the outdoors AWS
THE OUTDOORS IN BRANCH, HILLSDALE AND JACKSON
WINTER 2018 DEAR FRIEND: Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, hiking or snowmobiling, Michigan’s abundant natural resources offer a great outdoor experience! Many sportsmen and women are interested in policy and legislative issues that affect our outdoor heritage. I hope this report will help keep you up-to-date. Sincerely,
S TAT E S E N AT O R
MIKE SHIRKEY OFFICE 517.373.5932
E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorMikeShirkey.com
RENEW YOUR
BOAT REGISTRATION Michigan is one of the top marine markets in the country with nearly 800,000 registered watercraft. All watercraft, unless exempt, must be registered with the Michigan Secretary of State. Registrations are issued for three years and expire on March 31 of the third year. Visit www.ExpressSOS.com to renew, or renew by mail or at a Secretary of State branch office.
HUNT UPDATE Three lucky hunters from Ionia, Gratiot and Iosco counties were recently announced as the 2018 Pure Michigan Hunt winners by the DNR. The winners receive elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer licenses and a base license to be used in 2018 as well as first pick opening morning of the waterfowl season at any managed waterfowl hunt area. Each hunter also receives a package of donated hunting gear worth more than $4,000. The 2018 drawing had a total of 35,214 applications, generating more than $176,000 for habitat restoration and improvements. Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt drawing will be available starting Mar. 1. Visit www.mi.gov/pmh for more information.
WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
Stay up-to-date on the latest regional fishing news and fishing tips all year. The Weekly Fishing Report outlines fishing conditions around the state. Access it online at www.michigan.gov/fishingreport or by phone at 855-777-0908.
SHIRKEY ALERTS SPORTSMEN TO FREE WINTER FISHING WEEKEND Anglers, check out Michigan’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend — Feb. 17-18 — when all fishing license fees are waived for residents and out-of-state visitors on both inland and Great Lakes waters. All fishing regulations still apply. Visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing for information on special events and activities. A DNR Recreation Passport will not be required at any state park or recreation area during the free fishing weekend.
WINTER FISHING Michigan anglers can enjoy great fishing opportunities during the winter season. Popular winter species include bluegill, pike, smelt, walleye and yellow perch. Like any outdoor activity during the colder months, winter fishing has its own set of safety rules. Use the buddy system and wear a life jacket. When fishing on the ice, the DNR urges anglers to test ice thickness and quality with a spud and avoid ice around docks and pilings, and inlets or outlets. Take extra care and enjoy Michigan’s bounty!
OFFICE 517.373.5932 • E-MAIL [email protected]
HUNTING SEASON CALENDAR *Season dates are the same each year
*COTTONTAIL RABBIT AND SNOWSHOE HARE Sept. 15 - Mar. 31
*CROW Feb. 1 - Mar. 31 and Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
DEER
2018 LIMITED LICENSE CALENDAR (Note: Drawing results are posted online only)
SPRING WILD TURKEY Application Period: Jan. 1-Feb. 1; drawing results posted Mar. 5 at www.mi.gov/turkey Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) Mar. 12 Applicants Only; Mar. 19 Over-the-Counter Spring Season Apr. 23-May 31; see 2018 Spring Turkey Hunting Digest for applicable units
BEAR
Early Antlerless Firearm: Sept. 22-23 Application Period: July 15-Aug. 15 (youth licenses available over-the-counter); drawing results posted online Sept. 4 Liberty Hunt (Youth and Hunters with Disabilities) Sept. 22-23
Application Period: May 1-June1; drawing results posted online June 25 Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) July 9 Lifetime License Holders; July 16 Applicants Only; July 23 Over-the-Counter
*PHEASANT (male only)
ELK
Zone 1 (partial): Oct. 10-31 • Zone 2,3: Oct. 20-Nov. 14 Zone 3 (partial)): Dec. 1-Jan. 1
Application Period: May 1-June 1; drawing results posted online June 25
*QUAIL - Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 *RUFFED GROUSE - Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 *SHARP-TAILED
GROUSE - Oct. 10-31
*SQUIRREL - FOX AND Sept. 15 - Mar. 1
GRAY
Opossum, porcupine, weasel, red squirrel, skunk, ground squirrel, woodchuck, feral swine, feral pigeons, starling and house sparrows may be taken year-round with a valid Michigan hunting license.
STUDY TO FOCUS ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE The DNR is teaming up with Michigan State University to study and manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) and other deer disease. Under the collaborative effort, location-tracking collars will be placed on white-tailed deer in south-central Michigan to assess deer movement. An understanding of seasonal movement patterns and timing and direction will help researchers learn about the role deer play in moving the disease and better develop effective disease control strategies. CWD was first detected in free-ranging deer in mid-Michigan in 2015. The disease can spread through the herd and once established, could significantly reduce the number of deer in the region.
WINTER 2018 DEAR FRIEND: Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, hiking or snowmobiling, Michigan’s abundant natural resources offer a great outdoor experience! Many sportsmen and women are interested in policy and legislative issues that affect our outdoor heritage. I hope this report will help keep you up-to-date. Sincerely,
S TAT E S E N AT O R
MIKE SHIRKEY OFFICE 517.373.5932
E-MAIL [email protected] VISIT www.SenatorMikeShirkey.com
RENEW YOUR
BOAT REGISTRATION Michigan is one of the top marine markets in the country with nearly 800,000 registered watercraft. All watercraft, unless exempt, must be registered with the Michigan Secretary of State. Registrations are issued for three years and expire on March 31 of the third year. Visit www.ExpressSOS.com to renew, or renew by mail or at a Secretary of State branch office.
HUNT UPDATE Three lucky hunters from Ionia, Gratiot and Iosco counties were recently announced as the 2018 Pure Michigan Hunt winners by the DNR. The winners receive elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer licenses and a base license to be used in 2018 as well as first pick opening morning of the waterfowl season at any managed waterfowl hunt area. Each hunter also receives a package of donated hunting gear worth more than $4,000. The 2018 drawing had a total of 35,214 applications, generating more than $176,000 for habitat restoration and improvements. Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt drawing will be available starting Mar. 1. Visit www.mi.gov/pmh for more information.
WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
Stay up-to-date on the latest regional fishing news and fishing tips all year. The Weekly Fishing Report outlines fishing conditions around the state. Access it online at www.michigan.gov/fishingreport or by phone at 855-777-0908.
SHIRKEY ALERTS SPORTSMEN TO FREE WINTER FISHING WEEKEND Anglers, check out Michigan’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend — Feb. 17-18 — when all fishing license fees are waived for residents and out-of-state visitors on both inland and Great Lakes waters. All fishing regulations still apply. Visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing for information on special events and activities. A DNR Recreation Passport will not be required at any state park or recreation area during the free fishing weekend.
WINTER FISHING Michigan anglers can enjoy great fishing opportunities during the winter season. Popular winter species include bluegill, pike, smelt, walleye and yellow perch. Like any outdoor activity during the colder months, winter fishing has its own set of safety rules. Use the buddy system and wear a life jacket. When fishing on the ice, the DNR urges anglers to test ice thickness and quality with a spud and avoid ice around docks and pilings, and inlets or outlets. Take extra care and enjoy Michigan’s bounty!
OFFICE 517.373.5932 • E-MAIL [email protected]
HUNTING SEASON CALENDAR *Season dates are the same each year
*COTTONTAIL RABBIT AND SNOWSHOE HARE Sept. 15 - Mar. 31
*CROW Feb. 1 - Mar. 31 and Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
DEER
2018 LIMITED LICENSE CALENDAR (Note: Drawing results are posted online only)
SPRING WILD TURKEY Application Period: Jan. 1-Feb. 1; drawing results posted Mar. 5 at www.mi.gov/turkey Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) Mar. 12 Applicants Only; Mar. 19 Over-the-Counter Spring Season Apr. 23-May 31; see 2018 Spring Turkey Hunting Digest for applicable units
BEAR
Early Antlerless Firearm: Sept. 22-23 Application Period: July 15-Aug. 15 (youth licenses available over-the-counter); drawing results posted online Sept. 4 Liberty Hunt (Youth and Hunters with Disabilities) Sept. 22-23
Application Period: May 1-June1; drawing results posted online June 25 Leftover Licenses (On sale at 10 am) July 9 Lifetime License Holders; July 16 Applicants Only; July 23 Over-the-Counter
*PHEASANT (male only)
ELK
Zone 1 (partial): Oct. 10-31 • Zone 2,3: Oct. 20-Nov. 14 Zone 3 (partial)): Dec. 1-Jan. 1
Application Period: May 1-June 1; drawing results posted online June 25
*QUAIL - Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 *RUFFED GROUSE - Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 *SHARP-TAILED
GROUSE - Oct. 10-31
*SQUIRREL - FOX AND Sept. 15 - Mar. 1
GRAY
Opossum, porcupine, weasel, red squirrel, skunk, ground squirrel, woodchuck, feral swine, feral pigeons, starling and house sparrows may be taken year-round with a valid Michigan hunting license.
STUDY TO FOCUS ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE The DNR is teaming up with Michigan State University to study and manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) and other deer disease. Under the collaborative effort, location-tracking collars will be placed on white-tailed deer in south-central Michigan to assess deer movement. An understanding of seasonal movement patterns and timing and direction will help researchers learn about the role deer play in moving the disease and better develop effective disease control strategies. CWD was first detected in free-ranging deer in mid-Michigan in 2015. The disease can spread through the herd and once established, could significantly reduce the number of deer in the region.
