Enchanted Forest Guide Service

05/01/2026

Tiz da season again. Get your bear and Elk applications in.

Good luck to all
Talk soon!

04/18/2026

03/14/2026

BEARS! They're waking soon. They're hungry. And they can break stuff. Here's some info you might want to avoid that last one.

As spring approaches, Michigan’s estimated 12,450 black bears are beginning to emerge from their winter dens, and many mothers have tiny cubs in tow. Of those bears, a 2024 survey by DNR wildlife staff estimates 10,350 in the Upper Peninsula and 2,100 in the Lower Peninsula.

Here are a few important things to know as bears wake up and begin searching for food:

Bears have an incredible sense of smell and memory.
A black bear can smell food from up to a mile away and remembers reliable food locations for years, including backyard bird feeders or a grill that wasn’t cleaned (look, we all get busy...).

Human food attracts bears.
When bears get used to easy meals around people, they’re more likely to roam neighborhoods, ignore harassment and even break into homes or outbuildings in search of food.

A bird feeder raid doesn’t mean the bear needs to be relocated.
Instead, take the feeder down for at least two weeks. Once the food source is gone, the bear will usually move on. Talk to your neighbors, too - it helps ensure no one has to keep rebuying bird feeders.

One person’s trash can be a bear’s treasure.
Consider keeping your trash containers secured to avoid meddling from our furry neighbors. You don’t want last week’s leftovers to become the local buffet for woodland critters (and it’s definitely not fun to clean up).

Now an important lesson in case you encounter a bear:
❕If the bear hasn’t noticed you: Stand still, enjoy the moment and quietly back away.

❗If the bear is aware of you: Don’t run. Slowly back away and give the bear space to leave.

❗❗Cubs are not your friends and mom is probably watching, even if you don't see her.

Now go, use your bear knowledge and let us know if you've ever seen one in the wild. 🐻👀

02/09/2026

We’ve got moose on the mind as the second phase of the Michigan moose project gets underway later this month. Here’s a look at what’s happening!

Researchers from the Michigan DNR, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Northern Michigan University plan to capture 43 moose this month and fit them with GPS tracking collars. During the first phase, 20 moose received collars. The purpose of the study is to learn more about the challenges facing moose in the Upper Peninsula and gain insight into mortality.

The first year of the study has produced interesting results. Of the 20 moose collared, 17 are still alive, and 11 of the females gave birth to calves. Researchers investigated last year’s mortalities, with one caused by predation, one by a vehicle and one by unknown trauma.

The current moose population is estimated at around 300 animals, based on the 2025 aerial survey of the core range in Marquette, Baraga and Iron counties. That’s down from an estimated 426 animals in 2023. Moose face multiple potential challenges to population growth, including disease, nutrition, reproduction, predation and vehicle collisions (60 in the last four years). This study will help provide a scientific understanding of those factors.

The majority of funding for this project comes from federal conservation grants, tribal partnerships and university resources. This work would not be possible without the support of these partners and conservationists across the state.

As the project goes on, we’ll be highlighting the status and keeping you updated on the current phase of capturing and collaring moose.

If you would like to know more, check out our most recent Showcasing the DNR, linked below in the comments.

01/13/2026

Soon!

12/22/2025

Source: DTN Progressive Farmer
https://search.app/3ePVr Source: DTN Progressive Farmer

https://search.app/3ePVr

The House passed the Pet and Livestock Protection Act on a 211-204 vote on Thursday. The bill orders the Interior Secretary to issue new regulations removing the gray wolf being listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

12/19/2025

U.S. House JUST voted to remove wolves from the Endangered Species list! I applaud our Congressman Jack Bergman and Northern WI Congressman Tom Tiffany. Great work guys! Onto the Senate! By the way, EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRAT voted no 🙄

11/15/2025

Good luck Deer hunting everyone.
Shoot straight🫎

11/13/2025

What a joke!!

11/10/2025

USFWS Halts Gray Wolf Recovery Planning, Citing Species Recovery Amid Rising Conflicts The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced on November 3, 2025,...