Goose hunting season gets underway in Michigan next week.
By Jack Payne
I remember the morning vividly. Seven of us were sitting on a 2-x-12 board used as a bench. We were sipping coffee and talking in a very hushed manner.
Before daylight, a dozen geese glided into a small pond a mere 15 feet from where we sat. My buddy John and I had traveled from West Michigan to the town of Chassell, located on Portage Lake on the far northwest end of the Upper Peninsula. Four of the other guys all lived within 10 minutes of me, and this was the first time that we met. Turned out that their nephew was also a good friend of mine.
Just as legal shooting light was welcoming us, a large flock of geese could be heard coming off the vast wetlands below us and to the north. These birds were leaving their roosting areas and heading to our grain field.
As they locked up their wings and started dropping into our decoy spread, a second flock could be spotted. So, instead of opening up on the first flock, we let them all land. When the second flock locked up and started dropping like flies into our spread, we cut loose.
Seven hunters, including our guide, emptied our guns and reloaded. With birds rising off of the pond behind us and birds rising off of the grain field in front of us, and don't forget about the flock that was trying to land, we bagged our limit in under five minutes.
Folks, there is a time to hire a guide. With the early goose season getting underway Sept. 1, this would be a good example.
Goose hunting is expensive. Buying the decoys, securing private property to hunt, and spending countless mornings and evenings scouting might be too much for the average hunter.
The late summer salmon run would be another time to consider a guide. We hired Todd Venema from Third Coast Charters for a salmon trip at the end of August. In the past, my buddy Rick and I owned downriggers, dipsey divers, lead core, and such.
It became clear that it's tough to be good at all aspects of hunting and fishing when you spread yourself thin. So, a charter on Lake Michigan becomes a great investment. Once the salmon move into Muskegon or White Lake, we will take my boat and jig for them.
If you never vertically jigged for walleye on the Detroit River or the St Clair River, a guide makes sense. Just make sure that the guide is there to teach you. Todd Venema guides on the Detroit River in April and May.
Success is not so much in finding the walleye as it is in proper boat control. The nose of the boat must be into the wind, and the speed matched up so that a one-ounce jig stays vertical.
If you have some prior fishing experience, you should be able to learn the jigging technique fairly quickly. While we never charted a river walleye trip, I would suggest it unless you can tag along with someone who can teach you.
Years back, we charted a Lake Erie trip to learn the planner board technique and the casting of Erie Dearie Spinners. That one trip taught us what we needed to know so that we could do it from my boat.
The Musky fishing adventure is different. There are guides on Lake St. Clair that average five muskies in a day. Chartering a musky guide makes great sense. Lake St. Clair is huge. You need to know where to go and what specialized equipment to use.
Lake St. Clair holds more five-pound-plus smallmouth bass than perhaps any body of water in the world. Hiring a guide will give you a glimpse into the type and style of fishing required for success.
For a beginner, learning the drop-shot technique will pay huge dividends. The drop-shot technique can be used on walleye, largemouth bass, perch, bluegills, and even crappie. A good guide will teach you the basics.
Hiring a guide makes for a great gift, a fun time, and a chance to learn. Remember to stop in at Bob's Gun and Tackle and talk to their great sales team.
I remember the morning vividly. Seven of us were sitting on a 2-x-12 board used as a bench. We were sipping coffee and talking in a very hushed manner.
Before daylight, a dozen geese glided into a small pond a mere 15 feet from where we sat. My buddy John and I had traveled from West Michigan to the town of Chassell, located on Portage Lake on the far northwest end of the Upper Peninsula. Four of the other guys all lived within 10 minutes of me, and this was the first time that we met. Turned out that their nephew was also a good friend of mine.
Just as legal shooting light was welcoming us, a large flock of geese could be heard coming off the vast wetlands below us and to the north. These birds were leaving their roosting areas and heading to our grain field.
As they locked up their wings and started dropping into our decoy spread, a second flock could be spotted. So, instead of opening up on the first flock, we let them all land. When the second flock locked up and started dropping like flies into our spread, we cut loose.
Seven hunters, including our guide, emptied our guns and reloaded. With birds rising off of the pond behind us and birds rising off of the grain field in front of us, and don't forget about the flock that was trying to land, we bagged our limit in under five minutes.
Folks, there is a time to hire a guide. With the early goose season getting underway Sept. 1, this would be a good example.
Goose hunting is expensive. Buying the decoys, securing private property to hunt, and spending countless mornings and evenings scouting might be too much for the average hunter.
The late summer salmon run would be another time to consider a guide. We hired Todd Venema from Third Coast Charters for a salmon trip at the end of August. In the past, my buddy Rick and I owned downriggers, dipsey divers, lead core, and such.
It became clear that it's tough to be good at all aspects of hunting and fishing when you spread yourself thin. So, a charter on Lake Michigan becomes a great investment. Once the salmon move into Muskegon or White Lake, we will take my boat and jig for them.
If you never vertically jigged for walleye on the Detroit River or the St Clair River, a guide makes sense. Just make sure that the guide is there to teach you. Todd Venema guides on the Detroit River in April and May.
Success is not so much in finding the walleye as it is in proper boat control. The nose of the boat must be into the wind, and the speed matched up so that a one-ounce jig stays vertical.
If you have some prior fishing experience, you should be able to learn the jigging technique fairly quickly. While we never charted a river walleye trip, I would suggest it unless you can tag along with someone who can teach you.
Years back, we charted a Lake Erie trip to learn the planner board technique and the casting of Erie Dearie Spinners. That one trip taught us what we needed to know so that we could do it from my boat.
The Musky fishing adventure is different. There are guides on Lake St. Clair that average five muskies in a day. Chartering a musky guide makes great sense. Lake St. Clair is huge. You need to know where to go and what specialized equipment to use.
Lake St. Clair holds more five-pound-plus smallmouth bass than perhaps any body of water in the world. Hiring a guide will give you a glimpse into the type and style of fishing required for success.
For a beginner, learning the drop-shot technique will pay huge dividends. The drop-shot technique can be used on walleye, largemouth bass, perch, bluegills, and even crappie. A good guide will teach you the basics.
Hiring a guide makes for a great gift, a fun time, and a chance to learn. Remember to stop in at Bob's Gun and Tackle and talk to their great sales team.
Kalamazoo River Greenway Gains New Partners
Five municipal and community partners have pledged funding to begin implementing conservation and recreation projects along the Kalamazoo River Greenway in Allegan County.
The Holland-based ODC Network announced last week that the funding pledged from four municipalities and a community service organization along the greenway opens the door to renew progress on greenway projects. This milestone marks the next phase for the greenway and its mission to address environmental restoration, recreation, conservation, and education along the river corridor.
“The Kalamazoo River has long been an underutilized resource in the community as the result of ongoing PCB contamination issues,” ODC Network Greenway Manager Dan Callam said.
“Bringing this group together can help regain some of the lost value by increasing the ways residents and visitors can engage with the river.”
The cities of Fennville, Saugatuck and Douglas, along with Saugatuck Township and the Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas, have pledged funding to bolster efforts of invasive species management, expansion of natural areas, and conservation-based community outreach.
“The city of Saugatuck is investing in our natural landscapes and accessible outdoor spaces to benefit our environment, our local economy, and our city's health,” Saugatuck Mayor Holly Anderson said. “Working with all of the partners in the KRG will make our efforts to mitigate invasive species and water-level impacts more successful as we have watershed-wide collaboration.”
“Douglas is proud to be part of this regional effort to protect and restore the Kalamazoo River. The greenway strengthens our environment, economy, and community for generations to come,” Douglas Mayor Cathy North said.
This news comes in the wake of the development of the Kalamazoo River Greenway master plan. In 2018, ODC Network was commissioned with a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to develop a master plan for a Kalamazoo River Greenway to connect Allegan County communities with a greenway corridor. The plan is designed to serve as a guide for the development and upkeep of ecological, recreational, and educational assets along the Kalamazoo River.
“The Kalamazoo River is a defining feature of Saugatuck Township – ecologically, culturally, and recreationally. A coordinated regional effort allows us to make more meaningful progress, avoid duplication, and focus our resources where they’ll have the greatest impact,” Saugatuck Township Parks Commission Chairman Jim Searing said.
Since publishing the master plan, ODC Network has worked in close partnership with federal, state, and local agencies to protect and restore the Kalamazoo River. This has included the preservation and opening of the over 250-acre River Junction Preserve in Manlius Township, which was acquired in 2022, as well as the recently opened 169-acre Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve in Saugatuck. Ongoing habitat restoration projects, programming, and collaborating on future trails have also been a part of increased engagement.
“We are excited to be a partner on the Kalamazoo River Greenway project. Our club focuses on three E’s – Education and Leadership, Environment and Economy. We’ve dedicated a portion of our Venetian Festival proceeds in support of our club focus on our environment, and look forward to identifying high impact projects that also benefit our local economy,” said Wayne Titus, president of the Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas.
To learn more about the Kalamazoo River Greenway and read the master plan, please visit outdoordiscovery.org/kalamazoo-river-greenway.
The Holland-based ODC Network announced last week that the funding pledged from four municipalities and a community service organization along the greenway opens the door to renew progress on greenway projects. This milestone marks the next phase for the greenway and its mission to address environmental restoration, recreation, conservation, and education along the river corridor.
“The Kalamazoo River has long been an underutilized resource in the community as the result of ongoing PCB contamination issues,” ODC Network Greenway Manager Dan Callam said.
“Bringing this group together can help regain some of the lost value by increasing the ways residents and visitors can engage with the river.”
The cities of Fennville, Saugatuck and Douglas, along with Saugatuck Township and the Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas, have pledged funding to bolster efforts of invasive species management, expansion of natural areas, and conservation-based community outreach.
“The city of Saugatuck is investing in our natural landscapes and accessible outdoor spaces to benefit our environment, our local economy, and our city's health,” Saugatuck Mayor Holly Anderson said. “Working with all of the partners in the KRG will make our efforts to mitigate invasive species and water-level impacts more successful as we have watershed-wide collaboration.”
“Douglas is proud to be part of this regional effort to protect and restore the Kalamazoo River. The greenway strengthens our environment, economy, and community for generations to come,” Douglas Mayor Cathy North said.
This news comes in the wake of the development of the Kalamazoo River Greenway master plan. In 2018, ODC Network was commissioned with a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to develop a master plan for a Kalamazoo River Greenway to connect Allegan County communities with a greenway corridor. The plan is designed to serve as a guide for the development and upkeep of ecological, recreational, and educational assets along the Kalamazoo River.
“The Kalamazoo River is a defining feature of Saugatuck Township – ecologically, culturally, and recreationally. A coordinated regional effort allows us to make more meaningful progress, avoid duplication, and focus our resources where they’ll have the greatest impact,” Saugatuck Township Parks Commission Chairman Jim Searing said.
Since publishing the master plan, ODC Network has worked in close partnership with federal, state, and local agencies to protect and restore the Kalamazoo River. This has included the preservation and opening of the over 250-acre River Junction Preserve in Manlius Township, which was acquired in 2022, as well as the recently opened 169-acre Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve in Saugatuck. Ongoing habitat restoration projects, programming, and collaborating on future trails have also been a part of increased engagement.
“We are excited to be a partner on the Kalamazoo River Greenway project. Our club focuses on three E’s – Education and Leadership, Environment and Economy. We’ve dedicated a portion of our Venetian Festival proceeds in support of our club focus on our environment, and look forward to identifying high impact projects that also benefit our local economy,” said Wayne Titus, president of the Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas.
To learn more about the Kalamazoo River Greenway and read the master plan, please visit outdoordiscovery.org/kalamazoo-river-greenway.
Grow a Bee-Friendly Lawn
Boost the bee and pollinator appeal of your lawn by incorporating a microclover, like this Miniclover, found to attract and support a diverse group of native bees.
Photo credit Outsidepride
By Melinda Myers
Boost the bee and pollinator appeal of your lawn by incorporating microclover, self-heal, creeping thyme, crocus, grape hyacinths and other bee-friendly flowering plants in your lawn.
You’ll create and enjoy a carpet of green with splashes of color and one that requires less ongoing maintenance. The pollinators will benefit from the nutritious sources of nectar and pollen your bee lawn provides.
Flowering bee lawns include traditional lawn grasses combined with other hardy grasses, like fine fescues as well as warm season centipede grass. Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda grass also combine well with bee-friendly plants but require more ongoing care than fescues and centipede grass. You’ll be creating a more diverse lawn that not only appeals to bees but also is more resilient to pests and environmental stressors than traditional lawn grasses. Consult your local university extension service for help in selecting the best lawn grasses and bee-friendly plants.
Like any new addition to the landscape or garden, it does require some effort. But once established, you’ll be spending less time with ongoing care like watering, mowing and fertilization.
Start by evaluating your current lawn situation. If grass is growing well in the area, so will a bee lawn. This is not an all or nothing endeavor and like any new undertaking, starting small is always a good strategy.
Consider converting just lesser-used spaces. This allows bees and butterflies to forage in peace. And even though native bees are docile and typically don’t sting, neither the kids nor bees want to share the same space.
Keep your neighbors in mind when selecting a space for your bee lawn. Those neighbors with pristine lawns may be less tolerant of your bee lawn. Selecting areas surrounded by walks and drives will also help keep aggressive plants inbounds.
Consider starting your bee lawn by overseeding the white microclover into your existing lawn. Clover is adaptable, tolerates foot traffic and drought, and blooms for a long period, providing bees with high-sugar-content nectar and protein-rich pollen. Microclover can also be combined with other bee-friendly plants. You can seed these at the same time or add them later as you expand your bee lawn.
Sow microclover seed in late winter, early spring, or late summer in the south and early spring or late summer in the north. Outsidepride’s Miniclover® with Nitro-Coat (outsidepride.
com) aids in establishment and allows you to use no-till, minimum-till, and broadcast seeding techniques. Even though it is not native, research found clover attracts and supports a diverse group of native bees.
Once your bee lawn is established, mow high, at least three inches, so the flowering plants can bloom and support the bees and other visiting pollinators. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn. This is a good practice for both traditional and bee lawns. Short clippings break down quickly, adding moisture and nutrients back to the soil. Once established, you’ll only need to water during extended dry periods, and seldom if any, fertilization. Skip the pesticides that can harm the pollinators you are trying to attract.
Increase your landscape’s pollinator appeal further by growing more bee- and pollinator-friendly plants in your gardens. Helping these important members of our community is good for the environment and all of us.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Outsidepride for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.Melinda Myers.com.
Boost the bee and pollinator appeal of your lawn by incorporating microclover, self-heal, creeping thyme, crocus, grape hyacinths and other bee-friendly flowering plants in your lawn.
You’ll create and enjoy a carpet of green with splashes of color and one that requires less ongoing maintenance. The pollinators will benefit from the nutritious sources of nectar and pollen your bee lawn provides.
Flowering bee lawns include traditional lawn grasses combined with other hardy grasses, like fine fescues as well as warm season centipede grass. Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda grass also combine well with bee-friendly plants but require more ongoing care than fescues and centipede grass. You’ll be creating a more diverse lawn that not only appeals to bees but also is more resilient to pests and environmental stressors than traditional lawn grasses. Consult your local university extension service for help in selecting the best lawn grasses and bee-friendly plants.
Like any new addition to the landscape or garden, it does require some effort. But once established, you’ll be spending less time with ongoing care like watering, mowing and fertilization.
Start by evaluating your current lawn situation. If grass is growing well in the area, so will a bee lawn. This is not an all or nothing endeavor and like any new undertaking, starting small is always a good strategy.
Consider converting just lesser-used spaces. This allows bees and butterflies to forage in peace. And even though native bees are docile and typically don’t sting, neither the kids nor bees want to share the same space.
Keep your neighbors in mind when selecting a space for your bee lawn. Those neighbors with pristine lawns may be less tolerant of your bee lawn. Selecting areas surrounded by walks and drives will also help keep aggressive plants inbounds.
Consider starting your bee lawn by overseeding the white microclover into your existing lawn. Clover is adaptable, tolerates foot traffic and drought, and blooms for a long period, providing bees with high-sugar-content nectar and protein-rich pollen. Microclover can also be combined with other bee-friendly plants. You can seed these at the same time or add them later as you expand your bee lawn.
Sow microclover seed in late winter, early spring, or late summer in the south and early spring or late summer in the north. Outsidepride’s Miniclover® with Nitro-Coat (outsidepride.
com) aids in establishment and allows you to use no-till, minimum-till, and broadcast seeding techniques. Even though it is not native, research found clover attracts and supports a diverse group of native bees.
Once your bee lawn is established, mow high, at least three inches, so the flowering plants can bloom and support the bees and other visiting pollinators. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn. This is a good practice for both traditional and bee lawns. Short clippings break down quickly, adding moisture and nutrients back to the soil. Once established, you’ll only need to water during extended dry periods, and seldom if any, fertilization. Skip the pesticides that can harm the pollinators you are trying to attract.
Increase your landscape’s pollinator appeal further by growing more bee- and pollinator-friendly plants in your gardens. Helping these important members of our community is good for the environment and all of us.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Outsidepride for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.Melinda Myers.com.
Outdoor Truths: The Climb
By Gary Miller
I’ve been riding a bicycle for about ten years now. It has been an enjoyable exercise that has allowed me to see new areas and to see old areas from a different perspective. Like any exercise, you have to mix up the routine to keep from being bored.
For the past three months, my rides have almost exclusively been at my national park. The rides are short but difficult. I ride to the top of the Pinnacle Outlook and back down.
The whole trip is only seven miles. But the 3.5 miles to the top covers 1,300 feet of elevation. To give you a little perspective, I noticed on a recent trip that on the way back down, I coasted for 2.25 miles. That’s the fun part.
The hard part is on the way up. It’s also the most enjoyable and beneficial. Since I do this at daybreak, I’ve seen all kinds of animals, including bears. And because I’m on park property, the deer are nearly tame. (I say “Good Morning” to them as I ride by.)
The main reason I decided to take this route was because I wouldn’t have to be concerned about any traffic, and therefore my mind could focus on the things I preferred – mainly an early morning dose of the Bible.
There is one black preacher I’ve been listening to each time I make the climb. And boy, has he been informative and entertaining. I have loved listening to him. But here’s what I have noticed.
It’s been how clear God has given me answers to many of my prayers. His words to me have been so clear when it comes to certain things. It’s like the blend of His creation and His word, have pierced through my solitude and simplicity. Even the distractions are God made. I have honed my listening, and my directions and decisions have become clearer.
I’m reminded of the days of my childhood, riding in the car with my father. If the weather was bad, he would always tell us kids to be quiet while he was driving. It seemed that what he heard affected what he saw. I always thought that was odd until I began to do the same thing.
Even now, if I’m driving in bad weather, I move my seat up, lean in toward the windshield, and turn the music off. Evidently, what I hear determines what I see. As I ride my bike, I understand it even more.
What I have learned is this: if I am to get God’s perspective on my day, my difficulties, and my decisions, I must intentionally move myself to a place where He can most easily penetrate my spirit. And I must monitor what goes into my mind. For me, the perfect blend of His creation and His word, mixed with my willingness to climb with Him, has made the rest of the hours in my day feel like I’m coasting.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 22 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor truths.org.
I’ve been riding a bicycle for about ten years now. It has been an enjoyable exercise that has allowed me to see new areas and to see old areas from a different perspective. Like any exercise, you have to mix up the routine to keep from being bored.
For the past three months, my rides have almost exclusively been at my national park. The rides are short but difficult. I ride to the top of the Pinnacle Outlook and back down.
The whole trip is only seven miles. But the 3.5 miles to the top covers 1,300 feet of elevation. To give you a little perspective, I noticed on a recent trip that on the way back down, I coasted for 2.25 miles. That’s the fun part.
The hard part is on the way up. It’s also the most enjoyable and beneficial. Since I do this at daybreak, I’ve seen all kinds of animals, including bears. And because I’m on park property, the deer are nearly tame. (I say “Good Morning” to them as I ride by.)
The main reason I decided to take this route was because I wouldn’t have to be concerned about any traffic, and therefore my mind could focus on the things I preferred – mainly an early morning dose of the Bible.
There is one black preacher I’ve been listening to each time I make the climb. And boy, has he been informative and entertaining. I have loved listening to him. But here’s what I have noticed.
It’s been how clear God has given me answers to many of my prayers. His words to me have been so clear when it comes to certain things. It’s like the blend of His creation and His word, have pierced through my solitude and simplicity. Even the distractions are God made. I have honed my listening, and my directions and decisions have become clearer.
I’m reminded of the days of my childhood, riding in the car with my father. If the weather was bad, he would always tell us kids to be quiet while he was driving. It seemed that what he heard affected what he saw. I always thought that was odd until I began to do the same thing.
Even now, if I’m driving in bad weather, I move my seat up, lean in toward the windshield, and turn the music off. Evidently, what I hear determines what I see. As I ride my bike, I understand it even more.
What I have learned is this: if I am to get God’s perspective on my day, my difficulties, and my decisions, I must intentionally move myself to a place where He can most easily penetrate my spirit. And I must monitor what goes into my mind. For me, the perfect blend of His creation and His word, mixed with my willingness to climb with Him, has made the rest of the hours in my day feel like I’m coasting.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 22 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoor truths.org.
Practice Identifying Birds at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
The Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta will hold a guided walk Sept. 13 to help people identify birds by sight and sound.
Photo courtesy Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Join W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary staff and fellow bird enthusiasts on Saturday, Sept. 13 to practice identification skills by sight and sound on a walk through the sanctuary.
The guided walk will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Participants in the walk will meet at the Resource Center building, then walk down to Wintergreen Lake to look for autumn birds, including those passing through as part of the fall migration season. During this hike, there will be a focus on insects and their importance to migratory birds.
The cost of attendance for Sanctuary members is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for children ages 2-17. For non-members, admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 2-17.
Though the program is geared toward adults, avid junior birders are also welcome. This event has a minimum enrollment of four and a maximum of 20, and registration is required. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own binoculars.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is located at 12685 East C Ave., one mile north of M-89 and just west of 40th Street in Augusta. To learn more, visit bird sanctuary.kbs.msu.edu.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and to promote environmental awareness through research, education and outreach. Since 1928, the Sanctuary has served as a practical training school for animal care and land management, and remains an innovator in wildlife conservation efforts.
The guided walk will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Participants in the walk will meet at the Resource Center building, then walk down to Wintergreen Lake to look for autumn birds, including those passing through as part of the fall migration season. During this hike, there will be a focus on insects and their importance to migratory birds.
The cost of attendance for Sanctuary members is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for children ages 2-17. For non-members, admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 2-17.
Though the program is geared toward adults, avid junior birders are also welcome. This event has a minimum enrollment of four and a maximum of 20, and registration is required. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own binoculars.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is located at 12685 East C Ave., one mile north of M-89 and just west of 40th Street in Augusta. To learn more, visit bird sanctuary.kbs.msu.edu.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and to promote environmental awareness through research, education and outreach. Since 1928, the Sanctuary has served as a practical training school for animal care and land management, and remains an innovator in wildlife conservation efforts.
DNR Researchers to Test Trail Cameras in Elk Survey
Researchers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will pilot the use of trail cameras to estimate the state's elk population as part of a larger research project aimed at determining the most accurate and cost-effective way to manage the elk herd.
The DNR’s Wildlife Division recently set up about 200 cameras in and around the core elk range, which encompasses some 1,100 square miles across northern Lower Michigan. Most of the cameras are on state-managed land, although DNR researchers worked with landowners to set up cameras on private land as well.
Camera data will be compared against the DNR’s current method of estimating the elk population – aerial surveys – to determine which method is more precise and cost-effective.
Having an accurate elk population estimate helps the state determine how many elk hunting licenses to issue every year. The DNR uses the annual elk harvest as the main tool to maintain a sustainable elk population while providing highly prized recreational opportunities for hunters.
“We will compare the results from these different survey methods and balance the precision of the estimates they provide with the resources they require,” said Angela Kujawa, a DNR wildlife biologist.
For more than two decades, the DNR has conducted aerial surveys every other year to estimate the size of the elk herd. The last aerial survey, in 2024, estimated the elk population at 1,146, with a confidence interval range of plus/minus 262, meaning the population is between 884 and 1,408 animals.
Tyler Petroelje, the DNR’s northern Michigan wildlife research specialist, noted that the aerial survey requires sufficient snow cover to aid in detection of elk; such cover has recently been unreliable during the January survey period. The aerial survey’s uncertainty rate of about 25 percent would adequately inform typical wildlife population management needs but is somewhat imprecise to evaluate effectiveness at reaching Michigan’s narrow population goal of 500 to 900 elk, Petroelje added.
The next aerial survey will be conducted in 2026. The surveys generally take eight days with two planes flying each day and two DNR observers aboard each plane.
To pilot the new estimation technique, researchers will collect data from the cameras each summer for three years (2025-2027). The battery-powered trail cameras are affixed to trees about 40 inches off the ground and use infrared and motion detection to take photos, which are stored on an SD card.
The DNR will partner with the Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Michigan State University to analyze the photos using AI technology and human review:
• The photos will be run through an open-source program called MegaDetector that is highly accurate at detecting animals, though it does not classify by species. Photos of humans are deleted.
• The animal photos will then be uploaded to a cloud-based platform called Wildlife Insights that will identify photos of elk. All animal photos uploaded to the platform are checked by a human as an extra layer of review.
• Seasonal staffers on the MSU Cooperative team will then verify that the technology accurately identified elk photos.
In addition, DNR researchers will begin analyzing teeth taken from harvested elk this fall and winter to help estimate the population. That low-cost method, called statistical population reconstruction, or SPR, is a supplemental technique and would not take the place of the independent survey (aerial or camera). If the SPR method is determined to be accurate, it could be used annually and might allow researchers to conduct the chosen independent survey less often – such as every 3-5 years, instead of every other year.
Ultimately, the research findings from the surveys support the state’s elk management plan, which is used to manage a sustainable elk population in balance with habitat.
“That management plan really guides the information we need to manage our elk herd,” Petroelje said. “And so we have a responsibility to follow the management plan to estimate elk abundance with the best tools that are available.”
The DNR’s Wildlife Division recently set up about 200 cameras in and around the core elk range, which encompasses some 1,100 square miles across northern Lower Michigan. Most of the cameras are on state-managed land, although DNR researchers worked with landowners to set up cameras on private land as well.
Camera data will be compared against the DNR’s current method of estimating the elk population – aerial surveys – to determine which method is more precise and cost-effective.
Having an accurate elk population estimate helps the state determine how many elk hunting licenses to issue every year. The DNR uses the annual elk harvest as the main tool to maintain a sustainable elk population while providing highly prized recreational opportunities for hunters.
“We will compare the results from these different survey methods and balance the precision of the estimates they provide with the resources they require,” said Angela Kujawa, a DNR wildlife biologist.
For more than two decades, the DNR has conducted aerial surveys every other year to estimate the size of the elk herd. The last aerial survey, in 2024, estimated the elk population at 1,146, with a confidence interval range of plus/minus 262, meaning the population is between 884 and 1,408 animals.
Tyler Petroelje, the DNR’s northern Michigan wildlife research specialist, noted that the aerial survey requires sufficient snow cover to aid in detection of elk; such cover has recently been unreliable during the January survey period. The aerial survey’s uncertainty rate of about 25 percent would adequately inform typical wildlife population management needs but is somewhat imprecise to evaluate effectiveness at reaching Michigan’s narrow population goal of 500 to 900 elk, Petroelje added.
The next aerial survey will be conducted in 2026. The surveys generally take eight days with two planes flying each day and two DNR observers aboard each plane.
To pilot the new estimation technique, researchers will collect data from the cameras each summer for three years (2025-2027). The battery-powered trail cameras are affixed to trees about 40 inches off the ground and use infrared and motion detection to take photos, which are stored on an SD card.
The DNR will partner with the Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Michigan State University to analyze the photos using AI technology and human review:
• The photos will be run through an open-source program called MegaDetector that is highly accurate at detecting animals, though it does not classify by species. Photos of humans are deleted.
• The animal photos will then be uploaded to a cloud-based platform called Wildlife Insights that will identify photos of elk. All animal photos uploaded to the platform are checked by a human as an extra layer of review.
• Seasonal staffers on the MSU Cooperative team will then verify that the technology accurately identified elk photos.
In addition, DNR researchers will begin analyzing teeth taken from harvested elk this fall and winter to help estimate the population. That low-cost method, called statistical population reconstruction, or SPR, is a supplemental technique and would not take the place of the independent survey (aerial or camera). If the SPR method is determined to be accurate, it could be used annually and might allow researchers to conduct the chosen independent survey less often – such as every 3-5 years, instead of every other year.
Ultimately, the research findings from the surveys support the state’s elk management plan, which is used to manage a sustainable elk population in balance with habitat.
“That management plan really guides the information we need to manage our elk herd,” Petroelje said. “And so we have a responsibility to follow the management plan to estimate elk abundance with the best tools that are available.”
