Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Conservation’s Most Unsung Hero: John F. Lacey

By PJ DelHomme

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In a speech promoting passage of the Lacey Act of 1900, Lacey told Congress that, “I have always been a lover of the birds, and I have always been a hunter as well, for today there is no friend that the birds have like the true sportsman—the man who enjoys legitimate sport.”

No lawmaker to walk the halls of Congress has done more for wildlife than John F. Lacey, a member of the Boone and Crockett Club from 1898 until his death in 1913. His name is attached to the most important pieces of conservation legislation of our nation.

Hundreds of books have been written about Theodore Roosevelt. George Bird Grinnell has a few biographies himself, plus a melting glacier named after him. Gifford Pinchot’s name is attached to an entire national forest in North Carolina. And then there’s John F. Lacey, a congressman from Iowa who has a few pieces of legislation with his name on it. To be fair, John F. Lacey should have something akin to the Lincoln Memorial because of his conservation efforts. Yes, that’s a bold statement. Allow us to explain.

John F. Lacey grew up in what is now West Virginia and then moved to Iowa with his family in 1855. In his youth he attended no fancy East Coast boarding schools, instead being taught to read and write at home by his mother. He earned money as a paperboy. He joined the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War, and by 1865, he had worked his way up the ranks to Major. He studied law in the evenings, got married, and had two daughters who survived past infancy. He became a lawyer for the railroad and traveled across the West’s changing landscape. He fell in love with the wildlife and despised the way in which it was being systematically exterminated. Lacey was a sportsman and became a member of the Boone and Crockett Club in 1898. Why does all of this even matter?
Read more

Wildlife

The High Cost of Food Plots

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that there are no shortcuts to creating and maintaining healthy and viable wildlife food plots.  Recently, I’ve learned something else:  It’s going to be much more difficult and expensive in these times of high inflation and scarcity of supplies.

In a local farm supply store last week, I met a man toting a 2 ½-gallon jug of non-selective herbicide (glyphosate).  Curious, I asked him the price he was about to pay for the liquid costing less than $40 last year.  He didn’t seem to know exactly, but mentioned it was something north of $100.  This bit of wisdom was imparted soon after I had looked into the empty bins where turnip and clover seed used to be.

I didn’t want to settle for a blend of pre-packaged food plot seed that contained a substantial amount of annual plants for which I had no use.  However, it contained some perennial clover seed that I was after, so I snatched it from the shelf before it vanished.

At least fertilizer was well stocked in the farm store and the good news was that it was on sale.  Only a year ago, the 19-19-19 blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium was approximately $22 for a 50-pound bag; now it had become $35 for the same material.  In addition, pelletized lime was on sale, but the price was still high enough I balked in hopes of finding it for less somewhere else.

I then began to chat with the man with the weed killer and he stated that the Ovid elevator (989-834-2282) had food plot seed in bulk.  I then made a call to the Ovid elevator and confirmed that clover seed was available and I made the trek.

Sure enough, near the front door was not only clover in red and white varieties, but turnip, rape and radish seed fully stocked in the bins.  The ladies in the store were helpful and bagged some Ladino clover seed for me at $4.75 per pound.  When I asked the price of lime I was stunned, once again:  $7 for a 40-pound bag – another whopping setback close to double what it has been for many years.

When I inquired about the cost of glyphosate, the news got worse.  They were out of stock and informed me that they couldn’t get any from their supplier; however, a price of some $150 was tossed into the conversation.

When the cost of fuel is factored into the expense of planting anything this season, many folks are going to sit out this season of wildlife planting.  Those that remain committed must pay the inflated prices.

Cutting back on the size of food plots may be one alternative to reduce expenses and it may very well be the best solution with limited resources.  Cutting back on weed control or fertilizer to minimize overall expenses is never a good idea, because so doing will waste time, effort and money in a feeble attempt to be economical.

Similarly, when it comes to grocery shopping, prices are higher than ever and have yet to reach any reasonable leveling off.  When we understand the plight of farmers, we may begin to understand how we – the consumers – will find today’s prices a bargain.

Wildlife

The Importance of an Accurate Seeding System

Maintaining a diversity of food plot types can significantly improve the ability of your land to attract and hold a greater number and variety of wildlife species. However, different plants sometimes have various-sized seeds, which may call for several different implements when using conventional planting equipment. This is especially true when planting small seeds like clover that are particularly popular in wildlife food plots. Furthermore, planting seed blends is often a better approach. It will widen the window of attractiveness and act as a hedge against environmental fluctuations like early or late frosts or varying amounts of rainfall.

Fortunately, Firminator’s Accurate Seeding System can handle any seed sizes from large corn, soybeans, peas and sunflowers down to the tiniest clovers, without seed waste or the need to change seed hoppers. Firminator’s Accurate Seeding System is a true all-in-one food plot implement and the industry’s most versatile piece of equipment.

Whether you’re planting large or small seeds or a variety of both, the Firminator’s Accurate Seeding System ensures they are spread in the right amount and without waste. Operation of the unit allows for precise control and is also very simple. Once the seed hopper is filled, adjust the metering openings in one-sixteenth-inch graduations until you find the proper selection for the largest seed. Then let the Firminator Accurate Seeding System do the rest. Read more

Wildlife

2022 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic

By Michelle Cerino

This past weekend, 21,939 upland hunters, sport dog owners and conservationist gathered in Omaha, Nebraska for the three-day National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. This family friendly national consumer show included hourly seminars on four stages, activities for children, and over 400 vendor booths filled with educational habitat information, products for upland hunters and bird dog owners, and a whole lot more.

An hour before the doors opened, attendees gather along the plastic lined runway to get the best view of the bird dog parade.

Inside the show floor a first stop for many was the Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever store to purchase logoed apparel. What better way to show your support?

Well behaved English Springer Spaniels, Gable and Hemi, welcomed visitors into the Pine Shadows booth.

Heather Francis (a farm bill wildlife biologist) and I took advantage of a photo booth in Pollinator Plaza where props were available for both youth and adults. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

NWTF Requests Proposals for Wild Turkey Research

EDGEFIELD, S.C.— The National Wild Turkey Federation is now accepting applications for its Wild Turkey Research Request for Proposals, a program that facilitates and makes large investments in support of high-priority wild turkey research projects.

“We are at a junction where there are a lot of new questions being raised about wild turkey ecology,” said Mark Hatfield, NWTF director of Conservation Services. “Disease, population dynamics, habitat use, hunter influence — there are many areas that need well-documented understanding to deliver optimal conservation, and this is where research comes in.”

The NWTF invites proposals that investigate the dynamics and drivers of the “post-restoration era” as well as addressing one, or more, of the following research priorities: Read more

Wildlife

Wolverine captured, collared and released in Utah

RANDOLPH — A wolverine that was spotted recently in Rich County is now wandering the Uinta Mountains with a GPS collar around its neck. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists are excited to learn more about an elusive animal with only eight confirmed sightings in Utah since 1979.

“It’s amazing to get a chance to see a wolverine in the wild, let alone catch one,” DWR Northern Region Wildlife Manager Jim Christensen said. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The initial sighting

The collaring effort started the morning of March 10 about 6 miles west of Randolph. A sheepherder who was tending sheep in the area came across an animal that was in the process of killing and wounding 18 of his sheep. The animal ran west as the sheepherder approached.

USDA-Wildlife Services was conducting livestock protection efforts in the area and sent both a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft to investigate. As Wildlife Services personnel flew over the area, they spotted the wolverine running through the snow. They immediately contacted their supervisor who in turn contacted the DWR.

Setting the trap Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: DNR 2022 Elk Population Estimate Shows Healthy Herd

Results of the 2022 Michigan elk survey show the herd is healthy and growing.

During an aerial survey of the elk herd conducted over eight days in January, Department of Natural Resources staff flew over 1,080 square miles of predetermined sample plots across the northern Lower Peninsula to locate, count and photograph elk. Results from the survey estimate the population is between 870 and 1,684 animals.

A total of 793 animals in 92 groups were observed during the survey. A population estimate model was used to account for the animals that may not have been observed during the flight survey. Additionally, the photos taken during the survey were used to calculate the sex and age ratio of the herd. The 2022 survey estimates the population has increased 5% since 2019.

The elk population reflects the objectives and actions written in the Michigan Elk Management Plan. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

SCI Supports Congress’ Decision to Remove Section 436 from 2022 Appropriations Package

Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2022) – Thanks to strong and consistent opposition from Safari Club International (SCI), members of Congress, and African wildlife officials, the 2022 appropriations package has successfully passed through the legislative process without Section 436 included, which would have banned the importation into the U.S of sport-hunted elephants or lions from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Now, this finalized legislation is headed to President Biden’s desk for signature. Until today, the bill was still pending before the Senate, so its final language was not assured. SCI refrained from reporting this victory until all steps of the process played out since every step represented a possibility that the bill would see more changes or be derailed entirely.

Had the Section 436 language remained in the bill as the anti-hunting activists wanted, this provision would have kneecapped hunting incentives in southern Africa. That in turn would have significantly reduced funding for conservation projects, biodiversity enhancement initiatives, and habitat protection in the region. Some of the world’s largest populations of lions and elephants that inhabit that part of the continent would have been more vulnerable to poachers, unemployment, and deadly human-wildlife conflicts as a result. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Don’t Miss A Shot This Spring or Summer with the LiDCAM Action Camera

Elyria, Ohio – March 14, 2022 – 1080p HD video, image stabilizer, and a 120 degree wide angle attached to the bill of a cap is what the LiDCAM Action Camera offers hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to record every shot, every fish, and every hike.

“Year-in-year-out, the LiDCAM proves to be one of the best action cameras in the industry and on the market,” said Danny Reaser, Vice President of Outdoor Product Innovations. “Each time I go out for a hunt, you can find the LiDCAM attached to my hat because I can depend on it each and every time I hit record.”

The LiDCAM+ with Wifi is the perfect tool for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to record their own experiences. Printed in Mossy Oak camouflage or black, the LiDCAM+ features several improvements to make sure you get the shot, every time; 1080p HD video, auto focus, image stabilizer, 120 degree wide angle lens , Wifi connectivity, 12mp photo mode (Camo LiDCAM+), 1x-4x Zoom Feature (Black LiDCAM+), built-in wind noise reducing microphone. Read more

Wildlife

Idaho Governor Brad Little Petitions to Have Grizzly Bears Removed from Endangered Species Act

Idaho Governor Brad Little submitted a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove grizzly bears in the “Lower 48” United States from the Endangered Species Act and recognize states’ successful efforts to recover and manage grizzly populations.

“Bureaucratic gridlock is keeping healthy grizzly populations on the threatened species list unnecessarily. When there’s no exit for healthy grizzly populations from the Endangered Species Act, it’s time to demand a reset,” Governor Brad Little said. “For decades, Idaho, our sister states, tribes, local governments – and especially our rural communities – have invested considerable resources in this effort, and they have shouldered much of the burden of rebuilding grizzly bear populations.” Read more

Wildlife
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