DNR Weekly News Update for December 3, 2019
Published December 3, 2019
Index
Next
Holiday Pheasant Hunt Provides Opportunity for Time with Family and Friends Pursuing Upland Game Birds
DNR staff will be stocking 2,260 pheasants on eight properties in southern Wisconsin during the week of Dec. 16.Photo credit: DNR
Contact(s): Mark Witecha, upland wildlife ecologist, 608-267-7861, Mark.Witecha@wisconsin.gov
MADISON, Wis. - The Department of Natural Resources staff will be stocking 2,260 pheasants on eight properties in southern Wisconsin during the week of Dec. 18, giving upland hunters more opportunities to pursue game birds with friends and family during the holiday season.
Late-season stocking began in 2017, and its popularity with hunters led to its expansion in 2018, thanks to the new hatchery facility. A similar number of pheasants will be released in 2019 as in 2018.
Properties to be stocked before the holiday season include:
- Mud Lake Wildlife Area, Columbia County;
- Mazomanie Unit of Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, Dane County;
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kenosha County;
- Brooklyn Wildlife Area, Dane & Green counties;
- Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area, Rock County;
- Waterloo Wildlife Area, Jefferson County;
- Sauk Prairie Recreational Area, Sauk County; and
- Vernon Wildlife Area, Waukesha County.
"We selected properties with suitable cover for pheasant hunting near population centers," said DNR upland wildlife ecologist Mark Witecha. "The department hopes this late-season stocking will provide an opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends and perhaps add some additional table fare to your holiday meal."
As a reminder, quality pheasant hunting opportunities exist throughout much of Wisconsin, including wild pheasant hunting where suitable habitat exists as well as on previously stocked public lands. The pheasant season runs through Jan. 5, 2020. All hunting regulations and bag limits apply through the season close. See the 2019 Small Game Regulations for more information.
Hunters are reminded to practice TABK while afield:
- T - Treat every firearm as if it is loaded;
- A - Always point the muzzle in a safe direction;
- B - Be certain of your target, what is in front of it and what is beyond it; and
- K - Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
In addition, hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange while upland bird hunting to increase visibility with other hunters.
For more information regarding pheasant hunting in Wisconsin, visit the DNR website here.
Where to Hunt
Hunters can use FFLIGHT, the DNR's gamebird mapping application, to locate and explore properties stocked with pheasants, as well as ruffed grouse and woodcock habitat and managed dove fields. FFLIGHT allows hunters to use aerial maps, topography and measuring tools to easily navigate and identify areas of interest and make their trips more productive and enjoyable.
________________________
Prev
Black Bear Permits and Spring Wild Turkey Harvest Authorizations Application Deadline is Dec. 10
Dec. 10 is the deadline to apply for 2020 black bear permits as well as spring turkey authorizations.Photo credit: Catherine Khalar
Contact(s): Alaina Gerrits, assistant upland wildlife ecologist, 608-261-8458, Alaina.Gerrits@wisconsin.gov or Matt Gross, assistant big game ecologist, 608-261-7588, Alaina.Gerrits@wisconsin.gov
MADISON, Wis. - Black bear and wild turkey hunters are reminded to submit their applications for the 2020 season permit drawings before midnight on Dec. 10. Applications for permit drawings can be purchased through Go Wild or an authorized license agent.
Black bear
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and the Bear Advisory Committee are currently in the process of determining 2020 harvest quotas. Harvest numbers from the 2019 black bear season are not yet finalized, but preliminary estimates show that hunters harvested more than 3,600 bears.
Bear hunters are reminded that due to the high interest in this hunt, hunters must apply for several years before receiving a permit through the drawing process for most bear management zones. For bear permit applicants to retain their accumulated preference points, they must apply at least once during any period of three consecutive years, or all previously accumulated preference points will be lost.
If the hunter is selected in the drawing, their preference points will be reset to zero, even if they do not purchase the harvest permit. It is the applicant's responsibility to be aware of drawing status. Applicants selected in the drawing will be notified by mail shortly after the drawing and may purchase their 2020 Class A bear license beginning in March 2020. Applicants may also check their status online through their Go Wild customer account.
The season structure for the 2020 bear hunt is as follows:
Zone C (dogs not permitted):
- Sept. 9 to Oct. 13 - with the aid of bait and all other legal methods not using dogs.
All other zones:
- Sept. 9-15 - with the aid of bait only.
- Sept. 16 to Oct. 6 - with all legal methods, including bait and dogs.
- Oct. 7-13 - with the aid of dogs, with all other methods not using bait.
2020 spring turkey
Dec. 10 is the deadline to apply for a spring turkey harvest authorization (previously known as a tag or permit). Turkey harvest authorizations are issued through a preference-based drawing system. For more information on the turkey preference drawing, see the Turkey Frequently Asked Questions.
Applicants may choose up to two time period and zone combinations that they would like to hunt. As a third choice, applicants may choose one zone in which they will accept a harvest authorization for any time period. This third choice can be the same zone as the first and/or second choice. The second and third choices are optional, but applicants are encouraged to provide second and third choices to maximize their likelihood of drawing a harvest authorization.
Successful applicants will be notified by mail after the drawing results are finalized.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive a preference point that will increase their chances of drawing a harvest authorization the following spring season. Hunters can check their application status online through Go Wild.
Any harvest authorizations that were not awarded in the drawing will be available for purchase as bonus harvest authorizations starting March 16. Bonus harvest authorizations will cost $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents.
All turkey hunters are required to possess a valid spring turkey license and Wild Turkey Stamp when they acquire their spring turkey harvest authorization. A 2020 spring turkey license is $15 for Wisconsin residents and $60 for non-residents. The 2020 Wild Turkey Stamp is $5.25.
The 2020 spring turkey season is as follows:
- Youth Hunt - April 11-12;
- Period A - April 15-21;
- Period B - April 22-28;
- Period C - April 29-May 5;
- Period D - May 6-12;
- Period E - May 13-19; and
- Period F - May 20-26.
For information on hunting in state parks, visit the DNR website here. All harvested turkeys must be registered. For information on how to register your turkey, visit the turkey registration page here.
Youth turkey hunt - April 11-12
The annual Spring Turkey Youth Hunt is designed for hunters ages 15 and younger. Interested youth hunt participants should apply for a spring turkey harvest authorization before the Dec. 10 deadline. A harvest authorization for any time period can be used during the two-day youth hunt, but hunters are limited to the zone listed on their harvest authorization.
Youth hunters must either have a Hunter Education Certificate of Accomplishment or hunt under the Mentored Hunting Program. All hunters under 12 years of age must participate in the Mentored Hunting Program, even if they have completed a hunter safety education course. All other turkey hunting regulations apply to the youth hunt.
Spring wild turkey hunt for people with disabilities applications due Dec. 10
Hunters with disabilities may apply for a harvest authorization outside of the normal spring turkey drawing. Hunters can apply for the Spring Wild Turkey Hunt for People with Disabilities by submitting Forms 2300-271 and 2300-271A.
This special hunt is only valid on private lands. Forms must be submitted by Dec. 10 to the DNR wildlife biologist for the county in which the hunt will take place. Any applicant who applies for a turkey harvest authorization using Forms 2300-271 and 2300-271A may not apply for a harvest authorization through the general spring turkey drawing.
For more information regarding bear and turkey hunting in Wisconsin, visit the bear hunting and the turkey hunting pages of the DNR website.
________________________
CWD Sampling and Deer Carcass Waste Disposal Options Available Throughout Remaining Deer Season
CWD sampling continues through remaining deer hunts at both self-service kiosks and in-person service at participating cooperators.Photo credit: DNR
Contact(s): Sean Strom, acting Wildlife Health section chief, 608-267-7614, Sean.Strom@wisconsin.gov
MADISON, Wis. - With deer hunting season is still underway the Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that plenty of opportunities remain to have harvested deer sampled for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
CWD sampling is especially important in areas of the state with an enhanced CWD sampling focus [PDF]. The participation of hunters, volunteers, cooperators, and businesses is crucial to successful CWD sampling efforts, and DNR staff want to thank everyone who continues to assist with CWD surveillance efforts.
Options for CWD sampling include both self-service kiosks as well as in-person service through a participating cooperator. Self-service kiosks are available 24/7 and have all supplies necessary for hunters to drop off a deer head to be sampled. If visiting staffed sampling stations, hunters should contact the station in advance to verify hours of operation. Sampling is also available by appointment with DNR staff.
A sample consists of the deer head with 3-5 inches of neck attached. Hunters will also need to have their harvest authorization number, harvest location and contact information when submitting a sample. There is no cost to the hunter to have a deer tested for CWD, and results are typically available within 10-14 days.
Some carcass disposal options will still be available through the end of the deer season. Check the CWD sampling and carcass disposal map often as location information may change between now and the end of the season. Hunters can also find carcass disposal locations in the Hunt Wild mobile app and online in a searchable online database.
Hunters are also reminded to check out the latest Wild Wisconsin: Off the Record podcasts to learn more about CWD monitoring and research in Wisconsin. The podcast is available on iTunes, Stitcher and YouTube. Season two of the Wild Wisconsin web series will also feature a segment highlighting CWD in Wisconsin.
________________________
Read more: Previous Weekly News