JANUARY 2018VOLUME 45NUMBER 1

Wisconsin’s deer season is wind-ing down as I write this Presi-dent’s message. Our hunting

group had a good season. My granddaugh-ter got a fine 11-point buck that dressed out at 187 pounds during the Youth Hunt. My son, my son-in-law and I all harvested 8 point bucks during the 9-day gun season. Many WWF members shared their hunt-ing photos with me, while other members did not harvest any deer. It seems like the results of the deer season were definitely mixed with some hunters filling all tags and other hunters not seeing any deer. The WWF has a Facebook page and it is a great place to share your hunting photos and stories.

The Federation has been working on a number of issues on bills before the legis-lature as this legislative session is wind-ing down. Some of our main priorities are continuing to protect our wetlands and public lands. We may be calling on all WWF members to attend.

Preparations are already underway for our Annual Meeting in April (See Notice on Page 3) at the Hotel Mead & Conference Center in Wisconsin Rapids. We strongly encourage all member clubs to send repre-sentatives to the Annual Meeting. The An-nual Meeting is where member clubs help to set the priorities and direction for the WWF for the upcoming year. Plus, it’s a lot of fun so we hope to see you there.

The WWF Business Membership program is progressing very well. A big thanks to Jim Huhn for getting this pro-gram off the ground. Any businesses that would like to become a business sponsor of the WWF should contact one of their District Representatives which are listed on page 2.

As this year’s calendar sales are wrap-ping up, work has already begun on the 2019 calendar. Lil Pipping, Calendar Chair, is receiving donations. If you have a donation that would make a great prize for the calendar contact Lil. All calendar

stubs and donations for this year’s calen-dar should be sent to Ruth Ann by Janu-ary 15th. Please do not send her cash.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christ-mas and a Happy New Year. May 2018 be a great year for you.

Bill Tollard, President

President’s ReportJanuary 2018

GREEN BAY – Currently, such large mesh gill nets are allowed in Wis-consin Lake Michigan waters north

of Bailey’s Harbor and in Green Bay but are not allowed south of Bailey’s Harbor due to concerns about the potential impact they may have on other game fish through un-intentional bycatch and mortality and user conflicts.

Commercial anglers have requested the ability to use large mesh gill nets south of Bailey’s Harbor to more efficiently harvest their whitefish quota and the Department of Natural Resources is open to considering a large mesh gill net study in this area, says Brad Eggold, DNR Great Lakes district su-pervisor.

“This study would help determine if com-mercial anglers can more safely and efficient-ly meet their quotas for whitefish and save on their costs without impacting other fish and sport anglers,” Eggold says.

The primary target of current commercial anglers in Lake Michigan is lake whitefish, and a lake whitefish harvest quota is estab-lished that encourages sustainable fisheries for current and future generations.

“We are committed to working collabora-tively with commercial, charter, and recre-ational anglers to assess and develop man-agement strategies that promote the efficient and effective shared and wise use of Lake Michigan public trust resources,” Eggold says.

Public input gathered at the two Decem-ber meetings will help DNR develop bench-marks, criteria, and goals that will be incor-

porated into a potential large mesh gill net study and assessment.

Currently, the study is proposed to fully assess the potential to enhance commercial fishing efficiency and the impacts it may have on fisheries other than whitefish. Large mesh gill nets would be allowed south of Bailey’s Harbor during the study period, Eggold says.

The proposed gill netting study was dis-cussed at the December board meeting of the WWF. During the discussion, it was noted that the gill netting proposal was very con-troversial for many reasons. Lake Michi-gan’s forage base has been declining and is at record lows, and many fear it may collapse as has happened on Lake Huron. Since the collapsing forage base will stress the game fish population, many believe this is not the time to increase the harvest on the fish in other portions of the lake. Gill netting is currently banned in the southern portion of Lake Michigan because of the potential for incidental catch of fish species other than whitefish which are the target species of the gill netters. All fish caught in the gill nets die so any trout or salmon caught in the gill nets are removed from the fish population.

This proposal is being promoted by a single commercial angler, and is opposed by other commercial anglers who use other methods to catch fish on the lower Lake. The other commercial anglers fear that the gill nets will interfere with their fishing methods and that they will lose fish and equipment due to the gill nets.

The DNR is conducting a telemetry study on whitefish in Green Bay and Northern Lake

Michigan, and is learning white-fish are much more transient than in previ-ous decades. White fish are frequenting riv-ers including the Fox, Oconto, Pestigo, and fish that were tagged in the Moon Riv-er in Northern Lake Michigan are showing up in the Pestigo River. Whitefish have begun feed-ing on Quagga muscle which may be the reason for the whitefish’s wan-dering ways.

The study will be done by video camera. The boat conducting the study will video all the catch being brought in and will report the number of non-target fish caught to the DNR. Some days DNR personnel will accom-pany the boat and crew to verify the numbers and to ensure the study is being done in ac-cordance with the guidelines. A companion study on gill netting will also be conducted in Green Bay to determine the amount of inci-dental catch that occurs with the gill netting allowed there.

Commercial Large Mesh Gill Net Fishery Study Proposed for Lake Michigan

“The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that

problem it will avail us little to solve all others.”~Teddy Roosevelt

WISCONSERVATION January 20182

WISCONSIN WILDLIFE FEDERATION COMMITTEE CHAIRSCOMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PHONE EMAILAnnual Meeting Dave Verhage 715-344-3497 daviddebiv@charter.netAwards Roxanne Taylor 920-889-0084 tayloredmassage07@gmail.comBanquet Michelle Graff 608-797-1292 graffmm68@gmail.comBylaws Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 geo44@charter.netCalendar Lil Pipping 920-876-4312 lpipping@wi.rr.comConservation Leadership Corps Lil Pipping 920-876-4312 lpipping@wi.rr.comDog Andy Lewandowski 262-527-1988 hcinc53150@aol.comEducation Jim Huhn 920-718-2378 huhn2@me.comEndangered Resources Carl Gierke 920-986-3272 cgierke1@outlook.comEnvironment Tom Johnson 859-285-8978 tdjohn1@mac.comForestry and Parks Jerry Knuth 715-344-0017 knuth0628@sbcglobal.netGreat Lakes Keith Pamperin 920-494-3990 kjpamperin@aol.comInland Fisheries Gordy Merz 262-695-0060 fishb8s@aol.comMembership Kevyn Quamme 608-209-3842Nominating Jerry Knuth 715-344-0017 knuth0628@sbcglobal.netScholarship Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 geo44@charter.netShooting Range Bill Tollard 920-379-3429 bill@adashunjones.comWaterfowl Mark Kakatsch 414-688-8936 horicon69@gmail.comWildlife Gary Dieck 608-415-9417 gdieck@centurytel.netWisconservation Jim Swanson 715-232-8266 wisconservationed@wwt.net

OFFICE PHONE:800-897-4161 - Toll Free

WEB PAGE ADDRESS:www.wiwf.org

OFFICEADDRESS:

213 N. Main St., Ste. 100 PO Box 460

Poynette, WI 53955

WisconservationWISCONSERVATION (USPS 108-190 ISSN 0164-3649) is published monthly for $25 per year by Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, 213 North Main Street, Suite 100, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955. Periodical postage paid at Poynette, WI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: WISCONSERVATION, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955. All communications regarding advertising, editorial, circulation and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation matters should be sent to PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955. Permission to reprint articles is normally given providing proper credit is given both publication and author. Views expressed by freelance writers are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the publication or the WWF.

$25.00 of annual dues paid to Wisconsin Wildlife Federation entitles members to one year’s subscription to Wisconservation. One year’s subscription to non-members—$25.00.

Printed by Ripon Printers, 656 S. Douglas St., Ripon, WI 54971.

WISCONSERVATION EDITORJim Swanson

Phone: (715) 232-8266wisconservationed@wwt.net

ASSOCIATE EDITORRalph Fritsch

(715) 850-2456

* * * OFFICERS * * *

President Bill Tollard, 4630 Friedrich Ave., Omro, WI 54963, (920) 379-3429. Email: bill@adashunjones.com

First Vice President Gary Dieck, E2326 Crandall, Wonewoc, WI 53968, (608) 464-3290. Email: gdieck@centurytel.net

Second Vice President Craig Challoner, 3880 2nd Street Road, Omro, WI 54963. Email: craig.challoner@gmail.com

Secretary Connie Kadubek, N10961 State Hwy 17, Gleason, WI 54435, (715) 360-3903. Email: noisycreek71@gmail.com

Treasurer Dave Verhage, 1111 Chadwick Ct., Plover, WI 54467, (715) 344-3497. Email: daviddebiv@charter.net

DISTRICT 7Dave Chingway, Watertown, WI, (920) 261-0379.Kevyn Quamme, Sun Prairie, WI, (608) 209-3842.Mike Meyer, Watertown, WI, (920) 342-9439.

DISTRICT 8Greg Kronschnabel, Dousman, WI, (262) 965-3057.Don Camplin, North Prairie, WI, (262) 392-4183.Steve Brasch, Dousman, WI, (262) 392-4196.

DISTRICT 9Rick Lazarczyk, West Allis, WI, (414) 321-5750.Gordon Merz, Pewaukee, WI, (262) 695-0060.Tracy Czechan, Pewaukee, WI, (262) 442-2583.

DISTRICT 10Gary Dieck, Wonewoc, WI, (608) 415-9417.Jeff Johnson, North Freedom, WI, (608) 434-3896.Tom Hauge

DISTRICT 11Norb Moes, Green Bay, WI, (920) 434-1999.Keith Pamperin, Green Bay, WI, (920) 494-3990.Elmer Schill, DePere, WI, (920) 336-8117.

DISTRICT 12Bob Ellingson, Lakewood, WI, (715) 276-7129.Mike “Oscar” Stueck, Crivitz, WI, (920) 323-9230.Thomas Johnston, Niagara, WI, (859) 285-8978.

N.W.F. REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVEJason Dinsmore, 199 Kristin Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Office: (507) 206-3732. Cell: (517) 204-8962. Email: dinsmorej@nwf.org.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORSJim Huhn, Watertown, WI, 920-918-2378Roxanne Taylor, Plymouth, WI, 920-889-0084Bill Tollard, Omro, WI, 920-379-3429Andy Lewandowski, Muskego, WI, 262-679-1057Carolyn Brown, Milton, WI, 608-247-2514Richard Baudhuin, Sturgeon Bay, WI, 920-743-2581Connie Kadubek, Gleason, WI, 715-360-3903Chris Leighty, Cottage Grove, WI, 608-206-3770Matt Lallemont, Tomahawk, WI, 715-218-5628Justin Mueller, Kewaunee, WI (CLC), 920-255-4221Mark Kakatsch, Oconomowoc, WI, 414-688-8936Jeffery Williams, DeForest, WI (TWS), 608-630-5365Robert Zimmermann, Watertown, WI, 920-261-0416Alexis K Allworden, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 715-451-1353Maegan Loka, Tomahawk, WI, 715-612-0019Sawyer Boldt, Sheboygan Falls, WI, 920-917-0546

HONORARY DIRECTORSArt JorgensonCatherine Koss, Land O’ Lakes, WIVern ManglessJim Mense, Menomonie, WIRay RheinschmidtJ. L. SchneiderBetty Schneider-Borchert, Oshkosh, WI, 608-688-3122Art Seidel, Brookfield, WI, 262-781-5469Al Kube, Cochrane, WI, 608-626-3531Joe Zanter, Sparta, WIBucky Kilishek, Menasha, WI, 920-734-8774Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WIMary Cassidy, Plainfield, WIKen Zettlemeier, Waukesha, WI, 262-547-2802Norm Moes, Green Bay, WI, 920-660-0029Dan Gries, Menasha, WI, 920-725-4092

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTSJoseph A. Gruber, Campbellsport, WIDr. Dan Trainer, UW-Stevens PointLes Voigt

PAST PRESIDENTSGeorge Borchert, Oshkosh, WI, 920-539-7790John Wagner, Oconomowoc, WI, 262-490-7213Chuck Matyska, Cecil, WI, 715-745-6382Jack Nissen, Dousman, WI, 262-370-8154Lil Pipping, Elkhart Lake, WI, 920-876-4312Corky Meyer, Kewaskum, WI, 262-692-6054Jerry Knuth, Plover, WI, 715-340-5414James Weishan, Cambria, WI, 608-429-4610Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WIRussell Hitz, Wheeler, WI, 715-632-2143Jim Baldock, West Bend, WI, 262-335-3946Ralph Fritsch, Townsend, WI, 715-850-2456Robert Miller, Sparta, WI, 608-269-6215Doug Olson, Viroqua, WIDoug Johnson, Hartford, WIJames Wareing, Sussex, WILeo RoetheBill BuckleyDick HempBob LachmundJerry LaudonRon PiskulaHarold SpencerLes Woerpel

STATE AFFILIATESDIRECTORS/REPRESENTATIVES

American Wild Turkey Hunting Dog AssociationJon Freis, Maribel, WI, 920-776-1272

Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.Larry Laehn, Milton, WI, 920-540-9927

Izaak Walton League, Bill Cook ChapterRonald Macdonald, Stevens Point, WI, 715-344-0054

Sturgeon for Tomorrow, North ChapterWayne Hoelzel, Menasha, WI, 920-725-1206

Trout Unlimited, Aldo Leopold ChapterScott Allen, Reedsburg, WI, 608-524-1753

Trout Unlimited, Green Bay ChapterPaul Kruse, Green Bay, WI, 920-494-4220

Walleyes for Tomorrow, Inc.Michael Arrowood, Oakfield, WI, 920-922-0905

WI Association of Field Trial ClubsBilly Ploucher, Appleton, WI, 920-257-4816

WI Association of Sporting Dog ClubsPat Quaintance, 715-779-5104

WI Association of Beagle ClubsPhil Secker, Germantown, WI, 262-253-3602

WI Coon Hunters AssociationDennis Roehrborn, Plymouth, WI, 920-467-3845

WI Council of Sportfishing OrganizationsJohn Durben, Cecil, WI, 715-745-2248

WI Deer Hunters AssociationMark Toso, Roberts, WI, 715-781-4887

WI Deer Hunters Inc.Dennis Hoffman, Neshkoro, WI, 920-293-4098

WI Federation of Great Lake Sport Fishing ClubsMark Hasenberg, Kenosha, WI, 262-652-9503

WI Hunter Ed Instructor AssociationNorb Moes, Green Bay, WI, 920-434-1999

WI Muzzleloaders AssociationCarolyn Brown, Milton, WI, 608-868-2514

WI Sharp Tailed Grouse SocietyJim Evrard, Grantsburg, WI, 715-463-2446

WI Taxidermist AssociationBucky/Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WI, 920-734-8774

WI Trappers AssociationScott McAuley, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 608-354-2725

WI Woodland Owners AssociationTom Jacobs, Crivitz, WI, 715-856-6340

Wild Ones Natural Landscapers LTD.Donna VanBuecken, Neenah, WI, 920-730-3981

Wings Over WIBurt Bushke, Mayville, WI, 920-387-5198

WI Chapter American Fisheries SocietyThomas Slawski, New Berlin, WI

WI Division – Izaak Walton League of AmericaGeorge Guyant, Amherst Junction, WI, 715-824-4205

WI Trapshooting AssociationBruce Stitely, Tomahawk, WI, 715-453-5271

WI Waterfowl AssociationBruce Urben, Pulaski, WI, 920-660-2773

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DISTRICT 1Ken Lundberg, Lake Nebagamon, WI, (715) 374-3404.Pat Quaintance, Bayfield, WI, (715) 779-5104.Alex Mertig, Mason, WI, (715) 413-0213.

DISTRICT 2Laurie Groskopf, Tomahawk, WI, (715) 453-6301.Walt Camp, St. Germain, WI, (715) 891-2156.Nick Schertz, Tomahawk, WI, (715) 966-6116.

DISTRICT 3Jim Swanson, Menomonie, WI, (715) 232-8266.Dean Borofka, Rice Lake, WI, (715) 234-6303.Scott Humrickhouse

DISTRICT 4Delbert Dietzler, Rudolph, WI, (715) 421-2591.Dave Verhage, Plover, WI, (715) 344-3497.Paul M. Chandler, Amherst, WI, (715) 824-2161.

DISTRICT 5Kevin Marquette, Shawano, WI, (715) 851-4175.Carl Gierke, Shiocton, WI, (920) 986-3272.Craig Challoner, Omro, WI.

DISTRICT 6John Wetzel, Holmen, WI, (608) 526-4238.Andy Chikowski, Taylor, WI, (715) 538-3392.Michelle Graff, LaCrosse, WI, (608) 791-9204.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / LEGISLATIONGeorge Meyer, 201 Randolph Dr., Madison, WI 53717, (608) 516-5545. Email: georgemeyer@ tds.net

BUSINESS MANAGERRuth Ann Lee, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955, (608) 635-0600. Email: ruthann@wiwf.org

Roxanne Taylor 920-889-0084Michelle Graff 608-797-1292Betty Borchert 920-688-3122Lil Pipping 920-876-4312Lil Pipping 920-876-4312Andy Lewandowski 262-527-1988Jim Huhn 920-718-2378Carl Gierke 920-986-3272Tom Johnson 859-285-8978Jerry Knuth 715-344-0017Keith Pamperin 920-494-3990Gordy Merz 262-695-0060Kevyn Quamme 608-209-3842Jerry Knuth 715-344-0017Betty Borchert 920-688-3122Bill Tollard 920-379-3429

WISCONSERVATION January 20183

2017 Calendar DonorsPlatinumBill Tollard Omro, WILake Superior Bluetick Kennel Bayfield, WIFallin Fowl Outfitters Fredonia, WI

GoldHergert Sport-Ski Marine Oshkosh, WIMathews Bow Sparta, WINicky Boy Charter Fishing Service Port Washington, WI Becoming an Outdoor Woman Stevens Point, WI

Silver Andre VirdenJust 1 More Sport Fishing Spot Oshkosh, WIMark Wiechman

Bronze Sheboygan County Conservation Assoc. Sheboygan Falls, WITri-County Sportswomen Elkhart Lake, WI Jon’s Sport Shop Oshkosh, WI Hotel Mead Wisconsin Rapids, WI Jim Swanson Menomonie, WI Lil Pipping Elkhart Lake, WI

WWF members have until March 15th to nominate someone. I’m sure you can

think of someone who is deserving of recognition. Be sure to fill out the form, complete with necessary info including address, phone #. Descriptions of the various awards and nominating form is

From the Award Committeein different issues of Wisconservation.

Thanks, and committee wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year

Roxanne Taylor – chair

As of today the office has only 650 calendars left. I sure hope that means the remaining 10,350

are being sold. Ruth Ann said that the on-line sales and mail orders are doing just fine. She is busy trying to keep up with the orders.

Please turn in your stubs and mon-ies in to the office as soon as possible so the office isn’t swamped in January. We actually do our first drawing on January 22nd so you have until at least January 15th to get your stuff into the office.

On behalf of the committee I would like to thank each and every one of you who purchased or sold calendars for us. The proceeds go towards our ex-penses for the year to do the work that

From the Calendar CommitteeWWF does.

Believe it or not, we held our 2019 planning meeting on Saturday, Dec. 9th. Our committee is busy already plan-ning what exciting thing we can do with the calendar. We again are asking for donations that have a value of at least $100 to be used as a prize. We also have ads for sale and the new info will be out in late January or February.

The Committee would like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Lil Pipping – chair

SAVE THE DATE!

2018 Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’sAnnual Meeting!

Who’s invited: All WWF Directors, Affiliate Club Representatives, WWF MembersWhen: April 20-21, 2018Location: Hotel Mead, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

APPLICATION FOR WWF YOUTH IN THE OUTDOORS PROGRAM GRANT

FORWARD: The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has established an annual $2500 grant program to support local organizations in creating and/or operating local youth focused outdoor-skill events. The Federation will give grants of up to $250 to local organizations sponsoring such an event.

The Education Committee has the responsibility for reviewing and approving such grants. At least two components of these events must involve skills used in hunting, fishing, or trapping, but a wide range of other outdoor knowledge related programs are encouraged. If a program involves only one of the three primary skills, it could qualify if it is supported by an expanded program of instruction. This would include multiple experiences to support the primary skill. The applicant would be responsible for providing that information so the Education Committee can properly evaluate it. The Education Committee will give preference to WWF affiliated clubs in the issuing of grants.

Please complete this application form and submit it to:

Jim Huhn, WWF Educ. Com.1607 Neenah StreetWatertown, WI 53094huhn2@me.com920.918.2378

Name of sponsoring group: __________________________________________

Date(s) when the event will take place: _________________________________

Location where the event will take place: _______________________________

Name of contact person: _____________________________________________

Mailing Address of contact person: ____________________________________

Phone number of contact person: _____________________________________

E-mail address of contact person: _____________________________________

USE ADDITIONAL PAGES TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING REQUESTS:

1. Provide a brief description of the event’s activities including the two required components (or one plus extras) of hunting, fishing or trapping. (Brochure or poster would be helpful.)

2. How do you plan to use the grant of up to $250 in this endeavor?

What is the target date for receiving this grant? _________________________

Approved: __________________________________ Date: _________________ Authorized Signature

Johnsonville Rod & Gun Club hosting a Poultry Party/Brat Fry

On Sunday, January 28, 2018 at Laack’s Hall in Johnsonville, WI from 11 am to 6 pm

Raffles and silent auction – All proceeds go to Conservation projects in the county.

Smerke’s Sportsman’s Club mid-winter fry

Sunday, February 18, 2018 – 11 am to 6 pmAt their clubhouse located Highway 32 and

1/2 mile west on CTY. J.

Raffles and all proceeds go for Conservation projects in the county.

WISCONSERVATION January 20184

by Jim Swanson

It was one of those rumors that no one believed. For many years, people had reported seeing golden

eagles in the Driftless Area of Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. The rumors were always greeted with a “oh that’s nice” and then dismissed as anoth-er case of mistaken bird identification. But avid raptor watcher and biologist Scott Mehus, Education Director at the National Eagle Center, lead the efforts to identify and establish the fact that golden eagles were spending the winter in the Driftless Area. I interviewed Mr. Mehus at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN. He related how as a col-lege student he had the opportunity to take several field trips to the world fa-mous Hawk Ridge in Duluth, MN where he took a shine to raptor watching. Next, Mr. Mehus began working as a non-game biologist in Southeastern Minnesota for the Minnesota DNR, and began inves-tigating reports of golden eagles in the hills of that region. And he began to find them. Mr. Mehus, wanting to have sound science in place, asked others to verify his findings and soon it was confirmed that there were golden Eagles in South-eastern Minnesota.

Discovering golden eagles in South-eastern Minnesota lead to many more questions, including where did the Ea-gles come from, what do the eagles eat, how do the eagles get here, how many eagles are in the region and how big of an area to they live in, and how long have the eagles been using the Driftless Area as a home. Mr. Mehus was not the only person interested in finding out the an-swers to these questions. The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Audubon Soci-ety also began to take an interest in the golden eagle population, and their col-laboration resulted in the first Wintering Golden Eagle Survey 13 years ago.

The first survey had 24 volunteers looking for eagles-they found 21 golden eagles. Last year’s survey had 180 volun-teers driving 60 eagle searching routes in an area that began in the north near Prescott and extended as far south as Prairie du Chein and Dubuque Iowa. With many of the routes going far in land from the Mississippi River, the sur-vey covered most of Driftless area. The survey counted 147 golden eagles 1,507 bald eagles, 795 red-tailed hawks, 108 rough tailed hawks, and 60 kestrels. The survey is a raptor lover’s dream outing.

The survey has helped to answer many of the questions initially posed by Mr. Mehus, the Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Audubon Society and has created more questions. The most inter-esting answers were to the questions of where the eagles come from and what route did they use to get here. Golden eagles are migratory birds arriving in the Driftless area in mid to late October and staying until late February or early March. When the eagles were first discov-ered, it was thought that the birds were from the Rocky Mountain region and had gotten blown off course and in an effort to detour Lake Superior had ended up in the Driftless Area. The answer however, was much more intriguing.

Three eagles were captured and out-fitted with solar powered satellite trans-mitters. This lead to the discovery of a previously unknown golden eagle popu-lation in the Canadian territory of Nuna-vut. Instead of flying west, the eagles migrate north of Hudson’s bay to Nuna-vut, into the Northwest Territories, and northeast into region of Labrador and Quebec that lies between Hudson Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Currently, it is thought that the gold-en eagles have been utilizing the Drift-less Area as a wintering ground for a long time-we just did not realize it until 15 years ago. Since Wisconsin has the largest share of the Driftless Area, it also has the largest share of the eagle popu-lation.

There are many opportunities for viewing golden eagles in the Driftless Area. Volunteers can go get training through the National Eagle Center and then participate in the annual Golden Eagle Survey. After being trained, vol-

Golden Eagles Winter in the Driftless Area

unteers drive predetermined routes and count eagles. If an interested volunteer cannot make a training session, they can still participate in the survey as a ride along volunteer with a trained volunteer. The more eyes the better when driving through the bluff lands

The other way to view golden eagles is to hop in the car and head to the Driftless Area. The easiest route to golden eagle Country is to head south on Highway 25 to Durand or Arkansaw and then tour all the back roads in the Bluff and Coulee country. This is definitely a group proj-ect so bring a friend or two to divide up the duties of driving and bird watching. Bring your birding guides, some good op-tics and a camera. A good map or atlas and gazetteer is also a must. The roads twist and turn so finding your way can be interesting. The atlas is better than a GPS because it will show the topography and one can concentrate on the roads that are in the valleys where the eagles hang out.

How does one tell if that big bird fly-ing overhead is a golden eagle or another bird? There are three big black birds that inhabit Western Wisconsin, turkey vultures, bald eagles and golden eagles. The turkey vultures spend the winter in Central and South America so they are ruled out in the winter. Golden eagles are all black and the bald eagle has the distinctive white head and tail. When soaring, the bald eagle extends its wings in a flat straight line while the golden eagle’s wings form a shallow V. The most difficult identification problem is posed by the immature eagles. Both the imma-ture bald and golden eagles have a mot-tled white and black feather pattern. The best identification method is to look at the feathers underneath the wings. The immature bald eagle has white feathers near its body or in its “wing pits.” The immature golden eagle has the white feathers on the outer tips of its wings or near the “fingers.” The golden eagle has a more muscular profile where the Bald Eagle has a blockier profile.

The golden eagles occupy a different habitat niche than their more visible rel-atives the bald eagle. The bald eagles are fish eaters and scavengers, and tend to be near water while golden eagles tend to be on land. But they do share space so this is not a perfect way to identify the birds.

In contrast, golden eagles are preda-tors who primarily hunt for their meals. Golden eagles four main food sources while in Wisconsin are in order: fox squirrels, gray squirrels, rabbits and tur-keys. Golden eagles in Wisconsin tip the scale between 14 and 16 pounds while turkeys often weigh more than twenty pounds. Turkey also have sharp toes and spurs and know how to fight. So the gold-en eagles have a lot of moxie and skill as hunters to be able to regularly take tur-keys as food. Mr. Mehus shared that he had observed two golden eagles hunting in tandem to pick off turkeys. One eagle kept the turkeys on a goat prairie occu-pied, while the other eagle flies to the back side of the ridge and then, comes blasting up and over the ridge onto the goat prairie and nabs a turkey for a meal.

Golden eagles also differ from bald eagles in that golden eagles are territo-rial, whereas bald eagles will congre-gate in bunches near a good food source. The Goldens will claim a territory with a good food source in the coulees and then defend it against intrusion from other golden eagles. The golden eagle pairs tend to be male and female in com-position, but the scientists are not sure if the pair also mates in their northern territories. The Survey Project once at-tempt to capture a male and female pair of eagles in Wisconsin, but was only able to capture the female eagle. When they crew realized the male was not going to enter the capture area, they released the female back into the wild after about half a day of captivity.

The Gold in the hills won’t last long so head out soon to see the wintering gold-en eagles. For more info on the Golden eagle project go to http://www.nationale-aglecenter.org/golden-eagle-project/

ANN ARBOR, MICH. – 50 hunt-ing, angling, conservation and outdoor industry organizations,

including the Wisconsin Wildlife Federa-tion, submitted public comments today in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engi-neers’ (Corps) Tentatively Selected Plan (plan) to improve defenses at the Bran-don Road Lock and Dam to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. The Brandon Road Lock and Dam, near Joliet, Illinois, and below the Chicago Area Waterway System is a chokepoint to reduce the risk of the invasive Asian carp from swim-ming directly into Lake Michigan. The plan proposes a gauntlet of technologies including an electric barrier, water jets, complex sound and a flushing lock to re-duce the risk that Asian carp get through while still allowing navigation through the lock.

“The organizations submitting these comments represent millions of hunters, anglers and outdoor recreation enthusi-asts across the nation, including those who support the Great Lakes $7 billion sport-fishery and even larger outdoor recreation industry,” said Marc Smith, Great Lakes conservation director for the National Wildlife Federation. “We under-stand that the Asian carp knocking on the door of the Great Lakes threaten our way of life, the economy we support, and the fish and wildlife which support us. While not perfect, the Army Corps of Engineers Brandon Road plan is the best near-term option for keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. We cannot waste this oppor-tunity to act.”

While expressing support for the

TSP, the groups in the letter also urge the Army Corps of Engineers to pursue full federal funding of the $275 million estimated cost, rather than require a local cost share, due to the national sig-nificance of the issue. Additionally, the groups identify that Congress authorized the Corps to prevent aquatic invasive species transfer between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins, and there-fore the Corps needs to continue pursuing a two-way solution to preventing aquatic invasive species transfer. However, that pursuit should be simultaneous without diverting resources from moving ahead with the TSP. The groups also encourage the Corps to explore aquatic nuisance species (ANS) treatment technology that can be used in the locks, as well as con-tinuing existing non-structural practices which reduce the Asian carp population below the lock and dam.

“We need stronger controls in place now in order to prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from continuing to swim closer to - and eventually into - the Great Lakes,” the groups state in their comments. “Without firm and swift action to stop the further movement of Asian carp and other invasive species, the fu-ture of hunting, fishing and our outdoor heritage in the Great Lakes and Missis-sippi River region is at risk.”

The Corps issued a timeline with the release of the plan which estimates a final report in August 2019, at which point it will be up to Congress to approve and fund the project, with a construction completion date of 2025 if there is no delay in approv-al and funding.

50 Sportsmen’s Groups Support Swift Action on Asian Carp Plan

Hunters, anglers, conservation groups support the Army Corps of Engineers Brandon Road plan

Artemis, the sportswomen’s group, and the National Wildlife Fed-eration, today released the report

“Living on Common Ground - Sportswom-en speak out to save the mule deer, sage-grouse and sagebrush country” to raise awareness that anyone who cares about deer should care about greater sage-grouse and the remarkable effort across the West to save the iconic bird.

Mule deer and sage-grouse have been in decline across much of the West. Sage-grouse used to number in the millions, but now less than a half million remain. A recent study in Pinedale, Wyo., found that mule deer herds have declined by 40 percent in the heavily developed gas fields of the region. The report explores what for sportswomen is impossible to ignore—sagebrush lands throughout the West pro-vide vital habitat for both species and those lands are steadily disappearing.

“Mule deer and sage-grouse are the canaries in the coal mine for sage steppe health,” says Jessi Johnson, Artemis coor-dinator and Wyoming Wildlife Federation public lands coordinator. “If we fail to lis-ten to the warnings they are giving us with their dwindling numbers, we will lose not only two iconic Western species but a host of dependent flora and fauna and the very essence of what makes living in the West so special.”

Hearing that warning, a diverse group of stakeholders from across the West, includ-ing the sporting community, came together to build conservation plans aimed at sav-ing sage-grouse. Completed in 2015, these sage-grouse conservation plans allowed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conclude that the bird didn’t need to be added to the endangered species list. The conservation plans instead represent a balanced ap-proach to management of the bird’s habitat on our nation’s public lands that would also accommodate other careful uses.

However, changes being considered by the Trump administration could now derail implementation of the plans, threatening the fate of sage-grouse and the more than 350 species, including mule deer, which de-pend on the West’s sagebrush lands. Inte-rior Secretary Zinke seeks to weaken safe-guards meant to accommodate responsible development on sagebrush lands while pre-serving their value as habitat. Instead, the

Secretary continues to drift away from con-serving healthy habitats, continuing to ex-plore instead unsound schemes relying on population numbers and captive breeding.

“Where will those captive-bred birds find homes,” asks Kate Zimmerman, the National Wildlife Federation’s public lands policy director. “The sage-grouse conserva-tion plans are the result of long, hard work of stakeholders across the West who spent years finding common ground and a path-way to the future for both people and wild-life. It would be an ominous blow to sage-grouse and mule deer and all of us who live in the West if we can no longer safeguard the lands where they find food and cover.”

Artemis understands that hunters will be key to ensuring that both the species thrive into the future and is urging support for the sage-grouse conservation plans.

“As an avid hunter of mule deer on pub-lic land, I feel it’s of the utmost importance that their breeding and feeding grounds are maintained and protected,” says Ar-temis co-founder Cindi Baudhuin. “I hope that ‘Living on Common Ground’ will help drive home the important link between mule deer and sage-grouse for hunters.”

Artemis and NWF continue to move forward by reaching out to hunters, local communities, and other wildlife advocates to ensure everyone understands that the future of mule deer and sage-grouse are in-extricably linked.

“As hunters, anglers and wildlife conservationists, now is the opportunity to work to ensure these populations exist for future generations,” says Sara Domek, Artemis Co-founder. “Sustaining and en-hancing seasonal movement corridors and stay-over habitat of wildlife need to be a priority, and the conservation plans provide tangible measures to protect mule deer and sage-grouse habitat.”

Sportswomen Say: “Save the Bird, Save the Herd”

WISCONSERVATION January 20185

NEWS RELEASE Contact: 800-897-4161

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Art Contest An Art Contest sponsored by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is held each year to select a painting for its Annual Print Program. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s Print Program has been quite successful; with some prints being sold out. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors has chosen the

topic of “Landscapes of Wisconsin” as the theme for the Annual Print of 2018

The Art Committee will screen the entries and invite up to ten artists to display their works at the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s Annual Meeting. A vote of the delegates and the officers of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation attending the Annual Meeting at the Mead Hotel in Wisconsin Rapids, WI during the weekend of April 21, 2018 will select the winning painting. Note: The WWF Board of Directors at their June 2017 meeting discussed this theme and would like it to include recognizable state natural landscapes or public lands in the image.

Contest Rules 1. Anyone, amateur or professional may enter. 2. The winning artist keeps the original and 10% of the run prints. All prints are to be

signed and numbered by the artist. This will be a limited edition of 300-350 prints (TBD). 3. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation receives exclusive reproduction rights. To include

but not limited to prints, collectable plates, mugs or other appropriate merchandise. Any means of reproduction from someone other than the WWF needs approval and written permission directly from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

4. Image size of original work must be horizontal or vertical. Artwork size must be suitable for reproduction. WWF has the right to change the final reproduction size.

5. A colored photo (snapshot size) of the original work and entry form (on reverse side) must be in the hands of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation on or before March 1st, 2018. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Art Committee has the right to reject any or all entries.

6. All photos become the property of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. 7. Contestants may enter more than one entry, but no more than three. 8. WWF will contact contestants via email to notify them if they are selected to enter the

contest and showcase their artwork on April 21, 2018 at Hotel Mead in WI Rapids.

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation ART CONTEST ENTRY FORM

By entering my original work in the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation art contest I authorize The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation to reproduce this artwork, if it is the winning entry, as the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s 2018 Annual Print, and in any other fashion it may deem appropriate. Title of Art_________________________________________________________

Size ______________________________________________________________

Name of Artist _____________________________________________________

Street _____________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________________________________

State __________ Zip ________________

Daytime Phone ____________________________________________________

Email _____________________________________________________________

Please send photos and form to: Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Attn: Art Committee PO Box 460 Poynette, WI 53955 For further information please contact us at: 608-635-0600 or 800-897-4161 Email: ruthann@wiwf.org Web: www.wiwf.org * Please duplicate this form as necessary. By signing this Entry Form, you are agreeing to all terms and contest rules listed on the previous page. Signature

WWF Traveling Trunks Enhance Environmental Education in

the ClassroomTrunks are free for educators in Wisconsin

The WWF has “Wildlife Trunks” that enhance biology and ecol-ogy education. Each trunk con-

tains curriculum materials, and hands on items including pelts, skulls, tracks, scat, games, books and videos including IMAX videos.

The trunks are designed for use in grades K-12 and teach about biology of the animal, its habitat, predator and prey relationships, habitat protection and the importance of the animals.

There are three trunks and each trunk give details about a different spe-cies including Bears (Black Bears, Griz-zly Bears and Polar Bears), Wolf, and Whooping Cranes.

Trunks can be reserved for two week periods on a first come first served basis.

To reserve your trunk, please call us at 608-635-0600, or email us at office@wiwf.org. For more information on the trunks go to http://www.wiwf.org/travel-ing-education-trunks/

Bear Trunk

Small Mammal Trunk

Crane Trunk

WISCONSERVATION January 20186

MADISON – Governor Scott Walker accelerated his disman-tling of the state’s Department

of Natural Resources and its ability to pro-tect the state’s environment this week by appointing as its chief lawyer longtime po-litical operative Jake Curtis.

Curtis, a partisan ideologue who has openly advocated for policies that will de-stroy Wisconsin’s natural resources, now represents what was once one of the coun-try’s finest conservation agencies.

Curtis has recently supported efforts to allow America’s most toxic industry, sulfide mining, to run roughshod over Wisconsin’s waters, and supported hiding evidence of air pollution in Sheboygan County.

He also has a long background in poli-tics. He served U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz – who has said science doesn’t support climate change – in his failed bid for the White House. He also worked as policy director for state Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville). Stroebel is co-author of recent legislation that would allow hundreds of pollutants back into the air Wisconsin kids breathe.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Vot-ers Executive Director Kerry Schumann

had this to say on the Curtis appointment: “It is clear Gov. Walker won’t stop until the DNR is nothing but a political tool built for his corporate puppet masters who care nothing about Wisconsin’s environment or the health of Wisconsin families. Jake Cur-tis has no place in an agency that requires scientific objectivity and experience in con-servation law. This is another sad chapter in the Walker era. From acid mining to air pollution to dirtier lakes and rivers, the damage Walker and his administration are perpetrating against the people of Wiscon-sin is brutal, morally reprehensible, and endangers generations of Wisconsinites.”

WWF George Meyer, who is a former DNR Secretary, called Curtis’ appointment “very troubling.” Meyer, an attorney, said that the department’s chief legal counsel requires a lawyer to be well grounded in fish and game laws, tribal relations and intricacies of state and federal pollution laws. A key facet of the job is to “provide objective, unbiased legal opinions to the decision-makers,” Meyer said. “This person seems to have far more of a political back-ground than in conservation law.”

Walker Appoints Anti-Environmental Lawyer Head Legal Counsel at DNR

MADISON – The Department of Natural Resources annual air quality report for Wiscon-

sin shows that air quality in the state continues to improve.

The Air Quality Trends Report, re-leased this month, provides official state monitoring data through 2016 for air pollutants. The report shows that con-centrations of most pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act have been de-creasing over the past decade through-out the state.

“High quality data for air pollutants is collected year after year through Wis-consin’s Air Monitoring Network. Under-standing long-term trends in air quality is critical for guiding decisions related to management of air quality,” according to DNR Air Program Director Gail Good.

Good noted the many success stories highlighted in the report, including re-ductions in pollutants like sulfur diox-ide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles. One such success story is the dramatic reduction in SO2 emissions in Wisconsin since 2011.

“SO2 emissions from point sources, such as power plants, paper mills and other industrial facilities, decreased statewide from 142,566 tons in 2011 to just 33,378 tons in 2016 - that’s a 77 percent decrease in just six years,” said Good.

The report also highlights the low concentrations of NO2 measured near a major roadway in Milwaukee. Since 2014, Wisconsin has been monitoring the NO2 at this spot in order to demonstrate compliance with the 1-hour NO2 stan-dard implemented by the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency in 2010.

“Typically, NO2 concentrations would be expected to be elevated near major roadways due to vehicle emissions, but this monitor has measured very low con-centrations of NO2,” said Good.

Another success story is the signifi-cant reduction in fine particle pollution. The report demonstrates how regulatory controls have successfully reduced con-centrations of this pollutant. Statewide, ambient concentrations of fine particles have decreased by approximately 30 per-cent over the last decade. All counties in Wisconsin now monitor concentrations of fine particles well below the federal air quality standards and are considered to be “in attainment” by the EPA.

The 2017 version of the report con-tains several additions, including:

• Information about ozone design value calculations, which are a 3-year av-erage of measured concentrations used for determining attainment with fed-eral standards; a required change in the ozone monitoring season; and the 2008 and 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which are the federal standards that states must comply with.

• An update on designations for the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS.

• Information about near-road moni-toring requirements for the 1-hour NO2 standard.

The report is available on air quality trends page of the DNR website, which also includes an interactive map where users can view data from monitoring sites around the state.

To view more information on Wiscon-sin’s air quality, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords “air quality.”

DNR Report Shows that Monitored Air Pollutant Levels Continue to

Decrease Dtatewide

Nearly Half-Century-Old Fish Caught and Released in Fish Surveys

on Lake SuperiorLake trout hatched when Richard Nixon was president

BAYFIELD, Wis. – State fish biologists conducting spawn-ing surveys on Lake Superior

hauled in a lake trout earlier this month that hatched when Richard Nixon was president.

The fish was originally caught and released during Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ spawning assess-ments for lake trout in 1981. It was caught and released again Nov. 2 in the same fish refuge, the Gull Island Shoal of Lake Superior.

“We often think of a fish’s life span being relatively short, maybe 10 years,” says Terry Margenau, DNR fisheries su-pervisor. “But lake trout are slow grow-ing and have a longevity that will rival that of the ancient sturgeon.

“This fish is a prime example of that longevity and the important role fish ref-uges play in sustaining populations of these native fish.”

No fishing of any type is allowed in two fish refuges in Wisconsin waters of Lake Superior. The Gull Island Refuge was established in 1976 and the Devils Island Refuge in 1981. “Creating these protected areas was the primary driver of the recovery of lake trout following their depletion from sea lamprey invasion and overharvest”, says Brad Ray, senior fish-eries biologist for DNR in Bayfield.

To help assess the condition of lake trout on Lake Superior, DNR has been conducting spawning lake trout assess-ments since 1951. Part of the assessment includes tagging the fish caught and re-leasing them so biologists can monitor their growth and movement in future years.

The fish caught Nov. 2 had first been tagged in 1981 when it was 27.3 inches during a DNR spawning assessment on Gull Island Shoal of Lake Superior. The same fish was handled again in 2017 during the same spawning assessment and measured 35.5 inches, Ray says.

“This lake trout grew about 8 inches over 36 years, or less than a quarter inch per year,” he says. “So very slow growing. Its age is also interesting.

“Considering this fish was likely 10-12 years old when it was tagged in 1981, this fall it would have been at least 46 years old.”

Doing the math, the lake trout hatched from an egg in the early 1970s, when Richard Nixon was president, the Vietnam War was ongoing, and John Lennon wrote his hit song “Imagine.”

The same fish would be caught by DNR seven more times during surveys, Ray says.

In all of those instances, the fish was captured in the Gull Island Refuge.

“The spawning site fidelity of this fish, and many others we have sampled, em-phasizes the importance of the refuges and the protection it affords the spawn-ing stock of lake trout,” he says.

Anglers fishing Lake Superior will want to keep an eye out for the next geri-atric fish, a survivor and a foundation for the fishery. All lake trout DNR fish crews handle receive a numbered colored tag. Anglers who catch a tagged lake trout and intend to release the fish, should just write down the tag number and contact the Bayfield DNR office to get the cap-ture history.

Old lake trout shows value of fish refuges

PRAIRIE DU SAC – With state fisheries crews recently catch-ing four Asian carp on the Low-

er Wisconsin River and finding another dead along the shore, anglers who catch one of the invasive carp species are re-minded to keep the fish and contact their local fish biologist.

“Anyone who catches a fish they be-lieve to be an Asian carp species – big-head, silver, black or grass – should keep the fish, make sure it’s dead before they leave the riverway, and contact their lo-cal fisheries biologist to verify the spe-cies,” says David Rowe, a fisheries super-visor based in Fitchburg.

“Asian carp can be very prolific and outcompete native species and we want to keep them out of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway.”

It is illegal to transport a live Asian carp, so anglers will want to make sure the fish is dead before taking it away, Rowe says. He reminded anglers to avoid moving bait fish to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species or fish diseases.

Asian carp have been occasionally captured in Wisconsin waters of the Mis-sissippi River and Lower Wisconsin Riv-er since 1996. They have not been found in inland waters above the lower dams on the Mississippi tributaries.

DNR fisheries crews captured four adult bighead carp this fall while do-ing routine surveys to monitor the lake sturgeon population below the Prairie du Sac Dam. They also recovered an-other bighead carp that was freshly dead on the shore, according to Nate Nye, the DNR fisheries biologist for Columbia and Sauk counties.

DNR believes the Asian carp are indi-vidual fish that strayed and do not repre-sent an established population; no other Asian carp were found by DNR on the river over the summer despite multiple other fish surveys that likely would have turned up Asian carp if they were there. Nor did DNR hear any reports from an-glers that they caught Asian carp.

“These fish were the only ones we saw,” Nye says. “They were all very large adults that likely migrated up into the lower Wisconsin River from the Missis-

4 Bighead Carp Caught on Lower Wisconsin River during Fall SurveysAnglers reminded to report catching the invasive Asian carp

sippi River this spring or summer when we had high river flows, which can be an environmental trigger for the Asian carp species.”

Bighead and silver carp are filter feeders and directly compete with native species like paddlefish and buffalo, but also because they are large bodied fish that eat very low on the food chain they can harm the entire fish community, Nye says. More information about Asian carp, including a map of Asian carp found in Wisconsin waters and photos to help identify Asian carp species, is available on DNR’s web site, dnr.wi.gov by search-ing “Asian carp control.”

Anglers and boaters can avoid spread-ing invasive fish and other aquatic inva-sive species by taking steps including inspecting boats and trailers after leav-ing a waterbody; removing all attached aquatic plants and animals; draining all water from boats and equipment; and never moving plants or live fish away from a waterbody.

David Rowe, DNR fisheries supervisor, on the left, and Alex Bentz, DNR fisher-ies technician, on the right, display a bighead carp captured during DNR fall sturgeon surveys on the Lower Wiscon-sin River. Photo Credit: DNR

WISCONSERVATION January 20187

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Wildlife Federa-tion condemned today’s an-

nouncement that the Trump administra-tion intends to shrink and divide up two Utah national monuments as an attack on our public lands legacy that must not stand.

Collin O’Mara, the National Wildlife Federation’s CEO and president, said:

“The Trump administration’s at-tempt to remove conservation protec-tions for the vast majority of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments is the largest single attack in history on our nation’s conservation heritage.

“For the past 80 years, the National Wildlife Federation has worked with presidents of both parties to conserve America’s treasured landscapes. No president has broken this bipartisan conservation covenant of building upon the conservation achievements of his predecessor – until today. The only other significant removal of protections oc-curred a century ago when President

NWF Blasts Move to Shrink Monuments as Attack on Americans’ Birthright

Woodrow Wilson sought to allow more timber harvest from Mount Olympus National Monument during World War I. Today’s action, far from being done for national security reasons, is intended to open more public lands to coal and ura-nium mining and oil and gas drilling at a time when roughly 14 million acres of land under oil and gas leases sit idle and coal leases are going for cents on the dol-lar.

“And while our Federation is deeply concerned about the impacts of today’s action on wildlife populations and out-door recreational opportunities, the most galling aspect of the decision is the bla-tant disregard for the Native American tribes, who have worked for 80 years to protect thousands of years of critical cul-tural artifacts and sacred lands.

“The National Wildlife Federation stands resolute with our tribal partners and the overwhelming majority of Amer-icans who are determined to fight what we believe is an illegal assault on our public lands heritage – and we will win.”

by Drew YoungedykeNov 28, 2017

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives could vote to proceed on a bill

which would allow a risky copper sulfide mine to operate within the watershed of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – a 1 million acre for-est that is a wildlife haven frequented by paddlers, birdwatchers, anglers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.

“The Boundary Waters is one of Amer-ica’s crown jewels – and it is simply too special to risk. There are many places where mining can be done with minimal environmental impact – but the Bound-ary Waters is not one of them. Preserving long-term value for the local economy, future generations, and wildlife far out-weighs destructive short-term benefits of allowing sulfide mining in a landscape cherished by anglers, hunters, canoeists, and campers .” said Collin O’Mara, Presi-dent & CEO of the National Wildlife Fed-eration.

“H.R. 3905 subverts the scientific process supported by the public to pro-tect their waters and public land,” said Jason Dinsmore, executive director for the Minnesota Conservation Federa-tion. “The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the premier fishing destinations in the world and the com-munities of northeastern Minnesota are dependent on the clean water, fishing and outdoor recreation economy it pro-vides.”

”MCF supports Minnesota’s iron ore mining heritage and the Minnesotans on the range who work hard to provide for themselves, their families, and the people of the state. However, Congress must not subvert the review process. Be-cause of the mine’s location and the type

of mining proposed, the people of Minne-sota (on the range and otherwise) stand to lose too much if the mine’s environ-mental safeguards fail.”

Last December, the U.S. Forest Ser-vice and Interior Department rejected permits for the mine, citing its potential environmental impacts and public oppo-sition, and placed a moratorium on future mine proposals in the area just outside the Boundary Waters, pending an envi-ronmental study. H.R. 3905, sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., would re-voke the moratorium and reinstate the leases for the mine, as well as prohibit future presidents from designating na-tional monuments in Minnesota without Congressional approval.

A 2016 poll of Minnesotans showed a 67% opposition to sulfide mining in the area around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). In addition, over 45,000 members of the National Wildlife Federation have submitted com-ments supporting the environmental re-view of the potential impacts of copper mining near the BWCA.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the great, intact freshwater wetland complexes on the planet, encompassing over 1 million acres and providing a home to more than 230 animal species such as black bears, wolves, moose, bald eagles and loons—as well as endangered, threatened or pro-tected species.

NWF Opposes Bill to Allow Risky Mine Within Boundary Waters Canoe

Area Wilderness’ Watershed

by Miles GrantDec 02, 2017

“America’s wildlife simply deserves better”

Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“Over 67% of Americans oppose drill-ing in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, so it’s no surprise that majority leadership did not want to hold a public vote show-ing which Senators prioritized tax cuts

NWF Statement on Tax Bill Passage, Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

for the wealthy and corporations over the preservation of one of the most im-portant wildlife areas in the world. The critical habitat for polar bears, porcupine caribou, musk oxen and hundreds of spe-cies of migratory birds will be desecrated by hundreds of miles of roads and pipe-lines connecting thousands of well pads and other infrastructure. America’s wild-life simply deserves better and we will relentlessly continue our defense of the imperiled wildlife of the Arctic Refuge.”

MADISON – Another Wisconsin nine-day gun deer season is in the books, and preliminary reg-

istration numbers show a slight increase in statewide buck harvest. Similar to 2016, northern counties again showed the most significant increases in both buck and ant-lerless harvest.

“No matter how you look at it – wheth-er from a social or economic standpoint – deer hunting is huge for Wisconsin,” said Department of Natural Resources Secre-tary Dan Meyer. “Nearly 600,000 hunters headed into the woods for the nine-day hunt, and there are additional opportuni-ties to harvest a deer through January so our hunters can continue to enjoy this tra-dition.”

Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season continued to show hunting as a safe recre-ational activity, as the season ended with seven hunting incidents and no hunting-related fatalities. None of these incidents involved mentored youth hunters.

Preliminary Registration Totals Preliminary registration figures indicate

a total of 98,364 hunters were successful in their pursuit of an antlered deer during the nine-day season. Overall, preliminary registration figures show that 195,738 deer were harvested during the nine-day gun deer hunt, compared to 197,262 in 2016.

For the second straight year, the larg-est change in buck harvest occurred in the Northern Forest Zone (12.7 percent in-crease from 2016) after three consecutive mild winters and limited antlerless tags.

“Except for opening day in some areas, we had pretty good hunting conditions throughout the season,” said DNR big game ecologist Kevin Wallenfang. “Some magnifi-cent bucks were taken, it was a safe hunt, and overall most hunters that I have talked to were pleased to see more deer than in recent years, especially in the northern for-est counties.”

“Combined with the early archery and crossbow seasons, total buck harvest is ahead of 2016, and there’s a lot of deer hunting yet to occur this year. When all deer hunting seasons are complete in Janu-ary, we will look at the total harvest and start making plans for 2018.”

The nine-day hunt also provided suc-cessful hunters with 97,374 antlerless deer, down roughly two percent from 2016. How-ever, those numbers will climb as hunters enjoy the statewide muzzleloader hunt, statewide four-day antlerless only hunt and nine-day antlerless only Holiday Hunt in select farmland counties. Hunters may use any unfilled antlerless tag during each of these hunts, but those tags must be used in the Zone, county, and land type desig-nated on the tag.

For the nine-day gun deer hunt, the 2017 regional harvest breakdown by region (with percent change from 2016) included:

• Northern Forest Zone: 26,437 (12.7 percent increase) antlered and 15,220 (70 percent increase) antlerless;

• Central Forest Zone: 4,914 (3.2 per-cent decrease) antlered and 2,738 (7.5 per-cent decrease) antlerless;

• Central Farmland Zone: 48,324 (1.2 percent decrease) antlered and 58,126 (7.4 percent decrease) antlerless;

• Southern Farmland Zone: 18,689 (9.3 percent decrease) antlered and 21,290 (13.4 percent decrease) antlerless; and

• Total: 98,364 (.4 percent increase) antlered and 97,374 (1.9 percent decrease) antlerless.

Hunters are required to register har-vested deer before 5 p.m. the day after har-vest at gamereg.wi.gov or by calling 1-844-426-3734. Any hunter who failed to follow mandatory registration rules should do so now, despite having missed the deadline. For more information regarding prelimi-nary registration search keywords “weekly totals.”

Preliminary license sales totalsIn 2017, 588,387 gun deer licenses were

sold through the end of the nine-day gun deer season, less than a 2 percent drop over last year. In total, 821,876 gun, archery and crossbow licenses (not including upgrades) have been sold through the end of the nine-day gun deer season, slightly more than 1 percent drop compared to 2016. Deer hunting license and tag sales will continue throughout remaining deer hunting sea-sons.

Hunting IncidentsConservation wardens report seven

non-fatal hunting incidents in seven coun-ties during the gun-deer season. Incidents occurred in Brown, Shawano, Washburn, Clark, Forest Waukesha and Ozaukee counties. None of the seven incidents in-volved mentored youth hunters.

Hunting in Wisconsin is safe which is demonstrated by our continued downward trend in hunting incidents. Four of the last five deer seasons were fatality-free and nine out of the last 10 deer season ended with single-digit incident totals.

Chief Conservation Warden Todd Schaller credits the declining number of hunting incidents to sportsmen and sports-women who know and use firearm safety principles -- and the thousands of volun-teer hunter education instructors who host hunter safety courses statewide.

“Conservation wardens saw hunters fol-lowing the firearm safety message of TABK - and took time to educate those who were not,” Schaller said. “Hunters, and families of hunters, were out enjoying a treasured Wisconsin tradition.”

As the 2017 hunting season offers addi-tional opportunities, Schaller says it is im-portant to stay safety-minded to continue Wisconsin’s strong safety record.

Hunters encouraged to submit deer for chronic wasting disease sampling

In addition, since hunters embraced the variety of ways that they can submit CWD samples during the regular season, hunters are reminded that CWD sample opportuni-ties continue to be available throughout the remaining seasons. Individuals interested in providing important information on the health of the herd and having their deer sampled should visit the WDNR website and search keywords “CWD Sampling.”

The cooperation of hunters and private businesses has become increasingly vital to the success of our sampling process. De-partment staff would like to thank all those who continue to assist with CWD surveil-lance.

Hunters continue to embrace GameRegGameReg internet registration system

and call-in phone option worked well over-all, while hunters continue to visit walk-in stations that offer these services. Positive feedback was received throughout the sea-son as hunters enjoyed the convenience and flexibility of GameReg - 62 percent of registrations were completed online and 36 percent were completed via telephone.

With GameReg, the accuracy of deer harvest numbers is directly related to the level of hunter compliance. If a hunter for-got to register their deer, they still have time to use GameReg and help ensure each deer harvest is counted. For more informa-tion, search keywords “GameReg.”

Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey remains open through remaining seasons

The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey will remain active until all deer seasons have ended, and wildlife managers ask that hunters submit a report of what they ob-serve during their time in the field. This in-formation will provide valuable data used to improve population estimates for Wis-consin’s deer herd and other species. For additional information, search keywords “deer hunter wildlife.”

While counting down to next year’s hunt...

While the nine day hunt has ended, hunters are reminded to connect with DNR staff on social media through the depart-ment’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. DNR staff look forward to photos from the field each year. Also, be sure to check out Wild Wisconsin - an all new web and podcast series focused on all things deer hunting. So far, over 200,000 viewers have used the series to help prepare for deer season.

Hunters who harvested their first deer this season are also reminded to fill out a first deer certificate and commemorate a successful hunt. A printable certificate will be sent to the email address provided.

Wisconsin’s Annual Nine-Day Gun Deer Hunt Sees Slight Increase in Statewide

Buck Harvest

WISCONSERVATION January 20188

2018 WWF BANQUET DATESDISTRICT CONTACT DATE LOCATIONDistrict 3 North Brian Hobbs March 10, 2018 Crickets Bar & Grill(Osceola) 715-417-0940 Amery, WI brianhobbs903@gmail.comDistrict 4 East Gary Fitzgerald Sept. 6, 2018 Shooter’s(Plover) 715-824-6310 Plover, WI garyterri@wi-net.comDistrict 4 West Randy Teresinski April 7, 2018 American Legion(Neillsville) 715-897-8832 Loyal, WIDistrict 5 Jerry Lingnofski March 22, 2018 Darboy Club(Fox Valley) 920-841-8427 Darboy, WI ling5thson@aol.comDistrict 5 Bill Tollard Sept. 6, 2018 TBD(Oshkosh) 920-379-3429 Oshkosh, WI*new 2018 bill@adashunjones.comDistrict 6 Michelle Graff Feb. 3, 2018 Fox Hollow Banquet(LaCrosse) 608-797-1292 Facility graffmm68@gmail.comDistrict 6 Ed Rollins March 3, 2018 Castle Hill Supper Club(Black River Falls) 715-964-1263 Merrillan, WI ednangie@sbcglobal.netDistrict 8 Greg Kronschnabel March 23, 2018 Olympia Resort(Oconomowoc) 262-719-4530 Oconomowoc, WI gkronschnabel@yahoo.comDistrict 9 Tracey Czechan April 6, 2018 Hilton Garden Inn(Milwaukee) 262-442-2583 Milwaukee, WI tczechan@gmail.comDistrict 10 Gary Dieck Feb. 24, 2018 Club Chapparal(Wonewoc) 608-464-3290 Wonewoc, WI gdieck@centurytel.net Statewide Wayne Thayer Jan. 27, 2018 Ho Chunk Casino(WI Dells) 608-754-4965 Wisconsin Dells, WI wat68@t6b.com

Take Note!Range Seminar. Page 3

Environmental Education Trunks. Page 5

Old Fish. Page 6

Gun Deer Season. Page 7

Editor Jim Swanson

December 2017CalendarWinners

1 $1000 Cash Andy Stahl, Park City, MT 7664 2 Thompson Center Icon Rifle Tom Hornath, Franksville, WI 8902 3 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Rick Kroemer, Spring Green, WI 9532 4 $100 Cash Gary Gritzmacher, Oshkosh, WI 9191 5 Remington 700 SPS Rifle Rob Kinder, Boscobel, WI 7433 6 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Marshall Kuehl, Warrens, WI 6591 7 $100 Cash Rod Courtier, Evansville, WI 7951 8 CZ 104 12 Gauge o/u Troy Wernmert, Caledonia, WI 2671 9 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash David Rasmussen, Arpin, WI 8332 10 $100 Cash Larry Dunn, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 751 11 Stevens 512 o/u Shotgun Jordan Calmes, Abbotsford, WI 9033 12 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Jim Leighty, Poynette, WI 2827 13 $100 Cash Craig G Peterson, Fort Atkinson, WI 4784 14 Henry Golden Boy 22 Rifle James A Brower, La Crosse, WI 6725 15 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Crystal VanDeHey, Kiel, WI 5932 16 $100 Cash Robert L Dammon, La Crosse, WI 6004 17 Ruger American Rifle Bill Van Ornum, Oshkosh, WI 3464 18 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Mark Dugenske, Markesan, WI 9251 19 $100 Cash Jenny Rose, Watertown, WI 310 20 Mossberg 100 Rifle Austin Bourdo, Big Bend, WI 3291 21 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Allen Kumm, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 6504 22 $100 Cash Dave Kapras, Weyerhauser, WI 48 23 Weatherby Upland Pump Shotgun Bob Bain, Kaukauna, WI 10136 24 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Wally BuDahn, Mayville, WI 4146 25 Gander Mountain Card $230/$230 Cash David Janus, DePere, WI 10129 26 Remington 770 Rifle Package Calvin J Rauch, Campbellsport, WI 4235 27 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Janell Schmitt, Milladore, WI 10206 28 Stoeger 12 ga Pump 350 Louis R Quella, Menasha, WI 9163 29 Gander Mountain Card $100/$100 Cash Eric McLaughlin, Jackson, WI 3749 30 $100 Cash Brad Voss, Sheboygan, WI 1920 31 $200 Gas Card Jason Bruno, Brown Deer, WI 4005

Spanish Rice with VenisonIngredients1 cup uncooked rice 1 teaspoon salt¼ cup butter or bacon grease 1 teaspoon chili powder1 medium green pepper finely chopped 1 clove garlic, mashed1 medium onion finely chopped 1 small can whole tomatoes1 lb. ground venison 2 tablespoons pimentos1½ cups water

DirectionsMelt butter or bacon grease, add rice and cook until golden brown. Set aside. Brown venison, onions, green pepper, and garlic. When meat is brown add pimento, tomatoes (break them apart) and chili powder. Stir continuously for one minute while cooking. Add rice to meat mix and place in casserole with water and bake covered for 45 minutes at 350°.

Broccoli Stir FryIngredients1 head fresh broccoli chopped 1 cup bean sprouts2 tablespoons peanut oil 1 can water chestnuts½ cup leaks finely chopped 1 bottle sweet and sour sauce

DirectionsHeat oil in skillet, stir fry broccoli and leaks till tender but not soft. Add sweet and sour sauce, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts, cook till all ingredients are heated.

WWF “Kitchen News”

Blueberry SlumpDumplings1 cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon butter2 teaspoons white sugar ½ cup milk

Mix all dry ingredients. Cut in butter until crumbly, stir in milk to make soft dough.

Blueberry sauce2 pints blueberries 1 tablespoon sugar1 cup of water

In cast iron skillet, cook blueberries, water and sugar over medium heat. When thick and bubbly spoon in dumplings. Cook covered for 10 minutes and then uncover and cook until dumplings are done. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

W.W.F.Business Membership

SilverSteve’s Southside Citgo, WatertownPaul R. Sommers, DDS, SC, WatertownWatertown Trade and Auctions, WatertownAdvanced Building Corporation, VeronaManitowoc Co Fish & Game Protective Assoc., Manitowoc

Support Businesses That Support Conservation

BronzeBest Sound Service, WatertownKeck Furniture, WatertownDave’s Turf and Marine, WatertownTheder Home Services and

Construction, WatertownCastle Rock Marine Inc., New LisbonJ & L Tire, Johnson CreekJ & H Game Farm, ShioctonCity Limits, Manitowoc