Deer Hunt 2010 will air Nov 11 on Public Television across the state

MADISON – Deer Hunt 2010, hosted by Wisconsin Public Television’s Dan Small and sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, will air Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. on Milwaukee Public Television station MPTV 10.1 and the Wisconsin Channel of Wisconsin Public Television across the state. A directory of stations can be found on the Wisconsin Public Television website [www.wpt.org/wisconsinchannel] (exit DNR).

The goal of the hour-long broadcast is to review what every hunter needs to know and share some tips that might be new even for the most skilled veteran deer hunters. Viewers will also hear from several veteran hunters “sitting ‘round the campfire” sharing stories and thoughts about memorable hunts, memorable moments in their hunting careers and why they hunt.

DNR customer service specialists will be standing by phones to answer questions from viewers during the broadcast and every other day of the year. DNR operates its information line 1-888-WDNR-INFo (936-7463) 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7-days a week, year round, including right through the hunting seasons when operators have taken calls from hunters sitting on their deer stands on opening morning.
Host Dan Small will be joined by DNR and UW-Madison wildlife biologists and DNR conservation wardens who will share updates and important information hunters should review before they head to the woods for the November deer hunt.
“Even the most seasoned hunter can forget pieces of important gear or find themselves scrambling at the last minute to get stuff in the truck and hit the road on Friday night,” says Small. “I hope our show will provide a reminder of what to think about and what to have ready to go as you head for deer camp -- including being familiar with the hunting rules for your hunting location.”

Highlights of the show will include some interesting aerial footage shot last January from a helicopter as biologists surveyed deer populations in the chronic wasting disease management zone, review of tree stand safety, a statewide deer season forecast, new hunting rules, and an update on CWD. There is also a discussion on scouting for deer and placing food plots in effective spots.

Deer research has been getting a lot of interest lately and the DNR is investing $2 million over the next several years to answer some of the questions hunters have been asking about the role of predators on deer populations, different methods of population surveying, and causes of death among bucks and fawns. This is a joint effort involving the DNR, University of Wisconsin-Madison, many hunting and conservation groups and even AFL-CIO union shops. A UW- Madison wildlife researcher will give viewers a run down of what’s going on and how hunters can get involved. Volunteers are needed for the field work and more than 180 have already signed on.

The face of deer hunters is changing and in addition to research aimed at understanding changes among older hunters, viewers will also get a look at Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law which allows hunters as young as 10 years of age to experience hunting without first passing a hunter education course. The mentored hunt was enormously successful in its first season (2009) with more than 10,000 10- and 11-year-olds participating in the mentored hunting program.

“I hope you’ll join Dan and the rest of the crew in this annual salute to one of our most hallowed traditions, the November deer hunt,” said Tom Hauge, director of the DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management. “It’s part of who we are in Wisconsin and I wish all hunters good luck and safe hunting.”

Source: Wisconsin DNR
Site: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=247#art1
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Manwell (608) 264-8942

Deer Registration and Carcass Transportation in CWD Zone

MADISON – Hunters are reminded that all deer killed in the chronic wasting disease Management Zone (CWD-MZ) of south central Wisconsin must be registered no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day after it was harvested within the unit of kill or an adjacent unit within the CWD-MZ.

“There still appears to be some confusion among hunters on registering deer in the CWD Management Zone so now is a good time to remind bow hunters while the season is ongoing and those (hunters) getting ready for the November gun-deer season,” said CWD coordinator Davin Lopez.

Not all stations that register deer in the CWD-MZ sample deer for the disease, noted Lopez, and hunters should either call ahead or check the DNR’s web site for stations that will remove samples from your deer to test for CWD.
Most of DNR’s South Central Region and a good part of the agency’s Southeast Region lie within the CWD-MZ. Hunters are advised to check the 2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations booklet for a map of the CWD-MZ and other details.

Hunters who will be transporting their deer out of the CWD-MZ are further reminded that whole deer carcasses and certain restricted parts – brain, spinal chord and lymphoid tissue – can only be transported to other areas of the state if they are taken to a licensed meat processor or taxidermist within 72 hours of registration.

This rule is designed to “help hunters so they can get their deer processed and mounted closer to home, while still ensuring the responsible disposal of potentially infectious materials,” pointed out Lopez.

Where to Go Online for More Information

A listing of registration stations is available at:
http://prodoasext.dnr.wi.gov/inter1/pk_cwd_regpub$.startup

Look for those that are listed as “CWD-Registration and Testing” for stations that will remove samples for CWD testing.

Hunters interested in the latest information on CWD in Wisconsin can visit the DNR web site at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/whealth/issues/CWD/index.htm

News Release Published: October 26, 2010 by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Davin Lopez, CWD Coordinator, Madison: 608-267-7857 Jason Fleener, Wildlife Biologist, Madison: 608-261-7589
Source: Wisconsin DNR
Site: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1895

Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law continues to grow in second year

MADISON – With the fall hunting seasons in full swing, now is the time hunters can help secure the future of their tradition and introduce someone to hunting by taking advantage of Wisconsin’s mentored hunting law.

“Mentored hunting is a great way for families to involve their kids in family gatherings and in Wisconsin's greatest hunting tradition. Participation continues to grow especially among 10 and 11-year-olds with gun deer license sales in this age group up 26 percent over this date last year,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “Wisconsin hunters can be proud of the rapid growth and spotless safety record of our mentored youth hunt -- and of their own personal effort to grow the next generation of Wisconsin hunters and conservationists."

Kids with a mentored hunting license and a mentor can participate in the special youth hunts for deer, waterfowl and turkey. These special hunts take place the weekend before the general hunting seasons open for popular species, allowing youths the opportunity to hunt under generally milder weather and with the complete with attention of their adult mentor.

In 2009, the first year of the program, more than 12,000 new hunters participated under the mentored hunting program. Ten thousand of these hunters were kids age 10 or 11, who also are entitled to purchase the various types of hunting licenses at a reduced rate of $7.00.

Key to the Mentored Hunting Law are safety provisions and a focus on a one mentored hunter to one mentor pairing. Only one firearm or bow is allowed between the two and the new hunter must be within arm’s reach of the mentor at all times. Mentors may not hunt if it is a designated youth hunt weekend but may hunt if they have the appropriate license during a regular season. The pair still may only carry one bow or firearm between them and must remain within arm’s reach at all times. All normal hunting rules are in effect in regard to open seasons, firearm restrictions and bag limits.

Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law provides an opportunity to experience hunting under carefully controlled conditions designed to provide a safe experience. If the hunting bug bites, the new hunter can dig in and complete a hunter education safety course, allowing them to hunt on their own starting at age 14.

After the mentored hunt

People born after Jan. 1, 1973 must complete a hunter education course before they can hunt on their own. Courses are often in high demand and this can present a scheduling barrier to getting started in hunting especially for some busy families. The mentored hunt allows anyone over 10 years of age to experience hunting with a trusted mentor who is already a licensed hunter until the time they can complete a hunter education course.

Requirements for mentors

To serve as a mentor, a person must be at least 18 years old, have a hunting license and be a hunter education course graduate or have completed basic training with U.S. Armed Forces, if born on or after Jan. 1, 1973. The mentor and the mentored hunter must be within arm’s reach at all times and may only carry one gun or one bow between them. The mentor, if not the youth’s parent or legal guardian, must also have the permission of the youth’s parent or legal guardian to accompany the youth.

“Mentored hunting has proven to be a safe and rewarding experience for both the new hunter and the mentor,” said Todd Schaller, conservation warden and chief of the Department of Natural Resources’ recreational safety programs. “The smiles on the faces of the kids who have watched and listened to the hunting stories told by their older brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and parents and who now have a hunting story of their own are priceless. It is an important first step to becoming a responsible hunter and conservationist at a time when kids are very impressionable and are beginning to get a feel for the activities they will pursue as adults.”

Source: Wisconsin DNR
Site: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=247#art1
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Schaller – (608) 267-2774

Plan approved to guide state efforts to control CWD over next 15 years

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A plan that will guide the state’s efforts to manage chronic wasting disease over the next 15 years was approved unanimously by the State Natural Resources Board at its September meeting.

“This new plan provides more specific actions and focuses on responding to disease outbreaks on the periphery of the known CWD area, said Davin Lopez, CWD project leader for the Department of Natural Resources.

The plan proposes a number of actions including:

• Stable hunting season structure if deer numbers are moving toward the established population goal at a sufficient rate.

• A renewed commitment and investment in outreach and education using a professional communications firm.

• Landowner permit system.

• Focused sharpshooting along the periphery of the disease.

• Continued surveillance and testing statewide and in the CWD-Management Zone.

• Continued support of food pantries for donating venison and pursuit of a statewide ban on baiting and feeding of deer.

Besides input from the Natural Resources Board and an independent review panel, the 15-year CWD Response Plan is founded on experience and additional knowledge gained over the past eight years and reflects input from a diverse number of sources, including a citizen Stakeholder Advisory Group, the Conservation Congress and other states.

“Despite the strength of the plan, it will only be successful if it has the support and associated active participation of our partners and the public. Successfully controlling and managing CWD in Wisconsin will require a sustained effort over many years, likely far beyond this 15-year plan. It is very challenging for everyone involved, but the alternative of letting the disease spread uncontrolled is much worse,” said Lopez.

The CWD Response Plan is available on the chronic wasting disease management pages of the DNR website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: contact Davin Lopez at 608-267-2948 or Greg Matthews at 608-275-3317.

Source: Wisconsin DNR
Site:http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=243#art1