Michigan Lawmakers Propose Separate Game Commission for Upper Peninsula 🤔

While we continue to slowly inch towards the weekend, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get into what this beautiful Tuesday has to offer.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

IS IT NECESSARY?
MICHIGAN LAWMAKERS PROPOSE SEPARATE GAME COMMISSION FOR UPPER PENINSULA

In an interesting move aimed at addressing the unique wildlife management needs of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a group of Republican lawmakers introduced legislation on August 21st that would potentially establish the Upper Peninsula Resources Commission. This new body would operate independently from the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which currently oversees fish and wildlife management across the state. The proposal, spearheaded by State Representatives Karl Bohnak, Parker Fairbairn, Greg Markkanen, and Dave Prestin - all representing U.P. districts - aims to tailor hunting and fishing regulations to the distinct ecological challenges of the region.

Given the unique differences between the two regions, the debate has become something of a tale of two peninsulas, a phrase coined by Rep. Dave Prestin.  The Upper Peninsula is home to wolves, cougars, and moose, and struggles with deer management, while the Lower Peninsula grapples with a different set of problems including thriving elk populations and issues like crop damage caused by the abundance of whitetail deer. Rep. Prestin has stated that the NRC’s one-size-fits-all approach often fails to address these regional disparities…

🙅 Mississippi Hunters Bag 14-Foot 'Mega-Giant' Alligator, Just Shy of State Record. A group of Mississippi hunters landed a massive 14-foot, 1/4-inch alligator on the opening day of the state's alligator hunting season. Initially targeting a 12-foot alligator, the group was drawn to a larger one after the group reported hearing its chilling, guttural roars across the lake. Using a rod and reel, Appleton hooked the beast in 16 feet of water, where it sat stubbornly on the lake bottom. With assistance from Daugherty and his sons, Cruz (11) and Cash (9), they used hand lines and a snare to subdue the 662-pound alligator, which put up a fight by dragging their 17-foot boat with an apparent level of ease.

After the struggle, the hunters managed to get the gator into some shallow water, where they were able to finish the job with a bangstick, and hauled it aboard. Initially estimating it at 13 feet, 6 inches, they were stunned to learn at Red Antler Processing in Yazoo City that it measured just under the state record for public waters alligators (14 feet, 3 inches). One of the hunters described the experience as surreal, struggling to process the sheer size of the "mega-giant" alligator, which left a lasting impression with its dinosaur-like presence and power. Nice work, fellas.

🚑 Brown Bear Drags Alaska Woman 100 Yards in Brutal Early Morning Attack. Ariean Fabrizio Colton, a 36-year-old mother of three, was brutally attacked by a brown bear in her driveway in Alaska as she was preparing for an early morning jog around 5:45 a.m. According to reports, the bear dragged her about 100 yards during the attack and onto a neighboring property, leaving her with severe injuries requiring extensive surgeries and a prolonged hospital stay, according to her family. A neighbor, alerted by the bear’s distinctive grunts and commotion, soon discovered Colton in the woods on his property after daylight. The family, who just recently moved to Alaska, described Colton as kind-hearted, resilient, and adventurous, with a love for nature.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety reported that Colton was airlifted to a hospital over two hours away due to the remote location of her home. Authorities, including Alaska Wildlife Troopers, are actively searching for the bear using foot patrols and drones but have not yet located it.

🧸 Five Ontario Outfitters Fined $64,000 for Illegal Black Bear Hunting Scheme. A group of five tourist outfitters in northwestern Ontario were fined a total of $64,000 for violations stemming from a scheme involving the illegal sale and use of bear hunting validation certificates. According to reports, Timberlane Lodge, operated by 5029073 Ontario Inc., had unlawfully sold non-resident black bear hunting validation certificates to various outfitters in the region resulting in big fines for their operations and four others implicated in the scheme.

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources reported that Timberlane Lodge has since pleaded guilty to unlawfully selling these certificates to non-resident hunters, resulting in a $17,500 fine. Three other outfitters - Canada North Lodge (2018), Little Canada Camp Inc., and Rocky Shore Adventures Ltd. - were also fined $23,000, $12,000, and $10,000 respectively for purchasing these certificates and conducting unlicensed black bear hunts for non-resident clients.

In addition to the trio above, Kabeelo Lodge Inc. was also implicated and found guilty of failing to comply with its license conditions by facilitating unlawful hunts conducted by Canada North Lodge for non-residents, resulting in a smaller fine of $1,500 . All five cases were heard by various Justices of the Peace in 2024 and 2025, in the Ontario Court of Justice, Red Lake and Kenora.

😳 The moment the uninvited guest shows up to the party. You’re lined up for a good day of fishing when the under-age trouble maker decides to make an appearance. Should we blow the horn one tourist asks? Yes, you probably should.

Luckily this juvenile seemed to just be checking them out…

Oh, and one more thing…