Well, the 2009 DNR/Congress Spring Hearing in Calumet County has come and gone with out a great deal of fanfare.

93 folks registered and most stayed around for the two hours it took to conduct the business on the agenda.

    Gary Reidy of Brillion and Paul Fluhr of New Holstein were re-elected to two year and three year terms respectively to the Congress’ county delegation. There were 91 proposals on the questionnaire, but many local issues from around the state were not discussed in any depth.

    Any questions related to Earn-A-Buck (EAB)   predictably garnered a negative response. Much of impact of those responses was no longer valid in light of the Natural Resources Board’s (NRB) decision last week to put EAB as a deer management tool around the state on the back burner.

    For the most part, questions that expanded hunter opportunity and ease of regulations were viewed positively. Hunters liked the idea of allowing scopes on muzzleloaders, but didn’t want anything to do with pushing back the muzzle loading season.

    Expanding the fall turkey season got a thumb up, but hunting turkeys with dogs statewide was voted down. The possibility in the near future of having phone –in registration for turkey hunters was also approved both locally and statewide.

    Locally and around the state, the idea of giving 12 and 13 year-olds the opportunity to spear sturgeon was also seen in a positive light.

    Allowing tree stands on public land overnight was probably the proposal that saw the most discussion. After 10 minutes, the group approved the question.

     Woodchucks, which have been a protective species in Wisconsin for decades, may well lose that protection if the DNR and NRB approve the statewide vote. The animals have destructive habits and already can be controlled on private land if they are causing damage.

    Statewide, almost 8,000 citizens attended the hearings held in all 72 counties. The results will go to the DNR and then will be presented to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for an advisory look. The NRB will be the arbiter of the DNR questions and the Congress’ advisory questions will be assigned to study committees after the group’s convention in LaCrosse next week.

    The spring turkey season has   been a mixed bag so far. Some areas saw a large harvest during the first period, while others reported low numbers. I hunted three days of the second period, and while gobbles were plentiful early in the mornings, few birds were actually sighted. There is little question that the birds have gotten smarter and more leery.

    Some hunters feel the hens are still in their winter mode and aren’t too thrilled when the toms come calling. That should bring toms to calls and decoys, but that hasn’t necessarily been the case.

     My one shot damaged a great deal of branches and twigs that prevented enough BBs to connect with my target. The gobbler was dazed monetarily but sauntered off apparently no worse for wear.

    Fishing is starting up in a few places. Some crappies were being caught in Stockbridge Harbor on minnows and crawlers, but that action has died down. The Sheboygan Marsh has seen some bluegill action, but the fish have been quite small.

     According to the DNR’s yearly fishing report, the Millpond in Chilton has “good” fishing for northern and bass. Warden Disher agreed with the northern reference but wasn’t too sure about the bass.

    Recently, the DNR announced its annual adjustment on walleye bag limits in ceded territory. This year, the daily bags have been lowered on 418 lakes. 87 lakes will have a three walleye daily bag, while 324 will have a two-bag limit. Seven lakes will allow only one walleye per day. A complete list of waters with reduced bag limits can be viewed at www.dnr.state.wi.us.

    According to the Center for Consumer Freedom, PETA in 2008 took custody of 2,216 adoptable animals. Seven were adopted and 2,124 were killed. Yet, the organization tells us the rest of us how to live our lives.

    In Sarnia, Ontario, local officials placed cardboard cutouts of coyotes in a park, hoping to scare off geese and reduce goose droppings. Sadly, they had to be removed after police received a 911 call from a female jogger that one of the coyotes had “barked” at her.

    Until next time, keep your hooks sharp, your feet warm and your powder dry!

Written By Bob Wilberscheid

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