Wisconsin State Natural Resources Board to consider deer quotas, panfish and trout rule revisions at May 27 meeting

Requests to approve the antlerless deer harvest quota for the 2015 deer

hunting season, update inland trout size and bag limits, and apply new panfish regulations on approximately 100 lakes are among the issues the state Natural Resources Board will take up at its May 27 meeting in Madison.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, in Room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster St., Madison.

Among items the board will consider:

• The Department of Natural Resources is recommending deer harvest quotas which are designed to manage deer towards population objectives established for each unit/county. For 2015, there would be 13 units without an antlerless quota and a harvest quota for the rest of the state of 224,735 antlerless deer. The issuance of bonus deer hunting permits, which are in addition to free farmland zone tags, would include 18,450 that are valid on public access lands and 125,375 that would be valid on private lands.
• Updating inland trout size limits and bag limits in every county of the state, which reduces the number of special regulation types and expands trout fishing opportunities. The proposed system also would use color-coding resembling a stoplight to guide anglers. Under the system:
1. Green means go fish, with no length limit, a bag limit of five fish and no bait restrictions;
2. Yellow means caution, with an 8-inch length limit, a bag limit of three fish and no bait restrictions; and
3. Red means special regulations are in place. Anglers are advised to stop and understand the regulations before fishing.
• Applying new panfish regulations to approximately 100 lakes in order to evaluate angler acceptance and the extent to which each regulation improves panfish average size. The rule establishes three categories:
1. 25/10. Under this rule, a total of 25 panfish may be kept per day but no more than 10 of any one species.
2. Spawning season 15/5. Under this rule, a total of 25 panfish may be kept per day except during May and June when a total of 15 panfish may be kept but no more than five of any one species.
3. 15/5. Under this rule, a total of 15 panfish may be kept per day but no more than five of any one species year round.

The complete May board agenda is available by searching the DNR website,dnr.wi.gov for keyword "NRB" and clicking on the button for "view agendas."

The public may testify at board meetings on topics open for public comment (listed on the agenda) and during the citizen participation period. The deadline to register to speak at the board meeting or to submit comments is 11 a.m. on Friday, May 22, 2015. The public may also submit written comments about issues that come before the board. For more information see the board public participation page of the DNR website.

Board meetings are webcast live. People can watch the meeting over the Internet by going to the NRB agenda page of the DNR website and clicking on webcasts in the Related Links column on the right. Then click on this month's meeting. After each meeting, the webcast will be permanently available on demand.

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OKLAHOMA OUTDOOR CALENDAR

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JANUARY
 
5-8: Oklahoma Tackle and Hunting Show at the Oklahoma City Fair Grounds, Oklahoma City.
 
5-8: Oklahoma Winter Bird Feeder Survey. Help the Wildlife Department track wintering birds at backyard feeders. For more information, log on to www.okwinterbirds.com<http://www.okwinterbirds.com/> .
 
9: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting. Meetings are held monthly at 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
 
13: Eleventh annual OKC trout fishing clinic at Putnam City High School Gym (5300 NW 50th) for anyone interested in fishing for and catching rainbow trout. Program is free. To register call the H.B Parsons Fish Hatchery at (405) 755-4014.
 
16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - State Offices Closed.
 
17: Bob Walshaw will present a hands-on bluebird program including how to deal with house sparrows at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow at 7 p.m. This event will be held in the upstairs seminar room, is free and open to the public, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information (918) 355-7600.
 
24: Predator Calling Seminar at 7 p.m. in the upstairs seminar room at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow.. Scott Ruff will cover bobcat calling, and Travis Alzate will cover coyote calling. Both men are expert predator hunters, videographers and seminar presenters with many years of multi-state experience. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (918) 355-7600.
 
28: The Lawton Oklahoma Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting a Waterfowl Hunters Party at the Great Plains Coliseum (Prairie Building) at 920 S. Sheridan Road, Lawton. Doors Open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each, which includes a meal and Ducks Unlimited membership. Auction will be held for decoys and hunting equipment. Come out and enjoy a great evening of fun and fellowship. For more info and to purchase tickets contact Ricky Moore, Lawton Ducks Unlimited Chapter President, atmoore6395@sbcglobal.net or (580) 351-8824.
 
31: Prescribed Burn Workshop. Topics will range from legal considerations and techniques for managing fire to environmental considerations and developing prescribed burning plans. Weather permitting an afternoon demonstration burn will be conducted with an explanation of necessary equipment. Workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch. To register call the Noble Foundation at (580) 224-6411 or log on to www.noble.org/AgEvents <http://www.noble.org/AgEvents> .

Related articles

• Oklahoma Outdoor Calendar (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Oklahoma Calling all citizen scientists to help conduct Wildlife Department's Winter Bird Feeder Survey (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Winter Fishing the Missouri Trout Parks (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Deer hunting plays important economic role in Oklahoma (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Oklahoma Outdoor Calendar

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DECEMBER
 
25: Last day of Holiday Antlerless Season (only in open zones). Seasons on public lands may vary from statewide seasons. For full details and regulations, consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide.”
 
26: Fourth annual trout pond for Tulsa opens for fishing. Made possible by the Oklahoma Chapter of Trout Unlimited, The Tulsa Fly Fishers, NatureWorks and the Tulsa County Parks Department. Oklahoma fishing license is required and all state trout fishing laws apply. Adults are welcome but are asked to "take a kid" fishing. Donations to help continue this program are encouraged. Send your tax deductible donation to Oklahoma Trout Unlimited, PO Box 54108 Tulsa, OK 74155. The Trout Pond For Tulsa is located in The Gardens Park area of LaFortune Park at the corner of 51st St. and Hudson St. To park your car, enter The Gardens Park on the north side off of 51st street between Yale and Hudson.www.tulsaflyfishers.org <http://www.tulsaflyfishers.org/> 
 
26 & 27: State Offices Closed.
 
JANUARY
 
5-8: Oklahoma Tackle and Hunting Show at the Oklahoma City Fair Grounds, Oklahoma City.
 
5-8: Oklahoma Winter Bird Feeder Survey. Help the Wildlife Department track wintering birds at backyard feeders. For more information, log on to www.okwinterbirds.com<http://www.okwinterbirds.com/> .
 
9: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting. Meetings are held monthly at 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
 
13: Eleventh annual OKC trout fishing clinic at Putnam City High School Gym (5300 NW Warr Acres) for anyone interested in fishing for and catching rainbow trout. Program is free. To register call the H.B Parsons Fish Hatchery at (405) 755-4014.
 
16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - State Offices Closed.
 
17: Bob Walshaw will present a hands-on bluebird program including how to deal with house sparrows at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow at 7 p.m. This event will be held in the upstairs seminar room, is free and open to the public, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information (918) 355-7600.
 
24: Predator Calling Seminar at 7 p.m. in the upstairs seminar room at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow.. Scott Ruff will cover bobcat calling, and Travis Alzate will cover coyote calling. Both men are expert predator hunters, videographers and seminar presenters with many years of multi-state experience. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (918) 355-7600.
 
31: Prescribed Burn Workshop. Topics will range from legal considerations and techniques for managing fire to environmental considerations and developing prescribed burning plans. Weather permitting an afternoon demonstration burn will be conducted with an explanation of necessary equipment. Workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch. To register call the Noble Foundation at (580) 224-6411 or log on to www.noble.org/AgEvents <http://www.noble.org/AgEvents> 

Related articles

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Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for September 29, 2011

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Fall colors are coming on fast in northern Wisconsin, with several areas reporting colors are approaching peak. The Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR). has most of central and even much of southern Wisconsin at near 50 percent color, with peak still two to four weeks off.

The entire state received rain in the last week, with some areas reporting 2 to 3 inches. Strong winds are in the forecast this week, with wind advisories for possible gusts up to 40 miles per hour. The rain and winds could bring down a lot of leaves.

The waterfowl season opened last weekend in the northern and new Mississippi River zones and the duck season will open at 9 a.m. this Saturday in the southern zone. Hunters are reminded that shooting hours do not begin until 9 a.m. in all zones this Saturday. Hunters are reporting conditions were good for the northern opener and they were seeing good wood duck and mallard numbers. Waterfowl are scattered due to good water levels, so ducks aren't nearly as concentrated as they have been in past years. Migrant Canada goose numbers are slowly building up, with some geese concentrated around Theresa Marsh, Horicon Marsh and other large wetland complexes, but most geese are spread out and hunters will need to do some scouting to figure out where the birds are feeding. Mississippi River water levels are below 8 feet in many areas resulting in large shoreline areas and mud flats. Waterfowl hunters in the new Mississippi zone commented on the large areas of "unforgiving mud" opening weekend. Wood ducks were prevalent with occasional flocks of blue winged teal and a few mallards.

Although the white-tailed deer rut, or mating season, is still about a month off, archery hunters are reporting they are already finding some scrapes made by bucks as they stake out territory. One registration station in central Wisconsin reported most bucks registered the first week were still in velvet, but that this week most bucks have polished antlers.

Cooler and windy weather along with hunting activity continued to suppress fishing activity, though some anglers continue to venture out. Bluegill action slowed some on the Mississippi River, but largemouth and small mouth bass fishing has been good to excellent in along with an occasional walleye being caught. Water temperatures are dropping and this transition is helping anglers catch walleyes and sturgeon on the Wisconsin River. Inland trout fishing has been good the last week of the season in both Coulee region streams and in central Wisconsin, where brown trout action has been strong. The inland season closes this Friday, Sept. 30.

Recent rains giving the trout and salmon some much needed help making their way up Lake Michigan tributaries. Chinook and brown trout were being reported up the Manitowoc, East and West Twin, Kewaunee and Sheboygan rivers, and fish were just beginning to move up the southeastern tributaries, with a few reported up Sauk Creek, and the Milwaukee and Root rivers. Strong winds have kept many trollers off the lake, but pier and shore anglers reported some good chinook and brown trout action at many harbors.

Now is the time to start looking for gypsy moth egg masses, which can help predict the pest’s population size and potential damage to trees next year. The yellowish egg masses can be found on tree trunks and the undersides of branches, but they can also be found on buildings, picnic tables, and other outdoor objects. People who find egg masses on their property can spray them with horticultural oil labeled for gypsy moth to help prevent them from hatching next spring.

Related articles

• 8/4/2011 MDC Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin-Outdoor Report Summary for September 22, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Outdoor Report - Week of 9/1/2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• 9/29/2011 MDC Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)