OUTDOOR HAPPENINGS: Simple postcards helped compile harvest data
A few columns ago I wrote about a set of hunting regulations I came across from 1938. Deer harvest was limited to a forked buck and was open in only 30 of our 72 counties.
A few columns ago I wrote about a set of hunting regulations I came across from 1938. Deer harvest was limited to a forked buck and was open in only 30 of our 72 counties.
As I was filing the set of old regulations in the appropriate file, I came across the 1938 hunting license of my father-in-law Ray Woll. He was 17 at the time and lived in Chippewa Falls with his parents.
The 1938 resident hunting license fee was listed at $1 while the deer hunting license also cost a buck. A rather interesting attachment was included at the bottom of the issued license. A detachable postcard was supplied that allowed the hunter of record to list his or her harvested animals.
Ray had not sent the postcard in for that year but had listed his bag, which included several rabbits and squirrels. A number representing the county where the harvest occurred and another number that corresponded to the animal species harvested was provided. Many of our current huntable species of mammals, waterfowl and upland game were listed along with wildcat, lynx, timber wolf, prairie chicken and badger. Information about the measurements and weight of harvested deer and bear were also asked to be included.
At the end of the season the card would be sent in and the information tabulated. This was provided to all hunters that purchased a license for that year. What a great way to monitor hunting success and species density across the state with very little expense and effort.
Computer technology of today would make this process rather painless to both the provider and the data processor. What a novel idea that came across more than 70 years ago!
Dog tags
Earlier this week, I had taken my dogs, along with my mother-in-law’s dog Ollie out for their daily routine run. Dogs, especial larger dogs, need their daily exercise to stay healthy and also not to use their pent up energy perpetrating internal household misbehavior.
Ollie is a rather high strung 11-year-old Jack Russell Terrier who has a history of “aloofness” and tends to meander off at times. On this particular morning, Ollie jumped from the back of the pickup truck with the rest of the pack as usual, ran up the hill and disappeared. I searched the area for an extended period of time and then spent the next couple of hours driving the surrounding sections looking for him. Returning home I faced the daunting task of telling Irene, my mother-in-law, about her beloved dog. My wife Sally called the township animal control officer and a few other places alerting them of our lost Ollie.
Up-to-date rabies inoculations are required for dogs in the county. With the updated shots come tags that should be placed on the dog’s collar. This tag has a number and a veterinarian’s office listed. The vet office maintains a record of the dog’s owner which corresponds to the number on the tag. Name tags are also available which can be placed on the dog listing the name of the dog along with a name of the owner and a phone number. I highly recommend these tags.
After spending a below-freezing night on the lam and following more than 36 hours out and about, Irene received a call from a farm more than two miles from where Ollie had run off. The family had found Ollie and had called the number on his collar tag. Without these tags, this story could have had a completely different outcome.
I’d like to thank the Dalton family who called about Ollie along with Todd, the Richmond Township animal warden, and Malley Sunshine Kennels, who provided information about lost dog retrievals. Ollie now is sleeping soundly at home with a full belly. He will now be securely leashed during our daily morning outings.
Bird workshop
A birding workshop will be held on Saturday, March 6, starting at 10 a.m. at the Somerset Town Hall, located one half mile east of Somerset. Bluebirds will be the bird of focus along with a slide presentation, nest box exhibits with discussion about box styles, habitat, predation and monitoring. Box construction plans and other handouts will be provided plus finished nesting boxes will be available for purchase. This event is free to the public. For more information contact Lowell Peterson at 715-247-3243.
Warden Paul’s Corner
Bear harvest permits
Wisconsin wildlife biologists have upped the number of available black bear harvest permits by 22 percent over 2009.
A population research study cooperative effort between the University of Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association indicated that the state’s bear population was greater than previously thought.
Accordingly, wildlife officials increased permit levels last year based on the increased population estimate and have done so again for the 2010 bear hunting season.
With a new population estimate of about 22,000 bears, and a current state bear population goal of 13,000 bears, biologists at the DNR have established a 2010 harvest quota of 5,235 bears and will issue 8,910 permits.
The deadline to have applied for a 2010 bear permit was Dec. 10, 2009. The drawing for permits will be conducted this week and successful applicants will be notified by mid-February.
More than 32,000 hunters applied for the 7,310 permits that were issued for the 2009 season. That season resulted in a record harvest of 3,907 bears (based on preliminary harvest numbers).
The permit breakdown is as follows: Zone A 3,470 permits; Zone B 1,440 permits: Zone C 2,430 permits; and Zone D 1,570 permits. The 2010 bear hunting season runs Sept. 8 through Oct. 12.
Fishing shelters
This winter there has been an above average number of problems and issues with permanent ice houses/shelters in St. Croix County. These problems include:
• Fishing from inside a locked ice house.
• No name on the permanent ice house, no address or improper display of name and address.
• Litter on the ice and around shelters.
The doors of all enclosed fishing shelters, both permanent and portable, must be readily opened from the outside while someone is inside. The only time a fishing shelter can be locked is when it is not in use. Therefore, a permanent shelter cannot be locked from the inside when someone is fishing. Your shelter needs to be built or modified using a typical door knob/latch, a heavy duty spring or some other way to keep the door closed, but not locked while in use so it can be opened from the outside.
All permanent fishing shelters must display the owner’s name and address (in English) legibly by painting or otherwise affixing on the outside of the shelter using block lettering a minimum of one inch and in contrasting colors. A name and city or phone number is not correct. Take the short amount of time to look at your shelter and get it into compliance if needed.
The main reason for this requirement is so law enforcement knows who owns the shelter for removal deadlines. In addition, Wisconsin does not want to license fishing shelters such as Minnesota, so please follow the laws, be respectful and responsible so the laws stay the same.
For questions or comments call Warden Sickman at 715-684-2914, ext. 120. Remember no ice is safe ice!
Tags: outdoor happenings, outdoors, hunting, environment
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