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Early December 2013 Vol. 61, No. 3 $2.50 Digital Delivery

Michigan’s Conservation Sentinel Since 1953

Michigan’s 102nd State Park Page 1

Public Hearing On U.P. Mine Page 1

Tar Sands & the Great Lakes Page 2

Conservation Battler Ben East Page 3 Bird’s Eye View of the Mackinac Bridge Manistee Bear (Michigan Department of Transportation Photo) Poacher Sought Page 3

Historic Calumet Theater Page 8

www.mynorthwoodscall.com

www.mynorthwoodscall.com Belle Isle becomes Michigan’s 102nd state park Detroit’s historic Belle Isle Park has begun a tran - gan Department of Transportation will assume re - sition to becoming Michigan’s 102nd state park, fol - sponsibility for roads and bridges on Belle Isle. lowing action by the Local Emergency Financial “This is a city-state partnership that makes good Assistance Loan Board. sense for the future of Belle Isle and the people of De - The board accepted a lease approved by Michigan troit,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Everyone wants this Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Detroit gem to offer a clean, safe and welcoming park Keith Creagh, Michigan Department of Transporta - environment, while lessening the financial burden on tion (MDOT) Director Kirk Steudle, Emergency the city. Those are the driving principles behind this Manager Kevyn Orr and Gov. Rick Snyder. agreement.” The lease will guide state management of the park. State management of the island will save Detroit Under the lease terms, the city maintains ownership an estimated $4 million a year. In addition, the state of Belle Isle while the DNR assumes responsibility will invest in the island through a variety of sources, for managing the park according to the high standards including grants, bonds and donations from private An aerial view of Belle Isle in the Detroit River. of its award-winning state park system. The Michi - (Continued on Page 5)

Early December 2013 Vol. 61, No. 3 $2.50 Digital Delivery

Michigan’s Conservation Sentinel Since 1953

North Woods Notes

KIRTLAND’S WARBLER: The Gaylord-based Huron Pines or - ganization is seeking $10,000 in donations to continue habitat manage - ment efforts aimed at moving the bird off the endangered species list. The goal is to raise the funds by January 9 via the Crowdrise Holiday Challenge. All funds will go toward providing a foundation for Kirt - land’s warbler conservation in the future. Donations may be made through the Crowdrise website (www.crowdrise.com/Huron/Pines), or by sending a check to Huron Pines for the organization’s Kirtland’s War - bler Initiative. The Crowdrise cause that raises the most dollars will win an extra $100,000. AMERICORPS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Huron Pines Ameri - Corps members accomplished much this past season. Among other things, they improved more than 130 acres of public land through inva - sive species removal, trail building and maintenance, and public access management. They also have restored more than 60 miles of stream banks in northern Michigan with stabilization projects, and educated Destructive or Historic? more than 3,000 youth and 3,000 adults in environmental conservation. Mining in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has been going on for many years in one form or another. Some Huron Pines is still taking applications for upcoming AmeriCorps work. say it is destructive to the natural environment, while others celebrate its historic significance and eco - NO SPILLS CONFERENCE: A gathering aimed at reducing the nomic impact. Remnants of iron mining in the Marquette Range can still be found in the community of risk of hazardous material spills in the Great Lakes and its tributaries Ishpeming, as illustrated in the photo above. Meanwhile, the tensions between those who want to exploit will be held Jan. 6-8, 2014, in Traverse City, Michigan. The conference Michigan’s natural resources and those who want to preserve them continues to rage. at the Great Wolf Lodge will feature keynote speaker Jon Allen of the Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of the Great Lakes. Allen will talk about Michigan’s water strategy. Several other related Graymont discusses mine at public meeting presentations are also on tap. For registration and other information, About 100 people reportedly at - probably start by 2015. the Mackinac County Planning visit http://no-spills.org/Home_Page.html. tended a Nov. 12 meeting in “This is a proposal,” said Brad Commission, reportedly spoke in BLUE ECONOMY: The Michigan Economic Center’s new report Naubinway to discuss a proposed Wurfel, director of communica - favor of the mine and said the op - on “water, Michigan and the blue economy” examines the state’s water strip mining operation in the tions for the Michigan Department eration could be “a value-added assets, as well as related water education, research and technological in - Upper Peninsula’s Mackinac of Environmental Quality. “If it product” to the area. novation that creates jobs and contributes to economic growth. The re - County near the village of Rexton. comes to pass, we will be involved “How can someone whose job port estimates nearly one million jobs and $60 billion in annual There were no dissenting opin - in permitting and will play a regu - it was to manage our forest land be economic impact are linked to Michigan’s water assets. For more in - ions expressed during the gather - latory role. ... For now, we’ve been so willing to let a mining company formation, visit www.mieconomiccenter.org, or contact John Austin, di - ing, one observer reported to The in contact with our counterparts in come in and destroy it?” said rector of the Michigan Economic Center, at (734) 474-3110, or at North Woods Call. the DNR, but the cake isn’t baked David Gorenflo of Traverse City, [email protected]. The Graymont Corporation—A yet.” a sportsman who hunts and fishes LOONS: Writer Don Gardner of The Voice says migrating water - Canadian firm that is one of North “The clock [has] started tick - in the Rexton area, and has been a fowl in the Great Lakes basin—especially common loons—have expe - America’s leading lime produc - ing..., said Steven Sutton, manager vocal opponent of the plan. rienced massive die-offs during recent fall migrations. If unchecked, ers—hosted the meeting at the of real estate services for the DNR. “These folks have it in their heads such anomalies can have dangerous repercussions for the survival of Hudson Township Hall to discuss The state’s analysis will take at that this is going to be some kind Michigan loons into the next decade, Gardner said in a Nov. 25 Voice ar - its proposed project, which in - least six months, he said, and in - of economic boom. “I don’t now ticle. He blames an array of environmental and climatological condi - cludes approximately 7,820 acres volve several DNR divisions in how it all works, but the townships tions for the problem and says preventive measures must be found to for an underground mine, 1,780 considering mineral, forestry and must get some sort of tax revenue deal with those conditions if we are to preserve a species already threat - acres for two separate surface legal matters. from this project. Graymont only ened in the state. mines (1,620 acres in the Hen - If the project receives prelimi - intends to hire four or five people ALGAE BLOOM: A new study reportedly says that last summer’s dricks mine area and 160 acres in nary approval, the DNR will de - on a seasonal basis, so that cer - Lake Erie algae bloom was worse than predicted. The bloom covered the Wilwin area) and an option to termine the overall property value, tainly isn’t going to change the part of the lake and forced the shutdown of a municipal water system in purchase 840 acres for the poten - how much land to sell (or lease) economy at all.” Ohio’s Carroll Township in the state’s Ottawa County. According to tial development of a limestone and areas to avoid. The process While acknowledging the lim - The Toledo Blade , the event could lead to major changes in water pol - processing plant. will include another public meet - ited number of full-time jobs, Bob lution regulations. The Ohio Phosphorus Task Force is expected to call As of this writing, the Michigan ing, they said, but a date for that Robison, Graymont’s director of for a 40 percent reduction in all forms of phosphorus entering northwest Department of Natural Resources meeting has not yet been set. geology and mining, said the proj - Ohio waterways, the newspaper said, which could impact farms, cities, (DNR) was still reviewing Gray - During the November 12 gath - ect would also create business for golf courses and homeowners. mont’s formal proposal. ering, Dean Reid, a retired DNR local contractors, suppliers and (Continued on Page 2) If approved, the project would forester and current chairman of (Continued on Page 2) Page 2 Early December 2013 ThE NorTh WooDs Call

Graymont discusses mine at public meeting Our 61st Year: Looking Back to Dec. 8, 1954 (Continued from Page 1) the potential loss of hunting United States. With homes nearby, merchants. ground traditionally used by his he wants to know what the com - If the limestone processing plant family to a wider concern about pany would do about the problem Julius Caesar was a lady is ultimately built, more jobs loss of public land through DNR if it comes to pass. By Marguerite Gahagan would be generated, Robison said, land sales in general. When asked whether the mine but the feasibility of such a plant “This is a big issue in Michi - would provide tax revenue for the Julius Caesar came by the name rightfully, even though she turned will depend on market conditions. gan right now,” he told The St. area, Graymont’s Robison report - out to be a lady. Questions for Graymont officials Ignace News . “In this case, it’s de - edly said it would be taxed in the The young college boy looked at the porcupine he’d shot on the about such things as local roads, struction of state land.” same way as any typical land sale. farm northwest of Atlanta and then looked again. He’d taken enough truck traffic and potential water The area near the former Hen - He added that royalties for the biology to know a thing or two about dissecting and, suspicious, he contamination were not particu - ricks and Fiborn quarries has stone removed will amount to began a Caesarean. His suspicions were right but, said he, “I didn’t larly challenging, according to wildlife diversity and a network of more than the land sale, but it’s think the [baby] porky was alive. I just laid it on the ground and went at least one attendee, and company sensitive water sources, Gorenflo early in the process and didn’t on hunting.” officials frequently answered with said, referring to a 2011 report by have figures regarding what the Later, he came back and heard a tiny squeal. He touched the lit - phrases such as “We won’t do ASTI Environmental. He also royalty amounts would be. tle creature and the five inches reacted properly. It slapped its tail. that,” or “We won’t let that hap - questions whether mining could Jack Currie, the 21-year-old Mt. Pleasant college student, wrapped pen.” exacerbate the potential for sink - — For more information related Julius Caesar in a handkerchief and put it in his pocket, he recalled, Gorenflo said his main concern holes reported in areas with lime - to this story, see Page 5 telling of the moment a year ago last spring. about the project has evolved from stone deposits as elsewhere in the It weighed about six ounces, he remembered, and was covered with a soft fur and no quills. Oil & Water: “Its eyes were open, though,” he said. “We fed it for several weeks Tar sands meet with an eye dropper, but Caesar grew fast. He was walking in about five days. Then we found out he was she.” North Woods Notes the Great Lakes Currie’s mother, Mrs. Lena Currie, became foster mother and the notes she kept on Caesar’s growth tell the pleasure the north woods The Great Lakes region faces a family got from their wild pet. critical choice about whether the “I fed her milk and syrup,” she said, “and her bed was a little Easter (Continued from Page 1) Great Lakes should become a basket lined with cloths.” NRC MEETING: The last Michigan Natural Resources Commis - thoroughfare for tar sands crude * * * sion (NRC) meeting of 2013 will be held Dec. 12 at the Michigan State shipping, warns a recent report by Caesar came when called and followed her hostess around con - University Diagnostic Center, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing. For more the Alliance for the Great Lakes. stantly, getting under foot, but refusing to get out of the way. She felt information about starting times and agendas, visit the Michigan De - The report finds that neither the she was a member of the family. partment of Natural Resources (DNR) website at michigan.gov/dnr . Great Lakes shipping fleet nor its Most of the day she slept, but come evening she became frisky and OWLS: Supplement Richard Schinkel’s recent columns about owls ports were designed to ship tar wanted to play. She would try to climb the legs of Old Sport, the (see Page 6) by learning all about the birds at several Michigan state sands crude over the Great Lakes, huge white and gold collie, and Old Sport had to gather all his 12 parks. “Owl Prowls” are scheduled throughout the state and feature var - and cites serious gaps in the re - years of dignity and patience to put up with such goings on. ious activities from park to park. Some programs feature an educational gion’s oil-spill prevention and re - Then she’d decide to dine with the chickens and the cats, and won - presentation, a chance to see owl pellets and real stuffed owls up close, sponse policies. der why she couldn’t scare them by switching her tail. But they were a fun walk in the woods with like-minded night owls, nature stories and Already, plans are in the works on to her. Never once had she quilled them and so they tolerated her s’mores around the bonfire. The events will be held at Brighton State to dramatically increase the flow friskiness with understanding. Recreation Area (5 p.m. Dec. 7), Maybury State Park (6 p.m. Dec. 7), of tar sands crude to the Midwest In the house, she had a marvelous time. She’d get on the treadle Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (5 p.m. Dec. 8), Sleepy Hollow as early as next year. Permitting of the old sewing machine and make it wiggle. She’d get under the State Park (5 p.m. Dec. 8), Lake Hudson State Recreation Area (5 p.m. is being sought for a $25 million beds and frighten the wits out of folks by making the metal springs Dec. 13), Waterloo State Recreation Area (7 p.m. Dec. 13) and Bay City loading dock on Lake Superior to twang. State Recreation Area (2:30 p.m. Feb. 15) ship the crude in 2015 and a tar * * * CAMPING FEES: The price for camping in Michigan State Parks sands shipping route has been “She was affectionate, sassy and smart,” Mrs. Currie said. “She’d may go up in 2015, if a proposed adjustment of pricing is approved by mapped across the waters of the crawl up on your shoulder. She’d nibble at your ear. She’d keep her the Natural Resources Commission. The Department of Natural Re - Great Lakes. quills down and she loved to be petted and stroked. sources has proposed raising fees in relation to an occupancy rate of 82 Western Michigan residents * * * percent. In other words, those parks with greater than 82 percent occu - learned first hand the risk of mix - As she grew older, the big wide world widened and she learned to pancy in the month of July would go up by $4 per camp night. Those ing tar sands oil with water in climb the house. ... She was curious about automobiles and liked to at slightly less than 82 percent occupancy would increase by $2 per 2010 after a cataclysmic pipeline investigate their undersides to see what made them go. camp night and those with significantly less occupancy, or rustic sites, spill in the Kalamazoo River. One day, when she was about six months old, two visiting cars would increase by $1 per camp night. There would also be an eight per - Three years and $1 billion-plus were parked in the farm yard. After the guests departed, no sign of cent increase in the cost for cabins and lodges. Total park operation worth of cleanup later, more than Caesar could be found. needs for the 2015 fiscal year are estimated at $4.5 million and the 20 percent of the oil spill remains “I think she crawled under one of those cars and got herself lost,” higher camping rates would bring in approximately $1.8 million of the at the bottom of the river—a said Jack. operational costs, officials said. heavy, viscous muck synonymous They never saw the little porcupine again, but pictures and notes BEAR BAGGERS: All three Pure Michigan Hunt winners suc - with this form of crude oil. are a part of the family memories that keep alive the story of Julius cessfully harvested bears this year, according to the Michigan Depart - The report questions the rush to Caesar—the little lady porcupine who liked people. ment of Natural Resources. (Continued on Page 5) SNOWSHOE LACING: A workshop on snowshoe lacing will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Michigan Iron In - dustry Museum in Negaunee. It will teach the technique for lacing the Green Mountain Bearpaw, or Ojibwa style of snowshoe. Cost is $175 per person and includes all materials (frames, lacings and bindings). A reservation fee is due at the time of registration and will be applied to the overall cost. Space is limited. DEFEND THE HUNT: The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association are reminding hunters to save their deer hides this year. Donation drop boxes have been set up across the state and proceeds from the sale of hides will be used to defend hunting rights in Michigan as part of the “Defend the Hunt” program. For more information, contact the MUCC. HB 4993: A bill in the Michigan Legislature that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) says could positively impact pub - lic opinion on hunting, fishing and trapping was half-way to being com - pleted at this writing and the MUCC was encouraging sportsmen and women to help get it across the finish line. The bill would allow the $1 surcharge on hunting and fishing licenses to be spent on educating the general non-hunting, non-fishing public on the importance of Michi - gan’s outdoor heritage for the future of wildlife. Call Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (517-373-3543) and ask him to bring up HB 4993 (the so-called Colorado model for a “wildlife council”) for a vote. Black River dam gone WATER TESTING: In advance of natural gas drilling in northern The Black River in Otsego Michigan, Freshwater Future —a Petoskey based nonprofit conservation County is now flowing freely, group—unveiled a program to allow homeowners to test their well thanks to the removal of Saunders water. Encana Inc., which has expressed interest in drilling gas wells in Dam September 13. Facebook.com/NorthWoodsCall NorthWoodsCall.blogspot.com the region using hydraulic fracturing, also offers testing to homeowners The removal. shepherded by who live near areas where wells might be drilled, company officials said. the Huron Pines organization, was For updates, t-shirts & caps, visit our website at: The Freshwater Future program will offer certified samples of domes - carried out by community conser - tic water before any drilling occurs. vation partners. www.mynorthwoodscall.com ThE NorTh WooDs Call Early December 2013 Page 3 Conservation battler U.P. wolf hunt Remembering Ben East: Michigan’s crusader journalist now under way EDITOR’S NOTE: We recently and other game from the air. charge him on Hudson Bay’s As of this writing, Nov. 29, ran across this brief memoir on He took on a Michigan club Belcher Islands. at least 13 wolves had been the Outdoor Writers Association that dammed a stream flowing “I had to kill the animal or en - killed in the controversial wolf of America web site and thought through their land, and it nearly dure a savage attack—one which hunt in Michigan’s Upper it would be of interest to North became an all-out war. The club few men have lived through,” Pensinsula. Woods Call readers. The Call’s intimidated canoers and fisher - East said. “I was down to my last The season is slated to run former and current editors are men because they felt they owned cartridge when the animal died from Nov. 15 through Decem - past recipients of the Ben East the river. East’s battles over ri - just a few feet from my boots.” ber, unless the collective limit Prize for Excellence in Conserva - parian rights took years to settle in East was an editor’s editor. He of 43 are killed before the end tion Journalism, presented by the court, but now the free-flowing could finesse written words mag - of the year. Michigan United Conservation water belongs to the state and its ically, and his articles, books and It is the first such hunt in the Clubs. citizens. newspaper columns sparkled like state since the wolf was placed Ben East (1898-1990) By his own admission, though, diamonds. He felt that each word on the endangered species list By Dave Richey published in 1971, and what fol - not everyone thought he was was very important, but he used nearly 40 years ago. Ben East, at 64 inches tall and lowed was much more than just worth the many writing awards words sparingly with great effect. A total of 1,200 people are 82 years of age and still a man to an inside glimpse of this tireless and honors he received. He was For him, padding a story with use - licensed to participate in the be reckoned with, best summed conservationist. He helped me like a little banty rooster that dom - less drivel was a writer’s sorriest hunt with firearms, crossbows, up his longtime outdoor writing hone my writing skills as the inated a barnyard; he didn’t care mistake. or bows and arrows. career over 20 years ago when he Michigan editor for the “yellow whose toes he stomped because Ben East was an elderly man Michigan Department of said, “I’ve always been a crusad - pages” in that magazine, wrote a he cared only for the wise use of when we first met, and he was Natural Resources (DNR) offi - ing journalist.” foreword for one of my books, our natural resources and would sharp-tongued about my early cials say hunting is being used “If I felt an issue needed my and led me down the prickly path fight anyone who disagreed. writing efforts, but soon the words to help manage wolf-related editorial efforts, I fought by put - toward honest, straight-forward “The people I fought against would meld into a perfectly read - conflicts with human inter - ting my teeth in it like a bulldog. I conservation journalism. never had a kind word for me,” he able piece. His passion for writ - ests—such as livestock and pet would ride herd on a problem His conservation writings in said. “By the time we were fin - ing perfectly constructed depredations. The state’s Wolf until it was brought to a satisfac - magazines and newspapers are a ished with a battle, everyone was sentences and paragraphs, his Management Plan indicates tory conclusion.” study of a man who was deeply in bloodied and beat. Simply put, I commitment to watching over our that 67 percent of Michigan “Satisfactory conclusion” to love with the outdoors. He could lived down most of the animosity natural resources, his loving ded - residents support the use of what was then the dean of outdoor be caustic, never suffered fools I created by outliving most of my ication to his wife Helen, and our hunting to resolve these con - writers meant the unwavering well, and he saw his writing ca - opponents.” mutual friendship were the cor - flicts, they said. protection and wise use of our reer as one to promote conserva - East was a prolific writer and nerstones of his life. The DNR identified three natural resources. tion efforts and protect wild photographer, and other than his He was an OWAA member for areas that have seen persistent East, who was born in 1898 places for future generations, beloved conservation articles, his a number of years, but never con - conflicts, despite the use of and died in 1990 after lingering while being an ardent angler and stock-in-trade was ghostwriting sidered compromising his princi - non-lethal and targeted lethal for 10 years in a nursing home hunter. magazine articles for anglers and ples, and that led to a fiery techniques, according to Adam following a catastrophic stroke, However, to cross East when hunters. He learned how to put argument with longtime OWAA Bump, the agency’s bear and was a man among men in outdoor he was fighting conservation is - himself inside the skin of a person Executive Director J. Hammond furbearer specialist. Those writing circles. He was also a sues and sportsmen’s rights was to with a great story to tell, and he Brown. That argument over free - three units cover only 12 per - member of the Outdoor Writers invite a back-alley scrap that his would write it for them in an ex - bies, he told me, caused him to re - cent of the land area in the Association of America (OWAA) opponents never won. citing way. sign from our organization. Upper Peninsula, he said. during the mid-20th century. Anyone who has hiked the “I always considered it a chal - “I miss OWAA, and feel my “The harvest recommenda - A massive stroke stilled his old trails of Lake Superior’s Isle lenge to take another man’s story, membership had been good for tion of 43 wolves will not im - Royal typewriter in December Royale, or watched coffee-col - tell it in his words in a spellbind - me and for OWAA, but I refused pact the overall Michigan wolf 1979, but the drumbeat of conser - ored water pour over Michigan’s ing way, and make it informative to compromise my stand and felt population over time,” Bump vation writing and the many bat - Tahquamenon Falls can thank this and interesting to the reader,” he it best to leave,” he told me. “I un - said. “The goals and intended tles that followed began when he man, at least in part, for helping to said. “Many of those I dealt with derstand OWAA is a far different outcomes from the hunt are started writing outdoor magazine preserve their wilderness beauty. could hardly spell their name, let critter now than then, and I’ll al - based on sound science and copy in the mid-1920s. He spent East was an outdoor excavator, alone write about it.” ways miss it.” input from citizens.” 20 years as the outdoor writer for a man who knew how and where These ghostwritten articles led And I will always miss Ben Many studies have shown the Grand Rapids Press before to dig out hard-to-find informa - to the publication of three books: East. There was no middle ground that hunting can result in be - taking a staff position with Out - tion. Once he had hard-won data “Danger,” “Narrow Escapes & with this esteemed writer, and his havioral changes in wildlife, door Life magazine in 1946, a in hand, he would take on anyone Wilderness Adventures” and uncompromising ways are the according to Bump. record only exceeded by the late or any organization. “Survival.” legacies he left behind to every “The hunt could have the Charlie Elliott. He whupped the U.S. Army Although his true tales of outdoor writer in North America. benefit of maintaining in “I leaned heavily toward the Corps of Engineers, led Michigan sportsmen who overcame extreme wolves a respect or fear of hu - protection of all natural resources citizens to tackle state and federal outdoor problems and lived to tell mans,” he said. “The use of for the past 30-plus years,” East governments, and won milestone their stories was part of his Out - The late Dave Richey was a re - new and innovative pro - said in 1980. “If someone or an lawsuits to protect natural re - door Life duties, he also was in tired outdoor writer for The De - grams—especially those that organization had greedy motives, sources. He wasn’t scared to love with bears. troit News , a photographer and limit the overall impact to wolf or wouldn’t consider the environ - tackle outlaw hunters and once He researched bear attacks, the author of 21 books. Prior to populations—represents the ment or its impact on sportsmen, wrote of sportsman abuse in studied the animals at close range his death June 20, he credited sound application of science I’d let them have it with both bar - Alaska, which led to that state en - and used his 50 years of experi - much of his success to the sev - and the best balance among the rels. acting strong legislation promot - ence to write his last book, eral years he mentored under diverse views of Michigan res - East served as my mentor after ing fair-chase hunting and “Bears.” Those experiences in - Ben East. Story used by permis - idents.” my first Outdoor Life story was outlawing hunting of polar bears cluded watching a polar bear sion of Dave’s wife, Kay Richey. Conservation officers seek Manistee County bear poacher Anti-hunt petition Michigan Department of Nat - 16. The male is believed to be in - tall. ing any information to aid in the drive continues ural Resources (DNR) conserva - volved in the killing and is de - The male had facial hair and investigation of this poaching in - Opponents of Michigan’s wolf tion officers are seeking scribed as having a thin build, left the scene driving a dark-col - cident. hunt are continuing a petition information regarding a bear standing approximately five feet, ored pickup truck. The DNR Law Anyone with information may drive to get the question on the poaching incident that occurred eight inches to five feet, 10 inches Enforcement Division is request - call the DNR’s Report All Poach - general election ballot in 2014. during the evening of Nov. 16 in ing (RAP) Line at 1-800-292- Keep Michigan Wolves Pro - northeast Manistee County. 7800. Information can be left tected aims to collect at least Officers were called to investi - anonymously. 225,000 signatures in support of gate the shooting of a female Tips can also be provided on - the referendum. black bear, found dead of a shot - line at www.michigan.gov/con - The organization’s members gun wound near a hunting blind servationofficers. argue that a trophy hunt for on public land in Cleon Township. Information leading to an ar - wolves is cruel, wasteful and un - Witnesses said that the bear was rest and conviction is eligible for sportsmanlike. Nobody eats killed on Nov. 16 at approxi - a cash reward funded by the wolves, they say, and wolves are mately 5:30 p.m. Game and Fish Protection Fund. not a danger to humans. Three bear cubs are believed to Poaching bear in Michigan car - Furthermore, the animals are have been orphaned as a result of ries a restitution payment of an invaluable part of Michigan’s the bear being killed, although the $1,500 per bear, a minimum $200 ecosystem, they said, reducing cubs were not located. fine and jail time of up to 90 days. densities of deer, beaver and other Conservation officers are seek - A trail camera photo provided by the Michigan Department of Natu - In addition, a violator's hunting species. And millions of tax dol - ing to interview a white male who ral Resources shows a bear sow and three cubs seen in the vicinity of privileges may be suspended for lars were previously spent bring - was spotted at the scene on Nov. the poaching incident. The sow is believed to be the one poached. up to three years. ing wolves back from extinction. Page 4 Early December 2013 ThE NorTh WooDs Call Belle Isle 1947: Days of youth and romance Opinion I’ve been thinking lately about Detroit’s historic Belle Isle Quote Box Park—and not for the reason North Woods Journal “If you know the wilderness in the way that you know love, you many others are. By Mike VanBuren would be unwilling to let it go ... This is the story of our past and Management of the 982-acre is - it will be the story of our future.” land in the Detroit River between —Terry Tempest Williams the United States and Canada was officially transferred to the State Isle Royale wolves and moose of Michigan on November 12, There’s a classic struggle for survival on Isle royale. after nearly 120 years as the as previously reported in The North Woods Call , the wolves largest city-owned island park in and moose living on the remote lake superior wilderness island the United States. are dependent on each other and both are threatened by a vari - At 1,534 square miles, Belle ety of factors. Isle is bigger than New York The wolf population has been in decline and may eventually City’s Central Park, and includes die-out—due largely to reproductive challenges, disease, and a a nature center, inland lakes, la - lack of genetic diversity caused by decades of inbreeding. Moose, goons, canal system, wooded meanwhile, may be faced with a similar fate—not only on Isle areas and a half-mile of swim - royale, but across North america. There have been preferential ming beach. With the manage - food shortages and a warmer climate in recent years has pro - ment transfer, it becomes duced more parasites—especially ticks, which consume the flesh Michigan’s 102nd state park. The newlyweds on Belle Isle during a windswept day in May of 1947. of animals and make them more susceptible to anemia and in - Yet that’s not really why it has fections. Ticks also bite off the hair of moose, exposing them to my attention today. sudden care-givers know that Frankly, that’s something about hypothermia in cold weather. In May of 1947—six years be - none of this is easy to handle. It’s nature that I hate and can’t fully on Isle royale, wolves and moose have a unique predator- fore I was born—my parents vis - as if some sort of awful latter-day understand. prey relationship. Wolves are the only predator of the moose and ited Belle Isle on their penalty awaits those who live too Be that as it may, there are the moose are almost exclusively the only prey for wolves. It is honeymoon and captured the oc - long and too well. many decisions that will need to essential to keep their respective populations in balance for a casion in several black-and-white When I was a boy of about five- be made in the coming days and healthy ecosystem. photographs that have been dis - years-old, my parents revisited many responsibilities that must be Consequently, a debate currently rages over whether humans played in family photo albums Belle Isle with some relatives, and carried out in the face of daunting should intervene in this natural cycle and, if so, what the results ever since. took my sister and me along. On challenges. And, no matter how might be. I have looked at those pictures the way to the park, we stopped at much we know about the frailty as one of our readers recently pointed out, the conundrum is my entire life, and marveled at the a local service station where a big, of the human condition, we’re this: If you artificially boost the wolf population and their main youthfulness of this young couple ugly gorilla—or some guy never quite prepared for what it all diet—moose—are dying out, the wolves will starve to death. If, that I have always known simply dressed like one—greeted us as means. however, the wolves die out, moose will—for a short time, at as “Mom and Dad.” part of some attention-grabbing Tough questions abound. Why least—grow in numbers. Then they will overeat the fauna, dev - Those were happy days for business promotion. did this happen? What can we astate the island ecosystem and either die out by starvation, or them—filled with promises and The adults in our party laughed do? How much will it cost? How succumb to the tick infestation. dreams—a time of life that in the and posed for pictures with the much time will it take? And—not What’s the National Park service to do? Though we prefer to minds of young people will surely hairy beast, but to a youngster un - insignificantly—what impact will let nature govern itself, the agency will probably have to err on the last forever. schooled in the ways of the mar - all this have on a mom-and-pop side of intervention. But it never does. keting world, the creature looked operation like The North Woods Population biologist John Vucetich and wildlife ecologist rolf Sixty-six years after those pho - mean and life threatening. So I Call when the sole proprietor is Peterson, who have studied Isle royale’s wolves and moose, say tographs were taken, following did what any self-respecting kid regularly called away to meet a healthy ecosystem depends on the presence of top predators many decades of robust health would do. I freaked out and ran other pressing obligations? like wolves when large herbivores such as moose are present. and independence, my mother has for Mama. I don’t yet know the answers to Without this balance, prey tend to become overabundant and been stricken with a debilitating I was quickly sheltered from those questions, but I’ll have to decimate plants and trees that many species of birds, mammals illness that—for now, at least— the clear and present danger and, find them soon, whether I like it and insects depend upon. Top predators also maintain the diver - has stolen her ability to walk, as I recall, the entire family es - or not. sity of rare plants and insects that depend on those plants. bathe, feed herself and participate caped without injury that day. But Still, I’d much rather retreat to In addition, the loss of top predators may disturb the nutrient in all but the simplest of conver - I still remember the encounter a sunny spring day in 1947 when cycling of entire ecosystems, according to Vucetich and Peter - sations. whenever I see a real or costumed colorful flowers were in bloom, son. and wolves are a boon to foxes, eagles, ravens and other Along with her personal suffer - gorilla. Where’s legendary zoolo - and a freshly minted couple was species that scavenge from carcasses that wolves provide, they ing, the lives of her husband and gist Dian Fossey when you need walking hand-in-hand around the said. family members have been her, anyway? Belle Isle Conservatory and creat - although wilderness is typically viewed as a place where na - thrown into raging turmoil—each Nowadays—as my parents face ing Kodak memories at the nearby ture should be allowed to take its course free from human inter - immersed in his or her our own gorillas in the mist of advanced James Scott Memorial Fountain. ference, we lean toward the experts who say the ecology of Isle not-so-private nightmare—as we age, with me following closely If that were only possible. royale would best be served if the National Park service initiates struggle to cope with the ravages behind—there doesn’t seem to be For now. I can only hope and a genetic rescue by introducing new wolves to the island. of memory loss and physical in - anyone to whom we can run and pray that better days lie ahead— after all, Vucetich and Peterson said in a New York Times op- capacitation. hide. Nor can the family and I ef - in this world and beyond—when ed piece, “there’s no place on the planet that is untouched by hu - Those who have been through fectively shelter them—or our - youthful loves and memories can mans. We have already altered nature’s course everywhere. our such difficulties and found them - selves—from the horrors of be rekindled in a land that knows future relationship with nature will be more complicated. step - selves in the unexpected role of declining health. no sickness and sorrow. ping in will sometimes be wise, but not always. ... Navigating that complexity without hubris will be a great challenge.” Reader comment The North Woods Call

Healthy truth in advertising The antithesis of stand hunting Michigan’s Conservation Sentinel Since 1953 Now we all know. The nation’s controversial “affordable health By John Gunnell Care act” is apparently not so affordable. Rockford, Michigan Published regularly by: Not only are individual and family insurance policies going to Deer hunting from a stationary location was not considered a pre - Newshound Productions llC be much more expensive to purchase, but millions of americans 5411 East DE avenue ferred method of hunting back when we were first introduced to the Kalamazoo, Michigan 49004. are already losing the coverage that they wanted to keep. sport. Telephone: (269) 342-8724 This, despite assurances by proponents of the legislation that My father theorized that stand hunting was not an alternative for coverage would be less expensive and “if you like your current a real hunter. He believed that stand hunting was only about a deer E-mail: [email protected] plan, you can keep it.” finding the hunter, as if to invite the hunter to shoot at it. He taught Website: mynorthwoodscall.com Turns out these assurances were bald-faced lies, told repeat - my brothers and me to appreciate “hunting to find deer” long before edly to deceive the voting public. Online subscription: $35 per year comfort tents and bait piles compromised hunters into thinking that and $60 for two years. That’s the problem with unchecked bureaucratic socialism and was all there was to deer hunting. power-hungry demagogues who insist on having their way de - In making such a statement, I realize that it flies in the face of Print subscription: $55 per year and $95 for two years spite the heavy costs to society and freedom. most of today’s hunters and hundreds of small businesses that profit at least two things now need to happen. from selling deer bait. Address changes: Please send $2 to cover costs. We should insist that this poorly conceived law be repealed Please understand that I have no argument with hunters who and demand that those who perpetrated this wanton fraud on the choose to hunt using such methods. Furthermore, by taking issue Editor & Publisher: Mike VanBuren american people be held accountable. with stand hunting, I seek not to anger the reader, but only to take only then can we hope to find workable solutions to society’s Publishers Emeritus: them down a path less traveled for discovering deer hunting satis - Marguerite Gahagan problems—whether in health care or natural resources conser - faction. Glen and Mary lou sheppard vation—and foster the truth in advertising that we deserve from The first lesson imparted to me by my father after I received a advertising rates upon request. those in public office. compass for Christmas, was the “Hunters Golden Rule.” Never sec- If this kind of thing happened in the private sector, criminal (Continued on Page 5) A Newshound Publication charges would already have been filed. ThE NorTh WooDs Call Early December 2013 Page 5 Reader comment The antithesis of stand hunting U.P. mine will result in permanent destruction (Continued from Page 4) As you may know, Graymont plant will be built and operational ducted a very successful cam - ond-guess your compass while navigating in the woods. We learned conducted its first public meeting only if the underground mine com - paign. Starting with the brochure to carefully use our compass and to record in our minds landmarks— in Rexton [November 12]. I was mences, and the underground they handed out at the meeting— such as section lines, streams, topography, etc. for later reference. unable to attend; however, one of mine is contingent upon the lime - with pictures of forests in full My father took us to remote expansive areas and taught us by his our members was in attendance stone market. Should all of this color, a man in a boat fishing on a example. He often quipped that “real hunters are lost all day until and has filled me in on the details. take place, it will provide about 20 lake, and what appears to be a pic - dark.” They then must rely on their compass and their savvy for re - Their presentation was basically jobs. There is much uncertainty ture of the Appalachian Moun - calling landmarks to find their way out of the woods. the same as the meeting we had here. tains. [I’m] not sure what that has Hunting with Dad was not for the faint of heart. He imparted his with them a few weeks ago. Graymont has indicated that to do with this project. Everyone workman-like knowledge and curiosity for discovering nature’s mys - There were approximately 100 they can mine 10 acres a year. needs to understand that, aside teries that gave us confidence to accept any challenge in the woods. people in attendance, including They have also stated that they in - from the Appalachian Mountains, The type of hunter who walks to hunt is a keen observer of the sur - representatives from the Depart - tend to be in the area for 50 to 100 everything else in that colorful rounding terrain. Walking must be deliberate, punctuated by regular ment of Natural Resources (DNR). years. If this is an accurate state - brochure will be gone! The Gray - pauses to scan terrain for the detection of movement. Dad used to When the Graymont [officials] ment, then why do they need mont representatives are very sagely say, “Walk one, look two.” completed their presentation, the 13,000 acres? At 10 acres per year good at presenting this image that If tracking snow is present, stalking will take the hunter in un - DNR described the review process that would mean they have a everything will be as it is. Nothing foreseen directions when tracks are detected. Being skilled in dis - that they will go through before Limestone supply of 1,300 years. could be further from the truth. tinguishing a promising deer track and separating a buck track out they make their final decision. Something isn’t adding up. In conclusion, I believe that can lead to the right deer. When the DNR completed their Steve Sutton, who represented everyone needs to fully understand When stalking a deer, the likelihood that it will follow a route less statements, the meeting was then the DNR’s real estate division, the magnitude of the permanent challenging is a distinct advantage for the stalker. Deer are no open for public comment. There made a very telling comment. He destruction that will take place strangers to their habitat and, like humans, are prone to follow a path were no real challenging questions stated that this was the largest land here. The continuing loss of OUR of least resistance. This habit allows the tracker to often out-ma - for the company. In fact, by all ap - sale that he has ever been a part of open public lands is, or at least neuver the deer and position himself for a shot. pearances, the public was in favor during his time at the DNR. So, should be, of great concern to Another dimension of stalking deer is the internal sense of ac - of this project. again, why 13,000 acres? everyone—our public lands are complishment for the hunter in beating the deer on his own turf at his One gentleman expressed con - Also in attendance was Dean disappearing at an alarming rate! own game. cern for the roads and what dam - Reid, DNR forester (retired). He Once these lands are gone, they For the past several years running, my neighbor in the camp near age the heavy truck traffic would is now chairman of the Mackinaw are gone forever. Once Graymont mine in the Upper Peninsula has taken a buck as a walking hunter. cause, and another was concerned County Planning Commission. He owns this land, they will be able to Typically, he hunts later in the season when snow is present. He usu - about the wells and the aquifer in spoke briefly and is in favor of this do whatever they please with it. ally takes a walk of two or more miles to a predetermined destination. the underground mine area. Gray - project. I find his position on this As far as the meeting in Rexton He hunts to and from that location, mostly on selective deer tracks. mont officials answered these and mine confusing and a little hypo - is concerned, this was nothing When he intersects a promising track, he begins his cat-and-mouse other questions with the often used critical. As a DNR forester, his more than a formality. Regardless pursuit of the deer that made the tracks. Knowing the terrain he is statement of, “We won’t let that duty was to protect and manage of the opinions in the room, this hunting, he often uses a circular technique for positioning himself happen.” Other than that, they of - our forests. However, now as a meeting will change nothing. The where his past experience tells him the deer may travel. Without hav - fered no real assurances that there county commissioner, he is per - DNR has their plan and unless the ing spooked the yet-unseen deer, he often will catch a glimpse of it won’t be any issues with either of fectly willing to destroy the very public outcry is on a mass scale, and gain a shot, should the deer be harvestable. these concerns. thing he once vowed to protect. this will move forward. Granted, this description of the walking hunter is an over-simpli - During the question and answer I may have mentioned this be - The DNR continues to say that fication of the process. But the hunter who is seeking a different period, one gentleman introduced fore, but just in case I haven’t, public opinion is very important to challenge from hunting should give it a try. himself, announced that he was There is a loophole in this contract them and an important part of the I realize that age, health, hunting location, etc. may make a hunter 87-years-old, and said, “I’m prob - that will allow Graymont to review process. Don’t believe it. unable to consider the type of hunting heretofore described. But re - ably the oldest person in this change the underground mine to a They have been working on this gardless of an individual’s preference, I—like most hunters—remain room.” He also said that he could surface strip mine with nothing and have formed their opinions hooked on discovering what nature’s surprises have in store. remember when the last load of more than a signature from the act - long before this meeting took limestone left the old Hendricks ing DNR director. I have no doubt place. The input from DNR Letter to the Editor quarry, and how at that time there that the director would give the go wildlife biologists and foresters was a store and a hotel in that area. ahead for this change, especially will have little or no effect on the Enjoying the North Woods Call I believe he feels that this project when considering the eagerness final decision. Editor: Renew again for two years, in - will mean the return of these types and secrecy with which the DNR So with that in mind, I have no Really enjoying the paper. stead of one. of businesses. has conducted this current plan. expectations of actually stopping I’ve been a subscriber for many Thanks. Graymont was fairly honest and Graymont seems to be zeroing this project, but perhaps the size years Sure is great to get both forthcoming with everyone about in on the Wilwin site. When asked and scope of this destructive sides of a story, with facts that Phillip Willman their plans. However, they did fail how long before this project com - process can be reduced to some - back it up. Sterling Heights, Michigan to mention that the four or five mences, the DNR stated that, “nor - thing a little more realistic. The jobs that will be created are only mally a project of this size would destruction of 13,000 acres is com - Tar sands threaten the Great Lakes “seasonal,” so the mining opera - take two years to review, but we pletely unacceptable! (Continued from Page 2) tion will be shutting down in the hope to have it ready in about six capitalize on the growing flow of tar sands oil, destined for 19 U.S. winter. Also, they were not very months.” All this means is that the David Gorenflo and Canadian refineries on or near the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence clear on the conditions required DNR has been working on this for Coalition Against Strip Mining Seaway. before they would open the under - quite some time before they de - Traverse City, Michigan “The movement of oil across water increases the risks of oil in ground mine and the processing cided to release this information. water, a clash in which the environment is the loser,” says the report, plant. So, to help clarify this, the I believe that Graymont has con - which urges much caution in this matter going forward. Belle Isle: Management transition begins for Michigan’s 102nd state park (Continued from Page 1) vancy and other partners, in collaboration with the advisory * Emphasized that the DNR, which has considerable ex - organizations willing to partner in the park’s revitalization. committee, to develop and improve the park. pertise in managing historic sites—the state historian is The Emergency Loan Board’s action begins a 90-day The Recreation Passport, which offers access to all housed within the DNR—will apply its expertise to Belle transition period that is outlined in the lease. Michigan state parks and recreation areas across the state, Isle, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The DNR’s initial short-term action items include: will be required for entry to Belle Isle immediately follow - * Underscored the DNR’s commitment to families and * Meeting with Detroit’s recently elected city council ing the 90-day transition period. The Passport does not youth. The DNR will maintain Belle Isle as a gathering members and mayor to establish an open and productive line apply to individuals. Pedestrians, bicyclists and those using place for families, including family reunions. In addition, of communication; public transportation can enter the park for free and will not the DNR operates programs that employ young people in * Meeting with a soon-to-be-established advisory com - need the Passport. state parks and recreation areas. The department intends to mittee, the Belle Isle Conservancy and other key stakeholder Park revenue from permit fees, rental fees, special events, continue and expand those programs on Belle Isle. groups; grants, endowments and other sources that derive from Belle * Promised to undertake outreach efforts to Detroit-based * Evaluating all current contracts, leases and concession Isle—excluding Recreation Passport revenue—will be businesses to help those businesses navigate the state’s bid - agreements; placed in a special sub-account in the Department of Natu - ding process. * Updating previous infrastructure assessment informa - ral Resources State Park Improvement Fund to administer, * Promised to work with Detroit agencies named by the tion to prioritize critical needs; maintain and improve the park. council to make sure Detroit residents are given every op - * Establishing a visible staffing and visitor services pres - In a letter to the Emergency Loan Board dated Oct. 21, portunity to apply for jobs at the state-managed park. ence throughout Belle Isle; and 2013, DNR Director Creagh clarified concerns raised by * Committed to undertaking improvements on the island * Coordinating with local, regional and state law en - members of the Detroit City Council in a communication to as outlined in the lease. forcement agencies on a security plan. the Loan Board on Oct. 14. Creagh’s letter: “We are excited to partner with the city, mayor and city The lease provides for an initial 30-year term with two * Explained the need for an initial 30-year term in the council to help revitalize this important community gather - 15-year renewals. A seven-member committee established lease. Creagh said that the 30-year term is crucial to secur - ing place,” said Creagh. “The Detroit region is important to in the lease will advise the state on improvements and mas - ing grants and other funding streams for improvements on Michigan’s long-term economic stability and tourism ap - ter planning for the park. A minimum of three members of the island. Most state and federal grants require the appli - peal. A revitalized Belle Isle will be a major player in that the committee will be residents of the city of Detroit. The cant to have control of the property for a minimum of 20 to comeback. state will work cooperatively with the Belle Isle Conser - 30 years. —Michigan DNR report Page 6 Early December 2013 ThE NorTh WooDs Call Rivers of thought: Pre-sleep reflections on the simple pleasures of life In the fall of one’s life, it is a with all the time in the world to before slumber. time of pause and reflection—the Guest Cabin stop and just watch the river. To And one can only hope that our fullness of a mostly used up al - think about all that matters and dreams are filled with such clean, lowance of time here on this rock By Mark Karaba push away from thought all that free-flowing rivers of thought as and a lot less looking ahead. does not matter. To think about sleep finally overtakes our anx - In the case of a life spent in the selves. Beautiful places. Quiet mountains of the South, and the the river and how alive it is—as ious—sometimes worrisome— outdoors, it is like a constant flow places. most wonderful and perfect fly alive as any bird, or tree, or plant, waking life. of old movies playing out in that Most of these places are in fishing water of the famed Au or myself. ever expanding theater of the northern Michigan, but there are Sable here in Michigan. If I am I think these thoughts when Mark Karaba of Marshall, mind. many choices of places with flow - able to totally lose myself in these sleep won't come to me and they Michigan, is an outdoorsman, When we get older, we can se - ing water and pleasant sights, pleasant recollections, I can smell are the most pleasant thoughts to writer, videographer and self- lectively recall pleasant experi - sounds, and smells for me to re - the sweet ferns and cedar along have in the last waking moments proclaimed naturalist. ences that make us feel flect on. the banks of a northern Michigan good—even cause us to smile— I have been fortunate to have river. and possibly alter our mood for a been in more than my share of I can recall the close, interac - Outdoor Rhythms brief moment. The older we get, beautiful places in forty years of tive feeling of wet wading on a the more movies we store in that fishing. The barren landscape of warm summer afternoon when By Doug Freeman place in our brain that allows us to the sub-arctic in northern Quebec one can actually FEEL the water. recall them when we make time to and the brilliant spawning colors Watching a delicate, dainty be quiet and still. of the large brook trout. mayfly drift by on the surface, and A necessary balance of wolves Lying in bed at night and strug - The endless wild and remote - the cedar waxwings perched If historical narratives carry any weight, we should probably be afraid gling with sleep is the time I find ness of Labrador. The mountain above, waiting—like me—for the of large, wild predators. myself searching through the streams and rivers of West Vir - anticipated flight of these life sus - Old stories and paintings abound—a pack of wolves chasing the Russ - archives in my brain—trying to ginia and Tennessee in the spring - taining insects in the coolness of ian family troika; a great eagle carrying off a hapless toddler to an aerie recall a peacefully soothing event time. The Two-Hearted and so the northern evening. in the mountains. from the past that relaxes me, many other rivers of the Upper The total joy of a stretch of It’s true that many animals can be dangerous. Invading the territory eventually leading to sleep. These Peninsula that offer an uncrowded wild water all to yourself, and re - of a full-grown bear or cougar has risks. Wolves have, on rare occa - happy thoughts usually involve and semi-wilderness experience. alizing you can stop, sit on a log sions, injured and even killed people, though we’re definitely not con - moving water—specifically rivers I think of the yellow warblers and just be there. Alone. And no sidered a preferred food item. Larger predators also attack and kill and streams and trout. along the banks of Augusta Creek one is coming behind you or livestock, particularly when natural prey becomes scarce. Rabid ani - I think of places I have been close to my home and the down - above you on the river today. Just mals can be ferocious at any time. and fished, and occasionally about stream swing of a wet fly on water you and the joyous sounds of the Some folks think we deserve every possible protection from these for - fish I have caught or lost. But too skinny for a back cast. The red yellow warblers flitting along the midable wild creatures, that we may more safely enjoy our outdoor ex - mostly I think of the places them - buds, dogwoods and Laurel in the bank, the deep blue sky above— periences. In doing research for this column, the word most commonly used in Michigan Owls Part II: regard to our relationship with Canis lupus was “extirpation.” The com - plete and deliberate elimination of a species from a given area. In the Saw-whet, plus short- and long-eared birds case of wolves, done by relentless hunting, trapping, clubbing, and poi - Our smallest owl in Michigan soning. How sad. is the northern saw-whet owl. It In the old “Lassie” TV series of the 1960s, every forest animal weigh - is about eight inches tall, a bit The Natural World ing more than twenty pounds was portrayed as a sinister beast seeking smaller than the Eastern screech By Richard Schinkel to make a meal of Timmy, Lassie’s child owner. Wolves, bears, bob - owl at eight-and-a-half inches. cats, wild boars, and even an escaped circus tiger all had it in for the Breeding occurs in the northern kid. And if Mom had a flat tire on the way to town, heaven help her. In - Lower Peninsula and the Upper whistle note repeated. The short-eared owl has very variably, there was a salivating mountain lion ready to pounce. One Peninsula. A good number mi - Two other Michigan owls are short tufts or “ears.” Most of us very smart collie was all that—repeatedly—stood between the Martin grate through and into Michigan the long-eared owl and short- wouldn’t recognize these tufts if family and a grisly fate. during the winter and can often be eared owl. seen. This owl nests across the This more modern misrepresentation of human/wildlife relations— found statewide. The long-eared owl has tall ear state with the proper habitat, but while exciting and dramatic—served to bolster centuries of myth. Banding at Whitefish Point in tufts that he stretches even further is not very prevalent. During the Certain individuals have recently latched onto similar false charac - the Upper Peninsula has shown up when found at a roost. He also breeding atlas survey, only 15 terizations to promote our state’s current wolf hunt. There have been a that more than a thousand will mi - makes his body appear very tall counties have documented breed - few whoppers: The day care facility menaced by wolves lurking at the grate into Michigan at the point. and slim, apparently to resemble ing. edge of a nearby woods. The huge alpha wolf trying to enter an isolated When we find these little guys a branch stub. Being reluctant to The short-eared owl is endan - home by pushing on a sliding glass door. The Upper Peninsula farmer in the winter, they typically are lo - leave the roost, he believes he gered in Michigan. This owl fre - (with a record of questionable livestock management), claiming some cated in conifers and often quite isn’t seen, much like the saw-whet quents open habitats, fallow dead cows were due to wolf predation, and seeking state compensation. low and visible. To seek them out, owl. fields, grassy wetlands and the Surprise. We’re doing it again. Vilifying wild species to suit our own look for the telltale “owl pellets” Rare in Michigan, the long- tundra to the north. Because of ends. regurgitated on the ground around eared owl breeds primarily in the the loss of open land habitat, the Despite our legislature ignoring the will of the voters, as expressed a tree, along with the fecal white - northern Lower Peninsula, but has short-eared owl is primarily seen in a state referendum which prohibited wolf hunting, the Department of wash. They don’t scare easily and been spotted a few times in the in migration and during the win - Natural Resources does have sensible reasons for holding a limited an - often can be watched for weeks, Upper Peninsula. Again, most ter. nual hunt. I only wish they would have allowed the state’s wolf popu - returning to the same roost. often we find them during the As with saw-whet and long- lation to grow a bit larger before instituting a hunt of the very species They think that if their eyes are winter when they migrate south eared owls, the short-eared owl that was reintroduced because of their value to the ecosystem. closed and they can’t see you, you from Canada. can be found in coniferous trees My personal wolf encounter happened many years ago when I was can’t see them. At a local nature Once a good roost is found, as during the winter and when mi - a young soldier stationed in Germany. It occurred while retrieving com - center, we would feed these owls many as a half-dozen, or more grating. It is easy to distinguish in munications wire late one night from a field site deep in the lightly pop - live mice, taking mice out and can use the tree at the same time. flight, as it has a unique flight pat - ulated and heavily wooded mountains of Bavaria, adjacent to placing them on the snow at dusk As with the saw-whet owl, look tern. Its flight is wavering, with Czechoslovakia’s famed Bohemian Forest. before the owls leave to hunt. for pellets and whitewash beneath erratic wingbeats, as it swoops I was working with my buddy Dan, an Iowa guy. We’d nearly fin - They will even take mice from conifers. low over grassy areas looking for ished spooling wire when we were stopped in our tracks by a loud growl our hands, although we don’t rec - The long-eared owl’s breeding prey. The wings in flight show a coming from the darkness. In the probing beam of Dan’s flashlight, ommend that, because great habitat is most frequently in black patch at the bend or there stood what we first thought to be a large grey-brown German shep - horned owls also like mice and, if mixed coniferous forests adjacent knuckle. herd dog—its eyes glowing an eerie yellow-green. Two other sets of they landed on our hand, could be to uplands and wetland openings. I liken it to a large moth mov - brightly reflective eyes appeared a little further off. harmful. The call is a typical “whooo,” but ing about over a field of flowers. We were roused from our state of shock by another low growl, fol - One of the things we learned drawn out and softer than the If you are familiar with the flight lowed by a rather serious-sounding bark/snarl. Operating purely on in - when feeding them was that they barred or great horned owls. of a marsh hawk, they are similar stinct, we both backed away slowly, not at all concerned about leaving will kill the mouse and store it in Nests are normally in trees, but because the prey habitat is similar. the last fifty yards of commo line uncollected. Eventually, we stumbled a tree fork, then come back for on occasion on the ground. Nest - It isn’t unusual to see them in the into the safety of our truck. more. ing can occur as early as March, morning or evening flying over A local boar hunter told us later that a small pack of wolves was in Preferred habitat is mixed or as late as May. It appears that fields. the area, crossing back and forth over the border. Officially, however, forests of conifers and hardwoods. this owl’s population is declining. The short-eared owl nests on the German government wouldn’t at that time acknowledge the pres - Nesting occurs in abandoned In most areas of the United States, the ground and even will roost ence of such fearsome predators on their turf (Sort of like Michigan’s pileated woodpecker and flicker the long-eared owl is listed as a there. The call is a raspy barking. cougar situation several years ago). holes. Some success has occurred species of special concern, or Both the long- and short-eared My belief is that we can and should, with proper respect and care, co - in nest cavity boxes. threatened. This is primarily due owl is about 15 inches tall. While exist with wolves. Being the planet’s dominant species doesn’t mean we The name comes from the mat - to habitat loss and large-scale hunting, hiking or cross-country have any right to destroy another, even if it evokes a fear response. I ing call, which some liken to a agriculture practices, especially as skiing this fall and winter, keep think we now realize how important wild predators are, and how feel - wet stone drawn across a saw conservation reserve program your eyes open. ings have long been conditioned by misinformation. blade when sharpening—a single lands are reverted back to crops. The tide may slowly be turning in favor of the wolves. ThE NorTh WooDs Call Early December 2013 Page 7 Conservation Officer Logs (9/30/13 through 10/14/13) Salmon snaggers, a lost toddler, wild backhoe and throat-cutting religion DISTRICT 1 (Marquette) told the CO that he snagged the cle, along with a beer bottle that downed trees and branches along CO Doug Hermanson located salmon. Enforcement action was the CO saw thrown from the ve - the south side of the stream in his a pile of trash on public land and taken. hicle during the pursuit. Local effort to open the stream up to located a shipping label mixed in deputies responded and assisted fishing. The material that was re - with the garbage. He tracked the DISTRICT 3 (Gaylord) with the incident. Subsequently moved was then used to fill regu - subject down, who turned out to CO Andrea Albert observed the driver and passenger were ar - lated wetlands and floodplain be living in a camper. The subject three anglers snagging salmon on rested and lodged for multiple vi - areas. The complaint was turned was unemployed with no source the Jordan River during the closed olations. During the interview over to the Department of Envi - of income. He was given the op - season. One subject was teaching with the driver, information was ronmental Quality (DEQ) for fol - tion of returning to the area and his mother how to snag the obtained that he and a friend each low-up. cleaning up the entire site instead salmon at which she was success - shot a deer earlier in the week that CO Shane Webster contacted of a ticket. He agreed and cleaned ful. The same subject waded the sounded suspicious. After further two waterfowl hunters and of - up the site. river and attempted to net salmon investigation, the two COs made fered to collect a few of their COs Trey Luce and Jason with a large landing net. The sub - a trip to the driver’s home and wood ducks that were floating in Wicklund checked a well-used jects were ticketed for their illegal and more salmon taken by this contacted his father at 2:00 a.m. front of their blind. In all, eight bear bait on state land. They lo - actions. group were discovered at their ve - The father advised the deer were wood ducks were easily retrieved, cated a non-resident hunter sitting CO Mark DePew was work - hicles in the parking lot. In total, hanging in the basement. He went an over-limit. The hunters stated over the bait while not wearing ing on the Boyne River watching 41 illegal salmon were seized on to say that he told them to tag they didn’t realize they had shot hunter orange. The hunter tried to a group of four anglers snagging with numerous tickets issued. those deer. COs Lundberg and that many. CO Webster noted that hide the rifle in the brush but left fish. When he contacted the an - COs Steve Converse and Sam Steve Lockwood found the two it seemed unlikely that every duck the end of the rifle sticking out glers, they became verbally abu - Koscinski worked Pine Creek in improperly tagged deer and added they had shot had fallen perfectly where the COs could see it. A sive which later turned into Manistee County on the night of three additional charges for the in front of their blind. They ad - check revealed that the subject did crying. One of the subjects the trout stream closure. At ap - deer. mitted maybe at least one more not have a bear hunting license pleaded not to get a ticket since proximately 10:00 p.m. the COs had gone over behind them into and was ticketed for both viola - she was just arrested the night be - observed a male subject exit his DISTRICT 7 (Plainwell) the marsh area where they could - tions. The subject needed to post fore for drunk driving. All sub - vehicle and run to the creek with a CO Chris Holmes and Sgt. n’t recover it. Enforcement action bond and did not have the money jects were ticketed for their landing net. The subject netted Jeff Rabbers conducted surveil - was taken. on him. All three went back to the violations. four salmon and then ran them lance along a private lake in Kala - hunting camp where another CO Bill Webster was check - back up to his vehicle where the mazoo County in response to a DISTRICT 9 (Southfield) hunter was arrested on a felony ing duck hunters on the opener COs were waiting. The subject complaint of potential illegal wa - COs Mike Drexler and Dan warrant. The subject was lodged when he heard an odd-sounding was arrested for the illegal take of terfowl hunting activity. Contact Walzak were checking waterfowl in the Marquette County jail. gunshot. He was able to locate it salmon with 61 pounds of salmon was made with three surprised hunters at Pointe Mouillee State CO Grant Emery investigated and observe the hunters for a charged for restitution to the hunters at the end of their hunt. Game Area on opening day of wa - a complaint of a beaver trapper while. When he contacted the Game and Fish Protection Fund. One claimed he had left his li - terfowl season. One subject had getting a jump on the trapping group, one was hunting with lead CO Jeff Ginn was able to lo - cense at home and needed to go to a loaded firearm on the dike and season, with several traps out shot. When the hunter was asked cate a lost two-and-a-half-year- the bathroom real bad. CO an unplugged shotgun. The along a creek in Marenisco Town - about possessing the lead shot, he old girl in a heavily forested area Holmes asked him if he was al - hunter had a small spot of blood ship. Upon contacting the trapper said he received a warning last after she had been missing nearly lowed to go to his residence to use on the latex gloves he was wear - at his residence, CO Emery lo - year for the same violation and 24 hours wearing only a tank top the bathroom, would he come ing and stated that it came from a cated several beavers, a raccoon asked to receive the same treat - and a diaper. The search grid was back out to show them his license. duck he shot, but when he and an illegal bobcat. Enforce - ment this year. The CO advised he conducted by Conservation Offi - He responded that he would not, grabbed the duck it flew away. ment action was taken. obviously had not learned from cers on ORVs, and along with CO and that his wife would probably The COs were not impressed with the warning and issued him a Ginn included Sgt. Mike Bomay , not be happy when they tried to the story and continued investi - DISTRICT 2 (Newberry) ticket. Angela Greenway , Brian Lebel contact him at his residence. CO gating. When checking the CO Robert Crisp was off duty CO Bill Webster was flagged and Mike Wells . The two day Holmes then asked again if he had hunter’s shot shells, CO Drexler duck hunting when he observed down by a motorist who told him search also involved the Newaygo a license and he finally admitted asked to see a few pocket knives three ORVs cruising around with her father was drunk and needed County Sheriff Department, to taking two ducks without any in the hunter’s pockets. Inspect - the operators not wearing helmets, to be arrested. She stated they Michigan State Police, U.S. For - state or federal licenses. Enforce - ing the knives revealed fresh one with a pistol in a shoulder hol - took all of the car keys and hid est Service officers, local fire de - ment action was taken. feathers and blood. The hunter ster and carrying sacks of corn them so he got on his tractor and partments and hundreds of COs Steve Mooney and Jeff then stated that his religion re - bait. He returned later that day drove to the store to get more volunteers. A warrant will be Robinette observed a group of ju - quires him to cut the throats of the while working and located all beer. CO Webster contacted the sought from the prosecutor. veniles in a closed trout stream bird he shot, but after doing so the their hunting blinds with illegal individual driving the tractor chasing salmon with nets and bird flew away. An inspection of baits, ORV trails to the blinds, and along the county road with a case DISTRICT 5 (Roscommon) sticks. The COs identified them - the grocery bag in the hunters illegal tree cuttings. The follow - of beer on the floor of the tractor COs Mike Hearn and Matt selves and two of the subjects ran. pocket revealed six protected non- ing day he contacted the three and had him perform sobriety Liestenfeltz were on patrol at the After a short foot chase, the two game songbirds. The hunter re - hunters in their blinds. All had evaluations. Upon completing the Tippy Dam, conducting surveil - were apprehended. Local police ceived a ticket for the unplugged numerous violations and were is - evaluations the operator was ar - lance on a group of three anglers. officers arrived and advised that shotgun and taking non-game pro - sued tickets and educated about rested and lodged in the county The non-residents were snagging, one of the juveniles was wanted tected species. the violations. jail. keeping foul hooked fish and pos - on an assault charge. The two COs Mike Drexler and Dan While on patrol, CO Robert sessing over-limits of salmon. subjects who ran from the COs Walzak checked four waterfowl Crisp observed tracks in the road DISTRICT 4 (Cadillac) The COs seized 215 pounds of il - will be petitioned into juvenile hunters on the opening day of wa - where a truck had been spinning Two weekend group patrols legal fish and tickets were issued. court for the fishing violations. terfowl season. Three of the its tires and doing donuts. He fol - were conducted at Tippy Dam on CO Matt Liestenfeltz re - hunters failed to sign their Federal lowed the tracks and located the the Big Manistee River to address ceived a complaint at home from DISTRICT 8 (Rose Lake) waterfowl stamps, one hunter did vehicle. The driver was intoxi - numerous complaints of the ille - an off-duty MSP lieutenant and CO Brian Fish was called to a not have any of his hunting li - cated, his license was suspended, gal snagging of salmon. Numer - off-duty DNR employee regard - complaint of a landowner using a censes on him so a Federal stamp he had a warrant, was on proba - ous officers participated along ing an individual shooting a swan backhoe to create a new road, could not be confirmed, and they tion and the truck he was driving with a team of Michigan State Po - on Reedsburg Dam. CO Liesten - nearly one-half mile long, along a were in possession of loaded had no plates or insurance. He lice (MSP) troopers the first feltz responded to the scene, designated trout stream. Upon firearms on the dike. The hunters was arrested and lodged at the weekend. The first weekend re - where his investigation revealed a reaching the site, he found there protested a few tickets and several Alger County Jail. sulted in 83 arrests with 1,224 father and son shot multiple times was sand and material going warnings and couldn’t understand While on patrol, CO Jeff pounds of illegal salmon seized at a swan, fatally wounding it. downstream. The landowner had why the COs didn’t just “give Panich checked a small stream and the second weekend resulted The father was issued a ticket for removed all the growth, rocks, them all a break.” and observed a subject snagging in 42 arrests with 395 pounds of taking a non-game species and salmon. A short while later, the illegal salmon seized. All officers both firearms were seized. Marketplace of the North angler was contacted as he was reported numerous illegal activi - hauling four salmon up the bank. ties and were kept busy making DISTRICT 6 (Bay City) Classified Ads When CO Panich asked the man good cases. CO Joel Lundberg was on pa - VIDEO— From Nebraska Ranchers to Nashville Rebels: The how the fish were caught, he COs Steve Converse and Joel trol and came across a vehicle Story of Tompall & the Glaser Brothers . a 90-minute oral history stated “all in the mouth.” CO Lundberg observed four subjects driving recklessly on a two-track (DVD) about this pioneering trio that changed the Nashville Panich then showed the man the snagging salmon on the south side on state land. The CO activated recording industry. $20 each, plus shipping & handling. For more tear marks in the sides of the fish. of Tippy Dam on the Big Manis - his emergency lights to pull the information, see the Newshound Productions page at Upon seeing this, the angler stated tee River. Two of the subjects vehicle over. The vehicle then ac - www.mynorthwoodscall.com. that the marks were made when were using lead torpedoes. The celerated and passed the CO and VIDEO & BOOK— Buck Lake Ranch: Nashville of the North . a the hook fell off in the net each subjects were landing the salmon collided with the CO’s truck. The 78-minute documentary and 133-page softcover book about a his - time he caught a fish. The CO and then kicking them up on the CO pursued the vehicle and it toric rural music park near angola, Indiana. $20 each, plus ship - then advised that he was watching shoreline. Upon contact, the COs stopped a short distance later. The ping and handling. For more information, see the Newshound while the angler snagged the fish. discovered close to 30 salmon on occupants were intoxicated and Productions page at www.mynorthwoodscall.com. When the angler heard this, he shore. Additional COs assisted had open intoxicants in the vehi - “The newspaper for people who love the north.”

Published twice monthly (except one issue in January, april, July and october) by Newshound Productions llC, 5411 East DE av- enue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49004. First-class postage paid at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. online sub- scriptions $35 per year and $60 per two years. Print subscriptions $55 per year and $95 for two years. PosTMasTEr: send address changes to The North Woods Call , 5411 East DE avenue, Kala- mazoo, Michigan 49004. M DOT Code: 8021-0068 Page 8 Early December 2013 ThE NorTh WooDs Call Final Shot Guidelines for importing deer, elk and moose meat into state As successful deer, elk and state or province that a deer, elk or moose hunters return from trips moose you brought into Michigan in Michigan and beyond, the tested positive for CWD, you Michigan Department of Natural must contact the DNR Wildlife Resources (DNR) reminds Disease Lab within two business hunters that there are regulations days (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 517- regarding the importation of car - 336-5030 and provide details. casses from certain other states “The DNR appreciates the full and provinces. cooperation of Michigan residents For free-ranging deer, elk or returning from out-of-state hunt - moose taken in Colorado, Illi - ing trips in complying with these nois, Kansas, Maryland, Min - rules,” said Steve Schmitt, DNR nesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New wildlife veterinarian. “We want Mexico, New York, North and these hunters to be able to enjoy South Dakota, Pennsylvania, their success while helping us to Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Vir - protect the health of the deer, elk ginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Al - and moose of our state.” berta and Saskatchewan, This list of states and provinces restrictions exist on parts of these with CWD in free-ranging deer, animals that may be brought into elk and moose herds changes fre - Michigan. quently. Any changes to importa - The above states and provinces tion regulations will be posted at have detected chronic wasting www.michigan.gov/cwd. disease (CWD) in free-ranging In addition, the U.S. Depart - North Woods Theater animals. Only the following ment of Agriculture (USDA) may The majestic old opera house that anchors the downtown area of Calumet, Michigan—a once-bustling parts of a deer, elk, or moose car - have regulations on importation Upper Peninsula mining community that is now part of the Keweenaw National Historic Park—testifies cass may be brought into Michi - from Canada. Hunters may con - to the economic and cultural impact the mineral industry had in the days when copper was king. Visitors gan: deboned meat, antlers, tact the USDA at 301-734-3277. are sure to enjoy the ornate theatrical venue that opened in 1900 and still operates today. Over the years, antlers attached to a skull cap it has hosted numerous stars of the American stage, including Edwin Booth, Lillian Russell, Douglas Fair - cleaned of all brain and muscle banks Sr., James O’Neill, William S. Hart, Lon Chaney Sr., Sarah Bernhardt, Wallace Beery and Madame tissue, hides, upper canine teeth, OK hunters, Helena Modjeska (who is said to haunt the venue). Musical greats that have performed there range from or a finished taxidermy mount. John Philip Sousa and Irish tenor Chauncey Olcott to 1960s rock-and-rollers The Turtles, and folk singers If you are notified by another let’s be ethical Judy Collins and Peter Yarrow. in the woods As The North Woods Call re - Deck the halls with The North Woods Call ports in each issue (See Page 7), Michigan conservation of - ficers regularly encounter indi - Great Christmas ideas for friends and loved ones viduals engaged in unethical hunting practices. They tackle many cases of individuals buying a hunting This holiday season, give the gift that lasts all year license after harvesting a deer, or loaning kill tags to a friend or relative. “You must buy your license before you go out to hunt,” said Capt. Daniel Hopkins of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Law En - forcement Division, “and have it in your possession when afield. Buying a license is not We also have caps & only the ethical and responsi - t-shirts ble thing to do, it is the law. ($15 each, plus $3 shipping) Harvesting a deer without a li - cense is poaching.” Electronic Deer poaching in Michigan Stuff those stockings subscriptions: carries a restitution payment of with North Woods Call $1,000 per deer, a minimum apparel $35 per year, or $60 $200 fine and jail time of up to T-shirts (military green & prairie dust) and caps (khaki & hunter green) for two years 90 days. In addition, a viola - tor’s hunting privileges may be Order online at suspended for up to three mynorthwoodscall.com , Print subscriptions: years. or send a check or money $55 per year, or $95 Another unethical practice order to: encountered frequently each for two years hunting season is loaning kill The North Woods Call tags to an unlicensed individ - 5411 East DE Avenue ual who has harvested a deer. Kalamazoo, Michigan 49004 For more information about these and other deer hunting Don’t forget to let us know the infractions, take a look at t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, www.michigan.gov/deer. 3XL) and color you prefer.