Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By IAN MINIELLY
Bessemer — The Gogebic County Forestry and Parks Commission manages over 50,000 acres of land in Gogebic County. Most of that land, according to director Greg Ryskey was tax reverted land the county took back after the owners harvested the land and elected to not pay property taxes. As the volume in acres increased, the commission was formed and is a completely self-supporting program that is a net boon to the county.
Ryskey said much of the land is on its second cutting, some is on its third, but there are also virgin stands in the counties acreage. Riskey said, “we have a lot of northern hardwoods that we selectively harvest, which opens up holes in the canopy for natural regeneration.” Only the Aspen stands are clear cut and there are less than 100 acres of pine that is planted by hand.
The GCFP set aside the Mosinee Grouse Management Area to enhance ruffed grouse habitat through a much more intensive management plan than typical forest lands. This “Grouse Enhancement Management System is being expanded across the Upper Peninsula to create destination sites for grouse hunting and unique opportunities for hunting and wildlife viewing.”
The Mosinee GEM encompasses approximately 1,136 acres of county land south of Wakefield and adjacent to the Mosinee Grade. Management actions ruffed grouse prefer are young aspen stands less than 25 years old, providing roosting sites and buds for consumption. As a side benefit woodcock also prefer similar habitat to grouse, as do white-tailed deer and snowshoe hares.
According to management actions, the GCFP intends to create 8 age classes for the different aspen stands.
The second goal of the GEM management plan is to promote preferred habitat for white-tailed deer adjacent to the Wintering Deer Yard Complex. Native perennials are planted in four 1-2 acre wildlife openings to provide spring, summer and winter forage.
The result of the first two plans is to create enhanced recreational opportunities for hunting through a multi-pronged approach:
—Support a unique hunting experience for walk-in grouse hunting,
—Maintain a trail system for hunters and other users,
—Establish partnerships to assist in management of the area.
The GEM is only two years old. As the more focused management to improve habitat is continued and the different tracts of land develop, Ryskey expects the wildlife will respond.
