The DNR’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program is sharing the love to support high school science education, recently teaming up with the Potter Park Zoo Animal Science and Zoo Management program in Lansing to provide hearts from donated deer to help students learn about anatomy.

Run through the Eaton Regional Education Service Agency – whose mission is to serve the community by providing and enhancing educational opportunities for students, families and educators – the zoo program includes students from 15 schools across four counties.

“The students had a great time, and they all agreed they felt like they had a better understanding of the anatomy of the heart because of dissecting the deer hearts. We are very thankful for the opportunity,” said Becky Morningstar, ERESA educator.

Select Hunters Feeding Michigan processors worked with hunters directly to collect hearts from donated deer to be used for this initiative. The DNR aims to expand this project to other classrooms in the state.

"This initiative wouldn't be possible without the generosity of hunters, program processors and science educators,” said Joe Presgrove, HFM program specialist. “This is another example of how we can utilize the donated deer outside of our typical Hunters Feeding Michigan venison donations. Hunters are conservationists and understand how important it is to provide opportunities like these to the next generation.”

Just last week, the DNR highlighted another unique program offshoot: the donation of deerskin gloves to emergency shelters throughout the state.

Since 2007, Hunters Feeding Michigan has contributed more than 3.4 million servings of ground venison to those in need throughout the state. Each deer donated (at no cost to the hunter) will provide an estimated 160 high-protein, nutritious meals. Learn more at Michigan.gov/HuntersFeedingMichigan.

Questions? Contact Joe Presgrove at 517-643-3809.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission will meet Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Lansing. The DNR will livestream the meeting.

The day includes presentations of Distinguished Service, Lifesaving and Hunter Education Instructor awards, updates on furbearer regulations and furbearer/small game management seasons, a presentation on the history of bovine tuberculosis and a legislative update.

The day starts at 9:30 a.m. in Rooms M119-121 on the West Campus of Lansing Community College, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, in Lansing. See the draft meeting agenda and upcoming 2024 meeting dates at Michigan.gov/NRC.

For more information about Wednesday's meeting, email NRC@Michigan.gov.

If you or someone you know is hoping to squeeze in some cold-weather hunting and trapping, don't worry; February and March offer plenty of opportunities:

• Late goose seasons wrap up during the first half of February.
• Small game seasons for cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, fox and gray squirrel run now through March 31.
• Raccoon trapping season ends March 31.
• Badger, beaver, bobcat, muskrat, mink and otter trapping opportunities are available in some parts of the state. 

Check out this recent DNR hunting and trapping update for more details on season dates, regulations and more.