September 2008 – Issue 27

The spring of ’08 was pretty good for most of us, in terms of the spring hunt. I think a fair number of us bagged birds and some great memories to go along with that turkey dinner. But if the winter of 08-09 is anything like last winter, the future of the wild turkey is very, very uncertain.

In northwestern lower Michigan’s Area J, deep snow arrived in November and stayed until mid-April. Except for one short break around Christmas, it was a very long winter. But thanks to the members of MWTHA,

We have lost another dedicated MWTHA member. This past July Gordon “Gordy” Katz of rural Barryton died. He was diagnosed in June with cancer and a month later he died. He has been a long time dedicated member.

Gordy believed very deeply in our winter survival program throughout the 13 county Area K and reached into his pocket for extra cash to help fund it.

The Michigan Conservation Foundation (MCF) has offered a one year complimentary membership to each member of the MWTHA. Each of our members are now members of the MCF.

MCF is one of the true conservation organizations in Michigan. They have fought many battles for our natural resources that affects each of us. Among their many habitat projects they were responsible for the creation of the extensive wetlands on the east side of the expressway just north of Houghton Lake.