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Sunday, November 10th, 2024

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

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Sunday, November 10th, 2024

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Bob Gwizdz

Bob Gwizdz: Can we improve pheasant hunting in Michigan?

For the past 20 years or so, I’ve been opening Michigan’s pheasant season in the Thumb at my buddy Tom Lounsbury’s property.

It’s usually a large handful of guys (and occasional gals), many with ties to the conservation or sporting community – outdoor writers, sporting goods dealers, DNR personnel (or retirees), etc. It’s always a good time. This year, I broke my habit.

Bob Gwizdz: Can we improve pheasant hunting in Michigan? Read More »

Learning to love the ugliest fish in Michigan — the burbot

If you were to hold a beauty contest for Michigan’s fish species, you’ll get a lot nominees: brook trout, steelhead, yellow perch – especially pre-spawn hens when their fins glow bright orange – or any number of finsters. But if you were to hold an ugly fish contest, as soon as burbot were named, the nominations might just close.
Deep-water denizens that I would guess most anglers have never encountered, burbot are fish that even their mothers would struggle to love. Despite their relative rarity, burbot “have gained a lot traction in the last decade or so,” says Jim Chamberlin, a northern Michigan fishing guide.

Learning to love the ugliest fish in Michigan — the burbot Read More »

Bob Gwizdz: Celebrating autumn in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula

I am often surprised by how many of my fellow Michiganders say they have never been to the Upper Peninsula. The recreational opportunities – above and beyond hunting and fishing – are outstanding, of course.
Just looking around, especially in autumn when the maples are ablaze, can be inspirational. I am less surprised by how few have visited the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Bob Gwizdz: Celebrating autumn in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula Read More »

Michigan’s venison donation program works through changes

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for a new vendor to run the venison donation program to feed the hungry after its long-time partner, Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger declined to renew its contract.
Because of requirements that require all deer to be tested for disease (chronic wasting disease and tuberculosis in areas where those diseases exist) as well as X-rayed for metal fragments, the program is being run through a statewide food bank that distributes the venison to local food banks. The change caused some processors – who wanted the venison to be distributed through local pantries – to drop out of the program.

Michigan’s venison donation program works through changes Read More »

Stocking program provides a limited Atlantic salmon fishery in Michigan waters of Lake Huron

We were trolling in 130 to 170 feet of water in Lake Huron off Harbor Beach, Mich., and things were slow, when we noticed a big fish on the sonar right on the bottom. We figured it was a lake trout. Brandon Stanton, the skipper, immediately dropped one of the downriggers that was running higher in the water column to the bottom. And we connected just like that.
My brother, Phil, who grabbed the rod, pronounced this was “no lake trout.”

Stocking program provides a limited Atlantic salmon fishery in Michigan waters of Lake Huron Read More »

Bob Gwizdz: Double the fees for Michigan’s pheasant release program

I have, over the course of my career, attended what seems like about 6 million meetings and hearings on matters pertaining to conservation.
I have never testified; in the newspaper business your job is to report the news, not make it, though at times Keith Charters, the longtime chair of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission would occasionally ask me what I thought about a particular piece of business and, of course, I’d answer. I had every intention of breaking my silence when the state Senate recently held a hearing on reauthorizing the pheasant-release program (SB 803).

Bob Gwizdz: Double the fees for Michigan’s pheasant release program Read More »

Michigan Natural Resources Commission being sued over coyote season reduction, response expected soon

Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association have filed lawsuits against the Michigan Natural Resources Commission over the closure of coyote hunting for three months stating in court documents that the decision was not based on “sound science” as required by the law.
The NRC voted in March to close coyote hunting from April 16 to July 14. The July 15 to April 15 period had been the traditional coyote season in Michigan until it was changed to a year-round season in 2016.

Michigan Natural Resources Commission being sued over coyote season reduction, response expected soon Read More »

Bob Gwizdz: Last minute flush saves slow opening day of Michigan’s bird seasons

We’d all had enough before noon on opening day of Michigan’s grouse and woodcock seasons. The temperature was already into the upper 80s and we were gassed. The dogs were at least as beat, and the whole morning had been frustrating.
When we were exiting the truck to get started, Al Stewart took a few steps into the woods and flushed a quartet of grouse. Stewart’s my longtime, opening-day-of-bird-season partner, but we were hunting opener together for the first time since 2020.

Bob Gwizdz: Last minute flush saves slow opening day of Michigan’s bird seasons Read More »

Firearms no longer allowed at Michigan’s Windsor Township State Game Area

Hunters will no longer be able to use firearms at the Windsor Township State Game Area in Eaton County, Mich.
The 207-acre area is owned by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget but has been operated as a state game area by DNR under a memorandum of understanding since 2006. The game area is in a relatively urban setting and has been shrinking as DTMB has developed other uses for it.

Firearms no longer allowed at Michigan’s Windsor Township State Game Area Read More »

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