DNR Outdoor Report For Oct. 30, 2018

Preliminary 2018 Wisconsin black bear harvest numbers available

Contact(s): Scott Walter, DNR Large Carnivore Specialist, 608-267-7865; Maggie Stewart, DNR Assistant Large Carnivore Specialist, 608-261-7588

MADISON – Preliminary registration numbers show hunters harvested 3,685 black bears during the 2018 Wisconsin bear hunting seasons. This represents a decrease of 11 percent from the 4,136 black bears harvested in 2017.

“Wisconsin’s bear population remains healthy, and the 2018 season again provided hunters excellent opportunities to share time in the woods with family and friends,” said Scott Walter, large carnivore specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “The slight decline in harvest this year was to some extent expected, as we reduced the harvest quota in 3 of our 4 bear management zones to achieve population management goals.

While reports from hunters during the season were varied, hunter success was very similar to previous years across most of the state, with over half of hunters in most areas harvesting a bear. Zone C, which includes central and southern Wisconsin saw just over half the quota harvested, with 9 percent of hunters registering bears.

“Data provided by hunters through registration really serves as the backbone of our bear population management process, and we appreciate their commitment to sound, science-based management,” said Walter.

Zone-specific preliminary registration information is as follows:

Zone	Preliminary Harvest	Percent of Quota Harvested	Hunter Success Rate
A	1179	94 percent	53 percent
B	667	83 percent	56 percent
C	661	55 percent	9 percent
D	1178	91 percent	51 percent

Interest in black bear hunting continues to increase in Wisconsin, with over 124,000 hunters applying for either a harvest permit or preference point for the 2018 season.

“With participation in many forms of hunting on the decline, the passion Wisconsin bear hunters have for our bear resource, the hunting experience, and for introducing new hunters to the outdoors is wonderful to see,” said Walter. “Now is definitely an exciting time for Wisconsin’s bear program. We’ve got new population monitoring tools in development, an extremely engaged community of bear hunters, and a healthy and expanding bear population.”

For more information regarding black bears and bear hunting in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “bear.”

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2018-19 ruffed grouse hunting season shortened in Zone A

Contact(s): Mark Witecha, DNR upland wildlife ecologist, 608-267-7861; Jaqi Christopher, DNR assistant upland wildlife ecologist, 608-261-8458

MADISON – An emergency rule is now in effect to move the season closing date for ruffed grouse hunting in Zone A from Jan. 31, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2018.

The ruffed grouse season opened Sept.15 in Zone A. The change does not impact season dates for Zone B, which runs from Oct. 20 to Dec. 8, 2018. Bag limits remain at five birds in Zone A and three birds in Zone B.

Emergency rules are effective for 150 days, so the early closure only applies to the 2018-19 season. Department of Natural Resources staff have begun working with partners on a statewide ruffed grouse management plan that will outline the future of ruffed grouse management in Wisconsin. This plan is expected to be completed in early 2020.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved this emergency rule at its Sept. 26 meeting. For more information regarding ruffed grouse hunting in Wisconsin, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for “ruffed grouse.”

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$5.7 million available for wetland restoration projects; apply through December 14

Contact(s): Josh Brown, DNR wetland program coordinator, 608-266-1902, JoshuaA.Brown@wisconsin.gov

MADISON – Conservation groups, private landowners and government organizations are encouraged to apply for a share of $5.7 million from the Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust available to complete wetland mitigation projects. Proposals for the current round of funding are due Dec. 14, 2018 and can be used to cover all aspects of restoration including land purchases, site construction and long-term maintenance and monitoring.

“We look forward to working with new partners to restore wetland functions and ecosystem services that will benefit local watersheds and communities alike,” said Tom Pearce, WWCT project manager for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

More than $2 million of this funding comes from Foxconn as its required payment into the WWCT for mitigating wetlands at a 2:1 acre ratio. This portion of the funding will be targeted to mitigation projects in southeast Wisconsin, specifically the Upper Illinois service area and the Southwestern Lake Michigan service area.

Created in 2014, the WWCT allows for the purchase of wetland mitigation credits as specified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Wisconsin DNR wetland permits. The funds generated from credit sales then help offset the cost of wetland restoration projects. Funds are awarded to applicants through a competitive request for proposal, or RFP process. The DNR administers the funding program.

The WWCT will issue quarterly RFPs beginning Jan. 1, 2019 as funds become available. This abbreviated fall RFP is meant to inform potential applicants of current funding opportunities as soon as possible as the WWCT transitions to the new quarterly schedule.

The Trust is currently funding wetland restoration projects on more than 450 acres statewide with work on these projects continuing this year.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Josh Brown at 608-266-1902 or JoshuaA.Brown@wisconsin.gov, to discuss possible projects. Additional information can be found by visiting the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, and searching “WWCT.”

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Pond owners urged to dispose of ornamental aquatic plants properly

Contact(s): Alex Selle, aquatic invasive species coordinator, DNR West Central Region, 715-831-3278 or alexander.selle@wisconsin.gov

MADISON – With winter fast approaching, many pond owners are clearing out ornamental aquatic plants and animals before their ponds freeze over. But some plants, like water hyacinth, water lettuce and parrot feather, that can make a pond beautiful and healthy in the summer are non-native and highly invasive species and should not be thrown away into lakes, rivers or wetlands. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources urges pond owners to properly dispose of these aquatic invaders.

“Water gardeners love these plants because they are easy to care for and grow, but they may not be aware that they are also prohibited species in Wisconsin and can potentially block waterways and choke out native habitats,” says Alex Selle, an aquatic invasive species coordinator for the DNR West-Central Region.

If released into natural waterways, these plants can reproduce very quickly and potentially produce thousands of seeds that can be spread by wind or water. Left uncontrolled, the plants can form dense colonies that cover entire ponds and lakes making boating, fishing and other water activities difficult. These dense colonies can also degrade water quality by reducing oxygen levels during dieback important for fish and blocking sunlight that keeps native aquatic plants alive.

“The best way to dispose of your aquatic pond plants is to drain as much water from them as possible, bag them and dispose in your garbage pick-up,” Selle says. The bag will keep any plant fragments, like leaves, roots and seeds, from dispersing when the plants dry out.

There are ways you can help prevent the spread of aquatic plants commonly used in aquaculture:

• Build your aquatic gardens away from natural waterways and flood zones.
• Learn to recognize invasive species.
• Purchase and plant non-invasive and native plants.
• Check plant orders for unwanted invasive hitchhikers.
• Do not use invasive plants, fish, crayfish or snails in your garden.
• Do not release any plants, fish or invertebrates into natural waters.
• Consult the list of regulated aquatic invasive species [PDF] found on the DNR website.

DNR staff request that anyone who sees any of these invasive species while enjoying the natural areas of Wisconsin, report the location using the agency’s online reporting form. For more information search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for aquatic invasive species.