Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Ithaca, N.Y.-Thousands watching a live streaming cam caught their first glimpse of a newly hatched Red-tailed Hawk chick around 6:00 a.m. on Earth Day, April 22. A second chick emerged soon after in the nest located on a light pole high above an athletic field on the Cornell University campus. Read more
Although early winter snow in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was mild compared to the past few years, precipitation late in the season resulted in above-average snow depths that are continuing well into spring. These conditions are challenging deer in the region, and are expected to lead to lower survival and fawn recruitment rates than seen during the last few years. Read more
ROCHESTER, NY – American Tactical Imports is proud to introduce the FX 45 Titan Lightweight, exclusively from ATI. The new Titan LW weights only 24.8 ounces empty, making it ideal for conceal carry situations. The lightweight version of the popular Titan is an officers model 1911 pistol with 3.13″ barrel length, 3 3/8″ bull barrel and an overall length of 6.93″. Read more
Old Saybrook, CT – Traditions™ Performance Firearms, known for their extremely accurate and dependable muzzleloaders, is proud to introduce the next innovation in muzzleloading – the Vortek StrikerFire™. In development since 2008, this patent-pending rifle takes features from the popular Vortek™ series but incorporates a StrikerFire™ system which has no external hammer. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
When we think rodent, most of us may envision mice, rats, squirrels or 10-pound groundhogs. But, what if rodents grew to 50 pounds or more and lived right here in Shiawassee County? Well, lock your doors; they’re here!
Castor Canadensis is even known to kill humans, as evidenced this month when a fisherman in Belarus, Russia bled to death after being attacked and bitten by one, which severed an artery in his leg. If you’ve yet to picture the beast, it also goes by the moniker of North American beaver.
Weeks ago I discovered a poplar limb cleanly stripped of its bark lying alongside the Osborn Drain near home. Closer inspection revealed it had been chewed off by a beaver. I walked the edge of the waterway looking for more clues such as a dam or lodge but none was found, so I blew it off.
Weeks later, when a number of poplars were found chewed off at the water’s edge, my concern grew.
Poplar cut by beaver
We’ve got enough flooding already with all the spring rain and a beaver dam would be less than welcome. Oh, I know how useful the busy buggers are to the ecosystem by maintaining wetlands, but aren’t humans already required to do so by law?
A few years ago, the DNR had to remove them from the same drainage, because some homeowners’ needed a boat to get to their front door. Read more
A Montana college student, not paying attention in bear country, was mauled by a grizzly. Turns out he was too close to a sow with cubs and landed in the hospital, as a result. Details here…
An unsuspecting fisherman in Russia bled to death after getting too close to scrappy beaver. Details here…
Fairfax, Virginia – National Rifle Association programs have experienced significant growth since 2008 thanks to an increased national interest in the shooting sports, personal safety and hunting. Read more
When walking around in the woods in the spring or fall, you might come across a wicked big puddle, and if you look closely you’ll see that it is teaming with life! Look for egg masses of frogs (like the ones seen in the photo on the left) and salamanders, tadpoles swimming around or salamander larvae hiding under leaves. If you just bend down and look close, you will be amazed at what you see. Read more
It happens every spring. Someone finds an “abandoned” fawn and takes it upon themselves to “rescue” it.
The Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division staff has a word of advice: Don’t.
“When young fawns are born, they’re not very mobile and don’t appear to have much scent to them so their best defense is to just stay still, on their own, apart from their mother,” explained Brent Rudolph, the deer and elk program leader for the DNR. “Predators can’t track them down by following mom around, so she stays away and the fawns stay alone – that’s their best defense during their first few days of life.” Read more