Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Biologists Set To Begin Grizzly Bear Captures On Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana

BOZEMAN – As part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, is working to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are once again about to begin within northwestern portions of the Custer Gallatin National Forest and private lands, south of I-90, in Montana. Biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will begin the field captures June 17 and continue through July 22. Capture operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with warning signs. It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs.

Research and monitoring of the grizzly bear population is vital to ongoing recovery and management of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In order to attract bears, biologists use natural food sources such as recently road-killed deer and elk. Potential capture sites are baited with these natural foods and if indications are that grizzly bears are in the area, culvert traps or foot snares are used to capture bears. Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST and approved by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Whenever bear capture activities are being conducted for scientific purposes, the area around the site will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. These signs are posted along the major access points to the capture site. It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted. For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts call the IGBST trapping hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about the grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website: https://www.usgs.gov/science/interagency-grizzly-bear-study-team

Wildlife

Nearly 100 parcels of Michigan DNR-managed land available via online auctions in August, September

The properties, ranging in size from under an acre to 160 acres, are available in more than two dozen counties

Lake frontage, river frontage and vacant, forested acreage surrounded by private ownership – these describe some of the parcels available in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ next round of surplus land auctions set for later this summer.

The DNR is busy preparing 91 such properties for sale via online auctions in August and early September.

Surplus land sales, a regular part of the DNR’s public land strategy, are key to how the department manages the land it oversees on behalf of the people of Michigan. Auction proceeds will be reinvested in acquiring critical land for the public to help provide future outdoor recreation opportunities in keeping with the DNR’s mission to conserve, protect and manage the state’s natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.

Land in more than two dozen counties throughout Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula will be available via 11 online auctions between Aug. 2 and Sept. 5: Read more

Wildlife

Black Bear Near Colstrip, Montana Captured, Relocated

A young male black bear that had been getting into garbage in and around Colstrip residential areas in recent days was successfully captured, tranquilized, tagged and relocated to a remote area Friday by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 7.

There has been a bit of an uptick in bear sightings recently around the region. But the mere presence of bears should not be considered an imminent threat. Bears prefer to avoid contact with humans, but when they receive frequent food rewards such as household trash, pet food and fruit, they can quickly become habituated to people This creates a situation that, if not remedied, may mean injury to humans or death for the bear. Hence the saying, “A fed bear is a dead bear.” Read more

Wildlife

Gamekeeper Podcast: The Degradation of Wild Mallard Genetics

EP:243 | The Degradation of Wild Mallard Genetics

On this week’s podcast Dr. Philip Lavretsky of UTEP and Dr. Brian Davis of Miss State University join us to explain the frightening scenario of the degradation of wild mallard genetics. Released “game farm” mallards were previously thought to not survive the winters, and certainly weren’t thought to be breeding with wild ducks. Turns out that’s not true as they are having an increasing genetic influence on the Atlantic flyway mallards and the phenomenon is moving west. All we have to do is look to Europe to see what could play out. This alarming story plus new information that Dr. Lavretsky explains has everyone worried about the future of our beloved greenheads. If you love wildlife, especially ducks, you’re going to want to pay attention to this one and share it. Listen and Learn.

Listen Links:
Website: https://mossyoakgamekeeper.com/podcasts/ep243-the-degradation-of-wild-mallard-genetics/

Wildlife ,

International Wildlife Museum Taxidermy for Sale

The International Wildlife Museum of the Safari Club International Foundation permanently closed on December 31, 2023. The museum housed nearly 2,000 taxidermy mounts and skulls. In the wake of this closure, The SCIF Board has approved the sale of specimens not protected under the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or Marine Mammal Protection Act. The proceeds from these sales will support SCIF’s Conservation and Education efforts.

Lolli Livestock Inc. will facilitate the sale of these items through their auctions and website. The first auction will take place on July 11, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. Read more

Wildlife

Lake Erie and Maumee State Lodge to Host Outdoor Media in 2025

The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) is excited to announce that it will hold its 2025 Annual Meeting at Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center, hosted by Destination Toledo. The annual gathering of the nation’s top outdoor journalists and supporting outdoor companies will kick off early Monday morning, June 22 and conclude Wednesday evening, June 24.

“We’re thrilled to help bring outdoor media from all over the U.S. to Northwest Ohio for POMA’s 2025 Annual Meeting,” said Mark Brazeau of Destination Toledo. “With world-class walleye fishing and abundant hunting resources all in close proximity to Toledo, we’re excited to show off all the amazing opportunities available to outdoor enthusiasts from around the country!”

Northwest Ohio, home to Port Clinton, the “Walleye Capitol of the World,” and one of the nation’s top waterfowl and birding spots at Magee Marsh, offers a unique blend of outdoor experiences. It’s also the location of one of the most historic shooting events each year at nearby Camp Perry. For hunters, anglers and shooters, few places are such a perfect fit for POMA as Northwest Ohio. Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Update on Michigan Box Tree Moth Quarantine Counties

A new compliance agreement will allow the shipment of Buxus box plants outside of counties under Michigan’s box tree moth interior quarantine. Prior to May 22, no one was able to move regulated articles outside of the 12 quarantined southeastern and central Michigan counties because of an infestation of the box tree moths. Now, nurseries that produce boxwoods in the quarantine zone are allowed to enter an expanded compliance agreement with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to sell plants outside of the quarantine zone.

Learn more about the box tree moth compliance agreement.

Wildlife

Plan Your Plots for Fall Success

Even though deer season is months away, there’s plenty of planning to be done now for landowners looking to increase the attractiveness of their land to deer during this fall’s hunting seasons.

Jeremy Brown, Deer Management Assistance Program Coordinator in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Private Lands Habitat Division, says successful use of food plots in deer management is much more than roughing up a spot in the dirt and throwing out seeds from the latest no-fail deer forage blend on the shelf of a big box store.

“I wish it was as easy as some of those labels make it seem,” Brown said. “If the stars align you can grow some food that attracts a deer to a spot where you’re hunting, but the use of food plots has much more potential than just making what we call a ‘kill plot’ during deer season.”

The first thing Brown tells prospective deer managers is to really think about their goals.

“Are you wanting to just attract deer to a small spot during hunting season or are you wanting to manage on more of a year-round basis and provide food for a healthy deer herd and maximize antler development?” Brown said. “Start off with your goals in mind so you don’t waste time and money going the wrong direction.”

Brown says the answer to his first question often is dictated by his second: “What are your limitations?”

Many clubs have to work within the parameters of their lease agreement when it comes to planting food plots or otherwise altering the land in a way that could affect the landowners’ interests.

“A lot of timber companies still let lease holders plant some small plots to help attract deer during hunting season, but large management regimes aren’t really possible,” Brown said. “The good news for those clubs is that some of the regular thinning and harvest activities in certain stages of timber production can increase forage value for wildlife to an extent.”

Clubs who own their own land or have a wide-open policy for management activities still may face roadblocks based on finances and size.

“If you’re a smaller landowner, you might not be able to put enough into food plots to make a shift in herd health, but you might be able to work with neighboring landowners to manage cooperatively so everyone benefits,” Brown said. “And remember, food plots are only a part of the equation.”

Once you’ve assessed your goals and limitations, it’s time to gather some intel on the property’s potential. Soil samples and surveys of the vegetation already present can increase your chances of success tenfold. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

2024 Songbird Art Contest Now Open

The 2024 Songbird Art Contest is now open and accepting entries. The contest is free to enter and open to youth kindergarten through 12th grade. Entries must feature one of the selected species below and will be accepted through November 30th, 2024.

2024 Official Bird List:

  • American Goldfinch
  • Scarlet Tanager
  • Cerulean Warbler
  • Brown-headed Nuthatch
  • Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

To compete, students in kindergarten-12th grade must choose one species from the Official Bird List to research and create a unique, hand-done art piece of their chosen songbird. Along with their art, students in 4th grade and above must submit a short creative writing piece related to their species and its conservation needs. The deadline for submission is November 30th, 2024. Read more

Wildlife

Summer Serenade: Nightjars Display Evening Calling

Some sounds just say summer – the chorus of calling insects, water lapping against the shore, the sizzle of meat hitting the grill and the hum of a lawnmower.

What about the incessant, nighttime cadence of the eastern whip-poor-will? If you’re unfamiliar with this one, fair warning, the bird’s chanting inspires songs and poetry in some while vexing others. Click here for a sample, courtesy of Cornell Laboratory. Read more

Wildlife
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