Archives for January 2014

Warning: Winter Feeding Can Kill Wisconsin Deer

January 30, 2014 by Charlie 2 Comments

How can this be true?

Due to severe winter weather conditions deer in Wisconsin are or becoming very stressed, may be to the point of starving. If I put out some corn, I mean, they eat corn I’ve found it in their stomachs while field dressing them. Plus we all see deer in cornfields eating away. So what’s with this warning?

A version of this question is being asked all across Wisconsin especially in the northern part of the state. We all love and treasure our deer and only want to do what is best for them. Feeding during extreme conditions sure seems like it will help them out when they need it the most. If the deer had the same digestive processes they did last fall we could help them with supplemental feeding.

However, what many folks don’t know and what some hunters may have forgotten is a deer ‘s digestive enzymes change with the seasons. If you think about this it makes sense. In order to survive most all the metabolic rates of all wildlife change. In the case of whitetail deer they become less active in order conserve energy. In addition their digestive enzymes change so they can digest woody browse. This is the stuff they would not have considered eating last fall when so many other more desirable choices were available.

Acidosis- grain overload and Enteroxemia- overeating disease. Deer find grain or hay in a plentiful pile they eat. But because they can’t digest it due to the change in their enzymes they eat some more in an effort to satisfy the hunger and suddenly die with full stomachs.

Michigan DNR website does a good job explaining:

Corn toxicity is a general term related to two diseases which can affect white-tailed deer throughout Michigan and elk in the northeastern portion of the state. Both diseases occur acutely and result in the rapid death of animals in good physical condition.

A change from a natural diet of high fiber woody browse to low fiber high carbohydrate foods initiates the disease. The severity of the illness depends on the type of grain (ground or whole), previous exposure of the animal to the grain, the amount of grain consumed, the animal’s nutritional state and physical condition, and the microflora present. Ingestion of toxic amounts of corn are followed within 2 to 6 hours by a change in the microbial population in the rumen. The number of gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus sp.) increase markedly (replacing the normally abundant gram-negative bacteria), thereby producing large quantities of lactic acid. This results in the rumen pH falling to or below 5, destroying protozoa, cellulolytic organisms, and lactate utilizing organisms, and reducing rumen mobility. Chemical rumenitis and absorption result in lactic acidosis. The lactic acid and lactate build-up cause excessive quantities of fluid to move into the rumen, causing dehydration.

In deer and elk there is no effective treatment for either of these diseases because of the short duration of the illness and that normally animals are found dead, not sick.

Click on the link above these take away quotes it’s worth reading the information is its entirety. You’ll also find some images of diseased animal intestines.

How to Help the Winter Deer

First understand there is very little that can be done once a severe winter sets in. Usually by the time humans notice how bad it is the wildlife is already damaged.
The best feed on a small scale local level is to go cut down some trees to provide the deer some woody browse. The buds are swelling with moisture and nutrients out of the deer’s reach, a chainsaw brings these into easy deer reach. (if you don’t own the land make sure the landowner grants permission for cutting)
The best trees to cut down are the more undesirable like box elder, aspen, birch, elm, ironwood, dogwoods, silver maple, etc..
Do not supplemental feed grains or hay.

Long Term Help

If you plant food plots that contain primarily grasses and leafy plants. Develop a plan that allows for deer desirable woody browse.
Visit your food plots now to witness the available food first hand. So many are shocked to find heavy snow has totally covered all their work and provides no wildlife food at all.
Carrying capacity is defined as the number of any given wildlife that can survive during the worst of conditions.
Always plan food plots and other habitat projects for the worst of conditions.

Wisconsin Winter 2014 Killing Northern Deer and Turkeys

January 28, 2014 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Severe winter of 2014 taking a toll on Wisconsin’s wildlife

Update: March 31,2014 – After covering a lot of Wisconsin turkey territory this spring including the Northern Wisconsin units my fears of a massive wild turkey winter kill were not realized. There are few birds that died but no huge flocks died or at least I could not find any evidence of any. A landowner in northern Polk county told me of a massive winter kill on his farm and invited me to come see. Vic the turkey dog and I covered this farm finding only 4 dead turkeys, some of the neighbors invited us to check their farms also. Still only the 4 dead turkeys were found. Individual birds die each winter for a variety of reasons. Had there been more dead turkeys Vic would have found and pointed them to us. These fellows like me, rightly became concerned about not seeing turkeys in their usual locations all winter and we assumed the worst. However, as we searched around these farms gobbles answered the yelps from my trumpet call all day long. In fact there is a solid turkey population there. I’m finding and hearing that is the case in many areas. So I wrote a 2014 turkey hunt forecast here, check it out. Also a post wondering if Turkeys Migrate?

Bad news regarding deer, as the snow melts we’ve been finding a lot of winter kill deer. Deer of course do not have wings so they can’t fly away to find food. They unfortunately are stuck when the snow gets deep.

Good News Update March 7, 2014 Turkey Turkeys Everywhere

Winter 2014 has been brutally cold. Not just for a few days of cold or record cold but a long sustained subzero cold. Coupled with deep snow in the northern sections of Wisconsin makes for tough times on our wildlife resources. Wisconsin’s wildlife managers are monitoring the winter severity index at many northern stations it is already pasted severe. There will likely be no antlerless permits issued in these areas for the 2014 deer season. Spring 2014 turkey population will likely be considerably lower than usual.

WDNR press release-

According to Wallenfang, the 2012-13 winter started out fairly mild, but late, significant snows and cold temperatures occurred well into May resulting in direct losses of deer and lower than average fawn production. These factors and others combined to keep deer numbers lower than desired during the hunting season in many areas across the north.

“For the 2013 hunting season, antlerless permit numbers were set as low as we’ve seen them since the 1990s,” Wallenfang said. “With deer numbers already low in some areas, this winter is going to slow the recovery of the northern herd.”

Mike Zeckmeister, district wildlife supervisor in Spooner, says that the first question people usually ask is whether they should start feeding deer.

“It’s always well-intended, but feeding can do more harm than good if done improperly,” Zeckmeister said. “It’s understandable that people want to try to help deer through a bad winter. So if you choose to feed, please talk to the local DNR wildlife biologist first for advice.”

Zeckmeister especially emphasized that straight corn and hay are not recommended as they can be harmful. Instead, a commercialized pellet or mixes containing small quantities of corn, plus alfalfa, oats, and soybeans, as well as various vitamins and minerals is preferable from a deer health concern. It should be spread out to reduce fighting, away from roads or snowmobile trails to avoid collisions, and near sheltered areas out of the wind.

Wallenfang also offered a reminder that deer feeding is strictly regulated, and is prohibited in any county affected by CWD. In all other counties, feeding is currently limited to a maximum of 2 gallons per site, must be placed within 50 yards of a dwelling or business building open to the public, and may not be placed within 100 yards of a roadway with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or more.

Zeckmeister urged potential feeders to contact the local wildlife manager to discuss various types of food and techniques that will not harm deer, and for a full explanation of additional regulations.

DNR biologists annually monitor the effects of winter weather on the deer herd using a Winter Severity Index, which uses a combination of cold temperatures and deep snows to gauge winter stress levels. In addition, they are also spending time in the woods monitoring both deer and winter habitat, as well as talking to loggers, foresters, trappers, and others who spend time in the winter woods.

The WSI measurements are recorded annually from December 1 through April 30 at 43 stations spread primarily across the northern third of the state as well as several east-central counties.

“Each day that the temperatures fall below zero degrees Fahrenheit and/or the snow depth is more than 18 inches, the conditions are noted for each station,” Wallenfang explained. “For example, a day with 20 inches of snow and a temperature of five-below-zero would receive two points for the day.”

Winter conditions are considered mild if the station accumulates less than 50 points, moderate if between 51 and 80 points, severe if between 81 and100, and very severe if over 100.

“The index is not a perfect measurement of winter severity, but it gives us a pretty good gauge of what to expect,” says Wallenfang.

Wallenfang says that several stations in the far northwestern counties have already surpassed the severe category. Farther south and east, many stations will likely hit the severe classifications later this winter.

As a result, Wallenfang anticipates either zero or extremely limited numbers of antlerless deer permits in many northern counties for the 2014 hunting season.

“Even if winter suddenly turned mild, we would still anticipate some buck only areas in 2014,” Wallenfang added. “Deer numbers have declined in general across much of the north, and in some areas significantly in recent years. Low or zero quotas are an obvious step to help herds recover.”

“We’ll be monitoring the situation across not just the north, but the entire state through spring green-up because we did lose deer in the south last year, as well. We are asking the public to assist with monitoring and would appreciate their help in reporting any winter deer mortality they see to their local wildlife biologist,” Wallenfang says.

For more information see- Wisconsin Baiting and Feeding Regulations

Our wild turkeys are also suffering especially along their northern habitat areas. Deep snow prevents them from foraging to ground foods. During these times turkeys must roost throughout the cold days to conserve body heat. When the temps moderate they will feed on buds and insects inside the tree bark. This type of feeding seems to be much more energy intensive than when they can scratch around on the ground. I’ve been the northern forest north of Highway 8 and in all the areas I walked the snow was waist deep. At that time it was fluffy which should bode for ruffed grouse and snowshoe hares. Most other wildlife is in real trouble.

Turkeys eat weed seeds that are above the snow line. In this case burdock.

In the central and southern areas I’ve visited the deer seem to be OK, not great, but just OK. Ag fields became ice covered prior to last heavy snows and here too there have been long extended periods of subzero cold. Turkeys cannot scratch through the ice layers so they’ve been feeding on seeds found above the snow lines.

I expect reduced turkey populations statewide for Wisconsin’s 2014 spring turkey hunt. Turkeys can survive without feeding for about 14 days before they become so weak they can’t eat. The weather is pushing their limits. Especially the birds of year.

charlie elk – A Hunting Hipster?

January 26, 2014 by Charlie 1 Comment

What is a Hipster? According to the Bing Dictionary

Hipster – somebody up-to-date: somebody conversant with fashions in music, clothes, food and social attitudes…

No one has ever accused charlie of any of the above. Until now at least in the food area. It is certainly no secret that charlie is an avid hunter and he hunts for many reasons chief among them – Food. All hunters have known that wild game is the ultimate organic, low fat, high protein food. Plus it’s down right satisfying to be involved in the process from the death of the animal to its presentation on the plate.

All of sudden I am seeing articles about the wholesomeness of hunting for food. Such as these–

Attention, Hipsters: Hunting Is the New Beekeeping, So Get on That. Here’s a take away quote

The adoption of hunting as a hobby by those who bear zero resemblance to the cast of Duck Dynasty continues! When last we checked in, it was women taking up their rifles in the hopes of bringing home the venison. Now it’s food-supply-conscious, authenticity-seeking urbanites—i.e., hipsters.

All The Cool Girls Hunt Their Own Food

Hot new craze among cool, with-it ladies: killing animals and eating their flesh for nourishment.

National Geographic

For truly free-range meat, some say they prefer the woods to the grocery store.

Macleans

Hipsters are going hunting. They’ve already got the plaid shirts and deer antlers. Hunting is the next step.

The aesthetics of hunting have been hot for some time: lumberjack shirts and hunting caps as fashion, taxidermy and deer antlers as decor. All that was missing was the hunting. Now, a growing number of people who don’t fit the typical hunter profile are turning to the activity. Killing wild animals to procure your own meat is, after all, a natural next step for locavore types who’ve been growing vegetables, keeping backyard chickens and fermenting their own kombucha.

When you hunt your own game to make Canada goose prosciutto, as Drake Larsen of Iowa did a few Wednesdays ago after work, you have the ultimate alternative to the factory-raised meats typically found in the grocery cooler. “We never buy a package of ground beef. Ever,” said Larsen, who recently finished grad school and works by day at an organization promoting sustainable agriculture.

When I first read the definition of hipster I thought well I only have the food part down, but according to Maclean’s longtime outdoors folks have been well ahead of the curve with the plaid shirts, caps, antlers and social attitude.

Welcome to all the new hunters and enjoy your new way of life.

2013 Wisconsin Fall Turkey Harvest – Kill

January 12, 2014 by Charlie Leave a Comment

The 2013 fall wild turkey season is now part of history with many hunters wondering about success across Wisconsin. Wisconsin fall turkey hunters bagged 4,633 wild turkeys. This is about 30% fewer fall turkeys than the fall of 2012 which had 6,933 fall turkeys killed by hunters. Click here for 2012.

Here is a peek at Wisconsin’s 2013 fall turkey statics. Keep in mind these are preliminary numbers and could change slightly in the coming weeks. Check back for the final numbers, they’ll be updated here as they become available.

First is a table chart showing the wild turkey harvest by zone, age and sex. Scroll to the bottom chart for the fall season’s week by week registrations.

Fall 2013 Turkey Harvest

The following table shows Wisconsin’s week by week wild turkey registrations.

Wisconsin State Park Rules Eliminate Turkey Hunting Zones

January 8, 2014 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Proposed rules for hunting in Wisconsin State Parks will eliminate the current wild turkey hunting zones.

The 2011 ACT 168 that was signed into law in April 2012, established that hunting and trapping activities are generally allowed on state park properties effective Jan. 1 2013. The Department of Natural Resources implemented emergency rules for the first year of state park hunting under Act 168. These rules were approved by the State Natural Resources Board in December 2012.

Under its authority to limit hunting and trapping for safety reasons under Act 168 the board set the open hunting and trapping seasons in state parks from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 and from April 1 through the third spring turkey period. In addition deer hunting with a bow will be open Nov. 15 until the end of the archery season in early January. Act 168 gave the DNR the authority to prohibit hunting and trapping within 100 yards of a designated use area such as a campground, picnic area, or beach, where there are public safety concerns, or to protect unique habitat.

The board also limited the types of traps used at state parks to those that would prevent catching dogs and prevented shooting across trails in areas that are not open to hunting.

The department is not proposing new season dates or modifications to periods when hunting and trapping are allowed in state parks that would be different from what was implemented in December, 2012.

The permanent rules will include all of the same hunting and trapping rules included in the emergency rules and will include some additional changes such as eliminating the spring state park Wild Turkey Management Zones. and allowing hunting dogs to be off leash for dogs actively engaged in hunting at three state parks. The rules will also eliminate language that is no longer needed, simplify existing regulations, and create new rules related to safety.

“With turkey hunting now allowed on most state park properties there is no longer a need for individual state park turkey management zones,” says Scott Loomans, DNR wildlife regulations specialist.

Prior to Act 168, 17 state park properties had already allowed spring turkey hunting by permit. Each of these properties had been listed under hunting regulations as separate turkey management zones. Under the proposed permanent rules, those state park turkey zones will be eliminated and a park property will become part of the surrounding zone in which it is located.

The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules website . Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Mr. Scott Loomans, Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. By email to scott.loomans@wisconsin.gov.

Comments accepted until Jan. 24, 2014.

25 Below Zero Turkey Hunting

January 6, 2014 by Charlie 3 Comments

Last night a farmer had called inquiring why I had not been out turkey hunting on his farm? Last time Vic and I hunted this farm there were no turkeys, that happens a lot during fall turkey season. The turkeys are there and then they are not. My farmer friend continued “As of a couple of days ago he said there had been a turkey invasion.” OK 2 days of fall turkey season left–time to squeeze in a Wisconsin unit 3 hunting trip.

The truck’s thermometer said 25 below I as stepped out into yesterday’s unit 3 sunrise. The frigid air started crystalizing around my face instantly and the snow screeched with each step of my snowshoes. All I could think is how dangerous a turkey addiction can be. But waiting for a warmer day is not an option with the season closing in only 2 days.

Faint sun dogs on the morning’s horizon outlined the roosted turkeys. There were turkeys roosted nearly everywhere along the field edges. The only approach available is across a barren snow covered 140 acre field and those turkeys. Hiding from all those sharp turkeys eyes was impossible so all the noise of my approach did not matter. What does matter in this situation is the directness for a hunter’s approach. By that I mean if you were to walk in a straight line towards the turkeys they will get very nervous and flush. Usually a good thing during a fall hunt, if the turkeys break apart and head off in different directions. That is Vic the Turkey Dog’s preferred strategy. However due to the intense cold Vic is not on this hunt, he has no coat to keep him warm during a prolonged cold setup. Cold of this magnitude affects all dogs so I grudgingly left Vic at home.

My approach towards the turkeys was indirect, a steady meander across the field to a shrubby point that had frozen wild grapes, dogwood berries and elderberries. This setup put the turkeys at an angle to my left that way if things go according to plan the turkeys coming off roost will be approaching on my strong shooting side. Many years of hunting turkeys have taught me turkeys do not seem to remember danger after a period of quiet waiting. So after a long silent 20 minute wait, -25 makes a 5 minute wait seem long, 20 minutes feels like hours. I belted out the first series of assembly kee’s to the still roosted turkeys. Feathered wings began shaking off frost and a bunch of turkeys sailed off roost passing by and stumbling to their landing in the field about 25 yards to my right- a gobbler rolled dead at the shot. Large wings stirred up a whirl of snow crystals as they clawed their way back into the sunrise.

As anyone who has been out in serious cold temps knows a lot of things don’t work in this kind of cold, various body joints, mechanical parts, particularly anything electronic and this morning that included my camera. As I trudged back across the field I could the turkey getting stiffer the turkey was frozen by the time I reached the truck for the drive home.

A gobbler from a different hunt. My camera did not work at 25 below.

This was my coldest turkey hunt ever. Over the years I’ve been asked what makes me do these extreme hunts? Interesting term as I don’t think of them as extreme. It’s mostly simple I look forward, no I obsess over the next hunting season, my quiet prayer is “Oh God, please just one more season. So if the season is open, no work on the schedule (that can’t be rescheduled) and an open tag in my pocket it’s a good day to hunt.

To me the best part of hunting is getting into the hunt, being immersed so that no other day to day mundane problems enter the mind. It’s a mental preparation so that you are not thinking about any discomforts, undo home front tasks or checking the happenings on the grid. A sense of freedom washes over and through the soul of a hunter. It’s just you, the weather, the turkeys and the surroundings. If not for those turkeys that morning I would not have been there. Had I not been there I would not have the seen the sun dogs at sunrise, heard the squeak of the snow nor the frosty feathers being ruffled as the natural morning wakeup time arrived. As a hunter I was a participant rather than just an observer.