Latest On Wisconsin Outdoor Columns
6-7-2012
In an effort to bring the wolf population down to long-ago pre-established numbers not to exceed 350, the DNR is planning Wisconsin’s first modern hunting and trapping season. The department is looking for feedback on a preliminary proposed range of harvest quotas totaling between 142 and 233 wolves from a 2012 winter wolf count estimated at a minimum of 815-880 wolves currently in Wisconsin.
According to a media release received by On Wisconsin Outdoors June 6, DNR has had an approved wolf management plan since 1999 allowing for a wolf harvest when the population exceeds 350. The wolf population first attained that level in 2004.
Earlier this year the federal government delisted the gray wolf from the endangered species list for the Western Great Lakes Region. This spring, Act 169 was passed by the Wisconsin Legislature and signed by the governor, directing the Department of Natural Resources to develop a wolf hunting and trapping season rule, harvest management zones, harvest quotas, and hunter and trapper permit levels.
“The department is committed to conservation of wolves in Wisconsin. Long-term conservation includes managing this important wildlife population within our borders,” said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.
DNR biologists have developed a proposal for wolf harvest zones, wolf harvest quotas by zones, wolf hunting and trapping license levels, and other associated rules.
“We are being conservative in establishing quotas,” said DNR Wildlife Ecologist Bill Vander Zouwen.
The goals of the first wolf hunting and trapping season will be to:
- provide wolf hunting and trapping opportunities;
- begin to move the wolf population toward the established goal of 350; and
- monitor, learn and adapt for future seasons.
"Harvest quotas are expected to move the wolf population downward, but are cautious as we seek to evaluate the impacts of the first season,” said Vander Zouwen. Read the whole story on this website including harvest proposals under “Outdoor News”, “Deer Hunting” or “Trapping”. Public meetings in Wisconsin beginning this week seeking feedback are also listed
Did you ever save a moose calf in distress on the water on your birthday? No? What’s the matter with you? I would have thought that was a given. Genesee Fisherman Jim Beres did just that recently when fishing Ontario with son Dustin Beres of East Troy and Buddy Pat Richter of Cameron. See the photos and read Jim’s story here under “Trips Elsewhere”.
Depending on where your “Up North” is, we have plenty of new photos, tactics and reports coming in and posted here from some of Wisconsin’s best guides and anglers under both “Fishing Reports and “Inland Fishing”. The Hayward Area Report by Steve Suman consolidates the reports of many great guides in the far north and also brings you upcoming events for the whole family. The Ashland Chamber of Commerce taps into the expertise of guides like the famed Roger LaPenter and others to keep you informed each week of what’s happening on the water and off on the shores on Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay and inland lakes.
Guide Jeff Winters based in Boulder Junction but guiding over Iron Vilas and Oneida Counties sent us photos of a 42 inch northern, a big walleye and satisfied clients. Tourism Director Nicky Repka offers good but simple advice for the panfish angler in Rice Lake looking for bigger fish. Speaking of bluegills and crappie, buddies Wayne Morgenthaler and Mike Collins know the Wisconsin River backwaters in Richland County like an old friend it is and it shows in the photos they send. Guide Jerry “Jerkbait” Hartigan tells us how the mayfly hatch didn’t stop the good fishing on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. He’d tell us more but he had to get back on the water, as usual.
In Central Wisconsin, Guide Phil Schweik is up to his usual terrorizing of anything that swims on the Wisconsin near Wausau and his photos also show it. The fun is not all north. Guide Dave Duwe is on the bites as usual on both Lake Geneva and Delavan Lake.
In “Dick’s Trips”, check out an early June, 2004 catch and release fishing trip on the Eau Claire Chain near Hayward for smallmouth bass. With my host from Superior, we caught and released a good number of smallmouth bass averaging a phenomenal 17 or 18 inches. Three fish reached the 20 inch mark. In Dick’s Trips, we try to showcase some of the first class waters Wisconsin offers for different species that retain their quality generally year after year. Like that trip to Hayward, regulations in 2012 mean catch and release only for both largemouth and smallmouth from the opener until June 15. While we’re on bass, expert Mike McQuitty June 7 sent us a column on targeting tough, post-spawn fish. See it here under “Inland Fishing”. Also just in June 8, read at “Inland Fishing” how Sarah Pavletich, 9, rips her dad for trying to hog bragging rights on her fish. It sounded so eerily familiar.
In addition to journeys from the archives, I got back in the saddle this week as an Outdoor Writer with new trips that I plan to continue regularly all over Wisconsin. Upon invitation June 3 from West Town Archery in Brookfield, I participated in the West Town Archery Green Bay Bow Shoot with 60 other archers looking for carp. A 16 year old woman beat us all with a perfectly arrowed 25 pound fish. It had vertical stripes and huge teeth….not really.
What a blast though. I’m writing the story now. Look for the story and photos by tomorrow under “Archery/Bowhunting” and “Inland Fishing. Thanks for visiting On Wisconsin Outdoors. See you next week.
Dick Ellis