Western Great Lakes Region

Transcription

1 Summer 2012 Inside this Issue: 1 News From the R.D 2 Current Events 3 What s Happening 4 The Great Grouse Dog Giveaway 5 and Minnesota Habitat News 6 Iowa Drummer Fund Project 7 Miscellaneous Notes 8 Drummer Fund Projects Western Great Lakes Region Regional News The spring drumming counts have come in for most of the Great Lakes States and as expected drumming counts have declined across the board. A number of factors come into play this year, last spring was early and a result was perhaps higher than expected counts when we predicted the opposite. The past mild winter is another unknown factor. We had lower snowfall totals than usual, but milder temperatures may have also affected over wintering for adult grouse. Increases in predator numbers also could be a factor. Regardless of all the factors and numbers, the Western Great Lakes will still have grouse, but we may all need to work harder and walk farther to find them. We re all going to be older next year, so don t pass up the opportunity to get out with your dogs, and remember to take a kid along. They haven t ever had a bad time in the woods. This upcoming summer/fall season will be filled with a number of banquets, shoots, and youth days. Check out the Ruffed Grouse Society website for additional events in your area.

2 Current Events in the Region Aug 2 Twin Cities Chapter Banquet; Minneapolis-Contact- Tim Tordoff, Aug 4 Superior Chapter Work Day; Ironwood- Contact Bill Thomason, Aug 16 John M. Keener Chapter Annual Banquet; Madison- Contact, Jim Shurts, Aug 25 Iowa Chapter Banquet; Dubuque- Contact, Eric Van Hook, Aug 30 Chain O Lakes Chapter; Eagle River-Contact, Jed Lechleitner Sept 6 NE Chapter Banquet, Green Bay; Contact Jim Schuettpelz, Sept 13 Superior Chapter Banquet, Ironwood; Contact, Will Corcoran, Sept 20 Marinette County Chapter Banquet, Crivitz; Contact Bob Zutter, Sept 22 Wilderness Wings Chapter Hunt/Shoot/Banquet, Hayward; Contact Dave Reardon, Sept 27 David Uihlein Chapter Fall Banquet, Milwaukee, Contact Paul Seul, Oct 4 Flambeau River Chapter Banquet, Park Falls, Contact Tony Blattler, Oct NGWH, Grand Rapids, Mn. Oct 16 West Central Chapter Banquet, Marshfield, Contact Jamie Kuhn,

3 What s Happening First Photo; Sarah, Owned by Karl Zore, Sheboygan, Wi committee. Can you spot the grouse in the picture? LUCKY WINNERS CHOSEN IN THE GREAT GROUSE DOG GIVEAWAY CONTEST L:Willard Greenman of Tall Tail Kennels with contest winners Sawyer Rosner and Jessica Tillman R: RGS Chain O Lakes Chapter Contest Committee and puppy winners. (Back row: Perry Sippl, Willard Greenman, Ed Starke, Dan Anderson; Middle Row: Dianne Briggs, Diane Anderson, Dennis Burg; Front Row: Sawyer Rosner with Brook and Jessica Tillman with Max)

4 June 5, Willard Greenman of Tall Tail Setters in Three Lakes WI, and member of the local Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) Chain O Lakes Chapter, had a litter of purebred English Setters in March Being concerned about the future of hunting in the Northwoods, Greenman decided to donate a puppy to a local youth to encourage young people to become excited and supportive of hunting and conservation. Greenman and the RGS Chain O Lakes Chapter decided to hold an essay contest open to local children under the age of 21. Contestants were asked to submit their answers to a series of questions that included why they wanted a hunting dog and how they would care for it. Parental support and approval was also a prerequisite. Deadline for entries was June 1, "We received a lot of great letters and it was difficult to pick the top five candidates," said Dan Anderson, Chain O Lakes Chapter Chairperson. "After making our selection, we felt it was critical to visit each of the households and meet with the children and their parents to ensure a good match. Greenman, along with two other chapter members, met with each family in their homes and chose their top 2 finalists and eventually a winner. However Greenman was haunted by the child they did not select and decided that he would give up the puppy he was keeping for himself so that both children could receive one. The parents of the winners were contacted and asked to come to the DQ in Eagle River on June 4th but to keep it a surprise to the children. While the families were dining at the outdoor picnic tables, RGS chapter members snuck up behind and inquired who at the table may be looking for a puppy. "It was great to see the look of shock and disbelief on the kids faces," stated Anderson. "We can't thank Willard enough for his generosity. He has even offered to assist with the training of each dog." The winners were Jessica Tillman of Three Lakes, WI who named her dog Max, and Sawyer Rosner of Phelps, WI who named his pup after one his favorite sport fish, Brook. All of the contestants were given complimentary tickets to the Annual RGS banquet on Aug, 30, 2012 at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain, WI. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Chain O Lakes Chapter or would like to attend the RGS banquet can contact Dan Anderson at or The Ruffed Grouse Society is a 501c3 non-profit conservation organization dedicated to improving the environment for ruffed grouse, woodcock and other forest wildlife. * * * * and Minnesota Drummer Fund Projects Cooperative Efforts Improve Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Habitat in Marinette County Even though woodcock left the Northwood s more than two months ago on their annual migration to states like Louisiana and Texas, efforts are currently underway to improve habitat for these birds in Northern. Due to the efforts of a variety of partners many projects to improve habitat for ruffed grouse and woodcock are underway in. One such project is on a tract of land south of Dunbar in Northern Marinette County. Owned by Marinette County and managed by the Marinette County Forestry Department this area historically had good ruffed grouse and woodcock populations but as habitat aged it became less acceptable to the birds. In order to improve habitat for woodcock in the area special equipment was brought in to regenerate old alder stands adjacent to wetlands to provide secure feeding areas. The equipment was also used to maintain grassy openings in the area that could be used as singing grounds and roosting habitat by

5 woodcock and brood rearing areas for ruffed grouse. A portion of the project includes an extension of the Pike River Habitat Management Area, an area designated in the late 1980 s for management of ruffed grouse and woodcock. Funding and equipment for this project has been provided by the Ruffed Grouse Society, Dunbar Sportsmen s Club and US Fish and Wildlife Service under its Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. These groups have worked closely with the Marinette County Forestry Department and Department of Natural Resources personnel during the development of this project. As noted by Mark Grandaw, board member of the Dunbar Sportsmen s Club, Our club is proud to be a part of this project. It is only with the support of these many organizations that we have been able to conduct this valuable habitat improvement work on the Marinette County Forest at this time. Woodcock are currently listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in with a steady population decline of about 1.6% per year since This decline has been attributed to a loss of habitat due to many factors such as human development, natural aging of habitat and changing management practices. Ruffed Grouse Society Biologist Gary Zimmer states, Woodcock are dependent on young forests or old brushy fields that are in moist soil areas as earthworms that are found in these areas are their main food source. The favorite haunts of woodcock are alder thickets and young aspen stands. Both of these types of habitat require periodic disturbance of some form in order to remain quality habitat for these birds and other young forest species including ruffed grouse and the imperiled golden-winged warbler. In addition to the work being conducted this winter, plans are being made to regenerate aspen through planned timber harvests in the area to provide additional habitat in the area as the stands regenerate. Zimmer adds, The dense stem density that results from newly regenerated aspen or alder habitat is a major factor in determining if it will be used by ruffed grouse or woodcock. Our current efforts are targeting areas that have the highest habitat potential for these popular birds. Similar projects being conducted this winter in to benefit ruffed grouse and woodcock populations are occurring in Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Price, Shawano and Wood County. Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is an international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our hunting tradition and outdoor heritage. Information on the Ruffed Grouse Society and its mission can be found on the web at: or by calling Winter to Summer, All in One Day!! It s been quite a spring in our part of the world; some might say it was more like a trampoline. The last day of February we struggled through an 18 inch snowfall and a week and a half later the temperature was in the 70 s with the snow mostly gone. It is still too early to determine what affect this mild winter will have on the grouse and woodcock populations. For sure, the woodcock arrived earlier than usual but have not encountered any of tough weather conditions that could cause them problems. Ruffed grouse drumming hasn t been altered much; the intensity has picked up within the last week and appears to be close to the usual time period. Drumming counts are just beginning in the southern parts of the region with those in the north starting soon. It will be the end of May before all the counts are compiled but we often get a good idea of population levels as reports come trickling in. Gary

6 Ruffed Grouse Society Announces 2012 Drummer Fund Projects Coraopolis, PA The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has selected fourteen projects on public lands to receive nearly $58,000 during 2012 through its Drummer Fund program. The projects are designed to benefit habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and wildlife species like deer and songbirds that rely upon young forests for survival. Partners receiving RGS funding for projects in in 2012 include County Forestry Departments in Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon and Price Counties, SW Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council, USDA Forest Service, and the Department of Natural Resources (). According to John Eichinger, RGS President and CEO, RGS continues to support critical wildlife related projects across working with a wide variety of partners. Since 1985, RGS has contributed over $800,000 to fund 92 projects in 43 of s 72 counties. Our ability to support these important projects is highly dependent on the tireless efforts of the dedicated members of our local RGS Chapters in and Illinois. The Drummer Fund was initiated in 2010 with funds being raised at chapter fund raising events and member donations. In 2011, the first year that funds from the Drummer Fund were distributed in the state, over $53,000 was made available to support grouse and woodcock projects. Drummer Fund Projects approved for 2012 include: Bayfield County Forest Woodcock Habitat and Bayfield County Forestry Department Driftless Region Forestry Assistance SW Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council (with significant support from the Illinois Drummer Fund) East Side & Roddis Trail Rehabilitation Ashland County Forestry and Recreation Department Great Divide Trail and Opening Rehabilitation USDA Forest Service Hobbles Creek Grouse Habitat Area Development Price County Forestry and Parks Department Kimberly Clark Wildlife Area Alder Regeneration Langlade and Lincoln County Opening and Trail Rehabilitation, Langlade and Lincoln County Forestry Departments Marathon County Alder Regeneration and Marathon County Forestry Department North Central Private Landowner Workshops Potato River Grouse Management Area Development & Iron County Forestry Department Radley Creek Woodcock Singing Ground Restoration Skinner Creek Grouse Management Area Sign Replacement Price County Forestry and Parks Department Stone Lake Ruffed Grouse Research Area Drumming Surveys Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Management Area Trail Network Development -

7 The is a recipient of funding for nine projects in 2012 through this program. Chuck McCullough, Area Wildlife Supervisor, states, RGS plays a major role in funding habitat work for grouse and woodcock. We couldn't do this without their help." The projects selected for funding under the Drummer Fund were evaluated using specific criteria. Projects that also were supported by funding from other organizations received higher consideration. The $57,962 being provided by RGS is being matched by other agencies and organizations to cover total project costs of just over $153,000 for these fourteen projects, reports RGS coordinating biologist Gary Zimmer. RGS Testifies in Washington to Promote Wildlife Habitat Management on National Forests Ruffed Grouse Society Wildlife Biologist Gary Zimmer appeared on March 24th before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry in Washington D.C. The Subcommittee Hearing addressed challenges and opportunities for resource management on National Forests. The hearing was called by Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) who stated, The health of our national forests is an issue of vital importance for rural America. Not only are our national forests a source of immense natural beauty, but they provide us with natural resources, recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and serve as economic engines for local communities. The Forest Service should always consider the multiple uses of our national forestland including timber production, habitat preservation, natural resource management and recreation and ensure local economic development and environmental protections work in harmony, instead of in competition, with each other, said Ranking Member Tim Holden (D-PA). Zimmer testified on the impacts that a reduction in forest management activities on our national forests have had on wildlife populations. Zimmer said, Periodic forest disturbance is essential to maintain healthy forest ecosystems. In order to maintain the full array of forest wildlife, a landscape must support the full array of forest habitats forests of various types and various ages. Today, active forest management through the use of commercial timber harvest provides the only realistic opportunity to maintain the range of forest habitats needed to sustain wildlife diversity, Zimmer declared. Thick, young forest habitat provides protective cover from predators for many wildlife species that are being negatively impacted by a decline in forest management, he added. In his testimony Zimmer highlighted species like the Federally Endangered Kirtland s warbler, candidate species New England cottontail rabbit, and over 40 species of songbird in the Eastern United States that are considered dependent on young forest habitats. The later list includes the golden-winged warbler, a species recently petitioned for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. Zimmer stated, Wildlife that rely upon young forest habitats also include the ruffed grouse and the American woodcock, two important game species pursued by over one million sportsmen and women each year in North America. National forests and other public forestlands play a critical role in the conservation of wildlife dependent on young forest habitats. Zimmer declared, Only through a balanced approach to forest stewardship, an approach that recognizes the ecological necessity of periodic disturbance, today imparted primarily through commercial forest management, can the needs of our forest wildlife resources be adequately addressed. Zimmer continued, Well-intended laws and regulations including the National Forest Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act have guided the management of our national forests for many decades but have been used by some to strangle the agency. We must reduce the ability of groups or individuals to tie up habitat management activities for years and years at little cost to them, but at a very

8 high cost to those that live and work in the vicinity of the national forests and to the taxpayers of this great nation. Zimmer concluded, These forests provide some of the last opportunities to maintain essential young forest habitat as an important part of the biodiversity of our national forests and meet the social and economic demands of the public. to Expand VPA Program Over 30,000 acres are now open for hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife viewing under the Voluntary Public Access (VPA) program offered by the Department of Natural Resources. This program, authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill provides financial incentives to private landowners who open their property to these recreational activities. With the grant period ending on September 30, 2012, the state needs to enroll additional lands into the program. To do this in a short time the program is being expanded into12 additional counties including Polk, Barron, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Adams, Sauk, Columbia, Waushara, Marquette, Green Lake, and Kewaunee. To learn more about this program or get maps of these open lands go to Forest Service Decision to Move Ahead with Management of Grouse Management Areas in On March 2 nd, Chequamegon/Nicolet Forest Supervisor Paul Strong signed a Decision Notice to implement Alternative 2 in the Early Successional Habitat Improvement Project. The selected action will regenerate up to 6,000 acres of aspen, paper birch, balsam fir and jack pine forests over a ten year period on 12 previously designated cooperative ruffed grouse and woodcock management areas. Most of these areas were designated in the late 1980 s under a partnership between RGS and the US Forest Service. We appreciate the strong support that was received throughout the process by RGS members who sent in many comments. According to Forest Service officials, the project received some of the highest support of any project ever undertaken on the Forest. Currently this project is in the appeal period with hopes that implementation could begin within the next few months. Additional information on the project can be found at First Iowa Drummer Fund Project Moves Forward The Ruffed Grouse Society is pleased to announce the funding of the first project in the state of Iowa under its new state Drummer Fund program. The project with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is part of a large project targeted to evaluate songbird, ruffed grouse and woodcock use of young forest habitats on the Upper Iowa Wildlife Management Unit. Iowa wildlife researcher Todd Gosselink of Chariton is leading the effort to monitor the effectiveness of recent forest management projects. Funds from RGS are being used to acquire state of the art acoustical recording units that will record bird vocalizations including ruffed grouse drumming and woodcock peenting. Though this is the initial use of Iowa Drummer Funds, the Society and its dedicated volunteers on the Iowa Chapter of RGS have provided over $76,000 towards on the ground habitat management activities since 1994 in NE Iowa, management that has been critical in maintaining ruffed grouse populations in Iowa was the first full year of the partnership agreement between The Ruffed Grouse Society and the Minnesota that created and funds the MN Grouse Coordinator position. In that time, RGS and have been working together on a variety of issues and projects with the common goal of improving

9 grouse and woodcock hunting for Minnesota hunters. This newsletter will review some of the more significant events of the past 18 months and provide RGS members with ideas for ways that they can participate in keeping Minnesota Grouse Hunting the best in the country. The long-awaited Ruffed Grouse Long-range Management Plan is nearly finalized and should be complete this spring. This document will provide the blueprint for achieving the long-term vision of quality ruffed grouse hunting and strong participant numbers through the next 50 years. The 2011 Grouse Hunter Survey is a first of its kind effort by MN and the University of Minnesota to gauge hunter satisfaction and identify areas of improvement. In general, overall hunter satisfaction was very high. More on this story later. Minnesota News Habitat News and Projects Announcing the Upper Mississippi Habitat initiative RGS received a $73,000 grant for the Upper Mississippi Habitat Initiative to improve woodcock/grouse habitat in the Blackduck/Northwestern Itasca County area. Total value of the project should be about $110,000 including matching donations from RGS ($7500), The Wildlife Management Institute ($1000) and Woodcock MN ($250). This is a cooperative project with MN and the Chippewa National Forest. We re hoping it will open the door to more cooperative projects and potentially more grouse habitat management on Minnesota s two National Forests. Most of the work will consist of alder shearing (hopefully about 330 acres). Conservation Partners Legacy Grants allow groups like RGS to accomplish large-scale habitat improvements through use of sales tax money from the Lessard-Sams constitutional amendment. We hope to use this first project as a demonstration for private and county land managers and would like to expand this work in the future. For those of you who hunt in the Blackduck/Pennington/NW Itasca/East Beltrami County areas, we are looking for additional sites for this work, please contact Ted if you know of some public land spots that could use some chopping and we will check them out Drummer Funds Alder Pond RGMA ($1200) RGS assisted Itasca County with some Hunter Walking Trail development and improvement at Alder Pond Ruffed Grouse Management Unit near Grand Rapids. This project was suggested by Adam Sutherland of Itasca County RGS and a photo run in the Grand Rapids paper resulted in some good public sentiment for RGS and the local chapter. Klondike Ruffed Grouse Management Area ($9000) RGS assisted local foresters and wildlife personnel in improvement and upgrades to a Pine County Ruffed Grouse Management Area-we improved a Minimum Maintenance road, added some parking facilities and a picnic area and plan on doing some aspen age-class diversification and possibly adding more trails-more to come. This project was brought to us by Forestry and will benefit anyone who hunts Pine County including metro RGS members and Cambridge/Isanti and Duluth chapter members. Alm Property-Pomroy Pastures ($1200) We sheared some woodcock/grouse habitat on an acquisition in Kanabec County. This was requested by USFWS and Private Lands biologists and the MN Sharp-tailed Grouse Society. This land is slated to become a WMA. Deep Portage ($2700) Alder harvest biomass project to improve grouse/woodcock habitat. This was suggested by members of the Deep Portage Chapter.

10 Warroad ($1500) RGS is working in Roseau County to add a gate and some improvements to an area where we can do some focused woodcock/grouse management. This was suggested by Wildlife at Red Lake WMA. We would like to expand this project in the near future. Aitkin ($3000) We are looking into the feasibility of helping in the support of a private lands biologist whose assignment would be to assist private landowners with projects using Federal funds for wildlife including grouse and woodcock. At least two of these projects came in under budget so we still have some money to spend from 2011 in addition to the 2012 Drummer Fund. I am looking for ideas/suggestions for 2012 Drummer projects, feel free to call me or send an .

11 My New Gordon Setter Puppy. Clearcut Northwinds Sierra At 7 Weeks. Sierra at 14 Weeks L: Jay Lutey, R: Dave Johnson This picture was taken after a road race that we coerced each other into doing, probably after a couple adult beverages and some smart talk. Jay and I had decided if we were going to be able to chase grouse into our 80 s, it was important to stay fit in our 50 s. We started doing a series of 3-10k races every spring to continue what our winter cross country skiing had begun during the winter. I keep this picture close to my desk so that I won t ever forget how much fun we had together. We were closer than brothers.

12 Project Title Bell Mound Ruffed Grouse Area Potato Creek WA Woodcock Habitat Mgmt. Clam River Fishery Area Alder Mgmt. Restoration of Hunter Walking Trail Systems Duck Lake Hunter Walking Trail Development Grouse Mgmt. Area Access Control Enhancement of Early Successional Habitat Wood County WA Aspen/Alder Regen. Dell Creek WA Habitat Improvement Colburn WA Early Successional Mgmt. Barron Co. Alder Mgmt Drummer Fund Projects County/Nearest Town Jackson County/ Brockway Rusk County/ Bruce Burnett County/ Shell Lake Forest and Oconto Counties/ Eagle River-Laona- Lakewood Florence County/ Florence Douglas County/ Summit and Hawthorne Multi-county Area in North Central WI Wood County/Babcock Sauk County/Lake Delton Adams/Hancock Barron/Cumberland Cooperating Agency Jackson County Forestry Department US Forest Service Florence County Forestry and Parks Department Douglas County Forestry Department Project Goals Layout 10 ac aspen cutting units on 2300 ac area 20 acres of alder management 5 ac. alder mgmt./ 5 ac. openings Restore 31 miles of trail and 44 acres of openings Develop approximately 1.5 miles of trail Requested Drummer Funds Total Project Cost $6,300 $11,900 $5,000 $5,000 $850 $1,450 $1,000 $13,450 $3,850 $4,600 Replace 6 existing gates and install 4 new gates $6,500 $6,500 Approx. 200 acres of Alder $15,000 $25,000 and Opening Management Regenerate up to 25 acres of $4,000 $5,000 aspen/alder 10 acres alder shearing/ 10 $2,000 $18,000 acres oak seeding 3.5 miles of $7,400 $10,668 trail servicing 800 ac. of habitat 10 acres of $1,200 $1,500 alder shearing Total $53,100 $103,068

13 I m still trying to get chapters re-started in the Appleton/Oshkosh region of, and the Rochester, Minnesota area. Please me if you re willing to help with that effort. For more information or to volunteer, please contact me. Dave Johnson uptrek@gmail.com