Family-Outdoors

This fall, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to try upland bird hunting at one, or several, GEMS (Grouse Enhanced Management Sites) – which offer a chance to explore a new type of hunt or a new location. Each of the 17 GEMS has miles of hunter walking trails, developed from old logging roads, that wind through thousands of acres of great habitat.  “Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula have some of the best grouse and woodcock habitat,” said DNR upland bird biologist Al Stewart. “In Michigan, we have 10 million acres of public hunting land – the size of Massachusetts and New Jersey combined.”    Driving directions; individual maps showing hunter walking trails, timber stand information and parking areas; information about businesses that give great discounts to hunters, and other details about all 17 GEMS locations are available at  mi.gov/gems . “If you’re a new hunter, GEMS give you a place to focus, but if you’re a season...

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that waterfowl reserved hunt applications are available now through  Aug. 28 . To apply for reserved hunts on certain managed waterfowl areas, visit a license agent or  www.mdnr-elicense.com . Applications are $5, and hunters may only apply once.  Drawing results  will be posted  Sept. 17 . Reserved hunts will be held both mornings and afternoons of the opening weekend of waterfowl hunting season at Fish Point State Wildlife Area, Harsens Island and Shiawassee River State Game Area, and morning-only reserved goose hunts will be held at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. The maximum party size is four hunters. For morning hunts and the second-day hunts, successful applicants must have appropriate licenses and stamps and be accompanied by one to three other appropriately licensed hunters. Youth have a special opportunity because the opening-day afternoon hunts are for those 16 and younger. S...

To accomplish its mission, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been aided greatly by enlisting the invaluable help of volunteers. The state’s holdings are too vast and the task is too big for the agency to handle all on its own. That DNR mission is the commitment to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For many years, the DNR has welcomed volunteers to improve wildlife and fisheries habitat or to monitor rare or unusual species. The DNR Parks and Recreation Division, for instance, has a well-organized system for recruiting volunteers who want to help protect ecosystems at many of Michigan’s state parks. Laurel Malvitz-Draper coordinates the Volunteer Steward program for parks in southeast Michigan. She’s chosen nine parks in seven counties for removal of invasive plant species, one of her main efforts. “We prioritized those parks, choosing those with qualit...

Effective immediately,  coyote hunting  season is open year-round in Michigan. Please note that dogs may not be used to hunt coyotes  April 16 through July 7 . Nighttime hunting season dates now match the daytime hunting season dates by species. Coyote and opossum hunting are open year-round. Raccoon hunting is  Oct. 1  through  Jan. 31 , and fox hunting runs  Oct. 15  through  March 1 . Raccoons, opossums, foxes and coyotes now may be taken at night with 3 and 4 buckshot. Nighttime furbearers can be taken with a bow and arrow, crossbow, a rimfire firearm .22 caliber or smaller, or a shotgun with loads other than buckshot larger than number 3, slug or cut shell. Centerfire rifles may not be used to take furbearers at night. Portable artificial lights may be used throughout the open nighttime season of the target species. Examples include flashlights, portable battery-powered spotlights and headlamps. Nighttime hunters must use th...

The Gladwin Field Trial Area will celebrate its 100th anniversary  Saturday, June 18 . The Department of Natural Resources invites the public to come and enjoy a celebration of a century-old Michigan tradition with an  11 a.m.  ceremony at Alibi Hall at the  Gladwin Field Trial Area  in Meredith, Michigan. “We are excited to celebrate this special place with its long-standing history, traditions and habitat management for ruffed grouse and American woodcock,” said DNR wildlife biologist Bruce Barlow.  “The Gladwin Field Trial Area is the best field-trialing venue in the nation.” Located in the northwest corner of Gladwin County on more than 4,900 acres, the Gladwin Field Trial Area brings people from all over the country for premier dog field trials, which are competitions for hunting dogs to test their levels of skill and training in locating and pointing. Trials are held in the early spring and again in the late summer and early fall, avoiding...

Contact:  Lt. Pete Wright ,  906-228-6561  or  John Pepin ,  906-226-1352 Michigan Conservation Officers with the Department of Natural Resources are urging motorists to use caution and remember safety when stopping along Upper Peninsula roadways to view and photograph moose or other wildlife. In recent weeks, for example, moose have been seen with regularity along a section of U.S. 41 west between Ishpeming and Humboldt in western Marquette County. “In many cases, motorists stopping along the highway to take pictures of these moose have created traffic hazards and unsafe conditions for pedestrians,” said DNR conservation officer Mark Leadman. “These dangerous actions could cause serious injuries or fatalities.” Conservation officers and police have observed motorists opening doors into traffic, stopping in traffic lanes, making illegal U-turns, not slowing down in areas congested with parked vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrians have also walked or r...

Here's the full view of the intimidating Eastern hognose snake. He's got a nice hood there, and he was hissing too.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Michigan is home to 18 different species of snakes, 17 of which are harmless to humans The Michigan Department of Natural Resources gets many questions this time of year about Michigan's snakes .  Michigan is home to 18 different species of snakes, 17 of which are harmless to humans. “Whether you think snakes are terrifying or totally cool, it is best just to leave them be,” said DNR wildlife technician Hannah Schauer.   One snake that can cause quite a stir is the  eastern hog-nosed snake . When threatened, hognose snakes puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies, and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like "puff adder" or "hissing viper.") If this act is unsuccessful, they will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. ...

Many suburban and urban Michigan residents have had an encounter with a coyote. A glance out a window may result in a shock when locking eyes with a large, gray-brown canine standing in the backyard. A backyard or city park is certainly no place for a coyote, right? Coyotes can be found everywhere – forests, fields, farmlands, backyards, neighborhoods and cities. Resourceful members of the dog family, coyotes have used human development to their advantage. “Coyotes have learned how to survive in urban landscapes, even near people. They take advantage of abundant natural foods that can often be found in urban and suburban areas,” said Hannah Schauer, a Michigan Department  of Natural Resources wildlife technician. “Because they are highly adaptable, coyotes have expanded their range throughout North America, and can be found in every county in Michigan.” Urban Coyote SMART The DNR offers a few reminders (in the form of the acronym “SMART”) for those who have seen a coyo...

From a chance to see live hawks and owls close at hand to a bear den visit and a hunt for Lake Superior agates,  Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park  is offering great fun and educational opportunities during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. “Our free programs have continued to be very popular with park visitors,” said Bob Wild, park  interpreter. “These particular events will allow us to showcase and interpret some of the valuable natural resources found here at the park.” Joe Rogers of the Wildlife Recovery Association of Shepard, Michigan has entertained Ontonagon area residents and park visitors for years with his engaging “Birds of Prey” presentation. A wildlife rehabilitator by trade, Rogers has passionately presented his program to audiences of all ages across the state. Rogers will feature several live birds during his presentation. During past events, small falcons like kestrels and merlins and various hawks and owls have been part of Rogers’ appear...