need for adjusted soil rental rates to make CRP an attractive option for farmers and ranchers once again. That had to be the starting point, and it’s clear our voice was heard. We’re also encouraged to see the grassland habitat created by CRP acknowledged as a massive component of the recipe for climate resiliency,” reported Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s director of governmental affairs. Read more

Wildlife

Boone and Crockett Club Calls for $45 Billion Infrastructure Investment in Forest Management and Restoration

MISSOULA, MT– Today, the Boone and Crockett Club released a new fact sheet outlining the need for $45 billion in federal infrastructure investments in forest management and restoration on federal lands over the next decade. The document notes that the U.S. Forest Service has over 80 million acres of land at moderate to high risk from catastrophic fire and that there are millions of acres in need of reforestation when high-intensity fires reduce the potential for natural regeneration. The Club notes that President Biden’s American Jobs Plan outlined a goal to, “Maximize the resilience of land and water resources to protect communities and the environment,” and that forest management must be a significant part of this investment. Yesterday, Colorado’s Senator Michael Bennet introduced the Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act that would address these forest management funding needs; his state was one of several that witnessed unprecedented damage during the devastating 2020 fire season.

“Restoration and management of America’s national forests is an investment in our natural infrastructure that protects our communities, municipal water supplies, and fish and wildlife habitat – and provides natural climate solutions. These projects also deliver jobs to American workers in communities across the country,” commented Club President Jim Arnold. “The Boone and Crockett Club calls on Congress to make an investment of $40 billion in federal forest management and $5 billion in reforestation over the next 10 years to make our forests more resilient and reduce our risk of catastrophic wildfires.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Attracting a Variety of Migrants

Have you ever attracted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak to your yard? Ah, Yes.  One of my favourites! …GW  It may be attracted to seeds, fruits, suet, or sugar-water nectar. By providing a full menu of bird foods, you should have a chance at bringing new birds to your yard.
A yearling Baltimore Oriole was one of about a dozen Baltimore and Orchard Orioles that were attracted to the cut oranges and grape jelly at this feeding station. Some birds may stay to nest in your area when provided with a regular source of preferred foods.

It’s that time of the year when you gotta pull out all the stops ‘cuz the migrants are arriving, and more are on the way! We need to provide everything possible to attract the greatest variety of birds to our yards, and to benefit the migrants as they make their way across the land from south to north this spring. And we may be able to attract new birds to stop and stay a while – to nest in your yard or neighborhood, after finding out they find a predictable source of favorite foods and fresh water on the edge of backyard habitats.

It’s not that hard, or very expensive. The most important thing you can do to attract and benefit the greatest variety of migrating birds is to simply provide fresh water. That’s easy! And if you add the sound of moving water via a dripper, mini-fountain, or water wiggler, more birds are sure to find your watering and feeding station.

In addition to fresh water, add some sugar-water – in the form of nectar in a hummingbird feeder, as well as sugar-water in an oriole feeder. Speaking of orioles, be sure to provide the ultimate oriole magnets: Grape jelly and sliced orange halves. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: Wildlife Habitat Grant Application Period Open

Now through June 4, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program will accept applications for habitat improvement and enhancement projects.

“We look forward to the opportunity to partner with those who want to increase habitat and enhance existing habitat through the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Jared Duquette. “Healthy and abundant habitats not only benefit wildlife, but also benefit Michigan residents.”

Funding is available for local, state, federal and tribal governments, profit and nonprofit groups, and individuals through an open, competitive process. Minimum grant amounts will be set at $15,000, with the maximum being the amount of funds available for the grant cycle. The 2021 overall available grant amount is approximately $1 million. Read more

Wildlife

National Deer Association to Host Hunting Property Evaluation In-Person Module

The National Deer Association (NDA) has announced a new and exciting Deer Steward Module scheduled for June 11-12, 2021 in Unionville, Missouri. The Module, sponsored by onX, will feature habitat experts from Land & Legacy and will benefit new and veteran landowners alike by allowing attendees to learn how to gain a comprehensive understanding of a property’s current habitat composition, develop lists of strengths and weaknesses and to ensure work begins in the right direction. Each attendee will receive a one-year Elite membership to onX Hunt.

“This is an amazing opportunity for landowners to gain access to valuable expertise and hands-on training from some of the best brains in wildlife and property management,” said Matt Ross, NDA Director of Conservation. “Since 2015, we have been hosting these modules as a way to give landowners access to the valuable information they need to have a positive impact on their local habitats and wildlife. This event is a one stop shop for attendees to take any management property to the next level and have a noticeable impact on deer populations.”

“Positive outcomes start with great plans! onX Hunt is excited to partner with NDA and Land & Legacy on the Hunting Property Evaluation Module,” said Todd Williams, onX Senior Regional Business Development Manager. “We want to help make land management planning as accessible as the palm of your hand.”

The Hunting Property Evaluation Module at the Hinkle Farm will be led by Adam Keith and/or Matt Dye from Land & Legacy, the 2020 Al Brothers Professional Deer Managers of the Year. Land & Legacy is devoted to providing an effective assessment of a property’s natural resources, no matter its size or location. They specialize in the design, layout and improvement of a property’s natural resources for the overall achievement of the landowner’s goals and making sure it is in line with the ecological integrity of the surround native landscape.

The program costs $750 for NDA members, $800 for non-members and $700 for Life or Sponsor members. This rate includes instruction, course guide, certificate, some meals/snacks, an onX Elite membership and a NDA membership for non-member price. Read more

Wildlife

RMEF Volunteers Donated $24 Million in Mission Value

MISSOULA, Mont. — In 2020, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers contributed just shy of $24 million worth of value in donated time and labor to further RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.

“Our volunteers are amazing and are the heart of RMEF. Day in and day out they truly represent who we are as an organization,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “At no time was that more evident than in 2020 when, despite facing a litany of challenges, they found creative and innovative ways to generate revenue for our mission. We thank them for their passion and dedication.” Read more

Wildlife

Gray wolf confirmed in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. — Genetic testing results recently confirmed a large canine killed Jan. 28, 2021, near Ueling, was a gray wolf.

The female wolf had been legally shot by coyote hunters, who contacted the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Genetic testing showed the animal originated from a population of wolves found in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

“This is the third confirmed instance of wolf presence in Nebraska since the early 1900’s,” said Sam Wilson, Game and Parks Furbearer and Carnivore program manager. “Wolves can disperse great distances from their nearest populations in the northern Rocky Mountains or Upper Great Lakes. While we don’t have any evidence of resident wolves or reproduction in Nebraska, we can expect young wolves in search of new territory to cover long distances and make it to Nebraska from time to time.”

The first modern confirmation of a wolf occurred near Spaulding in 2002. The second occurred south of Bassett in 2020. All three confirmed wolves in modern times were genetically linked to the population in the upper Great Lakes.

For more information about wolves, their history and range, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/graywolf.

Wildlife

WBU Barred Owls Hatch

The female Barred Owl shading the nestlings inside the WBU nest box in a photo taken yesterday (Tuesday).

If you’re monitoring the Barred Owls nesting in the Wild Birds Unlimited nest box, provided via 2 live nest cam feeds, you probably already know the 2 new nestlings hatched last Friday and Sunday! Now the action has picked up inside the nest box with the female feeding the small downy owls and the male continuing to bring a variety of prey to feed, mostly mice these days. You can check in on the Barred Owl nestlings and monitor their rapid growth anytime, day or night, and follow the activities of the owls through the nesting season, which will continue through most of May at https://www.wbu.com/owl-cam/

In case the female is simply brooding the newly hatched nestlings, you can also check out some of the best video feeds that were recorded previously that are provided with some insightful captions.

Wildlife

Hummingbirds & Orioles are Northbound

A variety of hummingbirds are headed north; watch for returning Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as well as western species (photo by Andy Streufert).
A pair of Orchard Orioles is attracted to a half-orange filled with grape jelly (photo by Pam Carcia).

They are on the way! Some of the favorite birds that visit our feeding stations are beginning their annual spring migration northward – are you ready for them? It’s go time to clean your favorite nectar and fruit feeders, and stock up on the foods that will bring hummingbirds and orioles to our window views. It’s easy to attract these beautiful and remarkable birds, and we provide a great benefit to the birds that have traveled from tropical wintering areas. By offering a couple simple foods, it’s very easy to reap the rewards of having hummingbirds and orioles in your yard, out your window, and in your landscaping.

Some will be making a pit stop before continuing their race northward, while others may be at the end of their journey and will begin preparing for the rigors of the nesting season. You may even be able to entice some birds into spending the spring and summer in your neighborhood by providing all the right stuff, in the form of foods and fresh water. Read more

Wildlife

RHD May Threaten Vermont’s Rabbits and Hares

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says a disease affecting rabbits and hares previously found in western states may be moving eastward. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) is a virus known to be extremely lethal to wild and domestic rabbits, including cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares.

RHDV2 was first found in New Mexico in 2010, but it has spread rapidly to other western states(https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/maps/animal-health/rhd), and a case involving a domestic rabbit was reported in Florida in late 2020.

Infection with the virus usually results in the quick death of a rabbit, often in only a few days. The virus is transmitted through direct contact between wild rabbits, domestic rabbits, or between wild and domestic rabbits. It is also easily spread indirectly through contact with dead infected rabbits, infected food and water supplies, personal clothing, and domestic rabbit cages. Read more

Wildlife
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