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MDNR Report
With the recent discovery of two new invasive aquatic plants in Michigan, the Michigan Invasive Species Program is asking waterfowl hunters across the state to take extra precautions this season to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Hydrilla, considered one of the world's most invasive aquatic plants, was found in private ponds in southwest Michigan in fall 2023. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is working with landowners to eradicate the infestation. This month, a hydrilla detection in Ontario, Canada forced the closure of a portion of the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area popular with waterfowl hunters.
Glyceria maxima (also known as rough mannagrass) an invasive plant similar to phragmites, has been found in the Dollarville Flooding in Newberry. The Department of Natural Resources is working with the Three Shores Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area to manage the infestation.
In addition to these new invasive plants, concern remains about the spread of European frog-bit and invasive phragmites. All four species tend to grow in slow-moving waters – just the kind of places that ducks and geese flock to.
Invasive phragmites and Glyceria maxima are tall reed-like grasses that out-compete native species along shorelines and in shallow waters and block access for humans and wildlife.
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MDNR Report
The Michigan DNR is offering up to $1.5 million in Fisheries Habitat Grants for activities that can improve state fisheries and aquatic resources, such as fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, resource assessment studies and recreation opportunities. The funding is available through an open, competitive process to local, state, federal and tribal governments and nonprofit groups.
“Recreation and local economies throughout Michigan rely on healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands to support fishing, boating and other enjoyment of our natural resources,” said Joe Nohner, DNR fisheries resource analyst. “These grants help our partners protect and rehabilitate fisheries and aquatic ecosystems in a state that depends heavily on those resources. In cases where we remove, repair or renovate dams, we also can improve public safety for residents and visitors.”
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MDNR Report
Earlier in July, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved the scheduled deer hunting regulations for this fall. The full package of regulations includes updates that won't begin until after the 2024 seasons have ended; those updates will be explained at a later date.
The following updates apply to the fall 2024 deer hunting seasons. (For ease of reading, the acronym DMU is used throughout for deer management unit.)
Lower Peninsula
Extended archery season
- Archery season is extended through Jan. 31, 2025, for select counties: Huron, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair (except DMU 174), Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne.
Legal firearm expansion – Zone 2 muzzleloading season - If you are hunting deer during the muzzleloading deer season in the Lower Peninsula, you can use all legal firearms to take a deer. If you are hunting in the limited firearms deer zone, you must follow equipment requirements for that zone.
Early and late antlerless firearm season expansion to public land
- Early and late antlerless firearm seasons in open counties have been expanded to include public land in addition to private land. The early antlerless firearm season runs Sept. 21-22, 2024, and the late antlerless firearm season runs Dec. 16, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025.
New EXTENDED late antlerless season
- A new extended late antlerless firearm season is open Jan. 2-12, 2025, in Allegan, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair (excluding DMU 174), Shiawassee, Wayne and Washtenaw counties; DMU 311 (Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties); DMU 312 (Branch, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties); and DMU 332 (Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties).
A discounted antlerless license for this extended season will be available for $5 per license.
Upper Peninsula
- A 3-point antler point restriction, or APR, was implemented on the single deer icense in DMU 122.
- In the western central part of the Upper Peninsula, in DMU 352 when using a universal antlerless deer license, it is required to also have an antlerless deer hunting access permit. The eastern central part of the U.P., DMU 351, is closed to antlerless hunting with a universal antlerless deer license in 2024.
- DMU 352 is made up of DMUs 027, 036, 152 and 252. DMU 351 includes DMUs 017, 021, 117, 149, 249 and 349. See the online deer management units map for locations of all DMUs.
- 500 access permits will be available in DMU 352. The application period is July 15-Aug. 15.
- For each deer harvested, you will need one antlerless deer hunting access permit for the DMU you're hunting in, plus one universal antlerless deer license.
- Antlerless deer can be taken in DMUs 017, 021, 027, 036, 117, 149, 152, 249, 252 and 349 during archery season on the single deer license or the combination deer license until Dec. 10, 2024.
Other clarifications
- Baiting regulations remain unchanged from 2023.
- Antler point restrictions, with the exception of DMU 122, remain unchanged from 2023.
- The combination license, with opportunity for two antlered deer, remains unchanged from 2023.
- Early and late antlerless season counties remain unchanged from 2023.
Questions?
If you still need information or assistance, learn more at Michigan.gov/Deer or contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-WILD (9453).
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MDNR Report
Torch River Ramp
Work on the planned Torch River Bridge Boating Access Site enhancement project – located at the mouth of Torch River on the south end of Torch Lake in Antrim County – will resume next week with a four-week site closure.
The site is anticipated to reopen by Labor Day weekend.
In 2020, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources purchased an additional 1.5 acres to enhance the boating access site. A design and engineering team was hired to develop and design a new site plan, which was informed by public feedback collected at a public meeting in June 2022. Site enhancements will include:
Torch River Plan
- New entrance/exit onto Southwest Torch Lake Drive.
- A new boat launch that includes one new skid pier and two launch lanes.
- The addition of vehicle-and-trailer and vehicle-only parking spaces.
- A new carry-down launch and vehicle-only parking spaces for kayakers, paddle boarders and canoers.
- A vault toilet.
- Paving of one parking lot and new sidewalks/crosswalks.
- Redesign of a gravel lot across from the paved boat launch.
During the closure, there are alternative sites that also provide access to Torch Lake, including the following DNR-managed sites:
- Lake Skegemog Boating Access Site.
- Torch River Boating Access Site.
- Eastport Boating Access Site.
"The goal of this project was to enhance the boating experience, particularly with regard to safely launching and retrieving watercraft," said Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor. "We're excited to bring this along awaited project to the public this summer."
This project is funded through the Michigan State Waterways Fund, a restricted fund derived from boat registration fees and Michigan gas tax for the construction, operation and maintenance of public recreational boating facilities.
Anyone planning to visit the Torch River Bridge Boating Access Site is encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures to view any anticipated changes to the reopening date.
For more details on the project, contact Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor, at 231-922-5270 or RosinskiS@Michigan.gov.
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MDNR Report
Scott Allen Thompson, 56, of Hawks, Mich., was arraigned by a judge in Montmorency County 88th District Court, following an animal cruelty investigation conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Thompson pleaded not guilty to four charges, including:
- One felony of failing to provide animals with adequate care, punishable of up to seven years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines and community service.
- One misdemeanor of animal cruelty, punishable of up to 93 days in jail with up to $1,000 in fines and up to 200 hours of community service.
- Two misdemeanors for improper burial of dead animals, each punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to $500 in fines.
“This is a rare situation for the DNR to get involved in, as domestic animal complaints and investigations are not our primary responsibility or focus. However, there were no other resources available,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “This is a very large-scale animal abuse case, and something had to be done.”
In June, DNR conservation officers initially responded to the more than 50-acre Thompson family property, located in Atlanta, with a search warrant regarding a dead horse. They located a total of 10 deceased animals, including: four geese, two chickens and a horse, pig, quail and rabbit.
The owners were ordered to properly bury the horse. The other nine animals were sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in East Lansing, where lab personnel determined starvation and dehydration were the causes of death.
On July 23, conservation officers returned to the property with a second search warrant. They were shocked to find numerous animals starving, with no water and poor living conditions.
Officers seized 75 animals and were able to relocate them to adequate facilities for proper care, including: 14 geese, 14 sheep, eight chickens and piglets, seven pigs and horses, four dogs and mini cows, three turtles, two goats and cats and one turkey and rabbit.
Thompson was arrested July 18 and remains free on bond pending future court appearances. He is due back next for an Aug. 16 hearing. The DNR is seeking a second suspect in this case.
Animal cruelty incidents should be reported to local county or municipal animal control officers.