Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that a new parcel of land is open for public access in Livingston County, near Stockbridge. This parcel, called The Vigo Tract, offers quality hunting and outdoor recreation opportunities for Southeast Michigan. Read more
GW: I now understand why I never see these birds except when flying high above. Oh, yes, that sound is unmistakable. A good education follows here…
by Doug Reeves, assistant chief, DNR Wildlife Division
Nov. 12, 2012 was the Veteran’s Day holiday but it was also a spectacular migration day. A strong cold front came across the continent, with the northern portion arriving in Mid-Michigan during the early morning hours accompanied by rain. The rain had ended by about noon, and the temperature dropped from the low 50’s to the upper 30’s. There was a strong westerly wind, sometimes with significant shifts to the north or northwest. Conditions were just right for tundra swans to migrate, and migrate they did! Read more
Yesterday, as the Michigan legislature works through the final weeks of its 2011-2012 session, the state Senate approved Senate Bill 59 by a vote of 27 to 11 (vote is on page 2307). This bill was sent to the House where it has been assigned to the Committee on Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation. Read more
San Diego, Calif. – Because of the enduring popularity of lever-action rifles, they are among the first rifles new shooters are introduced to. As a result, the latest online video from the “Roy’s Insider Tips” series tackles the subject of how to safely unload these popular rifles.
Produced by FMG Publications and hosted by American Handgunner Publisher Roy Huntington, this online video series offers an excellent how-to resource for those looking to introduce their friends and loved ones to safe gun-handling. Read more
FORT SMITH, Arkansas (November 29, 2012) – Walther Arms, Inc. today announced its U.S. operations will locate at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Walther Arms will share a campus and business resources with Umarex USA who today announced it will expand its manufacturing operations to include components of both airguns and firearms. Combined, the companies plan to invest more than $7 million toward expanding the facility and operations over the next five years. The expanding facility will serve as corporate headquarters for both Walther and Umarex in North America. Read more
Interested in avoiding crowded stores? Need a little help locating one-of-a-kind gifts? Like gifts that support Michigan’s wildlife, natural resources or history programs? 
If any of those scenarios sounds like you, consider turning to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for several gift-giving ideas sure to satisfy the outdoor/nature enthusiast or history buff on your shopping list. Read more
Three recent trail camera photos of cougars in the Upper Peninsula have been verified by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Two of the photos, both of a cougar with a radio collar, were taken in October in Menominee County – one near Cedar River and one near Menominee just north of the Wisconsin border.
U,P. Cougar
The third photo was taken in northern Marquette County in November. The cougar in the Marquette County photo is not wearing a radio collar.
The DNR does not place radio collars on cougars; North Dakota and South Dakota are the nearest states where wildlife researchers have placed radio collars on cougars to track their movement. The DNR has not yet been able to determine the origin of the radio-collared cougar that is in Michigan. Read more
A short video clip of a monster buck from Michigan’s Van Buren County is here.
To better understand predator-prey relationships, SCI Foundation helped fund studies on Whitetail deer in Michigan. In Michigan, Deer survival is influenced by many factors including disease, predation, weather, and hunter harvest. In the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, deer survival is especially influenced by winter food supply and cover. Predators also play a role in the survival of deer, particularly fawn survival during the spring and summer. Understanding deer survival and the factors that influence survival throughout the year is vitally important for proper management of the deer herd.
The Safari Club International Foundation has partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Mississippi State University, and the Michigan Involvement Committee of Safari Club International to better understand the impact of predation on deer, while also determining how predation is influenced by winter weather and deer habitat conditions. Learn more right here.
The Michigan Legislature returned yesterday for the last few weeks of their 2012 legislative session with several pro-gun bills still pending consideration. House Bill 5225 and its companion bills, legislation that would eliminate the state handgun “permit-to-purchase” and registration requirements in Michigan, have been languishing in the state Senate for months, so your state Senator and the Senate leadership need to hear from gun owners across Michigan today! Since the state House passed HB 5225 back in June, the Michigan Senate is the only remaining obstacle to getting this vital bill to the Governor. Read more