Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Hot, dry weather elevates wildfire risk in much of Michigan

The recent stretch of unseasonably warm, dry weather is perfect for late-summer outdoor activities, but it also boosts wildfire risk. That means taking care to prevent wildfires when you work and play outside this week.

“Most importantly, if you are planning to burn yard debris, make sure weather conditions allow for burning,” said Jeff Vasher, fire specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Debris burns that escape are the top cause of wildfires in Michigan.”

If you intend to burn yard debris, go to Michigan.gov/BurnPermit to see if weather conditions allow for burning in your area. Read more

Wildlife

Support Monarch Butterflies by Gathering Milkweed Seeds

Picking and planting milkweed seed pods this fall can help future eastern monarch butterflies, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. These butterflies are currently migrating through Ohio on their way to Mexico, where they spend the winter.

Various species of milkweed are the only host plants for monarch caterpillars. Each spring, eastern monarchs lay eggs on milkweed as they migrate north from Mexico. Monarchs travel between 50 and 100 miles per day on a journey that may cover several thousand miles in total. After several generations, monarchs reach their northernmost range in southern Canada. In the fall, a super-generation migrates all the way to southern overwintering sites.

Anyone can play a role in supporting monarchs by planting milkweed. Milkweed is the sole host plant for monarchs and is beneficial at every stage of the insect’s life cycle. Early fall is a great time to gather milkweed pods from the landscape and plant the seeds to add valuable habitat for monarchs. For those with an abundance of milkweed, the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) is coordinating pod collection through local Soil and Water Conservation District locations. Go to ohiopollinator.org to find a nearby drop-off site. Read more

Wildlife

Grizzly Bear Euthanized After Series of Conflicts with Chicken Coops, Other Attractants

A grizzly bear was euthanized last week after a series of conflicts with chicken coops and other attractants near homes in the Silver Butte area south of Libby.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife specialists received reports of the bear breaking into chicken coops, greenhouses, and storage sheds on residential properties near Barren Peak Road off U.S. Highway 2. There were also reports of the bear going onto porches of homes.

The male bear, estimated to be approximately 2 years old, was exhibiting bold behavior that indicates it was conditioned to unnatural food sources. This is a habit that is very hard to break and causes human safety concerns, as bears actively pursue food and other attractants in and around homes, ranches, and other occupied areas instead of returning to natural food sources.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized removal of the bear, and the bear was trapped and euthanized. Grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and the USFWS has final authority regarding management actions. Read more

Wildlife

MDARD Implements Interior Quarantine in Missaukee County for Balsam Woolly Adelgid

Goal is to help limit the spread of this invasive insect

Effective September 16, 2024, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is enacting an interior quarantine for balsam woolly adelgid (BWA) in Missaukee County. With this quarantine, MDARD is aiming to slow the spread of the invasive pest while minimizing disruption to the state’s nursery and timber industries.

The infestation in Missaukee County was first detected by a private forester in September 2023. Since the population was confirmed, MDARD, in partnership with the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network, North County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Forest Service have worked together to survey the surrounding area and determine the extent of the infestation.

“The decision to enact this quarantine comes after extensive survey of the area and receiving constructive feedback during a public comment period to ensure the measures address both the pest threat and the needs of stakeholders,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “By focusing on these targeted restrictions, MDARD is committed to balancing the needs of the timber industry and Christmas tree growers with the necessity of safeguarding Michigan’s valuable natural resources.”

The key takeaway of the interior quarantine is the movement of Abies spp. from the quarantined area to anywhere within or outside of the area is prohibited, unless exempt or under a written compliance agreement with MDARD. Details can be found within the quarantine document linked below or by contacting MDARD-NurseryCE@Michigan.gov. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan DNR conservation officers recognized for rescue mission, lifesaving efforts

Two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers who patrol in northwest Michigan were recognized during Thursday’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.

Sgt. Dan Bigger and CO Logan Turner received DNR Distinguished Service Awards for an attempted water rescue on Lake Michigan in 2022. Turner also received a DNR Lifesaving Award for his quick actions in extinguishing a vehicle fire involving an injured person trapped inside.

Burning vehicle in Traverse City

On Feb. 1, 2024, Turner responded to a two-vehicle accident on West South Airport Road, near Eastward Drive in Traverse City. Read more

Wildlife

Grizzly Bear Killed in Encounter with Hunters Near West Yellowstone

Hunters not injured in encounter

A grizzly bear was killed Monday in an encounter with bowhunters in Tepee Creek, north of West Yellowstone.

The two hunters reported being charged by a sow grizzly bear with two yearling cubs. Using handguns, the hunters shot and killed the sow. The yearling bears also charged at the hunters, who shot at and injured one of the yearlings. The hunters were not injured.

Bear specialists, game wardens and a helicopter pilot with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, as well as law enforcement staff with the Custer Gallatin National Forest, visited the site on Wednesday. They confirmed the mortality of the adult bear, an older female. Officials found evidence of a yearling bear being injured, but they did not locate the yearling bears. Read more

Wildlife

CWD Testing in Northwestern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula

This year, chronic wasting disease testing will still be focused in some areas of the northern Lower Peninsula as well as the Upper Peninsula. The counties for CWD testing in 2024 include Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Benzie, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Dickinson, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iosco, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Otsego and Schoolcraft.

In these counties a variety of sites will be popping up with at least one of the following depending on the county: drop boxes, staffed submission sites, and partner processors and taxidermists to assist with collection efforts. To find out about available sites near where you hunt, see the CWD testing page.

Historically, testing has occurred in and around areas where CWD has been detected to date.

Starting in 2021, the DNR began a rotational approach to testing for CWD around the state. With this approach, a group of counties is selected each year, with a desire to eventually test sufficient numbers of deer in every county across the state. This has led to detection of CWD in 13 of Michigan’s 83 counties, with Ogemaw being the latest in the fall of 2023. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

2 Grizzly Bears Removed in Southwestern Montana for Livestock Depredations

Two grizzly bears were removed last month due to cattle depredations in southwestern Montana.

One bear was killed in the Gravelly Mountains after several instances of sheep depredation. These conflicts happened despite multiple attempts to avoid them, including guard dogs, moving sheep to new areas, and hazing the bear.

The second bear was killed on private land in the Paradise Valley south of Livingston after chronic cattle depredations. The landowner moved cows twice, but conflicts continued.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services removed both bears on Aug. 21 in consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Specialists with FWP and Wildlife Services work to help landowners, producers and communities avoid bear conflicts. Promptly reporting bear conflicts can make a difference for the health of the bear and the safety of communities. Some corrective management efforts, when applied early, can be effective in discouraging bears from being close to humans and livestock and reduce future conflicts. Read more

Wildlife

Spotted Lanternfly Confirmed in Wayne County

Invasive pest continues to spread within Michigan

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) detected invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Wayne County with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirming the finding. This confirmation follows an extensive survey across 20 counties, during which MDARD identified additional populations of this invasive pest in Monroe, Wayne, and Oakland counties. While spotted lanternfly had previously been detected in Monroe and Oakland, these surveys revealed new infestations in each location. Read more

Wildlife

Sportsmen’s Alliance Sues Fish and Wildlife Service for Failure to Act on ESA Wolf Petitions

Group Asks the Court to Compel FWS Decision on Wolf Delisting and Downlisting Requests

“…we will never refrain from holding agencies accountable to their statutory mandates to scientifically manage wildlife.”

Today, Sept. 9, the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to compel the agency to issue findings on two petitions requesting gray wolf delisting and downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“Today, we’re making good on our promise to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service for its failure to timely respond to our petitions in accordance with the ESA,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Unsurprisingly, the agency has asked us on multiple occasions to refrain from bringing this suit. But we will never refrain from holding agencies accountable to their statutory mandates to scientifically manage wildlife.”

In June 2023, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with The Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association and Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, filed two petitions with FWS requesting the agency delist gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes and downlist West Coast wolves to threatened. The agency ignored these petitions for over a year, and on July 2, 2024, we notified FWS that we intended to sue the agency for its failure.

The first petition requests that FWS recognize and delist wolves in Western Great Lakes states — Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota (including areas in adjoining states). These wolves have long surpassed their recovery goals. The second petition asks FWS to downlist West Coast wolves — wolves in Western Washington, Western Oregon and California from endangered to threatened. These petitions serve as a blueprint for successfully delisting the wolves in accordance with prior court decisions.

“The ESA is crystal clear in its petition process – FWS must issue a preliminary 90-day finding on our petitions and make a final decision within one year,” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “FWS has done neither, and we’re happy to remind them that the ESA’s provisions are not optional.” Read more

Animal Rights, Wildlife
1 … 14 15 16 17 18 … 359