Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Seven Upper Peninsula conservation organizations will receive Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative grants from the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division in 2012, DNR officials announced today. Read more
Nonresidents can now purchase Montana big game and elk combination hunting licenses online or over-the-counter at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office. The licenses, good for antlered deer and elk in most hunting districts, can be used during the archery and general hunting seasons. Read more
Michigan hunters will have more elk licenses available but fewer bear licenses, as the Natural Resources Commission set regulations for the upcoming seasons at its April 5 meeting in Lansing. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will make 200 elk licenses available, an increase of 45 from 2011. “We have more elk than we did last year, so we can offer more hunting opportunity while working toward our population goal,” said DNR deer and elk program leader Brent Rudolph. Read more
“This is the third mild winter in a row with warmer temperatures and low snowfall,” Craig Albright, DNR wildlife biologist, said. “We should see a high survival rate of 8- to 10-month-old deer, and on top of that we can expect a good crop of fawns this spring.” More here…
On Feb. 1, eight charges were filed against David V Kent by Osage County Attorney Brandon Jones in the District Court of Osage County, Fourth Judicial District, including criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal hunting, illegally hunting with an artificial light, hunting outside of legal hours, illegal hunting during a closed season, using an illegal caliber for taking big game, illegal hunting from a vehicle, and hunting without a valid deer permit.
Kent then brought in a trophy buck’s antlers to the Monster Buck Classic in Topeka Kansas, claiming they were from a deer killed in the northeast part of the state. Guess who was happy to see him…here
MISSOULA, Mont.Trophy whitetail entries from 2011 hunting seasons are beginning to pour into Boone and Crockett Club headquarters. But while the sporting world waits to see which states are hot or not producers of giant bucks, North America’s overall robust trend in whitetail entries is a story for all conservationists to celebrate.
B&C historical records show that trophy whitetails are Read more
MDNR Deer Harvest Reports from the Southern Lower Peninsula (2007-2010) which indicated that …
64% of the antlered deer harvested was comprised of 1.5 year old bucks
75% of all 1.5 year old bucks killed , had 6 or fewer total points (avg. 3/side)
40% of all 1.5 year old bucks killed, had 4 or less total points (avg. 2/side)
I still support only one deer kill per hunter per year with antler point restrictions until such a time as the herd becomes “balanced.”
Another hero to zero story of a Michigan “deer hunting” cheater. Contests sure bring out the worst in people, and here is the reason why prizes are not always a good idea. In fact, as chairman of the Perry Youth Hunt Extravaganza, I am often approached why we don’t provide prizes for the biggest bucks, first buck, etc. Here’s your answer:
And, here is action taken by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan.
By Glen Wunderlich
Deer hunters have had it pretty good. From the days of market hunting to today’s regulated hunting, nationwide whitetail deer numbers have gone from the brink of extinction to approximately 20 million. Sadly, however, what goes up must come down and some experts believe we are in for a drastic downturn. In fact, it may have already begun. Read more
First Snow of 2012, Shiawassee County, Michigan
By Glen Wunderlich
The midwestern U.S. finally got a blast of reality after being spared any real winter to date. Once the plowing duties were finished, it was time check the landscape for tracks. Any tracks. But, at the top of the list was an area surrounding a deer carcass set out conspicuously to attract meat eaters. Coyotes, specifically. Read more