OTHER NEWS S1008

NEWS #1 - Dead wolf found near Morris Illinois..?

ILLINOIS OUTDOORS  -   The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported that an animal that resembles the likeness of a Wolf was found dead recently near Morris, Illinois. 

Don Dziedzina, of Illinois Outdoors, has learned (and posted on his blog) from Chris Young of the IL DNR that the animal was found on Friday, February 13th just off Nettle School Road north of Interstate 80 in Grundy County.  It measures 43 inches long.  (see photo)

Although it has not been positively identified as a full blooded wolf, the animal carcass which is in the possession of IL DNR biologists will go under genetic testing with the assistance of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Upon completion of a necropsy, they'll also be able to determine that animal's cause of death.

Is it possible that this animal is a real wolf and that it could have wandered here to Illinois from northern parts of this country where wolves inhabit?  Is it a real wolf?   Nothing is impossible.   As I learn more from the IL DNR, I'll keep you posted.

Read more here:  http://www.chicagonow.com/illinois-outdoors/2015/02/wolf-found-near-morris-illinois/

NEWS #2 - Deadlines approach for ice fishing shelter removal

MADISON - The first of a number of deadlines for ice anglers to remove ice fishing shelters from inland and boundary waters is this week. All ice fishing shelters must be removed from Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters by Friday, Feb. 20. This earlier date, affecting the Mississippi River south of the Minnesota-Iowa border, is set to correspond with Iowa regulations.
The deadlines for the other two boundary waters are March 1 for Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters and March 15 for Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters.
For inland Wisconsin waters, ice fishing shelters must be removed daily and when not occupied after the following dates:

• Sunday, March 8 for waters south of Highway 64 (First Sunday following March 1).
• Sunday, March 15 for waters north of Highway 64, along with Lake Michigan, Superior and the Bay of Green Bay (First Sunday following March 12).

One exception to this rule is that on the Fox River downstream from the De Pere dam in Brown County, ice fishing shelters must always be removed from the ice daily and when not in use.

After these dates for removing ice fishing shelters from a frozen lake or river, an angler may continue to use a portable shelter but must remove it daily and when it is not occupied or actively being used.

Read more here: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/Weekly/Article/?id=3216

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
April Dombrowski, Recreational enforcement and education safety administrative warden, (608) 852-9456

It's OTHER NEWS 02.16.15

Watch Dan Small on  MPTV's I Remember Host Jim Peck interviews Dan Small, ... the host/producer of MPTV's Outdoor Wisconsin since 1984. The series travels to all parts of the state in all four seasons in an effort to help viewers understand, respect, and appreciate our natural resources. Monday at 6:30PM on MPTV 10.1/36.2 Tuesday at 12:30AM on MPTV 36 If you miss the show,you can watch it online at mptv.org - click on Watch Episodes and I Remember, Episode 2110. It should be posted in a few days.

Other News S1007

NEWS #1 - 24th annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics set for Saturday, Feb.14

MILWAUKEE - Kids 15-years-old and younger are invited to discover the joys of ice fishing at the 24th annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics on Saturday, Feb. 14, at park lagoons in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. 

The free clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will receive instruction on the proper use of equipment and techniques, such as knot tying, ice safety and much more. The clinics are taught by members of local fishing clubs and last 45 minutes, and then the young anglers can begin fishing. Classes begin every hour on the hour starting at 9 a.m., with the final session beginning at 2 p.m. 

"These clinics are an excellent way to introduce youngsters to the sport of fishing and a perfect opportunity for families that want to enjoy some of the outdoor recreational activities that Wisconsin has to offer," says Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp,

The clinics represent a cooperative effort by the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, Milwaukee County Parks, Waukesha County Parks, the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery and the Department of Natural Resources.

All equipment and snacks are provided free of charge and instructions will be given regardless of weather. No pre-registration is required, but please call DNR Urban Fish Biologist Matt Coffaro at 414-263-8614 for groups of 20 or more, or for additional information. Listed below are the clinic locations and sponsoring fishing clubs:

Milwaukee County

• Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave., hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen & Milwaukee Casting Club
• McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland, hosted by Southside Sportsmen Club
• Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd., hosted by Okauchee Fishing club
• Scout Lake, 5902 W. Loomis Rd., (wheelchair accessible) hosted by Walleyes Unlimited
• Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave., hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club

Waukesha County

• Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, Townline Rd. (1/2 mile north of Good Hope Rd., Menomonee Falls), hosted by Badger Fishermen's League
• Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd., hosted by Wern Valley Sportsman's Club

Read more here:  http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=3480

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Matt Coffaro, DNR urban fish biologist, (414) 263-8614

NEWS #2 - DNR spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearing questionnaire available online

MADISON - The complete questionnaire for proposed changes to Wisconsin fish and wildlife rules that will be reviewed at the 2015 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spring rules hearings is now available online.
On Monday, April 13, 2015, there will be 72 public hearings [PDF], one in each county where individuals interested in natural resources management have an opportunity to provide their input by non-binding vote and testimony on proposed rule changes and advisory questions relating to fish and wildlife management in Wisconsin. 

The questions cover a broad array of statewide and local proposed rules changes for state hunting, trapping and fishing rules, as well as advisory questions from the state Natural Resources Board and Wisconsin Conservation Congress. 

County residents have the option to run for a seat on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, or elect other delegates from their county to represent their county views regarding natural resources on the Conservation Congress. Also, individuals have the opportunity to bring forth new conservation issues of a statewide nature to the attention of the Conservation Congress through the citizen resolution process.

People interested in attending the hearings are encouraged to review the questionnaire on line.

The fisheries questions relate to season, bag limit, and length limit regulations, including:

• expanding inland trout seasons and reducing the number of special regulations;
• changing panfish bag limits on 100 lakes to improve panfish average size; and
• removing or modifying dates and boundaries on 51 fish refuges.

Wildlife questions include:

• expanding the areas where waterfowl hunting;
• increasing the limit on the number of small game animals a person is allowed to possess;
• establish a 9 a.m. opening time on the first day of the pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge, and southern rabbit seasons; and
• modifying the spring wild turkey hunting season opening date, among other rule changes.

Meeting results, along with written comments on the evening's questions and DNR recommendations are used to advise the state Natural Resources Board.

Votes are non-binding and are presented to the Natural Resources Board as advisory. The 2015 spring rules hearing questionnaire [PDF] is available by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov for keywords "Spring Hearings."

Read more here: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/Weekly/Article/?id=3211

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Kari Lee-Zimmerman, DNR congress liaison, (608) 266-0580
Bill Cosh, DNR spokesperson, (608) 267-2773

Other News S1006

OUTDOOR RADIO NEWS OUTDOORS RADIO CALENDAR UPDATES   NEWS#1  DNR Fisheries Bureau Director Ron Bruch retires; will continue on key projects MADISON.  From managing the successful Lake Winnebago sturgeon fishery to overseeing implementation of the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, Ron Bruch's work with the Department of Natural Resources has created numerous benefits for anglers while improving fish and wildlife habitat throughout the state. A 38-year veteran of DNR who started with the department as a creel census clerk, Bruch served as a consistent advocate for citizen involvement in management of Wisconsin's natural resources. His retirement, due to health reasons, follows a career notable for its success in finding common ground among recreational, commercial and tribal interests. Both in his official capacity at DNR and through his personal leadership in founding the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society, Bruch has established partnerships and programs that will sustain the state's world-class fishing opportunities for years to come. "We are extremely grateful for all Ron Bruch has done to strengthen the department's relationships with citizens and stakeholders," said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. "He has a unique ability to bring together passionate people for the betterment of everyone. Ron's deep knowledge of our treasured fisheries and appreciation for the connection between the environment and economy have served our state well." Bruch, 61, was named fisheries bureau director in May 2014 and had anticipated working for several more years to advance the fishery program's recently updated strategic plan. He now intends to volunteer his time on a number of key projects under a reduced schedule. "I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding career and I've been especially glad to work under the Stepp administration," Bruch said. "It will be a pleasure to continue contributing to a few projects including wrapping up new statewide fish passage policies and procedures and completing the Lake Michigan Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. These projects and numerous others we have been working on offer significant economic and social benefits while conserving and improving our fisheries and aquatic resources." Bruch leaves the department during a time of continued success, as Wisconsin's fisheries management program and state fishing traditions remain strong. The state ranks third nationally as a destination for anglers and sport fishing generates $2.3 billion in economic benefits every year while supporting 22,000 jobs and contributing $148.7 million in state and local tax revenues, according to the American Sportfishing Association. Through the years, Bruch's career covered work as a habitat technician, fisheries biologist, supervisor and fisheries bureau section chief. Prior to his appointment as bureau director, he served as statewide planning coordinator for the fisheries team, working on projects including the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative plan to boost walleye populations statewide. Although his assignments included oversight of the Great Lakes as well as the state's inland waters, Bruch remains best known for his work with sturgeon starting in 1986 as a senior fisheries biologist on the Winnebago system. In that role, he led assessment and public engagement efforts that helped establish the lake sturgeon population as one of the largest in the world and capable of supporting a unique winter spearing season. Much as he looked after the long-lived sturgeon, Bruch also took care to develop the capacity of the bureau's 226 staff members, whose responsibilities range from fish propagation at the state's hatcheries, rearing stations and spawning facilities to habitat improvements and fisheries research. Bruch's academic background includes research on sturgeon and deep water sculpin; he holds doctorate and master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a bachelor's degree from UW-Stevens Point. He has authored or co-authored numerous papers for peer-reviewed scientific publications as well as the 11-time national award winning book "People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish" (Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2009). In addition to serving as co-founder and president of the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society, he is co-founder and treasurer/secretary of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Ichthyology. Bruch's family has roots in the Milwaukee area where his father operated a construction business and in Butternut in Ashland County where a cabin and forest lands will now occupy more of his attention. He and his wife Kathy reside in the Oshkosh area and have two married children and four grandsons. A transitional leadership plan for DNR's Bureau of Fisheries Management will be followed by a national search for Bruch's successor. Read more here:  http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=3476 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Justine Hasz, DNR fisheries services section chief - (715) 896-9558 Jennifer Sereno, DNR communications - (608) 770-8084 NEWS #2 -  DNR research team receives national 2014 Sport Fish Restoration outstanding research project award MADISON -- A team of state fisheries researchers has received the 2014 Sport Fish Restoration outstanding research project award presented by the American Fisheries Society for their work to locate key areas of waterways where habitat restoration effort will be most effective. PHOTO: From left, Natural Resources Board chair Preston Cole, Ken Kurzawski, president-elect of the Fisheries Administration Section of the AFS, and DNR fisheries scientists Matthew Diebel, John Lyons and Matthew Mitro. Ken Kurzawski, president-elect of the Fisheries Administration Section of the AFS presented the award at the January Natural Resources Board meeting in Madison. The team -- led by John Lyons, Department of Natural Resources fisheries scientist, and including research scientists Matthew Mitro and Matthew Diebel -- developed the project over the past six years using statistical analyses of data relating to waterways. The project, titled "Development and Evaluation of Watershed Models for Predicting Stream Fishery Potential," produced a framework that can be used by fisheries managers to locate areas in different bodies of water around the state where particular species are most likely to be and where certain types of fisheries and habitat management efforts are potentially most effective.  The framework is built upon a system of predictive models that locate areas that are best suited for particular sport fish species such as trout, bass, walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. Lyons commented on the project as being a good example of where knowledge gained in the field can be applied for more effective management practices. "The annual Sport Fish Restoration outstanding project award is intended to both highlight the importance and effectiveness of the Sport Fish Restoration program and recognize excellence in fisheries management, research and education," said Kurzawski. "This annual award program helps identify and showcase outstanding fisheries projects from across the country." "We congratulate the team on their hard work and for the recognition they gained from this national organization," said Secretary Cathy Stepp. "This work emphasizes the importance and value of making management decisions informed by good science." One spin-off of the six-year project was the creation of a public online tool known as Fish Mapper, (exit DNR) which was developed in partnership between DNR and U.S. Geological Survey. The Fish Mapper tool allows anyone to see what kinds of fish species are located on every water way in the state. The site summarizes the results of fish surveys from around the state dating back more than one hundred years.

Read more here:  http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=3472

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

• Jack Sullivan, director of the Bureau of Science Services - (608) 267-9753