justnorth posted on June 25, 2007 12:28 :: 1588 Views
Wisconsin waterfowl hunters and waterfowl enthusiasts have until August 31 to comment on a plan for waterfowl management in Wisconsin.
“This plan is the most comprehensive look at the past and current condition of waterfowl resources and waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin in decades,” said Kent Van Horn, migratory game bird ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “It represents a blueprint for the future of waterfowl management in Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin has a long history of being an important state for waterfowl production and waterfowl management. It has been nearly 140 years since the first waterfowl harvest limits were established, even predating deer hunting, for which the first bag limits in Wisconsin were established in 1897, 110 years ago.
Since these early times, Wisconsin has lost 50 percent of its original 10 million acres of wetlands, adding to the challenges faced by waterfowl and waterfowl managers. Regardless, biologists in recent years are recording some of the highest waterfowl breeding populations since the introduction of waterfowl population surveys in Wisconsin.
Work on the plan began in 2005 and includes input from thousands of citizens, and wildlife and hunting organizations, say wildlife managers. Hunter surveys indicate that hunters are generally satisfied with current hunting seasons and bag limits but at the same time feel that the overall quality of waterfowl hunting would improve with more opportunities to see more ducks and experience less hunter crowding.
The draft plan is organized into six primary objectives:
- Continue to provide habitat and management for waterfowl and other wetland species.
- Monitor and evaluate waterfowl populations across seasons and locations.
- Improve the overall waterfowl hunting experience and the measures of hunter satisfaction.
- Manage resident Canada goose populations at a level that balances conflicting interests.
- Develop new waterfowl hunting education and hunter recruitment strategies.
- Conduct research to better understand variables that affect resident breeding and migratory populations of waterfowl and apply this knowledge to management strategies.
The draft Wisconsin Waterfowl Strategic Plan is available for review on teh DNR Web site. Comments can be submitted via email, regular mail, fax or phone. Hard copy versions can be requested by contacting Kimberlee Benton at (608) 261-6458.
“This is the time for waterfowl enthusiasts to get involved,” says Van Horn, “whether you’re a hunter or a birder, we’re looking forward to your comments, as this plan will guide the future of waterfowl management in Wisconsin.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Benton - (608) 261-6458
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