Saturday, June 30, 2012

North Dakota MULEY Day Camp Slated for July 14

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Encouraging Tomorrow’s Hunters program is a primary sponsor for an outdoor learning event in the Bismarck area on Saturday, July 14.
Put on by the Mule Deer Foundation, the MULEY Day Camp runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moffit Gun Range. It includes rifle and archery target shooting, hunting and safety information and demonstrations.
All equipment is provided, along with a free lunch and door prizes. To preregister, email ndchair.mdf@gmail.com, or call Ryan Krapp at (701) 471-8788.
The Game and Fish Department’s Encouraging Tomorrow’s Hunters program provides grant dollars to help local communities and organizations fund events that promote youth hunting and shooting sports. For more information, contact outreach biologist Pat Lothspeich at (701) 328-6332.

Wisconsin Outdoor Report



Emergency burning restrictions for 11 counties in southern Wisconsin will begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 29. All portions of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Richland, and Sauk, and portions of Adams, Dane, Iowa, Grant and Juneau counties that are outside incorporated cities and villages are under these restrictions, which prohibit burning any combustible material outdoors until further notice. This includes: all fireworks (restricted and non-restricted); burn piles or barrels, (all DNR burn permits suspended); campfires with the exception of developed camping areas within a fire ring; outdoor disposal of ashes or charcoal briquettes; and smoking a cigar, cigarette, or pipe, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
State wildlife fire officials are especially concerned with the use of fireworks with the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Fireworks are prohibited on all state properties, including park and forest campgrounds. Many communities within the emergency burn restriction area are cancelling or postponing fireworks displays, but this is a decision made by the municipality. Check with local authorities as to the status of planned fireworks display.
While the southern half of the state is very dry, with minimal rain during the month of June, northern Wisconsin has continued to receive rain last weekend that is keeping the north lush and water levels on lakes and rivers high. Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay is stained dark with stream run off. Pools 4 through 6 on the Mississippi River are approximately 4 to 5 feet above normal at this time due to heavy rain falls to the north. The Lower Wisconsin River has increased flow due to heavy rains to the north and sandbars have been very limited, but they are expected to return for the upcoming July Fourth week.

Some nice lake trout have been caught in Lake Superior and anglers have not had to go out in the great depths to find them. Musky activity has continued to improve on northern inland lakes and anglers have been reporting consistent action along weed edges, drop-offs, and in the light density weed beds, with buck-tail and top-water baits the most productive lures. Panfish action has been fairly consistent, with anglers making some decent catches of crappie, bluegill and rock bass. Increased water levels and dark-stained stained water has really thrown off bass action and typical early summer patterns were not producing fish. In the south, surface water temperatures over 80 degrees and low water levels on lakes and rivers has slowed fishing. Algae blooms on Lake Winnebago slowed the walleye bite considerably in the past week.

Anglers have still been catching smallmouth bass throughout Door County waters. There is an elite professional bass tournament taking place on the southern bay this week. Walleye action slowed on Green Bay, with better action along the Door peninsula. Along Lake Michigan, salmon and trout fishing was not as good as the previous week but action was still steady with some boats catching limits. Chinook and coho salmon continue to make up most of the bag but anglers fishing shallower for brown and rainbow trout were also having some success.

White-tailed bucks are in bachelor groups now and showing off some significant velvet antler development. There were many more reports this week of young loons, so boaters should take care and provide a safe swimming zone when you see loons.

Strawberries are past peak in the north, but still being found, while blueberries are already ripening. Black raspberries are ripe in the south. Gooseberries are turning black-purple. Oxeye daisies, hawkweed and buttercups are gracing roadsides.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Managed deer hunt applications open July 1, close Aug. 15


Find hunt dates, locations and other details at mdc.mo.gov/node/8712starting July 1.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri deer hunters can apply online for managed deer hunts beginning July 1. More than 6,000 hunters will have a chance to participate in 99 managed hunts from mid-September through January.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) holds an electronic drawing to determine who gets to participate in special managed deer hunts at conservation areas, state parks, national wildlife refuges and urban parks. The hunts are open to Missouri residents and nonresidents and help achieve MDC’s deer-management goals for the state while also providing additional hunting opportunities. Types of hunts include archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, historic methods and modern firearms – plus youth hunts and hunts for persons with disabilities.

Hunt dates, locations and other details will be listed on the managed hunt application page on the MDC website starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/node/8712. Details about managed hunts also are available in the 2012 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information booklet, available at MDC offices, on the MDC website and from permit vendors around the state.

Hunters may apply individually or as groups of up to six, except for youth hunts. Youths 11 years of age or older may apply singly or with one other youth and must be accompanied on the hunt by a qualified adult. Applicants need a nine-digit Conservation ID number for each hunter to complete the application process. To get a Conservation ID number, call 573-751-4115.

Indiana: Healthy Rivers, DNR deer biologist win awards


Indiana’s Healthy Rivers INitiative and DNR deer research biologist Chad Stewart were honored with awards at the Midwest Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies director’s meeting this week in Wichita, Kansas.
Healthy Rivers received MAFWA’s Excellence in Conservation Award that recognizes a specific project exemplifying the goal of fish and wildlife conservation.
Stewart received the organization’s Wildlife Biologist of the Year Award that is given to an individual showing unparalleled initiative toward better understanding of wildlife and their conservation.
MAFWA is a regional organization of fish and wildlife agencies from 13 states and three Canadian provinces. It was formed in 1934 to provide a common forum for state and provincial agencies to share ideas and information, pool resources, and form action initiatives to improve management and conservation of fish and wildlife resources in the Midwest.

Announced in 2010 by Gov. Mitch Daniels, Healthy Rivers identified two distinct ecological river corridors—the Wabash River/Sugar Creek and Muscatatuck River—for landscape-scale conservation projects.
Healthy Rivers was designed to enhance, restore and protect a combined 70,000 acres in the two corridors. Working in partnership with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Indiana Heritage Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and other partners, the DNR has secured protection for 30,000 acres in the first two years of the project.
Stewart was nominated for the Wildlife Biologist of the Year Award for his role in developing and defending the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife’s five-year strategy and rule changes for managing white-tailed deer in Indiana. At the same time, Stewart accomplished a number of other projects, including response to a bovine tuberculosis outbreak in cattle in southern Indiana, securing a $47,000 grant to fund surveillance testing for chronic wasting disease in deer, completing a comprehensive survey of deer hunters, working with division biologists and local communities on deer-related issues, launching the GiveIN Game venison donation program, and authoring papers for professional journals.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

"2012-13 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" available now online

Hunters can log onto wildlifedepartment.com today to view a draft copy of the "2012-13 Oklahoma Hunting Guide" from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
            The new full-color guide contains statewide hunting regulations and season information for 2012 and 2013. It also features a wide range of hunting-related articles and other helpful information, such as sunrise/sunset tables and detailed information on the state's wildlife management areas.
            "Printed copies will be available for free in August anywhere hunting licenses are sold, but hunters anxious to read up on the latest hunting regulation changes and dates for their favorite seasons can do so today online," said Ben Davis, information specialist and hunting guide coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "It's an important publication because it contains so much of the information our state's hunters need to know in order to follow the game laws in Oklahoma. Some of the regulation changes covered in the new "Hunting Guide" include the expansion of black bear season, new youth deer season opportunities, new baiting restrictions on public lands and rule changes pertaining to the use of ATVs on Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area.
            The migratory bird regulations portion is a draft and will not be finalized by the USFWS and the Oklahoma Wildlife Commission until Aug. 6.
            To view all the changes and the full draft copy in detail, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. A link to the guide is provided on the homepage.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Kansas: HUNTERS NEEDED FOR MANHATTAN-AREA YOUTH/HANDICAP DEER HUNT

Safari Club International



Application deadline Aug. 1
MANHATTAN — The 10th Annual Youth/Handicap Assisted Deer Hunt is just three months away, and now is the time to sign up. The Riley County Fish and Game Association; Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Tuttle Creek Reservoir are seeking participants for the hunt, to be held Sept. 8 and 9.


Kansas youth 11 through 16 years old and Kansas residents with a certified disability are eligible to participate in this hunt. Participants will need a Kansas hunting license, a deer permit, and, if required by Kansas law, to take or have taken an approved hunter education course. Sponsoring agencies and associations can provide assistance meeting these requirements, including scholarships to help purchase licenses and permits. Rifles and/or ammunition can be provided, as well.

Each hunt participant will be paired with an experienced hunter who will serve as guide. Arrangements have been made with area lockers, where basic processing of harvested deer will be handled free of charge. Other items provided for this hunt include accessible hunting blinds, access to hunting property, hunter orange hats and vests, and transportation to the field.

Hunt participants will also be required to attend a firearm safety presentation and sight-in at the Fancy Creek Shooting Range at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 19.

Other groups and organizations contributing to this hunt include the Friends of Fancy Creek Range, Kansas City Chapter of Safari Club International, Kansas State Rifle Association, and the Tuttle Creek Lake Association.

For more information or an application, phone Steve Prockish at the Tuttle Creek Lake Corps of Engineers Office, 785-539-8511, ext. 3167, or email stephen.e.prockish@usace.army.mil. Applications will be accepted thru Aug. 1.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

2012-13 Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide

State Seal of Indiana.
State Seal of Indiana
Good News! A full-version, 52-page, Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide is coming back and will be available at retailers in late-July. This is slightly later than usual, but it’s worth the wait. In addition to the printed guide, an easy-to-use online version will be available in multiple formats.      

Monday, June 25, 2012

Iowa Upcoming Reserved Hunt Opportunities


English: crop of File:Bgforhunting.jpg Taken b...


Beginning July 1, hunters can apply for the following reserved hunt opportunities: Dove, Military/Refuge Deer Firearm & Archery, State Park Deer Reduction, and Pheasant Draw hunts. Go towww.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5834.htm to get specific details about each hunt. 


The Pheasant draw hunts are at Game Bird Habitat Areas in Benton, Newton and White counties. These areas were purchased or leased with funds from the Game Bird Habitat Stamp that is required when hunting pheasant, quail, dove, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse. The game bird habitat stamp is included in the resident youth hunt/trap license and the comprehensive lifetime hunting licenses.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Michigan: Local organization to host meeting on proposed deer antler point restrictions June 21 in Custer


The northwest Michigan chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association, in partnership with Leelanau Whitetails, has proposed new antler point restrictions (APR) for the following 12 counties: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford.
This proposal seeks to require that all antlered deer harvested in the area have at least three antler points on one side. The statewide requirement that hunters taking two bucks must ensure at least one of those bucks has four or more antler points on one side would remain in place. The proposed regulations would be consistent with the current restriction in Deer Management Unit (DMU) 045, which is Leelanau County. The restriction will be considered for implementation starting with the 2013 deer season. Antlerless deer regulations within the proposed area would continue to be determined by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR supports the voluntary implementation of APR on private land. Under guidelines adopted by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), mandatory regulations proposed by sponsoring organizations will only be implemented where a clear majority of 66-percent support among hunters in the proposed area is documented. Support will be determined by a DNR survey mailed to a sample of hunters who indicated on the 2011 DNR deer harvest survey that they hunted deer in one of the 12 counties. Surveys will be mailed starting in August.
"The northwest Michigan chapter of the QDMA proposal is our first since the moratorium has been lifted," said DNR deer biologist Ashley Hippler. "We are looking forward to seeing how the majority of northwestern Michigan deer hunters feel about antler point restrictions."

The northwest Michigan chapter of the QDMA will host local meetings to answer questions and provide explanation. The next meeting is scheduled for June 21 at 7 p.m. at the Mason County Eastern Middle and High School in Custer. Meetings have already been held in Benzie, Kalkaska, Manistee and Wexford counties. Landowners in any of the 12 proposed counties who would like to offer input on the proposal may email comments to DNR-wildlife@michigan.gov.

The final meeting is scheduled for July 28 at 4 p.m. at the Petoskey High School.

Payment by the northwest Michigan chapter of the QDMA will offset survey costs incurred by this proposal.
The NRC had placed a moratorium on accepting APR proposals in 2006, to allow the DNR to assess experiences with initial guidelines implemented in 1999. The NRC assembled a stakeholder workgroup late in 2010 to provide recommendations regarding revisions to the process. The DNR is now evaluating proposals based on recommendations from this workgroup and other modifications to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The NRC retains full authority over decisions to implement APR and other harvest regulations, but the proposal review process provides valuable information to inform those decisions.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

South Dakota: GFP Finalizes West River and Black Hills Deer Hunting Seasons

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Modoc Count...
.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission has finalized several deer hunting seasons.

The Commission reduced three-tag deer licenses for the West River Deer Season, but increased single-tag and double-tag licenses in some units.  Compared to 2011, there will be a reduction of 2,540 resident licenses and 11,630 tags this year.

The Commission also modified hunting area WRD 27-L to add some public lands adjacent to the Cheyenne River and Angostura reservoir.

For the 2012 West River Deer Season, only unfilled Antlerless Deer and Antlerless Whitetail Deer tags will be valid during the nine-day Antlerless Deer Season extension beginning the Saturday after Christmas.  In addition, West River Antlerless Deer Tags will not be valid during the firearms antelope season in their respective units.

The West River Deer Hunting Season will run from Nov 10-25 in most units, with the Antlerless Season extension running from Dec. 29, 2012 – Jan. 6, 2013.

Black Hills deer hunters will find 200 resident and 16 nonresident Any Deer licenses, 3,000 resident and 240 nonresident Any Whitetail Deer licenses and 150 resident and 12 nonresident Antlerless Whitetail Deer licenses for the 2012 Black Hills Deer Hunting Season

The Black Hills Deer Hunting Season will run from Nov. 1 – 30.

Friday, June 22, 2012

South Dakota: Archery, Muzzleloader, Youth Deer, Fall Turkey and Archery Antelope Hunting Seasons Finalized

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota archery hunters have a few changes to be aware of for the 2012 Archery Deer Season.

Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin and McCook Counties have been added to the restricted area where only one Single-Tag Antlerless Deer license is valid.

Any antlerless deer licenses will not be valid in the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge during the Archery Deer Season.

During the archery deer season, 45 Any Antlerless Deer and five Any Deer resident access permits will be allowed for the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve and five Any Deer and five Any Antlerless Deer resident access permits will be allowed for the Blood Run Nature Area.  Archery hunters who wish to hunt in those areas will have to enter a lottery drawing for the free access permits via the online licensing system.

The South Dakota Archery Deer Season will run from Sept. 22, 2012 – Jan 15, 2013.

The 2012 Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season will run from Dec. 1 – Jan. 15, 2013.  Muzzleloader hunters will have 1,000 Any Deer and unlimited single and double Any Antlerless Deer licenses available.

Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin and McCook Counties have been added to the restricted area where only one single-tag Antlerless Deer license is valid.

The South Dakota Youth Deer Hunting Season will run from Sept. 8, 2012 – Jan. 15, 2013.  Youth hunters who have not reached the age of 18 by June 30 will be eligible to receive up to two Any Antlerless Deer licenses.  Only one of those licenses is valid in the counties of Brookings, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, Turner, Yankton and the Black Hills Fire Protection District.

The 2012 South Dakota Archery Antelope Season will run from Aug. 18- Oct. 31, except when and where the Firearm Antelope Season is open.  Archery hunters will be issued a single Any Antelope license.
Individuals with a 2012 Archery Antelope license will be eligible to apply for one of five free access permits allowing them to hunt the portions of Custer and Pennington counties in the Black Hills Fire Protection District.  Resident archery hunters who wish to hunt in that area will have to enter a lottery drawing for the free access permits via the online licensing system.

The 2012 South Dakota Fall Turkey Hunting Season will run from Oct. 1, 2012 – Jan 31, 2013.  There will be 2,000 resident and 160 nonresident one-tag Any Turkey licenses available in the Black Hills; 1,600 one-tag and 690 two-tag  Any Turkey resident licenses available for the East River Unit and unlimited resident and nonresident two-tag Any Turkey licenses for the West River Prairie Unit.

Turner and Harding counties will be closed to fall turkey hunting.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Wisconsin: Learn to hunt deer at Buckhorn State Park

The sign for at Buckhorn State Park near Neced...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Opportunity is not just for kids
NECEDAH, Wis. -- Anyone 10 years old and older including novice adult hunters who have had an interest in hunting but weren’t sure how to give it a try are encouraged to consider a Learn-to-Hunt deer outing at Buckhorn State Park along the Castle Rock Flowage in Juneau County.
Heather Wolf, Buckhorn State Park manager, says this is the 15th year the park has hosted a Learn to Hunt Deer Hunt program.
“We have had 693 participants over the years. First time hunters and their chaperones have learned together at the workshop and have enjoyed their time spent in the woods,” Wolf said.
To participate in the November 2012 hunt, search the Department of Natural Resources website for “Buckhorn,” and then click on the "learn to deer hunt" link on right column. Download the application form [PDF], complete it, and mail it to the address shown by August 10.
There are two parts to the Learn to Hunt Deer at Buckhorn. First, a workshop is held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 or 9 at the LaValle Sportsman’s Club. Attendance by hunters and chaperones is mandatory. Second, the hunt occurs Nov. 3 and 4 at Buckhorn State Park and adjacent wildlife area.
Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis and will be notified upon receipt of their applications.
A chaperone must accompany each applicant. Applicants may select a chaperone (i.e., family or friend) or authorize Buckhorn staff to assign a qualified chaperone. This person will not be allowed to hunt or carry a firearm and must be at least 18 years old. The chaperone must have at least five years of deer hunting experience. The chaperone is necessary to ensure novice hunters get the complete hunting experience in a safe environment. Chaperones help hunters with firearm safety, deer identification, scouting, and field dressing, among other things.
Successful applicants and their chaperones must attend a workshop in order to participate in the hunt.
A hunting license is not required and back tags will be furnished. This is a bonus deer and will not preclude the harvest of a deer during the regular season. The bag limit will be one deer of either sex. Only shotguns will be permitted; muzzleloaders and rifles are not permitted.

Chaperones also are needed, says Keith Warnke DNR Hunting and Shooting Sport Coordinator. “If you are a hunter and want to give back to the hunting heritage by getting a new hunter started, your skills are needed!” Warnke said. To volunteer to be a chaperone, contact the park at 608-565-2789
“Learn to Hunt events are a great way to break into hunting. Novice hunters paired up with an experienced hunter will learn about conservation, safety, ethics, deer hunting tactics and firearm safety during a one-day workshop,” Warnke said. “Then, the novice hunters get a chance to experience a two-day November gun deer hunt.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Wolf – 608-565-2789 or Keith Warnke – 608-266-5243

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

IOWA: Popular Youth Hunting Event Turns 20

English: Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
INDIANOLA - The 20th year of Iowa’s youth hunter education challenge (YHEC) wrapped up on June 10, with 68 kids ages 12 to 18 participating in the eight station competition. 
The event has changed little competition-wise during its two decades.  The format has remained the same. The set up has been pretty consistent.  About the only thing that has changed are the competitors and the event location.
“We moved from the 4H camp at Madrid to Wesley Woods three years ago and that has provided us a better layout to set up the stations and allows us to go through the course much faster,” said Donise Grygierczyk, who coordinates the challenge for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Youth from all over Iowa compete as part of a team in four shooting events and four non-shooting events.  The events include the Hunter Responsibility Exam; the Hunter Safety Trail Challenge that simulates hunting and includes the ‘dos and don’ts’ of firearm safety and shoot/don’t shoot situations; the Hunting Shotgun Challenge, including shooting at clay and/or life-size targets.
Other events include the Light Hunting Rifle Challenge; the Hunting/Wildlife Identification Challenge to identify animals, tracks, or wildlife signs without an identification book; the Hunting Orienteering Skills Challenge covering map and compass skills; the Hunting Muzzleloader Challenge taking shots at life-sized targets at varying distances and positions; and the Hunting Archery Challenge requiring shots at life-size game targets. 
Each event is scored. Teams compete against each other in each event and for the overall competition.  Hunter education instructors are encouraged to put a team together and coach their participants. 
It takes nearly as many volunteers as competitors to put on the event and over the 20 years, five volunteers have seen each and every competition: Bill Shipley, of Birmingham, Craig Glosser, of Batavia, John Sears, of Ottumwa, Loren Zaruba, of Charlotte, and Dean Ross, of Jefferson.
“We couldn’t do this without the volunteers,” Grygierczyk said. “They are the reason this event has been successful and around for 20 years.”

Iowa will have a team entered in the 2013 International YHEC in Raton, N.M. The team from Eddyville will be raising money to offset the $8,000 needed for the competition.
Iowa YHEC is co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State University Extension Wildlife Programs, National Rifle Association and the Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports program. 
The 2013 Iowa YHEC is scheduled for June 7-9, at Wesley Woods, near Indianola.