Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
There have been numerous fish kills recently reported from around the state, and staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division is tracking and monitoring these events. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
In Michigan, we tend not to concern ourselves with snakes when we spend time outdoors. Other than our only poisonous snake, the Massasauga rattlesnake, we really don’t have reason to be fearful. But, when my wife showed me a photo of one of the slithering creatures she had taken minutes before in our yard, I became unglued. It appeared to be a rattler.
Eastern Milk Snake
She explained that one of our cats had noticed something from inside the house and the next thing she knew, the cat was outdoors in attack mode. Although it wasn’t clear initially what the cat had spotted, a commotion erupted between the cat and the unwitting visitor. When I saw the photo on the camera’s screen, and was told that it rattled, off we went to investigate.
My first reaction was to be careful no matter what it was. The size and shape of the head didn’t seem to match that of a Massasauga. In addition, its length eemed on the large size for a Massasauga. So, we managed to place it into a paper lawn bag for further observation. Read more
Many of you are aware of a group of hunter/conservationists called the Southern Lower Deer Management Initiative (SLP DMI). The SLP DMI has put forth a proposal to the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) to adopt additional antler restrictions to the current Combination Deer License in an effort to deal with overpopulation issues that have plagued Michigan’s southern lower peninsula for over 2 decades as well as attempt to build age structure into our buck population, something supported by hunters by a 75% margin. Read more
The Canada goose season begins Sept. 1-10 in the Upper Peninsula, Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola counties, and Sept. 1-15 in the rest of the state. Hunters should expect to see plenty of action, because the population is on the rise. More here…
MISSOULA, Mont.-In an online questionnaire about their wolf-hunting experiences, members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation offer valuable intel that could help more hunters enjoy the challenge and fill their wolf tag this fall.
A Top 10 list of hunting tips is featured below. Dozens more ideas and observations are posted at the following link:
http://www.rmef.org/NewsandMedia/NewsReleases/2012/rmefwolfhunttips.htm
DANVILLE, Ala. (July 20, 2012) – After delaying its “12 Weeks of Hunting Giveaway” promotion by a week to completely redesign its website to increase functionality, Hunter Safety System announces the launch of its faster, more user-friendly website as well as the launch of the giveaway Sunday, July 22 at 12:00 PM. Two new prize packages have also been announced Read more
This from my friends at www.USSportsmen.org
The Sierra Club has asked that the Grand Teton National Park complete yet another environmental review of its annual elk hunt. The group cites “changing conditions” since the park last completed a study in 2007 as the reason they want hundreds or thousands of taxpayer dollars again spent on the review. Read more
Early Canada goose season will be similar to last year, as the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) adopted regulations at its regular monthly meeting last Thursday at Harsens Island.
The season will be Sept. 1-10 in the Upper Peninsula and Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola counties; and Sept. 1-15 in the remainder of the state. The daily bag limit is five. Read more
Washington- A new study by U.S. and Canadian scientists has found that seabirds may be eating much more plastic trash than they have in the past, and that seabirds studied off the coast of Washington State and British Columbia are ingesting plastic at rates that are “among the highest” in the world. Read more
The Department of Natural Resources will offer a total of 708,650 antlerless deer licenses for the upcoming season after the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) adopted quotas at its regular monthly meeting last Thursday at Harsens Island. Read more