News – Page 6

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.

Crossbows Are Legal in Wisconsin 2014

December 13, 2013 by Charlie 1 Comment

A hunter’s crossbow. Will it be legal for all hunters in 2014.

Update March 9, 2014 Wisconsin Cancels Disabled Hunter Permits

Starting the 2014 hunting season all Wisconsin hunters will be able to use a crossbow no matter their age or physical condition.

On December 10, 2013 Governor Walker signed AB194 now referred to as Act 61 into Wisconsin law. The State Senate approved AB 194 in September with an amendment and the Assembly passed it twice unanimously. These days it is very rare for our political leaders to agree on anything which indicates there is a lot of grassroots support for the legalization of crossbows in Wisconsin.

Starting in September 2014 bowhunters will have another option. The crossbow season will run concurrent with the traditional archery season. A separate license is required for each season. The cost of the crossbow license is $3 if purchased with an archer’s license, – $24.00 making the total license fee $27.00. This allows a bowhunter to use either crossbow or other archery equipment. Hunter’s choice.

If a hunter wants just an archer’s license or crossbow license the cost of each equal at $24.00. This hunter would then be limited to using only a crossbow or other bows such as compounds, recurve or longbow. etc.

This change has been a long time coming. Finally a new, different and challenging way to hunt is available to all Wisconsin hunters of all ages and abilities. Although, keep in mind the crossbow itself is not a new hunting tool. Its use dates back to 400 BC. The hunting crossbow predates compound bows by quite a few years. So here is your chance to try out a piece of ancient history. Enjoy and good hunting.

The Harvest: A Story About Giving

December 6, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

The Harvest is a documentary of 3 Hunt of a Lifetime hunts, a Merriam turkey hunt, a black bear hunt and an elk hunt. All of these hunts were the dream hunts of kids with life threatening illnesses. Be ready with your box of tissues nearby some of the uplifting determination these kids display will bring tears to your eyes.

The Harvest can viewed here on HULU if this link does not work go to www.hulu.com and search “The Harvest” or Vimeo

Hunt of a Lifetime was founded by Tina Pattison after her son Matthew was taken away by cancer. Read Matthew’s Story written by Tina. Here is a short excerpt:

On Christmas Eve, while we were preparing for our first holiday without Matt, the phone rang. The voice on the other end explained that his 14-year-old godson needed our help. A few days after the boy had received his hunter’s safety certification, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Instead of enjoying his first buck harvesting, he was enduring the ravages of surgery and chemotherapy. Could we help him with his dreams and prayers? The boy’s name was Matthew Riley. God had granted me the most precious gift that day. He had sent me another “Matthew” in order to understand that mine was in good hands and that Matthew’s legacy would never be forgotten. – Tina Pattison

Wisconsin Senate Passes Crossbow Bill

September 18, 2013 by Charlie 6 Comments

The bowhunter’s crossbow

Read Update Crossbows are now legal in WI

On Tuesday September 17, 2013 the Wisconsin State Senate passed

SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 194 ssa1_ab194

authorizing a crossbow season in Wisconsin. All Senators with the exception of Senator Mark Miller voted for passage. This revised bill is the same as the original Assembly which was passed earlier this year with the Senate’s additional amendment 1 giving the DNR authority to change the crossbow season after 2 years.

Many think this is the backdoor for Wisconsin Bowhunters to later gain restrictions on crossbow hunters after the attention dies down. The Wisconsin Bowhunters have made no secret of their dislike for crossbows especially if these crossbow hunters are allowed to hunt during the rut. Apparently after years of having the rut period to themselves many “bowhunters” feel entitled. Originally they had proposed accepting crossbow legalization only if the crossbow season were to close mid-October and not reopen until December. Crossbow advocates may have made a mistake accepting this compromise, Wisconsin Bowhunters are well connected inside the WDNR giving them ability to influence regulations.

Hopefully, in 2 years all of the crossbow opposition’s fears will be laid to rest as they discover the crossbow is just a bow that casts an arrow just like any other bow.

Nonhunters I have spoken with wonder why all the hoopla and controversy on this issue. They sum the situation with something like this-

“The deer ends up dead. Why does it matter how?”

Good question.

Search for Internet Connected Hunting Cameras and everything else

September 6, 2013 by Charlie 1 Comment

Do you really know who is watching you and when?

There is a search engine, Shodan, available that searches for internet connected devices, any internet connected device. The search can be narrowed down to a device which is not password protected, by longitude and latitude, IP address, street address, city, county, state or a device in which the user has not changed its password from the manufacturer’s default. This includes all household devices such as thermostats, baby monitors, security cameras, webcams, cell phones, just to name a few. Of possible concern to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts some of their devices include GPS, phones, any camera that is capable of automatically uploading photos including the new trail cameras.

Shodan is the Google for hackers searching the internet of things. Many people saw this coming some are wary while others are on the “oh what the heck I don’t have anything to hide” page. Well to this latter group think again, read this story in Forbes about a man who was awakened in the middle of the night by a voice in his 2 year old daughters room; it was a man talking over the baby monitor!

Fortunately at this point charlie carries no internet connected devices while hunting or while enjoying the outdoors. To the distress of many including mrs elk, not even a cellphone. He has always viewed them as electronic leashes. Now that all this tech can be turned into real-time monitoring he thinks he has been proven right in that respect.

So how can we use Shodan to scout for game?

Search for active GPS units in known hunting areas during hunting season. Better yet if you know a hunter who consistently bags a trophy or has good success getting whatever the game you seek. Then find that hunter’s GPS and phone IP address to watch in real time while they are hunting. Of course a savvy hunter with productive secret areas to hunt is going to turn off all their gadgets while hunting. But will they? These days more and more people feel too insecure to be “disconnected” for extended periods of time. Certainly at some point he is going to check in with the wife- Bingo you have his stand location!

Or search for the new generation of trail cameras which upload pictures immediately to a remote server or cell phone. Bingo you have pictures of the deer along with GPS coordinates of the camera’s location.

Unethical you say, perhaps, but how would anyone prove the competing hunter did any hacking? Besides is it hacking if there is no encrypted protection on the device?

Heck charlie was upset when Google Earth pictures of his home clearly showed mrs elk working her garden and the license plate number of his Suburban clearly visible. Then a computer nerdy friend educated him about Meta Data which he wrote about in Your Secret Hunting Location and Metadata Now his mind is spinning in new directions. If you can help him stop spinning; please feel free to try.

2013 Wisconsin Fall Turkey Permit Drawing Results

August 19, 2013 by Charlie 2 Comments

Update 8/23/13 The corrected number and zones of Leftover Wisconsin Fall Turkey permit numbers has been updated. 2013 Fall Turkey Leftover Permit Availability

Here is a PDF table of Wisconsin’s 2013 fall wild turkey drawing results. 2013 fall turkey permits pdf

There were 20,000 more fall turkey applicants in 2013 than in 2012 as a result there are hunters who did not draw a fall tag in units 2, 5,6 & 7 including 130 landowners did not draw a permit in these units.

55, 711 wild turkey permits were awarded out of a total of 96,700 permits available.

Leftover tags are available as follows:

Unit 1 – 15,845
Unit 3 – 17,340
Unit 4 – 7,804

These tags will available for sale starting August 24 at 10 A.M. Hunters may buy one tag per day until sold out.

Warm up the calls, the fall turkey season starts September 14, 2013

Wisconsin State Senate Schedules Crossbow Hearing

August 12, 2013 by Charlie 4 Comments

Update 12/17/13 Crossbows Now Legal in Wisconsin

Just when you think hope of change is slim, in this case crossbows legal for all hunters in Wisconsin– I wrote about the slim hope the other day Will Wisconsin let everyone use a crossbow in 2013?

A pleasant surprise. Here is the press release from Rep. Mary Czaja (R) and Rep Chris Danou (D)

Madison – Statement from Rep. Mary Czaja (R-Irma) and Rep. Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau) on progress of Assembly Bill 194 in state Senate:

“We are encouraged by the progress of AB 194 and we thank Senator Neal Kedzie, Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee for scheduling a public hearing this week. There has been a great deal of discussion between legislators of both parties, sporting groups, and hunting enthusiasts and it is encouraging to see this legislation move forward.

“Expanding crossbow use in Wisconsin will bring increased economic activity, in the manufacturing and retail sector. It will also provide additional hunting opportunities for all Wisconsinites, particularly women and young people who may not possess the physical strength to use a traditional bow. We thank our colleagues in the Assembly for their unanimous support of AB 194 in June. We look forward to the Senate considering the merits of this legislation.”

A hunter’s crossbow. Will it be legal for all hunters in 2013 or 2014?

Assembly Bill 194 establishes a separate season and license for crossbow use in
Wisconsin, with the season to run concurrent to the traditional archery season. AB 194 was passed by the State Assembly with a vote of 95-0 on June 6th, 2013.

The slim chance Wisconsin could have crossbows legal in Wisconsin for the 2013 season is getting fatter. Stay tune for updates as they happen.

UPDATE: 08/13/13 Public Hearing Rescheduled for August 21.

While on WPR: Mike Brust, President of the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association said:

the concern is that an influx of crossbow hunters could result in fewer hunting opportunities for traditional bowhunters. WBA supports a new crossbow season — as long as it’s separate from the traditional bow season.

The Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing:

Wednesday, August 21, 2013 10:00 AM

300 Southeast State Capitol Madison, WI

Update 8/20/13: The slim hope of a 2013 crossbow season in Wisconsin has been squashed according to Senator Farrow in his crossbow legislation reaches compromise press release. Those hunters who do not possess a disability permit will have to wait until 2014.

Madison – After weeks of discussion and amendment drafts, the Wisconsin State Senate is prepared to move Assembly Bill 194, also known as the Crossbow Hunting Bill, through the legislative process. The bill, offered by Senator Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee) and Representative Mary Czaja (R-Irma), was passed by a vote of 95-0 in the State Assembly on June 6th and has been the topic of extensive discussion in the State Senate.

The bill creates a new crossbow hunting season that would run concurrently with the archery deer hunting season. It will also provide for a new era of sporting heritage in Wisconsin by gaining the interest of women, children, the elderly and disabled to Wisconsin’s long hunting traditions. The compromise allows for the DNR to create the new season in 2014 and allow enough time to evaluate the impact of the new season on the deer herd.

“Although members of the State Senate will ultimately make some changes to this legislation, it is the hard work and dedication of Representative Mary Czaja that truly held this legislation together,” stated Farrow. “With the amount of support this legislation received in the Assembly, Representative Czaja could have held firm and declined Senate amendments. Yet, because of her leadership and her commitment to our sportsmen and women, she helped create a workable and acceptable amendment.”

The Death of Fawn Named Giggles

August 9, 2013 by Charlie 1 Comment

Fawns like this are rarely if ever abandoned. Do not try and help; Mama deer will be back.

Post Updated August 30 WDNR proposed Policy Change– scroll down–

A sad story, with plenty of wrongs on all sides. Watch the first WISN 12 ” Armed Agents Raid Animal Shelter for Baby Deer” news story here. It started when a good-intentioned Illinois couple mistakenly thought they were rescuing an abandoned baby deer close to the Wisconsin / Illinois border. They compounded the problem by crossing a state line with a living wild animal to bring it to Wisconsin-based St Francis shelter for “rehabilitation”.

The first mistake, a fawn left alone is rarely, if ever “abandoned” by its mother. Does frequently leave their young fawns alone for extended periods of time. One can only imagine the panic the doe experienced when she returned to find her fawn gone. Many times I have watched does dash madly about to find wayward fawns that had wandered out on their own. The giggling sound made by the fawn which led to its name Giggles was the fawn calling out for its mother. In this case, the fawn was removed when it should have been left alone.
The second mistake, St Francis should not have taken the fawn in without contacting the WDNR within 24 hours to apply for a permit as Wisconsin law requires.

Regarding – “The Armed Raid” – It’s quite clear WDNR law enforcement overreacted, although I can find no evidence of any illegality on the part of law enforcement. I have corresponded with some of those involved and law enforcement friends who were not involved. On the condition I not reveal their names here is what I found.

Before a search warrant, St Francis refused a request by a couple of wardens to search and take custody of the fawn. They did not sneak around and spy first as reported in the news. St Francis was within their rights to refuse a warrantless search.
16 government agents and employees came back to serve the search warrant. 10 Conservation Officers dressed in regular duty uniform with the prescribed sidearm. One Deputy Sheriff dressed in regular duty uniform and normal sidearm. Two plain clothed detectives with concealed arms. Three WDNR Wildlife staff, presumably the ones who tranquilized Giggles. The Wisconsin Reporter confirms my information above.

Supervisor Jennifer Niemeyer did the WDNR no favor in her interview with WISN 12 News where she said:

“the law requires the DNR agents to euthanize animals like Giggles because of the potential for disease and danger to humans.” charlie says: Actually, that is not true as it is not a blanket kill requirement, the law allows for the issue of a permit for rehab purposes.
“These are always very difficult situations for both parties involved, and we are empathetic to the fact of what happened because we know in our heart of hearts they tried to do the right thing,” Niemeyer said. charlie – Yes, correct, sensitivity and common sense should have entered in this situation. WDNR used neither.
“Could you have made a phone call before showing up, I mean, that’s a lot of resources,” WISN 12 News investigative reporter Colleen Henry asked.
Niemeyer continued “If a sheriff’s department is going in to do a search warrant on a drug bust, they don’t call them and ask them to surrender voluntarily their marijuana or whatever drug that they have before they show up,”

Niemeyer’s last statement is really over the top. There is no comparison or moral equivalence between a drug raid and a 35 lb. fawn. This case clearly demonstrates the problem with the “letter” of the law and the spirit of law. Or as most citizens think of it – common sense. In the sad case of Giggles, the ability and the power of the position overruled compassion and common sense.

Deer who have found their way into life-threatening predicaments such as stranded on ice flows or bucks with locked antlers are routinely saved when found. Further, those who engage in saving them are given accolades, not citations.

In the case of Giggles, the fawn WDNR claimed the risk of CWD as the excuse to kill her. But it is well-documented fawns do not have CWD nor are they carriers of CWD in their first nine months of life. In this case, the DNR could have issued a permit and allowed the fawn to return to an Illinois shelter as was the plan before they interfered.

Fortunately, Governor Walker agrees this WDNR enforcement action was uncalled for and over the top. He is demanding significant changes in procedure.

Proposed Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources policy change August 30, 2013
Immediate reintroduction of wild animals into the wild

After voluntarily collecting an illegally captured wild animal, DNR staff would reintroduce the animal to the wild if it does not pose a threat to public health, the health of wildlife, or to the animal itself. In the case of deer, if a deer originates in a Chronic Wasting Disease zone, it could only be reintroduced in a CWD zone.

•Ability of a licensed rehabilitator to rehabilitate wild animals for reintroduction to the wild If a wild animal cannot be immediately released into the wild, but could be safely released after rehabilitation, it would be taken to a licensed rehabilitator. In the case of deer, following rehabilitation, a deer which originated in a CWD zone could only be reintroduced into a CWD zone.

•Restricted use of euthanasia DNR staff would only euthanize a wild animal if it is sick, highly likely to be diseased, or a threat to public health or the health of other wildlife. Additionally, the proposal calls for the following change which would require action by the state legislature to change state law:

• Ability of an individual to care for a captured deer with proper health and disease protections Individuals who illegally hold a captured wild deer would still face citations and penalties for illegally possessing the deer. They may be able to keep the deer if they meet a series of regulations to ensure the health of the deer and the state’s deer population as a whole. These include, but are not limited to, specific size and space requirements for an enclosure, health tests administered by a licensed veterinarian, and a notification process to both DNR and DATCP.

We are still waiting for changes in their law enforcement procedures. Sending 16 government agents to deal with one small fawn and six animal shelter employees is ridiculous. It is not the same as a drug raid.

Fully 3D Printed Rifle The Grizzly Hand Firing

August 8, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

3D Printing is a technology my brain has a hard time wrapping around. As a long time Star Trek fan I have pondered the societal ramifications if a working replicator could be built. If the average person could own a replicator would they ever have to work again? If not what would a fellow do with all that leisure time?

Is a 3D printer our replicator? Currently they are large machines but soon there may be small more portable versions. Will the survival kits we carry while hunting or hiking in the back country soon be these printers? Supplying any need we may have. Or imagine the day we carry a 3D printer about the size of a backpack so instead of setting up camp we can simply print it into existence.

Here is a video of a 3D printed rifle that shot 14 rounds before cracking.

Should we develop regulations on this technology or let it develop unfettered. Laws and regulations have a history of unintended consequences while smothering and crushing creativity.

Is a product from a 3D printer a manufactured one or just a print, much the same as a printed document? This is important where firearms are concerned because there are regulations concerning the manufacture and sale of firearms. Where as, there are no regulations controlling the printing of products. At least none that I am aware of. Stay tuned, something tells me that is about to change.

Will Wisconsin let everyone use a crossbow in 2013?

August 8, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Update March 10, 2014 Wisconsin Cancels Disabled Hunter Permits

Update 12/17/2013 Crossbows Now Legal In Wisconsin

After investigating many possible scenarios there appears to be a chance although a slim one that Wisconsin’s bowhunters will be allowed to use crossbows in the 2013 archery season. Well, technically during the soon to be established concurrent crossbow season, an important distinction to some.

A hunter’s crossbow. Will it be legal for all hunters in 2013 or 2014?

When the Wisconsin Assembly unanimously passed AB 194 many hunters were optimistic they would have the long denied opportunity to hunt deer with a crossbow in Wisconsin. In this age of extreme political partisanship where nothing gets a unanimous vote it sure seemed a slam dunk the WI Senate would quickly follow suit. Unfortunately that was not the case, SB 185 is stuck in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Senator Neal Kedzie is the chair and there are rumors he is not enthusiastic about legalizing crossbows. I have heard these from other Senator’s staff. This may be more finger pointing by others rather than being based in any fact. You can judge for yourself; Here is my email to Senator Kedzie and his response-

charlie wrote:

Honorable Senator Kedzie,

Many deer hunters were looking forward to hunting with crossbows during this fall’s archery season especially after the Assembly passed this bill unanimously. However it now appears SB185 is stuck in the Natural Resource committee with no action scheduled. Is this correct? Are there plans to get this to the floor of the Senate anytime soon?

Because of the current special crossbow permitting process many once proud bowhunters who became impaired are considered second class hunters due to their special treatment. Legalizing crossbows for everyone would do a lot to take away the current stigma associated with a hunter who uses a crossbow. Please do what you can to get SB 185 up for a vote an on to the Governor.

Thank you.

Senator Kedzie responded:

Thank you for contacting the office of Senator Neal Kedzie regarding legislation relating to the use of crossbows for hunting.

As you know, an amended version of the bill recently passed the State Assembly; the Assembly version is now different than the Senate version, SB 185. The Assembly bill was referred to the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Friday, June 14^th. At this time, no hearings have been scheduled, as the full Senate has adjourned and will not meet in regular session until September 17^th, at the earliest. Thus, no other legislation will be taken up by the Senate prior to mid-September, and scheduling a hearing for the bill at this time would be somewhat moot, as the work of the committee is only one step of the Senate approval process.

Still, we appreciate reading your comments in support of the legislation.

Office of Senator Neal Kedzie

OK, I said the chance of legalizing crossbows in Wisconsin for the 2013 season was slim at best. The state senate is not back in session until September 17th three days after the opening of archery season. If the Senate Natural Resources Committee schedules the public hearing, votes SB 185 out committee, Senate Majority Leader Senator Fitzgerald schedules a full senate vote, SB 185 were to pass and then get the Governor’s signature; by mid October or so. WDNR already has the license issuing program written, tested and ready to go. It would then be possible to have a crossbow license available by third week of October just in time for hunting the rut and the rest of the archery season.

More likely, SB 185 will be passed early in 2014 and hopefully effective for the 2014 deer season. No matter what the people want politics move slowly and unfortunately, particularly on the Senate side of the equation politicians listen more to the special interests than voters.

Update: Hearing scheduled for more Wisconsin State Senate Schedules Crossbow Hearing

Turkeys and Poults Find Them During the Summer

July 22, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

The poult watch is a popular summer time activity of turkey hunters; well maybe not

Wild turkey hen with brood of poults.
photo by Kevin Cole

the casual turkey hunter but certainly those who are the hard bitten turkey hooked type of hunter. Many hunters I have talked with lately see no sense to scouting turkeys now. After all turkeys will, most likely, not be in the same areas come September 14th Wisconsin’s 2013 fall opening date. Besides these hunters add the cover is so thick you can’t see the birds anyway. Well maybe there is some truth to that on both accounts…

Will turkeys be somewhere else come the opener?

Maybe, maybe not.

Turkeys in my section of Wisconsin are wide ranging they can be one place one day and somewhere else the next. You just never know because they do things for turkey reasons. Heck during the fall season on any given day turkeys could be all over in one area and gone somewhere else the next. Turkeys are very random creatures so no matter the time of year turkeys might be somewhere other than where they were last seen.

What is the definition of scouting? I think it means different things to each hunter. To me it does not matter if you call turkey observing scouting or whatever. I simply like watching turkeys period. Observation is a prime method of learning and there is a lot to learn about turkeys. But first you have to find turkeys to observe.

Contrary to the conclusion some spring only hunters come to. Turkeys respond to calls year round. You can even call turkeys during the summer months. During the summer I like to find and watch hens with broods so I use hen talk such as the assembly call, putt, clucks, and feeding purrs young poults instinctively respond quickly to these calls. When the hen calls poults pay attention because their lives depend on it for survival. In the case of alarm putts and assembly calls they must come quickly so the hen can shepard them out of danger.

Wild turkey poults must feed extensively during summer months.

My goal using a call is to locate the poults not necessarily to call them in as I would while hunting in order to get a shot. I like to find the birds then just shutup and watch them interact while going about thier business. Dense cover in fields and woods frequently inhibits the ability to see. This is a two way street, the turkeys can’t see well either which many times causes them to use their wings to get above the cover or they may fly into trees for a look around. Too often we think of turkeys as ground birds during the day and tree birds while they roost at night. In reality turkeys especially the young are in the treetops more than we think. Dittos for the use of their wings. Sometimes after making some calls the turkeys will flutter and hover a bit much alike a hummingbird does up above ground cover to get look.

Turkeys most preferred summer food is insects from the smallest of gnats to large grasshoppers. Find a good source of insect life in good turkey habitat and you should find the birds. Don’t over look areas in and around water. Not only does water concentrate insects it also holds all kinds of high protein morsels such as crayfish, tadpoles, frogs, snails and many types of aquatic bugs. I have seen water feeding turkeys dunk there heads underwater to feed on these.

Turkeys prefer eating insects and other high protein critters.

Wisconsin 2013 Ruffed Grouse Report

June 25, 2013 by Charlie 1 Comment

photo courtesy of NPS

Update 2016: Grouse 2016 Wisconsin Outlook; Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

June 25, 2013, Wisconsin DNR Ruffed grouse survey indicates slight population decline in the recently completed roadside survey of ruffed grouse.

WDNR Press Release, MADISON, WI –

“The index that Wisconsin uses to track ruffed grouse decreased 9 percent between 2012 and 2013,” said Brian Dhuey, Department of Natural Resources wildlife surveys coordinator. “This decrease isn’t unexpected at this point in the population cycle. Ruffed grouse populations are known to boom and bust over a nine- to 11-year cycle. Grouse populations in Wisconsin tend to be at their peak in years ending in a nine or zero.”

This survey has been conducted by staff from the DNR, U.S. Forest Service, tribal employees, numerous grouse enthusiasts and volunteers since 1964. Surveyors begin 30 minutes before sunrise and drive along established routes, making ten stops at assigned points and listening for four minutes for the distinctive “thump, thump, thump” sounds made by drumming male grouse. Results from this survey help DNR biologists monitor the cyclic population dynamics of ruffed grouse in the state.

The number of drums heard per stop in 2013 was down 9 percent statewide from the previous year. One of the primary regions for grouse in the state, the central region, showed an 18 percent drop in the number of drums heard per stop, yet the other primary region in the north showed a 2 percent increase.

According to Scott Walter, the DNR upland wildlife ecologist

“Ruffed grouse are closely linked to young forest habitats that develop following large disturbances, notably logging activities,” Walter said. “While we often focus as hunters on grouse numbers in a single year, it’s important to remember that the long-term health of grouse and other early-successional wildlife is dependent upon our ability to create the dense young cover they require. Lacking significant, broad-scale forms of natural disturbance such as fire, we need to ensure that intensive timber harvests remain a component of our forest management activities.”

Regarding the slight increase in northern Wisconsin, Gary Zimmer, coordinating biologist for the Ruffed Grouse Society, points to the weather.

“Weather, especially during the brood rearing period in late May and early June, plays an important role in ruffed grouse numbers,” said Zimmer. “The slight increase shown in this spring’s northern region drumming counts, even in a downward cycle, can definitely be tied to 2012’s excellent brood rearing conditions with its lengthy dry, warm period in June.

“Unfortunately, this spring’s weather is not following the same pattern and it is doubtful fall grouse numbers will be comparable to last year in the north woods. However, even with lower populations, Wisconsin still has some of the best grouse hunting in the country,” Zimmer said.

Complete survey results can be found by searching the DNR website for “ wildlife reports.”

photo courtesy Son of the late Don L Johnson

For more information, search the DNR website for “ruffed grouse hunting.”

Press release from WDNR edited by charlie

Your Secret Hunting Location and Metadata

June 21, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Metadata may lead another hunter to your most favored haunts.

So you thought you’d done a good job keeping your prime hunting spots top secret even from most of your closest buddies. Heck, season after season you’ve bagged a trophy so what’s there to worry about now? Except then on occasion, you see another truck parked around “your” area, then another and another. What’s going on? A random hunter invasion or something else?

Well if you took pictures near the kill site, texted or made a phone call. Oops, you’ve marked the location of your honey hole with metadata.

Metadata is information that includes GPS coordinates, information about communications you send and receive, the type of device used, email subject lines, search terms and the websites you visit. It exposes your reading and viewing habits. If you carry your cell phone to a gun range- Don’t worry about any of the firearm databases; you have just disclosed to anyone in the world who understands metadata that you are probably a gun owner. As a matter of fact, if someone cares to track you, metadata can construct a map of your daily movements.

Analyzing metadata requires specialized computer skills right?

Not really, all you need is a computer program with the right algorithms; Google has apps for that which are available for free. Digital pictures contain the GPS coordinates of where and when they were taken, so do text messages and emails. You won’t find GPS coordinates listed as such because they are contained in the code, so you need to run a program to sort them out. With this program you can check out all the vanity pictures posted online, sent by email or texted.

Very soon there will be a new easy to use deer scouting app advertised by some large hunting company that will search the trophy deer picture for its GPS coordinates. Someone somewhere is working on that app marketing right now. In the meantime with an understanding of metadata analyzing and the right Google app, anyone can find the GPS coordinates of a picture taken with smartphones and the new digital cameras including trail cameras.

Metadata is one of the reasons why charlie does not carry a smartphone hunting, and his camera is old with no GPS capabilities.

Ways to avoid having your hunting location metadata-ed

Do not take a smartphone hunting
Take your vanity pictures in locations where you do not care about disclosure
Do not use your phone as a GPS rather use a GPS that broadcasts no identifying information
Do not text or send emails from your hunting spots

Of course, the best-looking pictures are those taken in the field shortly after the game is killed.

How to “scrub” your photo for online use:

Open the photo in one program and open another new file, use a crop box tool to select the open photo displayed on your screen. Paste it into the other empty file then rename it and save. The only metadata it should have now is the file creation date, file type, and size.

Treble Hooked Triple Beard Turkey: What?!?

June 17, 2013 by Charlie 5 Comments

My good friend and hunting partner Jerry Cusick had one of the toughest spring turkey hunting seasons during this Wisconsin 2013 season. We all had some seriously tough weather to contend with but nothing like Jerry experienced so it is good he killed this unique gobbler.

Story as told by Jerry Cusick:

What I remember is it was downright cold that morning (First day of 3^rd WI turkey season). I was bundled up pretty good and that was just barely warm enough. I was hunting above the river bluff on the edge of a picked corn field. There was gobbling in the dark before legal time, but nothing after fly-down. It was at least 2 hours later when I heard a faint gobble somewhere down the bluff. I called and he did not answer a hen yelp. I switched to deep drawn out gobbler yelps and he gobbled back. In my scouting the day before I found male turkeys still hanging out with other males, so I wasn’t surprised that it worked. It only took about ten minutes and he came up from below. I had a hen and jake decoy out and there was also a live jake that had walked in minutes before. The adult gobbler immediately went into strut and ambled towards the live jake until he moved off. The adult tom then turned and came right into my set-up. He never gobbled the whole time I watched him and he never broke out of strut either. I could hear him spit and drum clearly many times before I finally pulled the trigger at about 10 yards. He had good spurs, a triple beard and the odd thing was the treble hook with swivel that I found imbedded in his waddle. I have no idea how he got it, but believe he may have tried to roost in a tree near the river where someone had lost their tackle up on a limb.

photo and kill by Jerry Cusick.
Triple bearded wild turkeys are rare but what was imbedded in the turkey’s neck is even rarer.

A Treble Hook in a wild turkey’s neck?!
photo courtesy of Jerry Cusick.

I have killed a lot of turkeys over the years many of them near rivers and streams that experience heavy fishing pressure but I have never seen a fish in a wild turkey. Nor have I ever heard of it happening before, ever. How is the world would a fish hook find its way into a wild turkey’s neck?

Crossbow Bill AB 194 Wisconsin Assembly Passes

June 7, 2013 by Charlie 8 Comments

Update 12/17/2013 Crossbows Now Legal in Wisconsin 2014

Wisconsin Crossbow bill AB 194 passes the Assembly and moves on to the Senate

On Thursday June 6, the Wisconsin Assembly passed AB 194, to create Crossbow Hunting Licenses –

From the Assembly official site

AB 194
BY CZAJA
CREATE CROSSBOW HUNTING LICENSES
PASSAGE

AYES – 95 NAYS – 0 NOT VOTING – 4 PAIRED – 0

Wow, I did not expect a unanimous vote. Is this what happens when special interest groups stand down? The Wisconsin Bowhunters who were the opposition lobbyists and the NRA who are the proponents of hunter freedom and choice agreed to not lobby for or against crossbill bill 194, the Senate’s version or the Governor’s signature. So the legislators were left to hear from their constituents without any group lobbying. This demonstrates that there is widespread support for crossbow hunting that cuts across party lines all across the state of Wisconsin. It will be interesting to see the how the Senate vote goes.

The bowhunter’s crossbow

Assuming this crossbow bill AB 194 becomes law in Wisconsin bow hunters will have a chance to try a crossbow while deer hunting for their first time. They’ll find there is a “crossbow” learning curve. Hunting with a crossbow is the same yet different than a regular bow. Many bow hunters have heard the stories and claims made about crossbows being so much easier than current legal archery, it will be interesting to talk with those first time hunters about their perceptions verses actual experience. I for one can’t wait.

Wisconsin Crossbow Bill as Amended – May 29, 2013

June 6, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

The bowhunter’s crossbow

Update 12/17/2013 Crossbows are now Legal in Wisconsin 2014

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 194

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues hunting licenses and establishes open hunting seasons that allow the hunting of specified game animals. Among the licenses that DNR issues are resident and nonresident archer hunting licenses. An archer hunting license allows the holder to hunt all game, except bear, elk, wolf, and wild turkey, with a bow and arrow during the relevant open season established by DNR. An archer hunting license allows a person to hunt only with a bow and arrow and not with a crossbow unless the person is disabled and holds a permit from DNR that authorizes the use of a crossbow or unless the person is at least 65 years old. This substitute amendment eliminates the age and disability requirements for using a crossbow. Instead, the substitute amendment establishes a new resident crossbow hunting license and a new nonresident crossbow hunting license.

The crossbow hunting licenses established in this substitute amendment allow a license holder to use a crossbow to hunt the same game animals that may be hunted under current law with an archer hunting license. The substitute amendment also allows the holder of an archer hunting license to obtain a crossbow hunting license at a substantially reduced fee and allows the holder of a crossbow hunting license to obtain an archer hunting license at a substantially reduced fee. As with other hunting licenses under current law, a person may not obtain a crossbow hunting license unless the person completes a course of instruction in hunter education or bow hunter education.

Current law provides that if DNR establishes an open season for hunting deer, elk, small game, wild turkey, or bear with a bow and arrow but not with a firearm, DNR may not open that season for hunting with a crossbow unless the hunter is at least 65 years old or is disabled and holds a permit from DNR. This substitute amendment provides that if DNR establishes an open season for hunting any of those animals with a bow and arrow but not with a firearm, DNR must also establish a concurrent open season that allows a person to hunt the respective animal with a crossbow regardless of the age of the hunter or whether the hunter has a disability.

The substitute amendment also provides that if DNR requires a person who kills an animal to register the animal with DNR, then DNR must make a record of the type of weapon that was used to kill the animal.

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