Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

NDA Debuts Online CWD Resource Center, FAQ Video

The New CWD Resource Center is full of videos, articles and information dedicated to education on CWD as well as relevant news and updates.

INDIANA, Pa. – (April 13, 2020) —The National Deer Alliance (NDA) has released a video on America’s most frequently asked questions regarding chronic wasting disease (CWD), as well as a full CWD Resource Center focused on providing important and accurate information about the disease in a format that hunters will appreciate. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan Public Land Cleanup Challenge

 

If you’re out scouting your next hunting spot, running dogs or just enjoying the outdoors locally, the OTG program challenges you to leave your public land better than you found it. Take part in this fun and easy clean-up challenge and be entered to win one of two $50 Cabela’s gift cards! Click HERE for details and guidelines.

How to Enter to Win a $50 Cabela’s Gift Card

  • Take a photo (or multiple) of your public land clean-up efforts and the litter you remove.
  • Like the OTG Facebook page.
  • Share your photos and a brief explanation of why you participated and what state game area, wildlife viewing area or GEMS you improved to the OTG Facebook page or via email to MUCC Habitat Volunteer Coordinator Makhayla LaButte at mlabutte@mucc.org.
  • Two winners will be randomly drawn on May 1, 2020. Winners will be announced via email and the OTG Facebook page on May 5, 2020.
  • Each winner will receive a $50 Cabela’s gift card.

Enjoy recreating responsibly! Please contact MUCC Habitat Volunteer Coordinator Makhayla LaButte at mlabutte@mucc.org with any questions regarding this initiative.

Wildlife

Interior Secretary Proposes Historic Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Opportunities

New hunting and fishing opportunities across 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries

WASHINGTON – Continuing the Trump Administration’s significant efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced today a historic proposal for new and expanded hunting and fishing opportunities across more than 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries. This proposed rule is the single largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in history.

“America’s hunters and anglers now have something significant to look forward to in the fall as we plan to open and expand hunting and fishing opportunities across more acreage nationwide than the entire state of Delaware,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hunt Fish Chiefs have been instrumental in our effort over the past two years to streamline our regulations and identify new opportunities for sportsmen and women like no other previous administration.”

This proposed rule would create nearly 900 distinct new hunting and fishing opportunities (an opportunity is defined as one species on one field station in one state). On top of last year’s expansion of 1.4 million acres for new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities, this proposal would bring the Trump Administration’s total expansion to 4 million acres nationwide.

“Once the Trump Administration’s effort to eliminate the threat of COVID-19 has been successful, there will be no better way to celebrate than to get out and enjoy increased access for hunting and fishing on our public lands,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “I deeply appreciate everything sportswomen and men do for conservation and our economy, so I am delighted when we can do something to expand opportunities for them. I hope it will help encourage the next generation of hunters and anglers to continue on this rich American tradition.” Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Think Spring, Be Versatile with Your Feeding Station

Orioles and hummingbirds feed on flower nectar and insects, and can be attracted to your feeding station by offering sugar-water for hummingbirds and oranges and jelly for orioles (Baltimore Oriole photo by Paul Konrad).
The Duncraft Oriole Delight Feeder provides comfortable feeding ports for cut oranges and grape jelly – the orange feeder catches the eye of orioles from a distance.
The new Perky-Pet Maple Top-Fill Glass Hummingbird Feeder provides a unique addition to any feeding station.

After a winter of following a pretty static regimen of filling feeders – mostly seed and suet feeders north of the Sunbelt – the new spring reminds us to stay versatile as the birds that visit your yard begin to change with some species leaving for more northern climes, and others arriving from the south. This early changing of the guard is just the beginning of what will be a growing need to change of elements at your feeding station. Soon, orioles and hummingbirds will begin arriving, along with grosbeaks and other songbirds – it’s time to prepare for these exciting species and others.

Neotropical migrants like hummingbirds and orioles may not arrive in your neighborhood for a few more weeks, but just in case, it’s time to take a look at your feeders, clean them if necessary; check to see if you have plenty of sugar or nectar syrup; stock up on grape jelly, and put oranges back on your shopping list. Hummingbirds and orioles appreciate sugar-water nectar, which many people prefer to mix themselves, using the traditional one cup of sugar to four cups water. Some birders buy a prepared sugar-based syrup that they mix with water in similar fashion. Many birders provide two different nectar feeders – one for hummingbirds and one for orioles, and this is a good plan so there is less competition at the feeders, plus the oriole feeders provide more substantial perches than hummingbird feeders.

Actually, though, orioles haven’t shown much interest in our nectar feeders. Therefore, we emphasize providing sliced orange halves and, most important, grape jelly at our feeding station. You can simply place the orange halves and a small bowl of grape jelly on a platform feeder, but with so many attractive hanging oriole feeders on the market, consider buying a specially designed and orange-colored oriole feeder. Read more

Wildlife

NRA Teams With Colorado’s Stop the Wolf Coalition

America’s largest pro-hunting organization joins local movement to educate citizens about the dangers of forced wolf introduction

Fairfax, Va. – Today, the non-profit Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition announced its latest coalition member, the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). With over 5 million NRA members nationwide, this is the latest sign that national pro-hunting groups are fully engaging in Colorado’s fight to oppose the forced introduction of non-native wolves.

“Fighting for the rights of hunters and every law-abiding citizen is what we are about. That’s why we’re proud to team with the Colorado Coalition to get the facts out about how forcing wolves on the public is such a bad idea,” said Erica Tergeson, director of hunting policy, NRA-ILA.

Also in opposition to forced wolf introduction are 39 Colorado County Commissioner Boards that have come out against the initiative from across our state. To view this list, please visit: https://www.stopthewolf.org/counties-opposed

Many will recall that Colorado Parks & Wildlife passed a resolution opposed to wolf introduction back in 2016. Then-Gov. John Hickenlooper also signed on to a letter with several other western state governors against wolf introduction in Colorado.

“With NRA-ILA on board, we are more encouraged than ever that once folks understand the issue fully, they will learn the facts about why forcing wolves in Colorado is not only bad for our people, pets, livestock, and wildlife, but also bad for the wolves themselves,” concluded Denny Behrens, co-chair of Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition, a 501c4 non-profit organization.

To support the Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition and sign their online petition for elected officials, please go to https://www.stopthewolf.org/sign-the-petition. Read more

Wildlife

Brian Murphy Resigns as CEO of QDMA

ATHENS, GA (– The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) announced today that Brian Murphy has resigned from his position as CEO effective immediately. Murphy had on March 3 announced his intention to transition from CEO to a part-time role after 23 years with the organization to travel and spend more time with his family, and a search for his replacement is already underway.

In the interim, the QDMA Board of Directors has empowered a group of five department leaders to temporarily handle executive functions of the organization. The leadership team includes Director of Finance & Administration April Robertson, Director of Conservation Kip Adams, Director of Communications Lindsay Thomas Jr., Assistant Director of Conservation Matt Ross, and Assistant Director of Hunting Heritage Programs Hank Forester. They will be working closely with Board Chairman Rick Dahl until a new CEO is named.

“I’ve decided it is best for QDMA, me and my family for me to pass the torch sooner and give staff leaders the freedom to implement new strategies to address new challenges,” said Murphy. “I am confident in each of them and their ability to work as a team, continue pursuing the QDMA mission, and assist in the selection of the new CEO.” Read more

General, Hunting, Wildlife

Try a Robin Nest Shelf

The Duncraft Robin Nest Shelf

As robins arrive and establish nesting territories across the continent, consider trying to attract a nesting pair of American Robins by adding a Duncraft Robin Nest Shelf. Install the robin nest shelf away from human activity areas and out of reach of cats and other predators, say in the corner eave of your garage, shed, or house. The corner nesting platform is made from black recycled plastic, it’s easy to clean, and it comes with all mounting attachments. The Duncraft Robin Nest Shelf measures 14 x 11 x 1 inch. Robins and phoebes will utilize these simple nest shelves, providing an opportunity to enjoy their nesting activities.

For more information about this and other quality Duncraft birding products, see https://www.duncraft.com/Under-Deck-Robins-Nesting-Platform

Wildlife

Nest Box Shopping

The Cedar Bluebird House with Viewing Window from BestNest is an excellent nest box option. When the side panel is raised, the unique clear plastic viewing window provides a safe view during monitoring.
The Wild Birds Unlimited EcoTough Bluebird House includes a unique two-way opening system for easy monitoring and cleaning, and it’s made of environmentally friendly high-quality recycled plastic. WBU also offers a similar EcoTough Wren & Chickadee House.
BestNest’s Coveside Wood Duck House has all the options these beautiful birds require in a big nest box.

It’s getting down to crunch time to prepare for cavity nesting birds, and we’ve been emphasizing that aspect of birding recently in advance of this year’s nesting season. The downward curve in our continental bird populations means we all need to make an extra effort this year to make sure our surviving birds prosper and increase for years to come. Some of our favorite backyard birds are cavity nesters, including bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, and screech owls. For a given nest box to be most effective and safe for birds to use, there are a few things to look for when buying a nest box or birdhouse.

In essence, a nest box is an artificial cavity, suitable for cavity nesting birds to build a nest in, or in the case of owls or kestrels, lay eggs in (they don’t build nests). But an appropriate nest box has some very important features that even a natural cavity may not provide. Hence, you can improve on nature by providing the right nest boxes for our birds.

Below, we provide a quick list of what to look for before you buy, or build, a nest box. An extremely useful, simply stated collection of information about each cavity nesting species and the nest box size and habitat requirements is succinctly provided at the Cornell Lab’s NestWatch website; see https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/features-of-a-good-birdhouse/ Read more

Wildlife

Interior Secretary Announces Distribution of Excise Tax Revenues

Fish, Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation and Local Communities Benefit from Excise Tax Revenues

WASHINGTON – America’s sportsmen and sportswomen generated nearly $1 billion in excise taxes last year that support state conservation programs. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt today announced the disbursement of these funds, generated through excise taxes on hunting, shooting and fishing equipment and boat fuel to all 50 states and U.S. territories by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).

To date, the Service has distributed more than $22.9 billion in apportionments for state conservation and recreation projects. The recipient state wildlife agencies have matched these funds with approximately $7.6 billion throughout the years, primarily through hunting and fishing license revenues.

“Our conservation model is funded and supported by America’s hunters, shooters, anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts. These stewards of conservation generated nearly a billion dollars last year alone and make our country’s conservation legacy the envy of the world,” said Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. Read more

Firearms, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan’s Outdoors Are Still Here For You

Enjoy getting outside, but be ‘COVID-19 smart, safe and solo’

We know there’s been a steady stream of “closure” information and messaging about self-isolating to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s true, we are in uncharted territory, and such steps are critical in protecting Michigan residents from coronavirus risk. Safeguarding mental health is just as important, and spending time outdoors – whether in your backyard, on your balcony or in big, open spaces – can boost mind, body and spirit.

Although the public contact areas (restroom buildings, shooting ranges, visitor centers) at many DNR-managed facilities are temporarily closed, people are still welcome to enjoy the public outdoor areas at state parks and recreation areas, state game and wildlife areas, state forests, state trails and, of course, our lakes, rivers and streams. For the duration of the COVID-19 situation, we’re waiving the need for the Recreation Passport for entry at state parks and other destinations.

Whether you want to hike or bike a new trail, scout your next hunt, paddle the open water or find a favorite fishing spot … Michigan’s outdoors are here. Explore things to do on our website for inspiration; check out our YouTube channel for how-to videos; and get hunting and fishing licenses at our new license system website. Closer to home, you could soak up some sun on the back deck, walk around the block or jog the nearest local trail. Read more

Wildlife
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