MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

MONTMORENCY COUNTY, MI -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says a Rockwood man was killed Wednesday in a snowmobile crash where excessive speeds appear to have been a factor. The DNR reports Chandonnet was ejected from the snowmobile and struck a tree. Tank called 911 after the crash and began life-saving efforts on Chandonnet. DNR officers responded to the crash as well and with the assistance of the Montmoerency County Sheriff’s Office, transported Chandonnet off the trail using a DNR patrol truck. The DNR says this marks the ninth fatal snowmobile crash in Michigan this winter.

Not all “big fish” stories are tall tales. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources keeps track of the biggest fish caught in Michigan for each species. The fish must be weighed on a commercial scale and verified by a state fisheries biologist.

Ice fishing at certain Upper Peninsula sites is no longer hampered by snowfall thanks to the continuation of a Michigan Department of Natural Resources snowplowing program. The DNR began the program in 2021 to keep boating access sites plowed at more than two dozen popular U. P. ice fishing locations. Various local partners have agreed to help with the program to ensure ice fishing opportunities are consistently available during snow conditions, the DNR said. All are DNR boating access sites managed for recreational boating. Locations this winter include:Baraga County: Vermilac Lake, Silver RiverChippewa County: Conley PointDelta County: Little Bay de Noc (Kipling, Ford River)Dickinson County: Lake LouiseIron County: Indian Lake, Swan Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Emily, Lake EllenKeweenaw County: Gratiot Lake, Lake Medora, Lake BaileyLuce County: Little Lake Harbor, Kak’s Lake, Big Manistique LakeMackinac County: South Manistique Lake, North Manistique Lake, Milakokia Lake and Millecoquins LakeMarquette County: Lake Michigamme, Greenwood Reservoir, Johnson Lake, Big Shag Lake, East Bass LakeSchoolcraft County: Big Spring LandingFor more information on places to fish in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.

CHEBOYGAN COUNTY, MI – Michigan officials are planning to drown down water near a dam in Cheboygan County due to public safety and infrastructure concerns. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the process at the Cornwall Flooding dam will begin in late summer of fall 2023. However, a dam safety inspection in 2019 rated the dam as being in poor condition and recommended immediate actions to improve the safety of the dam. “We have sought funding in recent years to lower the water and complete safety modifications, all while retaining the impoundment. Decisions on dams with significant recreational use will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Snowmobilers will have the opportunity to enjoy a free weekend of trail riding this winter thanks to the debut of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ free snowmobiling weekend in February. The free snowmobiling weekend, scheduled for Feb. 11-12, allows snowmobilers to operate their machines without obtaining a snowmobile registration or trail permit. “Free Snowmobiling Weekend is a great opportunity for those that haven’t dusted off their snowmobiles to jump on the trails,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. Michigan also offers Free ORV and Free Fishing weekends each year, when permits and registration requirements are similarly suspended. RELATED:Why some Michigan trees keep their leaves through the winterNew groomed winter fat tire bike trails added around U.P.

A new virtual workshop from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will teach people about feeding backyard birds in winter. The class is scheduled for Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants will learn which birds are likely to visit their backyard, and which types of food and feeders they prefer. Learn more about the class and find out how to register on the DNR’s website here. RELATED:How to take a guided snowshoe hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes this winter‘Irruption’ phenomenon sending uncommon birds into Michigan backyards this winterHotels, restaurants, stores: What’s open on Mackinac Island this winter

Does a free, extended stay at a Michigan state park or harbor this summer sound like a dream come true? Then you might make a great host in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ campground and harbor host program. The DNR is currently accepting applications for volunteer campground and harbor hosts at locations across the state for summer 2023. Campground hosts: Must be 18 or older and provide their own camping equipment, food and other personal items. Harbor hosts: Must be be 18 or older and provide their own boat, mooring lines, hoses, electrical hookup cables and dock bumpers.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has some advice for anyone planning on heading out on frozen lakes for ice fishing this winter.

BAY CITY, MI - Walleye season will look a bit different in 2023 in the Saginaw Bay area. The possession season for walleye will now be open year-round on the lower Saginaw River in Bay and Saginaw counties from the mouth of the river, upstream to West Center Street or the Douglas G. Schenk Bridge. The new year-round season will also be in effect for the Saginaw Bay in a DNR management unit titled MH-4, which covers an area reaching from around Oscoda down to Grindstone City. According to the DNR, this was done to increase fishing and harvest opportunities on the Saginaw Bay. The fishing guide and other helpful resources also are available by downloading the new Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app .

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently had an encounter that is hard to believe. And it involves a PT Cruiser, owls, poop and Natural Ice. They then asked the man on a scale of 1 to 10 how drunk he was, and he responded with, “I’m at a 5. I’ll be honest I’m drunk,” according to the report. Ice.”The man was lodged in the Kalamazoo County Jail and charges were submitted to the prosecutor’s office for review.

Amid the churning waters beneath Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, stacks of pancakes are forming. Ice pancakes.

A Macomb Township man pleaded no contest after shooting three young Cooper’s hawks out of a tree because a utility company refused to cut it down, according to the DNR.

PORTAGE, MI — The city of Portage is set to receive a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to support planned improvements to Lexington Green Park. The improvements were identified as part of a recent city of Portage Capital Improvement Program resident survey, city officials said. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund, in addition to other important grant programs, broadens that access in meaningful ways, whether through expanded hiking trails, increased public water access, or better amenities like restroom renovations and welcoming pavilions at local parks. The park is one of the oldest parks in the city’s parks system. Current park amenities include baseball/softball, basketball, a bicycle skills course, picnic shelters, tennis/pickleball courts and a walking trail.

Last month the Aimee Copeland Foundation and Georgia DNR debuted a fleet of all-terrain wheelchairs for free park use. A movement has begun.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking people with eastern hemlock trees on their property to take time this winter and check them for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid.

Michigan lawmakers are working on what they call a “common sense” solution to an issue which has left the hands of conservation officers tied for years. Senate Bill 1172 would give conservation officers the same authority as state police to take a person in need of a mental health evaluation into protective custody. “Conservation officers currently have to call in a law enforcement agency to take a subject into protective custody or in for an evaluation. Owens, who supervises and patrols Belle Isle in Detroit, knows firsthand mental health crises in state parks are unfortunately a common occurrence. If this bill were signed into law, Owens said there would be no question about the individual needing to get help.

A popular race inspired by the artist Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors is returning this spring to benefit tree planting at Michigan state parks. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the April 2023 return of its “Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5k,” whose name is a play on the “happy little trees” that the beloved American artist and TV host was known for painting. The race’s “virtual” aspect means that participants may run, walk, hike or “roll” the 5k anywhere outdoors during the week of the race, April 22-28. Race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts, such as invasive plant and forest pest management and early detection surveys, in Michigan state parks and recreation areas. When registering, note that particpants must select the state where they’d like proceeds to go, as this year’s “Happy Little” event has expanded to include Ohio, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

WAUCEDAH TOWNSHIP, MI – A bridge replacement project will keep a snowmobile trail segment closed until Christmas Eve in Dickinson County, officials said. Black Creek Road in Waucedah Township has been closed to all motorized traffic since October due to the project, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The closure affected off-road vehicle travel on the AE ORV Route between Dickinson County Road 573 and the Norway ORV Trail. The closed area was expected to serve as a detour Snowmobile Trail No. 115 can be used as a reroute for through snowmobile traffic traveling east-west on Trail No.

It may be snowing in some parts of Michigan this week, but it isn’t too early to start thinking about warm evenings around a campfire: Memorial Day weekend is six months from Saturday, Nov. 26. Campsite and harbor slip reservations with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources can be made up to six months in advance. So, mark your calendars for Nov. 26 and get ready to book that first camping or boating trip of the year. Use the “Notify Me” feature on the website to get an email notification when a site becomes available for selected dates. 1 boy nameIt’s opening day: See which Michigan counties harvest the most/least deer

The DNR answered some frequently asked questions about the new reporting system for deer hunting in Michigan.

Starting Tuesday morning, more than half-a-million hunters will head out into the woods for dear season. It’s estimated that hunting contributes more than $2 billion to the state’s economy yearly. But a shift is happening as both numbers have trended down for years.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle will undergo $10 million in renovations in mid-November.

LANSING, MI – Michigan officials are reporting a successful early-season for elk hunters. There were 98 state hunters in the field over the 12-day season during which hunters harvested 24 bull elk and 52 antlerless elk, including six calves. More specifically, of the 100 hunters issued elk licenses for this hunt period (70 antlerless and 30 any-elk), 76% of antlerless hunters and 87% of any-elk hunters were successful in their pursuits. RELATED: 10 best practices for hunters to follow during Michigan’s firearm deer seasonThe season’s success rate is comparable with previous seasons, according to the DNR. More information about Michigan’s elk seasons can be found here.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working to pair orphaned cubs with surrogate mama bears, and wants to know if you find a den in the northern Lower Peninsula. The program is already monitoring four sows, said DNR wildlife biologist Mark Boersen. After locating a den, DNR wildlife biologists will determine whether the animal is a good candidate to join the surrogate program. It is illegal to disturb, harm or molest a bear or bear den. Those who think they have found a den should report it and allow DNR biologists to investigate.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to know where bear dens are and they need help from people who spend the most time outdoors.

Algal blooms can hurt wildlife and make water too dangerous to drink.

Invasive beech leaf disease was first confirmed in Michigan in St. Clair County in July. Since then, it has been detected in Oakland and Wayne counties.

An invasive tree disease first detected in Michigan over the summer has now been found in three southeast Michigan counties, state officials said. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports that beech leaf disease has been found in St. Clair, Oakland and Wayne counties. Dark bands may remain visible during winter on the leaves of trees affected by beech leaf disease. Michigan is home to about 37 million American beech trees. The DNR, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan State University and University of Michigan are conducting tree surveys.

‘Tis the season for cozying up to a crackling woodstove or fireplace -- but firewood may be a bit harder to find in Michigan this year. Some sources include:Firewood Scout: Search listings of local firewood producers at firewoodscout.org. Learn how hereNational forests: Michigan’s three national forests offer firewood-cutting permits for personal use. For those facing hardship in heating costs this winter, relief is available through resources from the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. RELATED: How to get a winter’s worth of firewood from Michigan state forests for $20

Deer hunting regulations in Michigan have become less restrictive over the last few years.

ONTONAGON COUNTY, MI – The western Upper Peninsula experienced its first snow of the season this week and more than 12 inches accumulated in some areas, including the Porcupine Mountains. Photos captured by Ranger Michael Grzenia, of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, show a snow-covered Summit Peak Road within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on Monday, Oct. 17.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division created a quiz to help people learn how to tell when a deer is sick.

HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI -- A months-long investigation into the death of an 11-year-old girl has resulted in the arrest of a Hillsdale County man, officials said. A charge of marine safety - negligent crippling or homicide, was approved by the Hillsdale County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Sept. 30, according to court records. The man is scheduled to appear before Hillsdale County District Judge Megan Stiverson Oct. 18 for arraignment, according to records. The charge stems from a boating incident that killed an 11-year-old girl July 27 at the Michindoh Conference Center, a Christian camp and conference center on Lake Michindoh in Hillsdale County. Medical personnel then rushed the girl to Hillsdale County Hospital, where she died from her injuries.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Milder temperatures and eye-popping colors make October a perfect month to hop on a bike and take in the best fall has to offer in the Ann Arbor area. Huron River Drive and the B2B Trail to DexterWhile not a pathway built purely for bikes, Huron River Drive northwest of Ann Arbor can feel like one on the weekends, when Lycra-clad cyclists outnumber drivers. Access it by bike from Ann Arbor or park at the Barton Nature Area. The trail offers views of several lakes and is entirely within the western Washtenaw County natural area, making it perfect for taking in fall foliage. Entering the Waterloo Recreation Area and plugging into the B2B Trail, the trail offers a new look at a part of the natural area previously off-limits to cyclists.

In Michigan, maple trees are common, making up 50% of trees planted in urban areas and a large percentage of naturally occurring trees, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. RELATED: Peak fall color in Michigan 2022: Weather may push back best leaf peeping timeThe DNR recommends planting black tupelo, Kentucky coffeetree, sassafras, Shumard oak, sweet gum and tamarack for fall color and other benefits. In addition to providing fantastic fall color, the flowers and berries of the black tupelo, also called a black gum, attract pollinators and birds. The Shumard oak extends the fall color season – it remains green long into the fall and then turns a deep orange-red. The trees grow slowly.

With two deer hunting seasons behind us and another set to begin this weekend, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is offering several safety tips to hunters using tree stands. September is National Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month, and the use of elevated tree stands is a common deer hunting technique in Michigan. “It’s a great time to brush up on how to stay safe when hunting from a tree,” the DNR said in a news release. Ensure the tree stand is securely attached and stable before using it. Watch this video about tree stand safety for more ideas.

Michigan hunters are expected to report a successful hunt within 72 hours of harvesting a deer.

Michigan Trails Week celebrates the state’s 13,400 miles of state-designated trails.

This year celebrates 50 years of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ deer management cooperation patch.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel will be conducting walleye recruitment surveys through early October.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said it is seeing good indicators that a modest stocking increase of Chinook salmon populations is needed in Lake Michigan.

LANSING, MI — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is planning the first significant increase chinook salmon stocking in Lake Michigan in years. The DNR announced plans Monday, Sept. 12, to increase the number of chinook, or king salmon, stocked in Lake Michigan from 650,000 to 1 million — a 54 percent increase. The increase is “modest” compared to the estimated 4.5 million wild chinook salmon in the lake, Wesley said. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s Lake Michigan Committee approved the proposal in August after rejecting similar proposals in 2020 and 2021. Related stories:Stocking boost eyed as alewives die in large numberGroups denied seat at fishing treaty negotiationsTeen lands largest Lake Michigan salmon since 197839-pound salmon hooked in Lake MichiganThe invention of a Lake Michigan sport fishery

ROSCOMMON, MICH. -- Here’s your chance to book a fall weekend getaway or daytrip that’s as enriching as it is relaxing. The classes include Kayaking 101 and “Nature’s Palette,” an art-themed, forestry-centered weekend retreat. Kayaking 101 is a four-hour paddling class aimed at teaching the fundamentals of kayak paddling, trip planning, and recreating in Michigan’s freshwater ecosystems. Dates and details hereLodge and Learn: Nature’s Palette is a weekend workshop focusing on art-making and immersion in the forest. More details hereLearn more about the RAM Center here.

Last month, photographs were taken of what appeared to be a large, black cat in Manistee County.

COPEMISH, MI – What was thought to be a large, black wildcat has been identified as a “normal-sized black cat,” WPBN/WGTU reports. Dakota Stebbins snapped photos of the animal and then showed them to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which investigated the sighting. RELATED: See photos of large black wildcat spotted in Michigan’s Manistee CountyDNR officials say it’s a “normal-sized black cat,” not a large or wildcat, the TV station reports. An unidentified large black cat was seen over the weekend in Manistee County. Traverse City photographer Dakota Stebbins snapped a few images before the animal moved out of sight.

Many of Michigan’s hunting seasons kick off in September.

KENT COUNTY, MI – A Kent County park will almost double in acreage thanks to a roughly $1.12 million grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Kent County Parks Operations Supervisor Dan De Looff said the 106-acre adjacent property is largely open field, and about one-third of it is wooded. The $1.12 million DNR grant would cover about 70% of the estimated property purchase price of $1.6 million. Kent County would fund 10% of it at $160,000, and Cannon Township would provide the last 20% at $320,000. The expansion property is currently owned by the Skipper Family Trust, which also provided land back in 1924 to create Townsend Park.

PARADISE, MI – A 400-mile birding trail with 40 stops in four eastern Upper Peninsula counties recently opened to the public after five years of planning. Birders have a new opportunity for exploration with the Shore-to-Shore Birding Trail. The first section of the Shore-to-Shore Birding Trail traverses the Lake Superior shoreline from Sault Ste. It passes through several communities, including St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan Sea Grant and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Deer hunters in Michigan are now required to report a successful harvest within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer.

There is a new birding trail in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that covers more than 400 miles and includes 40 birding stops.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will pay you $100 per bushel of red pine cones during the month of September.

An angler found out the hard way that just because marijuana is legal in Michigan, you can’t consume it anywhere you want. Officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources cited a man in Macomb County recently after he blatantly smoked marijuana in front of them and blew the smoke in one of the officer’s face. COs Joseph Deppen and Brad Silorey were at a public launch in Macomb County and were in checking with anglers who were using the area. The COs came across a man and asked him for his fishing license. As the man was retrieving it, he started smoking in front of the COs. Deppen reported asking the man “So you are really going to smoke marijuana right in front of me?”The man then exhaled the smoke into Deppen’s face and replied “It’s legal bro.”The man was then issued a citation for consumption of marijuana in public.

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, MI – A black bear with a taste for chickens is roaming near Boyne City at night, and officials are advising residents to take precautions, WPBN/WGTU reports. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has received reports of the bear attacking chickens and knocking over bird feeders, the report said. However, while the bear continues to come out at night and tries to avoid human contact, it is considered a minimal threat, said Brian Mastenbrook, DNR wildlife supervisor. The DNR recommends that nearby residence remove food sources, like bird feeders, and consider placing electric fences around chicken coops, the report said. READ MORE:How to walk across the Mackinac Bridge this Labor DayWatch christening of first new Great Lakes freighter in 36 yearsMichigan’s monkeypox cases climb another 26% — outpacing national rate

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging bird hunters to keep an eye out for signs of bird flu (H5N1).

BAY CITY, MI - Anglers and boaters looking to head out on the Saginaw Bay this fall will need to make alternative plans due to an improvement project that will temporarily close a popular boat launch in Bay County. Quanicassee River Boating Access Site, located on Barney Drive off M-25 in Fairgrove. The Au Gres River Mouth Boating Access Site closed on Aug. 8 for a similar improvement project. Anyone planning to visit the Saginaw River Mouth Boating Access Site should first visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures to view any changes to the anticipated reopening date. Additional information on closures and trail detours in DNR facilities, including state trails, boat access sites, state parks and campgrounds, also is listed on this page.

The Giant Slide at Belle Isle Park is set to re-reopen Friday -- and Local 4′s Nick Monacelli was there early to test it out.

Know where to find Red pine trees? If you collect a bushel of red pine cones next month you could earn $100 and help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources plant trees in state forests.

Riders were absolutely flying down the Giant Slide on Belle Isle on Friday.

Officials took to Belle Isle’s Facebook page to show everyone how to ride the giant slide without getting their asses handed to them

A new equestrian campground could be open to horse-lovers by spring. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has plans for a 25-site rustic campground near the Tin Cup Springs trails in Lake County’s Pinora Township, according to a news release. The proposed Tin Cup Springs Equestrian Campground would include 25 rustic campsites, two vault toilets, a hand pump for water, a well for generator hookup plus horse lines at each site, four manure bunkers and a day-use area, according to a preliminary layout. The location along 8th Street in Pinora Township near the Tin Cup Springs ORV trails is convenient for campers who bring horses to enjoy the nearby equestrian trails. The DNR held an open house on Wednesday, Aug. 17, in Reed City, to collect feedback on the plans.

It’s time to bust out the big toys: Michigan’s second and final Free ORV Weekend of 2022 is happening this weekend, Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21. Free ORV Weekend, held by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources twice a year, gives Michigan residents and visitors the chance to legally ride Michigan’s 4,000 miles of designated routes and trails, and the state’s six scramble areas, without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. A Recreation Passport still is required where applicable, such as at trailheads and scramble areas. The entrance fee at Holly Oaks ORV Park is waived for this special weekend. Visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.

Cougars are now listed as an endangered species in Michigan and have been spotted on 76 occasions since 2008.

COPEMISH, MICH. -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is investigating reports of a large black cat sighting in Manistee County on Saturday. The cat was spotted at Twisted Trails Off Road Park in Copemish by Traverse City photographer Dakota Stebbins, who was onsite to photograph the Drew Kostic Memorial 5K Tough Run, 9&10 News reports. Stebbins managed to snap a few photos of the feline by placing himself under a camoflauge poncho. DNR officials are warning people not to run if they encounter the cat, and to instead make noise, wave their arms and “act as big as you can.”Bobcat, mountain lion and lynx are Michigan’s only native wildcats, according to the DNR. Franklin wildfire

The two men received Lifesaving Awards from the DNR Law Enforcement Division.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Nick Ingersoll and Monroe Charter Township Fire Department Capt. Dave Nadeau were honored Thursday, Aug. 11 with a pair of Lifesaving Awards from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their actions in saving the boy back in May. The awards were presented during a Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting hosted at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Nadeau for their quick assessment of the situation, which required them to risk their own safety to save another,” said DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Dave Shaw. Due to the nature of their job, these officers often work with federal, state and local law enforcement officers to ensure public safety.

Two men received Lifesaving Awards from the DNR Law Enforcement Division after rescuing a 14-year-old boy who was stranded in cold water at the Dunbar Quarry, according to officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Starting with the fall 2022 deer seasons, online harvest reporting is required for all hunters who successfully take a deer, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced today. The move comes after last year’s testing of the DNR’s new reporting system, in which nearly 7,000 deer hunters voluntarily reported their deer harvest online. With the new system, hunters will have up to 72 hours after taking a deer to report their harvest. According to the DNR’s deer harvest reporting FAQ webpage, the potential penalty for failure to comply with harvest reporting is a 90-day misdemeanor, for which fines and costs can range from $50-$500. Answers to frequently asked questions related to deer harvest reporting are available on the DNR website, as well as further details about the new online reporting process.

An Upper Peninsula suspect was recently found guilty of poaching three eight-point bucks and ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution, officials said. Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently testified at a jury trial related to the 2020 case, according to a news release from the DNR. In 2020, DNR officers found that a person had poached many white-tailed deer. The jury found the defendant guilty on three counts of unlawfully taking/possessing a white-tailed deer. Michigan law states that the unlawful taking of a white-tailed deer is subject to restitution of $1,000 per deer plus $500 for each point of an eight- to 10-point deer and $750 for each point of a deer 11 or more points.

Get ready to ride: The second and final Free ORV Weekend of 2022 is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20, and Sunday, Aug. 21. Held by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources twice a year, Free ORV Weekend gives Michigan residents and visitors the chance to legally ride Michigan’s 4,000 miles of designated routes and trails, and the state’s six scramble areas, without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. Free ORV Weekend is a great time to see, experience and test out Michigan’s off-road vehicle trails,the DNR said in a statement. The entrance fee at Holly Oaks ORV Park is waived for this special weekend. Visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.

AU GRES, MI — A popular public boat launch in Arenac County will soon be closed for renovations and improvements. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the Au Gres River Mouth Boating Access Site in Arenac County would be closed starting on Monday, Aug. 8, as an improvement project gets underway. During the closure, boaters are encouraged to use the East Tawas Boating Access Site, located off East Bay Street on the north shore of Tawas Bay. The DNR is recommending that those planning to visit this boating access site first visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures to view any anticipated changes to the reopening date. Michiganders asked to be on lookout for destructive spotted lanternflyPolice rescue resident from East Tawas house fire

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for the public’s help in shaping the 2023 maps for its 11,700 miles of state forest roads, which are popular spots for off-road vehicles. To make sure people know which forest roads are open or closed to public use, the DNR annually updates online forest road maps after a review process, allowing for public comment to help determine potential changes for the next year’s maps. Those updates may include decisions to open or close a road to ORV or conventional vehicle traffic, or to update a road’s status, a DNR release said. Comments on forest road maps may be submitted at any time, but feedback received by Aug. 31 will be considered when developing the 2023 maps. To see current forest road maps and submit comments, visit michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/ORV-Riding/state-forest-roads, or email comments to DNR-RoadInventoryProject@Michigan.gov.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking seasonal employees within its Wildlife Division to assist with the busy lead-up to popular hunting seasons. These seasonal employees work at various locations throughout the state, including DNR field offices, customer service centers and state game areas, the DNR announced this week. According to the DNR, these positions could be ideal for college students, those looking to reenter the workforce and seniors or retirees interested in getting more involved in the outdoors. Pay is $18.47 per hour, according to the job description at the DNR’s website. Find more details about seasonal job opportunities by visiting Michigan.gov/DNRJobs; details about seasonal wildlife positions for this fall are online here.

“We are beginning to see seasonal drought conditions across much of the state. Intermittent rainfall in some areas hasn’t been enough to lessen those conditions,” Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist, said in a statement. DNR wildland firefighters have fought more than 170 fires covering more than 3,200 acres so far in 2022. Fire danger goes up when weather is hot and dry, and increases further when it’s windy. Use extreme caution when burning, and be sure to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before you burn to make sure weather conditions allow for safe burning, the DNR said.

ALGER COUNTY, MICH. -- Firefighters have contained a 46-acre blaze that has been burning since Sunday afternoon south of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, according to a joint statement from the National Park Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. At 1:52 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, a large smoke plume was spotted roughly three-quarters of a mile south of Pictured Rocks’ Twelvemile Beach Campground. “Thank you to the DNR firefighters who are continuing to work the area throughout this week.”A cause for the wildfire has not yet been determined. “We remind everyone to be mindful and careful with any activities that might potentially spark a fire.”For more information about fire regulation at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, visit https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/firewood.htm. RELATED:Ropes crew rescues Pictured Rocks visitor stranded at Miners FallsDNR firefighters use marsh buggies to contain 200-acre wildfire in U.P.

A 46-acre wildfire that started Sunday afternoon is now contained, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

LANSING, MICH. -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has completed an investigation into a reported wildlife attack that took place late last month along a stream in Houghton County. On June 26 a fisherman, who awoke after being unconscious, reported that he thought he had been attacked by a bear, according to the DNR. The man suffered abrasions and other injuries. In a statement Monday, DNR Deputy Public Information Officer John Pepin said conservation officers and wildlife biologists have thoroughly investigated the incident, conducting interviews with the angler and his attending physician, as well as visiting the scene of the incident. “After surveying the facts available, investigators were unable to conclusively determine whether a wildlife attack took place,” Pepin said.

CADILLAC, MICH. -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting a unique three-day workshop in the vital art of bush craft and wilderness survival. The course will teach the basics of what you need to survive if you find yourself stranded in the outdoors. Participants also will learn basic archery using targets; after some practice, they can participate in a mock hunt with life-size 3D animals in a natural setting. Lodging is available at a discount at the Cadillac Resort. Find more upcoming events at the DNR’s Events Calendar.

Invasive beech leaf disease has been found in a small private woodlot in southern St. Clair County, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Officials say a man has fired gunshots at police and then barricaded himself inside a home in Mount Clemens. The man has fired multiple gunshots at officers from his garage, police say. He then fired more shots from his window.

Turkey hunting license applications for the 2022 fall season are available now through Aug. 1.

Michigan is going to auction off 188 properties this fall.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources received nearly $16 million for state park projects in 10 counties and they’re sharing how that money will be used.

Michigan has more than 13,000 miles of state-designated trails and many of them are built on abandoned railroad corridors, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

If you’re traveling through the Upper Peninsula, you may want to keep an eye out for moose.

That’s it, that’s all you need to know, there’s no catch -- well, hopefully, you catch a couple of fish.

Catch a big fish? Want to know if it broke a record in the state of Michigan?

An angler from Hobart, Indiana caught a new state-record flathead catfish while fishing in Berrien County, Michigan.

Traditionally, the only way to get to that island was by taking a row boat, a novelty that many tourists enjoyed.

Ever thought about catching and keeping your own nightcrawlers?

Turkey vultures are coming back to Michigan after spending their winter where it’s warmer.

The Blue Lakes Fire in the northern portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula is now 98% contained, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The Blue Lakes Fire in the northern portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula is now 75% contained, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Do you fish in Lake Superior? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking anglers to report marked splake.

Just think about it -- marshmallows slowly warming over a bonfire. You’re sitting in a nice camping chair and enjoying the weather. Sounds pretty great, right?

The DNR is letting anglers know to get their fishing gear ready as several season openers are approaching.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources recommends that bird lovers temporarily remove their bird feeders.

Do you have an oak tree? You could save its life by putting your chainsaw down and not pruning it right away, according to the Michigan DNR.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will jaw tag 3,000 walleye across multiple Saginaw Bay tributary rivers.

A highly contagious bird flu (avian influenza) has been identified in Michigan’s wild bird population, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

A highly contagious bird flu (avian influenza) has been identified in Michigan’s wild bird population, according to the Department of Natural Resources.