Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

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 , ,

Hunt and win – inaugural Wetland Wonders Challenge contest in full swing

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds waterfowl hunters about the new Wetland Wonders Challenge. The contest focuses on promoting Michigan’s seven premier Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas (MWHA). These areas include:

  • Allegan State Game Area’s Fennville Farm Unit
  • Fish Point
  • Harsens Island
  • Muskegon County Wastewater Facility
  • Nayanquing Point
  • Pointe Mouillee
  • Shiawassee River Read more
Hunting, Wildlife

USSAF Files to Intervene in Wisconsin Wolf Hunt Lawsuit

Today, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation along with Safari Club International, the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, and the United Sportsmen of Wisconsin filed a motion to intervene in a Wisconsin lawsuit seeking to stop the use of dogs in the state’s wolf hunt.

The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of Wisconsin humane societies and several individuals against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), claims that the use of dogs to hunt wolves violates the state’s animal cruelty law despite the fact that the animal cruelty law clearly states it does not apply to hunting.  The lawsuit also claims that the WDNR should have enacted strict rules on using dogs to pursue wolves.  These unnecessary restrictions would make it nearly impossible to effectively hunt wolves with dogs. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife , , ,

Bushnell’s New Arc 1300 Rangefinder

GW:  This state-of-the-art rangefinder is small enough to fit inside a small shirt pocket, so there’s no reason not to take it along.  And, since I’m not technologically advanced, I most appreciate the clear instructions provided in book form.  With four brightness levels of the LED display, it can be set easily for sun or low light.  No reason to complain about it. 

Bushnell, the undisputed leader in laser rangefinder technology, introduces a rugged new compact lightweight unit for 2012.

Bushnell’s G-Force Arc 1300

The new G-Force 1300 ARC laser rangefinder has a host of features that will appeal to a wide range of hunters and shooters. The unit features ranging capabilities out to 1300 yards reflective, 900 yards to objec ts like trees and 500 yards to deer.

It has a 6x magnification eyepiece with adjustable diopter setting. The unit is fully waterproof and has the patented Bushnell RainGuard HD permanent lens coating for a clear bright view in inclement weather.  Read more

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Paul Ryan as Sportsman

(Columbus, OH) – Before a sold-out audience of hunters, anglers, trappers and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance members, 2012 Republican Vice Presidential nominee Congressman Paul Ryan let the gathered know—he’s one of them. He also had praise for the benefits of hunting and fishing.

“Hunters and anglers are the best conservationists. It is very critical that we pass it on to the next generation,” said Congressman Ryan.  “Youth learn such great life lessons when you take them hunting.” Read more

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Timberdoodles, goatsuckers and other wildlife will benefit from partnership to create young aspen forest habitat

Have you ever heard of a timberdoodle? A goatsucker? Both are nicknames for birds found in Michigan’s young aspen forests.

Timberdoodle

The woodcock, nicknamed the timberdoodle for its long beak – which it uses to probe in moist soil looking for earthworms – is a prized upland bird game species. The whip-poor-will, or goatsucker, has the familiar “whip-poor-will” song that many people recognize. Both of these birds, along with many other wildlife species, depend on young aspen forests to survive.

Young aspen forests must be intensively managed or, as time passes, they will grow into older forests. Historically in Michigan, young forests occurred in areas where there were significant weather events or large wildfires. The wind would blow over a large area of trees or a large fire would burn acres of trees, allowing a new, young forest to appear. In addition to natural events like wind and fire, humans also created young forest as land was cleared in the late 1800s for farming and wood products and pockets of young forests were planted and scattered across the landscape. Read more

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