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 Natural Resources |
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Wildlife
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Ring-Necked Pheasant
Ruffed Grouse
Waterfowl
White-Tailed Deer
Wild Turkey
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Ring-Necked Pheasant
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Ring-necked pheasants are holding their own in Montcalm County. While pheasant populations throughout Michigan and much of the Midwest have declined considerably from the “good old days” of the 1950’s and 1960’s, good numbers of birds can still be found in Montcalm County where agricultural lands and idle grasslands dominate the landscape.
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Ruffed Grouse
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Ruffed grouse are somewhat common in Montcalm County with local hot spots occurring where dense aspen stands are found. Grouse are typically most abundant in northern Michigan with Montcalm County providing home to perhaps the highest populations in southern Michigan. Woodcock are most common along stream corridors and other wet areas during peak migration times.
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Waterfowl
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Canada geese, mallards, and wood ducks are commonly found nesting near the wetlands, lakes and streams of Montcalm County. In addition, good hunting and viewing opportunities exist throughout the county as these and many more species can be seen during the Fall and Spring as they migrate through on their way North or South.
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White-Tailed Deer
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The white-tailed deer population in Montcalm County is thriving to say the least. Deer hunters enjoy good success and wildlife enthusiasts are able to observe deer throughout the county as populations are very high. While an abundant deer population provides quality hunting and viewing opportunities, crop damage and car-deer collisions remind us that the population must be maintained at reasonable levels.
Local hunters and land owners have petitioned the DNR to enact mandatory Quality Deer Management (QDM) regulations in Montcalm County. These regulations aim for more natural sex and age ratios and a healthy deer herd. Under these regulations, all bucks must have 4 points on one side to be legally harvested and greater emphasis would be placed on shooting antlerless deer. A sample of land owners and deer hunters will be allowed to vote on this issue. Questions? Call the DNR at (616) 794-2658.
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Wild Turkey
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The wild turkey population in Montcalm County is doing very well and provides excellent turkey hunting and viewing opportunities on both public and private land. The mixture of forest and farmland found here provides abundant food sources and excellent cover. Although historically common, wild turkeys were eliminated from Michigan around 1897 due to habitat loss and unregulated exploitation. Restoration efforts by the Michigan DNR and the National Wild Turkey Federation starting in the late 1950’s were very successful and turkeys are now seen commonly throughout the county.
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This page last updated on 3/13/2006.
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