FWS Proposes Increased Hunting Access in National Wildlife Refuges

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced a proposal to open Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota to deer and turkey hunting for the first time, while expanding hunting activities at nine other refuges in eight states.

If approved, the proposal would provide additional public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.

In addition to the new deer and turkey program at Crane Meadows, other proposed changes include:  

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, CO, would increase big game hunting by offering elk hunting for the first time. The refuge also allows migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and fishing.

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, LA, would open for the first time to migratory bird hunting of waterfowl and coot. The refuge also allows fishing.

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge, MS, would open for the first time to migratory bird hunting of duck and geese; upland game hunting of squirrel, rabbit and raccoon; and big game hunting of deer and hogs. The refuge also permits fishing.

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, NC, would open for the first time to big game hunting of deer and hogs.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, MN, would increase acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, MN/IA, would increase acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge would expand the species for migratory bird and upland game hunting.

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, UT, would allow for the first time upland game hunting of turkey and big game hunting of elk. The refuge also allows migratory bird hunting and fishing.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, MN, would open new areas to migratory bird hunting. It would allow big game hunting of turkey and deer for the first time. The refuge is also open for fishing.

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, TX, would open three new units to upland game hunting of squirrels and rabbits and big game hunting of feral hogs and white-tailed deer. The refuge is also open for migratory bird hunting and fishing.

While definitions of hunting categories vary by refuge and state, migratory bird hunting generally includes ducks and geese. Upland game hunting may cover such animals as game birds, rabbit, squirrel, opossum and coyote. Big game hunting may include such animals as wild turkey, deer and feral hogs.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service can permit hunting and fishing as well as four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation where they are compatible with refuge purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 300 national wildlife refuges.

Fishing is permitted on more than 270 national wildlife refuges. Other wildlife-dependent recreation on national wildlife refuges includes wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation.

Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011; the public has until August 4, 2011, to provide comments.

To comment on the proposed hunting rule changes, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/news/pdfs/2011-12RefugeSpecificPropRule.PDF

source: USFWS

Tennessee Wood Duck Box Program

Across North America, putting up wood duck boxes is a traditional way to help increase waterfowl populations.

An outstanding example of a wood duck box program is ongoing in Tennessee. During 2011, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, in partnership with Delta Waterfowl and the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been donating and installing and install wood duck boxes on lands where NRCS or districts have installed wildlife benefitting conservation practices.

Recently, more than 200 boxes built by Williamson County Boy and Cub scouts were distributed to Middle Tennessee landowners at an event at the NRCS Area II office in Murfreesboro. The Nashville chapter of Delta Waterfowl supplied materials and coordinated the construction.

The landowners who accept the donated boxes are only asked to respond once a year to Delta Waterfowl either via email or mail request regarding whether there appears to have been a wood duck nest in the box during the year. This will provide Delta Waterfowl with valuable habitat information that could be correlated to the success of the project.

Boxes are located in areas along streams and rivers that are in WRP easements and riparian buffer zones established through EQIP, CRP, CSP woodlands or stream corridors.

source: TWRA

How to Catch Bullfrogs

Bullfrog hunting, or "frogging," is popular in many parts of the USA during summer. All that's needed is a flashlight or headlamp, a mesh sack, an old pair of tennis shoes, and some stealth. The only other necessary ingredient is access to a local pond, lake, or stream.

One proven method for catching bullfrogs is to walk quietly through the water at night and shine a bright light along the bank until a pair of glowing eyes appear. Temporarily blinded by the light, frogs can be grabbed or netted.

Frog legs are regarded as a delicacy and have a taste and texture resembling a cross of shrimp and fish. A popular way to cook them is to dip the legs in egg and then into a mixture of flour and corn meal, seasoning salt, and pepper. Then the legs are fried to a golden brown in oil.

Outdoorsmen should check their state regulations before harvesting wild bullfrogs.

source: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

2011 Idaho Super Hunt and Super Hunt Combo

Idaho Super Hunts are fund-raising drawings for 40 big game tags. The tags are handed out to winners in two drawings. Entries are drawn for elk, deer, pronghorn and moose tags. Winners can participate in any open hunt in the state for deer, elk, pronghorn or moose. That includes general hunts and controlled hunts.

Entries in the second Super Hunt and Super Hunt Combo drawing must be received at the Fish and Game headquarters by August 11 with the drawing set for mid-August.

A "Super Hunt Combo" entry and entries for two elk, two deer, and two pronghorn hunts along with one moose hunt will be drawn. The entry period for the second drawing is June 2 through August 11.

Hunters can take an animal or animals on their Super Hunt or Super Hunt Combo tags in addition to any general season or controlled hunt tags they also hold. All other rules of individual hunts apply.

The special drawings began in 2004 as a way to raise money for the Access Yes! Program, which helps assure hunter and angler access to and across private lands by compensating willing landowners.

The first entry costs $6; additional entries for the same species cost $4 each when purchased at the same time. Super Hunt Combo entries cost $20 for one; additional entries are $16 when purchased at the same time.

Hunters can enter at license vendors, Fish and Game offices, or online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/superhunt/

Entry forms can also be obtained by calling 800-824-3729 or 800-554-8685.

Entry order forms should be mailed: Fish and Game License Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.

source: Idaho Fish and Game

2011 Report on Trends in Duck Breeding Populations

Improved conditions in much of the waterfowl breeding habitat in Canada and the prairies of the north-central United States have contributed to higher populations of many species of ducks, according to breeding population estimates released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today.

The preliminary estimate of the total duck population from the traditional survey area (north-central United States, south-central and northern Canada, and Alaska) was 45.6 million birds. This estimate represents an 11 percent increase over last year’s estimate of 40.8 million birds and is 35 percent above the long-term average (the total duck estimate excludes scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks, mergansers, and wood ducks).

The surveys are summarized in the 2011 Report on Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, which contains information about the status of duck populations and wetland habitats found during spring of 2011.

The surveys are conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Services’ Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, which involves sampling more than two million square miles of waterfowl habitat across the north-central and northeastern United States, south-central, eastern, and northern Canada, and Alaska. Information is not included from surveys conducted by state or provincial agencies.

The annual survey guides the Service’s waterfowl conservation programs under authority of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service works in partnership with state biologists from the four flyways — the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific — to establish regulatory frameworks for waterfowl hunting season lengths, dates, and bag limits.

The entire Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, 1955-2011 report can be downloaded from the Service's Website at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/

article source and photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service