Bovine TB Management Hunt

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January Antler-less Deer Hunt

Bovine tuberculosis is an emerging disease that affects Michigan’s deer heard and other wildlife species and livestock. The infectious bacterial disease can occur in the lungs, intestines and other parts of the body. It is caused by certain bacteria that attack the respiratory system and causes gradual debilitation, depression and intolerance to exercise.

A total of 2,949 white-tailed deer have been tested in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda counties. This 4-county area returned 8 TB positive deer! This area has become known as DMU 487. Michigan has become world-renowned after years of studying and testing for its research and expertise on managing this disease.

The Michigan DNR recently announced a January hunt to help with bovine TB management. This antler-less deer hunt will take place on private land on Alpena County (south of M-32) from Jan 4 – 7 and Jan 11 – 14, 2018.

The purpose of increasing the antler-less deer harvest is to improve the habitat of the heavily populated bovine TB area. Improving that habitat means improving overall deer fitness and better antler production, according to Chad Stewart, DNR deer and elk specialist.

Landowners can receive up to $7.50 per acre for allowing hunting on their land during this hunt. All rules and regulations for firearm deer season apply to this hunt.

DNR check stations are accepting donations from any hunters that wish to donate their deer. These donated deer are processed free of charge and distributed to local food banks!

Michigan’s citizens are at risk and it is important to maintain close attention to the meat inspection and pasteurization processes. Proper food handling and good management practices will lower the chance of bovine TB transmission from animals to humans.

There are no effective vaccines or medications for treating bovine TB in wild deer, meaning it is vital to continue surveying, examining and attempting deer management strategies to eradicate the disease.

 

Sources:
Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases
Michigan DNR

 

Wildlife & Habitat Management Initiative

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ACEWR – Nonprofit Seeking Wildlife & Habitat Improvement

ACEWR held a meeting in September to gather individuals with a common interest: protecting and improving our Northeast Michigan region.

Allband Communications Service Area

Allband Center for Education, Wildlife & Research (ACEWR) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on bringing innovative technological approaches to rural community issues. ACEWR was created to find solutions to utilize the high-speed Internet infrastructure to make our community better. One avenue is combining natural resource initiatives with 21st century technology to find innovative solutions to protecting our environment and enhancing research to improve our wildlife.

ACEWR hosted a wildlife & habitat management meeting at Allband’s home office in Curran, Michigan last month. The discussion included Anna Metterling from the MUCC (Michigan Wildlife Cooperatives), Northeast Michigan QDMA branch and Mike Adams from Up North Journal. The foundational meeting opened up the forum for local camps, land-owners, hunt clubs and associations by presenting issues and opportunities to work together as a cooperative.

A cooperative gives a vehicle for like-minded individuals to collaborate on a big common interest: caring for and improving our land. A cooperative of local camps can create a game plan for issues including improving deer hunting, logging, food plots, deer surveys, buck-to-doe ratios, bovine TB, chronic wasting disease, oak wilt and working against invasive species. Working together and sharing information can clear up misconceptions, break down boundaries and open doors to opportunity and improvement.

The complete video of the meeting was broadcasted live on Facebook and can be found at www.facebook.com/AllbandResearch or on our YouTube channel. Videos are titled “Wildlife & Habitat Management Meeting Part 1” and “Wildlife & Habitat Management Meeting Part 2.”

ACEWR is looking for opportunities to collaborate on research projects, build research platforms and use cutting edge technology to gather data and bring knowledge to the forefront. The non-profit has unlimited resources and services available in rural Northeast Michigan including facilities, equipment, real time video data streaming, security systems, mobile access and solar options. Together with land-owners, education institutions, government, other non-profit groups, farms and even private businesses, ACEWR can leverage technology to do more.

If you are interested in collaborating your ideas and expertise with ACEWR’s technology and resources, call ACEWR at: 989.369.9ACE.

ANOTHER CWD CASE SUSPECTED

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Montcalm County Deer Suspected Positive

Last week the Michigan DNR announced another deer may test positive for chronic wasting disease. The sample was sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

“The fact that we already have another positive deer within Montcalm County is of major concern,” said Dr. Kelly Straka, DNR state wildlife veterinarian. “We strongly recommend hunters who harvest deer in Montcalm County have their deer tested. Deer with CWD can look perfectly healthy even though they are infected.”

Chronic wasting disease has been found in 10  cases so far. The DNR has tested over 15,000 deer. This disease is a fatal neurological disease caused by the transmission of infectious proteins contained in saliva and other bodily fluids of infected animals. It can be spread through direct exposure and from carcasses of diseased animals.

Abnormal behavior, weight loss and physical debilitation are side effects that result from CWD, however deer can also go many years without showing symptoms. Chronic wasting disease does not have a cure, and once infected, the deer die.

Please be sure to get your deer checked! Maple Valley, Pine, Douglass, Montcalm, Sidney, Eureka, and Fairplain townships in Montcalm County; and Spencer and Oakfield townships in Kent County area will have mandatory deer check starting November 15th.

ACEWR is here to address these problems and find solutions. Hosting research, building testing centers and working together with land owners are pieces to ending CWD and other diseases that effect our herd. Together we can create a better habitat and protect our wildlife. For more information on how you can get involved, please fill out our ACEWR Interest form or call us today: 989.369.9223.

View more at ACEWR News & Updates.

 

 

Source: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/1bfb998

Photo: http://runacrossvirginia.com

 

Remington Hunting Rifle Giveaway

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2 Chances to WIN

Allband Center for Education, Wildlife & Research (ACEWR) is giving away a Remington hunting rifle! In fact, there are 2 ways to enter your name into the raffle and WIN.

ACEWR recently hosted a wildlife & habitat management meeting. The discussion included ways hunt clubs, associations and landowners in the area can work together. Working together to find strategic solutions will make our Northeastern Michigan region better and improve hunting. The Wildlife & Habitat Management Meeting is posted live on our facebook page.

To enter the raffle:

  1. FACEBOOK – Comment on our LIVE VIDEO of the Wildlife & Habitat Management Meeting Part 1 or Part 2 on our facebook page. Commenting on the video will enter your name into the rifle giveaway. Find the video here: LIVE VIDEO and don’t forget to LIKE and SHARE our facebook page HERE.
  1. INTEREST FORM – Fill out our ACEWR INTEREST FORM and submit it for another entry into the drawing. The interest form is an opportunity for you to tell us what areas of interest concern you and what questions you might have. Find the interest form HERE.

ACEWR is utilizing Allband’s thousands of acres of coverage and over 400 miles of fiber to help the environment in new ways. The technological infrastructure in rural Northeast Michigan creates a rare opportunity for ACEWR to bring create solutions to rural community issues.

Thank you for watching our Wildlife & Habitat Management Meeting and entering to win the rifle! Please engage on our facebook page and continue to be a part of the movement to create a better environment.

Don’t forget to check into our Facebook page on November 1st to watch to drawing of the rifle!

 

Back to SCHOOL

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3 Online Educational Resources to Help Prepare for School

It’s almost time for the transition from summer chaos to structure. Turning in dirty feet and greasy hair for early nights, homework and school supplies. Big changes!

Back to school can be a hard transition for your family. However, high speed broadband Internet opens the door to endless educational resources and information to help prepare your child (and you) for the next year. We found 3 online resources to share and help everyone get ready for school.

  1. PBS – PBS.org/parents is a great online educational resource with tools to help your children prepare for the classroom. With learning guides, back-to-school checklists, and tips… it has everything you need. PBS also has educational activities and games to help your child learn and grow!
    Check out the website here: www.pbs.org/parents/education
  2. STUDY FAQ – Studyfaq.com is an online tutoring and homework help platform for older students. The educational resources and services studyfaq.com provide include aid in writing skill development, test preparation and 1 on 1 tutoring. Also, there are many study guides and how-to guides available, giving older students a bank of knowledge and educational tools through the Internet.
    Check out the website here: www.studyfaq.com/guides
  3. Funbrain – funbrain.com has educational games, reading, videos and a math zone. You can browse by grade to find books and games relevant for your child as the school year begins! It is a fun way to put the thinking cap back on and get ready for learning. Check out the website here: www.funbrain.com/books
To get the most out of your high speed Internet connection you may want to look at your current wireless router. Wireless routers should be updated every few years to give you the best speeds possible. Wireless Internet is becoming increasingly necessary with all the devices we use, so make sure your router is up to date.
Allband sells AND leases wireless routers. To learn more about our router options visit our website (www.allband.org/router-options) or give us a call (989-369-9999).

In conclusion, Broadband Internet access gives children educational opportunities to learn and grow. Click here to see if you are in Allband’s service area. Hope you found these online educational resources useful while preparing for the next school year!

Photo courtesy of lifewire.com

FIBER EXPLOSION

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Monumental Savings on High Speed Broadband Internet

To celebrate our country’s 241st birthday, Allband Communications is giving away discounts for our high-speed Internet and telephone fiber construction.

Email the coupon code “EXPLOSION” to info@allband.org and receive your discount on FIBER construction!

Why Allband? Allband provides FIBER to the home. Fiber optic cable is the way of the future. Instead of outdated copper cables, fiber optic cables are glass threads that transmit communication signals through pulses of light waves. Fiber optic cables provide a higher bandwidth (meaning you get faster speeds) and can transmit data over longer distances (so your signal doesn’t loose strength and you don’t need signal boosters). Fiber is also less susceptible interference!

Allband also BURIES the FIBER cables. What does that mean? Your connection will not be effected by weather. It also keeps our pristine Northeast Michigan country looking beautiful. No gangly poles and wires… Yuck!

A new study by researchers at the University of Colorado and Carnegie Mellon University shows that high speed FIBER Internet can add an average of 3.1% to your home value! Turning a $175,000 home into $180,425, adding over $5,000 to your property value. Fiber Internet is becoming an amenity that enables residents to download and stream and do everything so much faster! What could you do with the extra speed?

Email the coupon code “EXPLOSION” to info@allband.org today to LOCK in your discount and get the FIBER construction process started.

Photo courtesy of Canva.com
Article Reference: Quicken Loans

Michigan Father’s Day in 3 Easy Steps

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Three Easy Steps for a Successful Father’s Day

In search of Father’s Day gift ideas? Look no further. We are here to help. Follow these three easy steps for a Michigan Father’s Day your dad will not forget.

  1. Pure Michigan Hunt Application – Michigan Department of Natural Resources randomly selects three Pure Michigan Hunt winners. The winners receive a package valued at over $4,000! It includes elk, bear, antlerless deer, spring and fall turkey hunting licenses, first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area, a Darton Archery crossbow package, a 30.06 rifle from Dick Williams Gun Shop, a 12-gauge shotgun from Ducks Unlimited and more. All you have to do is pick up an application for $5 wherever hunting licenses are sold.
  2. Labatt Blue – That’s right, beer! Labatt USA is currently selling Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light cans with iconic Michigan images on them, such as Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Mackinac Bridge and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. A portion of the proceeds from these Michigan cans will help support recycling and clean beach initiatives in Michigan state parks. So get your dad a case of specially marked Michigan Labatt Blue this weekend and support Michigan’s state parks, trails and waterways.
  3. Allband Communications High Speed Internet – So far we have a chance of winning a great hunting package and a case of beer, now it’s time to knock Father’s Day out of the park. Allband Communication’s high speed, fiber optic Internet is the gift that keeps giving. Your dad can enjoy Allband’s high speed Internet all year round! Unlimited data, a reliable connection, lightning fast speeds of 100 MBPS, and local, friendly customer service. Your dad can stream movies, stay connected with news and sports, find new hobbies, stay connected with children and grandchildren and so much more!

No more excuses for Father’s Day gifts this year! We have you all set up for a great Michigan Father’s Day with a Pure Michigan Hunt application, Labatt Blue beer and Allband’s High Speed Internet. You will definitely be the favorite child. Wasn’t that easy?

Photo:
839-07192371
© Cultura RM / Masterfile
Model Release: Yes
Property Release: Yes
Father and son using laptop

Forging Our Own Way

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Allband Communications Connecting Communities

Allband Communications was recently featured in an article showcasing the story of how Allband got started over 10 years ago in the north woods of Michigan.

The article was published on MuniNetworks.org, an organization that aids broadband movement by providing resources to build broadband networks directly accountable to the communities they serve. They work with communities across the United States to create policies to ensure telecommunications networks serve the community, rather than the community serving the network.

The goal of Allband Communications has always been to improve and serve communities by providing much needed connectivity. It is an honor to be noticed by MuniNetworks.org and featured in a story.

Do you know Allband’s unique story? The new products and services introduced over the past 10 years? The work and mission of the non-profit Allband Center for Education, Wildlife and Research?

Check out the full article here.

Picture in Spruce, Michigan, courtesy of Homes.com.