Several factors added to decline; wildlife managers working on improvements

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently issued a Michigan Deer Harvest Survey Report on the 2014 hunting seasons indicating that roughly 615,000 hunters statewide harvested a total of roughly 329,000 deer. The harvest represents a drop of 15 percent from 2013.

Wildlife managers report that regional declines in deer harvest were greatest in the Upper Peninsula, where the overall harvest was down by nearly 36 percent.

The DNR said several factors – including back-to-back years of severe winter weather that depleted the deer population in some parts of the state – contributed to the decline. Read more

GW:  Predictable, but depressing, nonetheless.

The Michigan departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) have confirmed a second free-ranging deer in Meridian Township (Ingham County) has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. This second case is a 2-year-old male found less than a mile from the initial positive female deer, confirmed this past May. Genetic testing is being conducted to see if the two deer are related.

“Finding this second positive deer is disappointing, however, not unexpected,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “We will continue with our aggressive surveillance throughout the summer and fall. With the assistance of hunters, we hope to determine the distribution of this disease.”

To date, 304 deer have been tested in the Core CWD Area. Only two have tested positive for CWD.

Upon the finding of the initial CWD positive deer, the DNR established the CWD Management Zone consisting of Clinton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties.

Additionally, the Core CWD Area consisting of Lansing, Meridian, Williamstown, Delhi, Alaiedon and Wheatfield townships in Ingham County; DeWitt and Bath townships in Clinton County; and Woodhull Township in Shiawassee County, was created. Feeding and baiting of deer and elk are prohibited in the CWD Management Zone. Mandatory checking of deer will be required in the Core CWD Area during hunting seasons and restrictions will apply to the movement of carcasses and parts of deer taken in this area.

“Michigan has a long tradition of hunter support and conservation ethics. Now, with these CWD findings, that support is needed more than ever,” said Steve Schmitt, veterinarian-in-charge at the DNR Wildlife Disease Lab. “Because hunters are often familiar with the deer herd locally, one of the best things they can do to help manage this disease is to continue hunting and bring their deer to check stations this season.”

In the Core CWD Area, there is an unlimited antlerless deer license quota and the deer license or deer combo licenses may be used to harvest antlerless or any antlered deer during firearm and muzzleloading seasons. Additional deer-check stations will be established in the Core CWD Area and the CWD Management Zone to accommodate hunters.  Read more

GW:  Mosquitos are thick in Michigan now and I would not be without a Thermacell unit.  I like to spend time in the garage tinkering and Thermacell allows me freedom from sprays and skeeters.  Great product!

Bedford, Mass. (July 15, 2015) – In preparation for West Nile season, Thermacell® Repellents Inc., a leading manufacturer of area mosquito repellent products, can help people enjoy the outdoors without the intrusion of mosquitos and other biting pests by providing protection from mosquito borne illnesses. A proven technology that provides users with a 15′ x 15′ zone of protection from biting bugs, Thermacell Repellents come in many forms including lanterns, backyard torches and portable appliances to help protect you wherever your summer adventures take you.

Dr. Jamison Satterfield, a pediatrician for over 25 years, and a proponent of Thermacell protection states, “Protecting your family not only from the nuisance of mosquitos but from the threat of insect-borne diseases is as essential to being outdoors this summer as sunscreen and proper hydration.” Satterfield continues, “Thermacell products help protect users without having to apply repellent directly to the skin making them an attractive alternative to traditional sprays and lotions.” Read more

MISSOULA, Mont.—A one-hour television documentary titled #PROJECTELK will help North America continue an on-going dialogue about the benefits of hunting and its positive impact on conservation.

Produced by Jason Matzinger and presented by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, #PROJECTELK will follow an epic journey alongside one of North America’s most majestic creatures, the Rocky Mountain elk.

“Jason is as skilled a cinematographer as he is a hunter—and that’s saying something,” said Steve Decker, RMEF vice president of Marketing. “He created the final product by editing down more than 200 hours of footage taken over six hunting seasons. It is compelling and delivers an important message for all ages and lifestyles that examines the vital link between hunting and conservation.”

#PROJECTELK is the story of the origins, science, and evolution behind conservation, and the question around whether hunters are the earth’s true conservationists. It includes interviews with hunters, biologists, wildlife experts and others.

“The goal is to help educate the 80 percent of our population that does not hunt on exactly how Hunting Is Conservation,” said Matzinger. “I understand that not everyone was brought up in a hunting household and can see why the killing of an animal to save a wildlife population may be confusing. I want people to understand how that works and why that’s okay. I would also like those who do hunt to better understand our shared role as stewards of the land as we share the conservation message with others.”

#PROJECTELK will air at 7 p.m. on August 15, 2015, and again at 7 p.m. on October 31, 2015, on the Sportsman Channel (all times ET). Read more