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Ralph Loos

Ralph Loos: Michigan hunters and anglers will pay the price of ‘doing,’ as we always do

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Michigan, National Fishing, National Hunting, Opinion /

Michigan anglers have remained somewhat silent on the state’s push to raise the price of hunting and fishing licenses – at least compared to Michigan’s hunters, who have not been as shy when it comes to pointing out something sportsmen in many other places have been shouting for a decade. “We need more hunters, not more hunting fees.” This isn’t a new cry. And it’s not an exclusive claim.

Ralph Loos: Michigan hunters and anglers will pay the price of ‘doing,’ as we always do Read More »

Illinois Deer Classic adds fishing expo to Peoria event

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Illinois, National Fishing, National Hunting, National News, News /

Cason Walwer became a legend of the Illinois Deer Classic two years ago. When the 2026 edition of the show opens at the Peoria Civic Center later this month, deer hunters and fans from across the state will be eager to see if anyone matches the set of antlers Walwer displayed in 2024.
Or the story of his find, for that matter.

Illinois Deer Classic adds fishing expo to Peoria event Read More »

Ralph Loos: Deer permit ‘free for all’ isn’t helping the average hunter

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, Opinion /

For a long time now, deer hunters up and down Illinois have been asking for more chances to do what we do: hunt deer.
We’ve pointed to counties where deer are overpopulated and said, “we can take care of that.” We’ve watched DNR sharpshooters creep into woods at the end of each hunting season as a means of monitoring CWD, and we’ve repeated, “we can take care of that.”
Apparently nobody thought we could. Lately, though, we’ve seen an odd turn in thinking.

Ralph Loos: Deer permit ‘free for all’ isn’t helping the average hunter Read More »

Remembering Mike Conlin, a staunch advocate for Illinois fisheries

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing, National News, News /

Mike Conlin, whose footprints and pawprints can be found on just about every tool used to build the Illinois DNR’s Division of Fisheries over a magical four-decade period, died Feb. 12 at the age of 81. 
A 38-year career with DNR began as a fisheries biologist and later included 30 years as Illinois’ Chief of Fisheries. Conlin retired from DNR in 2009 as director of the Office of Resource Conservation. 

Remembering Mike Conlin, a staunch advocate for Illinois fisheries Read More »

Illinois budget has few lines for sportsmen

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Illinois, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Illinois DNR offices that involve hunting, fishing and recreational shooting would see just a handful of new workers under the recently-proposed state budget.
Headcounts in the Office of Resource Conservation would go from 236 to 238, while DNR’s Office of Law Enforcement would adjust upward from 197 to 199. The World Shooting Complex would continue to have a single DNR staffer at the Sparta site.

Illinois budget has few lines for sportsmen Read More »

Shallow and ‘stumpy,’ Fletcher offers solid bass fishery in Alpena/Montmorency counties

Lake Profile, Lake Profile, Michigan /

Fletcher Pond, also known as Fletcher Floodwaters, has become a dependable destination for anglers in northeast Michigan.
Known for its shallow, stump-filled, roughly 9,000-acre body that provides excellent habitat for largemouth bass, northern pike, and panfish, it has earned a reputation for producing 6-pound bass and 30-inch northern pike.

Shallow and ‘stumpy,’ Fletcher offers solid bass fishery in Alpena/Montmorency counties Read More »

Ralph Loos: As woodies return to Michigan, let’s remember our key role in duck’s rebound

Featured, Hunting, Michigan, National Hunting, Opinion /

Asked to put a nice round number to it, most who work in Michigan waterfowl circles will say the state’s wood duck population flies right around the 100,000 mark.
It’s hard to argue with that estimate, because who among us has time to count? The takeaway is this: wood ducks have come a long way. And so have we, for the most part.

Ralph Loos: As woodies return to Michigan, let’s remember our key role in duck’s rebound Read More »

Proposal would up the cost of hunting, fishing licenses in Michigan

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Michigan, National Fishing, National Hunting, National News, News /

Will Michigan’s hunters and anglers face a higher tab for doing what they enjoy doing most?
The question involves a staple of many wallets: the sturdy $5 bill. There are upsides and downsides to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s state budget proposal that would increase the cost of hunting, fishing and boating license fees. The changes would affect all license fees, though they would hit nonresident sportsmen a bit harder.

Proposal would up the cost of hunting, fishing licenses in Michigan Read More »

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