BWA Newsletter - April 2004A Bluffland Whitetails Association quarterly publication for
Mayo Civic Center packed for 2004 BWA Whitetail ExpoOn Saturday, January 10, 2004, BWA opened the doors of the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester to 3300 whitetail enthusiasts. Designed to be a family-oriented show, the crowd included 1200 children, 17 years of age and under. Representative Greg Davids kicked off the event with a talk about outdoor issues in southeast Minnesota. Local hunting legend, Gary Clancy, a well-known author and star of television and hunting video, gave his perspectives on calling, decoying, and rattling whitetail bucks. Stan Potts, known nationwide for his hunting videos and co-host of North American Whitetail Television, gave up several of his secrets for taking monster whitetails. His largest included a bow-killed behemoth that measured over 200 inches. They spoke to standing-room-only crowds in both morning and afternoon sessions. Archery Pro Shop owner, Martin Stubsted, showed that this event had something for everyone by giving a seminar on calling and decoying turkeys. Marty’s experience with bowhunting for turkeys is second to none, and he’s taken several birds with archery tackle. Graduate student Isabelle Lajoie presented her work on the causes of deer mortality in southern Minnesota. BWA helped sponsor her work, which was performed under the guidance of Dr. Chris DePerno, of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Almost 100 exhibitors were present for the show, including the ever-popular DNR Wall of Shame, numerous hunting manufacturers, taxidermists, and Power Sports suppliers and manufacturers. The Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association, which represents deer hunters statewide, and DNR Wildlife department also exhibited, giving attendees a chance to discuss deer management philosophies and season changes with these groups. Not to be outdone by the DNR Wall of Shame, BWA put together its “Wall of Fame,” which proved to be one of the biggest attractions of the show. The exhibit consisted of a forty-foot wall of whitetail mounts taken legally by local sportsmen and women over the last 25 years. The show was the culmination of a lot of hard work by coordinator Geoff Heppding and many hard-working BWA members. Our hats are off to those who helped make the second annual BWA Whitetail Expo a smashing success.
—Chris Kolbert and Todd Grimes
A message from BWA's president...When I put away my bow for the year and ran a final oil cloth across my deer rifle and muzzleloader, I figured that the excitement was over for awhile. Visions of being a couch potato clouded my head, only to be interrupted by leisurely excursions to the Mississippi backwaters to ice some jumbo sunfish. Neither of those fantasies has become reality, and the winter has been anything but dull. In January, BWA rocked the Mayo Civic Center by holding its second annual BWA Whitetail Expo. Well over 3000 people showed up for the event. By all accounts, the event was a huge success, with many guests and exhibitors complimenting our group for putting on a quality show. This success speaks to the quality of the men and women who helped us put it all together. One week later, BWA sponsored a public forum at the Caledonia Community Center. This event was initiated by the Minnesota House of Representatives Environmental Finance and Policy subcommittees. Several legislators, as well as top DNR staff, attended the event to listen to southeastern Minnesota residents discuss outdoor-related issues that were important to them. Not surprisingly, deer season changes were among the most often discussed topics. Although some pointed out that the loss of two days from the 3A season decreased the quality of their hunt, others felt that this was a change that should be given a chance. As you know, BWA did not propose these changes, but supported them as a compromise measure, with the agreement that the changes be evaluated regularly. The 2003 deer harvest statistics will be released soon, and our directors will study the results before making recommendations. In February, BWA had the opportunity to exhibit at the Eagle Bluff Landowner Stewardship Show, held at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center; and at the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association Deer/Turkey Expo, which was hosted at the Mayo Civic Center. Both events provided our members with an opportunity to talk with the public about issues that are important to our group. Since the beginning of our organization, we have worked to balance the population and age structure of the deer herd with the expectations of the public and the capacity of the available habitat. We have worked for season changes that would allow us to meet our goals without placing restrictions on the deer that people harvest. Word has come to us recently that a Quality Deer Management group from northwestern Minnesota is also trying to increase the age structure of the herd in five counties, but they have chosen to enact regulations which place point restrictions on bucks that can be harvested. BWA directors are currently discussing whether or not to support the idea of experimental point restrictions in these counties, and whether or not similar restrictions would be acceptable in our area. This proposal may go to the legislature soon, and we will all be watching to see if it succeeds. —Chris Kolbert, president
Initiative bill gives more power to metroThe following is an excerpt from an article by Representative Al Juhnke that was published in the March 8, 2004, issue of the Fillmore County Journal and is reprinted with his permission. Rep. Juhnke represents House District 13B covering Willmar and rural Kandiyohi County. He is the Lead DFLer on the House Agriculture & Rural Development Finance Committee. The old idea of “initiative and referendum” is enjoying one of its periodic revivals at the State Capitol. Despite having been rejected by Minnesota voters at the polls in 1980, and stirring minimal support in the Legislature since then, the idea never quite goes away. Those of us who hope for a better future in rural Minnesota should hope it stays in its grave this time, too. Under initiative and referendum, sometimes known simply as I&R, groups can write a proposed law (the “initiative”), and if they can collect enough signatures, put it on the ballot to be voted up or down at the next election (the “referendum”). The people advocating I&R say it cuts though the roadblocks imposed by the legislative process. Why is that a good thing? It should be hard to get something written into law. The founders of the American government designed checks and balances into the system precisely to make it hard to get things written into law. Metro area interests could easily put on the ballot initiatives that could be very damaging to the agricultural and timber industries of rural Minnesota. Our hunting and fishing community—and the tourist-related business they support—could face onerous regulations in initiatives proposed by animal rights groups. The metro area already has a majority in both house of the Legislature, and I&R does nothing to remove that numerical advantage. This year’s version of I&R has a provision that pretends to address that issue. It would require that any proposition get a majority of votes in at least five of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts in order to pass. But that is just a fig leaf. Three congressional districts are wholly within the metro area. Two more are basically suburban, with a few rural counties attached. That makes five metro districts. So instead of protecting rural interests, this complicated arrangement in fact makes it harder for a rural-oriented initiative to pass. A rural-oriented initiative would have to win in all three rural districts and at least two of the five metro districts. If we’re looking at a proposal to direct more state money to rural roads, for example, the deck is stacked against us. I want Minnesota to be strong and prosperous, and that means making rural Minnesota strong and prosperous. I&R threatens to rob rural Minnesota of control over its own future. And I believe our future is more secure with a strong legislative process than with an unproven and chaotic system like initiative and referendum.
Board member profile
Todd Grimes
I am 39 years old and have lived in southeast Minnesota for 25 years. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, mushrooming, shed hunting and hiking (just about anything outdoors). My true passion is whitetail deer! My wife thinks I’m a little crazy. I have hunted deer in five states; Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. In my opinion, southeast Minnesota has great potential for growing mature bucks, but a few things need to be changed. We need to move our firearm seasons out of the peak of the rut and get rid of the buck-only tag! This is where BWA comes in. I joined Bluffland Whitetails Association in March of 2001 at the first Minnesota Deer Classic they attended. A friend and I were walking around the show and saw Bud Grant talking to Michael Sieve at a booth and thought we should investigate. We walked over and ran into Rick Boyer (a long-time friend from LaCrescent) working the booth. He explained what Bluffland Whitetails was all about. We signed up immediately. I took a passive approach the first year and a half I was a member, but the last two years I have become very active in the organization, and in 2004, I was elected to the Board of Directors. I have been on the Expo committee since its inception. I also enjoyed working with the kids at the Whitewater Youth Hunt. BWA was instrumental in initiating this first-ever Youth Firearm Hunt in Minnesota. I am hoping this will lead to a state-wide youth season. I feel BWA is at a critical time of its existence. Last year, the DNR made changes to the zone 3 firearm season for the first time in 23 years. I believe we need to continue working with the DNR to improve our deer herd through more season changes and sound management practices. BWA is the only “whitetail” organization in southeast Minnesota that is actively working with the DNR to improve deer hunting. If you are not a member, please consider joining. If you are, please consider volunteering some of your time. Bluffland Whitetails Association is working to improve the future of deer hunting. Climb on board and become a leader!
Member profiles
John (Jack) Peck
Although my family was non-hunting, and pushed me in that direction, my friends got me into gun training. I saved money from mowing lawns and shoveling walks to purchase a 22 rifle. We hunted small game and pheasants. I tried hunting deer a couple of times without any luck. Because of work, I drifted away from hunting after high school. Then in 1984 a new friend got me excited about hunting deer again. This time it grew into a passion. After a few years of successful shotgun hunting, I decided I wanted more out of the hunting experience and took up bow hunting. I am now teaching my son the sport. Last fall, he took his first-ever deer with his bow. A perfect shot from 25 yards put a fat doe down after just a 40-yard run. I can’t tell you how proud I was. My interests got me reading everything I could find on whitetails. Many magazine articles addressed issues dealing with unbalanced deer herds and how detrimental it was to the health of the deer. I learned that in “Mother Nature’s” deer herd, four out of ten deer that survived their first year should be bucks. That’s 40 percent. When was the last time you saw 40 percent bucks? Maybe in a real good dream! I think things have to change. We will have to work with our game professionals to form a better deer management strategy. We must have a large number of supporters to show them that this is what the people want. We won’t be able to cram changes down the DNR’s throat, but we will have to be persistent. The BWA is an organization committed to the improvement of the deer herd and deer hunting. Let’s join together to get things done for the future of this great animal and sport.
Mike Staggemeyer
Jim Vagts got me interested in Bluffland from the start. I’ve served as a past director and am a life member. I’ve learned how complicated things can be when working together with the public and the DNR. Bluffland has accomplished a lot in its short time of existence, but Minnesota has a lot of unrealized potential in their deer herd, and we still have a long way to go. Let’s keep up the good work!
Habitat improvement assistanceMy career with the Winona County Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has given me the opportunity to meet numerous landowners who are passionate about their whitetails. Through such programs as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), NRCS has been able to help many of these landowners reach their habitat dreams. Increased funding in the 2002 fall bill offers landowners more incentives than ever before to voluntarily conserve natural resources on our nation’s privately owned land. Its conservation provisions help reduce erosion, protect streams and rivers and restore or establish fish and wildlife habitat. Common practices used in southeast Minnesota include native grass plantings, tree/shrub plantings, Timber Stand Improvements, wildlife openings and wildlife ponds. All these practices can be cost-shared upon contract application acceptance, and can help increase the possibility of attracting and holding more wildlife on your farm. In order to pursue cost-share assistance, your first step would be to contact your local NRCS office. We will come out to the farm, listen to your goals and ideas, and make an assessment of what else can be done. After the plan is reviewed, including cost-estimate breakdowns, we then research and introduce cost-share program availability. An application for cost-share dollars is then submitted during a sign-up and evaluation period. Your application is scored, ranked and compared to other applications. Those applications which show the most environmental benefit are funded. The number of applications funded depends upon the amount of cost-share dollars allocated for that sign-up period. While habitat improvement is only part of the herd quality puzzle, improving that habitat can increase the availability of high-quality food and cover. Varying types of habitats create interspersion, or as we hunters call it; edge. When landowners can provide a variety of habitat “niches,” it is common to see increased wildlife utilization and diversity. When planning your farm, not only should you take into consideration what your tract of land may need, assess the land around you. Ask yourself what can you provide that is in low supply or non-existent in neighboring tracts. This winter I was invited out to the farm of Bluffland Whitetails member Kent Holen. Kent, like many southeast Minnesota landowners, is dedicated to creating quality wildlife habitat on his northern Houston County farm. Upon walking the farm, I quickly discovered Holen had already taken steps towards improving the habitat. As part of the CRP contract, Holen had planted several acres of spruce, pine and cedar. This effort creates both shelter for pheasants and thermal cover for deer. Holen had already installed a couple of ponds and had planted corn food plots. Upon visiting Holen’s farm, his dedication to the environment and improving the wildlife habitat would be noticeable to even the casual observer. After assessing the farm and visiting with Holen about his long-term goals, we determined a course of action. Holen had already begun planting a several acre area of spruce and pine. In order to maximize wildlife utilization, plans are to fill in and establish a dense area of spruce and pine which can provide thermal winter cover, Adjacent to this area, a one-acre wildlife opening is planned. These wildlife openings can provide a food source through the establishment of a clover-based planting. As part of the “whole farm” plan, additional wildlife openings have been incorporated due primarily to the fact that Holen’s farm is made up predominantly of CRP and woods. These openings are established into a clover-heavy cover and can provide additional forage availability. A benchmark for wildlife openings suggests three acres of wildlife opening for every one hundred acres of woods. Wildlife openings will not be of much benefit in woodlots less than forty acres. These plantings are not “food plots;” they are managed to create edge and diversity in forested areas. If there is one thing I have seen that leads to wildlife opening failure, it’s the lack of proper site preparation and maintenance. For the most part, wildlife opening and food plot failures can be attributed to improper weed control. The failures experienced on my farm were specifically due to lack of weed control. If you do not have the proper equipment to site-prep and maintain these areas properly, you are wasting your time! Another phase of Holen’s project includes “early successional habitat development.” Simply put, most of the forested part of the Holen farm is mature woods. While these areas can produce mast, they provide little if any available browse or cover. Thinning out portions of the woods in order to encourage re-growth and regeneration (suckering) of palatable and nutritious vegetation and escape cover can create these successional areas. Caution should be taken to not do a whole-scale thinning of the entire wooded area. Remember, habitat diversity is important. Having your woods in different phases of successional growth will provide wildlife with necessary cover food and browse. There are also several areas on the Holen farm where oak is prominent. Thinning undesirable species can encourage additional oak growth, which in turn may promote mast production. Future plans for Holen’s project include changing the CRP cover from a brome grass-based stand to native grasses. These native grasses provide bedding and escape cover and can provide a wonderful habitat niche for a variety of game and non-game species alike. A pond, several acres of spruce, oak and fruit tree plantings along with four acres of wildlife opening underscore the planning efforts on my Fillmore County farm. As a consequence of improved wildlife habitat, deer utilize the farm much differently now than five years ago. The driving force behind this effort is my daughters. I often look into my young stand of spruce and wonder it this will be where one of my kids will harvest her first deer. For eligible landowners, there is a very real opportunity through federally funded cost-share dollars and NRCS technical assistance to improve and create wildlife habitat: now is the perfect time to start. —Colin Williams
DNR public input meetingPortions of this article were taken from an article published in the Caledonia Argus newspaper, Caledonia, MN. About 150 people attended a meeting hosted by Bluffland Whitetails Association (BWA) in Caledonia on January 8, 2004. This meeting was organized by BWA member Kermit McRae and moderated by Representative Greg Davids. It was attended by officials from St. Paul including DNR commissioner Gene Merriam, House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Chairs, Tom Hackbarth and Dennis Ozment. Several people attending this meeting had questions about the newest proposed regulations for trout fishing in southeast Minnesota. Ron Payer, DNR Director of Fisheries, said the new proposal is designed to make fishing fun for everyone and produce big and small fish. Eighteen percent of streams in southeastern Minnesota may have restrictions that would require releasing all fish so they could mature. Land access and changing ownership was another topic. Commissioner Merriam said access and the change in the pattern of ownership is of great concern to the DNR. Representative Ozment said these problems are very complex, and we all need to work together on them. Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator, and Ed Boggess, DNR assistant chief of wildlife, fielded most of the questions related to deer hunting. There were several questions relating to the changes in the deer seasons last fall. One person asked if there was a biological reason to continue having a bucks-only season in zone 3 when we have an overpopulation of deer. Boggess cited a long tradition of a bucks-only season, and it was more of a social reason rather than a biological one. Starting last fall, there were doe permits available for the 3-A season, so it is no longer a “bucks-only” season. Lou Cornicelli said the 3-A season was shortened by two days to try and reduce the harvest of bucks. He further stated that the deer management staff will be looking closely at changes in the deer season structure in the near future. CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) and wetlands was also a popular topic for this group of outdoor people. Commissioner Merriam said the Wetlands Act has been positive, but more needs to be done to keep wetlands protected. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was discussed, and so far Minnesota has been very lucky that it has not been found in our state. In mid-March, the DNR announced that all deer tested last fall have been negative. Testing will continue in some parts of the state but is completed in southeast Minnesota. This meeting was very positive and provided a great opportunity for outdoor people from southeastern Minnesota, DNR officials and chairmen and staff of the House of Representatives to get together and share their thoughts and ideas. Bluffland Whitetails Association would like to thank everyone for attending.
CWD testing results
Lou Cornicelli CWD testing results are finally in for southeast Minnesota. In total, we collected 2,150 samples from zone 3 during the firearms deer season, and I'm happy to report that we didn't find any positive animals. As I said in an earlier BWA newsletter, we're done sampling the southeastern part of the state. Also, BWA graciously donated a Remington slug gun to our CWD raffle. In a random drawing, William Schad from Plainview was the recipient of that firearm. I'd like to extend my thanks to the BWA Board for donating the firearm. The prospect of winning the gun provided hunters a fine incentive for participating in the CWD surveillance program and certainly helped us reach our sampling goals. As always, I appreciate the working relationship between DNR and BWA, and I look forward to many more partnerships in the future.
In the spotlight...Don RamsdenWinona, MN Wife: Kris Children: Renae and Hunter Occupation: DNR Wildlife Habitat Specialist
My interests grew from there when I attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I earned a BS degree in Wildlife Management and Biology. After graduation, I worked as a soil technician for Grant County and part time with the Wisconsin DNR; trapping ruffed grouse and turkeys, census and surveys, and habitat development for bobwhite quail. In May 1986, I was hired as an Assistant Wildlife Manager with the Minnesota DNR. Later I transferred to Cloquet, and in September 1988, I moved to Winona as a Habitat Specialist with the Division of Wildlife. My current position’s primary duties involve working with habitat maintenance and development on public and private lands in Winona, Houston, Fillmore, and Wabasha counties. I have a strong bow hunting interest for deer, elk and turkey. I am fortunate to have a wife who enjoys the outdoors and bow hunting as well. With her help, we hope to teach our children the importance of hunting and wise use of our precious environment. I belong to many local, state and national hunting organizations. One of the most challenging aspects for hunting in the future is land access. Without land access, the joy of hunting wildlife will be lost and never felt by many.
Youth hunt survey resultsFollowing the first-ever youth firearms deer hunt held in Minnesota last October, participants were asked to complete a survey regarding their experience. The following is the results of that survey:
Buckthorn threats and removal
“Introduced from Eurasia and planted as an ornamental landscaping plant, buckthorn is an aggressive, invasive species of both upland and wetland habitats. Recently, buckthorn has been placed on the MN DNR list of Noxious Weeds. Birds eat the fruit and spread seeds such that even protected wildlife areas are infested with buckthorn” ( Steve Eggers, US Army Corps of Engineers, Plant Communities 2nd edition, p. 189 1997). Buckthorn Termination Everyone who enjoys the outdoors such as mushroom hunters, deer hunters, small game hunters, people who enjoy fishing, landowners, homeowners, farmers, hikers and bikers all should be concerned about buckthorn. It only takes a few years for buckthorn problems to develop, and a lot of times a problem is not noticed until the problem is severe. Land stewards can get rid of buckthorn by themselves or through professional buckthorn removers. Most professional buckthorn removers charge $3,000 - $8,000 dollars per acre for moderate to high infestation (50 percent or more invasive). For moderate to low infestation (50 percent or less invasive), professionals will charge approximately $1,000- $3,000 dollars per acre. These prices are only approximate due to the fact that individual jobs may have different prices based on land location and vehicle accessibility. For remote properties hand spraying is the only possible application. Hand spraying makes the cost higher than a vehicle sprayed application. A couple of these professionals include: Applied Ecological Services at 952-925-3359 for southeast Minnesota or Spring-Green Lawn and Tree Care at 320-252-3980 for the St. Cloud area. Individuals can also remove buckthorn. Here are some buckthorn removal instructions.
For a wonderful Internet link regarding buckthorn, click here.
BWA Whitetail Expo photos
Missouri 2004 Deer Management Pilot Program
Missouri has been listening to their hunters expressing unhappiness with the make-up of their deer herd. Starting this year, they're instigating the pilot program that is laid out in this article. This pilot program project is pertinent to Minnesota as we share the following similarities with Missouri:
Missouri is blessed with a diverse landscape, which supports a variety of wildlife. Deer are one of the most popular species, both for hunters and for wildlife observers. The Conservation Department, with the help of hunters and landowners, has managed deer since its inception in 1937. Because of the diverse landscape, deer herds have grown at different rates in different parts of the state. The Department's goal has been to maintain a healthy herd statewide, thus providing excellent hunting and viewing opportunities, and keeping the number of conflicts between people and deer to a minimum. To achieve these results, the Department's biologists carefully monitor deer throughout the state and regulate hunting in 59 management units. Regulations are set in each unit, based on deer abundance, deer-human conflicts, number of deer the habitat will support, hunter pressure and public opinion. Does are too numerous in some areas Starting in 2003, any-deer permits were valid statewide, allowing hunters to take does throughout the state. This shows that the deer population is strong. However, some areas are feeling the pressure of too many deer. More does need to be harvested in those areas to stabilize the population and produce a deer herd with a variety of ages. Your opinion is important To achieve these deer management goals, we propose testing new hunting regulations in selected management units - not statewide. The proposed units are 4, 5, 12, 13, 28, 29 and 30. In these units, surveys indicate strong interest exists for a balanced sex and age structure, which will also result in more bucks in older age classes. A variety of management options will be considered for these units. It is the Conservation Department's goal, through public meetings and other communication with our constituents, to listen to the thoughts of deer hunters, landowners and the general public. Together we will develop the roadmap that allows us to best manage this valuable resource. Management techniques used to balance buck-to-doe ratios Creating a better balance of bucks and does and increasing the number of bucks in a variety of age classes are issues faced not just in Missouri but in other states as well. Biologists recognize there are a number of ways to manage the deer herd to achieve these goals. In those states that have pursued this management direction (Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and others), the most frequent approach is to use a form of antler-point limitations on buck harvest and to expand doe harvest opportunities. Biological assessments of Missouri's deer herd suggest that antler-point limitations would be effective. Missouri biologists also have examined an array of other options, some of which are listed below. Please read through the following options, and let us know your preference and why. For more information, come to one of the public meetings to be held around the state early in 2004.
Option: Antler restriction
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Option: Earn a buck Advantages:
Disadvantage:
Option: Buck quota Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Option: Reduce length of buck season Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Option: November portion of the firearms deer season after rut Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Why change deer management?
The Conservation Department's goal is to continue the state's hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities, while managing a healthy deer population. Other benefits could include:
Reprinted with permission from the Conservation Commission of the state of Missouri.
Oak trees
Jim Edgar
The Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America lists 50 oak species as native to the U.S. east of the 100th Meridian (a line that runs roughly from central North Dakota south to the eastern panhandle of Texas). Of these 50, there are five species that are common to southeast Minnesota. The five include: Northern red oak, black oak, Northern pin oak, bur oak and white oak. Two species listed as native, but not common to our area, are chinkapin oak and swamp white oak. Oak trees are usually divided into two major groups: red oaks and white oaks. Our Northern red, black and Northern pin oaks are in the red oak group. White, bur, swamp white and chinkapin oaks are in the white oak group. Some characteristics of the white oak group include: leaves with rounded lobes or tips, acorns mature in one growing season and the heartwood has plugged vessels. These plugged vessels help make white oak lumber more decay-resistant than red oak lumber. It also allows the use of white oak wood for tight cooperage (barrels that can hold liquid such as whiskey or wine). Some other uses for white oak include fence posts, furniture and flooring. Red oak characteristics include leaves with bristles at the tip of lobes, acorns that require two growing seasons to mature and wood vessels that are open. This open nature allows for absorption of liquid such as preservatives. Red oak wood is used for furniture, wood trim, flooring and other uses. The acorns of the white oak group tend to have a less bitter taste than those of the red oak group. Because of this, they are usually preferred over red oak acorns by deer and squirrels. White-tailed deer eat more than just the acorns of oak trees. Deer are browsers, and they like to browse on oak seedlings and saplings. Some areas in southeast Minnesota, particularly where deer congregate in winter, have serious browse damage on natural and planted oak seedlings. In these areas with high concentrations of deer, young oak trees have a hard time surviving. Oak trees do not grow well under the full shade of a forest. Young oak seedlings need direct sunlight to grow into large trees. Lacking enough sunlight, young oaks grow poorly and most eventually die before attaining large size. Other tree species such as ash, maple, elm and basswood are able to readily sprout and grow in a shaded woodland. In most woodlands, these other tree species are replacing the oak forest that we are accustomed to. Oak trees are attacked by numerous insects and diseases. In our area the two most widespread causes of oak death are the two-line chestnut borer (an insect) and Armilaria root rot (a fungus). These two causes of oak death frequently kill the tree after another factor causes the tree to become stressed. Common factors that first cause stress to an oak include drought, old age and damage caused by human activity. Most oak species are very sensitive to disturbance to their root systems. Human actions that add or remove soil from next to an oak will stress the tree, possibly allowing an insect or disease to finish the tree off. Oak wilt is another disease (fungus) that kills oaks. When an oak tree is damaged between April and July, oak wilt disease can enter the wounded tree. Once infected, the disease will spread to other oaks that have underground root contact with the originally infected tree. The next time you sit under an oak tree waiting for a deer to pass by, or just sit in the shade, think of all the characteristics that big plant has. Think of what it provides for the animals in the woods and whether other oaks will be there to replace it when it dies.
This is a brief summary of information about oak trees. The sources of information include:
Find a balanceI have to assume that I am a lot like you. If you are reading this, you are either currently a member of the Bluffland Whitetails Association or at least close to someone who is. We may prefer different tactics when pursuing whitetails. You may love to still hunt, while I cannot get enough of sitting on a well-placed stand with the wind gently blowing in my face. You may favor hunting with a shotgun, while I am content to use my bow. Either way, we share a primal bond that exists because of the love we share for hunting whitetails. Right now you are probably focusing on finding sheds and pulling stands that sat all fall. It always feels good to do some work now so we are not so burdened when the season rolls around again. I am in the same boat. I have scoured the wintering grounds on the farm I hunt many times shed hunting (mostly while engaged in the impossible pursuit of calling a fox or a coyote into range). I have even purchased a few new portable tree stands that are always sale priced this time of year (only to have my vehicle spring an impressive oil leak, as well as to decide that the winter cold is just too much for its three-year-old battery). Anyway, my point is that it is the off season, and I feel we have a very important responsibility. This responsibility is to our loved ones; our significant others, as well as our family members and friends, who have sat by and allowed us to dive into the whitetail-obsessed world we have created. If we are truly lucky, we have even felt the support of someone who knows how much hunting really means to us. This is the time to pay them back. I know it can be hard, but it has to be done. A few weeks ago, the first full moon with ample snow (prime coyote time) was upon us. I did not spend my evening bundled in snow camo with my trusty Savage in my lap; I spent it at the mall. The worst was, I spent a large part of it shopping for a swimsuit that my girlfriend would need when she goes to Florida for an internship in seven months. By my internal calendar, the possession of another swimsuit shouldn’t be a concern for at least half of a year, but I was not in charge on this day. I have come to realize that nothing as truly amazing as hunting comes free, and our sacrifice exists now. It’s fifteen degrees outside, and I am answering questions about whether a one-piece, or a two-piece, would look better on my girlfriend. For a second I am wondering if this is what she feels like when we are in Cabela’s and I can’t decide between buying a new pair of rubber boots to avoid the amazing nose of a crafty old buck, or if I should buy a new release so I can slip an arrow directly behind his shoulder. This thought humbles me as I realize the great pains I put her through almost year round with my whitetail obsession. Finding myself knee deep in tropical pattern bikinis in a store that I will never publicly mention (if I ever want to show my face in my favorite archery shop again), is something that I normally won’t do. But, this is the state of existence that I currently live in, and I have to assume that I am not alone. Hunting whitetails is an obsession for so many of us. We must be sure to take a little time out of our schedules to please the ones who are more than willing to listen to our countless stories about the big one that came so close to getting arrowed, or about how beautiful the little one looked as she stood on her hind legs while reaching for apples. We are lucky to have loved ones to put up with our obsessive pursuit of whitetails. Now is the time to pay them back any way we can. —Tony Peterson
BWA Committees
Bluffland News / Bluffland Events / Contact Bluffland |
I have lived in the Rochester area most of my life. When I was five years old my dad bought two acres of land along the Zumbro River near Mazeppa. We would stay there, in a small camping trailer, every weekend during the warm season. It was on these weekend retreats that I fell in love with the outdoors. We fished, hiked, bird watched, rock hunted and collected Indian artifacts.
I was born and raised in Caledonia, MN. I started hunting when I was 12, shot my first buck at the age of 13, and I’ve been hooked ever since. My dad has always been an avid hunter of all big and small game, and he has taught me most of what I know now of hunting skills and ethics. I have elk hunted for over 25 years and have also been blessed with a few nice trophies. I have also hunted moose and caribou.
For the past two to three years, some hunting neighbors and I have been doing our own deer management. The result of what can happen is pictured here. This past season I turned down eight bucks before this one came by. I rattled this one in; my first buck I rattled, and it was pretty exciting.
I grew up on a small dairy farm in southwest Wisconsin. I am thankful to my parents for introducing me to the outdoors and hunting. The Circle A 4-H group also provided me with the opportunity to learn and motivated me about natural resources through various projects.
Buckthorn is an invasive, non-native plant species in Minnesota that over competes native plant species leaving monocultures and degraded plant communities. Plant communities such as deciduous forests and sloughs home species of animals we love to pursue annually such as deer, pheasants and trout. Native plant species also protect soil from erosion by holding topsoil together with their roots. Buckthorn is a fast, dense growing shrub armed with painful thorns and regenerating stems that make activities such as hunting and fishing much less enjoyable and, in extreme cases, impossible. Buckthorn creates an impenetrable mess that chokes out sunlight, vegetation and inhibits wildlife travel corridors. This leaves bare soil that is easily eroded by overland sheet flow, vulnerable to scouring, slumping or mast wasting. Buckthorn also provides the main over-wintering habitat for aphids.
Some of the most important trees for wildlife, including whitetail deer, are oak trees. Oaks have been one of the dominant trees in the upland forest of southeast Minnesota since before the European settlers moved here. Acorns produced by oaks provide an important food for deer, turkeys, squirrels and many other birds and mammals found in our forests. This article will give some information about those important oaks.