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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Revived HAP Program expands Michigan hunt opportunitiesMichigans Hunting Access Program (HAP) a long-time DNR offering that provides hunters with more places to hunt had been slipping into oblivion in recent years, but seems to have found a new lease on life. In fact, the latest news is pretty encouraging.
HAP, which began in the late 1970s as a way to give hunters access to private property in southern Michigan, at one time boasted more than 790 farms totaling 188,000 acres. In 2011, HAP included just 45 farms offering some 7,400 acres.
A year later, however, after the DNR decided to reinvigorate the program, HAP includes more than 150 farms that encompass 17,032-plus acres and all of it accessible to Michigan hunters.
I could hardly keep up with it, said Mike Parker, a DNR wildlife biologist who works in the private lands program and oversees HAP. I was overwhelmed, but it was also a really good problem to have.
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The Michigan DNR reminds snowmobilers of changes to the snowmobile trail signage system on state trails, including the addition of five new sign types and the elimination of 10 sign types used in past years.
The changes were implemented based on recommendations submitted by a DNR citizens advisory workgroup, comprised of motorized trail users, trail maintenance organizations, members of the DNRs Snowmobile Advisory Workgroup and the Michigan Snowmobile Association. Technical support for the workgroup was provided by recreation and law enforcement staff from the DNR and the U.S. Forest Service.
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The Michigan DNR says that hunter reports from around the state have been mostly positive about the recent firearms deer season.
Into the first few days of the firearm season, the number of people who purchased a deer license was up 2 percent compared to the same point in 2011. Firearm season check station activity also increased this year in the Upper Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula, but was about the same in the northern Lower Peninsula. Check station data indicated deer were in good condition, with improvements to key measurements compared to 2011.
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Two years after the Michigan DNR introduced the $10 Recreation Passport as a new way to fund state parks and outdoor recreation opportunities, the DNR announced it will raise the price to $11 effective Jan. 2. The Passport is required for vehicles entering Michigans state parks, recreation areas and forest campgrounds.
The $1 increase is based on a statutory requirement built into the 2010 legislation that created the Recreation Passport that says the purchase price of the Passport must keep pace with inflation. Every year, the state treasurer will evaluate changes in the Consumer Price Index and make a recommendation accordingly. This year, the state treasurer has determined the price increase is $1.
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Three recent trail camera photos of cougars in the Upper Peninsula have been verified by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.Trail camera photo of cougar verified by Michigan DNR
Two of the photos, both of a cougar with a radio collar, were taken in October in Menominee County one near Cedar River and one near Menominee just north of the Wisconsin border.
The third photo was taken in northern Marquette County in November. The cougar in the Marquette County photo is not wearing a radio collar.