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DNR News

March 28, 2006

The DNR News is updated every Tuesday at noon. Click on the current issue link at left to reach the most current issue.
Previous DNR News are also available on-line.

Edited by Paul Holtan
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707
(608) 267-7517
Fax: (608) 264-6293
E-mail address: paul.holtan@dnr.state.wi.us

This Week's Articles

Spring wild turkey season opens April 12

2006 marks 30th anniversary of reintroduction program

MADISON – 2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the reintroduction of wild turkey in Wisconsin, and several “firsts” this year highlight the successful effort to re-establish this native species.

For the first time this spring, the entire state will be open to turkey hunting. For the first time, more than 200,000 turkey permits were available for the spring season. And for the first time turkey hunters are able to buy turkey permits that remained after the initial drawing over-the-counter. Previously if the number of spring turkey permits exceeded the number of applications for a specific zone and time period, remaining permits were issued through a preference drawing.

“Turkey hunters can again look forward to high quality year of turkey hunting,” said Andrea Mezera, an upland wildlife ecologist for the state Department of Natural Resources. “Populations were good heading into winter, which was mild to moderate in severity depending on location, and we expect a good survival rate.”

The spring turkey hunting season in Wisconsin runs from April 12 through May 21 with six 5-day (Wednesday through Sunday) time periods.

More than 40,000 additional turkey permits went on sale at noon Saturday, March 25, and were initially selling at a rate of 95 permits per minute and only about 8,600 permits remained for sale as of Monday night.

Permits cost $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. The limit is one permit purchase per person, per day. The majority of tags were for the last three hunting periods – May 3-7, May 10-14 and May 17-21.

“Hunters are required to purchase a turkey license and stamp at the time they buy an over-the-counter turkey permit,” Mezera said.

A resident turkey license costs $15 and a turkey stamp $5.25.

Besides all 46 turkey hunting zones, 15 state parks and Fort McCoy will be open for hunting. Fort McCoy conducts its own spring turkey hunt, independent of the state season. In order to hunt at Fort McCoy, hunters must have already received permit authorization from Fort McCoy.

The state’s turkey reintroduction program began in 1976 when the Wisconsin wildlife biologists worked out a deal with the Missouri Department of Conservation to trade two-to-one Wisconsin wild trapped Coulee Region ruffed grouse for Missouri wild trapped turkey.

The first release of turkeys from Missouri occurred in the Bad Axe Watershed of Vernon County in 1976, and over nine years, 334 wild turkeys were released into the southwestern part of the state. Once their population expanded, turkeys were trapped in areas of higher densities and relocated to other areas around the state that had suitable habitat.

The first turkey hunting season took place in the spring of 1983; 1,200 permits were issued, and the hunt was limited to four zones in southwest Wisconsin. Hunters that spring harvested 182 turkeys for a 15 percent success rate. During the spring 2005 turkey hunt, 193,316 permits were issued and hunters bagged 46,159 birds for a 24 percent success rate.

DNR biologists fondly remember early days of trapping & stocking

Many conservationists view the state’s wild turkey program as the most successful reintroduction of a once native species in the history of Wisconsin wildlife management.

Carl Batha was resolute in his opinion that the turkey program would be successful.

“I believed it right from the start. There was never a doubt in my mind,” said Batha, a wildlife program supervisor for the agency’s South Central Region in Dodgeville.

Batha, who was hired specifically to oversee the wild turkey reintroduction effort in the then Southern District, said he looks back fondly to those days of trapping ruffed grouse and stocking wild turkeys in the hills of northern Grant and Iowa counties.

“It was the best of times. The stars were aligned, the habitat was right, the wild Missouri birds had the gene characteristics to survive, unlike the game farm birds,” Batha said in referring to an earlier state attempt to reintroduce turkeys in the Necedah area using farm raised turkeys.

DNR Wildlife Biologist Tom Meier described those days of trapping wild turkeys as “a gas. It was the major highlight of my career. We had great (trapping) crews, a great supervisor (Batha), plentiful numbers of grouse and tremendous landowner support.”

Meier, then based at the long-gone Spring Green Ranger Station, is now the wildlife program supervisor for the Mead Sub-Team at Milladore. He agreed with Batha that the late 1970s and early ’80s was the “perfect time” to launch the reintroduction program.

“Missouri wanted our hardy Coulee Region ruffed grouse and local landowners were extremely receptive to not only turkey stocking, but grouse trapping,” he noted.

Besides trapping grouse, the two men chose locations where birds could be released and spent many hours talking to landowners, hunters and sports groups.

Time has flown by for both men and now they are the only active DNR wildlife biologists who took part in those early days of the grouse trapping and wild turkey stocking program.

“Carl was right when he forecast the program’s success. How right he was,” Meier added.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Mezera - (608) 261-8458 or Carl Batha - (608) 935-1922

Hunting safety specialists want hunters to aim for an accident-free turkey season

MADISON – Spring turkey hunters could almost be guaranteed an accident-free hunting season this spring, a state hunter education specialist says, if they adhere to the four basic rules of firearm safety, and pay special attention to unique turkey hunting safety concerns.

“Turkey hunters can take steps to keep themselves safe,” says Tim Lawhern, hunter education administrator for the state Department of Natural Resources. “The cornerstone of turkey hunting safety is knowing your target and what’s beyond.”

There were a total of six firearm-related hunting incidents -- none fatal -- during the 2005 spring turkey season. That was up from just two non-fatal incidents during the spring 2004 season.

There are special safety concerns that hunters need to pay attention to when turkey hunting, Lawhern says.

“Primarily, hunters need to be aware of other hunters in the field during this time,” he says. “Turkey hunters should not stalk a turkey. A turkey hunter who tries stalking a calling turkey is often actually stalking another hunter. Turkey hunters should let others know of their whereabouts by shouting out to them.”

Safety concerns unique to turkey hunting include hunters wearing camouflaged clothing to blend into the landscape, setting up realistic decoys and using calls that might attract other hunters as well as gobblers.

Another safety aspect is to make sure that when two or more hunters go afield together that the partners carefully plan their hunt.

“If you’re hunting with a partner, be absolutely certain of that person’s location at all times,” Lawhern says. “If you see other hunters, get their attention by yelling at them instead of waving your hands.

Lawhern encourages turkey hunters to wear some blaze orange, such as a cap or a pair of gloves when moving to and from hunting areas. They can remove such items when they get to their hunting spot. Hanging a blaze orange sign or piece of cloth to the outside of a blind can alert other hunters to blinds, he adds.

DNR statistics reveal that 80 percent of accidents reported during turkey hunting season involve hunters mistaking other hunters for game; hunters failing to positively identify their target.

“Too many people who shot another hunter during the spring season said they did not see a beard on the turkey before they took the shot,” reports Lawhern.

The only legal turkey in the spring is a male or bearded turkey “so, if a hunter doesn’t see a beard on the turkey, it is a ‘don’t shoot’ situation,” he emphasizes.

Hunters should choose a hunting spot that allows them to rest their back against a tree or some other object at least as wide as their shoulders, because in doing so it will provide both protection from any errant shots fired in their direction and from the turkey’s extremely good vision, adds Lawhern.

He recommends hunters take extra precautions when using calls and decoys such as:

  • Use gobble-calls only to locate a tom turkey and not to attract one.
  • Keep hands and head camouflaged when calling.
  • Never stalk or sneak-up on a turkey and don’t attempt to approach closer than 100 yards to a gobbler.
  • Select a calling site from which you can see at least 40 yards in all directions.
  • Never jump and turn suddenly because you hear a turkey close behind you.
  • Never carry or move an uncovered decoy.
  • Never assume that what you hear or what answers a call is a turkey.

Hunters should also note that as of this spring, using electronic decoys for turkey hunting is prohibited in Wisconsin.

“As with every kind of hunting, turkey hunters need to follow the four basic safety guidelines: treat every firearm as if it is loaded; always point the muzzle in a safe direction; be sure of your target and what’s beyond it; and keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot,” Lawhern emphasizes.

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

Spring wildlife and fish rules hearings April 10

MADISON – The public will have an opportunity to vote on a wide range of fish and wildlife rule proposals, as well as introduce suggestions for rule changes they would like to see in the future or that pertain specifically to a certain part of the state when the 2006 Spring Wildlife and Fisheries Rules Hearings are held beginning at 7 p.m. on April 10.

The hearings are held annually in every county of the state on the second Monday of April to gauge public opinion on proposed changes to state fishing and hunting rules. The hearings are held in conjunction with the annual Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings, where county residents can elect delegates to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, which was established by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1934 as a citizen body to advise the Natural Resources Board on fish and wildlife management issues and policy.

New this year is an electronic balloting system to improve accuracy, maintain voting privacy and reduce the time and workload of tallying the statewide votes.

A complete questionnaire describing proposed rules for the 2006 Department of Natural Resources Spring Wildlife and Fish Rules Hearings is available on the DNR Web site.

To better accommodate citizen participation, business of the greatest importance to the most participants is addressed early in the meeting agendas. The first item of business will be the election of county delegates to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. Election of delegates will be done on ballots provided to residents of the county in which the hearing is being held. To vote for Congress delegates, people must be 18 years old and provide identification along with proof of residency in the county. Current DNR employees are not eligible for election as a delegate.

The second part of the hearing will be the DNR’s proposed fish and wildlife rule changes affecting the management of fish and wildlife in Wisconsin. There is no age or residency requirement to vote on any of the questions in the spring hearing questionnaire.

Some of the rule proposals to be voted on this April 10 include:

  • extending the fall turkey hunting season;
  • extending hunting hours during the spring turkey hunting season from a 5 p.m. daily closure to sunset;
  • creating a youth turkey hunt similar to existing deer and waterfowl youth hunting weekends;
  • requiring a pheasant stamp statewide for anyone who wishes to hunt pheasants;
  • prohibiting harvest of live clams from inland waters; and
  • banning the use of devices that intentionally release lead weights when a fish strikes.

The Natural Resources Board has also placed a question seeking the public’s level of support for banning baiting and feeding of deer, Currently it is legal in some counties to bait deer for a period of 10 days before and during the nine-day gun deer season.

As part of the evening’s agenda, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress will present advisory questions created by Congress committees. Results of those votes are presented to the state Natural Resources Board in the form of advisories indicating the support that a resolution may or may not have among the people attending the meeting. Secondly, the public has the opportunity to introduce resolutions from the floor at the meeting. Frequently, but not always, a successful resolution may appear as a proposed rule presented in the DNR portion of the meeting a year or two later. Anyone submitting resolutions must submit two copies of their resolution on typed or printed 8 1/2 by 11 white paper.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: AnnMarie Kutzke - (608) 266-2952

Sharp-tailed grouse blinds available for public use

SPOONER, Wis. -- The public has an opportunity to observe one of Wisconsin’s most unique and fascinating wildlife spectacles – the mating dance of the sharp-tailed grouse – by reserving a spot in an observation blind in an isolated wildlife area in northwestern Wisconsin.

Sharp-tailed grouse on dancing grounds. Photo by Wade oehmichen.

“The sharp-tailed grouse is native to Wisconsin’s prairies and is currently found only in isolated areas of the state,” says Nancy Christel, a Department of Natural Resource's wildlife biologist in Spooner.

Similar to greater prairie chickens, sharp-tails gather each spring at grassy openings, called dancing grounds, where males perform a courtship dance to attract females.

“It is an awesome sight,” Christel says.

Males and females are nearly identical in plumage and size, except males have a pinkish, pale violet patch of bare skin on their heads that they show off during courtship.

Dancing activity peaks from about April 15 to May 15, depending on the year. Christel says the department puts up blinds on the Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area to aid in viewing and surveying the spring population of sharp-tailed grouse.

“We welcome the public to also use these blinds. There is no better way to enjoy these birds,” she says. “Although the sharp-tails are enough of a reason to sit in the blinds, visitors usually see so much more. Turkeys are gobbling, upland sandpipers are whistling and hawks may be flying overhead.”

To find out more and reserve a spot in one of the blinds, call Department of Natural Resource's wildlife management at (715) 635-4023. Wildlife staff will provide information about the dancing grounds and a map of the property. Interested people should plan to arrive at least a half hour before sunrise and to stay for three or four hours.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Christel – (715) 635-4091

18 groups receives Stewardship
Grants for improvements to state parks

MADISON – More that $220,000 in grants for improving recreation, visitor facilities, outdoor education opportunities and customer services at Wisconsin State Parks and Trails have been awarded to 18 Friends Groups and other state park partners. The grants, funded through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, range from $1,500 to $20,000 and must be matched dollar for dollar by the recipients.

“The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund combined with the dollars and sweat hours of our citizens will enhance parks all over the state -- providing learning, handicapped accessibility, and play areas for all of us to enjoy," said Kate Zurlo-Cuva, Friends & Volunteer Coordinator with the State Park System.

Friends groups support the mission and activities of more than 70 of Wisconsin’s 95 state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.

“Many excellent project proposals were submitted by Friends groups,” Zurlo-Cuva said. “We look forward to seeing these projects completed and applaud the efforts of all who applied.”

Groups receiving grants and their projects include:

  • Newport Wilderness Society, Nature Interpretive Center, $20,000
  • Friends of Lake Wissota, Beach and Picnic Area Playground, $20,000
  • Friends of Buckhorn, Beach Rinse Shower, $2,500
  • Friends of the Old Abe State Trail, Trail head signs, $3,855
  • Friends of Kohler-Andrae, Accessible Cabin, Phase II, $20,000
  • Friends of Cadiz Springs, Fisheries habitat improvement, $9,600
  • Kettle Moraine History Association, Museum exhibits, $1,500
  • Kettle Moraine History Association, Prairie restoration on the Scuppernong, $7,000
  • Friends of High Cliff, Marina harbor improvements, $20,000
  • Friends of Rock Island, Kiosk & interpretive signage, $10,000
  • Navarino Nature Center, Emergency Vehicle Access Roads, $3,000
  • Friends of Stonefield & Nelson Dewey, Stonefield Visitor Enhancement Project, $1,000
  • Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Invasive Species Control, $20,000
  • Friends of Wyalusing, Amphitheater benches, $ 3,500
  • Friends of New Glarus Woods, Playground Equipment, $ 20,000
  • Natural Resources Foundation, Invasive Species Control on Door County State Natural Areas, $5,400
  • Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation, Mobile Skills Crew Program elements, $20,000
  • Friends of the Ahnapee State Trail, Casco Junction Trailhead Creation, $15,650
  • Friends of the Mountain Bay Trail, Open picnic shelter, $9,000

The Wisconsin Legislature created the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to protect sensitive lands, provide outdoor recreation opportunities and restore wildlife habitat. Each year, $250,000 from the program is set aside in a special fund to provide grants to friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations to undertake development or restoration projects on state lands.

To be eligible for the program, a friends group must be a nonprofit corporation described under Section 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a). In addition, a group must have formed to raise funds for a state property and also have a written agreement with the Department of Natural Resources.

Grant packets for the next round of grants will be made available this summer and the due date is November 15th of each year.

For more information about guidelines, eligible activities, and application materials contact Kate Zurlo-Cuva at (608) 266-7617 or onsult the DNR Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Zurlo-Cuva -(608) 266-7617

Maple Sugar Festival to be held April 8 at MacKenzie

POYNETTE, Wis. – The public can learn about and watch the tapping of maple trees and see how the sap is turned into maple syrup during an annual Maple Syrup Festival at the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 8.

Festivities begin with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., hosted by the Optimist Club of Poynette. It’s followed by guided tours of the sugar bush, Native American and Pioneer interpretive area, and the evaporation process, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for people in southern Wisconsin to observe an operating sugar bush. Most of Wisconsin’s maple syrup producers are located in the northern half of the state where sugar maple trees are more abundant,” says Derek Duane MacKenzie center supervisor.

Visitors will also be able to watch as ice cream is made “the old fashioned way,” enjoy free popcorn, try a brat cooked in maple syrup, or take a horse drawn wagon ride around the facility. Maple syrup, maple candy, and souvenirs will be available for purchase.

Admission to Maplefest is free. The MacKenzie Environmental Education Center is located 2 miles east of Poynette on highway CS. Visitors should look for big, green maple leaves directing them to the parking area. Volunteers will be there to give further directions. For further information call the DNR Poynette service center at (608) 635-8110.
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Last Revised: Tuesday March 28 2006