WEST POINT, MS – This time of year means that parts of the whitetails’ range are or could soon be under a drought. Following these six steps for drought proofing food plots could mean the difference between having some food for deer or a complete withered failure.
Select the right location. You can’t just select any open spot and expect success. As an example, if you choose a spot that has beach sand for soil, you shouldn’t expect much. First and foremost, the site needs to be able to sustain your selected crop.
Spruce budworm caterpillars, like the one shown here, feed on new growth of balsam fir and spruce trees, causing defoliation.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest health experts anticipate widespread defoliation from spruce budworms to continue across much of the Upper Peninsula in the weeks to come.Spruce budworm caterpillars, like the one shown here, feed on new growth of balsam fir and spruce trees, causing defoliation.
Robert Heyd, DNR Forest Health Management Program leader, toured the region this past week. He said the trees have shed their bud caps and spruce budworm larvae are feeding on the young spruce and fir shoots.
“Homeowners interested in protecting landscape spruce or fir from defoliation this year should spray their trees now,” Heyd said.
Products with Bt, a safe, soil-dwelling bacterium that is toxic to many insect pests, are recommended for spraying. Only one application is necessary.
“As the budworm larvae grow, they will cause increasing levels of defoliation,” Heyd said. “Clipped needles will turn brown later in June, showing this year’s affected areas.”
Targeted trees
Balsam fir is most severely damaged by budworms. During Michigan’s last outbreak, two-thirds of the balsam fir and roughly four in 10 white spruces were killed.
Budworms also feed on black spruce, tamarack, pine and hemlock trees when they are in stands with balsam fir or white spruce, but these species generally suffer less damage. Read more
Washington – A new study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases has documented evidence of “widespread contamination of habitat” in Hawai’i caused by feral cats. This latest research has alarming implications for the endangered Hawaiian Goose (N?n?) and other animals found throughout the Hawaiian Islands.The peer-reviewed study, conducted by scientists from the United States Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Tennessee, and the state’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, evaluated the prevalence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii among N?n?, Hawai’i’s state bird. T. gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans and wildlife and is the “most-commonly encountered infectious disease” in N?n?, the study reports. T. gondii relies on cats to complete its life cycle and is excreted into the environment through cat feces. A single cat may excrete hundreds of millions of infectious eggs (called “oocysts”) in its feces. Read more
A moose walks in a wetland along U.S. 41 in Marquette County near Michigamme in May.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will aid the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the federal agency’s evaluation of whether the northwestern subspecies of moose – found in four states including Michigan – should be added to the list of threatened and endangered species affording federal protection.”We will work closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota to further this important evaluation,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “Moose are one of Michigan’s iconic wildlife species.”
In an announcement today, the Fish and Wildlife Service found a petition filed by The Center for Biological Diversity and Honor the Earth “provided substantial scientific or commercial information” that listing under the Endangered Species Act may be warranted.
“This substantial 90-day finding initiates a rigorous status review in which the Service will determine whether the species warrants listing under the Endangered Species Act,” the Service said in a news release.
To ensure the process is comprehensive and the final determination is based on the best available scientific and commercial data, the Service has opened a 60-day comment period to solicit relevant information from the public.
The northwestern moose subspecies (Alces alces andersoni) being evaluated is found in the Upper Peninsula, including Isle Royale, northeastern and northwestern Minnesota, northeastern North Dakota, as well as a small, recently established population in Wisconsin.
During the subspecies status review – commonly referred to as a “12-month finding” –the Service will take a closer look at the moose subspecies population, including threats.
The Boone and Crockett Club is grieving the recent passing of Boone and Crockett Club Honorary Life Member Jack Ward Thomas. The former Chief of U.S. Forest Service and Boone and Crocket Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Biology at University of Montana lost his battle with cancer on May 26. Along with many environmental conservation leaders, Thomas was a close friend of the Boone and Crockett Club. Honorary Life Member is the highest bestowed by the Club.
“The hunter-conservationist community lost a great leader and friend,” said Club President Morrie Stevens. “Jack’s bold, no nonsense approach served wildlife, forests, conservation, and the students he cared for well throughout his career. He understood that the people living with wildlife and our national forests were the ultimate caretakers. Passion is what they need, and his passion is what we lost.”
Throughout his life, Thomas exemplified the core values of the Boone and Crockett Club and served as an excellent example for conservation leaders, employees and students. His accomplishments and foundational contributions in the areas of conservation, applied research and ecosystem management continue to guide leaders today.
A native of Texas, Thomas began his career with 10 years as a biologist for the then Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He joined the U.S. Forest Service in 1966. Rising through the ranks, he was appointed as Chief of the Forest Service by President Bill Clinton in 1993. Read more
News of the latest Supreme Court of the United States ruling regarding the Corps of Engineer’s very-controversial attempt to regulate “waters of the US’ hasn’t reached everyone -yet- but those who have seen the latest ruling are applauding the SCOTUS decision.
Yesterday, the nation’s highest court ruled that landowners may challenge the federal government whenever the Corps attempts to improperly regulate land use with regulations designed to protect water.
The decisions had been couched as “wetlands protections” but farmers and other landowners have argued- unsuccessfully to this point- that the Corps of Engineers was really only seeking to federalize land where they should have no authority.
Landowners have, in many instances, tried to challenge the Corps of Engineer rulings -known as “jurisdictional determinations” – but the government has, until this point, argued that their determinations were not “final agency actions” and lawsuits were dismissed.
The long and short of the SCOTUS ruling is that when the court asserts jurisdiction over low spots that look more like land than water, they will do so knowing they can be challenged in court. Read more
When encountering Michigan’s snakes, it is best to leave them alone.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources gets many questions this time of year about Michigan’s snakes. Michigan is home to 18 different species of snakes, 17 of which are harmless to humans.
“Whether you think snakes are terrifying or totally cool, it is best just to leave them be,” said DNR wildlife technician Hannah Schauer.
One snake that can cause quite a stir is the eastern hog-nosed snake. When threatened, hognose snakes puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies, and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like “puff adder” or “hissing viper.”) If this act is unsuccessful, they will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans.
Another snake the DNR gets many questions about is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous species found in Michigan. This snake is quite rare and protected as a species of special concern here in Michigan due to declining populations from habitat loss. As its name implies, the massasauga rattlesnake does have a truly segmented rattle on its tail. It should not be confused with the other, harmless species of Michigan snakes that do not have segmented rattles but also will buzz their tails if approached or handled. Read more
In the newest online video from www.GrowingDeer.tv they are planting food plots for late season bow hunting action! Learn how you can protect your property and the investment of food plots by planting with the “messy” technique. Stay tuned to see a strategy to convert a field that previously was strictly used for rifle hunting into a bow hunting hot spot. Click here to watch this online video today!
About GrowingDeer.tv: a popular on-demand web series that shares current information about deer hunting and deer management. The videos focus on what the GrowingDeer team of experienced hunters and deer managers are doing in the field week to week: action packed hunts, proven hunting strategies, habitat management, food plots, trail camera techniques and the gear it takes to get it all done. A new episode is released every Monday, 52 weeks a year with no repeats. Videos are available for viewing anytime at www.GrowingDeer.tv. The site automatically converts for mobile viewing or the shows may be shared and embedded with the link supplied on the player. Social media users may join the conversation with the GrowingDeer.tv team on Facebook and @GrowingDeer on Twitter. Also follow the team on Instagram (http://instagram.com/growingdeertv) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/Growingdeertv/)!
The connection between healthy forests and fire may be firmly established, understood by foresters and wildlife managers, and helpful to countless wildlife species.However, not everyone outside those occupations has the same understanding.
A Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighter conducts a controlled burn.Recall the late 1980s, when wildfires blackened much of Yellowstone National Park. Conservation professionals argued then that, long-term, the effects of the fires would be very positive for the ecosystem for a number of reasons.
The public at large wasn’t necessarily convinced. This is understandable, as for decades government officials had actively campaigned against fires. Read more
Many suburban and urban Michigan residents have had an encounter with a coyote. A glance out a window may result in a shock when locking eyes with a large, gray-brown canine standing in the backyard.
A backyard or city park is certainly no place for a coyote, right?
Coyotes can be found everywhere – forests, fields, farmlands, backyards, neighborhoods and cities.
Resourceful members of the dog family, coyotes have used human development to their advantage.
“Coyotes have learned how to survive in urban landscapes, even near people. They take advantage of abundant natural foods that can often be found in urban and suburban areas,” said Hannah Schauer, a Michigan DepartmentCoyotes have a life span of 6 to 8 years and they maintain a home range in urban settings of 2 to 5 square miles. (USFWS photo) of Natural Resources wildlife technician. “Because they are highly adaptable, coyotes have expanded their range throughout North America, and can be found in every county in Michigan.”
Urban Coyote SMART
The DNR offers a few reminders (in the form of the acronym “SMART”) for those who have seen a coyote in their neighborhood.
Safe to enjoy from a distance.
Make noise if they are too close.
Accompany pets outside.
Remove bird feeders; these attract small birds and mammals, a coyote’s natural food.
Take in the trash, pet foods and other possible attractants. Read more
WEST POINT, MS – This time of year means that parts of the whitetails’ range are or could soon be under a drought. Following these six steps for drought proofing food plots could mean the difference between having some food for deer or a complete withered failure.
