Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Michigan: Get Paid for Picking Pine Cones

GW:  I love this form of exercise!

Are you a whiz at tree identification and would you like to make some money? Collecting a bushel of red pine cones this September will earn you $100 and help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources plant trees in state forests.

From Sept. 1-30, you can pick red pine cones and drop them off by appointment at several DNR locations in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula where red pines are most abundant.

What are foresters looking for in a quality seed pine cone from a red pine? Freshness, proper storage and most of all – the right species. Old cones or the wrong species of cone won’t be accepted.

To be paid for your collected cones, register as a vendor in the DNR’s online system. Read more

Wildlife

Vermont Game Wardens and Biologist Respond to Bear Attack in Strafford

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department responded to a bear attack in Strafford on August 20.

Ms. Susan Lee, 61, of Strafford, was treated at Gifford Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries from the attack. She called 911 while being transported to the hospital by her neighbor. Game Warden Sergeant Jeffrey Whipple and Game Warden Kyle Isherwood responded.

Warden Isherwood interviewed Ms. Lee at the hospital. He advised her of the risk posed by rabies and collected her clothes from the attack as evidence.

Ms. Lee reported that she and her two dogs, a Jack Russell terrier and labradoodle, were walking trails on her Strafford property at the time of the attack. She stated that she had just recalled her dogs which had moved out of sight, when she heard a loud noise and realized a bear was charging her.

Ms. Lee stated that she tripped on a stone wall as the bear charged her. She then felt pain on her upper left leg and realized the bear was on top of her and had bitten her. Ms. Lee stated that her Jack Russel terrier intervened by barking at the bear, which got off her and appeared to focus on the dog. Ms. Lee stated that she got up and retreated down the trail, followed by her terrier and without further sighting of the bear.

Ms. Lee called 911 once she reached her residence and texted her neighbor for transportation to the hospital. She sustained a bite wound on her upper left leg and multiple scratches between two and nine inches long on both her sides. Read more

Wildlife

Annual Breeding Waterfowl Population Survey Returns, Estimates 34.2 Million Ducks

May pond counts are 4% above the long-term average, which should lead to good duck production and a strong fall flight

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — After being cancelled for the previous two years by concerns over COVID-19, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service were able to conduct the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey this spring. The results were released today in USFWS 2022 Waterfowl Status Report.

The survey, which is used to set hunting regulations throughout North America, put the total spring breeding population index at 34.2 million ducks, which is 4% below the long-term average and 12% below the 2019 index. Importantly, the May pond count, a key indicator of duck production potential, showed 5.45 million ponds, which is 4% above the long-term average and 9% above the 2019 index.
“Given the widespread dry conditions last year across most of the prairies where ducks breed, it’s not surprising that the breeding population number is lower than it had been throughout most of the 2010s,” said Dr. Chris Nicolai, waterfowl scientist for Delta Waterfowl. “The good news is that much of the prairie — especially the Dakotas, Manitoba, and eastern Saskatchewan — was really wet this spring. Duck production should be good to excellent across the eastern part of the prairie and in the northern areas, too.”
Duck production is typically high the first year following a drought, said Dr. Frank Rohwer, Delta’s president and chief scientist.
“Predators have a hard time in drought years just like ducks do, so ducks tend to get a break the when the water comes back on the prairies,” he said. “Our Predator Management sites and duck nesting surveys are showing very high nest success this year.”
Delving into the survey results, the breeding mallard population was estimated at 7.22 million, which is 9% below the long-term average in the survey, which dates back to 1955. In fact, the breeding mallard population is the lowest since 2005. Still, mallard production should be good this year across much of the prairie.
Blue-winged teal, the second-most abundant duck in the survey at 6.49 million, are 27% above the long-term average and 19% above the 2019 population. Green-winged teal indexed at 2.17 million, a 32% decrease from 2019 but right at the long-term average.
“Teal numbers are the surprise of the survey,” Rohwer said. “It’s the opposite of what we might expect, with bluewings being so high and greenwings being down.”
Among other puddle ducks, gadwalls came in at 2.67 million, down 18% but still 30% above the long-term average. Wigeon declined 25% to 2.13 million, 19% below the long-term average, while shovelers at 3.04 million remain 15% above the long-term average.

Read more

Wildlife

Arizona: Fires, Flooding Limit Hunting Access In Units 7E, 11M

Coconino National Forest says closures to affect all hunts in 2022

FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) advises hunters that the recent Tunnel and Pipeline fires, and subsequent burn-scar flooding, have resulted in serious safety issues that will impact public access into these areas near Flagstaff.

The Coconino National Forest has closed portions of game management units 7E and 11M to address these issues. These closures will limit hunting access for all hunts in 2022. AZGFD is working closely with the Forest to ensure hunters will have as much access into these units as safely as possible.

The U.S. Forest Service administratively closes lands for various reasons, including safety concerns. These types of closures are not necessarily limited to vehicular travel; they also may include access by foot. All hunters are urged to be safe, follow all restrictions, and plan ahead to determine areas of access for their hunts. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Keeping the Hunting Tradition Alive

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

When one thinks of unintended consequences of the pandemic, thoughts typically turn negative in almost all respects.  Americans and Michiganders included didn’t take well to being homebound under unnatural mandates and, as a result, began to find freedom outdoors.  What better way to social distance than to do it naturally, they surmised.  So, began a startling reversal in the ever-declining participation in hunting and fishing across the nation.

As indoor entertainment options vanished, many young adults joined the hunting ranks by first taking hunter safety classes.  These first-time hunters – including a growing number of females – have bolstered the declining league of seasoned citizens, while doing the same for states’ wildlife funding.

However, the question remains as to whether there will be any staying power with the new recruits now that a sense of normalcy has returned to their lives.  Certainly there will be some that get hooked on the outdoors and will become lifers.  Studies have shown that hunting is a tradition that gets passed onto youngsters by parents in most instances.  Skipping one generation, therefore, tends to stop the connection and I suspect that’s what has been happening.

Could it be different now?  With all the activities apart from the outdoors competing for time, there is one relatively new means of attack:  cancel culture.  These hateful people will attempt to destroy anyone, because they don’t think and act as they do; hunters certainly are not immune to this crowd’s antics.

The good news is that we hunters have partners that will help us defend our rights through education, outreach and advocacy.  One solid group is The National Deer Association (www.DeerAssociation.com).  It is a non-profit deer conservation group that leads efforts to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting.

Here in Michigan we have a collective voice, as well, with Michigan United Conservation Clubs (www.MUCC.org).  Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Founded in 1937, its mission is to unite citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.

The Sportsmen’s Alliance (www.sportsmensalliance.org) individual membership helps to create a powerful and united voice for sportsmen and women fighting the animal rights and anti-hunting movement.

The National Rifle Association (www.nra.org) is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.

Hunting is not the type of activity that is easily picked up.  There are myriad moving parts beyond those with four legs including the environment, habitat, firearms and archery gear, survival techniques – and, yes, those that would stop us because they don’t agree with our efforts toward self-sufficiency.  Without genuine conservation organizations like those mentioned above, our lonely voices would not be heard.

Consider joining a group or gifting a membership in true conservation to a newcomer; doing so will benefit us all and will help to sustain the wildlife we cherish so much.

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan: Spotted Lanternfly Found in Oakland County

Media contacts: Jennifer Holton, MDARD, 517-284-5724
Joanne Foreman, MDNR, 517-284-5814

This is Michigan’s first detection of this invasive bug

LANSING, Mich. – Yesterday, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell confirmed the state’s first detection of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Michigan. A small population of spotted lanternfly was detected in Pontiac in Oakland County last week with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirming the finding on August 10.

“Although not unexpected, this is certainly tough news to share due to its potential to for it to negatively impact Michigan’s grape industry,” said McDowell. “Spotted lanternfly has been moving closer to the state over the last few years. MDARD, along with our state, local and federal partners, has been working tirelessly to inform and educate growers and the public about this highly invasive insect.”

Spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia. First found in the United States in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has spread rapidly through the eastern states. Confirmed observations of spotted lanternfly have since been recorded in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Read more

Wildlife

Wyoming Receives $6 Million for Elk Habitat, Research, Public Access

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $6,046,939 in 2022 grant funding to conserve and improve wildlife habitat, enhance public access and assist scientific research in Wyoming. RMEF directly granted $310,656 that leveraged an additional $5,736,283 in partner dollars.

“This funding is extremely critical and goes on the ground for 20 different projects across the state including wildfire restoration, aspen enhancement, invasive weed control, stabilizing stream bank erosion, conifer thinning, water source improvement and three research projects,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Other projects include conserving more than 2,200 acres of elk habitat, providing funding to improve elk hunting access on private land and more than a dozen projects that support hunting, recreational shooting and outdoors-related endeavors.”

There are 22 RMEF chapters and more than 7,600 members in Wyoming. Read more

Wildlife

Rare Hummingbird Seen Again

A male Santa Marta Sabrewing photographed on territory by Yurgen Vega (SELVA ProCAT archives).
The rediscovery of the Santa Marta Sabrewing is being celebrated by birders, ornithologists, and conservationists around the world. An experienced local birder in Colombia found and documented a male Santa Marta Sabrewing, a relatively large hummingbird only found in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. It’s only the second time the species has been documented since it was first described in 1946; the last sighting was in 2010, when researchers were able to take the first-ever photos of the species in the wild.
The Santa Marta Sabrewing is so rare and elusive that it is considered one of the rarest birds in the world.“This sighting was a complete surprise, but a very welcome one,” said Yurgen Vega, who made the rediscovery while studying endemic birds in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. “As I was leaving the area where I had been working, a hummingbird caught my attention. I looked with my binoculars and was shocked to see that it was a Santa Marta Sabrewing! And in an incredible stroke of luck the hummingbird perched on a branch, giving me time to take photos and video of it.”Vega made the rediscovery while working with SELVA, ProCAT Colombia, and the World Parrot Trust to study endemic birds in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the world’s tallest coastal mountain massif and home to rich communities of wildlife, including 24 species of birds that are found nowhere else. Read more
Wildlife

It’s time to check trees for invasive Asian longhorned beetle

August is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and it’s also the best time to spot the invasive Asian longhorned beetle as adults emerge from trees. That’s why the U.S. Department of Agriculture is declaring August as “Tree Check Month.” Checking trees for the beetle and the damage it causes is one way you can protect trees and help the USDA’s efforts to eliminate this beetle from the United States.

The Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Natural Resources are joining the USDA in asking people to take just 10 minutes this month to check trees around homes for the beetle or any signs of damage.

The Asian longhorned beetle, or ALB for short, is a non-native wood-boring beetle considered invasive in North America because it attacks 12 types of hardwood trees, including maples, elms, horse chestnuts, birches and willows. Here, there are no predators or diseases to keep ALB populations in check. In its larval stage, the insect feeds inside tree trunks and branches during the colder months. The beetle creates tunnels as it feeds, and then it chews its way out as an adult in the warmer months.

Infested trees do not recover and eventually die. They also can become safety hazards since branches can drop and trees can fall, especially during storms.

You can help

Although this invasive beetle has not yet been discovered in Michigan, it is crucial we keep an eye out for it. Discovering early signs of infestation can prevent widespread damage to the state’s forest resources, urban landscapes and maple syrup production. Read more
Wildlife

Gardening for Late Summer Birds

It’s berry season for birds; does your yard offer native foods for a variety of species, such as this California Scrub Jay? (photo by Paul Konrad)
This manicured yard provides a beautiful space for the homeowners, while providing attractive cover and foraging space for birds.
A bird bath is an essential element in this garden area and in any birder’s landscaped yard.

Our gardens and landscaping add color and a wealth of natural elements to our yards, and these areas attract birds that infuse action, color, songs, and behavior into our yards. As another change in seasons approaches, it’s an opportunity make a few easily improvements for local and migrant songbirds and hummingbirds that will be the first wave of fall migration. With a little thought, planning, and effort, you can attract and benefit birds on their way south, including species you haven’t seen before in your yard.

At this time our gardening activities can also benefit recent fledglings as they disperse, along with dispersing yearlings, adults, and family groups. Some migrants are already making their way south, and many more will follow. Bird populations are at an annual high now after the nesting season, so if we can increase the resources they find in our yards, we can improve the potential for survival among birds during this important time of the year.

First of all, consider the way you provide water. A dependable fresh water source will draw birds like a magnet while providing all important drinking and bathing water. One or more bird baths will do, as simple or as ornate as you please. Some people like to have one as part of their feeding station, plus one in a garden area or as a centerpiece in their backyard or front. The motion and sound of the dripping water is irresistible to many birds too, and it helps birds locate a water source, bringing birds to your yard that might otherwise pass by. And a mister will attract some enjoyable hummingbird action as they fly through the mist. Read more

Wildlife
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