U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Reward offered for information surrounding raptor parts found in Woodbury

November 13, 2020

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the charging of the party responsible for dumping the feet of eight raptors, including four bald eagles, in a residential area near Woodbury, Minn. On Nov. 12, the feet from eight raptors were discovered along the west side of Cherry Lane, approximately 500 feet south of Lake Road in Woodbury. A preliminary investigation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources…

Wolves removed from endangered and threatened species list

October 29, 2020

Staff and News Reports

As a result, DNR expands wolf management input period.

10 12 Cutthroat Trout

Fish bypass system gives rare trout new life – 115 years later

October 6, 2020

Associated Press

It’s being heralded as a major step toward someday enabling Lahontan cutthroat trout to make the same 100-mile journey – upstream from a desert lake on tribal land northeast of Reno to Lake Tahoe atop the Sierra – that they did before the Nevada dam was built in 1905.

Additional protections denied for moose in 4 Upper Midwest states

September 22, 2020

Associated Press

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ruled “the northwestern subspecies” of moose historically found in North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan is stable.

Fox River Cleanup

Historic cleanup of Lower Fox River completed after 17 years

September 1, 2020

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Millions of yards of contamination cleaned from riverbed.

Washington State kills last 2 members of wolf pack preying on cattle

August 25, 2020

Associated Press

The pack was responsible for four dead and 19 injured head of cattle since May.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Judge invalidates rollback of law protecting birds

August 12, 2020

Associated Press

More than 1,000 species are covered under the law, and the changes have drawn a sharp backlash from organizations that advocate on behalf of an estimated 46 million U.S. birdwatchers.

Study looks at decades of bald eagle deaths in Michigan

August 10, 2020

Associated Press

Shows the leading causes of death for the iconic national bird are being hit by cars and lead poisoning.

A product of the pandemic? Grizzly encounters up significantly in Yellowstone region

July 29, 2020

Associated Press

Official says there is no straightforward explanation for the increase and it could be chance, but it has not helped that there are more people recreating in the Yellowstone region as the coronavirus pandemic has given them a reason to spend more time outdoors.

U.S. wildlife agency rejects protections for Arctic grayling

July 29, 2020

Associated Press

The move comes almost two years after a federal appeals court faulted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for arbitrarily dismissing threats to grayling from climate change and other pressures.

Mule Deer Ndgfd

North Dakota man ordered to pay $74K for poaching mule deer

July 14, 2020

Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. — A North Dakota man has been ordered to pay $74,000 in restitution for poaching a trophy mule deer buck in northwestern New Mexico. The state Department of Game and Fish reported Wednesday that Cody Davis also was ordered to make a $3,000 donation to the Operation Game Thief program. Authorities say Davis killed a mule deer…

Migratory Bird Treaty Act Fws

U.S. moves forward with plan to end wild bird protections

June 8, 2020

Associated Press

The proposal would end the government’s decades-long practice of treating accidental bird deaths caused by industry as potential criminal violations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. More than 1,000 species are covered under the law.

Pintails Delta Waterfowl

Changes in cropping methods, climate decoy pintail ducks into an ecological trap

May 28, 2020

Important waterfowl species struggling with conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region.

Federal agencies move to increase Alaska hunting, trapping

May 27, 2020

Associated Press

The new rules are designed to allow hunters to kill black and brown bears over bait, black bears including cubs and females with cubs with artificial light at den sites, and wolves and coyotes including pups during the denning season. Hunters can also kill caribou from traveling motorboats and swimming caribou.

Traditional bikers, e-bikers clash over new trail rules

May 19, 2020

Associated Press

Thousands of public land users are flooding the public comment portals in what is emerging as one of the most controversial rules in years for the Bureau of Land Management.

Federal, state agencies cancel waterfowl breeding, habitat survey

May 6, 2020

Staff and News Reports

Officials will use long-term data to predict spring 2020 waterfowl abundance.

Reward offered after pets, wildlife poisoned in Wisconsin

May 3, 2020

Associated Press

Along with dogs, investigators also found dead coyotes, weasels and wolves, and lab tests confirmed the animals were also poisoned.

Illinois experts wonder how pandemic impacts endangered bird

May 3, 2020

Associated Press

Ornithologists are trying to adjust to a plover summer during the coronavirus outbreak.

Study: Whooping crane crowding shows habitat need in Nebraska, Kansas

April 28, 2020

Staff and News Reports

Disease outbreaks or extreme weather could cause a catastrophic loss of the crane’s current population, according to the study.

Necedahspringfire

Keeping fire on your side: Working with our neighbors to grow firewise communities

April 27, 2020

A firefighter maintaining a controlled burn at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Katie Goodwin/USFWS) Spring sunshine brings warm, fresh days to clean up the yard, hike or drive through the countryside. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know how many of you look forward to your yards and gardens growing and blooming every spring. We feel the…

Americanwoodcocker Stevegifford

Minnesota farmer brings conservation ethic to his land

April 17, 2020

An American woodcock in fall leaves and spring growth. (Photo courtesy of Steve Gifford)America’s public lands are places for wildlife to flourish and people to recreate. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also know that private landowners help provide clean air, water and native habitat across the country. Together, we’ve been growing more places for wildlife and for people. Take a moment to meet one farmer who is…

Powerpoint Presentation

Minnesota Junior Duck Stamp Contest winners announced

April 16, 2020

Ashley Kim’s Best of Show artwork. (Photo courtesy of USFWS)The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is a dynamic art and science program designed to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school and help reconnect youth with the outdoors. Every student who participates gains…

UIC playing key role in monarch butterfly conservation efforts

April 14, 2020

Associated Press

The university’s Energy Resources Center will administer a recently-approved agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and dozens of energy and transportation-related organizations.

Cattle conflicts prompt killing of endangered Mexican wolves

April 14, 2020

Associated Press

Documents made public last week show the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the action in March after hazing, diversionary food caches and other non-lethal means failed to get the predators to stop killing cattle in two rural areas of western New Mexico.

Mississippi wildlife agency: Group poaches nearly 100 wild turkeys

March 18, 2020

Associated Press

About 280 wildlife violations were issued to 14 individuals.

2020 03 09 Seining Operation

More than 50 invasive carp captured on Mississippi River

March 13, 2020

Minnesota DNR Reports

In response to this discovery, the DNR is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Wisconsin DNR and commercial fishing operators to conduct large-scale netting, studies of the captured carp and increased monitoring.