Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

No. 56, World’s Oldest-known Wild Black Bear Dies at 39

The world’s oldest-known wild bear has died of old age in northern Minnesota at the age of 39½.

Known to Minnesota DNR researchers as Bear No. 56, the female American black bear was first captured and radio-collared in July 1981 by DNR scientists during the first summer of a long-term research project on bear population ecology. The bear was 7 years old at the time and was accompanied by three female cubs.

Bear No. 56 became a significant animal in the DNR research project. During a 32-year study period, she and her many offspring provided an almost uninterrupted record of reproduction, survival, movements and, eventually, senescence (aging), within a single matriarchal lineage. Data from this bear and her offspring have contributed significantly to the scientific literature on black bear biology. Read more

Wildlife ,

Bear DNA does not match

The DNA of a wounded bear killed Aug. 18 by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources does not match the DNA of the bear that attacked 12-year-old Abby Wetherell near Cadillac, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today. The bear’s carcass was examined by the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory in Lansing, in cooperation with Michigan State University and the Michigan State Police. Tests were conducted for disease, and the bear’s DNA was extracted. The bear DNA was then checked against DNA from fur and saliva lifted from Abby’s clothing and from the scene of the attack. The tests showed that the bear that attacked Abby was a female. The bear that was killed was a male. Read more

Wildlife

Turning pine cones into profit: helping to reforest state land

GW:  So you can’t find a job?  You don’t have that excuse anymore…


Want to play a part in the Department of Natural Resources’ mission of keeping state forests healthy and sustainable and maybe even make a few bucks in the process? Here’s your opportunity!

This fall, as cones are ripening, people can collect red and jack pine cones and sell them to the DNR by visiting offices in Cadillac, Gaylord, Manistique and Marquette. The seeds are placed in cold storage at the DNR-operated Wyman State Nursery until needed.

Each bushel of pine cones can net between $30 and $35 for the person willing to put in some sweat equity. Read more

Wildlife

Oklahoma Coyote Control with Highly Trained Decoy Dogs

By Glen Wunderlich

When John Glynn goes hunting, he means business.  He and his decoy dogs, Nuts and Scrap, are the primary protectors of 1800 head of cattle in S.E. Oklahoma, which roam freely on his 10,000 acres.  So do the coyotes.  Lots of them.

John manages his livestock so that his cows give birth at the same time.  And, with myriad calves being born simultaneously, the coyotes can smell the “dinner bell”.  Most of the time, however, they’re coming for the afterbirth.  But, sometimes they’ll tear a newborn calf to shreds before it hits the ground.  He’ll lose about 200 calves with some 25 to 30 percent related to predation.  And, at a future value of over $1000 per animal, that’s bad business. 

And, that’s why he and his two dogs work as a team.  Read more

Firearms, Hunting, Wildlife , , , , ,

Making the Connection with Youth

By Glen Wunderlich

Early in life each of us develops our “likes” and “dislikes” – and, I’m not talking Facebook.  For example, I don’t know why, but I never was able to stomach lima beans regardless of my father’s fruitless attempts to get me to eat them. Of course, he knew what was good for me, but I never allowed one bean down my throat.  Nice try, Dad.

And, that’s the way it is with all of us.  We evolve through trial and error and naturally gravitate to things we like, which explains how the Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association show makes it to the top of my priority list each August.

My first show over 20 years ago was an eye-opener.  When my friend, Charley Coston, introduced me to the event, I was flabbergasted by the tons of ancient iron, which had been preserved, protected, and converted to “wow” status in many cases.  Count me as a lifer now.

And, so it is with our children.  Schools do a good job of exposing youngsters to a wide variety of subject matters.  Teachers become tool makers filling students’ tool boxes with knowledge – some will become useful, and some of it will be discarded out of hand.  But, it is the wise teacher that bridges the gap from the knowledge to possible end-use – the missing link, if you will. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Shiawassee County man sentenced in large deer, turkey poaching case

GW:  This guy is the poster boy for the anti hunters and earns himself a spot forever more on my poaching wall of shame.  Good job getting this cheater.

In one of the larger poaching cases in recent Michigan history, a Shiawassee County man has been sentenced under a plea agreement and will pay the State of Michigan $75,000 in restitution and have his hunting privileges revoked for the remainder of this year and the next three years. Read more

Poachers, Wildlife

Bear killed in Wexford County to be tested for link to Thursday attack

Two Michigan conservation officers responded to a complaint about a bear at approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday in Wexford County’s Selma Township, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced today.  Conservation Officers Sam Koscinski and Holly Pennoni arrived on scene to find that a man had shot and wounded a bear on his property because he perceived the bear to be a threat to his life. Koscinksi and Pennoni subsequently tracked the bear and shot and killed the animal at approximately 2:45 a.m. Sunday. Read more

Wildlife

DNR’s Weekly Fishing Report available through toll-free telephone number starting Sept. 5

Starting Sept. 5 the Department of Natural Resources’ Weekly Fishing Report will be available via a toll-free telephone number. Anglers will now be able to hear the report, previously accessed by a Lansing-based number, without incurring any phone charges.

The Weekly Fishing Report is available in three formats: online at www.michigan.gov/fishingreport, via email or over the phone. The report’s current phone number is 517-373-0908, but on Sept.5 that number will become 1-855-777-0908. Please note, after Sept. 5 the Weekly Fishing Report will no longer be available through the 517-373-0908 number. Read more

Wildlife

Federal dollars ignite new partnership for Kirtland’s warbler conservation

Kirtland's warblerFederal dollars are igniting a new conservation partnership in northeast Michigan. Huron Pines, a nonprofit organization, recently received $171,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Program (Joint Venture Program). The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding will be used to plant 2 million jack pine seedlings in Kirtland’s warbler management areas, streamline community outreach programs and offer landowners cost-share opportunities. [Photo on the right: A male Kirtland’s warbler, seen during a recent viewing tour near Grayling, sits perched on a jack pine branch. Photo credit: Gene McGarry, Woodstock, NY] Read more

Wildlife
1 … 301 302 303 304 305 … 380