The Michigan DNR's Wildtalk Podcast

Hunters feeding Michigan, UP bears, wood ducks and skunks

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division • Season 8 • Episode 10

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In this episode of the Wildtalk Podcast, In this episode, we talk briefly to Joe Presgrove about the Hunters Feeding Michigan program. We follow that up with a robust chat about Upper Peninsula black bears with Don Brown. Finally, we wrap things up talking about wood ducks and the striped skunk.

Episode Hosts: Rachel Lincoln and Eric Hilliard
Producer/editor: Eric Hilliard

Hunters Feeding Michigan

Questions or comments about the show? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453 (WILD) or email dnr-wildlife@michigan.gov.

Announcer
You know what that sound means. It's time for the Michigan DNR's WildTalk podcast. Welcome to the WildTalk podcast for representatives from the DNR Wildlife Division chew the fat and shoot the scat about all things habitat, feathers and fur. With insights, interviews and your questions answered on the air, you'll get a better picture of what's happening in the world of wildlife here in the great state of Michigan.

Rachel
Well, hello everyone, and welcome to the October edition of the WildTalk Podcast. This is your host, Rachel Lincoln, with my co-host, Eric Hilliard.

Eric
I'm so happy to be here. It's a great time. And it's not just me this time either. We've got a special guest with us joining us, I think for the first time ever on an intro, isn't it?

Rachel
I think so. Welcome, Joe. We're very excited to have you.

Joe
Thank you. I'm happy to be here.

Rachel
Yeah. So we're going to bring Joe on to talk about his really awesome program that he coordinates. But first we're going to take that minute to recognize the folks who donated to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund this past month. Of course, when you donate to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund, it goes to support the conservation of Michigan's rare species. So an enormous thank you to our most recent donors, Michael Westhoff and Nicole Moss. Michael and Nicole, thank you so much for your donations. And also, this brings the total donation amount to over $2,000. So we started this donation, you know, reading the names aloud, getting donations for the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund a year ago in September of 2024. So we raised $2,000 for rare species conservation in the last year. So thank you so much to everyone who has donated.

Rachel
And remember, if you want to hear your name on the podcast and to help protect Michigan's rare wildlife, head over to michigan.gov/wildlife and click on the 'Donate Now' button at the top of the page and make a gift to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund, and we will read your name on the next podcast episode. We've got another great show cued up for you this month. Our very own Don Brown is here from the Upper Peninsula to give us an update on how bear season is going across the U.P., and also to share some of his own experiences bear hunting in Michigan. Then we'll pivot to talk about Wood ducks and skunks, both of which are very active this time of year. But first, Mister Joe Presgrove is here to tell us about the DNR Hunters Feeding Michigan program, which is honestly a very cool program for hunters who want to share their harvest this fall. So hi, Joe, welcome to the podcast.

Joe
Well, thanks for having me again. My name is Joe Pesgrove. I am the Hunters Feeding Michigan program specialist. I'm here to talk about opportunities that hunters have to help neighbors in need.

Rachel
Awesome. Well, for listeners who may not have heard of it before, what is Hunters Feeding Michigan and what inspired the program?

Joe
Sure. So to sum it up, we are a deer donation program. So what inspired the program? Back in 2005, legislation was passed that required the department to have a program in place by 2007, and this program allows hunters to donate venison to food banks and pantries and shelters all across the state of Michigan. You know, we recognize that hunters might fill their own freezer, might fill their neighbors freezer, the family's freezers, they might have some tags leftover. So this gives them the opportunity to continue hunting and help other people in need through venison donations.

Rachel
Yeah. And what's the process for donation? How can hunters participate?

Joe
Yeah, it's pretty simple. So hunters go out hunting. They harvest the deer as long as that there's legally harvested, tagged, field dressed and harvest reported. They can just take that to a participating processor and look at participating processors, they can visit Michigan.gov/HuntersFeedingMichigan. We just recommend that you give the processor a call ahead of time. Especially around, like, November 15th with a firearm opener, they get a little overwhelmed. So we want to make sure that they have the space to take additional deer. But most of the time they're willing to take those deer. So just give them a call. And that's about it. Really. It doesn't cost the hunters anything to donate. When someone buys a hunting and fishing license, there's an option for individuals to donate to the Hunters Feeding Michigan program that's put towards processing expenses, and our processors get reimbursed through those donations. They simply drop it off and that's it. They're done. The processor takes it from there, and then the venison is distributed through the Feeding America network with our contractor, food bank Council of Michigan.

Rachel
That's awesome. And if someone who who doesn't hunt but still wants to help, how can they support the Hunters Feeding Michigan program?

Joe
Sure. So next time they go by a license, it it could be a fishing license. It could be an ORV, snowmobile. Doesn't necessarily have to be a hunting license, but when they're in our system or visit a store, there's an option to donate to the program. For every $2 donated you could provide a meal for a family of four. So it goes a long ways. It doesn't take much to participate. And also on our Michigan.gov.HuntersFeedingMichigan page, there's an option to donate there as well. So we appreciate all the donations that gets put towards processing so we can continue to take deer from hunters and feed our neighbors that might need some additional support.

Eric
Joe, out of curiosity, once a deer ends up at the processors, are we talking steaks? Is it is it ground? Like how how does that deer process typically?

Joe
Yeah. So all the deer are turned into ground venison. And the reason we do that is because a lot of people are familiar with preparing ground beef. It's real similar. So we wanted to keep things real simple, you know, so they can make spaghetti, tacos, goulash real similar, just a little more lean when compared to beef. But that is in itself when it comes to the pantries. Either it's provided to families in the frozen form, they might just get the venison that way, or at some of the shelters they might prepare the meal. So they're handing out chili or spaghetti to those in need at those shelters. So it once it goes outside of the processing facility, Feeding America does a really good job and distribute to all 83 counties. And each pantry handles it differently.

Rachel
Wow, it's an incredible program. Do you receive a lot of deer donations?

Joe
Yeah, actually, we're on track to hit a record year this year. We should be headed to about 120,000 pounds of ground venison. So we say it's about four servings per pound. So that's what, a half a million servings, close to it. So that's it goes a long ways and you know would not be possible without the support of hunters, our processors and our food banks that are out there moving that venison around throughout the state. So it's pretty exciting. Since 2007, we produced over or processed over 2.8 million servings. So it's a it's a hot item at the pantries. It doesn't last long on the shelves. It's actually one of the most popular items once it's there. So there's a huge demand for it.

Rachel
I can understand venison goulash is like my go to comfort food and was basically the only thing I ate as a kid, so. Well, Joe, thank you so much for talking with us about the program. If listeners want to learn more, is there a website they should go to?

Joe
Yeah. So they can visit Michigan.gov/HuntersFeedingMichigan.

Rachel
Terrific. Well thanks so much for the work you do for this program and for the department. We are big fans of everything that you're doing. So thanks for coming on the show to tell us about it Joe.

Joe
Thank you for having me.

Rachel
Stick around for the rest of the show. But first, a word from our warblers.

Announcer
Hey, Michigan drivers. The little bird told me your license plate can do more than just tag your car. The wildlife habitat plate featuring the iconic Kirtland's warbler helps protect Michigan's nongame fish and wildlife through the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund. But hurry, this plate is changing soon. Want to keep the warbler flying? You can even get one as a collector's item, no car required. Support Michigan's wildlife and get your plate before this bird flies away. Visit michigan.gov/SOS.

*Transition music

Rachel
For about 6,000 Michigan hunters. October is for bear hunting, especially across the Upper Peninsula, where most of Michigan's bears are found. And so joining us by phone to talk bear, bear hunting and bear habitat in the U.P. is Don Brown, our wildlife biologist from the Shingleton DNR office. Thanks for joining us, Don.

Don
Yeah, thanks for having me.

Rachel
Well, we're excited to talk with you about what makes the U.P. bear habitat so special, how the 2025 bear season is going so far. It's pretty early in the season still, and here's some of your firsthand stories from the field. So, Don, why don't we start with you telling us about your position in wildlife and how long you've been with the DNR.

Don
Yeah, I'm currently the wildlife biologist in Shingleton, central U.P. We manage Schoolcraft County, eastern Delta eastern Alger. I've been with the department for 15 years. The last year as the biologist, the first 14 as the technician in the same unit. So, been here a little bit now.

Rachel
Yes, certainly. And so we are a little bit into the 2025 bear hunting season right now. How's it looking so far across the U.P.?

Don
Yeah. So we're almost three weeks into the season. Second season started on the 15th, which was Monday. Things are looking pretty good. I have heard from hunters and our different check stations that been pretty busy registering bear, so far. There's been a lot of what I would consider big bears being harvested so far. Anything 300 plus, there's been some that have tipped the scales that over five dressed weight.

Eric
Wow! 

Don
600 pound bears. So pretty. Pretty awesome. And from talking to hunters and stuff, it seems like there's some good numbers out there. People are seeing lots of sows with cubs. So good for the future of hunting. And yeah, there's there's bears out there in this year.

Rachel
And that's great. I can't imagine seeing a 600 pound bear. I mean, I live in southwest Michigan, and occasionally we hear about bears kind of in the Grand Rapids or Lansing area. But even those, you see pictures of them and their young bears. So it's like 150 pound bear. And even that still looks big. So I can only imagine what 600 pounds looks like.

Joe
I've never seen one that big in person either, but it's they got to be impressive, that's for sure. Look like 255 gallon drum strapped together.

Rachel
So the season is looking good. Are there any kinds of you know, what impacts season quality? Like did you have a lot of was it a high blueberry year? Did you have a lot of acorns. Do those kinds of of factors change how bear hunting season is?

Don
Yeah. So the growing season can affect what the bears will look like in the fall as far as weights and things like that. If there's a lot of natural foods out there, it can be slower for bait hunters because bears really prefer those natural food sources. This year, the blueberries across the U.P. in general, were we're pretty bad so we didn't have that to compete with. Blueberries are usually wrapping up by the time bear season rolls around in early September, but it was a pretty good growing season, and there is a lot of natural foods out there. Acorn production seems to be pretty good this year in areas where we have acorns in the U.P., which isn't isn't quite like the northern, northern lower where there is quite a bit, but there's apples everywhere. Blackberries are still coming on. They are very good. So there's our bears are looking healthy going into fall and winter.

Rachel
Awesome. And so the U.P.s bear population compared to the northern Lower Peninsula's bear population, there's a pretty substantial difference. So I think the last population estimates I saw there was about 10,000 bears in the Upper Peninsula, and between 2 and 3,000 bears in the northern Lower Peninsula. So what makes the U.P. such good bear growing country?

Don
To me there's two different factors. One is we don't have as many people and we have a lot more woods. So all that contiguous landscape is good for black bears. They're able to freely roam. They're not sectioned off or not allowed to just to roam. You know, with that contiguous landscape, forested landscape. We have a lot of really good habitat and bears their square miles or home ranges are quite large. Right. We're talking probably 30mi² for a solid double that potentially for a boar. So they cover a lot of ground. And in that territory we they'll they'll have all sorts of different habitats to meet all their, their needs. We'll have swamps and marshes, rivers, uplands or loads of blueberries usually, so they can hit all that food cover and security all all across the U.P.. So from east to West Europe is very different too as far as habitat types. But it's all it's all very good bear country and bears, they're generalists and they're very they're pretty adaptable for such a large big game species. So we can kind of hit on all their needs across the U.P. landscape compared to a lot of other places I guess.

Rachel
Yeah, that makes sense. So you mentioned a couple different habitat types that they use wetlands, upland forests. We've seen them in grasslands moving through before. Do bears use all of those habitats year round, or do they kind of take what they need as the year progresses?

Don
Yeah, so they will use them year round. Obviously different seasonality probably dictates how often they're there. Like in the spring we do we do a lot of food plots for for deers of our unit. And but in the spring you'll go out to check on them for, for the deer breaking north out of the the wintering complexes. And see the use and they'll be bears out grazing. And so you might not see that necessarily in the fall, you know. But yeah, generally they're, they're using most of those landscapes throughout the year all through the year. So I don't think besides blueberries becoming ripe or different different foods becoming available, they'll concentrate on those areas more during that certain time. But in general, they're still traveling their whole home range and using a variety of habitats throughout throughout the season.

Rachel
Yeah we do. My shop does a lot of bear education, helping people understand kind of how to prevent having any attractants or conflicts with bears. And we so often describe bears as food motivated. Yeah, they go where there is available food.

Don
Yep, yep, that's for sure. The most and the easiest. Yep.

Rachel
And I can appreciate that as a food motivated person.

Don
I can relate. Exactly.

Rachel
Now, Don, you don't only have a professional interest in bears and wildlife, right? You also have a personal one, especially with bears. And it sounds like you've been a successful bear hunter in the last couple of years.

Don
Yeah, I, I enjoy bear hunting. It's probably one of my favorite things. It's not something I grew up doing. Being from lower Michigan in the thumb area, when I first received my technician position in Shingleton the biologists I work with invited me to to bear hunt out of his camp. And I had been getting points through college and stuff thinking, oh, maybe one day it'll be cool to to go bear hunting in Michigan, you know, and and see what that's about. So that my first hunt was at his deer camp and was able to harvest a nice bear and just the work that goes into bear hunting with running baits and different sights and keeping those things fed, as you said, they they could eat a lot. You know, and observing bears for the first time ever, being able to watch a sow and cubs come in and feed and and do bear things were just super neat, you know, it kind of hooked me right there. And then being in this position here for the last 15 years and getting a few different tags and family members starting to get an interest in bear hunting and having the ability to do that. It's been really cool, and it's definitely grown into one of my favorite fall pastimes. And like you said at the beginning, it starts in September. Deer season's not in yet. Waterfowl is not in. Yeah, that's just a it's just a beautiful time to be out in, in the woods in the U.P. and enjoy those things and, and observing and chasing bears is a lot of fun.

Eric
Yeah. So what kind of bear things were those? You know, you said you saw bears do in bear things. What is what are some of those behaviors that that you were able to witness that first time going out.

Don
Watching like so the first ones I ever saw, I hunted for four days and never saw a bear. And then the night I harvested my my nice, my biggest bear, a sow and cubs came in first. And just to watch them interact with each other, the cubs are rolling around playing, watch them move logs around and get to bait how strong they are making what takes me. You know, it's like moving these big logs and putting them in place. And the bear comes in with one, one paw and just moves four of them at once. And you're like, good grief, these things are all muscle, you know. But and just watching how the sow interacts with their cubs, if something she hears something come in, she gives them the alert and they go up a tree. Things like that. It's just it's just it's cool to see in person rather than just read about or, you know, just figure what happens out there, you know?

Eric
Yeah, that sounds really cool.

Don
They move differently. Yeah. Yeah, that's pretty awesome. They're they're quite the animal.

Rachel
Yeah, I completely agree. I have a lot of respect for bears and I'm sure you do too. Both, you know, working on them professionally and pursuing them. And I was going to ask what makes bear hunting unique compared to deer or or grouse? The U.P. is notorious for good grouse and woodcock hunting, and I think you kind of started to touch on it. It's very engaging. It sounds like it is. It's what makes the difference.

Don
It's a very interactive. And not that all hunting takes an amount of work, right. But bear hunting is is tough. It's summertime heat. You're running. You're running bait, which is often heavy. You're walking miles to get in the sights. You're putting a lot of wear and tear on your personal, your vehicles and things like that. You just like. Yeah. Your body. I mean, you're you're in it, right? You're doing it. It's it's it's a lot of fun. And especially for Michigan hunting, it's probably the most work you can physical like labor work you can put into besides maybe, you know, food plots and some deer hunting aspects and things like that. But I don't know, it's just it's real hands on. And that's always been something I can appreciate with work and personal stuff is just getting dirty and doing that kind of stuff. And bear hunting is all about that. Yeah.

Rachel
So you have all of these inputs and the you know, what you get out of it is so often just a rewarding experience, right? You get to be outside, maybe you get to see bears, you get to do it with your kids or your family, which is awesome. But sometimes you even harvest a bear, which is really spectacular.

Don
Right.

Rachel
And I, I know in Michigan, you know, hunters are required to use edible eat---eat? They are required to use as much edible meat from the bear as you can. This is a law, but from a most of the bear hunters I've talked with, most are not only just using the meat, but also the fat, the bones, the fur, the teeth, you name it. They utilize as much of the bear as possible. So how do you guys utilize the bear that you've harvested?

Don
So what we do as a as the family, like you said, we'll we'll keep any and all edible meat. And bears they're they're tough right you're shooting them in a warmer time of year. You have a ton of fat and they're black. So you have to really be on your game after you harvest one to get that meat cooled down to a processor right away. If that's your if that's what you do it, it goes a lot of effort. And to utilize it all and sometimes sometimes you don't get all the meat because they can spoil so quickly because of the things I just stated. But what we do is we yeah, we'll keep all the meat, we'll make some snack sticks and summer sausage and stuff like that for the kids. Really enjoy that kind of stuff. I do too, don't get me wrong. But yeah, we keep the fat off. Render that down. I like to use that a lot for cooking oil or saute a bear steak and and it's on fat and it's I don't know, it sounds a little primitive, but it's pretty pretty delicious. Which says it's more, it's better for me than than other stuff.

Don
Yeah. And every bear we've killed and we haven't killed a ton. So we still have wall space, but we utilize the hide whether we get a rug made or a mouth or something to, I don't know, memorialize, I guess, or just highlight that hunt in that memory you have like to keep the skulls on everyone because animal skulls are just pretty cool and bear skull, that is really cool. So it just a it's a memory of that time and that harvest and that time spent, you know, pursuing that bear and, and kind of honoring it, I guess, in its own way. So yeah, utilize everything possible on those things. And there's a lot there to it. And to me, kind of owe it to the animal, you know, to utilize what you can off of it. So.

Eric
Bear steak, cooked in the fat, would you say that's your favorite?

Don
Ten out of ten.

Eric
Ten out of ten?

Rachel
No hesitation 

Don
Little seasoning and, yeah, then sear it, get it hot and sticky a lot of like a couple slabs of butter just to finish it. So it's pretty, pretty awesome.

Eric
Sounds sounds pretty good. Sounds sounds pretty delicious.

Rachel
I agree. Do you ever, do you ever boil the bones to make broth?

Don
I have not done that, yes no. I have, I've read about it, but I haven't ventured into that that much of the do it yourself kind of thing.

Rachel
Yeah, my husband and I boil deer bones down for broth, which also feels very like, you know, I'm like six years old making spells and, like, playing witch in the backyard or something. And you're just, like, sawing the femer down to boil it. But it makes like the fattiest most richest broth, which is like the perfect first ingredient for soups. And so.

Don
Oh, yeah, that hearty winter time stew with some some broth like that, that'd be. You're making me reconsider, that's for sure.

Rachel
Yeah, well, so we've heard. I mean, the interest in bear hunting in Michigan is truly at an all time high. So this year, there was a record high number of hunters, about 72,000 people who had applied for either a bear license or a preference point. So like they put in, they had a lot of interest in either going hunting this year or saving those points to cash them in to go hunting in future years, despite there only being about 6,000 licenses available. So do you have any thoughts on what might be driving this popularity in bear hunting?

Don
Yeah, and I know we kind of talk about hunter numbers in general declining, but it seems like the hunters we have are trying to do it all now. Like everyone's going out west to hunt different states and this it's a pretty unique opportunity for Michigan residents and some nonresidents to be able to go on one of those kind of adventure type hunts. And that's how I considered bear hunting an adventure type hunt. Most often you can't do it every year with, you know, within our own state. So I think just that opportunity and the fact that, yeah, I mean, if you're coming from Lower Michigan to the U.P., you're probably driving 4 to 13 hours to get to a spot. And that adds to that adventure part of it. But it's it's an opportunity we have almost right out our back door in our own state to be able to do something like that. And more hunters are looking to do that kind of thing instead of just walking out and, and deer hunting every year or doing what they're normally doing, they're trying to to get into different avenues, different different critters to be able to pursue. And we have that right here in Michigan with the black bear. So I think that's a big thing is just hunters are kind of branching out and trying different things, getting broader, broader hunting in general. And yeah.

Eric
Yeah, it's a really it's a really novel experience when you think about it. I mean, you know, just the type of animal like you're saying, it's more of an adventure type hunt compared to, you know, deer hunting is obviously incredibly popular in our state. We have incredible deer harvest, you know, almost every year. And so it's I can see how that change of pace, that different type of of hunt would be incredibly attractive for a lot of people. I myself have never been been bear hunting. But, you know, the people who do like yourself are like, yeah, it just can't be beat.

Don
Yeah, exactly. And you know, like you just referenced there, it's pretty, it's unique. And then it's an adventure and it's it's all right here. So another thing. Yeah it's a different time of year. Guys are like well I'm really big into deer hunting. You got a month to hunt before deer season starts for bear, so why not? Right. Give it a shot.

Eric
You have to go get those preference points. Right. You got to you got to put in for you. Yeah.

Don
Yeah. That takes it's there's definitely some planning and effort. It's not something you can just kind of do on a whim necessarily. So once you're vested in that you're probably more likely to to jump, you know, and when the time comes and for a lot of people, it is it's a once in a lifetime kind of hunt. I view it like like, oh, I got my Michigan bear I waited ten years for first season tag or five years for a second season tag, and I did it. And I can check it off my, my hunting list and, and really enjoyed it. And hopefully, you know, they'll advocate for bear and bear hunting in Michigan in the future because of that.

Rachel
Yeah, that's my hypothesis for the increase. And like such it's becoming such a popular animal to pursue is the anticipation because you do so often have to wait some years, if not 13 to 15 years, to pull the tag you want, the hunt you want. And so there's all this anticipation that builds and all you spent years planning for these hunts. And also it's a very smart animal. So you have like had a challenge. And so it's like a long term buildup to have such a unique experience in your home state. It's just really it seems really rewarding.

Don
Yeah for sure. I definitely agree with that 100%.

Rachel
Well, before we close here, as you know, a wildlife biologist in bear country, as an experienced bear hunter yourself, do you have any advice for the bear hunter who is currently accumulating preference points or is heading out for their first bear hunt soon?

Don
Yeah, just keep doing it and go for it. You know, most of like all the biologists and technicians up here, they care deeply about bears and bear hunting. Give us a call where you're thinking about going the hunt. Give us a call. I'll be glad to help you out and point you in the right direction. In our work areas, we talked to quite a few people and we were on the ground a lot. So we can we can get you pointed in the right direction. If you're if you're thinking well U.P. is big and intimidating big woods country, it's not too bad. Once you shrink it down a little bit on a map. So we'll be glad to help you out and get you started on your adventure.

Eric
Yeah, I think a lot of times biologists, technicians, wildlife assistants are kind of an underutilized resource by the public. You guys have such a broad and deep knowledge of the areas that you're working, because you're out there in the field managing the habitat, you know, where these animals are at. And a lot of times people just don't think to, oh, maybe I should call that biologist that works in that area and, and see if they have any tips for me. So I think that's good to kind of put that out there for people that just remind them like, yeah, we're here to we're here to help you out.

Don
Yeah. We like hunting and and we hunt too. So we'll talk talk to you for 20 minutes about that. That'd be great. Well you're welcome reprieve someday. So yeah we had a few folks call in the last couple of weeks looking for for areas to go check out and stuff like that. And I mean, if I can help somebody get their first opportunity or only opportunity at the bear, be more than happy. You know.

Rachel
That's awesome. Well Don. Thanks so much. She had a lot of wisdom to tell us and we appreciate it. I'm sure our listeners do too. So thanks for joining us on the podcast, giving us a little bit of your time. We really appreciate it.

Don
Any time.

Rachel
All right, folks, we are moving from bears to Wood ducks. So stick around. We're talking colorful birds next.

Announcer
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*Transition music

Rachel
Today we're talking about a bird species we've shockingly never talked about on the podcast. I was really surprised when I was vetting through what waterfowl species we should talk about, and realized we have never talked about this duck, but it is one of the most beautiful waterfowl species, if not one of the most beautiful birds that we have in Michigan. They're very common, so you can see them regularly. And actually people come from not only all over the state to get to these wetland areas to see them, but I think people come from across the country and internationally to see these birds when they have arrived in Michigan without further ado, it is the Wood duck.

Eric
Wood ducks are cool. They got really nice hairdos.

Rachel
It's so good because it's very slicked back, right? Like males had like a slicked back.

Eric
Should it be a featherdo? Rather than a hairdo because it's not hair, it's feathers. So they got a nice featherdo.

Rachel
It's a very dapper, distinguished, some may even call it elegant.

Eric
Yeah. They almost look like they should have a smoking jacket in a pipe.

Rachel
Yes, exactly. I mean, their feathers are like. And when I think of a smoking jacket, I think of, like, jewel tones, right. Like emerald greens or like a maroon velvet and Wood ducks are all of those colors.

Eric
Yeah. It's almost like they have their own built in smoking jacket.

Rachel
Now, of course we are talking about the male Wood duck, so there are differences between male and female Wood ducks. The males are this really extraordinary iridescent green, maroon, dark blue chestnut coat like their feathers are just kind of this almost galactic like coloration across their backs. And they have these bright red eyes, which are really cool. So the male Wood duck, has these red rimmed eyes. It's very characteristic. So if you see these ducks, you know, there's lots of indicators to let you know what species you're looking at. Now, the females, on the other hand, like so many other duck species, are a little more well camouflaged. So they are more of a brownish grayish. So they blend in really well with their nests, but they have these eyes that are rimmed in bright yellow. So you can easily tell the difference from males to females. And also you can tell what species of duck you're looking at. If you're in like a flock of female ducks, the Wood duck still looks pretty spectacular with their yellow, but their yellow eyeliner it's very classy. 

Rachel
As we mentioned, they do have a really unique body shape, so it's a relatively small duck, but they also have this crested head and sort of a thin neck. But then they have long, broad tail feathers that kind of, you know, point upwards. So there's this almost angular look to the Wood duck. So in addition to its awesome colors, you know, they have an unusual shape compared to most of our other Michigan ducks. The other thing that makes these birds really unique is that they live in wooded areas. They are tree nesters, which means you often find them in the woods, or you find them along like wooded river areas where there's both water and tall trees, because they spend a significant amount of time nesting high up in the trees, often like 30 to 50ft tall trees is where they will build their nests in natural cavities that have formed in older trees. And one thing that helps them to live in these trees is their aggressive claws. Yeah, these birds have claws so that, you know their long claws that help them to stay in these trees, high in the trees, without, you know, taking a tumble. And actually, I have this I mean, you could describe it, Eric. That's like a significant scar right here.

Eric
Oh, yeah. Let's, let's think about, I don't know, inch and a half, maybe two inches.

Rachel
Yeah, yeah. I have this scar on my wrist from a Wood Duck. I helped with our Wood duck banding team probably ten years ago. And so you basically are grabbing these small ducks, and you're holding them for a very short amount of time while they get a band attached to their foot. But one of the feet got away from me and sliced me pretty good. They're they're sharp little buggers.

Eric
Yeah, that is a it's not an insignificant scar.

Rachel
They're not an insignificant bird. So now anytime I hear about anyone going out with our Wood duck banding team, I'm like, you need sleeves and Gore-Tex gloves. They are not to be trifled with.

Eric
That Wood duck was probably like, did you see how I clawed that woman that was holding out on me?

Rachel
Yeah, it got me good.

Eric
It's like she'll be talking about that ten years from now.

Rachel
Full circle moment. Here we are. Now, you've probably seen those pictures or videos of ducklings hopping out of nests at really high heights. Right. You've seen this, Eric. 

Eric
Oh, yeah.

Rachel
They just kind of chuck themselves out.

Eric
Flap their little underdeveloped wings, land in the soft, cushy leaves below.

Rachel
Yeah, and then they take a bounce. They usually hit the leaves. They bounce a couple of times, but they're fine. And this is just how they have evolved to escape the nests. And some of those, you know, bird species. You're probably watching are Wood ducks. So, you know, the female will nest in cavities 30 to 50ft high in a tree. And when time comes, for those ducklings to learn how to fly and leave the nest, they catapult themselves out of the cavity and interact with gravity for a while before hitting the ground. But it is. It works well for them. 

Eric
It's like human babies. They climb over the edge of the crib and just fling themselves down into the ground and say, well, I guess it's time for a toddler bed. 

Rachel
Wood ducks fall amongst the category of birds that are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and that has done a lot for their conservation, and their numbers have steadily rose over the decades. So much so that here in Michigan, we do have this thriving population of Wood ducks. And so they are a hunted species and are actually our most pursued duck species here in Michigan because one, as we mentioned, they're extremely beautiful. But also they taste pretty good.

Eric
Yeah, I do here. I've never had Wood duck myself, but I'm told that they are among the most tasty and flavorful of the waterfowl species that you can hunt.

Rachel
Yeah, I I've heard the same, though I have not tried it myself. So if anyone wanted to donate a sampling of Wood duck, I would more than enjoy that. The Wood duck season is open this fall, so if you're interested in pursuing these ducks, you'll want to check the waterfowl regulations summary for season dates, bag limits and equipment regulations.

Eric
Yep, that's one of those species where if you're hunting waterfowl, you need to hunt with lead free ammunition. That is a federal requirement. So one of those equipment regulations that's good to know. And you don't have to worry about, you know, consuming a lead pellet, which is always a bonus.

Rachel
No kidding. And if you listened to last episode you heard about the impacts lead can have on Bald eagles. So not only are you not putting more lead into your food, but you're also protecting other birds that use the same habitat. Well, before we close out a quick, fast fact for you about Wood ducks. The scientific name is Aix sponsa, which literally translates into promised water bird, which is a nod to how elegant the breeding male looks. So they are just a fantastic bird. Again, you can see those in near wetland areas, or really because they've become so common. If you've got ponds, lakes, streams, anything that's got tall trees wood lots nearby, it generally those birds can be found in those areas. And so while you're out this fall, which, by the way, this month is so beautiful for being outdoors and seeing the changing leaves. While you're admiring those leaves, just look around, see if you can spot one of these Wood ducks tall in the trees.

Announcer
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*Transition music

Rachel
Today we're talking about a mammal that has been particularly top of mind for me and maybe for several of you other dog owners.

Eric
Wombats?

Rachel
Not wombats.

Eric
Oh.

Rachel
The Striped skunk.

Eric
Yes, I could see how that would be more top of mind than wombats.

Rachel
Yeah, I'm horribly afraid my dog is going to get sprayed by a skunk because we've got one hanging around our subdivision. I can smell it every single morning, so it feels like it's just a matter of time. But I'm sure many other people are smelling skunks in their subdivisions this time of year because October is the perfect time for skunks to be movin and groovin. Looking for a place to spend the winter, and also looking to setting up and eat some calories before those cold months come and there's less food available.

Eric
That's like me about looking for calories right now.

Rachel
I just need some calories and a nice hole to sleep in over the winter time. 

Eric
Yep.

Rachel
Well, Mephitis mephitis is a nocturnal animal. You know, many of us have seen or smelt the Striped skunk before, as it is a very common animal throughout much of the state and quite famous for its bold black and white coat. And that unforgettable musky scent. Because of its bold black and white coat, it is pretty easy to spot. It's really the only animal we have that is jet black with the stripes, the iconic white stripes down its back, and usually those split in two. Hence the name Striped skunk. They start kind of at the forehead area. They stretch all the way down its back. But here in Michigan, genetics can be a little surprising in skunks and so some can even appear most entirely all black, while others can have white splotches or almost polka dots. In their coat instead of just the two stripes.

Eric
Be a real shame to walk up on a skunk with its almost completely black, thinking it's a cat in here, kitty kitty kitty kitty and then you get sprayed. That would be bad.

Rachel
Yeah, we have a Striped skunk in our neighborhood right now that is mostly black. It has one thin white stripe that goes down its back, and we've only seen it at night. And by the street lamps when they hit that white stripe, they really illuminate the stripe. But you can't see the black fur. And so multiple times now I thought it was an ermine, like a white little weasel, a small white weasel, because that's what you can see moving across the ground. And I'm always like, wow, this is really cool. I've never seen one of these in our neighborhood before. And then I'm like, oh no, move away very quickly. Danger is afoot.

Eric
So you don't even a kitty kitty, kitty here. It's here. Ermine, ermine, ermine. And it doesn't quite roll off the same as the kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Rachel
No, but it goes from being like a really cool wildlife observation to a very dramatic getaway situation.

Eric
Runaway, runaway!

Rachel
But actually. So we do smell skunks pretty frequently, and it obviously is the biggest fear when you encounter a skunk to be sprayed, because it is just absolutely repugnant. But that spray is actually the skunks last line of defense. So if you do look closely at a skunk, you notice that it has this really long, fluffy tail. Now that tail is its first line of defense. That's strategy number one. So when it does feel threatened if it's encountered by your dog or you, they almost always will raise up that rear end and they will wave that big fluffy tail straight up in the air to make them seem much bigger, much more threatening, and try to scare you or scare your dog out of the area because it's really expensive physically for them to spray their musk. It can be pretty taxing on their little bodies. And so, while they don't want to spray, if they do, it's because they are feeling really threatened.

Eric
It's kind of like a bee, right? Like if bee lands on you.

Rachel
Right.

Eric
You're normally not going to get stung unless you, you know, swat at it or something like that.

Rahcel
Right. Yeah. So we mentioned, you know, October is the prime time for seeing and smelling skunks because they are moving around quite a lot looking for winter dens. So they're looking for a place where they can basically sleep through the winter. Skunks aren't true hibernators. They instead go into a state called torpor, which basically means they go into like a light sleep. They'll drop their body temperature from about 100 degrees to as low as 90 degrees. And that will help them conserve energy, because there's just not very many food sources readily available to the winter. And so they hunker down and sleep through a lot of it. But during those long cold spells, they will stay underground, but will sometimes resurface on warm winter days when they think there might be spring ahead and some food available. Things like berries or, you know, leafy greens, natural food sources, as well as insects. So skunks are drawn to my yard because I have grubs. Horrible infestation of grubs. And that's like peak nutrition for skunks because...

Eric
Yeah.

Rachel
High in calories and quite abundant and honestly, very slow moving. So it's easy to find them because of this. They're totally digging up many holes and trenches throughout my backyard to get to the grubs. But at the same time, I don't really welcome the grubs because the grubs feed on the roots of my plants. So I have this complex relationship with skunks because they do us some favors. But at the same time, I really don't want to have to give my dog a skunk bath.

Eric
Yeah, better than a trip to the vet from a porcupine, I suppose.

Rachel
Oh no kidding. Yeah, that is hard for dogs.

Eric
Yeah, but still, you don't want to have to deal with that.

Rachel
In the unfortunate event that you or your pet gets sprayed, the musk that skunks emit is a sulfur based oil. And so you can neutralize those sulfur compounds with homemade mixtures of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. But you will want to note that peroxide bleaches the color of hair and fur, so you really have to be careful with picking and choosing your battles. Whether or not you want to smell like a skunk or potentially have peroxide bleached hair for a while. But it is a solution to get rid of that skunky smell. Skunks will take up residence near our homes pretty frequently because they like really quiet, sheltered spaces, and so places like under your deck porches nearby, wood piles, relatively quiet and well protected from the elements. And so this time of year, while we know skunks are active, it's a probably a really good idea to poke around those quiet spots in your yard, make sure that they are properly fenced off so the animals can't get under your deck. Maybe move or remove your wood pile. And then, of course, to prevent any sort of wildlife conflict, especially this year, while critters are looking to put on extra weight before the winter season, remove any food sources.

Rachel
So make sure that you are properly securing your garbage bags. If you've got feeders out, it's a really good idea to put a tray under your bird feeders to catch the seed and quickly clean it up. Or remove it altogether, because there's a lot of natural foods still available to wildlife and make sure to clean up any outdoor pet foods. Or if you had summer barbecues, now's a really good time to clean down, clean off your patio furniture and your deck. So to not accidentally attract skunks or the menagerie of other critters like raccoons, possums, various other things. So while you're enjoying Michigan's crisp October evenings, make sure to keep an eye out for the Striped skunk, especially if you have pets and you let them out in the evening or nighttime or early morning hours, it's a really good idea to save you the time and energy of having to wash your pet, to just have a look about in your backyard before you let your pets out. Stick around. Up next is your chance to win a mug.

Announcer
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*Transition music.

Rachel
Now is your opportunity to win a WildTalk Podcast mug. As a thank you to our listeners will be giving away a mug or two every episode. This month's question was: How many times per second does a Ruby-throated hummingbird flap its wings? This answer shocks me every time I think about it. It's insane. The Ruby-throated hummingbird flaps its wings 50 times per second.

Eric
Is it 50 to 75? Because there were, like, a lot of variations in our answers.

Rachel
Yeah, there's the the minimum is 50 times per second.

Eric
Yeah.

Rachel
So I've seen varying, you know, 75, 85. So the answer I was looking for was 50. And if you provided a a range, but at least was the minimum end of 50 beats per second, then we counted it as a win. This month's winners are Martha McDaniels and Ariana Ritter-Bush. Congratulations Martha and Ariana will be getting in touch with you soon to give you your mugs. Now, to be entered into the drawing this month, test your wildlife knowledge and answer our wildlife quiz question. This month's question is: What is the Michigan State game mammal? Could be a little foreshadowing into one of the things we're talking about next episode. Email your name and answer to us at DNR-Wildlife@michigan.gov. To be entered for a chance to win a mug, be sure to include the subject line as "Mug Me" and submit your answers to us by November 15th. We will announce winners and the answer on next month's podcast, so be sure to listen in to see if you've won and for the next quiz question. Good luck everyone!

Announcer
Michigan Conservation officers are working hard to protect and keep the outdoors safe for current and future generations. If you witness a natural resources violation, you can call or text the Report all Poaching Hotline 24 hours a day at 1-800-292-7800, or fill out the complaint form available at michigan.gov/rap if you would like more information and becoming a Conservation Officer, click on become a CO at michigan.gov/conservationofficers.

Rachel
Well, thanks all for joining the October edition of the WildTalk Podcast. Remember, if you have questions about wildlife or hunting, you can call (517) 284-9453 or email us at DNR-Wildlife@michigan.gov. We'll see you back here in November.

Announcer
This has been the WildTalk Podcast, your monthly podcast airing the first of each month and offering insights into the world of wildlife across the state of Michigan. You can reach the Wildlife Division at (517) 284-9453 or DNR-Wildlife@michigan.gov.