Looking Ahead with OTG

With so many hunters in the woods during this time of year, getting out on public land to work projects is tricky and troublesome. That’s why I’m taking this time to work hard behind my desk and with biologists to get projects planned for the upcoming season. If you’re a first-timer and interested in joining…

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OTG Jr. at Rose Lake

It was an early start to the morning on October 3 as students from Morrice Elementary rolled into the driveway of the Rose Lake State Game Area deer check station in their school bus. On board, there were 24 eager fifth-grade students lead by teacher Morgan Chapko ready to get their hands dirty and spend…

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OTG: Grand Traverse Academy at Petobego State Game Area

The morning of Tuesday, October 23 saw rain and cloudy skies about an hour before our project was about to start. With a little bit of luck and sunshine, the rain stopped and the temperature was cool and windy just in time for the 83 school kids, chaperones, and teachers to arrive at Petobego State…

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In the Field: …and Online with Michigan Grassland Habitat

I have spent quite a bit of time on Facebook searching for conservation-related pages that could help people connect with the Wildlife Cooperatives Program. In that time, I also came to realize that there are multiple, very active pages about deer, deer habitat and deer hunting. When I noticed a lack of online chatter about…

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OTG: Rabbitat at Keeler State Game Area

In appropriate fashion, volunteers celebrated the official first day of Autumn on September 22 out in the field constructing rabbitat at Keeler State Game Area.  It was a crisp, cool start to the morning as nearly twenty volunteers made their way to the meeting point for the morning. Under the direction of Nate DeVries and…

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OTG: Grayling State Forest and OTG Jr. at Camp

Grayling State Forest, Crabapple Tree Planting On Saturday, September 8 at 9am, volunteers gathered at the Grayling DNR field office, just west of Hartwick Pines State Park for a day of planting crabapple trees on state land.  After everyone was signed in, we broke into three groups that would work at different planting sites. The…

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September NRC Preview; Fishing regulations and a recap of MUCC policy resolutions to be presented to the NRC

This Thursday, September 13th, the Natural Resources Commission(NRC) will meet at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The meeting will be held at the Wilderness Visitor Center Auditorium. The address for the meeting are 33303 Headquarters Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953. GPS coordinates for the meeting are at N46 48.910 W 89 37.494. If you are unable…

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In the Field: Cooperative Communication Part 1

A wildlife cooperative is formed with the understanding that one’s ability to build and maintain relationships is key. Today we are going back to the basics and deciphering what it means to be a conscious communicator. In today’s world, communication is affected by both human communication (actual person to person exchange) and electronically mediated (phones,…

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OTG: Shiawassee State Game Area

On May 9, 1951 the Shiawassee River State Game Area was established. Today, the area covers 9,758 acres and is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Many recreational and hunting activities are encouraged, and there are a number of habitat restoration and wildlife enhancement projects that take place throughout the year On Saturday,…

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