Thursday, November 2, 2017

WOLVES IN MANITOWOC AND KEWAUNEE COUNTIES DNR REPORT

From: Easterly, Stephen P - DNR [mailto:Stephen.Easterly@wisconsin.gov]
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2017 12:21 PM

Subject: collard wolf in Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties

You may or may not already be aware,

there has been a lot of buzz about the presence of a wolf (wolves) in Kewaunee County over the past summer and fall. And as often happens, the reported presence of such an animal spawns many anecdotal accounts, and rumors are set in motion and grow. Unfortunately some individuals seize the opportunity to have a little fun, garner some attention, or just mess with people’s concerns and fears. Recently, information has been circulated that is completely inaccurate about multiple wolves being stocked in the area. I would like to think someone was just trying to create a little fun mischief, however this kind of information can really set some people off.

Here are the facts. We are aware that a single radio collared wolf has dispersed from Upper Michigan into our area earlier this year. This animal has been cruising the landscape between southern Kewaunee and Northern Manitowoc Counties for months now, showing up on multiple trail cameras throughout the area. It has spent more time in the Lipski Swamp area of the Besadny Wildlife Area, however it has recently been spending more time to the south. It is somewhat unusual for a dispersing young wolf to spend so much concentrated time in an area like ours, and frankly for it to survive as long as it has, crossing roads in unfamiliar territory. However it stands to reason that it is finding plenty to eat and not feeling the urge to keep searching for “greener pastures”. No reports of harassment or injury to livestock have occurred in the area while this wolf has been present. So it has kept itself out of trouble, and there are no plans to take action with this wolf at this time.

There have been reports of this wolf being seen in the company of other wolves in the area. The fact this animal has hung around so long does give the impression that it might have found another wolf and is establishing a territory. To date, no confirmable evidence has been found by or provided to the DNR that documents the presence of more than one wolf. And the area this animal has been cruising is larger than a typical pack territory. We welcome any and all reports of wolf presence, and should this animal remain in the area during the winter; we will be especially interested in documenting its presence and that of any other wolves, as it is during the winter months that we establish a minimal statewide count of wolves including the size of packs and wandering/dispersing individuals. Joshua Martinez(Kewaunee, Door and Brown County biologist) and I welcome any wolf reports that people would like to provide.

Although this seems like a unique situation, this scenario plays out multiple times in multiple places across the state every year. Two-three years ago a rumor got going that there was a wolf pack in the Sheboygan Marsh and that the DNR put them there. That story had a life span of well over a year, and they never actually had ANY confirmed wolf presence. So I suspect the stories of DNR stocking wolves in Kewaunee will go on for some time yet. Please do what you can to help set the record straight.

Thanks, and if you have any questions, send them my or Josh’s way. Have a great November in the deer woods!

We are committed to service excellence.

Visit our survey at http://dnr.wi.gov/customersurvey to evaluate how I did.

Steve Easterly
Wildlife Biologist – Wildlife Management
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
2220 County Hwy V, Mishicot, WI 54228

Phone: (920) 755-4983
Cell Phone: (920) 420-0135
Stephen.Easterly@Wisconsin.gov

dnr.wi.gov

NRA NEWS FOR ALL WISCONSIN SPORTSMEN = ROGER'S OUTDOOR NEWS

Wisconsin Mentored Hunting Bill Passes Assembly

On Thursday, November 2, Assembly Bill 455 passed through the Wisconsin Assembly with a vote of 57-32, continuing efforts to build upon the success of the safe and successful mentored hunting program that Wisconsin has had since 2009. Assembly Bill 455 is now set to be heard in the Wisconsin Senate. Please contact your state Senator and urge them to SUPPORT this legislation! Click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state senator.

Assembly Bill 455 eliminates the requirement that youth be at least ten years of age to hunt under the hunting mentorship program and eliminates the limit on the number firearms or bows that a mentor and the apprentice hunter may have in their possession while hunting.

Your NRA-ILA would like to thank the Assembly members who helped pass this important piece of legislation to promote our hunting heritage. Again, please remember to contact your Senator and ask them to SUPPORT Assembly Bill 455.

DNR FISHERIES REPORT == ROGER'S OUTDOOR NEWS

Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility Report

The following information is the salmon and trout processing information for our facility on the Kewaunee River. We will post new information to this site every TUESDAY at 4:00 pm from March through April and October through early November. Depending on water conditions and number of fish in the weir, fish are usually processed on Wednesdays.

In addition, you can read the latest fishing report on our Lake Michigan Outdoor Report page.

Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility

BAFF seeforellen gamete collection – Seeforellen brown trout are the only wild strain of brown trout that are stocked into Wisconsin's Great Lakes. Beginning in late October, WDNR crews use electroshocking boats on several rivers on Lake Michigan to collect seeforellen adults that are identified by a unique fin clip. Adult seeforellen are transferred to Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility where they are held in ponds. Once a week from, mid-November to mid-December, staff collect eggs and milt from ripe adults. Fertilized eggs are transferred to the Wild Rose Hatchery. Fish that are not yet ready to spawn are returned to the ponds to be spawned at a later date until the goal of 1 million eggs is collected. Each year, approximately 400,000 seeforellen are stocked into Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan (300,000) and Lake Superior (100,000).

History of the seeforellen strain in Wisconsin: The first seeforellen browntrout were stocked in Wisconsin in 1991. WDNR obtained eggs from New York in late 1989-early 1990. The goal was to promote an extended trophy fishery, as seeforellen tend to live a year or two longer and spawn a month or two later in the fall compared to domestic strains of brown trout. The current Wisconsin state record brown trout for outlying waters is a 41 lb. 8 ounce seeforellen that was caught in southern Lake Michigan near Racine in 2010 by Roger Hellen.

Muskellunge - Since 2010, Wisconsin DNR has worked cooperatively with Kewaunee County to raise Great Lakes Spotted Musky at Dana Farm. Each May, nets are set in the Fox River to capture spawning Musky. The captured Musky are measured, weighed, checked for a fin clip and a PIT Tag, spawned and released back into the Fox River. Fertilized eggs are disinfected, water hardened and transported to Dana Farm. In a small building next to the hill pond, eggs are placed in hatching jars and allowed to hatch. Following hatching, Musky are held in the building until they have consumed their yolk sac and then are stocked into the outdoor ponds. While in these ponds, Musky are fed bait fish by the truckload causing rapid growth. By the end of September, they average nearly 12 inches in length. At this time, the Musky are seined from the ponds, fin clipped to denote they were stocked as fingerling, loaded into trucks and hauled to stocking locations around the Bay.

The hill pond has been in use since 2010, while a newly renovated road pond produced its first Musky in 2015. The renovation of the road pond was achieved through the generous donations of many Musky clubs and the cooperation of DNR and Kewaunee County. These ponds will continue to raise Musky for stocking into Green Bay until either a peer reviewed disinfection protocol is developed allowing fish to be safely moved from the Fox River to Wild Rose Hatchery or the inland brood lakes produce disease free eggs in sufficient numbers needed to support the program.

Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility Report for November 1, 2017

Six salmon processing days have occurred this fall at the Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility (BAFF) on October 7, 11, 18, 20, 25, and November 1. Numbers of Chinook salmon processed each day respectively were 328, 201, 360, 341, 181 and 24 (total 1,435). Numbers of new Coho salmon handled each day (either for data and spawned, or kept in holding ponds for future data and egg collections) were 13, 23, 225, 247, 425 and 86 (total 1,019). Some Coho including 78 females and 51 males are currently being held in ponds, and these fish will be processed for data and eggs next Wednesday November 8. Next Wednesday will be the third and final Coho egg collection at BAFF for this season, as egg collection goals have been met, and the spawning run is winding down.

.Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility

DATE: Oct 7 to Nov 1, 2017		RIVER TEMP:			Captured in rivers and brought to BAFF
	Rainbow Trout	Chinook Salmon	Coho Salmon	Brown Trout	Brown Trout Males	Brown Trout Females
Processed for Data		1,435	1,019
Spawned at Facility		59	200
Egg Take		338,302	523,101

DNR OUTDOOR REPORT == ROGER'S OUTDOOR NEWS

Outdoor Report

November 2, 2017

(View in browser)

Snow has been on the ground a week in northern Wisconsin, with some areas having a dusting and others several inches. Some tamaracks are still clinging to their needles, but most other trees, with the exception of oaks, are losing their leaves. In the south only a handful of counties are still reporting peak color, mostly in the southeast on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Fall Color Report (exit DNR).

The view of the Bois Brule River on Halloween morning seemed more like a Christmas morning view.
Photo Credit: DNR

Biologists across the state are reporting the white-tailed deer rut, or mating season, is in full swing. Deer are moving more each week, in the daylight as well as just before and after sundown. Archery hunters have reported good success in central Wisconsin. Drivers should keep their eyes open as deer are appearing frequently at roadsides.
Fall turkey hunters in southwestern Wisconsin have been reporting good success and plenty of birds. The nut and acorn crop in these counties is tremendously larger than the past several years, so wild turkeys are spending more time feeding in oak woodlands. Woodcock have apparently started another push south. Ducks and geese have been seen in many fields with the high water levels and waterfowl hunters have been successful lately.
Anglers fishing along northern Lake Michigan had cold, wet and windy weather to struggle through this week. The fall salmon run is winding down but an electro-shocking survey showed trout and salmon still active in the Peshtigo River. On the Menominee, brown trout, steelhead, walleye and coho were caught below the Hattie Street Dam.
Fishing is also slowing in Kewaunee and Algoma, though reports of coho and chinook are still coming in on the Kewaunee and Ahnapee rivers along with some brown trout. The run was also slowing on southern Lake Michigan tributaries. Fishing pressure was low due to weather the past week. Anglers fishing the Sheboygan River reported catches of chinook and coho. In Racine, numbers of chinook caught have dropped off, with only a few reported upstream and downstream of the Root River steelhead facility. Overall most fish harvested were coho, with a few chinook and only a couple brown trout reported downstream of the facility.
On Green Bay, boat anglers out of Brown County have been targeting walleye and musky with consistent success. With the water temperature dropping, greater numbers of walleye moved back into the Fox River, leading to a large increase in anglers fishing at Voyager Park with considerable success. Door County anglers were after smallmouth, with a somewhat slower catch off Stone Quarry and Rowley’s Bay and reports of pike from those fishing the Sturgeon Bay Canal. Anglers continue to report good success on the Wolf River with decent catches of crappies and walleyes.
More than 10,000 sandhill cranes were tallied at Fish Lake and Crex Meadows wildlife areas on Oct. 30. Waterfowl diversity is outstanding now, with a wide variety of diving and dabbling species on inland lakes and marshes and the Mississippi River and Great Lakes shorelines. More than 20,000 red-breasted mergansers were counted in Ozaukee County, while 5,000-plus were tallied in Kewaunee, where hundreds of redheads were also found. Large rafts of American coots remain in some locations, including 4,500 reported in Shawano.
This is a great time of year to spot the invasive species buckthorn. This non-native is hanging onto its green leaves, making this the time to spot new and old stands for future control.

It’s the full beaver moon this weekend and night hikes are scheduled at the Southern Kettle Moraine and at the MacKenzie center. For all events, search the DNR website for “Get Outdoors.”

PHEASANTS FOREVER & QUAIL FOREVER NEWS

CRP Advocacy Efforts of Upland Hunters Critical During Month of November: Contact Congressional Leadership Today

With 2018 Farm Bill planning underway, hunters can make headway for a robust CRP program

St. Paul, Minn. – Nov. 2, 2017 – Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever is urging upland hunters to contact Congressional leaders throughout the fall hunting season to stress the importance of the 2018 Farm Bill and its implications for the future of wildlife, water, and rural communities in the United States. At the forefront of the issue, expansion of the Conservation Reserve Program and support for voluntary public access remain a top priority for “The Habitat Organization.”
“As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, the Conservation Reserve Program remains one of the key elements for helping restore grasslands in the heart of America’s pheasant and quail ranges,” stated Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s vice president of governmental affairs. “Not only is this program critical to future wildlife populations including upland birds, pollinators and other wildlife, but it also serves a function of economic support for rural communities. It’s this message that we hope upland hunters will carry to their Congressional leaders, state officials, and local businesses during the prime of upland bird seasons.”
From 1990-2010, CRP maintained an annual enrollment of 32 million acres with a historical peak of 36.7 million acres in 2007. This historical peak has a direct correlation to modern day highs for pheasant, quail and upland bird harvest in multiple states.
Call Congress to Support Habitat and Access in the 2018 Farm Bill
Have a moment between pheasant fields or quail haunts this season? Help Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever protect future upland populations by advocating for a strong Conservation Reserve Program as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. Contact your state Representatives and both State Senators by visiting https://www.house.gov/representatives/ and https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/ or dial (202) 224-3121 for the Capitol switchboard and consider using the following talking points:

“The Conservation Reserve Program is the nation’s most successful private lands habitat program ever in existence. The current national acreage cap of 24 million acres should be expanded to support hunters, anglers, farmers, ranchers, and business owners in rural America.”
“The state of (*name your state) is dependent on the Conservation Reserve Program to protect our rich history of hunting, fishing, and agriculture. I would appreciate your support of a strong conservation title in the 2018 Farm Bill to help restore wildlife, water quality, and vibrant rural economies.
Enjoy traveling to pheasant and quail hunting destinations in the United States? Call state leadership from your favorite destinations and share a personal hunting story that was made possible by the Conservation Reserve Program.

For more information or talking points regarding the 2018 Farm Bill and the Conservation Reserve Program, please contact Dave Nomsen at (605) 864-8138 or DNomsen@Pheasantsforever.org. For all other inquiries, please contact Jared Wiklund, Pheasants Forever Public Relations Manager, at (651) 788-3038 or JWiklund@Pheasantsforever.org.
About Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 149,000 members and 720 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $708 million on 517,000 habitat projects benefiting 15.8 million acres nationwide.

Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.

NWTF WORKS HARD FOR IT'S MEMBERS == ROGER'S OUTDOOR NEWS

For Immediate Release

For more information, contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698

NWTF applauds passage of Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017

Rep. Westerman

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation applauds the passage of H.R. 2936 – Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 – and believes Congress has taken a huge step forward in protecting the nation’s forests.
The NWTF also expresses appreciation for Congressmen Bruce Westerman (R-AR) as the author of this legislation as well as Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. Without their leadership and the support of other House committees and numerous Democrat and Republican co-sponsors working tirelessly on this important legislation, active forest management would again take a back seat.
“We appreciate Representative Westerman’s willingness to work with the NWTF and for bringing the forester’s perspective to the debate. It is of upmost importance to conduct proper forest management and properly fund that management, and H.R. 2936 is the first step,” said NWTF CEO Becky Humphries. “Moving forward, we hope to work with lawmakers from the U.S. Senate to pass similar legislation and eventually enact law for the benefit of our nation’s forests and its wildlife.”
H.R. 2936 aims to increase proactive forest management to prevent wildfires, promote healthy and sustainable forests and create early successional wildlife habitat. It also streamlines a multitude of processes involved in the active management of our federal forest land.
This year has seen an increase in the number of wildfires as well as an increase in the amount of damage caused by those fires. Research on the causes of such catastrophic fires has pointed to hotter and drier weather conditions, longer fire seasons, a lack of active forest management, underfunding of the U.S. Forest Service’s forest health and restoration programs as well as legal battles.
The bi-partisan bill was co-sponsored by representatives Ralph Lee Abraham (R-LA), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Raúl Labrador (R-ID), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Rick Nolan (D-MN), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Jason Smith (R-MO), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Scott Tipton (R-CO) and David Valadao (R-CA). It also received praise from Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (R-AZ).

About the National Wild Turkey Federation
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative – a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting. For more information, visit NWTF.org.

National Wild Turkey Federation
770 Augusta Rd., Edgefield, SC 29824

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED IF HILLARY WAS PRESIDENT, WE WOULD BE IN A WAR WITH GOVERNMENT FOR SURE!

Imagine if Hillary was President After the Vegas Shooting

Ammoland Inc. Posted on October 31, 2017 by Don McDougall

U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Imagine if Hillary was President after the Vegas Shooting. The thought sends shivers down your spine and reminds you why gun owners voted for Donald J Trump. Let’s review the actions Hillary had called for while running for President.

A ban on all semi-automatic firearms
Confiscation of all assault rifles.
National Gun Registration
Universal waiting periods
The repeal of the PLCAA (Protection Of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act)

There’s more of course but these where the core of her anti-gun stance. Given the total lack of spine shown by many in the GOP do you have any doubt that the bulk of these laws would have passed?

What would President Hillary have meant? The end of your right to own a gun.

Once the Protection Of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act was gutted every manufacturer of civilian firearms would be sued by trial lawyers and driven out of business, and all semi-automatic firearms confiscated.

In the 1990’s the NRA and the NRA alone lead the fight to beat back the Clinton agenda to take away your firearms and your rights. At the time Hillary proposed a $250 tax on each gun sold, and they got their Brady Bill and assault gun ban. But the sunset clause of the Assault weapons ban meant it would end, and the insta-check program replaced a mandatory waiting period. Thank you, NRA.

How can you help? Join and contribute to a group that supports your gun rights. I am someone who thinks the GAO picks a position to the right of the NRA just to be different, and cause trouble. That said, Gun Owners of America more than fine to join another group and support them.

Support the Friends of the NRA. Why? The FNRA contribute some $60 million a year to youth and women’s shooting. They bring in new shooters and builds the next generation of patriots. All you have to do is attend their next local function and enjoy an evening out surrounded by other gun owners. You’ll find the list of function here Friends of the NRA

Below is a list of the top 10 gun rights organization in the US – Pick one – pick several, but join today:

Many of us thought that after gun owners rallied to Trump the anti-gun left would follow Bill Clinton’s advice and drop this as a core issue. For the Clinton’s gun control was always her issue, not his. With Hillary preparing for a 2020 run for President the left’s desire to take away your guns will be front and center.

Join the fight to preserve your right. If we lose, they’re gone forever.

About Don McDougall:

Don McDougall is an NRA instructor and member of the Los Padres “Friends of the NRA” committee. If he’s not at the range you will find him setting the record straight with on gun issues and gun safety onAmmoLand Shooting Sports News.