Family-Outdoors

Lake Superior shore at Presque Isle Park in winter (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Women seeking the opportunity to improve their outdoor skills are invited to register for the 13th annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) winter program in the Upper Peninsula. The program will be held in Big Bay the weekend of  Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 2 . Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, this program offers instruction in more than a dozen types of indoor and outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, fly tying, wilderness first aid, wood burning and more. Instructors provide basic and advanced instruction that is tailored to each participant's individual ability. The program takes place at Bay Cliff Health Camp, a universally accessible facility, located in a picturesque wooded setting overlooking Lake Superior approximately 30 miles north of Marquette. The $180 registration fee includes all food and lodging, as well...

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Hunter Education program will offer two hunter education field days in the Upper Peninsula the weekend of  Oct. 12-13 . The field days are for hunter education students who have completed the online or home study course, and are a requirement to receive a hunter education safety certificate. On  Saturday, Oct. 12 , the DNR, along with Gogebic Community College, will host a field day from  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  at the Lindquist Student Center, located at E 4946 Jackson in Ironwood. On  Sunday, Oct. 13 , the DNR, along with the Negaunee Rod and Gun Club, will host a field day from  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  at the club, located at 341 North Rd. in Negaunee. A parent or guardian must accompany any participant 10 years old or younger. In order to attend either of these field days, participants must pre-register with Corporal Ryan Rademacher of the DNR's Law Enforcement Division at  231-5...

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) today approved a limited public wolf harvest in three distinct regions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The decision followed a process of dedicated conversation with the public and experts, along with a thorough review of the pertinent science. "The recovery of Michigan's wolf population has been a remarkable success story," said Natural Resources Commission Chairman J.R. Richardson. "Today's decision by the NRC supports ongoing scientific management of this game species, just as voters intended when by an overwhelming margin they approved Proposal G in 1996. The public harvest proposal approved by the commission ensures the long-term presence of wolves while providing a valuable tool for managing conflicts between wolves and human populations. This is a thoughtful, science-based decision." The commission adopted the regulations during its regular monthly meeting, held in Roscommon. The regulations establi...

The Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of a cougar in Baraga County in the Upper Peninsula . A photo of the animal was taken by Baraga County resident Fred Nault near Skanee on Saturday, May 5. DNR Wildlife Division staff were contacted by Nault and visited the property on Tuesday, May 15 to verify the location of the camera. "This is the 15th time we have verified the presence of a cougar in the Upper Peninsula since our first confirmation in 2008," said DNR wildlife biologist Adam Bump, who is a member of the Department's specially trained cougar team. "This is the first confirmation in 2012, and the first verified photo of a cougar taken in person and not by a remote camera." The cougar was spotted crossing a road near Skanee by Nault, who had a camera on him and was able to take a photo before the animal fled into the woods. A handful of cougar photos and tracks were also verified by the DNR in the fall and winter ...

Image via Wikipedia 15 Trails in the Upper and Lower Peninsula Will Be Groomed This Winter Jan. 6, 2012 Due in large part to volunteers and donations, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is happy to announce that of the 27 cross-country ski trails located throughout the state forests, 15 will be groomed this season. The remaining 12 trails will be available for un-groomed cross-country skiing. Many of the un-groomed trails will have plowed parking lots. "Unfortunately outdoor recreation is not immune to the overall budget problems in the state," says Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNR's Forest Management Division. "We are lucky to have the support of local volunteer groups and skier donations to help groom the trails. Their support, along with a small grant program, means we are able to help Michigan remain a winter wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts." In the Upper Peninsula the following trails will be groomed: Algonquin in Chippewa C...

Image via Wikipedia Women seeking the opportunity to improve their outdoor skills are invited to register for the 12th annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) winter program in the Upper Peninsula. The program will be held in Big Bay on Feb. 24-26. Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, this program offers instruction in more than a dozen kinds of indoor and outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, fly tying, wilderness first aid, wood burning and more. Instructors provide basic and advanced instruction that is tailored to each participant's individual ability. The program takes place at Bay Cliff Health Camp, a universally accessible facility, located in a picturesque wooded setting overlooking Lake Superior approximately 30 miles north of Marquette. The $180 registration fee includes all food and lodging, as well as most equipment and supplies, except as noted in the registration materials. Participants wi...