Family-Outdoors

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) staff from around the Midwest teamed up to provide Damaged cars from the Pool 11 spill. Photo by USFWS on-site assistance and expertise as agencies responded to the February 4, 2015, train derailment and subsequent ethanol spill on the Mississippi River in Iowa. Refuge management and staff from the McGregor District of the Service’s Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) were on site during the response, supporting efforts of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency and local emergency responders. The spill, which released an estimated 55,000 gallons of ethanol from derailed train cars, occurred within several hundred feet of the McGregor District of the Refuge, raising concerns about impacts to fish, freshwater mussels, waterfowl and migratory birds and refuge lands. Staff from the McGregor District and the Service’s Rock Island...

Mike DiLorenzo of Rochester, Michael Sikkenga of Whitehall and Jason Eurich of Saginaw, the most recent winners of the Pure Michigan Hunt drawing, all came to yesterday's Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing to take home their winnings. Each won 2015 hunting licenses for elk, bear, antlerless deer and spring and fall turkey, as well as first choice at a managed waterfowl area on opening morning. In addition to the hunting licenses, the Pure Michigan Hunt winners also received the ultimate hunting prize package, valued at more than $4,000 per winner. Many Michigan businesses and organizations were present to meet the winners and donate their prizes. Winners received the following prizes donated by Michigan companies and organizations: Annual subscription and more - Michigan Outdoor News Camouflage pop-up blind - Ameristep in Clio 12-gauge camouflage shotgun - Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Predator crossbow package - Darton Archery in Hale 30.06 rifle and m...

Heather Farley had never been cross-country on skis, but when a friend suggested she give it a try at a recent Department of Natural Resources’ candlelight skiing event at Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area, she was all about it. “By candlelight at night?” said Farley, a medical assistant from Grand Blanc. “How awesome is that? What better way to enjoy the winter?” Farley said she was excited when she arrived at the park. Two hours later – after a couple loops around the campgrounds – she was convinced. “It was awesome,” she said. “I’m hooked. I’m going to master this sport. I’ll have my whole family come out next year.” Farley was one of about 40 people, of all ages and sizes, who showed up for the recent event. It’s the second year in a row that Metamora-Hadley, in Lapeer County, offered candlelight cross-country skiing, one of a number of winter programs offered at Michigan state parks and recreation areas. What made this year’s event particularly special is that staff secured about 30...

Michigan Recreation and Park Association presents award LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Recreation and Park Association today recognized Secretary of State Ruth Johnson – who once crossed the Straits to of Mackinac in her kayak to promote the Recreation Passport and other initiatives – as its State Elected Official of the Year for her work supporting Michigan’s parks, historic sites, forests and other recreational attractions. The association praised Johnson for her efforts promoting the state’s Recreation Passport, which allows entry into state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds and non-motorized trail head and boat launch parking. “As an outdoor enthusiast and a strong believer in the Recreation Passport, I am honored to receive this award,” Johnson said. “The passport is a great bargain that gives residents access to our state’s wonderful resources – our state parks. “These parks are truly jewels that we need to protect and preserve. They benefit every resident’s qualit...

DES MOINES  - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a public meeting over the Iowa Communications Network on February 25 from 6 to 9 p.m., to listen to the public’s thoughts on the hunting and trapping regulations for this fall.   These meetings are part of the process for making rules in state government. “Any rule changes must be discussed with Iowa’s citizens who might be impacted by the changes before the rule changes are proposed. The process helps ensure that rule changes serve the public’s wishes and do not impact Iowa’s economy,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of the wildlife bureau. At each meeting DNR staff will facilitate a discussion about what went well last fall, what didn’t, and what changes hunters and trappers would like to see for this fall. These discussions along with the data that the wildlife bureau collects on harvest and population numbers will be used to develop recommendations for any rule changes this fall. Any changes must be ...

Panorama view of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Pike Lake Unit near Hartford Wisconsin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Cold weather to greet opening of Winnebago System sturgeon spearing season; cancels some candlelight events Northern Wisconsin once again received up to 2 to 3 inches of snow in the last week with the south again missing out, causing counties in the south that had opened snowmobile trails to close them. Trails remain open in the most northern counties with conditions ranging from fair to excellent on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's  Snow Conditions Report  (exit DNR). The new snow that did fall allowed parks and forests to touch up cross-country ski trails and they generally remain good to very good in the north and poor to fair through central and southern parts of the state.  The Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and Blue Mound State Park continue to have some of the best conditions in the lower part of the state. Very cold ...

Justin Knight caught the new lake record  spotted bass at Sardis Lake on January 29.  CENTRAL Overholser : February 10. Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water clear. White bass and striped bass hybrids slow on jigs around docks. People are catching a few crappie and drum but overall fishing is slow. Report submitted by Vince Mesis, game warden stationed in Oklahoma County. Wes Watkins : February 9. Elevation below normal. Crappie slow on minnows and jigs around standing timber. Report submitted by Mike France, game warden stationed in Pottawatomie County. NORTHEAST Keystone : February 10. Elevation below normal, water 39. Blue catfish slow on cut bait. Crappie slow on minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by Karlin Bailey, game warden stationed in Creek County. Lower Illinois : February 8. Elevation normal, water 45. Trout good on in-line spinnerbaits, Power Bait and worms below the dam, creek channels; spread out from the dam to Gore...

DES MOINES  – The 2015 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic returns to Des Moines, February 20-22, at the Iowa Events Center. The Department of Natural Resources is a proud sponsor of the event, put on by Pheasants Forever, a leading conservation organization and DNR partner in conservation efforts in Iowa. The event  focuses on wildlife conservation, upland game bird hunting (pheasant and quail), dog training, and wildlife habitat management and restoration, with seminars, demonstrations, activities and vendors supporting these topics. The event promises to have something for the whole family. DNR personnel, including wildlife biologists, foresters, conservation officers, recreational safety officers and conservation educators, will be on hand at a variety of venues throughout the weekend. DNR staff will be at the DNR booth to answer questions of the public, and at the Habitat Help Room to give one-on-one habitat advice to interested landowners.  Kids...