Steelhead egg collection to occur on Little Manistee River this spring

Taking steelhead eggs at Little Manistee River weirThe Department of Natural Resources soon will be collecting steelhead eggs at the Little Manistee River weir in Stronach (Manistee County).

Since 1968, the Little Manistee River weir has served as the sole source of winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Yearling steelhead produced through hatchery operations are stocked in select tributaries of all the Great Lakes.

To provide a backup egg-take source in case of emergencies, another broodstock steelhead population is being developed on the Platte River in Benzie County. This population will be used only if the Little Manistee River spawning run fails to provide enough fish. Steelhead provide one of Michigan’s premier sport fishing opportunities for both Great Lakes open water and tributary stream fishing. Read more

Fishing

Gov. Rick Snyder approves $24.7 million in outdoor recreation development,

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation creating more outdoor recreation opportunities for local communities and authorizing nearly $24.7 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grants.

“Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in North America,” Snyder said. “These grants will help give local communities the ability to create more quality recreation opportunities that encourage people of all ages and abilities to get outdoors. Every year, these projects boost the quality of life for Michigan residents, enhance local economies and encourage tourism in our state.”

House Bill 4078, sponsored by state Rep. Jon Bumstead, approves funds for 69 recreation projects and land purchases recommended by the Trust Fund board last December.

It is now Public Act 7 of 2015.

This year, the Trust Fund board recommended $18.2 million for acquisition grants and $6.4 million for development grants. Sixteen acquisition grants were awarded to local units of government for a total of $8.9 million, while nine acquisition grants went to the Department of Natural Resources for projects totaling $9.3 million. Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Jeff Crane Returns to Hearing Stand to Testify on the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015

March 17, 2015 (Washington, DC) – “Much like a successful hunt, when it comes to passing legislation, patience and persistence usually leads to success in the field,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane after his testimony last week before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on S.556, the first half of the bifurcated sportsmen’s package titled, Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 (S.405). This persistence continued today as Crane testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife on S.659, which contains the second half of S.405’s provisions.

 

The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 was introduced on February 5 by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), with the bipartisan Senate CSC leadership as original co-sponsors. Senate CSC leaders for the 114th Congress include: Co-Chairs Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Vice-Chairs Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). The package contains 14 provisions that would trigger regulatory reforms and improve habitat conservation, aimed at helping strengthen the sportsmen’s traditions across America. Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

Annual reports for seven Wetland Wonders available on DNR website

Annual reports for Michigan’s seven Wetland Wonders – detailing 2014-2015 hunting season results, habitat management activities and weekly waterfowl counts at each area, along with other information – are now available on the Department of Natural Resources website. To find the annual reports, visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders and click on “The 7 Wonders” and then on “Updates & Counts.”

Michigan’s Wetland Wonders are the seven premier Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County).

These areas, scattered across the southern Lower Peninsula, were created in the 1960s to provide exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities and are still managed today to provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit of other wetland-dependent wildlife. Since the beginning, these areas have been funded by hunting license fees and area use fees, but they are open for anyone to visit, use and enjoy most of the year. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Hunter’s Specialties Brings Back the Field Champion Box Call

Hunter’s Specialties® brings back some of their classic favorite turkey calls for 2015 with the Retro Series Calls.

The Retro Series Field Champion Box Call has a moisture-resistant green camo finish and a Silencer Plus™ feature that locks the lid of the call during transport to prevent unwanted sounds. The Field Champion Box Call easily reproduces both hen and gobbler sounds and is a perfect addition to any hunter’s arsenal of calls.

The Retro Series Field Champion Box Call sells for a suggested retail price of $34.99. Read more

Hunting

Michigan DNR completes latest moose population survey

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the results of its 2015 moose population survey in the western moose range of the Upper Peninsula, an important tool in managing the species.

The 2015 population estimate in the western U.P. is 323, compared to an estimate of 451 in 2013. From 1997 to 2007, surveys of prime moose habitat in Baraga, Iron and Marquette counties suggested the U.P.’s moose population was growing at a modest rate of about 10 percent per year. From 2009 to 2013, survey results showed an apparent change in that trend, with the growth rate slowing to about 2 percent per year.

“There is inherent uncertainty with any population survey, and due to the fact that the 2013 and 2015 estimates have some overlap in confidence intervals, the potential remains that the state’s moose population has remained steady rather than declining,” said Chad Stewart, deer, elk and moose management specialist for the DNR. “However, coupled with survey records that show a decrease in the number of moose calves seen with cows this year, it’s quite possible that we’re looking at a considerable drop in numbers.”

Future surveys will be needed to identify any long-term trend for Michigan’s moose population. Other states and provinces have reported declines in moose populations near the southern edge of North America’s moose range, yet other populations are holding steady or increasing. Researchers in Michigan have hypothesized several potential causes for a possible decline of moose numbers in Michigan. Among potential factors: Read more

Wildlife

Find Pricing on 15,000+ Firearms with New Gun Digest Price Guide

Iola, Wisconsin – Completely updated for 2015, the 10th edition of The Official Gun Digest® Book of Guns & Prices gives collectors and shooters all the information needed to identify and price thousands of nonmilitary cartridge firearms from around the world. Based on data collected from auctions, gun shows and retail gun shops, this 1,328-page volume is an affordable field guide to today’s hottest collectible rifles, pistols and shotguns. The book is available now at www.gundigeststore.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major and specialty retailers.

Editor Jerry Lee has made The Official Gun Digest® Book of Guns & Prices the go-to, easy-to-use resource for Internet auctions, gun shows and retail shops with more than 15,000 firearms listings. This 10th edition includes hundreds of new models and updated values for anyone interested in firearms prices. Read more

Firearms

Muzzy Makes Bowfishing Easy to Start with the New Addict Bowfishing Kit

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Muzzy, the leader in bowfishing equipment, has announced the introduction of its new Addict Bowfishing Kit, which contains everything needed to begin the sport of bowfishing—everything except the fish.

The Muzzy Addict Bowfishing Kit features a new 58-inch-long recurve bow with a 40-pound draw weight at 28 inches. The bow is a three-piece takedown design that is drilled and tapped for normal accessories and comes ready to shoot. The bow’s riser is magnesium for strength and vibration reduction, and its limbs are constructed of laminated maple and fiberglass for great performance. Read more

Archery, Fishing

New Barnett Brotherhood Crossbow

The new Barnett Brotherhood crossbow packs the punch to handle any big-game hunting situation, and Barnett’s precise engineering has vaulted the Brotherhood to the top of crossbows in its price range.

With a draw weight of 160 pounds, the Barnett Brotherhood that can deliver 109 foot-pounds of energy and shoot an arrow at 350 feet per second. While providing that power, the Brotherhood is far from bulky. With a sleek and streamlined design Barnett is known for, the Brotherhood weighs just 7.0 pounds and is 35.75 inches long and 21 inches wide. The power stroke is a short 13.5 inches, less than most crossbows and easier to cock.

It’s no wonder you see Michael Waddell hunting with the Barnett Brotherhood on The Bone Collector television show. The Brotherhood features lightweight composite stocks and CNC Machined 7/8-inch Picatinny rails-the military standard for mounting scopes. They also have finger reminders for shooting safety and pass-through foregrips, plus the company’s proprietary CROSSFIRE String and Cable System. Read more

Archery
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