2024 Waterfowl Population Survey Results

A 5% increase in population estimates shows resiliency of duck populations amid prolonged drought

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released its 2024 Waterfowl Population Status Report. This report contains results from surveys and population estimation methods conducted by the USFWS, Canadian Wildlife Service and numerous state and provincial partners.

The estimate for total breeding ducks in the traditional survey area was 34 million, a 5% increase from the 2023 estimate of 32.3 million, and 4% below the long-term average (since 1955). Mallards were estimated at 6.6 million, 8% above 2023, but 16% below the long-term average and among the lowest since the early 1990s.

Notably, the results mark the first increase in total surveyed breeding ducks since 2015.

“This year’s report suggests that some duck populations had better production last year than expected, with good carryover to spring of this year,” said Dr. Steve Adair, Ducks Unlimited chief scientist. “While estimates were down in the prairies, population levels were up in northern breeding regions. Read more

Game Wardens, Local Emergency Personnel Rescue 71-Year-Old Man

Maine Game Wardens, The Maine Forest Service, the Carrabassett Valley Fire Department and the Eustis Fire Department teamed up to rescue a 71-year-old Maine man who collapsed while hiking yesterday afternoon.

Gerard Jalbert, age 71, of Falmouth Maine was hiking with a friend and returning back from hiking to the top of Redington Mountain when he collapsed on the trail at approximately 12:30 yesterday afternoon.

The friend was able to call 911, and emergency personnel were able to get an exact location of the victim through the cell phone. Two teams consisting of multiple game wardens, Eustis Fire Department and Carrabassett Valley Frie Departments assembled quickly and began hiking in. One team hiked up the Appalachian trail up Crocker Mountain to access the Redington Trail, while the other team travelled by ATV on the Caribou Pond Road to an old snowmobile trail to an intersection with the Redington trail.

Both teams reached Jalbert at approximately 3:15 p.m. A decision was made then to contact the Maine Forest Service, who quickly arrived by helicopter, and was able to hoist him out of the woods, and transfer him to a waiting LifeFlight helicopter, who transferred him to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Jalbert remains at Maine Medical in stable condition.

“With the need to get Mr. Jalbert to the hospital quickly, state agencies and local emergency personnel were able to work together to rescue a man in a very remote area among some of Maine’s highest mountains,” said Sergeant Scott Thrasher.

Seasonal Transitions are Happening

Article and Photos by Paul Konrad

During this time of transition in our yards and neighborhoods, birders can appreciate the excitement of new birds that filter into view. For example, the 3 small flocks of young Yellow Warblers that passed through our editor’s yard Saturday and Tuesday.
A variety of hummingbird feeders are available; this Ruby-throated Hummingbird is alighting on model that features a high perch for open views of the birds as they feed on fresh sugar-water nectar.

The female of a pair of Sandhill Cranes that has been adopted a suburban Minneapolis neighborhood, occasionally visiting front yards and centering at an adjacent open area with a shallow wetland. Read more

Child Hospitalized in Black Bear Attack South of Red Lodge

Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11, a subadult female black bear attacked and injured a child inside a tent at a private campground south of Red Lodge.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens and bear specialists responded to the incident. The bear was caught and euthanized the following day.

The child was transported to a medical facility in Billings. FWP staff set a trap at the campsite on Sunday night and worked with the campground owner to evacuate the campground by the morning of Aug. 12. Additional traps and snares were set when the campground was fully evacuated. The bear was captured on the afternoon of Aug. 12, and was shot and killed. FWP found unsecured attractants, including garbage, a cooler, and human food, around and inside the tent where the attack occurred. Read more

Rogue Ridge RF750 E-Bike – Built for Rigors of the Backcountry

Minden, LA – The culmination of years of research and development, Rogue Ridge’s RF750 folding fat tire e-bike offers the best value and performance on the market.

Featuring a 750-watt motor and 13 amp hour battery, the RF750 stands up to long rides and boasts enough power to blast up the steepest hillsides. It can reach up to 20 mph with five different power levels of assist, with a range of up to 35 miles and a charge time of just 2.5 hours.

The RF750’s fat tires can tackle any terrain from sand and rocks to snow and mud, making it the perfect e-bike for backcountry hunting or exploring in any conditions. The folding hardtail frame constructed of 6061 aluminum tips the scales at 75 pounds and is load-rated for 300 pounds.

The e-bike allows for compact storage when not in use and comes off-road ready with a rear pannier rack, front basket, 48v 2a charger, mud fenders, 80 lux headlight, tire liners, and a 1-year warranty. Available in four solid colorways or Mossy Oak Bottomland, the RF750 is an incredible value at $3,499.99-$3,599.99. Read more

Reminder: Apply by Aug. 31 for Grants Through Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act

GW: Does anyone ever decline “free” money? Here’s another way to promote inflation…

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is accepting grant applications through Aug. 31 for the second round of the Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant program.

Eligible organizations, city, village, township, county and tribal governments, state agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations can apply for reimbursement grants of $10,000 to $225,000 to conduct urban forestry-related activities that occur in, serve or directly benefit disadvantaged areas in Michigan.

Projects must demonstrate inclusive public involvement and address community priorities such as local environmental justice and equity issues, climate change, tree health and resilience. Eligible projects must be completed by Sept. 1, 2026.

Learn More and Apply

This program is made possible through funding provided by the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Maine Warden Service Rescues Missing 71-year-old Maine Man

The Maine Warden Service rescued a 71-year-old Fort Kent man who was missing overnight after he headed out fishing yesterday afternoon.

McClaren “Mickey” McBreairty, age 71 of Fort Kent, had told his wife yesterday afternoon that he was headed out fishing in the North Maine Woods, but when he didn’t return yesterday evening, she notified the Maine Warden Service at 10:30 last night that he was missing.

Game wardens were able to confirm that McBreairty did go through a North Maine Woods gate at around noon yesterday, but a search last night by game wardens in one of his favorite fishing areas revealed no sign of McBreairty. Game Wardens continued to search the area until approximately 3:00 a.m. this morning.

Game wardens resumed searching at 6:00 a.m. this morning with more game wardens, an Allagash Ranger, and a Maine Warden Service aircraft. At approximately 10:15 a.m. this morning, Game Warden Pilot Josh Tibbetts located McBreairty’s truck stuck on a washed out road alongside a beaver flowage off the Michaud Farm Road in Allagash.

Game Warden Kayle Hamilton was able to drive to the scene where he found McBreairty in the truck, a little tired but in good spirits. Game Warden Hamilton was able to get him out of the woods, and reunite him with his family.

 

Take a Free Ride During Free ORV Weekend Aug. 17-18

You and your friends are invited to ride Michigan’s 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and/or the state’s six scramble areas during the second Free ORV Weekend this year.

Residents and out-of-state visitors legally can ride DNR-designated routes, trails and the state’s six scramble areas Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17-18, without an ORV license or trail permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply, and the Recreation Passport is required where applicable.

Typically, there’s an entrance fee at Holly Oaks ORV Park in Oakland County (although no Recreation Passport requirement), but the fee will be waived for the weekend.

Find places to ride, rules and regulations, ORV events and more at Michigan.gov/ORVinfo.

And before you go, be sure to review safety and trail etiquette information at Michigan.gov/RideRight.

Macomb DNR Officers Receive Wildlife Officer of the Year, Lifesaving Honors

…Officers Joe Deppen and Kris Kiel were presented with DNR Lifesaving Awards for the winter rescue of an angler who broke through the ice…

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers contribute to their communities in many ways. The efforts of two officers who patrol southeast Michigan were recognized during Thursday’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Detroit.

Conservation officer from Macomb County receives Wildlife Officer of the Year award

Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Joe Deppen was recognized as the 2023 Shikar Safari Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year. The award, the highest state honor for conservation officers, is given annually.

“Joe Deppen naturally embodies the character traits of a true game warden,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “His work ethic seamlessly supports our mission to protect the state’s natural resources and people who enjoy them. Deppen is ready and willing to help every day with a positive attitude, is well-respected and valued by those within and outside of the DNR and is often requested by the public to assist at community events.”

Assigned to Macomb County, Deppen has spent his entire CO career patrolling southeast Michigan, which is populated with historic waterfowl areas, including Lake St. Clair, Harsens Island and St. Clair Flats. Read more

Allowable e-Bike Operation Expands Under Michigan DNR Land Use Order Change

Provisions of change in effect immediately after today’s approval

Allowable use of Class 1 electric bicycles on state-managed, nonmotorized bicycle trails/pathways has expanded following approval of a proposed Michigan Department of Natural Resources land use order.

DNR Director Scott Bowen approved the land use order change today during the Michigan Natural Resources Commission’s monthly meeting, which was held at the Cadillac Place Building in Detroit.

“This decision opens our trails to be even more inclusive, providing opportunities to those unable to bike without assistance who want to continue riding and enjoying the outdoors,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division. “We anticipate all bikers and trail users will continue to practice appropriate trail etiquette so all users can be safe and enjoy the expansive natural-surface trail system.”

Definitions and details

An electric bicycle (or e-bike) is a bicycle that has a small rechargeable electric motor that can give a boost to the pedaling rider or can take over pedaling completely.

To qualify as an e-bike in Michigan, the bike must meet the following requirements: Read more

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