The Michigan DNRE issued a press release Feb. 11th about wanting the public’s help with sightings of gray wolves in Michigan’s lower peninsula.  Below is the statement issued by the DNRE!

Contacts: Jennifer Kleitch 989-785-4251, ext. 5430 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 DNRE Asks for Help From Public to Detect Presence of Wolves in the Lower Peninsula The Department of Natural Resources and Environment today announced it will conduct a survey in the northern Lower Peninsula Feb. 16 through March 12 to detect the presence of gray wolves in this area of the state. Survey teams will be searching areas where the public reports observing a wolf or wolf tracks during the survey period. Priority will be placed on the most recent reports and reports with potential wolf evidence. “The purpose of the survey is to both verify the presence of wolves where we have previously confirmed animals and to detect new occurrences in other areas,” said DNRE Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Kleitch. “Given the low probability of observing a wolf or tracks in the Lower Peninsula it’s helpful to have as many eyes looking as possible. That’s why public reports are important.” The DNRE is asking the public to report wolf sightings that occur during the survey period to the Gaylord Operations Service Center at 989-732-3541, ext. 5901. Observation reports can also be submitted online year-round at www.michigan.gov/wolves. The Web site also contains identification information for wolves. “It’s imperative that observations are reported in a timely manner so we can work with fresh evidence. If the public finds what appear to be wolf tracks, they should preserve the physical evidence and disturb it as little as possible or take a photo of the tracks with a ruler,” Kleitch said. “If someone has a photo or video of a wolf in the Lower Peninsula, we’re interested in that as well.” Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula via Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Since that time populations have increased and continue to expand their range. Evidence of range expansion into the Lower Peninsula came when a gray wolf was accidentally killed in Presque Isle County in 2004. More recently, the DNRE verified two wolf observations in 2009 in the northern Lower Peninsula as a result of a video and trail camera photo taken by Michigan citizens. The DNRE is partnering in this survey effort with USDA Wildlife Services, the Little Traverse and Grand Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and Central Michigan University. The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations.

Press Release:

Feb. 16, 2010

     Up North Journal would like to thank Scott Briner of DragonFire ThermoGrips for becoming our newest sponsor for the UNJ team.  “DragonFire ThermoGrip” produces a heated hand grip and stabilizer for your bow!  You will see this product on the UNJ team’s bows this year on the ranges and in the field. 

     Their stabilizer which doubles as the battery pack has been put through rigorous testing and has come out on top in dampening and vibration canceling qualities against some of the best stabilizers on the market.  The thermo grip will provide up to three hours of warmth, it has two settings to provide a comfortable amount of warmth to your hand depending on the conditions.  Set it on high for cold conditions or choose the low setting for those cool mornings and evenings.

     Don’t get caught with your bow on the hook because your hands are cold.  Check out this “HOT” new product over at our website www.upnorthjournal.com and follow the links for more information on DragonFire ThermoGrips or visit them at www.dragonfirethermogrip.com.  You Can also email Scott Briner directly at:  scott@dragonfirethermogrip.com

     It isn’t going to be long until turkey season is upon us!  With that in mind, we stopped at the Quaker Boy booth at this year’s ATA show in Columbus, Ohio!  Dave Streb who is the VP of Sales and Marketing demonstrated a new turkey vest for us during an interview with him.  This new vest isn’t just a vest for turkey hunting, it doubles as a guile suit for the complete concealment package while running and gunning for those big spring gobblers!  Take a look at the Vest-A-Blind in the video we produced covering just one of the hot new products from the 2010 ATA show!

I’m proud to announce that episode 6 of Beyond The Wild is now on the network.  You can view our latest installment at: http://www.upnorthjournal.com/ and simply click on the video player.  This episode we take you to the frozen waters of the Saginaw River in Michigan for a little walleye action.  After spending a day on the ice we then take our catch to the table with a recipe your sure to enjoy!