The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Disease Laboratory and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Tuesday announced they have confirmed that six free-ranging, white-tailed deer from four counties have died from epizootic hemorrhagic disease. EHD is a viral disease, sometimes fatal, found in wild ruminants such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk.

EHD cases were identified in Oakland County (3), Macomb County (1), St. Clair County (1) and Shiawassee County (1). Over the last 15 days, the DNR has received reports of 150 likely cases of EHD, primarily from counties where officials have confirmed the disease.

The disease is transmitted by a type of biting fly called a midge. Infection does not always result in the disease. Signs of illness within infected animals are highly variable, ranging from none at all to extensive internal bleeding and fluid accumulation. There is no evidence that humans can contract the EHD virus. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Autumn brings some of the most beautiful weather found anywhere on our planet and we’ve already experienced some of it the past few weeks.  The deciduous trees are beginning their splendid display of red and orange color attracting thousands of tourists for the annual show courtesy of Mother Nature.  However, there’s a fly in the ointment and it’s not a fly at all:  pentatomids – a.k.a stink bugs.

Stinkin’ Bug

I first discovered these irritating insects years ago in my vegetable garden.  At first, I had some misdirected affinity for them thinking they were a friendly bug that would prey on other harmful garden-variety insects.  Wrong!  They were the suckers killing my plants!  And, I do mean suckers.

Pentatomids have piercing sucking mouthparts, and most are phytophagous, including several species which are severe pests on agricultural crops.  All green plants are eaten by one or more species of phytophagous insects.

This is all too deep for me, so stink bugs it will be.  And, if you haven’t figured it out yet, stomp on one and you’ll understand the origin of the moniker; the penetrating stench is over-powering.

The stink bug is considered an invasive species, or a pest of foreign origin, having been introduced to the United States from Eastern Asia in the mid-1990s.  Since then, they have become most prevalent in the mid-Atlanta region, and have been identified in 44 states and the District of Columbia.  Lucky us!

These freeloaders are looking for nice, warm surroundings for the winter months and have an innate ability to play hide-and-seek better than your average kid. If you look hard enough, you can find them in curtains, exhaust fans, cardboard boxes and even fireplaces.

If you are bugged by these rascals, spend some time inspecting the outside of your home for easy access points. Pay close attention to areas including around siding and utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia or other openings. Seal any cracks and holes that are found using a good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk.  Remember, however, that today’s vinyl  siding is supposed to fit loosely so that it can expand and contract with temperature changes, and is therefore, a natural safe space for them.  You can’t win this one.

Forget expensive, toxic sprays that’ll make money disappear faster than the bugs.  I prefer a mixture of soapy water in a spray bottle for hard-to-reach areas, because it’s effective, inexpensive, and can be sprayed around pets and children without harm.  Hand-held cordless vacuums provide a viable means of control, as well.

Stink bugs are also attracted to light, so minimizing extraneous lighting can help.  Being squeaky clean with food and food waste is also important.  You may also want to install screens on chimneys and attic vents.  It’s also a good idea to check any boxes or containers before bringing them into homes.

September typically signals a change in stink bug behavior from active feeding to sheltering for the winter inside man-made structures.  The heating system in your home can cause stink bugs to become tricked into activity before springtime.  This is why you may see them buzz about the rooms of your house, as they react to temperature.

The circle of life is launched in the month of May, as they seek out plants and crops for feeding and sites to lay eggs – about the time we’ve assumed we’ve beaten them into submission.  We all know the meaning of assumed, don’t we?

“The Mule Deer Foundation appreciates the continued partnership with the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund to help us improve habitat for our western deer,” said MDF President/CEO Joel Pedersen. “The grant we received last year was leveraged almost 4:1 through funding from our chapters and additional partners—this put more than $590,000 on the ground for projects in priority mule deer migration corridors and winter ranges. The increased funding for this year’s projects will make an even bigger difference and will expand to include pre- and post-fire forest restoration work in California.”

Funding provided through the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund in 2020 was used for a variety of projects across six states. Post-fire habitat restoration in eastern Washington and western Colorado allowed for reseeding and planting shrubs in burned areas, invasive weed prevention, repairing or replacing fences and water sources, and much more. These projects will continue, and additional support will be available for post-fire restoration in southern Idaho. In addition, the new funding will continue a project in northeastern Nevada, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, to remove invasive juniper in a priority mule deer area that is home to about 10,000 deer. Fence modifications in eastern Montana and eastern Idaho will be coordinated as well as a noxious weed treatment in the Lemhi Valley in Idaho. New this year will be a significant contribution to a landscape forest resiliency project on the Plumas National Forest in California. Read more

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, along with hundreds of other declining bird species, stands to benefit from restoration of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s protections. Photo by Agami Photo Agency/Shutterstock

(Washington, D.C., September 29, 2021) Today, the Biden Administration announced that it plans to reverse a harmful rule change that undermined the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), as well as undertake a new initiative to reduce accidental but preventable bird deaths.

“We are encouraged that protections for migratory birds are on track to be restored, and where possible advanced, using techniques we know can reduce bird mortality,” says Mike Parr, President of American Bird Conservancy (ABC). “Our thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for proposing this rule and for providing leadership to conserve millions of migratory birds each year.” Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the recipients of its 2021 Wildlife Habitat Grants. A total of $1,043,500 was awarded to various conservation organizations, units of government, landowners and nonprofit organizations for projects to be completed by Sept. 30, 2023.

Examples of funded projects include enhancing wetland complexes and winter deer complexes, planting mast-producing trees to provide food sources, and improvements to habitats such as forest openings and oak savannas.

The successful applicants, the main counties in which their habitat projects will take place and the amounts awarded are:

• • Andrew Milia (Charlevoix), $43,400.
  • Chippewa Nature Center (Midland), $46,600.
  • Conservation Resource Alliance (Grand Traverse), $47,700.
  • C4 Ranch LLC (Van Buren), $20,300.
  • Eaton Conservation District (Eaton), $89,400.
  • Huron Pines (Ogemaw), $84,400.
  • Jamie DeMann (Allegan), $15,300.
  • John Grebe (Cheboygan), $15,500.
  • Kent Conservation District (Kent), $31,500.
  • Lenawee Conservation District (Lenawee), $40,500.
  • National Wild Turkey Federation (Newaygo), $358,200.
  • Pete LeBaron (Saginaw), $70,000.
  • Ruffed Grouse Society (Tuscola), $56,800.
  • Saginaw Conservation District (Saginaw), $21,000.
  • Sustainable Resources Institute (Iron), $59,700.
  • Triad Investment Prop LLC (Menominee), $43,200.

Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Connecting with nature takes on many forms and many of us go to great lengths to do so.  Although it’s a never-ending process to actively participate in managing wildlife habitat, and thus the fauna that live there, we do it to benefit wildlife.  An underlying benefit that comes with the territory is that we benefit ourselves at the same time.

Spring is a time to celebrate our emergence from months of indoor hibernation and the renewal of our spirits.  Previous year’s food plots of turnips have either been devoured by whitetail deer or they’ve died a natural death and returned to earth as organic matter.

Weeds, on the other hand, are already developing their indigenous intent to take over the landscape.  It’s inevitable unless we “interfere.”

This past dry spring presented an opportunity to work up some ground that typically remains too wet in most years.  By mid-May the piece of land was dry enough to pull a disk harrow through the heavy soil in an effort to chew up the pesky weeds.  It didn’t go well on the first pass with the light-duty, 6-foot disk, but the results were promising enough to yield some hope.  As the soil dried along with the roots of the weeds, I kept up the disking process through the summer in preparation for a brassica seeding operation in late summer.1948 Ford 8N Disk Harrow Rips Ground – YouTube

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that if one step in the planting and growing process is minimized or skipped, it usually means failure.  And, failure is spelled “weeds.”  With that mentioned, things were looking great.

I added lime to increase the PH level of the soil months in advance of planting, so the lime could break down and do its job.  Then a healthy dose of fertilizer was applied with a broadcast spreader hitched to an ATV – again, a month or so ahead of planting.

Finally, it was time to plant the tiny seeds that would feed a variety of wildlife.  I diligently set the hand-seeder chute so as not to disperse too many brassica seeds, which can be a total waste of time, energy, and money. I walked the land back and forth, all the while cranking the handle and spreading the nearly invisible seed.  Now, if I just had the means to water the field.

The first of August is a natural time for late-summer planting with heavy dew most days and periodic rain.  But, day after day of hot, dry weather in the upper 80s to even 90 degrees was too much for the fragile seed.  Although the dew gave the seed enough moisture to germinate, it couldn’t survive without a drink.  After nine straight days of above average temperatures and no rain, I eventually lost the food plot to Mother Nature.

I thought about replanting brassicas but as the season progressed, it would have been futile.  There simply was not enough growing season left for any meaningful growth, so I decided to plant clover instead.  Although it was still too late for clover to develop as a food source in early autumn, the perennial mixture would develop nonetheless and be there in springtime – a good alternative and a way to save the investment in time and materials.

Off to the farm store for clover seed I went.  There, I found the large bins of seed empty!  The Covid craziness had broken the supply chain.  However, as luck would have it, I found a vendor at the Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor Show selling Ladino clover seed and purchased a few pounds.

Already late August, I put the hand-spreader into action again, after scratching the soil’s surface with a light-duty, slicing aerator pulled behind the ATV.  Through it all, I’m happy to report the persistence has paid off.  Recent rains have me smiling, once again, as the tiny legume plants are flourishing and sure to be nourishment when it is needed most next spring.

Turnips and Clover Food Plot

While we may deem the effort of planting food plots as one of charity for the good of the animal kingdom, there is also a certain amount of selfishness that gets satisfied in our pursuit of happiness.  Own it. Live it.  Love it.  Hunting season is here.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation efforts as part of the agency’s Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program. The program benefits landowners and tortoises and is compatible with other land uses, such as hunting and wetland mitigation.

The Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program provides landowners with an opportunity to generate additional revenue from their lands, as the landowner may charge a market-based fee for each tortoise received at the site.

There has never been a better time for landowners to participate in the recipient site program. The price landowners can charge per tortoise received at an approved site is not set by the FWC, so the landowner can adjust the fee based on their needs. Based on the current market for gopher tortoise recipient sites, landowners can generate more revenue from this program than ever before while contributing to the conservation of the species. Read more

Gravel extraction planned for Genoa Township sites is one step toward preparing land for DNR seed orchard

A planned seed orchard on two parcels of land near Brighton eventually could grow into a parklike setting with well-spaced, healthy trees and grassy areas.

But first, the hilly land owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources between Brighton Road and Cunningham Lake Road in Genoa Township, in southeast Livingston County, needs to be leveled to accommodate the orchard. The most cost-effective route to that is a short-term lease of the rights to mine sand and gravel on the properties.

“We’re not offering this lease to make money,” said Jason Hartman, silviculturist for the DNR. “It’s one step in a series of steps toward getting to our goal for state forest planning and for this land. It’s good for the state and good to have more green space in the community.”

Public information meeting in October

The DNR will schedule a public meeting in October to discuss the steps in the multiyear process and answer residents’ questions.

The properties, which are near several residential subdivisions, include a 50-acre parcel and a 77-acre parcel. Both were listed as surplus properties by the state and destined for auction. But they’re also near the DNR’s Tree Improvement Center, where seedlings are grown to help maintain healthy landscapes among more than 3.9 million acres of state forests.

The DNR has managed seed orchards to procure jack pine and red pine seeds at the Tree Improvement Center for about 50 years. Red pine seeds are especially difficult to collect in a natural setting, so orchards are used to provide large volumes of pine cones to help in DNR reforestation efforts. Seeds are extracted and nurtured under controlled conditions, then transplanted to forest land. Using seed orchards helps guarantee the health and success of future forests. Read more