Michigan Mixed Bag: Elk and bear drawing results now available

Lansing — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is issuing 6,586 bear hunting licenses and 260 elk licenses for the 2024 fall hunting seasons.

Drawing results are now available online at the DNR website.

Trappers Convention Welcomes Champion Predator Caller Les Johnson

Escanaba, Mich. — Returning to the annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo event this year in Escanaba is coyote calling world champion Les Johnson.

Johnson, a Nebraska native, is the only person to win the triple crown of predator calling – World Championship, National Championship and Midwest Championship all in the same year.

He started a television show called Predator Quest in January of 2006, which quickly gained popularity with the hunting crowd. After 14 years of airing his show, over 280 original episodes and many awards, Johnson decided to retire from television, but continues to give seminars and make public appearances.

The Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo is set for July 12-13, 2024, at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days (all times EST). Admission is $10 for both days and kids under 12 will be admitted free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. This family friendly offers a lot to do and see including games, prizes, raffles, activities for the kids, the popular Friday night fish fry and more.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MICHIGAN OUTDOOR NEWS:

Cisco making a comeback in Michigan’s Saginaw Bay? Stocking efforts show positive signs

Mallard numbers dropping in Great Lakes Region, research suggests farm-raised birds could be partly to blame

Roughly 470-pound bear hit by vehicle in Alpena County, Mich.

Spotted Lanternfly Confirmed in Monroe

Lansing — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed the state’s second detection of invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Monroe County. A small population of juvenile spotted lanternfly was recently detected in Lambertville, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirming the finding on June 17. They also have been found in Oakland County.

“The infestation was detected through spotted lanternfly monitoring traps deployed by Michigan State University, as part of collaborative survey initiatives with MSU, MDARD, and the USDA,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “This work is a critical component of our ongoing efforts to identify and limit the spread of spotted lanternfly in Michigan.”

Boone and Crockett Urges Support for Wildlife Migration Bill

Missoula, Mont. — The Boone and Crockett Club welcomes the bipartisan introduction of the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act calling it an important milestone in the improvement of habitat management.

The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act transfers Interior funds from two agencies – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Bureau of Land Management – to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for distribution as grants for improving habitat in areas where wildlife migrate or move regularly. This formalizes the discretionary program at Interior that began in 2018.

The program has proven since its inception that non-federal habitat projects are effective and respectful of property rights and multiple-use management of federal lands.

“The Boone and Crockett Club strongly supports the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act,” said Tony Schoonen, CEO of the Boone and Crockett Club. “This bill is the natural next step to formally extend the last five years of successful habitat improvement under the Interior Secretary’s Order 3362.”

Outdoor Businesses, Organizations Call on Senate to Pass EXPLORE Act

Washington, D.C. — The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Outdoor Alliance, and a broad coalition of more than 250 outdoor recreation businesses and organizations recently sent a letter to the Senate urging them to swiftly pass the EXPLORE Act. The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act is bipartisan legislation that would increase access and outdoor recreation opportunities across the country for all Americans.

“The EXPLORE Act will expand access opportunities to a variety of public land users, streamline permitting processes for outdoor recreation businesses, and modernize outdoor infrastructure,” said Becky Humphries, president and CEO of TRCP. “We urge Congress to pass this important legislation into law.”

Pope and Young Announces Two New Elk Categories

Chatfield, Minn. — The Pope and Young Club, America’s leading bowhunting organization is pleased to announce the introduction of two new categories within the records program: Non-typical Roosevelt’s Elk and Non-typical Tule Elk.

Historically, the Club only accepted these species of elk in a “typical” category, as they commonly grow extra points (crown points) above the fourth typical point, known as a sword point. However, any abnormal point grown below the sword point was a deduction to the overall score. These new categories will document and add, not deduct, those trophies that have abnormal points below the sword point.