On 2/11/10 we attended a DNR Strategic Plan For Managing Wildlife meeting at the RAM Center at Higgins Lake. We gave a presentation on what is going to have to be done if we are going to have huntable wildlife into the future. Any bets?
Attended the MWTHA state chapter meeting at Clare on 2/21/10. Any member is welcome to attend and participate.
On 3/1/10 representatives from MWTHA met with DNR biologist Al Stewart and several other DNR biologists at Clare. Proposed spring and fall turkey hunting regulations were discussed. Read our response in an attached article. We will let you knout what happens to this coming spring regulations.
We attended a meeting on 3/3/10 at Cadillac on the DNR’s draft of a Deer Management Plan. It appears to be a generic plan with no specifics. The 19971 Deer Management Plan is an excellent document. Like so many other plans it was never implemented or followed. If they had we would still have an abundance of not only deer but all game species on our state forests.
This past winter we purchased and distributed 20,000 pounds of corn to 3,747 Wild Turkeys over our 13 county chapter area. This number of turkeys reflects their continuing loss, regardless of the DNR press release that stated they are holding their own in northern Michigan.
We attended the MUCC District 13 meeting at Clare on 3/14/10. On 3/22/10 our chapter contributed $145 towards the cost of $290 to bring the Wings of Wonder program to the 4H Kettunen Center for the Family Birding Festival.
We attended the Traverse Bay Chapter workshop at Gaylord on 4/3/10. A presentation was given titled 27 Years in a Nutshell that outlines our many accomplishments regarding Wild Turkey restoration in Michigan and quality hunting of them.
On 4/8/10 we attended a Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting in Lansing. We presented facts why the fall season should not open on September 15 and why there should not be a fall season in Oceana, Newaygo and Mecosta counties. Their Wildlife Committee was scheduled to hear the 2010 allocations of our restricted turkey fund. We asked for a few minutes to address the use of the fund, but “They had a heavy schedule” and didn’t have the time to hear what we had to say. Their propaganda is how important public comment is. When Pigs Fly!
On 4/22/10 we presented our Wild Turkey program to 110 5th grade students from Reed City during Earth Day. On 5/15/10 we presented our turkey program to 14 seniors at Elder Hostel at the Kettunen Center.
On 5/20/10 we presented the turkey program to 140 4th grade students from Pine River and Marion at Rural Education Days. On 5/26/10 we presented our turkey program to 49 5th grade students, teachers and chaperons from the Whittemore-Prescotte school at the 4H Kettunen Center.
On 6/2/10 we attended the Michigan Resource Stewards meeting in Clare. There are more Wildlife and Fisheries management expertise in one roam than you will find anywhere. On 6/14/10 we attended a MUCC Coalition Meeting in Lansing. We were on the agenda to discuss the use of our Restricted Turkey Fund. On 6/19/10 we presented our turkey program at the Boardman River Nature Center at Traverse City.
On 6/26-27/10 we attended the MUCC annual, convention at Big Rapids. We voted on those resolutions that were presented. Resolution 15 addressed the continued closing of access to National Forests in the UP. We offered a friendly amendment to include every national forest in Michigan that was passed.
Last but not least is the great support that we had at the 29Th Wild Turkey Hunters Rendezvous. It was once again a well
attended event that went like clockwork due to our members who gave of their time. A very sincere THANK YOU to everyone who handled every event without a hitch. Another sincere THANK YOU goes out to those who attended and contributed to the future of our Wild Turkeys.
We will see everyone at the 30TH Wild Turkey Hunters Rendezvous to be held on the last Saturday in March 2011!
Where has all that time gone?
