Minnesota Deer Hunting Applications Due Sept. 6

Deer hunting licenses are now available for purchase. Hunters who want an either-sex deer or special hunt permit for the coming season must apply by Thursday, Sept. 6, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Hunters should carefully review the list of lottery areas, because many of these permit areas have not been lottery areas for a significant period of time. Currently, 58 of the state’s 127 permit areas are lottery areas.
Many of these areas, focused in the northwest, north central and a portion of northeast Minnesota, were designated lottery areas in response to hunter desire to see higher deer populations.
People can purchase a deer license and apply for the lottery or a special hunt at any DNR license agent, by telephone at 888-665-4236 or online. Lottery winners will be notified in October.
Hunters can apply for lottery deer areas and special hunts using both their firearm and muzzleloader licenses. Although a hunter can be selected for both licenses, successful applicants still can only take one deer. In the case of special hunts, a person may draw both a firearm and muzzleloader permit, in which case they must adhere to the bag limits established by each special hunt.
Lottery deer areas in 2012 are permit areas 103, 108, 110, 118, 119, 122, 169, 171, 172, 183, 184, 197, 199, 234, 235, 237, 238, 250, 251, 252, 253, 258, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298 and 299.
DNR encourages hunters to review new deer hunting regulations, permit area designations and boundary changes before applying. Current and up-to-date information is available online or  and www.mndnr.gov/regulations/hunting.

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DNR, MDARD update Michigan’s plan for managing chronic wasting disease

CWD (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Natural Resources Commission adopted changes to chronic wasting disease baiting and feeding regulations, as outlined in the state’s newly revised CWD response plan, at its regular monthly meeting Thursday in Lansing.

Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams recently signed the first revision to the CWD plan since it was adopted a decade ago.

The updated plan takes into account the large amount of research and case studies on CWD that have become available since Michigan’s original Surveillance and Response Plan for Chronic Wasting Disease of Free-ranging and Privately Owned Cervids was finalized in 2002.

“This plan is critical in guiding our state’s response to CWD, as it did when the disease was found here a few years ago,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “Much of the 2002 plan is still valid and sound, but we now know a lot more about what causes CWD, how it is spread, what the public thinks about how the disease should be addressed, and the results of CWD management efforts in other states. In light of this, we decided that some modifications to the plan were in order.”

“CWD is a reportable disease, so if the disease is detected in free ranging cervids or a Michigan Privately Owned Cervid facility, we will define a surveillance zone around the positive case,” said State Veterinarian Steven Halstead. “This plan should protect Michigan’s cervid industry as well as Michigan’s free-ranging deer population while meeting our ultimate goal of safeguarding animal health.”

The principal changes to the plan are:

• The plan will be implemented if a CWD-positive animal is found within 10 miles of the Michigan border, rather than 50 miles as in the original plan.
• Baiting and feeding will be banned in any county within a 10-mile radius of where CWD is detected.
• All Privately Owned Cervid facilities within that zone will be required to complete increased disease testing of their herds to monitor for signs of CWD.
• If the disease is diagnosed in a Privately Owned Cervid facility, all facilities that have had contact (through purchases, sales or immediate contact) will undergo increased disease surveillance testing, and exposed animals will be removed from contact herds.

These changes eliminate the peninsula-wide management provisions for dealing with a CWD occurrence.

Actions that remain from the original response plan include: immediate baiting and feeding bans; a restriction on removing anything more than the boned meat, hide, and antlers of a deer or elk taken within the CWD management zone; and mandatory CWD testing of animals remain in effect.

Michigan’s Regional Deer Advisory Teams and a variety of hunting groups have reviewed the modified plan.

The updated plan, and more information about CWD, is available online at www.michigan.gov/cwd.

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.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is committed to assuring the food safety, agricultural, environmental, and economic interests of the people of the State of Michigan are met through service, partnership and collaboration.

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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for August 9, 2012

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Get ready to pitch your tent, wet a line, or lace up the hiking boots. If the forecast holds, this could be one of the nicest weekends of the summer.

All of Wisconsin received rain in the last week, ranging from about a quarter of an inch in the southeast to up 2 inches in some central areas. The Flambeau River in the north continues to be at good levels for paddlers, but the Lower Wisconsin continues to remain very low and it is getting more difficult to follow the main channel, but there are lots of great sandbars for camping.

Fishing has been good on both the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers and catches of walleye and smallmouth bass were being reported on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Smallmouth were also being caught on the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers. The Fox, Wolf, Manitowoc and Wisconsin have all been productive areas for catfish, which have been very active with the warm water temperature.

Some nice catches of bluegills have been reported of shore in Lake Monona along the Monona Terrace and anglers in boats have been drifting parts of Lake Monona have been catching limits of decent sized bluegills. Lake Mendota has been pretty good lately as well. Many fishermen are catching nice bluegills and perch anywhere along the weed lines in 12-30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are still really biting on Lake Mendota as well.

Walleye action continued along both shores of Green Bay and smallmouth action continued along most of the Door County Peninsula, but was better on the bay side. Lake Michigan trollers have been catching mostly chinook, along with a few rainbows, coho, and lake trout.

Bear baiting is in in full swing, and some hunters are worried that the large berry and acorn crop in the north may keep them off baits. Deer are roaming, with many sightings of does with two fawns. White-tailed bucks are still in full velvet.

Wild blackberries are near their peak in the north, but raspberries and blackberries are past peak in the drought prone areas of the south. Native prairie flowers such as blazing stars, asters, rosinweed, wild bergamot, and various goldenrod species are flowering. Unfortunately, several invasive plants are also blooming; keep an eye out for bull thistle, tansy, and spotted knapweed. Burdock is also blooming now. Check the DNR website for how this plant’s flowers not stick to clothes and pets, but have been found to be yet another threat to bats.

We salute Smokey Bear, long-time champion of forest protection and wildfire prevention, who turns 68 today. Despite recent rain, emergency burning restrictions remain in effect in 11 counties in central and southern Wisconsin.
Mid-August marks the beginning of the peak of the fall migration for many species of birds bound for far-flung wintering grounds in central and South America. People will be able to join DNR biologists Kim Grveles and Andy Paulios for a live chat at noon on Wednesday, August 15 to get answers where to go birding, what birds to expect, and how to make yards or properties a migratory “hotspots.” Check the DNR website on Tuesday Aug. 14 for details on participating.

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Changes Made In South Dakota Muzzleloader Season And Hunter Accompaniment

MILBANK, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has decided to allow the use of smokeless powder, peep sights and other optics not employing magnification during hunting seasons restricted to muzzleloading rifles.

The changes will allow muzzleloader enthusiasts to use optics such as red dot and aim points to improve their sight picture without magnification.

The Commission also decided to allow a person hunting small game with a shotgun and shotshells to accompany a licensed firearm big-game hunter in the field. However, small-game hunters who accompany big-game hunters may not use dogs.

The Commission also has voted to formalize a process allowing people to rehabilitate resident wildlife species.  The process does not include migratory birds, which are covered by federal permits. Previously, there was no process to allow rehabilitation of non-migratory animals.

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virus claiming deer in midwest, iowa not immune

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is receiving scattered reports of dead deer around water. This is likely the result of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD.

 “Losses due to EHD occur annually, usually at low levels and in localized areas,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa DNR.  “In dry years it can be worse as deer are more concentrated around water and since the disease is spread by a biting midge more deer can become infected. This could be one of those years and DNR staff have been on the lookout for increased incidence of the disease.”

EHD causes high fever in deer and their cell walls in their heart, lungs and diaphragm to weaken and burst. Infected deer are attracted to water to combat the fever and dehydration due to the hemorrhaging.  

“The last widespread outbreak in Iowa was 1998.  Even then the impact on hunting was minimal,” said Garner. 

If anyone sees a sick or dead deer near water, they should call their local conservation officer or wildlife biologist. 

“We would like to collect tissue samples to identify what strain of EHD we are dealing with and to rule out any other cause of death,” Garner said.

The disease is also showing up in Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri and Michigan. EHD remains active until rain disperses the deer or a heavy frost kills the midges.

South Dakota Archery Hunters Can Apply For Limited Access Permits In Sioux Falls, Blood Run And Adams Homestead

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota archery hunters are eligible to apply for free, limited-access permits in three areas in the southeastern portion of the state.
Access permits for the city of Sioux Falls will be for antlerless deer only.  The Blood Run Nature Area and the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve will each have any-deer and antlerless-deer access permits.  Archery hunters need to purchase an applicable statewide archery deer tag prior to applying for access permits.
The signup period for the three areas will be from July 23 – Aug 17.  Hunters can sign up at http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/big-game/deer/archery.aspx
When signing up, archery hunters must provide email addresses because email is the only way they will be notified about successfully obtaining access permits.
The Blood Run Nature Area and Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Archery Access Permits will be valid from Oct 1 – Dec. 31.   Each access permit will allow the taking of one deer, with the type of deer license specified on the permit.  The number of access permits to be issued for the areas are as follows:
Blood Run – Five any-deer and five antlerless-deer
Adams Nature Preserve – Five any-deer and 45 antlerless-deer.
Applications for Blood Run and Adams Nature Preserve are combined; a person can make only one access permit application for the two areas. An access permit will only be valid on Blood Run or Adams, not both.  A hunter will not be eligible for multiple access permits in the first draw for Blood Run and Adams.  However, if there are leftover access permits after the first draw, hunters may pick up additional access permits. Archery hunters may apply for a first and second choice.
“These permits will provide a unique opportunity to provide hunting access on very controlled areas of public land.  A limited number of hunters will be permitted to hunt on those sites in order to control deer numbers and minimize damage to neighboring properties, “ said Arden Petersen, regional supervisor with the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.  “To ensure safety and minimize the impact on other park users and adjacent homeowners, a limited number of access permits are being issued to archery hunters only.”
The Sioux Falls Archery Antlerless Deer Permit will also will be valid from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, and will once again allow hunting on 11 designated zones in the northeastern part of the city.
"This is the third year of the Sioux Falls hunt, which was created through a cooperative agreement with Game, Fish and Parks, the City of Sioux Falls and landowners as a means of reducing the population of deer in the city", Petersen said.
Each zone will have seven sets of two-week archery hunting intervals, for a total of 77 permits.  One change from last year is that when applying for access permits, hunters will now be able to choose which interval period they wish to hunt. The hunter will be assigned a zone, if successful in the draw.  People will be able to choose a first and second choice of interval periods.  However, people applying for the Disabled Unit will be assigned their session in the draw.
The season interval periods for the Sioux Falls Access Permits are as follows:
Sept.  26 – Oct.  9
Oct. 10 – 23
Oct. 24 – Nov.  6
Nov.  7 – 20
Nov . 21 – Dec 4
Dec.  5 – 18
Dec.  19 – Jan.  1
Disabled Unit – Hunt dates will be assigned by draw.
If drawn for any of the Sioux Falls access permits, hunters must attend a mandatory meeting prior to hunting.  Successful Access Permit Holders will be notified by GFP about the dates and places for those meetings.
For more information on those seasons, visit: http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/big-game/deer/archery.aspx 

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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for July 26, 2012

Much needed rain has fallen across most of Wisconsin in the last week, somewhat relieving the severe drought conditions in the south, but most of southern and central Wisconsin remains dry and emergency burning restrictions remain in place in all or parts of 17 counties. Fortunately, fire danger levels have dropped in much of the state, but they remain high in some central counties.

Angling success has been generally fair across the Northwoods, but with the hot and dry weather of the last few weeks recreational boating has provided most of the activity on many waters. In the south, perch fishing has been fair to good on Lake Winnebago, and panfish continue to bite through the Madison chain of lakes. Heavy weed growth has slowed fishing on inland southeastern lakes.

Walleye action continues to be good along the west shore of Green Bay but smallmouth bass action was slower this week along the Door County peninsula. Warm water is still present in roughly the top 50 feet of water along Lake Michigan and trollers had to work harder to find fish in deeper water, but were still bring in a mixed bag of trout and salmon.

If a little rain didn’t refresh you, and the heat and humidity across much of the state has you down it might be time to begin looking to cooler fall days ahead and start getting hunting gear and licenses updated and ready, beginning with preparing for the first ever wolf hunt.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved a quota of up to 201wolves that could be harvested during the first season, and state wildlife officials say it is very important if someone has any interest in hunting wolves, that they apply for a permit this year. The quota and permits available to nontribal hunters and trappers will be determined after tribes make their declarations of the harvest quota for the Ceded Territory. The season will run Oct. 15, 2012 through Feb. 28, 2013. Unsuccessful hunters will be awarded a preference point. Permit applications may be purchased at any license vendor, online and by telephone. The permit application fee is $10. The license fee is $100 for residents; $500 for nonresidents. Information on the hunting season proposal can be found on the DNR website dnr.wi.gov search for keyword “wolf.”
Sportspeople are reminded that August 1 is also the deadline to apply for fall turkey hunting permits, Upriver Lakes Winnebago system sturgeon spearing tags, and bear, otter and fisher permits.

Karner blue butterflies started their second flight two to three weeks earlier than normal, and all Karner recovery sites in the Central Forests areas from Waupaca east to Black River Falls have finished their second flight with only a few stragglers left out there. The raspberry crop is at its peak in the Northwoods and the blackberry crop looks like it will also be good with the recent rain. The adult shorebird migration is near peak and songbird migration has begun with reports of Tennessee warbler and yellow-bellied flycatchers outside their breeding ranges. See more in a new Karner blue butterfly feature on the DNR website.

Wild bergamot, brown- eyed Susans, lesser daisy fleabane, the water lilies, some of the aster varieties, orange hawkweed, wild columbine, ox eye daisy

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