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Early spring waterfowl surveys present mixed picture

MADISON – Variable spring habitat conditions observed in the United States and Canada present a mixed picture for the fall 2009 waterfowl seasons in Wisconsin, according to the state waterfowl biologist. Preliminary information shows areas ranging from very good wetland conditions to very dry. Wildlife managers will have a better understanding of what impact these conditions had on actual breeding waterfowl numbers when they finish compiling and analyzing spring waterfowl breeding surveys.

Three primary sources of information on yearly waterfowl breeding conditions are used to determine the fall season structure for Wisconsin, according to Kent Van Horn, Department of Natural Resources migratory waterfowl biologist.

“We’ve completed the annual Wisconsin Breeding Waterfowl Survey, which is very important since a large proportion of the ducks harvested in Wisconsin are raised in Wisconsin,” Van Horn said.

The other two sources are a cooperative survey of Canada geese, the Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) Breeding Survey by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service breeding waterfowl survey for the northern U.S., Canada and Alaska.

Ducks

Waterfowl breeding areas in Canada this spring had mostly fair to good conditions with smaller areas of excellent and poor habitat. Waterfowl breeding is expected to be good overall in Canada. Precipitation and wetland habitats in the U.S. prairies for 2009 were mostly good to excellent with significant flooding in large areas.

In Wisconsin, wetland conditions were highly variable with average to wet conditions in the southern part of the state and drought conditions in northwestern Wisconsin. Breeding and brood-rearing habitat in southern Wisconsin is expected to be good in 2009 but poor in northern Wisconsin.

The four most abundant ducks in Wisconsin’s fall hunting harvest are mallards, wood ducks, green-winged teal and blue-winged teal. Van Horn notes that many of the ducks harvested in Wisconsin come from birds that breed in Wisconsin, in contrast to other states in the flyway that rely more heavily on birds raised in the prairies or boreal forests of Canada.

The 2009 total Wisconsin breeding duck population estimate of 502,416 is down 20 percent from 2008, but 16 percent above the long-term mean (36 years). The difference in the total duck estimate between 2008 and 2009 is largely explained by unusually high 2008 estimates for the blue-winged teal and "other duck" components which returned to more normal levels in 2009. Overall breeding duck survey results indicate a healthy, relatively stable population of breeding ducks in Wisconsin experiencing normal annual fluctuations.

“These are population estimates – not exact counts – so changes of near 20 percent up or down in the estimates each year may not reflect any real change in the actual population,” Van Horn said.

The mallard population estimate of 200,497 is a 6 percent increase over 2008 and 10 percent above the long-term mean. Mallards constitute nearly 40 percent of the overall state duck harvest in Wisconsin.

The blue-winged teal breeding population showed a 37 percent decrease from 2008 but was just 2 percent below the long term mean.

“We continue to have a concern for sustainable breeding habitat for both mallards and breeding blue-winged teal in Wisconsin,” Van Horn said. “While our conservation efforts of the past have been successful, the threats to decreased grassland nesting habitat for blue-winged teal and mallards have increased with changes to the federal farm bill in 2008 that have led to withdrawals from the Conservation Reserve Program.”

The population estimate for wood ducks was 10 percent below 2008 but 51 percent above the long-term mean. Current trend analysis for wood ducks in Wisconsin suggests that the long term increase in the breeding population has leveled off near 120,000.

Canada Geese

“There are two different populations of Canada geese that represent most of the geese in Wisconsin during the regular fall hunting season and our harvest is about 50 percent from each of these populations during the regular hunting seasons,” Van Horn said.

One population, called resident giant Canada geese, nests in Wisconsin. The statewide breeding Canada goose population estimate of 148,293 is up 27 percent from 2008 and 84 percent above the long-term mean. Van Horn says the cause of the higher estimate in 2009 is unclear, but could represent variation in the survey or a real population increase.

The second Canada goose population is the Mississippi Valley Population, which is made up of birds that nest along the coast of Hudson Bay and migrate through Wisconsin. The estimated 2009 breeding population of MVP Canada geese was 239,631 down from 305,191 in 2008 and was 35 percent below the 1989-2008 average. In contrast, the 2009 total spring population estimate was 518,232, below that of 2008 (626,358) but only 3 percent below the 1989-2008 average. The total population includes the breeding birds as well as non-breeders and those whose breeding attempts failed.

“These preliminary numbers indicate a year of waterfowl numbers with a mix of good and bad news, but we will not know for sure what these mean for seasons until after the Mississippi Flyway Council meeting at the end of July,” Van Horn said.

The Mississippi Flyway Council, which is made up of waterfowl specialists from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan within the Mississippi Waterfowl Flyway will meet later this summer to advise the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on waterfowl conditions before the federal agency establishes a framework under which states and provinces can set waterfowl hunting seasons.

Following the flyway council meeting and after the USFWS sets a season framework, public hearings on Wisconsin’s proposed waterfowl seasons will be held in August. The final Wisconsin seasons will be set by the state Natural Resource Board at its Aug. 12 meeting.

Look for the DNR’s proposed waterfowl seasons later in July on the Waterfowl in Wisconsin pages of the DNR Web site. Comments on the proposed season should be received by Thursday, Aug. 6, and be directed to: James Christopoulos, Migratory Game Bird Assistant, Bureau of Wildlife Management, Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, by phone at 608-261-6458 or by e-mail: [james.christopoulos@wisconsin.gov].

The following meetings on waterfowl surveys and possible season structures will be held:

• Friday July 10 - 2009 Pre-Flyway Meeting, 7 p.m., Comfort Suites, Wisconsin Room, N5780 Kinney Rd. (Hwy 78 South) Portage
• Saturday August 1 - 2009 Post-Flyway Meetings, 9 a.m. Conservation Congress waterfowl committee meeting and 1 p.m. Public Meeting, The Plaza Hotel & Suites, Three Rivers room, 201 N 17th Ave. Wausau

2009 Public Hearings

• Monday August 3, La Crosse – 7 p.m., State Office Bldg, Rooms B-19 and B-20, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road.
• Tuesday August 4, Rice Lake – 7 p.m. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC), Room 243, 1900 College Dr.
• Wednesday August 5, Appleton – 7 p.m., Agricultural Services Center, Main conference room, 3369 West Brewster St.
• Thursday August 6, Pewaukee - 7 p.m., Comfort Suites Lake Country, Thunder Bay room, N14 W24121 Tower Place.

Natural Resources Board Meeting

• Wednesday August 12, 2009 8:30 a.m., Hayward, Location to be determined.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Van Horn - (608) 266-8841, James Christopoulos - (608) 261-6458, or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9348

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Effort to prevent spread of VHS fish disease, invasive species to increase over July Fourth weekend

MADISON – At popular shore fishing locations and boat landings this Fourth of July holiday, conservation wardens and paid and volunteer watercraft inspectors will be making sure that people take all of the steps necessary to stop the spread of the VHS fish disease in Wisconsin waters.

“The vast majority of anglers and boaters are doing a great job taking the prevention steps, but some anglers are not and we all need to do our part and make sure we take all of the steps,” says Randy Stark, Wisconsin’s Chief Conservation Warden.

Some anglers are leaving their shore fishing spot or boat landing with a bucketful or cooler full of water and the fish they caught earlier in the day, a violation of VHS rules, Stark says. Such actions are the most common VHS violations reported this year by the DNR’s Water Guards, (Water Guards at Work -- video; 4.55 min.) -- specialized wardens focused on increasing awareness and enforcement of laws to prevent the spread of VHS, zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species.

And just last week, a DNR conservation warden cited an angler who transferred live fish from Lake Kegonsa in Dane County to Lake Leota in Rock County, in violation of state rules preventing the spread of VHS and longstanding state stocking rules.

“Whether anglers are fishing from a boat or from the shore, state law requires that when you leave, you do not take away the day’s catch in a bucket or cooler full of water,” Stark says. “Drain the water out and keep the fish in the empty bucket or throw the fish in a cooler of ice.”

Stark says that the conservation wardens and the Water Guard will be stepping up education efforts and taking enforcement action over the long holiday, “particularly when we see anglers leaving with a bucketful of water and fish from those Wisconsin lakes and rivers considered to be infected with VHS.”

Watercraft inspectors paid by the state and county, as well as volunteers trained through Wisconsin’s Clean Boats, Clean Waters (exit DNR) education and inspection program, also will be out at boat landings and shore fishing spots, educating anglers and boaters about the rules to prevent the spread of VHS and aquatic invasive species.

Conservation Warden Boyd Richter cited a 29-year-old Evansville man earlier this month after the man said he released five adult bluegills from Lake Kegonsa into Lake Leota despite knowing the action violated VHS rules. Richter, who was responding to a complaint left on DNR’s violation hotline, issued the man a citation for $1,133 for violating stocking rules, which Richter said more accurately reflected the man’s action and carried a higher bond than the VHS violation.

Mike Staggs, DNR’s fisheries director, says that transferring live fish and the water they’re carried in to another lake or river runs a serious risk of spreading VHS fish disease, other fish diseases and invasive species such as zebra mussels and spiny water fleas. It also can hurt stocking efforts and other efforts to manage a fishery.

“We understand the temptation of being a bait bucket biologist, but the risk is huge,” Staggs says.

“We need everybody to take the steps that will prevent VHS and other diseases and invasive species from spreading to new lakes and rivers. That includes not moving live fish, draining water from your boat and equipment, buying bait in Wisconsin and following rules for using leftover bait, and removing all plants, animals and mud your boat and trailer before leaving.”

A fall 2008 University of Wisconsin Badger Poll (exit DNR) shows that more than 90 percent of anglers and boaters were taking steps to inspect boats and remove plants and animals from them, and a slightly lower percentage said they were following the new bait rules. Only 58.6 percent said they never move live fish between different bodies of water.

One more week to take online pledge and enter prize drawing

Anglers and boaters have one more week to enter the “Root for the Home Team” giveaway, a promotion sponsored by the DNR and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (WAL) to encourage anglers and boater to take steps to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasives and VHS fish disease. More than 500 people have taken an online pledge to take prevention steps.

WAL will be giving one lucky winner two luxury-suite tickets to the Brewers versus the San Francisco Giants game on Saturday, Sept. 5. Additional fishing-related prizes will also be awarded.

To enter, contestants must take an online pledge to follow the simple prevention steps. Go to the DNR’s home page and click on “Step Up to the Plate."

The deadline to enter is July 5, 2009 and winners will be announced July 6, 2009. Contestants must be at least 16 years of age.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Randy Stark – (608) 266-1115; Mike Staggs (608) 267-0796

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Lake levels and other topics tackled in online FAQ

MADISON – People who flock to Wisconsin 15,081 lakes over the long holiday weekend can find online answers to their questions about lakes, including water levels, blue green algae, and other phenomenon they may encounter.

“Many Wisconsin residents and visitors will spend some or all of the July Fourth holiday enjoying a lake,” says Jeff Bode, the longtime leader of the Department of Natural Resources’ lakes program.

“Every lake is special. We hope the information we provide in our “About Lakes” pages can help you understand more about the lake that is your destination and the natural phenomena you may see.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Asplund (608) 267-0796; Jeff Bode (608) 266-0502

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New resources on electronics recycling available

MADISON -- Wisconsin businesses, institutions, local governments and organizations involved in recycling and refurbishing unwanted electronics have new tools to help them comply with state and federal regulations and plan successful electronics collection events.

Information on Regulatory Requirements

A new Department of Natural Resources publication outlines state and federal waste management requirements for electronics that apply to businesses and institutions that handle unwanted electronics and component parts. State recycling specialists say some requirements have been changed to encourage reuse, recycling and proper management of these materials, such as exclusion from some hazardous waste requirements for electronics that are refurbished or recycled.

“We know there is a lot of interest in electronics recycling right now, and people want to handle them correctly, especially because of the harmful substances almost all electronics contain,” said Joanie Burns, DNR Hazardous Waste section chief. “We want to make sure all handlers of unwanted electronics understand the legal requirements and manage these devices safely, whether it’s businesses replacing computers or a company recycling electronic components.”

State law requires businesses and institutions to properly manage their unwanted electronics, either by recycling them or managing them according to solid and hazardous waste regulations. There are also a number of state and federal requirements for businesses that collect, transport, refurbish or recycle electronics and component parts. These regulations are designed to protect worker safety and prevent pollution.

The new guidance document, Managing Unwanted Electronics and Component Parts (pdf), summarizes requirements that have been in effect since 2007 and includes a flow chart to help electronics handlers determine which regulations apply to them.

Tips for Organizers of Collection Events

Another new resource provides tips to governments, nonprofits or others organizing an event to collect electronics for recycling. High demand has caused traffic jams and other logistical problems at recent electronics collection events around the state. The DNR compiled advice from event organizers in the new “Tips for Hosting a Successful Electronics Recycling Event” page of the DNR Web site.

“One-day collection events provide a great option for individuals looking to responsibly recycle their unwanted electronics,” said Cynthia Moore, DNR recycling cordinator. “Without good planning and preparation, however, an event can cause headaches for organizers and leave residents frustrated. We want to make sure people consider what they’re taking on when they plan a collection event.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Chabot - (608) 264-6015 or Cynthia Moore – (608) 267-7550

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With warm weather, Swimmers Itch makes annual appearance

SPOONER, Wis. -- As waters warm an annual nuisance known as “swimmer’s itch” is making its seasonal appearance in Wisconsin lakes. Technically known as schistosome dermatitis, swimmer’s itch appears as red itching, bite-like welts within minutes and sometimes hours after leaving the water. The irritation can last from two days to several weeks, depending on the individual’s susceptibility.

There are no permanent effects to people from this pest.

Swimmer’s itch is a widespread occurrence and is found in other states and other parts of the world. According to Frank Koshere, a Department of Natural Resources water resources specialist, there seem to be no special characteristics of lakes having the problem.

“Some of the finest recreational waters in the state experience swimmer’s itch,” he said, “whereas other lakes may have an occasional outbreak or none at all.” An outbreak may be severe, but last for only a few days, or be minor and last much of the season.

The irritation is caused during a life stage of a flatworm parasite (Schistosome) which lives in an adult host such as mice and ducks. The adult worm sheds its eggs via the host’s excretory tract into the water. There they hatch into a free-swimming stage called a “miracidium.” The miracidium swim in search of a proper second host animal, a particular type of snail. If a proper snail is found, the miracidium will penetrate into the snail’s tissue and undergo further development. After a three- or four-week development period, another free-swimming stage called a “cercaria” emerges from the snail in search of the proper primary bird or mammal host.

This is when the bug and humans meet.

The cercariae release normally occurs when the water temperatures reach their near-maximum summer temperature -- usually in late June or early July in northern Wisconsin, coinciding with peak water recreational activities. This is the time the organism can accidentally contact bathers and cause swimmer’s itch.

Most cercariae are released during the mid-day hours from noon to 2 p.m. with little free-swimming abilities, the cercariae will swim to the surface to optimize their chance of contacting a suitable animal host—and may latch on to human skin. Concentrated near the surface, wind and currents may carry the organism up to four miles.

The cercariae may not penetrate the skin until after the bather leaves the water, at which time the person may feel a slight tingling sensation. The cercariae are soon killed by the body’s natural defense mechanism, but will continue to cause irritation. Studies have shown that 30 to 40 percent of individuals contacting the parasites are sensitive and experience irritation. Small children playing in shallow water are most susceptible because of the alternate wetting and drying with the arms, legs and waist area most prone to infection.

More information and printable signs for cautioning people about swimmer's itch outbreaks are available on the swimmer's itch information page of the DNR Web site.

Prevention measures

Although swimmer’s itch can be a nuisance, people in the U.S. are fortunate that it causes no lasting health problems.

Preventive measures can be taken to either reduce exposure or attempt to prevent the penetration. Swimming rather than playing or wading in shallow water will reduce exposure. If swimmer’s itch is known to be present, avoid swimming when winds are likely to be carrying cercariae into the beach. Swim offshore if possible. Brisk and vigorous toweling immediately after leaving the water can crush the cercariae before they can penetrate the skin. Some sunscreens and lotions reduce the infections but nothing is completely effective. Once the irritation has developed, various soothing lotions or ointments may be applied to relieve the itching. For severe cases, prescription antihistamines and topical steroid creams may be prescribed by a physician.

There is no effective way for people to eliminate swimmer’s itch on their beaches. Attempts to kill or cercariae or their snail hosts are ineffective because cercariae are capable of swimming or drifting long distances from non-treated areas. It makes no difference if a beach area is sandy, rocky or weedy. Host snails will live on all sites and one species, which commonly harbors swimmer’s itch, prefers sandy-bottom areas. Modern pesticide laws prohibit treatments as they were historically attempted. Chemical treatment for swimmer’s itch is not likely to be permitted in a natural lake where the above adverse effects will occur. Treatments to kill snails are very harsh and kill many non-target plants and animals and may lead to contaminated sediments. Anyone wanting to chemical treat their beach must obtain a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.

Feeding ducks should be discouraged if swimmer’s itch is known to be a problem on the lake, since waterfowl are an important host for the parasite. New occurrences of swimmer’s itch seem to be strongly associated with people feeding and attracting ducks. In recent years, Koshere explained, there have been experimental attempts at treating the host birds with veterinary medicines. The theory is to rid the birds of the adult parasite before they can infect the snail population with miracidia. Depending on the different kinds and numbers of adult hosts, success at this method will be limited to specific situations. Thus far, the procedure is considered impractical on a lake-wide scale in Wisconsin.

“It’s best to regard swimmer’s itch like mosquitoes, wood ticks and deer flies.” Koshere said. Often these pests are signs of a healthy and diverse environment and they shouldn’t discourage us from enjoying the outdoors.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Koshere - 715-392-0807 or Jim Bishop – 715-635-4242

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Cedarburg student wins 2010 Wisconsin State Park admission sticker contest

MADISON -- A design featuring kids playing on a beach by Margaret Willden, a junior at Cedarburg High School, has been selected as the 2010 Wisconsin State Park admission sticker. It was selected from more than 340 entries.

The winning design will be printed on state park and forest annual vehicle admission stickers and displayed on more than 150,000 vehicles.

“We had some really excellent entries for our design contest this year, so selecting a winner was difficult,” said Dan Schuller, director of Wisconsin State Parks.

John Springer, a senior from Iowa-Grant High School took second place in the contest for his design featuring fly fishing. Sam La Barre from Cedarburg High School took third place with a design featuring snowshoeing.

The winning and honorable mention entry designs are available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site, along with past winning entries.

As winner, Willden receives an engraved plaque and a state trail pass, and will receive a 2010 annual vehicle admission sticker featuring her design when they become available this December. The design contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is open to all high school age students attending public, private, or parochial schools in Wisconsin.

Annual stickers are $25 for a Wisconsin resident, $10 for a Wisconsin resident 65 years of age and older, and $35 for a nonresident. Residency is determined by the license plate of the vehicle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wisconsin State Parks - (608) 266-2181

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Hunters with disabilities can begin to sign up for 2009 accessible gun deer hunt

MADISON – The 20th Wisconsin Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities will run from Oct. 3-11, 2009.

Hunters with the appropriate Disabled Hunting Permits and who are interested in participating in the 2009 disabled gun hunt should contact sponsors directly soon to make arrangements to hunt. A list of approved sponsors for 2009 is now available on the Disabled Deer Hunting page of the DNR Web site. Hunt sponsors must submit a list of hunters participating on their land to the DNR by Sept. 1.

A hunter needs a Class A, long-term Class B – good for longer than one year and allows hunting from a vehicle – or a Class C Disabled Hunting Permit to participate in the Disabled Deer hunt.

To obtain a Disabled Hunting Permit, hunters must contact their doctors to complete an application and submit it to any DNR Service Center where a review usually takes from 30 to 60 days. Applications and more information is available on the Open the Outdoors - Hunting page of the DNR Web site.

The Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities program began in 1990 with an aim towards giving disabled hunters an “opportunity to hunt deer while mild temperatures persist and mobility is relatively unhampered,” said Linda Olver, assistant deer and bear ecologist with the Department of Natural Resources in Madison, who oversees the program.

The hunts are sponsored by private individuals and organizations and take place almost entirely on private lands. Last year, more than 100 sponsors opened more than 62,000 acres to disabled hunters, and Olver is hoping to at least match that total acreage in 2009.

Although the deadline has passed for sponsors to apply for 2009, DNR is always seeking to expand its sponsor list. The Application to Conduct a Gun Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities is also available on-line. Sponsor applications are due to local wildlife biologists by June 1 for that year’s hunt.

“We’ve seen steady increases in sponsorship and participation each year and the popularity of the program continues to soar. We are committed to making opportunities available to everyone regardless of their physical abilities or limitations,” noted Olver.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: on the disabled deer hunt contact Linda Olver, Assistant Deer and Bear Ecologist (608) 261-7588