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Eastern massasauga rattlesnake.This time of year, as snakes are out and about in the great outdoors, the Michigan DNR gets many questions about Michigan's snakes. Michigan is home to 17 different species of snakes, 16 of which are completely harmless to humans.
There are two that are very similar and often cause a stir when people encounter them. Eastern hog-nosed snakes, when threatened, puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like "puff adder" or "hissing viper.") If this act is unsuccessful, the snakes will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans.
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Wild Turkey Cooperator PatchThe Michigan DNR encourages hunters to celebrate their 2014 spring turkey hunting experience by purchasing a wild turkey cooperator patch.
The Michigan chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), in partnership with the DNR, coordinates the wild turkey patch program. Proceeds from patch sales are used to fund wild turkey-related projects and management in Michigan.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR has completed its spring fishery egg-take efforts despite extreme weather conditions
Fisheries Division staff collects and fertilizes eggs from various fish species, including wild walleye in the Muskegon River and wild steelhead migrating to the Little Manistee River. These fertilized eggs are reared in hatcheries and rearing ponds throughout the state and eventually stocked to create and enhance fisheries in Michiganís waters.
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The Michigan DNR reminds hunters that applications for Michigan elk and bear hunting licenses are available now through June 1. There will be 100 elk licenses and 7,831 bear hunting licenses available for the 2014 hunting seasons.
Only Michigan residents are eligible to apply for an elk license. Bear licenses are available for both residents and nonresidents; however, no more than 2 percent of licenses in any bear management unit will be issued to nonresidents. Hunters can apply online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings at any authorized license agent or at a DNR Customer Service Center. A nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Hunters may purchase just one bear and one elk application.
Applicants may call 517-284-WILD (9453) for assistance with their application and may check their drawing results online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. Also see the 2014 Michigan Elk Hunting Digest and 2014 Michigan Bear Hunting Digest for more details about the application processes.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources annually adjusts fishing regulations to ensure that the states fisheries' resources are managed properly and to provide the best benefits to anglers and the public.
For the coming 2014-2015 angling year, which starts Tuesday, April 1, the DNR would like anglers to be aware of the following new fishing regulations: