Six Upper Peninsula deer habitat improvement projects were completed in 2010 by sportsmen’s groups working in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, DNRE officials announced today.
The projects, which improved deer habitat on more than 420 acres, were funded by the DNRE's Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative. The DHIPI was created to attract and support proposals from non-government organizations that are interested in improving white-tailed deer habitat in the Upper Peninsula on public land that is not state owned, and on private land with public access considerations. The state's Deer Range Improvement (DRIP) Fund, which receives $1.50 from each deer license sold in Michigan, provided approximately $47,000 in funding toward the six projects completed in 2010.
The six projects involved 30 separate ownerships and forged partnerships between 14 organizations, including sportsmen's groups, the commercial paper and timber industry, county conservation districts, and local and state government. Projects included planting advanced red oak seedlings in Gogebic and Mackinac counties; small clover plot plantings on 50 acres in Delta and Menominee counties; wildlife orchard planting in Dickinson County; rehabilitation of an historic wildlife opening with clovers and other forage in Ontonagon County; and 300 acres planted with 50,000 red oak seedlings in Alger and Schoolcraft Counties.
"These deer habitat improvement projects are good examples of how sportsmen's clubs and other organizations can help improve deer habitat in their local area, while working with the DNRE's wildlife biologists to make sure the best available science is utilized," said DNRE wildlife biologist Bill Scullon, who oversees the DHIPI program. "By funding these projects, we are getting a lot of bang for our buck, since the organizations are providing a 25 percent project cost share, often through volunteer manpower, while improving or creating vital deer habitat.”
In addition to the tangible outcome of the projects, implementation of the projects also served to strengthen invaluable relationships and partnerships between the DNRE and the organizations involved, according to Scullon.
“The primary goals of the initiative are to improve deer habitat, develop and foster partnerships, educate the public, and promote cooperative management,” Scullon said. “All goals have been accomplished, and the close working relationships developed between DNRE staff and project partners will hopefully continue to benefit all involved parties long into the future.”
For more information about the Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative or the DRIP Fund, contact Bill Scullon at 906-353-6651. More information about deer management in Michigan can be found online HERE.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more by clicking on THIS LINK.
