Northern Michigan Conservation Network

by Kay Charter – During most years, birds that overwinter in our area are largely able to survive without our assistance, especially if the habitats in which they live are healthy. Birds like woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches have survived for many millennia without human help. But significant snowfall during the current winter without any thawing […]

by Kay Charter By the time the Kirtland’s warbler was listed under the Endangered Species Act, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service was already hard at work to save the bird. Brood parasitism (when birds drop their eggs in the nests of other birds, often leading to starvation for host nestlings) by brown-headed cowbirds […]

Although it remains well short of a seismic shift, there are increasing signs that the traditional makeup of the hunting community is changing.  For those who have seen past national survey data for hunters and anglers, you know that the biggest bubble on the participation curve has always been represented by 40+ year-old white males. […]

Although not a new story, the restoration of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in this state and nation is an incredible conservation success story and one that is worth retelling.  This, especially as we prepare to celebrate its historical significance by dining on its domestic counterpart, Meleagris Butterballis. We must confess, we borrowed the “Butterball” reference […]

Some of our readers may recall that back in July we discussed the need for Michigan’s own version of the conservation educational campaign which has become known as the Colorado Model.  The recently approved Michigan hunting and angling license restructuring package includes funding for Michigan’s own outreach initiative, but requires formal legislative authorization. This legislative […]

In spite of initial efforts by some to try drawing hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationalists into the politics of the Federal shutdown, common sense appears to have prevailed on the issue of public land access. After originally contributing to some of the confusion in his Field and Stream blog post of October 1, 2013, […]

With September 15th just around the corner, we’ve been taking a look at some of the forecast data provided by both Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Wildlife Division, as well as the summary provided annually by the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS).  Before we begin looking at the grouse and woodcock forecast data made available […]

On Wednesday August 14, the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association’s (MOWA) will be holding a dedication of an historical marker which commemorates a 1919 fishing trip which later served as the inspiration for one of Ernest Hemingway’s most famous short stories, “Big Two-Hearted River.” According to the DNR Press release, “The marker is the latest in […]

by Kay Charter – Twenty years ago, I watched in horror as a relative’s pet cat pulled first one, then another and then another lesser goldfinch from the feeder. Before she was done, the cat had killed ten of the tiny, bright yellow and black birds. She didn’t actually eat the birds because she wasn’t […]

Although we had hoped that they would at least allow us to have the summer off, it certainly comes as no surprise that the”brainstorming” has already begun on new ways to possibly divert the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF). Fresh off last session’s failed attempt to dredge the Fund, they appear to be back […]