GFP Commission Proposes South Dakota Deer Hunting Seasons

With decreased deer populations across the state, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed to reduce the number of licenses and tags for many of the state’s deer hunting seasons.

The proposed East River deer season would result in a reduction of 7,240 licenses and a reduction of 20,560 tags compared to 2013. A substantial decrease in antlerless tags is intended to increase deer populations in several management areas. This management response is being implemented where deer populations have declined over the past few years due primarily to outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), habitat loss and weather.

The proposed West River deer season would result in 3,775 fewer licenses with a corresponding reduction in tags by 25,120 (56 percent). Similar to the East River deer season, the most significant reduction in tags for the West River season will be antlerless tags; which are proposed to decrease by 86 percent or 23,145 compared to what was available in 2013.

The Commission proposal for the Black Hills deer hunting season would have no

antlerless licenses for 2014. The Black Hills proposal calls for 200 resident and 16 non-resident any deer licenses and 3,000 resident and 240 non-resident any whitetail deer licenses.

The Department of Game, Fish and Parks recommended no changes to the Custer State Park deer hunting season and will again have 10 any whitetail licenses and 20 antlerless whitetail muzzleloader licenses.

The proposal for the 2014 archery deer hunting season would only allow the harvest of whitetail deer on antlerless deer licenses. Each hunter could only have one antlerless license. In addition, several management units in both the eastern and western parts of the state would be closed to antlerless archery deer licenses. 

Under the Commission proposal, the area used during the archery season east of the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve would be modified and reduced in size. The number of access permits for the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve will be reduced from 10 to 5.

As proposed for the archery season, only whitetail deer could be harvested with antlerless licenses during the muzzleloader season. A hunter would be limited to one antlerless license.

Youth deer hunters could have one antlerless license; which would be valid statewide under the Commission’s proposal.

The Commission’s proposal would reduce refuge deer licenses for residents by 15 and for non-residents by three for the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge. For LaCreek National Wildlife Refuge, licenses will be valid for any deer and no antlerless licenses would be issued.

View the full deer hunting season proposals here:http://www.gfp.sd.gov/agency/commission/archive/2014/May/info-materials.pdf.

View a video explaining updates to deer management and current research projects:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jgoJ8J1qIw.

The Commission will finalize these proposals at their June 5-6 meeting in Yankton at Lewis and Clark Resort. Written comments can be sent towildinfo@state.sd.us To be part of the official public record, comments must be received by 12 p.m. on June 5. Please include your full name along with the city and state of residence. If you would like to comment in person, the public hearing will be held Thursday, June 5, at 2 p.m. CDT at Lewis and Clark Resort in Yankton.

Related articles

• North Dakota Deer Gun Application Deadline is June 4 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• South Dakota: GFP Finalizes West River and Black Hills Deer Hunting Seasons (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• South Dakota Hunting Seasons Proposed (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Michigan DNR honors long-time hunter education instructors

For nearly 70 years, Michigan has conducted hunter education classes for new hunters, teaching firearms safety and the regulations behind having a safe and successful hunt. This year, during special recognition ceremonies at a series of Natural Resources Commission meetings around the state, the Department of Natural Resources is honoring its long-time instructors who have been with the program for more than 40 years.
“Our hunter education program has trained over 1 million hunters since its start in 1946 and currently trains about 20,000 students a year,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “We could not do this without the help of our hunter education instructors who volunteer because of their love of the outdoors and their passion for passing along that love to the next generation of conservation leaders. We are proud to honor them for their longtime commitment to making sure everyone has a safe experience in the woods.”
At least 42 active hunter education instructors have given more than 40 years of service to the program, including Charles Duncan of Bay City who is the longest-serving instructor, having volunteered for over 49 years. Other instructors honored at the May 8 NRC meeting include: 

• Jack W. Cox, Battle Creek
• John W. Dicks, Saline
• Glenn C. Duncan, Bay City (son of Charles Duncan)
• Paul C. Hayes, Flushing
• Carl D. Holsinger, Holland
• Wayne L. Hoyt, Commerce Township
• William Johnston, Alto
• Cloyse Lundie, Durand
• Larry E. Martin, Ovid
• Dennis D. McMahan, Freeland
• William G. Osladil, Utica
• Gary L. Pawlitz, Macomb
• Allan G. Smith, Westphalia
• Verne Spiekerman, Reese
• Larry L. Whitney, Dimondale

While having a crop of seasoned, veteran instructors is an advantage for Michigan’s hunter education program, there also is a need to recruit new instructors in all regions of the state, according to Lt. Andrew Turner who manages the recreation safety program for the DNR's Law Enforcement Division. 
“We greatly appreciate our veteran instructors who have been with the program for more than 40 years," said Turner. "If you have an interest in passing along your experience in hunting to new hunters, we need you in our program. This is a great way to ensure that the sport you enjoy today is enjoyed by future generations.”
For more information on Michigan’s hunter education program, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationalsafety. 

North Dakota Deer Gun Application Deadline is June 4

North Dakota deer hunters are reminded the deadline for submitting applications for the 2014 gun season is June 4. Hunters are encouraged to apply online at the State Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

The deadline applies to muzzleloader, regular gun, gratis and nonresident landowner, and youth antlered mule deer applications (specifically for antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, and 4A-4F).

Gratis applications received on or before the regular deer gun lottery application deadline (June 4) will be issued an any-legal-deer license. As per state law, applications received after the deadline will be issued based on licenses remaining after the lottery – generally only antlerless licenses remain.

A new state law requires residents age 18 or older to prove residency on the application by submitting a valid North Dakota driver’s license number or a North Dakota nondriver photo identification number. Applications will not be processed without this information. 

The deadline for regular statewide youth deer licenses is Sept. 1.

Related articles

• North Dakota Fishing and Hunting Opportunities

North Dakota Spring Mule Deer Survey Complete

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department conducted its annual spring mule deer survey in April, and results indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population has increased 19 percent from last year.

Bruce Stillings, big game supervisor, said the increase is a result of less severe winters the past couple of years, no harvest of antlerless deer in 2012 and 2013, and improved fawn production. The 2014 index is only 7 percent below the long-term average.

“Mule deer numbers are headed in the right direction, but in order to maintain further population growth we need to maintain a conservative management approach, with no antlerless mule deer harvest again in 2014,” Stillings said.

Biologists counted 1,944 mule deer in 306.3 square miles during this year’s survey. Overall mule deer density in the badlands was 6.3 deer per square mile, which is up from 5.3 deer per square mile in 2013, and slightly below the long-term average of 6.8 deer per square mile.

“Although this year’s increase in mule deer is encouraging, there are long-term challenges facing mule deer in the badlands,” Stillings said. “While fawn production increased in 2013, it is still below average. We also have encroachment of Rocky Mountain juniper, predators, winter weather andchanges in habitat quality due to fragmentation and disturbance.”

The spring mule deer index is used to assess mule deer abundance in the badlands. It is conducted after the snow has melted and before the trees begin to leaf out, providing the best conditions for aerial observation of deer. Biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 study areas since the 1950s.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report

The Parnell Tower at the northern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest near Dundee, Wisconsin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spring finally arriving to Wisconsin's Northwoods

Despite some flurries still falling on Thursday, it appears that spring is slowly arriving in the Northwoods. Most of the state is now free of snow on the ground, with the exception of heavily wooded areas in the far north that still have a foot or more of snow. Spring is progressing rapidly in the south, with reports of bloodroot and round lobed hepatica blooming in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Lots of anglers are wondering whether lakes will be ice free in the Northwoods by the May 3 general inland fishing opener. While it depends on the weather between now and then, at this point most lakes still have upwards of 15 inches of ice covering them, so there is a definite possibility that the larger, deeper lakes will still be ice covered, so anglers may want to have alternate plans such as fishing flowages, lakes and spring ponds, as well as streams and rivers.

While northern lakes are still ice covered, access is poor with shorelines having a lot of soft grainy ice and a fringe of open water, so for the most part, the ice angling season has ended. Spring walleye fishing on rivers that remain open year round for game fish had been excellent on some waters, especially northern Lake Michigan tributaries and the Fox, Wolf, Wisconsin and Rock rivers. Action slowed this week, though, with mostly males reported, indicating runs may be coming to a close.

The first signs of the Lake Winnebago sturgeon spawning season were reported this week with pre-spawn activities at numerous sites. As spawning gets closer, male sturgeon actively cruise near the rocked shorelines of sturgeon spawning sites. This "cruising" activity was observedWednesday afternoon at numerous known spawning sites on the Wolf River.

Lake Michigan tributaries were generally running high and muddy but trout and salmon anglers were having some success for steelhead on the East and West Twin Rivers, Menomonee, Root and Pike rivers. A reminder, the early catch and release inland trout season closes this Sunday, April 27.

The spring turkey season is now open and turkeys are starting to break away from the winter flocks. Hunters in the first turkey period saw mild temperatures and conditions overall. With the snow melting in the north, deer have begun to disperse from their deer yards, with many being seen feeding on the grass that has just begun to green up.

The spring bird migration is ramping up, with the vanguard of warblers, including yellow-rumps, palm, pine, orange-crowned, hooded, black-and-white, and northern waterthrush seen in the south. The first whip-poor-wills have returned to the south as well. Overhead, the first kettles of broad-winged hawks have reached Wisconsin from their central and south America wintering areas. Loons are staging on southern lakes such as Mendota and Monona in Madison waiting for ice-out on northern lakes.

This Saturday will be the best opportunity to help out in state parks, with a dozen properties holding Work*Play*Earth Day events. Help out cleaning parks and doing minor maintenance projects in the morning and then stick around to enjoy the park in the afternoon. For information, search the DNR website for Work Play Earth Day.

Related articles

• May 3 inland fishing opener kicks off another exciting year of Wisconsin fishing (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for March 14, 2013 (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Great Lakes Fishing Trips (wisconsinlakes.info)

Deer Management Assistance Program enrollment begins April 29 in Wisconsin

MADISON - Enrollment for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Deer Management Assistance Program will begin April 29, 2014. DMAP provides habitat and herd management assistance to landowners interested in managing their property for deer and other wildlife.

DNR wildlife and forestry professionals will work with participants to develop consistent and realistic goals for their property. In return, participants will share information, collect biological and observational data and attend annual meetings and workshops.

DMAP will offer three levels of participation:

• Level one (no minimum acreage requirement; no fee/three years)
• Level two (160 acre minimum; $75/three years)
• Level three (640 acre minimum; $150/three years)

Level one is intended for landowners interested in learning more about DMAP before deciding to apply for a higher level of enrollment. There is no deadline for

enrolling at level one -- participants will receive habitat and herd management information, annual program reports and invitations to regional DMAP meetings and workshops.

Participants at level two will receive the above benefits, but will also receive eligibility for reduced-price antlerless tags, an on-site visit from local DNR wildlife and forestry staff and a property management plan. Level three benefits include, in addition to those granted in levels one and two, assistance with population monitoring, habitat evaluations and additional site visits as needed. To be eligible for participation in levels two and three in 2014, landowners must apply by May 30, 2014.

Landowners with property within one-half mile of one another may choose to form a group cooperative. Cooperatives are a great way for interested parties to qualify at a higher DMAP level, minimize participation costs and benefit from the consistent application of management practices over a larger area.

Enrollment in DMAP is also an option for public lands that may require specialized deer herd and habitat management attention. Public land managers interested in receiving more information should contact the DMAP coordinator.

In 2014, all level one applications will be accepted for enrollment. However, enrollment in levels two and three will be limited. Applications received in 2014 but not accepted in levels two or three will automatically be enrolled at level one and will be processed for enrollment in higher levels beginning in 2015.

Interested landowners may apply via a MyDMAP online application system that will go live on the DNR website beginning April 29 or by requesting a hard-copy and mailing it to Bob Nack, DNR DMAP coordinator, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921. For more information search the DNR website dnr.wi.gov for keyword "DMAP."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Nack, DMAP Coordinator, 608-264-6137

Related articles

• Landowners and deer benefit from Deer Management Assistance Program (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Pennsylvania Game Commission to Begin Accepting DMAP Landowner Applications (prnewswire.com)

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report

Ruffed Grouse

Spring continues to be a tease, and Mother Nature is presenting many challenges for wildlife.

Heavy rains over the weekend in southern parts of Wisconsin resulted in significant flooding and greening grass. The recent cold weather has quieted the frogs, although some hardy spring peepers are still calling. Other frogs which had been vocal are chorus frogs and wood frogs.

There are numerous migratory birds coming through Wisconsin now, including many waterfowl species that are enjoying high waters along the lower Wisconsin River. Nine loons were observed Sunday on Lake Eau Claire. It is likely they are waiting for the far north lakes to thaw before returning to that area. Another loon was observed at Devil’s Lake State Park last week.

Portions of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area are now open to the public through May 27 for outdoor activities, including spring turkey hunting. In addition to turkey hunting visitors can trap, hike, bird watch, pick mushrooms and berries, bike open roads, study nature and take photographs. There will not be any fishing opportunities and horseback riding will not be allowed during this time period. The U.S. Army is opening many of the lands it still owns at the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant to public use during this time. Visit the DNR website and search keyword “Sauk Prairie Recreation Area” for property hours and maps.

Male ruffed grouse are approaching the peak of their annual breeding activities known as drumming. Males locate a downed log, tree or rock on which to display themselves. Typically the display platform is located in thick vertical cover which provides security from avian predators. The males attract females with a series of repeated, rapid wing strokes with 3-4 minutes between series. As their wings compress the air, they create a vacuum which results in a thumping noise. Wildlife biologists use this drumming behavior to create an index to the grouse population. Each year the same route is traveled and drumming grouse are counted. From year to year, population trends can be determined based on the number of drumming males heard per route. Quiet early mornings, with air temperatures between 25 and 40, are the best times to listen for drumming ruffed grouse.

Spring turkey hunting officially kicked off Wednesday, April 16. Last weekend was the youth turkey hunt and many successes were reported statewide. This week’s high water affected fishing across many parts of the state as waters filled with sediment and debris. Some of the northern inland lakes are still covered with ice but travel on these lakes is dangerous and not recommended.

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress held their annual county meetings Monday, April 14, along with the state’s annual fish and game rules hearings. The WCC is the only statutory body in the state in which citizens elect delegates to advise the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin's natural resources for present and future generations. This year over 7,000 constituents cast ballots at their local county meetings. For results of hearings, visit the DNR website and search keyword “Conservation Congress.”

Related articles

• Spring conservation hearings Monday (wiscnews.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for March 14, 2013 (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• UPDATE: Sauk Prairie land open for recreation (nbc15.com)