North Dakota Special Missouri River Bottom Deer Hunt on Hold

Image via Wikipedia Flooding along the Missouri River north and west of Bismarck has prompted the State Game and Fish Department to put an experimental deer herd reduction hunt on hold.

The agency was going to start issuing up to 200 special antlerless licenses on Aug.1, but Department officials have postponed that process due to uncertainties over habitat condition and deer availability after floodwaters recede.

“This experimental season was designed to reduce deer numbers on private land in a relatively small area,” Randy Kreil, Game and Fish wildlife division chief said. “We had good support from landowners who were committed to hosting hunters, but most of them are dealing with flooding issues. Our agency and the landowners feel it’s better to wait a year and hope that normal conditions will return.”

The experimental season was set up so Game and Fish could match interested hunters with participating landowners. Randomly selected hunters would need to secure written permission from landowners before Game and Fish would issue a special license. The special antlerless licenses would have been valid in all open seasons with the appropriate firearm or archery equipment within the designated unit.

The experimental hunt area included land west of River Road and State Highway 1804, north and west of Bismarck, with Wilderness Cover Road near Pioneer Park as the southern boundary and 149th Ave. NW (north of Double Ditch Indian Village) as the northern boundary. During the regular deer season, much of this area is not open to hunting with centerfire rifles.

While Game and Fish will not issue special licenses, the experimental hunt area is still open to archery and gun hunting for those with appropriate bow or firearm season licenses.

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Kansas Deer Hunters: 5TH ANNUAL TJ’S MEMORIAL YOUTH DEER HUNT SEPT. 10-11

Image via Wikipedia Youth ages 10-16 invited to participate in guided hunt
ELLIS — Thanks to the success of last year’s TJ’s Memorial Youth Deer Hunt, Hunting Heritage Group and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will host the 5th Annual TJ’s Memorial Youth Deer Hunt during the special youth and disabled hunting season. This year, the hunt will be held Sept. 10-11. Hunters will hunt from a blind with an experienced guide/mentor on private land that adjoins Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area, in Trego County. Two young hunters will hunt in specially-designated areas on Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area.
The first morning will consist of classroom instruction along with a trip to the range to sight in rifles. Once rifles are sighted in and everyone has had lunch, guides and youth hunters will go afield. All hunters will return to the meeting area that evening. Those youth who are unsuccessful that day will be invited to hunt the following day.
Youth participants for this hunt must be residents of Kansas ages 10 through 16. In addition, candidates for the hunt must complete and submit an application form by August 13. Application forms may be obtained at the KDWPT website, www.kdwpt.state.ks.us (type “TJ’s” in the search box) or by contacting Natural Resource Officer II Jason Hawman at 785-743-2942. There is no charge for the hunt.
Special hunts like this are part of the Kansas Hunter Recruitment and Retention Program called "PASS IT ON." This program addresses the need to recruit new hunters and retain existing hunters in order to ensure the future of hunting in Kansas.

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Kansas Hunters: FIRST SPECIAL HUNTS APPLICATION DEADLINE NEAR

Image via Wikipedia KDWP offers youth, novice hunts of a lifetime; first application deadline Aug. 15
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Special Hunts Program offers a variety of limited hunts, many designed to introduce youth and novices to hunting in an uncrowded setting with good opportunity for success. Three types of hunts are offered: youth hunts, mentor hunts, and open hunts.
New this year is that only youth will be able to apply for youth hunts. KDWPT will no longer consider an application from an applicant over the age restriction for a youth hunt. Mentors may apply for youth/mentor hunts. Open hunts are open to anyone, and some non-draw special hunts are also offered.
Also new this year is that applicants for draw hunts are required to choose the dates they want for special hunts. In the past, the choice of “Any” was offered, but this is no longer an option. Hunters must select the hunt dates that are offered.
The first application deadline — for special hunts in September and October — is midnight Aug. 14. A random drawing for these hunts will occur the week of Aug. 15, with email notification to successful applicants. The permit and map will be included with this email notification.
The application period for November, December, and January hunts will begin Sept. 1 and run through midnight Sept. 30, with the draw occurring the week of Oct. 3. Successful applicants for these hunts will also receive email notification with a permit and map.
Each special hunt targets specific game species, including doves, upland game, waterfowl, and deer. Some take place during the special youth/disabled deer season Sept. 10-18, some during the youth upland game season Nov. 5-6, and others during special youth waterfowl seasons, which have yet to be set. Still others occur during regular hunting seasons. Special hunts will be conducted in all regions of the state on both public and private land.
Youth hunts are generally open to hunters 15 or younger who must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older, who may not hunt. Mentor hunts are open to youth 17 or younger or anyone who hasn’t hunted in the last three years, and each must be accompanied by a licensed adult mentor. Mentors may participate in mentor hunts. Requirements for each special hunt are outlined in the hunt narratives on the website.
Many veteran hunters find new satisfaction in serving as mentors, introducing a relative, friend, or neighbor to the wonder of the hunt in a wildlife-rich setting. Parents or grandparents may take children or grandchildren who have never hunted but are now showing an interest, but mentors and novices do not have to be related.
Hunter education is not required for youth 15 and younger accompanied by an adult 18 or older. However, persons 16 and older must have a hunting license and hunter education certification. Those 16 and older who do not have hunter education may still participate by obtaining a one-time apprentice hunting license, which exempts them from the hunter education requirement through the calendar year in which it is purchased.
For more detailed information or to apply, go online to www.kdwpt.state.ks.us and click "Hunting/Special Hunts Information." Those who do not have computer access may apply by telephone at 620-672-0791.

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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

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South Dakota - GFP Reports On Chronic Wasting Disease

PIERRE, S.D. – As part of its ongoing surveillance for the presence of chronic wasting disease in deer and elk in South Dakota, the Game Fish and Parks Department tested more than 1,700 animals from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011.

Eight elk and 25 deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease during the period. That compares to seven elk and 21 deer last year, and 14 elk and 21 deer two years ago.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease of the central nervous system found in elk and deer.

GFP began testing for presence of the disease in 1997 and has tested more than 23,000 wild deer and elk. A total of 173 cases of chronic wasting disease were found among the tested animals.

“We have learned that chronic wasting disease has a very low presence in South Dakota, and it has been very rare to find the disease outside of the area where it was originally discovered in the southwestern part of the state,” said GFP big-game biologist Steve Griffin.

This past year, 71 samples were collected from North Dakota hunters in cooperation with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.  Two mule deer tested positive in North Dakota over the past two years in an area north of Corson and Perkins counties in South Dakota.

“We will continue to cooperate with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe on monitoring in both states to determine how prevalent CWD is in the area,” Griffin said.

“We will again be testing this fall,” he added. “One of our primary sources for tested animals is voluntary cooperation from deer and elk hunters in designated areas. The work that hunters do to assist us with this program has been vital to our success in monitoring CWD.”

Antlerless Deer License Applications Go on Sale July 15

Image via Wikipedia

Applications for antlerless deer licenses go on sale Friday, July 15, at all license agents or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. Private land licenses for southern Michigan and Deer Management Unit (DMU) 487 in the Northeastern Lower Peninsula are sold without application, however, and may be purchased beginning Sept. 6 at 10 a.m.

In all, 756,200 antlerless deer licenses will be available in 2011, a decrease from 776,500 available last year. Statewide, public land licenses increased slightly while private land licenses decreased.

Hunters will find more antlerless licenses available in the Upper Peninsula. In 2011, 16 Upper Peninsula DMUs will not have antlerless deer licenses available, compared to 17 DMUs in 2010.

In the Northern Lower Peninsula, antlerless permits have decreased somewhat, largely due to fewer licenses available on private land. Six DMUs will not offer antlerless licenses, compared to five in 2010. All private land licenses for DMU 487 - which includes Alpena, Alcona, Iosco, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle counties - may be used throughout the DMU. As another option for taking antlerless deer only within DMU 487, hunters in the unit may use a firearm or combination license for antlerless deer within the Nov. 15-30 firearm season or the Dec. 9-18 muzzleloader season.

In southern Michigan, the number of available antlerless licenses has been decreased and Kent County (DMU 041) is now part of the larger multi-county DMU 486. All private-land licenses for DMU 486 - which includes all but four counties in southern Michigan - may be used within any county in the DMU.

Applications, which remain on sale through Aug. 15, are $4. Hunters may apply for just one antlerless license - public land or private land. After the drawing, remaining antlerless licenses may be purchased beginning Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. Licenses will be sold until the quotas are met. The season purchase limit for antlerless deer licenses has increased to five statewide, except for DMU 486 and DMU 487 which have no season limit.

Baiting and feeding in limited quantities is now allowed statewide, except for DMU 487, where a total ban remains in effect due to the presence of bovine tuberculosis among deer in that region. Baiting is allowed from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1. Hunters may place no more than two gallons of bait scattered across a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area. The DNR requests that hunters not place bait repeatedly at the same point on the ground and only place bait out when actively hunting. This may minimize the chance of direct and indirect exposure of deer to any diseases that may be present.

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.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report Update

Some very warm humid weather last weekend was followed by some much dryer and cooler weather mid week, has made for generally good to excellent conditions for outdoor recreation, but very warm temperatures are again in the forecast for the upcoming weekend. Most of the state was relatively dry over the past week, with the exception of some heavy rains accompanied by strong winds in the central part of the state early this week.

With the warm weather recreational boating activity continues to increase. Most rivers are running at or slightly above seasonal norms, with rivers in the central and northeast running a bit higher. The Wisconsin River is running about average for mid summer, and plenty of sandbars continue to be available on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.

The Mississippi River is also returning to normal levels and anglers reported walleyes biting. Last week’s very warm temperatures sent some shallower lake water temperatures up into the low 80s for the first time this summer. The quick rise spurred on bass activity in lakes but moved northern pike out into deeper cooler water. Largemouth have become less related to weeds and lily pads, with many moving to more firm overhead cover such as wood, brush piles and bog edges. Smallmouth are also becoming more wood oriented. Walleye success has been sporadic, but musky action improved with musky moving out of shallow weed edges and now suspending off break lines in 8 to 14 feet of water. Swim baits and large crank baits are showing increased success.

On Green Bay, there were reports of good numbers of walleye being caught in 8 to 14 feet of water from Pensaukee to Oconto and off Suamico on the west shore, while action along the east shore slowed. Along Door County, perch fishing has slowed with anglers stating to catch more gobies and rock bass. Smallmouth action was also a bit slower, with most action coming in shallow water around weed beds.

On Lake Michigan, warm water temperatures early in the week ranged from 61 to 63 degrees offshore, but by Sunday dropped anywhere from 56 to 59 degrees. Success out off Manitowoc and Two Rivers was hit-and-miss this week, with fish scattered and anglers trying their luck in various depths. The bag was mostly chinook in the 13 to 20 pound range. The Two Rivers Kiwanis Fish Derby will be held this weekend. In the southeast, trollers out of Sheboygan and Port Washington report the surface bite slowed, and more fish were caught 40 to 50 feet down, with coho and chinook making up the majority of the catch. Fishing off Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha remains good, with coho still active, but also scattered and found in a variety of depths from 50 feet out to 180 feet of water.

Cedar waxwings, pewees, flycatchers, nighthawks, bats, and whip-poor-wills have been very active lately, feeding heavily on flying insects. Common loons had poor nesting success early due to black flies but re-nest attempts are now hatching with a number of broods being reported this week. Over the next week many species of birds will get harder to see as they molt in preparation for migration, and bird feeders will be less active as there are now lots of natural food sources.

Milkweed is blooming and monarch butterflies are finally laying eggs. Other butterflies, many dragonflies and fireflies have also been out in large numbers, but they have unfortunately been joined by large numbers of horse and deer flies.