Family-Outdoors

The Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon today announced a “Wildlife of Michigan in Winter” photo contest. Entrants are asked to submit favorite photos from last year or take a trek through the woods, fields or wetlands this winter and capture the beauty of wildlife in a wintry scene. Photos must be of Michigan wildlife photographed in nature during winter. Entries are limited to two photos per person. Photos must be securely matted without a frame or glass, with a minimum size of 8 x 10 and maximum size of 11 x 16. Laminated photos or those without a matte will not be accepted. An entry fee of $4 per photo must accompany each submission. Please include photographer’s name, address, email, phone number and name of wildlife and location photographed on the back. This contest is intended for amateurs only; the works of published photographers will not be considered. The deadline for submission is 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25. An impartia...

Fledgling. Photo by Joel Trick/USFWS The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that 2012 has been a banner year for endangered Kirtland’s warblers. Survey results of the rare bird in Michigan and Wisconsin scored a new record, with 2,090 singing males, up from 1,828 last year. “It was only 1987 when we tied an all-time low of 167 singing males. This is a pretty remarkable recovery -- 12 times the population size from where it was just a short 25 years ago,” said Scott Hicks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s East Lansing Field Office Supervisor. Biologists, researchers and volunteers in Michigan observed 2,063 singing males during the official 2012 survey period – up from 1,805 in 2011. In Wisconsin, volunteers and paid monitors found and tracked singing male Kirtland’s warblers and were able to monitor nesting. Kirtland’s warblers were recorded in five counties in Wisconsin (Adams, Douglas, Bayfield, Vilas, and Marinette), and at least 24 singing males wer...

Duck season is currently open statewide. For zone maps and complete waterfowl hunting regulations log on to wildlifedepartment.com     NORTHWEST   Canton - Zone 1 : Water level is 8.91 feet below normal. Native vegetation is in good condition, but currently not flooded. Winter wheat around the area is mostly planted and in fair condition. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are moderate. Hunting activity was moderate on weekend low on weekdays. Hunting success was low on ducks and unknown on geese. No significant bird movement has occurred. The northwest portion of the lake is dry, and the only usable boat ramp is at the Canadian Campground day use area.   Ft. Supply - Zone 1 : Water level is 2.59 feet below normal. Habitat conditions are fair, very little native food available around the lake as most of the sloughs are dry. Duck numbers are low. Goose numbers are low. Hunting activity has been high, especially on weekends. Bird movement has been l...

North Dakota’s two-day youth waterfowl season is Sept. 15-16. Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger can hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide. The daily bag limit and species restrictions for the youth season are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons. Resident and qualifying nonresident youth waterfowl hunters must possess a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Nonresidents from states that do not provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents must purchase the entire nonresident waterfowl license package. In addition, all youth hunters must be Harvest Information Program certified, and youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course. Hunters age 15 and younger do not need a federal duck stamp. Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department can easily get...

Decorah – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will begin stocking trout again in Bohemian Creek, in Winneshiek County, Turtle Creek and Spring Creek, in Mitchell County, Twin Bridges, in Delaware County, and Upper Swiss Valley, in Dubuque County after water temperatures returned to acceptable levels. Related articles Iowa: Hot Weather Suspends Trout Stocking at five Streams (family-outdoors.blogspot.com) Iowa News on Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in Deer, Dove Hunting News, and Other Outdoor News, (family-outdoors.blogspot.com) Winneshiek County Residents Sue EPA Over Livestock Emissions (kcrg.com)

Indiana DNR is participating in a multi-state plan to scale back Chinook salmon stocking in Lake Michigan to better balance the lake’s ecosystem. Under the lake-wide plan, the 3.3 million Chinook salmon annually stocked into Lake Michigan by Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois would be reduced to 1.7 million. Indiana is pleased to have been part of this process,” said Brian Breidert, fisheries biologist for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. “We hope that this reduction will have benefits to not only the ecosystem but also our hatcheries.” The proposed reduction is in response to two circumstances: recent increases in natural reproduction of Chinook salmon, and declines in the forage base. The reduction has support from all the state and tribal fisheries management agencies that partner to manage Lake Michigan. Indiana’s decision to support the reduction came after more than a year of consultation between sport anglers, other stakeholders and DN...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia) Ladies, have you ever wanted to learn how to shoot a muzzleloader? Field dress a deer? Catch and cook a walleye? Hunt waterfowl, deer, and turkeys? Paddle a kayak? If so, the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks “Becoming an Outdoor Woman” weekend is for you! The workshop on Sept. 14-15 at Lake Poinsett focuses on learning outdoor skills usually associated with hunting and fishing but useful for many outdoor pursuits. Designed primarily for women, it is an opportunity for anyone 18 years of age or older to get “hands on” experience in the outdoors. Class listing and registration information on “Becoming an Outdoor Woman” can be found at http://gfp.sd.gov/outdoor- learning/BOW.aspx For more information, contact GFP Education Coordinator Maggie Lindsey at Maggie.lindsey@state.sd.us.  Related articles Celebrate Independence Day with S.D. State Park Events (family-outdoors.blogspot.com) South Dakot...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Annual August pheasant brood counts in South Dakota indicate that the statewide pheasant population is up from last year, and that should equate to an excellent pheasant season this fall. Results of the survey show that pheasant numbers grew in many areas of the state, due in large part to a mild winter and ideal weather during the nesting and brood-rearing season. The pheasants-per-mile index for 2012 is 4.21, up 18 percent from the 3.57 index of 2011. "The mild winter of 2011-12 was the boost we needed for pheasant survival and reproductive potential," explained Jeff Vonk, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.  "It goes to show that, with the combination of good habitat and the right weather conditions, pheasants can be quite prolific.” Much of the improvement in the pheasant counts came from areas of the state that had a good habitat base. "Pheasant hunting will be good across most of ...

 The 2012 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo is Sept. 29-30 at the Lazy E Arena just north of Oklahoma City. The Expo is the public's chance to try their hands at a range of outdoor recreation activities ranging from fishing at a stocked pond or shooting a shotgun to building a birdhouse or taking a ride in a kayak.             "The Expo is completely free, and visitors can try all kinds of outdoor activities and check out all kinds of booths designed to teach them about wildlife, the outdoors and conservation," said Rhonda Hurst, Wildlife Expo coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.             The Wildlife Department is partnering with a wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies and organizations to host the Wildlife Expo. The event is designed to promote and instill appreciation for Oklahom...

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and many partners announced today that the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL) and the “Year of the Duck” celebration will kick off with five waterfowl and wetland events around the state on Saturday, Sept. 8. For waterfowlers, other hunters and anyone that enjoys the great outdoors, the MWL creates a call to action to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow. This partnership between various government agencies and non-government conservation organizations, waterfowl hunters and the public aims to improve waterfowl populations and wetland habitat; increase waterfowl hunting participation and promote the value of waterfowl hunting; and engage citizens to take positive action to preserve the state's waterfowl and wetlands legacy. The MWL coalition plans to build a community of increasingly engaged hunters and non-hunters who enjoy and actively support waterfowl and wetlands conservation. “The Michigan Waterfowl Leg...

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has released for public review and comment a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for islands that are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System in Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior. The CCP will include Gravel Island, Green Bay, Harbor Island, Huron, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). The refuges in Lake Michigan include Gravel Island and Green Bay NWRs in Door County, Wisconsin and a portion of Michigan Islands NWR (four islands in Charlevoix County, Michigan). The refuges in Lake Huron include Harbor Island NWR in Chippewa County, Michigan and a portion of Michigan Islands NWR (five islands in Arenac and Alpena Counties, Michigan). Lake Superior includes the Huron NWR in Marquette County, Michigan. The draft CCP sets wildlife, habitat, and public use priorities and guides management decisions on these Refuges for the next 15 years. All aspects of the island Refuges are addressed by the CCP, inclu...

Great birding opportunities abound MADISON – The avian parade continues with hummingbirds, warblers and vireos the next species to begin their migration south, providing Wisconsin birders some great viewing opportunities and experts more insight into how the early spring and drought has affected Wisconsin’s winged travelers. Hummingbirds are among the next wave of winged migrants to head south. Ryan Brady Photo “The next three weeks will be the peak of fall migration for land birds that migrate to central and south America,” says Andy Paulios, a Department of Natural Resources biologist. “We’re past peak for orioles, but birders should expect to see good numbers of hummingbirds, warblers, vireos, thrushes and other migrants in their local migration hotspots or even in their backyard if they have good natural cover.” Paulios says that birders should also watch the skies over the next few days as they could expect to see migrating common nighthawks and chimney swifts in the...

The Upper Mississippi River Valley upstream from Prairie du Chien, WI. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius joined staff from Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge this past Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the La Crosse visitor center in Onalaska, Wis. The event kicked off with opening words and welcomes from refuge leadership and community officials and was followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony and a day of educational activities. Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius was pleased to join enthusiastic staff and community partners in welcoming everyone to this new place of learning and sharing. “When it comes down to it, this facility is all about the children. This is a place for families, students and others to start their discoveries of the Upper Mississippi River,” noted Melius. Attendees were treated to a day full of learning and fun, including family activities, educational talks, guided prairie walks and ...

 (Photo credit: sarowen ) Partners of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation play a crucial role in benefiting wildlife, often donating funds that help accomplish a range of conservation initiatives. The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission recently voted to accept nearly $40,000 in such donations from various partners.             Among the donations was $30,000 from the Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International, an organization dedicated to promoting wildlife conservation and protecting the freedom to hunt. The donation included $20,000 for the Wildlife Department's scholastic shooting sports pilot program and $10,000 for the Department's Operation Game Thief Trailer.             Since 1995, the Wildlife Department has been offering free instruction in basic firearms handling and wing-shooting techniques through its Shotgun...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia) North Dakota’s 2012 waterfowl season has been set, with season details similar to last year. The only significant changes are the daily limit on scaup has increased from two to six, and a waterfowl rest area in Rolette County has been eliminated. Opening day for North Dakota residents is Sept. 22 for ducks, geese, coots and mergansers. Nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl in North Dakota Sept. 29. The season for swans opens for both residents and nonresidents Sept. 29. Mike Johnson, game management section leader for the State Game and Fish Department, said duck numbers look good this year. “Overall waterfowl prospects are tough to predict,” Johnson said. “How the season progresses depends on weather conditions and migration patterns. We have high numbers of ducks in the state right now but it’s important to remember that one-third of these are blue-winged teal and many will leave before the season begins.” Hunters may take six ducks ...