Indiana- Public hearing Oct. 4 on proposed rule changes for deer and wild turkey hunting

The Natural Resources Commission will conduct a public hearing Oct. 4 in Plainfield on whether to permanently approve a rule package that includes allowing hunters to check-in deer and wild turkeys electronically. 

The electronic harvest reporting system, also called CheckIN Game, allows hunters to check in a deer or wild turkey using a computer or other Internet-capable device, or by telephone, and receive a unique confirmation number.

Hunters still have the option of checking in a deer or turkey at a check station.

CheckIN Game has been in effect by temporary rule since the spring 2012 wild turkey season, after the NRC gave the rule preliminary adoption.

With this proposed change, commercial deer processors will need to record the electronic harvest confirmation number on the record instead of the official metal tag number that is given by a check station, and register with the DNR prior to March 1 of each year.

Additional changes in the rule package:
– Removing the handgun license requirement to comply with state law in IC 35-47 because state law no longer requires an individual to have a handgun license while hunting lawfully.
– A provision to allow a person who buys a deer license bundle to also have the option of using it to take three antlerless deer.
– Clarifying the ending date for the fall wild turkey firearm season.
– Allowing an individual to call wild turkeys for another individual as long as the person calling for turkeys is properly licensed.

The proposed rule language can be viewed at: IN.gov/legislative/iac/20120822-IR-312120115PRA.xml.pdf

The public hearing will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library, 1120 Stafford Road in Plainfield. 
Comments can also be submitted online to the NRC at: nrc.IN.gov/2377.htm. Click on "Comment on Proposed Rule" next to the “Deer & Turkey Electronic Harvest Reporting.”  The deadline for submitting comments is Oct. 4.

Comments can also be mailed to:
 Natural Resources Commission
 Indiana Government Center North
 100 North Senate Ave., Room N501
 Indianapolis, IN 46204
All comments sent to the NRC regarding this rule package will be provided to commission members and DNR staff and will be publicly disclosed and searchable on the Internet and in a paper docket as part of the final report.

The NRC is expected to vote on final adoption of the rule package at its Nov. 20 meeting.

For more information: Linnea Petercheff, Division of Fish & Wildlife, (317) 233-6527.

Related articles

• Wisconsin Wolf Hunting, Turkey Management News, and Outdoor Report (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wild Turkey Federation banquet set for Saturday in Germantown (bnd.com)
• Bowhunters needed for MDC wildlife observation survey (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Daily Hunting Permits Required at Melvern Wildlife Area (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Indiana Deer License Bundle (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Iowa Upcoming Reserved Hunt Opportunities

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.

Related articles

• Indiana Reserved Hunt Information

  ---

• Early spring presents turkey hunting challenges

  ---

• 2012 Iowa Pheasant Nesting Outlook

  ---

• Michigan: Wild Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 23

  ---

• More than 1,000 enroll in Learn to Hunt turkey events this spring

  ---

South Dakota Special buck apps due

Paper applications for the 2012 Special Buck Hunting Season need to be postmarked by Friday, April 20.
On-line applications will be taken through Tuesday, April 24 at 8AM Central time.
To apply for the 2012 Special Buck Hunting Season, click here

Related articles

• 2012 ReservedIndiana: Youth Turkey Hunt opportunities on DNR properties
• South Dakota: Special Buck Hunting Seasons Finalized
• Indiana Reserved Hunt Information
• 2012 Kansas Nonresident Deer Application Deadline April 27

Changes to Public Hunting Access in Southeast Ohio

Image via Wikipedia

ATHENS, OH – Access to some popular public hunting lands in southeast Ohio has changed, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

April 14, 2011 marked the end of a five-year agreement between the Southern Ohio Scioto Land Company and the ODNR Division of Wildlife to provide hunters almost 40,000 acres of public access in southeast Ohio.

“During the last several years, the Department of Natural Resources actively acquired a large segment of those lands, most of which are now open to public hunting,” said Mark Hemming, district manager for Wildlife District 4 in southeast Ohio.

In 2007, the Division of Wildlife purchased 4,879 acres in Jackson and Ross counties. Broken ARO Wildlife Area in eastern Jackson County provides 3,007 acres of excellent habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and other forest wildlife species. Coalton Wildlife Area in northern Jackson County provides 1,729 acres of good habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and squirrels. Because of select timbering, the area should provide good ruffed grouse habitat in upcoming years. The 143-acre Kinnikinnik Wildlife Area on the northern edge of Ross County provides excellent fishing in the Scioto River as well as good hunting opportunities. Several species of spring wildflowers can be found on the area, and the corridor has excellent potential for observing bald eagles and other migratory bird species.

Additionally, ODNR finalized in 2010 the purchase of 15,494 acres in Vinton County, now known as the Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest and the Vinton Furnace Wildlife Area. This land, formerly known as the Raccoon Ecological Management Area, remains permanently open for public hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation, and is managed in partnership by the divisions of Wildlife and Forestry.

Information on these and other wildlife areas can be found at www.wildohio.com or by calling the Wildlife District 4 Office in southeastern Ohio at 740-589-9930.

Related articles

• Nature Conservancy Land Opened to Deer Hunting (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Ohio Hunters Asked to Help Spot Asian Longhorned Beetle (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Nonresident Landowners Now Required to Purchase Nonresident Ohio Licenses and Permits (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Ohio: American Electric Power and National Hunting Organizations Provide Opportunity for Disabled Sportsmen (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Ohio: FAMILIES OFFERED FREE DAY AT THE RANGE (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Michigan: Fall Turkey Hunters Reminded of Reduced Quota in Upper Peninsula

Image via Wikipedia
July 25, 2011
As the Aug. 1 deadline for fall wild turkey hunting license applications nears, the Department of Natural Resources reminds Upper Peninsula hunters that the quota for licenses was cut dramatically this year.
"For the last few years Upper Peninsula fall turkey hunters have been able to purchase leftover licenses over the counter," said DNR upland game bird specialist Al Stewart. "But with the reduction in the quota from 4,000 licenses to 1,500, there may not be many - if any - leftovers available this fall."
Fall turkey season runs from Sept. 15 to Nov. 14 statewide. Fall turkey hunters are allowed to harvest a bird of either sex. The Upper Peninsula quota was cut this season to assure enough hens survive into the spring breeding season.
"The Upper Peninsula wild turkey population is large enough to warrant a fall season, but we want to take a conservative approach to make sure we maintain a robust population," Stewart said. "If you don't apply for a license, you could find yourself left out."
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.

Related articles

• Michigan Hunters: Fall Turkey Applications on Sale Today Through Aug. 1 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan: DNR Western Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council to Meet July 18 in Ontonagon County (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Antlerless Deer License Applications Go on Sale July 15 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Wisconsin Hunters: August 1 deadline approaches for many hunting seasons

Image via WikipediaMADISON – August 1 is an important harvest permit application deadline for hunters and trappers. Applications are due for the following seasons: fall wild turkey, Canada geese in the Horicon Zone, sharp-tailed grouse, bobcat, fisher and otter. Any fall turkey permits remaining after the initial drawing will go on sale beginning at noon on Saturday, August 27, and will be sold by zone until sold out or the season ends.

2011 Fall Season Dates:

• Fall Turkey: statewide Sept. 17 to Nov. 17; Nov. 28 to Dec. 31 in zones 1-5 ONLY
• Canada Geese, Horicon Zone: season dates are tentative and will not be set by the Natural Resources Board until August 10. Horicon Zone is proposed for Sept. 16 to Dec. 16 (first time period Sept. 16 through Oct. 30; second time period Oct. 31 through Dec. 16). Horicon Zone hunters are expected to receive six harvest tags for their time period.
• Canada Geese, Collins Zone: The Collins Zone has been eliminated and is now part of the Exterior Zone.
• Sharp-tailed Grouse: Oct. 15 through Nov. 6.
• Bobcat hunting and trapping (north of Hwy 64 only): Period 1: Oct. 15 through Dec. 25; Period 2: Dec. 26 through Jan. 31, 2012
• Fisher: trapping only: Oct. 15 through Dec. 31
• Otter: trapping only: North Zone: Nov. 5 through April 30, 2012; central & south zones: Nov. 5 through March 31, 2012

Permits can be applied for through the Online Licensing Center on the Department of Natural Resources website, at all license sales agents, and at DNR Service Centers (Hours for service centers vary; check the DNR website for service center days and hours of operation; DNR Service Centers are not open on Saturdays), or by calling toll-free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). A bobcat permit application costs $6; all other permit applications cost $3.
“Our DNR Call Center staff can also help answer any questions folks may have about the permit application process,” said Dave Argall, DNR permit sales coordinator.” The DNR Call Center is staffed by live operators from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and can be reached at (888) WDNR-INFo (1-888-936-7463).

Fall Turkey

There will be 95,700 wild turkey permits available to hunters for the fall 2011 turkey hunting season, the same number that was available during the 2010 fall season. While the 16 percent decline in harvest during the spring 2011 season has elicited some concern among some hunters, turkey numbers rise and fall largely in response to weather conditions that influence winter survival and poult production. As well, the reduced harvest was partly the result of poor weather conditions during portions of the spring season, which reduced hunter effort and success, and altered turkey behavior. The limited hen harvest that has characterized recent fall turkey seasons does not have a large impact on turkey populations in the state. Turkey numbers will recover given mild winters and warm, dry conditions during the critical June brood-rearing period. Turkey hunters can therefore still expect excellent opportunities to pursue turkeys during the fall 2011 season.
The 2011 fall season will run from Sept. 17 through Nov. 17 for all seven of Wisconsin’s turkey management zones. Pending legislative approval of a proposed rule change, an extended fall turkey season for Zones 1-5 ONLY will run from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31,. If the extended season is approved, hunters who receive a fall turkey permit in Zones 1-5 would be able to fill their unused permits during the extended season in the zone for which they were issued. Hunters may use dogs to hunt wild turkeys during the fall season throughout the state of Wisconsin. The bag limit is one turkey of any age or sex per fall turkey hunting permit (also known as a carcass tag).
New turkey harvest registration procedures
Starting with the fall 2011 turkey season, hunters will be able to register their turkey by telephone or on-line. No in-person registration stations will be available. All harvested turkeys must be registered by telephone by calling the DNR’s Harvest Registration System at 1-888-HUNT-WIS (1-888-486-8947) or on-line via the DNR website. The phone-in system will accept either touch tone entry or voice commands (e.g., press or say 1). Hunters will be asked to record a harvest registration confirmation number on their hunting permit at the end of the call or on-line session. Hunters will still have until 5 p.m. on the day after harvest to register their turkey. The wild turkey page of the DNR website will have updates regarding specific registration procedures.

Sharp-tailed Grouse

For 2011, 250 sharp-tailed grouse hunting permits will be available. This is a decrease from 2010 when 330 permits were available. The reduction in permits is the result of a combination of a variety of factors, including a decline in survey numbers throughout the sharp-tailed grouse range, continued habitat loss or conversion, increasingly isolated populations, and cyclical grouse population dynamics, according to wildlife biologists.
“A couple properties experienced either no change or a slight increase in observations of sharp-tailed grouse; however, survey numbers as a whole were down from 2010,” said Sharon Fandel, DNR assistant upland wildlife ecologist.
Sharp-tailed grouse management units use the same boundaries and designations as deer management units (DMUs). In 2011, only one unit will have permits available. DMU 2 will have 250 permits. DMU 8, which was open in 2010, will be closed in 2011 due to low survey numbers observed at Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area, one of the focal sharp-tailed grouse properties in the unit.
“Although there were a few more birds observed this spring in a couple areas, some of our traditional sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds and managed properties continue to decline, warranting a cautious and conservative approach in our harvest framework,” said Fandel.
“Because sharp-tailed grouse occur at low densities across the landscape, it is often a challenge to locate these birds,” she added. “Anticipating and allowing yourself to enjoy the experience of the hunt is encouraged and likely more realistic than the prospect of finding and harvesting a sharp-tail.”
Hunters are reminded to carefully review the zone map and apply only for units that are open. Applying for closed units will result in an invalid application.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Argall, permit sales coordinator, at (608) 267-7699; Sharon Fandel, assistant upland wildlife ecologist – (608) 261-8458; James Christopoulos, assistant migratory bird ecologist – (608) 695-1220; or Shawn Rossler, assistant furbearer ecologist – (608) 220-8456

Related articles

• Minnesota Hunters: Apply now for prairie chicken, fall turkey hunts (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Missouri Deer Hunters: MDC announces deer-hunting regulation changes (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• MDC announces deer-hunting regulation changes (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Missouri Deer Hunters - Info from Last Conservation Commission Meeting (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• South Dakota: East River Deer and Antelope Hunting Seasons Finalized (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Actions by Missouri Conservation Commission Pertaining to Deer Hunting in 2011 Season (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Nebraska Hunters: Super Tag Lottery Deadline Nears, Deer Permits On Sale July 11 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Michigan Hunters: Fall Turkey Applications on Sale Today Through Aug. 1 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Michigan Hunters: Fall Turkey Applications on Sale Today Through Aug. 1

Image via Wikipedia

July 1, 2011

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that applications for fall turkey hunting licenses are on sale starting today through Aug. 1, 2011.

A total of 50,050 licenses are available through a lottery for the units open to hunting, 3,350 general licenses that may be used on public or private land and 46,700 licenses for private land only. Eight wild turkey management units totaling 42,218 square miles are open to fall turkey hunting during the Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 season, including most of the southern Lower Peninsula, Beaver Island, and the entire Upper Peninsula.

"We are in the second year of a three-year period of stabilized regulations that were developed by working with turkey hunting groups," explained Al Stewart, the DNR's upland game bird specialist. "Regulations are similar to last year with one change occurring to quotas in the Upper Peninsula. The Unit M quota was reduced from 4,000 to 1,500 licenses."

Hunters may apply for a turkey hunting license at any authorized license agent, at DNR Operations Service Centers, or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. The application fee is $4. Drawing results will be posted online beginning Aug. 15.

If any licenses remain after the drawing, unsuccessful applicants may purchase one leftover license at any license agent or online for a one week period beginning Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. (EDT). Any licenses that remain as of Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. (EDT) will be available for purchase over the counter by any hunter. The licenses will be sold until the quotas are met.

Hunters have an additional opportunity to get a turkey license by applying for the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing. Each application is $4 and you may apply as many times as you like. Three lucky winners will receive a hunt package that includes an elk, bear, turkey, and antlerless deer license. For more information, go towww.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt. Season dates and regulations have not yet been established for the 2012 hunting seasons.

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.