Midwest Deer Hunting: Wildlife

Showing posts with label Wildlife. Show all posts

Friday, August 19, 2016

Two southeast Iowa men charged after deer were shot and abandoned

DES MOINES – Multiple charges were filed against two southeast Iowa men following an Iowa Department of Natural Resources investigation into several deer that had been shot and left to rot.

Ryan Matthew Greiner, 30, of Morning Sun and Treyton Hartman, 19, of Yarmouth, were charged after search warrants on their residences in Morning Sun and Yarmouth were conducted on Jan. 22nd. The deer, which had been shot with rifles, were reported to the DNR by the public.

Greiner was charged with the following:

18 charges of unlawful take/possession/transportation of a white tail deer.
18 charges of not having a valid deer tag
7 charges of abandonment of dead or injured wildlife
2 charges of hunting deer with a motor vehicle
1 charge of unlawful possession of a non-game species (raptor foot)
1 charge of failure to report harvest
1 charge of hunting by artificial light
1 charge of no state migratory fee

In addition to the game charges, Greiner was also charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of marijuana and two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

The charges against Greiner have a total possible fine of $7,503 as well as liquidated damages of $67,000 for 18 deer.

Hartman was charged and found guilty of the following charges:

One charge of not having a fur harvesting license
One charge of abandonment of dead or injured wildlife
One charge of hunting with artificial light
One charge of not having a deer tag
One charge of unlawful take of a whitetail deer - $4,000 damages assessed
One additional charge of unlawful take of a whitetail deer - $1500 damages assessed
The DNR received assistance on the investigation from the wildlife forensic laboratory of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in analyzing DNA evidence relative to the case.

The DNR Law Enforcement Bureau also expresses gratitude to members of the public who reported the dead deer which led to the investigation and charges.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

2014 Indiana Deer harvest summary

Indiana hunters harvested 120,073 deer in the 2014 season.

Although it was a decrease from the previous two years, the outcome is by design and reflects DNR efforts to reduce the deer population.

“Several years ago, we modified our management strategy to focus deer herd reduction in a strategically targeted manner to more adequately balance ecological, recreational and economic needs of Indiana citizens,” said Mitch Marcus, chief wildlife biologist for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. “We are no longer managing for a stable to increasing deer herd, so the declines in harvest are expected.”

The 2014 total was a 4.4 percent drop from 2013 and an 11.9 percent drop from the all-time record harvest of 136,248 deer in 2012.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

South Dakota GFP Reminds Hunters to Register for Winter Depredation Hunts

As winter approaches in South Dakota, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) reminds resident hunters of a unique opportunity that may exist later this

winter.

The GFP has a Wildlife Damage Management Program that assists landowners with various wildlife depredation abatement techniques. However, when other methods are ineffective, GFP may utilize willing hunters to help reduce damage caused by wildlife.

“Winter depredation hunts are a valuable management tool that GFP uses in some situations to alleviate wildlife damage to landowners’ stored-feed supplies,” said Wildlife Damage Program Administrator Keith Fisk. “Depredation hunts are largely dependent upon the severity of the winter, snowfall accumulations and the number of animals involved. During mild winters, few hunts are conducted; however, when extreme conditions cause wildlife to congregate near farmsteads and livestock feeds, depredation hunts are more common.”

South Dakota residents may register for potential depredation hunts for deer, antelope and turkey starting Dec. 1, 2013. Hunters can register for depredation hunts (free of charge) at http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/depredation-hunts.aspx and are encouraged to register for counties near their home or within close driving distance.

“New for 2013, hunters may register for a maximum of 10 counties,” said Fisk. “Depredation hunts are often time-sensitive and winter weather can sometimes make travel difficult for participating hunters. For a successful hunt, GFP needs participating hunters to be available at the hunt location almost immediately.”

Once registered, hunters are then put into a random drawing to determine eligibility once a depredation hunt is authorized.

Winter depredation hunts focus on assisting landowners with wildlife damage, but also can provide hunters with another hunting opportunity after tradition hunting seasons are closed. For more information, please visit the GFP website or contact GFP at (605)223-7660.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Hunters Have More Opportunity to Hunt Public Land in Central Ohio

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife is pleased to announce that

central Ohio hunters will have additional public land hunting opportunities at the Big Island Wildlife Area in Marion County this fall.

The Division of Wildlife recently took possession of two properties totaling 100 acres adjacent to the Big Island Wildlife Area. The previous landowners had enrolled both properties in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) prior to acquisition. The properties came to the Division of Wildlife with 26 acres of wetlands and 65 acres of warm season grassland already established. This addition brings the total acreage of the Big Island Wildlife Area to 5,972 acres.

The Big Island Wildlife Area is located five miles west of Marion on State Route 95 and lies within the former Sandusky Plains, one of the larger prairies that existed in Ohio at the time of settlement. Most of the once expansive tall grass prairie was converted to farmland. The Division of Wildlife began purchasing land for the Big Island Wildlife Area in 1958 and since then has restored grasslands and wetlands in an effort to improve the area for the wildlife species that depend on these habitats for survival.

The wealth of wildlife found in the abundant wetlands and grasslands at Big Island Wildlife Area make it a popular place for hunters and wildlife watchers alike.

Visit the ODNR Division of Wildlife website at willdohio.com to find a map of the Big Island Wildlife Area or to find more public hunting opportunities in your area.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

No bovine TB found in northwestern Minnesota deer; disease monitoring and management program ended

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After eight years of monitoring and aggressive management, bovine tuberculosis (TB) is undetectable in wild deer in northwestern Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Bovine TB was first discovered in area cattle operations and wild deer near Skime, Minn., in 2005.

“We have accomplished what many believed was not possible,” said Michelle Carstensen, DNR wildlife health program supervisor. “By reducing the incidence of TB in wild deer to an undetectable level and hopefully eliminating it, Minnesota has become an international example on how to successfully respond to a disease outbreak that has a significant wildlife component.”

None of 325 deer harvested during the 2012 firearms season tested positive for the disease, marking the third consecutive year of negative TB testing results and ending DNR sampling of hunter-harvested deer in a 164-square-mile disease management zone.

Cooperation from farmers, landowners and hunters allowed DNR and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health to successfully combat the disease outbreak. Bovine TB is a progressive and chronic bacterial disease that primarily affects cattle but also infects wildlife.

“These people made significant sacrifices to make sure Minnesota livestock and wildlife are free of this disease,” said Bill Hartmann, state veterinarian and executive director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. “Their cooperation does not go unnoticed.”

Minnesota regained its TB-free status in cattle in 2011, but the DNR continued testing wild deer until achieving three consecutive years of negative findings for bovine TB. This provides assurance that the disease has been controlled in wildlife as well.

“We appreciated the patience of hunters as we managed this disease,” said Leslie McInenly, DNR big game program leader.

The deer population was reduced throughout the TB management zone through the use of liberalized hunting seasons. Landowner shooting permits, aerial shooting, and sharpshooting by professional contractors were also used in the core area where the TB positive deer were found. “We recognize that this had a significant impact on hunters’ opportunities to harvest deer,” McInenly said. “We’re looking forward to increasing deer densities in the area back to goal levels.”

This will be accomplished through more conservative regulations limiting harvest of antlerless deer, allowing the population to grow.

“Deer populations are resilient and history has shown that they can recover in a short period of time when harvest is restricted,” McInenly said.

Carstensen said the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and its Roseau River chapter were particularly helpful during disease surveillance efforts by sponsoring a firearm raffle each year to help encourage hunters to submit harvested deer for sampling.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Unattended white-tailed deer fawns are not abandoned

Fawns are left hidden for protection; mom is often nearby

A wild animal is happiest in the wild [MP3: 256Kb]

MADISON – Reports have begun to come in from across Wisconsin that the first fawns of the year have begun to be born in the wild, and state wildlife officials are reminding people that fawns left unattended are not orphaned or abandoned.A newborn fawn lies curled up and motionless in a tuft of grass next to a trout stream in Vernon County. The tiny fawn, perhaps a week old, is well camouflaged and has virtually no scent, which helps protect it from predators. It's survival technique during the first weeks of life is to remain perfectly still until its mother returns. The doe was likely foraging nearby when it detected the far off approach of a human and took cover.
DNR Photo by Ed Culhane

Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists say that unlike humans, one way animals protect their offspring is to conceal them from predators in natural vegetation.

A well-intended person may attempt to rescue or to feed a wild baby animal because, they think the baby is afraid, alone and abandoned, said Amanda Cyr, DNR wildlife biologist.
“It usually is not. Its mother is following natural behavior instincts to help the babies survive and thrive,” Cyr says. “Human interventions, while done with good intentions, instead can damage the health and well-being of the baby animal.”
Too much human or domestic animal disturbance or activity near a baby animal also could cause the mother to shy away from the area. Cyr also advises to keep a close watch on pets so they don’t disturb a nest of baby animals.
“Fawns have little scent to attract a predator and their spots help them blend in to the environment,” she says. “They move very little in their first weeks while they are alone in a place the mother selected. If you see a fawn lying on the ground by itself, you should leave the fawn where it is and not disrupt the area.”
Baby rabbits also are usually alone in their nest during the day when the mother is not there. The baby rabbit’s best protection from predators is to remain in their nest which is concealed with grass or vegetation.
“The mother will come back to the nest in the morning and evening to feed the babies,” Cyr said.
“If you find a baby wild animal, the best policy is to leave them alone.”

What is the law on assisting wildlife?

State and federal laws prohibit the possession of live native wild animals without a license or permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). A permit from the USFWS is required to possess all native birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A few species are allowed to be possessed without a license, but the take of these species must be from a legal source.
If it is absolutely necessary to help a young animal that is injured or its mother has been killed, a person may legally have the animal in their possession for up to 24 hours for the purpose of transporting the animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
To get the name of a wildlife rehabilitator, contact the DNR Call Center (1-888-WDNRINFo / 936-7463) or visit the DNR’s online directory of licensed wildlife rehabilitators search "wildlife" and look for the link under Wildlife health and rehabilitation.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Fawns born in May; DNR urges people to leave them alone

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

May is the month when most fawns are born. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging people to leave fawns and other wildlife alone.
While a new fawn may appear helpless, it is important to stay away and not interfere with the doe’s natural instinct for raising its young.
A doe’s method of rearing offspring is different from a human’s, especially for the first few weeks. Within hours of birth, the fawn is led to a secluded spot and the doe lets it nurse.
With a full stomach, the fawn is content to lie down and rest. If the doe has twins, it will hide the second fawn up to 200 feet away. Then the doe leaves to feed and rest herself, out of sight but within earshot. In four or five hours, she will return to feed her young and take them to a new hiding place. They follow this pattern for two to three weeks, and only then, when the fawns are strong enough to outrun predators, do the young travel much with their mother.
Deer have evolved a number of special adaptations that make this approach to fawn rearing successful. Fawns have almost no odor, so predators cannot smell them. Their white spotted coats provide excellent camouflage when they are lying on the forest floor. For the first week of life, frightened fawns instinctively freeze, making full use of their protective coloration.
Older fawns remain motionless until they think they have been discovered, and then jump and bound away. A deer’s primary protection from predators is its great speed. Newborn fawns are not fast enough to outdistance predators, so they must depend on their ability to hide for protection.
Although these adaptations work well against predators, they don’t work very well with people. For the first few weeks, a fawn’s curiosity may entice it to approach a person who comes upon it.
What’s the right way to handle an encounter with a fawn? Never try to catch it. If it’s hiding, admire it for a moment and then quietly walk away. Enjoy the memory, but don’t describe the location to others. If the fawn tries to follow, gently push on its shoulders until it lies down, and then walk away. That’s what its mother does when she doesn’t want the fawn to follow. Leaving fawns alone gives them the best chance for survival. Even most orphaned fawns are best suited to survive without human intervention.
Never feed or place a collar on a fawn or other wild animal. Collaring a wild animal sets it apart from others and increases the likelihood for harm to the animal. Collared wild animals are not protected from hunting or animal control activities by law enforcement.
Conditioning any wild animal to seek human-provided food will cause them to stop seeking their natural food sources. Feeding deer can be especially problematic because it encourages the transmission of animal disease such as chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD can be spread through saliva when multiple deer eat from the same food source – such as feeders or piles of feed left on the ground.
Feeding deer can concentrate animals in feeding areas, which makes them more susceptible to predation, vehicle collisions or other unwanted human interactions. What begins as a good intention to help the animal, ultimately promotes disease and lessens the animal’s ability to survive independently.
Not all animals survive, and some mortality is a natural occurrence. For more information about an interacting with a wild animal, contact a local DNR area wildlife office for suggestions. In most cases, letting nature take its course is the best advice.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Ohio: Hunter Education Instructor Training Offered in Akron

Image via Wikipedia

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

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Theft threatens deer habitat restoration experiment

Image via Wikipedia

The discovery of an equipment theft is threatening the continuation of a remote white cedar plantation designed to improve deer habitat in northern St. Louis County.

A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife employee reported the theft of solar panels, a wiring harness, and battery, used to create an electric barrier to deer and protect a northern white cedar planting experiment that began in 1997 as a partnership with the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association (MDHA). The equipment was valued at $1,000.

The theft occurred between Jan. 5-10. Photos taken at the scene indicate an individual parked a highway vehicle at the gate on the Bulldog-Hanson State Forest Road off the Townline State Forest Road, drove by ATV to the fenced area, and used a homemade apparatus to disarm it and gain access to the equipment.

“The seedlings are not a size where they will survive without continued protection, said Larry Petersen, International Falls area wildlife manager. “This is the second equipment theft at the location, and with a remote site, relatively easy access, and limited security options, it could continue. It’s too bad one individual has to ruin a project that involved the hard work of so many people – including the MDHA volunteers whose fundraising efforts provided $7,500 for the initial project costs.”

Northern white cedar is a preferred deer thermal cover species, that once harvested, has a low rate of regeneration due to germination failures, unsuitable microclimates for seedlings, and excessive animal herbivory (over-browsing by deer, snowshoe hares, mice, etc.). It was hoped that by prohibiting deer herbivory, the cedars could be regenerated and improve the winter habitat for the deer population and other wildlife. The initial total project cost of $13,422 was funded in partnership with the MDHA, with DNR wildlife staff providing ongoing maintenance.

Persons with information relevant to the case are asked to call the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department at 218-749-6010.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Ohio Wildlife Council Hears 2012-2013 Hunting Regulations Proposals

Image via Wikipedia

COLUMBUS, OH – The 2012-13 hunting and trapping regulation proposals were presented on January 4 to the Ohio Wildlife Council by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

September 1 is the proposed kick-off date for the state's fall hunting season beginning with squirrel and dove hunting. Other proposed hunting and trapping rules will be similar to those now in effect, with only slight changes to fall and spring hunting dates.

Hunters age 17 and under are proposed access to hunt statewide for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated weekends, October 20-21 and 27-28. Spring youth turkey season is proposed for April 20-21, 2013.

The remainder of the proposals concerning Ohio's white-tailed deer hunting will be heard during a separate Wildlife Council meeting on February 8.

Open houses will be held on Saturday, March 3 in each of the state's five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be found at wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

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

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

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Kansas: TOLL-FREE PHONE HOTLINE PUTS POACHERS ON HOT SEAT

1-877-426-3843 makes reporting wildlife crime easy
PRATT — Each year, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) natural resource officers (NROs) check tens of thousands of hunters in the field, and about 96 percent of them are found to be law-abiding. Unfortunately, many non-hunters sometimes associate these ethical hunters with that small percentage who are not. KDWPT has 73 NROs to cover the entire state, so they need the help of hunters — and anyone else who enjoys the outdoors — to watch out for those who don't take wildlife crime seriously. Whether it’s trespassing, shooting from a vehicle on the road, any other activity that appears to be a violation of the law, KDWPT officers need your help.
The easiest way to fight wildlife crime is by phoning KDWPT's Operation Game Thief hotline, 1-877-426-3843. Using this toll-free number, concerned hunters and landowners can quickly turn in wildlife criminals simply by picking up the phone. All calls received through the Operation Game Thief line are immediately relayed to the natural resource officer nearest the violation. The line is available anytime of day or night, every day of the year, and callers may remain anonymous.
Nothing can spoil a good hunt more than poachers, who should not be considered “hunters.” Although they may seldom describe themselves as poachers, wildlife thieves are just that. These are the people who trespass, road hunt, litter, take more than their bag limit, drink while they hunt, use illegal equipment, take game out of season, take wildlife for which there is no season, or vandalize. Poachers not only damage the natural resources they should be committed to conserving, they reflect poorly on hunters in the eyes of the general public.
Operation Game Thief calls have resulted in arrests and convictions on violations ranging from public lands vandalism to deer poaching. In many cases, poachers have been arrested within minutes of the call. Even drug operations have been uncovered by alert hunters using this number.
But remember these two important reporting rules:

never confront suspects; and
provide as much specific information as possible, such as vehicle descriptions and license tag numbers, descriptions of people involved, locations, and the time and location the incident occurred.

Remember, when you see someone violating wildlife laws, they are stealing from you and damaging the image of legal hunters. Help bring them to justice by phoning 1-877-426-3843.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Ohio- Pass Along the Hunting Heritage: Become a Hunter Education Instructor!

XENIA, OH – A training academy for individuals interested in becoming hunter education instructors will be offered March 16 and 17 according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Training will be held at the Isaac Walton League of America located at 450 Beissinger Rd., Hamilton Ohio 45013. There is no cost to participate in a Hunter education instructor academy. Those interested in attending must register by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE at least two weeks prior to the academy.

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 wildohio.com.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

SD Turn In Poachers 2010 Statistics

Image via Wikipedia

Fall hunting is now in full swing, and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is reminding hunters who see illegal activities to call the Turn In Poachers (TIPS) hotline at 888-OVERBAG (683-7226).

The hotline, which is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allows people to report information about wildlife violations – and if they choose – remain anonymous. Those who would prefer to email TIPs reports may do so on the GFP website: http://gfp.sd.gov/agency/law-enforcement/turn-in-poachers.aspx

From July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011, a total of 394 TIPs cases were investigated. Those investigations led to 146 arrests or citations. As a result of successful cases closed during that period, poachers were assessed more than $27,000 in fines and were sentenced to 1,730 days in jail. Offenders were also assessed almost $50,000 in civil damages.

Wildlife Protection, Inc., the nonprofit agency handling TIPS rewards, paid $8,725 to those who took the initiative to report wildlife violations.

Since the beginning of the South Dakota TIPs Program in 1984, there have been more than 10,000 investigations, leading to more than 3,000 arrests or citations. Violators have been required to pay $650,000 in fines and more than $500,000 in civil damages.

During the same 28-year period, nearly $130,000 in TIPS rewards have gone to witnesses who provided information on violations.

“These numbers are proof that South Dakotans are serious about protecting our natural resources,” said Charlie Wharton, TIPs coordinator for GFP. “As caretakers of nature, we all have a vested interest in the public trust of preserving wildlife for future generations. It’s heartening to have people take an active interest in reporting violators and protecting our resources.”

Wharton reminds those who witness wildlife violations, and even those who learn of them later, to call their local conservation officers or use the TIPs hotline.

While any information can be useful, those things that can be most beneficial are accurate physical descriptions of people committing hunting and fishing violations, specific geographical information and vehicle information. The most helpful vehicle information is a license plate number, along with the general make, model, color or any unique markings and graphics that might improve the chances of officers locating them.

“South Dakota has a limited number of law enforcement officers patrolling our state,” Wharton said. “The good people of South Dakota can make a real difference in stopping poaching.”

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Indiana: Hunters asked to complete online state forest survey

Image via Wikipedia

Hunters can help monitor the abundance and distribution of deer and other wildlife species in State Forests by completing an online survey after each hunting trip to a State Forest this year.

“Hunters are uniquely skilled observers in the outdoors and are in a position to provide feedback that can help us better manage the resources of our State Forests,” said John Seifert, director of the DNR Division of Forestry.

Hunters are asked to go to dnr.IN.gov/forestry/7245.htm every time they return from a hunting trip. Multiple hunting trips made on the same day would ideally warrant separate visits to the website to complete a survey. State Forests in Indiana are listed at dnr.IN.gov/forestry/3631.htm.

This anonymous survey will be available all year online and is open to all hunters who hunt in the State Forests. Completion will take a hunter a few minutes.

More instructions are listed at the website.

Note: The DNR Customer Service Center and the DNR Deer Hotline, (812) 334-3795, will not be open on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

For more information: Scott Haulton, Forestry Wildlife Specialist, (317) 234-5725.

Here's a TIP: Fight poaching by using hotline

Licensed, ethical hunters know the rules and play by them, but poachers don’t.

Hunting season increases the likelihood that law-abiding hunters will encounter poaching, which is the illegal taking of fish, game or non-game wildlife.

When that happens, DNR Law Enforcement urges hunters to use the TIP hotline to file a complaint. TIP is an acronym for Turn in a Poacher or Polluter. Firearms season for deer runs Nov. 12-27.

Anyone can use the TIP hotline but hunters are more likely to witness violations.

It’s quick and simple to report a violation. The toll-free TIP phone number is 1-800-TIP-IDNR (1-800-847-4367). Complaints also can be filed online at tip.IN.gov.

A typical poaching situation occurs when a law-abiding hunter is sitting in a tree stand, waiting for sunrise (the legal time to shoot), and notices a spotlight shining the field from a pickup truck. The truck stop and shots ring out through the darkness.

“True sportsmen have an ethical responsibility to report this violation,” said Lt. William Browne, DNR Division of Law Enforcement. “Poachers are thieves, and some estimates indicate poachers kill as much fish and game as legal hunters and fishermen do."

TIP is a joint effort of sportsmen and women, private citizens, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to help eliminate the illegal taking of Indiana’s fish and wildlife. Cash rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of fish and wildlife law violators.

All information is held in strict confidence. The complaint can be anonymous. Neither videotapes nor signed confessions are required for successful prosecution of poachers. Citizens who provide TIP with information are not required to testify in court. Reported information is investigated by Indiana Conservation Officers.

For more information: Lt. William Browne, Division of Law Enforcement, (317) 232-0658.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Hunter Education Course Being Offered at Wildlife Areas

Image via Wikipedia

Time is running out to get certified for the 2011-2012 hunting seasons

XENIA, OH – The Division of Wildlife will host hunter education courses in November at two wildlife areas in southwest Ohio. These courses will be held at the Rush Run and Fallsville wildlife areas.

Rush Run and Fallsville will host home study courses on Friday evening, November 18th 2011. Students wishing to attend the hunter education courses must register on line athttps://www1.oh.wildlifelicense.com/training_index.php or call 1-800-WILDLIFE to register. Pre-registration is required and course space is limited. Registered participants will be given study information, times and location directions for courses.

“The home-study course can be completed in four hours and allows us the opportunity to offer students a full class in one short session.” said Brett Beatty, Assistant Wildlife Management Supervisor for southwest Ohio.

Completion of a hunter education course is required for all first-time hunting license buyers in Ohio, except those purchasing an apprentice hunting license. The hunter education course covers topics such as firearms, ammunition, gun handling, archery, hunter responsibilities, outdoor safety, wildlife management and conservation, and other related information.

Ohio's hunter education course is accepted all across North America. Ohio offers three types of hunter education courses, which include instructor-led and home-study courses and proficiency testing for those 18 years of age and older. Hunter education courses are offered year round.

Hunter education information can also be found at www.wildohio.com. Courses are limited and filling up quickly. Register today!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Arrests in Illinois Deer Poaching Case

Image via Wikipedia

Giant buck valued at $35,000

SPRINGFIELD, IL –   Charges have been filed against three individuals after an 11-month investigation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Law Enforcement in a deer poaching case. The three men were cited for numerous Wildlife Code violations including the illegal take of a potential state-record whitetail deer, and now face charges through the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“Our Conservation Police Officers are tasked with the mission of protecting the public and our natural resources and they do it effectively and vigilantly,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller. “I am proud of the hard work of the IDNR law enforcement staff and have a warning to those who choose to hunt illegally: We are watching.”

“The IDNR Office of Law Enforcement has zero tolerance when it comes to poaching matters,” said IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. “Our Conservation Police will continue to protect our natural resources so that legal sportsmen get every opportunity they deserve.”

The investigation focused on the unlawful harvest of a 36-point non-typical deer scoring 261 5/8 and valued at $35,000. Charges were filed after a thorough investigation with assistance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Alberta Sustainable Resources Department, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The following individuals were cited on charges related to unlawfully taking a total of 24 deer in Illinois and Canada over a 10-year period. Specific charges were filed as follows:

Christopher Kiernan (age 45, of Minooka, IL)
11 counts of hunting without permission of landowner and being an accessory to the charge
19 counts of unlawful possession of illegally taken deer
5 counts of hunting with invalidated permit
5 counts of unlawfully taking of deer
2 counts of falsifying harvest records
1 count each of: Failure to report harvest on the same day as killed, Fail to tag deer as required

Garret Armstrong (age 31, of Avon, NY)
9 counts of hunting without permission of landowner and being an accessory to the charge
8 counts of hunting with an invalidated permit
4 counts of unlawful possession of illegally taken deer
2 counts of unlawfully taking of deer
1 count each: Failure to tag deer as required,
          Failure to report harvest as required
          Falsifying harvest record

Larry Smith (age 49, of Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada)
1 count each of the following:
Hunting without permission of landowner
Hunting with invalidated permit
Failure to tag deer as required
Unlawful possession of illegally taken deer
Unlawfully taking of deer
Failure to report harvest as required
Falsifying harvest record

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wisconsin: Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey

Image via Wikipedia

The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey will go live online beginning September 17, the opening day of the 2011 deer season. This will be the third year of the survey which asks deer hunters to report their field observations of a variety of wildlife species, hunting conditions and hours spent pursuing game. Deer hunters’ efforts have produced valuable information for estimating abundance and distribution of many of Wisconsin’s wildlife species. Results of previous years are available online.

The past two years, Wisconsin deer hunters have reported a total of 30,000 hunting trips encompassing 176,000 hunting hours. Trips have been reported from all 72 counties in both years. Statewide, deer hunters averaged seeing 0.28 deer per hunting hour in 2010. Deer seen per hour varied between regions with the high being the Western Farmland averaging 0.45 deer per hour and the low being the Central Forest averaging 0.18 deer per hour. The most frequently observed species other than deer were turkeys.

Hunters can find survey instructions, record sightings, and view survey results online at theWisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey webpage. A tally sheet is also available for times when hunters do not have access to the internet or a computer. Hunters should record all of their hunting activity throughout the deer season, even if no wildlife sightings were made. The survey period begins September 17 and runs through January 2012.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Wisconsin Deer hunters asked to report deer, wildlife observations

Image by Claudia Castro via Flickr

MADISON – State wildlife officials are again asking Wisconsin deer hunters to report what they are seeing or not seeing while they are out pursuing deer.

Coinciding with the start of the archery deer season, the Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey goes live online beginning September 17, the opening day of the 2011 deer season. This will be the third year of the survey which asks deer hunters to report their field observations of a variety of wildlife species, hunting conditions and hours spent pursuing game.

“Deer hunters’ efforts have produced valuable information for estimating abundance and distribution of many of Wisconsin’s wildlife species” said Jes Rees, Department of Natural Resources wildlife survey technician. Results of previous years are available online.

“We ask that all deer hunters consider participating in this survey effort. All they need to do is record the date, number of hours, county, deer management unit, weather conditions and the type and number of animals observed during each day of deer hunting,” says Rees. “Hunters can also enter their email address along with their observations and I will send them an email summary of their hunting activity at the end of the survey period.”

Hunters can find survey instructions, record sightings, and view survey results online at the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey webpage. A tally sheet is also available for times when hunters do not have access to the internet or a computer. Hunters should record all of their hunting activity throughout the deer season, even if no wildlife sightings were made. The survey period begins September 17 and runs through January 2012.

The Hunter Wildlife Survey overlaps another citizen-participation survey currently underway. Operation Deer Watch started Aug 1 and runs through Sept. 30. The primary objective of Operation Deer Watch is to determine trends in deer reproductive success by reporting does and fawns seen together during the late summer and early fall.

Trail Camera Photos Wanted

The Wildlife Surveys group is also interested in photographs of rare or endangered species hunters may have captured on their trail cameras. Photos can be emailed to Wildlife Management. shawn.rossler@wisconsin.gov This information will help document their existence and location within the state. Trail camera photos can be viewed in our online trail camera gallery (exit DNR).

Questions about the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey, accessing the tally sheet, reporting your observation, or the results of the survey, can be referred to Jes Rees at (608) 221-6360.

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