Family-Outdoors

While out in the field in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, hunters and trappers might come upon a denned black bear. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for locations of denned bear in order to fit them with a radio collar for ongoing bear research. “Information gathered from female bears helps us to manage the black bear population,” said wildlife biologist Mark Boersen. Currently, only three female bears are being monitored in the northern Lower Peninsula through the use of radio-tracking equipment. “We would like to have a few more female bear collared throughout the area,” said Boersen. “Hunters are all over northern Michigan right now, and they provide a great set of eyes for information on denning locations.” After locating a denned bear, biologists will determine if the animal is a good candidate for radio-collaring. Only female bears are selected. They will be sedated by a biologist and fitted with a radio-tracking collar and ear tags. Hair samples w...

It may not be quite as dramatic as the swallows returning to Capistrano, but Michigan will witness spring migrations in the coming weeks that will offer bird fans an opportunity to see noteworthy numbers of avian creatures returning to their summer homes – or at least passing through as they move further north. Spring migrations aren’t always as noticeable as fall migrations – certainly the waterfowl hunters are not out in the marshes taking advantage of the ducks and geese moving through – but they are every bit as moving and can be just as enjoyable, if you know what to look for. Need an example? Tundra swans will soon move through, winging along the state’s eastern shoreline, often settling in to rest en masse in suitable habitat. Doug Reeves, assistant chief of the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division, said the swans will often take up residence in prodigious numbers at Fish Point State Wildlife Area on Saginaw Bay in Tuscola County. “There can be 7,000 to 8,000...