Tuesday, June 16, 2020

South Dakota: Deer Applications Due by 8 A.M CDT Tomorrow!

The online application deadlines for the 2020 East River, West River, Black Hills, Custer State Park, Refuge, and Muzzleloader Deer hunting seasons are WEDNESDAY June 17th at 8 A.M. CDT

We were made aware of some slight server problems over the weekend. If you were having problems getting your applications through, we encourage you to try again today!

Remember, this is now a combined drawing. In the first drawing, you may select a First and Second Choice in two of the seasons. If you were successful in drawing either special buck licenses, you are only eligible to apply for one of the other seasons.

Apply for License

Monday, June 15, 2020

Apply online for Missouri MDC managed deer hunts starting July 1

Take a shot at more than 100 managed deer hunts throughout the state.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Beginning July 1, deer hunters can apply online through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) website for a shot at more than 100 managed deer hunts throughout the state for archery, muzzleloading, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January at conservation areas, state and other parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public areas. Some managed hunts are held specifically for youth or for people with disabilities.

The managed deer hunt application period is July 1 - 31. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Draw results will be available Aug. 15 through Jan. 15. Applicants who are drawn will receive area maps and other hunt information by mail.

Get more information on managed deer hunts, preview hunt details, and apply starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt.

Details about managed hunts can also be found in MDC's "2020 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information" booklet available starting in early July at MDC offices and nature centers, from permit vendors around the state, and online at mdc.mo.gov.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Fawning season is underway, watch for deer to be on the move

Fawning season is here which means car deer collisions will likely tick up and calls to conservation groups about abandoned fawns will begin.

Iowa’s peak fawning season stretches from middle May to middle June, followed by a second and much smaller peak fawning season in July. Fawning season is preceded by yearling bucks being disbursed by the does as she prepares to deliver this year’s fawns.

These newly on their own yearlings go through a learning curve without adults around, which leads to deer being more visible during the day and more young deer involved in vehicle collisions. Drivers are encouraged to use November rut defensive driving techniques like reducing their speed and avoiding distractions  and scanning road ditches during this time.

After pushing out the yearlings, the does will also be on the move looking for a spot where she feels safe and isolated to give birth. With some urban greenbelt areas experiencing high water, that means the fawns could show up in flower beds, un-mowed yard or field corners or fencerows.

“We see an increase in phone calls this time of year about fawns the caller found “abandoned” in their yard. The reality is that the fawn has been put there by the doe because she determined it to be a safe place and will return frequently to nurse it,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Laying motionless is a survival technique. Fawns are relatively inactive for the first week or so until its legs are ready for it to follow the doe on its own.”

The white spots on a fawns coat is nature's camouflage designed to simulate sunlight penetrating the trees on the forest floor, and will disappear over time, being replaced by brown fur as it grows.

“Our best advice is, don’t disturb it, don’t touch it, and don’t pick it up. The doe is caring for it, in fact she’s probably watching you but you can’t see her,” Coffey said.

As part of the Iowa DNR’s chronic wasting disease management plan, fawns will not be rehabilitated to avoid spreading the always fatal disease.

Friday, September 23, 2016

South Dakota hunters reminded about baiting regs

South Dakota big game hunters are reminded that it is illegal for anyone to place any salt or salt lick or construct, occupy, or use any screen, blind, scaffold, or other device at or near any salt or salt lick for the purposes of enticing or baiting big game animals to the same for the purpose of hunting, watching for, or killing big game.

Additionally, South Dakota hunters may not establish, utilize, or maintain a bait station from August 15 to February 1, inclusive, and from March 15 to May 31, inclusive, to attract any big game animal, including wild turkey.

A bait station is a location where grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay, minerals, or any other natural food materials, commercial products containing natural food materials, or by-products of such materials are placed or maintained as an attractant to big game animals for the purpose of hunting. The use of scents alone does not constitute a bait station. This section does not apply to foods that have not been placed or gathered by a person and result from normal environmental conditions or accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, orchard management, or similar land management activities.

Hunters should also be aware that it is illegal to establish, utilize, or maintain a bait station on lands owned by the department and on properties managed and classified by the department as Game Production Areas, State Parks, State Recreation Areas, State Lakeside Use Areas, State Nature Areas, and State Water Access Areas.

For more information, please check out the online version of the 2016 Hunting Handbook.

2016 Michigan Deer Season Biologist Updates

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Michigan: Suspect deer for chronic wasting disease identified in Ingham County

CWD
CWD (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hunters in DMU 333 reminded of the requirement to have harvested deer from the area checked

Since May 2015, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been actively conducting surveillance for chronic wasting disease (CWD). To date, more than 6,000 deer have been tested since the first positive was found, with seven cases of CWD confirmed.
However, a 3.5-year-old buck taken recently in Meridian Township is likely to be the eighth positive and the first discovered since March of this year. The sample is currently being tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, to finalize confirmation.
The suspect deer was taken as part of the DNR’s CWD management program through targeted sharpshooting, which actively removes deer that are more likely to be affected with the disease in and around areas where previously identified CWD-positive animals had been detected.
“This latest suspect positive reinforces the notion that the disease is still occurring in Meridian Township and perhaps elsewhere,” said Chad Stewart, DNR deer specialist. “We are counting on hunters to bring their deer in for testing so we have a better understanding about the scope of the disease.”
Due to positive deer also detected in DeWitt and Watertown townships, the Core CWD Area has been expanded to now include 17 townships. This area, which is referred to as Deer Management Unit (DMU) 333, consists of Lansing, Meridian, Williamstown, Delhi, Alaiedon and Wheatfield townships in Ingham County; DeWitt, Bath, Watertown, Eagle, Westphalia, Riley, Olive and Victor townships in Clinton County; Woodhull Township in Shiawassee County; and Oneida and Delta townships in Eaton County.  Hunters harvesting deer in these townships are required to submit the deer head for testing during business hours or check-station hours within 72 hours of harvest.
The CWD Management Zone also has expanded; it now includes Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia and Shiawassee counties.  The expanded Management Zone has been renamed DMU 419. The price for an antlerless license in this zone has been decreased 40 percent to encourage hunters to harvest more deer and voluntarily have them checked.
There will be five check stations accepting deer for CWD testing within DMU 333.  These check stations will be operating seven days a week (excluding major holidays).  A complete map of check stations, including locations and hours of operation, is available at mi.gov/cwd
Deer feeding and baiting is prohibited throughout the Core CWD Area and CWD Management Zone. 
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. It is caused by the transmission of infectious, self-multiplying proteins (prions) contained in saliva and other body fluids of infected animals. Susceptible animals can acquire CWD by direct exposure to these fluids, from environments contaminated with these fluids or the carcass of a diseased animal. 
Some chronically CWD-infected animals will display abnormal behaviors, progressive weight loss and physical debilitation; however, deer can be infected for many years without showing internal or external symptoms. There is no cure; once a deer is infected with CWD, it will die. 
To date, there is no evidence that CWD presents any risk to non-cervids, including humans, either through contact with an infected animal or from handling venison. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals. 
Anyone interested in learning more about how Michigan is managing CWD can view the new 2015-2016 Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Surveillance Report.  Additionally, the DNR is holding a Facebook Live event Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. EDT to answer questions about CWD, CWD management and the impacts the disease could have on the future of Michigan’s deer.  Follow the Michigan DNR’s Facebook page for more details.
The DNR provides bi-weekly CWD updates online at mi.gov/cwd. Announcements of additional CWD-positive deer will be posted online as well.

North Dakota Deer Hunters: First-Come, First-Served Deer Gun Licenses Available Sept. 28

A total of 50 antlerless whitetail deer gun licenses are still available in two units after the North Dakota Game and Fish Department recently completed its second lottery drawing. Individual results are available online at the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov.

Whitetail doe licenses remaining in units 3F1 (36 licenses) and 3F2 (14 licenses) will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8 a.m. Central Time on Sept. 28. These licenses are only available online, and to individuals who have not already received a lottery or landowner license

These licenses are valid only during the regular deer gun season, Nov. 4-20. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply.