By Mike Parker, PF Regional Wildlife Biologist

Growing up in the northern United States, each autumn I found myself observing huge flocks of ducks, geese and other migratory waterfowl flying south to spend the winter months in some distant warm place.

I was never quite as fortunate as those birds that would spend the winter relaxing on distant beaches in paradise, or at least that’s what my young mind thought. But at least I had an insulated house, a working furnace and plenty of layers of warm clothes to protect me and allow me to weather the snow and ice of another tough Michigan winter.

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An ancient team that still works today
Story by Glenn Savage Illustration by Dan Burr

Let me tell you a story about how dogs and humans became such good friends. The story is fictional, but based on actual evidence found by anthropologists and their educated guesses. Anthropology is the science of human beings, especially the study of our ancestors in relation to our environment and societies:

It was the worst drought any human or wild dog could remember. There was no grass or wildlife anywhere. The ancient dog pack was desperate for food as they roamed the night far beyond their usual range looking for anything edible. more…

By Janine Kohn, PF/QF National Education Specialist Photos By Benji Kohn

Humans have been practicing the art of animal tracking since we became hunter-gatherers many millions of years ago. Today’s hunters, soldiers, police and others have kept this ancient art alive. For hunters, a wide array of techniques and methods have been passed down through the years, but in all situations, tracking “opens the door” to the life of the animal or species being observed or hunted.

Max, the yellow lab, is a superb tracker and does some investigating on his own!

Most nature enthusiasts like to observe wildlife up-close or through binoculars and scopes; however, we gain a better understanding of the animal’s behavior by interpreting its tracks and signs. Once you have practiced and mastered the art of tracking and know what to look for, you gain valuable information about the wildlife you track. The best part is that you may even get the chance to observe your quarry up close and undisturbed in its natural habitat.

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Mystery Photo
The birds are migrating snow geese photographed eating in a corn stubble field in southeast Colorado last November. Before humans started planting crops on their migration route, many snow geese died during their spring and fall migrations between the arctic and the Gulf of Mexico. Now, because the geese fatten up on waste grain, more of them survive the stress of migration. Unfortunately, the expanded flocks are now ruining their sensitive arctic nesting grounds for themselves and other wildlife. more…

Congratulations to our summer photo contest winners, and thank you everyone for your fantastic submissions!

Our First Place Winner is Cody Murken, 9, of Starbuck, Minnesota. Judges comments: The subject, captured in Palisades State Park, South Dakota, was unique and the focus was sharp.
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