Midwest Deer Hunting

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

IOWA: DNR TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS FALL HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATIONS

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting public meetings on March 6, to discuss possible changes in the hunting and trapping regulations for this fall.

The changes would affect deer and waterfowl hunters as well as hunters and trappers who pursue bobcats and otters. Proposed changes would stabilize deer numbers in some areas, potentially add a third zone for waterfowl and increase the harvest number of otters and bobcats.

The list of possible changes is available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/proposed_changes2012.pdf

“These meetings are part of the new process instituted by Governor Branstad last year for making rules in state government,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of the wildlife bureau. “Any changes must be discussed with Iowa’s citizens who might be impacted by the changes. The new process helps ensure that rule changes serve the public’s wishes and do not unnecessarily impact Iowa’s economy.

“The regulation changes for deer would allow deer numbers to stabilize in areas of the state where numbers have been reduced to the department’s goal while still allowing hunters to harvest extra does in areas of the state where numbers need to be reduced,” Garner said. “Without these changes deer numbers in some areas of the state will continue to decline and Iowa will lose its standing as one of the best states for hunting whitetail deer. Failure to make these changes could adversely affect rural areas since deer hunters spend nearly $200 million annually.”

The proposed changes for the waterfowl season are due to a change by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which now allow states to have three zones and a split waterfowl season.

“We surveyed waterfowl hunters twice in the past year and there appears to be increased interest in a third zone,” said Garner. “We need to continue these discussions to decide if this is what hunters really want to see for the next four years.”

Meetings will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the following cities: Ames, Burlington, Carroll, Centerville, Clear Lake, Council Bluffs, Creston, Decorah, Fort Dodge, Johnston, La Porte City, Marshalltown, Onawa, Ottumwa, Peosta, Sheldon and Spencer. Complete addresses along with the proposed regulation changes will be post on the DNR’s website.

For those who cannot make the meeting, comments may be sent to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 23, 2012

Image via Wikipedia

Some much needed snow fell across northern Wisconsin this week, leaving from 3 to 5 inches of fresh snow in the far north central and northeast parts of the state. The new snow allowed snowmobile trail groomers to get out and revive trails some in Iron, Vilas, Oneida, Forest and Marinette counties. Trails were being listed on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) as good to fair in most of those counties, with some poor areas remaining due to heavy use.

Much of the rest of the state remains free of snow, and warm weather continued in the last week, worsening ice conditions on many southern lakes. State recreational safety specialists say shoreline are opening up on many southern lakes, and even some larger lakes, like the Madison area lakes and Beaver Dam lake, have areas of open water. Wardens are recommending ice anglers remove shelters now and not wait for the March 4 deadline to remove shanties from southern lakes. Lakes in northern Wisconsin continue to have a fairly solid foot or more of ice, but river systems are opening up.

Ice fishing success on northern lakes has continued its season-long slow trend, with all species showing very erratic action. Walleye have provided some fair action at times during the past week, but success has been confined to short periods during the day. With the constantly changing weather, fishing for northern pike has also been variable. Panfish action continues to be on the slow side, with anglers really having move around and search for the active fish. Ice anglers on the frozen smaller bays of the Bay of Green Bay continue to report good success for whitefish.

The Wisconsin River is now open through central Wisconsin and walleye fishing has been fair to good below dams, with good numbers of angler reported fishing below the Wisconsin Dells and Prairie du Sac dams. Open water anglers are also having success with brown and rainbow trout on Lake Michigan harbors.

Wildlife officials say the mild weather should be a boon for the deer herd, with strong fawn crops and good buck antler grown usually following mild winters. State wildlife officials will be conducting a series of deer hunter forums around the state in March where hunters can get the latest information on results from last year’s hunts and the outlook for the coming season, and have input on deer management. The format of meetings will vary, but in many cases the local wildlife biologist will provide a brief presentation followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format,

The mild weather has also been a boon for waterfowl and migratory birds, with large flocks of Canada geese being seen returning to many areas. Tundra and trumpeter swans are being seen in many areas. Sandhill cranes have already returned to southern Wisconsin. Bluebirds and robins are being seen in increasing numbers, with some bluebird scouts already checking out nest boxes. Bald eagles and other raptors are also are being seen in good numbers. Bald eagles remain along the Mississippi River, and this Saturday Prairie du Chien will be celebrating Bald Eagle Appreciation Day (exit DNR) with live bald eagle and raptor programs, birding and nature displays, birding experts on hand, outdoor viewing through spotting scopes and more.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Ohio: Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Licenses will be available March 1

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio’s 2012-13 fishing, hunting and trapping licenses and permits will be on sale starting March 1, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

“Ohio’s new license sales system performed very well in its inaugural year,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Customer identification (ID) numbers should be used whenever possible to help streamline the license purchasing process. People can find the number at the top of last year’s license.”

License sales for the 2012-13 license year will be from March 1, 2012 through February 28, 2013. The start date for licenses will no longer be February 15 as it past years.

Licenses purchased online or at retail outlets will be printed on paper that can be folded down to credit card size, but will not be waterproof and must be protected. Licenses and permits will be printed along with additional information relevant to the license or permit purchased.

Each license buyer must have a Social Security Number (SSN) recorded in the system. People who purchased licenses last year can now use their customer ID number and will not have to supply their SSN again.

SSNs are required to purchase a recreational license, regardless of age, for the purpose of child support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42. As a recreational license provider, the Division of Wildlife is obligated to comply with this law and cannot issue a license or permit without the SSN of the purchaser. The division will see that a proper security system is in place to protect SSNs and any databases that contain them.

The license will be valid March 1 through Feb. 28, 2013. The 2011-12 licenses will expire on Feb. 29. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at wildohio.com and at hundreds of agent outlets throughout the state. A complete list of participating license sales agents can be found at wildohio.com.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com

IOWA DEER HARVEST LOWER FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR

Image via Wikipedia

Hunters reported harvesting 121,407 deer in Iowa during the 2011-12 seasons, which is 4.5 percent lower than the 127,094 deer reported in 2010-11. To date, Iowa’s deer population has been reduced by 30 percent from its peak in 2006, and is still declining.

“Deer numbers in many areas are near or below the department’s objective,” said Dale Garner, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau. “We are hearing complaints from hunters that they are not seeing the number of deer that they had in the past and some are voicing their concerns that the herd reduction may have gone too far.”

The DNR will review the harvest and population surveys this spring and make proposals to reduce the deer kill and stabilize deer where deer numbers are at or below the goal. Current data indicates that it will be necessary to adjust the antlerless quota and season structure to stabilize declining deer numbers.

In areas where deer numbers have not reached the department’s goal, hunters will still have the option to kill extra does. Many of these areas are near cities and towns where hunting is restricted due to safety or in southern Iowa where hunting pressure is lower.

There were 392,930 deer licenses issued during 2011-12, down slightly from the previous year’s total of 394,298. Does were the majority (52 percent) of the reported harvest for the seventh consecutive year.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Michigan: NRC Approves Mentored Youth Hunting Program for 2012

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has approved a new program aimed at introducing children under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing. The Mentored Youth Hunting program will start with the 2012 season, with licenses on sale starting March 1.

"The Department is fully supportive of this new program that will help introduce children to the sport of hunting, ensuring that we successfully pass along Michigan's rich outdoor traditions," said Rodney Stokes, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "We wish to thank our many conservation partners who helped develop this program with the NRC, providing a new opportunity for us to interest Michigan's youth in hunting and fishing."

The $7.50 Mentored Youth Hunting license will be a "package" license that includes small game, spring and fall turkey (private or public land), two deer tags (any deer), a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license. An adult mentor must be at least 21 years old, have previous hunting experience and possess a valid Michigan hunting license. Another provision of the law allows 10-year-olds to hunt big game on private land with a firearm, which was implemented starting with the 2011 deer season.

The regulations approved by the NRC for the Mentored Youth Hunting program include:
No limit on the number of youth a mentor can have with him or her in the field, leaving it at the discretion of the mentor.
A limit of two hunting devices ? bow, crossbow or firearm ? per mentor.
The youth in possession of a hunting device and engaged in the act of hunting must be within arm's length of the mentor.
The mentor shall ensure that the hunting device is sized appropriately to fit the physical abilities of the youth to ensure safe and responsible handling.
The mentor will be held responsible for the youth's actions.
The issued deer tags under the Mentored Youth Hunting license can be used for either sex (antlered or antlerless), are not subject to antler point restriction regulations in certain parts of the state and can only be used on private land, consistent with current state law.

Voluntary mentor guidelines have been developed by the DNR, and are available atwww.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting, along with other information about the program.

A workgroup consisting of representatives of several conservation organizations, including three youth representatives, developed recommendations for the regulations, which were adopted by the NRC. Organizations serving on the workgroup included the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Michigan Hunter Safety Education Instructor Association.

Wisconsin: Deer hunter forums to be held around state and on the Internet

Image via Wikipedia

MADISON – The deer hunting seasons might still be months away, but the Department of Natural Resources is already gearing up with a series of deer hunter forums in March. Anyone interested in the opportunity to discuss local deer management issues, hunting seasons, and any other deer topic is encouraged to attend.

Wisconsin has long been known as one of the most publicly-driven deer management programs in the country. And in recent years, thousands of volunteers have gotten involved in deer research projects providing data to estimate the size of the herd and sharing personal observations about hunting success, season structure, and the herd itself.

The March deer hunter forums will put the public in direct contact with the local biologist responsible for managing the local deer herd, and are intended to both share information about deer management and gather information from hunters about deer where they live, hunt or farm.

The format of meetings will vary, but in many cases the local wildlife biologist will provide a brief presentation followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format, allowing attendees to stop in anytime during the scheduled time.

Everyone interested is encouraged to attend the meetings that cover deer management in areas where they hunt or live, but are also welcome to attend any of the meetings.

If unable to attend a live forum, for the first time this year the public will be able to get unit-specific information and contribute feedback through the DNR website. Check the DNR home page for updates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang, Big Game Ecologist (608) 261-7589, Bob Manwell (608) 264-9248 or area wildlife biologists listed for the meeting locations in the meeting calendar.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: These meetings are not to be confused with those being offered by James Kroll, also known as Dr. Deer, as part of the Deer Trustee’s Deer Management Review that is currently underway. Those meetings will take place in April at six locations yet to be announced.]

2012 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Deer Hunter Forum Locations

March 7
- FLORENCE & FOREST COUNTIES - DMUs 39, 40, 44, 50, Florence Natural Resource Center, (Lower Level Large Conference Room), Hwy 101, Florence,,6:30 p.m. Chuck McCullough, 715-623-4190 X-3131
March 12
- RUSK COUNTY - DMUs 18, 19, 23, 24, Ladysmith High School Cafeteria, 1700 E. Edgewood Ave., Ladysmith, 6 p.m. Mark E. Schmidt, 715-532-4369
March 13
- ASHLAND AND BAYFIELD COUNTIES - DMUs 3, 6, 7, 28, 78, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, County Hwy G, Ashland, 6:30 p.m. Todd Naas, 715-685-2914
- CLARK COUNTY - DMUs 27, 55, 57B, 58, Neillsville High School Auditorium, 614 East Fifth St., Neillsville, 5-7 p.m. Tim Babros, 715-284-1423
- PORTAGE & MARATHON COUNTIES - DMUs 33, 46, 57, 57A, 57C, 62A, Best Western Hotel & Conference Center, 5253 Harding Ave., Plover, 5-8 p.m. Cortney Schaefer, 715-359-6405; Jon Robaidek, 608-339-4819 or Wayne Hall, 715-884 2437
- PRICE COUNTY - DMUs 14, 20, 25, 29A, 30, Price Co. Courthouse, Co. Board Rm., 126 Cherry St., Phillips, 6 p.m. Pat Beringer, 715-762-1340
- TAYLOR COUNTY - DMUs 25, 26, 27, 32, Medford Area Senior High School Cafeteria, 1015 W. Broadway Ave., Medford, 6 p.m. Mark E. Schmidt, 715-532-4369
- SHAWANO, WAUPACA, OUTAGAMIE & OCONTO COUNTIES - DMUs 47, 51B, 62B, 63A&B, 65B, Clintonville High School Auditorium & Commons, 64 W. Green Tree Road, Clintonville, 6:30-9 p.m. Kay Brockman-Mederas, 715-526-4226
March 14
- WINNEBAGO & FOND DU LAC COUNTIES - DMUs 66, 68A, Winnebago County - UW-Extension Meeting Rooms A & B, James P. Coughlin Center, 625 E. County. Road 'Y', Oshkosh, 6:30-9 p.m. Bryan Woodbury, 920-424-7886
March 15
- ADAMS, JUNEAU & WOOD COUNTIES - DMUs 53, 54A, 54B, 54C, 56, 57C, Sandhill Wildlife Area, 1715 County Hwy X, Babcock, 5-8 p.m. Cortney Schaefer, 715-359-6405
- CRAWFORD, LA CROSSE, MONROE & VERNON COUNTIES - DMUs 59D, 59M, 72, 74A, 74B, Bekkum Memorial Library (Community Room), 206 North Main, Westby, 4-8 p.m. Dave Matheys, 608-637-3938 or Ron Lichtie, 608-785-9992
- IRON COUNTY - DMUs 28, 29A, 34, Iron County Courthouse, 300 Taconite St., Hurley, 6:30 p.m. Todd Naas, 715-685-2914
- LINCOLN AND LANGLADE COUNTIES - DMUs 32, 42, 43, 52, Langlade Co. Fairgrounds, Clover Rm., Multi-purpose Building, Highway 45, Antigo, 6 p.m. Rick Weide, 715-536-4763
March 19
- BARRON AND POLK COUNTIES - DMUs 15, 16, 21, 22, Turtle Lake High School Library (IMC), 205 Oak St., Turtle Lake, 7 p.m., Kevin Morgan, 715-637-6867 or Michelle Carlisle, 715-554-1728
March 20
- BURNETT COUNTY - DMUs 10, 16, Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitors Center, 102 East Crex Ave., Grantsburg, 7 p.m. Steve Hoffman, 715-463-2896
- DOOR, MANITOWOC, BROWN, CALUMET & KEWAUNEE COUNTIES - DMUs 64, 64M, 69, 80B, 80A, 81, Door County Government Center - Peninsula Room 1st floor, 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay, 6-8 p.m. Aaron Buchholz, 920-755-4983 or Dick Nikolai, 920-832-1804
- GRANT & LAFAYETTE COUNTIES - DMUs 73A, 73B, 73D, 73B-CWD, 75D-CWD, Grant County Youth and Ag Building, 916 East Elm St., Lancaster, 6-8 p.m. Dan Goltz, 608-375-4231 or Bruce Folley, 608-575-9288
- JACKSON & TREMPEALEAU COUNTIES - DMU, 59C, Blair Taylor High School, N31024 Elland Road, Blair,,7 p.m. Kris Johansen, 608-685-6222
- MARINETTE & OCONTO COUNTIES - DMUs 41, 44, 45, 49A, 49B, 50, 51A, 51B, 63B, Crivitz Village Hall, 800 Henriette St,Crivitz, 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Dave Halfmann, 715-856-9160 or John Huff, 715-582-5047
- ONEIDA AND VILAS COUNTIES - DMUs 29B, 31, 35, 36, 37, 38, James Williams Middle School Auditorium, 915 Acacia Lane,Rhinelander, 6 p.m. Jeremy Holtz, 715-365-8999 or Michele Woodford, 715-356-5211 x207
- WAUSHARA & WAUPACA COUNTIES - DMUs 65A, 65B, 67A, 67B, Wautoma High School, 514 S Cambridge St. Wautoma (West side of Wautoma on Highways 21 & 22), 5-8 p.m. Paul Samerdyke, (920)787-7428
March 21
- BUFFALO COUNTY - DMU 61, Alma School Gym, State Highway 35 N, Alma, 7 p.m. Kris Johansen, 608-685-6222
- DANE & GREEN COUNTIES - DMUs 75A-CWD, 76 -CWD, 76M-CWD, DNR Office, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, 6- 8 p.m. Mike Foy, 608-273-6275 or Nancy Frost, 608-275-3250
- DOUGLAS AND BAYFIELD COUNTIES - DMUs 1, 1M, 2, 4, 8, 9, Maple Town Hall, 11037E U.S. Highway 2, Maple, 6:30 p.m. Greg Kessler, 715-372-8539 X-115
- DUNN, PEPIN, EAU CLAIRE & CHIPPEWA COUNTIES - DMUs 22A, 59A, 59B, Dunn County Fish and Game Clubhouse, 1600 Pine Ave., Menomonie, 3-6 p.m. Jess Carstens, 715-232-1519
- WAUKESHA, WALWORTH & MILWAUKEE COUNTIES - DMUs 77B-CWD, 77C-CWD, 77C, 77M, Wern Valley Sportsman’s Club, S36 W29657 Wern Way, Waukesha, 6 - 8 p.m. Brian Glenzinski, 262- 574-2116 or Marty Johnson, 262- 884-2391
March 22
- DODGE COUNTY - DMU, 68B, Horicon Marsh Education Center, Classrooms, N7725 STH 28, Horicon, 6-8 p.m. Chris Cole, 920-387-7883
- SAWYER COUNTY - DMU 13, Hayward High School Auditorium, 10320 Greenwood Lane, Hayward, 6 p.m. Laine Stowell, 715-634-9659 Ext. 3527
March 24
- ST. CROIX & PIERCE COUNTIES - DMUs 60A, 60B, 60M, Peace Lutheran Church; Hwys. 63 and County N (1/2 mi south of I-94),Baldwin, 9 a.m.-noon. Mike Soergel, 715-684-2914 ext. 111
March 26
- WASHBURN AND EASTERN BURNETT COUNTIES - DMUs 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, Spooner High School Choir Room (From main doors, go right, past auditorium), 801 County Road A, Spooner, 6:30 p.m. Nancy Christel, 715-635-4091
March 27
- IOWA AND RICHLAND COUNITES - DMUs 70A-CWD, 70C-CWD, 70D-CWD, 71-CWD, 75C-CWD, Arthur’s Supper Club, E4885 State Roads 14 & 23, Spring Green, 6-8 p.m. Dan Goltz, 608-375-4231 or Becky Roth, 608-588-3432
- SHEBOYGAN, FOND DU LAC, WASHINGTON & OZAUKEE COUNTIES - DMUs 68B, 69, 69C, 77C, 77D, 77E, 77M, Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center, N2875 Highway 67, Dundee, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Dan Weidert, 920-892-8756 X- 3040 or Tom Isaac, 262- 670-3409
March 28
- JEFFERSON & ROCK COUNTIES - DMUs 76A, 77A, Fort Atkinson High School Library, 925 Lexington Blvd. Fort Atkinson, 6-8 p.m. Charlie Kilian, 920-648-3054 or Mike Foy, 608-273-6275
March 29
- SAUK AND COLUMBIA COUNTIES - DMUs 70B-CWD, 70G-CWD, 54B-CWD, 70E-CWD, 70-CWD, UW-Baraboo Campus Cafeteria, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo, 6-8 p.m. Sara Kehrli, 608-635-8123 or Becky Roth, 608-588-3432
An additional meeting for Walworth, Racine and Kenosha county DMUs 77B-CWD, 77C-CWD, 77C, 77M will be scheduled at the Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville at a date and time yet to be set. Check the DNR Public Hearing and Meeting Calendar for updates. Contact Brian Glenzinski at 262-574-2116 or Marty Johnson at 262-884-2391 for information.

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

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

IOWA: DNR TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS FALL HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATIONS

Related articles

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 23, 2012

Related articles

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Ohio: Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Licenses will be available March 1

Related articles

IOWA DEER HARVEST LOWER FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR

Related articles

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Michigan: NRC Approves Mentored Youth Hunting Program for 2012

Related articles

Wisconsin: Deer hunter forums to be held around state and on the Internet

2012 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Deer Hunter Forum Locations

Related articles

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Ohio: Hunter Education Instructor Training Offered in Akron

Related articles