MUCC'S WILDLIFE HABITAT PROGRAM HEADS TO NW MICHIGAN

MUCC’s Wildlife Habitat Program will be reaching the NW Region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula for the first time on Saturday, September 17^th. Volunteers will be meeting at 9am at the Petobego State Game Area to build brush piles for rabbitat. The Petobego SGA is composed of 629 acres in Grand Traverse and Antrim Counties.  It contains a large, unique coastal marsh with outflow to East Grand Traverse Bay; providing an extremely scenic area with opportunities for hunting waterfowl, deer, and small game. The project goal is to build brush piles along the hunter access footpath that extends one mile from the parking area to the shoreline.

Severe storms over a year ago have felled the trees for us. Volunteers will be cutting the downed trees into sections and stacking them into large brush piles to provide cover for the areas cottontail rabbits. This project will enhance wildlife habitat for other small game such as squirrels as well as provide cover and browse for deer. Hunters will again be able to utilize the area’s footpath access with enhanced rabbit hunting opportunities. While the storm may have caused some unsightly damage, much of it was good for wildlife habitat and has even helped some young aspen regenerate in certain areas by opening up a few pockets of sunlight!

See more details about the event and RSVP to volunteer here. The project area was chosen by the area’s DNR Wildlife Biologist, Stephen Griffith, and DNR Wildlife Technician, Tim Lyons. There are both public and private properties surrounding the area as well. The large property to the west of the area, Grand Traverse County property Maple Bay Farm, also allows public hunting opportunities. I hope to establish more opportunities with MUCC’s Wildlife Habitat Program in the NW region in the future.

COMING UP NEXT:

September 24, 2016 Allegan State Game Area

We will be working with Jesse Lincoln from the Michigan Natural Features Inventory to enhance waterfowl habitat in a section of the Allegan State Game Area.

September 27, 2016 Muskegon State Game Area

We will be working with students from Ravenna schools to break the tops of small aspen saplings to promote regeneration along a wide two track that runs through a recent timber sale stand. This will benefit the areas whitetail deer, turkey, woodcock, and small game.