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Topics - Rancid Crabtree

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Whitetail Deer / Informative ad directed to WI deer hunters

« on: March 27, 2009, 05:58:09 AM »

I just learned about this upcoming ad that is being placed in a few old media publications but you will have to wait (and/or pay) to see it so I thought I would use the new media to get the word out.

Wisconsin General Events and Activities / Living Wild Outdoors fest

« on: March 24, 2009, 05:44:14 AM »

I just learned about this new sports show in Iola. WBH will have a booth at the Living Wild Outdoors Festival.

http://www.livingwildoutdoors.com/

From the event website:

Living Wild Outdoors is just what is says! Enjoying the outdoor lifestyle whether that be hunting, fishing, hiking, camping or just taking in all that nature has to offer. Here at Living Wild Outdoors it is our goal to live the lifestyle that we love and to introduce others to do the same. What a great feeling watching a child harvest their first deer, call in that big old Tom for the first time or smile as they catch their first bluegill.

June 20th and 21st join us as we bring the outdoors to you at our first Living Wild Outdoors Festival at the Old Car Show Grounds in Iola Wisconsin. This Central Wisconsin location is placed right in the middle of great hunting and fishing! We are confident that there will be something for every outdoorsman. And let’s not forget the children because they are the future of the industry we love so much. We will have plenty of things for the kids, so dad & mom bring the whole family!

It should be a weekend to remember at the first Annual Living Wild Outdoors Festival. So join us in June and you too will be Living Wild Outdoors!

General Show Information
2009 Living Wild Outdoors Festival Info
June 20-21, 2009
Iola old car show grounds
Iola, Wisconsin

Show Hours
Saturday 9am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 5pm

http://www.livingwildoutdoors.com/

Wisconsin General Events and Activities / Help Support youth archery/bowhunting

« on: March 20, 2009, 06:15:55 AM »

What a great way to support Ray's program and have an enjoyable evening in the process. I encourage all to attend.

Whitetail Deer / * WI bowhunting under attack *

« on: March 18, 2009, 06:03:33 PM »

*****Bowhunting threat alert*****

Your bow season is at risk. While reading through the Conservation Congress Spring hearings questions, I came across question 57 which seeks to make the archery season an antlerless only season except for opening weekend and two weeks during the rut. Bowhunters would not be allowed to harvest a buck at any other time of the bow season if this passes.

It is being labeled an "EAB alternative" is really an attack on bowhunters. The wording is sneaky enough not to mention the bow season which is most likely an attempt to trick unsuspecting CC voters into voting for it as an "Alternative" to EAB on the grounds of fairness. By fairness, it means that since gun hunters get an opening weekend and the 9 day season to hunt bucks that bowhunters should only get that same amount of time to harvest bucks.

As a Bowhunter, you have more reason than ever to attend the April 13th spring hearing to vote NO to question 57. Please make sure to spread the word about this assault on the bow season.

Here is the wording as it appears in the CC spring hearing book.

QUESTION 57 – An EAB Alternative

The use of the Earn-a-Buck deer season in Wisconsin has been controversial, unpopular, and seemingly unfair to many hunters since its inception. Yet, EAB has proven to be effective at reducing high deer populations. It accomplishes this by tying the ability, opportunity, and desire for harvesting a buck with the biological necessity of harvesting antlerless deer. Sadly, EAB does this on an individual hunter basis where one hunter may be able to hunt bucks for over 100 days, while another hunter may never have even one day’s chance.

Another way of utilizing the same “ability, opportunity, and desire for harvesting a buck” would be to implement a full-length antlerless season with a shortened buck harvest period. Season opening weekends (and perhaps a two or three week rutting period) would always be open for buck harvest so everyone in the DMU has the same chance at that time for a buck every year that the program is in effect. Antlerless harvest would be spurred on during the rest of the season by the desire to return to a full-season buck hunting opportunity again. Specific time periods and trigger points for the implementation of such a management tool could be developed cooperatively with the DNR. All hunters under this system would and should be treated equally.

In areas or DMUs of high over-goal deer populations and in an effort to provide equal buck-hunting opportunity to all hunters in those units, would you prefer the concept of shortening buck hunting opportunity by limiting the buck harvest equally for all hunters on a seasonal basis instead of limiting individual opportunity through the use of EAB?

To find out where your county CC hearing is, go to the following link.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/nrboard/congress/spring_hearings/index.html

Whitetail Deer / 13% below goal and in EAB

« on: March 17, 2009, 08:50:32 PM »

For another example, I will use unit 65A. I made a map that shows that with a consolidation, 65A would be lumped together with 3 other units as shown below.

Each of the 4 existing units have harvest histories and overwinter populations goals established. Each unit has an established accounting of how many square miles of deer range is in that unit. 2 of these units happen to have a 25 deer per square mile (of range) population goal and 2 are set at 30 deer. When added together they would establish an aggregated population of 29,120 deer. so combining them might seem like no big deal. I made this map to show Those numbers below.

At the same time, DNR uses population estimates known as SAK which stands for "Sex, Age, Kill" to determine the estimated overwinter population for each unit. I made this map to shows the most current SAK estimates as of March 12th. Based on set goal per square mile of range, this allows DNR to know how close to goal the population is. This map shows that the 4 units vary from 13% below goal to as much as 65% over goal. It also shows what the preliminary season structure will be for this year's deer season for each of the units. The 4 units below are a mix of regular season, and EAB season.

This last map shows the current aggregated population goal of 26525 deer which is a decrease because aggregation also takes the two units that were at 30 per square miles and lowers their goal to 25. This map also show the the current estimated population (40,942 deer) The new unit is now 54% above goal meaning unit 65A goes from a regular season structure to an EAB without any real change in it's deer population. It is being penalized by association with the other units. Hunters in what was the old unit 65A that is already below goal would be forced into EAB and be made to harvest does, driving the already low population even lower. I think it's clear that there are concerns with combining units. I urge caution when making your choice on the survey.

Lastly, please make a point of attending the DMU meeting in your area.

Whitetail Deer / Another WI deer hunter Survey

« on: March 16, 2009, 07:30:59 PM »

http://wiharc.com/survey/index.php?sid=18319&lang=en

Whitetail Deer / Alert Bow Hunter input now being collected

« on: March 11, 2009, 05:04:52 PM »

Bow Hunters, I want to make you aware of an effort to gather your input on deer season management. As a member of the Deer management population goal and boundary advisory board, I along with the other members of this advisory board were given our own private links to two surveys as a way of getting out the vote for our stakeholder community. I represent the bowhunting community and as such, urge you to use this two links below to take the surveys as your results will then be known to have come from the deer hunting community.

It is important to know that this survey comes from our DMU advisory board and NOT THE DNR. Our advisory board made that clear when we set this up. DNR will not be the ones administering this survey nor will they be the one to tally the results. We felt these were important questions to ask of the bow hunters of WI.

I did my own verification and validation of this survey tool by building my own in order to better understand how it will be administered. You can trust that this is being administered outside of the DNR by our own DMU facilitator.

You will only be able to take this survey once per computer and it is encouraged that you first attend one of the DMU meetings in a county near you. This first survey is an online questionnaire being used to gather general input on deer management in Wisconsin.
Take the first survey here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Q_2f_2flwd4n_2buOEU_2fJezVwm3A_3d_3d

The second Survey is to gather input on the idea of aggregating (consolidating) current Deer Management Unit (DMU) I will tell you that our DMU Advisory Board did NOT recommend aggregating units and that we are instead advocating that DNR keep the units the same as they are right now and run 2 sets of books for a few years to verify that consolidation is the right way to go.

The reason behind consolidation was that it is thought to give more accurate deer population estimates if the units are bigger thus offering a larger sample size. While this may be true, we felt it important that DNR test this plan on paper for a few years and then relay their findings back to us before a map change is made.

There is more to be considered besides accuracy when consolidating units that I will explain below but here is the link to the consolidation survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=8WOlKnU2eZ_2fbdkNofjGLFw_3d_3d

The concept map would take 133 units and combine them to generate a map of 41 Deer Management Units (DMU's) for an example, I will use the unit I hunt which is 62A. I made a map that shows that with a consolidation, 62A would be lumped together with 3 other units as shown below.

Each of the 4 existing units have harvest histories and overwinter populations goals established. Each unit has an established accounting of how many square miles of deer range is in that unit. As luck would have it, all 4 of these units happen to have a 25 deer per square mile (of range) population goal. When added together they would establish an aggregated population of 33875 deer. so combining them might seem like no big deal. I made this map to show Those numbers below.

At the same time, DNR uses population estimates known as SAK which stands for "Sex, Age, Kill" to determine the estimated overwinter population for each unit. I made this map to shows the most current SAK estimates as of March 5th. Based on set goal of 25 deer per square mile of range, this allows DNR to know how close to goal the population is. This map shows that the 4 units vary from 5% to as much as 120% over goal. It also shows what the preliminary season structure will be for this year's deer season for each of the units. The 4 units below are a mix of regular season, Herd control (EAB watch) and EAB.

This last map shows the current aggregated population goal (33878 deer) as well as the current estimated population (50015 deer) The new unit is now 47% above goal meaning unit 46 goes from a regular season structure to an EAB watch without any real change in it's population. It is being penalized by association with unit 62B. On the flip side, 62B goes from EAB to just being on watch for EAB. I think it's clear that there are concerns with combining units. I do not have the time to do this comparison for each combination of units but you can see how your unit would be effected while taking the survey. I urge caution when making your choice on the survey and that you weigh all the options.

Lastly, please make a point of attending the DMU meeting in you area. For a complete list of dates, Times and locations, visit this link.

http://wibowhunters.proboards54.com/index.cgi?board=deerarea&action=display&thread=789

Thanks for taking the time to offer your voice in our states deer management.

Whitetail Deer / 2009 season structure map NEW!

« on: March 10, 2009, 08:57:00 AM »

Here is the 2009 season structure map. The only error is that unit 69 is incorrectly labeled as a herd control unit when it will actually be a regular season unit. It's not all that different from last year except that there are few less EAB units and a few less herd control units.

and for comparison, here is last years map.

Whitetail Deer / Thank you Rep. Hraychuck and Holperin

« on: March 09, 2009, 08:36:30 PM »

It's with sincere thanks to Rep. Ann Hraychuck and Jim Holperin that Hunters statewide will get a chance to speak their minds on deer hunting issues in WI. Hunters will not forget the kindness you have shown us.

Representative Ann Hraychuck
6 North 409 South
PO Box 8953
Madison, WI 53703
(608)267-2365

and

Senator Jim Holperin
PO Box 7882
Madison, WI 53703
(608)266-2509

Informational hearings

2008 Deer Season and Herd Management Techniques

Friday, March 6, 2009

MADISON—Representative Ann Hraychuck (D-Balsam Lake) and Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) announced plans today to hold informational hearings about the 2008 deer season and herd management techniques in Spooner and Rhinelander on March 30th, as well as a joint Senate-Assembly Committee hearing in Madison on April 15th.

Rep. Hraychuck serves as chair of the Assembly’s Fish and Wildlife Committee, and Sen. Holperin is chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Both recognize the many questions and concerns of Wisconsin hunters about the 2008 deer season and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) population management tools for the deer herd.

“Everyone knows there’s a lot of upset deer hunters out there following a very disappointing and unproductive season for many,” Holperin said. “The legislature should certainly not start running
our deer seasons…nobody wants that…but there are many deer-related policies that are legislatively based and so we need to listen to hunters, hear them out, and react so that there is a
greater level of satisfaction with deer management policy in this state.”

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide oral testimony or written comments. Those who are inclined to testify are asked to limit comments to 3 minutes. In addition to the
hearings being held by Rep. Hraychuck and Sen. Holperin, the DNR is also holding Deer Management Unit (DMU) hearings across the state throughout the month of March. “An important part of the deer management equation is the annual DMU hearings that are being held in 40 locations,” said Hraychuck. “Traditionally there has been low attendance at these hearings. It has never been more important for citizens to voice their concerns about Wisconsin’s
deer population management. Senator Holperin and I urge hunters to attend the meetings held locally, and if they can, make the trip to one of the three legislative hearings,” Hraychuck continued.

DNR staff will be in attendance at each legislative hearing and DMU hearing to answer questions and explain in greater detail their current techniques for calculating the deer population and mechanisms to manage the herd.

WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE
Hearing dates and times:
Rhinelander
Monday, March 30
6:30-9:30 pm
James Williams Middle School
915 Acacia Lane

Spooner
Spooner Elementary School
500 College Street

Madison
Wednesday, April 15
10:00 am
State Capitol, 411 South

You can read the official press release at:

http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Mar09/mar6/0306holperindeerseason.pdf

Note that they have kindly created a forum for deer hunters around the state to voice their concerns, Please DO NOT miss this opportunity. You absolutely MUST attend if you are interested in improving the condition for deer hunters in this state. This is your strongest and best chance to get action.

We get up early countless times during the deer seasons and travel across the state over and over to pursue our passion but this one meeting in Madison is by far the most important hunting trip you will ever make.

Please pass this on to every deer hunter you know. If we do not fill the chambers in Madison, It will be a clear indicator that we don't care and that will send a message. Instead, send the message that you care greatly for the sport of deer hunting and speak your mind. You will not be required to speak by your attendance alone will speak volumes for deer hunters. The same holds true for both the Rhinelander and Spooner meetings.

100

Whitetail Deer / Public Herd Status review meetings (by County)

« on: February 22, 2009, 03:35:49 PM »

Here is a list of the meeting times, dates and locations for the herd status review. This is your opportunity to speak your mind about deer populations in the area you hunt. You will get to vote on unit aggregation and over winter populations goals in the DMU where you hunt. It is very important that as many hunters as possible attend this meeting in your hunting area otherwise the DNR will be lead to believe that your ok with the current situation.

You do not have to stay for the entire meeting, You can review the data, pick up a form to be filled in and mailed to the DNR by April 1 or you can do it online (without any discussion or questions answered unless you make a call). The DNR will provide a press release with updated info as well as a web link on the DNR web site.

IRON COUNTY DMUs: 28, 29A, 34 Mercer Community Center, 2648W Margaret Street, Mercer Monday, March 23 @ 7:00 PM Bruce Bacon: 715-476-7843

ASHLAND AND BAYFIELD COUNTIES DMUs: 3, 6, 7, 28, 78 WITC, Room 306, 2100 S. Beaser Avenue, Ashland Tuesday, March 24: 6:00 PM. Todd Naas: 715-685-2914

BAYFIELD AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES DMUs: 2, 3, 6, 9 Iron River Community Center, US Highway 2, Iron River Thursday, March 19: 6:00 PM Greg Kessler: 715-372-8539, ext. 115

DOUGLAS COUNTY DMUs: 1, 1M, 2, 4, 8, 9 Superior Public Library Wednesday, March 25 5:30-8:30pm Greg Kessler: 715-372-8539, ext. 115

RUSK COUNTY DMUs: 18, 19, 23, 24 Ladysmith High School Cafeteria, 1700 E. Edgewood Avenue, Ladysmith WI Tuesday, March 24, 6 PM Mark E. Schmidt: 715-532-4369

TAYLOR COUNTY DMUs: 25, 26, 27, 32 Taylor County Fairgrounds Multipurpose Building, 845 E. Broadway, Medford, WI Tuesday, March 17th, 6 PM Mark E. Schmidt: 715-532-4369

WASHBURN & BURNETT COUNTY DMUs 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 Nancy Christel: 715-635-4091 Pete Engman: 715-463-2896

BARRON AND POLK COUNTIES DMUs: 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 22A, 23 Turtle Lake High School Library, 205 Oak Street Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 PM Kevin Morgan: 715-637-6867 Michelle Carlisle: 715-485-3518

LANGLADE COUNTY DMUs: 42, 43, 52 Clover Rm., Multi-purpose Bldg. Langlade Co. Fairgrounds, Antigo Thursday, March 19, 6:00 PM Rick Weide: 715–536-4763

LINCOLN COUNTY DMUs: 32, 42, 52 Wisconsin National Guard Armory 106 Memorial Dr., Merrill Wednesday, March 18, 6:00 PM Rick Weide: 715–536-4763

FLORENCE AND FOREST COUNTIES DMUs: 40, 45, 50 DNR Natural Resources Center, Lower Level Large Conference Room, Hwy 101, Florence, WI Wednesday, March 18th, 6:00 PM Jeremy Holtz: 715-528-4400 x119

DMUs: 39, 40, 44 Big 4+ Sportsmen's Club Zepp rd, Long Lake, WI Tuesday, March 10th 7 PM Jeremy Holtz: 715-528-4400 x119

ONEIDA AND VILAS COUNTIES DMU's: 29B, 31, 35, 36, 37, 38 James Williams Middle School Auditorium, 915 Acacia Lane, Rhinelander Tuesday, March 24th: 6:00 PM Ron Eckstein: 715-365-8999 Linda Winn: 715-358-9207

PRICE COUNTY DMU’s 14, 20, 25, 29A, 30 Price Co. Courthouse, Co. Board Rm., 126 Cherry Street, Phillips Monday, March 23, 6:00 PM Pat Beringer: 715-762-1340

SAWYER COUNTY DMU 13, 17, 18, 19 Winter School Auditorium, 6585 Grove St. Wednesday, March 25, 6:00 PM Laine Stowell: 715:634-9659 Ext. 3527

FOND DU LAC AND WINNEBAGO COUNTIES DMUs 66, 68A J.P. Coughlin Building, 625 E. Co. Rd. 'Y', Oshkosh, UW Extension Meeting Rooms 'A' & 'B' Wednesday, March 25, open house 5:30 Herd Status and DMU review presentation and public input 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Mark Randall: 920-424-7896

OUTAGAMIE, SHAWANO, WAUPACA DMUs 47, 62B, 63A, 63B Clintonville High School Commons, 64 W. Green Tree Rd. Clintonville Wednesday, March 18, 4:00-6:30 PM, Open House/Herd Status Review. DMU review presentation and public input: 6:30 – 8:30 PM Steve Hoffman: 715-258-4778 thingy Nikolai: 920-832-1804 Kay Brockman-Mederas: 715-526-4226 Tom Nigus: 920-787-4686 ext. 3009

DOOR AND KEWAUNEE COUNTIES Units 80A, 80B, 80C and 81 Algoma Youth Club (gymnasium), 620 Lake St., Algoma Monday, March 16, open house/herd status review 6:00-7:30 PM DMU review presentation and public input: 7:30 – 9:00 PM Aaron Buchholz: 920-755-4983

BROWN, CALUMET AND MANITOWOC COUNTIES Units 64, 64A, 64M Reedsville Sportsman’s Club, 7015 Pleasant View Rd., Reedsville Tuesday, March 24, Open House Herd Status Review 6:00-7:30 PM DMU review presentation and public input: 7:30 – 9:00 PM thingy Nikolai: 920-832-1804 Aaron Buchholz: 920-755-4983

MARINETTE COUNTY Units 41, 45, 49B, 50, 51A, and 51B Crivitz Village Hall, 800 Henriette St., Crivitz Wednesday, March 18, open house/herd status review 5:00 - 6:00 PM DMU review presentation and public input: 6:00 – 8:30 PM John Huff: 715-582-5047 Dave Halfmann: 715-856-9160

OCONTO COUNTY Units 44, 49A, 49B, 51B, and 63B Oconto Falls Community Memorial Hospital – Community Room, 855 S. Main St., Oconto Falls Wednesday, March 25, open house/herd status review 5:00 – 6:00 PM DMU review presentation and public input: 6:00 - 8:30 PM John Huff: 715-582-5047 Dave Halfmann: 715-856-9160

GREEN LAKE, MARQUETTE, AND WAUSHARA COUNTIES DMUs 65A, 65B, 67A and 67B Wautoma High School, 514 S. Cambridge St. (Hwy 21/22) Wednesday, March 25, open house 5:00 – 7:00 PM in lunch room DMU Review: presentation and public input 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - McComb-Bruchs Performing Arts Center Jim Holzwart: 920-361-3149 Paul Samervoid: 920-787-4686 x3012 Steve Hoffman: 715-258-4778 Tom Nigus: 920-787-4686 ext. 3009

DUNN AND PEPIN COUNTIES DMUs 22A and 59B Dunn County Fish and Game Clubhouse, 1600 Pine Ave., Menomonie Wednesday, March 25, 4:00 – 8:00 PM Jess Carstens: 715-232-1519

CHIPPEWA AND EAU CLAIRE COUNTIES DMUs 59A DNR Service Center, 1300 West Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire Tuesday, March 17, 4:00 – 8:00 PM Michelle Woodford: 715-839-3771

PIERCE AND ST CROIX COUNTIES DMUs 60A, 60B, and 60M St. Croix County Agriculture Services and Education Center, 1960 8th Ave., Baldwin Thursday, March 19, 4:00-9:00 PM Harvey Halvorsen: 715-684-2914 ext.113

ADAMS, JUNEAU AND WOOD COUNTIES DMUs 53, 54A, 54B, 54C, 56 Rome Town Hall, Hwy. 13, northern Adams County Wednesday, March 11, 3:00 – 7:00 PM Wayne Hall: 715-884-2437 Jon Robaidek: 608-339-4819

PORTAGE COUNTY DMUs 57C, 62A, and 65A Portage County courthouse Annex, Conference room #1, 1462 Strongs Ave., Stevens Point Wednesday, March 25, 3:00-7:00 PM Greg Dahl: 715-421-7818

MARATHON COUNTY DMUs 57, 57A, 33, 46, 62A Central Wisconsin Airport - downstairs conference room, Mosinee Thursday, March 19, 3:00-7:00 PM Cortney Schaefer: 715-359-6405

BUFFALO COUNTY DMUs 61 Alma School Gym, State Hwy 35 north, Alma Wednesday, March 25, 5:00 -8:00 PM Kris Johansen: 608-685-6222

CLARK COUNTY DMUs 27, 57B and 58 Greenwood High School, Greenwood Wednesday, March 18, 4:00 - 8:00 PM Michele Windsor: 715-284-1403 Cortney Schaefer: 715-359-6405

JACKSON AND TREMPELEAU COUNTY DMUs 55 and 59C Hixton American Legion, Hixton Thursday, March 19, 4:00 – 8:00 PM Michele Windsor: 715-284-1403 Kris Johansen: 608-685-6222

CRAWFORD, LA CROSSE, MONROE AND VERNON COUNTY DMUs 59D, 59M, 72, 74A, and 74B Community Room, Bekkum Memorial Library, 206 N. Main, Westby Thursday, March 19, 4:00-8:00 PM Dave Matheys: 608-637-3938 Ron Lichtie: 608-785-9992 Tim Babros: 715-284-1423

DODGE AND FOND DU LAC COUNTY DMU 68A & 68B City Hall Building, 404 East Lake Street, Horicon Monday, March 23, open house 5:30 Herd status and DMU review presentation & public input: 6:00 – 9:00 PM Brenda Hill: 920-485-3007 Mark Randall: 920-424-7896

GRANT COUNTY DMUs 73A, 73B, 73D, 73B-CWD, 75D-CWD Grant County Youth and Ag Building - 916 East Elm St., Lancaster Tuesday, March 17, 5:00 – 8:30 PM, Open House Bill Ishmael: 608-935-1918

COLUMBIA, RICHLAND AND SAUK COUNTY CWD DMUs 54B, 70, 70B, 70E, 70F, 70G, 71 UW Baraboo – Sauk County Campus cafeteria, 1001 Connie Rd., Baraboo Tuesday, March 24, 5:00-8:30 PM, Open House Becky Roth: 608-588-2591 Sara Kehrli: 608-635-8123 Bill Ishmael: 608-935-1918

DANE, GREEN, AND LAFAYETTE COUNTIES CWD DMUs 75A, 76, and 76M DNR Service Center – 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg Wednesday, March 11, 5:00-8:30 PM, Open House Maureen Rowe: 608-275-3331 Doug Fendry: 608-275-3230

GRANT, IOWA, AND LAFAYETTE COUNTIES CWD DMUs 70A, 70C, 70D, 73B, 73E, 75B, 75C, 75D Dodger Bowl, 318 King St., Dodgeville Monday, March 23, 5:00-8:30 PM, Open House Bruce Folley: 608-575-9288 Bill Ishmael: 608-935-1918

DODGE, JEFFERSON AND ROCK COUNTIES CWD DMUs 76A and 77A Fort Atkinson High School library, 925 Lexington Blvd, Fort Atkinson Monday, March 23, 5:30-8:30 PM, Open House Charlie Kilian: 920-648-3054 Mike Foy: 608-273-6275 Tim Lizotte: 262-574-2120

SHEBOYGAN, WASHINGTON, OZAUKEE, MILWAUKEE AND WAUKESHA COUNTIES DMUs 69, 69C, 77M, 77C, 77E, 77D, & 68B Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center, N2875 Hwy 67, Cambellsport (just west of Dundee). Thursday, March 19, 6:30 - 9:30 PM Dale Katsma: 920-892-8756 ext. 3013 Tom Isaac: 262-670-3409 Dan Weidert: 920-892-8756 ext. 3040

KENOSHA, RACINE, WALWORTH, WAUKESHA AND MILWAUKEECOUNTIES CWD DMUs 77B, 77C, 77C-CWD and 77M Big Bend/Vernon Fire Station No. 3, W223 S7475 Woodland Ln, Big Bend Located just south of the intersection of Hwys 43 & 164, on the west side of Hwy 164 Thursday, March 19, open house 5:30-8:30 PM Brian Glenzinski: 262-574-2116 Marty Johnson: 262-884-2391 Tim Lizotte: 262-574-2120

101

Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Reports and News / Legislative Alert!!!

« on: February 19, 2009, 07:01:01 AM »

CALL TODAY and Ask Your Legislators to Support the Independent DNR Secretary bill!

In Wisconsin, we're passionate about the outdoors, from family farms to secret fishing spots to the woods where we hunt or hike. There are literally millions of Wisconsinites who spend their free time fishing, swimming, boating, camping, and more! And it's these citizens--like YOU--who understand the importance of managing, enjoying, and preserving the outdoors for future generations.

But, since 1995 when the Department of Natural Resources Secretary became a political appointee of the Governor, Wisconsinites have been questioning the integrity of natural resource decisions.

Fortunately, YOU have a chance to make sure we restore conservation integrity and independence to natural resource management.

Today, Representatives Black, Kaufert, and Hubler and Senators Cowles and Wirch introduced LRB 0132/2 which will return the appointment of the DNR Secretary to the Natural Resources Board. The bill is now circulating for co-sponsorship and will only circulate for a FEW DAYS, so PLEASE CALL TODAY and ask your legislators to sign-on in support of LRB 0132/2.

CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY and ask them to Co-Sponsor LRB 0132/2, the Independent DNR Secretary Bill.

102

Whitetail Deer / 2nd meeting of the DMU goal advisory board

« on: February 18, 2009, 08:55:03 PM »

The 2nd meeting of the DMU goal and boundary advisory board will take place on Sat. Feb. 21 at the Stevens Point Ramada inn located at 1501 North Point Drive.

The meeting starts at 9:00 AM and is set to conclude at 4:00 PM. The public is welcome to attend and encouraged to interact with advisory board members before, after and during breaks. At this time, there is no time allotted for public comment as members of the public are encouraged to work through their representative on the board.

Here is a link to the DMU review boards web site link with meeting info.

http://dmureview.editme.com/feb21

Here is the link to the DMU review Boards discussion area so you can see the issues being discussed by advisory board members.

http://dmureview.editme.com/Forums

Here is a list of the participating stakeholder groups. Feel free to contact any of the stakeholders groups and convey your concerns to them.

http://dmureview.editme.com/stakeholderinfo

103

Whitetail Deer / Map showing current estimated SAK numbers (preliminary)

« on: February 18, 2009, 07:10:08 AM »

I made this map from the preliminary SAK data as of Feb. 17 2009. Only the 4 colors in the key have significance since most of the change happened north of Hwy 64. I was told this SAK data will be refined / finalized soon. For a bigger and more detailed map, go to.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/WBH_stuff/DMUmap.jpg

104

Whitetail Deer / What if ????

« on: February 17, 2009, 12:00:20 PM »

In looking at the SAK preliminary numbers I notices lots of units that are now below population goals. unit 39 is a good example. The goal is 20 deer per square mile of range. The new SAK data says unit 39 is now 59% below goal and in now down to 8 deer per square mile of range. |-)

What if Predation (wolves, bears, yotes) winter, car kills, natural deaths, etc are now enough to keep the population below goal or lead to further decline in population. All this before even factoring in hunting as a means of keeping the population in check??

Unit 39 is made up of 97% deer range and has a hunter density of 14 per square mile. Will those hunters keep hunting unit 39? Are they needed?

The same is true of unit 7 (7 deer per square mile of range) and a growing number of other units. Is there such a thing as an unhuntable population??

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Whitetail Deer / Unit 49A and the Northeastern region

« on: February 13, 2009, 08:12:09 PM »

As a result of a discussion on another board, I thought I would look for input here. Since I don't hunt that part of the State and many here do, I can expect a sort of peer review to help point out any errors.

Unit 49A is part of the Northeastern forest region and is split with halves in both Oconto and Marinette Counties. 49A is made up of 95% deer range (down from 97% in the last reporting) it falls in an ag catagory of between 0% to 11%.

Car kill data for 49A show a steady decline over the past few years and that is based on County data. I looked at both Oconto and Marinette and found this info.

Oconto car kills

2004..... 779

2005..... 558

2006......479

2007......336

That is a 57% decline in that time span but more importantly, a trend.

Marinette car kills

2004......1979

2005......1704

2006.......820

2007.......536

That is a 73% decline and again a trend.

Unit 49A does not have a problem with crop damage. I had to go back to 2004 to find the one and only report that was made for damage.

The reports I have show unit 49A has been at or below goal in recent years. The over winter goal is 25 deer per square mile of range. The 2007 fall density estimate was 27 deer s/m/r. The abundance of deer "At Goal" is 5,875

SAK over winter population estimates for unit 49A have been:

2004........ 32 d/s/m

2005........18 d/s/m

2006........20 d/s/m

2007.........22 d/s/m

Unit 49A has been a "regular unit" for some time meaning that it has not been part of herd control or EAB. Last year had 25 days of gun hunting (4 of which were antlerless only days) and 3 1/2 months of bow hunting.

The total deer harvests for this unit has also been in decline (just like the car kills)

2005......2,283

2006......1,125

2007......1079

2008.......750** While I don't have the data for the unit, I do have the County totals and Oconto and Marinette were both down from 2007 to the tune of 34% and 33% receptively and were the biggest and 2nd biggest decline in the Northeastern region so I estimated the total deer harvest for 08. That means that since 2005 unit 49A saw a 67% decline in total harvest.

The opening weekend hunter pressure per square mile was 30. The average buck harvest success rate from 2005 to 2007 was 9.2%. Compare that to a state wide average of 30%. The DNR states that if "At goal" the projected buck harvest rate would be 12.5%.

After looking at the data using such factors as car kills, SAK estimate, actual harvest data, ag damage, etc, I think I can make a pretty good case that unit 49A has a herd that is in decline as a result of regular hunting practices. An increase in bear numbers and wolf numbers as well as winter severity lead me to believe that the herd is being further reduced as a result of natural reduction.

Despite this, I see the DNR has labeled unit 49A as "on watch" for having "increasing" issues with reforestation due to deer damage.

I will be using this info. to make a case for adjusting Unit 49A's goal upward and since units are adjusted in 5 deer per square mile increments, It is my intent to recommend that unit 49A increase it's over winter population goal from 25 to 30 deer per square mile of range. I suspect I will meet resistance from a segment of the board members in spite of what I just posted.

Going from 25 to 30 would mean far fewer antlerless tags available and buck hunting would remain unchanged. A reduction in doe tags it would mean essentially no Dec. T-zone hunt because by the time the 9 day and ML hunts conclude, there would likely be very few doe tags to fill. Lowering the goal to 15 would result in an increased push for further herd reduction, More T-zone and more antlerless tags available. It would also serve to put this region one severe winter away from an unhuntable population and a revolt by hunters who would no doubt stop hunting until the region reached population levels that they agreed with meaning public land hunting would be the only option for herd reduction.

For those that hunt unit 49A, (and every other unit) you will have a chance to make your case for an increase in goal numbers sometime in March. I suggest (once we discuss it here and correct any errors I might have made) that you print this out and take it to the public meeting. The same holds true for anybody looking to raise their goal. This sort of info will be of value when you fill out the paper work that will ask you why you want the goal raised. If you put down an answer of "I want to see more deer or I want to shoot more deer" without making your case, you won't get very far.

While it is speculation based on the data I have observed from the Northern forest region (which border this unit on the North and West), I am of the opinion that much of the Northern Forest unit is now at or below goal just as unit 49A has been. Prior to the 2008 season, Robert Rolley stated that 8 of the units there were between "at goal" and 20% below goal and 13 units were between 20% above and 20% below goal. Unit 49A is really part of the Northern region in local but is actually labeled as part of the Northeastern region. I invite your comments.