Outdoor News Daily

While snow melting is a welcome change from winter, another seasonal change that warm spring temperatures bring is the threat of wildfires. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds Michigan citizens that dead grass and leaves become exposed after warm temperatures melt the snow, and can easily ignite fields and forests.

Paul Kollmeyer, DNRE fire prevention specialist, points out several things that contribute to early spring’s increased wildfire risk.

“Dead grass quickly dries out becoming flammable and people do not realize there can be wildfire danger even when nights are cool and snow piles linger in the shade. The hazard begins when homeowners start spring cleanup chores by burning yard waste,” Kollmeyer said. “To eliminate the risk of starting a wildfire or irritating your neighbors with nuisance smoke, consider chipping or mulching your natural debris instead of burning; it’s safe and cleaner.”
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources this week is beginning the removal of diseased and damaged trees at Illini State Park in an effort to limit the spread of tree diseases at the park.

Removal of diseased and damaged trees will begin this week at the Marsatawa Area of Illini State Park, where the dead trees were discovered during the summer of 2009. Park site personnel and IDNR foresters found 24 trees of different species were involved, including 16 black oak trees. Branch samples were cut from the oak trees and taken to the University of Illinois Plant Clinic for testing. The lab results were not conclusive for a single pathogen. However, foresters believe all signs and symptoms suggest that the oak trees have oak wilt. Oak wilt is very infectious and the trees must be removed this winter in order to slow the spread of the disease.
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As winter slowly draws to an end and people start thinking about outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding and shed antler hunting, the Department of Game and Fish is reminding everyone to give wildlife a break so they can rest and give birth.

Some state wildlife areas, including the Rio Chama Wildlife Area and the Humphries Wildlife Area in northern New Mexico, are closed to protect deer and elk until after they have their calves and fawns. The only exception is for hunters who draw for the special April 15-30 turkey hunt.

“Wildlife Management Areas are purchased to allow wildlife a safe place during crucial breeding and wintering times,” said Bill Taylor, Game Manager for the Northwest Area. “Deer and elk need a place where they can be free from human interaction during this time,” he said.
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Delaware’s Redbird Reef — the largest site of sunken vehicles and vessels in the state’s network of artificial reefs—was enhanced for recreational diving this week with the sinking of a retired 74-foot tugboat, while another reef site received as fish habitat commercial barges that will make for more bites for anglers.

The Sandy Point, a towboat, went down near the Bay Tide and Crazy Horse, two retired fishing boats sunk on the Redbird Reef within the last year. “They are close enough together that a diver can probably now access all three vessels on a single dive,” said Jeffrey Tinsman, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife artificial reef program manager.
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