The Michigan Natural Resources Commission recently approved a proposal to expand the Baldwin and Gladwin Bear Management Units (BMUs) into many southern counties.

The Baldwin unit will now include Mason, Oceana and Muskegon counties, the southern portion of Newaygo County, and portions of Kalkaska, Mecosta, and Osceola counties west of US-131. Counties added to the Gladwin unit include Isabella, Midland, the northern portion of Bay County, a portion of Mecosta east of US-131, and portions of Iosco and Ogemaw counties south of M-55. In addition, boundary units were changed from county borders to defined public roads throughout portions of the Lower Peninsula BMUs.

"The bear population has been expanding southward, and we want to provide hunting opportunities where multiple sightings have occurred," said Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division Chief Bill Moritz.

The DNR estimates there are approximately 15,000 to 19,000 bears in Michigan statewide. Approximately 2,500 bears are harvested yearly during the hunting season. The bear hunting application period is from April 15 to May 15. Applications can be submitted at local license agents, DNR Operations Service Centers, or on-line at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

The Midwest U.S. Forum has 615 Active Topics

• Ohio DNR Call Center Extends Hours
• What to do with the heads?
• Public Wisconsin Land near Minneapolis
• ? For Hunters that Camp (Part II)
• Any tips would be great!

Predator Hunting on the Manitoba Prairie
As a young lad growing up in any rural area can tell you, predators are a part of life, whether you like it or not. I was introduced to a form of predator control at an early age, my father always used to run a small trap line, nothing special, just a bunch of snares and a few foot traps set out on only the most popularly used predator trails. My old man was always on the lookout for a new spot to set up traps and was usually right on the money when he returned to see if his hunch was correct. His personal best was 8 coyotes and one red fox, which he managed to collect during a 2 - day period about 20 years ago, it seems the tradition is bred into our heritage. This is the story of how my brothers and I tied my dad's personal best.