If hemlock trees on your property show signs of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation, now is a good time to plan for spring treatment of this invasive species. Hemlock woolly adelgid, native to Asia, is known to be present in areas of Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, Van Buren and Washtenaw counties in Michigan. These small insects suck sap from hemlock needles and ultimately can cause tree death.

Insecticides are available to control the insect, and in many cases, landowners can apply them easily by carefully following label instructions and application rate guidance. In Michigan, the label is the law. Due to certain restrictions on the use of these insecticides, you may need the services of a licensed pesticide application business. Read more

As birds return to Michigan’s wetlands this spring, wildlife lovers are invited to experience the season’s beauty through guided birding tours at several Wetland Wonders locations across the state.

These tours offer a unique opportunity to observe a variety of bird species, including diving and dabbling ducks in full breeding plumage, trumpeter and tundra swans, osprey, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and more. Led by Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists, technicians and volunteers from local Audubon chapters, the tours will take you to premier bird viewing locations.

Birding tour dates and locations

• Saturday, March 22 – Shiawassee River State Game Area (St. Charles).
• Saturday, March 29 – Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Unionville).
• Saturday, April 5 – Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Pinconning).
• Saturday, May 17 – Portage Marsh State Wildlife Area (Escanaba). Read more

Deer Management is an initiative created by Whitetails Unlimited to help landowners who are managing their land. There are numerous ways to manage deer, and each landowner must determine their objectives and develop a plan that best suits their goals and property. These signs will serve as visible reminders to others that the area is private property being managed for deer.

Deer Management property signs are made from PVC, measuring 11.25 inches on a side, and are white with red and black printing. The signs are suitable for use anywhere in the United States.

A Deer Management booklet is also available that explains basic management styles and habitat enhancement. The booklet can be downloaded from our website, or a physical copy can be requested.

To order complimentary Deer Management signs or booklets, please call Whitetails Unlimited National Headquarters at 920.743.6777 or send an email to nh@whitetailsunlimited.com. Read more

A closer look at the Snowy Owl shows the level of coloration on individual feathers on its back side and face when perched.

Birders have documented a Snowy Owl with unusual orange-red coloring, complete with photographs, but there is no consensus about how the abnormal color was created. Bill Diller, a birder and photographer living in southeast Michigan, was surprised to hear from a neighbor that a “red-spotted Snowy Owl” was reported in the area of Michigan known as “the Thumb,” where several Snowy Owls can be found during some winters. When Bill managed to take some photographs of the unusually colored owl, he shared some images on social media of the eye-catching owl, which created something of a feathered phenomenon. Read more

Whitetail Institute is thrilled to introduce Summer Slam, the ultimate forage mix designed for late-spring and summer planting. A product of extensive research and development, Summer Slam brings together three powerhouse forages meticulously blended to achieve the ideal plant populations for maximum growth and nutritional impact.

Summer Slam thrives when planted in soils with temperatures of 65 degrees or warmer, making it an exceptional choice for wildlife enthusiasts and habitat managers seeking to establish high-quality food plots during late spring and summer. Each component of Summer Slam has been carefully selected for its remarkable nutritional value, resilience, and environmental benefits:

1. Peas A cornerstone of the mix, peas are celebrated for their high protein content and resilience under hot and dry conditions. These highly digestible legumes support deer growth and antler development while offering a consistent food source throughout the growing season. Peas excel in medium- to well-drained soils and can withstand drought, providing a reliable solution for antler-building food plots.
2. Vetch Known for its exceptional protein content and adaptability, vetch serves as a vital energy-dense food source. It thrives in various soil types, including less fertile soils, and enhances soil health through nitrogen fixation. This sustainable choice attracts deer, turkeys, and upland game birds, solidifying its role as a versatile component for diverse forage plots.
3. Alyce Clover This warm-season annual legume delivers crude protein levels between 20-30% in fertile plots, offering superior digestibility and nutritional quality. Tolerant to various soil conditions, alyce clover is a key ingredient in premium summer forage blends, providing essential nutrients and ensuring sustainability in habitat management. Read more

KINGMAN, Ariz. – Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) wildlife officers never know what they’ll face from one day to the next.

Two weeks ago, the department’s radio dispatch center received a call about a deer fawn in Chloride, Ariz., that was covered in cholla cactus. They relayed the information to AZGFD wildlife officer Troy Moody in Kingman, who contacted the reporting party and was told the fawn typically came onto the person’s property around 2:30 p.m. each afternoon. Officer Moody arrived to find several deer, but the fawn was nowhere to be seen.

About 15 minutes later, however, the fawn and its mother approached the property. Officer Moody noticed the fawn had cholla spines by the hundreds all over its body, not just the clumps visible on its face. He was able to chemically immobilize the fawn and began removing the cholla while the fawn’s mother watched from a distance.

“Most concerning,” said Officer Moody, “were the spines in the fawn’s eyelids, nose, and mouth, keeping it from eating or drinking.”

After a lot of time—and plenty of cholla spines in his hands and legs—Officer Moody was able to remove all of the cholla from the fawn’s entire body. Read more

For the first time in more than 100 years, cougar cubs have been discovered living in the Michigan wild.

State biologists on Wednesday confirmed the existence of two cougar cubs on private land in Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula. The spotted cubs, believed to be 7 to 9 weeks old, were verified from photographic evidence of the cubs taken March 6 by a local resident.

This is the first time cougar cubs have been verified since the big cats were hunted out of existence in Michigan in the early 1900s, said Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Roell, a wildlife biologist for 26 years, led the team that verified the cubs.

“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said Roell, referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. “It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar in the wild. It’s something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this.” Read more