“People often get caught up in the excitement of the moment and overlook winter safety,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, with the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section. “This is a beginning of the season reminder to please keep safety in mind this winter.”

Before heading out, make sure to:

• Dress for the weather. Wear light layers that can easily be added or removed – it is possible to overheat even during the winter.
• Check the weather forecast and road conditions.
• Carry appropriate equipment for your activity, such as a flashlight, rope, ice picks or ice claws.
• Have spare equipment available in case something breaks.
• Stay hydrated and fueled – bring water and snacks.
• Bring a buddy.
• Tell others where you will be, how long you plan to be gone and schedule check-in times.
• Carry a two-way communication device that receives service in remote areas.
• Take an honest assessment of your health – if you’re not feeling well, don’t go out.

Wanless said there are additional key things to remember.

Always use extreme caution around ice, as there is no perfectly reliable way to determine ice strength. Wear a personal floatation device and carry ice picks in an easy to reach location.

In Michigan, all snowmobile operators ages 12 to 16 must obtain a Michigan-approved snowmobile safety certificate to operate without a legal guardian or to cross a highway or street. Earn a snowmobile safety certificate or purchase a trail permit at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.

The DNR’s Ride Right snowmobile safety campaign emphasizes the importance of riding at a safe speed, sober and on the right-hand side of the trail to help ensure that you “Ride home safe to your family and friends.”

Speed is the main factor in fatal and serious injury snowmobile accidents. There were 19 snowmobile fatalities across Michigan during the 2022-23 season, and four deaths during the 2023-24 season. Find more safety tips and snowmobile rules and regulations at Michigan.gov/RideRight.

Learn more about recreation safety at Michigan.gov/DNR/Education/Safety-Info.

Be sure to check the DNR closures page for the latest on trails and other facility closures.

Chinook salmon eggs were collected Oct. 1–16 at the Little Manistee River Weir. Eggs and milt (sperm) are gathered from fish during the annual salmon run. At the weir, salmon swim up a fish ladder and into holding ponds. From there, fish are brought into the facility, where eggs and milt are collected and the eggs are fertilized.

“We experienced a solid run of wild Chinook salmon this year,” said Aaron Switzer, Fish Production Program manager. “The run at the Little Manistee was healthy enough to provide all of Michigan’s egg needs. We were also able to provide eggs to Indiana and Illinois state-owned fish hatcheries. Once hatched, reared and stocked all of these Chinook salmon contribute to the Lake Michigan salmon fishery.”

Coho salmon eggs were collected at the Platte River State Fish Hatchery Weir from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1.

“We collected nearly 6.5 million coho salmon eggs at the Platte River weir by the time the egg collection wrapped up. This includes approximately 3 million for Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. All four states work together cooperatively each year to ensure Lake Michigan continues to receive Pacific salmon to supplement the fishery,” said Switzer.

Not all egg collections are of wild fish, however. Captive broodstocks, fish kept at a hatchery to produce eggs and milt, will provide many of the eggs that will later become stocked fish: 378,000 brook trout eggs, 448,000 lake trout eggs, 2.6 million brown trout eggs and 1.5 million rainbow trout eggs. An additional 422,000 splake eggs (brook trout and lake trout hybrid) will also be collected from captive broodstock to support Michigan’s fisheries management objectives.

At Oden State Fish Hatchery, egg collections for brown trout occurred through mid-October. Rainbow trout egg collections at Oden will begin in December and continue until mid-January. These captive egg collections will occur every one to two weeks over the season. Captive broodstock egg collections for brook and lake trout at Marquette State Fish Hatchery have already been completed.

To learn more about Michigan’s state fish hatcheries or to plan a trip to see behind the scenes, visit Michigan.gov/Hatcheries.

By collaborating with local entrepreneurs, the DNR can offer a wider range of services that help elevate visitor experiences. Those can include retail and food services, equipment rentals, water park operations, guided tours and more.

Through a competitive bidding process, the DNR selects qualified businesses to provide these services. Successful bidders can secure contracts lasting up to seven years. These are partnerships that support local economies and create stable, long-term relationships.

“We take a lot of pride in offering opportunities to establish small businesses in state parks,” said the DNR’s Lori Green, who co-manages commercial land use in state parks, trails and waterways. “We encourage local businesses to consider expanding their operations through the bidding process.”

Currently, there are several business opportunities up for bid, including food trucks, beach concessions, farming activities, shuttle services, a riding stable and more. Visit Michigan.gov/StateParkConcessions to see a list of current opportunities and deadlines.

Questions? Contact Lori Green or Elissa Buck.

On Christmas Day 1900, Frank M. Chapman, an early officer of the National Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition: a “Christmas Bird Census” to count, rather than hunt, birds during the holidays. This marked the beginning of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count!

In its first year, 27 volunteers conducted 25 CBCs across locations from Toronto to California, tallying 90 bird species. This year marks the count’s 125th year, making it the longest-running bird census in the hemisphere. Dec. 14 to Jan. 5 every season across the Americas, tens of thousands of volunteers participate to gather critical data that helps scientists protect birds and the places they need.

That information allows researchers, conservationists and wildlife agencies to study long-term trends in bird populations across the Americas. When combined with other surveys, such as the Breeding Bird Survey, these data provide insights into how bird populations have changed in time and space over the past century. Audubon and other organizations use these findings to guide conservation efforts for birds where they are most needed.

In Michigan, dozens of local Audubon chapters organize CBCs. Many counts include guided bird walks, making them great opportunities for new birders to gain experience and connect with others who share their interest. The Christmas Bird Count is a prime example of how everyday observations from first-time volunteers and experts alike can make a big difference.

To get involved in this year’s Christmas Bird Count, visit the Audubon website. You also can learn more about Michigan birds and community science opportunities like the CBC at MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR.

Questions? Contact Erin Ford at 313-820-0809.

Snowmobiling

Buy your trail permit, check conditions. Michigan’s 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (only where riding is authorized) are open Dec. 1-March 31, and trail grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. Purchase your trail permit and find maps at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. Be sure to check trail reports and trail closures while planning your excursion, and follow Ride Right safety precautions, including staying on the right side of the trail.

ORV riding

Know where you can go. Off-road vehicle riding is allowed on all county roads that are open in the summer as well as all DNR-designated multiuse trails; note that ORV trails in the Upper Peninsula are marked by letters. Snowmobile-only trails, however, are closed to ORV use Dec. 1-March 31, and snowmobile trails are identified by numbers only on diamond-shaped signs.

In addition, highway rights-of-way are closed until May 1 and therefore are not open to ORVs. (These are areas where the trail runs on the side of state and U.S. highways allowing a trail to connect.) Always be aware of icy sections, especially on morning and evening rides, and ride in a manner that minimizes trail damage given that some trails’ terrain may be soft.

As 2024 winds down, the DNR is looking to trail users to reflect on this land use order change and to share their thoughts on both riding e-bikes and interacting with e-bike users on state-managed trails.

The short e-bike survey will help the DNR gather public input on the land use order, which went into effect in August on state-managed trails with the exception of those located on state wildlife or state forest lands.

The approved DNR land use order expanded operation of Class 1 e-bikes so that they are allowed on improved-surface trails such as linear trails (paved or gravel/asphalt) as well as natural-surface, nonmotorized bicycle trails/pathways in state parks and recreation areas and on state forest pathways and roads.

In addition, the change allowed – for mobility purposes – operation of Class 2 e-bikes, which are throttle- and pedal-assisted and can travel up to 20 miles per hour, on those trails/pathways open to Class 1 e-bike use, as long as a cyclist has applied for and received a no-cost permit to do so. Prior to the land use change, Class 1 e-bikes were only allowed on improved-surface trails and roads on state-managed land.

Read more about the land use order change in this Showcasing the DNR article. Visit Michigan.gov/DNR/Ebikes to learn more and to access the survey, which will remain open through early summer 2025.

Questions? Contact Tim Novak at 517-388-8347.

Snowy owl populations fluctuate greatly each year, based on the availability of their summer prey: lemmings. When lemmings are plentiful, snowy owls can have a successful nesting season in the Arctic and produce a lot of healthy chicks. This boom in population can cause an “irruption” in the winter, when snowy owls are seen far outside of their usual winter range and in greater numbers. In past irruption years, snowy owls have been spotted in Florida and Hawaii! This year, there has been an early push of snowy owls south into Michigan and across the Great Lakes region, which is promising.

Winter also provides a chance to marvel at Michigan’s year-round residents, like the great horned owl and eastern screech owl. Amid leafless trees and snow-covered surroundings, these nocturnal creatures are often easier to spot and hear. Their haunting calls echo through still, winter nights, offering a magical experience for those who venture out to find them.

Although spotting owls is a rare occurrence, it’s part of what makes winter birding so special. Check out MI Birds’ blog, Enchanting Owls: Your Guide to the Great Lakes’ Winter Birds, for tips on where and how to responsibly observe these captivating creatures. Then bundle up, head outdoors and enjoy the wonders of winter birding in Michigan!

This story is brought to you by MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. MI Birds aims to deepen all Michiganders’ engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and local communities.

Questions? Contact Erin Ford at 313-820-0809.

*This picture of a snowy owl in Huron County, Michigan, is courtesy of Lauren Bunker/Audubon Photography Awards.

Each webinar features DNR team members and the partners who are helping bring these projects to life. Two webinars are coming up in December.

“Creating a Sense of Place”
Monday, Dec. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Space Haus and the DNR are creating interpretive experiences at Muskegon, Orchard Beach, Dodge #4 and Sterling state parks this year. Hear about curating the stories that make each place special and the creative process for telling the stories in a way that is compelling for many generations. You’ll also explore examples of how this has been done successfully around the country.

In the early 1900s, overhunting and habitat loss nearly wiped out the state’s population, but the DNR and partners including the National Wild Turkey Federation worked together to reintroduce wild turkeys to the state and restore habitat they need to flourish.

Michigan’s oak-savannah habitats are of particular importance. These lightly forested grasslands with abundant oak trees provide turkeys with acorns to eat and habitat to build their nests at the base of trees, under shrub or in the tall grass. Oak-savannah habitats also support the nesting needs of migratory birds, such as the blue-winged warbler and eastern towhee. In addition to forests, Michigan’s wild turkey population can be found in fields, wetlands and urban and suburban parks.

The resurgence of wild turkeys is a conservation success story and a reminder of the impact that partnerships can have in protecting wildlife. Ongoing support and awareness of habitat conservation are essential to maintaining this progress. Learn more about Michigan’s wild turkey conservation efforts.

While it might seem counterintuitive, regulated hunting of wild turkeys also supports their conservation and management. Hunting license fees and excise taxes on hunting equipment support the DNR’s Wildlife Division. A portion of turkey hunting license fees also goes into the DNR’s “turkey fund,” which is used for habitat management on public lands to conserve populations and critical habitat. Learn more at the DNR turkey webpage. Turkey hunting season is closed for 2024 and will open in the spring and fall of 2025.

MI Birds is a public outreach and engagement program presented by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR that works to build and bring together wildlife enthusiasts across the state to engage with and conserve Michigan’s birds and public lands.

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.

Michigan is home to 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (only where riding is authorized).

Did you know that nearly 1,900 private landowners allow use of their land to create the trails network? Their generosity allows the DNR to offer trails that connect communities and bring snowmobilers to special places of interest that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them.

“We’re incredibly grateful to these property owners and their partnerships with their local snowmobile clubs,” said Jessical Roehrs, statewide motorized trails analyst for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “It’s important for all of us to give thanks to these landowners and to remember to be respectful of the land, wherever we ride.”

• Always Ride Right: Ride sober, ride at safe speeds and ride on the right side of the trail. Get more tips at Michigan.gov/RideRight.
• Your $52 snowmobile trail permit is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. Buy permits online through eLicense (your sticker will be mailed within seven to 10 days) or the Michigan Snowmobile ORV Association (which processes permit orders daily Monday through Friday) and in person at DNR license agents and dealers.
• Residents must also register snowmobiles with the Michigan Secretary of State (unless sleds are used solely on private property). Registration is good for three years, and those registration dollars support the purchase of easements, law enforcement on trails and safety education.
• The snowmobile program is 100% funded by trail permit and registration dollars that are directly reinvested into the program to benefit snowmobilers. The funds pay for grooming, signage, maintenance, bridge and culvert construction, purchase of new equipment, liability insurance, maintenance of trailhead amenities (signage, bathrooms, plowing of parking lots) and other snowmobile-related expenditures.
• Remember that some snowmobile trails may not be open Dec. 1 due to trail conditions or other factors such as in-progress maintenance projects. Know before you go by checking the DNR’s closures webpage.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. Questions? Contact Jessica Roehrs at 517-331-3790.

Oak trees in areas of the Lower Peninsula, as well as in Dickinson, Iron, Marquette and Menominee counties in the Upper Peninsula, are dying from oak wilt. One of the best ways to help prevent oak wilt from infecting trees on your property is to avoid wounding them during the high-risk infection period, April 15 to July 15. In fact, the safest time to prune oak trees is the winter season. In case you missed it, this recent DNR news release explains more about oak wilt, covers the benefits of off-season pruning and gives other useful information.