Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

Hundreds of Burmese Pythons Removed During 2022 Florida Python Challenge

Nearly 1,000 participants from 32 states, Canada and Latvia came together to remove hundreds of Burmese pythons from south Florida as part of the 2022 Florida Python Challenge®. Participants removed 231 invasive Burmese pythons during the 10-day competition created to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology.

Matthew Concepcion removed 28 Burmese pythons, winning the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize courtesy of the Bergeron Everglades Foundation. Winning the $1,500 grand prize for the longest python removed in the competition, at a length of 11 feet, 0.24 inches, is Dustin Crum. (More information on the winners and prizes is detailed below.)

“Once again, the Florida Python Challenge® has yielded impressive results with hundreds of invasive pythons being removed from the wild,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Removing these snakes is one of the many efforts we are employing to restore and maintain the Everglades ecosystem.” Read more

Wildlife

Michigan 2022 bear cooperator patch available now

The 2022 bear management cooperator patch is a great way to commemorate the recent bear season. Adult hunters, patch collectors and others can buy a patch for $7. Young hunters, 17 years of age and younger, who have a valid bear hunting license can get a free patch.

The Michigan Bear Hunters Association, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, coordinates Michigan’s bear cooperator patch program. Proceeds from patch sales will be used for black bear education and outreach.

You can order patches online or by sending your name, complete address, and a check or money order payable to the Michigan Bear Hunters Association. If the patch is for a youth bear hunter, please send a legible copy of a youth’s valid bear hunting license. Mailed patch orders should be sent to:

MBHA
Bear Patch Program
10510 Fairgrieve Road
Johannesburg, MI 49751

If you have additional questions, please email Cowboys1971@yahoo.com.

Young artists can enter 2023 patch design contest

The Michigan Bear Hunters Associations holds a design contest annually to create the bear patch. K-12 students attending public, private or home school in Michigan are eligible to enter. To learn more about the patch design contest, visit the Bear Management Cooperator Patch website. The contest entry deadline is Dec. 1.

Wildlife

Vermont: Bats Are On the Move, With a Reputation to Improve

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The onset of fall sends Vermont’s bats into motion, which makes it an important time for conservation-minded Vermonters to learn about, and help conserve, our nine native bat species.

If you have noticed bats roosting in your attic, barn, or office over the summer, fall is the perfect time to safely evict these uninvited guests from your property. This is because summer groups of bats that roost in buildings begin to scatter in the fall, in preparation for migration or hibernation. You can learn how to safely evict bats from your building at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s best management practices page.

You can also help bat conservation efforts by reporting large colonies of bats living in structures to the department’s website. Locations with rare colonies of endangered little brown bats are eligible for free bat houses from Vermont Fish and Wildlife. Read more

Wildlife

Bushnell® CelluCORE™ 20 Solar Trail Camera Available for Peak Hunting Season

New Solar Cellular Trail Camera Offers Increased Battery Life for All-Season Scouting

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, announces the new CelluCORE 20 Solar Cellular Trail Camera (with Dual Sim technology) is available at retail and ready for action as the rut starts to heat up.

The CelluCORE 20 Solar combines the reliability and image quality of the CelluCORE 20 with an integrated solar panel to dramatically increase battery life. The solar panel is also removable and adjustable, so you never need to sacrifice optimal positioning of the camera or panel. This camera includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and can maintain a full charge for up to 70 images per day with four to six hours of direct sunlight.

“We’re always looking for ways to help hunters get more use from their cameras without having to disturb hunting spots,” said Jason Harris, director of marketing and product management at Primos Hunting. “Integrating a solar panel is a simple, effective way to extend overall battery life allowing owners to get more time from their cameras all season long.” Read more

Optics, Wildlife

Acorn Abundance Influences Behaviors of Ohio’s Wildlife

Ohio wildlife, such as fox squirrels, seek out acorns as a food source during the fall and winter.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 2022 survey of acorn abundance on selected Ohio wildlife areas shows an average of 39% of white oaks and 37% of red oaks bore fruit, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The long-term average for white oak production is 37%, and 54% for red oak production.“A mature oak tree can produce thousands of acorns, which in turn feed more than 90 of Ohio’s forest wildlife species,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “Deer, turkeys, squirrels, ruffed grouse, blue jays, raccoons, woodpeckers, foxes, and more seek out and eat acorns throughout the fall and winter.”

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Acorns come in two basic types: red and white. They are divided into these groups based on the type of oak tree. Red oak acorns take two years to develop, and the acorns are bitter, containing a large amount of the chemical tannin. White oak acorns take only one year to develop and have a sweeter taste. These differences cause periodic fluctuations in statewide acorn abundance. Low mast production years are a normal part of this cycle, and wildlife readily adapt to find alternative food sources. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Southern Appalachian Elk Country to Receive $1.45 Million in Conservation Funding

MISSOULA, Mont. — Furthering more than three decades of support in the region, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated more than $1.45 million dollars over the next two years to benefit elk and elk country in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

“RMEF always has and remains deeply invested in restoring elk to their historic range and ensuring their future success,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “This two-year commitment bolsters elk populations by supplying grant funding for habitat enhancement, land conservation and access, research and wildlife management projects across the five states.”

RMEF supplied nearly $650,000 in funding that leveraged more than $800,000 from partner groups.

Specific project work includes creating wildlife water sources, forest thinning, prescribed burning, invasive vegetation treatment, forage enhancement, chronic wasting disease surveillance, calf survival and genetic analysis research, and conserving two parcels for elk habitat and to improve public access for elk hunting and other recreational activities.

Go here to view a map and details of all 15 projects. Read more

Wildlife

Wild Sheep Foundation Expresses Concerns Over Dall’s Sheep in Alaska

Bozeman, MT — The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) today shared its concerns in a letter to the Alaska Board of Game (BOG) about the current management challenges the state faces in response to recent winter die-offs of Dall’s sheep in several regions of Alaska. The BOG is meeting to discuss future management options on October 19th.

“Losing wild sheep for any reason is our primary concern,” explained Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “The Alaska Board of Game is doing the right thing by closely examining all the contributing factors. Our other concern is that the current situation is not treated solely as a harvest allocation issue between resident and non-resident hunters.”

Heavy snowfall in recent winters, followed by warming, melting, and then freezing temperatures in some regions of Alaska Dall’s sheep range, have made it hard and, in some cases, impossible for the sheep to get to their food sources. Many have died as a result.

“We have had our eye on this for some time,” explained Kevin Hurley, WSF’s VP of Conservation and Thinhorn Program Lead. “We’ve also had ongoing conversations with many close to the situation, including our Alaska Chapter, Alaska Fish & Game Department, Alaskan hunting outfitters, resident, and non-resident hunters, and WSF members with a keen interest in Dall’s sheep management.” Read more

Wildlife

A Lonely Visit to a National Park

By Jim Shepherd…

When you think of our national parks during and post-pandemic, you immediately start thinking of the crowds of vacationers who jammed into them in order to enjoy some time outdoors. And you’d be mostly correct. Like other countries, our national public lands have been crowded to the point that many longtime visitors have complained.

In most, it’s not an unfair description. In some, traffic jams looked more like rush hour in a major city than a chance to get outdoors and commune with Mother Nature. In California, however, our public lands have suffered from more natural disasters than crowding. Between wildfires and flooding, national areas in California have suffered disastrous breakdowns in service and infrastructure.

That’s why I headed to California last week with more than a little trepidation. A long-anticipated photography class in Death Valley National Park has been something I’d looked forward to like a nine-year old looks forward to Christmas. Read more

Wildlife

Field Ethos Interview with Rep. Clyde

Everywhere, USA. –– Field Ethos recently interviewed U.S. Congressman Andrew Clyde on their podcast to discuss his controversial bill the RETURN Act, which would eliminate the excise tax on firearms and ammunition that currently fund conservation and land access efforts of state wildlife agencies.

The RETURN act stands for “Repealing Excise Tax on Unalienable Right Now” and has received both criticism and praise from member of the hunting and shooting community.

In a move that some have called revolutionary, Field Ethos decided to actually talk to the person who wrote the bill and ask questions. Although it is much easier to read a press release and pass off an opinion as news, Field Ethos decide to do the moderately inconvenient work of talking to the author.

“When counting in dog years, Field Ethos has long been known for taking a different approach.”, said Jason Vincent, Field Ethos CEO. “In keeping with that tradition, we decided to interview Representative Clyde and have him address his bill and the concerns it generated.”

A rep for Andrew Clyde confirmed that none of the entities who had written articles opposing the bill had reached out for comment.

To see the interview in its entirety and form your own opinion, watch it for free on MOTV. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: follow safety guidelines for highly pathogenetic avian influenza

Remember to be observant and careful when harvesting and handling wild birds this fall, due to the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Dabbling ducks are the most commonly infected waterfowl, but geese, swans, shorebirds and other species also can be infected.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza primarily affects birds, but is also a zoonotic disease, or one that has the potential to pass from domestic or wild animals to humans. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk associated with HPAI remains low, but people are advised to avoid handling any sick or dead wild birds.

Learn more about HPAI, what to watch for and safety guidelines for hunters.

Get the latest information and updates on the current outbreak of avian influenza.

Hunting, Wildlife
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