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New rule aims to reduce spread of invasive species in Wisconsin

MADISON – Wisconsin’s new invasive species rule, designed to contain new and existing invasive species, goes into effect Sept. 1, 2009. The new rule establishes a science-based classification and regulatory system for invasive species and addresses possession, sale, transportation and introduction of listed invasive species.

“Invasive species affect every corner of Wisconsin’s land and water habitats,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “Some of these species are here to stay, but actions taken by citizens and visitors can greatly reduce their spread and impact and help to preserve our native landscapes and the traditions they support.”

The rule’s classification system lists species of plants and algae, animals and plant disease-causing organisms as prohibited or restricted and focuses on education and prevention, and cooperative action to contain new problem species when found in the state.

Prohibited species are those that are not yet found in the state, or are only known in a few sites for which containment may be feasible. The rule will allow quick action to contain new infestations of prohibited species likely to become problematic.

Restricted species are considered too widespread to expect eradication. The intent of the new rule is to inform the public about these species, slow their spread and minimize new infestations and establishment.

“Prevention is a key component of this rule,” Frank said. “Boats, boat trailers and other gear need to be cleaned of aquatic plants and animals before leaving the boat landing. Diligence on everyone’s part can help keep the 70 percent of our lakes that are currently free of invasive species from becoming infested.

“We urge hunters, anglers, hikers, birders and others to clean their shoes, brush their dogs and check their vehicles before the leave an area to slow the spread of some of these species.”

The new rule was developed with extensive input from the Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species and dozens of private, public and business stakeholders and the scientific community. More than 70 environmental and business organizations, local governments, university experts and others provided input. In addition, hundreds of individual comments were recorded and factored in.

The rule does not address viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), chronic wasting disease (CWD) and certain other fish and wildlife pathogens that are already the subject of specific control programs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Kearns at (608) 267-5066 or Bob Manwell (608) 264-9248

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Now is a good time to report invasive wetland plants

MADISON – Late summer is a good time to identify key invasive species threatening wetlands in Wisconsin, and people are encouraged to report sightings of three invaders – Japanese knotweed, purple loosestrife, and common reed grass also called phragmites -- whether on their own property or on public land, state invasive species experts say.

“Reporting these invaders is the first step to getting the help you need to control these invaders on your own property, and to help us tackle the problem on public lands,” says Brock Woods, who coordinates the purple loosestrife biocontrol program in Wisconsin.

Instructions for reporting and a downloadable form are available on the Invasive Species pages of the Department of Natural Resources Web site. The form includes questions on the type and size and density of the invasive species, and the habitat and location. Reports of purple loosestrife may also be phoned in to (608) 221-6349 or sent in by U.S. mail to Plant Reporting, DNR Endangered Resources Program, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.

Woods says that purple loosestrife and Japanese knotweed are often in full bloom in late summer, making them easy to identify. Also, common reed grass can reach well over 15 feet tall at this time of year so that it towers over everything else in wetlands and is easier to distinguish from its shorter and benign native cousin.

All three plants grow taller than almost all other herbaceous plants and spread prolifically, squeezing out native plants and in turn the wildlife that depends on these native plants for food and habitat.

Once established, controlling these three species is very difficult, but common reed grass and knotweed are still uncommon over most of the state so quick local control can slow or stop their spread, Woods says. Loosestrife is already found on many thousands of acres of wetlands statewide, but Wisconsin has an effective biological control for this plant that is cheap and easy to initiate locally, he says.

“By reporting the locations of all three plants and taking some quick local action, you can save your beleaguered local wetlands and streams from further devastation,” he says.

More information on invasive species is available on the DNR Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brock Woods (608) 221-6349

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Wisconsin fall hunting seasons forecast available

MADISON – Flocking blackbirds, browning grasses, shorter days and cooler nights all are signs of fall’s arrival and so is the publishing of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Fall Seasons Forecast. Published for the first time in an electronic magazine format, the department hopes the new presentation will be useful to hunters and wildlife watchers searching for the latest information from DNR biologists, foresters, conservation wardens and scientists on what to expect in the fields and forests this fall.

The new all-electronic version includes clickable links to greater in-depth background and information on dozens of topics as well as tips for hunting upland game and waterfowl.

In addition to statewide and regional outlooks for such popular game as deer, black bear, and waterfowl, the forecast also offers analysis and recommendations for a variety of upland game and furbearers. Season dates, bag limits and new regulations are also highlighted.

A newer feature to the Fall Seasons Forecast will give readers a look at some examples of the research wildlife and social scientists with the department’s Bureau of Science Services are conducting to better understand both the biology and the human dimensions of hunting and land management.

Reminders familiar to past readers include hunter safety, the importance of preseason scouting, and renewing your hunting access contacts with landowners.

Deer hunters urged to check deer management units for antlerless permit status.

Deer hunters viewing the deer season structure maps will notice many more deer management units identified as “regular” units in 2009, especially in the northern third of the state and in the central forest deer management region. Regular units are either close to deer population goals or in some cases below goals. In both cases, antlerless deer tags are limited by a quota and numbers of bonus tags may be low or unavailable for some units. Hunters should check their unit’s status early since it may have changed after several years of herd control status.

And no Fall Seasons Forecast would be complete without a reminder to take someone new out hunting. With the recent signing of Wisconsin’s new Mentored Hunting Law, any licensed hunter can take anyone age 10 and older out hunting under certain conditions without the new hunter having to fulfill hunter safety education requirements. The new law applies to any hunting season and is a great way to do for someone else what someone once took time to do for you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Manwell (608) 264-9248

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50 places to fish from shore within 60 minutes of Milwaukee

New resources spotlight fishing the fall spawning runs

MADISON – Like clockwork, it’s that time of year when trout and salmon begin staging in the river mouths and harbors – ready to run the course back to their spawning grounds.

And anglers looking to fish these spectacular runs can visit the new Lake Michigan Fall Fishing page of the Department of Natural Resources Web site for informational resources that highlight 50 places to fish from shore within 60 minutes of downtown Milwaukee.

“No need to put the fishing gear away just because summer is nearing its end,” says Brad Eggold, Department of Natural Resources Southern Lake Michigan fisheries team supervisor. “The spawning runs represent tremendous opportunities -- they’re close by, you don’t need a boat, and you have a high chance of success.”

“We developed these materials because we wanted to make it as easy as possible for anglers to find places to fish during these events.”

The resources include:

• A downloadable pocket-size brochure that lists the 50 locations and the dominant species available, and, and gives directions, distance and driving time from downtown Milwaukee. Printed copies will be available in the coming weeks at DNR service centers in southeastern Wisconsin.
• Google map showing photos of the fishing sites and detailed driving directions
• Advice on the fishing gear to use and the best times to go.

More about what anglers need to fish the spawning runs

Timing is everything, and although heavy rains can sometimes trigger earlier runs, this schedule gives anglers a good idea of when the runs can begin, peak and end:

• Chinook salmon – Sept. 1 to Oct. 15, peak in late September
• Coho salmon – Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 peak in late October
• Steelhead – Aug. 1 to Nov. 30 peak in late September, very dependent on water flows, especially in August
• Brown trout – Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, peak in early December

If you’re new to fishing the runs, get properly equipped by reeling in this gear before you go:

• Rod: 8- to 11-feet long, medium to heavy action.
• Reel: medium-sized spinning reel with good drag system.
• Line: 8- to 10-pound monofilament.
• Lure and tackle: Heavy duty ball bearing snap swivels for use with spoons like krocodiles, cleos, castmasters and daredevils will work great off piers and breakwalls.
• For bait fishing: Small hooks in sizes 4 to 6 with slip bobbers, split shot, three-way swivels and bell sinkers for use with spawn, minnows and wax worms.
• Miscellaneous gear: Long-handled landing net for fish up to 20 pounds, heavy duty stringer, needle nose pliers, extra spools of line, garbage bags, and warm clothes (weather conditions can change quickly on Lake Michigan).

Anglers 16 years old or older fishing Lake Michigan and its tributaries need a fishing license and Great Lakes Trout and Salmon stamp, or a two-day Sports Fishing License to fish for trout and salmon in the tributaries (up to the first dam or lake).

Check the “2009-2010 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations” for fishing regulations. Anglers should note that from Sept. 15 to the first Saturday of the following May, there is no hook and line fishing from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in the tributaries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Eggold (414) 382-7921 or Alisa Santiesteban (608) 264-6028

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Fall turkey season to be extended in five turkey management zones

MADISON – Wisconsin’s fall turkey hunting season will be extended in five turkey management zones this fall, under a two-year trial period that has passed legislative review. Turkey hunters in zones 1 through 5 will be able to take advantage of the late season this year.

The regular fall turkey hunting seasons this year runs from Sept. 12 through Nov. 19 in all seven turkey hunting zones. The extended season starts Nov. 30, the Monday following the November gun deer hunt, and runs through Dec. 31 in zones 1 through 5 only. There is no extended season in zones 6 and 7 in northern Wisconsin. The extension does not appear in the printed hunting regulations because it was approved after publication deadlines.

“We are pleased to offer this additional opportunity to our hunters,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “The reestablishment of wild turkeys in Wisconsin is a wildlife success story, and both the spring and fall turkey hunts have become tremendously popular. Turkey hunting is often a family activity, and it is helping to introduce new generations of youngsters to the beauty and excitement of Wisconsin’s great outdoors.”

Hunters who received a turkey permit in Zones 1-5 in the fall drawing can use those permits during the extended season in the zone for which they were issued. Permits left over from the fall drawing went on sale August 29. Permits are available on-line at dnr.wi.gov, at any licensed sales vendor or by calling 1-877-WILICENSE (1-877-945-4236).

Leftover permits –which are available only in zones 1, 3 and 4 this year –will be issued on a one per-day basis. The cost is $10 for state residents and $15 for non-residents. Fall leftover permit availability and a turkey zone map can be found on the Wild Turkey page of the DNR Web site.

Following the extended season in 2010, DNR wildlife managers will evaluate the results and the Natural Resources Board will consider whether the extended season should be made permanent.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull (608) 267-7861 or Bob Manwell (608) 264-9248

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New restrictions in place on movement of deer carcasses from CWD zone

MADISON – New rules governing the transport of hunter-harvested and vehicle-killed deer from the chronic wasting disease – management zone (CWD-MZ) of southern Wisconsin take effect on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009.

The new rules [PDF 220KB] aim to “prevent the tissues most likely to contain CWD from being brought to areas of the state where CWD does not occur and introducing the disease there,” said Davin Lopez, CWD project leader for the Department of Natural Resources. The rules were approved last year by the state Natural Resources Board, DNR’s seven citizen-member policy making body.

The new rules ban the movement of whole deer carcass from the CWD-MZ to elsewhere in the state. However, hunters and motorists will be allowed to move whole, registered carcasses of deer shot or hit by a vehicle within the CWD-MZ into a deer management unit (DMU) adjoining the CWD-MZ.

The rule affects carcass movement in 22 DMUs located in all or parts of Adams, Crawford, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Lafayette, Marquette, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth and Waukesha Counties (here we should provide a link to the map).

Also beginning Sept. 1, Wisconsin will restrict the importation of whole cervid carcasses (deer, elk and moose) into the state from areas within states or Canadian provinces that have CWD. The disease has been discovered in wild deer or elk herds in 11 states and two provinces.

The rule does not restrict movement of parts from legally possessed deer, which can be legally transported anywhere in Wisconsin, including:

• Meat that’s cut and wrapped, either commercially or privately.
• Quarters or other portions of meat to which no part of the spinal column is attached.
• Deboned meat.
• Hides with no head attached.
• Finished taxidermy heads.
• Antlers.
• Clean skulls or skull plates with no lymphoid or brain tissue attached.
• Upper canine teeth.

Chronic wasting disease is an always fatal nervous system disease known to naturally infect white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose and elk. It belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) or prion diseases. Though it shares features with other prion diseases, like mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep, it is a distinct disease known only to affect members of the deer family.

2009 Season Structure in the CWD-MZ

The deer hunting seasons in the CWD-MZ is as follows:

• Archery season: Sept. 12 to Oct. 14, Oct. 19 to Dec. 9 and Dec. 14 to to Jan. 3, 2010 (Earn-a-buck)
Youth season: Oct. 10-11 (exempt from Earn-a-buck; 10-15 year olds only)
• Early firearm and archery season: Oct. 15-18 (antlerless only)
• Traditional nine-day firearm season: Nov. 21-29 (Earn-a-buck)
• Muzzleloader only season: Nov. 30 – Dec. 9 (Earn-a-buck)
• Late firearm and archery season: Dec. 10-13 (antlerless-only)
• Holiday firearm season: Dec. 24-Jan. 3, 2010 (Earn-a-buck)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Davin Lopez, CWD Project Leader, Madison: (608) 267-2948 or Greg Matthews: (608) 275-3317

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Rifle use for deer hunting expanded in two areas

MADISON - Areas in which rifles are allowed for deer hunting have been expanded this year to include all of Dunn County and that portion of Shawano County south of State Hwy. 29 and west of County Hwy. J, state wildlife officials said.

The change was approved by the Natural Resources Board and now has passed legislative review. The extended areas do not appear in the printed hunting regulations because they were approved after publication deadlines. There is a note near the map, however, that indicates the possibility.

The change was initially proposed to begin with the 2010 season so map adjustments could be included in the regulations pamphlet. Implementation was pushed forward after hunters petitioned the state Department of Natural Resources to make the change in time for this year’s deer season.

Rifles are allowed for deer hunting throughout much of Wisconsin. In all or part of 25 of more populous counties, deer hunters are restricted to shotguns, which have a shorter range. New research into ballistics has shown that rifles – which are more accurate and fire a smaller projectile that is less likely to ricochet – are as safe as shotguns in hunting situations.

The change will take effect Oct. 1 and will be in place for October antlerless gun deer hunts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Van Haren - (608) 266-3244

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What kind of tree stand hunter are you? Grounded or airborne

MADISON – There are three kinds of hunters who use tree stands, according to Tim Lawhern, hunter education administrator for the Department of Natural Resources:

“The ones who have fallen from tree stands. The ones who will fall from tree stands, and the ones who may never fall because they know how to stay safe while perched above their prey.”

Lawhern said tree stands are popular – especially with bow-and-arrow hunters -- because they improve hunters’ visibility and decrease chances their scent will alert wildlife.

“Research has shown that one out of three hunters will fall from a tree stand sometime during his or her hunting career,” Lawhern said.

What causes falls?

“It can be from a weakness in the stand’s structure, incorrect installation, failure to use a fall restraint device, and hunters dozing off while on the stand,” Lawhern said. There also are the incidents when hunters shoot themselves while climbing trees with their guns, or when bow hunters fall on their arrows.

Hunters who plan to use tree stands are encouraged by Lawhern to follow these precautions to avoid accidents:

• Check permanent tree stands every year before hunting. Replace worn weak lumber.
• Read, understand and follow factory-recommended practices and procedures when installing commercial stands.
• Inspect portable stands for loose nuts and bolts each time the stand is used.
• Use a 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern (608) 266-1317