Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

SCI Chapters and SCI Foundation Contribute to Historic Wood Bison Restoration

Tucson, AZ – Joseph Hosmer, President Safari Club International (SCI) Foundation announced that on March 22, 2015 Safari Club International and SCI Foundation will attend the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wood Bison Media Day in Portage, Alaska. Al Maki, SCI Corporate Secretary and SCI Foundation Conservation Committee Chair and Eddie Grasser, SCI Vice President will represent SCI Foundation, SCI, and the SCI Alaska Chapter at the event.

Over the past decade, SCI Chapters and SCI Foundation have helped finance the management and upkeep of the wood bison herd. Now, we hunter-conservationists are pleased to participate in the second phase of this historical event, moving bison to the wild.

SCI Foundation has contributed about $150,000 dollars to this project in addition to the thousands of dollars donated by SCI Chapters. This is a major achievement made possible through your contributions and because of you, an iconic species is returning to its native habitat. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan’s five birding trails offer wildlife-viewing adventure

Those looking for an outdoor adventure this spring are encouraged to give birding trails a try! With increasing popularity, birding trails are popping up along Michigan’s scenic roadways. Now with five different trails to explore, for the beginning birder or the seasoned veteran, wildlife-viewing hot spots have never been easier to find and enjoy.

With prime birding areas noted along well-known driving routes, a birding trail is like a treasure hunt for those looking to get out and enjoy Michigan’s outdoors. Birding trail stops are typically in county parks, nature preserves or Department of Natural Resources’ state parks or wildlife areas – allowing access to all who are interested. Visits in May and June will provide the greatest opportunity to witness both migrant and nesting birds. Routes also include many options for amenities such as restaurants, hotels and campgrounds.

Five birding trails, each offering unique experiences, are located around the state: Read more

Wildlife

POMA Pinnacle Award Winners Announced

Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R): Bill Miller, Lindsay Thomas, Jr., Kenneth Cook, and Steve Finch, accepting on behalf of Corey Holtgard. Pictured with Kevin Tate of Mossy Oak (second from right).

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Professional Outdoor Media Association’s (POMA) 2015 Pinnacle Award honorees were announced by Kevin Tate, vice president of media production at Mossy Oak, during POMA’s 10th Anniversary Business Conference in Springfield Mo. on Friday, March 20. Mossy Oak has been the presenting partner of the Pinnacle Awards since the program’s inception. Read more

Ammunition, Archery, Firearms, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Learn How You Can Help Nesting Birds

Blue Jay with nestlings. Photo by Dave Magers

Ithaca, N.Y.—Springtime is nesting time, and that means another season of beautiful birdsong, colorful eggs, and downy nestlings. Spring also brings another season of NestWatch, a free citizen-science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Volunteers have been helping the Lab monitor nesting birds for 50 years, keeping tabs on open-cup nests and actively putting out the welcome mat for species that prefer a cozy cavity.

“Even those who already have birds nesting nearby can support more birds by putting up a nest box, or by landscaping for nesting birds,” says NestWatch project leader Robyn Bailey. “Supplying nesting materials, like wool, cotton, or pet fur is another great way to encourage more birds to take up residence.” Read more

Wildlife

For Eagle Cam Viewers, Egg Watch has Begun

Number viewing Game Commission’s live stream expected to soar as eggs near likely hatch dates.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s bald eagle cam already has attracted nearly 643,000 viewers, many of whom faithfully have followed the daily happenings at the nest near Codorus State Park in Hanover, Pa.

But in the coming days, those looking in on the live stream, available at the Game Commission’s website, might well get to see a great miracle of nature.

Egg watch officially is underway.  To view the eagle cam, visit the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us Read more

Wildlife

Public Can Follow Journey of Golden Eagle Originally Captured in Kentucky’s Bernheim Forest

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Researchers recently captured a golden eagle in the Bernheim Forest in Bullitt and Nelson counties and fitted it with a tracking device as part of an ongoing research project. Golden eagles are seldom seen in Kentucky.

“Bernheim Forest has a few golden eagles that come back every winter and is one of the more reliable places in the state to see golden eagles,” said Kate Heyden, avian biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “They don’t nest in Kentucky, but spend winters here. Golden eagles that winter here probably nest in Canada.” Read more

Wildlife

Gov. Rick Snyder approves $24.7 million in outdoor recreation development,

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation creating more outdoor recreation opportunities for local communities and authorizing nearly $24.7 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grants.

“Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in North America,” Snyder said. “These grants will help give local communities the ability to create more quality recreation opportunities that encourage people of all ages and abilities to get outdoors. Every year, these projects boost the quality of life for Michigan residents, enhance local economies and encourage tourism in our state.”

House Bill 4078, sponsored by state Rep. Jon Bumstead, approves funds for 69 recreation projects and land purchases recommended by the Trust Fund board last December.

It is now Public Act 7 of 2015.

This year, the Trust Fund board recommended $18.2 million for acquisition grants and $6.4 million for development grants. Sixteen acquisition grants were awarded to local units of government for a total of $8.9 million, while nine acquisition grants went to the Department of Natural Resources for projects totaling $9.3 million. Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Jeff Crane Returns to Hearing Stand to Testify on the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015

March 17, 2015 (Washington, DC) – “Much like a successful hunt, when it comes to passing legislation, patience and persistence usually leads to success in the field,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane after his testimony last week before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on S.556, the first half of the bifurcated sportsmen’s package titled, Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 (S.405). This persistence continued today as Crane testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife on S.659, which contains the second half of S.405’s provisions.

 

The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 was introduced on February 5 by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), with the bipartisan Senate CSC leadership as original co-sponsors. Senate CSC leaders for the 114th Congress include: Co-Chairs Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Vice-Chairs Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). The package contains 14 provisions that would trigger regulatory reforms and improve habitat conservation, aimed at helping strengthen the sportsmen’s traditions across America. Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Annual reports for seven Wetland Wonders available on DNR website

Annual reports for Michigan’s seven Wetland Wonders – detailing 2014-2015 hunting season results, habitat management activities and weekly waterfowl counts at each area, along with other information – are now available on the Department of Natural Resources website. To find the annual reports, visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders and click on “The 7 Wonders” and then on “Updates & Counts.”

Michigan’s Wetland Wonders are the seven premier Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County).

These areas, scattered across the southern Lower Peninsula, were created in the 1960s to provide exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities and are still managed today to provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit of other wetland-dependent wildlife. Since the beginning, these areas have been funded by hunting license fees and area use fees, but they are open for anyone to visit, use and enjoy most of the year. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan DNR completes latest moose population survey

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the results of its 2015 moose population survey in the western moose range of the Upper Peninsula, an important tool in managing the species.

The 2015 population estimate in the western U.P. is 323, compared to an estimate of 451 in 2013. From 1997 to 2007, surveys of prime moose habitat in Baraga, Iron and Marquette counties suggested the U.P.’s moose population was growing at a modest rate of about 10 percent per year. From 2009 to 2013, survey results showed an apparent change in that trend, with the growth rate slowing to about 2 percent per year.

“There is inherent uncertainty with any population survey, and due to the fact that the 2013 and 2015 estimates have some overlap in confidence intervals, the potential remains that the state’s moose population has remained steady rather than declining,” said Chad Stewart, deer, elk and moose management specialist for the DNR. “However, coupled with survey records that show a decrease in the number of moose calves seen with cows this year, it’s quite possible that we’re looking at a considerable drop in numbers.”

Future surveys will be needed to identify any long-term trend for Michigan’s moose population. Other states and provinces have reported declines in moose populations near the southern edge of North America’s moose range, yet other populations are holding steady or increasing. Researchers in Michigan have hypothesized several potential causes for a possible decline of moose numbers in Michigan. Among potential factors: Read more

Wildlife
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