When howling winter winds are blowing the snow into huge
drifts and temperatures drop below zero, many people are concerned about
wildlife survival. In particular, winter in Iowa's northwest comer has
been exceptionally harsh so far this year, and there is more snow on the
ground at an earlier time than normal. Due to the blowing winds and deep,
hard-packed snow, a number of people have asked about a pheasant feeding
program. According to DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz, trying to
'feed pheasants through a harsh winter is usually not a good idea, will
probably not help the birds anyway, and may even cause more problems.
"Winter weather concentrates the birds, regardless
of food," Bogenschutz explained. "Tossing feed out indiscriminately
can draw the birds out of good winter cover and expose them to the elements
and predation. Pheasant survival is primarily dependent on protection from
wind and cold, rather than a supply of food, and providing habitat needs
to be planned long before the cold winds blow. Exposure, not starvation,
is the most common cause of pheasant mortality."
"Food plots are a good idea, but more importantly,
pheasants need good cover near those food plots," Bogenschutz continued.
"Food plots with dense cover offer protection from predators. A bird
that can travel ten yards to feed in a food plot has a lower predation risk
than one that must travel a half-mile to feed in a plowed field. In addition,
foraging efforts are reduced, leaving the birds with increased energy reserves.
As snow depths increase, pheasants will leave good winter feeding areas
with marginal cover for areas with poor feed but dense cover."
"The DNR does not have a state feeding program for
pheasants," Bogenschutz said. "Cover is the key to pheasant survival
and an artificial feeding program makes the birds dependent upon the food
supply. Because of these factors, starting a feeding program is not recommended.
However, people who continue to feel the need to feed must be prepared
to commit to the feeding throughout the winter. The feeding should be done
as close to good cover as possible and not along roadsides."
Landowners interested in developing wildlife habitat can
receive information and assistance by contacting their local wildlife biologist
or conservation officer, or by calling (515) 281-5529.
Sharp-Tailed Grouse Restoration Update
For the second straight spring, the Iowa DNR released sharp-tailed
grouse in western Iowa, according to DNR wildlife biologist Ed Weiner.
He said that in early February, 44 males and 34 female sharp-tailed grouse
were received as the final 'installment' in a trade consisting of 150 South
Dakota sharp-tailed grouse for 33 Iowa wild turkeys previously given to
South Dakota. The birds were separated by sex and held in pens until their
release April 9- 10 near the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area in Monona
County.
"The CRP program has enhanced sharptail production
in South Dakota and expanded the volume of secure habitat in the Loess Hills,"
said Weiner. "Combined, this has created a unique window of opportunity
to restore sharp-tailed grouse in western Iowa. We expect to release additional
birds from South Dakota again this year."
"The two 1996 releases were made somewhat later in
the year than the 1995 releases," Weiner said. "We hoped to increase
the level of male activity while reducing the dispersal of the females.
Sightings of both adult birds and young have been reported, indicating
the birds are not only staying in the general area, they are also reproducing.
While sightings in themselves may not appear all that encouraging, it should
be understood that sharptails disperse widely from spring to winter, moving
as much as 20 miles during the summer months."
"Sharptails are ritualistic birds and will return
each spring to the same dancing grounds to mate," Weiner explained.
"However, the lower sound level of sharptail activity, compared with
prairie chickens, makes public reports unlikely. Landowners can be of tremendous
assistance by reporting any sharptail activity they might observe. Their
sightings are extremely useful in assessing the success of sharptail restoration."
For more information on Iowa's sharp-tailed grouse restoration
program, contact: Ed Weiner, Missouri River Wildlife Unit, RR #2, Box 15A,
Onawa, IA 51040 (712) 423-2426.
MINNESOTA
TIME TO DISCUSS WILDLIFE CONCERNS
"So, how long is the pheasant season going to be next
fall?"
The gentleman who posed that question had earlier that
morning driven across two counties through wind-driven snow to attend a
meeting at the DNR Regional Office in New Ulm. Wind-driven snow and paralyzing
cold have been common throughout Minnesota this winter and the man, like
many of us, is concerned about the plight of pheasants and other wildlife
species.
The man wondering how long the pheasant season will be
next fall is a farmer/conservationist. Among the conservation measures
he has on his farm are wildlife plantings and food plots, primarily intended
for pheasants. If it was his decision, the pheasant season next fall would
be significantly shortened, if not closed. Others undoubtedly share his
opinion.
Wildlife managers and biologists have been studying the
relationship between hunting and pheasant populations for years. The accumulated
documentation clearly demonstrates that the harvest of rooster pheasants,
regardless of population levels, will have an insignificant impact on the
next year's pheasant population. Convincing John or Jane Doe of that is
more than a little difficult, however.
How long the pheasant season will be next fall and what
the bag limit might be is a question sure to be asked when the DNR begins
holding its annual wildlife public input meetings around the state this
month.
The annual meetings provide an opportunity for citizens
to express their views and ask questions of DNR wildlife officials. The
DNR also uses the meetings to explain proposals being considered and to
collect feedback about those proposals. All opinions are documented and
taken into consideration when the DNR goes to work setting season regulations.
Proposals to be discussed at the input meetings include:
Providing a youth waterfowl hunting day.
Restricting the use of airboats for waterfowl hunting.
Those unable to attend the meetings may address opinions,
concerns or questions to: Tom Conroy, DNR Region 4 Information Officer,
261 Highway 15 South, New Ulm, Mn.
Tentative opening dates announced for many 1997 Minnesota
hunting seasons
Opening dates for many of the 1997 Minnesota hunting seasons
were announced this week by Department of Natural Resources Commissioner
Rod Sando. The dates are being announced now for the benefit of those who
must establish vacation or hunting plans well in advance. Although these
dates are tentative, pending final approval in June, Sando said it is unlikely
they will change.
SMALL GAME
*General small game, including grouse, gray partridge (Huns)
Sept 13
*Pheasant Oct 11
* Woodcock, rails, snipe Sept 1
WATERFOWL
- Ducks and geese Oct 4 (Tentative)
Additional details on season lengths, quotas and bag limits
will be announced next summer.
Geese Unlimited makes first-ever habitat donation to DNR
Geese Unlimited, a waterfowl conservation group based in
Grand Rapids, recently refocused its efforts from goose relocation to goose
habitat conservation with a first-ever donation of $15,000 to the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources.
The money was needed to pay for the planting of winter
wheat on approximately 600 acres of a state waterfowl refuge field near
the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area in northwestern Minnesota. Planted
in late summer, the wheat provides food for migrating Canada geese in the
fall and again in the spring, according to Randy Prachar, assistant wildlife
area manager.
Though planted in a wildlife refuge, which is off-limits
to hunting, the wheat benefits hunters by keeping geese in the general area
for several weeks. The plantings also lure the hungry waterfowl away from
private crop fields, much to the gratitude of local farmers.
The donation marks the first time that Geese Unlimited,
a long-time partner with the DNR in goose relocation, has made a donation
for goose habitat.
"GU has been a tremendous ally in establishing goose
populations throughout Minnesota," said Tom Landwehr, DNR wetland wildlife
program leader. Landwehr said that the organization has worked with wildlife
managers to transfer excess geese captured in the Twin Cities metro region
to other parts of the state. "The fruits of their work are evidenced
by the statewide early goose season and in the numbers of geese found in
parts of Minnesota where people never thought there would be geese,"
Landwehr said.
Because of Geese Unlimited's tremendous successes, the
DNR asked the group to use its growing membership to help fund ongoing goose
management needs, such as establishing winter wheat plantings on refuges.
Butch Bakken, Geese Unlimited executive director, said
his organization sees the need for moving into habitat management. The
Roseau River refuge donation was selected for the first donation, he said,
because members can see a wide range of values. "This is a habitat
project that benefits geese by providing them with food during their migration,
while also benefiting hunters and farmers," he said. GU is looking
for other projects on which to cooperate, he added.
NEBRASKA
NE Games and Parks Commission Set Hunting Season Opening
Dates
The NE G&P Commission set the upland hunting season
opening dates at their January 15th Meeting. The opening dates are: Grouse
Sept 13, Pheasant, Quail and Partridge Nov 1,
CANADA GOOSE BREEDING FLOCK TO BE DISBANDED
The Canada goose flock at Sacramento-Wilcox Wildlife Management
Area located near Wilcox in Southwest Nebraska, which has produced goslings
for restoration efforts in the North Platte River and other areas of the
state for more than 20 years, will be disbanded and the pinioned geese made
eligible to applicants following a decision by the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commissioners at their October meeting in Lincoln.
The restoration program has been very successful, but biologists
have determined that future needs for goslings can be met from other sources,
making the Sac flock no longer necessary.
This winter the geese will be neck-collared and mated pairs
identified. All gosling production for 1997 will be distributed to release
sites in Nebraska. The pinioned birds in good health will be given away
following a round-up in July.
The geese will be given to interested people by a random
drawing from eligible applicants. Applicants must be Nebraska residents
at least 16 years old who do not live within city limits or near select
areas that have existing goose problems.
No more than four mated pairs or eight geese will be given
to any person, family or site. The recipients must obtain all necessary
permits and may determine the fate of geese they receive. Free-flying geese
will not be given away and will remain at Sac or disperse on their own.
The Sacramento-Wilcox WMA will continue to be managed in
accordance with rainwater Basin Joint Venture goals and water management
capabilities will be improved through development projects. The waterfowl
refuge will remain as a component of the state's waterfowl management program.
NORTH DAKOTA
TENTATIVE 1997-98 SEASON DATES
The success of a hunting or fishing trip depends on the
amount of planning done beforehand. And, the earlier the better. It is
never too early to set vacation and work schedules, line up equipment, and
reserve a motel room or camping spot.
For several years now the state game and fish department
has provided sportsmen with tentative dates so they can plan for upcoming
seasons. Although these dates are tentative and are not final until approved
by gubernatorial proclamation, they represent the department's best estimate
of its recommendations for the seasons.
Season Opening Date
Canada Geese Oct 4
Snow Geese Oct 4
Duck Oct 4
Pheasant Oct 11
Mourning Dove Sept 1
Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Sept 13
Grouse, & Squirrel Sept 13
Sage Grouse Sept 15
SOUTH DAKOTA
PHEASANT SURVIVAL
Whenever winter comes early to the prairie, some concerned
people always wonder if South Dakota's ringnecks need a free meal. Wildlife
officials say that feeding pheasants is almost never a good idea and generally
doesn't do the birds much good anyway.
Pheasant biologist Steve Riley said, "There's no doubt
that with ice storms and early snow in many areas, our birds have had to
face winter stress already. In areas where snow and ice have covered a
significant amount of the bird's food supply, it's only natural that people
would want to help them out. But the reality is that survival of pheasants
is usually not dependent on whether or not there is abundant food available.
The need for protection from wind and cold is much more important than
food supplies."
He said that places where food plots have been planted
adjacent to high quality winter cover are what ringnecks need in a tough
winter.
"On the other hand, scattering a little corn in places
without winter cover is not helpful and can actually be detrimental,"
he said. "If feed attracts the birds away from their secure winter
habitat, it exposes them to the elements. And exposure is a much more common
cause of winter pheasant mortality than starvation."
Even a maintained feeding program will only affect a small
number of birds in the local area. In areas where there appears to be no
source of food nearby, Riley said, South Dakota's pheasants typically adapt
to eating a variety of naturally occurring seeds and other cultivated foods
such as waste grain. Russian olives are among the many other food items
accessible to pheasants in deep snow.
In the end, artificially feeding pheasants makes them dependent
on the food supply, which means that, once started, feeding programs must
be continued. Starting an artificial feeding program early in the winter
is a commitment that few people or organizations are prepared to follow
through on.
Counting on their survival instincts and their ability
to find wild foods is nearly always a better idea.
Ten things to remember about pheasants and other wildlife
relating to winter conditions:
1 . Pheasants can survive in very severe conditions as
long as good cover is available.
2. When pheasants die in the winter the cause is usually
hypothermia or asphyxiation, which are both linked to weather conditions
and habitat quality and availability.
3. Pheasants in poor health (resulting from injuries, late
hatches, etc.) that experience an early winter often die during the first
storms, which is startling. Most would die before spring, even without
the early stress.
4. The farther pheasants have to travel between habitat
types (like roosting and feeding cover), the greater their risk from weather
and predators is.
5. Pheasants commonly form large flocks in the winter.
6. Feeding pheasants is not necessary, but once you start
and they become dependent on the food source, it is important to continue
feeding them until the snow has substantially melted.
7. Pheasants do not usually die from starvation.
8. A white backdrop of snow makes pheasants more visible.
9. The more snow there is on the ground, the less usable
habitat is available for pheasants.
10. South Dakota has had a wild pheasant population for
over 80 years--winter storms have never killed them all--they are a hardy
creature!
Riley said, "if winter conditions cause you concern
for the welfare of wildlife, you should consider doing your part in developing
quality habitat on their behalf. Once winter sets in it's too late to do
anything to significantly lessen the effects. All we can do is resolve
to make conditions better for future storms.
Anyone interested in developing habitat should contact
their local wildlife conservation officer for technical assistance. There
are a number of sources available for financial cost-share assistance.
Pheasant losses could reach up to 70 percent
Wildlife officials are estimating pheasant losses of up
to 70 percent in some the of harsh winter areas because of the weather.
Emmett Keyser, of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks,
said birds started being pushed out when the snows came during November
and eliminated a marginal lot of the cover. You know, I think after this
last blow too, we lost a fair amount of birds. Losses anywhere from 40
to 70 percent, maybe even better in some areas," Keyser said.
The GF&P also has been working to help farmers where
deer are eating feed and hay meant for livestock. The department has purchased
corn and hay to feed the deer to try to keep them away from livestock feed,
Keyser said
1997 SOUTH DAKOTA APPLICATION DEADLINES
The deadline for application of Waterfowl, Tundra Swan
and Special Canada Goose permits for this fall is July 4.
WISCONSIN
Task force reviews options for controlling urban goose
population
There are a variety of methods Wisconsin could consider
to control an expanding population of geese in urban areas around Wisconsin,
members of the Urban Waterfowl Task Force were told at their third meeting
earlier this month.
The 15-member task force, made up of representatives from
diverse groups who are affected by urban waterfowl management decisions,
was formed to review issues relating to a growing urban waterfowl populations
and associated problems and conflicts, explains Jon Bergquist, wetlands
wildlife ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources.
Possible control methods the task force learned about at
the meeting included sterilization of waterfowl and egg manipulation. The
task force also reviewed results of the early Canada goose hunting season
and results of a toxicity study of geese conducted by DNR.
Representatives from the University of Minnesota and the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources presented information on a program
in Minnesota to reduce the goose population in urban settings that involves
rounding up birds that are slaughtered and processed, with the meat donated
to food pantries for distribution to shelters. The program has been well
accepted by the food pantries in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
The task force will begin discussions of control options
that have been presented and make recommendations to develop a management
plan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Bergquist - (608) 266-8841,
Brenda Hill - (608) 261-6458
1996 EARLY SEPTEMBER CANADA GOOSE HUNTING SEASON
Hunters participating in Wisconsin's early Canada goose
season last fall set a record harvest of nearly 10,500 Canada geese, more
than double the 1995 harvest of 4,928, according to Department of Natural
Resources records.
Nearly 21,400 individuals obtained a permit to hunt in
the seventh annual early September Canada goose hunting season, compared
to 13,343 in 1995, says Jon Bergquist, DNR waterfowl ecologist.
"We expected the harvest to increase because the area
open to the early season was increased significantly," Bergquist says.
The DNR expanded the area open to the early hunt in an
effort to control numbers of a local subspecies of Canada geese, sometimes
called giants Canada geese, and to offer sportsmen and women greater hunting
opportunity. This sub-species of geese breed locally and are viewed by
some as a growing nuisance in urban areas.
"We recognize that a hunting season alone is not going
to solve the problems that this growing population of birds is causing in
highly urbanized areas. However, it is effective control method for these
local flocks in rural areas," Bergquist says.
With the addition of a new subzone, hunting was allowed
in most of eastern Wisconsin. Hunters had to obtain a permit prior to the
season and could hunt in both early season subzones.
The season was lengthened by three days compared to
the 1995 season. The dates were September 3 through September 15. The
daily bag limit in subzone A (1995 zone) continued at 5 and the daily bag
limit in subzone B (new subzone for 1996) was 3.
The application deadline for next fall's early season is
August 1, 1997. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon R. Bergquist (608)266-8841
or Brenda Hill (608) 261-6458
SOUTHCENTRAL STATES
KANSAS
SURVIVAL AND THE BIG CHILL
Animals use a variety of methods to stay warm in winter.
Mobile creatures like birds may migrate hundreds of miles to wanner climates,
especially birds that come from northern latitudes.
Though Kansas can experience temporary winter freeze-ups,
many of its waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds remain at home where grain
fields are plentiful and accessible. Only when deep snow or ice covers
supplies will these birds move out.
Mammals beat winter's cold by growing thick fur for insulation.
Small species like rabbits or coyotes use dens or haystacks for shelter.
Larger mammals, such as deer and antelope, seek protected canyons to escape
bitter winds. Additionally, blood flow to the feet and legs of large animals
is restricted during cold spells. This prevents super-cooling of blood
as the animal constantly stands and walks in snow.
A few Kansas vertebrates hibernate to escape winter's chill.
Bats are one example. Moving deep within a cave, they enter a torpid state
when respiration and heart rates are greatly reduced. The animals "sleep"
through the coldest months without feeding or moving about.
Cold-blooded animals also spend the winter in an inactive
state. Frogs and turtles burrow deeply into mud. Snakes and lizards dig
deep in the Earth. Insects and spiders seek shelter under tree bark, in
soil, or in rotten logs. Amazingly, they can withstand conditions that
virtually freeze them.
Winter is tough on wildlife, and many animals starve or
otherwise succumb. Cold weather requires 25 percent more food than normal.
If major storms cover the food supplies, animals quickly die. Even so,
enough always survive to ensure a population's survival over the long run.
But what causes winter and all the associated survival
problems for animals, and even humans? All seasons occur because the Earth
is tilted on its axis. Kansas is located in the northern hemisphere, about
halfway between the equator and the north pole. In winter, the north pole
is tilted away from the sun, causing Kansas to be somewhat farther away
from our star and the sun's rays to hit our state less directly. (In summer,
the pole tilts toward the sun.) These changes aren't great, but they are
enough to alter temperatures so that weather and life on Earth are affected.
The Kansas winter "officially" began on Dec.
21, the winter solstice. At this time, the northern hemisphere is tilted
its maximum distance away from the sun, and daylight hours are fewer than
at any other time of the year.
It might seem that this should be the coldest time of the
year, but it's not. Winter weather patterns are slow to develop. The arctic
is still cooling off from summer, even though blizzards may be raging there.
As the snowpack expands over a several-month period, the far-north gradually
becomes a deep freeze. Cooling continues even as the Earth's tilt shifts
toward the sun.
Now a band of wind called the jet stream becomes important.
The jet stream is often north of Kansas, protecting us from cold air by
sweeping it eastward. However, if the jet stream dips to the south, arctic
air reaches the Sunflower State, dropping temperatures and windchills below
zero.
Kansas winters rarely see these conditions for long, but
for animals, even a week of near-zero temperatures can be tough to survive.
Although most winter days are mild in Kansas daytime temperatures reach
into the high 30s spring is always a welcome event.
FEW BIRDS BUT GOOD TIMES ON PHEASANT OPENER
Saturday, Nov. 9, brought hunters from across the state
and the country to opening weekend at their favorite Kansas pheasant haunts.
Although pheasant numbers were down (and so were hunters), Department of
Wildlife and Parks officials indicate that most hunters seem to have had
a good time. And prospects look bright for hunters willing to pursue other
quarry.
Of the department's five state regions, Region 1 (northwest)
appears to have fared the best on pheasants.
"As near as I can tell, the extreme west and western
counties did pretty well," said Regional Law Enforcement Supervisor
Jerry Bump. "In the rest of the region, most folks had a fair hunt."
At a check station near Wheeler, in Cheyenne County, approximately
500 hunters were checked on Sunday afternoon. Those hunters had averaged
about two birds per hunter. Another station in Ottawa County checked approximately
1,400 hunters who averaged about 1.4 birds per hunter. In Wallace County,
Bump observed that hunters had taken about two birds per hunter by noon
Saturday. The best spots appeared to be wheat stubble with wild sunflowers.
These numbers, although somewhat low and expected, compare
with recent years in the northwest. And there is encouraging news in terms
of brood production.
"By and large, the birds were young," says Bump,
indicating a good pheasant hatch. Bump said that about one in 20 birds
were mature.
Bump added that most hunters were quite satisfied, and
there were few complaints. He credits much of this to the Walk-In Hunter
Area (WIHA) program, which enrolled more than 180,000 acres of private land
for public hunting this year.
Region 2 (northeast) had a less productive bird harvest.
According to Regional Fisheries and Wildlife Supervisor Roger Wolfe, "fair'
was about the best that could be said for both pheasants and quail.
"Almost everyone was getting some birds," Wolfe
explained. "Quail were a little better, but hunters were just not
finding a lot except in isolated pockets." Still, Wolfe said that hunter
attitudes were upbeat.
"Everyone was very positive. I think they really
liked the Walk-In program. They knew the bird numbers were down, but it
didn't seem to bother them because they weren't expecting a lot. They just
wanted to hunt."
Wolfe added that waterfowl numbers are good, especially
in the Tuttle Creek area, and should get better with cooler weather.
In Region 3 (southwest), the bright spot seems to be that
quail numbers were relatively good in this part of the state noted more
for pheasants than quail.
"I'd say we saw about one pheasant per man on Saturday
and about one-half a bird per man on Sunday," said Jim Kellenberger,
Region 3 Law Enforcement supervisor, "but quail numbers were good."
Reflecting Bump's assessment, Kellenberger noted that most pheasants were
young birds. He also noted that hunter numbers were down and many motel
rooms were empty, an unusual occurrence on opening weekend.
'The really good news for this area, according to Kellenberger,
is that there are a lot of waterfowl, both ducks and geese. This apparent
statewide trend may lead to a shift in hunting preferences this winter.
Region 4 Law Enforcement Supervisor Val Jansen responded
a good opener although somewhat reflective of the other regions.
"It was really slow for pheasants," said Jansen.
" CO Marvin Peterson checked 146 hunters in Marion County, and they
only had 25 birds. It was slightly better in Reno County. Overall, quail
were much better. Often hunters had no pheasants but always a few quail.
"But with all the waterfowl, we had quite a diverse
hunting weekend. We even had a few hunters with both upland game and waterfowl."
As with other regions, the WIHA program was an overriding
success. "Every comment we got was absolutely positive," said
Jansen. "People are just crazy about these areas, and I think they
have reduced our trespass calls."
Region 5 (southeast) has minimal pheasant habitat, but
even quail success appeared to be weak in this region noted for bobwhites.
Several years of bad weather had hurt quail populations in the southeast,
but predictions were that some areas of the region might be up again this
year. Still, small gains from a down starting point seldom indicate a rebound.
Region 5 Public Lands Supervisor Doug Blex said that both
hunter numbers and success were low this opening weekend.
"Although success was spotty and we saw several limits,
I'd say harvest success was fair to middling'. Still, our non-resident
hunters were very happy if they kicked up three coveys in a day."
Blex added that prairie chicken hunting was very slow due
to lower populations and the fact that good numbers of grasshoppers and
other insects have kept the birds from establishing flight patterns to and
from feed fields.
Although upland bird numbers in most areas were down as
predicted this opener, the 1996-97 hunting season still looks bright. Hunters
are upbeat about being afield, the Walk-In Hunter Area program appears to
be a great success, and waterfowl populations are approaching record numbers.
And deer season is just around the corner.
Louisiana
SMALL GAME SEASON A SUCCESS
Favorable weather conditions and good mast production over
most of Louisiana have resulted in a successful 1996-97 small game hunting
season. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Upland Game Biologist Mike
Olinde stated that feedback from many hunters has been positive and estimates
of squirrel, quail and rabbit populations have been high.
"At the beginning of the 1996 season we felt that
our squirrel population was up and hunters and our field biologists have
said that it was a good season. We had a good a corn crop again this fall
and next year will probably be even better," he said.
Department biologists who conduct the fall surveys indicated
a substantial increase in, quail numbers. "The index reported a significant
rise of 25-50 percent and people are saying it's true. The best increase
is probably in longleaf and national forest areas," Olinde explained.
Serious rabbit hunting is now under way and preliminary
reports have also been favorable. "Many areas (hunting clubs) don't
allow rabbit hunting until deer season is over, so much of that activity
is lust starting. We're hearing that it's really good. This past summer
our weather was excellent for high rabbit productivity," he stated.
Olinde indicated, however, that southwest areas of the
state did experience extreme drought throughout the summer. He expected
rabbit populations in agricultural and forest lands in that part of the
state to be adversely effected.
The only disappointing outcome of the small game season
appears to be the low numbers of dove and woodcock takes. Breeding population
indices for both species were down and production for woodcock was thought
to be poor. Combine these with mild weather and a poor season is inevitable.
"No matter how good the woodlands or fields look,
it really depends on the weather," Olinde said. "Dove and woodcock
numbers were down in the state and it was really noticeable in the bag.
I would attribute it to the lack of weather extremes in the north-central
part of the country. The birds still had their food sources and didn't
have to move south early." Quail and rabbit hunting seasons continue
until Feb. 28.
WATERFOWL HARVEST LOWER THAN EXPECTED
Anticipating a banner year for duck hunting, some Louisiana
sportsmen were left holding the bag, and an empty one at that.
The 1996 fall flight was estimated at 89 million ducks,
up about 10 percent from last year, which saw records set for the number
of ducks taken per hunter in La.
"We and our hunters had great expectations for the
season this year, and that likely has something to do with why some people
are so disappointed," said Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Waterfowl
Study Leader Robert Helm.
"Duck productivity was particularly good this past
summer. We anticipated that even more birds would be down this winter,"
he explained.
Though some areas have reported good hunting success, the
consensus is that 1996-97 will be a less than memorable year for most La.
duck hunters. Hunters that traditionally depend on mallards, wood ducks
and pintails were especially disappointed. These prized birds were much
less common than normal.
Grey duck (gadwall) and Teal (both blue and green wings)
were the most important birds in the bag this year. Overall they were more
plentiful than normal. Shovelers and scaup, not preferred by experienced
hunters, were also more common in the bag. This suggests that many La.
hunters were not being as selective during this season in pursuing their
five birds per day.
Helm explained that fall and winter weather patterns have
a big impact on migration of birds from the north. "Birds will migrate
from Canada, through the mid-west and ultimately to southern states. Last
year it was cold and dry to the north of LA, and the birds were forced to
come south early.
This past year habitat conditions improved, providing more
water north of us during a mild winter. Many ducks, especially mallards
and wood ducks stayed longer in some of the states north of us."
"The Mississippi River was high and there was a lot
more local rainfall and backwater habitat along the Mississippi River delta.
I think we did actually have more birds in the flyway this year than last,
but they were spread out more," he said.
Central areas of the state reporting low hunter success
included agricultural areas and natural wetlands around Alexandria and Catahoula
Lake.
Mother nature contributed to the poor duck hunting conditions
by pouring 10 inches of rainfall Oct. 24 and 25 from Lake Charles to New
Iberia. That caused the coastal marshes in the southwest parishes to go
under an extra two feet of water. These high-water conditions persisted
until mid-December and reduced hunter success.
Encountering soggy conditions there, many birds, especially
shallow water feeders, most likely continued on towards the southeast areas
of the state. Coastal marshes from Morgan City eastward to Houma and south
of New Orleans to Venice appeared to have the most productive duck hunting
season.
Reports on hunting success have been relatively positive
for snow and white-fronted (specklebelly) geese, particularly in rice fields
of the southwest La. Flocks contain a large proportion of young this year
and weather patterns have been good for goose hunting.
OKLAHOMA
Quail season dates to change next year
Beginning with the 1997-98 hunting season (which begins
next fall), Oklahoma's quail season will start on the first Saturday in
November and end on Jan. 31.
The decision to change the season from the traditional
Nov. 20 - Feb. 15 dates was made at the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation
Commission's October meeting, held Oct. 1 in Oklahoma City. The Wildlife
Conservation Commission is the governing body of the Wildlife Department.
The recommendation to change the season dates was made
by Richard Hatcher, chief of the Department's Game Division.
"The biological information we have suggests that
adjusting the season dates will allow additional harvest opportunities of
surplus birds earlier in the fall while protecting broodstock during the
stressful late-winter period," Hatcher said. "We proposed changing
the dates earlier this year and received input from hunters at public hearings
held in September. The public overwhelmingly supported the change at those
hearings."
Hatcher said that opening the season in early November
would allow hunters to harvest some of the birds that would otherwise be
lost to predators or bad weather. On average, eight out of 10 quail die
each year, the vast majority of which die from natural causes.
"From a biological perspective, the number of birds
that die early in the fall has little bearing on next year's population,"
he said. "Birds that die later in the winter, however, reduce the
number of breeding adults that can produce offspring the following year
and that can have implications on fall population levels."
Quail season dates were not the only hunting regulation
changes approved, though. Regulations governing use of certain wildlife
management areas and goose, furbearer and archery hunting changes also were
approved.
Specifically, the 1997-98 bobcat season was extended to
run from Dec. 1 through Feb. 28. The daily bag limit was removed and
the season limit was changed from eight to 20. Bobcat tagging requirements
also were changed to allow the use of private tagging stations and to allow
those stations to charge a 75 cent per tag fee.
Three turkey hunting regulation changes also were approved.
The spring turkey bag limit in Seminole County was reduced from two toms
to one tom (this will go into effect in the spring of 1998), the fall firearms
turkey bag limit in Pawnee County was changed from one bird of either sex
to one tom, and the remainder of Garfield County (south of Hwy. 412) was
opened to fall firearms turkey hunting. The bag limit for fall firearms
turkey hunting in Garfield County is one tom.
Other changes approved for next year include:
-Opening all Canada goose closure areas, except Vann's
Lake proper;
-Establishing a nonresident access fee for Honobia Creek
Wildlife Management Area at $25 - effective Jan. 1, 1997. This provision
is the only regulation change which will be effective during the upcoming
hunting seasons. All other changes will go into effect next fall.
Quail numbers up 18 percent over last year
The numbers from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's
annual roadside quail survey are in, and they show an 18 percent increase
statewide over last year.
"The state is divided into nine eco-regions based
on similar vegetation and soil types and six of the eight regions showed
an increase from last year," said Steve DeMaso, upland bird biologist
for the Wildlife Department. "Hunting success will vary from one part
of the state to another. The drought in early 1996 set quail nesting back
three to four weeks over much of the state and extensive mid-summer rains
caused vegetation to be thick in many places.
"Weather conditions during quail season also will
play a big role in hunter success. Last year we had lots of dry weather,
and that really hurt dog performance. Hopefully, we'll see a dramatic improvement
in conditions this season."
DeMaso added that the abundant moisture we've received
through the fall provided thick vegetation that should equate to abundant
cover and ample fall and winter food availability. Both of those factors
should reduce overwinter mortality and provide a larger breeding pool going
into next spring.
"I think we're seeing quail populations beginning
to bounce back from some poor years," DeMaso said. "Last year's
harvest was the lowest in 10 years, with hunters harvesting about 1.5 million
quail. Our average harvest runs from 2 to 2.5 million birds. Based on
the survey numbers, this year's harvest will probably fall somewhere between
last year's total and our average.
Oklahoma's quail season begins Nov. 20 and continues through
Feb. 15. Hunters are allowed 10 birds per day, with a possession limit
of 20 after the first day. Hunting hours are official sunrise to official
sunset. Quail hunters must wear either a blaze orange head covering or
an upper body garment when deer gun season overlaps with quail season, and
are encouraged to wear blaze orange during the remainder of the quail season.
A complete listing of public quail hunting opportunities
is printed in the 1996-97 Oklahoma Hunting Regulations. The public lands
matrix on pages 14 and 15 lists season dates and open areas for all Department-owned
and managed lands.
TEXAS
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON PLAN TO CONSERVE TEXAS WETLANDS
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is asking
for public comment on a draft of the Texas Wetlands Conservation Plan (the
Plan). The Plan focuses on non-regulatory, voluntary approaches to conserving
Texas' wetlands.
Texas has lost more than 50 percent of its historic wetlands,
according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey in the 1980s. To manage
the state's wetlands in the future, the Plan was drafted with widespread
input from landowners.
"Because Texas is a private lands state, working with
landowners to plan for wetlands conservation in the future is important,"
said Julie Anderson, state wetlands planner for TPWD. "Regulations
alone can't handle the job of protecting Texas wetlands, nor are additional,
stronger regulations necessarily desirable."
Due to the extensive size and physiography of Texas, a
"regional" approach was used to best characterize the diverse
wetlands needs and resources of Texas. Three Regional Advisory Groups -
one each in East Texas, the Panhandle, and the Gulf Coast - were formed
to identify regional or statewide issues associated with conserving Texas
wetlands and to develop recommendations and proposals for action to address
those issues. These results form the core of the Plan. These regions were
selected because each represents a large wetland complex, and each has a
distinct socioeconomic structure and specific land use.
Five general categories of wetlands issues were identified:
education, economic incentives, conservation, private ownership and governmental
relations. Information from the three groups was combined into a single
plan.
The Plan's primary contributions to wetlands conservation
include:
· Enhancing the landowner's ability to use existing
incentive programs and other land use options through outreach and technical
assistance.
· Developing and encouraging land management options
that provide economic incentive for conserving existing or restoring former
wetlands.
· Coordinating regional wetlands conservation efforts,
including mitigation and restoration.
To obtain a draft copy (approximately 60 pages) of the
Plan, contact Julie Anderson, state wetlands planner, at 512-389-4328 or
write to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Attn: Julie Anderson, 4200
Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744 or e-mail to the address: julie-anderson@tpwd.state.tx.us.
Other materials developed in association with the Plan
include: a quarterly newsletter, a video describing Texas wetlands and a
Wetlands Assistance Guide for Landowners, which summarizes existing programs
that provide financial and technical assistance to landowners interested
in conserving wetlands on their property. Free copies are available by
calling 512-389-4328.
SOUTHEASTERN STATES
KENTUCKY
NEW HUNTING LAWS
Next year, anyone who hunts migratory game bird species
in Kentucky will have to purchase either a waterfowl permit or a new $4
migratory game bird permit in addition to a state hunting license.
Beginning with the 1997 dove season, persons who do not
want to hunt waterfowl but who do want to hunt other migratory birds, will
be required to buy a permit, called the migratory game bird permit. These
species include dove, woodcock, snipe, sora, rail, gallinule and moorhen.
The new permit is the result of action taken by the Kentucky
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission to comply with federal
laws. The permit is necessary so that harvest information can be obtained
on migratory bird species. Waterfowl permit holders will not need the additional
migratory game bird permit. All persons purchasing the state waterfowl
or migratory game bird permit will be required to fill out a brief survey
form about their previous year's bird hunting success.
Persons with comments on these actions should contact John
Wilson at (502) 564-3400.
TENNESSEE
Tennessee QU Chapter Hopes to Score Quail With Unique Incentive
Project
In an effort to "score a double," the Tennessee
QU State Council is donating a Winchester Model 1300 12 gauge pump shotgun
to be awarded to a lucky Tennessee QU chapter member who participates in
TWRA's Quail Harvest Survey.
The survey consists of a card on which quail hunters record
all their hunts during the quail season, and return the postage-paid card
to TWRA at the season's end.
"Information from this survey helps us track quail
population trends from year to year, differences in quail densities in different
regions of the state, and a good picture of when and where our hunters hunt
and how successful they are," explained Mark Gudlin, TWRA quail biologist.
"All this information is needed in order for TWRA to make sound management
decisions regarding seasons, bag limits, and other regulations. However,
we could really use more hunters providing information."
The gun will be awarded in a drawing to be held April 10,
1997 on WDCN Channel 8's Tennessee Outdoorsmen show The drawing is limited
to QU members who are also a member of a Tennessee QU chapter. "The
flip side to using the gun drawing is to encourage QU members who are not
affiliated with a local chapter to do so, and encourage other quail hunters
to join QU and become active," noted Tennessee's QU Council Chairman
Bob Bryant.
Survey cards can be obtained through any Tenn. regional
office. QU chapter information can be obtained by calling Bob Bryant at
901-421-0433.
NORTHEAST STATES
DELAWARE
REMINDER TO DOG OWNERS: LICENSE REQUIRED
The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife is reminding
dog owners in Delaware that they have until March 1 to license their pet
for 1997. State law requires that all dogs be licensed annually in the
state.
"Some people mistakenly believe that "house"
dogs do not to be licensed," said H. Lloyd Alexander, state wildlife
administrator. "That is not the case."
The cost of the annual license is $3 and may be purchased
at more than 100 locations around the state including veterinarian offices,
sporting goods stores and some department stores. Licenses are also available
at the DNREC Dover office located at 89 Kings Highway.
In order for a dog to be licensed the owner must provide
a veterinarian's certificate of current rabies immunization. The owner
will receive a metal license which must be worn on the collar of the dog.
Each license has a serial number which can be helpful in identifying lost
or injured dogs.
"The sale of the annual license is designed to assist
the state in controlling and managing the state's dog population,"
said Alexander. "Funds generated from the sale of dog and kennel licenses
are dispersed from the Division of Fish and Wildlife to the Delaware Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for its programs."
Licenses are not required for dogs which qualify as a seeing
eye, lead or guide dog or those which have previously served in a Branch
of the United States armed forces.
Massachusetts
RESULTS OF THE, 1996 SEPTEMBER GOOSE SEASON
Biologists from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
and Wildlife have compiled data from the 1996 September resident Canada
goose season, A total of 3,778 free permit/diaries were issued to individual
hunters of which 2,073 were used. Sportsmen made a total of 9,038 trips
for Canada geese during the 23 day season which ran from September 3 to
September 25.
An estimated 6,178 geese were harvested out of a resident
population estimated at 36,000 birds during August goose surveys. The harvest
represented approximately 17% of the state's resident goose population.
This was the second year of a state-wide September season.
The Berkshire zone harvest was estimated at 470; the Central zone harvest
at 3,871; and the Coastal zone harvest at 1,501 with the remainder harvested
in unspecified zones.
MIDWINTER WATERFOWL SURVEY RESULTS
Biologists from the Division of Fisheries &Wildlife
conducted the 1997 midwinter aerial coastal waterfowl survey on January
9 and 14 this year, with a corresponding ground survey of the greater Boston
area waterfront by volunteers from "Take A Second Look", a Boston
based bird club, on January 12. This year's survey was delayed by high winds
which made aerial surveys impossible until the ninth. A further delay was
caused by a storm on January 10th with high winds until the 14th.
A total of 103,783 waterfowl were recorded, 5% lower than
last year and 39% below the 10 year average. The biggest decline was in
seaducks. The 33,340 eider counted were down 37% from last year and 56%
below the previous; 10 year average. The 4,670 scooter counted was slightly
higher than last year but 78% below the 10 year average.
Scaup numbers continue to decline. Only 3,470 of these
once numerous duck!, were seen, 61% below the 10 year average. Some biologists
believe more scaup are wintering in the Great Lakes area, attracted to growing
population, of zebra mussels, a recent invader to that region- Bufflehead
counts were up slightly over last year, but the 6,595 birds recorded were
still 22% below average. Goldeneyes increased more; at 6,105 there numbers
were 52% higher than last year but still 14% below the previous 10 year
average.
On the bright side, American black duck numbers were up
24% over last year and 22% above the 10 year average. The count of 26,365
was the second highest in 10 years. Black ducks are of particular concern
to wildlife biologists because of long term declines which leveled off when
harvest restrictions were implemented in 1983. Biologists are now seeking
ways to increase populations to levels that existed in the early 1970s.
Mallards, closely related to black ducks and believed by
some to be responsible for the black duck's decline, were down slightly
(6%) from last year, but were well above the 10 year average (36%). Although
only 3,250 mallards were counted, most mallards wintering in Massachusetts
do so on inland sites not viewed during the coastal survey.
Atlantic Brant numbers rose over last year with 1,365 of
the fast flying birds observed, 32% more than last year but 11% below average.
Canada goose numbers increased 68% over last year and the 12,540 birds
counted was 14% over the 10 year average, Mild conditions this winter and
a lack of snow cover allowed more migrants to spend the winter in Massachusetts
than normally would. In addition, the closure of the regular Canada goose
hunting season for a second year meant more resident geese were around at
the time of the survey. Many more geese winter on inland sites.
While the information gathered along the Massachusetts
coastline is important, the full picture of wintering waterfowl populations
cannot be drawn until survey results are compiled from all states. Those
results will be available in late February.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
SUMMARY OF SEPTEMBER CANADA GOOSE SEASON
A preliminary report of results of New Hampshire's first
September Canada goose season indicates an estimated 2,500 geese were taken.
Interest in the September 3 through September 25 season
exceeded expectations. More than 1800 permits were issued 1,801 to residents
and 77 to nonresidents.
The preliminary harvest report is based on information
obtained from the Goose Harvest Report Card, which permit holders were to
return to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department by October 10, even
if they did not hunt.
As of October 23, only 54 percent of the permittees had
complied with the requirement. From the 1,020 harvest report cards returned,
Waterfowl Biologist Edward Robinson determined an estimated 1,262 permittees
actually hunted, and that 686 hunters shot a total of 1,360 geese. He estimates
that 576 nonresponding permit holders took 1,142 geese, for a total estimated
harvest of 2,502 resident Canada geese.
"As expected, Hillsborough and Rockingham counties
comprised 80 percent of the goose kill," said Robinson. "These
counties account for the highest populations of resident Canada geese and
the highest number of nuisance complaints."
Only four counties were open to Canada goose hunting: Cheshire,
Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford. The estimated harvest in each was:
Cheshire, 344; Hillsborough, 1,466; Rockingham, 541; Strafford, 151.
Robinson urges anyone who has not returned the Canada Goose
Harvest Report Card to do so immediately, so a final report of the September
Canada Goose season can be prepared.
NEW YORK
GOVERNOR ELIMINATES SALES TAX ON HUNTING CLUB DUES
Fulfilling a promise he made to sportsmen last September,
Governor George E. Pataki today announced that rod and gun clubs no longer
have to pay state and local sales tax on initiation fees and dues, retroactive
to Oct.1, 1996.
At the Governor's direction, the State Department of Taxation
and Finance reviewed its policies in this area and determined that the sales
tax requirement could be rescinded through administrative action.
"This removes another irritant tax imposed on middle
income New Yorkers during an earlier era when everything was taxed to help
balance over-extended budgets, " Governor Pataki said.
Under the new policy, a rod or gun club is no longer required
to register with the Tax Department as a vendor solely for the purpose of
collecting, reporting and remitting sales tax on member dues and initiation
fees.
Clubs are required to file a final sales tax return and
send it with their sales tax certificate of authority to the Tax Department.
Club members also can get a refund on sales taxes paid on or after Oct.1,
1996, or clubs can apply for refunds if they repaid these taxes to their
members.
MOUNTAIN STATES
COLORADO
PERMIT NEEDED TO HUNT ON JAMES M. JOHN STATE WILDLIFE
AREA
Access permits are required for hunting big game on the
James M. John State Wildlife Area in southern Colorado. The permits are
required because hunting will be restricted during the regular rifle season.
"We're restricting access to improve the quality of
the hunting in that area," said District Wildlife Manager Jim Aragon.
"The area on the top of the mesa gets a lot of use."
Access permits, which are available free of charge, will
be issued on a first-come, first-served basis from the Colorado Division
of Wildlife's Pueblo office, 600 Reservoir Road in Pueblo, beginning Aug.
17. For more information, please contact the Division's Pueblo Service
Center at (719) 561-4909. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to
5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The James M. John State Wildlife Area was purchased by
the Division in 1983. It is located in southern Las Animas County and has
opened 8,800 acres for Colorado sportsmen.
MONTANA
FWP ONLINE AT
Internet surfers can now catch a wave of information
from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at http://fwp.mt.gov.
"We've drawn on the creative abilities of our staff
to develop an Internet site that is attractive enough to hold a user's interest,
and informative enough to give them a reason to come back," said FWP
Director Pat Graham. "We hope this meets some of the increased requests
for information we're receiving every day."
FWP IS colorful homepage is organized in eight main areas:
Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife, Parks, News, Education, Kid's Page, and Resources.
Within these areas are FWP hunting and fish regulations,
parks information, an area devoted to Montana threatened and endangered
species, descriptions of several Montana Wildlife Management Areas, and
rundowns on FWP's education programs--including a complete guide to more
than 70 educational trunks available to teachers and others.
"We consider the site to be in the initial phase of
its development," Graham said. "We're proud of what we've accomplished
so far, but the Internet is so dynamic that we know our site will continue
to evolve as time goes on."
The site provides links to the Natural Resource Information
System, Travel Montana, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National
Park Service, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Montana Online, several
important whirling disease information sites, and various news and weather
links.
Graham said FWP is interested in receiving comments from
Internet users. "The Internet is about communication," he said.
"We've arranged for users to provide comments to FWP via our site.
We're hoping they tell us what they like about our homepage, and how we
might improve the electronic delivery of information about FWP to the citizens
of Montana, schools, and the thousands of nonresidents who are interested
in Montana and the natural and cultural resources we manage."
WEST COAST STATES
California
Upland Gamebird Enhancement
The DFG budget for 1997-98 also requests over $1 million
from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and 1 1. 3 FYs to expand and enhance
the existing Upland Gamebird Heritage Program through increased public access
and habitat improvement. This program focuses on increasing game bird populations,
attaining access to public lands, improving habitat, and expanding hunting
opportunities accessible to residents of the urbanized areas of Southern
California.
"This will especially be a priority in Southern California
where over 50 percent of the State's people reside," said Terry Mansfield,
Chief of DFG's Wildlife Management Division.
The DFG's 1997-98 budget request includes a related Land
Stewardship Initiative that proposes over $2.5 million for managing DFG-administered
lands and for planning future acquisitions which, when combined with the
Wildlife Conservation Board's $22.8 million for acquisition and restoration,
will support improvement of riparian and other important habitat on state
wildlife areas and ecological reserves. As more suitable lands are secured
and habitat improved, hunters may see increases in waterfowl and other wildlife,
while anglers should experience improved fishing. Wildlife viewing and
nature study opportunities on DFG-administered lands and other lands will
also improve.
WASHINGTON
Survey shows Washington residents willing to pay more to
protect fish and wildlife
Washington citizens cherish their fish and wildlife and
most people are willing to pay higher taxes to protect them.
Those are two key findings of a scientific opinion survey
conducted by Decision Data Inc., a Kirkland research firm. The survey of
801 households was conducted last September and October for the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Results of the survey were presented to the Fish and Wildlife
Commission at its meeting here Friday.
"We've known this state's natural wonders are important
to its citizens. People want their children and grandchildren to enjoy
them too," said Lisa Pelly, chair of the Washington Fish and Wildlife
Commission, "The survey confirms again how much fish, wildlife and
the habitat they require are treasured."
"Just as importantly, we have learned 75 percent of
households interviewed are willing to invest up to $100 each year in new
taxes if the money is earmarked for fish and wildlife," she added.
Some 66 percent of the respondents were willing to pay up to $200 per year
in new taxes to protect fish and wildlife.
Fish and Wildlife Commission adopts new three-year hunting
seasons and regulations package
The state Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a new,
three-year hunting seasons and regulations package that calls for a major
change in the type of elk that can be hunted in areas of western Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Hunting Seasons and
Rules pamphlet for the 1997-98 game species' seasons will contain complete
information on the new regulations package. The pamphlet is expected to
be available by mid-February at Department of Fish and Wildlife offices
and businesses where hunting licenses are sold.
U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
USFWS Modifies Fees At National Wildlife Refuges
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is conducting
a test project in an effort to finance needed improvements such as nature
trails, accessible fishing facilities, additional spotting scopes, and other
visitor services on national wildlife refuges (NWR), according to a recent
USFWS news release. Funding for these improvements will come from new recreational
fees collected at up to 41 national wildlife refuges and one national fish
hatchery.
Annual passes are part of a recreation fee demonstration
program mandated by Congress. By this spring, frequent visitors to 15 of
the most popular national wildlife refuges will be able to buy an annual
pass to each of the refuges for between $ 10 and $15. The fee program is
designed to raise additional funds to improve recreation services and help
make infrastructure repairs on selected public lands, including national
parks and Bureau of Land Management sites.
In Iowa, funds from the existing entrance fee and a
$15 per person annual pass for the DeSoto NWR in Harrison County
will be used to improve an auto tour route, additional interpretive signs,
provide informational leaflets, and to maintain visitor facilities. At
the Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, wildlife habitat improvements will
be funded through a $10 per person fee charged to deer hunters.
Congress authorized up to 100 refuge sites to test the
new fees in this three-year demonstration project. Eighteen of the 41 refuges
currently charge fees. Test sites were selected because they have high
visitation, limited access points at which fees can be collected, and offer
some visitor services. All but about 100 of the 511 national wildlife refuges
are open to the public, but fee collection is not feasible at most because
of multiple access points. Other refuges are in remote locations with uneven
or little visitation.
As in the past, the Federal Duck Stamp will be accepted
as an annual pass to all national wildlife refuges, and proceeds will continue
to be used to acquire wetlands. Golden Age, Golden Eagle and Golden Access
passes will also continue to be accepted for entrance into refuges, national
parks, and Bureau of Land Management sites.
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Ducks Unlimited Goes On-Line on the Internet
Ducks Unlimited, Inc., the world's largest nonprofit wetlands
and waterfowl conservation organization, has launched a Web site that can
be found on the Internet at http://www.ducks.org.
"Establishing a Web site on the Internet provides
Ducks Unlimited with a medium that reaches more than 30 million people worldwide,"
said Chris Dorsey, director of publishing and communications at Ducks Unlimited.
"This also will help us market the more than 5,000 fundraising events
that we annually hold throughout America."
"The Internet will complement the weekly outdoor television
show we're introducing on The Nashville Network next July, as well as two
radio shows that will begin broadcasting nationwide next January and February,'
said executive vice-president Matthew B. Connolly, Jr. Together with its
600,000-circulation magazine, electronic, and other print news media, Ducks
Unlimited expects to reach 50 million potential contributors and members
across the U. S. who listen to talk radio.
"Our goal is to increase public awareness of, and
support for, wetlands and waterfowl conservation," said Connolly.
"To achieve this, our Web site features news and information on habitat
conservation initiatives, scientific achievements, and membership activities.
Visitors also can try to "Stump the Swamp Doctor" as well as
pose questions to our biologists and engineers."
With more than 900,000 contributors, Ducks Unlimited has
raised more than $1 billion to conserve nearly 8 million acres of habitat
used by waterfowl and more than 600 species of other wildlife. Ducks Unlimited
will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 1997.
WISCONSIN WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION
Wetlands and Waterfowl Receive Major Benefits
A grant of $30,000 from the Miller Brewing Company's Friends
Of the Field Program was matched by Wisconsin Waterfowl Association then
successfully used in restoring wetlands and constructing wood duck and mallard
nesting structures throughout Wisconsin. Wisconsin Waterfowl Association,
a nonprofit conservation organization, then used that $60,000.00 to partially
match two additional grants over two years from the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation totaling $175,000.00.
These funds resulted in the restoration of 348 wetlands
consisting of 527 acres and the construction of 439 mallard and 2,106 wood
duck nesting structures. Other partners in the venture included the U.
S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,
the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Pheasants Forever and Wings Over
Wisconsin.
According to Chuck Sauer, Executive Director of Wisconsin
Waterfowl Association, "Partners working together and putting their
minds together have influenced available grants which brought additional
finds to Wisconsin, thus multiplying our combined efforts. The wetlands
and wildlife have been the major benefactors of these projects. Our congratulations
and thanks go out to Miller Brewing Company and Friends of The Field for
their foresight in funding the initial grant which brought about these major
accomplishments."
PHEASANTS FOREVER
PF PROVIDES COMMENTS ON PROPOSED CONSERVATION RESERVE
PROGRAM RULES
Pheasants Forever announced today that comments have been
submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture concerning future long-term
policy for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The CRP has been this
Nation's most successful conservation program, benefiting wildlife and the
environment, farmers and landowners, taxpayers and society.
In commenting, on the proposed rule in a letter to USDA
Secretary Dan Glickman, Pheasants Forever CEO Jeffrey S. Finden, noted that
"Maintaining a CRP at the Congressionally authorized level of 36.4
million acres with it's focus on the Great Plains is our primary concern."
To continue the wildlife legacy initiated by CRP, Pheasants
Forever requested that the Secretary declare the Prairie Pothole Region
as a National Conservation Priority Area, and that the final rule recognize
wildlife as a coequal objective of the program.
Pheasants Forever also requested that the final rule include
provisions to expand acreage edible under Wildlife Conservation Priority
Areas, and that uplands surrounding cropped wetlands, field borders, and
centerpivot corners be eligible for CRP.
Finden said that "Numerous reports have noted that
many currently enrolled lands will not qualify under the erosion criteria
in the proposed rules and that USDA should immediately release additional
information regarding intent and size of CRP and eligibility, opportunities.
Landowners are currently, analyzing options for their lands." Finden
continued by stating "Landowners need information about eligibility
and payment rates to make informed decisions about current CRP lands."
Over 24 million acres of CRP contracts expire in September of 1997.
Ruffed Grouse Society
RGS Initiates Formation of Strategic Plan
The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has received from the Richard
King Mellon Foundation of Pittsburgh a $50,000 Grant to fund the development
of a comprehensive strategic plan.
The Society's planning facilitators, Dewey & Kaye Inc.
of Pittsburgh, are now in the process of collecting the information that
will be used to structure the plan for the 35-year-old conservation organization.
The final draft of the strategic plan will not silly include goals for
the coming years, but will also suggest a realistic course of action for
reaching them.
RGS, headquarters at 451 McCormick Road, Coraopolis, PA,
15108, (Phone: 1-888-564-6747) is a national nonprofit conservation organization
with approximately 22,000 members. The Society works to increase he type
of forest habitat in which ruffed grouse, American woodcock and many other
game and nongame species thrive.
With its two main conservation initiatives -- the Management
Area Program (MAP) and the Coverts Program -- RGS helps to implement forest
management practices that enhance woodland wildlife habitat for species
that require young-forest cover.
Throughout the U.S., the Society assists public land managers
who want to create young-forest areas in the woodlands they oversee. Coverts
is an educational program designed to provide private, noncommercial forest
owners the information they need to execute woodland habitat improvement
on their own forested acres. At the heart of the Coverts projects are seminars
where core groups of landowners learn habitat improvement techniques that
are then passed on to other woodland owners.
For further information, contact Ron Burkert at RGS national
headquarters.
Advertise with us for only $5 per month,
you will get your own 20 word ad on your own page we will set up on our
site (example), a link to your own page (if you have one) and the same ad will
run in the print version of Bird Dog & Retriever News. Larger ads are
also available. For $200 a year we offer a full web page (example).
Just email us your ad and a billing address, we'll do the
rest. Come visit our mall below
Copyrights Bird Dog & Retriever News March 1998
Do not reproduce or retransmit in any form
Maintained by Dennis Guldanpublisher@Bird-Dog-News.Com
Bird Dog & Retriever News, 563 17th Ave NW, New Brighton, MN 55112,
Ph/Fx 612-636-8045
