Family-Outdoors

An Iowa man will be going to prison for intentionally killing an American bald eagle. On November 6, 2014, Jason John Thomas, age 36, of What Cheer, Iowa, was sentenced by District Court Judge John A. Jarvey to 60 days imprisonment for taking and possessing a bald eagle, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. On March 16, 2011, Thomas took and possessed a bald eagle in rural Mahaska County. During a boat ride, Thomas saw the bald eagle on a bluff above the river. Thomas pursued the eagle as it flew down river, captured it after it landed in the river, and then struck and killed the bald eagle. Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, "take" includes pursuing, shooting, shooting at, poisoning, wounding, killing, capturing, trapping, collecting, molesting or disturbing a bald or golden eagle. “Cases like this often can't be made without someone who comes forward with information. We could solve a lot more serious wildlife crime...

Fish Point State Wildlife Area, located in Unionville, juts out into the Saginaw Bay. Because of the tremendous variety and abundance of waterfowl found here, the Fish Point area has been called the "Chesapeake of the Midwest." During spring and fall migrations, the habitat and food resources at this site attract thousands of ducks and other water birds. Dabbling and diving ducks, along with Canada geese, are plentiful across the area. Mallards are the most commonly harvested duck, with a good number of green-winged teal, wood ducks, widgeon, pintails, gadwall and black ducks being taken as well.   Waterfowl hunters who want to hunt Fish Point must enter the Managed Hunt drawing. Drawings occur at 5:30 and 11 a.m. daily during the hunting season for the morning and afternoon hunts, respectively. If hunters miss a draw, they are allowed to take a leftover spot if available. There are 63 hunting zones, covering flooded agricultural fields and cattail and emergent m...

Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota, near Garrison Dam (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Fisheries crews have completed their annual salmon spawning operation on the Missouri River System after collecting roughly 1.3 million eggs. Dave Fryda, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Missouri River System supervisor, said about two thirds of the eggs came from Lake Sakakawea and the remainder from the Missouri River below Garrison Dam.  The average size of Lake Sakakawea females was 8.5 pounds, almost 3 pounds larger than 2013 and among the highest weights documented since the inception of the salmon program. The Missouri River females, which are typically larger than the lake fish, averaged 10.4 pounds. “The 2014 salmon spawning run was successful in obtaining enough eggs to meet next year’s stocking goals.” Fryda said. “However, contrary to recent years, we might not be able to provide excess eggs to Montana and South Dakota to meet their egg goals.” Fryda said the...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Driving around northeast Iowa last weekend it was apparent that trout fishing remains a popular fall activity when every parking spot at North and South Bear Creek and Waterloo Creek was filled. “That was good to see,” said Mike Steuck, fisheries supervisor for interior streams with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  Interest in trout fishing usually peaks from April through October, which is the stocking season when the Iowa DNR stocks roughly 325,000 catchable sized trout each year. But many of those fish will remain in the stream through the winter providing an experience of fishing for more wild fish, with possibly fewer competing anglers. In addition to the hold- over stocked fish, Iowa has more than 40 trout streams with consistently naturally reproducing brown trout and another 30 streams where natural reproduction is occurring, but not consistently. These streams have a lot of wild fish available for ang...

Cold temperatures, snow and wind this week across the Dakotas and Minnesota are being watched closely by Iowa waterfowlers. Migrating duck numbers have gradually been increasing in Iowa. This week’s weather will push lot of those northern birds south. That is good news here for hunters, birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts IF the ducks and geese stick around. It’s important to look at the whole weather system, not just which way the wind is blowing, where--and on the days--you hunt. “A lot of ducks are moving south, but how the weather system tracks is important,” reminds DNR waterfowl technician Al Hancock. “If we are sitting with west winds blowing out of the Dakotas and through Iowa, that’s optimal.” However, he reminds hunters that it is important to look at the rotation of that storm cell; to track wind direction on the backside. If prevailing winds turn out of the southeast or south, it could set migrating ducks down for a couple days. If the north or w...

North Dakota Game and Fish Department fisheries personnel have wrapped up surveys and sampling efforts for the open water season, and results point toward good conditions on the state’s big waters. “Fishing in North Dakota continues to be record-setting on most all levels,” said Greg Power, fisheries chief. “A record number of fishing lakes has contributed considerably to the record number of fishing licenses sold in recent years.” North Dakota’s three big fisheries – Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe/Missouri River and Devils Lake – continue to account for approximately half of the annual statewide fishing effort. Good habitat and forage conditions in Lake Sakakawea have resulted in an abundance of rainbow smelt and other alternative forage, which in turn has contributed to excellent condition and growth of game fish. Walleye numbers are high, and recruitment of several strong year classes in recent years bodes well for the future. In addition, a good popu...

Cougar evidence now confirmed in the U.P. 26 times since 2008 The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed two recent photos of a cougar in the eastern Upper Peninsula, marking the 25th and 26th times cougar evidence has been verified in the U.P. One of the photos was taken with a camera phone in late October on private property near Chippewa County’s Raber Township. The other was taken in early November by a trail camera on public land in Mackinac County near Garfield Township. With the verification of these two photos, the DNR has now confirmed the presence of cougars in 11 Upper Peninsula counties 26 times since 2008. The animals are believed to be young individuals dispersing from established populations in the Dakotas in search of new territory; there is no evidence of a breeding population of cougars in the state. The DNR’s Wildlife Division welcomes citizen reports of possible cougar evidence or sightings. Cougar photos and other evidence - such as tracks, ...

Do you fish or hunt? If the answer is yes, and you’ve purchased any related outdoor equipment, then Lake sturgeon are raised at the Besadny Andonomous Fish Hatchery in Kewaunee which is maintained through Sport Fish Restoration dollars. Photo by Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS. you’ve probably supported conservation in your state, and connected one way or another with the quiet giant. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds are comprised of excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. Manufacturers pay the taxes on equipment upfront, and then the cost is incorporated on the sales tag of the item. These dollars are then filtered to our Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program where we work closely with the states to distribute the funding in the form of conservation apportionments. This is known as the cycle of success. The more people hunt, fish and purchase equipment, the more conservation is possible in their state. These state apportionments and grants back many kinds of conse...

Looking for a new waterfowl hunting or birding spot to explore this fall? Take a trip to  Pointe Mouillee State Game Area  for beautiful views and plenty of ducks. Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is located in Rockwood, on the western shore of Lake Erie. Pointe Mouillee, one of the largest freshwater marsh restoration projects in North America, is composed of 4,040 acres of cattail marsh, field, coastal wetland and forest. Dabbling and diving ducks, as well as Canada geese, can be found at Pointe Mouillee and on the adjoining waters of Lake Erie. Mallards are the most commonly harvested ducks, with a good number of wood ducks and teal taken early in the season. “Pointe Mouillee offers great opportunities for both managed and open hunting, walking in or by boat, and for both divers and dabblers,” said DNR wildlife biologist Zach Cooley. “Whatever type of waterfowl hunting you’re looking to do, you can find it at Pointe Mouillee and the adjacent waters of Lake Eri...

Oklahoma youths and educators have until  Nov. 21  to submit entries in a creative writing and scholarship contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International.     Students must use the theme "Hunting: Sharing the Heritage" or "Archery: What I Like About Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting," or the theme's concepts, to develop an expository essay or short story.    Lance Meek, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department, said the essay contest is an ideal way for youths to show their love for the outdoors and, in the process, possibly win a getaway in the great outdoors.    "The traditions of hunting and the new legacy being created by our Oklahoma National Archery in the Schools Program are important to Oklahoma, and this contest gives youths an important avenue to express their interest in these things," Meek said.    To participate, s...

Have you made your plans for winter camping, or 2015 lodging at a state park? If not, now is a great time to do so before state park camping prices increase to match the consumer price index. Camping reservations (for RV and tent campsites) can be made up to 6 months in advance through the Central Reservation System at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling 1-800-44-PARKS (1-800-447-2757). Please note: lodges cannot be reserved through the Central Reservation System. Please call the state park directly to check availability and make a reservation. Overnight lodging reservations can be made up to one year in advance, and a variety of accommodations are available. Here's a quick breakdown of the overnight lodging options available at Michigan state parks: Mini-cabins: one-room heated cabins that sleep up to four people, with bunkbeds and mattresses provided. Reservation includes use of a picnic table and a grill or fire ring. Camper cabins: a step up in size from the mini-cab...

Annual roadside quail surveys have been completed for 2014, and the results are good news for quail hunters in Oklahoma. The statewide quail population index increased 66 percent from the previous year. Quail counts conducted in August and October showed higher numbers of birds in all of Oklahoma except the South-central region.    "We documented outstanding reproduction, and it looks like it will be one of the best seasons in a decade," said Richard Hatcher, director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation .    Scott Cox, upland game biologist with the Wildlife Department, said the weather plays an important role in quail production. The past two years, Oklahoma has seen model years for rainfall and cooler temperatures during the spring and summer months, after previous years of hot and dry conditions.    The recent favorable weather conditions helped more birds carry over into the nesting season, and allowed those birds to have a chance f...