Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap Now Available

Contact: Patricia Allen, 202-838-3461 / Fax 202-350-9869, pallen@fishwildlife.org

Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap Now Available

Washington – The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is pleased to announce the release of the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap. The roadmap is meant to be a practical guide that state, provincial and territorial fish and wildlife conservation agencies can use to overcome barriers to broader relevance, public engagement and support. The roadmap was adopted by the Association at its 2019 Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is the world’s most successful system of policies and laws to restore and safeguard fish and wildlife and their habitats through sound science and active management,” said Secretary Kelly Hepler of South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “We also recognize that as society is becoming more urban and diverse, fish and wildlife agencies need new approaches to help engage the public and promote an understanding of the importance of maintaining healthy fish and wildlife. This roadmap is a tool to assist us in achieving that goal.”

“The relevancy of fish and wildlife conservation is one of the most important challenges confronting natural resource agencies,” said Steve Williams, President of the Wildlife Management Institute and member of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Sustaining our diverse fish and wildlife resources in the future will require all constituents to join ranks with our traditional supporters.” Read more

Wildlife

The Joy of Hunting without Bait

By Glen Wunderlich

There I was, totally involved in the comfort of a portable blind with only a few days left in the regular firearms deer season. I had yet to tag either a buck or a doe, although both tags were in my pocket with numerous opportunities already behind me.

A silhouette deer decoy was positioned in the field about 80 yards from the blind in an effort to divert attention of any whitetails that may appear. As two groups of deer entered the field, none of them noticed my devious accomplice; they were too busy nibbling on the whitetail clover afoot.

The group of seven deer included at least two adults and one alert doe finally saw what appeared to her as a stranger in the vicinity. It was game on! The decoy was performing its magic and the matriarch pointed its long nose toward the unwelcome intruder. Step by step, with its neck stretched as far as possible, the group’s leader was on high alert. Soon, a second mature doe got the message and joined in the stare-down – both about 40 yards in front of me without a clue as to my existence or intention.

This wouldn’t have been a chip shot; rather it was a gimmie, plain and simple. The more inquisitive deer kept up their deliberate pace until they were within mere feet of the decoy, where I had placed a bit of scent to fool them, if they got too close. The strategy paid off. and as the curtain of darkness descended upon the scene, the entire group was there feeding alongside the great pretender.

Sometime afterward, I questioned myself as to why I held fire. After all, the deer had fully cooperated and were in my lap. The answer was simple: I did not want the excitement to end. And, that may be the difference between those that must bait or quit and me.

And, then I thought about the politicians that have voted in favor of House Bill 4687, which would bring back baiting in spite of years of research by wildlife biologists; the hasty maneuver would certainly contradict what we have come to know and believe. And, I thought of how we citizens bought into granting authority to experts by overwhelmingly voting to authorize the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to make decisions about hunting in year 1996 by a 2/3 majority.

I am not alone. Representative Gary Howell (R) of North Branch agrees: “We are now on the edge of violating the spirit of that proposal. The truth is we ought to let the proper authorities make these decisions. We as politicians really are not particularly qualified to make these scientific decisions.”

Governor Whitmer has indicated she will veto the bill that would not take effect this season anyway. This is not only a matter of principle but a matter of the future of deer hunting in Michigan. Yet, I’ve not heard from one politician, who has staked his or her position on the shifting sands of politics, as to why we were all so naïve back in 1996. Just how did the NRC become so stupid, while the politicians became so smart?

Hunting

Michigan DNR public land auction starts Tuesday

Looking for property? DNR public land auction starts Tuesday

Nearly 150 surplus parcels, up to 160 acres in size, are available

Lake views, river access, winding trails and more – in many prime locations throughout much of Michigan – are available starting Tuesday, Dec. 10. That’s when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources begins its winter auction of surplus public land, offering 147 individual parcels ranging in size from less than an acre to 160 acres.

The auction is part of the DNR’s strategy to efficiently manage public land while maximizing outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. Bids will be accepted through Jan. 8, 2020.

Land is available in counties mainly in central/northern Lower Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula. Counties include Allegan, Alpena, Bay, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Houghton, Iosco, Jackson, Kalkaska, Lake, Mackinac, Midland, Missaukee, Muskegon, Newaygo, Otsego, Saint Clair and Van Buren. Several of the largest parcels are in Alpena, Dickinson and Newaygo counties. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan: snowshoe tying workshop at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Saturday, Dec. 21
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
Porcupine Mountains Ski Area in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Michigan Highway 107, Ontonagon

Weave your own traditional wood-framed snowshoes during this all-day workshop for ages 16 and older.

The cost for the class is $200, which includes one pair of wood frames, tubular nylon lacing, boot bindings and step-by-step instruction. The style of snowshoe for this season’s class will be cross-country.

This class is part of the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy, which offers in-depth, expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities at locations around the state.

General

Aqua-Vu® introduces HDi Gen 2 Underwater Viewing Systems

Evolved HD optics, water-clearing video software and more upgrades highlight

Aqua-Vu® HDi Gen 2 Underwater Viewing Systems

Crosslake, MN (December 4, 2019) – At first ice, guide Brian “Bro” Brosdahl likes to go for a little swim. Call him crazy, but Bro chalks it up to research.

The most remarkable part of Brosdahl’s underwater exploration isn’t that he’s able to take the plunge without getting wet. Rather, it’s that this particular ‘trick’ reveals hidden fish and other enigmatic underwater details . . . right from the comforts of his ice shelter. In other words, Bro’s little trick puts him steps ahead of other anglers in a game defined by one’s ability to sniff out untapped pods of fish.

“That’s the genius of an Aqua-Vu,” says Brosdahl, a pioneering Northern Minnesota ice angler. “The optics of the new HDi Gen-2 cameras are so precise and tuned-in they can vividly display leaf colors on aquatic vegetation and the bugs living on them. My HD10i Pro shows me individual rocks so clearly that I should probably take up underwater agate hunting,” he laughs. Read more

Fishing

NSSF Releases Firearms Production Figures

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the firearms industry trade association, released the 2017 Firearms Production Report to members. The report compiles the most up to date information based on data sourced from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reports (AFMER). Key findings for public release showed:

  • The estimated total number of firearms in civilian possession from 1986-2018 is 422.9 million, according to data reported in the ATF’s Firearms Commerce Report in the United States 2019 report and including the preliminary 2018 Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) figures.
  • 17,740,000 Modern Sporting Rifles are in private ownership today.
  • More than half (54%) of all rifles produced in 2017 were modern sporting rifles.
  • In 2017, 7,901,218 total firearms were produced and imported. Of those, 4,411,923 were pistols and revolvers, 2,821,945 were rifles and 667,350 were shotguns.
  • An interim 2018 estimate showed a total 7,660,772 total firearms were produced and imported. Of those 4,277,971 were pistols and revolvers, 2,846,757 were rifles and 535,994 were shotguns. Those are interim reports and will be updated as complete information becomes available.
  • Firearms-ammunition manufacturing accounted for nearly 12,000 employees producing over $4.1 billion in goods shipped in 2017. An estimated 8.1 billion rounds, of all calibers and gauges, were produced in 2018 for the U.S. market.

“These figures show the industry that America has a strong desire to continue to purchase firearms for lawful purposes,” said Joe Bartozzi, President of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “The Modern Sporting Rifle continues to be the most popular centerfire rifle sold in America today and is clearly a commonly-owned firearm with more than 17 million in legal private ownership today. The continued popularity of handguns demonstrates a strong interest by Americans to protect themselves and their homes, and to participate in the recreational shooting sports.”

The report also shows that as lawful firearms ownership in America continues to grow, criminal and unintentional misuse of firearms is falling. During the 25-year period covered in this report (1993–2017) the violent crime rate has decreased by 48.6 percent and unintentional firearm-related fatalities have declined by 68 percent. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: extended deer season in metro Detroit

More hunting days could help local communities manage urban deer conflicts

Hunters still seeking to take deer this season can plan to bowhunt through the end of January in southeastern Michigan. This extended archery deer season in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties – an urban deer management zone – is available through the third and final year of a Department of Natural Resources pilot program announced in December 2017.

Chad Stewart, the DNR’s deer, elk and moose program leader, said that the extended hunt is both a chance for hunters to pursue some high-quality deer and an opportunity for local officials to manage urban deer conflicts in their communities.

“Archery hunters can take advantage of some excellent hunting in January,” Stewart said. “This longer season also is a fairly low-cost first attempt for municipalities to help reduce the conflicts that arise when deer numbers rise in more populated, urban areas.” Read more

Hunting

Christmas Bird Count engages everyone in conservation

LITTLE ROCK — The National Audubon Society recently announced the dates for the 120th annual Christmas Bird Count — Dec. 14 through Jan. 5.

The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running wildlife survey in the world, employing tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers to gather data on the number and type of bird species found during the peak of migration.

Individual counts take place in a 15-mile-wide circle and are led by a compiler responsible for organizing volunteers and submitting observations to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day — not just the species, but total numbers to provide a clear idea of the health of that particular population.

Data from Christmas Bird Counts have been used in more than 200 peer-reviewed, scientific articles, including Audubon’s landmark, “Birds and Climate Change Report.”

There is no fee to participate and the quarterly report, “American Birds,” is available online. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels and Audubon’s free Bird Guide app makes it even easier to chip in. For more information and to find a count near you, visit www.christmasbirdcount.org.

Wildlife

Michigan: winter storms impact state’s snowmobile trails

Michigan’s snowmobile season kicked off Dec. 1, but a series of significant winter storms has temporarily impacted the state’s snowmobile trails system.

Storms that began Wednesday, Nov. 27 have blocked trails with heavy snow and downed trees across the Upper Peninsula as well as in some parts of the northern Lower Peninsula, according to state trails specialists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division.

In the wake of the storms, the DNR’s contracted snowmobile clubs have responded and are clearing downed trees and grooming trails to ready them for snowmobilers.

“These storms dumped heavy snow and freezing rain that turned to ice, which snapped tree limbs and utility lines and even uprooted trees,” said Jeff Kakuk, DNR western U.P. trails specialist.

A similar situation is being reported in the northern Lower Peninsula and across the eastern U.P.

Paul Gaberdiel, eastern U.P. trails specialist with the DNR, said a groomer even became stuck in the snow between Munising and Manistique.

Significant trail clearing and grooming will be needed in the affected areas.

“It will take time because some people are trying to dig themselves out and remove the downed trees and branches on the trails,” Gaberdiel said.

The trails are open, but snowmobilers are alerted to watch out for downed tree limbs and other hazards, as well as work crews clearing and grooming trails.

“If you are out on the trails, we ask that you use extreme caution,” Kakuk said.

Before venturing out to ride, review the latest updated trail closures information at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

Michigan offers thousands of miles snowmobile trails, as well as available backcountry riding. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.

General
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