Northern Michigan Conservation Network

In an effort to reverse the national trend toward ballot initiative-driven wildlife management, the Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management (CPWM) coalition is proposing to launch a campaign of its own.  As described in the press release which follows, the Michigan Board of Canvassers is being asked to approve petition language which, if successful, would place […]

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 […]

The final draft of the Public Land Management Strategy  has been completed and is now in the hands of Governor Snyder.  After the completion of gubernatorial review and approval, the document will then head back to the State legislature pursuant to the terms of the Michigan Land Cap Bill, a.k.a. Senate Bill-248.   It may […]

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, […]

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 […]

Delta Waterfowl has released its 2013 annual duck breeding survey.  Although a slight breeding population decline is suggested on a year-to-year basis, the long term recovery trend remains strong. Last year’s low water levels which were symptomatic of many areas of the Prairie Pot Hole region have been supplanted with abundant breeding grounds.  The survey’s […]