Plus, are you thinking about a New Year's resolution? We've got ideas! Check out the DNR's volunteering webpage for inspiration.



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"News Digest - Week of Nov. 17, 2025"

A variety of mature trees, including some conifers and some tall, bare-branched trees, some iced over, against a crisp, blue sky [ [link removed] ]


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


* Help protect state parks’ biodiversity this hunting season [ #link_16 ]
* New 'Wildtalk': Sandhill cranes, Wilson's snipe, white-tailed deer and more [ #link_2 ]
* Ready to ride? Snowmobile season starts Dec. 1 [ #link_17 ]
* Photo ambassador snapshot: Wintry waterfalls [ #link_1 ]

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

*PHOTOS: *Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email (winter trees [ [link removed] ], snowmobile [ [link removed] ], hunters [ [link removed] ], deer [ [link removed] ] and sandhill cranes [ [link removed] ]) are available in the DNR's public image gallery [ [link removed] ]. 

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Help protect state parks’ biodiversity this hunting season
three hunters in camo and hunter orange clothing carry guns while walking through a snowy forest, with a dog running slightly ahead

As Michigan’s fall deer season gets underway, hunters are encouraged to consider state parks and recreation areas when preparing to hit the woods and fields.  

“Over 90% of state park and recreation area land is open to hunting,” said Ray Fahlsing, stewardship manager for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. 

Along with enjoying the beauty of our state’s 103 state parks, hunters who venture into these areas also can play a pivotal role in helping preserve and protect these natural public spaces by hunting deer. These animals, often making meals out of park plants and wildflowers, can be highly damaging to flora and fauna. 

“Unfortunately, overabundant deer are a significant threat to the biological diversity of most of our state parks and recreation areas. The only thing more worrisome is direct habitat loss,” Fahlsing said. 

“Trillium and many other wildflowers are like ice cream to deer,” he added. “These highly palatable plant species disappear first when deer numbers get too high. Some ‘tasty’ trees have difficulty regenerating even with relatively low numbers of deer. If deer numbers stay high, less appetizing plants become over-browsed. Eventually, even plants not normally eaten by deer are damaged.” 

The impact of too many deer in state parks and recreation areas can snowball into additional issues, Fahlsing said.  

“The impact cascades – pollinator insects decline as the numbers of their host plants are eaten, and birds and animals have fewer seeds and insects to dine on,” he said. “Ecosystems with too many deer have fewer native plants and are less resilient.” 

A part of our natural heritage is diminished when this kind of damage occurs, he added. “This should matter to you whether you are a birder, nature watcher or hunter.” 

Where to hunt, how to help

A group of Michigan white-tailed deer are shown in wintertime.

Harvesting antlerless deer helps reduce their impact on state parks. Hunters can also consider harvesting an additional doe for donation to the Hunters Feeding Michigan program [ [link removed] ].

“Not only will you help feed hungry people, but you will help conserve wildlife, wildflowers and the state’s natural heritage,” Fahlsing said.

Since not all parks and recreation areas are open to hunting, and those that are have specific areas designated for this activity, it’s best to contact parks directly for details before you go.

Ludington State Park in Mason County allows hunting in a designated area, said park manager Jim Gallie.

“We have a fair number of hunters use the park during deer season – there are regular bow and firearm hunters,” he said. “We often see them biking along the lighthouse trail, north to the hunting zone, with their rifles over their backs or while hauling a trailer to assist with getting the deer back to the campgrounds and parking areas.”

Hunting at Ludington State Park does come with some physical challenges, he said.

“Getting deer out of rolling sand dunes, thick jack pine barrens and around interdunal ponds can be quite a workout,” he said. “We’ve heard multiple tales of it taking hours to get the bagged deer to a boat on Hamlin Lake or to the lighthouse road before biking and boating it to civilization.”

Learn more about hunting in state parks and recreation areas by visiting the DNR’s Recreation Search tool at Michigan.gov/RecSearch [ [link removed] ]. Select the state parks icon, choose “hunting” as an activity and add other filters, as desired.

Find general deer hunting season information, hunting regulations, maps, resources and more at Michigan.gov/Deer [ [link removed] ].

Questions? Contact Ray Fahlsing <[email protected]> at 517-977-2383.



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New 'Wildtalk': Sandhill cranes, Wilson's snipe, white-tailed deer and more

five tan and brown sandhill cranes, with massive wings spread wide, fly high over Babcock's Landing on the Looking Glass River

The DNR Wildlife Division's November “Wildtalk” podcast, not surprisingly, devotes a lot of time to deer hunting in Michigan, including a lengthy conversation with DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist Brent Rudolph, who talks about trends, herd activity and hunting outlook. Rudolph also fields several questions submitted by listeners.

Beyond deer, the show hosts talk about some of the signs of fall transitioning to winter, including the unique experience of witnessing sandhill crane migration; learn about ongoing wildlife habitat efforts in southwest Michigan from DNR wildlife technician Michael MacEachron; and chat about Wilson's snipe, a plump, cheeky little shorebird that looks an awful lot like the American woodcock. 

Want to hear more? Visit the "Wildtalk" webpage [ [link removed] ] for the November episode [ [link removed] ], as well as show notes, transcripts and links to past episodes. Questions about the podcast? Email [email protected] <[email protected]>.



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Ready to ride? Snowmobile season starts Dec. 1

person in orange helmet and winter gear on a black and blue snowmobile stops on a curve of a groomed, snowy trail in a Michigan forest

With state-designated snowmobile trails set to open Dec. 1 – trail grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground – now is a good time to prep for the season, starting with purchasing your snowmobile trail permit. 

 Michigan is home to 6,100-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (only where riding is authorized). 

Did you know that nearly 1,900 private landowners allow use of their land to create the trails network? Their generosity allows the DNR to offer trails that connect communities and bring snowmobilers to places of interest that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to these property owners and their partnerships with their local snowmobile clubs,” said Ron Yesney, U.P. trails coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “It’s important for all of us to give thanks to these landowners and to remember to be respectful of the land, wherever we ride.” 

Keep in mind this ride-related info:


* Your $52 snowmobile trail permit is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. Buy permits online through eLicense [ [link removed] ] (your sticker will be mailed within seven to 10 days) or the Michigan Snowmobile and ORV Association [ [link removed] ] (which processes permit orders daily Monday through Friday) or in person at DNR license agents and dealers [ [link removed] ].


The Ride Right snowmobile safety logo is shown.
* Always Ride Right: Ride sober, ride at safe speeds and ride on the right side of the trail. Get more tips at Michigan.gov/RideRight [ [link removed] ]. 
* Residents must also register snowmobiles with the Michigan Secretary of State [ [link removed] ] (unless sleds are used solely on private property). Registration is good for three years, and those registration dollars support the purchase of easements, law enforcement on trails and safety education. 

* The snowmobile program is 100% funded by trail permit and registration dollars that are directly reinvested into the program to benefit snowmobilers. The funds pay for grooming, signage, maintenance, bridge and culvert construction, purchase of new equipment, liability insurance, maintenance of trailhead amenities (signage, bathrooms, plowing of parking lots) and other snowmobile-related expenditures. 

* Remember that some snowmobile trails may not be open Dec. 1 due to trail conditions or other factors such as in-progress maintenance projects or landowners wanting solitude during the muzzleloading deer hunting season, which takes place Dec. 5-14. Know before you go by checking the DNR’s closures webpage [ [link removed] ]. 

Learn more at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. [ [link removed] ] Questions? Contact Ron Yesney <[email protected]> at 906-228-6561.  



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Photo ambassador snapshot: Wintry waterfalls
Wagner waterfalls shows a gently cascading waterfall with light snow on forested land around it.

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 Aubry Healy [ [link removed] ], for the Michigan DNR, at Wagner Falls Scenic Site in Alger County.)

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THINGS TO DO [ [link removed] ]

An enchanted borealis hike [ [link removed] ] at Seven Lakes State Park, a holiday open house [ [link removed] ] at the historic Mann House, open range archery [ [link removed] ] at the Outdoor Adventure Center – these are just a handful of fun things you'll find on the DNR events calendar [ [link removed] ]!




BUY & APPLY [ [link removed] ]

Use the DNR Hunt Fish app [ [link removed] ] to buy and store hunting, fishing, ORV and snowmobile licenses and permits, report harvests, access guides and digests, and get the latest outdoor recreation updates, all in the palm of your hand.




GET INVOLVED [ [link removed] ]

If you've been thinking about ways to give back to the natural resources and historic places you love – maybe a resolution for the new year? – check out the DNR's volunteer opportunities [ [link removed] ] to find your perfect fit for your time and talents. 

 




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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Deborah A. Stabenow Building, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 · 1-800-439-1420