Thursday, June 18th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Search
Thursday, June 18th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Victor Skinner

Michigan bill would block wolf management funding until hunting season is established

Two Upper Peninsula lawmakers want to block state funding for wolf management until the Michigan Department of Natural Resources establishes a hunting season, a move opposed by the state’s largest conservation organization.
State Reps. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River, and Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, introduced House Bill 5824 in June as a means of pressuring the DNR into advocating for a wolf hunt, which is currently prohibited as wolves remain under federal Endangered Species Act protections.

Michigan bill would block wolf management funding until hunting season is established Read More »

Michigan man gets jail time for Upper Peninsula hunter harassment case

An Upper Peninsula man spent four days in jail this spring for firing a rifle at hunters and undercover conservation officers during the first day of the 2023 goose season.
John Kamps, the Department of Natural Resources conservation officer who led the investigation, told Michigan Outdoor News the department since 2020 had received numerous complaints about hunter harassment at Morgan Pond, in Marquette County’s Negaunee Township.
“It’s public land, specifically the access on it is Negaunee Township property, which is open to hunting,” Kamps said.

Michigan man gets jail time for Upper Peninsula hunter harassment case Read More »

Michigan bill expands opportunities for special needs hunters

Michigan residents with special needs could soon gain new hunting opportunities from legislation unanimously approved by all state lawmakers in both chambers last month.
House Bill 5737, sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, cleared the state House and Senate with full support in June, sending the measure to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature.

Michigan bill expands opportunities for special needs hunters Read More »

Bear population, diet are focus of Michigan study

Multiple bear research projects are underway in Michigan. They focus on better estimating the population on Drummond Island, ways to mitigate nuisance issues in the Baldwin Bear Management Unit, and the influence of bait on bear diets.
On Drummond Island, Department of Natural Resources staff are using a trail camera grid and bears fitted with GPS collars to get a better idea of how far the animals roam and a more accurate population estimate that could sway license quotas, Cody Norton, the DNR’s bear specialist, told Michigan Outdoor News.

Bear population, diet are focus of Michigan study Read More »

Michigan House bill allows hunter safety course exemption for veterans, residents with concealed pistol permits

Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation to provide exemptions to the state’s hunter safety requirements, and to designate the wood duck as Michigan’s official duck, though prospects for passage are unclear.
Both bills were introduced in April and have remained in committee since. Lawmakers adjourned for summer break in late June and aren’t expected to return for weeks.

Michigan House bill allows hunter safety course exemption for veterans, residents with concealed pistol permits Read More »

Michigan Natural Resources Commission considering electronic turkey tags

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission is considering a proposal to allow electronic harvest tags for turkeys, following a trend toward digital licenses in other states.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Biologist Adam Bump presented the proposal last week at the NRC’s June meeting in Lansing, with possible approval in July. The change would use existing capabilities within the DNR licensing system to allow hunters to purchase an electronic tag through the department’s hunt and fish app, and to electronically notch the tag after harvest.

Michigan Natural Resources Commission considering electronic turkey tags Read More »

Purple paint law is back in Michigan’s legislative spotlight

Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation to allow purple paint to signify no trespassing on private property, though the Department of Natural Resources has opposed the idea in the past.
Kalamazoo Democratic Rep. Julie Rogers partnered with Hancock Republican Rep. Greg Markkanen earlier this year to introduce House bills 5561 and 5562, which would add purple paint marks on trees or posts as an option to signify no trespassing.

Purple paint law is back in Michigan’s legislative spotlight Read More »

Dam removal, repairs benefitting brook trout nearly complete on Michigan’s Boardman River

A 15-year, $27 million Boardman Ottaway River Reborn project that removed three dams south of Traverse City has been a boon for brook trout, and plans for a fourth dam will bring the world’s first fish passage research facility to the waterway.
Kimberly Balke, program director for the Conservation Resource Alliance, outlined how the dam removals completed between 2012 and 2018 transformed the Boardman River, known as the Ottaway by American Indians, during a presentation to the Natural Resources Commission during a May meeting in Traverse City.

Dam removal, repairs benefitting brook trout nearly complete on Michigan’s Boardman River Read More »

Michigan legislation would provide free hunting, fishing licenses to first responders and corrections officers

An Upper Peninsula lawmaker and many colleagues in the Michigan House want to offer free hunting and fishing licenses to first responders and corrections officers, though they face concerns about revenue loss.
Cedar River Republican state Rep. Dave Prestin introduced House bills 5558-60 alongside Jackson Republican Rep. Kathy Schmaltz and Detroit Democratic Rep. Tyrone Carter earlier this year to offer EMS personnel, firefighters, law enforcement, and corrections officers free licenses. The legislation has 16 other co-sponsors.

Michigan legislation would provide free hunting, fishing licenses to first responders and corrections officers Read More »

GET THE OUTDOOR NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Sign up for the Outdoor News Weekly Newsletter and get 2 months of FREE access to OutdoorNews.com – packed with hunting, fishing, and conservation news. No Catch.

This offer includes digital access only (not the printed edition)

Email Address(Required)
Password(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?(Required)

PLEASE READ

Accessing Your Full Subscription Just Got Easier. Introducing Single Sign On.

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Click Continue below.
  2. You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
  3. Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
  4. After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue.
  5. You’ll either:
    1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
    2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

One login. Every edition. Easy.

Let’s get you reading!

PLEASE READ

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

• Click Continue below.

• You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.

• Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!

• After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue. You’ll either:

  1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
  2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!

Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.