Wisconsin DNR News September 11, 2007
Wild August weather shouldn’t hurt last weeks of inland trout season
Comment sought on ATV trail alternatives for state’s largest forest
Youth waterfowl hunt set for Sept. 15-16
Seedling and shrub applications available Sept. 26
Bow hunting on public property needs planning
Videos of CWD research presentations available
Wild August weather shouldn’t hurt last weeks of inland trout season
Despite drought in the north, floods in the south, fishing prospects remain good
HAYWARD – The inland trout season closes Sept. 30, and the final three weeks just may be the best fishing of the year.
The summer’s extreme weather -- August’s intense rains and flooding in southern Wisconsin and prolonged drought in northern Wisconsin – haven’t seemed to hurt the fishing prospects for this fall much, according to state fisheries managers. And conditions are ripe for fish and anglers alike.
Grasshoppers and other terrestrial insects litter the water, luring big trout to take a bite. Cooling temperatures in bigger streams and rivers spur fish to be more active. And adult trout start moving into smaller tributary streams as they get ready to spawn, giving anglers a good shot at landing some nice big fish in stretches where they’ve previously pulled in smaller fish.
“Historically, September is great fishing,” says Frank Pratt, a Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist stationed in Hayward. “These fish have the feed bag on in the fall.”
The drought in northern Wisconsin has meant record low flows at times on some northern streams, including the Namekagon, but Pratt reports that the fishing will be good, with the drought’s effects showing up in coming years.
“For fishing, the bottom line is: the Namekagon’s still a good bet for big wild browns,” Pratt says. Summer electrofishing surveys on the Namekagon River in Lenroot show fish densities are well above the long-term average, and that nearly a third of the fish available are larger than 15 inches, he says.
Dave Vetrano, fisheries supervisor in the La Crosse area, said flooding and high water levels throughout the area did little damage to most streams restored under DNR’s habitat program using trout stamp revenues. “In fact, these waters look better now than they did a month ago. Pools that had been inundated with sediment have been scoured clean leaving ‘new’ places to fish,” he says.
Shorter daylight hours and cooling water temperatures also work in the angler’s favor because they mean that large, adult brown trout are beginning their spawning migrations upstream to the headwater nursery areas where they were stocked or hatched, says Randy Schumacher, fisheries supervisor for southeastern Wisconsin.
“Large, adult brown trout are able to tolerate warmer summer water temperatures than young trout and thus tend to spend the summer in larger, warmer and more open downstream reaches,” he says.
While in their downstream lairs, large trout often intermix with smallmouth bass and feed heavily on abundant forage minnows. “Come fall, those big adults are feeling the spawning urge and start heading upstream into some pretty small headwater tributaries they called home as a younger trout,” Schumacher says.
Presentation strategies key for fall fishing
The abundance of grasshoppers falling and blowing into the water at this time means big fish are falling hard for these meaty prey. “The fly pattern of choice to imitate these terrestrial insects is a large grasshopper pattern,” says Mike Miller, a DNR stream ecologist. Trophy brown trout get big by feeding on large prey, including crayfish, and a fly pattern such as a Wooly Bugger fished deep in pools, under log jams and other deep dark hiding spots is a good way to hook trophy fish.
Jeff Zinuticz, a DNR fisheries technician and avid angler, advises that it’s extremely important to carefully review the current trout fishing regulations booklet because some streams allow artificial lures only and no live bait can be possessed while fishing these particular streams.
“For those streams where live bait is allowed, my first choice would be a night-crawler or minnow slowly drifted beneath a float through the deeper pools. This will produce some of the bigger fish that call that stream home.”
For streams that have an artificial lure only policy, medium-sized inline spinner baits or small minnow body type baits will all produce fish. “Be willing to try different lures each day on the water, fish that were hitting worms yesterday may want a minnow or spinner the next. Be versatile and try different baits until you get strikes and stick with that particular lure.”
Here’s more reports from fish biologists in other parts of the state:
Northern Wisconsin
Sawyer County - Historically, September is great fishing. Fish with streamers. These fish have the feed bag on in the fall. Muddlers, leech type flies to imitate forage minnows and crayfish. Spawning will begin late September and run through early November…The reach below Hayward is also open to catch-release trout fishing during the winter months. We just finished our annual electro-fishing survey on the Larsen Road reach of the Namekagon, in Lenroot, Sawyer County. Densities are well below above the long-term average…and the current population is dominated by older, larger fish, with about 30 percent of the fish available larger than 15 percent. The total numbers of trout are down about 50 percent from about 2,000 per mile in 2006 to about 1,000 per mile in 2007. The 2007 year class was very poor and the 2007 below average. My current hypothesis is that we are losing reproduction over the winter months, due essentially to low water and ice. Even though the winters have been mild, with such low flows, icing is a suspected problem- limiting egg and fry survival. – Frank P. Pratt, fisheries biologist, Hayward.
Bayfield County - We have been doing some monitoring in Bayfield County’s inland trout waters and conditions are very dry and warm. Even streams that have strong ground water inputs are low. Trout seem to be really concentrated in pools with springs and could be vulnerable to angling pressure. For the inland waters of Douglas and Bayfield Counties for this fall, due to lack of rainfall, it’s important that trout anglers not hit these streams too hard since these streams have had a hard time during this drought. – Scott Toshner, fisheries biologist, Bayfield
Northeastern Wisconsin
Marinette and Oconto counties - We have very low water. There are streams dry that fish technician Cliff Sebero has never seen dry in 30 years. The main trout water levels are very low, and the temperatures went above the normal range in some waters. We’ve been surveying a lot in Marinette and Oconto streams and still finding strong brook and brown populations -- they’re just moving to where the cooler water is. The one thing that might be a little odd for anglers is we still have very low water levels so they may find some of their favorite places have low water and are not as easily accessible. Casting may be a little difficult. We had rain the last couple of days but we haven’t had a lot of rain. The southwest and northeast couldn’t be farther apart on the rain scale. When we moved up into the really small streams where people usually can’t fish because there’s so much brush, there were some bigger fish in those areas, so you can tell they were moving trying to find that cooler water. Last night it was 45 degrees, tonight a frost advisory is forecast. So if we continue with this weather pattern, the larger streams will drop in temperature and the larger fish will drop back into those streams. I’d fish in some of the biggest systems, like the South Branch of the Oconto River and the South Branch of the Pemebonwon River. We were surveying in the Pike River yesterday and found some nice trout there. – Justine Hasz, fisheries biologist, Peshtigo
South central Wisconsin
Grant and Richland counties - The streams in Grant County came through the high water with only a small amount of damage to the fisheries. It did clean a lot of the in-stream vegetation out and sweep a lot of the bank vegetation back out of the water. This should make fishing a lot easier. Further, the water was high enough to do significant damage to the insect life in the streams. This should make the trout in particular hungry and easier to catch. Richland County was hit considerably harder and I would “guestimate” that there was probably at least a one-third decrease in trout abundance. The damage to the fishery in the upper ends is probably much greater while in the middle and lower stretches it might be a little less. Again, the fishability should be good and the trout should be hungry and catch rates at or above normal. Hungry fish bite. I would caution that because of the damage the floods did to the populations that harvest should perhaps be more limited than normal. As noted above, these floods kill trout without regard for size. Thus if they kill any significant portion of the adult population along with the smaller fish, it can be some time before the populations recover to “normal.” The larger fish in the streams are 5 to 12 years old. There aren’t as many younger fish to replace them and it’s a long time until the new fish reach that age. The population for the next couple of years will be good because of the number of years-classes that make up the adult population, it just won’t be quite as spectacular as it has been. – Gene Van Dyck, fisheries biologist, Dodgeville.
Southeastern Wisconsin
Waukesha County - Our small streams in Waukesha County are in pretty good shape. Good bets are Rosenow Creek, Mason Creek, and the Scuppernong River system, including Paradise Springs, Scuppernong Springs, and McKeawn Springs. All have brook and brown trout. The three “springs” are catch and release only, but the rest of the Scuppernong system has a 9-inch minimum size limit and a daily bag of three trout. The south branch of the Scuppernong, south of Highway 59 near the Kettle Moraine Forest headquarters has produced a few nice big brown trout over the years. – Susan Beyler, inland fisheries team supervisor, Waukesha
Sheboygan County - Trout fishing in east central Wisconsin was not affected by the drought or floods and conditions are very good for fishing at this time. The Onion River in Sheboygan County is providing the best action, especially in the special regulations section upstream of County Highway E. – John E. Nelson, fisheries biologist, Plymouth
West Central Wisconsin
Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon counties - Despite all of the recent flooding that occurred last month, anglers should not pass up an opportunity to fish for trout in the La Crosse area. Most streams that have been “restored” under the Trout Stamp program came through the high water with little damage. In fact these waters look better now than they did a month ago. Pools that had been inundated with sediment have been scoured clean leaving “new” places to fish. Fish surveys on streams with no restoration have shown good survival of trout despite their “destroyed” appearance. With the reduction in the invertebrate populations trout are hungry and moving more. Terrestrial insects (hoppers) should be the first pattern of choice as they will make up the bulk of trout feeding opportunities until the end of the season. – Dave Vetrano, fisheries supervisor, La Crosse
St. Croix, Chippewa and Eau Claire counties - Trout streams are in great shape. These counties were north of the flooding and on the edge of the drought. Plenty of rain during the last two weeks have restored stream levels to normal. Anglers should fine streams in excellent condition. - Marty Engel, fisheries biologist, Baldwin
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Claggett, DNR inland trout specialist – - (608) 267-9658
Public comment sought on stakeholder alternatives for ATV trail in state’s largest forest
MADISON – The public has an opportunity to comment online, in writing or at upcoming public meetings on a stakeholder group’s alternatives for establishing all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails in the Northern Highland – American Legion State Forest, which at 225,000 acres is Wisconsin’s largest state forest.
Comments can be submitted online through the Department of Natural Resources Web site and in writing through Nov. 1. In addition, three public open house meetings will be held later this month to provide opportunities for the public to ask questions, seek clarifications and submit comments.
“Starting this week, people on our mailing list for this issue should begin receiving a comment booklet in the mail,” says Steve Petersen, Northern Highland – American Legion Forest superintendent. “The booklet is a condensed version of the stakeholder group’s detailed report and includes a mail-in comment form in the back.”
The booklet is also available on the DNR Web site [http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/input/], with a convenient online comment form.
“This is the next step in a process directed by the Natural Resources Board when they approved the current NHAL master plan,” says Petersen. “The board was clear that stakeholder involvement on development of ATV alternatives and broad public feedback on the trail alternatives were important in the overall process. This stage of the process is not a recommended trail plan, it is simply trail alternatives.”
At the close of the comment period, DNR forestry staff will draft a summary of comments and, along with technical evaluations of the proposed trail alternatives, present the whole package to the Natural Resources Board in early 2008.
“Public comments on the alternatives will help to define if the trail locations are appropriate and whether or not something important has been overlooked,” said Petersen. “Reasoning behind a comment is as important as the comment itself.
“I know folks would like this process to speed up but I believe it’s in everyone’s interest to be careful and thorough.”
The stakeholder group encouraged the public and news media to observe and participate in their work and ended meetings with public input opportunities.
Efforts were made to select the least environmentally intrusive potential routes and to maximize use of existing corridors and public lands, existing road beds and snowmobile trails.
“The stakeholders group applied seven criteria to any potential trail locations,” Petersen says. “They looked at compatibility with existing uses of the state forest; potential effects on the natural resources, safety, social considerations, economic considerations, cooperation with local groups and units of government, and management and administration of any new trails.
Two trail alternatives are proposed.
The Iron County trail alternative is mostly located in eastern Iron County. The trail would be approximately 18 miles long and would be a looped extension that connects the existing Iron County ATV trail system. The trail would provide access to the town of Mercer. The majority of the trail alternative is located on existing town and woods roads and would require only a few miles of new trail. The trail would cross the Manitowish River in two locations, with one location requiring a bridge at a State Highway 51 wayside. The Iron County alternative has two sub-options to complete the loop.
The Oneida/Vilas alternative runs south to north starting at Lake Tomahawk in Oneida County and ending in Star Lake, Vilas County. The trail would be about 44 miles long and would not connect to existing ATV trails. The majority of this alternative is located on existing state forest roads that allow vehicles as well as snowmobiles in the winter.
The complete NHAL ATV stakeholder report is available on the DNR Web site at
http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/ -- click on the NHAL – ATV button.
Public informational meetings on the alternatives will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
• Sept. 17, Wausau - Best Western Midway Hotel, 2901 Hummingbird Road.
• Sept. 18, St. Germain - St. Germain Community Center, Highways 70 & 155
• Sept. 19, Manitowish Waters - Manitowish Waters Community Ctr., 4 Airport Road at U.S. Hwy. 51.
People who are unable to attend the open houses or have questions may write or contact Steve Petersen, NHAL Forest Superintendent, 8770 Hwy. J, Woodruff, WI 54568 or e-mail: [steven.petersen@wisconsin.gov] or call (715) 358-9225
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Petersen, Forest Superintendent (715) 358-9225
Youth waterfowl hunt set for Sept. 15-16
MADISON – Wisconsin youth and their mentors will have a special opportunity to spend time together in the field during the Sept. 15-16 Youth Waterfowl Hunt.
This special hunt aims to recruit new hunters in Wisconsin, and also encourages mentors to help youth refine their waterfowl hunting skills. In recent years, about 2,500 youth have taken advantage of this opportunity and harvested almost 9,000 ducks and about 250 geese. During this hunt the daily bag for ducks is the same as the regular season.
This year, the youth hunt season straddles the early and the regular goose seasons. The daily bag for geese on Sept. 15 is the same for the early season (five) and the daily bag on Sept. 16 is the same for the regular season (two geese, regardless of zone).
For early season goose hunting on Sept. 15, a youth must purchase and possess an early season goose permit. In the Exterior zone on Sept. 16, a youth must purchase and possess an Exterior goose permit. In the Horicon and Collins zones on Sept. 16, a youth possessing a valid tag for any time period within that zone may hunt geese within the zone where the tag is valid.
Other requirements to participate include: Youth must be age 12-15, they must be HIP registered and have successfully completed a hunter education course, and they must be accompanied by an adult chaperone during the hunt. All license and stamp requirements are waived, except the Canada goose permits.
For more information, please see the 2007 Migratory Game Bird Regulations and the 2007 Early Goose Season Regulations at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/index.htm].
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberlee Benton - (608) 261-6458
Seedling and shrub applications available Sept. 26
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – Private landowners who are interested in purchasing tree seedlings and shrubs from Department of Natural Resources nurseries may begin placing orders in late September.
“Each year, three DNR nurseries in Wisconsin produce tree seedlings and shrubs for distribution to aid in reforestation,” says Jim Storandt manager of the Department of Natural Resources Griffith Nursery. “Some species will sell out quickly, so landowners are encouraged to submit their order early.”
Seedlings people order will be available for pickup in April 2008. The minimum order is 1,000 tree seedlings, 500 shrubs, or one packet of mixed conifers, hardwoods and shrubs.
Applications will be mailed to landowners who have requested them on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. Applications will be available to walk-in customers at DNR offices and Service Centers, and to online customers on Friday, Sept. 28. The online and e-mail versions of the application are printable and are available on the DNR Web site at
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/nursery/order. Go to the site and click on “Tree and Shrub Price List.” Completed applications should be returned to Griffith State Nursery, 473 Griffith Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494-7859, or through the Internet ordering process.
Customers who submit orders by Jan. 31, 2008 should not send payment with their application. They will receive a billing invoice and order confirmation in the mail. The bill must be paid within 30 days or the order will be canceled.
Customers who submit their order on or after Feb. 1, 2008 must send payment with their application.
Throughout the fall, up-to-date information on species availability will be provided on a recorded message at 1-800-875-9050 and on the DNR web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/nursery/order/inventory.htm]. More information on the state nursery program can be found at [http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/Nursery/index.htm].
“It is a good idea to contact a DNR forester in the county where you plan to plant and request advice on what trees are best for your soil type,” Storandt says.
Foresters are knowledgeable about contract tree planting firms that work in their counties and they also know about the availability of tree planting machines that can be rented for a nominal fee. Advanced site preparation also is advisable to ensure survival of the planting stock. To find foresters in any Wisconsin county, go to
http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/private/assist/coopforesters/.
Federal and state cost-sharing money may be available for purchasing the trees, preparing the site and planting the trees. These seedlings may not be used for ornamental purposes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Storandt , DNR nursery manager – (715) 424-3702
Stay safe and legal while bow hunting on public property
MADISON -- Many opportunities for bow hunting exist on public lands in Wisconsin, but the state’s hunting safety specialist cautions that hunting these properties requires planning ahead to be safe and legal.
“It is important for bow deer and turkey hunters to note that other hunting seasons may be in progress when they are bow hunting,” says Tim Lawhern, hunter education administrator for the Department of Natural Resources. “Other people will be out hunting squirrel, dove, pheasant, waterfowl and other fall game, so everyone needs to be safety-conscious.”
To avoid being seen by their quarry, most bow hunters dress in camouflage clothing from head to toe -- but that same camouflage may prevent other hunters from seeing you.
“For safety’s sake, when you are bow hunting and you see other hunters near your area, you should speak out in a normal voice and announce that you are there. Don’t yell as that will startle them and you don’t want that while they are handling a firearm,” Lawhern says.
When moving to and leaving your hunting location, it might be wise to wear some garment of blaze orange.
“A cap, vest or gloves would help others see you while you are moving. Once you are at your hunting spot you could then remove them. A flashlight works great when you are moving about in low light conditions,” he adds.
To stay legal, bow hunters also need to remember the rules.
“While bow hunters can use tree stands on public lands, tree stands must be removed from the property at the end of hunting each day,” Lawhern says. “Also remember that screw-in tree steps are not legal to use on state-owned public lands because they cause damage when screwed into trees.”
In addition, trimming branches to create shooting lanes must be kept to a minimum on public lands. Dead branches can be removed and small amounts of pruning can be done.
“Wisconsin offers some great public hunting lands, and everyone can enjoy them by being courteous to each other, following safety precautions and observing the rules. Safe Hunting is NO Accident,” Lawhern says.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern - (608) 266-13-17
Videos of CWD research presentations available on DNR Web site
MADISON -- Recent presentations on chronic wasting disease from state, federal and university scientific experts to members of a Department of Natural Resources advisory group are available for viewing as streaming video on the agency’s Web site.
The Chronic Wasting Disease Stakeholder Advisory Group met for the second time on August 18 at the Lowell Center Inn and Conference Center in Madison. At this meeting, several presenters from state and federal agencies and the University of Wisconsin summarized the state of scientific knowledge about chronic wasting disease, covering topics from human health risk and risks to other species, to the role of environmental contamination and CWD disease ecology in Wisconsin.
Mediasite streaming video of these presentations can be viewed at this link:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/whealth/issues/CWD/advisory.htm“We are pleased to be able to post these presentations on our Web site so that others around the state can benefit from the information that was provided,” says Alan Crossley, DNR CWD project manager.
The charge of the CWD advisory group is to look at how to minimize the impact of the disease on Wisconsin’s free-ranging deer population, the economy, hunters, landowners and others who benefit from a healthy deer herd. The group will meet monthly through January, 2008 to define a common disease management goal for Wisconsin, propose strategies for CWD management and study the consequences and trade-offs of the various management strategies.
The department will take the group’s recommendations and advance these to the Natural Resources Board. Changes in CWD management as a result of this public planning process are expected to be in place for the 2008 deer seasons.
Members of the CWD advisory stakeholders group include residents from within and outside the areas where CWD has been found, along with representatives from the Conservation Congress, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the farmed cervid industry, the retail sporting goods industry, food pantries, the Wisconsin Deer Hunters Association, the Wisconsin Meat Processors Association, the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association and the DNR.
The public is encouraged to visit the CWD Public Dialogue Web pages at
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/whealth/issues/CWD/dialogue.htm through the fall to stay current on the committee’s work, Crossley says.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Crossley, DNR CWD Project Manager (608) 266-5463
OUTDOORS CALENDAR
*Indicates date remains the same each year, except some permit deadlines may be extended one day if they fall on a Sunday or Federal Holiday.
September 15
• Fall turkey hunting season opens through Nov. 15
• Early archery deer season opens statewide through Nov. 15 (late season runs Nov. 26 - Jan. 6, 2008; see current regulations for special zones).
• Ruffed grouse season opens in the Zone A through Jan. 31, 2008. (Zone B opens Oct. 20 - Dec. 8.)
• Cottontail rabbit season opens in the northern zone, runs through Feb. 28.
• Gray and fox squirrel season opens, runs through Jan. 31.
• Fall crow season opens, runs through Nov. 15.
• Early September Canada goose hunting season closes.
September 15-16
• Special two-day youth duck hunt. Open to youth 12 to 15 years of age who are hunter safety certified; all other state license requirements are waived except for HIP registration and Canada goose permit requirements; youths must be accompanied by adult. The bag limit and tag requirements apply for the respective zone. These days overlap with open goose season in most zones so adults will also be able to shoot geese but not duck during the youth hunt.
September 15 through December 31
• Illegal during this time to shine for wild animals between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
September 15 through First Saturday in May
• From Sept. 15 through the first Saturday in May, hook and line fishing is prohibited from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in all Lake Michigan tributaries except the Oconto River and its tributaries and the downstream portion of the Peshtigo River (see regulations for details).*
September 16
• Canada goose season opens in the North Exterior Zone and runs through Dec. 9.
• Canada goose season opens in the South Exterior Zone and runs through Oct. 7. Season reopens in the South Zone Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 14.
• Periods 1 and 2 Horicon Zone Canada goose run through Oct 26.
• Period 1 Collins Zone Canada goose runs through Sept. 30.
September 22
• Woodcock season opens.
September 29
• Canada goose season opens in the Mississippi River Subzone and runs through Oct. 7. Season reopens Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 27.
September 30
• Trout season closes on inland waters and on rivers flowing into Lake Superior from their mouths to the first impassable permanent barrier (unless listed otherwise in trout regulations).*
• Lake trout season on Lake Superior closes.*
• Set or bank pole and setline fishing season on specified waters in the Wolf and Fox river basins closes. Check the current Setline, Set or Bank Pole Regulations for open waters.*
• Period 1 Collins Zone Canada goose closes.
October 1
• Period 2 Collins Zone Canada goose runs through Oct. 21.
• Hook and line fishing is prohibited from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in all Lake Michigan tributaries except the Oconto River and its tributaries and the downstream portion of the Peshtigo River beginning on Sept. 15. The rule was changed this year. Previously the date had been Oct. 1 (see regulations for details).*
October 6-7
• Youth deer hunt. Youth hunters ages 12 to 15 who have successfully completed a hunter education program and possess a gun deer hunting license may participate in this hunt. Qualified hunters may harvest one buck deer on their gun buck deer carcass tag and additional antlerless deer with the appropriate carcass tag. Adults accompanying the youth may not gun deer and cannot accompany more than two youths. All hunting regulations apply, including blaze orange clothing requirements. Archery hunting remains open but archers must wear blaze orange. See regulations for additional requirements.
October 6-14
• Special deer hunt open to people with disabilities who have a disabled hunting permit. The hunts are held by landowners who have agreed to sponsor the hunters on their property. Hunters must have registered to participate at a designated sponsor location by Sept. 1.
October 7
• Canada goose season closes in the South Exterior Zone. Season reopens in the South Zone Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 14.
October 9
• Black bear season closes. See current Wisconsin Bear Hunting Regulations for specific season dates and zones.
October 13
• Canada goose season reopens in the South Zone Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 14.
• Canada goose season reopens in the Mississippi River Subzone and runs Dec. 27.
October 15
• Hook-and-line lake sturgeon season on designated waters closes (except Wis./Mich. boundary waters season closes Nov. 1). See current Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations.*
October 20
• Pheasant season opens at noon; runs through Dec. 31.
• Ruffed grouse in the zone B opens through Dec. 8.
• Sharp-tailed grouse by permit opens through Nov. 5.
• Bobwhite quail season opens at noon through Dec. 6.
• Hungarian partridge season opens at noon through Dec. 31.
• Jackrabbit season opens through Nov. 15.
• Cottontail rabbit opens at noon in southern zone through Feb. 28.
• Raccoon gun and trapping for state residents opens through Jan. 31
• Red and gray fox hunting and trapping in the northern zone opens through Feb. 15.
• Coyote trapping season opens in the northern zone through Feb. 15, 2007.
• Hunting and trapping season for bobcat north of Hwy. 64 through Dec. 31.
• Muskrat season in the northern zone opens through Feb. 28, 2007.
• Mink season in the northern zone opens through Feb. 28, 2007.
• Fisher trapping season opens in various zones, through Dec. 31.
October 21
• Period 2 Collins Zone closes.
October 22
• Period 3 Collins Zone Canada goose runs through Nov. 16.
October 26
• Periods 1 and 2 Horicon Zone Canada goose close.
October 27
• Periods 3 and 4 Horicon Zone Canada goose run through Dec. 16.
• Fox season opens in the southern zone, through Feb. 15, 2007.
• Coyote trapping season opens in southern zone through Feb. 15, 2007.
• Mink season opens in central (through Dec. 31) and Winnebago (through March 15) zones.
• Muskrat season opens in south zone (through Feb. 28) and Winnebago zone (through March 15).
October 30
• Mourning dove season closes.*
October 31
• Lake trout season closes on waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan and their tributaries.*
• Deadline to purchase Lake Winnebago system sturgeon spearing licenses.*
DNR Public Hearings and Meetings
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please call the contact person listed for the meeting or hearing with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Hearings
September 13 - A public hearing to provide information and receive public comments on the Continental Grafton LLC permit application to construct an air contaminant source in the Village of Grafton, Ozaukee County, and the environmental assessment on the proposal will be held from 11 a.m. to noon at the U.S.S. Liberty Memorial Public Library, Lower Level, 1620 11th Ave. Grafton. Continental Grafton LLC has submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources an air pollution control permit application (Air Pollution Control Permit Number 07-MF-209), including plans and specifications, for the construction and operation of a 71.4-acre development that includes eleven new buildings (approximately 393,000 square feet of retail development) including an approximately 151,000 square foot Costco store as the retail anchor. The project will also include roadway widening of Port Washington Road and STH 60. The surface parking lots that will surround the retail development will have capacity to accommodate 1,862 vehicles. An air pollution control permit is required pursuant to Chapter NR 411, Wisconsin Administrative Code, as the proposed development will exceed parking space equivalency standard of 999 vehicles and is located in a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA). The DNR Bureau of Air Management analyzed information submitted by the GZA Environmental, Inc., consultant to Continental Grafton LLC for the construction of a 71.4 acre retail development and supporting surface parking area. The Bureau of Air Management has preliminarily determined that the project will meet applicable criteria for permit approval as stated in section 285.63, Wisconsin Statutes, including the ambient air quality standards for carbon monoxide, and should, therefore, be approved. The DNR has prepared an environmental assessment for this project, pursuant to Chapter NR 150, Wis. Admin. Code, which identifies the anticipated impacts of the project. DNR has made a preliminary determination that this proposed project will not have an adverse effect on the environment and an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. Information, including the applicant’s plans and air quality analysis and the DNR’s preliminary analysis and environmental assessment regarding this proposal, is available for public inspection at the DNR Bureau of Air Management, on the 7th floor of the State Natural Resources building, 101 South Webster Street, Madison. Written comments regarding the proposed air control permit and/or environmental assessment for the construction of the Grafton Commons Retail Development should be sent by Oct. 1, 2007 to: Mike Friedlander, DNR Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. For information contact Mike Friedlander at - (608) 267-0806.
September 18 - A class 1 contested case hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 281.15 and Wis. Admin. Code Chapters NR 102 and NR 299, in the matter of a water quality certification issued to Flambeau Hydro LLC, a division of North American Hydro, as part of the FERC re-licensing process for the Winter hydroelectric project, on the East Fork Chippewa River in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, FERC project no. 2064 will commence at 10:30 a.m. in the Founder’s Room (Room 102), Old Main Building, UW-Stevens Point, 2100 Main St., Stevens Point. The hearing will continue, if necessary, at the same location at 9 a.m. on Sept. 19, 2007. If the hearing is not completed on Sept. 19, 2007, then it will continue on Sept. 20, 2007, at a location in Stevens Point to be identified later. For information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (414) 258-6736.
September 19 - Pursuant to §§ 285.13(1),and 285.61(7), Wis. Stats., the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to receive comments on an air pollution control construction permit application submitted by Dairyland Power Cooperative (Air Pollution Construction Permit No.: 07-POY-093) to construct an air contaminant source located at Dairyland Power Cooperative - Alma Site, 500 Old STH 35, Alma. The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room of the Buffalo County Courthouse, 407 S. 2nd St., Alma. Dairyland Power Cooperative has submitted to a construction permit application including plans and specifications for the modification of Boiler B25 to install low-NOx burners. Low-NOx burners reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides but also cause increases in carbon monoxide emissions. The DNR Bureau of Air Management analyzed these materials and has preliminarily determined that the project should meet the applicable criteria for permit approval as stated in §§ 285.63 and 285.64, Wis. Stats., including both the emission limits and the ambient air standards and should, therefore, be approved. This permit application has been reviewed under Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations in NR 405, Wis. Adm. Code for carbon monoxide emissions. There is no increment requirement for carbon monoxide emissions. In addition, the DNR has prepared an Environmental Assessment in accordance with ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code and has made a preliminary determination that an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required before a final decision is made on the proposed project. The DNR has determined that the proposed project will not cause significant adverse environmental effects. This preliminary determination does not constitute approval from the Air Management Program or any other DNR sections which may also require a review of the project. Information, including plans, the DNR’s preliminary analysis and the environmental assessment, is available for public inspection at the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Air Management Headquarters, 7th Floor, 101 South Webster St., Madison, La Crosse Service Center, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, (608) 785-9000; and at the Alma Public Library, 312 N. Main St. PO Box 277, Alma, or from Paul Yeung, at (608) 266-0672. This information is also available on the Air Permit page of the DNR Web site at: [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/permits/APM_toc.htm]. All comments received by the DNR at the public hearing will be considered prior to making a final decision regarding the proposed project. After the public hearing, a final decision will be made on whether to issue or deny the air pollution control construction permit. For more information contact Paul Yeung, DNR Bureau of Air Management, at (608) 266-0672.
Meetings
September 10-11 - The DNR Silviculture Team will meet at 10 a.m. at the Lapham Peak Unit – Kettle Moraine State Forest, W329 N846 County Highway C, Delafield, regarding chapters and issues pertinent to the Silviculture Handbook, including oak, central hardwoods & red pine chapters, MFL plans & WISFIRS, team progress/ work plan, and other issues. A field trip will look at oak management in the Southeast Region. For more information, contact Julie Peltier at (262) 670-3404.
September 11 - The Groundwater Advisory Committee created by 2003 WI Act 310 will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room G09 of the Natural Resources building (GEF 2) at 101 S. Webster St., Madison. For more information, contact Jill Jonas at (608) 267-7545.
September 11 - The Natural Areas Preservation Council will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the International Crane Foundation, E11376 Shady Lane, Baraboo. The council will discuss matters related to the protection and management of Wisconsin State Natural Areas. For information contact: Thomas Meyer at (608) 266-0394.
September 11 - The Council on Recycling will meet at 9 a.m. in the Volunteer room at the Oshkosh DNR Service Center, 625 E. County Rd Y (also known as Sunnyview Rd.), Oshkosh. The Council will discuss it’s “stickies” campaign and the state’s Clean Sweep program. The Council will also hear from its standing committees. For more information contact Dan Fields at (608) 266-5334.
September 12 – The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council [http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/UF/council/] will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI. The Council will be discussing best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources. For more information contact Laura Wyatt at – (608) 267-0568.
September 12 - **CANCELLED** The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming– Forestry sub-group of Agriculture and Forestry Work Group scheduled for this date has been cancelled. For information contact Allison Hellman at (608) 266- 8130 or Allison.Hellman@wisconsin.gov.
September 12 - **CANCELLED** The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming – Technical Advisory Group scheduled for this date has been cancelled. For more information contact Caroline Garber, DNR at (608) 264-9218.
September 13 - The Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit will hold their annual public informational meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Henry S. Ruess Ice Age Visitor Center, N 2875 Hwy 67, Campbellsport. The purpose of the meeting is to share information with the public regarding the ongoing use and management of the state forest. Department resource managers will discuss current and future projects relating to endangered resources, forestry, recreation and wildlife management occurring on the state forest. For more information contact Jerry Leiterman, Forest Superintendent at (262) 626-2116.
September 13 - Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming - Conservation and Energy Efficiency Workgroup will meet from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Location: WECC, Training Room AB, 431 Charmany Drive, Madison. For information Lisa Stefanik at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin at (608) 266-1125.
September 14 - The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming - Industry Work Group will meet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in conference room A, Oshkosh DNR Service Center, 625 E. County Road Y Suite 700, Oshkosh. The agenda includes: a review of the policy options developed at the August 30th meeting, winnowing these policy options and preliminary work on two page policy write-ups. For more information, or if you need special accommodations to attend this meeting, call Nick Sayen, DNR, at (608) 267-2466.
September 14 – The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming - Agriculture sub-group of Agriculture and Forestry Work Group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 472, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Madison Office, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison. For information contact Allison Hellman at (608) 266- 8130.
September 17, 18 & 19 – Three public informational meetings will be held to provide opportunities for the public to ask questions, seek clarifications and submit comments on a stakeholder group’s alternatives for establishing all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails in the Northern Highland – American Legion State Forest the alternatives. Comments can also be submitted online through a survey form on the Department of Natural Resources Web site and in writing through Nov. 1. The complete NHAL ATV stakeholder report is available on the DNR Web site at {http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/input/]. People who are unable to attend the open houses or have questions may write or contact Steve Petersen, NHAL Forest Superintendent, 8770 Hwy. J, Woodruff, WI 54568 or e-mail: [steven.petersen@wisconsin.gov] or call (715) 358-9225. The public open house meetings will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
• Sept. 17, Wausau - Best Western Midway Hotel, 2901 Hummingbird Road.
• Sept. 18, St. Germain - St. Germain Community Center, Highways 70 & 155
• Sept. 19, Manitowish Waters - Manitowish Waters Community Ctr., 4 Airport Road at U.S. Hwy. 51.
September 18 – The Milwaukee River Revitalization Council will meet and take a canoe trip from 4:30 to 7 p.m., meeting at Urban Ecology Center, and putting in canoes at Riverside Park and ending at Milwaukee Ale House, Milwaukee. The agenda includes: vote on new member of the council, Asian carp funding status, Scenic Urban Waterway funding report, Milwaukee River workgroup status and post-North Avenue dam removal management. For more information, contact Matthew Aho at (414) 263-8586.
September 22 - The Chronic Wasting Disease Stakeholder Advisory group will meet from 9a.m. - 4p.m. in the Gathering Waters and Glacier’s Edge conference rooms at the DNR South Central Region Headquarters, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg. The group will hear presentations from several researchers in the morning. During the afternoon, the group will begin to discuss the potential impacts of CWD in Wisconsin. For more information, contact Alan Crossley, DNR CWD project manager, at (608) 266-5463 or Alan.Crossley@Wisconsin.gov.
September 20 - The forest Insect and disease and non-insect invertebrate species assessment group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Gathering Waters Conference Room in the DNR South-Central Regional Headquarters, 3911 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg. This group will be making decisions on the categorization of invasive forest insects, diseases, earthworms, snails and slugs. Categories include prohibited, restricted, unrestricted and watch species. Meeting time is. For more information, contact Jane Cummings Carlson at (608) 275-3273.
September 25 - The Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Assessment Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point to assess a number of invasive terrestrial vertebrate species and make recommendations for their classification within DNR Administrative Rules. For information contact person: Dave Matheys, DNR Wildlife Biologist, at (608) 637-3938.
September 25-26 – The state Natural Resources Board will meet at The Four Seasons Resort, N16800 Shoreline Drive, Pembine. For information contact Laurie J. Ross, Natural Resources Board Executive Staff Assistant at (608) 267-7420.
September 26 - Pursuant to s. 285.13(1), Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public informational meeting to review its ambient air quality monitoring network throughout Wisconsin at 1 p.m. in Room 413, of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. In 1981 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) approved a portion of the Wisconsin State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Clean Air Act monitoring plan dealing with air quality surveillance, which is required by Parts 51 and 58 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. That monitoring plan presented a detailed scheme for ambient air quality monitoring, including a detailed proposal for a comprehensive network of ambient monitors throughout Wisconsin. In addition, the Department proposed to conduct an annual review of the monitoring network and to notify the public of significant changes in the network by conducting a public informational meeting. This meeting will review the changes that occurred in 2007 and will present an outline of changes proposed for 2008. An explanation will be provided for each deviation from the previous year’s plan as well as the proposed changes. Public comments on the changes will also be received at the informational meeting. In 1987, 1997, and 2006 the USEPA promulgated ambient air quality standards for PM10 and PM2.5 under 40 CFR 50.6 and 40 CFR 50.7 respectively. Appendix K to 40 CFR part 50, “Interpretation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM10”, in section 2.4, “Adjustments for Exceptional Events and Trends,” allows state agencies conducting monitoring the opportunity to remove monitoring data from consideration for SIP purposes, if the agency can demonstrate that the data resulted from an “exceptional event”, provided that the state presents the evidence for its reasons to delete or flag the data at the public hearing. In addition, Appendix N to 40 CFR part 50, “Interpretation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM2.5”, in section 1.0(b), indicates that in some cases, it may be appropriate to exclude data resulting from uncontrollable or natural events such as structural fires or high winds. Through July 2007 there have been no exceptional or uncontrollable particulate matter events in Wisconsin. Written comments on the monitoring network may be submitted directly to Bruce Rodger, c/o Air Monitoring Section, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, no later than Sept. 30, 2007. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral comments presented at the meeting. A copy of the proposed revision to the Monitoring Plan is available for public inspection at the Bureau of Air Management, 7th Floor, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, and on the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/monitor/network/review.htm]. For more information contact Bruce Rodger at (608) 266-1722.
September 27 - The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming– Agriculture and Forestry Work Group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. For information contact Allison Hellman at (608) 266- 8130 or Allison.Hellman@wisconsin.gov.
Wisconsin DNR News
Edited by Paul Holtan
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921
(608) 267-7517
Fax: (608) 264-6293
E-mail: paul.holtan@dnr.state.wi.us
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/
