Welcome to the first Michigan Out-of-Doors Conservation Update!
Since 1947, Michigan Out-of-Doors has detailed the story of Michigan conservationists. From your time at deer camp to paddling our countless streams, our journey together has continued to evolve and change with the times. More importantly, this will be an influencer-free endeavor. In today’s world, information is needed without a sale at the end. We hope this helps cut through the noise and keeps you informed.
As we look toward what being a 21st-century conservationist means, ensuring you have the news you need to make informed, educated opinions and staying up to date with all that is happening is essential. The Conservation Update will be our vehicle for that.
Bi-weekly, the Michigan Out-of-Doors staff will publish this update during weeks when we do not release our subscriber-exclusive Conservation Insider. It will feature news and stories from our publisher (Michigan United Conservation Clubs), what is happening in the policy arena, what stewardship and volunteer opportunities are available to you and anything else relevant to your outdoor endeavors.
The goal is to keep you informed and entertained as we pass the time between our quarterly magazine publish dates.
Editor Nick Green sits down with the Hunting Dog Podcast
A few weeks ago, Nick sat down with Ron Boehme to talk about conservation policy, hunting sandhill cranes in Michigan, the Camp Grayling expansion and much more. This is Nick’s second time on the Hunting Dog Podcast, and MOOD is thankful that folks like Ron continue to care about conservation policy, how it works and why it will be vital to our lifestyle moving forward.
Listen to the podcast by clicking here!
TRACKS Magazine subscription enrollment happening now
TRACKS magazine is a youth magazine published by MUCC that focuses on a Michigan species each month.
This magazine helps design curriculum and activities centered around Michigan’s natural resources and conservation.
Unlike magazines anthropomorphizing animals or pushing anti-hunting agendas, TRACKS helps the next generation of conservation stewards approach the natural world with a fundamental understanding of how conservation works and that hunting and angling are the main drivers of funding.
By clicking here, you can sign up to receive a subscription to your inbox or sponsor a whole classroom.
Policy issues affecting Michigan’s hunters, anglers, trappers and shooters
A lot is going on right now in Michigan’s conservation policy arena. Without trying to bore you, here are some high-level happenings to pay attention to.
- The proposed Camp Grayling expansion is heating up. With a swelling opposition movement, the DNR recently updated their FAQ page regarding the topic and Anglers of the Au Sable has noted their opposition to the expansion. MUCC was the first statewide organization to oppose the expansion.
- The ongoing Great Lakes Consent Decree will be discussed at an August 25 hearing. A conservation coalition has challenged the state’s ability to represent its interests. The August 25 hearing will force the parties to weigh in on the coalition’s motion to intervene.
- The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management passed the House in December, and a Senate version of the bill was introduced in late April. The bill has languished in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, chaired by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow.
To read a more in-depth analysis of these issues and to learn more about how you can get involved, please click here.
Volunteer stewardship opportunities
On the Ground is a habitat stewardship program funded through a memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources. Winning Outdoor Life’s inaugural Open Country Award, OTG has improved more than 3,300 acres. The program has rallied 3,434 volunteers so far through 170 projects.
- August 27 – Accessible Hunting Blind Repair and Shooting Lane Clearing at the Maple River State Game Area. For more details, click the link below.
- September 17 – Hunter Access Bridge Repair and Trail Maintenance at Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area. For more details, click the link below.
To learn about all the upcoming OTG events and how you can get involved, visit the On the Ground webpage by clicking here.
2022 Fall Michigan Out-of-Doors hitting mailboxes
The fall magazine will be arriving in mailboxes any day. For those of you who subscribe, thank you. You can find this issue on your local newsstand for those who don’t. For a map with newsstand locations near you, click here.
This issue dives into Michigan Out-of-Doors’ 75 years of publication, where we have been and are going. This piece takes a deep dive into the growing pains that have made us who we are. Other topics include the degradation of Proposal G by our Department of Natural Resources, the outdoor writing of Tom Huggler, deer harvest reporting in Michigan, the passing of Jim Schramm and tactics you can use to be a better deer hunter.
To sign up today and get the next issue delivered to your box, please visit our subscription/membership page by clicking here.
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