GW:  Liberals have attacked those that supported Michigan’s increased licensing fees, as if it even matters to those that don’t hunt; it was no more than a ploy to discredit honorable lawmakers.  (Yes, there are some!)  Interestingly, sportsmen and women were the ones that agreed to increase hunting fees marginally so that management efforts could be enhanced.  Below is another example of how it’s being accomplished, as promised with those dollars.     

Upper Peninsula – Ontonagon County A grant program in the U.P. between the DNR, sportsmen’s groups, concerned citizens and partners has shown three great benefits – production of on-the-ground deer habitat, education on the importance of habitat work, and great relationships built by like-minded people. Wildlife Unlimited of Ontonagon County planted multiple wildlife openings as part of the Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative.

Northern Lower Peninsula – Alpena County and Presque Isle County The state forest land around Alpena, and also near the Onaway and Millersburg areas, has an additional 126 acres of wildlife openings available for hunters to target this deer season. The openings had not been farmed the last several years, but this year, with the help of the recent license restructuring, more openings in this area have been planted to buckwheat and rye, ranging from 0.5 acres to 20 acres in size.  

Southwest Lower Peninsula – Montcalm and Ionia County Several DNR State Game Areas are seeing great habitat improvement projects deer hunters will enjoy. Edmore, Langston, Flat River and Portland State Game Areas created many small openings, to provide not only feeding areas for deer, but better access for hunters. The result of recent timber sales at several State Game Areas in this region is providing great cover and browse for deer, with the young, dense forests that are created. The DNR’s partnership with the Ruffed Grouse Society has been instrumental in achieving these improvements.

Southeast Lower Peninsula – Sanilac County With an “up north” feeling in the thumb region of Michigan, Minden City State Game Area just south of Minden City is a great location for deer hunting. Wildlife biologist Don Bonnette said that “extensive timber cuts have been conducted to create mixed-aged aspen stands with plenty of young shoots for deer to eat.” The DNR recently acquired 200 additional acres for the game area, all with excellent deer habitat. About 75 percent of the game area is naturally swampy, making for good winter cover for deer and a challenging hunt for adventurous hunters. Be sure to check it out! 

GW:  Hats off the dedicated Western sportsmen and women for pulling themselves up by their bootstraps!

MISSOULA, Mont.-Grants totaling $451,042 provided by the Rocky Mountain will fund more than three dozen habitat enhancement, research, hunting heritage and other conservation outreach projects across the state of Montana in 2014.

The grants will positively affect 12,198 acres in Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Glacier, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Missoula, Pondera, Powder River, Ravalli, Rosebud, Sanders, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass and Toole Counties. There are also two projects of statewide interest and another of Western Montana interest.

“A series of prescribed burning, thinning and noxious weed projects will clear the way for new grasses and forbs that provide proper nutrition for elk and other wildlife in some of Montana’s best elk habitat,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “These grants also help pay for four research projects that monitor elk populations and deal with habitat as well as provide funds for wolf management and a land acquisition that improves public access.” Read more

GW:  I was shocked to see how a Democrat running for the 85th district of the Michigan House of Representatives criticized the incumbent, Ben Glardon, for voting for an increase in hunting license fees.  It was the sportsmen and women who supported the idea and here is just one example of how it’s working.  The losers will spin anything to get elected and it’s sickening.

When hunting license fees went up in 2014 (for the first time in 17 years), hunters were told that a good portion of the increased revenue would be used to improve wildlife habitat across the state. The question on many hunters’ minds this fall as they purchase their deer license has been: How is that money being spent?

A prime example is the Department of Natural Resources’ new Deer Private Land Assistance Network, a grant program funded by hunting license sales that is designed to improve deer habitat on private land in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Commonly known as the Deer PLAN, the grant program, which is administered by the DNR’s Wildlife Division, aims to produce tangible deer habitat improvement benefits and reduce negative impacts to agricultural operations, while fostering positive relationships between the DNR, sportsmen’s organizations, private landowners, and other partners.

Deer PLAN grants were awarded for the first time in 2014 to 12 recipients, and another 10 projects were approved for completion in 2015. The grants can be used for projects within six counties in the northern Lower Peninsula — Presque Isle, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda, and Alcona — for work ranging from selective timber cuts and planting of mast (fruit and nut)-producing trees, to the creation of wildlife breakout areas and food plots. To participate in the program, landowners who receive grants are required to pay a minimum of 25 percent of the project costs. Read more