Saturday, August 17, 2013

2013 USFWS Waterfowl Population Status Report

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released its most recent Waterfowl Population Status Report.

The report summarizes the status of duck, goose, and swan populations in North America for 2013.

The Waterfowl Population Status, 2013 Report can be downloaded at:

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/PopulationStatus/Waterfowl/StatusReport2013.pdf

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Saturday, August 3, 2013

2013 Wisconsin Elk Survey

During May and June, more than 250 volunteers joined Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists to search the forests near Wisconsin's Clam Lake for elk calves.

The spring elk survey revealed that the year has started out exceptionally well for Wisconsin’s growing elk herd. Forty-five potentially pregnant cows were monitored this spring. From them, 35 to 37 new calves were expected to join the herd this spring.

A total of 23 elk calves were captured by volunteers and fitted with tracking collars that will provide future information about their survival. At least five additional calves have since been seen and not captured.

2013 is first time that more females were observed born than males, according to DNR staff.

As of mid-July, no newborn calves had been lost to predation. Black bears are the most likely predator during their first six weeks of life.

Within a week or two after giving birth, cows group together with other cows to provide added protection to newborn calves against predators.

More good news for Wisconsin’s elk herd came recently with the signing of the state budget where authority was given to DNR to bring in additional wild elk to boost the Clam Lake herd and start a second wild herd in the Black River Falls area of Jackson County.

Both plans have seen significant public support and financial backing from partners outside of the DNR. As a result, more elk may be arriving from a donor state starting in 2015.

For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov

source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

USFWS Mourning Dove Population Report

The Mourning Dove is one of the most abundant bird species in urban and rural areas of North America.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently released its Mourning Dove, Population Status, 2013.

The report summarizes information on abundance and harvest of mourning doves collected annually in the United States.

Information in the report is used to set annual hunting regulations for the mourning dove.

The report is available at:

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/PopulationStatus/MourningDove/Mourning%20Dove%20Population%20Status%202013.pdf

source: United States Fish and Wildlife Service