Outdoors

Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hunting and more

SCOTTVILLE -- Two mallards peel out of the cattails to the left and take off down river in a flurry of wings. Wayne Andersen is ready for them.

His 12-gauge Remington shotgun comes up off his lap. He puts a bead on the first, and touches off a load of No. 5s.

The left duck drops hard. The second goes to after-burners.

Continue reading "Out of the blind, onto the float and into the hunt" »

Waterfowl hunters who headed to Saginaw Bay, Jackson County, Allegan, and/or Muskegon for the weekend should find more water in most of their favorite potholes and marshes. Summer rains have helped to replenish many dry areas, state wildlife officials said this week.

"With the wetland conditions looking as good as they do, we can expect a pretty good opener," said Barb Avers, the waterfowl specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "A good number of birds are showing up across the state.

Continue reading "Duck season opens with more room to roam" »

Sandhill crane enthusiasts, birders and nature lovers will come together this weekend for Cranefest XIV at Michigan Audubon Society's Baker Sanctuary in Bellvue where thousands of sandhill cranes fill skies in the hours before dusk.

The two-day festival, at the Kiwanis of Battle Creek Youth Area adjacent to the sanctuary where the birds land, offers music, art, guided hikes and an opportunity to witness the spectacle of cranes circling and landing.

Continue reading "Crane lovers unite at Baker Sanctuary" »

LANSING -- A six-month ban on baiting deer and elk in the lower peninsula was replaced with a permanent ban Thursday following a unanimous vote by the state's Natural Resources Commission.

The NRC heard testimony from supporters, critics, state veterinarians and Dr. Mike Miller, who is the head wildlife veterinarian for the state of Colorado. Miller is considered the world expert on Chronic Wasting Disease.

Continue reading "Commission approves permanent deer baiting ban" »

LANSING -- A judge Thursday let stand a ban on feeding and baiting deer in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, ruling the state had authority to issue the emergency rule after its first case of chronic wasting disease was detected.

The decision was a blow for farmers and store owners who sued because they're being hurt financially by the ban. Hunters place piles of bait -- beets, carrots, corn, apples and other produce -- in areas to attract deer.

Continue reading "Judge upholds Michigan's ban on deer baiting, feeding to battle chronic wasting disease" »

Cooler temperatures along with rain should increase salmon and steelhead movement, the Michigan Department of Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report. Perch fishing has slowed in many areas of the state.

SOUTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA

Continue reading "DNR: Cooler temps, rain increase salmon, steelhead" »

LANSING -- Opponents of a recently imposed ban on feeding and baiting deer in Michigan's Lower Peninsula are set to make their case in a Lansing courtroom.

The state Department of Natural Resources issued the emergency rule after Michigan's first case of chronic wasting disease was detected at a captive deer operation in the Grand Rapids area.

Continue reading "Critics of deer baiting ban to make case in court" »

ATLAS TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- It took Coltan Hadsell three tries to get his very first deer just before dark last Sunday during the annual Youth Hunt. Thanks to the well-trained nose of a friend's German shepherd, he didn't have to worry about losing it. "We went out about 5:30 p.m. We were up in the tree stand about 15 feet. I wasn't expecting to see anything, and after awhile I fell asleep," said the 11-year-old Goodrich sixth-grader. "My dad woke me and I grabbed my bow and stood up. I shot the first time and missed. The second time I missed, and they moved off a little. I was shaking, but I settled down by the third shot. I hit her right in the shoulder." Continue reading "A nose for does: Dog tracks down mortally wounded deer" »

Halloween fun at Holly Recreation Area

The Friends of Holly Recreation Area will host the Hollyween Harvest Festival from Friday through Sunday at Holly Recreation Area in Groveland Township. Activities include a haunted house, hayrides and campsite decorating contests.

Continue reading "Flint-area outdoors update: Halloween fun; turkey season; paddling the Shiawassee River; boat care" »

More than 300 wild Kent County deer have been tested and found to be clear of chronic wasting disease after the highly contagious disorder was found in one northern Kent County farm-raised deer in August.

As of Tuesday, state Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Mary Detloff said, no new cases of the disease had been discovered in Michigan.

Continue reading "Tests of more than 1,000 deer find no more cases of chronic wasting disease" »