A wildlife management success
      When hunters take to the northern Lower Peninsula fields and forests on Aug. 26 for the opening day of the 2008 elk season, they'll be participating in a wildlife management milestone: the 25th consecutive year of elk hunting in Michigan.
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Public may comment on DNR plans for area forest management
      The Department of Natural Resources will host an open house Sept. 10, to provide information and receive public comment on proposed forest management treatments for 2010 in the Roscommon Management Unit. The open house will be held from 3 to 7 p.m.
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NRC eases crossbow rules for handicapped hunters
      Hunters with permanent disabilities will find it simpler to attain a crossbow permit as the Natural Resources Commission streamlined the application process and redefined eligibility requirements at its August meeting in Lansing.
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NEST BUILDERS
     According to recent studies, the Houghton Lake area has the state's largest concentration of nesting ospreys, a situation that is due, at least in part, to the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division's program of building and maintaining nesting platforms. Of the 32 nesting pairs identified in the last count, 30 were found to be nesting on the man-made platforms. Despite its success, no state funding is available to keep the program in operation, so the Michigan Conservation Foundation has taken up the cause. Bob Jacobson, president of MCF, said his organization is trying to raise $4,245 to provide materials needed to build and maintain osprey nesting platforms. Pictured (left to right) is Jacobson accepting a donation from Houghton Lake Lake Association President Keith Stiles, which along with donations from the MCF State Board and two MCF members, made $800 collected so far. To donate, contact Jacobson at (989) 366-8328 or email to mfljake@ freeway.net. (Courtesy photo)
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Gypsy moth egg mass counting to begin in early September
      The yellow-lime vest that landowners have become accustom to seeing worn by the Roscommon County Gypsy Moth Suppression Programs survey crew will be replaced with a new blue vests when the crews begin the annual survey Sept. 3.
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HELPING AT HESSEL
     Bill Kumpula (right) of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 16-03 of Houghton/Higgins Lakes pilots an auxiliary vessel in the waters of Lake Huron near Hessel during the Les Cheneauz Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show recently. Members of the flotilla traveled to the event at the request of the St. Ignace Coast Guard Auxiliary to help patrol the waters near the boat show. Kumpula reported that the group was able to assist boaters by moving some anchored boats to shallower water when winds picked up and the anchored boats started to float into each other. He said the pleasure boaters had anchor lines that were too short (not the 7:1 ration of line to depth of water required to hold a boat in rough seas. Also pictured with Kumpula is a auxliarist from St. Ignace. (Courtesy photo)
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Friends of NRA chapter plans dinner, auction
      The Houghton Lake Area Friends of the National Rifle Association will hold a dinner and auction Sept. 18 at the Atrium Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Houghton Lake. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and includes dinner. At least one gun will be given away as a door prize and everyone attending will receive an NRA folding knife.
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