Outdoors

Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hunting and more

A photograph and tracks found recently in the Upper Peninsula have rekindled a debate over whether Michigan has an established, breeding cougar population. The state Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday confirmed the authenticity of a cougar photo taken by a trail camera last month in eastern Chippewa County. The DNR also verified the discovery last week of cougar tracks... Full story »

The annual two-day Wheelin' Hunters event in Montcalm County is a collaborative effort between local businesses, churches and individual donors that aims to limit boundaries for those with disabilities. Full story »

Don Corrigan downed what likely is the second-biggest black bear killed in Michigan and possibly the seventh-ranked bruin ever. Full story »

If the Michigan House bill becomes law, anglers will have to freeze, smoke or can each limit of fish before fishing for a second or third limit. That's no big deal if they are close to home, but it is if they are camping or staying at a small mom-and-pop motel. Full story »

Author Dennis Dunn was the first hunter to achieve a barebow Super Slam, which means he used bows without sighting devices and shot instinctively at close range. He chronicles his adventures in a beautifully illustrated -- albeit pricey -- large-format publication. Full story »

Salmon are still being found in some locations around Michigan, but it is getting harder to find fresh fish, the state Department of Natural Resources said. The rivers have started to fill up with steelhead and whitefish are being caught in the waters of Lake Michigan, the DNR said Wednesday in its weekly recreational fishing report. Full story »

A sign warning about the river's coffer dams is a start, but the more important message is paddlers need to use common sense and do their homework before launching on an unfamiliar stretch of water. Full story »

The women in a recent class ranged in age from their early 20s to mid-60s. Most had come to learn how to defend themselves. Others feared losing that right sometime in the future. Full story »

The female-only class was sponsored by Great Lakes Outdoors Foundation, a 2-year-old nonprofit organization with Zeidler as executive director. Full story »

Work is expected to begin on the mile-and-a-half-long trail and "skills" area soon, with completion by late spring.  Full story »

Concerns about longer hours on the water, higher fuel costs and Dumpsters full of unused, wasted fish were unfounded after the state raised the daily salmon limit to five per angler this year. Full story »

Walleye fishing is very good on inland lakes this time of year, although few anglers participate. This is also a good time of year to catch pike and muskie. Full story »

Bright days and cool nights have been the perfect recipe for fall color, the U.S. Forest Service reported. Steve Freitag, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake, said although his agency does not track leaf color trends, the weather in late September and early October was ideal. “Cool nights, in the upper 30s to 40s, and... Full story »

Mushers come to the three-day camp with dogs that might not pull the whole time, fight with other dogs or become distracted.  Full story »

The consistent numbers follow a gradual, decades-long decline linked to loss of habitat and changing agricultural practices. Full story »