Learn all about owls during Owl Prowls in Michigan state parks

Residents looking for a nighttime outdoor adventure are invited to bundle up, wait until dark and then join other like-minded night owls and a state park naturalist for a walk through the woods in one of several state parks offering Owl Prowls in November and December. Participating Owl Prowlers will spend 30 to 45 minutes walking through the woods, calling these magnificent creatures, while seeing if they can spot one on its perch or flying overhead.

After the hike, guests can enjoy sitting around a bonfire, making s’mores, chatting about owls and sharing nature stories. Park staff reminds participants to wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather (events will take place rain or shine), and bring something to drink, a camp chair, a flashlight or miner’s light, and a great outdoor or nature story to share around the fire.

Pre-registration is not required and the programs are free of charge; however, a Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering the state parks and recreation areas.

For details, contact recreation programming assistant Tracy Ball by phone at 231-944-0078 or email at ballt4@michigan.gov.

Owl Prowls are scheduled at the following state parks and recreation areas:

Brighton State Recreation Area, 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30
Meet at Chilson Pond, located behind the headquarters building on Chilson Road. Brighton Recreation Area is located at 6360 Chilson Road in Howell, Mich. (Livingston County). For details, call the recreation area, 810-229-6566.

Hayes State Park, 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8
Meet at the activities area in the campground. Hayes State Park is located at 1220 Wamplers Lake Road in Onsted, Mich. (Lenawee County). For details, call the state park, 517-467-7401.

Ionia State Recreation Area, 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2
Meet at the boat launch. Ionia State Recreation Area is located at 2880 W. David Hwy. in Ionia, Mich. (Ionia County). For details, call the recreation area, 616-527-3750.

Island Lake State Recreation Area, 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1
Meet at the Meadow picnic site. The Island Lake State Recreation Area entrance is located just south of I-96 on Kensington Road in Brighton, Mich. (Livingston County). For details, call the recreation area, 810-229-7067.

Lake Hudson State Recreation Area, 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7
Meet at the campground. Lake Hudson State Recreation Area is located at 5505 Morey Hwy. in Clayton, Mich. (Lenawee County). For details, call Hayes State Park, 517-467-7401.

Maybury State Park, 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1
Meet at the concession building, using the park entrance located just west of Beck Road on 8 Mile Road. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Maybury State Park. Maybury State Park is located in Northville, Mich. (Wayne County). For details, call the state park, 248-349-8390.

Pinckney State Recreation Area, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1
Meet at the Silver Lake day use area just past the park headquarters on Silver Hill Road. This program is sponsored by the Huron Valley Audubon Society. Pinckney State Recreation Area is located at 8555 Silver Hill Road in Pinckney, Mich. (Washtenaw County). For details, call the recreation area, 734-426-4913.

Sleepy Hollow State Park, 5 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 9
Meet at the east picnic area. Sleepy Hollow State Park is located at 7835 E. Price Road in Laingsburg, Mich. (Clinton County). For details, call the recreation area, 517-651-6217.

Waterloo State Recreation Area, 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1
Meet at the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, 17030 Bush Road. Waterloo Recreation Area is located in Chelsea, Mich. (Washtenaw County). For details, call the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, 734-475-3170, or the recreation area, 734-475-8307.

More outdoor fun and exercise is available through the DNR's Recreation 101 program, which provides expert instruction to budding outdoor enthusiasts by offering free, hands-on training in over 100 different activities. Learn about participating or becoming an instructor, at www.michigan.gov/rec101. The DNR also offers ongoing nature programming. Check out the schedule at www.michigan.gov/natureprograms.