2018 Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership

Initiative (DHIPI) Grant Award Recipients and

Projects Descriptions (in random order)
1. Gogebic Conservation District
The DNR has approved $9,835.00 for the Gogebic Conservation District’s project to establish
food plots using stretches of logging roads that have recently been used in timbering activities
and will now remain unused for years to come. These will be widened, disked or scarified to
prepare a proper seed bed, then planted with a mixture of perennials and bermed to prevent
vehicular access. The intent is that the plantings along roads will become snow free early in
the spring and provide nutritious early forage to deer emerging from winter conditions. Three
areas within the western half of the Mosinee Deer Wintering Complex (DWC) containing
designated logging roads are encompassed in this plan. All are on land owned by Gogebic
County. The roads aggregate to 10.3 miles in length, amounting to 12.3 acres.

2. The Forestland Group

The Forestland Group (TFG) will receive $10,000.00 to continue their red oak underplanting
work in Mackinac County. An impressive $25,956.00 financial match will certainly continue the
work this group is doing now in the seventh year of the partnership. The project entails
multiple TFG Commercial Forest Act (CFA) enrolled lands / planting sites in Mackinac County
(T44N, R11W; T42N, R11W). Seven stands comprising nearly 200acres are scheduled for
treatment in an effort to enhance stand diversity and hard mast production.

The intent of the project is to reintroduce a hard mast component to forest stand in areas
heavily impacted by beech bark disease. Planting sites will be primarily in areas where beach
bark disease has severely impacted hard mast production in the forest. Plantings may be
scheduled for spring or fall implementation. In total 840 red oak potted saplings (approximately
5 feet tall and potted) will be planted out in small groves mimicking natural oak groves
(approximately 20 trees per grouping). These groves will be temporarily fenced to protect
them until they have reached a height of 10 feet. TFG will supervise planting and will utilize
contract planters at their discretion. National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has signed on as
potential partner and possible financial contributor to this project.

3. Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County

Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County has been approved for $5,445.00 for their proposal titled
“Wildlife Opening Maintenance.” The intent of the project is to partner with private
landowners in Iron County to perform maintenance operations on 13 previously established
private land food plots including 3 of which are within the Gold Mine Grouse Enhanced
Management Site (GEMS) hunter walking trails / openings on Weyerhaeuser’s CFA enrolled

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properties in Iron County. The private land wildlife opening sites are intended be used in
conjunction with Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County (WUIC) mentored youth hunting program. In
total 25.90 acres is scheduled for treatment.

Five food plot sites will receive additional soft mast tree plantings of multiple apple trees. All
sites will receive plantings of high bush cranberry wildlife scrubs. Trees will be protected with
3’ x 3’ fabric vegetation barriers to reduce competition from adjacent vegetation. The larger
saplings will be surrounded by 6’ high circular 2” x 4” hog wire fence and supported by three
metal t posts. Labor for tree planting will come from Iron County Kinship Organization (at risk
youth and their mentors) and Wildlife Unlimited volunteers. Maintenance habitat treatments
for existing openings may be a combination of: mowing, herbicide, planting clover / forb mixes,
invasive control and fertilizing as needed.

4. Marquette County Conservation District

The Marquette County Conservation District (MCCD) has been approved for a $14,449.00 grant
for “Central Upper Peninsula Critical Wintering Deer-Wildlife Habitat Improvement” project on
private non-industrial ownerships in Marquette Counties. MCCD will target critical deer
wintering habitat in Marquette County. MCCD will work with a contractual tree planting
company to plant 1) overwintering conifer habitat and 2) soft and hard mast trees on seven
private landowner parcels, totaling 55 acres, these parcels will both lay within or near known
U.P. critical wintering areas and will border state or CFR land. The proposed conifer plantings
will/ provide quality cover for white-tailed deer and other wildlife species, including wild turkey,
snowshoe hare, and game and non-game bird species. The proposed mast plantings will
provide a sustainable food source.

Native conifer seedlings will be planted for reforestation of poorly-stocked forests that did not
regenerate as expected. These plantings will introduce a conifer component to predominantly
northern hardwood forests. Native conifer species will include hemlock, white pine, and white
cedar. Mast species will include red oak, fruiting apple, and/or crab apple trees. Six 5-acre
parcels will include understory planting of 200 seedlings per acre and one additional parcel will
include a 25-acre parcel for complete reforestation at a planting rate of 700 seedlings per acre.
Additionally, each parcel will receive up to five soft mass trees.

5. Alger Conservation District

The Alger Conservation District (ACD) has been approved for $4,669.00 for “Hard and Soft Mast
Tree Planting” project in Onota and Rock River Townships in Alger County (T46N, R22W, section
8, Snow Owl Outdoor Club; T46N, R 21W Section 26, Rock River TWP). The intent of this
project with the ACD is to enhance/create hard mast and soft in areas affected by Beech bark
disease. Additionally, conifer tree plantings will occur as added habitat enhancements to
provide escape cover. The overall project consists of two sites. The first is owned by the Snow
Owl Outdoor Club and is a northern hardwoods site recently clear cut. The goal here is to plant
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a currently open 4.5-acre site to crab apple and other native fruit bearing shrubs to create a
summer fall pocket of soft mast. Additionally, a 10-acre site on the same ownership will be
planted with a mix of; two to four foot-tall red and white oak saplings, American hazelnut and
other hard mast species as available, highbush cranberry and other soft mast species, as well as
white and red pine (white spruce is an acceptable alternative), to provide escape cover.
Plantings on the Snow Owl Outdoor Club property will be conducted by club members. Planting
training and guidance will be provided by CD staff.
The second project site is owned by Rock River Township and there a 4.5-acre site will be
planted with red oak plugs, two to three-foot tall red oak saplings, other hard mast species as
available, crab apple and other soft mast species, as well as white pine to provide escape cover.

6. Hancock Forest Management

The Hancock Forest Management group has been awarded $5,750.00 for their project titled
“Operational Deer Habitat Management in the Harlow lake and Big Bay DWC’s”. Hancock will
be conducting a selective harvest in the Harlow Lake – Big Bay Deer Wintering Complex during
early 2018. Management guidelines outlined in the document “Harlow Lake – Big Bay Deer
Wintering Complex (DWC) Management Plan” published in 2015 by the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan Habitat Workgroup along with input from DNR wildlife biologists will be used to
design a site-specific harvest prospectus with the goal of enhancing deer habitat. The grant
award will be used to implement strategies designed to maintain or improve deer habitat,
including, but not limited to:
• harvesting in winter and leaving tops for browse
• increase secondary shelter presence through appropriate tree retention
guidelines
• planting of key shelter tree species and herbaceous browse species
• seedling protection devices to prevent browse of planted tree species
The planned deliverables include: Timber harvest prescriptions applicable with DWC plan
guidelines implemented in spring and summer 2018; herbaceous plantings within Harlow Lake /
Big Bay DWC for which the planting mix will be coordinated with DNR; appropriate planting
practices will be followed; planting of approximately 5,000 large stock conifer / desired species
with seedling protectors. The Selected tree species to be coordinated with DNR.

7. Schoolcraft Conservation District

The Department has awarded $5,570.00 towards their “Schoolcraft County Weyerhaeuser
Spring Break Out Areas” grant proposal. The intent of this project is to partner with
Weyerhaeuser on lands they administer in Schoolcraft County (T42N, R13W, section 9; T40N,
R17W section(s) 23 & 24; T39N, R17W, sections 5; T40N, R7W, section 32) to improve deer
habitat by enhancing 7 forest openings previously established (totaling 4 acres). Planned
habitat improvement includes the following: late season mowing (to foster new growth before
fall), herbicide application (for weed control), a light fertilizer application (to maintain fertility
for the benefit of the desired plant species), planting 5 to 8 mast trees (such as burr oaks
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and/or apples) around the perimeter of each opening, and the installation of fencing to protect
those newly planted trees (spring or fall plantings) for a few years to allow them to grow
beyond major wildlife damaging size. Six-foot-tall woven wire fencing with several steel t-
stakes should be used to protect saplings from wildlife damage. Regionally sourced oak stock
will be used. Apple tree stock should be winter hardy root stock and be late fruit bearing
varieties. Additionally, new private land wildlife opening sites may be added and treated as
capacity permits.

8. Iron Baraga Conservation District

The Iron Baraga Conservation District (IBCD) has been awarded $14,500.00 for “Deer Wintering
Complex Tree Planting” project on: private land; local units of government; school forest; and
tribal lands in Iron and Baraga Counties. The intent of this project is to enhance deer wintering
habitat across local public lands and private land in Iron and Baraga Counties. The grant will be
used to provide seedlings and trees to private landowners at a significantly reduced cost; and to
local units of Government, Schools and Native American Tribes at no cost aside from their time
investment in the planting activities. Deer Wintering Complex’s (DWC) in Iron County and
Baraga County are targeted.
Selected participating landowners will have three options:
1. Option 1)- Capable landowners or IBCD Staff coordinated by our Foresters will plant
1000 Conifers (White Pine, Hemlock or White Cedar) planted at roughly 200 trees per
acre (as an under-planting), in an area identified by the landowner and IBCD Forester.
The 10 available shares totaling 10,000 trees will be distributed to landowners on a
competitive basis. Not all landowners may be within the DWC areas. Landowners can
buy a share of trees including 1000 conifer seedlings (White pine, hemlock, or white
cedar) for a cost of $50.00
2. Option 2) – Landowners receive a fruit bearing browsing unit kit comprised of a mixture
of Wildlife Fruit Tree Plantings, (utilizing zone appropriate, disease resistant stock with
an emphasis on pollination suitability to ensure production); 100 wildlife shrub
seedlings: (Black Chokeberry, Highbush Cranberry, American Plum, Serviceberry,
Dogwood(s), American Hazelnut, Nine bark etc. Landowners utilizing this option will be
required to plant their own trees. The 10 available shares totaling 1,100 trees will be
distributed to landowners on a competitive basis. Landowners can buy shares in 100
wildlife seedlings (Black Chokeberry, Highbush Cranberry, American Plum, Serviceberry,
Red Osier Dogwood, Silky Dogwood, Gray Dogwood, Hazelnut, Ninebark) and 10 Apple
Trees (with translucent, vented 5-foot-tall tree protectors with stakes) with Landowners
contributing $50. Landowners in this category will be required to plant their own trees.
3. Option 3 – IBCD will assist with the planting of these trees; working with local
government, school, and the KBIC. The 5 available shares totaling 6,100 trees will be
distributed to open access property in locations such as the Apple Blossom Trail, Larsen
Park, Paint River Boardwalk, and KBIC Reservation Lands. Landowners can receive a
multi-story, mixed species share for habitat areas utilizing deciduous hardwoods,

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 conifers, fruit bearing trees, and wildlife shrubs. This mix draw from a pool of: 400
seedlings: (Bur Oak, Swamp Oak, White Oak), 400 seedlings: (Black Chokeberry,
Highbush Cranberry, American Plum, Serviceberry, Red Osier Dogwood, Gray Dogwood,
Hazelnut, Ninebark), 400 seedlings: (White Pine, White Spruce, Balsam Fir, White
Cedar), and 20 Apple Trees (with translucent, vented 5-foot-tall tree protectors with
stakes). Landowners in this category will be required to plant their own trees.
All landowner selections will be approved by the IBCD and are on a competitive basis. Canopy
density, species composition, location of property in relation of DWC, soil types, public access
considerations will be some of the determining factors in finding ideal candidates.

9. Ontonagon Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited

The DNR has awarded $8,632.00 to the Ontonagon Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited (OCWTU)
proposal titled “Deer Yard Spring Break Out Wildlife Opening Establishment.” The intent of the
project is for OCWTU to partner with a private landowner in your area to refresh and enhance
and old agricultural field to new seeding condition. The break out project site is privately
owned (T50N, R37W, section 19, SENE). The project may entail; herbicide, plowing, tilling,
liming (if soil test indicates need), fertilizing, and plant a cool season clover mix with approved
small grains cover crop on a 10-acre opening near a Deer Wintering Complex.

10. Greenleaf Timber Holding Inc.

A new partner and new proposal by Greenleaf Timber Holding Inc., has been awarded
$9,160.00 for the project titled “Deerfoot Lodge DWC Conifer and Hard Mast Planting”. The
intent of the project is to plant conifers and red oak to provide a combination of thermal cover
and hard mast on a 40-acre site that is a two-year-old clear cut with minimal regeneration
(T43N, R 32W, section 12, NESE). Seedling establishment would eventually provide late fall and
winter habitat for local and migratory whitetails. The conifer plantings should be 50% White
pine and 50% white spruce (6,000 white spruce and 6,000 white pine). Both species are to be
planted in a non-linear fashion at a rate of 300 to 500 per acre. Seedlings are to be from
regionally sources seedlings that are 3-0 bare root stock or equivalent container stock. Conifer
seedlings are to be planted in random, non-linear fashion, with increased spacing to encourage
additional natural regeneration of native species, increasing available browse and bio-diversity.
Any areas of advanced natural regeneration will be avoided, allowing the native regeneration to
continue growth. Red Oak seedlings are to be planted along open, higher ridges located on
property. Trees are to be planted under the direction of a registered forester based on soil/site
conditions most likely to result in long term survival of the planting. Red Oak trees are to be
planted with 48" tube style tree protectors to enhance survival rate.
This property was previously applied for enrollment in the CFA but was denied due to lack of
regeneration and low stem count. With good seedling success, this property will be eligible for
CFA and the landowner is committed to enrolling it in to provide public access to the property
for hunting enjoyment and recreation. Since the DHIPI Grant is heavily investing in the future
commercial timber capacity of this parcel and probably future enrollment in CFA, any existing
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or subsequent forest management plan(s) for this parcel must include language documenting
the intent of this treatment, reflect DWC management guidance as available on the UP-Habitat
Work Group website, and appropriate stand management objectives and rotation ages.

11. Dickinson Conservation District Cheese Factory Co-Operative

The Dickinson Conservation District (DCD) Cheese Factory Co-op has been awarded $11,990.00
for your “Cheese Factory Deer Habitat Management Co-Op” project on privately owned lands in
Menominee County (T36N, R28W, sections 36; and T36N, R27W, sections 30, 31, 32). The
intent of this project is to manipulate habitat type change edges to favor more progressive
changes in vegetation, thus providing higher valued habitat for deer. In total the goal is to treat
17 acres with grass and wildflower plantings and 20 acres of shrub and conifer plantings. DCD
will work with the Cheese Factory Co-Operative to find suitable landowners to participate.

Herbaceous plantings will involve a combination of early spring and fall site prep before native
grass seeding. In the early spring herbicide treatments will be used to eliminate competition
and then disking will be done. The sight will be chemically fallowed during growing season.
Additional disking may be necessary before the final herbicide treatment is applied in late
summer / early fall. Before actual planting occurs. Soil testing will be necessary to determine
any liming and fertilizer needs. The seeding mix will be the pheasants forever – MI tall grass
Prairie mixture and will be spread mechanically. It is recommended that the planting sites be
immediately compacted to ensure adequate seed to soil contact. For the shrub plantings,
herbicide spot treatments will occur in the spring followed by planting within two weeks. Up to
42 shrubs per acre are scheduled and each will be protected by a tree protector. Species to be
used may be: red osier dogwood, American plum, serviceberry, and American thorn apple.
Planting is to be uneven and intended to create a fathered edge effect. For the conifer
plantings herbicide spot treatments will again be used and seedlings will be planted further out
to expand the width of edge. White spruce, white pine, balsam fir and other native conifers are
to be used. It is not recommended to use Norway and Blue spruce. Planting rates will be 35
trees per acre, depending on species.

Additionally, landowners will be encouraged to cut aspens adjacent to the edge to foster stump
sprouting into the expanded edge area further adding to the areas species and structural
diversity. It is important that trees be removed before spring to foster optimal stump
sprouting. Co-Op landowners agree to future maintenance treatments such as seasonal
mowing, spraying with plateau in the third year to control unwanted plants. DCD staff will
provide guidance and oversight to Co-Op landowners. All plantings are to be done by co-op
landowners and/or DCD staff with DCD staff supervising efforts.

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