Outdoor News Daily

Late winter and early spring is the worst time of the year for elk, moose and especially deer in Utah.

Deep snow makes it hard for deer to move and find food. And cold temperatures sap the deers’ strength. By the time winter ends, deer are usually the weakest they’ll be all year.

Winter is also the time of year when male deer, elk and moose shed their antlers. The animals will be without antlers until spring, when they’ll start to grow a new set.

Gathering shed antlers
Read the rest of this entry »

On Feb. 11, visitors to Custer State Park will have the opportunity to experience the winter sights and sounds of the popular park, by way of a pair of snowshoes.

The Lover’s Leap Snowshoe Hike will guide participants through a dense pine forest, meandering near Grace Coolidge Creek. The three-mile hike is geared toward beginners, allowing participants the opportunity to try the recreational event and explore some of the park’s most beautiful winter scenery.

Two hikes will depart that day, leaving at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center. Snowshoes are provided, but reservations are required to borrow snowshoes by calling 605-255-4464.
Read the rest of this entry »

Since Texas Parks and Wildlife Department launched a statewide appeal in early December for donations to aid a financially strapped Texas State Parks system, more than $1 million has been raised.

In an update provided to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission this week, TPWD staff reported that since the awareness campaign’s launch on Dec. 6, donations to state parks have topped the $1 million mark, bolstered by three large contributions and smaller donations from more than 1,000 individuals.

“We’re off to a very promising start in what is just the first stage of what is an ongoing state park fundraising campaign,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director. “This shows that the people of Texas truly care about their state parks and want to see them stay open and accessible for all to enjoy.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Michigan residents can now enjoy their morning coffee with a side of savings, courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR is featuring “Morning Perks” – daily discount alerts on Twitter, showcasing the wide variety of savings available in the department’s Passport Perks program.

The DNR’s Twitter feed now features two Passport Perks discount deals every morning, promoting Michigan businesses that offer special discounts through the Perks program. The tweets can be accessed by following the DNR Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/michiganDNR, searching Twitter for keyword #PassportPerks or viewing the compiled Morning Perk tweets at http://www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
Read the rest of this entry »