DNR News: Tree stand safety, forest management plan, NRC this week and more

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News Digest - Week of Sept. 9, 2024

A wooden bridge leads to a leaf-covered firepit.

Don't miss your opportunity to give input on the new, 10-year State Forest Management Plan.

Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: 

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.

PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used below, and others, are available in this folder.


September is National Tree Stand Safety month

An adult helps a youth hunter into a tree stand.

Hunting from an elevated tree stand is a common way to hunt, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to staying safe. 

With many hunting seasons in Michigan opening in September – National Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month – it's the perfect time to brush up on what you need to know about hunting from a tree. A few things to remember:  

  • Always maintain three points of contact (one hand and two feet or two hands and one foot) when climbing up to or down from the stand. 
  • Wear a full-body harness that is properly attached above your head. 
  • Ensure your tree stand is securely attached and stable before using it. 
  • Use a haul line to get your hunting gear to and from the stand. 

Watch this short tree stand safety video for more tips. 

Tree stands placed on public land must be labeled with the hunter’s information in legible English that can be easily read from the ground and include one of the following three options: the hunter's name and address, their driver's license number or their DNR Sportcard number.  

During every hunt, make safety your top priority. Need a refresher? The DNR's hunter education program teaches tree stand safety, firearm handling, first aid and other important skills. 

Visit Michigan.gov/HunterEducation to locate a hunter safety course in your area or read more tips on the hunting safety webpage.


ICYMI: Give input on new, 10-year State Forest Management Plan

An autumnal forest

Don't miss your last chance to give input on the new, 10-year State Forest Management Plan!

The final public meeting runs 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. The meeting will take place at Marquette Charter Township Hall, 1000 Commerce Drive, Marquette.

“This 10-year plan helps instill confidence that our short-term management goals are helping to achieve long-term sustainability of both forest products and wildlife habitat,” said Dan Heckman, planning and modeling specialist with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “This is also a climate-smart plan, with objectives and actions that will further guide effective management of the state forest in a changing climate.”

The full plan is available on the DNR’s state forest planning webpage. Email feedback to ForestPlanComments@Michigan.gov through Oct. 4.


Natural Resources Commission to meet Thursday in Lansing

A Canada Goose steps demurely along a sandy shoreline.

The next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission – Thursday, Sept. 12, in Lansing – leads off with a Wildlife Committee agenda that includes an update on future engagement of the deer management initiative, followed by a discussion of the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program. 

The meeting also will cover a series of awards, a budget update, discussions of fisheries and land use orders, changes to the Canada goose program, a legislative report and several land transactions. 

The day starts at 9 a.m. at Lansing Community College, West Campus Rooms M119-121, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, in Lansing. See the draft meeting agenda and remaining 2024 meeting dates at Michigan.gov/NRC. 

For more information or to request time to speak at the meeting, email NRC@Michigan.gov. 


New ‘Wildtalk’ podcast: trumpeter swans, northern long-eared bats and more

A trumpeter swan, stark white with a black beak, preens itself.

In the September episode of the award-winning "Wildtalk" podcast, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Michigan's Threatened and Endangered Species Law, a milestone that highlights half a century of conservation efforts in the Great Lakes State. We take you through some of the historical and current conservation efforts, including bringing trumpeter swans back from the brink, and the northern long-eared bat, the newest addition to the Threatened and Endangered list. Then, we hear from our partners at Michigan Natural Features Inventory about their efforts to conserve rare species.  

Pete Kailing, senior wildlife biologist in the southwestern Lower Peninsula, also stops in to talk about hunting and trapping opportunities available in September, including the Liberty Hunt, small game seasons, early antlerless deer season and the wild turkey fall hunting season. 

Visit the "Wildtalk" webpage for the latest episode, as well as show notes and links to past episodes. Questions about the podcast? Email DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov. 


Photo ambassador snapshot: Serene, scenic seating

Michigan-shaped chairs positioned around a campfire ring.

See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Emily Simon, for the Michigan DNR, at Onaway State Park in Presque Isle County.)


THINGS TO DO

Fall hunting seasons will soon be upon us. Make sure you know where to hunt, review safety info and always hunt responsibly.

BUY & APPLY

Fall is a great time to brush up on your outdoor skills – or learn some new ones! Check out the Outdoor Skills Academy for upcoming classes.

GET INVOLVED

Grab your gloves, don your boots and bring a friend to Adopt-a-Forest. You can help keep forests healthy by cleaning illegal dumpsites.