Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Stacking the Deck Against Sportsment and Women

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

It didn’t take long for a contingent of Yoopers to react to Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission’s (NRC) ruling that closes coyote hunting for three months each year on state land.  State Representatives Greg Markkanen (R) Hancock and Dave Prestin (R) Cedar River have announced HB 5721 to reestablish hunters’ rights by allowing coyote hunting year-round.  It’s doubtful that their impassioned response will do any more than their recent proposal to create an Upper Peninsula NRC, which hasn’t received a hearing in the House Committee on Natural Resources controlled by Democrats.

As much as anyone may identify with their resolve, their methodology is exactly what Michigan voters were opposed to when they overwhelmingly passed the voter-initiated referendum of Proposal G in 1996, which aimed to take such decisions out of the hands of politicians.

“The commission has a responsibility and a legal charge to use the best available science,” remarked Michigan United Conservation Clubs Policy and Government Affairs Manager, Justin Tomei, in an article by Bridge Michigan. Tomei added, “We laid out a clear scientific argument for the use of lethal coyote management, via hunters, during the spring and summer months. Coyote management is most effective in the spring when you can actively control local predator populations, limit depredation, and increase deer densities.  No scientific evidence has been presented to justify the closure of the coyote hunting season, and the NRC had an obligation to oppose this part of the order per Proposal G and the authority it provides to them.”

According to the Sportsmen’s Alliance (www.sportsmensalliance.org), there is another questionable methodology being employed by anti-hunting groups nationwide and it appears Michigan has fallen victim to their scheme.  Paramount to their plan is the idea of “rewilding”, which removes hunters from the landscape altogether and instead allows predators to “control” populations of ungulates and other prey species.  It’s a hands-off, preservationist view of wildlife management that overlooks man’s undeniable impact upon the ecosystems of North America.  It’s a child-like fantasy that ignores science and history in favor of ideology and unproven promises.

They’ve expanded their reach beyond legislatures and now focus on fish and game commissions, which require minimal votes for a consensus.  Examples include the state of Washington, where its commission is heavily weighted 7-2 in favor of preservationists bent on destroying the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation envied worldwide.  Also, Colorado’s governor has appointed three espoused anti-hunters to its commission, while one of them withdrew his nomination.  Vermont has faced similar challenges, as well.

As seasons for predators such as bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats and wolves are regulated out of existence, so too is the critical funding from hunters’ licensing that provides genuine wildlife management.

Tennessee on the other hand has taken preemptive measures with HB 2263 requiring appointees to actually be involved in activities regulated by its commission, including hunting, fishing, trapping and boating.  Furthermore, the bill states that the commission and agency shall support and promote those endeavors, including the management of predators through hunting and trapping, as preferred methods of wildlife management and conservation.

In Michigan, where our Governor Whitmer has appointed all of the NRC members, we’ve heard not a peep about how Michigan’s sportsmen and women have been played.   We hear much today about threats to democracy and violating the people’s trust; this is what it looks like in our backyard.

Hunting, Wildlife , , ,

Three Black Bears Euthanized After Repeated Conflicts in Missoula Neighborhoods

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks trapped and euthanized three black bears in Missoula that were responsible for repeated conflicts in Missoula neighborhoods. The conflicts began last fall and picked up again first thing this spring.

FWP wildlife specialists reported that the female and two subadults began getting into garbage, bird feeders, garages, and other attractants last fall in Missoula’s Rattlesnake neighborhood, as well as in some temporary camps and tents along the Clark Fork River in Missoula.

FWP and local residents worked to secure attractants last fall, but even after the winter, the family group of bears remained in neighborhoods and around homes and local businesses in the middle of town, exhibiting bold behavior that indicates they were conditioned to these food sources.

Once bears become conditioned to garbage and other attractants, it is a habit that is very hard to break and causes human safety concerns. Unfortunately, when bears start showing extreme food conditioned behavior, the only way to prevent further conflict is through euthanization. Read more

Wildlife

Some ‘Re-Leaf:’ Limited and Declining Spongy Moth Populations Continue in 2024

The warm spring weather means it’s time for open houses, outdoor weddings and picnics in the park. Sometimes, these occasions can be less fun with some uninvited guests – spongy moth caterpillars. Nature’s literal “party poopers,” these very hungry caterpillars cluster on oaks and other deciduous trees to munch on their leaves, raining BB-sized pellets of frass (droppings) on humans gathered below.

The good news for those planning outdoor events is that spongy moth populations will continue their downward trend in many areas in 2024. The outbreak that started in Michigan in 2019 and peaked in 2021 has been steadily declining for the last few years.

In 2023, the Department of Natural Resources conducted aerial surveys of nearly 20 million acres across the state, mapping 156,000 acres of defoliation, or leaf loss, due to spongy moth caterpillar feeding. While the number may seem high, it is less than half of the 386,000 acres recorded in 2022, and far short of the 1.3 million acres damaged in 2021. Read more

Wildlife

Delta Waterfowl Expands Predator Management to Produce More Ducks

The Duck Hunters Organization conducts annual field work in the prairie pothole region during nesting season

As ducks begin to breed and nest in the prairie pothole region this spring, Delta Waterfowl’s Predator Management trappers are again hard at work to boost the hatch and increase duck production.

Delta Waterfowl continues to increase its impact for ducks and duck hunters, operating a program-record 46 Predator Management sites during the 2024 breeding season, up from 31 sites in 2023. The program expansion is an incremental step in Delta’s delivery of the Million Duck Campaign, a $250 million fundraising initiative with a goal to produce 1 million ducks annually.

“We are now operating in all five prairie pothole region jurisdictions (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota) at the same time,” said Mike Buxton, waterfowl programs director for Delta Waterfowl. “We’ve added 15 more sites this season, which establishes the base for continued growth of Delta’s Million Duck Campaign.”

Delta’s Predator Management trappers—all of whom are professionals with extensive trapping experience—begin work in early spring. Some years, they are met with deep snowdrifts that hamper access, while other springs afford easier mobility to set traps for duck nest predators.

“It’s important to have as much time as possible for the traps to do the job ahead of when ducks start nesting,” Buxton said. “During those gigantic snow years, the water is really good for ducks when all of the snow melts, but it inhibits our trappers’ ability to get everywhere they need to be right from the start. We just go about our work a different way.”

The goal of Delta’s Predator Management is to produce ducks.

“We strategically deploy this tool in landscapes where duck production is low and not reaching its full potential,” Buxton said.

Raccoons and skunks, duck nest predators that were uncommon or absent across much of the prairie prior to the 1950s, have become overly abundant in many areas because of changes in land use and agriculture. The effects have been devastating for ducks. Studies have shown that up to 90 percent of the failed nests are destroyed by predators. Read more

Wildlife

USDA Black Vulture Study Taking Flight in Arkansas, Missouri

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and U.S. Department of Agriculture need the public’s help collecting sightings of black vultures outfitted with special tags fitted to their wings. The birds are part of a multi-year study to better mediate conflicts with black vultures.

Birdwatchers, livestock owners and landowners are encouraged to report any tagged birds to the United States Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab online at reportband.gov. Sightings can also be emailed to USDA Wildlife Biologist Eric Tillman at Eric.A.Tillman@usda.gov.

Black vultures and turkey vultures both play an important role in nature by eating dead animals and removing disease from the landscape. The more aggressive black vultures, however, can cause issues for cattle ranchers and other livestock producers. The species can prey on calves, vulnerable cows, and smaller farm animals such as lambs and goats. Black vultures also are known to cause property damage to vehicles, boats and houses. Read more

Wildlife

Antler-Hunter Kills Grizzly Bear in Encounter Near Wolf Creek

A man searching for antlers shot and killed a grizzly bear on April 25 during an encounter on private land northwest of Wolf Creek.

The man was walking along a ridge covered with low trees and brush with his two dogs at his side and the wind at his back while searching for shed antlers. After seeing a fresh grizzly bear track in a snow patch, he continued along his path and a few minutes later he first saw the bear standing near the top of the ridge about 20 yards away. The bear dropped to all four legs and charged the man, who drew his handgun and fired five shots from distances about 30 feet to 10 feet, grazing the bear with a one shot and hitting and killing it with another shot. The man was not injured in the encounter. He was not carrying bear spray.

The adult female grizzly was in good condition weighing around 300 pounds and was estimated to be 12 years old. The bear had a single cub-of-the-year nearby that was later captured by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear management specialists and taken to FWP’s wildlife rehabilitation center in Helena. FWP is currently looking for placement for the cub at an accredited zoo.

The incident remains under investigation by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Wildlife

Relax with the May ‘Wildtalk’ Podcast Episode

In this episode of the award-winning “Wildtalk” podcast, we talk to Bill Scullon about all things habitat in the Upper Peninsula region of the state, fly away with a discussion about the indigo bunting and wrap up the episode with a chat about the red fox. Pete Kailing also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities and more that are available in May.

Don’t forget to participate in the wildlife quiz part of the show for a chance to win a “Wildtalk” podcast camp mug. The deadline for submission is May 15, so don’t delay. These mugs are exclusive and not available for purchase, so be sure to listen and submit your answer via email to DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov with the subject line “Mug me.” Keep an ear out for the June episode, when we will announce the lucky winners.

Your wildlife question can be part of the show Read more

Wildlife

Delta Waterfowl Announces Tribute Call for 2024 Callmakers Championship

Judges have selected the SK Duck Call by legendary callmaker Sonny Kirkpatrick as the call to emulate for The Duck Hunters Expo Competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo is thrilled to host Delta’s annual callmakers competition, presented by Chêne Gear and Treadstone Logistics. The tribute-style competition and open contest division entries will be judged during North America’s largest event dedicated to the duck hunter on July 26-28 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

“The 2023 Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Championship exceeded our expectations in every way,” said James Miller, a founder of the contest. “From the participation of the world’s best callmakers, to what could arguably be considered the best judging pool to ever judge a contest, to the attendees of the expo reception, the event in its entirety was outstanding.”

The tribute-style contest selects a late, distinguished callmaker for competitors to emulate. Three different divisions—wood, acrylic, and an ‘open’ division—will showcase a number of talented participants, with the highest scoring call of all divisions taking home a trophy, cash prize, and the honor of overall champion. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Utah’s Endangered Species Mitigation Fund Allocates $5.5 Million to Fund 60 Projects

A total of $5.5 million was allocated to dozens of wildlife-related projects at the recent annual Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Endangered Species Mitigation Fund meeting on April 23.

The Endangered Species Mitigation Fund was created in 1997 to direct funds toward species and projects that will proactively help to prevent Endangered Species Act listings in Utah. The Utah Wildlife Action Plan identifies species and habitats that are in need of conservation attention and further helps prioritize funding decisions.

“Proactive conservation helps keep Utah’s native species healthy,” DWR Assistant Habitat Section Chief Paul Thompson said. “Healthy populations don’t need protection under the Endangered Species Act, which in turn keeps management decisions at the state level and reduces additional federal oversight and economic restrictions that can come with Endangered Species Act listings.”

Roughly 60 projects will be funded by the Endangered Species Mitigation Fund over the next fiscal year (from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025). The $5.5 million is an increase from past years, due to an additional $2 million in funding that was approved by the Utah Legislature during the 2024 legislative session. Read more

Wildlife

Wild Foraging

On the hunt for morels, fiddlehead ferns, and ramps

By Jim Edlund

Another winter has departed from the Upper Midwestern landscape. Stream trout season is open; turkeys are gobbling; crappies have moved into shallow bays; and thousands upon thousands are chasing willing walleyes on rivers.

I can remember learning as a kid that blooming lilacs and oak leaves the size of a squirrel’s ear signaled two springtime activities: shallow-water crappie fishing and morel mushroom hunting.

With a bead on the weather, you know it’s morel hunting time when night-time temps are consistent in the high 40s to low 50s at night with daytime temps in the 60s, occasional rain, and a return to soil temperatures between 45 and 50 degrees.

If you’ve never hunted morel mushrooms, it’s a great excuse to explore the woods and waters. And it’s hard to put a price tag on potential bounty, although fresh morel mushrooms can fetch between $20 to $100 a pound depending on availability.

At the same time you’re hunting morels, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble into delicate fiddlehead ferns and wild ramps, especially near streams and creeks. Read more

Wildlife
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