Northern Michigan Conservation Network

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, […]

Here are few “newsy” items that may be of interest for northern Michigan outdoor types. Still Time for Forestry Open House/Compartment Review Comment Although some have come and gone, there is still time to participate in several MDNR Forestry Compartment Review and Open House sessions for the 2015 Year of Entry.  Those sessions for Atlanta, […]

Several newsworthy events took place at this past week’s annual meeting of the Great Lakes Commission.  For those unfamiliar with the Great Lakes Commission, it is comprised of  members from each of the eight Great Lakes states with associate members from the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec. Each state may assemble a delegation of […]

by Kay Charter If you know that our 37th president requested an endangered species act from Congress in 1972, you win the history trivia prize of the day. Add bonus points if you know when that president, Richard M. Nixon, signed the act into law, he said, “Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of […]

We must preface any discussion concerning agency budgets and fiscal implications by first saying the greatest cost of wildfires is personal injury and the loss of human life. While this risk may be a reality which is routinely accepted by those who have dedicated their professional careers to such endeavors, it is not one which […]

Well, that didn’t take long.  Just when we had naively thought that the supporters of Senate Bill 288 really meant it when they passed legislation granting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources authority to name game species based upon “scientific wildlife management,” some of these same bill sponsors now want to rescind the DNR’s authority […]

On the same day that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) press release came out announcing the celebration of the upper peninsula’s Crisp Point land acquisition project, a national “Sign On Letter” was being circulated by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Besides their crossing in cyberspace, what’s the connection?  I’m glad you […]

Late last month, an alternative to the failed 2012 Sportsmen’s Act was introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).  Unlike the 2012 version which was introduced by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), the latest iteration excludes reauthorizations of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (S. 51) and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The good news […]

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 […]

In 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed its strategic planning document Conserving the Future – Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation.  Among other issues, the document included 24 recommendations relating to public use, planning and strategic growth,  science and research, partnerships and volunteers. Two recommendations pertaining to the role of hunting and fishing […]