Grantsburg 3 Gun Wraps Up Their Season

Grantsburg 3 Gun held their final planned 3 Gun shoot of the 2018 season on Saturday, October 13th. This was their sixth shoot of the year.

The monthly events hosted by the Grantsburg Rod & Gun Club has seen growth as the popular shooting sport gains interest locally and the club continues to expand its courses. Besides more Shooters participating in the events, the club has add more targets and other features to the courses, such as barriers to move and shoot around.

Grantsburg 3 Gun puts on a monthly 3 Gun shoot at the Grantsburg Rod & Gun Club. They focus their events to introduce people of all ages and backgrounds who would like to try the sport in a family friendly, low pressure setting.

Plans are currently being made for the 2019 season. Including expanding the range options at the Grantsburg Rod & Gun Club, by adding more shooting ranges at the facility.

For more information about the 3 Gun Events at the Grantsburg Rod & Gun Club, sign up for their event emails.

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Public meeting set to initiate Western Prairie regional master plan

From the WDNR Website:

Contact(s): Shelley Warwick, DNR property planning, 608-266-2698, or Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, 608-267-7517

Public comment period open through Nov. 13

BALDWIN, Wis. — The public will have an opportunity at a public meeting and through a comment period to provide input on the beginning stages of developing a master plan for Department of Natural Resources lands in St. Croix, and portions of Polk and Pierce counties.

This is the first public input period starting the master planning process for the Western Prairie region. The meeting will be open house-style with DNR staff available to answer questions.

Willow River State Park is one of the properties that will be included in the Western Prairie Ecological Landscape master planning process.Photo credit: DNR

The Western Prairie Ecological Landscape includes extensive grasslands, remnant prairies, savannas, the lower St. Croix and the Kinnickinnic River corridors, and various cold-water and cool-water streams. Some of the properties included in this regional plan are Kinnickinnic and Willow River state parks, Kinnickinnic River Fishery Area, Cylon Wildlife Area and the Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area.

“The goal of this meeting is to let the public know of our intent to develop a regional plan for properties in the Western Prairie Ecological Landscape. We’ll also be collecting public feedback on the existing and future use and management of state-owned properties in the region,” said Shelley Warwick, a property planner in the DNR Bureau of Facilities and Lands.

The public meeting will be held Monday, November 5, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the St. Croix County Agriculture Services & Education Center, 1960 8th Ave, Baldwin. Property maps and other documents will be available for review.

Western Prairie Ecological Landscape. Click on image for larger size.Photo credit: DNR

Online public survey for comments on public use and management of state owned properties can be found at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/QNTVKLC. The public input period is October 23 through November 13, 2018.

Under the master planning process, guided by Chapter NR 44, Wisconsin Administrative Code, department staff develop a plan which describes the authorized land management, resource protection, facility development and management of recreational use for department properties. The department is conducting planning at a regional scale based on 16 previously defined Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin, areas with similar ecological attributes and management opportunities.

People can learn more about and engage in the Western Prairie regional planning process by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords “property planning” and selecting Western Prairie Ecological Landscape on the map or drop down menu.

For additional information people may contact Shelley Warwick, property planner, DNR Bureau of Facilities and Lands at 608-266-2698 or shelley.warwick@wisconsin.gov, or US mail at Shelley Warwick, Wisconsin DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707-7921.

2018 Wisconsin ring-necked pheasant season opens Oct. 20

Contact(s): Mark Witecha, upland wildlife ecologist, 608-267-7861; Jaqi Christopher, assistant upland wildlife ecologist, 608-261-8458

MADISON – The longtime and popular tradition of pheasant hunting in Wisconsin will again take center stage when the fall 2018 pheasant hunting season opens statewide at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20. The season will run through Jan. 6, 2019.

Several other seasons also open that day including bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse in Zone B. Like pheasant, the bobwhite quail and Hungarian partridge seasons open at 9 a.m. The ruffed grouse season opens with the start of legal shooting hours.

Hunters should check the Wisconsin Small Game Hunting Regulations [PDF] for rules and season structures for the game species they will pursue.

Pheasant hunting in Wisconsin will again take center stage when the fall 2018 pheasant hunting season opens statewide at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20.Photo credit: DNR

“Pheasant hunting offers a fantastic means to experience the outdoors, and it complements the other upland bird hunting opportunities in Wisconsin very well,” says Mark Witecha, Department of Natural Resources upland wildlife ecologist. “Pheasant hunting offers the chance to explore landscapes and habitat types you might not otherwise see,” added Witecha.

Pheasants are one of the most sought-after gamebirds in North America, and populations do best in the agricultural landscape of southern and western Wisconsin provided there is habitat present in sufficient quantities to meet their food and cover needs throughout the year, according to Witecha.

The 2018 spring pheasant surveys in Wisconsin show that pheasant abundance is above the 5-year average with the highest pheasant detection rate in the west-central part of the state.

To pursue wild pheasants, hunters should look for areas that contain adequate winter cover, such as cattail marshes and dense brush, intermixed with cropland, hay and idle grasslands which provide food and nesting cover. It will be important for hunters to identify areas with high-quality habitat, concentrating their hunting efforts in those areas, according to Witecha.

During the 2017 pheasant hunting season, an estimated 42,450 hunters went out in search of pheasants and reported harvesting 301,490 birds. The top counties for harvest included Fond du Lac, Kenosha and Jefferson.

Regulations

A 2018 Pheasant Stamp and a valid small game license are required to hunt pheasants statewide. Please note that the free leg tags previously required on the hen/rooster areas are no longer required. The daily bag limit is one pheasant daily for the first two days of the season and two pheasants daily for the remainder of the season, with a possession limit of three times the daily bag limit. More information is available in the Wisconsin Small Game Hunting Regulations, available online at dnr.wi.gov, keyword “regulations.”

A new hunting app also allows hunters to brush up on regulations as well as explore public lands on an interactive map, see up to the minute shooting hours, or even listen to podcasts. For more information and how to download the app, visit dnr.wi.gov, search keywords “hunt app.”

Pheasant Stocking Program

Pheasant stocking.Photo credit: DNR

In addition to wild pheasant hunting opportunities, the DNR wildlife management staff plan to release approximately 75,000 pheasants from the state game farm on 90 public hunting grounds. These numbers are similar to the 2017 stocking efforts. Pheasants raised by conservation clubs as part of the Day-old Chick Program will also be released this fall. The Day-old Chick Program involves conservation clubs that typically receive about 35,000 rooster chicks annually. These clubs release pheasants on public hunting land and private land open to public pheasant hunting. Hunters are reminded to be polite and notify the landowner before hunting on private property open to public hunting as part of this program.

A list of all properties stocked with pheasants is available on the 2018 Pheasant Stocking Information Sheet [PDF], or go to dnr.wi.gov, and search keyword “pheasant.”

Game bird brood production unchanged or down in 2018 from 2017 levels

From the WDNR:

Contact(s): Mark Witecha, DNR upland game ecologist, 608-267-7861; Brian Dhuey, DNR wildlife survey coordinator, 608-221-6342

MADISON – Game bird brood rearing conditions should have been good in much of the state with temperatures above normal and precipitation normal to slightly above for much of the state during the month of June, though nesting may have been impacted by late snowfall.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and cooperating agency employees opportunistically collect observations of game bird (ruffed grouse, wild turkey and pheasant) broods for a 10-week period in June through August each year.

“While no large scale statewide event should have too adversely affected brood survival early in the brood rearing season, there were some localized events, particularly in the northwestern part of the state, that could have caused brood losses,” added Dhuey. “Favorable conditions persisted into July and August with temperature and precipitation amounts at their averages or only slightly above. Again, there were a few localized events that may have led to brood losses in South Central Wisconsin, but nothing wide spread or prolonged.”

Ruffed Grouse

Statewide, ruffed grouse broods seen per observer hour were up 1 percent compared to 2017, but 23 percent below the long term mean. Ruffed grouse production in their primary range of the central (-18 percent), and northern (-3 percent) forests were down from the previous year. While brood counts were up in other parts of the state, these areas are likely to have insignificant impact on grouse numbers hunters see this fall. Ruffed grouse brood size did rise from 3.6 in 2017 to 4.3 young per brood in 2018.

“Spring breeding grouse numbers were down in 2018, and brood production was down some in the primary ruffed grouse range. While some areas of the primary ruffed grouse range will be better than others, it appears that ruffed grouse numbers will be similar to last year and or down in some areas”, said Dhuey.

Ruffed Grouse season opens in the primary portion of their range, Zone A, Sept. 15. For more information regarding ruffed grouse management in Wisconsin, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, keywords “ruffed grouse.”

Wild Turkey

“Statewide, wild turkeys saw a decrease in brood production, with a statewide decrease of 11 percent in the number of broods seen per observer-hour over last year’s level. Two of the five turkey regions saw increases, northeast (2 percent), southcentral (83 percent), while the northern (-23 percent), southeast (-34 percent), and western (-15 percent) regions saw a decrease. The size of those broods did show an increase though, from 4.1 in 2017 to 4.5 this year,” Dhuey said.

The fall turkey season opens statewide in all zones Sept. 15. Each fall turkey license or conservation patron license now includes a fall turkey harvest authorization. Hunters must choose the zone for which their harvest authorization will be valid at the time of purchase. Bonus fall turkey authorizations went on sale August 18; for information on availability, please visit the Fall Turkey Bonus Authorization page. For more information regarding wild turkey management in Wisconsin, search for keywords “wild turkey management.”

Pheasant

The number of pheasant broods seen per observer-hour was down 34 percent in 2018 compared to last year and well below the long term mean. Pheasant brood production was down in both the primary (-40 percent) and secondary (-19 percent) pheasant range from 2017 levels. Pheasant brood size was down as well, with an average of 3.5 young per brood in 2018, down from 4.9 in 2017.

“Breeding pheasant numbers were down a bit in 2018 and brood production numbers were too, overall breeding numbers have been declining for several years and pheasant numbers are down from the highs of the 1990s,” said Dhuey. “Overall pheasant numbers are likely impacted by losses in Conservation Reserve Program grassland acres throughout the pheasant range.”

Pheasant season opens statewide Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. For more information regarding pheasant management in Wisconsin, search keyword “pheasant.”

Fall wild turkey, ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting seasons set to open

Contact(s): Mark Witecha, DNR upland wildlife ecologist, 608-267-7861; Jaqi Christopher, DNR assistant upland wildlife ecologist, 608-261-8458; Taylor Finger, DNR migratory game bird ecologist, 608-266-8841; Trent Rohrer, DNR assistant migratory game bird ecologist 608-261-6458

MADISON – Hunters can expect another exciting fall hunting season for wild turkey, ruffed grouse and woodcock.

Wild turkey

The fall turkey season runs from Sept. 15 to Jan. 6 in Turkey Management zones 1-5, and Sept. 15 to Nov. 16 in zones 6 and 7. The use of dogs to hunt wild turkey is allowed statewide for the fall seasons.

“Fall turkey hunters can look forward to good opportunities this year,” said Mark Witecha, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources upland wildlife ecologist. “The fall turkey season definitely offers some variety in hunting tactics and strategy compared to the spring season, and you can’t beat the backdrop of a Wisconsin autumn.”

Overall, Wisconsin’s statewide wild turkey population remains strong. Following 30 years of sustained population growth and expansion across the state, wild turkeys are now found statewide. Wild turkey numbers appear to have stabilized at levels suitable to available habitat – they will likely ebb and flow around those levels in response to weather, food availability and other natural factors.

Biologists closely monitor harvest during the either-sex fall turkey hunting season, as excessive hen harvest can affect turkey populations. Recent hen harvests in Wisconsin have been very low, and current hen harvest rates do not play a significant role in the dynamics of Wisconsin’s turkey flock.

“We saw a 10 percent decrease in harvest this spring compared to 2017, largely due to the late winter weather we experienced.” said Witecha. “That late snowfall likely impacted nesting hens as well, so there may be fewer juvenile birds on the landscape in parts of the state.”

Although a fall turkey license, fall turkey harvest authorization and annual Wild Turkey Stamp is required to hunt turkeys, hunters are reminded that for the first time, the fall turkey drawing has been waived. Each fall turkey license or conservation patron license now includes a fall turkey harvest authorization. Hunters must choose the zone for which their harvest authorization will be valid at the time of purchase. If more than one fall turkey harvest authorization is desired, hunters may purchase bonus turkey harvest authorizations in select zones while inventory remains. Licenses, stamps and bonus turkey harvest authorizations are available for purchase online at Go Wild or at any license agent.

Turkey hunters are reminded that ground blinds on DNR lands are subject to highly visible color requirements during any gun deer season. All unoccupied ground blinds must have the owner’s name and address or DNR customer ID number near the door opening. Blinds and elevated devices can be left overnight September 1 to January 31 on DNR managed properties north of Highway 64. Blinds and elevated devices south of Highway 64 on DNR managed lands may not be left out overnight and must be removed daily at the close of shooting hours. Binds used for waterfowl hunting and blinds constructed entirely of vegetation do not have to be removed daily.

For more information on wild turkeys, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “turkey.”

Ruffed Grouse

In Zone A, the ruffed grouse season opens Sept. 15 and ends Jan. 31, 2019. In Zone B, the season will open Oct. 20 and close Dec. 8.

“Statewide ruffed grouse drumming activity was down 34 percent this spring compared to last year,” said Brian Dhuey, DNR wildlife survey coordinator. “While this decline does not follow the generally predictable nine to 11-year ruffed grouse population cycle, the 2018 drumming observations do fall within the normal range of variability for the population.”

Ruffed grouse drumming surveys have been used since 1964 to help monitor ruffed grouse population trends.

This year, the DNR will be collecting West Nile virus samples from harvested ruffed grouse. Hunters interested in testing their bird for West Nile virus can request a self-sampling kit through their county wildlife biologist. The DNR is also asking for hunters to report and submit sick or dead grouse found in the field. More information on West Nile virus monitoring in ruffed grouse can be found here.

To address concerns over a noted decrease activity in drumming activity, a decrease in fall harvest last year and concerns regarding disease risk, the Natural Resources Board is considering an emergency rule to shorten the ruffed grouse season in zones A and B to end Nov. 30, 2018. The final decision to shorten the season will be made at the Sept. 25-26 Natural Resources Board meeting in Hayward. For more information on the Natural Resources Board, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “NRB.”

For more information regarding ruffed grouse, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “ruffed grouse.”

Woodcock

Wisconsin’s woodcock hunting season is open from Sept. 22 to Nov. 5.

Hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) if they plan to pursue woodcock, mourning doves or other migratory game birds. Hunters must be HIP registered annually and can conveniently do this free of charge when purchasing their hunting license each year. For more information on HIP registration, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “HIP registration.”

A small game license is required to hunt woodcock and ruffed grouse. Small game licenses and HIP registration are available online through Go Wild or at any license agent.

FFLIGHT

The Fields and Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool gives hunters an interactive summary of young aspen and alder habitat to find woodcock and ruffed grouse hunting areas, pheasant-stocked public hunting grounds and dove fields found on public hunting lands throughout Wisconsin

Features available within the program help hunters locate DNR public parking areas, overlay township descriptions, and provide access to maps and aerial photos of prospective hunting areas. Users can also print maps and find GPS coordinates to assist in navigation and estimate acreage and walking distance.

The mapping application is compatible with all major desktop and mobile web browsers (internet access is required). Mobile users can use FFLIGHT on-the-go to find habitat suitable for the species they wish to pursue. To learn more, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “FFLIGHT.”

DNR asks for hunters to record their wildlife observations

From the WDNR:

Contact(s): Jessica Rees Lohr, DNR wildlife research scientist, 608-221-6349

MADISON – September hunting seasons usher in the tenth annual Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey, a survey in which hunters can easily record their observations of deer and other wildlife while in the field.

Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey results help track abundance trends for Wisconsin’s deer herd and other wildlife.

DNR staff ask archery and gun hunters to record all their hunting activity throughout the deer season, even if no wildlife sightings were made during a hunt. The observations provide the department with an index to abundance for many wildlife species.

Hunters can enter observations by desktop, mail, or as launched last year, by smartphone. For those now interested in submitting observations by smartphone, or who participated last year, a new version of the survey is available for download on the survey’s webpage. For more information regarding this survey, visit dnr.wi.gov, and search keywords “deer hunter wildlife.”

At the end of the survey, participants can choose to receive a personalized summary of all recorded wildlife from that season. The survey period ends January 2019.

Deer hunters encouraged to get deer tested for CWD and assist with surveillance efforts

From the WDNR:

Contact(s): Tami Ryan, DNR wildlife health section chief, 608-266-3143

MADISON – Deer hunting seasons are about to begin with archery and crossbow this weekend, and Department of Natural Resources staff remind hunters who harvest deer to have adult deer tested for chronic wasting disease – this is particularly important in areas affected by CWD.

For more information regarding CWD in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “CWD.”

DNR staff continue to utilize disease surveillance objectives (disease assessment and disease detection) statewide, and will continue to sam­ple deer within the Southern Farmland Zone and at select loca­tions in other CWD-affected counties. Surveillance will also expand to all 19 counties of the department’s west central district and parts of northern Wisconsin.

No targeted surveillance will occur in the 4-county surveillance area surrounding the Washburn County CWD positive area due to no additional positives being detected during six consecutive years of surveillance since 2011. However, hunters will still have opportunities to have their adult deer tested within the 4-county area.

Options for CWD sampling continue to include both in-person service as well as self-service options. Self-service kiosks are available 24/7 for hunters to drop off a deer head to be tested for CWD. Hunters can locate this option in the drop-down menu in the registration station database on our CWD webpages.

New for this deer season is the opportunity for local individuals or groups to “adopt-a-kiosk.” The goal of the Adopt-a-Kiosk program is to enhance CWD sample numbers, ease, and options for hunters in the world of electronic registration. It also provides an opportunity for conservation groups or individuals to assist the department and it is due to these types of interests that this program originated.

Local DNR staff will work with the Adopt-a-Kiosk participants to identify kiosk location as well as discuss protocols and schedules. Overall feedback from hunters indicates an appreciation for kiosk available availability for CWD sample submission. Kiosks are a useful tool in areas without a current a cooperative sampling station.

Hunters are reminded to contact sampling stations in advance to verify hours of operation and that CWD surveillance efforts focus on testing adult deer, since older deer are more likely to have the disease. For more information regarding where to take your deer for sampling, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “CWD sampling” or contact local DNR wildlife management staff.

Hunters can search for CWD test results individually or view a summary. Hunters will need a customer ID or CWD sample barcode to search for individual results. The average turnaround time from when the deer is brought to a sampling station to when the results are available is typically two weeks or less. For information regarding CWD test results, search keywords “CWD results“.

If test results come back positive for CWD, hunters should follow advice from the Center for Disease Control [EXIT DNR], Wisconsin Department of Health Services and World Health Organization [EXIT DNR] to not consume venison from that deer.

The cooperation of hunters and private businesses has become increasingly vital to the success of our sampling process. Department staff would like to thank all those who continue to assist with CWD surveillance.

Hunters are also reminded to check out the Wild Wisconsin: Off the Record podcast to learn more about CWD in Wisconsin. The podcast is available on iTunes, Stitcher and YouTube. Season two of the Wild Wisconsin web series will also feature a segment highlighting CWD in Wisconsin.

Sept. 15 marks opening of archery and crossbow deer hunting seasons

From the WDNR:

Contact(s): Kevin Wallenfang, DNR deer and elk ecologist, 608-261-7589

MADISON – Excitement levels are high as hunters prepare for fall deer hunting seasons in Wisconsin.

Hunters will have their first opportunity to enjoy the outdoors during the 2018 archery and crossbow deer seasons, which run concurrently statewide from Sept. 15 to Jan. 6, 2019. The archery and crossbow season is extended to January 31, 2019 in metro sub-units and some counties offering the antlerless-only holiday hunt.

Deer numbers continue to look good across the state,” said Kevin Wallenfang, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources deer and elk ecologist. “The central and southern farmland zones are expected to have excellent deer numbers in most areas. Portions of the forested zones experienced their first moderate winter after a string of mild winters. Although there was a heavy late winter snow storm in much of the north, a lush spring green up and reports of good fawn production are showing the population is stable and increasing in many areas. All reports indicate a fun and exciting upcoming season.”

In 2017, archery and crossbow hunters combined for one of the highest buck harvests in history. Deer hunters in Iron County will be the only county to see buck-only hunting this year. Throughout the remainder of the state, antlerless hunting opportunities are available using Farmland (Zone 2) and bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations. Visit the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, and search keyword “DMU” to access an interactive map to find more information on county-specific seasons.

Archery and crossbow hunters have a continuous season framework that includes hunting during all gun deer seasons in November and December, plus the option to fill a gun deer harvest authorization using crossbow or archery equipment during open firearm seasons.

Hunting with a crossbow has provided an additional opportunity for many hunters throughout Wisconsin, and accounts for a higher rate of participation by women than any other deer hunting method. Those interested in using both a conventional bow and crossbow may do so by paying full price for one of the licenses and purchasing a $3 upgrade for the second license. Hunters will use the buck harvest authorization and antlerless harvest authorization(s) issued with their first license of choice.

Treestand safety is also a key part of the archery season – hunters should always wear a safety harness, use 3 points of contact when going into or out of the stand and use a haul line to bring your unloaded crossbow and bow into the stand. For more information regarding treestand safety, search keyword “treestand.”

Changes for 2018

Please note that there have been changes to several Deer Management Zone (DMZ) and metro sub-unit boundaries this year. Hunters are reminded to check the management zone before purchasing bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations.

In addition, the rules for transporting deer carcasses harvested in Chronic Wasting Disease affected counties will change effective Oct. 1, 2018. Search keyword “CWD” on the DNR web page for the latest information on carcass transportation regulations, including a FAQ document [PDF]. Hunters are encouraged to explore the many opportunities available to submit a sample for CWD testing.

Bonus Authorizations Still Available

Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations remain available in many counties. Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations may be filled with any weapon type during the appropriate season, but must be filled in the zone, county and land type (public or private) designated on each harvest authorization. Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations are available on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of $12 each for residents, $20 each for non-residents, and $5 for youth hunters under age 12.

In 2018, additional Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless harvest authorizations may be included with each deer hunting license, depending on the county of choice. Hunters who have not yet purchased a license for hunting deer will be prompted to select the county and land-type for the Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless harvest authorizations at the point of sale. Licenses may be purchased online at GoWild.WI.Gov or at any of the more than 1,000 Go Wild license sales locations.

Hunters who purchased their deer hunting licenses prior to June 1 may now select their Farmland (Zone 2) harvest authorizations. Hunters who have yet to determine a hunting location, may defer the Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless harvest authorization selection. When ready, hunters may:

• make a harvest authorization selection online from their Go Wild account and print themselves;
• request desired harvest authorization(s) at a local DNR Service Center; or
• visit a license agent (this will require a $2 processing fee).

DNR Conservation Wardens reminder to ATV and UTV riders: “Wear it, Wisconsin!”

From the WDNR website:

Contact(s): Gary Eddy, off-highway vehicle administrative warden, 608-219-2566

MADISON – With more crashes involving all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles this late summer state conservation wardens are urging all operators and riders to remember safety steps. Wisconsin has seen 16 fatal crashes involving all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles this year.

Gary Eddy, off-highway administrative warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, says wardens statewide are encouraging all operators and riders to “Wear it Wisconsin!”

“That means wearing helmets for ATVs and UTVs, and your seat belts on an UTV,” Eddy said.

Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet, and that helmet must meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards.

Eddy says a common factor in fatalities is the lack of wearing helmets and not wearing the UTV seatbelt.

Versatile vehicles best used with safety in mind

“These machines are popular for work and for play, and their use continues to grow in Wisconsin,” Eddy said. “Since you can’t predict when an incident will occur, it is best to protect yourself and your passengers for that possibility. Simply put on the helmet, fasten the safety straps and click the seatbelt.”

“It is always important to remember safety while operating these vehicles for work or recreational purposes,” Eddy said. “These machines are often operated on paved surfaces and across rough terrain. These conditions bring their own set of hazards. That’s why the use of safety equipment is so important. Many of these tragedies may have been prevented had seat belts and helmets been used.”

Eddy urges all ATV and UTV owners to spread the “Wear it Wisconsin” message by setting a personal rule that helmets and seat belts are always used on their machines. Also, educate others you know on the importance of using helmets and seat belts. “A little positive peer pressure on your family and friends can help,” Eddy said. “We want everyone to stay safe and have fun while using these versatile vehicles. Here are more of Warden Eddy’s safety tips for all ATV-UTV riders:

• Never drink and ride. ATVs and UTVs are challenging enough to operate sober; adding alcohol endangers everyone around you. Practice “Zero Alcohol” and wait until you’re done operating all vehicles before consuming alcohol.
• “Seize the keys:” Control who and when your machine is being operated.
• Complete an ATV safety course. All ATV riders at least age 12 (and UTV operators at least age 16) and born after January 1, 1988 must complete a course prior to operating an ATV or UTV. This course may be completed either in a classroom or over the internet. Search the Wisconsin DNR website for ATV Safety” to learn more.
• Use extreme caution while operating on paved surfaces. ATVs and UTVs highly unstable on paved surfaces and cannot be operated in the same manner as a car. All maneuvers must be made in a slow, controlled manner. Corners cannot be taken at the same speed as other motor vehicles.
• Never ride alone. If a mishap happens, you may need immediate help.
• Slow down, be responsible and expect to meet other people while on trails.
• Stay on the right side of the trail. Rough terrain and puddles are part of the experience; don’t endanger others by riding on the wrong side of the trail. Cross obstacles in a controlled and safe manner.
• Don’t operate your machine outside the limits or capabilities of you, the machine or the environment (trail condition, terrain, hours of darkness, etc.)
• Headlights and tail lights are required at all times while on public roads. All turns must be indicated by use of turn signals or hand signals.
• ATV/UTV is among our state’s favorite recreational activities in the summer months. Stay safe and stay responsible.

Youth Waterfowl and regular season Canada goose hunts set to open in September

For a list of upcoming outdoor events and DNR season date, please check out the Polk Burnett Outdoors Events & Reminders Page.

From the WDNR website:

Contact(s): Taylor Finger, DNR migratory game bird ecologist, 608-266-8841; Trenton Rohrer, DNR Assistant migratory game bird ecologist, 608-261-6458

MADISON -Regular season Canada goose hunting opens Sunday, Sept. 16, along with the Youth Waterfowl Hunt Sept. 15-16.

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

This year’s Youth Waterfowl hunt will be held Sept. 15-16. This special hunt offers youth hunters ages 15 and under the opportunity to learn skills from an adult without the increased hunting pressure encountered during the regular season.

Photo Credit: WDNR

“These two days provide a great opportunity for nearly 3,500 kids annually – many of which get out due to the generosity of a friend or family member,” said Taylor Finger, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources migratory game bird ecologist.

Normal season bag limits apply, but all license and stamp requirements are waived for the youth hunt. However, participants still need to be HIP registered (free of charge) and possess both an early and a regular season goose permit if they wish to hunt geese during both days. Licensed adults may also hunt geese since the early and Exterior seasons are open during these dates.

Individuals of all ages and skill levels are reminded to check out a Learn to Hunt waterfowl clinic in their area to learn more about hunting and its role within conservation.

Regular Goose season

With resident Canada goose breeding numbers similar to recent years and average production of the Ontario breeders, hunters should have ample opportunities this year, and will again enjoy a full 92 days of hunting in the Exterior zone with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

“When combined with the 15 days of the early season, this puts WI at 107 days of Canada goose hunting, and the maximum season length allowed by federal law,” said Finger

Exterior Zone Canada goose season structure is as follows:

• Northern Zone – Sept. 16 to Dec. 16;
• Southern Zone – Sept. 16 to Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 16- Jan. 3, 2019; and
• Mississippi River Subzone – Sept.29- Oct 5 and Oct. 13 to Jan. 3, 2019.

Hunters should note that the goose season is closed during the duck season split in both the South Zone (closed Oct. 8-12) and Mississippi River Subzone (closed Oct. 6 -12). The southern zone for the first time will also have a second split when duck season ends (closed from Dec. 3-15) and opening back up and running through Jan 3, 2019.

As a reminder the Horicon Canada goose Zone was eliminated and is now a part of the Southern Exterior goose zone.

For more information regarding waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “waterfowl management.”

Go Wild

Early and Exterior Zone goose permits are printed on regular white paper, rather than green thermal paper. While afield, hunters must carry their Canada goose harvest permit. Acceptable methods of proof include a paper copy, Go Wild generated PDF displayed on a mobile device, Wisconsin driver’s license or Go Wild Conservation Card. As a reminder to Canada goose hunters, registration of Canada geese and in-field validation of the Canada goose hunting permit is no longer required. For more information regarding Go Wild, visit GoWild.Wi.gov [EXIT DNR].

Avian Influenza

Several federal agencies are working in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to collect samples related to the research and surveillance of avian influenza in wild birds. This surveillance will help monitor for the virus during fall migration. Wild birds from targeted areas throughout the state will be sampled between now and spring 2018.

Avian influenza is a viral disease common in wild bird populations with many different subtypes – most do not cause obvious signs of disease in wild birds or have the ability to infect animals other than birds. While strains currently detected in the U.S. have caused mortality of domestic birds, they have not resulted in any illness in humans.

Samples will be collected from live-captured birds during DNR banding efforts and from hunter-harvested dabbling ducks, such as blue-winged teal, mallard, wood duck and Northern pintail. Federal staff will also be located at boat landings and other hunter access points this fall to sample ducks from willing hunters.