Family-Outdoors

Kettle Moraine State Forest, Pike Lake Unit near Hartford Wisconsin.  MADISON -- Anyone looking to start their New Year's resolution for better health can start the year off on the right foot by participating in any of 10 First Day Hikes that will be held at Wisconsin State Park properties on January 1. On a First Day Hike, visitors can enjoy walks through diverse, beautiful natural areas, led by park rangers or volunteers. Most hikes include additional activities such as campfires, naturalist guides, wildlife tracking, and hot beverages after the hike. Hikers gather for a group photo at a 2014 First Day Hike at the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Photo Credit: WDNR All 50 states are participating in the fifth annual event that invites families and friends to celebrate the New Year amid the sights, sounds and wonder of our natural world with fun, guided hikes. On Jan. 1, 2015, 507 participants hiked 1,191 miles at 10 different Wisconsin state park ...

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to finish gathering their punches for the Consumers Energy-sponsored Wetland Wonders Challenge during the Zone 3 waterfowl hunting weekend Dec. 26 and 27. The Harsens Island, Shiawassee River and Fennville Farm managed waterfowl hunt areas will have staff members available to validate punch cards both days. The contest runs until  Jan. 31, 2016 .  Michigan's Wetland Wonders include the seven premier managed waterfowl hunt areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County). These areas provide exceptional waterfowl hunting opportun...

* events with asterisk have a school day on Friday. For more information, contact the events directly. Clinton Bald Eagle Watch   Saturday, Jan. 9 This event is in its 32nd year.  In coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pam Steinhaus, with contributions from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Clinton CCB, numerous conservation organizations and the Iowa DNR. Wonderful family entertainment                                               Outdoor viewing: Lock & Dam 13,  8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Live Bird and Nature Programs: Clinton Community College, 9:45-2 Exhibits: Clinton Community College from 9 – 2 Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area. For more information call  815-259-3628 Mississippi River V...

      Enrollment is under way for the Illinois River Fly Fishing School, which has become one of the most popular fishing education workshops held each year in Oklahoma. The 2016 session will be Feb. 19-20 at Tenkiller State Park and on the banks of the Illinois River.     This basic course includes sessions on tackle and gear, knots, flies, fly selection and casting techniques. On Saturday afternoon, participants receive on-stream instruction. Fly rods will be available for loan Saturday. A state fishing license is not required for students during course instruction.  Mark Patton will instruct at the 28th annual Illinois River Fly      Fishing School. (Via Facebook)     Instructors will be Mark Patton and Tom Adams. This will be the 28th year that Patton Fly Fishing has offered this course. Early registration is suggested to ensure a spot.     Participants should bring a hat, sunglasses, rain gear, flashlight, alar...

Here’s a cure for winter blues: Explore scenic nature trails by snowshoe or cross-country ski at a national wildlife refuge. Some refuges lend you the equipment for free. Look for animal tracks – easy to spot in the snow – and occasional wildlife sightings. For maps or more detailed trail descriptions, contact the refuges. National wildlife refuges, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are part of America’s rich natural heritage. They have been so since 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge on Pelican Island in Florida. Refuges offer chances to see some of the nation’s most distinctive wildlife species in their varied, and often striking, natural surroundings. Find a refuge near you: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/refuges/visit.html Here are some refuges made for snowy fun. Michigan Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge  (Saginaw) 17 miles of refuge trails are open to snowshoeing and skiing. Look for bald eagles, w...

Timothy Pifher of Davison, Michigan, was named 2015 hunter education volunteer instructor of the year by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Pifher was honored for his achievements at the Dec. 10 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing. In 1997, Pifher earned his hunter education instructor certification. During the past 18 years, he has taught more than 360 classes and certified over 3,600 students to hunt safely in Michigan’s out-of-doors. “Mr. Pifher has had a very positive impact on thousands of hunter education students in this state,” said Gary Hagler, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “We can never know the number of lives he has saved or the injuries he has prevented due to his efforts.” In 2000, Pifher became an associate at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Auburn Hills, Michigan, where he initiated the hunter safety program. He holds at least 10 classes a year at the store. In conjunction with his wife, Sandy, also a certified hunter educa...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D.  – The calendar may say we are close to winter, but mild temperatures and snow cover have made for “unwinter-like” conditions on most of South Dakota’s lakes, rivers and streams.  Due to the mild beginning to the ice fishing season, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials are urging anglers, snowmobilers and recreationists to take extreme caution when venturing out.  “Ice conditions across the state are not very good right now,” said John Lott,GFP fisheries administrator.  “Repeated freezing and thawing have made for poor ice and open areas on many of our lakes.“ The rule of thumb is that it takes at least two inches of ice to support an angler, at least six inches to support an ice shack and over a foot for a vehicle, but that applies to strong, clear ice.  Many area lakes have produced “cloudy” or “dark” ice due to the warm conditions.  Dark or cloudy ice is not as strong as clear ice.  If a...

CENTRAL   Hefner: December 15. Elevation above normal, water 46-52 and murky. Crappie good on minnows and jigs along riprap and around docks. Walleye fair on jerk baits and sassy shad along riprap. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on grubs and lipless baits around points and inlets. Channel catfish fair on grubs along riprap. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.   Overholser: December 15. Elevation below normal, water murky to muddy. Crappie fair on jigs in pink, chartreuse and black around docks and brush structure. Blue and catfish fair on live bait, cut bait and chicken liver in the main lake. Drum being caught around docks and brush structure. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County.   NORTHEAST   Ft. Gibson: December 14. Elevation above normal, water 54 and stained. Crappie fair on tube jigs and live bait at 15-20 ft. along riprap, rocks and docks. Blue catfish fa...

 Shikar-Safari Club International presented its 2015 Wildlife Officer of the Year award to game warden Ben Bickerstaff during the regular meeting of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission on Dec. 7 in Oklahoma City.     Bickerstaff, based in Alfalfa County, has served as a game warden for 12 years. He was selected by his peers to receive the honor, which was presented before the Commission by Suzie Brewster and Robin Seigfried of Shikar-Safari Club International after introductions by Col. Robert Fleenor, chief of law enforcement for the Wildlife Department.      Bickerstaff, born and raised in Enid, is a 2003 graduate from Oklahoma State University. In 2013, Bickerstaff, along with fellow game wardens Lt. Mark Walker and Lt.  Gathered for the presentation of the Shikar-Safari Club International's Wildlife  Officer of the Year award are, from left, Col. Robert Fleenor, district chief Capt.  Tracy Daniel, Suzie Brewster, honor...

PIERRE, S.D. – Snowmobile trails in South Dakota are scheduled to open today, but trail officials are still waiting to see what the storm brings. “The Black Hills has seen minimal snowfall so far this season,” said Black Hills Trails district supervisor, Shannon Percy. “Grooming operations will be limited until we see additional accumulation. Percy would like to remind riders that some obstacles exist throughout the 350-mile Black Hills Trails system due to the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic. “Snowmobilers should be aware that trees, broken tree tops and dangling branches can fall at any time while riding on and off-trail,” said Percy. “Please be aware of your surroundings as trees and debris may cause obstructions.” Eastern South Dakota saw significant accumulations in November, but most of that snow has since melted.  Current projections have snow accumulations adding up in some parts of central and eastern South Dakota.   “Heaviest snow accumulation is expected ...