In the Field: 2017 in Review

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC In 2017, the Michigan Wildlife Cooperative program facilitated the following events around the state: Habitat Workshop Series, promoting mid-contract management options for properties in the Conservation Reserve Program, in partnership with local Conservation Districts Pilot run of the Deer Browse Survey, in partnership with DNR and Anchor Creek Deer…

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On the Ground: Habitat Highlight- Snowshoe Hare

Volunteers have improved over 150 acres of snowshoe hare habitat in various locations throughout the Grayling State Forest with MUCC’s On the Ground program over the last three years. In January 2018, OTG will host the fourth snowshoe hare habitat improvement project in collaboration with the areas DNR Wildlife Biologist, Brian Piccolo and DNR Wildlife…

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Wild Game Wednesday: Great Lakes Fish Cakes

In Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles from any river or 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes. Fishing provides Michiganders with a leisurely and local opportunity, as well as a nutritious dinner option! For instance, salmon can be found in each of the Great Lakes and many of the rivers and…

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In the Field: December Pheasant Season

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC Typically when you think of a hunting season, you think about harvesting animals! One could assume, quite logically, that my blog this week is about hunting pheasants. Yes, it is. It is also about creating future pheasant hunting opportunities. There are some fun things we can do this…

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INVASIVE SPECIES | ASIAN LONG-HORNED BEETLE

The Asian Long-horned Beetle is an invasive insect which made its way to North America about 20 years ago, most likely hitching a ride in pallet wood coming from Asia.  The beetle is a threat to hardwood trees, preferring to feed on maple trees which will ultimately kill those trees. The female beetle will lay…

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On the Ground: 6th Season Starts Off at Allegan State Game Area

  Last weekend, a group of 19 volunteers started On the Ground’s sixth season with a very productive day improving wildlife habitat in the Allegan State Game Area’s Fennville Farm Unit. The day was spent cutting mature aspen trees in selected areas to promote regeneration of new aspen saplings along with other forbes and vegetation by…

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In the Field: Response to CWD

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC The newest set of CWD positives is startling. At least 30 positive cases in Michigan, with more to come for sure, as thousands of samples are waiting at the lab for the rest of the CWD test kits to be delivered. This is horrible news for Michigan deer.…

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Wild Game Wednesday: Grilled Venison Loin

Gourmet Gone Wild Venison Loin

Wild Game Wednesday: Grilled Venison Loin There are many great benefits of eating wild game, for instance, wild venison is the ultimate free-ranging food; it’s free of growth hormones, antibiotics, and lives its entire life in the wild. Although venison and beef supply similar nutrients – both are high in iron and B-vitamins, however, venison…

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On the Ground: Habitat Highlight

This Saturday, a group of volunteers will be improving wildlife habitat in the Allegan State Game Area. Various types of wildlife habitat improvement projects have been hosted in the Allegan SGA through MUCC’s On the Ground program over the past five years. Ongoing projects include building brush piles for rabbitat, aspen regeneration, tree plantings for…

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Wild Game Wednesday: Venison Rib Roulettes

Gourmet Gone Wild Venison

With deer season in full swing, this week we thought we’d take a look at some delicious venison rib meat appetizers, the rib roulette! Venison rib meat, despite being the most flavorful cut of venison, is often underutilized; most toss it onto the grinding pile for burger and sausage. Rib meat of all types has…

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