8922418 total results

Findings from the examination of 437 white-tailed deer for skin tumors - wart-like growths found on the skin that are chiefly fibromas caused by a virus.

Report on the studies of raccoons carried out in 1938 at the Allegan Project of the Farm Security Administration. Includes discussion of breeding, range, diseases, population, trapping, tagging and handling.

Report on experiments and investigation into the relationship between the use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on weed seed production and corn yields.

Report on the population, hunting and health of the fox squirrel population, with suggestions for local management over state-wide management.

Report on results of trapping study of cottontail rabbits between June and September of 1939.

Many research projects involving deer require humane handling of animals to obtain blood samples, give injections, or attach identification tags. Chemical and physical restraints have been used by investigators to immobilize deer (Odocoileus spp.), but both of these methods have drawbacks, primarily the safety of deer and handlers. Squeeze chutes have been used for safe and efficient handling of cattle. Mautz et al. (1974) described a restraining apparatus for obtaining blood samples from white-tailed deer (O. virginianus). This paper describes a squeeze chute that combines the basic design of a cattle squeeze chute and the Mautz et al. deer restraining apparatus, and adds concepts developed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Report on the botulism outbreak among ducks in the marshes in the Monroe area of southeast Michigan, as well as several in nearby duck farms.

Report on the results of surveys designed to estimate the total number of dead deer in the woods in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula in the spring of 1960.

Report on the results of a March 1982 survey conducted in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan to determine the incidence of brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) in the wintering deer herds to assess potential areas for possible stocking of moose.

Necropsies of female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that died from highway and other accidents between 1 March and 1 June were conducted in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Region I) and northern Lower Peninsula (Region II) by Department of Natural Resources personnel. Fetal counts were made and the deer were aged to the nearest full year. Productivity rates in 1987 for Region I returned to normal in adults and improved partially in two-year-olds from the low rates seen in 1986. For Region II in 1987, one-year-olds had one embryo for 33 does, while productivity in two-year-olds increased, and in adults decreased, both to near normal values. High marrow fat levels and the exceptionally mild winter of 1986-87 indicate that winter-stress losses were minor throughout the State.

This is a list of diseases and other conditions that affected the Michigan wildlife population in the year 1981. The list is organized by disease/condition.

In mid-2001, the author of this report was invited to undertake an exploratory analysis of Michigan Department of Natural Resources' data on bovine tuberculosis (TB) infection in wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of the state. The aims of this analysis were to quantify the geographic spread of tuberculosis deer in Michigan, to investigate key factors influencing the prevalence of disease in the core of the infected area, and to interpret the results in light of overseas experience with wildlife TB, with a view to recommending how current management of the disease might be enhanced. The results of this analysis are contained in this report.

Report on the returns of grouse specimens in 1950.

As a part of the Wildlife Division's ongoing monitoring of the black bear (Ursus americanus) population in Michigan, ages of bears harvested in the fall hunting seasons have been estimated by cementum annuli counts of transverse sections cut from decalcified premolar teeth. In 1989, a mark-recapture research project using tetracycline as a biomarker was initiated. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative precision of age determination using longitudinal versus transverse tooth sections processed by different methods. A total of 1127 tooth samples were received from a bear harvest of 1234, for a return of 91%. Ages matched exactly in 92 of the 100 pairs of premolars examined. Of the 8 that did not match, 7 differed by one year, and 1 by two years. The Isomet and Cryostat methods for processing bear teeth for age determination appear to have the same level of precision and are directly comparable.

Report on investigation into the toxicity of sodium arsenite as a chemical debarking agent for trees cut for wood pulp in the southwestern portion of the Upper Peninsula, after unusual wildlife mortality in the spring and summer of 1952.

Necropsies of female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that died from highway and other accidents between 1 March and 1 June were conducted in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Region I) and northern Lower Peninsula (Region II) by Department of Natural Resources personnel. Fetal counts were made and the deer were aged to the nearest full year. Productivity rates in 1988 were not significantly different from historical averages for each age class in all three reqions. The low marrow fat levels in Region I one-year-olds were indicative of the winter-stress losses that occurred there. Fat levels in Regions II and III showed that most does came through the winter in excellent condition.

The Wildlife Disease Laboratory monitored the health status of the Sichuan pheasants, Sichuan X ring-necked pheasants, and the ring-necked pheasants housed at the Mason Wildlife Facility Hatchery Unit and Rearing Unit. Monitoring was done in order to detect diseases and other conditions which might threaten the success of the Southern Michigan Pheasant Program. When available, sick and dead pheasants were collected and examined by personnel of the Wildlife Disease Laboratory on a weekly basis. Necropsy results have been tabulated for the birds which were examined from the 2 units following the descriptions of these findings. These results are from 1987.

Report on the 1950-1951 winter deer conditions and losses by region.

Study of resistance to abrasion of muskrat fur to help determine the season of the year producing the most durable fur.

Paper presented at the Midwest Conference, 1945 on the gathering of age and sex ratios as part of a Fish and Wildlife Service continental survey.

Letter from Solomon V. Munger to his wife, Amanda, from an unspecified dates. In this brief letter, Solomon wishes Amanda well and hopes she is not working too hard. Solomon hopes to come home soon. 

Short report on the results of an experiment to see how susceptible red-tailed hawks and great horned owls are to infection with marble spleen disease virus.

Report presenting preliminary data on the 1973 deer season, including hunter and harvest data and data on the physical condition of the herd.

Summary of deer herd outlook by district, with focus on predictions of losses from winter.

Report on investigation into ducks found soaked in oil and unable to fly at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area along Lake Erie.

Letter from L.B. Baker to his brother Henry dated September 3, 1864. In this letter, Luther Byron describes his overall health as well as J. Stannard Baker's orders to Old Ream's Station. He briefly mentions the rumors of a regimental change, the results of the Democratic National Convention, and goes into detail of soldier and officer morale.

Letter from Lemuel W. Osborn to his wife, Eunice, dated August 6, 1864. Osborn discusses his health and sends home money. He inquires about the health of his wife and children and expresses his homesickness. Within this letter, he also pens notes to his 3 children- Ella, Freddy, and Matty.

The Wildlife Division has been collecting and tabulating measurements from hunter killed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for over 40 years, including data on antler beam diameters and the number of antler points in yearling bucks. These measurements are believed to reflect, in part, the physical condition of the deer herd. This report contains summaries of the deer physical data collected during 1994 and is intended to encourage comparison with similar data from past years. Some of the data presented in this report were collected at three roadside check stations set up along major north-south highways across the state. A large number of deer were also checked at field stations throughout the state. Records on almost 33,000 deer were submitted. However, some of the records contained incomplete or inaccurate information, so analyses were conducted on over 32.500 records. The number of deer checked in 1994 was up 52% from 1993. Part of this increase may be due to an increased harvest, a special commemorative successful deer hunter patch, and the publicity surrounding Michigan's 100th licensed deer hunt.

Letter from Hiram V. Munger to his mother, Amanda, dated November 8, 1864. In the letter, Hiram updates his mother on his status and diet at his new camp. He requests from his mother 20 pounds of butter and apologizes for his bad handwriting. 

Letter from Giles Allen to his mother, Nancy Allen, dated September 24, 1862. In this letter, he discusses his health, morale, and sending money to his family via a family friend.

A brief note discussing the possibility and likelihood of transmission of trypanosoma cervi by birth in white-tailed deer.

Results of a study to evaluate the use of a combination of air-ground searches to estimate the number of dead deer.

Extensive logging in the 1800's, subsequent fires, and heavy trapping through the 1920's led to the extirpation of the fisher (Martes pennanti) from its former range in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). Fisher were first reintroduced in the 1960's on the U.P.'s Ottawa National Forest. By 1989, they had become sufficiently abundant in all or parts of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Marquette and Ontonagon counties to allow a limited harvest by trapping. In 1994, additional areas in Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette and Menominee counties were opened to fisher trapping. Trappers were limited to 1 fisher from Unit B as part of their bag limit. Regulations remained the same in 1995. In 1996, the remainder of the Upper Peninsula, with the exception of Drummond Island, was added. The regulations remained unchanged in 1997 and 1998. Since the first trapping season, trappers have been required to submit to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the skulls of fisher for examination and pelts for sealing. in 1999, there was a registered harvest of 291 fisher. One hundred and twenty males (55.0%) and 99 females (45.0%) were examined. Of the legally trapped fisher submitted for examination, 74.5% (164 of 220) were 1.5 years old or younger. By comparison, last year's fisher harvest consisted of 68.1% (226 of 332) yearlings and juveniles.

Letter from Leonard G. Loomis to Elizabeth Abbott dated January 27, 1864. In this letter, he describes prisoners in his care as Provost Guard, comments on southern society, and discusses his opinions "My diary North and South" by William Howard Russell.

Results of the dead deer survey for the northern Lower Peninsula in April, 1956.

The Wildlife Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has the authority and responsibility to protect and manage the wildlife resources of the State of Michigan. Determining the effects of winter weather on white-tailed deer abundance, reproductive success, growth and survival rates, and hunter harvest is an important part of Michigan's deer management program. The DNR monitors the winter severity using a Winter Severity Index. The index measures the combined effects of air chill and snow hazard. This report summarizes results of the Winter Severity Index for the winter of 2000-2001. According to the Winter Severity Index, the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula experienced the 4th mildest winter on record and the least severe for the Southern Lower Peninsula. Early winter conditions were very mild across the state with winter storms dumping large accumulations of snow, according to National Weather Service data. Mild temperatures often followed winter storms melting snow rapidly and keeping the seasonal Winter Severity Index relatively low.

Report on experiments and studies looking into the date range of deer breeding in the Upper Peninsula, with discussion on application to hunting seasons.

Letter from Erwin Welsh to his wife Jennie, dated October 16, 1863. In this letter, he discusses health, regimental inspections, building a chimney, finances, discharge, and a skirmish with Rebel troops (October 13).

Elk were once native to Michigan, ranging over much of the Lower Peninsula. They disappeared about 1877 due to changing land practices and civilization. The release of 7 Rocky Mountain elk from Yellowstone National Park in 1918 was the start of the present day Pigeon River elk herd. In 1964 and 1965, elk hunts were held in which 282 and 194 elk were harvested, respectively (Moran. 1973). Elk hunting did not occur again in Michigan until 1984. In December 1984, 50 hunters chosen from 45,900 applicants participated in the first elk hunt in almost 20 years. A total of 49 elk, 11 bulls and 38 cows, were harvested by 50 hunters. The animals ranged in age from 6 months to 16 years. Field dressed weights ranged from a 174 pound cow calf to a 632 pound bull.

Body size of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) varies by subspecies, generally decreasing as geographic latitude of breeding grounds increases. Morphological measurements of harvested geese have been used to determine breeding ground affiliation to improve harvest management strategies for individual population units. Giant Canada geese (B. c. maxima) nest throughout Michigan and currently comprise about 50% of the state's annual Canada goose harvest. Much of this harvest occurs during special "early" and "late seasons" established to control populations of resident giants. Body part measurements have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of special seasons at targeting giant Canada geese. Considering the potential misclassification of resident Northern Michigan geese in the harvest, we wanted to determine if data used to establish midpoints were representative of Michigan giants from both northern and southern regions. Therefore, the researchers compared culmen size of giant Canada geese residing in Northern vs. Southern Michigan in an effort to fine tune differentiation criteria to better proportion the Michigan goose harvest into resident giants and migrant interiors. As a result, the researchers found Michigan giant Canada geese vary in size by latitude. During 1994, geese measured in Sault Ste. Marie were smaller than geese from Escanaba, which were smaller than Southern Michigan geese. When comparing 1994 data sets and measurements collected in previous years, geese from Sault Ste. Marie were consistently smaller than Southern Michigan geese. Canada geese measured in Escanaba were generally smaller than Southern Michigan geese and larger than Sault Ste. Marie geese.

Results of the research and survey carried out on fishers that were killed by motor vehicles or accidentally trapped during winter and spring 1984, 1985, and 1986.

Report analyzing the effectiveness of current methods of age determination (mandibular tooth replacement and wear).