Roger's Outdoor News

OUTDOOR NEWS:   Wisconsin landowners encouraged to look for and control garlic mustard according to the Wis. DNR. Early spring is the best time to check gardens, yards and woodlots for garlic mustard and take measures to control this rapidly spreading invasive plant, state invasive plant experts say. It is very important to control garlic mustard in early spring before the plants flower. Preventing the introduction of seeds and regular scouting are keys to keeping uninfested yards and woodlots free of garlic mustard or other invasive plants. Garlic mustard can alter the composition of forests. Once introduced, it spreads and can dominate the forest floor, displacing native wildflowers, tree seedlings and the wildlife that depend on them. Even mature trees can be impacted as chemicals produced by garlic mustard kills the beneficial fungi that tree roots needs to absorb nutrients. Smaller populations can be contained by hand-pulling all second year plants. Any plants already flowering when pulled need to be removed from the site and carefully disposed of by bagging it and sending it to a landfill. Regulated invasive species are exempt from the rule that bans yard waste in landfills. Herbicides are generally used when sites are too large to hand pull. For more information on garlic mustard and other invasive plants, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword “invasive”, or contact the local University of Wis. Extension offices or the DNR Service Centers. (Editor’s Note:  I know in my own wood lot I had a lot of garlic mustard found and the forester who was marking my trees pointed out all the garlic mustard in my woods. I spent many hours pulling the plants and bagging them. The biggest problem I found was where the plants grew next to the creek in my woods and they can spread very fast using the waterways as a means of spreading. In areas where I had a hard time getting to all the plants, I sprayed Roundup on the whole forest floor as per the DNR directions. If in doubt, ask a DNR staff member for help.)

With 80,000 turkey hunters headed into the field on April 19^th, the DNR says there is two key factors needed for a safe turkey hunt. The two most critical ingredients for a successful spring hunt are a detailed hunting plan in one hand and a firm grip on the firearm safety in the other. DNR statistics show 80% of accidents during turkey hunting seasons involve hunters mistaking other hunters for game, or hunters failing to positively identify their target. The other 20% of accidents are self-inflicted, usually the result of violating one of the four firearm safety rules.  It’s a good idea to wear a blaze orange cap or gloves while walking. And find a hunting spot that allows you to rest your back against a tree or some other object that is as wide as your shoulders. This helps protect you from not only an errant shot, but from the good vision of the turkey. Never stalk a wild turkey and don’t try to approach closer than 100 yards to a gobbler. The chances of getting close enough for a shot are slim, but the chances of becoming involved in an accident are increased. The less you move the safer and more effective you will be in the field. FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES FOR A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL TURKEY HUNT:  #1. Identify your target; it’s not good enough to take a shot when a hunter only thinks they are seeing a legal target;  #2. Do not shoot at sound and movement;  #3. Be certain of your target, and what’s in front of it and beyond it;  #4. Avoid wearing red, white, and blue. These colors are also shared by the gobblers;  #5. Use gobbler calls only to locate a tom, not to attract one. Some other hunter might think you’re a turkey;  #6. Keep your hands and face camouflaged when calling;  #7. Never carry or move an uncovered turkey.