Other News: S736

Fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons open Sept. 15

2012 fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons are set to open, hunter prospects look good.illustration c. OOAK Digital Gallery ©2012

MADISON – The 2012 fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons are set to open, and state wildlife officials say that hunter prospects are good for both seasons. The turkey season will open statewide at the start of shooting hours on Sept. 15, as will the grouse season in Zone A. Grouse hunters interested in pursuing grouse in southeastern Wisconsin should be aware that the grouse season does not open until Oct. 20 in Zone B.

Overall, Wisconsin’s statewide wild turkey population remains strong, and wildlife officials have set the number of fall turkey permits available at 96,700, a 1,000-permit increase over the number of permits offered during last year’s fall turkey season. Permits were increased by 600 in Zone 2 and by 400 in Zone 7 in order to better accommodate demand by hunters.

Ruffed grouse populations in Wisconsin appear to be entering a downswing, according to this spring’s drumming survey results. Ruffed grouse populations are known to boom and bust over an 8-11 year period, and the index that the state uses to track ruffed grouse numbers decreased statewide by 25 percent between 2011 and 2012. This decrease isn’t a surprise, as Wisconsin was overdue for the expected downturn, but weather conditions in the spring were excellent for nesting and brood-rearing, and should mean a good year for reproduction. First-year birds may therefore help offset the cyclic downturn in numbers, and hunters can expect good hunting again during the 2012 season.

Fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse season dates and reminders

2012 Fall Wild Turkey Season Dates (all zones):

• Sept. 15 through Nov. 15

2012 Fall Wild Turkey Extended Season Dates for Zones 1-5 ONLY:

• Nov. 26 through Dec. 31

2012 Ruffed Grouse Season Dates:

• Zone A: Sept. 15, 2012 through Jan. 31, 2013


• Zone B: Oct. 20 through Dec. 8

2012 Woodcock Season
Sept. 22 through Nov. 5

For more information, see the Wisconsin wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and Harvest Information Program pages on the DNR website.

Read more here:

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

• Scott Walter, upland wildlife ecologist: (608) 267-7861


• Krista McGinley, assistant upland wildlife ecologist: (608) 261-8458

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Turkey and grouse hunting have special safety concerns

"Wear blaze orange clothing and stay in visual contact with your hunting partners at all times."Part of the mindset necessary for a safe hunting season.photo c. Dan Small Outdoors, LLC. ©2012

MADISON -- Hunters need to keep safety in mind when hunting turkey and grouse.

“There’s something very special about turkey and grouse hunting,” says Jon King Department of Natural Resources hunter education program administrator. “And with the enthusiasm that goes along with this type of hunting, we should all be mindful of making sure we return home safe and sound at the end of each hunt.”

Here are some things King says hunters need to keep in mind when going afield after ruffed grouse and fall turkey:

Follow the four basic rules of firearm safety: TAB+K.

• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.


• Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.


• Plan your hunt and hunt your plan.


• Know your safe zone of fire, know where your hunting partners are and always advance forward in unison and don’t get ahead of or behind your hunting partner.


• Be certain of your target and what’s beyond it.


• Shooting into thick cover or heavy brush without positive identification can lead to a tragedy.


• Wear blaze orange clothing and stay in visual contact with your hunting partners at all times. If you lose sight of each other, stop hunting, call, and listen until you locate each other.


• Other hunters and non-hunters will be afield so take the time needed to ensure you have a safe shot.


• Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you’re ready to shoot.


• 34 percent of hunting incidents are self-inflicted and preventable.

King suggests that you advise someone else of where you will be hunting and when they should expect you back. If something should go wrong, at least someone will know where to start looking.

“Famed conservationist Aldo Leopold once wrote, ‘There are two kinds of hunting: ordinary hunting, and ruffed grouse hunting,’” King says. “Don’t let careless hunting practices spoil this special tradition.”

Read more here:

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

• Jon King, hunter education program administrator: 608-575-2294

Other News: S724

Ruffed grouse numbers entering downside of population cycle Ruffed grouse populations are known to boom and bust over a nine- to 11-year cycle; looks like we're entering the 'bust' part of the cycle. image courtesy Les Booth ©2008 MADISON – Ruffed grouse populations in Wisconsin appear to be entering a downswing, according to a recently completed roadside ruffed grouse survey. Ruffed grouse populations are known to boom and bust over a nine- to 11-year cycle, according to Brian Dhuey, wildlife surveys coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources. The index that Wisconsin uses to track ruffed grouse decreased 25 percent between 2011 and 2012. “While this is a bit of bad news for grouse hunters, it should not be too big of a surprise,” Dhuey said. “We were overdue for the expected downturn.” A roadside survey to monitor the number of breeding grouse has been conducted by staff from the DNR and U.S. Forest Service, tribal employees, and numerous grouse enthusiasts and volunteers since 1964. Surveyors begin 30 minutes before sun rise and drive along established routes, making 10 stops at assigned points and listening for four minutes for the distinctive “thump, thump, thump” drumming sounds made by male grouse. Results from this survey have helped DNR biologists monitor the cyclic population dynamics of ruffed grouse in the state. “Spring arrived early in Wisconsin in 2012, and conditions for the survey were rated ‘excellent’ on 60 percent of the routes. This was about the same as last year’s 62 percent and above the long-term average,” Dhuey said. The number of drums heard per stop was down 25 percent in 2012 from the previous year. Both of the primary regions for grouse in the state, the central and northern forest areas, showed declines of 21 and 26 percent respectively. The only area to show an increase was the southeast, where grouse exist in only isolated areas of suitable young forest habitat and are not common. The number of routes that showed a decline in the number of drums heard outpaced those that showed an increase by better than 2:1 margin. Results from the survey matched declines seen on two research areas, with the Sandhill Wildlife Area showing a decline of 11 percent and the Stone Lake Experimental Area showing a decline of 18 percent. Complete survey results can be found on the DNR website (search Wildlife Reports). “This drop in breeding grouse was not unexpected, as grouse populations tend to be at their peak in years ending in a 9 or 0 in Wisconsin. Last year we had an increase in grouse and were probably at the cyclic peak, a decline was inevitable,” Dhuey said. “Early weather conditions are excellent for nesting and brood rearing, if we can stay normal or above for temperatures and have a bit of dry weather, we should have a pretty good brood year. I would expect that hunters will see a decline in the number of birds they see afield this fall, but areas of good cover should still hold birds. In years with low grouse numbers, hunters who find success are generally those willing to explore new coverts, as grouse will tend to occupy only the best habitat available and may not be found in the same areas where hunters found them in recent years,” he said. For more information search for ruffed grouse hunting on the DNR website. Read more here: For more information: Brian Dhuey - 608-221-6342) Scott Walter - 608-267-7861

DSORe eNews S640

VOL: eNews OCTOBER 01, 2011  ISSUE: SHOW #640
• The truth about camel racing in Wisconsin • Ruffed Grouse Society celebrates 50 years of habitat management • Muskie tips for Eagle River area and Wisconsin River • Jeff outscores Dan in AGLOW radio awards competition • Jeff loses a nice buck	CALL 1-414-297-7554 or eMail: outdoorsradio@gmx.com
RESULTS FOR POLL s639 Does Wisconsin need a "deer trustee"? YES 50% | NO 50% | MAYBE 0% | UNDECIDED 0% | COMMENTS
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RESTORE Act passes out of Senate committee with strong bipartisan support On Sept. 21, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee approved The RESTORE the Gulf Coast States Act with a strong showing of bipartisan support. This vote paves the way for Congress to do what voters expect: hold the companies responsible for the Gulf oil disaster accountable for restoring the region that was damaged. Using the Gulf oil spill penalties to restore the Gulf region’s communities, environment and economy is the fair and right thing to do. READ MORE HERE:
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JAY SCHULTZ Hybrid Redneck founder from Richland Center, Wisconsin shares highlights of the Oct. 8 Hybrid Redneck Rally at the Richland County Fairgrounds MIKE ZAGATA resident and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society talks about the 50th anniversary of RGS and grouse hunting opportunities this fall across the country PHIL SCHWEIK Owner of Hooksetters Guide Service in Mosinee, Wisconsin reports on his recent win at Paul’s Pro-Am Muskie Tournament in Eagle River and the excellent muskie, walleye and crappie bite going on now on the Wisconsin River DOROTHY BROWN | Proprietor of Brown’s Boats & Bait on Lake Kegonsa reports on excellent panfishing on Lake Kegonsa
THE EVENTS CALENDAR HAS BEEN MOVED DANSMALLOUTDOORS.COM/EVENTS •FISHING CONTESTS: Find them ALL online @ American Fishing Contests •RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY BANQUETS & EVENTS: »ONLINE INFO: •MILFORD HILLS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS: »ONLINE INFO
Youth gun deer hunt Oct. 8-9 MADISON - The annual Wisconsin Youth Gun Deer Hunt will take place statewide on Oct. 8-9, for youth ages 10 -15. Under Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law, now in its third season, hunters as young as 10 years of age may participate – with or without hunter education certification – in the youth gun deer hunt with a mentor. The mentored hunting law also allows deer hunting during later seasons. The early date of the hunt offers milder weather and allows more time in the field under more comfortable conditions for young hunters and their mentors. In addition to giving youths their own opportunity to experience the traditions of deer hunting in Wisconsin, the focus is on the youth and allows more time for the mentor to share skills and teach their charges how to hunt safely and ethically. There are several changes from last year’s youth gun deer hunt. The junior antlerless gun deer carcass tag will now be valid statewide for youth hunters, allowing them to use it in “buck only” units. A separate, unit specific, antlerless tag will not be required in these units. The hunt will be held in all deer management units (DMUs) statewide, except state park units, Ft. McCoy, Chambers Island, Menominee County and the Apostle Islands other than Madeline Island. Read more... FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact: Dan Hirchert | PHONE: (608) 264-6023 Contact: Adam Collins | PHONE: (608) 264-6282 DNR and Wisconsin congressional delegation team up on wolf delisting comments MADISON – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp announced today that the DNR and members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation are teaming up to present comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on the issue of gray wolf delisting in the Upper Great Lakes. Members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation have signed onto a letter presenting concerns about the USFWS proposal to reclassify the gray wolf in the eastern United States as a new species. The delegation, echoing concerns raised by the department, asked the USFWS to suspend it status review of the “eastern gray wolf” from its efforts to delist the gray wolf in Wisconsin. The members of Congress also offered their support for the delisting of the gray wolf in Wisconsin, calling the recovery of the gray wolf in Wisconsin a success story under the Endangered Species Act. “The department appreciates the support of these members of Congress in supporting our belief that clouding the delisting process by recognizing two physically indistinguishable species of wolves in Wisconsin is neither practical nor defensible,” Stepp said. Currently, Wisconsin has more wolves than any state other than Alaska and Minnesota. Population estimates range from 782 to 824 wolves, far exceeding both the Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan goal of 350 and the federal recovery goal of 100. “The gray wolf population has improved in our state beyond multiple recovery standards, and is a remarkable success story of endangered species management,” Stepp said. The USFWS will be taking comments through today, September 26. A decision by the USFWS on the two species issue is expected by the end of 2011. Read more... • Secretary Stepp’s letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Delegation Letter FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact:Bill Cosh| PHONE: (608) 267-2773
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