Midwest Deer Hunting

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for March 1, 2012

2012-03-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

Snow blanketed much of northern Wisconsin this week ranging from eight inches along the St. Croix River in Interstate Park to 16 inches in Spooner and 18 inches in Rhinelander. The Leap Year snowfall brought renewed enthusiasm for outdoor enthusiasts, including snowmobilers and skiers. Snowmobile trail groomers were busy on many northern counties, including Burnett, Forest, Iron, Marinette, Oneida and Vilas.

Trails listed on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). range from excellent in many northern counties to poor in most central counties and closed in southern counties.

While snow fell in the north, rain fell across much of the rest of the state, which, combined with warm weather, washed away the little remaining snow and ice from southern lakes and rivers.

Ice remains solid in much of the north, but river systems are opening and snow could cover thin ice, so caution is urged in some areas of the north, along with the south. Some anglers, including Lake Winnebago in Outagamie County, were removing ice fishing houses before Sunday’s deadline.

Late season ice fishing success on northern lakes continued to be limited, with the action for all species erratic. Some fair action has been reported with walleyes, but only during the day and for short periods, usually dawn and dusk. Fishing for northern pike and perch has also been variable. Panfish action continues to be slow, with anglers really having move around and search for the active fish.

Anglers are reminded that the game fish season ends Sunday, but the early catch and release trout season opens on Saturday, with state fisheries biologists saying trout populations are very strong across the state and with the mild weather in the south this winter, fish in southern streams should be active and access should be excellent.

Rivers – including the Oconto and Wisconsin – continue to open up, along with bays and harbors. Fox Point in Brown County has open water and fishing boats are out jigging for walleye and anglers continue to report good success for whitefish off Bay Shore.

Migratory birds continue to take advantage of mild weather. Bluebirds and robins are increasingly being spotted, along with trumpeter, tundra swans and sandhill cranes. Bald eagles and other raptors are also are being seen in good numbers. A peregrine falcon was spotted this week in Madison. Snowy owls were headed north to their arctic summer home. Warm temperatures over the next week should bring another large influx of blackbirds, robins, killdeer, woodcock and other early migrants into southern Wisconsin.

A badger was “captured” on a trail camera near Cassville and there was a report of two timber rattlesnakes out basking on a 50 degree day south of Boscobel. Maple sap has started to flow in southern Wisconsin and the unusually warm weather and lack of snow cover in the south resulted in the skunk cabbage popping up last weekend in the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

South Dakota GFP Offers Apple App for Hunters and Anglers

2012-03-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

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The South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks has just released a smart-phone application that will make life easier for hunters and anglers.

The GFP application, or app, is a free download at the App Store for users of the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It allows sportsmen to purchase and apply for licenses via their phones, provides GPS-enabled maps of public hunting areas and fishing access, and provides access to the current South Dakota Fishing and Hunting Handbooks.
The iPhone app, which joins a similar GFP app for Android phones, also has links to the GFP website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

"Technological tools like these apps allow South Dakota hunters and anglers to have a lot of useful information at their fingertips," said GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk. "Three years ago, we decided we wanted to be at the forefront of this technology, and I am proud to say we are one of the first states to provide these tools to sportsmen and women."

The new apps also have room to grow.
"We have plans to add some fun, educational aspects to the app, and it also will offer different links during different times of the year," said app creator Chris Marsh, GFP geographic information system specialist. "Currently, users can access the mountain lion hunting season totals, but as soon as snow geese show up in the state, they’ll be able to follow that migration as well."
"The recent development of these mobile apps represent a significant efficiency improvement in state government operations," said Dom Bianco, commissioner of the state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. "Game, Fish and Parks continues to be a leader in supporting Gov. Daugaard’s e-Government initiative. We applaud GPF’s efforts to increasingly shift government services online and in a mobile-friendly format by creating tools that its customers can access away from home and in the field."
South Dakota sportsmen have responded well to the new mobile tools, Vonk added.
"We have more than 8,000 people using our GPS downloadable maps. In three months, more than 6,000 people have downloaded our Android app, and over 50,000 people have viewed our waterfowl migration/hunting opportunity maps," Vonk said. "I believe that makes for more informed and more active hunters, and that is our ultimate goal."
For more information on the apps and other GFP social media tools, visit:http://gfp.sd.gov/agency/social-media.aspx

IOWA: DNR TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS FALL HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATIONS

2012-02-29T12:49:00.000-08:00

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DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting public meetings on March 6, to discuss possible changes in the hunting and trapping regulations for this fall.

The changes would affect deer and waterfowl hunters as well as hunters and trappers who pursue bobcats and otters. Proposed changes would stabilize deer numbers in some areas, potentially add a third zone for waterfowl and increase the harvest number of otters and bobcats.

The list of possible changes is available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/proposed_changes2012.pdf

“These meetings are part of the new process instituted by Governor Branstad last year for making rules in state government,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of the wildlife bureau. “Any changes must be discussed with Iowa’s citizens who might be impacted by the changes. The new process helps ensure that rule changes serve the public’s wishes and do not unnecessarily impact Iowa’s economy.

“The regulation changes for deer would allow deer numbers to stabilize in areas of the state where numbers have been reduced to the department’s goal while still allowing hunters to harvest extra does in areas of the state where numbers need to be reduced,” Garner said. “Without these changes deer numbers in some areas of the state will continue to decline and Iowa will lose its standing as one of the best states for hunting whitetail deer. Failure to make these changes could adversely affect rural areas since deer hunters spend nearly $200 million annually.”

The proposed changes for the waterfowl season are due to a change by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which now allow states to have three zones and a split waterfowl season.

“We surveyed waterfowl hunters twice in the past year and there appears to be increased interest in a third zone,” said Garner. “We need to continue these discussions to decide if this is what hunters really want to see for the next four years.”

Meetings will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the following cities: Ames, Burlington, Carroll, Centerville, Clear Lake, Council Bluffs, Creston, Decorah, Fort Dodge, Johnston, La Porte City, Marshalltown, Onawa, Ottumwa, Peosta, Sheldon and Spencer. Complete addresses along with the proposed regulation changes will be post on the DNR’s website.

For those who cannot make the meeting, comments may be sent to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 23, 2012

2012-02-26T16:54:00.001-08:00

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Some much needed snow fell across northern Wisconsin this week, leaving from 3 to 5 inches of fresh snow in the far north central and northeast parts of the state. The new snow allowed snowmobile trail groomers to get out and revive trails some in Iron, Vilas, Oneida, Forest and Marinette counties. Trails were being listed on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) as good to fair in most of those counties, with some poor areas remaining due to heavy use.

Much of the rest of the state remains free of snow, and warm weather continued in the last week, worsening ice conditions on many southern lakes. State recreational safety specialists say shoreline are opening up on many southern lakes, and even some larger lakes, like the Madison area lakes and Beaver Dam lake, have areas of open water. Wardens are recommending ice anglers remove shelters now and not wait for the March 4 deadline to remove shanties from southern lakes. Lakes in northern Wisconsin continue to have a fairly solid foot or more of ice, but river systems are opening up.

Ice fishing success on northern lakes has continued its season-long slow trend, with all species showing very erratic action. Walleye have provided some fair action at times during the past week, but success has been confined to short periods during the day. With the constantly changing weather, fishing for northern pike has also been variable. Panfish action continues to be on the slow side, with anglers really having move around and search for the active fish. Ice anglers on the frozen smaller bays of the Bay of Green Bay continue to report good success for whitefish.

The Wisconsin River is now open through central Wisconsin and walleye fishing has been fair to good below dams, with good numbers of angler reported fishing below the Wisconsin Dells and Prairie du Sac dams. Open water anglers are also having success with brown and rainbow trout on Lake Michigan harbors.

Wildlife officials say the mild weather should be a boon for the deer herd, with strong fawn crops and good buck antler grown usually following mild winters. State wildlife officials will be conducting a series of deer hunter forums around the state in March where hunters can get the latest information on results from last year’s hunts and the outlook for the coming season, and have input on deer management. The format of meetings will vary, but in many cases the local wildlife biologist will provide a brief presentation followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format,

The mild weather has also been a boon for waterfowl and migratory birds, with large flocks of Canada geese being seen returning to many areas. Tundra and trumpeter swans are being seen in many areas. Sandhill cranes have already returned to southern Wisconsin. Bluebirds and robins are being seen in increasing numbers, with some bluebird scouts already checking out nest boxes. Bald eagles and other raptors are also are being seen in good numbers. Bald eagles remain along the Mississippi River, and this Saturday Prairie du Chien will be celebrating Bald Eagle Appreciation Day (exit DNR) with live bald eagle and raptor programs, birding and nature displays, birding experts on hand, outdoor viewing through spotting scopes and more.

Ohio: Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Licenses will be available March 1

2012-02-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio’s 2012-13 fishing, hunting and trapping licenses and permits will be on sale starting March 1, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

“Ohio’s new license sales system performed very well in its inaugural year,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Customer identification (ID) numbers should be used whenever possible to help streamline the license purchasing process. People can find the number at the top of last year’s license.”

License sales for the 2012-13 license year will be from March 1, 2012 through February 28, 2013. The start date for licenses will no longer be February 15 as it past years.

Licenses purchased online or at retail outlets will be printed on paper that can be folded down to credit card size, but will not be waterproof and must be protected. Licenses and permits will be printed along with additional information relevant to the license or permit purchased.

Each license buyer must have a Social Security Number (SSN) recorded in the system. People who purchased licenses last year can now use their customer ID number and will not have to supply their SSN again.

SSNs are required to purchase a recreational license, regardless of age, for the purpose of child support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42. As a recreational license provider, the Division of Wildlife is obligated to comply with this law and cannot issue a license or permit without the SSN of the purchaser. The division will see that a proper security system is in place to protect SSNs and any databases that contain them.

The license will be valid March 1 through Feb. 28, 2013. The 2011-12 licenses will expire on Feb. 29. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at wildohio.com and at hundreds of agent outlets throughout the state. A complete list of participating license sales agents can be found at wildohio.com.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com

IOWA DEER HARVEST LOWER FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR

2012-02-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

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Hunters reported harvesting 121,407 deer in Iowa during the 2011-12 seasons, which is 4.5 percent lower than the 127,094 deer reported in 2010-11. To date, Iowa’s deer population has been reduced by 30 percent from its peak in 2006, and is still declining.

“Deer numbers in many areas are near or below the department’s objective,” said Dale Garner, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau. “We are hearing complaints from hunters that they are not seeing the number of deer that they had in the past and some are voicing their concerns that the herd reduction may have gone too far.”

The DNR will review the harvest and population surveys this spring and make proposals to reduce the deer kill and stabilize deer where deer numbers are at or below the goal. Current data indicates that it will be necessary to adjust the antlerless quota and season structure to stabilize declining deer numbers.

In areas where deer numbers have not reached the department’s goal, hunters will still have the option to kill extra does. Many of these areas are near cities and towns where hunting is restricted due to safety or in southern Iowa where hunting pressure is lower.

There were 392,930 deer licenses issued during 2011-12, down slightly from the previous year’s total of 394,298. Does were the majority (52 percent) of the reported harvest for the seventh consecutive year.

Michigan: NRC Approves Mentored Youth Hunting Program for 2012

2012-02-22T18:53:00.000-08:00

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has approved a new program aimed at introducing children under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing. The Mentored Youth Hunting program will start with the 2012 season, with licenses on sale starting March 1.

"The Department is fully supportive of this new program that will help introduce children to the sport of hunting, ensuring that we successfully pass along Michigan's rich outdoor traditions," said Rodney Stokes, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "We wish to thank our many conservation partners who helped develop this program with the NRC, providing a new opportunity for us to interest Michigan's youth in hunting and fishing."

The $7.50 Mentored Youth Hunting license will be a "package" license that includes small game, spring and fall turkey (private or public land), two deer tags (any deer), a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license. An adult mentor must be at least 21 years old, have previous hunting experience and possess a valid Michigan hunting license. Another provision of the law allows 10-year-olds to hunt big game on private land with a firearm, which was implemented starting with the 2011 deer season.

The regulations approved by the NRC for the Mentored Youth Hunting program include:
No limit on the number of youth a mentor can have with him or her in the field, leaving it at the discretion of the mentor.
A limit of two hunting devices ? bow, crossbow or firearm ? per mentor.
The youth in possession of a hunting device and engaged in the act of hunting must be within arm's length of the mentor.
The mentor shall ensure that the hunting device is sized appropriately to fit the physical abilities of the youth to ensure safe and responsible handling.
The mentor will be held responsible for the youth's actions.
The issued deer tags under the Mentored Youth Hunting license can be used for either sex (antlered or antlerless), are not subject to antler point restriction regulations in certain parts of the state and can only be used on private land, consistent with current state law.

Voluntary mentor guidelines have been developed by the DNR, and are available atwww.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting, along with other information about the program.

A workgroup consisting of representatives of several conservation organizations, including three youth representatives, developed recommendations for the regulations, which were adopted by the NRC. Organizations serving on the workgroup included the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Michigan Hunter Safety Education Instructor Association.

Wisconsin: Deer hunter forums to be held around state and on the Internet

2012-02-22T14:24:00.000-08:00

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MADISON – The deer hunting seasons might still be months away, but the Department of Natural Resources is already gearing up with a series of deer hunter forums in March. Anyone interested in the opportunity to discuss local deer management issues, hunting seasons, and any other deer topic is encouraged to attend.

Wisconsin has long been known as one of the most publicly-driven deer management programs in the country. And in recent years, thousands of volunteers have gotten involved in deer research projects providing data to estimate the size of the herd and sharing personal observations about hunting success, season structure, and the herd itself.

The March deer hunter forums will put the public in direct contact with the local biologist responsible for managing the local deer herd, and are intended to both share information about deer management and gather information from hunters about deer where they live, hunt or farm.

The format of meetings will vary, but in many cases the local wildlife biologist will provide a brief presentation followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format, allowing attendees to stop in anytime during the scheduled time.

Everyone interested is encouraged to attend the meetings that cover deer management in areas where they hunt or live, but are also welcome to attend any of the meetings.

If unable to attend a live forum, for the first time this year the public will be able to get unit-specific information and contribute feedback through the DNR website. Check the DNR home page for updates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang, Big Game Ecologist (608) 261-7589, Bob Manwell (608) 264-9248 or area wildlife biologists listed for the meeting locations in the meeting calendar.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: These meetings are not to be confused with those being offered by James Kroll, also known as Dr. Deer, as part of the Deer Trustee’s Deer Management Review that is currently underway. Those meetings will take place in April at six locations yet to be announced.]

2012 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Deer Hunter Forum Locations

March 7
- FLORENCE & FOREST COUNTIES - DMUs 39, 40, 44, 50, Florence Natural Resource Center, (Lower Level Large Conference Room), Hwy 101, Florence,,6:30 p.m. Chuck McCullough, 715-623-4190 X-3131
March 12
- RUSK COUNTY - DMUs 18, 19, 23, 24, Ladysmith High School Cafeteria, 1700 E. Edgewood Ave., Ladysmith, 6 p.m. Mark E. Schmidt, 715-532-4369
March 13
- ASHLAND AND BAYFIELD COUNTIES - DMUs 3, 6, 7, 28, 78, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, County Hwy G, Ashland, 6:30 p.m. Todd Naas, 715-685-2914
- CLARK COUNTY - DMUs 27, 55, 57B, 58, Neillsville High School Auditorium, 614 East Fifth St., Neillsville, 5-7 p.m. Tim Babros, 715-284-1423
- PORTAGE & MARATHON COUNTIES - DMUs 33, 46, 57, 57A, 57C, 62A, Best Western Hotel & Conference Center, 5253 Harding Ave., Plover, 5-8 p.m. Cortney Schaefer, 715-359-6405; Jon Robaidek, 608-339-4819 or Wayne Hall, 715-884 2437
- PRICE COUNTY - DMUs 14, 20, 25, 29A, 30, Price Co. Courthouse, Co. Board Rm., 126 Cherry St., Phillips, 6 p.m. Pat Beringer, 715-762-1340
- TAYLOR COUNTY - DMUs 25, 26, 27, 32, Medford Area Senior High School Cafeteria, 1015 W. Broadway Ave., Medford, 6 p.m. Mark E. Schmidt, 715-532-4369
- SHAWANO, WAUPACA, OUTAGAMIE & OCONTO COUNTIES - DMUs 47, 51B, 62B, 63A&B, 65B, Clintonville High School Auditorium & Commons, 64 W. Green Tree Road, Clintonville, 6:30-9 p.m. Kay Brockman-Mederas, 715-526-4226
March 14
- WINNEBAGO & FOND DU LAC COUNTIES - DMUs 66, 68A, Winnebago County - UW-Extension Meeting Rooms A & B, James P. Coughlin Center, 625 E. County. Road 'Y', Oshkosh, 6:30-9 p.m. Bryan Woodbury, 920-424-7886
March 15
- ADAMS, JUNEAU & WOOD COUNTIES - DMUs 53, 54A, 54B, 54C, 56, 57C, Sandhill Wildlife Area, 1715 County Hwy X, Babcock, 5-8 p.m. Cortney Schaefer, 715-359-6405
- CRAWFORD, LA CROSSE, MONROE & VERNON COUNTIES - DMUs 59D, 59M, 72, 74A, 74B, Bekkum Memorial Library (Community Room), 206 North Main, Westby, 4-8 p.m. Dave Matheys, 608-637-3938 or Ron Lichtie, 608-785-9992
- IRON COUNTY - DMUs 28, 29A, 34, Iron County Courthouse, 300 Taconite St., Hurley, 6:30 p.m. Todd Naas, 715-685-2914
- LINCOLN AND LANGLADE COUNTIES - DMUs 32, 42, 43, 52, Langlade Co. Fairgrounds, Clover Rm., Multi-purpose Building, Highway 45, Antigo, 6 p.m. Rick Weide, 715-536-4763
March 19
- BARRON AND POLK COUNTIES - DMUs 15, 16, 21, 22, Turtle Lake High School Library (IMC), 205 Oak St., Turtle Lake, 7 p.m., Kevin Morgan, 715-637-6867 or Michelle Carlisle, 715-554-1728
March 20
- BURNETT COUNTY - DMUs 10, 16, Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitors Center, 102 East Crex Ave., Grantsburg, 7 p.m. Steve Hoffman, 715-463-2896
- DOOR, MANITOWOC, BROWN, CALUMET & KEWAUNEE COUNTIES - DMUs 64, 64M, 69, 80B, 80A, 81, Door County Government Center - Peninsula Room 1st floor, 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay, 6-8 p.m. Aaron Buchholz, 920-755-4983 or Dick Nikolai, 920-832-1804
- GRANT & LAFAYETTE COUNTIES - DMUs 73A, 73B, 73D, 73B-CWD, 75D-CWD, Grant County Youth and Ag Building, 916 East Elm St., Lancaster, 6-8 p.m. Dan Goltz, 608-375-4231 or Bruce Folley, 608-575-9288
- JACKSON & TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES - DMU, 59C, Blair Taylor High School, N31024 Elland Road, Blair,,7 p.m. Kris Johansen, 608-685-6222
- MARINETTE & OCONTO COUNTIES - DMUs 41, 44, 45, 49A, 49B, 50, 51A, 51B, 63B, Crivitz Village Hall, 800 Henriette St,Crivitz, 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Dave Halfmann, 715-856-9160 or John Huff, 715-582-5047
- ONEIDA AND VILAS COUNTIES - DMUs 29B, 31, 35, 36, 37, 38, James Williams Middle School Auditorium, 915 Acacia Lane,Rhinelander, 6 p.m. Jeremy Holtz, 715-365-8999 or Michele Woodford, 715-356-5211 x207
- WAUSHARA & WAUPACA COUNTIES - DMUs 65A, 65B, 67A, 67B, Wautoma High School, 514 S Cambridge St. Wautoma (West side of Wautoma on Highways 21 & 22), 5-8 p.m. Paul Samerdyke, (920)787-7428
March 21
- BUFFALO COUNTY - DMU 61, Alma School Gym, State Highway 35 N, Alma, 7 p.m. Kris Johansen, 608-685-6222
- DANE & GREEN COUNTIES - DMUs 75A-CWD, 76 -CWD, 76M-CWD, DNR Office, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, 6- 8 p.m. Mike Foy, 608-273-6275 or Nancy Frost, 608-275-3250
- DOUGLAS AND BAYFIELD COUNTIES - DMUs 1, 1M, 2, 4, 8, 9, Maple Town Hall, 11037E U.S. Highway 2, Maple, 6:30 p.m. Greg Kessler, 715-372-8539 X-115
- DUNN, PEPIN, EAU CLAIRE & CHIPPEWA COUNTIES - DMUs 22A, 59A, 59B, Dunn County Fish and Game Clubhouse, 1600 Pine Ave., Menomonie, 3-6 p.m. Jess Carstens, 715-232-1519
- WAUKESHA, WALWORTH & MILWAUKEE COUNTIES - DMUs 77B-CWD, 77C-CWD, 77C, 77M, Wern Valley Sportsman’s Club, S36 W29657 Wern Way, Waukesha, 6 - 8 p.m. Brian Glenzinski, 262- 574-2116 or Marty Johnson, 262- 884-2391
March 22
- DODGE COUNTY - DMU, 68B, Horicon Marsh Education Center, Classrooms, N7725 STH 28, Horicon, 6-8 p.m. Chris Cole, 920-387-7883
- SAWYER COUNTY - DMU 13, Hayward High School Auditorium, 10320 Greenwood Lane, Hayward, 6 p.m. Laine Stowell, 715-634-9659 Ext. 3527
March 24
- ST. CROIX & PIERCE COUNTIES - DMUs 60A, 60B, 60M, Peace Lutheran Church; Hwys. 63 and County N (1/2 mi south of I-94),Baldwin, 9 a.m.-noon. Mike Soergel, 715-684-2914 ext. 111
March 26
- WASHBURN AND EASTERN BURNETT COUNTIES - DMUs 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, Spooner High School Choir Room (From main doors, go right, past auditorium), 801 County Road A, Spooner, 6:30 p.m. Nancy Christel, 715-635-4091
March 27
- IOWA AND RICHLAND COUNITES - DMUs 70A-CWD, 70C-CWD, 70D-CWD, 71-CWD, 75C-CWD, Arthur’s Supper Club, E4885 State Roads 14 & 23, Spring Green, 6-8 p.m. Dan Goltz, 608-375-4231 or Becky Roth, 608-588-3432
- SHEBOYGAN, FOND DU LAC, WASHINGTON & OZAUKEE COUNTIES - DMUs 68B, 69, 69C, 77C, 77D, 77E, 77M, Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center, N2875 Highway 67, Dundee, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Dan Weidert, 920-892-8756 X- 3040 or Tom Isaac, 262- 670-3409
March 28
- JEFFERSON & ROCK COUNTIES - DMUs 76A, 77A, Fort Atkinson High School Library, 925 Lexington Blvd. Fort Atkinson, 6-8 p.m. Charlie Kilian, 920-648-3054 or Mike Foy, 608-273-6275
March 29
- SAUK AND COLUMBIA COUNTIES - DMUs 70B-CWD, 70G-CWD, 54B-CWD, 70E-CWD, 70-CWD, UW-Baraboo Campus Cafeteria, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo, 6-8 p.m. Sara Kehrli, 608-635-8123 or Becky Roth, 608-588-3432
An additional meeting for Walworth, Racine and Kenosha county DMUs 77B-CWD, 77C-CWD, 77C, 77M will be scheduled at the Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville at a date and time yet to be set. Check the DNR Public Hearing and Meeting Calendar for updates. Contact Brian Glenzinski at 262-574-2116 or Marty Johnson at 262-884-2391 for information.

Ohio: Hunter Education Instructor Training Offered in Akron

2012-02-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

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AKRON, OH – Northeast Ohio sportsmen and women who are interested in becoming Hunter Education Instructors are encouraged to register for a training workshop in Akron (Portage Lakes) according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The workshop will take place onSaturday, March 24th and Sunday, March 25th, 2012.

Training will be held at the Wildlife District Three office located at 912 Portage Lakes Drive in Akron (Portage Lakes) from 8am-6pm each day. There is no cost to participate in the Hunter education instructor workshop. Those interested in attending must register by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).

Participants must attend both days of training, be at least 18 years of age and have successfully completed a hunter education course. Ohio currently has 1,700 volunteer instructors who train thousands of hunters each year to be safe and responsible in the field.

For more information on becoming a hunter education instructor visit the hunter education pages atwildohio.com

Ohio: Public Comment Welcome on Wildlife Issues

2012-02-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

Open houses will be held on the first Saturday in March

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is holding open house meetings in all five districts to discuss season dates and bag limits of game species, which will include Ohio’s most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer. The meetings will be Saturday, March 3, from 12 – 3 p.m. and are open to the public.

“Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is welcome to attend,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Each open house location will have a fish and wildlife biologist as well as law enforcement officers available to answer questions.”

Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office and considered during the formulation of regulations.

For more information or directions to the open houses, visit the Division of Wildlife’s website at wildohio.com or call 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).

Open House Location Information for March 3:
•Central Ohio - Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, 614- 644-3925
•Northwest Ohio - Wildlife District Two Office, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, 419-424-5000
•Northeast Ohio - Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, 330-644-2293
•Southeast Ohio - Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E. State Street, Athens, 740-589-9930
•Southwest Ohio - Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia, 937-372-9261

A statewide hearing on all proposed rules will be held on Thursday, March 8, at 9 a.m. at the Division of Wildlife’s District One office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. This hearing is open to the public and input is permitted.

After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during the April 4 meeting.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com

Minnesota DNR seeks input on three proposed hunting regulations changes

2012-02-19T18:30:00.000-08:00

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will seek citizen input on three hunting and trapping issues at a series of public meetings this winter.
The DNR is seeking input on the following proposals:

Requiring non-toxic shot for rail and snipe hunting.
Adding a third waterfowl zone in southern Minnesota.
Allowing snaring to begin earlier on private property in the farmland zone.

Meetings will be from 7-9 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday, Feb. 23,Tandeski Center, 1200 Storr’s Pond Road, Winona.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, Highland Middle School, 801 Central Ave. N., Crookston.
Thursday, March 8, Nicollet Conservation Club, 46045 471st Lane, Nicollet.
Thursday, March 8, Mille Lacs Energy, 36559 U.S. Highway 169, Aitkin.
Thursday, March 15, DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.

If the Minnesota Legislature approves and the governor signs a bill authorizing a wolf hunting and trapping season, a separate public input process will be conducted.
The DNR regularly conducts public meetings across the state to gauge hunter and trapper opinions about regulations, seasons and other wildlife management issues. Those who cannot attend a meeting are urged to complete a questionnaire online starting Feb. 23.
Comments are also welcome via email at wildlife.dnr@state.mn.us. Written comments may be addressed to: Season comments, DNR Section of Wildlife, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4007.

MOSSY OAK EVENT LURES MONSTER BUCK POACHING SUSPECT

2012-02-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

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Topeka man enters suspected illegally-taken deer in Monster Buck Contest
TOPEKA — On Jan. 27-29, Mossy Oak Properties of the Heartland presented the inaugural Monster Buck Classic (We are Kansas) event at the Kansas ExpoCentre in Topeka. The event was designed to promote deer hunting and outdoor recreation in Kansas and to provide Kansas hunters with the latest information and equipment related to deer hunting.

In addition, the event featured a Monster Buck Contest, open to all Kansas residents, in which hunters could enter officially-scored bucks, with prizes offered to the largest deer in typical and non-typical categories for both white-tailed and mule deer. Fortunately for all law-abiding hunters, the contest helped expose the suspected illegal shooting of a big buck.

One entry, which would have potentially been a new Kansas state record, drew suspicion of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) law enforcement officials, and after investigation, David V. Kent was charged with poaching the deer.

On Feb. 1, eight charges were filed against Kent by Osage County Attorney Brandon Jones in the District Court of Osage County, Fourth Judicial District, including criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal hunting, illegally hunting with an artificial light, hunting outside of legal hours, illegal hunting during a closed season, using an illegal caliber for taking big game, illegal hunting from a vehicle, and hunting without a valid deer permit.

Kent has been summoned to appear in Osage County District Court in Lyndon, Kan., on March 1, 2012, at 9 a.m.

“As a developer of the Mossy Oak Properties brand in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa, I strongly condemn this type of behavior,” said Brian D. Smith, CEO of Mossy Oak Properties of the Heartland and founder of the Kansas Big Buck Classic. “In fact, we believe in the stiffest penalties possible for poaching, and we played a strategic part in exposing this case. We cooperated 100 percent.”

Wisconsin leads nation in trophy whitetail bucks

2012-02-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

MADISON -- The number of trophy bucks taken in Wisconsin has risen by 857 percent in 30 years, with a record-breaking 383 entries during the five years ending in 2010, according to historical records kept by the venerable Boone and Crockett Club.

Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club measurer Marlin Laidlaw of Marshfield with a large buck he shot a few years ago. While impressive, it falls short of record book standards.
Contributed photo

That makes Wisconsin the number one state or Canadian province in North America for trophy whitetail production, muscling up from its earlier position of third.

The records show the number of trophy white-tailed deer in North America shot up by 400 percent during the past 30 years. During the period from 1980 to 1985, North American hunters entered 617 trophy whitetails, every one of those antlers scored by a certified Boone and Crocket “measurer,” a designation that can take years to earn.

For the period 2005-2010, that number jumped to 3,090 trophy deer, dramatic evidence that North America’s whitetail deer herd has grown by leaps and bounds.

One long-time, certified measurer is Marlin Laidlaw of the Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club, also a member of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress big game committee. Laidlaw says Wisconsin’s number one ranking is about a lot more than numbers.

Laidlaw said while there is good deer range throughout the state, there are more unofficial refuges now – private lands where deer are not hunted or are hunted lightly – where bucks have a chance to grow older.

“Plus, you have people who just don’t care to shoot small bucks anymore,” Laidlaw said.

The last half century has seen a remarkable shift in hunter attitudes, Laidlaw said. He recalls the story of the third largest buck ever shot in Wisconsin, taken by Joe Haske in Wood County in 1945.

Haske was surprised when a big buck flushed right in front of him. He instinctively fired, hitting the deer in the rear, an unfortunate shot placement from the standpoint of a butcher.

As Haske’s son, Roger, told the story, other hunters gathered to admire the magnificent antlers. Even then, when hunters didn’t think much in terms of trophies, they recognized there was something special about this deer.

“But I remember my dad just being so mad about all the meat he’d ruined,” the younger Haske told Laidlaw. “When the others remarked on the antlers, he shot back, ‘You can’t eat the horns.’”

Back then, and even into the 1980s, Laidlaw said, hunters were primarily interested in trading their buck tag for a freezer full of venison. Then as now, a young deer became a legal buck, for hunting purposes, when its fork horns reached a length of just 3 inches.

“About 85 percent of the harvest was legal bucks,” Laidlaw said, “so there wasn’t much carry over. Meat was meat. If it had 3-inch horns, it was dead.”

But it’s a fact that big bucks excite hunters; research has shown that just seeing a big buck can cause a hunter’s heart rates to skyrocket. That’s one reason big game hunter Teddy Roosevelt founded the Boone and Crockett Club in 1887 and why he and others developed a system in 1906 for scoring trophy game animals – whether deer, elk, bighorn sheep, caribou, antelope or bear.

“He (Roosevelt) felt they deserved recognition for what they had accomplished in the wild,” Laidlaw said. “We don’t measure people. We measure their trophies.”

In the case of deer, antlers are scored with a series of precise measurements to include the circumference of the beams at four locations on each side, the length of each of the tines reaching skyward and the widest inside spread between the upward curving beams. Measuring the separate class of “non-typical” antlers is more complex.

In the 1960s, there were only a handful of Boone and Crockett measurers in Wisconsin. One of them was Pete Haupt, a colorful hunting guide in Hayward who believed Wisconsin wasn’t getting recognition for its trophy hunting opportunities. In 1965 he and others – including Bob Hults, Arnie Krueger and Gerald Younk – founded the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club with the mission of training measurers and “keeping Wisconsin No.1 in the record books.”

In 1961, the national Pope and Young Club was formed to recognize trophies taken by bow hunters.

Both national clubs are ardent supporters of fair chase ethics and sound conservation practices as is the Wisconsin club.

In 1965, Wisconsin had five deer listed in the Boone and Crocket record book. There are now more than 300. There are more than 1,500 Wisconsin entries in the Pope and Young book and more than 5,000 deer have qualified for Wisconsin state records maintained by the Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club, which was sanctioned by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1996 as the as the state's official big game records keepers. The minimum standard for state trophy deer is marginally less stringent for gun hunting, 150 points vs. 170 points for the Boone and Crocket records.

Just as the number of certified trophy scorers has grown in Wisconsin, Laidlaw said, so has the information available to hunters. In the 1960s they were lucky to find a single book on deer hunting in a school library. Those same libraries are now well stocked, and the Internet – along with the emergence of cell phones, global positioning devices and motion-activated trail cameras – has changed the game completely.

“I’m wondering if there is a deer in Wisconsin that hasn’t been photographed,” Laidlaw said.

In recent decades, Laidlaw said, the “quality deer” movement emerged with landowners banding together and establishing hunting guidelines under which young bucks were more likely to survive. “Let ‘em go, let ‘em grow” has become a mantra among some hunters, even being adopted as a trademarked slogan by the Wisconsin Bear & Buck Club.

Not everything is rosy, Laidlaw said. He and others, while often fond of their local deer biologists, have been critical of state Department of Natural Resources deer management policies. A common complaint is that the DNR has not found a way to manage for quality deer hunting on public lands where hunters with little or no access to private property congregate with little incentive to “let ‘em go.”

Laidlaw said many hunters believe predator populations, primarily wolf and bear, have been allowed to grow too large. A great deal of research and public debate is being directed at these issues.

But in the meantime, Laidlaw and other measurers with the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club draw crowds when they set up at small town fairs and big city deer shows. At each of these events, dozens and sometimes hundreds of people bring in their deer mounts – or their grandparent’s deer mounts – to be officially scored, and they bring their stories with them, Laidlaw said.

While the Boone and Crockett Club is celebrating the resurgence of the North American deer herd and the exponential growth in trophy deer, the 150 or so highly trained measurers with the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club can celebrate the unrivaled success of their public outreach efforts.

When it comes to keeping Wisconsin number one for trophy deer, they can justifiably claim “mission accomplished.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Culhane, DNR west central region public affairs manager, 715-781-1683.

The Boone and Crockett state-by-state ranking of trophy deer entries can be found on the organization's website: www.boone-crockett.org/news/featured_story.asp?area=news&ID=125.

Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club website: www.wi-buck-bear.org/.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 16, 2012

2012-02-16T18:28:00.000-08:00

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The warm-weather, low snow trend continued for another yet week in Wisconsin, continuing to limit outdoor winter recreation. While much of the state did receive some snow in the last week, ranging from a dusting to 3 to 4 inches, that was followed by temperatures that once again approached 50 degrees in the south and the mid 40s in the north.

Snowmobile trails remain open in the northern tier of counties, with the best conditions now being reported in northern Marinette and Florence counties, as well as the Mercer area onthe Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Trails in Vilas, Oneida and Iron counties are in fair to poor condition, as they have received very heavy use and are hard packed and icy in many areas. Trails remain open in a few other areas but are generally in poor condition. Cross-country ski trails were still in fair to good condition on the Northern Highland-American Legion and Brule River state forests.

Poor ice conditions and low water clarity continue to hamper spearers participating in the Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season. Wardens report there were about half as many sturgeon spearing shacks on the ice as a normal year. Spearers on the upriver lakes had better conditions, and that season closed Sunday after spearers reached the harvest cap, with 242 sturgeon registered. As of Wednesday, only a total of 122 sturgeon had been speared on Lake Winnebago, with just 17 fish on Wednesday. Spearers were reportedly moving shacks around a fair amount in search of happier hunting grounds on better ice.

Inland fishing was picking up somewhat, with anglers fishing open water below dams on the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers for walleye. Ice conditions continued to be poor on some southern lakes, with three vehicles going through the ice on Beaver Dam Lake in the last 10 days. With the mild temperatures, good numbers of ice anglers have been out on northern lakes, which still have a foot to 17 inches of ice. Reports were mixed, with some anglers having to move around a lot to find decent panfish, but some other areas reporting action picking up for walleyes and northern pike on tip-ups.

The fresh snow improved tracking conditions for coyote and fox hunters early in the week, but that tracking snow was short-lived. The mild winter has made it easy for many wildlife species. Turkeys are able to scratch to find food, deer are spread out because of simple travel, and birds can forge comfortably. There are still seeing a handful of white-tailed bucks holding their antlers, but most should have shed them by now.

However, the creatures under the ice have been struggling. Receding water levels and poor ice conditions have caused muskrats to seek better habitat in deeper water. Past similar conditions have proven to be harder on reptiles and amphibians. With the spring approaching, birds have begun to show mating behavior such as pheasants crowing, turkeys strutting, and geese and trumpeter swan pairs claiming nesting territory. Eagles are still being seen below dams on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers, but more are now moving onto nesting territories and can be seen carrying sticks and grass to rebuild nests

Indiana DNR sets up shop at Indy outdoor shows

2012-02-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

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The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will have a strong presence at the 58th Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show and the 15th Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo that open Friday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Both shows are presented by Renfro Productions and open at 3 p.m. Friday.

The Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo runs through Sunday (Feb. 19), and the main show continues through Feb. 26. Check www.renfroproductions.com for complete details about show hours, special features, seminars, and ticket prices.

The DNR's main location during the Boat, Sport and Travel Show is Tackle Town in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. The booth is a convenient one-stop shopping opportunity for licenses, state park passes, lake use permits,Outdoor Indiana magazine, and a new promotion from DNR State Parks & Reservoirs – the SPR GO! Trails and Waves package.

The $99 package includes an annual entrance pass to Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs, a 12-month subscription to Outdoor Indiana, a 2012 motorized lake permit, the choice of a DNR campsite rental gift card or a State Park Inn gift certificate, and an SPR GO! signature backpack. Sold separately, the items have a $134 value.

Two DNR divisions – Fish & Wildlife and Law Enforcement – will have a presence at the Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo in the Fairground's Exhibition Hall.

Staff biologists from the Division of Fish & Wildlife will be on hand to answer questions about wildlife habitat development and management, hunting and trapping seasons, and wildlife species information.

Conservation Officers from the Division of Law Enforcement will be at the Hunter Education Booth, where visitors can try the Laser Shot simulated shooting system with images of realistic hunting scenarios. Conservation Officers also will staff the main DNR booth in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, where they will display the Wear It! boat that promotes the use of lifejackets.

Indiana: DNR offers online ATV safety course

2012-02-16T16:02:00.000-08:00

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The Indiana Department Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Outdoor Recreation divisions are partnering to offer an online All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) safety course.

ATVs and other off-road vehicles have increased in popularity over the past decade, but so have accidents. Indiana Conservation Officer Maj. Michael Portteus reports that ATV accidents are have increased nearly 40 percent over the past four years from 153 in 2008 to 214 last year.

“The online safety course will educate people on the safety rules of riding, using and operating an ATV,” said Lt. Larry Morrison, head of DNR Law Enforcement’s outdoor education program.

The online course presents a wide variety of information on the basics of ATVs, safe operation of ATVs, responsibilities of riders to others and the environment, and general information on preparing for the unexpected.

The online course can be found at offroad-ed.com/in/index.htm and can be studied at a personal pace. A $30 fee is assessed prior to beginning the certification test. Individuals who successfully complete the test are issued a lifetime certification card.

“This certification ensures that the operator is well educated and has learned how to safely operate an ATV, which is the first step in reducing the number of ATV accidents in Indiana,” said Dale Brier, chief of DNR Outdoor Recreation’s streams and trails section.

For more information: Lt. William T. Browne, Indiana Conservation Officer, (765) 509-0207.

THREE KANSAS DEER CONFIRMED POSITIVE IN EARLY STAGES OF CWD TESTING

2012-02-15T15:41:00.000-08:00

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Numbers still low; no known threat to humans or livestock
PRATT — The number of cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) detected in Kansas deer continues to be low and is currently isolated to the northwest part of the state, according to the Shane Hesting, wildlife disease coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). Samples from three white-tailed bucks taken during this year’s hunting season were confirmed positive for CWD in tests completed last week. Counties where the deer were taken include Wallace (new county of detection), Decatur, and Rawlins. KDWPT will continue testing some vehicle-killed and sick or suspect-looking deer, as well as deer taken with depredation permits, through July 31.

“This season’s testing results bring the total number of confirmed CWD cases in Kansas to 43 since testing began in 1996,” says Hesting. “About 2,400 samples were collected during the 2011-2012 deer seasons, but testing has been slow, and testing kits are continually on back order. We’re about 35 percent done. More importantly, U.S. Department of Agriculture funding will not be available for collecting and testing samples next season. Without federal financial assistance, surveillance will be very limited and less robust.”

Annual testing has been a part of an ongoing effort by KDWPT to monitor the prevalence and spread of CWD. The disease, fatal in wild deer, was first detected in deer taken in Cheyenne County in 2005.

CWD is a member of the group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Other diseases in this group include scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or Mad Cow Disease) in cattle, and Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease in people. CWD is a progressive, fatal disease that results in small holes developing in the brain, giving it a sponge-like appearance under the microscope. An animal may carry the disease without outward indication, but in the later stages, signs may include decreased interactions with other animals, listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of response to humans.

“It must be noted that many of the symptoms of CWD are indicative of other diseases,” Hesting explains. “Thus, a sick deer may or may not be infected with CWD. CWD is a serious deer disease but is still rare in Kansas.”

All but three of the 43 positive animals detected since 2005 were asymptomatic, meaning 40 animals did not show any symptoms of CWD at the time of collection. Anyone who discovers a sick or suspect deer should contact the nearest KDWP office.

There is no vaccine or other biological method that prevents CWD. However, there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk to humans or livestock in the natural environment. Still, precautions should be taken. Hunters are advised not to eat meat from animals known to be infected, and common sense precautions are advised when field dressing and processing meat from animals taken in areas where CWD is found. More information on CWD can be found on KDWPT’s website, www.ksoutdoors.com(Hunting/Big Game Information), or at the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website,www.cwd-info.org.

Michigan: Northern Lower Regional Deer Advisory Team Will Meet For the First Time Feb. 11

2012-02-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

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The inaugural meeting of the Northern Lower Regional Deer Advisory Team (NLRDAT) is set for Saturday, Feb. 11. The meeting will be held at the Ramada Inn Conference Center, 2650 I-75 Business Loop, Grayling, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With the approval of the Michigan Deer Management Plan on May 6, 2010, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) committed to establishing Regional Deer Advisory Teams (RDAT) for each Michigan region. Each RDAT corresponds to the boundaries of the DNR Hunting and Trapping Zones ? Zone 1 being the Upper Peninsula, Zone 2 the Northern Lower Peninsula, and Zone 3 the Southern Lower Peninsula.

The NLRDAT will serve as an advisory team to the DNR on deer management in the Northern Lower Peninsula. The goal of the team is to serve as a conduit between the public and the DNR to better understand the major concerns surrounding white-tailed deer.

"This is a great opportunity to engage members of the public about deer-related issues," said DNR Deer Biologist Ashley Hippler. "We are looking forward to working closely with this group."

The NLRDAT is made up entirely of volunteers who have been appointed by the Natural Resources Commission and the DNR, for either two or three years; team members will attend local open houses, which will be public meetings for sharing information and gathering public input in their region.

"The Regional Deer Advisory Teams are a critical connection between the public and the DNR," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. "Understanding the public's views on deer management is the only way we can have successful deer management in Michigan."

Members of the public are welcome to attend as observers, although the meeting is not open for public comment. If time permits, the NLRDAT will take questions and comments from the public.

If you have topics you would like the NLRDAT to discuss, email Ashley Hippler at hipplera@michigan.gov, or share your comments at http://deer.fw.msu.edu/involved/nlteam.php.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go towww.michigan.gov/dnr.

Minnesota DNR looking for safe and responsible hunter mentors

2012-02-07T15:14:00.000-08:00

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People who have paid attention to recent outdoors newspaper, magazine and television stories may have noticed pictures of beaming youths following a successful hunt. What’s often missing from the picture is the young hunter’s mentor who made such a successful experience possible.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in need of additional mentors to serve as guides for its safety training programs, particularly the “All Day Range and Field Day” portion of the hunter firearms safety course.

“The time shared between a youngster and a mentor is invaluable,” said Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement Division safety education coordinator. “There simply is no better way to introduce a young person to safe, ethical and responsible aspects of hunting than with the close supervision of an adult mentor.”

Mentors work for about five hours with a group of three to four students, ages 11-15, facilitating, mentoring and evaluating students as they complete hunter-based scenarios that include big game, small game and turkey hunting, as well as shoot/don’t shoot, tree stand safety, outdoor survival, firearms transportation, common firearm action types, blaze orange and more.

Knowledge of various hunting activities and knowledge of the principles of safe, responsible and ethical hunting are required. Mentors also need to understand basic principles of mentorship and facilitation of “Range and Field Day” scenarios taught at instructor certification training sessions. Learn moreabout mentoring.

Mentor applicants must be 18 years or older and pass a background check. Prior to attending an instructor training session, applicants must complete instructor prerequisites.

Certification sessions are conducted by DNR trainers when and where there is a need.

People are encouraged to complete the instructor prerequisites as soon as possible, so they will be prepared when a convenient training session is offered.

More information is available by contacting the DNR Enforcement Education Program staff at Camp Ripley,15011 Highway 115, Little Falls, MN 56345. People also can call 800-366-8917 or send an email toenforcement.education@state.mn.us.

Final Numbers are in for Ohio's 2011-12 White-tailed Deer Season

2012-02-06T15:12:00.000-08:00

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife announced that 219,698 deer were taken during Ohio's 2011-12 hunting season, compared to 239,379 in the 2010-11 season. The top three counties with the highest number of deer taken this season were: Coshocton, Licking and Tuscarawas.

Hunters showed support for the two new methods of game-reporting that were made available this year. Since deer season began on Sept. 24, 2011, 44 percent of hunters called in their numbers, 36 percent reported their numbers online and 20 percent traveled to a license agent’s location to report their game.

Ohio's first modern day deer-gun season opened in 1943 in three counties, and hunters reported 168 deer. In 1956, deer hunting was allowed in all 88 counties, and hunters harvested 3,911 deer during a one-week season.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio and is frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks eighth nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has an $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com.

- 30 -

[Editor’s Note: The following is a list of deer checked by hunters during the 2011-12 four-month deer hunting season. Deer season dates for 2011-2012: Sept. 24, 2011, through Feb. 5, 2012. Numbers for 2010-11 are listed in parentheses.]

Adams – 4,208 (3,914)			Licking – 7,275 (7,818)
Allen – 1,037 (1,291)			Logan – 2,283 (2,315)
Ashland – 2,894 (3,334)			Lorain – 2,422 (2,742)
Ashtabula – 4,645 (5,331)			Lucas – 705 (678)
Athens – 4,385 (4,256)			Madison – 548 (591)
Auglaize – 731 (737)			Mahoning – 1,889 (1,930)
Belmont – 4,785 (5,245)			Marion – 830 (964)
Brown – 3,068 (3,377)			Medina – 2,030 (2,121)
Butler – 1,583 (1,650)			Meigs – 4,000 (3,974)
Carroll – 4,751 (5,721)			Mercer – 625 (652)
Champaign – 1,613 (1,703)			Miami – 827 (865)
Clark – 930 (967)			Monroe – 3,727 (3,991)
Clermont – 3,301 (3,721)			Montgomery – 676 (663)
Clinton – 1,015 (1,101)			Morgan – 3,513 (3,742)
Columbiana – 3,843 (4,627)			Morrow – 1,898 (2,143)
Coshocton – 7,969 (8,837)			Muskingum – 6,630 (7,129)
Crawford – 1,110 (1,234)			Noble – 3,936 (4,222)
Cuyahoga – 691 (625)			Ottawa – 416 (404)
Darke – 819 (842)			Paulding – 1,126 (1,440)
Defiance – 1,757 (2,042)			Perry – 3,552 (3,877)
Delaware – 1,943 (2,121)			Pickaway – 1,049 (1,201)
Erie – 688 (916)			Pike – 2,367 (2,304)
Fairfield – 2,741 (3,058)			Portage – 2,701 (2,726)
Fayette – 282 (333)			Preble – 999 (940)
Franklin – 846 (827)			Putnam – 732 (917)
Fulton – 844 (1,029)			Richland – 4,038 (4,690)
Gallia – 3,435 (3,553)			Ross – 3,741 (3,864)
Geauga – 2,421 (2,458)			Sandusky – 766 (799)
Greene – 1,073 (1,073)			Scioto – 2,882 (2,809)
Guernsey – 6,430 (6,989)			Seneca – 1,609 (1,988)
Hamilton – 2,255 (2,139)			Shelby – 1,008 (1,111)
Hancock – 1,189 (1,465)			Stark – 2,180 (2,343)
Hardin – 1,145 (1,374)			Summit – 1,492 (1,343)
Harrison – 5,716 (6,965)			Trumbull – 3,310 (3,647)
Henry – 723 (939)			Tuscarawas – 6,950 (8,158)
Highland – 3,304 (3,434)			Union – 996 (967)
Hocking – 4,348 (4,221)			Van Wert – 646 (835)
Holmes – 4,745 (5,633)			Vinton – 3,177 (3,047)
Huron – 2,200 (2,315)			Warren – 1,632 (1,691)
Jackson – 3,233 (3,489)			Washington – 4,223 (4,594)
Jefferson – 4,118 (4,880)			Wayne – 1,948 (2,353)
Knox – 5,373 (6,336)			Williams – 2,099 (2,315)
Lake –836 (782)			Wood – 705 (917)
Lawrence – 2,959 (2,843)			Wyandot – 1,540 (1,832)

			Total – 219,698 (239,379)

Michigan Northern Lower Regional Deer Advisory Team Will Meet For the First Time Feb. 11

2012-02-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

Feb. 3, 2012

The inaugural meeting of the Northern Lower Regional Deer Advisory Team (NLRDAT) is set for Saturday, Feb. 11. The meeting will be held at the Ramada Inn Conference Center, 2650 I-75 Business Loop, Grayling, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With the approval of the Michigan Deer Management Plan on May 6, 2010, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) committed to establishing Regional Deer Advisory Teams (RDAT) for each Michigan region. Each RDAT corresponds to the boundaries of the DNR Hunting and Trapping Zones ? Zone 1 being the Upper Peninsula, Zone 2 the Northern Lower Peninsula, and Zone 3 the Southern Lower Peninsula.

The NLRDAT will serve as an advisory team to the DNR on deer management in the Northern Lower Peninsula. The goal of the team is to serve as a conduit between the public and the DNR to better understand the major concerns surrounding white-tailed deer.

"This is a great opportunity to engage members of the public about deer-related issues," said DNR Deer Biologist Ashley Hippler. "We are looking forward to working closely with this group."

The NLRDAT is made up entirely of volunteers who have been appointed by the Natural Resources Commission and the DNR, for either two or three years; team members will attend local open houses, which will be public meetings for sharing information and gathering public input in their region.

"The Regional Deer Advisory Teams are a critical connection between the public and the DNR," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. "Understanding the public's views on deer management is the only way we can have successful deer management in Michigan."

Members of the public are welcome to attend as observers, although the meeting is not open for public comment. If time permits, the NLRDAT will take questions and comments from the public.

If you have topics you would like the NLRDAT to discuss, email Ashley Hippler at hipplera@michigan.gov, or share your comments at http://deer.fw.msu.edu/involved/nlteam.php.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 2, 2012

2012-02-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

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Warm weather continues to hamper winter outdoor recreation in Wisconsin, with temperatures in the last week in the low 50s in the south and 40s in the north melting snow and making ice on southern lakes hazardous. Snow depths range from a high of 15 to 17 inches in the far north to bare ground in the south.

Snowmobile trails are rated as good in about half a dozen counties and fair in half a dozen more on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) but those trails that are open have been receiving very heavy use, and with very little snow in the last week, trails are turning brown and some have thin spots. Trails in the southern two-thirds of the state are closed and state conservation wardens are cautioning that people riding closed trails in some areas are putting future trail easements with private land owners at risk. They ask anyone seeing people riding closed trails to call the 24-hour tip line 1-800-TIP-WDNR.

Cross-country ski trails in the north are still holding up, with trails in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest rated as good to very good. Trails in southern and central areas are not holding up as well. Two of the 11 candlelight ski and hikes scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 4 – ones at Blue Mound State Park and the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest -- have been cancelled due to icy and muddy conditions, but as of Thursday the remaining events were planned to go ahead as hikes or skis if there is enough snow. As always, people interested in attending should call ahead to confirm.

Ice conditions continue to deteriorate in southern and central Wisconsin, with open water appearing on more lakes. There were reports of at least four recreational vehicles and several people going through the ice of southern lakes this week. Ice in the north continues to be fairly good, but many lakes have now developed slush under several inches of snow. Ice anglers in the north continue to report fishing at a mid winter slump, with anglers having to move around a bit to find panfish, and action slower for walleye and northern pike on tip-ups.

There is no safe ice on the main Bay of Green Bay, but anglers continue to fish some smaller bays including Sawyer Harbor and Sturgeon and Little Sturgeon bays, with some success for whitefish and perch. Open water anglers continue to fish the Milwaukee harbor and Port Washington with some success for brown trout and steelhead. The Racine harbor had fishable ice, but conditions are questionable with the current warm temperatures. Anglers have been catching browns through the ice along with some rainbows.

White-tailed bucks are still being seen with antlers on and wildlife biologists say the mild winter may play a role in later antler drop. Deer have not yarded up this winter due to the lack of snow and warm weather. South facing slopes are bare of snow leaving plenty on browse available. There was a report of an active bear this week that apparently got up to wander around and enjoy the 50 degree weather near Wild Rose.

The diver duck population on Lake Michigan near Racine has been very impressive. Hundreds of diver ducks, in full color, have been hanging out in the harbor and near the lagoon. Trumpeter swans were being seen this week on the Mississippi River in Cassville. Red tailed hawks have been spotted which is early for their return migration. A pair of bald eagles has been spotted at Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area this week already busy building and preparing their nest.

North Dakota: Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses

2012-02-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will have 682 any-deer bow licenses available to nonresidents in 2012. However, pending the final proclamation, antlerless mule deer may not be legal to harvest within a large area of western North Dakota.
The deadline for applying is April 1. A lottery will be held if more applications are received than licenses available. If licenses remain after April 1, they will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants can apply together as a party. A separate check is required for each application.
The nonresident any-deer bow application is available at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. The application must be printed and sent in to the department.
The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15 percent of the previous year’s mule deer gun license allocation. The Game and Fish Department issued 4,550 mule deer licenses in the 2011 deer gun lottery.

IOWA: Safe Hunting Year—For Most

2012-01-31T17:16:00.000-08:00

A common thread still links many of the hunting incidents reported through 2011.
Overall, Iowa’s approximately 250,000 hunters remain safe—especially compared to their counterparts a few decades back. In 2011, the Department of Natural Resources investigated 28 incidents; 20 involving injuries and eight with property damage. There were no 2011 deaths, a drop from the single fatality reported in 2010.
“Over the last eight to 10 years, we had been at 20 to 24 a year. It was slightly higher, but not out of the ordinary,” assesses Megan Wisecup, DNR recreational safety program supervisor. “Any incidents are too many, but we still fall well below numbers seen in the 1960s.”
However, the cause of many of those current day incidents sounds familiar. “We see the majority of our hunting incidents during our shotgun deer seasons. One of the main causes is the shooter focusing on the deer,” says Wisecup. “(They) are not paying attention to what is beyond their target. In return, unfortunately, someone is getting shot.”
Iowa’s December shotgun seasons allow party hunting, in which some hunters ‘post up’ while others drive deer toward them. It is efficient--and safe…if each hunter knows where everybody is positioned and stays within their safe shooting zones.
And, it is not always deer. Pheasants are the sights in a few incidents each season, too. That point will be driven home this March at the annual hunter education workshops. Those 1,800 or so volunteer instructors—along with DNR officers—are on the front line each year teaching 10,000 more hunters or potential hunters hunting ethics, laws, safe gun handling and more about wildlife and the outdoors.
Several injuries this year—and each year—occur without any one shooting at game. “An individual was carrying several bags along with his loaded firearm,” recalls Wisecup. “He reached into his vehicle, tried to get the gun unsnagged from the bags and it accidentally discharged, hitting him in the foot.”
Hunter education gets most of the credit, for driving down those numbers. It was not uncommon in the 1960s, even into the 70s, to have 10 or 12 deaths…and scores of hunting related injuries. In 1965 alone, 20 hunters died. Since then, over half a million students have gone through hunter education classes.
A bowhunter in Monona County died after a fall from his tree stand. However, that occurred in the New Year. It will go down in 2012 statistics; also categorized separately from shooting incidents…as are a couple similar falls year to year.
Boosting blaze orange requirements also gets some of the credit; making hunters more visible to each other. Deer hunters must have their torsos covered with blaze orange. Small game hunters are required to have a visible item of clothing that is at least half blaze orange in color.

South Dakota: GFP Reminds Sportsmen to Purchase 2012 Hunting and Fishing Licenses

2012-01-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

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PIERRE, S.D. –The South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks is reminding hunters and anglers that their 2011 licenses will expire on Jan. 31.

The 2012 licenses are available at local authorized GFP licensing vendors or can be purchased online at www.gfp.sd.us. The state Game Fish and Parks Department licensing office can be reached at 605-773-3393.

Hunting and fishing licenses for 2012 are valid through January 2013.

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