Outdoors

Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hunting and more

Federal officials say the dreaded Asian carp may have breached an electronic barrier designed to prevent it from invading the Great Lakes and threatening a $7 billion sport fishery. Officials with the Army Corps of Engineer say Friday that DNA of the giant carp have been found north of the barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. If... Full story »

A plan has been expanded to apply Rotenone in waters upstream of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. That means 20 miles downstream from Lake Michigan. Full story »

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service two years ago said grizzlies in and around Yellowstone National Park had recovered from near-extermination. Full story »

Fruitland Township's Jeff Holtrop feels lucky he’s alive to describe a prolonged hand-to-horn wrestling match in an Ottawa County cornfield with a wounded 14-point, 195-pound buck. • Deer on the run injures Fruitport Township man driving an ATV • Deer and motorists on a collision course  Full story »

Stephen Hellman is known for being a prepared deer hunter. Each time he heads out to his tent in Sand Lake, Hellman carries a backpack and enough extra materials to be ready no matter what the circumstance. “He’s got all the comforts of home but the toilet,” jokes his father, Donald Wiltemburg. But on Tuesday, the Fruitport Township resident... Full story »

Thousands of fish may die when poison is dumped into a canal near Lake Michigan, but it's necessary to prevent an onslaught of Asian carp that could devastate the $7 billion Great Lakes sport fishery, officials said Monday. Rotenone, a toxin derived from tropical plant roots, will be applied next month to a nearly 6-mile section of the Chicago Sanitary... Full story »

Approximately 642,000 hunters are expected to participate. They are expected to kill about 291,000 deer, according to the DNR. Full story »

West Michigan hunters were out in force Sunday; listen to their stories. • Read Howard Meyerson's story from opening day Full story »

Regulators and farmers say continued enforcement needed to end threat. Full story »

Jim Naber, owner of Naber's Taxidermy in Grand Rapids, has simple advice for hunters who kill a trophy deer: "Treat the deer like a piece of chicken you want to eat. Keep it clean and cool and eat it as soon as possible." Full story »

Two sets of cougar tracks and a trail camera photograph of the cat recently discovered in the Upper Peninsula marks the sixth time evidence of the animal has been confirmed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the past three years.  Full story »

But his biggest target is the disease affecting his 13-year-old. Full story »

When dawn breaks today in northern Michigan, Ken Hopson and Jim George will be waiting. Hopson, 57, and George, 62, are deer hunters. So when today’s firearm deer season gets under way, the Swartz Creek pair will be in the woods near the Roscommon County community of St. Helen hoping to bag big bucks. It’s a tradition they’ve celebrated... Full story »

LANSING — The Michigan Senate has voted to eliminate state park entrance fees and instead ask drivers to voluntarily pay higher vehicle registration fees. The funding change is designed to raise more money for a park system that supporters say is at the breaking point financially. Visitors to state parks and boat launches no longer would pay $6 for a... Full story »

Blue Star Meat company owner Rod De Jonge packs ground venison for donation to Holland's Community Action House. As hunters get ready for Michigan's firearm deer opener Sunday, an increasing number consider donating part or all of their deer meat.  Full story »