A Wildlife Through Forestry forum on May 8 will showcase preliminary results from an ongoing Upper Peninsula predator-prey study.
This the third forum in a highly-successful series that links wildlife topics to ways habitat may be developed and enhanced for a range of species on private lands in the western Upper Peninsula.
The long-term predator-prey study is currently ongoing in Ontonagon and Houghton counties, in the high snowfall zone of the U.P. Previously, work has been done in low and medium snowfall areas of the region.
The research is the result of a collaborative effort between the DNR, Mississippi State University and Safari Club International. The project aims to provide a better understanding of the major factors affecting white-tailed deer survival.
Factors potentially affecting deer include habitat conditions, winter weather and predation. Understanding the role and interaction of these factors will aid management of the deer herd.
Two members of the research team, Nick Fowler and Todd Kautz, both doctoral candidates at Mississippi State, will describe the study and review some of its preliminary findings.
A panel of resource professionals will discuss the development, preparation and implementation of resource management plans. The Wildlife Through Forestry steering committee planned specific goals in holding these forums in the western U.P.
“We want to get folks fired up about sound resource management so that they establish a family legacy with their forest ownership,” said Gary Willis, forester. “We want to show folks the importance of working closely with a resource professional to accomplish their goals and objectives for ownership. We also want folks to have a good time getting together to discuss topics of interest to us all.”
A previous forum on the predator-prey study was held in Ontonagon and a session on black bears was offered earlier this month in Houghton County. Additional forums during summer are planned.
More than 150 professional foresters and 20 wildlife biologists develop Forest Stewardship Plans for forest landowners in Michigan. For information about these plans or the Commercial Forest Program, contact Gary Willis, DNR Service Forester, 427 U.S. 41 North, Baraga, Michigan, 49908, phone (906)353-6651, ext. 122 or email willisg2@michigan.gov.
For additional information on the predator-prey research project, click here.