Michigan Out-of-Doors

03/04/2024

"Across North America (albeit not in the Midwest), record book entries show a gradual decline in antler size scores for white-tailed deer. Factors contributing to this disturbing trend aren’t clear. West of the Mississippi, possibilities include invasive species and predator impacts, intrusive energy development and accelerating fire cycles. East of the Mississippi, declines could reflect changing habitat quality or the influence of various harvest regimes."

Across North America, various factors affect record book entries of trophy bucks. Some of these factors include APRs, regulations, and disease.

01/04/2024

Fishing 411 TV Producer and Host Mark Romanack helps us Camp More. Fish More. in this spring's cover story.

"For my money, combining fishing with a bit of camping makes for the ultimate outdoor experience. Fishing trips have always been an essential part of what makes the Romanack family tick, but some of my most cherished fishing memories have occurred during family camping trips," Romanack said.

Camp More. Fish More. Helps readers dive into the world of camping and fishing around Michigan in ways to involve the whole family.

13/03/2024

Meet your Maker | Spring 2024

Jason Dowd, Jay to his friends, or Upland Lowlife by his Instagram handle, is a Michigan writer, grouse guide and celebrated pen-and-ink artist specializing in upland folk art. His commissions are in high demand, and his work can be found on the pages of Orvis and Filson catalogs, and adorning gear from brands like Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Pyke Gear and Scientific Anglers, and shotguns for Upland Gun Company LLC.

Cover photo: Sport Dog Photography

Jay Dowd and his pen-and-ink drawings are some of the most recognizable images in some of today's most iconic sporting brands and outdoor catalouges.

12/03/2024

Members of MUCC voted to support year-round coyote hunting at their annual convention this past weekend. The Natural Resources Commission is considering partially closing the season.

MUCC delegates converged on Sault Ste. Marie for the organization's Annual Convention — voting to support year-round coyote hunting.

16/02/2024

It’s still rabbit season for a month and a half!

Grab the .22 or shotgun, kids and some warm clothes and head to your closest State Game Area.

13/02/2024

Field Armor is based right here in Michigan. Providing quality hunting vests for you and your four-legged best friends is what they are all about.

Their vests aim to solve three problems with competitor vests — fit, form and function.

Field Armor provides hunting dogs maximum protection from the elements while providing the fit, form and function to allow them to do their job.

12/02/2024

Link to subscribe in bio.

The spring magazine is headed to the printer later this week.

‘s Mark Romanack shows us how how to camp and fish more this spring.

This season’s Meet Your Maker column by features — his art and passion providing inspiration for brands and hunters across the continent.

Have you ever cast an Adams fly? Did you know it was born in Mayfield, Michigan on the Boardman River? Tom Gauthier clears up some history regarding the iconic fly.

11/02/2024

Anyone else out chasing honkers the last few days?

09/02/2024

Production on the spring magazine is wrapping up. Time is running out to get this one delivered in your mailbox!

Mark Romanack from Fishing 411 TV shows us how camping and fishing complement each other perfectly during the spring and summer seasons.

Contributor Allen Crater takes us inside Upland Lowlife's desire to better upland birds and conservation through his art in this season's Meet Your Maker.

MUCC staffer Tess Bradley helps us understand the recent buzz surrounding Consumers Energy and the decommissioning of its dams.

Tom Gauthier takes us back in time to Mayfield, Michigan, where the Adams fly was born.

Sign up NOW to get this issue delivered to your mailbox: https://bit.ly/MOODsubscribe

06/02/2024

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission will weigh whether or not to close the coyote season from April 15 to July 15 -- an issue that could test sound scientific management.

Read Michigan United Conservation Clubs' NRC preview below.
👇👇👇👇👇

Sound scientific management could be tested at the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), as information presented at the February meeting will be up for action in March. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at 9:30 a.m. at Lansing Community College West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Drive. Wil...

02/02/2024

Black Lake Sturgeon Season Canceled

The quickest fishing season this side of the Mississippi is canceled for 2024 due to safety conditions.

24/01/2024

Legend of Conservation - Ben East

"The average owner of 16mm motion picture equipment looks upon his outfit as something for home entertainment only. It's all right for making a satisfactory record of the baby's second birthday party, or the family's vacation to Mosquito Lake, he feels. It isn't expected to go beyond that. As a matter of fact, the 16mm camera and projector can be made to stretch a long way beyond the simple home movie. It has definite possibilities in the field of professional entertainment."

Ben East was a pioneer in the outdoor writing and photography world. What many saw as unexplored, he explored.

Subscribe now to get the spring magazine and learn about this Legend of Conservation: https://bit.ly/MOODsubscribe

20/01/2024

Jigging season will be here before we know it.

AW Jigs LLC paint is just darn tough. And with a wide range of color schemes, there’s something for even the wariest walleye.

Best of all, AW Jigs are made in Michigan.

19/01/2024

Work on the spring magazine is underway!

Meet Your Maker focuses on introducing readers to Michigan businesses in the outdoor space.

Upland Lowlife and Jay Dowd are this season's maker. Learn how this tattooed old soul, with some help from his grandpa, meshed his passion for bird hunting and art to create some of today's most recognizable outdoor industry pen and ink drawings for companies like Orvis, Pyke Gear and Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

👉 Subscribe before it's too late: https://bit.ly/MOODsubscribe

08/01/2024

Pheasants Forever Michigan State Coordinator Ben Beaman explains how to restore a grassland in this winter 2023 article.

"Diverse mixes of plant species maximize the benefits of a stand for an array of wildlife species over time. Monocultures, or stands consisting of only one plant species, are generally avoided. There is, however, one exception to this rule: switchgrass."

Michigan Pheasants Forever | Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Restoring grasslands is integral to managing your property for wildlife and diverse ecology.

15/12/2023

MUCC CEO Amy Trotter went back to college last summer.

"Field Day 5: Amy’s Christmas Day. Friday was the final day to rerun the full trapline and pull our sets. Field 1 was a bust for me again. When we moved to field 2, my neighboring trappers discovered before me that I had a raccoon!"

Michigan United Conservation Clubs Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter attended Trappers College in Indiana in 2023. It was a wonderful experience.

11/12/2023

“….there are some American inventions that endure, without improvement, and are as effective today as the hour they first saw daylight. In the world of fishing there’s a little red-and-white lure with a picture of Lucifer on the bottom that belongs right up there in that shining assemblage of old American reliables. They call it Dardevle..."

Did you know this iconic lure was made right here in Southeast Michigan? Allen Crater takes us inside the Eppinger lure-making facility and details the work, much of it still done by hand, that these folks accomplish.

The dardevle by Eppinger is known to anglers throughout the world. It is made right here in Michigan.

05/12/2023

Have you ever heard of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation? Chances are you and your hobbies have benefited from it.

It faces an uphill battle in thee 21st century.

"And yet, as the American conservation movement enters its second century, some now believe that cracks and deficiencies are beginning to show. NAM was explicitly designed to assure equitable distribution and maximize sustainable harvest; it’s undeniably (and unapologetically) utilitarian. "

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | Boone and Crockett Club

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation faces multiple challenges in adapting to 21st-century conservation issues.

04/12/2023

Fishing 411 TV's Mark Romanack helps us coax bruiser walleye into the net when the mercury dips in this winter 2023 article.

For those able to brave the cold, trolling crankbaits with these tactics will provide success.

Check out Captain Mark and his son at ShowSpan Inc.'s upcoming Ultimate Sport Show Tour's Ultimate Fishing Show in Novi, January 11-14.

Walleye Crankin’ & the Big Chill by Editor | Dec 4, 2023 | Fishing Winter walleye fishing is an often overlooked, lucrative time to be on the water in Michigan. By Mark Romanack Anyone who has spent considerable time targeting walleye will attest that these popular fish will often literally destro...

02/11/2023

Work on the winter magazine is almost finished.

For our cover feature, Former Wildlife Chief Russ Mason takes us inside the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and its struggles to adapt to the 21st century.

This winter's edition will also feature the iconic Michigan lure — the Daredevle — made famous by Eppinger in Southeast Michigan.

Lastly, we highlight Matt Poet, grandson of Jay Poet and son of Jeff Poet, for his work keeping the conservation legacy of Jays Sporting Goods alive. He said best, "Without conservation, there would be no Jay's Sporting Goods."

Don't miss your chance to get this edition delivered to your mailbox: https://michiganunitedconservationclubs.app.neoncrm.com/forms/membership?_gl=1*58q2tl*_ga*MjA3NTQ0MjkyOS4xNjQ5MTgzODk3*_ga_3TCKK33NPD*MTY5ODkzNjU0NC41MTUuMS4xNjk4OTM2NTQ3LjAuMC4w

26/09/2023

I accidentally took a family friend and country neighbor bird hunting last year. I should try to bring people hunting all the time. Purposely. But I do not. I grew up flogging grouse coverts with my dad. He cannot handle the terrain anymore, so I often hunt with my ever-present fishing buddy, Kenny. He has a severe bowhunting addiction that I shed when I had kids. When Kenny chooses chasing big game over small, I hunt alone.

Accidentally Sharing by Editor | Sep 26, 2023 | Hunting By Blake Sherburne Sharing our outdoor endeavors with someone new opens up a whole world of possibilities I accidentally took a family friend and country neighbor bird hunting last year. I should try to bring people hunting all the time. Purpos...

25/09/2023

We held our annual Youth Hunt this past weekend at Tails A Waggin Acres. The dogs had to contend with tough conditions, but the kids and parents left with smiles, some pheasant to eat and a hands-on experience afield.

This event would not be possible without generous funding from The Abrams Foundation.

24/09/2023

Our Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Hunt is kicking off at Tails A Waggin Acres.

12 kids. Clays. Pheasants. Camaraderie. Bird cleaning demo.

Happy kids!

Many thanks to the The Abrams Foundation for their generous funding that’s makes this all free for the kids and families.

21/09/2023

Mountain biking has become so popular at some state game areas (SGAs) in Michigan that hunters and anglers are no longer the primary users of these areas.

While seemingly innocuous on its surface, this shift carries with it several unintended consequences, including possible withholding of funding.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

State Game Areas (SGAs) in Michigan were purchased using Pittman-Roberston dollars, and as such, they are closed to mountain biking.

20/09/2023

Disturbance must occur every three to five years to maintain a healthy grassland. Pheasants Forever Michigan State Coordinator Ben Beaman lays out your three best options:

1) Prescribed fire 🔥
2) Light disking or turning up of soil 🚜
3) Mowing (least beneficial but easiest to accomplish) 🌿

👉 https://www.michiganoutofdoors.com/disturbance-grasslands-need-maintenance-to-thrive/