Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

A look at the history of Michigan’s antler-point restrictions

  For many years, Michigan restricted hunters to a bucks-only harvest in order to protect the reproductive capacity of the herd. This approach sustained deer populations that, at times, were scarce but still allowed recreational opportunity and a chance to put food on the table. As deer became increasingly numerous and widespread, however, it became obvious to wildlife managers that a continued focus on maximizing deer production was no longer the best approach. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife , ,

More Project FeederWatch Participants Needed to Track Winter Birds

Ithaca, NY-The 26th season of Project FeederWatch begins November 10, and participants are needed more than ever. By watching their feeders from November through April and submitting their observations to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, bird watchers make it possible for scientists to keep track of changing bird populations across the continent. New or returning participants can sign up anytime at www.FeederWatch.org. Read more

Wildlife

Fox and coyote trapping and fox hunting seasons have started

Fox and coyote trapping season: Statewide Oct. 15 – March 1 Coyote may be taken on private property by a property owner or designee all year if they are doing or about to do damage on private property. A license or written permit is not needed. See Winter Fox and Coyote Non-lethal Cable Restraints for regulations governing the trapping of fox and coyote.


Gray and red fox hunting seasons: Statewide Oct. 15 – March 1 See Nighttime Raccoon and Predator Hunting for specific regulations governing the hunting of these species at night.

And a reminder that coyote hunting season is in full swing until April 15. Residents possessing a valid small game license may hunt coyote during the established season. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

HSUS Threatens Lawsuit to Overturn Western Great Lakes Wolf Delisting

(Columubs, OH) – On Monday, October 15th, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and its Fund for Animals filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the removal of the Western Great Lakes region wolves from the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).  A 60-day notice of intent to sue is a required procedural step before filing a lawsuit against the Service under the Endangered Species Act. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife , , , ,

Hunting & Fishing Tales at Their Best

For several years award winning author J. Wayne Fears has written his comic tall tales about growing up poor around Tater Knob Mountain in north Alabama. They have been hits in magazines such as Progressive Farmer, GunHunter and Great Days Outdoors. Now he has compiled many of the folksy tales, which have the outdoor humor similar to Pat McManus with the rural nostalgic, philosophical rural touch similar to Ferrol Sams, into an e-book entitled Chipmunk, Punky, Sometimes Jenny and Me. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

What Whitetail Deer will Eat this Winter

The brassica plots are better than ever in mid-Michigan and the two freezes earlier this month have sweetened the turnips.  Recently, I have found entire turnips pulled out of the ground and chewed up by the deer.

Jumbo samples from the brassica plot. On the left is a giant Japanese radish and on the right is a purple top turnip.

We planted on July 30th, after a long, drought-ridden summer, and it turned out as good as any “farmer” could hope.  The fertilizer (19-19-19) was mixed into the soil, along with a good dose of lime months ahead of planting day.  Mother Nature has done the rest.

 

Hunting, Wildlife , , , ,

Obama Administration’s Transparency Clear as Mud

By  Glen Wunderlich

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was designed to help the recovery of endangered or threatened animal species.  One of the success stories has landed home – literally – as one of the world’s rarest birds, a lone whooping crane, has been spotted recently in Shiawassee County.  In year 1941 only 23 of these birds were known to exist in the entire world, but today some 437 of North America’s tallest birds are alive.

Although there’s room to debate how taxpayer dollars are spent, who’d argue against such a noble endeavor to save one of our most magnificent species?  Certainly, no politician would risk the ire of voters by diverting funds meant to save animals from extinction, but behind the scenes, legislation to introduce transparency in accounting for such funds has stalled without ever coming to a vote in the U.S. Senate, led by Harry Reid (D-Nevada). Read more

Animal Rights, Wildlife , , , , , ,

Rare Whooping Crane in Shiawassee County

One of the world’s rarest birds, the whooping crane, has decided to visit Michigan. In an area of private farmland in Shiawassee County, a lone whooping crane has been seen for the last three or four days. These birds almost went extinct due to over-hunting and habitat loss. With only 23 living in 1941, conservation efforts began to bring North America’s tallest bird back from the brink. Today, there are an estimated 437 birds in the wild. Read more

Wildlife

Upland game bird hunting is here!

Sharp-tailed grouse hunting opens today in the Upper Peninsula. The season lasts until Oct. 31. Check the DNR’s sharp-tailed grouse page for general hunting information and bag limits. 

The first ring-necked pheasant season also opens today for Zone 1 (partial) in the U.P and lasts until Oct. 31. The next opportunity to hunt pheasant occurs on Oct. 20 for Zones 2 and 3 and lasts until Nov. 14. Don’t forget there’s also a partial Zone 3 hunt from Dec. 1 – Jan 1. Remember: males only; bag limits are two per day, four in possession. Check the DNR’s pheasant page for more information on zones and hunting dates and regulations. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife , ,
1 … 307 308 309 310 311 … 353