Plus, the Michigan Makers exhibit at the Michigan History Museum in downtown Lansing closes in early December; don't miss it!



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"News Digest - Week of Nov. 13, 2023"

A smattering of bright, reddish-pink maple leaves hang from thin, grayish-brown branches, with thicker upright trees in background


Here are just a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:?


* Safety is key to every successful hunt [ #link_16 ]
* How to be a responsible birder and wildlife photographer [ #link_17 ]
* ICYMI: November hunting and trapping opportunities [ #link_2 ]
* Photo ambassador snapshot: Bright, beautiful Bond Falls [ #link_1 ]

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom [ [link removed] ].

PHOTO FOLDER [ [link removed] ]: Larger, higher-res versions of most of the images used in this email are available in this folder.

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Safety is key to every successful hunt

a red video play button overlaid on a man in a gray conservation officer jacket and cap, holding a rifle, standing outside on snowy ground [ [link removed] ]

With Michigan?s firearm deer season starting Wednesday, the DNR reminds everyone to put safety first. This brief video [ [link removed] ] offers safety highlights.

Lt. Tom Wanless, who heads the DNR?s recreational safety, education and enforcement section, said that although some tips seem like common sense, it?s critical for anyone hunting with firearms to consider safety basics.

?Success is not always about filling your tag, it?s about safely enjoying the experience and sharing it with friends and family after the hunt,? Wanless said.

All hunters should:


* Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
* Be aware of your surroundings ? know your target and what is beyond it.
* Unload firearms when crossing obstacles and/or getting in or out of an elevated stand.
* Obey ?no trespassing? signs; they are there for a reason.
* Obtain landowner permission to retrieve game that has wandered onto private property.
* Wear ?hunter orange? to increase your visibility to other hunters. Hunter orange garments (such as caps, hats, vests or jackets), including camouflage, must be at least 50% hunter orange and be visible from all directions.

During hunting seasons, the DNR strongly encourages nonhunters to wear bright colors, especially hunter orange, and be aware of their surroundings near woods or fields where hunting may occur.

Get more hunting and tree stand safety tips at Michigan.gov/HuntingSafety [ [link removed] ], and season and regulation details in the 2023 DNR Hunting Regulations Summary [ [link removed] ].

Questions about safety? Email [email protected] <[email protected]>.



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How to be a responsible birder and wildlife photographer

binoculars atop a small stack of birding books, next to a camera with a huge zoom attachment, on a low wall in front of dark green plants

It was an incredible year for birding across the Great Lakes region, as a number of birds that were outside their normal wintering and breeding areas for various reasons were spotted in our wetlands and along our lakes. Among the rare vagrants were several species native to Florida, including the roseate spoonbill, limpkin and American flamingo.

Year-round, hundreds of bird species draw us outdoors as they flit in the treetops, hop through shrubs or run along the shorelines. With winter on its way, birders are excitedly awaiting the arrival of northern finches and owls.

Whether we encounter rare vagrants, irruptive northern breeders ? those birds that hit the scene suddenly and in large numbers ? or common backyard birds, it?s important to use best birding practices to protect Michigan?s birds and visitors. The following tips and resources from Mi Birds can help guide your next outing.

*Keep a respectful distance.* Getting too close to birds, and their nests, can cause them to flush (or fly away), interfering with their natural behavior and potentially preventing them from caring for their young or eating. If your approach causes a bird to flush, you?ve gotten too close.



man and woman in fall clothing, side by side, look through binoculars across a golden grassy field, back to a group of tall, leafless fall trees

*Think carefully before sharing the location of a rare bird.* While rare bird sightings are thrilling, they can draw a crowd, which can cause a disturbance.

*Share the shore.* Great Lakes beach-nesting birds, like the Great Lakes piping plover, require special care. By leashing pets and giving birds plenty of space (more than 100 feet, or about 16 beach towels), we can help ensure their survival.

*Leave the drones to the pros.* Although drones can be useful for researchers and biologists documenting bird populations (such as at island nesting colonies), drones in general can be very disruptive to birds, especially osprey. They also are illegal in national parks, and their use is limited in state parks. (This DNR land use order [ [link removed] ] provides more detail about unmanned aircraft, such as drones.)

Here are additional resources to help protect birds and habitat:


* The Birding Code of Ethics [ [link removed] ].
* Audubon?s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography and Videography [ [link removed] ].
* Best Practices for Stress-Free Snowy Owl Viewing [ [link removed] ].

For more birding and wildlife photography best practices, explore Audubon?s library of ethics articles [ [link removed] ]. Enjoy your next birding adventure!

"MI Birds [ [link removed] ] is a public outreach and education program presented by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan DNR that works to build and bring together wildlife enthusiasts across the state to engage with and conserve Michigan's birds, wildlife and public lands."

Questions? Contact Erin Rowan Ford <[email protected]> at 313-820-0809.



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ICYMI: November hunting and trapping opportunities

two men in camo stand in a reedy, marshy area, bright sun behind them; one uses as duck call as decoys float in low water in front

From duck, deer and goose to coyote, quail and fox, this month (and beyond) is rich with options to try your hand at hunting and trapping.

Whether you're a veteran hunter of several species, a devoted trapper or someone just getting familiar with the ins and outs of these outdoor traditions, Michigan's got something for everyone, and the DNR has all of the resources to keep you informed, safe and confident when in the field. In case you missed it, we recently put out a hunting and trapping roundup [ [link removed] ], complete with season dates and links to more information about places to hunt and trap.?

If you have questions about late fall and early winter hunting and trapping opportunities, email the DNR Wildlife Division at [email protected] <[email protected]>.



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Photo ambassador snapshot: Bright, beautiful Bond Falls
Dark green, foamy water spills over several levels of shallow, wide, rocky falls, with bright green, gold and orange-hued trees in background

See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors [ [link removed] ] at Instagram.com/MiStateParks [ [link removed] ]. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer <[email protected]> at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Sarah Goodwin [ [link removed] ], for the Michigan DNR, at Bond Falls Scenic Area in Ontonagon County.)

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THINGS TO DO [ [link removed] ]

Catch Michigan Makers [ [link removed] ], the Michigan History Museum exhibit with stories of?tinkerers, artists, thinkers and others who shaped our state. Don't wait; it closes Dec. 3.




BUY & APPLY [ [link removed] ]

When you purchase things from our Goods4Mi.com [ [link removed] ] partners ? apparel, coffee, prints, stickers and more ? you also support state parks, trails, waterways and other outdoor spaces!




GET INVOLVED [ [link removed] ]

If you want to help the state's native plant and animal species and natural communities, consider a year-end donation to the Nongame?Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund [ [link removed] ].



Download the new Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app [ [link removed] ]
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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ? Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 ? 1-800-439-1420