ORVing near Baldwin in the Manistee National Forest.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages everyone to take advantage of “Three Free” Weekend Saturday and Sunday.
It's two full days when Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can grab a fishing rod, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks, boating access sites and other outdoor locations – all free of charge.
“This season, we’re encouraging newcomers to discover the outdoors and inviting longtime outdoor explorers to dust off their gear and get out there,” DNR Director Scott Bowen said.
“Whether you want to cast a line, hit the ORV trails or relax in Michigan's award-winning state parks, 'Three Free' Weekend checks all the boxes.”
The DNR's “Three Free” Weekend includes:
• Free ORV Weekend: Legally ride 4,000 miles of state-designated routes and trails and the state's six scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. Visit Michi gan.gov/ORVinfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.
• Free Fishing Weekend: Fish for all in-season species, all weekend long, without a license. All other fishing regulations apply. Visit Michigan.gov/FreeFishing for more information.
• Free entry to state parks: To encourage people to pursue free fishing and other outdoor fun, the DNR Recreation Passport that grants vehicle access to Michigan's 103 state parks, 1,000-plus state-managed boating access sites and many other outdoor spaces is waived for the weekend. Learn more about Passport benefits at Michigan.gov/Recreation Passport.
For the best outdoor experiences, the DNR urges everyone to protect our natural resources and put safety first when enjoying Michigan's woods, water and trails.
When off-road riding, please remember to Ride Right to make it home safe to family and friends. Ride at a safe speed, ride sober and ride on the right side of the trail. For all trail users, keep trail etiquette top of mind.
Boaters can help prevent the spread of invasive species by removing mud and debris from all surfaces, draining water from all bilges, wells and tanks, and drying all equipment before transporting boats over land.
Trail users can do their part for invasive species prevention by removing dirt and debris from shoes, gear and vehicles before heading to the next location.
Helpful safety tips – for ORV, boating, beach, fire and other topics – are available at Michigan. gov/DNREducation in the safety information section at the bottom of the webpage.
It's two full days when Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can grab a fishing rod, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks, boating access sites and other outdoor locations – all free of charge.
“This season, we’re encouraging newcomers to discover the outdoors and inviting longtime outdoor explorers to dust off their gear and get out there,” DNR Director Scott Bowen said.
“Whether you want to cast a line, hit the ORV trails or relax in Michigan's award-winning state parks, 'Three Free' Weekend checks all the boxes.”
The DNR's “Three Free” Weekend includes:
• Free ORV Weekend: Legally ride 4,000 miles of state-designated routes and trails and the state's six scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. Visit Michi gan.gov/ORVinfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.
• Free Fishing Weekend: Fish for all in-season species, all weekend long, without a license. All other fishing regulations apply. Visit Michigan.gov/FreeFishing for more information.
• Free entry to state parks: To encourage people to pursue free fishing and other outdoor fun, the DNR Recreation Passport that grants vehicle access to Michigan's 103 state parks, 1,000-plus state-managed boating access sites and many other outdoor spaces is waived for the weekend. Learn more about Passport benefits at Michigan.gov/Recreation Passport.
For the best outdoor experiences, the DNR urges everyone to protect our natural resources and put safety first when enjoying Michigan's woods, water and trails.
When off-road riding, please remember to Ride Right to make it home safe to family and friends. Ride at a safe speed, ride sober and ride on the right side of the trail. For all trail users, keep trail etiquette top of mind.
Boaters can help prevent the spread of invasive species by removing mud and debris from all surfaces, draining water from all bilges, wells and tanks, and drying all equipment before transporting boats over land.
Trail users can do their part for invasive species prevention by removing dirt and debris from shoes, gear and vehicles before heading to the next location.
Helpful safety tips – for ORV, boating, beach, fire and other topics – are available at Michigan. gov/DNREducation in the safety information section at the bottom of the webpage.
How to Fish on a Multi-Species River
Tom Maat shows off a river bluegill.
Photo courtesy Jack Payne
Photo courtesy Jack Payne
By Jack Payne
Are you tired of speed boats, jet skis, anglers fishing too close to you, or dealing with a cold front? My suggestion to you is to consider fishing a river. We have plenty of rivers to choose from, and in my neck of the woods, we have three rivers where I can run my walleye boat. Driving 60 miles south, I can add another fine stream.
Without a doubt, rivers just might be the last frontier. Sure, some anglers’ chase winter steelhead, perhaps a few early spring walleyes, but very few target summer panfish or summer gamefish.
We are talking crappie, bluegill, bass, walleye, and large pike. The two largest rivers in my neck of the woods have bayous or backwaters that hold plenty of spring fish, and again, very late season, just before freeze-over fish.
But during the dog days of summer, many of these shallow-water and super-warm-water areas are void of fish or undersized fish.
Learning to fish a river really is not that difficult. If you want to read a book with simple diagrams, check out any of Dan Gapen's old books. Dan is a pure river rat, going back to his youth.
The first thing to understand would be a current break. A current break is anything that slows the current. An eddy can create slack water on the surface. A simple eddy would be a wing dam, a rock, a fallen tree, or anything that diverts the current.
A bend in the river will be my first spot to try. I just love fishing in a deep hole. A deep hole might be two feet deeper than the surrounding water, or maybe 10 feet. It's relative to the river's normal depth.
Never drive by a bridge. Bridges have vertical supports that divert current. Anglers will find a “seam” below any vertical support. An added bonus is the debris that often gets hung up on a pillar. Most often the fish will be tight to the vertical supports.
Fallen trees are a magnet. A fallen tree with numerous branches becomes a home to many species of fish. Fallen trees might just be the best and the most overlooked cover. It takes precise casting skills or a long rod to dabble with. Now add a few of the other items mentioned, and you have a true fishing magnet.
A fallen tree at the top of a deep hole, a tree at the bottom of the hole, or a tree located within an eddy seriously improves a location. A change in the current, a piece of structure for a fish to relate to, or a canopy above their heads enhances a spot.
A deep hole or an outside bend in the river can be fished by drifting or casting. Drifting is best done with either a chain or a trolling motor. The idea is that, often, the current is faster at the surface than at the bottom.
Detroit River anglers understand this completely. A seasoned “slipper” of the river understands the importance of pointing the bow of the boat into the wind. Adjust the speed of the trolling motor so that you can remain as vertical as possible.
You can also drift with the current, but adding a chain greatly improves the success rate. Trust me, some type of slipping is the best.
Casting generally produces the most fish but also takes the most time to master. Patience and practice are required when trying to throw a jig or another bait to a fallen tree. Throwing to a bridge pillar is a bit easier.
We find schools of panfish using fallen trees. An anchor or a limb grabber clamp might be useful to you. At least these two methods will keep you in the zone.
Under this scenario, dabbling a bait straight down through the branches and along the trunk of the tree can and will often produce a limit of fish. A friend of mine might fish just one fallen tree and limit out on a mixed bag of bluegill and crappie.
Rivers are relaxing and very productive. Try one this summer and remember to visit Bob's Gun and Tackle Shop.
Are you tired of speed boats, jet skis, anglers fishing too close to you, or dealing with a cold front? My suggestion to you is to consider fishing a river. We have plenty of rivers to choose from, and in my neck of the woods, we have three rivers where I can run my walleye boat. Driving 60 miles south, I can add another fine stream.
Without a doubt, rivers just might be the last frontier. Sure, some anglers’ chase winter steelhead, perhaps a few early spring walleyes, but very few target summer panfish or summer gamefish.
We are talking crappie, bluegill, bass, walleye, and large pike. The two largest rivers in my neck of the woods have bayous or backwaters that hold plenty of spring fish, and again, very late season, just before freeze-over fish.
But during the dog days of summer, many of these shallow-water and super-warm-water areas are void of fish or undersized fish.
Learning to fish a river really is not that difficult. If you want to read a book with simple diagrams, check out any of Dan Gapen's old books. Dan is a pure river rat, going back to his youth.
The first thing to understand would be a current break. A current break is anything that slows the current. An eddy can create slack water on the surface. A simple eddy would be a wing dam, a rock, a fallen tree, or anything that diverts the current.
A bend in the river will be my first spot to try. I just love fishing in a deep hole. A deep hole might be two feet deeper than the surrounding water, or maybe 10 feet. It's relative to the river's normal depth.
Never drive by a bridge. Bridges have vertical supports that divert current. Anglers will find a “seam” below any vertical support. An added bonus is the debris that often gets hung up on a pillar. Most often the fish will be tight to the vertical supports.
Fallen trees are a magnet. A fallen tree with numerous branches becomes a home to many species of fish. Fallen trees might just be the best and the most overlooked cover. It takes precise casting skills or a long rod to dabble with. Now add a few of the other items mentioned, and you have a true fishing magnet.
A fallen tree at the top of a deep hole, a tree at the bottom of the hole, or a tree located within an eddy seriously improves a location. A change in the current, a piece of structure for a fish to relate to, or a canopy above their heads enhances a spot.
A deep hole or an outside bend in the river can be fished by drifting or casting. Drifting is best done with either a chain or a trolling motor. The idea is that, often, the current is faster at the surface than at the bottom.
Detroit River anglers understand this completely. A seasoned “slipper” of the river understands the importance of pointing the bow of the boat into the wind. Adjust the speed of the trolling motor so that you can remain as vertical as possible.
You can also drift with the current, but adding a chain greatly improves the success rate. Trust me, some type of slipping is the best.
Casting generally produces the most fish but also takes the most time to master. Patience and practice are required when trying to throw a jig or another bait to a fallen tree. Throwing to a bridge pillar is a bit easier.
We find schools of panfish using fallen trees. An anchor or a limb grabber clamp might be useful to you. At least these two methods will keep you in the zone.
Under this scenario, dabbling a bait straight down through the branches and along the trunk of the tree can and will often produce a limit of fish. A friend of mine might fish just one fallen tree and limit out on a mixed bag of bluegill and crappie.
Rivers are relaxing and very productive. Try one this summer and remember to visit Bob's Gun and Tackle Shop.
DNR Teams with City of Mt. Pleasant to Safely Relocate Black Bear
A 150-pound black bear that wandered into a Mt. Pleasant neighborhood and climbed a tree directly over a white-picket fence was captured and safely relocated to a northern Michigan swamp June 2.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources partnered with Mt. Pleasant police, firefighters and city workers to isolate the male bear in the tree and then tranquilize and tag the animal before transporting it about 60 miles away to the Houghton Lake area.
With a crowd of residents watching from a safe distance, the tranquilized bear fell unharmed about 18 feet into a thick pole vault pad borrowed from Mt. Pleasant High School.
“Sometimes bears wander in and out of developed areas, but this one was so far inside the city limits that we thought it best to intervene and take the bear out of this situation in a safe manner,” said Mark Boersen, a DNR wildlife biologist who participated in the effort. “Eventually, he would come down out of the tree, probably at night, but removal is the safest situation for people and their pets and the bear. Everything worked out well.”
On the morning of June 2, Mt. Pleasant police and DNR Conservation Officer Michael Lator responded to reports of the treed bear near Fancher and Mosher streets, a residential area north of Central Michigan University.
The DNR’s Wildlife Division was called in to tranquilize and transport the bear. Assisting in that effort were Boersen; Scott Larsen, the DNR’s state wildlife veterinarian; and Brian Piccolo, a DNR wildlife biologist and field operations manager.
The city of Mt. Pleasant provided a bucket truck to help biologists discourage the bear from climbing further up the tree. The animal was then tranquilized with a dart rifle. Once the bear was safely down from the tree, biologists did a medical workup of the animal – finding it healthy – and attached an identifying red ear tag.
It wasn’t immediately known where the bear originated, but Piccolo said it likely ventured over from the Chippewa River corridor, which is about a mile and a half west of the neighborhood.
The capture and relocation come three weeks after the DNR confirmed a bear sighting in the Carleton/Flat Rock area in southeast Michigan’s Monroe County. While the vast majority of Michigan’s more than 12,000 bears live in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, it’s not uncommon to see them in mid-Michigan and even occasionally in southern Michigan.
“In a general sense, you may encounter a bear anywhere in the Lower Peninsula,” Boersen said. “Obviously they’re less likely as you go south. But people in the Lower Peninsula should not assume that they would never have a bear come in their yard.”
He added that bears are covering long distances to find new sources of food and, soon, mates.
“Bears are actually getting into the breeding season now. So you could find a bear just about anywhere in the state,” Boersen said. “You don’t have to be in the backwoods. Just because you live in the city doesn’t mean you won’t encounter wildlife there.”
To live harmoniously with bears, Michiganders should take down bird feeders, especially in the spring and summer, clean grills after use, don’t leave pet food outside and wait until collection day to put out their trash.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources partnered with Mt. Pleasant police, firefighters and city workers to isolate the male bear in the tree and then tranquilize and tag the animal before transporting it about 60 miles away to the Houghton Lake area.
With a crowd of residents watching from a safe distance, the tranquilized bear fell unharmed about 18 feet into a thick pole vault pad borrowed from Mt. Pleasant High School.
“Sometimes bears wander in and out of developed areas, but this one was so far inside the city limits that we thought it best to intervene and take the bear out of this situation in a safe manner,” said Mark Boersen, a DNR wildlife biologist who participated in the effort. “Eventually, he would come down out of the tree, probably at night, but removal is the safest situation for people and their pets and the bear. Everything worked out well.”
On the morning of June 2, Mt. Pleasant police and DNR Conservation Officer Michael Lator responded to reports of the treed bear near Fancher and Mosher streets, a residential area north of Central Michigan University.
The DNR’s Wildlife Division was called in to tranquilize and transport the bear. Assisting in that effort were Boersen; Scott Larsen, the DNR’s state wildlife veterinarian; and Brian Piccolo, a DNR wildlife biologist and field operations manager.
The city of Mt. Pleasant provided a bucket truck to help biologists discourage the bear from climbing further up the tree. The animal was then tranquilized with a dart rifle. Once the bear was safely down from the tree, biologists did a medical workup of the animal – finding it healthy – and attached an identifying red ear tag.
It wasn’t immediately known where the bear originated, but Piccolo said it likely ventured over from the Chippewa River corridor, which is about a mile and a half west of the neighborhood.
The capture and relocation come three weeks after the DNR confirmed a bear sighting in the Carleton/Flat Rock area in southeast Michigan’s Monroe County. While the vast majority of Michigan’s more than 12,000 bears live in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, it’s not uncommon to see them in mid-Michigan and even occasionally in southern Michigan.
“In a general sense, you may encounter a bear anywhere in the Lower Peninsula,” Boersen said. “Obviously they’re less likely as you go south. But people in the Lower Peninsula should not assume that they would never have a bear come in their yard.”
He added that bears are covering long distances to find new sources of food and, soon, mates.
“Bears are actually getting into the breeding season now. So you could find a bear just about anywhere in the state,” Boersen said. “You don’t have to be in the backwoods. Just because you live in the city doesn’t mean you won’t encounter wildlife there.”
To live harmoniously with bears, Michiganders should take down bird feeders, especially in the spring and summer, clean grills after use, don’t leave pet food outside and wait until collection day to put out their trash.
Avoid Tree Root Conflicts
Hostas planted in between tree roots.
Photo credit MelindaMyers.com
By Melinda Myers
Roots erupting through the soil surface beyond the tree trunk irritate gardeners when trying to grow and mow grass under trees. Save time, reduce frustration and be kind to your trees when dealing with these surface roots. These roots are a normal part of aging for shallow rooted trees and are important to their health and stability.
As roots age, they increase in circumference just like the tree’s branches and trunk. The upper portion of the roots eventually appear above the soil surface. Covering the roots with soil is only a temporary solution and adding too much, even a couple inches, can be detrimental to the health of the tree. Your tree may look fine the first few years after installing that raised planting bed, but eventually the tree’s leaves get smaller and drop
earlier in the fall. And after five or ten years the tree may even die.
Do not cut, dig up or shave off these important roots. Damaging the roots creates entryways for insects and diseases to move in and cause trees to decline and possibly shorten their life.
Mulch is a simple solution. Use a 2-to-4-inch layer of organic mulch like leaves, evergreen needles and woodchips on the soil surface surrounding the tree. The finer the mulch material the thinner the layer needed. Apply the mulch throughout the area under the tree’s dripline, if possible, or in a circle extending at least 3 feet all the way around the tree. Pull the mulch away from the tree trunk to avoid insect, disease and rodent problems.
Eliminating grass and covering the soil with mulch is also better for the tree and less work for you in the long run. Grass competes with the tree for water and nutrients and as you may have discovered, growing grass in the shade of some trees can be challenging. You also eliminate the need to hand trim grass growing near the tree, saving you time while protecting your tree from weed whip and mower damage.
Consider shade-tolerant perennials and groundcovers if mulched beds do not fit your design style. These plants eliminate the need to mow over surface roots. They are less competitive than lawn grass, protect the soil from erosion, help manage storm water and add seasonal interest to your landscape.
Select plants suited to the growing conditions and hardy for your climate. Use caution when planting under mature trees. Avoid deep tilling that can damage not only the surface roots, but also the fine feeder roots that absorb water and nutrients. Instead, dig relatively small holes between major roots and allow the plants to fill in the area.
Mulch the soil surfaces around these groundcover plants with leaves, evergreen needles or other organic mulch. Water thoroughly once the plants are in the ground and often enough to keep their roots slightly moist throughout the summer. Gradually extend the time between watering to encourage the plants to develop a robust root system.
Invest a bit of time now to reduce ongoing maintenance, improve the health of your trees, and add beauty to your landscape.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is MelindaMyers.com.
Roots erupting through the soil surface beyond the tree trunk irritate gardeners when trying to grow and mow grass under trees. Save time, reduce frustration and be kind to your trees when dealing with these surface roots. These roots are a normal part of aging for shallow rooted trees and are important to their health and stability.
As roots age, they increase in circumference just like the tree’s branches and trunk. The upper portion of the roots eventually appear above the soil surface. Covering the roots with soil is only a temporary solution and adding too much, even a couple inches, can be detrimental to the health of the tree. Your tree may look fine the first few years after installing that raised planting bed, but eventually the tree’s leaves get smaller and drop
earlier in the fall. And after five or ten years the tree may even die.
Do not cut, dig up or shave off these important roots. Damaging the roots creates entryways for insects and diseases to move in and cause trees to decline and possibly shorten their life.
Mulch is a simple solution. Use a 2-to-4-inch layer of organic mulch like leaves, evergreen needles and woodchips on the soil surface surrounding the tree. The finer the mulch material the thinner the layer needed. Apply the mulch throughout the area under the tree’s dripline, if possible, or in a circle extending at least 3 feet all the way around the tree. Pull the mulch away from the tree trunk to avoid insect, disease and rodent problems.
Eliminating grass and covering the soil with mulch is also better for the tree and less work for you in the long run. Grass competes with the tree for water and nutrients and as you may have discovered, growing grass in the shade of some trees can be challenging. You also eliminate the need to hand trim grass growing near the tree, saving you time while protecting your tree from weed whip and mower damage.
Consider shade-tolerant perennials and groundcovers if mulched beds do not fit your design style. These plants eliminate the need to mow over surface roots. They are less competitive than lawn grass, protect the soil from erosion, help manage storm water and add seasonal interest to your landscape.
Select plants suited to the growing conditions and hardy for your climate. Use caution when planting under mature trees. Avoid deep tilling that can damage not only the surface roots, but also the fine feeder roots that absorb water and nutrients. Instead, dig relatively small holes between major roots and allow the plants to fill in the area.
Mulch the soil surfaces around these groundcover plants with leaves, evergreen needles or other organic mulch. Water thoroughly once the plants are in the ground and often enough to keep their roots slightly moist throughout the summer. Gradually extend the time between watering to encourage the plants to develop a robust root system.
Invest a bit of time now to reduce ongoing maintenance, improve the health of your trees, and add beauty to your landscape.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is MelindaMyers.com.
Bringing Wild Turkey Education to the Classroom in Michigan
The Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation helped introduce third-grade students to wild turkey biology, adaptations and conservation through hands-on classroom lessons this spring.
One teacher wore garden forks on her feet. Another sported a balloon snood dangling from her face. A cheese grater became a gizzard.
It may have looked like a costume party, but for nearly 400 Michigan third-graders, it was a science lesson they won't forget.
This spring, Jon Gray, president of the Michigan NWTF State Chapter, visited four elementary schools in the Lake Orion Community Schools district, delivering 14 presentations that introduced students to the fascinating world of wild turkeys through hands-on learning, laughter and conservation education.
A retired eighth-grade science teacher, Gray spent his career helping students understand the natural world. When his granddaughter's teacher invited him to speak to her class about turkeys last year, the presentation was such a hit that he expanded the opportunity to every elementary school in the district.
From March 24 through May 7, Gray reached nearly 400 third-grade students through presentations that aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards used by schools across Michigan and beyond.
“The talks lasted an hour, and we covered things such as the history of the wild turkey in North America, subspecies, predators and then mainly focused on adaptations of the wild turkey,” Gray said.
To help students understand those adaptations, Gray brought the lesson to life using activities from the NWTF Education and Outreach Department's “Stayin' Alive: Turkey Adaptations” curriculum, available through the JAKES Program. The activity helps students identify and understand wild turkey adaptations through hands-on learning and familiar objects.
Teachers volunteered to become living turkey models while everyday household items represented different turkey adaptations. Garden forks became turkey feet, a cheese grater stood in for a gizzard and a balloon transformed into a snood.
Students also had the opportunity to examine turkey feathers, dried feet and legs and a beard up close. They even practiced turkey sounds using coffee stirrers as makeshift turkey calls.
“The students seemed to enjoy the talks and getting to know turkeys through hands-on learning,” Gray said.
The approach resonated with teachers as much as it did with students.
“Jon Gray brought turkey talk to life for our third graders, complete with laughter, learning and unforgettable teacher turkey costumes,” said Heidi Boyer, a third-grade teacher at Paint Creek Elementary.
While the lessons focused on wild turkey biology and adaptations, they also gave students a glimpse into the broader world of wildlife conservation.
Programs like these help introduce young people to the science behind wildlife management and the role conservation plays in sustaining healthy habitats and wildlife populations. Whether students grow up to become hunters, biologists or simply outdoor enthusiasts, experiences like Gray's classroom visits help foster an appreciation for the natural world and the wildlife that call it home.
Those lessons clearly made an impact.
“I learned that feathers are not a color, it is just how the sun shines on it,” wrote Zoey, a third-grade student at Stadium Elementary. “I also loved it because I love to learn about animals.”
Other students shared newfound knowledge about turkey beards, keen eyesight and the 28-day incubation period of turkey eggs.
For Gray, the classroom visits were an opportunity to share his passion for wildlife while helping students better understand one of North America's most recognizable birds.
Judging by the laughter, questions and thank-you notes that followed, the lessons made a lasting impression.
One teacher wore garden forks on her feet. Another sported a balloon snood dangling from her face. A cheese grater became a gizzard.
It may have looked like a costume party, but for nearly 400 Michigan third-graders, it was a science lesson they won't forget.
This spring, Jon Gray, president of the Michigan NWTF State Chapter, visited four elementary schools in the Lake Orion Community Schools district, delivering 14 presentations that introduced students to the fascinating world of wild turkeys through hands-on learning, laughter and conservation education.
A retired eighth-grade science teacher, Gray spent his career helping students understand the natural world. When his granddaughter's teacher invited him to speak to her class about turkeys last year, the presentation was such a hit that he expanded the opportunity to every elementary school in the district.
From March 24 through May 7, Gray reached nearly 400 third-grade students through presentations that aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards used by schools across Michigan and beyond.
“The talks lasted an hour, and we covered things such as the history of the wild turkey in North America, subspecies, predators and then mainly focused on adaptations of the wild turkey,” Gray said.
To help students understand those adaptations, Gray brought the lesson to life using activities from the NWTF Education and Outreach Department's “Stayin' Alive: Turkey Adaptations” curriculum, available through the JAKES Program. The activity helps students identify and understand wild turkey adaptations through hands-on learning and familiar objects.
Teachers volunteered to become living turkey models while everyday household items represented different turkey adaptations. Garden forks became turkey feet, a cheese grater stood in for a gizzard and a balloon transformed into a snood.
Students also had the opportunity to examine turkey feathers, dried feet and legs and a beard up close. They even practiced turkey sounds using coffee stirrers as makeshift turkey calls.
“The students seemed to enjoy the talks and getting to know turkeys through hands-on learning,” Gray said.
The approach resonated with teachers as much as it did with students.
“Jon Gray brought turkey talk to life for our third graders, complete with laughter, learning and unforgettable teacher turkey costumes,” said Heidi Boyer, a third-grade teacher at Paint Creek Elementary.
While the lessons focused on wild turkey biology and adaptations, they also gave students a glimpse into the broader world of wildlife conservation.
Programs like these help introduce young people to the science behind wildlife management and the role conservation plays in sustaining healthy habitats and wildlife populations. Whether students grow up to become hunters, biologists or simply outdoor enthusiasts, experiences like Gray's classroom visits help foster an appreciation for the natural world and the wildlife that call it home.
Those lessons clearly made an impact.
“I learned that feathers are not a color, it is just how the sun shines on it,” wrote Zoey, a third-grade student at Stadium Elementary. “I also loved it because I love to learn about animals.”
Other students shared newfound knowledge about turkey beards, keen eyesight and the 28-day incubation period of turkey eggs.
For Gray, the classroom visits were an opportunity to share his passion for wildlife while helping students better understand one of North America's most recognizable birds.
Judging by the laughter, questions and thank-you notes that followed, the lessons made a lasting impression.
