Family-Outdoors

The  Department of Natural Resources  reminds hunters to check their 2015 elk license drawing results, now available on the DNR  website at   www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings . Two elk seasons will be held in 2015. The first season will run  Aug. 25-28 ,  Sept. 11-14  and  Sept. 25-28 . The second season will run  Dec. 5-13 . An additional season may be held  Jan. 13-17, 2016 , if the DNR determines the harvest insufficient to meet management goals. A total of 30 any-elk and 70 antlerless-only elk licenses have been issued through the drawing. Successful elk drawing applicants will receive detailed information about their hunt, including assigned hunt periods, elk management unit and type of license (any-elk or antlerless-only). Applicants are asked to be sure their mailing addresses are kept up to date with the Secretary of State. Elk hunters must attend a mandatory hunt orientation class prior to their hunt. Hunters can increase their o...

The Department of Natural Resources   today announced  that the results of the 2015  bear hunting license  drawing have been posted  at  www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings . A total of 6,951 bear licenses were available during the bear application period (May 1-June 1). A total of 112 leftover bear licenses are still available in the Bergland Management Unit ( Sept. 25-Oct. 26 ) and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis as follows: Holders of Lifetime Comprehensive Licenses, who were not selected in the drawing, may purchase a leftover license beginning at  10 a.m. (EDT)   Monday, July 6 . Unsuccessful applicants may purchase a leftover license beginning at  10 a.m. (EDT) Monday, July 13 . Any hunter, including those who did not apply, may purchase a leftover license beginning at  10 a.m. (EDT)   Monday, July 20 . Hunters, except for Lifetime Comprehensive License holders, are reminded that their preference points wi...

North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is up 10 percent from last year, according to the State Game and Fish Department’s 2015 spring crowing count survey. Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up statewide, with increases ranging from about 2 to 12 percent in the primary regions holding pheasants. “A much improved production year for pheasants in spring 2014, coupled with the mild winter, produced a healthy breeding population this spring,” Kohn said. While the spring number is a positive indicator, Kohn said it does not predict what the fall population will look like. Brood surveys, which begin in mid-July and are completed by September, provide a much better estimate of summer pheasant production and what hunters might expect for a fall pheasant population. Kohn mentioned a higher breeding population is good for production if the weather cooperates and nesting habitat is available. “This spri...

The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, introduces the 2015 collector-edition Michigan duck stamp and prints. The Michigan Waterfowl Stamp Program, established in 1976, has become an icon for waterfowl hunters and wetland conservation enthusiasts. During the past 39 years, the program has gained popularity with collectors and conservation groups throughout the United States. The Michigan Duck Hunters Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to waterfowl and wetland conservation, coordinates the stamp program in partnership with the DNR.  Proceeds from stamp sales will be used to fund  Michigan Duck Hunters Association  projects, with 10 percent used to match DNR funding for purchasing, restoring and enhancing wetlands. The 2015 Michigan Duck Stamp features a striking pair of common goldeneyes in flight, painted by Guy Crittenden. Also featured on the stamp is the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, locate...

Another tool to help you with your next fishing adventure resides on the DNR’s website. The Family Friendly Fishing Waters section of the website connects interested individuals with local fishing opportunities and points out great places to plan a trip. The Family Friendly Fishing Waters website can be found at  michigan.gov/fishing  and features a map of Michigan. Just click on the county you are interested in fishing and you will be provided with a list of one or more family-friendly locations to fish. Every county in the state has one or more locations featured with more than 230 total spots highlighted throughout Michigan. Water bodies are designated as family-friendly based on their ease of access, high likelihood of success in catching fish, identified amenities, and other details. Each water body’s online profile includes its geographic location, driving directions, parking information, hours of operation, species of fish available, typical bait used, and much...

The 2015 Wisconsin spring waterfowl breeding population survey indicates quality waterfowl production, despite dry conditions experienced during the survey. For all species, population counts showed no significant change from estimates compared to last year. This survey information, along with two other primary sources of information regarding yearly waterfowl breeding conditions, is used to determine the fall season structure for Wisconsin. The full survey report can be found by searching the Department of Natural Resources website,  dnr.wi.gov , for keywords " waterfowl management ." With considerable precipitation in May, wetland conditions improved just in time for brood rearing, and Wisconsin is expected to provide good duck production in 2015. "In 2015, spring weather came much earlier than the previous two years, which is normally a good sign for breeding waterfowl," said Kent Van Horn, DNR waterfowl biologist. "A large proportion of ducks har...

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is asking all states and provinces to assist with the 2015 Trumpeter Swan Survey for North America. This survey, conducted once every 5 years, provides baseline population data for trumpeter swan management throughout North America. The USFWS is requesting an estimate of the number of free-flying trumpeter swans, adults plus cygnets, in Iowa. “We would like the help of avid birders and others with an interest in waterfowl to gather as much information on local swans as possible.  Swans are fairly conspicuous and, in most cases, someone will know if swans are in the area,” said David Hoffman, wildlife technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The targeted time period for this survey is June 6 – Sept. 25.  Hoffman asked to not include any captive swans in the count. Count information should be sent to David.Hoffman@dnr.iowa.gov by Oct. 2. Related articles Iowa DNR Releases More Trumpeter Swans in Southwest...

Great Lakes Temperature Map Click on the links below to jump to the report section that interests you most: Southeast Lower Peninsula Southwest Lower Peninsula Northeast Lower Peninsula Northwest Lower Peninsula Upper Peninsula Water levels are high around the state and caution needs to be used by boat and shore anglers.  Watch for floating debris.  The high water levels may slow catch rates in some areas but could also help shore anglers.        SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA Lake Erie : Walleye were caught by those trolling in 22 to 26 feet near the Sputnik, around Stony Point and the West Sister Islands in Ohio waters.  Crawler harnesses are working well as are spoons tipped with crawlers.  Yellow perch numbers were picking up for those using minnows.  Waters on the Michigan side were muddy but clearer water can be found in Ohio waters.  Surface temperatures were up near 70.  Lenawee County : Panfish angler...

American Horse Lake is closed to boating until September 1, 2015. CENTRAL Arcadia: June 23. Elevation 2 1/2 ft. above normal, water 81 and murky. Largemouth bass good on salt craws and creature baits at 5-8 ft. on rocky points and standing timber. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-12 ft. on marked brush piles and the fishing dock. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad, punch bait and chicken liver around rocky points and along the dam. White bass good on slabs at 12-15 ft. along submerged humps and trolling rooster tails along the dam. Report submitted by Mark Murray, game warden stationed in Oklahoma and Canadian counties. Draper: June 21. Elevation above normal, water 74 and murky. Channel and blue catfish fair on cut bait and punch bait along the river channel and riprap. Largemouth bass good on jerk bait and plastic baits around points and rocks. Crappie fair on minnows around docks. Report submitted by Chad Strang, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. Hefn...