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 […]
November 10, 2013
Comments Off on Isle Royale Wolves – Time to Let Nature Take Its Course
A series of public meetings have been scheduled for the coming week by the National Park Service regarding the future of wolves on Michigan’s Isle Royale. As many know by now, the Isle Royale wolf population has declined from their 1980’s peak of an estimated 50, to now only eight. Research now suggests that absent […]
November 6, 2013
Comments Off on The Fall “Turnover”
The dreaded “Turnover.” No, we’re not talking about football, we are talking about a process which has been going on for weeks in all of our northern Michigan lakes. For many anglers, this not only means cooler and shorter days on the water, but that the fish are also tougher to find. Although most anglers […]
October 29, 2013
Comments Off on Fears of Extinction
By Kay Charter – In 1923, a brilliant young amateur ornithologist penned an article on the life history of the Kirtland’s warbler. He closed with the following: “…this bird is decreasing in numbers. It is greatly to be feared that Dedroica kirtlandii may soon be another of the American birds on the extinct list.” The […]
October 22, 2013
Comments Off on American Woodcock – Don’t Mind Us, We’re Just Passing Through
Depending on where you are in northern Michigan and who you talk to, the annual migratory flight of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor) has either already peaked or soon will. Although the unseasonably warm October and mild conditions appear to have reduced their sense of urgency, these wonderful birds know that the shorter days mean […]
October 16, 2013
Comments Off on Michigan Land Plan Reflects Public Comment
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 […]
October 9, 2013
Comments Off on Just To Be Clear – Federal Lands Remain Open
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, […]
October 4, 2013
Comments Off on Outdoor News and Notes from Across the North – October 2013 Edition
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, […]
September 18, 2013
Comments Off on Great Lakes Commission Meeting Update
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 […]
September 15, 2013
Comments Off on A Very Special Bird for Michigan
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 […]
November 18, 2013
Comments Off on Calls Needed NOW to Advance Michigan Wildlife Council