In the Field: Starting a Cooperative

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC Wildlife cooperatives provide great opportunities for shaping what management looks like over a landscape. These groups consist of landowners and hunters who share a common interest in surrounding wildlife habitat and harvest management. While the early stages of cooperative development take a lot of time and energy, it…

Read More

In the Field: Summer Cooperative Activities

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC It is summer time! Vacations, bonfires, late nights, hammocks…. Gotta love summer! But how can you capture some of the summer fun and create a cooperative activity that can help build relationships, and recruit new members? I have a few ideas! Let me know yours, and I will…

Read More

In the Field: Working with Neighbors to Prevent Trespassing

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC Dealing with trespassing on Private Property can be a major issue of concern and frustration. Below is an expert from an article written by Anna Mitterling and Brad Nicoll that will be published in the Fall 2016 edition of the Michigan Out-of-Doors Magazine. Enjoy. To read the full…

Read More

In the Field: Is there a Perfect Cooperative?

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC Starting a wildlife cooperative is a lot of work. As I’ve talked about before, getting a couple neighbors to assist you in planning, strategizing, networking, and connecting with fellow landowners and hunters will make the job a lot easier, more rewarding and fun! However, regardless of how much…

Read More

In the Field: How to Start a Cooperative

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC This past weekend I had the honor of attending Fish Creek’s first official kick off meeting. They had a good turnout, and lots of good casual conversation. Ultimately, it was what a cooperative’s first meeting should be. Time to socialize and get to know your neighbors. Have a…

Read More

In the Field: Cooperative Meetings are Important

by Anna Mitterling, Michigan Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC We all have busy schedules, especially once you have kids (at least that is what I am told will happen come October…). One thing I know is that the leaders of cooperatives put a lot of their personal time and money into organizing a cooperative and any…

Read More

In the Field: How DNR Estimates Deer Harvest

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC Deer season has come and gone, and you have been reaching out to your neighbors to get the final deer kill for the seasons. You were able to get harvest data from most of the cooperative members, and by talking with neighbors have some good guesses on what…

Read More

In the Field: Refocusing a Cooperative

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC It all started because one guy had a QDMA sign on his property. Two guys each bought some property to build a home, raise a family, and hunt. Each acting independently of the other, yet just across the street. They had both been in communication with me about…

Read More

In the Field: How Deer Cooperatives Get Started

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator, MUCC It all started because one guy had a QDMA sign on his property. Two guys each bought some property to build a home, raise a family, and hunt. Each acting independently of the other, yet just across the street. They had both been in communication with me about…

Read More

In the Field: Calling 'Yotes

by Anna Mitterling, Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator On Saturday, I went to Cabela’s for a Coyote Hunting Seminar by Todd Sullivan, owner of Dogbreath Coyote Calls. Todd did a great job, and I feel more equipped as a hunter to better think through, plan and have a higher chance at successfully hunting coyotes using the information…

Read More