Read about how fast moose can run, winter birding fun, and how you can help Michigan black bears!



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The Wild Times: Fall 2023


Michigan has some of the best wildlife-based recreation opportunities around. This newsletter will give you updates on the great work going on for wildlife conservation across the state.


* Featured species: Moose [ #link_1 ]
* Bundle up for bird counts [ #link_3 ]
* Birding during fall hunting seasons [ #link_7 ]
* Spot a bear den? Tell us about it! [ #link_4 ]
* Meet the staff: Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco counties [ #link_6 ]
* ICYMI: Move over men, women want to hunt too! [ #link_8 ]
* Events/Volunteer [ #link_17 ]
* Grants/Jobs [ #link_5 ]
* Support [ #link_2 ]

Featured species: Moose

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Male moose and female moose walk through lake in the Upper Peninsula.

Did you know that the moose, found right here in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, holds the title for being the largest member of the deer family worldwide? These gentle giants tip the scales between 725 and 1,100 pounds, stretching up to an impressive 6.5 to 9 feet in length, and can run up to 35 miles per hour!

Moose are early risers and big eaters, devouring 44 pounds of food daily during the dawn and dusk hours. In the summer, they graze on a buffet of aquatic vegetation and tender aspen, maple and birch leaves. Come winter, it's all about conifer twigs and buds. Given their fondness for aquatic plants, it's no surprise moose are excellent swimmers, often spotted in marshes and cedar swamps and near waterways. Despite their impressive size, they have poor vision, but they more than compensate with keen hearing and an acute sense of smell. To learn more about the Mitten’s mighty moose, visit Michigan.gov/Moose [ [link removed] ].

*Pro tip:* The "Mug Me" trivia question on the latest episode of the DNR’s "Wildtalk" podcast [ [link removed] ]is about moose. Listen to the November episode for your chance to win a "Wildtalk" podcast camp mug.

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Bundle up for bird counts
Dark-eyed junco perched on dead log in the snow.

Counting and reporting the birds you see this winter helps scientists better understand bird movement and population health, leading to meaningful, on-the-ground conservation action to protect birds and the places they need. Join these upcoming community science bird counts:

*Winter Feeder Counts (Nov. 1 – April 30): *Do you have a bird feeder or bird habitat visible from a window in your home or at your office? If so, you're ready to participate in a winter feeder count! Learn how to take part in Kalamazoo Nature Center’s Michigan Feeder Count [ [link removed] ] or Cornell’s International Project FeederWatch [ [link removed] ]. You can join these counts any time before April 30.

*Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (Dec. 14 – Jan. 5): *Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count [ [link removed] ] is over 120 years old, making it the longest-running community science project in the country. Visit Audubon’s interactive map [ [link removed] ] to find a count near you.

Audubon Great Lakes, in partnership with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, developed the MI Birds program [ [link removed] ], which aims to increase all Michiganders' engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and people.

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Birding during fall hunting seasons
Two hikers with bright orange hats on walk away through the forest.

Public hunting lands offer large swaths of nature that are excellent for observing the fall bird migration. Though the fall hunting seasons are ongoing, hunting is generally a very safe activity, and with some basic knowledge and preparation, you can safely and confidently enjoy birding during this time. Read more about Audubon Great Lakes’ tips for how to safely view birds during the hunting season. [ [link removed] ]

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Spot a bear den? Tell us about it!
DNR biologists holds three black bear cubs.

We are looking for locations of denned bears in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula to support bear management programs [ [link removed] ]. After locating a bear den, wildlife biologists will determine whether the animal is a good candidate to join the program and, if so, will fit the bear with a radio tracking device.

If you believe you have found a bear den, keep a safe distance away and avoid disturbing the den or the bears inside. Record the location, using GPS coordinates if possible, and report the information to one of the following DNR staffers:


* Upper Peninsula: Cody Norton at 906-202-3023 or [email protected] <[email protected]>.
* Northern Lower Peninsula: Mark Boersen at 989-275-5151 or [email protected] <[email protected]>.

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Meet the staff: Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco counties

Senior wildlife biologist Mark Boersen smiles for the camera.

Wildlife biologist *Mark Boersen, *stationed at the Roscommon Customer Service Center, boasts a two-decade tenure with the Wildlife Division. His primary passion within the field lies in the hands-on experience with Michigan black bears.

"They are one of the coolest wildlife species we have in Michigan," Boersen remarked, albeit acknowledging his bias. "But when you get to work that close with a magnificent animal that is so intelligent, adaptive and strong, it is really cool."



Tress Hubbard a wildlife technician for the Michigan DNR monitors the heart rate of a black bear during a winter black bear den check.

*Tressa Hubbard* has served as a wildlife technician for Roscommon, Ogemaw and Iosco counties for two years.

A few of her favorite aspects of her role with the Wildlife Division are the gratifying experience of working with bears during den checks, inspecting harvested elk during the elk hunting season, surveying for various wildlife species and interacting with the public about all matters related to wildlife.



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ICYMI: Move over men, women want to hunt too!
A group of sixteen women dressed in hunting clothes stand together.

A unique partnership between Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and DNR provides mentorship and hunting opportunities for women. Read more ► [ [link removed] ]

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Events/Volunteer

*Dec. 14*: Natural Resources Commission meeting [ [link removed] ]

More ways to get involved with the DNR [ [link removed] ]




Grants/Jobs

DNR jobs [ [link removed] ]

DNR grants [ [link removed] ]

 

 




Support

Purchase a Kirtland's warbler wildlife habitat license plate [ [link removed] ] and help protect Michigan’s most vulnerable species.





"Learn more: Michigan.gov/Wildlife [ [link removed] ]"


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