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MDNR Report
Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative Brings Hunting Opportunities to All
Hunters flocked to public lands in southern Michigan this fall in pursuit of pheasant hunting opportunities made possible by the Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative.
An activity rooted in companionship, pheasant hunting has remained a legacy throughout Michigan's rich hunting heritage. However, as landscapes have changed and become more cultivated over time, wild pheasant habitat and populations have waned. Despite these limiting factors, the excitement surrounding pheasant hunting prevails. This year, a dedicated group of pheasant hunting enthusiasts banded together to bring opportunities back to Michigan hunters.
In 2018 the Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative, a grassroots coalition, advocated for legislation that would increase pheasant hunting and recruitment, retention and reactivation opportunities in the state. As a result of these efforts, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $260,000 from the General Fund for a pheasant release program during fall 2019 and 2020.
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By RYAN SOULARD
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Rabbit Hunting is Fun for a Number of ReasonsAs the snow starts to fly and the days get shorter, itís "Rabbit Time!"
Rabbit hunting provides an excellent opportunity to get outside this winter, get some exercise, and hopefully bag a rabbit or two if you're lucky.
My Grandpa Moon used to tell me tales of rabbit hunting with his beagle and his Belgian-made Browning A5 shotgun. Unfortunately, by the time I came along, my grandpa had gotten out of hunting, but the stories sure lived on.
Spending a big portion of his life in Alabama, he was a storyteller without even trying hard at it. I can remember being in awe listening to him tell stories of bringing rabbits home for my mom and grandma to clean, which as a kid was something I just couldn't comprehend.
"Rynee," as he liked to call me in that deep Southern accent, "those rabbits made some fine vittles."
It wasn't until my late 20s that a group of guys I met from the Grand Rapids area introduced me to rabbit hunting the old-fashioned way, without the use of dogs.
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p>IDNR Report
Sign-ups for put-and-take pheasant hunts begin on Sept. 7 at 6 a.m.
Hunters can begin purchasing a reservation for put and take pheasant hunts at on.IN.gov/INhuntfish. They do not need to log in or create an online account to purchase a reservation, but must have an online account to look up completed reservations at a later date.
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IDNR Report
Access Program Providing Land Enhancements (APPLE) offers quail, pheasant, and woodcock hunting opportunities on private property.
These hunts are allocated through the online reserved hunt system and applications are accepted between now and Sept. 23.
The online application is the only way to apply. Hunters may apply for one hunting period. Although the hunting period is two days, selected hunters may only hunt one day of the two-day period. Successfully drawn applicants will be allowed two hunting partners.
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MDNR Report
New Pheasant Program to Offer Releases on State Game AreasPheasant hunters soon may be finding and harvesting more pheasants afield thanks to the Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative, through which select state game areas in the southern Lower Peninsula will receive released rooster pheasants over the next two seasons.
The Michigan Legislature passed Public Act 618 of 2018, which appropriated $260,000 from the general fund to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a pheasant release program during fall 2019 and 2020.
"This legislation was made possible through the partnership of the Michigan Pheasant Hunters Initiative and Michigan United Conservation Clubs," said Amy Trotter, executive director of MUCC. "Releasing pheasants on state game areas was widely supported among our membership through our grassroots resolution process and was one of the recommendations made by the blue-ribbon advisory group charged with the responsibility to examine the uses of southern Michigan state game areas. The group recommended elevating small game hunting as a management output for state game areas."