Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
“Idaho wants to manage our wolves, and we want to manage them to a reasonable number so that the species don’t get endangered again and the feds don’t come in and take it over again,” said Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter after the bill passed last week. And, the Humane Society of the United States wants the wolf numbers to escalate. Details here…
Although some areas of the state may still have several feet of snow on the ground, Michigan’s wildlife knows the spring season – with an increase in daylight hours – is here. Animals are beginning to wake up from winter hibernation; bears are among those starting to emerge from their dens.
Food and mating are the two drivers behind the increase in wildlife that Michigan residents may be seeing lately. Since bears typically mate in June or July, food is the primary cause for the increase in bear activity during the spring. Read more
Series Launches on Thursday 8 p.m. ET/PT
NEW BERLIN, WI (April 1, 2014) – Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor television for American sportsmen and women, launches its highly-anticipated premiere of Amazing America with Sarah Palin on Thursday, April 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Amazing America with Sarah Palin is an anthology of stories that explore some of the most original, interesting – and sometimes inspiring – people, places and pastimes connected to America’s outdoor lifestyle. Governor Palin takes viewers coast-to-coast into what Sportsman Channel calls “Red, Wild and Blue America” – where the American Spirit and the Great Outdoors are celebrated in equal measure. From everyday people to business leaders and celebrities; in cities, suburbs and towns; the leader of the “Status Go” movement – Palin – will help tell the stories of people and places that share and reflect her passion for what makes America amazing. Read more
MISSOULA, Mont.–Concerned about captive deer operations transmitting diseases to wild herds, the Boone and Crockett Club now officially supports state bans on commercial import and export of deer or elk.
The Club also opposes efforts to relax regulation of captive cervid breeding operations or to remove management authority over such operations from state wildlife agencies.
A full position statement, posted here, was passed at the Club’s December meeting.
The Club’s concerns were reinforced at the recent Whitetail Summit hosted by the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), the first summit to focus on key issues and challenges facing free-ranging white-tailed deer. Read more
One more egg being incubated in Pittsburgh nest.
Pennsylvania’s most famed bald-eagle nest has two new stars.
The first of what could be three eaglets hatched Friday inside a Pittsburgh nest as the magical moment was captured by a camera and live streamed to viewers online. Then on Sunday, a second egg hatched, bringing the count at the nest to two adults, two eaglets and one egg. That egg is due to hatch in the coming days. Read more
GW: I love this stuff…
A show of companionship and survival will play out live before the public in a new DNR webcam that offers a peek into the lives of a barn owl pair raising chicks.
The webcam at wildlife.IN.gov/8183.htm is the first in Indiana to focus on barn owls, a state-endangered species with fewer than two dozen known nesting pairs in Indiana. The goal of the webcam is to promote public interest in birds and raise awareness about efforts to support the barn owl. Read more
Today, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman vetoed a bill that would have banned Mountain lion hunting in Nebraska. The measure, LB 671, sought to remove the authority of the state’s wildlife management professionals in favor of legislative ban on mountain lion hunting.
In his veto message, Governor Heineman stated “Nebraskans expect responsible wildlife management. LB 671 eliminates an important tool used to accomplish it. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission should retain the ability to determine those management actions which are necessary to protect both the health and safety of our citizens and the wildlife in our state. Removing the agency’s authority to manage mountain lions through hunting at this time is poor public policy.” Read more
The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that after the heavy ice and snow cover melts on Michigan’s lakes in early spring, it may be common to discover dead fish or other aquatic creatures. This year’s severe winter, with heavy snow and ice cover, will create conditions that cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish to die.
“Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill,” said Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager. “Given the harsh conditions this winter with thick ice and deep snow cover, it will be particularly common in shallow lakes and streams and ponds. These kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality.” Read more
GW: Already we can see that the ball is being moved forward with money to be raised from higher licensing fees. I trust that sportsmen and women will give this program a chance, before complaining about fees.
Theland deer habitat improvement projects in the northern Lower Peninsula. Read more
The Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a new fishing license season begins Tuesday, April 1, which coincides with the new regulation cycle. All 2013 fishing licenses are good through March 31, 2014.
Michigan’s fishing licenses were restructured March 1. Anglers now have five options when making their purchases: