Michigan has seen no shortage of unusual animal encounters and policy debates lately. From exotic creatures turning up in backyards to landmark cougar discoveries, and even heated arguments in Lansing over hunting rules, here’s a roundup of what’s been happening in the Great Lakes State.
Crocodile in a Michigan Front Yard
Police in Hampton Township got a surprise call in September: reports of an alligator wandering through a residential yard. When officers arrived, they discovered a 3-foot South American crocodile instead. How the reptile ended up in Michigan remains a mystery, but it has since been relocated to Birch Run Zoo for safe keeping (LINK to original story).
Bear Freed After Two-Year Ordeal
A black bear in the northern part of the state had been spotted several times with a plastic barrel lid trapped around its neck. After two years, wildlife biologists were finally able to tranquilize the animal and remove the plastic. While the bear had significant scarring, experts said its overall health was surprisingly strong (LINK to original story).
Cougar Cubs Return After More Than a Century
In Ontonagon County, wildlife officials confirmed the presence of two cougar cubs, marking the first verified reproduction of cougars in Michigan in over 100 years. Cougars are an endangered species in the state, making this a historic milestone for conservation and biodiversity (LINK to original story)
Hunting Laws Under Debate
Beyond the unusual animal sightings, Michigan lawmakers and regulators are actively reshaping wildlife and hunting policies:
- New Game Species: Bills are under consideration to allow hunting of mourning doves and sandhill cranes, both of which are currently protected (Michigan’s Thumb).
- Coyotes: Legislation has been introduced to permit year-round coyote hunting (Michigan’s Thumb), though the Natural Resources Commission recently moved to restrict the hunting of female coyotes and pups from April to July to protect breeding populations (WGRD).
- Wildlife Feeding: A bill that would legalize the feeding of deer and other wild animals has sparked strong debate, with conservationists warning of disease risks (Metro Times).
- Beaver Island Proposals: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is also requesting public input on plans to expand hunting and timber harvests on Beaver Island (Yahoo News).
Wolves Under Watch
Meanwhile, the DNR is asking the public to help monitor gray wolf sightings in the Lower Peninsula. While most wolves are concentrated in the Upper Peninsula, scattered reports have raised questions about the species’ gradual return to other regions of Michigan (Manistee News).
Weekly Fishing Report: October 1, 2025
The Michigan DNR publishes a weekly fishing bulletin — here are some highlights from the October 1, 2025 edition:
Read the full Weekly Fishing Report
Key Takeaways
- Steelhead rules updated: Some Type 3 and Type 4 streams are changing their size limits — the 20-inch minimum size is being removed on certain streams. (The daily possession limit remains one.)
- Southeast LP: Walleye fishing was slow; only 0–2 per boat in many areas. Yellow perch found in 14–17 ft water, though reports are modest.
- Northeast / Great Lakes: Mixed success; salmon, coho, steelhead, walleye in varied depths. In Lake Huron region, productive depths were 40–70 ft and colors like orange, gold, green, glow patterns.
- Upper Peninsula: Lake trout fishing is strong in many parts; coho in breaks; good action in deeper water for trout.
- Fishing Tip: Watch wind direction — wind that blows into a shoreline can concentrate baitfish and draw game fish to structure, breaks, or weed lines.
Michigan’s Wild & Watery Future
From escaped reptiles to historic cougar births, legislative debates over hunting policy, and real-time fishing updates — Michigan’s wildlife story is evolving fast. Whether you’re a hunter, angler, or conservationist, the state’s wild side continues to surprise.
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