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Hunting outlook outstanding for 2008 deer hunting season

MADISON – The first of the major 2008 gun deer seasons opens Oct 16 with a four-day antlerless only hunt. All signs point to a healthy and abundant whitetail deer herd and the Department of Natural Resources wishes hunters a satisfying and safe hunt.

Even after a pretty tough winter in parts of the state and a harvest of more than 520,000 deer in the 2007-08 seasons, the deer herd is still a good deal larger than established population goals in much of Wisconsin. Wildlife biologists estimate that the herd numbers between 1.5 and 1.7 million animals going into the fall 2007-08 seasons.

Managing Wisconsin’s deer herd is a long term commitment, according to Keith Warnke, DNR deer and bear ecologist. With herd control and earn-a-buck (EAB) season structures and strong hunter commitment to herd management through hunting, Warnke says, the state is making progress toward population goals. Large antlerless deer harvests will always be needed, however, even with populations near goal, to stay at desired levels.

The Oct. 16 to 19 antlerless hunt will be held in deer management units across Wisconsin that are listed as Earn-a-Buck and CWD management, and in most units listed as Herd Control (See map for details). All hunters except waterfowl hunters are required to wear blaze orange clothing in any area that is open to gun deer hunting.

A complete review of preseason forecasts, unit descriptions, season dates, successful hunting tips, deer impacts on the ecosystem, Earn-a-Buck qualification and directions for hunters wanting to check their EAB status go to the deer hunting page of the DNR Web site.

Regional season forecasts in brief

Northern Region

A more complete review of the Northern Region’s deer outlook for 2008 is also available.

In the north in 2008 biologists want to give the October antlerless gun season a good chance in herd control units rather than using Earn-A-Buck (EAB). We are keeping the EAB option on the table for next year if we do not get enough antlerless deer harvested in the 27 EAB watch units.

Northern Region hunters will be asked to participate in disease surveillance deer head collection in 2008. DNR will be collecting all adult deer heads (no fawns) from 18 Northern Wisconsin counties including: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn. A sample of 500 deer heads from each county is required for disease surveillance. Periodic disease surveillance is necessary to maintain a healthy deer herd.

Much of Northern Region had a harsh winter throughout in 2007-08 impacting deer survival and recruitment. There were 31 DMUs east of a line approximately from Ashland to Ladysmith where the Winter Severity Index (WSI) was well above 90 (a severe rating) and many stations reported above 100 (a very severe rating). History reminds us that fawn to doe ratios have been about 20 percent lower after severe winters and the buck kill has fallen as much as 25 percent when the WSI is well over 100 in Northern Forest Units. The end result was that several units dropped off Herd Control status and antlerless quotas were reduced in others. See the 2008 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet for maps and details on hunting unit status.

Northeast Region

A more complete review of the Northeast Region’s 2008 deer outlook is also available.

Deer hunting opportunities and deer populations in the DNR’s Northeast Region vary from north to south in 2008. Hunters should review the regulations for season structure in units they have traditionally visited as there are some changes from 2007.

Northern Forest DMUs in Marinette and Oconto counties are at or near management goals. These units were affected by cold temperatures and deep snow during the winter of 2007-08. Permit levels were set to reflect both the population level and the expected reduction in productivity due to winter severity. All of these units will have the traditional hunting structure plus a December antlerless season.

In the southern two-thirds of the region deer populations remain above population goals. Many of these units had Earn-a-Buck regulations in 2006 and 2007. Harvest numbers have been high over the last two seasons and progress in managing populations was noted in many of the units. Some units have come out of Earn-a-Buck regulations although populations are high enough to maintain liberal hunting opportunities. Herd Control regulations will be in effect in many. See the 2008 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet for maps and details on hunting unit status.

West Central Region

A more complete review of the West Central Region’s deer outlook for 2008 is also available.

Deer remain plentiful in the 19 counties of the DNR West Central Region, and with the return of the four-day October hunt in most of the region, hunting opportunities are plentiful as well.

While hunters have been able to reduce deer numbers in some areas, every deer management unit in the region is above deer population goals. All but five of the 29 west-central Wisconsin deer management units will once again have an October season.

All deer management units in the west-central region will see either a Herd Control or Earn-a-Buck framework in 2008. The free antlerless tag issued with each gun and archery license can be used in any of these units. Additional antlerless tags can be purchased for $2 each.

The central forest units – 53, 54A, 55, 56, 58 – are Herd Control units this year but will not have an October gun hunt because over the last two years, hunters met the benchmark of two antlerless deer harvested for every buck. However, another high harvest of antlerless deer is necessary if these units are to remain without an October gun season in the future. See the 2008 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet for maps and details on hunting unit status.

South Central Region

A more complete review of the South Central Region’s deer outlook for 2008 is also available.

Overall, South Central Region will offer abundant deer hunting opportunity this fall. Deer numbers throughout the DNR South Central Region which includes the counties of Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, and Sauk continue to be significantly over population goals. Although the region experienced higher than normal snowfall throughout the winter, deer adjusted their feeding locations and as a result, starvation of deer in the region was not detected. We feel the winter didn’t have a negative impact on the population.

As a result of the continued population growth, all South Central Region deer management units within the CWD management zone and the three units outside of the zone -- 68B, 73B, and 73D -- will have Earn a Buck Season Structure this fall. Hunters who want to earn their buck sticker prior to the nine-day season will need to do so during the archery season or the four-day October antlerless gun season or have an unused sticker earned in 2007.

If hunters within the CWD Management Zone find freezer space at a premium but are still interested in providing food for people in need, a coalition of community action programs, conservation organizations and the Wisconsin DNR will be launching the Target Hunger Initiative. More information and a list of participating meat processors will be available on the South West Community Action Programs Web site closer to the fall seasons. See the 2008 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet for maps and details on hunting unit status.

Southeast Region

A more complete review of the Southeast Region’s deer outlook for 2008 is also available.

The 2008 deer harvest for the Southeast Region will likely be as high -- or higher -- than the 2007 season. Impacts from extreme weather events of last winter and spring may have had some local impacts on deer and fawn recruitment, but deer populations remain above goal throughout the region.

Significant portions of the Southeast Region fall under Earn-a-Buck rules in 2008. Hunters are urged to check the 2008 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations to determine the kind of unit they hunt in and utilize the October antlerless season to “Earn their Buck” if need be so they are ready for opening morning of the November 9-day season. Extra venison can be donated at participating deer processors. Check the DNR Web site or your local DNR service center in early fall for a list of processors.

Deer populations within the eight southeast counties (Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha) continue to be highly variable due to diverse habitat conditions and variations in hunting pressure. Some of the best deer habitat is found in the Kettle Moraine State Forest and within our DNR wildlife areas located throughout the region.

The remainder of the region is covered by urban areas and agricultural landscapes with inclusions of scattered habitat that deer also utilize.

All CWD Management Zone deer management units, with the exception of metro units, are open to rifle hunting in 2008. However some local units of government may have shotgun only restrictions within their jurisdictions Hunters should always check with local municipalities on their ordinances to determine if there are any prohibitions regarding firearms or archery equipment.

Hunters in southwestern Walworth and southeastern Rock counties may be required to submit their deer heads for CWD testing. There will be limited hunter testing elsewhere. Chronic wasting disease sampling and testing will continue to be conducted free of charge and the test results will be provided to the hunter by the DNR.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke, Madison, (608) 264-6023
Mike Zeckmeister, Northern Region Wildlife Supervisor (715) 623-4190
John Huff, Northeast Region Wildlife Biologist (715) 582-5047
Kris Belling, Westcentral Region Wildlife Supervisor (715) 839-3736
Eric Lobner, Southcentral Region Wildlife Supervisor (608) 275-3474
Tami Ryan, Southeast Region Wildlife Supervisor (414) 263-8710

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Baiting and feeding deer has potential to spread disease, limit deer movement

MADISON – With the fall deer hunting seasons just around the corner, wildlife managers at the Department of Natural Resources wish hunters a safe season and also ask them to help Wisconsin sustain a healthy deer herd.

“While currently legal in areas outside of the CWD zone, we are asking all hunters and citizens this year to refrain from the baiting and feeding of deer throughout the state,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “TB has been identified in the Minnesota deer herd and CWD was recently discovered in Michigan deer. Eliminating the baiting and feeding of deer is a cost-effective way to substantially reduce the risks of spreading disease in Wisconsin's deer herd. Baiting and feeding also artificially increases the deer population,” Frank said.

“Baiting and feeding of deer threatens not only the health of our deer population but our dairy industry and forest industry as well, increasing the risk of TB being transferred from deer to dairy cows. And an artificially high deer population threatens regeneration of our forests with the potential for negative impacts on our forest and wood products economy,” Frank said.

Concerns associated with baiting and feeding have grown

Concerns associated with baiting and feeding have grown in recent years. Scientific studies have concluded that the deadly disease in deer, chronic wasting disease or CWD, can be spread between deer through saliva and at contaminated sites such as baiting and feeding locations. Research conducted at Sandhill Wildlife Area concluded that even with limiting the quantity of bait placed, the potential for disease transmission continues.

DNR wildlife health officials say both CWD and Tuberculosis (TB) are transmitted through deer to deer contact and concentrations of deer at bait and feeding stations are likely to promote the transmission of infectious agents. CWD is also transmitted through exposure to a contaminated environment and TB is transmissible from contaminated food and feed sites.

“Baiting and feeding cause unnatural concentrations of deer and their activity increasing the risk of disease infection and spread,” says Dr. Sarah Hurley, DNR veterinarian and land program manager. “Repeated use of feeding and baiting areas poses a long term risk of disease transmission.”

Baiting and feeding also likely contribute to the extraordinary high deer populations of recent years, according to Keith Warnke, DNR big game specialist.

Wisconsin’s deer heard is now estimated to be between 1.5 and 1.7 million animals.

“Baiting and feeding are likely supporting a higher winter survival rate and a greater recruitment of fawns in the spring. Unnaturally higher deer numbers result in negative impacts such as more deer/vehicle collisions, more crop damage for farmers, stunted forest regeneration, and more deer browsing, which hurts Wisconsin forestes,” Warnke said.

Baiting and feeding history in Wisconsin

Baiting increased in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Today, except for counties that have CWD or Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) detected in wild or domestic deer and elk (or cervids as they are known to biologists), and in the adjacent counties, placing 2 gallons of bait or feed per site is legal.

Warnke notes that currently 25 states have a complete ban on baiting for deer hunting, 12 states have partial baiting restrictions (including Wisconsin), and 13 states have no restrictions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023

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Precautions for Eating Deer Harvested with Lead Ammunition

MADISON - Deer harvested with lead bullets have been shown to potentially have tiny lead particles or fragments remaining in the processed meat. These are often too small to be seen and can disperse far from the wound channel. Although lead in venison does not rival lead paint in older homes as a health risk for the public, the risk is not low enough to ignore. Children under 6 years and pregnant women are at the greatest risk from lead exposure.

The amount of lead found in a small percentage of venison samples suggests that long term effects of lead consumption could occur in people who regularly eat venison shot with lead ammunition. However, there is currently no known evidence linking human consumption of venison to lead poisoning.

These suggestions can reduce exposure to lead in venison:

• Consider alternative non-lead ammunition such as copper or other high weight-retention bullets, such as bonded bullets.
• Practice marksmanship and hunting skills to get closer, making cleaner, lethal shots away from major muscle areas. Aim for the neck or the vitals behind the shoulder. Don’t shoot at running deer.
• Avoid consuming internal organs, as they can contain extra lead from heart-lung shots.
• Request your meat processor to not use deer meat with excessive shot damage. If you process your own venison, trim a generous distance away from the wound channel and discard any meat that is bruised, discolored or contains hair, dirt, bone fragments or grass. Do not use deer with excessive shot damage.
• If you plan on donating venison to a venison donation program, please consider using non-toxic shot for those purposes as well.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Hauge (608) 266-2193

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2008 venison donation program

MADISON - The 2008 Venison Donation Program in Wisconsin is starting up and cooperating meat processors are beginning to sign up. Hunters participating in the 2008 deer hunting seasons that opened for archery on Sept. 13, as well as the Oct. 16 – 19 and Dec. 11-14 (antlerless only gun hunts) Nov. 22-30 (gun hunt) and Dec. 1-10 (muzzleloader) may want to check the Department of Natural Resources Web site regularly beginning in early September for processors in their area.

During the 2007 season, hunters donated 9,200 deer to food pantries. A network of 126 processors in 52 counties butchered and ground the venison into more than 414,000 pounds of packaged venison

“The process for donating extra venison hasn’t changed from previous years,” said Laurie Fike, DNR venison donation program coordinator. “If you think you’d like to donate to the program there are only a few simple steps you need to know.

“First, call ahead to the processor to be sure of their hours and workload. Then harvest, tag, field dress and register the deer as you normally would. Once it’s registered simply bring it to the processor. There is no cost to the hunter other than transporting the deer and it puts high quality meat in food pantries for needy families.”

“Donating deer to the program does more than provide food to families,” Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “By harvesting additional deer you also help reduce crop damages, deer-vehicle collisions and the impacts of selective deer browsing on the forest.”

Since the fall hunting season of 2000, hunters have donated more than 63,200 deer, which have provided over 2.8 million pounds of venison to needy people across the state. A large network of volunteers including sports groups, church groups, civic organizations, Hunt for the Hungry and food pantry staff work together to distribute the meat from the processor to the food pantries. USDA – Wildlife Services staff, Department of Natural Resources staff and county wildlife damage staff also help administer the program.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Fike – - (608) 267-7974

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2008 Chronic Wasting Disease management zone forecast

MADISON - Hunters will see some changes in the deer season framework this fall in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Zone. These changes reflect a blending of CWD Stakeholder (citizen) Advisory Group recommendations, feedback from eight public hearings DNR held this spring, and the agency’s recommendations to manage the disease.

“The first change you will note is that we combined the Disease Eradication Zone and the Herd Reduction Zone into one zone, called the CWD Management Zone (CWD-MZ) with consistent regulations and one season framework,” said Alan Crossley, outgoing CWD project leader, who is phasing out his CWD duties prior to assuming a public lands specialist position in the Bureau of Wildlife Management.

“The season structure in the CWD Management Zone is very similar to the season structure used elsewhere in the state for units that are over goal. We hope this reduces confusion for hunters,” noted Crossley.

The one season that is unique to the CWD-MZ is the holiday firearm season from Dec. 24 to Jan. 4.

Hunters can use rifles throughout the CWD-MZ, except in metro unit 76M, which will be shotgun only. White and albino deer may be harvested throughout the entire CWD-MZ (formerly restricted to the Disease Eradication Zone).

No Landowner Permits

The department is also discontinuing the $2 DEZ landowner and hunter permits this year.

“We estimate that the agency would lose more than $850,000 in license sales if we offered those permits throughout the entire CWD-MZ. It did not make sense to continue the program in the face of funding shortages for CWD management, as well as the interest in funding the pantry program, expanding testing, supporting research, and bolstering our information and education efforts,” pointed out Crossley.

“We recognize the important role that hunter-landowners play in managing CWD, but we need to consider more cost effective ways of supporting that role,” he added.

From 2002 to June 2008, nearly 139,000 deer were tested for CWD across the state. A total of 990 free-ranging deer have tested positive since testing started in Wisconsin. All of the positive cases have been found in the CWD Management Zone. The southeast Wisconsin cases are adjacent to an outbreak in northern Illinois where 189 CWD positive deer have been found since 2002.

“This fall we will be doing a second round of disease testing in our Northern Region. We encourage deer hunters to turn in the heads from their registered adult deer as part of this surveillance effort in northern Wisconsin,” Crossley said.

DNR will also be sampling within the CWD Management Zone, and hunters are required to submit samples from adult deer in the following areas:

• Eastern Iowa and Western Dane Counties, between Ridgeway and Mt. Horeb and stretching from Highway 18/151 north to the Wisconsin River.
• Between Lake Geneva, Lake Koshkonong, Beloit and Palmyra.
• Around Devil’s Lake State Park, from Highway 12 west to the Interstate.

“The first two areas support ongoing research to help us better understand how the rate of disease infection changes over time. The Devil’s Lake area has the additional purpose of monitoring the ‘northern front’ of the disease in Wisconsin. We can work with hunters who plan to cape-out their deer to get a sample,” noted Crossley.

Looking further ahead, the DNR will begin imposing carcass movement restrictions beginning Sept. 1, 2009. Wildlife officials believe that this gives hunters time to find local processing and taxidermy options for complying with the movement restrictions.

“Starting in September 2009, we will prohibit the importation of whole cervid carcasses (deer, moose and elk) into Wisconsin from areas within states or provinces that have CWD. We also will prohibit whole deer carcass movement from the CWD Management Zone to elsewhere in Wisconsin,” Crossley said.

Agency biologists say that CWD in southern Wisconsin represents a significant threat to the state's white-tailed deer population and the culture of deer hunting in the state. Wisconsin has more than 700,000 deer hunters who harvest an average of 480,000 deer annually during the past decade. Deer hunting provides more than 7 million days of recreation each year, and in 2006, deer hunting generated nearly $900 million dollars in retail sales and nearly $1.4 billion in total impact to the state’s economy.

Successfully managing CWD in Wisconsin will require a sustained effort over many years, necessitating cooperation and communication among natural resources and agricultural agencies, hunters, landowners, farmed cervid producers, and the many citizens of the state who benefit from a healthy deer herd, emphasized Crossley.

2008 season framework in the CWD-Management Zone

Archery season: earn-a-buck Sept. 13 to Jan. 4

Youth hunt: Oct. 11-12

Early firearm season: antlerless only Oct. 16-19

9-day firearm deer season: earn-a-buck Nov. 22-30

10-day muzzleloader season: earn-a-buck Dec. 1-10

Late firearm season: antlerless only Dec. 11-14

Holiday firearm season: earn-a-buck Dec. 24-Jan. 4

Unlimited Earn-a-buck regulations in effect with pre-qualification

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Crossley at 608-266-5463

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Fall means hunting: review, refresh, stay safe

New laws, old rules, good reminders for an enjoyable season

MADISON – The chilly morning air and changing tree hues signal to hunters that it is the time to make sure hunting equipment, sport knowledge and safety skills are all prepared and ready for action.

“There is no replacement for safety,” said DNR conservation warden and Hunter Safety Education program administrator, Tim Lawhern. “That includes knowing the four basic rules of firearm safety, proper shooting methods and the new laws as well as longstanding regulations in play for all of our hunting seasons.

“Taking the time now to prepare for the hunting seasons will add to your enjoyment, as well as your safety,” Lawhern said. “Wisconsin is rich with wildlife and beautiful areas to hunt. Why not equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to make sure the 2008 season is your best yet. Ignorance is not bliss – it’s dangerous.”

Four rules of firearm safety

“There is nothing more important a gun hunter can know than the four rules of safety when handling a firearm,” Lawhern said. “They’re easy to remember and logical.”

TAB-K?

T - Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.

A - Always point your muzzle in a safe direction.

B - Be certain of your target and what lies beyond.

K - Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

“You must never shoot at a target if you are not absolutely positive of what it is and where it is,” Lawhern said.

Inspect, clean equipment

Patience, proper equipment and an unloaded gun are part of safely cleaning firearms without turning them into unusable conversation pieces. Lawhern said it is not uncommon to hear from well-intentioned gun-owners who learned the hard way about how to maintain equipment.

“According to the tales from some, they were doing more damage than good by the methods and products they used,” Lawhern said. “And, make sure the gun is unloaded before you do anything.”

Before you start the cleaning process, Lawhern recommends gathering the proper equipment in advance. That list includes: Gun vise or cradle to support the firearm; one-piece cleaning rod, sized to fit the firearm; bore guide, sized to fit the firearm; jag tip of proper caliber for rifles and handguns, or correct bore brush for shotguns; powder solvent to remove residue by burning powder; copper solvent to remove copper left by jacketed bullets; cotton patches (cotton does not melt when burned); and gun oil.

Always clean the barrel from the breech to muzzle when possible, he said. First, install the bore guide so the cleaning rod runs down the center of the bore. Install the proper sized jag tip on the rod. For shotguns, Lawhern said, the slotted patch tip is fine. If your firearm is equipped with a scope make sure you leave the lens caps on or provide some sort of protection like a cloth to cover them.

All patches should go only one way down the bore.

“Do not push a patch down the bore and then bring it back in. All that does is return the dirty patch along with its grit into where it came from,” Lawhern said.

Also, he said, the motion of the rod should be one smooth stroke. Do not push a few inches in and then stop and push some more. Run a dry patch down the bore to wipe out the large crud.

“Make sure your patches are the right size,” Lawhern said. “If you need a jack hammer to get the patch all the way through the bore, either off-center the patch by placing the jag tip halfway between the center of the patch and one corner.”

Next, alternate a wet patch with powder solvent and then a dry patch down the bore. Repeat until you no longer get gray or black on the patches. After that, switch to the copper solvent.

“Follow the manufactures recommendations for copper solvent,” Lawhern said. “The vast majority of copper solvent has ammonia as a base component. Left in your bore too long and it will cause pitting. When you no longer get green or blue on your patches you are almost done.”

For rifles and handguns a bore brush is not needed, Lawhern said. “For shotguns, a bore brush should be used to remove stubborn spots,” he said. “Bore brushes should only be nylon or bronze bristled.”

Next, soak a single patch with gun oil and run it down the bore, remove it from the jag tip and use that patch to wipe down the outside of your firearm. No additional oil will be needed. Remove the bore guide and clean the action and chamber area with either patches or cotton swabs. Be sure to lightly oil the inside of the action when done.

Practice your skills

Muscle conditioning coupled with regular, disciplined practice and equipment inspection are what Lawhern calls three key factors to becoming a successful and responsible hunter.

Dry-firing with firearms, use of pellet or BB guns or time at a local firing range will pay off with greater accuracy and skill, Lawhern says.

“Everyone can benefit from dry-firing. Check your owner’s manual before you do this. Some small-caliber firearms do not react well to dry-firing. You won’t damage any center fire firearm by dry-firing.”

Pellet guns or BB guns are a less expensive and effective practice tool for sharpening shooting fundamentals. Try cardboard boxes stuffed with magazines or newspapers which are sure to stop the pellets. Intensify the challenge by shrinking the box size.

Shooting ranges and trap leagues provide more options for summer training. Check in with your rod & gun club. Many maintain ranges available for practice with live ammunition for an affordable fee. Trap leagues, skeet ranges and sporting clays courses also provide excellent practice options.

Have a place to hunt?

Securing permission to hunt from landowners is the first and mandatory step for those planning a successful hunt on private lands – and may even involve bartering some neighborly manual labor for acreage access. Lawhern says hunting on private lands without the landowner’s permission is illegal, making it an act of trespass. “It’s equally important to behave courteously and considerately while hunting – especially if you want to be invited back to hunt on that property,” he said.

When hunters ask landowners for their permission, Lawhern says remember to introduce yourself, show your hunter education card and be direct about your hunting requests. If the answer is no, be polite and leave.

“If the landowner says yes, one way to show your appreciation for the opportunity to hunt is offering to do a few chores,” Lawhern said. “You might be surprised how far your willingness to shovel manure for a whole day will get you. Sending a thank-you note or small gift during the holidays or right before the hunting season also is a nice touch.”

Blind safety, new law

Wisconsin gun-deer hunters who use ground blinds should note a new state law requires display of highly visible blaze orange on the exterior when blinds are placed on lands under the ownership, management or control of the Department of Natural Resources. This rule does not apply to federal, county or municipal lands open to hunting, or to private lands. It also does not apply to privately owned lands that are enrolled in the state's Managed Forest Law (MFL) or Forest Crop Law (FCL) programs, even if required to be open to public hunting.

DNR Warden Tim Lawhern, also administrator of the agency’s Hunter Safety Education program, said the blaze orange material must be visible from all directions.

“This blaze orange material must be solid blaze orange, not a camouflage blaze orange pattern, and must be at least 144 square inches – that’s equal to 12 inches by 12 inches. The actual dimensions can vary as long as it provides the required minimum of 144 total square inches of blaze orange displayed on each side of the blind so it can be seen from all directions around the blind – that’s 360 degrees,” Lawhern said of the state law that took effect this year. “This law is all about keeping hunters safe while they enjoy one of Wisconsin’s traditions.”

Lawhern said the new law, however, does not apply to blinds made only of dead vegetation found on the property nor does it apply to tree stands or other elevated stands. But the law does contain requirements for unoccupied ground blinds, he said.

“When the ground blind is left unoccupied during the day, the owner must post their customer identification number or name and address written in English somewhere in a conspicuous spot on the outside of the structure and near its entry. With the exception of waterfowl blinds and blinds built only out of natural vegetation found on the property, all blinds and trees stands must be removed from state lands at the close of hunting hours each day,” Lawhern said.

Tree stand safety

Tree stands are popular among Wisconsin hunters -- especially among archery enthusiasts -- because they help improve the hunters’ visibility and decrease the chance their scent will spook prey. But the stands also can be precarious perches if they’re used incorrectly or carelessly, hunting safety specialists say.

“Research has shown that one out of three hunters will fall from a tree stand sometime during his or her hunting career,” Lawhern said. Falls can be caused by a variety of factors, including a weakness in the stand’s structure, incorrect installation, failure to use a fall restraint device, and hunters dozing off while on the stand.

Tree stands can also be a factor in other hunting incidents, such as when hunters shoot themselves while climbing trees with their guns, or when bow hunters fall on their arrows.

Lawhern recommends hunters who use tree stands follow these precautions to avoid accidents:

• Check permanent tree stands every year. Replace worn, weak lumber.
• Read, understand, follow factory-recommended practices and procedures.
• Inspect portable stands for loose nuts and bolts each time the stand is used;
• Use either a safety belt or harness.
• Use three points of contact while climbing into or out off the tree stand (two feet and one hand; two hands and one foot etc.).
• Use a haul line to raise and lower your equipment – and keep firearms unloaded and arrows in a covered quiver.
• Select a tree – one large enough to support your weight -- before the season. Some mishaps occur as hunters are hurrying to set up their stands on opening morning.
• Make sure someone else knows the location of your tree stand and knows when you will be hunting there.
• Stay awake.

New id number

Future students and volunteer instructors of Department of Natural Resources recreational safety classes will benefit from a new customer identification system designed to create an all-purpose individual account covering classes, licenses and registrations.

Lawhern called the merge of the education program with the agency’s database of license purchases and recreational vehicle registrations a logical business move with real customer benefits.

“For the outdoors sports enthusiast, this new system is all about convenience and saving time,” Lawhern said. “Once the hunter or angler has his or her DNR Customer Identification Number, that same number – or account – can be used for all their courses, license purchases and registering their recreational vehicle.”

Work is under way to make this system accessible to all customers on the Internet, Lawhern added. “That means you can learn about a class, register for that class, buy your deer license or register your boat from the comforts of your home on your computer,” he said of the system that also will allow printing their student recreational safety record at home. “There will be no need to go to DNR Service Center to get a duplicate card. We hope to have these things phased in by the end of the year.”

First-time students of recreational safety classes will be required to get a DNR Customer Identification Number, which creates the individual’s account.

“As part of the new system, students will provide their customer ID numbers to the course instructor before the class is completed,” he said. “The instructor will use the customer ID numbers on the course roster when submitting the graduate list to the DNR for processing.

“This system ultimately will lead to students receiving upcoming class notices electronically, and the ability to duplicate personal recreational safety records at home without a stop at a DNR Service Center,” Lawhern said. “It also should be noted not all volunteer instructors will opt to announce their courses online.”

To get a DNR customer ID number, call 1-888-936-7463 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. or visit a DNR Service Center.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: John Plenke, acting DNR hunter safety administrator - 262-574-2163

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Spearers must purchase Winnebago sturgeon license by Oct. 31

OSHKOSH - Sturgeon spearers who want to participate in the 2009 Lake Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season need to purchase their sturgeon spearing license before the Friday, Oct. 31 sales deadline. That is the last day sturgeon spearing licenses will be sold for Lake Winnebago and the three Upriver Lakes -- Buttes des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan seasons.

Licenses are $20 for residents and $65 for non-residents and can be purchased: over the Internet through the Online Licensing Center; by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236); at license sales locations; or DNR service centers during their regular business hours (check service center link for hours of operation, which vary by service center; service centers are closed Saturdays). The 2009 sturgeon spearing season opens on Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes on Saturday Feb. 14.

The minimum spearing age for spearing is 14. Youth who turn 14 between Nov. 1, 2008 and the last day of the 2009 spearing season can still purchase a spearing license after Oct. 31. Military personnel home on leave can also purchase a license after Oct. 31.

The number of licenses sold is not limited on Lake Winnebago, but is limited to 500 for the Upriver Lakes fishery. The Upriver Lakes fishery is managed through a lottery and 500 individuals out of 4,031 who submitted a lottery application prior to Aug. 1, 2008 were authorized to purchase an Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing license for the 2009 season. Once a person is authorized to purchase an Upriver Lakes license for a season, they are not able to purchase a license for Lake Winnebago. Those who applied for an Upriver Lakes license in the lottery, but were not authorized, received a preference point and can still buy a Lake Winnebago license prior to Oct. 31.

There were 9,374 licenses sold for the 2008 sturgeon spearing season. Of those, 8,898 were for Lake Winnebago and 476 for the Upriver Lakes.

The Lake Winnebago System is home to the largest lake sturgeon population in North America with current estimates at approximately 38,000 adult fish. The long standing traditional means of harvest is spearing through the ice.

The lake sturgeon program on the Winnebago System has been in place for more than 100 years and is considered an international model for effective sturgeon management.

An integral part of the program since 1977 has been active involvement of the unique citizen advocacy group, Sturgeon for Tomorrow. That organization has raised and donated nearly $750,000 to sturgeon management and research activities over the past 30 years. Sturgeon for Tomorrow funds the annual sturgeon guard program which protects spawning sturgeon each spring on the Wolf River and the Upper Fox River Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Project. The latter project is attempting to restore a healthy spawning population in the upper Fox through stocking, habitat development, and migration studies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Bruch, DNR Winnebago Sturgeon Biologist, 920-424-3059

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Now is the time for communities to prepare for EAB, before an infestation

MADISON – As local units of government discuss budgets and identify priorities for the upcoming year, state urban forestry specialists remind local officials to consider that a small metallic-green bug has the potential to complicate an already-challenging financial situation for Wisconsin’s cities, villages, towns, and counties.

Community officials should be discussing how they will respond to an emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation before the invasive arrives, says Dick Rideout Department of Natural Resources urban forestry coordinator, “and the best time for that discussion to take place is during budget deliberations.

“Based on what has happened in Wisconsin and in states that have been dealing with EAB-related issues for the past six years, it is important to be proactive, rather than merely reacting to an infestation,” Rideout said.

Both public officials and residents must play a role in this, Rideout said.

“The first step involves learning about EAB – what does it look like and how does it kill ash trees,” Rideout said. “Local officials in particular need to know about their community’s urban forest -- how many ash trees are in their municipal boundaries, where those trees are located, and whether the trees are healthy or in poor condition.”

Residents may want to actively participate in local EAB planning. They can learn about local discussion by calling the local municipal clerk, asking the local librarian, visiting a Web site, or catching a local news story. Rideout said with this preparation, residents and officials can determine the best way for their community to respond to an EAB infestation and come up with a plan that minimizes environmental, financial, and quality-of-life disruptions.

“A community’s proactive planning will lead to a better utilization of tight fiscal resources,” Rideout said.

On August 4, 2008 officials from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirmed the arrival of EAB in the Village of Newburg. Three days later, a second EAB find a short distance from the first site was confirmed. Within a week, EAB quarantine regulations were put in place.

Since it was first discovered in Detroit, Michigan in 2002, EAB has spread to nine other states and to Canada. “This continued movement, coupled with the high price tag connected to the death of infested ash trees, are reasons why communities should prepare for this destructive invasive insect,” Rideout said. “EAB is not a problem that belongs to any single agency or location.”

Resources available

EAB information can be found at the Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer Resource website [exit DNR] and at the Websites of the DNR, DATCP, the University of Wisconsin and UW-Extension, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, Rideout said. These agencies share responsibility for responding to EAB. The Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer Resource Web site also has a link to the Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan [exit DNR PDF]), which details how state and federal agencies will respond to EAB finds.

Another valuable source of information is the Emerald Ash Borer Toolkit for Wisconsin Communities, a compilation of documents and resources prepared by DNR Urban Forestry staff. The Toolkit is regularly updated and includes planning documents, copies of sample ordinances, and information about management strategies that can be used “as-is” or adapted to meet a community’s circumstances. All or select parts of the Toolkit now can be downloaded from the DNR Urban Forestry Web site. A CD of the Toolkit can also be ordered from that webpage at no charge.

In addition to UW-Extension staff and private sector consulting arborists, Rideout said DNR’s regional urban forestry coordinators are another valuable resource for community officials to consult. “These individuals can help connect community leaders to the resources that are right for them,” he said.

Rideout said a local plan may address “who will be removing EAB-infested trees, whether a municipal department can handle additional work without additional financial resources, how infested trees will be disposed of, who will be notified of a possible EAB problem, and how citizens will receive EAB information.” Plan elements requiring a financial expenditure or a commitment of time include an inventory of all trees in a municipal area, analyzing whether local ordinances need to be changed or updated, and contacting neighboring communities to determine if a cooperative arrangement could ultimately reduce EAB-related costs for taxpayers.

“Urban forests are a valuable and under-utilized resource that can be ‘put to work’ to positively impact storm water problems, air pollution, and climate change. We need to protect what we have and also plan a more sustainable and resistant to future invasive species.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT Dick Rideout, 608.267-0843

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Wisconsin State Parks, Trails and Forests seek to fill park manager vacancies

MADISON – People interested as working as a park manager at a Wisconsin state park, trail or forest can take a park manager and natural resources property supervisor exam that will be offered on-line through Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.

“We’re seeking creative, service oriented individuals to join a team of professional employees dedicated to serving and protecting visitors to Wisconsin State parks, trails and forests,” said Jason Fritz, Chief Ranger for the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Parks and Recreation.

“We are especially interested in individuals with diverse backgrounds who can communicate with a wide variety of customer groups, and are encouraging women and minorities to consider taking the exams,” he added.

The job announcements (Job Announcement Code 08-03081) and exams may be accessed through the DNR Employment page of the DNR Web site. Results of the exams will be used to create a list of eligible candidates to fill a number of current vacancies as well as vacancies that may occur throughout the state during the next 12 months.

In addition to directing daily park operations, job duties include: enhancing natural resources through strong management practices, oversight and administration of recreation facility development, partnership advocacy with various user groups and volunteers, development of park interpretation services, protecting natural resources by enforcing regulations and laws pertaining to parks, fisheries, and wildlife, providing visitor information and service; and fostering a diverse and technically skilled work force.

Qualified applicants should possess either a two-year or associate degree from a Wisconsin vocational, technical and adult education district or its accredited equivalent from another state, or a minimum of 60 fully-accredited college-level credits at the time of employment. An applicant who has not met this standard at the time of employment must meet the standard by the end of their fifth year of employment. Interviews and additional assessments will be involved in selecting candidates for manager positions. Successful applicants must complete law enforcement officer certification prior to completion of the probationary period.

Additional requirements, exams and more information can be found at the Wisconsin Jobs Website [exit DNR].

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Fritz - (608) 266-2152

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National award honors Trempealeau’s commitment to clean water

La Crosse, Medford win regional awards

TREMPEALEAU – Wisconsin has a national championship to celebrate this fall.

The Village of Trempealeau has been named the nation’s top small wastewater treatment system for 2007 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, beating out thousands of similar operations across the country. Federal and state water quality officials recognized the accomplishment last week and presented city leaders with a 2007 National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards operations and maintenance award.

“Trempealeau citizens, municipal officials and the plant’s operators all have a right to be proud of the job they're doing to serve their citizens and protect Wisconsin waters," said DNR Secretary Matt Frank.

Judith Hayducsko, the Department of Natural Resources water resources engineer who worked with Trempealeau, says the community of 1,400 people has had “a very good track record with wastewater treatment” and is very deserving of the award.

“The operators have been able to do a very good job treating the varying amount of wastewater and are discharging very clean wastewater to the river,” Hayducsko says. “This system works because Todd Lakey and his assistant Duane are enthusiastic, conscientious, proactive, hardworking and optimistic.

“They have been making adjustments to the plant to improve operations and this award is a national recognition of their abilities, and of continuous plant improvements that benefit the environment.”

Two other Wisconsin communities received awards last week for their excellence in operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants. The City of La Crosse received the top regional award in the “Large – Advanced Treatment” category from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5, and the City of Medford received the top award in the region’s “Medium – Advanced Treatment” category.

EPA Region 5 includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. Wisconsin alone has 663 municipal wastewater treatment plants.

La Crosse was recognized for its success in retrofitting an older treatment plant with a new automation system to produce a system that improves operations, maintains effluent quality and at the same time reduced staffing needs.

Medford was recognized for their consistency of producing excellent quality effluent far below water quality standards and for outstanding success in collection system management, according to Lonn Franson, the DNR wastewater engineer who works with the system. Medford was also recognized for being fiscally responsible for the infrastructure of the utility while maintaining affordable user rates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Larson (608) 266-2666

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Grants available to help deal with urban wildlife damage

MADISON – Communities experiencing damage problems associated with herds of white-tailed deer and/or flocks of Canada geese have until Dec. 1, 2008 to apply for match grants to develop long-term management solutions for dealing with urban wildlife.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now accepting grant applications for the Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control Grant Program. The program was created to foster and encourage communities to solve wildlife control problems by awarding 50/50 reimbursement grants up to a maximum of $5,000.

In order to be eligible for grant consideration, an applicant must be an urban area pursuant to § 86.196(1)(c), Wis. Stats. Its application materials must be complete including a signed or notarized resolution from the urban area and postmarked on or before Dec. 1, 2008. Applications and more information area available on the Urban Wildlife Grant page of the DNR Web site.

Applications will be judged according to the following criteria:

• The extent to which the application addresses prevention and abatement of wildlife damage to human safety, the environment, health, property, or of nuisance wildlife problems.
• The method of urban wildlife population control.
• The cost effectiveness of the plan or project.
• The financial need of the urban area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: about an application contact Sandy Chancellor, UWDAC Grant Manager (608) 264-9207

FOR MORE INFORMATION: and technical assistance related to urban areas, wildlife plans, or urban wildlife, contact Brad Koele, Wildlife Damage and Urban Wildlife Specialist (608) 266-2151