Here’s a news release from the Michigan DNRE dated 3/8/10…
Bovine Tuberculosis Prevalence in Deer Unchanged in 2009
A total of 31 white-tailed deer tested positive for bovine tuberculosis
in 2009, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment announced
today.
No elk tested positive for the disease.
In Deer Management Unit 452, the core area of concern, 1.9 percent of
deer tested for TB were infected, the same percentage as in 2008.
Elsewhere in the five-county tuberculosis zone, .4 percent of deer
tested a positive a slight, but statistically insignificant, increase
from .3 in 2008.
No TB-positive deer were found in Iosco or Shiawassee counties, where
infected deer have been found in the past.
Although the trend continues to show a statistically decreased
prevalence of infection since TB was discovered in the deer herd 1995,
prevalence is flat over the last five years, said DNRE wildlife
veterinarian Dr. Steve Schmitt.
“We’re kind of in a holding pattern,” Schmitt said. “We
haven’t been able to gain any ground in the last five years. Unless
we change our strategy, we may maintain the current level of
transmission for the foreseeable future.”
In 2009, one captive cervid herd tested positive for TB.
The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management and
accessible use of the state’s environment, natural resources and
related economic interests for current and future generations.
Posted 2 days ago at 9:48 AM. Add a comment
We kick off the show with an old friend of mine, Mark Gwizdala. Mark has been fishing the professional tournament trail for years, and these days he’s involved in the AIM circuit.
Mark and I discuss tournament fishing, and how the sport of walleye fishing in general, has changed over the years.
In the second hour I talk with a new friend, Terry Harmston of Hunting Made Easy. HME is a leading manufacturer of hunting accessories and this spring there are some exciting new products for ground blind hunters being introduced.
Next, Mark Romanack of Precision Angling and Fishing 411 joins me. Mark tells me about a perch fishing trip coming up to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The hour wraps up with Tony Hansen of MUCC. We follow up on last week’s conversation about legislation to legalize shooting of feral hogs in all Michigan counties.
The final hour kicks off with veteran charter captain and river fishing guide Gary Schaeffer. Gary is the owner of Trout Scout Charters out of Manistee Michigan. Gary and I talk about river fishing for steelhead and ice out trolling for browns.
The show wraps up with Chef Dixie Dave Minar. This week he has a very nice rabbit recipe for us.
Another busy show. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted 3 days, 21 hours ago at 12:16 PM. Add a comment
OUTDOOR MAGAZINE RADIO
HONORED BY MICHIGAN BROADCASTERS
3/4/10
Veteran outdoor journalist Mike Avery has received a “Broadcast Excellence Award” from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB).
Mike’s syndicated “Outdoor Magazine” show received a Merit Award in the “Special Show Broadcast Personality” division of the 2009 competition.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the MAB” says Mike, “MAB is Michigan’s premiere broadcast organization”.
Outdoor Magazine is syndicated by the Michigan Radio Network, and currently carried on eighteen stations. The show is also available as a podcast on the internet.
“It’s my goal to produce a quality show that promotes the history and tradition of hunting and fishing in Michigan”, says Mike. “This award means we’re on the right track.”
Avery’s entry featured a discussion about the opening day of deer season in the Great Lakes State and went on to examine the battle between hunters and those opposed to the sport.
Mike is also the host and producer of the award winning Outdoor Magazine television show seen nationally on Sportsman Channel and on broadcast stations in Michigan.
For more information contact Mike Avery or Ryan Hermes.
Mike Avery
mike@outdoormagazine.tv
www.OutdoorMagazine.tv
Ryan Hermes
rhermes@irnradionet.com
www.MichiganRadioNetwork.com
Posted 5 days, 18 hours ago at 4:12 PM. Add a comment
An interesting mix of topics this weekend on the Outdoor Magazine Radio show.
I start out talking about proposed legislation to institute a feral hog season in Michigan. I’m very much against that move, and even suggested it might be a way for certain politicians to get their name in the news. I’ve since learned some additional information on that topic. You can read about it here.
Then, hunter and father Rob Milano joins me to talk about a video competition he’s involved in. Rob made a video of his young sons duck hunting here in Michigan, and it’s now a finalist in a national competition. You can see Rob’s video, and vote for it to win at this website.
The hour wraps up with Tom Campbell of Woods-n-Waternews. Tom and I talk about his plans to be at the Outdoorama show in Novi this weekend.
The second hour kicks off with Tony Hansen of MUCC. Tony and I talk more about the Outdoorama show, and also the feral swine issue in Michigan.
Next, Mark Romanack of Fishing 411 and Precision Angling joins me to talk about ice fishing, and a recent Fishing 411 program that featured fishing for whitefish off the Muskegon pier.
In the final hour Al Herman of the NRA is my guest. Al is the Michigan representative for that group. We talk about the role of the NRA and how folks in Michigan can get involved in those efforts.
The show wraps up with wild game chef Dixie Dave Minar who has another great recipe.
Another busy show. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted 1 week, 4 days ago at 12:24 PM. Add a comment
OK, so now I’m confused.
Last fall the Michigan DNR sent out news releases encouraging anybody with a valid hunting license to shoot feral hogs. There’s no doubt free ranging hogs can cause a lot of damage to habitat. In fact, many southern states have been decimated by wild pigs. Because of that, it makes sense for hunters to shoot them…and with the DNR’s encouragement, I was ready to do so if I got the chance.
So when I heard about proposed legislation to institute a feral hog season in Michigan, I viewed it as a way for politicians to get their name in the news. In fact, I went off on a rant about it on this weekend’s Outdoor Magazine Radio show. After all, if it’s already legal, why do we need the bureaucracy of a new season? I would also be reluctant to raise wild pigs to the status of a “game animal” for fear of where that might lead.
I just read a blog by MUCC’s Dave Nyberg though, that has me very frustrated. According to Nyberg, shooting feral hogs is still illegal in fifteen Michigan counties. If that’s the case, why did the DNR encourage hunters last fall to do it?
Posted 1 week, 4 days ago at 12:06 PM. Add a comment
Seems like there’s never a lack of topics to talk about on the Outdoor Magazine Radio show, and this weekend is no exception.
We start out with Ted Harpham of Darton Archery. Darton’s new Pro 3800 compound and Serpent crossbow have been out for just a few weeks, and already there’s a lot of excitement about the models. You can hear that conversation on the Outdoor Magazine Facebook page.
Next, Tony Hanson of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs joins me to talk about their upcoming Outdoorama show.
The hour wraps up with Tom Campbell of the Woods-n-Waternews. Tom tells me what’s in the latest edition of that magazine.
The time honored sport of trapping is the opening topic of our next hour. John Caretti of the Michigan Trappers and Predator Calling Association has a very informative update on the status of trapping today.
Mark Romanack of Fishing 411 Television joins me next to talk about his recent ice fishing adventure for walleye on Saginaw Bay.
The final hour kicks off with outdoor writer and fishing guide Dave Rose of Traverse City. Dave is actually on the ice during our conversation and he walks me through the process of catching smelt on hard water.
The show wraps up with Chef Dixie Dave Minar. This time Dave and I discuss the venison spaghetti fundraising dinner for my Church.
Another busy show. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted 2 weeks, 4 days ago at 11:40 AM. 2 comments
Another busy show this week on the Outdoor Magazine radio show.
My first guest is an old friend of mine….Mark Martin. Mark is considered by many to be Michigan’s premiere walleye angler, and his record on the tournament trail over the years would seem to prove that.
Martin and I discuss his recent ice fishing school on Saginaw Bay. The anglers caught lots of nice walleye, including many in shallow water.
Next, Tony Hanson of Michigan United Conservation Clubs joins me. This week he has information on a proposal for a limited lottery of bear and elk permits. Tony and I agree it’s a concept with lots of merit, but doesn’t look like it will be approved.
In the second hour, I present my list of Michigan based hunting and fishing manufacturers. I still have more to add, but when complete I’ll post that list, along with their websites, on the Outdoor Magazine blog. Right now I have about sixty companies, and I know there are many more out there.
Next, Mike Orr of Five Orrs Charters joins me to talk about early season trolling for salmon and trout in southern Lake Michigan. Mike expects to be on the water by the middle of March.
We continue our fishing theme with Mark Romanack. Mark helps me finish out the hour talking about ice fishing and lots more.
The final hour of this week’s show kicks off with one of my favorites guests. Richard P. Smith is a veteran outdoor writer and expert hunter from Marquette. Richard has just released a DVD on field judging black bears. In my opinion that disc is a must for novice bear hunters.
Dixie Dave Minar helps us wrap up once again. This time Dave and I talk about the venison spaghetti dinner coming up at my Church Sunday, February 21st.
Yet another busy show this week. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted 3 weeks, 4 days ago at 7:27 PM. Add a comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 11, 2010
Contacts: Steve Schmitt 517-336-5040 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
No Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Deer in 2009 in Michigan
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment found no traces of
chronic wasting disease in deer tested in 2009.
“That’s good news,” said DNRE Veterinarian Steve Schmitt. “We
haven’t found anything since 2008 when we found that positive deer in
a captive facility. But you can never really give up the testing. You
always have to be on guard.”
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), an always fatal neurological disorder of
the deer family, was found in a white-tailed deer in privately owned
facility in 2008 in Kent County. The DNRE began wide-scale testing for
the disease with mandatory testing of all deer taken from the
nine-township area immediately surrounding the infected facility.
The department tested a total of 1,134 deer in 2009, including 937 from
Kent County – 790 of them from the nine-township area. All tested
negative.
“Since 1998, the DNRE has tested more than 32,000 deer, 1,000 elk and
50 moose and we haven’t found anything,” Schmitt said.
Despite the finding, Schmitt said it is important that the DNRE
continue the mandatory testing in the nine-township area.
“CWD is a like a terrorist attack,” Schmitt said. “It’s one of
those things you always have to guard against.
The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management and
accessible use of the state’s environment, natural resources and
related economic interests for current and future generations.
###
Posted 3 weeks, 5 days ago at 9:12 AM. Add a comment
My first guest this week is Stephanie Brown of the Mid Michee Bowmen club. That club is very active in recruiting new shooters to the sport of archery and Stephanie has some great advice on getting kids involved in shooting. She’s also an avid wildlife photographer and you can see her work on her website. Stephanie’s husband Bill is a Darton shooter and food plot consultant, you can learn more on his website.
Next, Tony Hanson of MUCC joined me. Tony had some good insight into the DNRE’s new partnership with the Quality Deer Management folks and also a proposal to institute a limited Michigan moose hunt.
Hour number two kicked off with Doug Deming of the Fish Point Lodge on Saginaw Bay. Doug had some great advice on ice fishing for walleye and perch. He also told me about a little know fishery for whitefish on the Bay.
The hour wraps up with Mark Romanack of Precision Angling. Mark talks about a recent ice fishing adventure when he caught a good mess of bluegills in just two feet of water.
Our final hour of the show kicks off with Dan Hess of the North American Shed Hunters Club. The hunt for shed antlers from deer and other big game is drawing lots of folks into the wintertime woods. Dan has some great advice on where to find them.
We wrap up with Dixie Dave Minar. As always Dave has a tasty wild game recipe.
Another busy show. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted 1 month ago at 7:32 PM. 1 comment
Consider this your invitation to a venison spaghetti dinner on Sunday afternoon February 21st.
The event is a fundraiser for my church, Trinity Monitor Lutheran at Salzburg and eight mile roads in Bay County. We want to raise funds for some repair work on the grounds, but I see it as a good excuse to get together and tell hunting stories.
Tickets are $15 dollars each or $25 for a pair. Dinner is at 3 and the auction starts at 4:30. You can reserve tickets by calling (989) 662-4891.
Here’s the flyer for the event.
Chef Dixie Dave Minar is our guest speaker, and he’s also bringing samples of his new wild game soup.
There’s an auction with several nice items up for grabs, including a Darton bow, Ameristep blind, MOR archery target, Jay’s Sporting Goods gift certificate, Nikon binoculars, Dixie Dave cookbooks and gift certificates, Carbon Express arrows, Nikon rifle scope and lots more.
I hope you can join us at this first annual event for some good fellowship, food and fun…and remember, it’s for a great cause.
Posted 1 month ago at 6:41 PM. Add a comment
