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Saturday, December 9th, 2023

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1967

Saturday, December 9th, 2023

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1967

Victor Skinner

Michigan DNR takes ‘holistic’ approach to pike, muskie management

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has refined when and where to apply more restrictive pike regulations, and it has improved brood stock for muskellunge stocking, officials recently told the Natural Resources Commission. 
DNR biologists Matt Diana and Jan-Michael Hessenauer presented an update on progress with the DNR’s management plans for pike and muskie last month, with a focus on how the plans are leading to more data-driven decisions. 

Increasing bear numbers in both peninsulas reason for optimism heading into Michigan’s 2023 hunting season

Michigan wildlife managers and experienced hunters aren’t expecting big changes for the 2023 bear hunting season that starts next month, though they believe a relatively dry spring and other factors like oak wilt and wolves could affect hunter success in some areas. 
Cody Norton, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ bear specialist, believes strong bear numbers in both peninsulas, coupled with increasing hunter success rates and a high number of bear sightings point to a 2023 season similar to last year, when the statewide harvest of just over 1,900 bears came in 12% over the 10-year average.

Pheasants Forever, Ford Motors in Michigan team up to create more grasslands

A partnership between the Ford Motor Company and Pheasants Forever is creating more than 60 acres of grassland habitat at two Michigan parts distribution facilities, with the potential to grow into something more.
The work stems from efforts by Ford facilities and environmental manager Arthur LaChapelle to better use unused space at the Milan and Brownstown Ford parts distribution facilities south of Detroit, and the carmaker’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Coalition of hunting conservation organizations asks Fish and Wildlife Service to delist Great Lakes wolves

A coalition of hunting conservation organizations is petitioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to return gray wolves in the Great Lakes to state management, while maintaining federal protections for other populations. 
The Sportsmen’s Alliance, Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association, and Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association filed a pair of petitions in late June calling for the federal government to take action that would ensure gray wolf management is based on science.

Tracking dogs may now be used without a lead in Michigan

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission this month approved new regulations for tracking dogs that will allow them to track wounded game off lead. The change follows months of discussion between the NRC, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, hound hunters, and tracking dog groups. 
Michael Riepen, president of Michigan Deer Track’n Dogs, told Michigan Outdoor News the new regulations accomplish two of three major goals the group has pursued for more than four years. 

Michigan DNR updates inland walleye plan amid environmental changes

The Michigan DNR has reworked its management plan for inland walleye waters to adapt to several environmental changes that are affecting the population.
Data from Wisconsin and elsewhere show walleye populations in the Midwest have struggled in recent years due to several factors, from warming water to aquatic invasive species, and the plan is focused on maximizing existing natural reproduction and stocking efforts for the biggest benefits. 

Bovine tuberculosis rate of prevalence remains stable in Michigan’s whitetails

The apparent prevalence of tuberculosis in Michigan deer remained stable in 2022, increasing only a fraction of a percentage over the previous year, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
DNR officials presented the latest data on TB monitoring for deer at the April Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

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