Family-Outdoors

A new license went on sale July 13 that allows anyone age 16 and older to bypass the hunter education requirement for purchasing a hunting license while they give hunting a try under the direct supervision of an experienced, licensed adult hunter. “We want to reach out to our fellow Iowans who missed hunter education when they were 12 and are now in their 20s and 30s and are interested in trying dove hunting or small game hunting,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  “If they like it, we can get them in the hunter education program and hopefully they become lifelong hunters.” The apprentice hunting license includes the habitat fee and is available to residents for $30 and nonresidents for $123.  There must be one licensed adult mentor hunter for each apprentice hunter. The apprentice hunting license may be purchased up to two times without having completed hunter education. Resident apprentice licenses may b...

Each spring and summer, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is flooded with calls as people across the state run into a common dilemma – they have come across a baby animal and desperately want to help. Hannah Schauer, a DNR wildlife education technician, spends time talking with the public about why it is better to leave baby animals in the wild. “The vast majority of the time these wild animals do not need our help,” Schauer said. “Wildlife can survive on a day-to-day basis without help from humans.” Survival adaptations Most wild critters have a few survival tricks up their sleeves. Take white-tailed deer, for example. Female deer typically birth their fawns in May and June. A newborn fawn is unsure of its footing and is unable to keep up with its mother. So, the mother deer hides her small, spotted fawn in a secluded spot for safe keeping. The mother deer then intentionally leaves her fawn alone to help increase its chances of survival. Beyond the...

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) manages more than 1.6 million acres of public land. In a continuing effort to publicize the wonderful outdoor opportunities that exist, a Department-managed area will be featured each month in a series of "Destination Outdoors" news releases.       Wintry weather has a way of keeping people indoors, but winter is an excellent time to experience new outdoor adventures, especially at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area (PFHA). Beginning and experienced anglers can fish the clear waters for trout, families can camp near the water, and hunters can participate in the deer archery and deer gun seasons.       The Blue River PFHA is a 3,367-acre property that runs along 6.5 miles of the Blue River. It is managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), and is located in south-central Oklahoma about 10 miles northeast of Tishomingo in Johnston County. The clear spring fed rive...

So, just what information do DNR biologists take into consideration when developing recommendations for managing Michigan's deer population? What contributing factors and trends were weighed before developing antlerless quotas and other regulations for the Deer Management Unit (DMU) where you hunt? Just what is the DNR thinking when it comes to deer management in this state? Now you can find out  the answers  to these and other questions that you may have regarding the rationale behind deer management decisions. The DNR Wildlife Division has created a  clickable map  that links to a report for each DMU in the state. Just click on a DMU number and you'll be taken to the biologist report, which provides the same background information that was delivered to the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) with Department recommendations on public- and private-land antlerless license quotas and other regulations for each area. For example, want to know the background on ...

Fruits of the hunt! (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Hunters have until  May 15, 2014 , to apply for the Wildlife Department's controlled hunting opportunities for 2014-15. All applications must be submitted at wildlifedepartment.com . The Controlled Hunts Program offers a variety of highly desirable hunts through random drawings. Controlled hunting opportunities offered through this program include hunts on Department- or government-owned or managed lands where unrestricted hunting would pose safety concerns or where overharvest might occur. "Sportsmen have over 120 different quality hunts to choose from including elk, antelope, deer and turkey hunts," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, assistant director of administration for the Wildlife Department. "Thirty-two of these hunts are designed specifically for youths ages 14 and 15." All applicants, including lifetime license holders, must pay a $5 application fee to enter the drawing for controlled hunts. T...

With the arrival of spring, wild animals are giving birth and hatching the next generation. Baby red foxes appeared in dens during the last days of March and the first days of April. The first litters of cottontails will appear soon. Great-horned owls have already hatched and are growing Springtime brings sightings of baby animals,  like this young  fawn hidden in the tall grass. While fawns may seem abandoned, they almost certainly are not – deer often leave fawns unattended for long periods  to help prevent them from being detected by predators. up in stick nests high above the ground. Mourning doves have made nests, and some have already laid eggs. As springtime brings an increase in sightings of nestlings and baby animals, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages Michigan residents to get outside and enjoy the experience of seeing wildlife raising its young, but reminds them that it is important to remain at a distance. "These are magical moments ...

Black Bear  (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Applications for Minnesota bear hunting licenses are available beginning Monday, April 1, and will be accepted through Friday, May 3, the Department of Natural of Resources (DNR) said. A total of 3,750 licenses are available in 11 permit areas. The number of available licenses for 2013 is about 35 percent fewer than the 6,000 licenses available in 2012. The 2012 bear harvest was 2,604. That was a 22 percent increase from 2011, despite 15 percent fewer bear quota licenses being available. The increase in harvest for 2012 was largely due to poorer fall food conditions, making bears more attracted to hunters’ baits. The DNR’s goal with the lower license quotas is to allow for a gradual increase in the current bear population. “Although the trends in the last few years indicate a stable bear population, DNR is reducing bear license numbers in the quota bear area to increase bear population numbers,” said Dan Stark, DNR large carni...

(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...

virus claiming deer in midwest, iowa not immune The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is receiving scattered reports of dead deer around water. This is likely the result of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD.  “Losses due to EHD occur annually, usually at low levels and in localized areas,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa DNR.  “In dry years it can be worse as deer are more concentrated around water and since the disease is spread by a biting midge more deer can become infected. This could be one of those years and DNR staff have been on the lookout for increased incidence of the disease.” EHD causes high fever in deer and their cell walls in their heart, lungs and diaphragm to weaken and burst. Infected deer are attracted to water to combat the fever and dehydration due to the hemorrhaging.   “The last widespread outbreak in Iowa was 1998.  Even then the impact on hunting was minimal,” said Garner.  If any...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) May is the month when most fawns are born. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging people to leave fawns and other wildlife alone. While a new fawn may appear helpless, it is important to stay away and not interfere with the doe’s natural instinct for raising its young. A doe’s method of rearing offspring is different from a human’s, especially for the first few weeks. Within hours of birth, the fawn is led to a secluded spot and the doe lets it nurse. With a full stomach, the fawn is content to lie down and rest. If the doe has twins, it will hide the second fawn up to 200 feet away. Then the doe leaves to feed and rest herself, out of sight but within earshot. In four or five hours, she will return to feed her young and take them to a new hiding place. They follow this pattern for two to three weeks, and only then, when the fawns are strong enough to outrun predators, do the young travel much with their mother...

Image via Wikipedia Crosley Fish & Wildlife Area will host its fourth annual youth squirrel hunt Jan. 7. The event, a joint effort with the Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance and Clifty Creek Coonhunters, matches youths with experienced hunters and their squirrel dogs on a guided hunt. The youth hunt is open to ages 17 and younger. Children 12 and younger must have an adult with them. Older youth are also welcome to bring their parents or another adult. Participants of all experience levels are welcome, especially those looking to try hunting for the first time. Squirrel hunting with a dog is a great way to get interested in hunting and the outdoors. The youth squirrel hunt requires either a youth license, which requires completion of a hunter education course, or an apprentice license for youth who have not completed a hunter education course. Youth attending the squirrel hunt are encouraged to bring their favorite squirrel rifle or shotgun. Firearms will be provided to thos...

Image via Wikipedia When Minnesota’s firearms deer hunting season opens Saturday, Nov. 5, many people who would like to hunt won’t. Why? No one invited them. “A lot of men, women and children will be sitting on a couch instead of a stand because no one has offered to take them hunting,” said Jenifer Wical, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) customer relations manager. “This year, we’re encouraging hunters to invite a buddy to camp because it is not always about the buck, it’s about friends, family and making memories that last a lifetime.” Years ago, it was more difficult to introduce someone new to hunting because of certain firearms safety requirements. Today, firearms safety is still required for those born after Dec. 31, 1979, but Minnesota offers a two-year exemption when certain safety precautions are followed. As a result, it’s easier to introduce someone new to hunting, even on the spur of the moment. “Many deer camps are changing,” said Wi...