Whitetails Unlimited has granted $334,643 to various mission-related projects in the state of Michigan over the past fiscal year. More than 130 different organizations received grants pertaining to outdoor education, habitat enhancement, and hunting and shooting sports preservation. This was done in large part with the help of Whitetails Unlimited’s 47 Michigan chapters.

Whitetails Unlimited supports hunter rights and the Second Amendment. Hunting is a wholesome family activity that provides outdoor recreation and healthy food for millions of people. Major initiatives of WTU focus on increasing hunting opportunities and providing outdoor experiences for youth, women, veterans, and those with disabilities. Large portions of these funds were granted to several shooting sport groups throughout the state that include funds to offset cost of clay targets, ammo, and safety equipment, as well as well as the purchase of bows for underprivileged youth. Along with managing hunts to control the deer population on and around nature center property, funds were also granted to repair food plot equipment that is available for use by all area WTU members. Read more

Two trails in the northern Lower Peninsula are recipients of the 2025 Pure Michigan Trail designation, an annual recognition that spotlights some of the state’s best trail experiences.

The Betsie Valley Trail, a 22-mile pathway extending from Frankfort through Elberta and Beulah to Thompsonville in Benzie County, and Chain of Lakes Water Trail, a 100-plus mile inland water trail made up of 12 lakes and interconnected rivers in northwest Michigan, are this year’s Pure Michigan Trail recipients.

The announcement was made during this week’s Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

“The Betsie Valley Trail and Chain of Lakes Water Trail offer exceptional hiking, biking and paddling experiences while also connecting residents and visitors to local communities and businesses,” said Kelly Wolgamott, vice president of Pure Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Pure Michigan Trails represent the best of Michigan’s trail opportunities, and these extraordinary resources exemplify that designation.”

The Pure Michigan Trail and Trail Town Designation Program is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Pure Michigan and is designed to help boost the state’s position as the “Trails State.” Read more

By HEATHER JOHNSON DUROCHER
Trails and resources writer and editor
Parks and Recreation Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Two trails in the northern Lower Peninsula are recipients of the 2025 Pure Michigan Trail designation, an annual recognition that spotlights some of the state’s best trail experiences.

The Betsie Valley Trail, a 22-mile pathway extending from Frankfort through Elberta and Beulah to Thompsonville in Benzie County, and Chain of Lakes Water Trail, a 100-plus mile inland water trail made up of 12 lakes and interconnected rivers in northwest Michigan, are this year’s Pure Michigan Trail recipients. Read more

AZGFD has over 100 desert tortoises that need forever homes

When we asked the Easter Bunny to include some desert tortoises in his Easter basket deliveries, he said the only shells he deals with are on the eggs! So now, we’re asking you directly. The Desert Tortoise Adoption Program at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) currently has over 100 non-releasable desert tortoises that need forever homes. The tortoises will soon wake up from brumation, so it’s the perfect time to get your burrow built and your adoption application submitted. Everything you need to know about the adoption process, burrow-building and tortoise care can be found at azgfd.gov/tortoise.

Wildlife biologists at AZGFD are currently caring for over 100 surrendered desert tortoises that would jump (or at least crawl enthusiastically) at the chance to join your family this spring. Each year, AZGFD cares for hundreds of captive desert tortoises that have been turned into the state or abandoned as a result of illegal breeding. It’s not safe for these tortoises to be released back into the wild—captive tortoises can harbor respiratory infections that could be devastating to the wild population—so the AZGFD Desert Tortoise Adoption Program looks after them, but space and resources are limited. That’s where you come in: In addition to getting a great pet, Arizona residents have a unique opportunity to help protect our state’s desert wildlife by welcoming a desert tortoise to their home. Read more

Like many Montanans do this time of year, a man was shed hunting in north-central Montana near Dupuyer on Friday. The man was searching for antlers on a brushy hillside when he first saw a bear. As he was leaving the area, the bear charged him at close range. He shot and killed the bear. Fortunately, the man was uninjured.

The bear was an adult female grizzly in good condition with no history of conflict and was estimated to be 13 years old and weighing around 250 pounds. Read more

A historic ice storm devastated northern Michigan last month, including the eastern Upper Peninsula, and triggered a state of emergency. Consequently, all Department of Natural Resources-managed motorized and nonmotorized trails are temporarily closed for safety, assessment, infrastructure repairs and cleanup. We anticipate a phased reopening over the coming weeks.

Similarly, several state parks, campgrounds and boating access sites are temporarily closed until safe access can be restored, including hazardous tree assessment and removal.

Volunteer action plan development Read more

At times this spring you may need to bolster your offerings of grape jelly and sliced oranges by adding another cup or bowl of jelly to feed the crowd (Baltimore Oriole photo by Paul Konrad).

Western birders will be delighted to see Bullock’s Orioles return to their yard and countryside. Beyond your feeding station, check flowering trees for orioles in your neighborhood (photo by Fernando Ortega).

Visiting an oriole nectar feeder with indented jelly bowls, this adult male Orchard Oriole shows 1 of the 3 different plumage types for the species. Watch for adult male, female, and yearling male plumages (photo by Paul Konrad).

Soon, sometime in the next month the migratory species of hummingbirds and orioles will arrive for all of us to enjoy and appreciate for days or weeks or months ahead. How can you entice them to stay longer while benefiting these birds in a big way during their long migration north? By providing much-needed high-calorie foods and fresh water, which should keep them in your yard and neighborhood a little longer. In fact, some orioles and hummingbirds may even be encouraged to stay and nest in your area if they find a trusted source of food and water at your feeding station. Read more