Deer hunters urged to help eliminate feral pigs

MADISON – State wildlife officials are encouraging hunters who have small game licenses heading out for Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day gun deer hunting season to keep an eye out for feral pigs. Since 1997 feral pigs have been found in at least 39 Wisconsin counties.
Feral pigs in Manitowoc County - 2004

“Each year we receive reports of feral pig sightings and harvests from around the state,” says Brad Koele, wildlife damage specialist for Department of Natural Resources. “Most of these reports are of 1 or 2 pigs. However, any report of feral pigs is of interest and concern given the negative impacts they can have on the environment, Wisconsin’s agriculture production and our domestic swine industry.”

Feral pigs have been defined as “existing in an untamed or wild, unconfined state, having returned to such a state from domestication.” Feral pigs can be found across a wide variety of habitats and are highly destructive because of the rooting they do in search of food. They’re also efficient predators preying on many species including white-tailed deer fawns and ground nesting birds like grouse, woodcock, turkeys, and songbirds.

Feral pigs are known to carry a number of diseases of danger to humans and the domestic swine industry, including swine brucellosis, pseudorabies and leptospirosis. In 2008 a feral pig shot during the gun deer hunting season in Crawford County initially tested “positive” for pseudorabies however because of the poor sample quality test results could not be labeled definitive.

For removal purposes, feral pigs are currently considered unprotected wild animals and may be hunted year-round. The only day they cannot be hunted with a gun is the Friday before the nine-day gun deer hunting season. Also, feral pig hunting hours are the same as for deer during the nine-day season. During the rest of the year, there are no hunting hour restrictions for feral pigs.

There is no bag limit on feral pigs. Landowners may shoot feral pigs on their own property without a hunting license. Anyone else can shoot a feral pig as long as they possess a valid small game license, sport license, or patron license and have landowner permission if they are on private land.

While the Department encourages the removal of feral pigs when ever possible, Koele cautions that before shooting “hunters need to be sure the pigs are feral and they are not someone’s domestic pigs that may have just escaped. Hunters could be liable for the replacement cost of the pig if they are domestic.”

Information on feral pig hunting, including a list of counties where feral pigs have been sighted or killed, is available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site.
State officials request that anyone shooting a feral pig call a DNR service center or contact a DNR wildlife biologist so that blood and tissue samples can be collected for disease testing in collaboration with USDA and the State veterinarians office.

Feral pig sightings can be reported through the DNR Web site or by calling Brad Koele, Wildlife Damage Specialist at (608) 266-2151.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Koele - (608) 266-2151 or Dave Matheys - (608) 637-3938
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=195#art2

Mentored hunting program a quick hit

MADISON – More than 10,000 10- and 11-year-old mentored hunting licenses have been purchased since the September 1 start date of the new program.

The Mentored Hunting Law was created in close cooperation with Department of Natural Resources staff, hunting groups and the legislature.

“The enthusiasm and response to this new opportunity has been fantastic,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “Study after study shows it takes a hunter to make a hunter. Introducing kids to hunting in a relaxed atmosphere with close supervision is key to nurturing a love of the natural world, a conservation ethic, and what may turn out to be a lifelong love and passion for the outdoors.”

“Hunting is an important tradition for many Wisconsin families,” said Rep. Ann Hraychuck, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Fish and Wildlife. “This law allows parents to decide when a child is ready to join in the family hunting traditions. The mentor is required to be ‘within arm’s reach at all times’ of the young hunter to provide safe firearm or bow handling supervision. Learning to hunt in a safe and controlled manner allows the mentor to share skills, ethics and an appreciation for the entire experience with the young hunter.”

Five hunting license types can be purchased under the Mentored Hunting Law. Within two weeks of the effective date of the new law 2,125 licenses had been sold. Through Nov 8, a total of 10,016 licenses have been purchased.

The majority of licenses sold have been gun deer licenses at 6,775. Deer archery sales have hit 1,097 and small game sales are at 1,895. Young hunters also purchased 247 fall turkey and 2 furbearer licenses.

And how have the young hunters been doing? A preliminary tally of deer registrations for the Oct 10-11 youth deer hunt (which is open to youth 10 to 15 years of age) shows that the harvest jumped from 989 in 2008 to 4,777 in 2009, a nearly 500 percent increase. There have been no reported hunting incidents involving any mentored hunters.

Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law has been identified as being the safest set of controlled conditions for youth hunting in the nation. Mentors must be 18 years old and licensed hunters. Mentors may only accompany one 10- or 11-year-old at a time and must be within arm’s reach of the mentored hunter at all times. The pair may carry only one firearm or bow between them.

All other hunting and trapping rules apply with regard to season dates, season rules, bag limits, clothing requirements and harvest registration. Mentored hunters of any age do not need to complete a hunter safety education course prior to hunting under these controlled conditions, and if age 10 or 11, can purchase a reduced fee hunting license. Mentors must have completed a hunter safety education course if born after Jan. 1, 1973 unless they can provide proof they have completed basic training through the U.S. armed forces.

More information on mentored hunting and hunting in Wisconsin are available on the DNR Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Mott - (608) 444-1244 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=195#art2

Wisconsin Whitetail Gun Deer Season: Getting Ready

Hunters are starting to hang their orange yet and its a good time to throw out some tips to help with preparing for the Wisconsin Whitetail gun deer season.

Sight in your Rifle
Ok, so this one is an easy one to remember but here is the tip that most may not know about. When you sight in your rifle don’t be afraid to take some shots from several different stances. I see a lot of hunters set up at a range sit at a picnic table or gun table, take 10 – 12 shots and call it a day. How often are you sitting at a picnic table or gun table when shooting at a deer? Stand up, take a knee, or even sit down on the ground. Rifle ranges are set up to allow for hunters to shoot from different positions. Remember the rifle range is good for practice so we are safe in the field.

Prepare for Weather:
When packing for the season, thing of two things seasons that are in transition for Wisconsin. Summer and Winter otherwise known as fall. What this means is that we are most likely going to get one form of an extreme or another one or more of the days during the season. Start you packing by packing for the warm 60 degree weather we may get and then pack for the extreme Arctic’s. When you are packed for both you can almost assume you are done as you should be able to mix and match for the weather that pops up. Don’t forget, it will most likely rain or sleet one of the days so an extra pair of boots wont hurt.

Plan to Get Lost:
Note: The most experienced hunters tend to be the most vulnerable to get lost. Forget your pride and carry a compass. Becoming lost with the woods when you have favoring weather conditions is one thing. Becoming lost when the weather is 5 – 10 degrees below zero, that becomes very dangerous. If you got lost and its cold you will need to start a fire. Pack a zip lock bag of matches, a canteen, and a couple granola bars. This may be the bare necessities, but at least you will get through the night.

Plan to Communicate
With today’s radio, cell phone, GPS, etc…there should be no reason why you and your hunting party cannot stay in contact. As a party, come up with a communication plan and don’t be afraid to use it. You won’t scare deer away if it’s the simple use of a ear phone stuck in your ear. Having fun during the season is what it’s all about so don’t turn fun into tragedy because a party member is lost.

Safety First
Know your shooting lanes! Wear your safety harness! Don’t drive your ATV with a loaded gun! Know your surroundings! Be safe and enjoy this years whitetail season.

The Rut is Not Over: November 6th, 2009

Some of you dedicated readers have asked me if I am starting to see rut activity slow down in the last week. I hunt in both northern Wisconsin and the Midwest area of Wisconsin so I will give reports for both.

I want to let you know that I hunt the northern part of Wisconsin, about 10 miles north of Rice Lake, and as of this morning, I received a report that there was a 10 point buck pushing does around in an open hay field.

I also hunt in the Midwest portion Wisconsin, 8 miles east of Eau Claire, and as of this morning, the stand that had new scent dropped on it Monday night now has two new rubs, and one new scrape.

With the upcoming weekend being in the 60 degree area, we may see a little slow down. That actually is good news if you can get out Sunday night or Monday. With a small resting period we should see a spike in traffic this coming week.

Good luck and let me know if you have any reports from your area you would like to include.

Hunting the Whitetail Rut: Tips for the Full Rut Phase

Good tips for hunting the whitetail rut require the hunter to adapt to different whitetail deer behaviors as the rut moves from phases to pase. Here are some good tips for hunting the peak of the rut also known as the "full rut."

• Bucks typically will hang out with a doe for 24-36 hours. A good tip here is to to set up on a highly traveled doe trail. Scouting will help determine a great site to set up on but if you dont have time to scout, pick a food source or a water hole. Doe's will continue to travel trails that lead to common food and water sources if they are not being chased. Since daylight is becoming less of an abundance, set up further in the woods so you have more time to get a shot.
  
• During the rut, bucks will often find a mate and bed down together. This helps both the buck and doe conceal their identity and remove the risk for conflict with other bucks. Check scrapes and rubs as these can often be more of a sign of a bedding area more than a scrape or rub line.
  
• Bucks often will reduce their workload by simply watching and listening, and this may be done with little travel at all. Doe's will often let bucks know if they are interested or not. If she is not she may simply urinate on the ground to let the buck identify that she is not in estrus. If she is interested she will hold her tail straight out and walk in a stiff legged trot. Ridgelines and hilltops allow for bucks to do this surveying with little travel, set up just off of the ridge and do a little estrus bleat and listen up, he may be closer than you think.
  
• Here is a neat trick to try, does in estrus will respond well to grunts during the peak rut. If you see does, try grunting them in. Once the does are within 30 - 40 yards, try using a soft estrus bleat. You are basically telling the bucks that may be watching, exactly what they want to hear without the does really even telling him.
  
• Open areas may be your best opportunity during this phase. Dominant bucks care about one thing and one thing only, women. If you were the big boy on campus, you can show your stuff off by hiding in the woods, you want the women to see you. Watch the edges of open areas and fields as dominant bucks may take the road less traveled to help improve his visibility to women.