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Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 12:00 pm
Superior, Wis. – The state Natural Resources Board approved a 2010 fall waterfowl season at its Aug. 11 meeting that includes the 60-day, six-duck framework offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and recommended by the Wisconsin DNR.
Highlighted changes for this year include an increase to a two-bird daily bag on pintails and the elimination of the Burnett County subzone closed area. This Canada goose subzone is now open to goose hunters as part of the Exterior Zone.
For this year’s 60-day season, the overall daily bag limit for ducks is six. Of those six ducks, no more than four may be mallards and only one of those mallards may be a hen.
The six-duck limit also allows three wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck, two pintails, two scaup, and one canvasback. For species of duck not listed, such as teal and ringnecks, the combined total with all other species may not exceed six ducks.
In addition, the daily bag may also include five mergansers, to include not more than two hooded mergansers and 15 coot.
‘No bow doe’ set for some units this fall
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By Tim Eisele
Contributing Writer
Fitchburg, Wis. – It’s here. “No bow doe” rules will be in place for 19 deer units this fall.
Antlerless deer carcass tags issued this fall with archery hunting licenses will only be allowed to be used in deer units where an antlerless deer quota exists.
Earlier this year, the Natural Resources Board approved a deer season framework that included no antlerless quotas, or no doe tags, for 19 units – 18 regular units and Council Grounds State Park.
Then, at its June 23 meeting, the NRB approved an emergency rule that will prohibit bowhunters from using antlerless tags in those 19 deer units where no antlerless quota exists for gun hunters this fall.
This means gun hunters and archers will have similar restrictions, and neither group will be allowed to shoot antlerless deer in these units.
The change was made by the NRB’s emergency rule provision after the DNR and hunting groups kicked the idea around last winter, with the idea being that if unit deer numbers are low enough to warrant bucks-only hunting for gun hunters, the same should apply to bowhunters as a way to more quickly rebuild the herd.
There’s an exception to this restriction that is allowed by state statute that could only be changed by the Legislature: Hunters with disabled Class A and Class C permits, first-time hunter education graduates, and hunters with ag damage tags may shoot antlerless deer in those 18 regular units and in Council Grounds State Park.
DNR Acting Deer Ecologist Jason Fleener told the board the reason for the lack of an antlerless quota in those units.
“These are units that are more than 20 percent below their population goal levels, which sets a trigger for us to go to the public and solicit comments on no antlerless quotas for gun hunters,” Fleener said.
Traditionally bowhunters have always been able to shoot a deer of either sex. They previously had received an either-sex deer tag, but starting in 2006, the tags were separated into buck tags and antlerless deer tags that were valid statewide.
Last year, there were 13 units that had no antlerless quota, and gun hunters did not receive any bonus antlerless tags. However, archery hunters were allowed to shoot antlerless deer on their separate statewide antlerless tags, and many hunters believed the restriction should be the same for bowhunters.
The DNR held three public hearings on the proposal to make the archery antlerless tag valid only where there is a gun antlerless quota. A total of 12 people registered in support of the change, and two registered in opposition.
Fleener said the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association issued a news release supporting the change.
Some of the reasons that people supported the proposal? To make regulations equitable for gun and bowhunters, to help the deer herd rebound quicker, and to make regulations in each unit more consistent.
Reasons why some people opposed the change included a belief it would shift harvest toward young bucks that might otherwise be passed up if does could be shot. Others said the archery antlerless harvest is negligible compared to the gun doe kill.
The printing on the tags has been changed this year, and rather than saying the tags are valid statewide, it now says the archery antlerless carcass tags are valid only in units that are specified in the hunting regulations booklet. Hunters who look in the booklet, or the map on the DNR web site, will see the 18 units, plus Council Grounds State Park, where there is no quota.
The “no bow doe” units are: 7, 13, 28, 29A, 29B, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49A, 52 and 52A (Council Grounds State Park).
George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, testified in support of the change.
“Our chairman, Ralph Fritsch, lives in Oconto County and he wants the board to be aware of the strong support for this rule change by gun and archery deer hunters living in the area,” Meyer said. “Both archers and gun hunters alike understand the depressed number of deer in the area and are willing to accept zero antlerless deer harvest in those units in order to restore the deer population in the area.”
The board passed both an emergency rule, which will be in place for the start of the 2010 archery deer season, and a permanent rule. The permanent rule now goes through legislative review. Had the board not passed an emergency rule and the permanent rule cleared legislative review later this year, it would be possible the rule wouldn’t go into effect until during the middle of the archery deer season this year. That would have caused confusion.
Both the emergency rule and permanent rule were passed unanimously by the board.
Wisconsin Petitions To Delist Gray Wolves
On April 27, the State of Wisconsin submitted a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the gray wolf (eastern timber wolf or Minnesota gray wolf) in the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s petition noted that the State was joining the March 15, 2010 wolf delisting petition filed by the State of Minnesota. Wisconsin’s petition starts the clock ticking on the FWS to acknowledge receipt of the petition within 30 days and to publish a determination as to whether the delisting may be warranted within 90 days. If the FWS concludes the petition may be warranted, it must then “promptly commence a review of the status” of the species, to be completed within one year of receiving the petition. Wisconsin’s petition speculates that the state’s wolf population may exceed 700 animals in 2010.
Wisconsin has also filed an application for a permit to remove problem wolves, while the state’s wolves retain their endangered status. Michigan has filed a similar application.
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By Kevin Naze
Contributing Writer
Madison – The Wisconsin DNR has yet to decide whether to jump on the wolf delisting bandwagon, but the state of Michigan didn’t hesitate to take that leap and has joined Minnesota in petitioning the federal government for such a move.
On April 1, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment officials said they support recent action by the state of Minnesota to remove the gray wolf from the list of species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.
Minnesota filed a formal petition requesting swift federal action on that point with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on March 15.
“Our colleagues in Minnesota have done an excellent job of making the case for the regional recovery of the gray wolf,” said Michigan DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries. “The strength of this petition will hopefully compel the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to act swiftly so that we can implement our wolf management plans. We stand in full support of Minnesota’s formal petition.”
Humphries said recovery goals established by the USFWS to allow removal of wolves from Endangered Species Act protection have been met since 1999, and the current wolf population in Michigan and Wisconsin exceeds the recovery goal by more than 10 times. The federal goal specifies that the two states must have just 100 wolves combined. Both states, estimates say, have more than 700 wolves.
State authority would allow implementation of state wolf plans, which include lethal control of problem wolves.
On April 7, state DNR officials said they believed wolves have recovered sufficiently and support Minnesota’s efforts to delist wolves. However, the Wisconsin DNR had not reached a decision to join other states in a lawsuit seeking delisting, or file on its own.
The state has applied for a permit to control problem wolves, but to date hadn’t received any type of reply.
Court challenges to delisting the wolf in the Great Lake states resulted in their return to the federal list on Sept. 29, 2008. Wolves were delisted again in April, 2009. This position was again reversed by a lawsuit last September. The USFWS also entered into an agreement last summer, and problem wolves cannot be lethally controlled until they are delisted again.
USFWS spokesman Josh Winchell, of Arlington, Va., said on April 7 that the agency has received Minnesota’s petition and is reviewing that state’s request.
Wolf census meeting
Wisconsin wolf biologist Adrian Wydeven expects an increase when the latest population estimate is tallied Friday, April 9, in Wausau, but he’s not speculating whether the number will take a dramatic hike like it did last winter.
The late-winter wolf count jumped 20 to 25 percent last year, when the DNR said it believed there were somewhere between 630 to 680 wolves in about 160 packs. Even an increase half that large would put the total over 700 this winter; one similar to last year would place the estimate in the 800 range.
“I think it will be somewhat more than last year, but I don’t want to speculate beyond that,” Wydeven said last week.
The spring wolf population monitoring meeting was at the Day’s Inn (lower level) in Wausau. The meeting was open to the public. Wydeven said he would lead off with a short update on the status of wolf management, followed by an update on delisting status by Joel Trick of the USFWS.
Pilot observations and reports, depredation management, summer trapping and howl survey work, and winter ground surveys were to take up the remainder of the morning and afternoon before tabulations and a summary of the new state wolf estimate was to be made.
On Saturday, April 10, a stakeholders meeting was to include some of the same topics, but also dig into a review of the draft 2010 state wolf plan. The plan will be updated before it goes to the Natural Resources Board later this year for review and approval.
In other wolf news:
� In mid-March, a wolf weighing 140 pounds was reportedly shot near Walnut in Bureau County, Illinois. Photos of the dead wolf – and possibly the same wolf alive on a trail camera – are available with a Google search. Two years ago, a coyote hunter shot a 145-pound wolf that was confirmed as part of the Great Lakes population originating in Wisconsin, Michigan, or Minnesota.
� The presence of two or more wolves recently was confirmed in northern Cheboygan County in Lower Michigan. The first evidence of range expansion from the Upper Peninsula into the Lower came in 2004 when a gray wolf was accidentally killed in Presque Isle County.
� Idaho sold more than 31,000 wolf tags for its first hunt in modern history, generating nearly a half-million dollars. Hunters reported killed 185 wolves out of the quota of 220. The season ended last month. Idaho’s wolf population was estimated at nearly 850 last year.
� Montana sold more than 15,000 licenses, generating more than $325,000 in revenue. Hunters reported shooting 72 wolves out of a 75-wolf quota last fall. The population was estimated at more than 500 wolves in 101 packs.
Idaho’s First Wolf Hunting Season Comes To A Close
Idaho’s first wolf hunting season came to a close on Wednesday with state Fish and Game officials calling it a success. “The season has succeeded in halting the growth of Idaho’s wolf population,” said Idaho Fish and Game Director Cal Groen. “It showed that Fish and Game is capable of monitoring and managing a well-regulated wolf hunt.” Fish and Game reported that at the end of 2009, the wolf population in the state was 843 animals — about the same as at the beginning of 2008. (LA Times Online) Full story http://bit.ly/cLkSlT.
The Trophy Competition Team has announced the winners of the 2010 Feb Trophy Competition… many thanks to the judges and all who entered.
Moratorium on Namibian Leopard & Cheetah Extended into 2010
If you are booked for a leopard or cheetah hunt in Namibia for 2010, be aware that the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) has extended its moratorium on hunting permits for these species into the 2010 season. According to the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), all hunters with hunts booked for leopard or cheetah next season should consider their hunts to be on standby until further notice.
SCIF Receives Top Four-Star Rating By Charity Navigator For Third Consecutive Year
Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) has again received the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator (CN), the independent charity evaluation service, for the third consecutive year. Charity Navigator is a respected guide to charitable organizations in the United States. In determining its rating, CN considers growth in the organization’s ability to raise capital for its charitable purposes, and the efficiency with which its resources are spent. A high rating from CN shows that an organization is effective at attracting donations and at making sure that most of the money is spent on charitable purposes rather than overhead.
“We are proud to announce Safari Club International Foundation has earned our Four-Star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances,” said Ken Berger, President and Chief Executive Officer of CN, in a letter to SCIF. “Only 13% of the charities we rate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Safari Club International Foundation consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Safari Club International Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”
Expert: Banning Hunting Is a Mistake
Gaborone — An expert on Friday warned that the banning of hunting in preference to photographic safaris could have a devastating effect on the environment and the wildlife it is expected to preserve. (Source: AllAfrica.com Online) Read the full article HERE.
The Reno Convention –
Get you hotel reservations made and book your flights – hotel space is already tight!
Looking ahead – Future SCI Convention Dates
2011 – January 26-29, Reno, NV
2012 – February 8-11, Las Vegas, NV
Special thanks to those members who helped sponsor Brandon Wikman’s ‘Wikworld Summer Camp For Kids’ Our Chapter sent ten (10) kids again. The camp ran for four weekends and had tremendous positive impact from Brandon and our Sensory Safari Trailer on hundreds of kids. For more info go to www.wiksworld.com but, keep in mind the venue is designed for today’s youth. Not old fogies like me. Best, Alan Heth
SCI Badgerland Promotes DNR Hunter Education program in Wisconsin
June 2009 the SCI Badgerland Chapter initiated… a ‘Call for Arms’ from its members and other SCI members in Wisconsin. Guns donated will be used for Wisconsin’s DNR Hunter Education Program.
The state’s DNR never has enough firearms available to offer adequate instruction time to each of the 35 to 75 students that attend each session. Instructors often bring their personal firearms to class to ensure the students receive the highest level of instruction they can provide.
SCI Badgerland has made an arrangement with the Tim Lawhern, DNR’s Hunter Education Administrator. SCI Members statewide can donate firearms to the ‘Hunter Education Program’ through Badgerland. SCI Badgerland Chapter is registered as a non-profit. Donations may qualify the donor for a tax deduction. Firearms do not need to be new or fancy. They just need to be serviceable and in safe working order.
This ongoing Badgerland project has just started and has already received seven 22 rifles and three shotguns. Three rifles donated were brand new and still in the boxes. SCI members Dave Strassman and Jim Shurts donated their first guns… a Winchester Model 12 and a Model 94.
This project is very important for the Hunting Education Instructors to effectively teach our youth and future hunters about gun safety and hunting. SCI has focused on ‘First for Hunters’ and ‘Youth Hunting’. This program is very important for our hunting future.
A Call for Arms
The Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Program is a significant factor in the efforts to promote and preserve the hunting heritage in the State of Wisconsin. Classes offered in various communities fill up quickly, and dedicated volunteer instructors donate their enthusiasm, expertise and time to ensure that the next generation of hunters will be safe and informed. It is priceless to observe a student, be they a youngster or adult, transform from timid to confident as they demonstrate the safe and proper ways to handle, load and unload a long gun. There is an ongoing need for more than volunteers…
Much of the time spent in the fifteen to eighteen hours of Hunter Education classes is spent instructing the students on the proper methods of handling firearms. Currently, the DNR provides to the instructors as many firearms as it has available for each of the many classes held annually. The DNR never has enough firearms available to offer adequate instruction time to each of the 35 to 75 students that attend each session. Instructors often bring their personal firearms to class to ensure the students receive the highest level of instruction they can provide. This arrangement is neither convenient nor adequate. Instructors may not have the types of firearms needed, or they may not be comfortable sharing their favorite, and often expensive, firearms with the students.
This ‘Call for Arms’ is directed to the Wisconsin members of SCI. SCI Badgerland has made an arrangement with the DNR, Tim Lawhern, Hunter Education Administrator, so that SCI Members statewide can donate firearms to the ‘Hunter Education Program’. Badgerland Chapter is registered as a non-profit. Donations may qualify the donor for a tax deduction. Firearms do not need to be new or fancy. They just need to be serviceable and in safe working order.
Shotguns and rifles in any of the five types of actions ‘bolt, break, pump, lever and semi-auto’ are required at each session. 20 ga. Shotguns and 22 long rifle caliber firearms are the most sought after types for use in live fire training since they work best for younger students. However, any gauge shotgun or any caliber rifle in safe, serviceable condition will be gratefully accepted. Please look through your cabinets and safes for firearms in any of the five action types which you might be able to bear parting with.
You can make a positive difference in the future of Youth Hunting in the great State of Wisconsin through your generosity. This program deals directly to SCI’s focus on Youth Hunter.
All State SCI members can conduit the gun donation through their own Chapter or as a taxable deduction through SC I Badgerland. To arrange a donation, you may contact Ken at the phone number or email listed below. Thanks in advance for your generosity.
Ken Heim, Badgerland Director & DNR Hunter Safety Instructor. 608-310-4440 khre@tds.net
SCI Badgerland’s Call for Arms Donor List 2009
Donations are to the Badgerland Chapter a 501 c3 charitable entity.
Chapter contact: Ken heim – Badgerland director and DNR Hunter Safety Instructor 608.310.4440 khre@tds.net
| Donor Name | Make | Model | Action | caliber | ||
| Alan Heth | Harrington Richardson | 88 | break | 410ga | ||
| Alan Heth | Mossberg | Plinkster | 702 | semi auto | 22 long | |
| Alan Heth | Mossberg | Plinkster | 702 | semi auto | 22 long | |
| Alan Heth | New England Firearms | Pardner SB1 | break | 20ga | ||
| Dennis Smithback | Savage Mark 1 Accutrigger | bolt | 22 long | |||
| Alan Heth | Springfield | 940 E | break | 20ga | ||
| Dave Strassman | Winchester Model 12 | |||||
| Dave Strassman | Winchester Model 94 | |||||
| Jim Shurts | Winchester Model 190 | 22 long | ||||
| Jim Shurts | Marlin Glenfield Model 10 | 22 long | ||||