Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Goldfinch
The site was established with the intention of keeping elk away from the communities of Ketchum and Sun Valley.
Idaho Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region has announced that they will begin feeding elk at the Bullwhacker feed site starting the week of January 5, 2025, as snow has started to accumulate, and temperatures are dipping.
Historically, the site feeds over 125 elk each year. Read more
Avian influenza (AI) is suspected to have caused the deaths of about 200 snow geese found Monday in the greater Allentown area.
Dead birds were recovered from two sites, one in Lower Nazareth Township in Northampton County and another in Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County. Preliminary in-state testing indicated the presence of highly pathogenic AI (HPAI). While results are yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at their National Veterinary Services Laboratories, HPAI is presumed to be the cause of these mortality events. The situation is ongoing as sick wild birds were also observed at both locations. Read more
EXPLORE Act Passes Senate, Landmark Legislation to Enhance Public Lands Access for Sportsmen and Women
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) celebrates the United States Senate’s passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, sending the most comprehensive public lands package since 2019 to the President’s desk. This bipartisan legislation marks a pivotal moment for outdoor recreation and public lands access, advancing several critical priorities of the sporting community.
“The passage of the EXPLORE Act underscores the power of collaboration in advancing access to America’s public lands,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “From streamlining permitting for small film crews to enhancing recreational shooting opportunities, this bill delivers practical solutions to the challenges faced by federal land managers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It reflects a shared commitment to conserving and promoting our outdoor heritage.”
Key provisions of the EXPLORE Act include: Read more
Jan. 2, 2025
Contact Kerry Gray (Michigan DNR), 734-691-1806 or Joelle Kruczek (DTE),
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, DTE Energy Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan today announced the 28 communities and organizations across the state that will receive a portion of $106,680 in grant funding to expand tree coverage.
This initiative is part of the trio’s 28-year collaboration. Through these grants, the organizations aim to have 1,377 trees planted along streets, in parks and in various public spaces in 2025.
“Trees provide essential benefits to our communities, from cooling neighborhoods to improving air quality and supporting biodiversity. This program helps to expand tree canopy while ensuring new trees are properly located to avoid utility conflicts and support long term-growth and sustainability,” said Kerry Gray, DNR Urban and Community Forestry grants specialist.
The statewide program is funded by the DTE Foundation and administered jointly by the DNR and ReLeaf Michigan to provide grant awards and tree-planting project assistance.
“Expanding and safeguarding Michigan’s tree population is a priority for the DTE Foundation, and this work cannot be done without partners like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and ReLeaf Michigan,” said Rodney Cole, foundation president. “By collaborating with these dedicated organizations, we can ensure that our efforts to enhance and protect Michigan’s natural beauty will have a lasting impact on our communities and the environment for years to come.”
The program seeks to support and engage communities, schools, nonprofits and other organizations in environmental stewardship, neighborhood beautification and the proper planting of trees away from utility infrastructure.
Project proposals are solicited annually from eligible partners around the state. The next opportunity to apply is summer 2025. Read more
In a major win for sportsmen, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has officially withdrawn its proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Rule (“BIDEH Rule”) that would have had sweeping impacts on National Wildlife Refuge management.
The Biden administration introduced the proposed BIDEH Rule in February 2024. To say the BIDEH Rule would have harmed sportsmen is an understatement. The rule plainly “prohibit[ed] predator control unless it is determined necessary to meet statutory requirements, fulfill refuge purposes, and ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health.”
With this language, the service would only be able to authorize the taking of a predator if “all other feasible methods have been fully evaluated and such control is considered the only practical means of addressing a specific, significant conservation concern and ensuring biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health.”
Today, the Sportsmen’s Alliance is proud to announce the withdrawal of the rule and can rejoice that the service thought better of its major overstep and withdrew the rule.
“We are glad that the service agreed with our comments and withdrew the proposed BIDEH Rule,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel for Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “Sportsmen’s dollars have always been the primary source of funding for the refuge system, and the system was designed to increase recreational opportunities for families, including hunting and fishing. Any action that severely limits those opportunities like the BIDEH Rule did is inconsistent with the refuge system’s purposes and congressional mandates.”
Dec. 23, 2024
Learn more about what to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays
Each year, Michiganders purchase millions of live Christmas trees. When the holidays are over though, many people wonder if there are beneficial uses for their trees rather than sending them to a landfill. The answer is yes — there are many ways that your old Christmas trees can keep on giving as habitat, but it’s important to think carefully about the best way to do so.
People often ask the Michigan Department of Natural Resources whether their Christmas trees would make good habitat for fish. This is a great question, as many of Michigan’s lakes once had woody habitat, such as a fallen tree, every 5 to 50 feet! This woody habitat is important for fish, turtles, frogs, herons and other animals, because it provides refuge from predators and opportunities to bask in the sun, reduces wave energy that erodes shorelines and encourages growth of aquatic plants. Harder-wood trees with an open branch structure provide high-quality habitat.
However, Christmas trees are classified as softwoods, and are typically species such as balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine. These softwoods break down relatively quickly in aquatic environments. The dense branches on Christmas trees that are perfect for holding ornaments are often too dense for many fish to use as habitat.
Additionally, pesticides applied to Christmas trees, leftover decorations and anchors used to sink trees may introduce unwanted materials into our waters. So, if you’re thinking about sinking that tree in your favorite lake for fish habitat, we urge you to consider an alternative. Read more
Ice fishing is one of the world’s truly extreme sports. It’s great fun and there is plenty of action, not to mention the good times and camaraderie shared by those who participate in this winter activity. In order to be safe and successful you need the right gear, and it starts with a good pair of gloves.
Most anglers just grab a pair of heavy insulated work gloves, but fishing requires more. You need a glove that’s not only waterproof but also one that has the dexterity to allow you to manipulate small rods and reels easily. One that can go from driving a snow machine or side by side to drilling an auger to baiting tiny hooks. Meet the cold-weather glove lineup from Fish Monkey.
First up is the Stealth Sherpa Dry-Tec Heavyweight Gloves and Mittens. These are 100 percent wind- and waterproof, but even more important, they are constructed with a durable water repellent finish. Read more
If you are a fan of Michigan state parks and trails and have always wanted to add your voice to the discussion that shapes them, consider applying by Jan. 15 for vacancies on two key advisory bodies that work with the DNR.
The DNR is accepting applications for an opening on the Snowmobile Advisory Workgroup, which consists of seven volunteers each serving four-year terms. Travel expenses to and from meetings are eligible for reimbursement. The group, which works closely with the Trails Advisory Council, meets quarterly at varying locations around the state. The ideal candidate will fill a member-at-large position.
Members work alongside the DNR Trails Program staff to discuss and implement the sound management of recreational snowmobiling throughout the state. Topics may include snowmobile safety and education; balanced relationships with the environment and wildlife; the collection, development and dissemination of snow trail information; and collaboration with other trail user groups.
The DNR is accepting applications for openings on the Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee, which consists of 12 volunteers, each serving up to four-year terms. The group meets six times per year either online or at locations around the state. The ideal candidates will reside in the Upper Peninsula, northeast Lower Peninsula, northwest Lower Peninsula, mid-Michigan or southeast Lower Peninsula.
The committee advises and makes recommendations to the chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division on state parks policy and provides guidance on state park development, management, stewardship, funding and planning.
Turn your backyard into a bird B&B with these helpful wintertime bird-feeding tips
We all know that neighbor that takes bird feeding to Olympic games-level extremes. With tree limbs sagging under the weight of countless feeders and a back lawn that looks like it was ripped straight from Augusta Country Club, they stand out on their back porch with arms outstretched as a myriad of birds swoop in to feed directly from their palms.
That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but you don’t need to be Snow White to attract backyard birds. Many species — including finches, chickadees, jays, nuthatches, sparrows, doves and more — may very well settle on your backyard bed and breakfast with a proper bird-feeding setup this winter.
Usually, feeding wild animals is not a smart move. Feeding birds, however, is a special case, since they don’t often become dependent on feeders alone, and instead use feeders to supplement their daily natural diet. Winter feeding also gives a little assistance to our feathered friends during the harsh, colder months.
Here are a few ways to spice up your bird-feeding buffet and enjoy an enchanting opportunity to observe wildlife right in your own backyard. Read more
Michigan is transforming into a winter wonderland, bringing thrilling opportunities for bird enthusiasts to more easily spot and hear owls. Each winter, our state becomes a temporary home for remarkable visitors from the Arctic tundra, such as the majestic snowy owl*. This northern species doesn’t visit us in great numbers every year, making its presence a rare treat for birders lucky enough to spot one.
Snowy owl populations fluctuate greatly each year, based on the availability of their summer prey: lemmings. When lemmings are plentiful, snowy owls can have a successful nesting season in the Arctic and produce a lot of healthy chicks. This boom in population can cause an “irruption” in the winter, when snowy owls are seen far outside of their usual winter range and in greater numbers. In past irruption years, snowy owls have been spotted in Florida and Hawaii! This year, there has been an early push of snowy owls south into Michigan and across the Great Lakes region, which is promising. Read more