October 16, 2007
Plan proposed to reduce cormorant numbers
Counties gearing up for next spring’s gypsy moth suppression sprays
Deer Hunt 2007 set to air on statewide public television Nov 8
Deer feeding must be stopped if site visited by bear or elk
Volunteers needed to help monitor wolf population in the state
Waukesha West student wins 2008 Wisconsin state park sticker design contest
Nominations sought for statewide Ethical Hunting Award
Fall brings composting opportunities
Proposed Mitchell Park trail project will result in incidental take of rare snake
Plan proposed to reduce cormorant population along Lake Michigan and Green Bay
Three public meetings set on proposed management plan
MADISON – Breeding populations of double-crested cormorants – a once rare colonial nesting water bird that is now common along the Great Lakes and other costal areas – would be reduced by half along Green Bay and Lake Michigan, under a proposed management plan that will be the subject of three upcoming public meetings.
Staff from the Department of Natural Resources wildlife, endangered resources, and fisheries programs have prepared a management plan to reduce breeding populations of cormorants on islands of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, which currently are home to more than 12,000 nesting pairs. The colonies account for about 90 percent of the state’s breeding populations of cormorants.
“Double-crested cormorant numbers have expanded tremendously across the North American continent over the past 20 years,” says Jeff Pritzl, regional DNR wildlife supervisor at Green Bay.
The population growth has raised concerns among commercial fishermen and recreational anglers that cormorants are excessively preying on yellow perch and other fish in Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Biologists are also concerned that the large cormorant colonies may have a negative affect on the vegetation and other water bird populations on the islands where the colonies are located.
Cormorants historically occupied large, isolated lakes and wetlands in northern Wisconsin, but by the mid 1960s, pesticide contamination, habitat loss and human persecution had reduced their numbers statewide to about 30 in four colonies. In 1972 the double-crested cormorant joined the bald eagle and osprey as the state’s first officially listed endangered birds. With the banning of the pesticide DDT in 1970 and efforts to restore the species by establishing nesting platforms, the species began increasing significantly. Cormorants were taken off the state endangered species list when the population reached nearly 3,000 nests in 1986.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows federal, state, and tribal agencies to take action to control cormorants where public resource damage can be documented and cormorant management can be shown to abate damage to the resource. Pritzl says most other states in the region have conducted Environmental Assessments of cormorant management that have demonstrated a need to take action to control populations.
“Wisconsin has not conducted this Environmental Assessment, and in order to do so, we must first establish management objectives for cormorants in Wisconsin,” he says.
The management plan is directed at reducing cormorant breeding numbers without causing the birds to abandon the colonies, which may increase the likelihood that cormorants would pioneer new breeding sites. It recommends that the population objective for four distinct colonies with 10,000 nests on Northern Door County Islands be reduced to 5,000 nests, with no less than 500 nests at any one of the colonies, and that the current colony of about 2,100 nests at Cat Island on Lower Green Bay be reduced to 1,000 nests.
Cormorant numbers in the remainder of the state are stable to declining, so recommended management objectives are directed only at the Lake Michigan breeding colonies. Management techniques may include egg oiling, nest destruction, and shooting cormorants.
At the public meetings, DNR staff will present information on the history of cormorant breeding numbers in Wisconsin, potential impacts to public resources due to cormorant population expansion, and Wisconsin's role in the Great Lakes regional management of cormorants. The public will be invited to comment on the proposed population objectives after several short presentations. There will also be the opportunity to submit written comments.
The meetings will all begin at 7 p.m. on the following dates at the locations listed:
• October 30, Sturgeon Bay - Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St.
• November 1, Madison - Lussier Family Heritage Center, 3101 Lake Farm Road.
• November 5, Green Bay - UW-Extension Service Center, 1150 Bellevue St.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Peeters, DNR fisheries team supervisor - (920) 746-2865; Sumner Matteson, DNR endangered resources ecologist - (608) 266-1571; or (after Oct. 22) Jeff Pritzl, DNR wildlife supervisor – (920) 662-5127
Counties gearing up for next spring’s gypsy moth suppression sprays
MADISON -- Residents in central Wisconsin and in Marinette County who have noticed rapid increases in gypsy moth populations this year and who would like to be considered for spray treatment next spring should be contacting their county or municipal gypsy moth coordinator now, if they have not already.
Dry, hot weather during the early summer allowed populations to reach outbreak levels in many locations, according to Bill McNee, regional gypsy moth suppression coordinator with the Department of Natural Resources at Green Bay. Populations are also rising, though more slowly, in the southeast portion of the state.
“Given this increase, we can expect to see defoliation from outbreaks of this invasive pest for the next few years in these areas,” McNee said.
The DNR offers a Suppression Spray Program to counties suffering from gypsy moth outbreaks. Several Wisconsin counties have announced their plans to participate in the current Suppression Program, which will provide spray treatments in May of 2008.
“Counties are deciding now where to target these sprays for the most effective results,” said McNee. “This is a safe, effective and dependable aerial spray program to prevent defoliation from gypsy moth outbreaks.”
People who are interested need to contact their local coordinator with the address of the affected property and that they are willing to pay for the spraying.
A list of county coordinators and municipal contacts is available online at:
http://gypsymoth.wi.gov. Click on “State, Cost-shared Suppression Program” on the right and then scroll down to find your county.
Not all counties are listed and not all of those on the list are participating in the current Suppression Program. People interested in counties not listed should work with their local government officials to request participation in the suppression program or visit
http://gypsymoth.wi.gov for additional resources and guidance about taking action to address a gypsy moth problem on your property.
Property owners with further questions are welcome to contact the DNR by phone at 1800-642-MOTH or email at dnrfrgypsymoth@wisconsin.gov.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill McNee, Regional Gypsy Moth Suppression Coordinator for the northeast and west central regions, 920-662-5430 or Mark Guthmiller, Regional Gypsy Moth Suppression Coordinator for the southeast and south central regions, (608) 275-3223.
Deer Hunt 2007 set to air on statewide public television Nov 8
MADISON – Hunters and others interested in the white-tailed deer will want to tune in to Deer Hunt 2007 on public television stations statewide at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8. Familiar deer show and Outdoor Wisconsin television host, Dan Small, will interview new Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank, along with other experts on deer management, hunting history, traditions and culture.
The show will feature segments on youth hunting and offer tips on deer behavior, movement and response to changes in their “neck of the woods” to hunters who come home with the lament, “I didn’t see any deer.”
In a companion segment, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will review and update the audience on the results of a review of the way deer populations are estimated, what deer population estimates mean to hunters and comments from a citizen hunter and member of the committee that reviewed the experts’ work.
Of special interest to viewers with interests in forest ecology and forest management is a segment that will examine some of the herd’s impacts on things other than motorists’ vehicles in a segment that looks at how the herd’s browsing habits and population numbers affect farmers, foresters and other forest species.
CWD project manager Alan Crossley, will update Dan on efforts of a newly formed CWD advisory committee composed of citizen volunteers who have offered up a bunch of their weekends during the year to study, listen and question a variety of experts in wildlife health, wildlife management, human dynamics, epidemiology and population biology with the goal of advising the Department of Natural Resources on future CWD management policy.
And who wouldn’t like some tasty recipes and tips on processing and preparing venison at home? Culinary whizzes will guide viewers through the various cuts of meat and ways of processing venison, and prepare some dishes that are sure to be a hit around the table.
As in the past, viewers will be able to call in toll-free during the broadcast with their questions about deer hunting regulations and management.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023
Deer feeding must be stopped for 30 days if site is visited by bear or elk
New rule effective Oct 1, 2007
MADISON – Wildlife watchers and hunters who feed or bait deer should be aware that new rules took affect Oct. 1 to help protect wildlife, including deer, bear and elk, from infectious disease and reduce risk of automobile-wildlife collisions.
The new regulation requires people feeding deer for non-hunting purposes to stop feeding for a period of at least 30 days if the feed site begins to be used by elk or black bears. It is illegal to feed wild bear and elk in Wisconsin. Bears may be baited in accordance with certain restrictions for hunting purposes only, and if the person placing the bait holds a valid Class B Bear license. There is no hunting season for elk in Wisconsin.
“The new rule requiring removal of feed from a deer feeding site applies to residences and businesses,” said Tom Van Haren, Department of Natural Resources conservation warden. “If the owner is notified by the department or otherwise becomes aware that bear or elk have been using a feeding site, they must stop the practice for not less than 30 days.”
Baiting and feeding of deer is currently banned in 26 Wisconsin counties [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/bait.htm] and the amount of bait or feed that may be placed and where bait or feed can be located is regulated in all other counties in Wisconsin.
“This rule was enacted to protect homeowners, motorists and Wisconsin’s small but growing elk herd,” explains Van Haren, “Elk approaching feeding sites are crossing roads and being hit by automobiles which most of the time is fatal to the elk and causes extensive damage to the vehicle. While they are fun to see, having black bears present in neighborhoods or around groups of houses presents property damage and public safety concerns. It is never a good idea to habituate wildlife to finding food in areas frequented by humans.”
For questions or more information regarding this new rule, contact your area wildlife manager, conservation warden or DNR Service Center.
In addition to public safety concerns, recent research into the way in which CWD is transmitted has shown that prions are found in saliva, supporting DNR wildlife officials’ recommendations that minimizing deer-to-deer contact is an important disease management tool. Other wildlife diseases can be transmitted by close animal to animal contact. For background on wildlife health and disease in Wisconsin go dnr.wi.gov and click on natural resources, then wildlife, then wildlife health.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom VanHaren - (608) 266-3244; Scott Loomans - (608) 267-2452
Volunteers needed to help monitor wolf population in the state
Wolf tracking training sessions and ecology courses set
MADISON -- The Wisconsin wolf program is looking for a few good trackers. People interested in volunteering to locate timber wolves and other forest carnivores in the coming year and to help keep count of the elusive animals can learn how to track wolves during a series of upcoming training sessions.
In Wisconsin, wolves are a protected wild animal under state law and an endangered species under federal law.
Volunteer trackers are assigned survey blocks in portions of northern and central Wisconsin forests, and are asked to conduct three or more surveys in their assigned block each winter. Data they gather can be compiled with those of other volunteers to aid Department of Natural Resources biologists in evaluating wolf populations.
In 2007, 123 volunteer trackers surveyed 64 survey blocks covering 4,162 miles of snow-covered roads and trails. Volunteers averaged 3.4 surveys per block, covering 64 miles, conducting 11.7 hours of tracking per block, and detected more than 274 different wolves.
“With the expanding wolf population and reduced funding for surveys, the volunteer carnivore tracking program is critical for us to get accurate counts of Wisconsin’s wolf population,” said Adrian Wydeven, DNR mammal ecologist who coordinates the state wolf program. “These surveys are very important for completing federal delisting and planning future management of the state wolf population.”
In late winter 2006, DNR biologists counted 540 to 577 wolves in the state, including 528 or more outside Indian reservations. During spring and summer 2007, 20 wolves were trapped and radio-collared. By early fall, more than 43 wolves were being radio tracked by Wisconsin DNR pilots, including wolves captured and collared in previous years. Normally about one-third of the state packs are monitored by radio-telemetry, the remaining packs are monitored by DNR and volunteer trackers.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer tracker must first take training to be assigned survey blocks for carnivore tracking.
Wolf and Carnivore Tracker Training sessions are scheduled:
• Nov. 3, Ashland - at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College Campus off Hwy 13.
• Dec. 1, Babcock - at Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, 1 mile north of Highway 173 along County Road X.
• Dec. 8, Tomahawk - at Treehaven UW-SP Field Station on Pickerel Creek Road off County A.
Training sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Applicants should register two weeks before a chosen session. There is a small fee for the classes.
First time trackers are also asked to take a basic wolf ecology course. The courses are offered for a fee through the Timber Wolf Information Network for a fee on the following dates. Contact the facility directly for more information and course rates.
• Jan. 19-20 - Timber Wolf Winter Tracking & Ecology, Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, County Highway X, Babcock 715-884-6333
• Feb. 1-3 - Wolf Ecology, Treehaven, W2540 Pickerel Creek Ave., Tomahawk, 715-453-4106
• Feb. 16-17 - Timber Wolf Winter Tracking & Ecology, Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, County Highway X, Babcock, 715-884-6333
• Feb. 29 - Mar. 2 - Wolf Ecology, Treehaven, W2540 Pickerel Creek Ave., Tomahawk, 715-453-4106
Details about the volunteer tracking program [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/mammals/volunteer/] and the wolf ecology and tracking training sessions [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/mammals/volunteer/training.htm] are available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site
Volunteers are also helpful in other ways, Wydeven said. Last fall, several volunteers conducted hunter outreach in the field and made contacts with deer hunters across several northern counties. During the spring volunteers helped with wolf trapping, radio collaring, donations of radio collars, and howl surveys as well as staffing educational booths at sport shows and other events.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrian Wydeven – (715) 762-1363
Waukesha West student wins 2008 Wisconsin state park sticker design contest
MADISON -- A design featuring people at play silhouetted by a setting sun has been selected as the winning design for the 2008 Wisconsin State Park and Forest Admission Sticker. The design was submitted to the Department of Natural Resources annual sticker design contest by Ali Clark, a senior from Waukesha West High School in Waukesha. The design will be printed on admission stickers displayed on more than 150,000 vehicles.
A panel of judges selected Clark’s winning design from 335 entries. Clark received an engraved plaque and a state trail pass, and will receive a 2008 annual vehicle admission sticker featuring her design when they become available in December 2007.
Anna Reardon, a junior from Waukesha South High School, took second place in the contest and received an engraved plaque, admission sticker, and a trail pass. Third place winner Michael Schoenherr is a senior from Watertown High School. Schoenherr was also awarded an engraved plaque, sticker, and trail pass for his design.
Students who received honorable mention for their designs include: Nicolas Garcia from Waukesha West High School, Tim Chapman from Cedarburg High School, Ryan Ashley from Waukesha South High School, Andrew Zandt from Waukesha South High School, Tom McMillion from Green Bay Preble High School, Devin Tylinski from Marathon High School, and Matt Cisz from Waukesha South High School. All finalists received a 2007 state park and forest vehicle admission sticker, courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The design contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is open to all high school age students attending public, private, or parochial schools in Wisconsin. The design must be the artist's own original creation and not copied or duplicated from previously published art, including photographs.
Entries are now being accepted for the 2009 Vehicle Admission Sticker Design Contest. The 2008 winning designs and information on next year’s contest are available on the Wisconsin State Parks admission sticker page of the DNR Web site at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/stickers/] or request contest information by contacting Bureau of Parks and Recreation, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, (608) 266-2181.
The 2008 annual stickers will be available for purchase beginning Dec. 1, 2007. Annual stickers make great gifts for outdoor enthusiasts, allowing for an unlimited number of visits to more than 60 state parks, forests, and recreation areas for the calendar year. Stickers can be purchased at state parks, forests, recreation areas, DNR service centers, and license sales agent locations, over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard at (608) 266-2181 between the hours of 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (M-F), and through the mail by sending a check or money order, payable to Wisconsin DNR, to DNR Parks and Recreation, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921.
Annual stickers are $25 for a Wisconsin resident, $10 for a Wisconsin resident 65 years of age and older, and $35 for a nonresident. Residency is determined by the license plate of the vehicle.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wisconsin State Parks - (608) 266-2181
Nominations sought for statewide Ethical Hunting Award
MADISON – Hunters and others who observe someone out hunting who does a good deed or sets a positive example for other outdoor uses are being encouraged to nominate the individual for the 11th annual Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – La Crosse Tribune Ethical Hunter Award.
“When people enjoy the outdoors this fall, we want them to experience a safe and ethical hunt, and to pass on positive traditions to our youth,” said Steve Dewald, La Crosse area DNR warden supervisor. “To encourage this behavior in all hunters, we want hunters to acknowledge good behavior in other hunters when they see it.”
Dewald and La Crosse Tribune outdoor writers Jerry Davis and Bob Lamb created the award in 1997 in an effort to bring attention to positive contributions by Wisconsin’s safe and ethical hunters. The theme for the award is “Hunters helping others, or hunters who are engaged in behavior that positively reflects on the tradition of hunting, rather than pursuing personal gain."
“We shouldn't always focus on the small number of people who engage in poaching and other unfortunate events, because that does not reflect what most hunters are like,” Dewald said. “The general public needs to hear about hunters teaching outdoor traditions to our youth, hunters helping disabled citizens to enjoy the outdoors, and hunters actively working to protect natural resources for all to enjoy.
“These positive stories show everyone that positive hunter behavior is common among the majority of hunters,” Dewald added. Past award winners are excellent role models for all hunters in Wisconsin.
The following are requirements to be eligible to receive the Ethical Hunter award:
• The nominee must be a licensed Wisconsin hunter.
• The ethical hunting act must have taken place in Wisconsin during the 2007 calendar year.
• Written nominations should contain the name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s) of witness(es) and be sent to Warden Supervisor Steve Dewald at the Department of Natural Resources, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601 before Jan. 15, 2008.
Award recipients in previous years have been recognized for assisting a conservation warden who was dealing with a dangerous subject, restoration of hunting habitat, making private lands available to new hunters, providing opportunities for disabled hunters, and rendering aid to a citizen at a serious car accident. Special youth awards are also given to youngsters who hunt ethically.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Dewald, Warden Supervisor - (608) 785-9970
Fall brings composting opportunities
MADISON – Fall is an excellent time of year to start composting, or for those who already compost, to think about improvements. State air quality and fire control rules restrict the burning of yard waste in Wisconsin, and a growing number of communities have made local rules that may restrict or completely prohibit burning of yard waste because of the air pollution and fire hazard created.
While yard waste is prohibited from landfills, and many communities provide yard waste pickup and community composting sites, home composting is an environmentally friendly alternative. Leaves, small brush, grass clippings, and other organic material can be easily managed at home through composting. Best of all, compost will be produced and available right on site for use in your yard and garden.
Here are a few pointers:
• Add both brown material like leaves and sticks, and green material like grass clippings and vegetable cuttings, in alternating layers, starting with brown material on the bottom. This properly distributes the nitrogen-rich green materials among the carbon-rich and more porous brown materials to ensure your compost has airflow to support growth of desirable microbes that decompose the waste in an inoffensive way.
• The microbes also need moisture. To keep the composting process working, water may need to be added, especially for open piles and uncovered bins during dry weather. However, the desirable air-breathing microbes can’t grow in saturated conditions, either. To check for the proper moisture level, you should be able to squeeze about one drop of liquid out of a small handful of compost.
• Generally, green material makes the composting process faster, but faster is not necessarily better. Faster decomposition requires more air and more attention to keep the compost from being a nuisance. Even with green material at only five percent of the mixture, layering green and brown material and some weekly turning becomes more important.
• Recycling food waste like vegetable trimmings, tea bags, coffee grounds and eggshells is best done in a covered bin, again layering with brown material. Worms, especially red worms, in bins are another way to recycle food waste and this efficient method is also gaining popularity. Compost and worm bins can be homemade or commercially manufactured. Inquire about compost bins with your local retailers, or search the Internet for “compost bins” to find instructions for making your own bin and to see a wide variety of manufactured bins.
• A foul odor indicates the compost pile is not getting enough air. This might be from too much moisture, too much green material in the mixture or materials getting compacted together over time. Turning the compost helps maintain good air circulation throughout. Alternating layers of brown and green materials also helps maintain good airflow, since the brown materials take longer to break down.
• Locate your composting piles or bins about 10 feet or more away from structures, but within reach of a garden hose. This helps keep interested animals at a distance, allows easy watering of the compost and is also good fire safety. While compost fires are rare, compost piles do generate heat, and under certain conditions, the material may smolder or even catch fire.
• Composting should also be located on a dirt surface that drains well and the site relocated every few years. Vegetation planted around the composting area may be aesthetically pleasing and will use up any nutrients that get rinsed out. Also, be sure to periodically inspect your composting bin or pile and the ground around it to be sure animals are not making a home in your compost.
• Local ordinances may apply to home composting. In some cases, composting may be located only in a backyard or at a minimum distance from neighboring properties, and a bin may be required for composting food wastes. Even if not specifically required by your local government, DNR recommends food waste composting only in a bin capable of preventing access by animals that may scavenge in your area.
For more information on composting and recycling, contact your municipal recycling staff, county extension agent or DNR regional recycling specialist. More information can also be found on the Internet at the DNR pages:
http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/ob/alternatives.htm#compost or UW-Extension:
http://www3.uwm.edu/Dept/shwec/ and search publications for “composting”. Additional tips on environmentally friendly fall activities and actions can also be found at
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/ed/italladdsup.htm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Wheat – (608) 267-0557
Proposed Mitchell Park trail project will result in incidental take of rare snake
EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threatened species.
MADISON -- The construction of the Mitchell Park Bike and Walking Trail Project, which includes the Fox Brook Park Connector Trail and the Mitchell Park Scenic Loop Trail, in the City of Brookfield, may result in the incidental take of a rare snake, under an authorization the Department of Natural Resources is proposing for the project.
The proposed project will connect the new trail segments with existing trails within Mitchell Park, provide educational opportunities and will connect Mitchell Park to Fox Brook Park. It will include paved trails, boardwalks over wetlands, and a bridge over the Fox River. The trails involve the construction of two segments totaling 8,972 feet; the Fox Brook Park Trail segment is 3, 291 feet and the Mitchell Park Scenic Loop Trail is 5,681 feet in length.
The project area includes habitat that is part of a significant conservation site for Butler’s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri), a species listed as threatened under Wisconsin law.
Under the “incidental taking” law, which was approved by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1997, the Department of Natural Resources can authorize the taking of an endangered or threatened species from a location if that removal will not jeopardize the species' survival or recovery in Wisconsin and if a plan is developed to reduce or avoid taking.
Through the Incidental Take consultation process, conservation measures were developed that include habitat mitigation, enhancement and restoration, and habitat protection through a preservation easement in both wetland and upland habitat. Areas where construction of the paved trail will have a temporary impact will be restored and reseeded with a native short grass prairie mix.
Areas that will be permanently lost will be mitigated through the restoration of upland habitat that is not currently suitable habitat. These mitigation areas will be restored to suitable snake habitat at a 1:1 ratio and will be monitored and managed for five years to assure that the areas achieve the desired habitat conditions. This is to ensure that the project will result in no net loss of suitable habitat as required in the Butler’s Gartersnake Conservation Strategy.
The upland habitat preservation areas, enhancement areas, and restoration areas will be managed for perpetuity according to the long-term management habitat requirements for Tier 3 upland Butler’s gartersnake habitat to prevent the establishment of woody vegetation.
Department of Natural Resources staff determined that the proposed project has avoided to the maximum extent possible and will minimize impacts to Butler’s gartersnake by adhering to the conservation measures described within the Jeopardy Assessment and is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of Butler’s gartersnake or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the actions.
Copies of the jeopardy assessment and conservation measures are available on the DNR website at
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/take/notices.html or upon request from Lisie Kitchel at the above address. Public comments will be taken through Oct. 31, 2007 and should be sent to Lisie Kitchel, Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources, PO Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisie Kitchel - (608) 266-5248
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 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).*
October 18
• Early gun deer season opens in CWD herd reduction zone through Oct. 21. See special CWD regulations in the current deer hunting regulations pamphlet for details.
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.
• Early gun deer season closes in CWD disease eradication and herd reduction zones. See special CWD regulations in the current deer hunting regulations pamphlet for details.
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.*
November 1
• Wild ginseng season closes.*
• Hook-and-line lake sturgeon season closed on Michigan boundary waters.*
November 3
• Beaver trapping season opens in the northwest zone (A), northeast zone (B) through April 30 and in the southern zone (C) through March 31.
• Otter trapping season opens in all zones and runs through April 30 in the North zone and through March 31 in the Central zone and South zone.
• Non resident raccoon season opens through Jan. 31.
November 5
• Woodcock season closes.
November 11
• Sharp-tailed grouse season closes.
November 15
• Early archery deer season closes statewide. Reopens Nov. 26 through Jan. 6.
• Fall turkey hunting season closes.
• Jackrabbit season closes.*
• Fall crow season closes.
• Trout and salmon fishing closes on downstream section of Lake Superior tributaries that remained open after Sept. 30. (see current trout fishing regulations for stream sections).*
November 16
• Collins zone Canada goose hunting period 3 closes.
• It is illegal to hunt with a firearm the day before the gun deer season opens, except for waterfowl hunting or hunting on licensed game farms or shooting preserves.
November 17
• Regular gun deer season open through Nov. 25.
• Late gun deer season opens in CWD disease eradication and herd reduction zones through Dec. 9. See special CWD regulations in the current deer hunting regulations pamphlet for details.
November 20
• Northern zone duck season closes.
November 25
• Regular gun deer season closes.
November 26
• Muzzleloader season opens through Dec. 5.
• Late archery season opens through Jan. 6.
November 30
• Muskellunge season closes.*
• Turtle season closes. *
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
October 19 - The Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing pursuant to §§ 29.014, 227.11 and 227.24, interpreting §§ 29.014, 29.041 and 227.885, Wis. Stats., on Natural Resources Board Emergency Order No. WM-20-07(E) pertaining to the 2007 migratory game bird season at 1 p.m. in Room 606, of the State Natural Resources building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster Street, Madison.. This emergency order took effect on August 30, 2007. The significant regulations are: Ducks: The state is divided into two zones with 60-day seasons. The season begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 22 in the north and closes on November 20. In the south, the season begins at 9 a.m. on Sept. 29 and continues through Oct. 7, followed by a 5-day split, reopening on Oct. 13 and continuing through Dec. 2. The dates of the youth waterfowl hunt are Sept. 15 and 16. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks including no more than 4 mallards (one hen), one black duck, one pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads and 2 scaup. Canada Geese: The state is apportioned into the Horicon, Collins and Exterior zones plus four subzones within the Exterior zone. Season lengths are: Collins zone – 62 days (periods, first period beginning Sept. 16); Horicon zone – 92 days (4 periods, first period beginning Sept. 16); Exterior zone in the northern duck zone – 85 days (Sept. 16 to Dec. 9); Exterior zone in the southern duck zone – 85 days (Sept. 16 to Oct. 7 followed by a 5-day split and Oct. 13 to Dec. 14); and Mississippi River subzone – 85 days (Sept. 29 to Oct. 7 and 13 to Dec. 27). The Burnett County subzone is closed to Canada goose hunting. The statewide daily bag limit for Canada geese is 2 birds per day. In addition to these annual regulatory issues, the emergency rule requires the use of non-toxic shot for rail, snipe and moorhen statewide and allows the placement of decoys and shooting at birds that are within a 75-yard area around the boundary of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge as long as the hunter is more than 75 yards from the boundary. The emergency rule may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Web site: [http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov]. Written comments on the emergency rule may be submitted to Kent Van Horn, DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 no later than Oct. 23, 2007. For information contact Kent Van Horn at (608) 266-8841.
October 26 – Pursuant to §§ 285.11(1) and (2)(a) and 285.27(4), Wis. Stats., interpreting § 285.27(2) and (4), Wis. Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on Natural Resources Board Emergency Order No. AM-38-07(E) relating to national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters and potentially affecting small business. This emergency order took effect on September 13, 2007. The hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. in Room G09 of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster, Madison. The proposed rule stays implementation of ch. NR 462. The federal National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters (Boiler MACT) was promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Sept. 13, 2004 with a compliance date set for Sept. 13, 2007. On July 30, 2007, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate vacating the Boiler MACT. The compliance date for existing sources under the now vacated federal rule is no longer valid at the federal level. However, since the Department promulgated a similar standard in ch. NR 462 as required by § 285.27(2)(a), Wis. Stats., the Boiler MACT requirements remain in Wisconsin’s rules. This order stayed the implementation of ch. NR 462. The proposed rule may have an impact on any small business that is a major source of hazardous air pollutants and has a solid fuel fired boiler or process. The department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. The emergency rule, proposed rule and supporting documents, including the fiscal estimate may be viewed and downloaded and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Web site [http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov] (search this site using the Natural Resources Board Order No. AM-37-07.) Written comments on the emergency rule and the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Roger Fritz, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or by e-mail to Roger.Fritz@wisconsin.gov. Comments may be submitted until Nov. 2, 2007. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing. The proposed rule and supporting documents, including the fiscal estimate may also be obtained from Robert Eckdale, Bureau of Air Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 or by calling (608) 266-2856. For more information contact Roger Fritz at - (608) 266-1201.
October 29 – A public informational hearing on an application for a Chapter 30 permit for Netzow Limited Partnership to remove an illegal structure impounding water on a tributary to the Fox River in the City of Brookfield will be held at 5 p.m. at the Brookfield City Hall, 2000 North Calhoun Road, Brookfield. The proposed project will remove the structure, eliminating the impoundment and then creating a new stream channel. Replacement of a culvert, biostabilization and a water quality certification will also be involved with the project. The applicant will describe project, and the public will be given a chance to comment on the project as well as get questions answered. For information contact Rachel Sabre at (414) 263-8601.
October 30 - A Class 1 contested case public hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 227.01(3)(a),. 281.15 and 281.37 and Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 103 and NR 299 in the matter of the Department of Natural Resources' preliminary determination to grant Water Quality Certification to Mark E. Carstensen Construction and Development Company for Shoppes at Wyndham Village, City of Franklin, Milwaukee County will be held at 10 a.m. in the Video Conference Room (Room 98) at the Milwaukee State Office Building, 819 North 6th Street, Milwaukee. Mark E. Carstensen Construction and Development Company, 9120 West Loomis Road, Suite 400, Franklin, Wisconsin, 53132, filed an application with the Department of Natural Resources for water quality certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act. The property address is southeast corner of West Drexel Avenue and Lovers Lane Road. The proposed project consists of discharge of fill materials in two wetlands totaling 0.25 acre of wetland impact—discharge of 0.01 acre of fill material in Wetland B and 0.24 acre of fill material in Wetland A for the commercial development known as Shoppes at Wyndham Village in the City of Franklin. Wetland A and B are located along Lovers Lane Road. Both Wetlands A and B are seasonally flooded basins that have annual disturbance by plowing and agricultural use. DNR staff evaluated this proposal and determined that it meets the standards found in § NR 299.04 and granted certification. On June 12, 2007, the Department of Natural Resources issued Notice of Water Quality Certification. For more information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-3865.
November 1 - A Class 1 contested case public hearing pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 30.12, 30.13 and 30.209 in the matter of the pier application of Kim Lewis, Lake Elizabeth, Village Of Twin Lakes, Kenosha County will be held at 10:30 a.m., in Room 300 at the Kenosha County Courthouse, 912 56th St., Kenosha. The hearing will continue, if necessary, on Friday, Nov. 2, at the same location Kim Lewis, 2631 East Lakeshore Drive, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, 53181, applied to the Department of Natural Resources for a permit to place a pier on the bed of Lake Elizabeth. The applicant proposed to construct a pier which would accommodate up to 20 public boat slips for a public marina on the property. The proposed boat slips would be rented to the public on a seasonal basis. At some point in the future, the owner hopes to develop the property into multi-family residential units. At this time, the owner would reduce the number of boat slips to 14 and would convert the marina to private use. The proposed project is located in NE ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 32, T1N, R19E, in the Village of Twin Lakes, Kenosha County. For more information contact the Division of Hearings and Appeals at (608) 266-3865
Meetings
October 16 – There will be a Richard Bong ATV/OHM Riders INC. meeting, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Richard Bong State Recreation Area inside the Molinaro Visitors Center, 26313 Burlington Road, Kansasville. The meeting is designed to gather members and volunteers for the newly created Richard Bong ATV/OHM Riders INC. with support of the Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA). The newly created club intends to assist the park in the maintenance and redevelopment of the ATV/OHM trails at Richard Bong. For more information contact John R. Meyer, DNR, at (262) 878-5606.
October 16 – The DNR fall wolf population monitoring meeting will take place from 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Park Falls Public Library, 121 4th Ave N., Park Falls. The main items for discussion will be: wolf trapping & collaring results from summer; wolf howl surveys; wolf depredation management; wolf depredation payments; plans for winter track surveys; plans for any winter trapping; and equipment and supply needs. Updated pamphlets of "Wolves in Farm Country" will be available for people to take back to their offices or distribute. For information contact Adrian Wydeven, DNR mammalian ecologist/ conservation ecologist at (715) 762-1363.
October 16 - The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming – Industry Work Group will meet from 9 a.m. to noon in conference room B, DNR Service Center, 625 E. County Rd. Y, Oshkosh. The agenda includes discussion and review of new and revised policy templates. For more information, or if you need special accommodations to attend this meeting, contact Nick Sayen, DNR, at (608) 267-2466.
October 17 - The Migratory Game Bird Committee will meet at 9 a.m. at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point to discuss several different topics including the waterfowl strategic plan, the new duck hunter survey, waterfowl stamp projects and more. For information contact: Kim Benton, DNR Assistant Migratory Game Bird Ecologist, at (608) 261-6458.
October 17 - The Governor's Council on Invasive Species will meet at 9 a.m. in Room SR106, DATCP, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison. Items on the agenda include: Update on the Species Assessment Groups, Update on the Forestry Council Best Management Practices process, and committee reports. For more information contact Diane Greisinger at (608) 264-8529.
October 17 & 25 – The Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host two public meetings on the Ashland/Northern States Power Lakefront Superfund Site. The meetings will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the AmericInn, 3009 Lakeshore Drive East, Ashland. At the Oct. 17 meeting, participants will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about the recently completed remedial investigation. The study included human health and ecological risks, as well as the nature and extent of contamination in Kreher Park, ground water and Chequamegon Bay. The city of Ashland will also present a summary of the waterfront development plan. The Oct. 25 meeting begins with an overview of cleanup options at the Ashland site and a description of the nine evaluation criteria the agencies must use when selecting a cleanup plan. Participants will then have the opportunity to identify additional factors they would like EPA, DNR and Northern States Power of Wisconsin to consider. For more information or special accommodations, contact John Robinson, DNR, at (715) 365-8976 or john.robinson@wisconsin.gov; or Briana Bill, EPA community involvement coordinator, at (312) 353-6646 or 1-800-621-8431, Ext.3-6646 or bill.briana@epa.gov. The remedial investigation report and a fact sheet will be posted on EPA’s Web site: at [http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/Ashland], and available at the Vaughn Public Library, 502 W. Main St., Ashland.
October 19 - **Date changed** The Groundwater Advisory Committee created by 2003 WI Act 310 will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 613 of the of the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. Contact Jill Jonas at (608) 267-7545 for more information or view updated agenda on the drinking water pages of the DNR Web site.
October 19 - The Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming – The full Task Force will meet from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Main Conference Room at Wisconsin Public Power, Inc., 1425 Corporate Center Drive, Sun Prairie. The agenda includes: remarks from DNR Secretary Frank, a briefing on the development of the Wisconsin reference case by the Technical Advisory Group Co-Chairs, a refresher and update on the ‘wedge approach,’ presentations and discussion of draft utility-related policies from the following groups 1) Electric Generation/Supply-Side Work Group 2) Carbon Tax/Cap-and-Trade/Offsets Work Group 3) Energy Conservation and Efficiency Work Group, and a discussion of potential concerns related to Task Force recommendations for low & fixed income individuals/families. For more information, or if you need special accommodations to attend this meeting, contact Nick Sayen, DNR, at (608) 267-2466.
October 20 - The Chronic Wasting Disease Stakeholder Advisory group will meet from 9 a.m. – 4 p.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, they will continue discussing 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.
October 23-24 – The state Natural Resources Board will meet in Room G09, of the State Natural Resources building (GEF 2), 101 S. Webster St., Madison. For information contact Laurie J. Ross, Natural Resources Board Executive Staff Assistant at (608) 267-7420.
October 24 - The Green Tier Advisors will meet by conference call from 8 to 9:30 a.m. to work on the remaining items from the legislation discussion, including: new point of entry; flexibility; other agencies; limited immunity; and local government. For information contact Mark McDermid at (608) 267-3125.
October 26 - The DNR NR 151 Rule Revision for Non-agricultural Performance Standards Focus Group will meet from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Room 226 of the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) building at 2811 Agriculture Drive in Madison. The group will be discussing proposed revisions to subchapters I, III and IV of NR 151, Wis. Adm. Code. For more information contact Mary Anne Lowndes at (608) 261-6420.
October 30 – The DNR Glacial Heritage Area External Advisory Team will holding a public open house from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lake Mills Municipal Building, 200 Water St., Lake Mills. The Glacial Heritage Area (GHA) project proposes to establish a coordinated network – in a “strings and pearls” layout – of conservation lands and recreation trails. The goal of this network is to provide high quality, readily accessible opportunities for people to get outside and hike, bike, fish, camp, bird watch, paddle, hunt, horseback ride, and enjoy themselves in the outdoors. The External Advisory Team (a group of local citizens representing village, city, and county governments, conservation groups, recreation clubs, the business community, and others) and the department have developed a draft conceptual vision for the network, including an assessment of which “strings and pearls” appear to be well suited for different outdoor activities. The open house is aimed at hearing ideas and perspectives on the project from the public – what did we get right and what needs fixing. For information contact John Pohlman, DNR land management specialist at (608) 264-6263.
November 1 - 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. The agenda is available on the drinking water pages of the DNR Web site.
November 1 - The Wisconsin Diesel Workgroup will meet 9:30 a.m. to noon in the WHEDA conference room (1st floor) of the Tommy Thompson Building, 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison. The group will continue discussions of voluntary strategies for reducing mobile diesel emissions in Wisconsin. For information contact Jessica Lawent, WDNR, at (414) 263-8653.
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/
