Twelve grants awarded across 10 counties

Projects on private lands aimed at improvements for white-tailed deer

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has awarded a total of $100,000 in deer habitat improvement grant funding to a dozen entities for projects in the Upper Peninsula.

The Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative is a competitive grant program designed to enhance deer habitat on non-state lands.

This year, 12 grants were awarded from 18 applicants for projects across 10 of the U.P.’s 15 counties. The value of the projects awarded grants totaled $201,541.

“These grants will produce positive impacts in Marquette, Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Baraga, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Schoolcraft and Mackinac counties,” said Bill Scullon, DNR field operations manager and administrator for the grant initiative. “The planned match for the 12 grants is valued in excess of $79,000 (well in excess of the required 25%) further expanding the impact of the projects.”

Groups eligible for these grants include organizations with a formal mission to promote wildlife conservation and/or hunting, such as sportsmen’s clubs, conservation districts, land conservancies, industrial landowners with more than 10,000 acres, or private land affiliations where two or more unrelated persons jointly own 400 or more acres. Read more

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs had sought to lease 162,000 acres of state forest land for training

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has declined a proposed 20-year lease of approximately 162,000 acres of state forest land to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The DMVA had sought to lease the land, located around the National Guard training camp in Grayling, to accommodate low-impact military training activities.

“We appreciate the many comments we received on this proposal and the commitment people have to public lands,” said Acting DNR Director Shannon Lott. “Public concerns and feedback from Tribal governments, coupled with our own review of the proposal, led us to decide against a 20-year lease on such a significant portion of state-managed land.”

The decision was made after months of public input and after consultation with interested Michigan Tribal governments. Read more

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs had sought to lease 162,000 acres of state forest land for training

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has declined a proposed 20-year lease of approximately 162,000 acres of state forest land to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The DMVA had sought to lease the land, located around the National Guard training camp in Grayling, to accommodate low-impact military training activities.

“We appreciate the many comments we received on this proposal and the commitment people have to public lands,” said Acting DNR Director Shannon Lott. “Public concerns and feedback from Tribal governments, coupled with our own review of the proposal, led us to decide against a 20-year lease on such a significant portion of state-managed land.”

The decision was made after months of public input and after consultation with interested Michigan Tribal governments.

Memorandum of Understanding

Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the DNR and the DMVA, the DMVA will be able to apply for limited land use permits to conduct exercises on up to 52,000 acres of eligible land. The permits would allow the Michigan National Guard to conduct low-impact training on specified areas of land, which would remain open to the public and Tribal members at all times. The MOU also provides that the permits will not allow military training to take place in any protected or sensitive habitat areas or within a certain distance of inland lakes and designated trout streams. Read more

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected for the first time in free-ranging California wildlife.

One hunter-harvested mule deer, a buck from El Dorado County, was confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. The deer was harvested in 2021 and sampled by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance. It was negative for CWD and did not show any outward signs of illness.

In California, SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed in pets and zoo animals, but never in free-ranging wildlife. Following reports of SARS-CoV-2 detections in free-ranging white-tailed deer and mule deer in other states and Canadian provinces, CDFW tested archived deer samples for SARS-CoV-2. The samples consisted of lymph nodes collected as part of CDFW’s CWD surveillance efforts. CWD has never been detected in California’s deer or elk populations.

CDFW submitted archived samples from 170 black-tailed and mule deer collected in 2020 and 209 black-tailed and mule deer collected in 2021. Initial testing for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at UC Davis, and confirmatory testing was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Read more

New X-TERRA PRO offers modern technology in a durable, waterproof, and affordable package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIb2fxPud1g

Chicago, IL (April 26, 2023) – Its technical rugged good looks aren’t by accident. It’s that kind of detector – durable, full-of-features, and, yes, waterproof… If you’ve been intrigued by the burgeoning outdoor activity of treasure hunting, but haven’t yet stepped in the ring, now’s the time to join the growing crowd.

Minelab, the international leader in metal detection, proudly introduces the X-TERRA PRO. Priced to be a gateway into the sport, the X-TERRA PRO offers more for the money than any metal detector, ever. Read more

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts –– Savage Arms proudly announces “Aldo Leopold | Serve the Land” which debuted exclusively on Carbon TV on April 26, 2023 and is now available on Savage’s website. This complete film breaks down the impact, importance and of course, legacy, of Leopold. Viewers will learn why he was such an influential person in the history of wildlife conservation in North America and also discover a direct tie Savage Arms had to Leopold.

Many people know Leopold as a pioneer in wildlife conservation and are familiar with his life story and major accomplishments. Leopold’s collection of essays “A Sand County Almanac” is iconic in many conservation, environmental and hunting communities. With more than two million copies sold, it is one of the most respected books about the environment ever published and is a driving force behind Leopold being regarded as the most influential mind in conservation in the 20th century.

“Aldo Leopold’s name, story and many of his accomplishments are well-known within the hunting community,” said Megan Harten, Marketing Manager at Savage Arms. “But this film highlights specific stories and paramount events with great detail. Our partners on this project present information and unparalleled knowledge that will allow even the most dedicated followers or studiers of Leopold to learn something new. We’re proud of this film and look forward to hearing how viewers gained new perspective and appreciation for the work of a great man, conservationist and hunter.”

Leopold, like many who truly make a difference in their field, fully dedicated himself to conservation. In 1928 he believed wildlife conservation was so flawed, he quit his high-paying, comfortable job at the Forest Service to pursue, develop and implement his progressive thoughts on the topic. At the time he had five children and the country was about to enter The Great Depression.

Leopold’s urge to step out and make a difference was fueled by the initial reasoning that wildlife conservation was not sufficiently achieved by wildlife protection—it required active management. This meant that having Game Wardens enforce laws was not enough, and that effective wildlife conservation required wildlife managers. Read more

Contact: Kristen Bennett, 248-431-1265

DNR outlines temporary closures due to enhancement projects in state parks this spring and summer

Thanks to $250 million in federal relief COVID-19 funding made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, several of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ planned improvement projects at state parks are getting underway this spring and summer.

The result? Temporary closures will be in place so the DNR can address a long list of critical needs.

Because of this work, visitors will be able to enjoy new and upgraded camping amenities, park roads, electrical and water distribution systems and toilet and shower buildings, as well as visitor center enhancements and historic preservation work – all things that contribute to a better visitor experience.

“Although there may be some dust and some campgrounds and amenities may temporarily close during construction, staff is working hard to minimize the duration of any closures and the inconvenience to our guests,” said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation chief. “Shovels in the ground are a true testament to the historic investment being made in our state parks and recreation system, and we appreciate visitors’ patience this season.”

Stay up to date on closures

Get the latest information on closures at all DNR facilities at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures. Some of the planned state park closures include: Read more