U.P. woman receives bow from DNR

Three Michigan deer hunters, including one from Cornell, were recently rewarded for their participation earlier this spring in the Department of Natural Resources’ state harvest survey. The trio was presented with sporting arms by Safari Club International at the September meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.

Donald Fry, 66, of Marlette; Londa Merrill, 62, of Cornell; and Donald Weiderman, 49, of Mendon, were presented, respectively, with a Remington rifle, a PSE compound bow and a Traditions muzzleloader – simply for returning their Department of Natural Resources surveys in a timely manner. The winners’ names were selected randomly from the pool of all hunter surveys received.

This incentive program has been in effect for a decade and, according to Bob Taylor, chairman of the Michigan Involvement Committee for Safari Club International, has helped increase the response rate to DNR surveys.

“Once we began offering this incentive, the survey response rate went up dramatically,” said Taylor.

“Obviously, these surveys are important; the DNR uses the information to evaluate regulations and develop management plans,” he added. “It has been a win-win situation all the way around.”

DNR Director Keith Creagh praised Safari Club International for its commitment to helping the DNR get the most out of its survey efforts.

“Boosting participation in our wildlife surveys is critical to ensuring that the DNR gets the most useful information from our hunters in the field,” said Creagh. “Safari Club International’s generous partnership in this effort has gone a long way toward encouraging more outdoorsmen and women to share their experiences with us.”

For more information about deer harvest surveys and other wildlife surveys, visit the DNR website atwww.michigan.gov/hunting and select Wildlife Surveys and Reports on the left side of the page. To learn more about the Natural Resources Commission, visit www.michigan.gov/nrc.