Picking and planting milkweed seed pods this fall can help future eastern monarch butterflies, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. These butterflies are currently migrating through Ohio on their way to Mexico, where they spend the winter.

Various species of milkweed are the only host plants for monarch caterpillars. Each spring, eastern monarchs lay eggs on milkweed as they migrate north from Mexico. Monarchs travel between 50 and 100 miles per day on a journey that may cover several thousand miles in total. After several generations, monarchs reach their northernmost range in southern Canada. In the fall, a super-generation migrates all the way to southern overwintering sites.

Anyone can play a role in supporting monarchs by planting milkweed. Milkweed is the sole host plant for monarchs and is beneficial at every stage of the insect’s life cycle. Early fall is a great time to gather milkweed pods from the landscape and plant the seeds to add valuable habitat for monarchs. For those with an abundance of milkweed, the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) is coordinating pod collection through local Soil and Water Conservation District locations. Go to ohiopollinator.org to find a nearby drop-off site. Read more

A grizzly bear was euthanized last week after a series of conflicts with chicken coops and other attractants near homes in the Silver Butte area south of Libby.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife specialists received reports of the bear breaking into chicken coops, greenhouses, and storage sheds on residential properties near Barren Peak Road off U.S. Highway 2. There were also reports of the bear going onto porches of homes.

The male bear, estimated to be approximately 2 years old, was exhibiting bold behavior that indicates it was conditioned to unnatural food sources. This is a habit that is very hard to break and causes human safety concerns, as bears actively pursue food and other attractants in and around homes, ranches, and other occupied areas instead of returning to natural food sources.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized removal of the bear, and the bear was trapped and euthanized. Grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and the USFWS has final authority regarding management actions. Read more

Two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers who patrol in northwest Michigan were recognized during Thursday’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.

Sgt. Dan Bigger and CO Logan Turner received DNR Distinguished Service Awards for an attempted water rescue on Lake Michigan in 2022. Turner also received a DNR Lifesaving Award for his quick actions in extinguishing a vehicle fire involving an injured person trapped inside.

Burning vehicle in Traverse City

On Feb. 1, 2024, Turner responded to a two-vehicle accident on West South Airport Road, near Eastward Drive in Traverse City. Read more

Hunters not injured in encounter

A grizzly bear was killed Monday in an encounter with bowhunters in Tepee Creek, north of West Yellowstone.

The two hunters reported being charged by a sow grizzly bear with two yearling cubs. Using handguns, the hunters shot and killed the sow. The yearling bears also charged at the hunters, who shot at and injured one of the yearlings. The hunters were not injured.

Bear specialists, game wardens and a helicopter pilot with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, as well as law enforcement staff with the Custer Gallatin National Forest, visited the site on Wednesday. They confirmed the mortality of the adult bear, an older female. Officials found evidence of a yearling bear being injured, but they did not locate the yearling bears. Read more

Two grizzly bears were removed last month due to cattle depredations in southwestern Montana.

One bear was killed in the Gravelly Mountains after several instances of sheep depredation. These conflicts happened despite multiple attempts to avoid them, including guard dogs, moving sheep to new areas, and hazing the bear.

The second bear was killed on private land in the Paradise Valley south of Livingston after chronic cattle depredations. The landowner moved cows twice, but conflicts continued.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services removed both bears on Aug. 21 in consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Specialists with FWP and Wildlife Services work to help landowners, producers and communities avoid bear conflicts. Promptly reporting bear conflicts can make a difference for the health of the bear and the safety of communities. Some corrective management efforts, when applied early, can be effective in discouraging bears from being close to humans and livestock and reduce future conflicts. Read more

Invasive pest continues to spread within Michigan

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) detected invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Wayne County with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirming the finding. This confirmation follows an extensive survey across 20 counties, during which MDARD identified additional populations of this invasive pest in Monroe, Wayne, and Oakland counties. While spotted lanternfly had previously been detected in Monroe and Oakland, these surveys revealed new infestations in each location. Read more

Most recent case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease confirmed in St. Joseph County

A common viral deer disease has made a return to St. Joseph County after a three-year hiatus, with additional counties likely to follow. Over the past several weeks, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has received reports of over 120 probable cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, primarily from counties in the southwestern Lower Peninsula.

The DNR Wildlife Health Section and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory recently confirmed the EHD virus in a free-ranging white-tailed deer from St. Joseph County. Several other counties are awaiting lab confirmation.

EHD is a viral, sometimes fatal disease found in wild ruminants such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk.

“Although early reports indicate 2024 could see a significant outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in pockets of Michigan’s deer population, this isn’t necessarily unusual,” said Chad Stewart, acting supervisor of the DNR Wildlife Division’s Sustainable Populations Section. Read more