DSORe POLL S1005

LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS: Do you think "Learn to Hunt" events are the best way to recruit new hunters?

COMMENTS (2)

THIS WEEK'S POLL

Are there enough public shooting ranges in Wisconsin?

Are there enough public shooting ranges in Wisconsin?
This Weeks OUTDOORS RADIO Poll Question
Give us your opinion - Take the Poll (CLICK)

Open house and public hearing set for shooting range in Columbia County

PORTAGE, Wis. – The public is invited to an open house and public hearing on two draft documents that are part of the development of a new public shooting range on the Mud Lake Wildlife Area in the Town of Lowville, February 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Columbia County Law Enforcement Center, 711 East Cook Street, Portage.
Both documents are available for review by visiting dnr.wi.gov, and entering the search words, “Columbia County Shooting Range Proposal.” Online comments will be accepted through February 27.
The open house is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Department of Natural Resources staff will be on hand to answer questions on the proposed amendment to the Columbia County Planning Group Master Plan and the Environmental Impact statement for the project.
At 7 p.m. a formal hearing on the EIS will begin.
“This is the second scheduled opportunity to provide comment before these documents are presented to the Natural Resources Board for approval at its April 8 meeting in Madison,” said Eric Lobner, a DNR wildlife supervisor for the area. “At that time the board will also take additional public comments before acting on the documents.”
Based on comments received at the first public listening session held for these documents on December 17, the layout of the range has been updated to include perimeter fencing and a gate controlling access.
The Mud Lake location for the new public shooting range was selected by an ad hoc citizens committee after reviewing the pros and cons of seven possible state-owned sites within the county and public input on two of the sites the committee felt were the best candidates.
The proposed master plan amendment is needed to reclassify approximately 10 acres of the Mud Lake WA from “habitat management area” to “special management area.” The draft EIS evaluates potential impacts to natural resources in and adjacent to the site.
“Our master planning guidelines require us to craft an amendment that reclassifies the area designated for the range to a category that allows this kind of development,” said Lobner. “The EIS identifies potential environmental impacts from the project and the significance of those impacts on habitat and area wildlife and nearby human populations.”
Following this open house and hearing and after the close of the online comment period the department will evaluate all comments and make modifications to the amendment and EIS if deemed necessary.
Persons wishing to speak to the board at their April 8 meeting must preregister with
The board liaison

• Laurie Ross
• Phone: 608-267-7420

Contact(s):

• Eric Lobner, wildlife supervisor – (608) 275-3474
• Bob Manwell, DNR communications – (608) 275-3317

READ MORE HERE: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=3463

DSORe POLL S726

RESULTS FOR POLL S725 Is the proposed harvest quota of 142-233 wolves too low? YES 56.3% | NO 25.0% | MAYBE 6.3% | UNDECIDED 12.5% | COMMENTS [6]

INSTANT SURVEY VOTE ON - POLL S726 Can increased public awareness stop the spread of aquatic invasives? The question we want to know is WHAT do YOU think of this. Let us know. Take the POLL! VOTE YOUR OPINION Fourth annual Landing Blitz for aquatic invasive species doubles coverage Citizen volunteers and aquatic invasive species experts will be teaming up to educate boaters at more than 200 landings across Wisconsin over the week of the Fourth of July. This is the fourth annual Landing Blitz, where participants will provide free boat inspection and remind boaters how to avoid spreading Eurasian water-milfoil, zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species. The program has grown over the years, with the 200 landings staffed this year more than double last year’s coverage of 90 landings staffed by boat inspectors. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) can crowd out native species, disrupt lake ecosystems and interfere with boating, fishing and other recreation. They create extra costs and lost value to homeowners and to state industries such as utilities, real estate, manufacturing, shipping, tourism, fishing and recreation. Invasives and fish diseases (such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia or VHS) spread to new waters primarily aboard boating and fishing equipment, or when live fish or water moved from one water body to another. READ MORE...

DSORe POLL S717

Results for POLL s716
Should Wisconsin and other Great Lakes states reduce trout and salmon stocking? YES 36.4% | NO 63.6% | MAYBE 0% | UNDECIDED 0% | COMMENTS [2]
INSTANT SURVEY VOTE ON - POLL s717 Do you want to see any changes in Wisconsin’s turkey season structure?
Changes in WI Turkey Season structure ... ???
Meetings offer opportunity to be active participant in wild turkey management The question we want to know is WHAT do YOU think of this. Let us know. Take the POLL! VOTE YOUR OPINION MADISON – State wildlife officials say that the time has come to revise the Wisconsin Wild Turkey Management Plan and they are urging hunters to consider attending one of 11 public input meetings in April and May. Since wild turkeys were re-introduced into Wisconsin in the 1970s, their population has flourished, according to Scott Walter, upland wildlife ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “Turkeys can now be found throughout the state, and feedback from hunters, landowners, and others has prompted us to take a fresh look at the statewide Wild Turkey Management Plan, last revised in 1996,” Walter said. “The chance to hear the ideas, concerns, and opinions of the public will be crucial to this process.” The public input meetings are intended to both share information on wild turkey management and gather information from hunters, landowners, and others about the turkey population where they live, hunt, or farm. Meetings should last no longer than two hours, and are open to the public – no registration required. Meeting attendees will be able to view a presentation giving the historical background of the existing Wild Turkey Management Plan and explaining current revision efforts. There will be opportunities during the presentation for attendees to ask questions and discuss turkey management issues. “Anyone interested in the opportunity to discuss local turkey management issues, hunting seasons, and any other wild turkey topic is encouraged to attend,” Walter said. Attendees also will be able to fill out a survey in person. Anyone who is unable to attend a meeting can view the same presentation and fill out the same survey online at their convenience starting on April 19. To learn more about participating in this effort go to dnr.wi.us and search for “turkey meetings.” READ MORE HERE: For more information contact: Scott Walter - (608) 267-7861 Krista McGinley - (608) 261-8458
NEXT WEEK: Results for POLL s717

DSORe eNews S709

VOL: MARCH 03, 2012   ISSUE: SHOW #709

• Countering Hollywood’s negative image of hunters and shooters • Vegan turned hunter tells why he hunts eMail: outdoorsradio@gmx.com • Jeff places high in final NAIFC tourney of the season • Dan greets friends and fans at the Madison Fishing Expo

RESULTS FOR POLL S708 Do you favor updating Wisconsin’s guide license requirements by establishing a new definition of a guide, require reporting of harvest, acres owned/leased for guiding and client information, and by establishing minimum standards for insurance and training? YES 40% | NO 56.7% | MAYBE 0% | UNDECIDED 3.3% | COMMENTS [8]

INSTANT SURVEY VOTE ON - POLL S709 Would you support the concept of separate (DMU specific) antlerless deer permits for private and public lands in any DMU with an antlerless quota?

Creation of Public/Private Antlerless Deer System One idea that is being considered is having separate public and private land antlerless permits in all DMUs with antlerless quotas. VOTE YOUR OPINION Question 47 - in this year’s Spring Fish and Game Hearings Questionnaire reads: Many Wisconsin deer hunters have the perception that because publicly accessible hunting areas in our state often have increased hunting pressure compared to most private lands, deer populations in those areas have been over-harvested in an attempt to manage broader deer populations that have been sheltered on private land. Data collected from hunters’ registration stubs for several years indicate that in many units the percentage of deer harvested on public land in the unit is disproportionately high when compared to the percentage of public land within the unit. This suggest that more of the available antlerless permits within each Deer Management Unit (DMU) are being filled on lands easily accessible by the public and not necessarily to the areas of greatest deer density. READ MORE HERE:

When you LEAVE a COMMENT & YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS, you are entered into the drawing - for a ZipVac portable vacuum sealer starter kit, complete with a rechargeable pump, a hand-operated pump and reusable, resealable storage bags. Follow ZipVac on Twitter and subscribe to the ZipVac blog.

PATRICK KILPATRICK Hollywood writer/producer/director/actor and avid hunter tells how to combat Hollywood’s stereotyping of hunters and anglers to help preserve our outdoor heritage, the topic of his seminars at the SCIWI Big Game Hunters Banquet and Expo and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show TOVAR CERULLI Blogger and author of the new book, The Mindful Carnivore, talks about his philosophy of hunting for food and the future of hunting JEFF ENGEL Host/producer of Engel’s Outdoor Experience talks about the deer and turkey calling competition and other hunting-related features of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show GARY SEFTON Nashville songwriter and turkey hunting expert shares tips on dealing with silent gobblers and other turkey-hunting problems, the topic of his seminar at the Field & Stream Deer & Turkey Expo GENE DELLINGER | Proprietor of D&S Bait in Madison reports on ice fishing conditions and the panfish bite in the Madison area

THE EVENTS CALENDAR HAS BEEN MOVED DANSMALLOUTDOORS.COM/EVENTS •FISHING CONTESTS: Find them ALL online:  @ American Fishing Contests •RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY BANQUETS & EVENTS:  ONLINE INFO: •MILFORD HILLS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS: ONLINE INFO

Hunters Shape Their Future by Mark LaBarbera Bob Holsman, conference coordinator, speaking at The Hunting Future Search Conference, held February 22-24 at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Treehaven Field Station.     photo: Mark LaBarbera TOMAHAWK, WI. At a recent conference held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Treehaven Field Station near Tomahawk, some 30 hunting leaders from across Wisconsin identified strategies and pledged action aimed at reducing the loss of licensed hunters in the state. The Hunting Future Search Conference, held February 22-24, was organized and funded by the Wisconsin DNR. "The conference was a huge success with the potential for accomplishing great things in the future," said Jeff Nass, President of the National Rifle Association’s chartered association in the state. "We look forward to working with this group and representatives from other groups that were unable to attend." His group, Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges Clubs and Educators Inc. (Wisconsin FORCE), actively participated at the conference with leaders from Whitetails Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wisconsin Deerhunters, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, Wisconsin Trappers Association and others, including members of local hunting clubs and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. As a Life Member of North American Hunting Club, Safari Club, Mule Deer Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, I’ve heard fellow members share concerns about the next generation losing touch with nature and wondering what can be done to reconnect youngsters and introduce new ones to hunting, conservation and the shooting sports. Most people agree that there is no silver bullet. Read more here: Hunters register 5,433 birds in 2011 fall wild turkey hunt   Dan Small with a nice fall tom. Wisconsin hunters registered 5.433 turkeys for the 2011 fall season.  photo courtesy Dan Small ©2012 MADISON – Wisconsin wild turkey hunters registered a combined 5,433 birds during the regular fall 2011 wild turkey season and the extended season in Turkey Management Zones 1-5. The 5,433 registered birds compute to a success rate of 10 percent, a slight decrease from the 12 percent success rate for hunters during the 2010 fall season. “The fall turkey season, along with our spring season, continues to provide important recreational opportunities for Wisconsin’s hunters,” says Scott Walter, upland wildlife ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. "Hunters that pursue turkeys during both the spring and fall seasons are really treated to two very distinctive outdoor experiences, and get to enjoy turkeys during very different phases of their annual cycle.” Hunting turkeys in the fall is quite different than taking part in the spring hunt, where hunters use the breeding behavior of gobblers to call one into range, he says. Fall hunters learn that the key to success is to pattern turkey flocks, and locating roost sites and feeding locations in order to get close to turkeys. The decline in harvest between the 2010 and 2011 fall seasons continues a downward trend in fall turkey harvest over the past seven years and likely reflects turkey numbers and hunting trends, Walter says. “Certainly, the previous three winters have stressed turkeys, and recent wet springs have likely limited production," he says. "Long-term, turkey populations – and the number of turkeys hunters encounter in the field – will ebb and flow in response to weather conditions that determine production levels." The fact that there are so many opportunities available to hunters in the fall also seems to have resulted in fewer hunters pursuing turkeys recently, with the number of fall permits sold declining steeply the past few years. This also has reduced the total number of birds harvested in the fall season, Walter says. Not including Fort McCoy, the total number of permits available statewide for the fall 2011 season was 95,700, the same as in 2010. A total of 54,949 permits were sold, including 41,332 via the drawing with another 13,617 permits sold over-the-counter after the drawing had been completed. Turkey permit levels for fall 2012 to be set this summer Permit levels for the 2012 fall season will be set this summer once harvest data for the spring 2012 season is available and biologists can assess spring production levels, Walter says. Permit applications for the 2012 fall season are due August 1st, 2012 “Statewide, the population of turkeys remains strong,” says Krista McGinley, DNR assistant upland wildlife ecologist. “Long-term, turkey numbers are primarily driven by the quality of habitat available and weather during the critical nesting brood-rearing period. "We’ve got excellent turkey habitat across the state, this winter’s been mild for turkeys and, given good production this spring, hunters should have an excellent opportunity to see turkeys and perhaps harvest a bird this coming spring and fall.” The number of permits available to hunters in each of the state’s seven Turkey Management Zones is recommended by members of the Wild Turkey Management Committee, who consider recent trends in harvest, hunter success, and turkey reproduction, as well as hunter densities and field reports of turkey abundance, when deciding on final permit numbers. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Walter, (608) 267-7861 Krista McGinley, (608) 261-8458

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