Plus, don't miss Archaeology Day Saturday in Lansing, and check out our BOW and Outdoor Skills Academy classes!



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"News Digest - Week of Oct. 13, 2025"

A fluffy gray and tan common redpoll with a light pink breast perches in an ice-covered tree in Marquette County

Enjoy birding, hiking and more outdoor fun during Winter Wonderland Jan. 7-9 [ [link removed] ].



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


* Register now for all-inclusive Winter Wonderland Jan. 7-9 [ #link_16 ]
* Remember hunter orange, proper tags for deer seasons [ #link_17 ]
* Hunters Feeding Michigan partnerships yield bigger impact [ #link_2 ]
* Photo ambassador snapshot: Hitting the water [ #link_1 ]

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

*PHOTOS: *Get larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email (common redpoll [ [link removed] ], Higgins Lake sunrise [ [link removed] ], deer hunter [ [link removed] ] and kayak launch [ [link removed] ]). Others are available in this folder [ [link removed] ].

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Register now for all-inclusive Winter Wonderland Jan. 7-9

sunrise lights up the pink, orange and purple sky over the winter shore of Higgins Lake at North Higgins Lake State Park, Roscommon County

If you've been thinking about ways to breathe a little more outdoors into your life in the new year, mark your calendar for the DNR's Winter Wonderland Jan. 7-9 [ [link removed] ].

Nestled along the shores of Higgins Lake near Roscommon, you'll find warmth and winter wonder at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center. Join staff from the RAM and the Outdoor Adventure Center for an exciting Winter Wonderland experience. It's a two-night, three-day adventure that includes guided winter birding, an evening owl prowl, special presentations on winter ecology and wildlife and more, plus plenty of time to explore on your own.

Whether you're a solo traveler, besties or a couple seeking to enjoy the best parts of Michigan winter and meet new friends, this getaway is for you. The all-inclusive package includes two nights of comfortable lodging, five delicious meals and all guided activities and presentations. Book your reservation today [ [link removed] ] and set the stage for a more active, adventurous 2026!

Questions? Email [email protected] <[email protected]> or call 989-821-6200.



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Remember hunter orange, proper tags for deer seasons

a male deer hunter dressed in camouflage and hunter orange cap, vest and gloves walks a snow-covered, forested road in Iron County

Many hunters agree that this is the best time of year, with archery deer season upon us and regular firearm deer season quickly approaching.

Just don't let time sneak up on you: If you purchase your required deer tags online, remember to leave enough time for them to arrive in the mail!

Before field-dressing or moving a deer, kill tags must be filled out to include the month and date the deer was harvested, animal gender and number of antler points, if any. Kill tags must be properly placed on the deer.

Additionally, take the time now to ensure you have the required hunter orange garments ready to wear. While deer hunters are not required to wear hunter orange during archery season, all deer hunters, including those using archery equipment, are required by law to wear hunter orange during Michigan's regular firearm deer season, Nov. 15-30.

Hunter orange includes caps, hats, vests, jackets or raincoats of hunter orange that are worn as the outermost layers of clothing at all times and visible from all directions. Hunter orange is required on private or shared public land, even if hunting from within a blind.

These garments may have a camouflage pattern as long as the pattern is at least 50% hunter orange. The DNR recommends wearing as much hunter orange as possible to increase visibility to other hunters. Hunter orange does not deter deer.

Questions about hunter safety? Email [email protected] <[email protected]>. For questions about hunting licenses, call 517-284-6057.

Learn more about deer hunting seasons, regulations and more at Michigan.gov/Deer [ [link removed] ].



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Hunters Feeding Michigan partnerships yield bigger impact

The DNR’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program has partnered with Deer Camp Coffee Roasting Company & Outfitters of Sterling Heights and Great Lakes Proud of Traverse City to offer special products whose proceeds will support processing and distribution of donated venison to Michiganders in need.

Hunters Feeding Michigan allows hunters to share their harvest by donating deer at participating processors, then helps distribute venison donations across Michigan. The program is primarily funded by monetary donations from those purchasing DNR licenses and permits. These donations are used to cover processing expenses, which allows hunters to donate deer at no cost.

To help increase awareness of Hunters Feeding Michigan and to raise funds to help cover the cost of processing additional donated deer, the DNR has started building relationships with Michigan businesses.

DEER CAMP® Coffee

a black DEER CAMP Traditions roast coffee bag, with DNR Partner text and a circular deer camp logo patch with an orange deer outline

Coffee drinkers – or those looking for a great gift – can support Hunters Feeding Michigan by purchasing a bag of DEER CAMP® Coffee Donor Doe, a medium roast blend, or Traditions dark roast blend (DNR deer patch is included with Traditions purchase). Shop online at deercampcoffee.com [ [link removed] ] or visit a DEER CAMP® supporting location to pick up a bag.

"At DEER CAMP®, we believe in great coffee, strong traditions, connecting and giving back to the community. This partnership with the DNR is more than just a collaboration – it’s a way for us to support hunters, conservation efforts and those in need. Every purchase makes a difference, and together, we can create lasting change, one cup at a time," said Julie Majewski, director of DEER CAMP® Coffee Roasting Company & Outfitters.



Great Lakes Proud

a brown T-shirt (front and back), brown camo ballcap and hunter orange hat with Great Lakes Proud and Hunters Feeding Michigan text

You can also support the program – and sport some stylish gear – with new Hunters Feeding Michigan products from Great Lakes Proud, including T-shirts, a hoodie, hats and a tumbler. 

“Great Lakes Proud is honored to partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Hunters Feeding Michigan program to launch a line of products that do more than just showcase the love of Michigan outdoors and whitetail deer. A portion of proceeds from every item sold supports the Hunters Feeding Michigan initiative, helping provide locally harvested venison to families in need across the state. It’s a way for customers to celebrate the Great Lakes while making a real difference in their community,” said Lance Hill, co-owner of Great Lakes Proud.

Shop online at greatlakesproud.com/collections/hunters-feeding-michigan [ [link removed] ].



Partnership opportunities

Building partnerships with local businesses helps Hunters Feeding Michigan put more food on the table for Michiganders across the state, said program specialist Joe Presgrove.

Businesses interested in partnering with Hunters Feeding Michigan can contact Presgrove at [email protected] <[email protected]>.

To learn more about the program, visit Michigan.gov/HuntersFeedingMichigan [ [link removed] ].

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Photo ambassador snapshot: Hitting the water
Two people in shorts and T-shirts portage an orange kayak down a forest trail toward a kayak launch at Duck Lake State Park

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 Morgan Liskey, for the Michigan DNR, at Duck Lake State Park in Muskegon County.)

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THINGS TO DO [ [link removed] ]

If you're planning to be in mid-Michigan Saturday, stop by the Michigan History Center in Lansing for Archaeology Day [ [link removed] ]! Dig into history with demos, presentations, hands-on activities, the chance to talk with experts and more.




BUY & APPLY [ [link removed] ]

Beginner backpacking, bowfishing, fungi foraging, archery and more: Check out the Outdoor Skills Academy [ [link removed] ] and Becoming an Outdoors Woman [ [link removed] ] calendars for the classes and clinics that interest you most!




GET INVOLVED [ [link removed] ]

When it comes to boating, what do you need for smooth sailing? Your feedback in this brief boating survey [ [link removed] ] will help us understand which amenities, services and infrastructure matter most to Michigan boaters.

 




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