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You may have read about it in Outdoor News, or heard it on one of the radio podcasts! Several species of owls have made their way down from Canada into the northern United States in something that in nature is called an irruption. This doesn’t happen every year, but it refers to when there is a sudden increase in a certain population of animals. Birders who enjoy seeing these birds of prey in action note that overcast days are ideal because the birds tend to hunt all day on an overcast day as opposed to bright sunny days.
When an irruption occurs, it is also a big deal for research. Learn more

Hudson Munt, of Minnesota harvested his first deer, while hunting with family and friends on Nov. 16, 2024.

There are many animals that you don't see much of during the coldest days of winter, and that is because they are in a deep sleep called a "torpor". Did you know that woodchucks and some species of bats are true hibernators? We often think of bears when we hear the word hibernation, but studies have shown they are actually in a state of suspended animation and will wake up periodically during the winter months. People in Alaska, a state known for its brutal winters, have reported seeing grizzly bear tracks in the snow deep into the winter when we would normally expect the bears to be denned up for a long winter nap.
When it comes to tracks in the snow, could you ID these tracks if you spotted them?

While the term SCC is used by wildlife management when they are planning as a reference of Species of Conservation Concern, in this update using SCC, we're referring to the molting process where animals in the Northern Hemisphere will change from brown in the summer months to white in the winter. For some animals, like the rock ptarmigan or snowshoe hare, that color change is a way to protect them from predators. Other animals, including the arctic fox, benefit from this natural camouflage when they are hunting. If you've ever seen an artic fox in the summer months, it looks very different than when it is sporting it's fluffy white coat.
Below is an interesting graphic that shows when fur bearing animals coats are at their thickest, or prime - something a trapper would need to pay attention to.

Did you know that trapping plays an important role in managing predators that raid the nests of game birds? Harvesting coyotes is also a solid management tool in protecting fawn populations, and Melissa Bachman of Winchester Deadly Passion shares some pointers for Outdoor News JPT members when heading out to do some predator hunting. Her tips are effective regardless of where in the country you are hunting coyotes. View the video

JPT member, Maverick Ferguson, of Wisconsin trapped his first coyote with his dad, in January.

JPT member, Gauge Schaus, of Manitowoc, WI caught this 14.5-inch jumbo perch, while fishing on the Bay of Green Bay on Jan. 11, 2025. Colton Nelson, of Cold Spring, MN caught caught and released a tullibee, while fishing on Lake of the Woods Jan. 19, 2025. (learn more about tullibee here)

JPT members are automatically entered into the weekly drawing. Get a bonus entry when you tell a friend to join!