MADISON - The public is invited to play an active role in the implementation of Wisconsin’s Deer Trustee Report through direct participation in a series of meetings hosted by the Department of Natural Resources, starting March 9, in Stevens Point.

The meeting will take place at UW-Stevens Point’s Lee S. Dreyfus University Center, Alumni Room (350), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is the first of seven meetings to develop action plans for moving recommendations in the 2012 report forward with the intent of enhancing deer management in the state.

“Part of enhancing deer management is incorporating the observations and wants of a diverse audience of people with a stake in deer and deer hunting in Wisconsin,” said Eric Lobner, DNR Wildlife Supervisor assigned to implementation coordination. “We are inviting the public, tribes, stakeholders and other partners with hopes for a strong response from all. In order to be truly effective, we need people to turn out and weigh in on how to implement recommendations in the report.”

The report contains 62 recommendations assembled by Dr. James Kroll, along with Drs. Gary Alt and David Guynn, who were commissioned by the Governor as the state’s deer trustees to perform an objective evaluation of deer management practices. Four action teams have been formed to help move ideas from recommendations to implementation on the ground.

Each action team will be responsible for reviewing an area-specific grouping of recommendations pulled from the report. The team focus areas are: Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP); herd health and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD); regulations and seasons; and science and research.

Action teams will meet simultaneously, so groups are encouraged to send multiple representatives if there is interest in serving on more than one action team. Additionally, team members are asked to attend all meetings Action team meetings are currently all scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UW-Stevens Point location above. The additional dates are April 6 and 27, May 18, June 8 and 29, and July 20, 2013. All meetings are scheduled to be completed by July 20 in order to meet deadlines for the official rule making process.

“DNR’s current role is to create an effective system for collecting, organizing and forwarding the input from the action teams. The efforts of these teams will guide the next steps of the agency, whether that means seeking administrative rule changes or changing how we communicate with hunters,” said Lobner. “We aim to be the ears, while others are the voices, in this process.”

In addition to the meetings, DNR will launch a survey to collect feedback on various aspects of the report with the overarching goal of getting a better understanding of what aspects of the deer management program should change and how. DNR will also use social media and the web to keep the public informed and engaged throughout the process.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has closed Wolf Harvest Zone 1 to hunting and trapping of gray wolves effective 5 pm, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Wolf Harvest Zone 1 is the third zone to be closed this season. The harvest of wolves currently remains open in zones 3, 5, and 6. The department will continue to closely monitor the harvest in the remaining zones and does expect zones 5 and 6 to close soon. Wolf hunters and trappers should check daily for additional zone closures.

“The harvest trend in Zone 1 has been steady prior to the deer season, but has slowed down since then. Now with the quota achieved we will close the zone to any additional harvest,” said Kurt Thiede, DNR Lands Division Administrator. “This is Wisconsin’s inaugural season. We are learning much about hunter and trapper success rates that will help us draft permanent rules that continue to move the wolf population down toward levels in line with social carrying capacity.”

“We will be considering harvest trends as we approach quotas in other zones as well. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the wolf population by 116 animals, distributed across the landscape,” said Thiede.

The state wolf harvest quota for Zone 1 was set at 32 wolves and the closure process was initiated when the 32nd wolf was harvested on Dec. 1, 2012. Wolf hunters and trappers are advised that they can continue to pursue wolves in zones 3, 5 and 6, but are urged to watch zones 5 and 6 closely because both are within 2 wolves of their quotas.

When additional zones are closed, DNR will announce such closures by news releases, notification on the DNR web site, and on the wolf call-in number, 1-855-299-9653. It is the hunter’s and trapper’s responsibility to check for and know about zone closures. DNR encourages hunters and trappers to check the website or the call-in number daily.

Hunters preparing for the November 17 - 25 gun-deer season in Wisconsin are reminded any of the white-tailed deer tagged or collared for research purposes may be harvested, and are asked to please take the time to ensure your target is not one of the two protected species which call Wisconsin home -- the elk and the moose.

With the upcoming nine-day gun season approaching fast, wildlife researchers are looking for assistance from Wisconsin hunters who may harvest any of the more than 240 white-tailed deer marked with radio-collars and approximately 200 deer marked with ear tags.

The researchers say hunters' help may play a role in how Wisconsin's white-tailed deer herd is managed for generations to come. These deer were marked in 2011 and 2012 as part of a study to better understand how long deer live and how they die. ”Hunters are free to harvest these marked deer. And if they do, researchers request basic information that shouldn't take more than a minute to provide.”

Question 1: After removing a tree stand completely from state-owned public hunting land at the end of the hunting hours, is there a specific time hunters can put the tree stand back up for the next hunting day?

Answer: There is no set time after midnight that a person must honor before putting up a tree stand. But, if a hunter leaves the tree stand unattended, the tree stand shall have the owner's department customer identification number or the owner's name and address, written in the English language, attached to the tree stand in a manner so it is clearly visible to a person standing on the ground. The identification notice left on the tree stand shall be kept legible at all times. And it must be removed completely from the property at the close of hunting hours each day.

Question 2: Who handles trespass violations?

Answer: Landowners who suspect their properties are being trespassed should contact their local sheriff’s department or other local law enforcement agency. Conservation wardens do not have the authority to investigate trespassing complaints. Any person convicted of trespassing is subject to a penalty of up to $1,397.50. According to s. 943.13, of the Wisconsin Statutes: it is illegal to enter land of another without the expressed or implied consent of the owner or occupant of the land. This includes railroad tracks and their adjacent property. Also, it is illegal to enter or remain on land after having been notified by the owner or occupant not to enter or remain. A person has received notice from the owner or occupant if he or she has been notified personally, either orally or in writing, or if the land is posted. Remember: Although hunters are required to make a reasonable effort to retrieve game they have killed or injured, hunters may not trespass to retrieve such game, even if the game was shot from outside the posted area. Ask first for permission.

Question 3: I have a hypothetical question. The hunter shoots a deer, but is unable to find it before sunset. The hunter finds the deer the following morning. However, the hunter discovers that the deer's hind quarters have been eaten by coyotes. Does the hunter tag the deer??

Answer: The hunter is to tag and register the deer. A hunter who kills any deer, must validate their tag and place it on the deer, no matter what the condition of the carcass. This is clearly the obligation under s. 29.347(2), Wis. Stats. and s. NR 10.103(2), Wis. Adm. Code. A deer license provides an opportunity, not a promise of edible meat, or any meat at all. If the deer carcass is not in a condition that is appropriate for transport or presenting to a registration station due to decay or missing parts, the hunter should contact the local warden or wildlife biologist for instructions and assistance in registering the deer. Once registered, the hunter can keep the antlers or other salvageable parts of the carcass. It is not legal to simply cut of the antlers or head without tagging and registering the deer first.

Question 4: If someone gets hurt while hunting on another person’s land, is the landowner held liable?

Answer: Under sec. 895.52 of the Wisconsin Statutes, landowners are generally immune from liability for injuries received by individuals recreating on their lands. This law provides liability protection to landowners for injury or death of individuals participating in outdoor recreation on their land. This includes activities such as fishing, hunting, trapping, hiking, camping, boating and berry-picking. This immunity does not apply when the landowner receives more than $2,000 a year in income from the recreation activity or when the landowner acted maliciously with an intent to harm the person recreating. There also is an exception for social guests invited specifically for an occasion on residential or platted property or property within 300 feet of a commercial building or structure. Courts have consistently interpreted this statute to protect landowners in furtherance of its purpose, which is to encourage landowners to allow others to recreate on their lands. This statute applies to the landowners of Managed Forest Law (MFL) lands as well.

Question 5: I am calling in regard to the solid blaze orange material that needs to be visible on a ground blind used on DNR-owned or -managed lands. Would this requirement also pertain to hunters on their private land?

Answer: The requirement for blaze orange on blinds applies only to blinds placed on lands under the ownership, management or control of the DNR. However, it does not apply to blinds made solely of dead vegetation found on the property nor does it apply to tree stands or other elevated stands. This rule also generally applies to those private lands leased by the DNR for public hunting, such as Voluntary Public Access properties. This rule does not apply to federal, county or municipal lands open to hunting, or to private lands not leased by the DNR for public hunting. It also does not apply to privately owned lands that are enrolled in the state's Managed Forest Law (MFL) or Forest Crop Law (FCL) programs. At least 144 square inches of blaze orange material must be visible when looking at the blind from any angle, the full 360 degrees around the blind. When the ground blind is left unoccupied, the owner must post their DNR customer identification number or name and address written legibly in English somewhere in a conspicuous spot on the outside of the structure and near its entry.

Archery uses your body's core muscles. By focusing on a few exercises you can greatly increase your strength and stamina.  Let's review a great exercise for your shoulders and back.

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

Grasp dumbbells in front of thighs with elbows slightly bent.  Bend over slightly with hips and knees bent slightly.

Raise upper arms to sides until elbows are shoulder height.  Maintain elbows' height above or equal to wrists.  Lower and repeat.

Do three sets of ten with a smaller weight than you would do curls with.

* Make sure you are using only your shoulders and deltoids for lifting.

The longtime and popular tradition of pheasant hunting in Wisconsin will again take center stage when the fall 2012 pheasant hunting season opens statewide at noon on Saturday, Oct. 20. The season will run through Dec. 31.

Several other seasons also open that day including bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse in the southern zone, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge. Like pheasant, bobwhite quail and Hungarian partridge open at noon. Ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse open with the start of legal shooting hours.

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

“Pheasant hunting really provides an outstanding outdoor experience, and one that complements our other upland bird hunting opportunities in Wisconsin very well,” Walter says. “There’s just something pretty magical about following a good dog through thigh-high grass, working toward a rooster’s flush. It gets hunters out into landscapes and habitats they may not otherwise experience, during a great time of year when leaves are turning and winter’s just around the corner,” added Walter.

Pheasants are among the most sought-after game birds in North America, and populations do best in the agricultural landscape of southern Wisconsin provided there is habitat present in sufficient quantities to meet their food and cover needs throughout the year, according to Scott Walter, Department of Natural Resources upland wildlife ecologist.

Walter says 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.

During the 2011 pheasant hunting season, an estimated 44,886 hunters went out in search of pheasants and reported harvesting 178,722 birds. The top counties for harvest included Fond du Lac, Dodge, and Polk.

Are you thinking about upgrading for this fall's waterfowl season?  One of the top ranked guns this 2012 season was the Winchester 2012 SX3 and the Winchester SP3.  Our review will show you that maybe you should be thinking about an alternative, such as the Beretta A400 series.

Winchester has been around for decades making high quality firearms, and 2012's lineup includes various rifles and shotguns that machines for perfection.  However, here's our take on the SX3.

The Look

The Winchester SX3 comes in various camo patterns including a universal hunter, two duck blind camos, and then various other shades of synthetic black.  The duck blind camo is coated with a DuraTouch coat that gives the gun a grippy feel for rainy or wet environments.

The Capacity

Hunters are all about size.  The bigger the better.  The Winchester SX3 comes in all our typical shell size, including 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2 and is available in a 20 or 12 gauge.  Winchester also provides three choke tubes.  

The Reality

The first hunt out with the gun we had the opportunity to hunt morning doves in the Midwest.  We bought a typical box of Winchester 7shot 2 3/4 in shells and 6 am we let em rain.  Throughout the morning we were in dismay that the gun JAMMED three times and misfired twice.  The jammed shells were not blowing back to receive to discharge the shell.  Even after swapping out shells, we still noticed the issue.  The misfired shells were ejected, checked (the primer was not struck), and then re-shot later.  

Conclusion

Looking for a waterfowl this fall season that you can count on?  Don't pick the SX3.

Are you interested in learning how to hunt Pheasants in Wisconsin? Well, the WDNR has several FREE courses all throughout September and another in December that allows new Pheasant hunters to get acquainted with hunting the bird with the proper equipment and dogs. Check out the link below to get started!

Wisconsin DNR - Learn to Hunt

The combination of a very mild winter and early spring conditions benefited black bears in Wisconsin, according to state wildlife officials, who say bears are abundant in the north and continue to expand their range into areas of central and western areas of the state. Prospects are good for the 2012 Wisconsin black bear hunting season that opens September 5, according to Kevin Wallenfang, big game ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

There were 9,015 permits awarded for the 2012 season, a slight increase over the 9,005 permits issued in 2011. This year hunters not utilizing dogs will have the first week of the season to themselves. After the first week, all hunters including those using dogs will be allowed to pursue bears (except in Zone C where the use of dogs is not permitted). The last week of the season in zones A, B, and D is reserved for hunting with the aid of dogs only. The season runs through Oct. 9.

“Wisconsin ranks among the leaders in bear harvest in terms of both numbers and record-book entries,” Wallenfang said. Increased permit levels in 2011 resulted in hunters registering 4,257 bears, the second highest harvest ever recorded in the state, following the record kill of 5,133 bears in 2010. In 2011 Wisconsin harvested more bears than any other state. Zone A led all zones with 1,592 bears harvested. Zones B and D had nearly identical harvests, with 969 and 975 bears harvested, respectively, while zone C was responsible for 715 bears. Overall, hunters were most successful in zones B and D (64 percent and 66 percent success rates, respectively) followed by zone A (46 percent) and zone C (28 percent). Bayfield, Price, and Sawyer counties were the leading counties in harvest totals.

Wallenfang says the bear population in southern Wisconsin continues to expand, with hunters harvesting bears as far south as Trempealeau, Monroe, Juneau, Portage, Waupaca, and Outagamie counties.

Hunters harvested 3,612 of the bears with a gun, while bow hunters accounted for 552 bears. Hunting bears with bait was the primary hunting method with 2,705 bears harvested with this method, while dog hunters harvested 1,446 bears. Fifty-seven bears were harvested without the aid of bait or dogs.

Again this year, successful hunters will be required to submit both a tooth and rib sample at the time of registration to aid wildlife managers in estimating the age of harvested bears and in estimating the size of the state’s bear population.

“This data are essential for us to properly manage Wisconsin’s bear population,” Wallenfang said.

All of the materials necessary to submit these samples will be available at registration stations.

People looking for a place to hunt bears, should visit the DNR website and search for “state lands.” Wisconsin has an abundance of land open to hunting, including state, national, and county forests, state-owned wildlife areas, and private land enrolled in the Managed Forest Law (MFL) or Voluntary Public Access (VPA) programs. Combined, hunters have access to nearly seven million acres of land throughout Wisconsin!

Detailed information on bear hunting in Wisconsin, including the updated bear hunting regulations, is available on the DNR’s bear hunting website.

The deadline to apply for the 2013 bear season is December 10, 2012. Applications can be submitted online, by telephone at 1-877-945-4236, at any DNR service center, or at a DNR licensing agent.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang - 608-261-7589

MADISON – The 2012 Wolf Hunting and Trapping Regulations [PDF] are now available on the Department of Natural Resources website [dnr.wi.gov] search the keyword “wolf.” Hard copies are going to print and will be mailed to successful applicants along with notification that they have drawn a permit.

As of Tuesday morning August 28, 15,708 hunters and trappers have submitted applications for Wisconsin’s first modern wolf hunting season, putting their names into the lottery for what is expected to be roughly 1,100 harvest permits. The permit application period closes Aug 31. Even if a hunter or trapper doesn’t draw a permit this year, applying will give them a preference point, and a better chance, in future drawings.

A permit application costs $10 and may be purchased through the DNR Online Licensing Center, at all authorized license agents, at DNR Service Centers (Hours for service centers vary; check the DNR website for service center days and hours of operation; DNR Service Centers are not open on Saturdays), or by calling toll-free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). Those selected for a harvest permit this year will receive notification by mail in early September following the drawing. Everyone else will receive a preference point toward next season’s drawing.

Hunters and trappers may also wish to check out the department’s wolf webpage, which offers identification tips, maps, reports and pack territory information.