Forest tent caterpillars are making a nuisance of themselves across Michigan, eating leaves from sugar maple, aspen and oak trees and leaving small strands of webbing as they go.

The insects, which are native to Michigan, occur in widespread outbreaks every 10 to 15 years. The most recent outbreaks peaked in 2002 and 2010. They’ve been spotted across the Lower Peninsula and in the eastern Upper Peninsula. Outbreaks usually last two or three years; this is the second or third year for outbreaks in some areas.

An infestation of forest tent caterpillars rarely is fatal unless a tree has other stresses, said Scott Lint, forest health specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Resources Division. Read more

Pheasants Forever pushing for more acres nationally, 2018 Farm Bill could provide relief

St. Paul, Minn. – June 5, 2018 – Reopened this week to the benefit of soil, water, and wildlife nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has resumed acceptance of applications for the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for the first time in over a year. Eligible farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can sign-up at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office between now and Aug. 17, 2018. Read more

Give snakes plenty of space

Rattlesnakes often strike fear in the hearts of people. But they shouldn’t. Knowing a little about the animal, and doing a few simple things — like keeping your distance and not harassing a snake — can go a long way to keeping you safe.

If you see a rattlesnake, give it plenty of space. And don’t harass it.

Kevin Wheeler, biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, says rattlesnakes in Utah are on the move right now, looking for water and rodents after emerging from their dens in May.

Wheeler says the snakes will likely have to travel more to find food this year. “Drought conditions have reduced Utah’s rodent population,” he says, “so snakes will be roaming more, looking for rodents. Because the snakes will be active, there’s a greater chance you’ll see one in the wild this year.”

So, if you see a rattlesnake in the wild, what should you do? Read more

On June 29, 2018, in Hanover, Md., the U.S. Department of the Interior will issue the $25 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp for the 2018-2019 waterfowl hunting season (RW85). The stamp is valid through June 30, 2019. The stamp features mallards by Robert Hautman of Delano, Minn. This is the third Federal stamp featuring Mr. Hautman’s winning artwork, (his other federal stamps are RW64 and RW68).

The First Day of Issue will take place at the Bass Pro Shop in Hanover. The event is free and open to the public. Check fws.gov for starting time and additional event information.

The 2018 stamp will be issued in three different formats: a pane of 20, an 85th Anniversary souvenir sheet of four and a self-adhesive single. This year will also see a BIG change for the stamp program. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Recent news from Washington indicates the economy is growing at a rapid pace and that the country is deemed to be at full employment.  The Trump administration has eliminated encumbrances to progress, and in so doing, has ruffled the feathers of a gaggle of environmental groups that seek protection for migratory birds.  Recently filed litigation challenges the current Administration’s move to eliminate longstanding protections for waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) enacted over 100 years ago. 

At issue in the suit by the National Audubon Society v. Department of the Interior, is the claim that the Act’s prohibition on the killing or “taking” of migratory birds has long been understood to extend to incidental take from industrial activities — meaning unintentional but predictable and avoidable killing. Under the Administration’s revised interpretation, the MBTA’s protections will apply only to activities that purposefully kill birds. Any “incidental” take — no matter how inevitable or devastating the impact on birds — is now immune from enforcement under the law based on a memo issued by the U.S. Department of Interior of December 2017.

The government’s memorandum in question analyzes whether the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. § 703 (“MBTA”), prohibits the accidental or “incidental” taking or killing of migratory birds. Unless permitted by regulation, the MBTA prohibits the “taking” and “killing” of migratory birds. “Incidental take” is take that results from an activity, but is not the purpose of that activity.

Interpreting the MBTA to apply to incidental or accidental actions hangs the sword of Damocles over a host of otherwise lawful and productive actions, threatening up to six months in jail and a $15,000 penalty for each and every bird injured or killed says the Interior Department.

Neither the plain language of the statute nor its legislative history support the notion that Congress intended to criminalize, with fines and potential jail time, otherwise lawful conduct that might incidentally result in the taking of one or more birds.  

The government’s position on the Act’s intention relates to the early 1900s, when commercial killing for feathers to adorn ladies’ fancy hats had had taken its toll on many bird species.  As a result of commercial hunting, several species, such as the Labrador Ducks, Great Auks, Passenger Pigeons, Carolina Parakeets, and Heath Hens were extinct or nearly so by the end of the 19th century.

The government’s assertion is that neither the plain language of the statute nor its legislative history, support the notion that Congress intended to criminalize, with fines and potential jail time, otherwise lawful conduct that might incidentally result in the taking of one or more birds.

Said Mike Parr, President of American Bird Conservancy, “The new policy makes it much harder to protect birds from major bird traps — threats like oil pits, wind turbines, and communication towers in bird migration hotspots.”

Should we then give up driving cars in an effort to protect birds or four-legged animals – let alone humans – from inevitable, yet incidental, deaths?  No doubt, progress has its cost and the question of where to draw the line is now on the table.