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Report on the conditions ducks and duck hunting on Sebewaing and Wildfowl Bays, with recommendations for how best to protect ducks.
DNR employees place a blindfold over a captured elk's eyes as part of a capture operation for the DNR's four-year research project to evaluate the movement patterns, population characteristics and health of elk near Atlanta in Montmorency County. A helicopter was used to drive the elk into open areas, where an individual animal could be captured in a net fired from a special net gun. Once ensnared, the elk was subdued by field researchers, and then fitted with radio collars, provided a field checkup for basic health signs and given an antibiotic shot. Scientists also took hair, blood and fecal samples. The operation captured 20 bulls and 20 cows, achieving its capture goal.
1980 marked the twelfth complete inventory of the singing male Kirtland's warblers (Dendroica kirtlandii), and the tenth annual census of the species. This report covers the results of that census.
This document is a review of scientific information pertaining to wolves, wolf-related issues, and wolf-management options in Michigan. Consideration and integration of this information will be critical to efforts to plan wolf management in the State. Evaluation of available science is a necessary component of decision-making; however, wolf management decisions must also address value conflicts among stakeholders and the acceptability of risks associated with uncertainty. Accordingly, this document does not provide answers to questions of how wolves should be managed in Michigan. Rather, this document facilitates understanding of the potential consequences of certain management approaches, and will thus help managers make decisions based on the best available science.
DNR employees net elk from a helicopter during a capture operation for the DNR's four-year research project to evaluate the movement patterns, population characteristics and health of elk near Atlanta in Montmorency County. A helicopter was used to drive the elk into open areas, where an individual animal could be captured in a net fired from a special net gun. Once ensnared, the elk was subdued by field researchers, and then fitted with radio collars, provided a field checkup for basic health signs and given an antibiotic shot. Scientists also took hair, blood and fecal samples. The operation captured 20 bulls and 20 cows, achieving its capture goal.
The first Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) census was organized by Harold Mayfield in 1951. Originally, similar inventories were to be conducted at ten-year intervals. While counts were made in 1961 and 1971 as planned, the results of the 1971 census were so low that an ad hoc group of concerned individuals instituted annual censuses. Thus, including 1985, there is an unbroken string of 15 consecutive years of census data. In 1985, a total of 216 singing males were found in the Michigan census. Annual counts in Michigan from 1971 through 1984 averaged 207 males. Although the species has not increased dramatically since the Recovery Team instituted intensive management practices in the early 1970's, the number of males has been above the average for eight of the past nine years.
In 1995, 160 routes were conducted as compared to 153 routes in 1994. Additional routes were completed but not used in this analysis. The drumming index (average number of drums per stop) was 43 percent higher than 1994. The upper peninsula showed a 47 percent increase in the spring survey. The northern lower peninsula showed a 58 percent increase. The southern lower peninsula showed a 23 percent decrease. Winter survival appeared to be better this year based on the research study units in northern Michigan. The population of ruffed grouse is at a low level across the State but improving.
Lake trout fingerlings sorted by size in different holding tanks as part of the adipose fin clipping AutoFish system at the Marquette State Fish Hatchery. The DNR's Fish Production Section produces and delivers fish of the correct species, strain (a genetic type of a specific species), size, date and location as directed by Fisheries Division Management Unit staff. The lake trout have their adipose fins clipped to distinguish them as hatchery fish. The AutoFish system allows for the fins to be clipped without the fish being handled by humans, which is far more beneficial to the health of the fish.
Outline of talk given to the forum at the People's Church, East Lansing, March 3, 1935 on problems facing wildlife conservation in Michigan.
Michigan's nesting population of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been censused and its reproductive success measured each year since 1961. Similar statewide inventories of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) population and nesting success have been underway since 1965. The monitoring of the nesting populations of bald eagles and ospreys consisted of two appropriately timed surveys for each species.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources plans to reintroduce moose into the Upper Peninsula starting February 1987. The moose will be captured in Ontario by the use of helicopters and drugs, and then shipped to Michigan in trucks. The following is a detailed description of the procedures to be used in this operation.
Recommendations for wildlife conservation tied into soil conservation on farms, focused on the southern Michigan soil conservation districs.
Report covering a two-fold survey to secure information on protection of cub bears from hunting during open seasons.
Memo discussing opinions on the future needs and goals of bird work in northern Michigan.
Report on the results of the 1991-1992 River Otter Survey. In order to allow export of river otter (Lutra canadensis) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of river otter.
During late July, 1991, survey forms were sent to approximately 1132 rural mail carriers whose routes are located in the primary pheasant range of Southern Michigan. Over 850 usable forms were returned. The 1991 brood surveys indicated a six percent reduction in total broods from 1990 (1081 vs 1144). However, the true measures of the statewide index, broods per 1,000 miles and broods per ten carrier days, were down approximately 33 percent from 1990. This reduction in total broods was somewhat compensated for by a significant increase in the average brood size. The size of broods in 1991 was higher by more than 10 percent than 1990 (4.48 vs 4.01).
Michigan's nesting population of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been censused and its reproductive success measured each year since 1961. Similar statewide inventories of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) population and nesting success have been underway since 1965. The monitoring of nesting populations of bald eagles and ospreys consisted of two appropriately timed surveys for each species. These were accomplished from small aircraft flying 300 to 400 feet above ground. When a previously known nest was spotted or a new nest found, the aircraft descended to a lower elevation to permit verification of nest contents. A total of 107 breeding sites occupied by bald eagle pairs were located in the state in 1984. At two additional old sites eagle pairs were reliably reported, however, no occupied nests were found. Single adults only were observed at 10 additional sites. Altogether 132 occupied osprey nests were identified in Michigan in 1984. Single adults were observed at two additional breeding sites. The slightly lower total of known pairs (138 in 1983) is likely due to the loss of a number of nests to windstorms early this year; new replacement nests have not been located in all instances.
Report on the results of the 2003-2004 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) distribution and abundance using spring crowing surveys, summer brood surveys and harvest surveys. Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) distribution and relative abundance is monitored using whistling surveys and hunter harvest and effort surveys. This report summarizes the results of these surveys and discusses the upcoming hunting season. Crowing surveys were completed along 58 routes in 2001. surveys personnel heard an average of 2.4 pheasant crows per stop. A total of 953 mail carriers returned useable surveys forms. Mail carriers observed 0.39 broods per ten carrier-days this summer compared to 0.52 broods per ten carrier-days during 2000. Records were available from 90 cooperators, who combined to hunt over 1,600 hours in 2000. Cooperators flushed 0.93 roosters per hour and 1.30 hens per hour while hunting. These flush rates are similar to those reported in 1999. Some of the highest pheasant flush rates from 2000 were reported in Eaton, Lenawee, Livingston, and St. Joseph counties. A total of 34 quail whistling surveys were completed in 2001. The overall mean index was 2.2 quail heard per route. In 2000 the overall mean index was 7.9 quail heard per route.
Summary of wood duck nest box project in the Gratiot-Saginaw and Maple River State Game Areas, where 106 wood duck nest boxes were constructed and placed during the winter and early spring of 1979.
In response to increasing pressure placed on the federal authorities by concerned organizations, each state has been requested by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to compile comprehensive documentation of their furbearing populations. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of the species populations and to justify the continued harvesting and exportation of furbearers. During the winter of 1980-81, the Wildlife Division undertook collection of trapper harvested river otter (Lutra canadensis) in order to increase knowledge of this species. Skinned otter carcasses were obtained from collectors throughout northern Michigan and the following determinations made: sex, age, weight, physical condition, stomach contents, parasites present, and productivity. This information was tabulated and the data summarized for each region.
Twenty-five bull moose (Alces alces) and 36 cow moose were translocated from Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario to Marquette County, Michigan in 1985 and 1987. Mortality-sensing radio-collars fitted on these animals, and on 41 moose born and captured in Michigan during 1989-95, enabled biologists to track movements, census calves, and perform necropsies on dead animals. Two population models estimated a postpartum population of 304 or 334 animals in 1994. Three of 6 Michigan-born cows produced their first calf when 2 years old. Only 1 of 11 calves that were captured and radio-collared in Michigan died during the year following dispersal from its dam. Two of these 11 moose emigrated at least 160 km (100 mi) to Wisconsin. Parasites accounted for about half of 43 diagnosed deaths. Motor vehicles and poaching accounted for 7% and 5%, respectively. Public acceptance of moose has been high.
