Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Gather Milkweed Pods this Fall to Support Migrating Monarchs

Gathering milkweed seeds now helps support future populations of monarch butterflies.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – As fall approaches, eastern monarch butterflies are migrating through Ohio on their way to overwintering sites in Mexico, and milkweed seed pods are ready to be picked, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Monarchs travel between 50 and 100 miles per day on a journey that may cover several thousand miles in total. By gathering dried milkweed pods this fall and planting the seeds, you can support next year’s monarchs.

Various species of milkweed are the sole host plants for monarch caterpillars. Each spring, eastern monarchs lay eggs on milkweed as they migrate north from Mexico. After several generations, monarchs reach their northernmost range in southern Canada. By the fall, a super-generation migrates all the way to southern overwintering sites.

Migrating monarchs rely on adequate food resources along their journey. Native flowers provide monarchs with the fuel needed to reach overwintering areas. Look for monarchs in the coming weeks in forests, fields, gardens, and waterways as they migrate through Ohio. Migrants may travel individually or in groups.

Monarch butterflies are in decline across their range, as are many other pollinating insects, because of the loss of prairie and grassland habitat. One of the most important ways to help declining butterflies and other pollinating insects is by conserving tracts of unmown grasslands. The Division of Wildlife manages habitat on many of Ohio’s state wildlife areas to provide these grasslands that provide nectar-producing plants.

All Ohioans can play a role in supporting monarchs by planting milkweed. Read more

Wildlife

Invasive spotted lanternfly: See it. Squish it. Report it.

Now is the prime time to be on the lookout for the invasive spotted lanternfly! Late summer to early fall is the most likely season to spot the colorful planthoppers, and the departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development are urging Michiganders to report any potential sightings of these destructive invasive pests.

“We’ve heard reports of spotted lanternflies swarming New York City and covering beaches on the Jersey Shore. We’d like to prevent similar scenarios in Michigan,” said Rob Miller, MDARD’s invasive species prevention and response specialist. “Everyone can help by looking for spotted lanternfly and reporting suspected sightings.”

The spotted lanternfly spreads to new locations by hitchhiking or laying eggs on vehicles and equipment that have traveled through infested areas. If you are returning from out of state, it’s important to look for and destroy spotted lanternfly insects and egg masses that may be hiding on cars, trailers, firewood, camping gear or anything that’s been outside.

The Michigan Invasive Species Program’s new campaign – “See it. Squish it. Report it.” – reminds Michiganders and visitors of the simple steps they can take to prevent new introductions of spotted lanternflies in the state. Read more

Wildlife

South Dakota Projects Receive Nearly $1.45 Million

Help is on the way to enhance more wildlife habitat, create more public access for elk hunters, better advance chronic wasting disease research and support more South Dakota hunting and outdoor programs.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $1,458,840 in grant funding to further those endeavors. RMEF committed $295,123 that helped leverage $1,163,717 in partner dollars.

The grant funding supports 25 projects across 16 counties and two others with statewide impact.

“A significant portion of these grants focus on invasive weed control, removing encroaching conifers on aspen stands, creating new wildlife water sources and better protecting riparian habitat. These treatments make a significant difference for elk, deer and other species,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer.

Highlighting a few examples, RMEF granted funding in addition to the previously announced $100,000 for chronic wasting disease research in the Black Hills and $15,000 to open public access for elk hunting on private land. In addition, RMEF allotted funding for 15 hunting heritage projects ranging from youth recreational shooting teams to helping expand The Outdoor Campus facility in Sioux Falls. Read more

Wildlife

Arizona Wildlife Views TV Show Returns for Another Season

If you enjoy wildlife and the outdoors, you won’t want to miss the new season of Arizona Wildlife Views on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) YouTube channel and Arizona PBS Channel 8.

The Emmy Award-winning television program will open your eyes to the best of our state’s wildlife, wild places and outdoor adventure through spectacular video and compelling stories.

The 10-episode season will highlight a variety of wildlife conservation efforts in Arizona, including: Read more

Wildlife

Turtle Trafficking Suspect Indicted for Assault of Wildlife Officer

An individual suspected of trafficking red-eared slider turtles in Cincinnati and striking a state wildlife officer with his vehicle was recently indicted in Hamilton County by a grand jury, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

In July, State Wildlife Officer Brad Turner, assigned to Preble County, received a Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) report regarding turtles being sold in Cincinnati. Officer Turner and State Wildlife Officer Andrew Dowdell, assigned to Butler County, responded to the location. They found two men selling red-eared sliders without the required propagation permit.

During the encounter, one of the suspects, Alonso Oliver-Tucker, 37, of Philadelphia, PA, disobeyed an officer’s verbal commands and fled in his vehicle, striking Officer Turner as he accelerated. Officer Turner was treated at The Christ Hospital and released the same evening.

The Cincinnati Police Department filed three arrest warrants for Oliver-Tucker, who was arrested several days later in Pennsylvania. The suspect was recently indicted by a grand jury in Hamilton County on two felony counts: assault on a police officer and failure to comply with an order of a police officer.

The officers seized more than 100 red-eared sliders. Read more

Wildlife

QuietKat, First Lite, and the National Deer Association Team Up

QuietKat, the trailblazer in outdoor adventure and eBike technology, is thrilled to announce they have united their strengths with First Lite and the National Deer Association (NDA). Together they’re announcing a new tool to both raise money for conservation and to silently hunt this year: The QuietKat E-Bike First Lite Specter.

The QuietKat E-Bike First Lite Specter combines QuietKat’s engineering prowess and manufacturing with First Lite’s Specter Camo design. This electric bike packs a punch with its 1000-watt hub-drive motor, boasting an impressive 48-mile range and unmatched off-road performance. Perfect for year-round scouting, land management, and reaching those remote hunting spots, it can carry up to 325 pounds. With adjustable front suspension, 7-speed gearing, and powerful brakes, it’s ready for any terrain and powerful enough to make your pack-out incredibly easy.

But this collaboration is about more than just tech. Eight percent of every QuietKat E-bike First Lite Specter sale (4% QuietKat and 4% First Lite) will go to the NDA. This contribution will directly provide to initiatives securing a sustainable future for wild deer, preserving wildlife habitats, and safeguarding hunting for generations to follow. As a gesture of appreciation, we are also including the “Camo for Conservation” hat with every bike purchase, allowing you to proudly show your support of the National Deer Association. Read more

Wildlife

New Research Seeks to Provide Deeper Understanding of Wild Turkey Populations

(Photo Credit: Monte Loomis)

For more information, contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698 or pmuller@nwtf.net

New Research Seeks to Provide Deeper Understanding of Wild Turkey Populations

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — As part of its 2023 investment in wild turkey research, the NWTF is helping fund state-of-the-art research that integrates multiple data sources – a first-of-its-kind approach in wild turkey management – to provide wild turkey managers with a more accurate picture of population abundance across the country.

In 2019, a report in Science made headlines worldwide, stating that North America’s bird population had decreased by 3 billion birds since the 1970s. Researchers deciphered this staggering number using advanced statistical methods integrating wide-ranging data sources, including multiple annual bird censuses, historical data and even weather radar data that can quantify migratory birds. Now, researchers at the University of Florida want to take a similar approach with wild turkeys, painting a clearer picture of wild turkey abundance across the country. Read more

Wildlife

Gamekeeper Podcast: Mississippi Record Alligator

EP:180 | Mississippi Record Alligator

On this BONUS episode we hear the story of the recently killed Mississippi State Record Alligator. The hunters Don Woods, Will Thomas, Tanner White and Joey Clark join us to tell the exciting story, and former MDWFP gator coordinator Ricky Flint explains even more interesting details about prior interactions with the same individual. Imagine a 14 foot jon boat and a 14 foot 3 inch 802 pound alligator! It’s an amazing story of four deserving hunters. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this one.

Listen Links: Read more

Wildlife

Dorsey Covers Governor Kristi Noem’s Blueprint for Success in South Dakota

Spend any time in South Dakota and what strikes you most is that the place still works. At a time when so many American cities seem like backdrops for the next Hollywood dystopian thriller, life amid the amber waves of grain feels like utopia, a remnant of a country that once was. With 63 parks and recreation areas to explore, it’s no surprise that Forbes included the state on their recent best travel destinations list.

South Dakota’s natural beauty from the Black Hills and Badlands (the geologic wonder that Teddy Roosevelt once referred to as inspiring the romance of his life) to the sweeping prairies, holds some of the country’s most divergent landscapes.

Along with the state’s wild attractions and famous monuments, its economy is thriving. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state ranked in the top five for growth in gross domestic product and personal income during the first quarter of 2023. The state’s real GDP also rose a whopping 10.1 percent and personal income went up 9.2 percent. Additionally, South Dakota recently broke the record for lowest unemployment rate, registering just 1.8 percent in June—roughly half the national average.

To read the rest of this column click here.

Wildlife
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