Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
Michigan’s 2013 firearm deer season wrapped up last weekend, and challenging conditions and lower deer numbers in some areas have likely led to fewer deer being taken this year, the Department of Natural Resources announced today. Firearm season deer check-station activity declined in all regions of the state compared to 2012. Read more
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Thursday announced that 10 community parks and recreation facilities across the state will share $695,500 in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants. The federal LWCF program, administered in Michigan by the DNR, supports cities, counties and townships in their efforts to provide better public outdoor recreation opportunities for their residents. Read more
Michigan United Conservation Clubs is proud to announce the launch of a petition drive to protect our outdoor heritage from out-of-state anti-hunters. MUCC is part of a coalition of conservation organizations called the Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management that is working to pass a citizen-initiated law to ensure that Michigan’s fish and wildlife are managed with sound science. And we need over 300,000 signatures to do it. Read more
DALLAS (Dec. 4, 2013)-Against a torrent of death threats, the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is forging ahead with plans to auction a black rhino-hunting permit on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia. Read more
The Department of Natural Resources recently developed a video to assist anglers and the public in identifying juvenile Asian carp. The video was produced in collaboration with Michigan Out of Doors Television. The DNR is doing many things to prevent adult Asian carp (bighead and silver) from entering the Great Lakes, but many people don’t realize that juvenile Asian carp pose a threat to the state’s waters as well. Read more
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has gift suggestions for the hard-core or potential birder on your list. Proceeds from their products, FYI, benefit the lab. ——–
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Ithaca, NY-From new birdsong collections to smartphone apps, online learning, and a kit for beginning birders, here are 10 holiday gift suggestions for the bird and nature lover in your life. All these items are available from the nonprofit Cornell Lab of Ornithology at www.birds.cornell.edu/BirdGifts. Your purchases “pay it forward” by supporting the Cornell Lab’s bird conservation efforts. Read more
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are seeking information regarding a bear poaching incident that occurred in the evening of Nov. 16 in northeast Manistee County.
Conservation officers were called to investigate the shooting of a female black bear, found dead of a shotgun wound near a hunting blind on public land in Cleon Township. Witnesses said that the bear had been killed on Nov. 16 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Three bear cubs are believed to have been orphaned as a result of the bear being killed, although the cubs were not located.
Conservation officers are seeking to interview a white male who was spotted at the scene on Nov. 16. The male is believed to be involved in the killing and is described as having a thin build, standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. The male had facial hair and left the scene driving a dark-colored pickup truck. The DNR Law Enforcement Division is requesting any information to aid in the investigation of this poaching incident. Read more
PHOENIX – As part of a conservation program for the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted an annual squirrel survey and estimated approximately 272 animals in the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona.
This year’s survey shows an increase of 59 squirrels.
Read more
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) new Central Reservation System (CRS) for state parks and harbors is now open for reservations of all types at www.midnrreservations.com. This more customer-friendly version of the website allows reservations up to one year in advance for lodging and six months in advance for camping and harbors. 
Campers are encouraged to plan ahead to get the first pick of campsites for some early spring camping, or – if outdoor camping in the spring sounds too cold – reserve a cabin, yurt or other lodging option. Now is also the time to start planning for the Memorial Day holiday weekend; Memorial Day is on May 26, 2014. The new system features pictures of the campsites and lodging at each location, and more views will continue to be added. Read more
An Oklahoma hunter in a treestand was attacked by a barn owl and ends up with eye damage. His story is here…