Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Wyoming: Cold Temperatures, Deep Snow Taking A Toll on Wyoming Wildlife

CHEYENNE – Much of Wyoming is experiencing an increase in snowfall and extremely cold temperatures this winter. Wildlife managers across the state are actively monitoring the impact on big game and are seeing increased mortality in some areas of the state.

“Wyoming is used to tough winters, but it has been a while since we have had a winter where severe conditions were so widespread across the state,” said Doug Brimeyer, Wyoming Game and Fish Department deputy chief of wildlife. “Wildlife managers throughout the state are acutely aware of the effects winter is having on big game populations.”

Harsh winters are not uncommon in the West. Wyoming’s big game have faced difficult winter conditions in the past, most recently in 2017. Game and Fish wildlife managers will incorporate winter severity and mortality as they formulate hunting season recommendations for the 2023 seasons. Read more

Wildlife

California: Fifteen Agencies Collaborate to Support Monarch and Pollinator Conservation Efforts

State and federal agencies in California are joining forces to address the decline of monarch butterflies and other pollinator species in the state. The Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative aims to facilitate long-term conservation of the western population of the migratory monarch butterfly and its habitats, as well as other pollinator species in the state.

“Monarchs and other pollinators are critical to maintaining ecosystem resilience and preserving California’s biodiversity,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham. “It will take a collective effort between agencies to make significant headway toward the state’s conservation goals and recover pollinator populations.”

Recent surveys reveal a positive turn for the monarchs. The 2023 count of overwintering monarchs along the California coast showed a robust population of more than 330,000 butterflies. This represents more than a thousandfold increase over the all-time low count of less than 2,000 individuals in 2020. Read more

Wildlife

The Richmond Falcon Cam Is Back

RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is happy to announce that the popular Richmond Falcon Cam is now live for the 2023 season and available for viewing at dwr.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/. The Falcon Cam is a live streaming camera which follows the activities of a peregrine falcon pair that nests in downtown Richmond, Virginia, atop the 21st floor of the Riverfront Plaza building.

Biologists monitoring the stream have observed the previous year’s pair on a regular basis throughout the past month. “Falcon fans will be happy to hear that our familiar female (95/AK) and male (59/BM) have once again shown an interest in utilizing the Riverfront building as a nest site,” said Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist for DWR. “This pair has done an absolutely phenomenal job raising their chicks in the past two years, so I’m thrilled to see both birds on camera again.”

As long as no new birds show up and displace one of the current pair, the first egg will likely be laid around late-March. Until then, viewers can expect to see the falcons maintaining their nest, otherwise known as a “scrape,” and continue to engage in courtship behaviors, such as sharing prey items and repeatedly bowing to one another.

Comcast Business provides the Internet connection that allows thousands of wildlife lovers to follow the falcons via the live video feed of the nest. This is the seventh year that DWR has partnered with Comcast Business to facilitate the livestream. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan awards $3.6 million for invasive species projects

The state of Michigan Wednesday announced that 35 projects will share $3.6 million in grants through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program.

The program – cooperatively implemented by the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Natural Resources – addresses prevention, detection, eradication and control of aquatic (water-based) and terrestrial (land-based) invasive species in Michigan through four key objectives:

  • Preventing the introduction of new invasive species.
  • Strengthening the statewide invasive species early detection and response network.
  • Limiting the spread of recently confirmed invasive species.
  • Managing and controlling widespread, established invasive species.

This year’s grantees have offered $532,300 in matching funds and services to support these projects, leveraging a total investment of $4,132,300.

Expanding prevention, detection and management

Grant funds will support several early detection and response efforts for watch list invasive species: Read more
Wildlife

Arizona: Mexican wolf numbers soar past 200

A sedated Mexican wolf is carried from a helicopter to a team of staff who will conduct a health check and replace or attach a collar to the wolf before releasing it back into the wild.

Milestone comes as reintroduction efforts approach 25th anniversary

PHOENIX — For the first time since reintroduction into the wild, the population of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico has surpassed 200, with a minimum of 241 wild wolves documented in 2022.

“This milestone has been 25 years in the making,” said Brady McGee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator. “To go from zero wild Mexican wolves at the start to 241 today is truly remarkable. In 2022, we recorded more packs, more breeding pairs, and a growing occupied range, proving we are on the path to recovery. These achievements are a testament to partner-driven conservation in the West.”

The 2022 population estimate represents a 23% increase from the minimum of 196 wolves in 2021. This marks the seventh consecutive year of population growth and a more than doubling in size since 2017. The population is distributed with 136 wolves in New Mexico and 105 in Arizona.

“The road to recovery for any endangered species is neither straight or easy, and this has proven to be the case for the Mexican wolf,” said Jim deVos, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mexican Wolf Coordinator. “With the stunning growth that occurred in 2022, recovery has accelerated at an amazing rate. By every possible measure, progress was made, including the production from 31 breeding pairs that produced 121 pups, of which 81 were documented to having survived to the time of the count, which is a very high survival rate of 67%. While the road to recovery still has ground to be covered, in 2022, the recovery program covered a lot of ground.” Read more

Wildlife

Introducing All-New 2023 QuietKat Models

EAGLE, Colo. — QuietKat Electric Bikes, the leader in off-road eBikes and a Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) brand, is proud to announce all-new 2023 models that are built to be the most capable all-terrain electric bikes on the planet. If you love the outdoors as much as we do, you will appreciate our highly capable ebikes for their all-season power, ability to tackle rugged terrain, while hauling your gear silently and scent free and your trophy out efficiently. QuietKat is the original all-terrain, electric hunting bike with over ten years of experience focused on superior craftsmanship and quality to take you places other vehicles cannot access, because we feel where the road ends, the hunt begins. And with the most recent price reduction across the entire line, the new 2023 models are even easier to obtain.

The new collection is made up of four key models, starting at the pinnacle with the APEX PRO. We took our top-of-the-line APEX and gave it all the upgrades to elevate it to the pro level. Upgraded the front suspension fork to provide superior control, comfort, and performance. We then added a 16ah integrated battery for more power and an estimated range up to 48 miles with pedaling assistance and 24 miles throttle unassisted, plus the same burly 4 piston hydraulic brakes for superior control and stopping power. The mid-drive 1000-Watt motor and 9-speed SRAM gearing provides the ultimate power and utility at your fingertips to handle the most rugged and demanding trails. This is our top-of-the-line hunting bike for a reason; it’s superior strength, performance, and capabilities. Read more

General, Wildlife

SK Customs Raises More Than $20,000 at the NWTF Convention

HAYMARKET, VA –– SK Guns®, the Nation’s only limited-edition, series-driven production manufacturer, is honored to announce its contribution of more than $20,000 in support of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s conservation research mission.

On Feb. 18, 2023, at the NWTF’s Annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, SK Customs donated two sets of custom designed and engraved firearms, including a Henry® Golden Boy Silver in .22LR and a new model Smith & Wesson® 1911 chambered in 45ACP to help raise funds for conservation in celebration of the NWTF’s 50th Anniversary.

“At SK Customs, we find it vital to support the outdoor community and devote resources and funding to organizations such as the NWTF,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “Thanks to the convention’s Grand National Live Auction, we were able to help raise more than $20,000 to fund research and conservation efforts and enhance development opportunities in the overall firearm and outdoor industry through our SK Gives Back initiative.” Read more

Firearms, Wildlife

Tips for dealing with tree damage from winter storms and ice

Many homeowners in southern Michigan will be looking at ice-covered trees and broken branches this week. Wind and ice have swept through lower parts of the state with the potential for significant tree damage.

Taking proactive steps after a storm has damaged trees can make the difference between losing them or giving them a good chance of survival.

Keep it safe.

“Your life is more important than your trees or your property,” said Kevin Sayers, who leads the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry program. “Be aware of downed power lines or trees touching power lines and stay at least 25 feet away. Immediately report any downed lines to your local utility company. Never attempt to prune or remove trees near power lines.”

When trees are coated in ice, safety is the top priority. If you choose to work on your trees, always use proper tools. Don’t overestimate your abilities or use equipment inappropriately. Read more

Wildlife

Vermont: Moose Hunt Proposed to Improve Moose Health

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has proposed issuing 180 moose hunting permits in Vermont’s Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) E in the northeastern corner of the state in a continued effort to reduce the impact of winter ticks on moose in that area. No permits are recommended for the rest of the state.

The proposal was given initial approval by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board at its February 15 meeting and is now available for public comment.

The goal of the department’s 2023 moose harvest recommendation is to improve the health of moose in WMU-E by reducing the number of moose and thereby reducing the abundance and impact of winter ticks.

“Moose are abundant in WMU E with significantly higher population density than in any other part of the state,” said Nick Fortin, Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s moose project leader. “Winter ticks only thrive on moose, and higher moose densities support high numbers of winter ticks which negatively impact moose health and survival.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Utah DWR reminds pet owners it’s illegal to allow dogs to chase, harass big game animals

SALT LAKE CITY — Due to the deep snowfall this winter, deer, elk and other big game animals have migrated into lower-elevation areas looking for food sources. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to remind dog owners to keep their pets under control after several recent instances where deer and other big game were chased by dogs, and an elk was injured.

Utah’s wildlife often struggles to find food during the winter, and some animals — like deer and elk — rely heavily on the body fat reserves they built up during the previous summer. Mid-winter and early spring are especially vulnerable times for these animals. Data from recent DWR monitoring efforts show that the extreme cold and increased snowpack across the state this winter are starting to impact mule deer fawn survival rates, and may negatively impact the ability of the adult deer to survive the winter.

With so many big game animals migrating into valleys this winter, there have been increased conflicts in both rural and urban areas. Dogs that are off leash — or not contained within a yard — may act on their instincts to chase deer and other big game animals they see. However, that is harmful for big game animals because by the end of winter, they are usually surviving on fat reserves. Read more

Wildlife
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