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(Provided by MDNR)
The Michigan DNR announced environmental DNA sample results from the St. Joseph and Kalamazoo rivers show no signs of invasive silver and bighead carp.
According to DNR fisheries biologist Nick Popoff, none of the 260 DNA samples collected May 1 and analyzed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicated the presence of genetic material for silver or bighead carp. Results and maps [ https://www.fws.gov/midwest/fisheries/eDNA/results/michigan/2017-06-30/2017-06-30.html ]of the 200 survey sites on the Kalamazoo River and the 60 sites on the St. Joseph River are available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Midwest Fisheries website.
The DNA surveillance program, a collaborative effort between the Great Lakes states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 2013, samples high-priority locations for the presence of bighead and silver carp genetic material.
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The Michigan DNR reminds hunters that the fall turkey hunting application period opened Saturday (July 1).
Applications will be available through Aug. 1. The application fee is $5. Applications and licenses may be purchased at any authorized license agent or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com.
The 2017 fall turkey season runs Sept. 15 to Nov. 14. A total of 51,350 licenses are available, including 4,650 general licenses and 46,700 private-land licenses.
Information about fall turkey hunting can be found at www.michigan.gov/turkey. Fall turkey drawing results and leftover license availability also will be posted at this website Aug. 14.
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(Provided by MDNR)
DNR Confirms Presence of a Cougar in Lower Peninsula
The Michigan DNR has confirmed the presence of a cougar -- also referred to as a mountain lion --in Bath Township, Clinton County, near East Lansing. This is the first time the presence of a cougar has been verified by the DNR in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
On June 21, 2017, a Haslett resident took a photograph of an animal from his vehicle in Bath Township near the DNRs Rose Lake State Wildlife Area. The individual reported that he spotted a large cat in his headlights as the animal attempted to cross a road. He captured the photograph as the cougar turned back from the road into an area of thick vegetation.
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The Michigan DNR is seeking public input on several draft master plans for state game and wildlife areas in the southwest region of Michigan.
These plans are important in guiding habitat management, based on both the featured species selected for management at each area and use of the areas for recreation such as hunting and wildlife viewing.
In crafting these master plans, the DNR also takes into consideration how management of the state game and wildlife areas affects local economies through activities like timber sales, agricultural production and wildlife-based tourism.
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Dexter James Sysak, 40, of Merill was convicted by a District Court jury in April of multiple hunting violations, dating back to Nov. 29. He was sentenced June 21.
Sysak had taken a dump truck of sugar beets and two dump trailers of corn and placed them on his hunting property, said Michigan Conservation Officer Joseph Myers, who investigated the case. The actual measure of bait was impossible to count but was estimated at two-and-a-half tons.
Myers said conservation officers were alerted to a complaint of over use of bait via an anonymous tip to the DNR Report All Poaching hotline (800-292-7800) on Nov. 27.
The following day, officers went to the area, which turned out to be an old golf course property owned by Sysak near the Gratiot-Saginaw county line. Myers said he found access to the site using a county road easement.