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BWA Newsletter - April 2005A Bluffland Whitetails Association quarterly publication for
BWA/Minnesota DNR roundtable meeting held in St. PaulBluffland Whitetails Association board of director members Jim Vagts, Rick Boyer, Steve Bjerke, and Kent Holen met with DNR personnel at their St. Paul office on March 9, 2005. The DNR was represented by the director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, John Guenther; deputy director, Larry Nelson; big game program coordinator, Lou Cornicelli; wildlife research manager, Mike DonCarlos; and outreach section manager, C.B. Bylander. Director John Guenther made an opening statement regarding the pressures on the DNR agency to accommodate a multiplicity of individuals and interest groups. He also made the interesting observation that although approximately 500,000 people hunt deer and make up a large interest group, some four and one-half million people don't hunt, and many of them might find a two- or three-day deer season more to their liking. He went on to summarize his expectations of his managers and biologists. "First and foremost," he said, "the DNR needs to look at the resource and always go for the betterment of the herd." BWA president Jim Vagts then took the floor after giving everyone a written agenda of his presentation. He first noted that BWA’s objectives, and the methods we prefer to achieve them, have remained constant since BWA’s inception. He said BWA’s total focus is on zone 3. Our intent is to work with the DNR; and our goals are to increase the buck population, improve the buck-to-doe ratio, and manage the total herd numbers. Jim went on to say that moving the 3A season out of the peak of the rut (after) remains the change that we most strongly favor. At this time, one of the changes BWA does not favor is point restrictions. This method of herd management is a common one used in other states when trying to influence the structure of their herds. We have conferred extensively with out-of-state biologists about the pros and cons of point restrictions. This information has shown us that point restrictions have been the easiest solution to implement herd changes. However, we have learned from the same people that in a productive herd like ours, there would be limited success with point restrictions; especially in the long run. These biologists also pointed out to us that to achieve success with point restrictions, it is usually essential to use them in conjunction with minimum antler widths. After Jim’s presentation, there was an hour of discussion on various topics relating to deer herd management. Lou Cornicelli talked about the pluses and minuses of some past hunter surveys and briefly touched on the new hunter survey that will be conducted in zones 2 and 3 in the next few months. The discussion continued on the advantages and disadvantages of the season timing, buck party hunting, and the availability of doe permits. Total herd overpopulation problems and hunter land access were also part of the conversation. Lastly, shining and its effect on poaching and the distaste that landowners have for this practice were discussed. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half, and the intercourse was amicable. This writer's take was that our input will be given due consideration, and change is in the offing.
—Kent Holen
A message from BWA's new president...“CHANGE” Greetings from the new Bluffland Whitetails Association president to all BWA members and readers of this newsletter. Since I was elected to this position in January, this is my first message as president. My name is Jim Vagts, and I live in Fillmore County where I started deer hunting in 1957. I farm with my wife Diane; and we raise grain, beef cattle, whitetails and a few wild turkeys. Five years ago in February, the Bluffland Whitetails Association was officially charted and became an official 501 C-3 (not-for profit) organization. I’m proud to say that I have been involved with this group since the beginning. During these past five years, I have watched this organization go through a lot of “change” and growth. Actually, the word “change” has been the link pin of this group since day one. In the beginning, some land owners, deer hunters and outdoor enthusiasts got together and formed a grassroots organization which came to be named Bluffland Whitetails Association. The initial goal was to provide an organized voice for hunters and landowners from zone 3 to communicate with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and implement a “CHANGE” in the way the deer herd was managed in southeast Minnesota. Our primary goal was to increase the age structure of the buck herd, improve the buck-to-doe ratio and improve control of total herd numbers. This was our primary goal in February 2000 and is still our primary goal today. Of course, over the past years, BWA has got involved in a large number of other issues and events. We have conducted several banquets for fund raising and member recruitment. We started a very successful BWA Expo in Rochester in 2003 and will be moving to Steele County in 2006 for a three day show (see related article later in this newsletter). The group has grown rapidly and has become well-recognized in southern Minnesota. In the first years, the BWA board of directors, after much discussion, had to make a major decision; do we seek to achieve our goals through the legislative route or seek to implement the changes by working with the DNR? We chose to work with the Minnesota DNR. This route for change has been tedious and slow, but we believe has been the right direction. We have developed a good line of communication with most levels of DNR management and have worked together on several issues. We have achieved some changes and new programs, such as Minnesota’s first-ever youth hunt and having doe permits available during the 3A season. There is still much left to be done; however, we are on the right track. CHANGE continues to be part of BWA. In January, the board of directors elected a change in officers. This is not a change of direction for BWA, but rather a chance to pass the opportunity “to serve” around to other people. Chris Kolbert was BWA president for the past two years. Under Kolbert’s leadership, BWA grew rapidly as an organization and became a widely-recognized outdoor group. Chris did a terrific job in those two years and is responsible for a lot of what BWA is today. He didn’t totally leave the scene since he now fills the position of vice president. He will be a tough act for me to follow. Kent Holen is the new secretary and is very excited about his new position. Todd Grimes is handling the treasurer’s job and has already done an excellent job of getting everything very organized. I cannot forget to mention our newsletter editor, Marilyn Bratager. She is a great asset to BWA in her contributions and is the one person in our group who always gets her assignment done in a timely fashion. She not only puts together our very successful newsletter, but also manages our member database. She is the only paid person involved in BWA; and trust me, for what she gets done, she is underpaid! Change is happening in deer management in many states today, and it will continue to happen in Minnesota. I am honored to serve as president of BWA and promise to do my very best to work with the BWA board of directors and the Minnesota DNR to reach our herd goals and improve deer hunting for years to come. I’d like to invite all BWA members to get involved and become active in helping BWA reach their goals. You can contact me with any questions or ideas you have by emailing me at info@blufflandwhitetails.org. —Jim Vagts, president
Board member profile
Spring Grove, located in the southeastern part of Minnesota, is where I was born and raised. I attended Albert Lea Vo-Tech and graduated with a degree in diesel mechanics. After practicing this trade for several years, my goal of becoming a service manager was met in 1990. I currently hold this position with a dealership in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I have lived in La Crescent for the past 27 years; raising our two sons, Chad and Brad. I was active with the La Crescent Fire Department and First Respondors for 10 years, a Cub Scout den leader for eight years, and president of the La Crescent Baseball Booster Club for eight years. In 2000, I became involved with Bluffland Whitetails. The early 1960s, as a young boy, brings back very fond memories of my dad and brother Gary coming home from hunting. There would be deer in the trunk of the car. I would be so excited; I could hardly wait until I was old enough to join them. Finally, at the age of 11, my dad said I was old enough to tag along; the year was 1966. This was back in the day when it was an any-sex, three-day hunt. The first day of my “I get to tag along” without a gun hunt, my brother Gary was successful in harvesting a large doe. Boy, did this get my adrenalin going. Day two, lucky for me, a friend of my dad’s brought along an old single shot 20 gauge. This thing was as long as I was tall. I was given a crash course on gun safety and loading and unloading safely. Dad gave me two slugs, we marched out into the woods, he told me to sit on a stump, and then he watched me load my new best friend. He whispered and pointed to the direction I should watch for deer, said good luck, and disappeared over the hill behind me. It seemed like I sat on that stump for three months, but actually it was only a little over an hour before something moved about 35 yards away. Oh boy, could this be it? Was it a deer? A brown body, four legs, white tail, this is it!!!! Nobody told me the hammer would be this hard to pull back. I aimed, shot, WOW, did that kick. Nobody told me about the kick either. Where did the deer go? Dad came charging over the hill like a freight train, with eyes as big as saucers, and asked what I had shot at. I pointed in the direction I shot. We bolted to the brush, and low and behold, there was my first deer. What a rush!! I’m hooked for life!!! Dad must have been equally excited, and proud. We hung the deer right there in the woods at the kill site, took pictures, and to this day, that black and white picture hangs at my dad’s house. Dad and I have hunted together for 39 years, and for the last 12 years, Chad and Brad have joined us. It’s an opportunity for the four of us to spend time in an activity we love. The four of us have shared much joy, and the success of each season brings us back in anticipation for the next hunt. A good friend of mine told me about BWA. The organization sounded like it was going to make a much-needed change in the deer management in southeastern Minnesota. My interest was sparked. I feel the organization is aggressive and is willing to work hard to implement less stress to the buck season and more stress to the doe season. Plans are in the works for BWA members to meet with DNR officials to discuss another stage of the deer management process. I look forward to this challenge, and encourage all members to get involved by joining us in our monthly meetings. These meeting dates and locations are listed in each newsletter. Good luck and safe hunting.
Member profiles
My name is Aaron Bjornson. I'm 28 years old and live on a farm in Rock Dell township. I hunt deer in Minnesota and in Wisconsin and am planning on hunting in Iowa two years from now. When I am not hunting deer, or watching and filming deer, I head for the golf course. I also really enjoy predator hunting and make out-of-state excursions to hunt fox and coyotes every year. I enjoy the hunting away from the crowds in that big open country. History is in the making, and I am glad to be a part of that by supporting Bluffland Whitetails as a member. I’ve been hunting my whole life, and it has been interesting, and concerning, what has been happening to our deer herd. The deer herd has changed a lot in the past ten years. Buck age structure is being diminished, and the buck-to-doe ratio is way out of proportion. Also, hunter pressure is way more intense these days with most places becoming too crowded now, and leasing is sewing up more land every year. In the last few years, the BWA helped do more for the deer herd by shaving off the second weekend of the peak rut 3A buck season. I hunted that weekend, as did many of my friends and relatives, but that move has protected 20 percent or so of Minnesota’s yearling buck kill for a couple years now, and I think it’s beginning to show some already. But more needs to be done. I’m also glad BWA was instrumental in getting some doe permits available for 3A. Also, the first-ever firearms youth season was a nice change and did not wipe out the trophy bucks like a negative minority predicted. The kids loved it. In just a few short years, Bluffland Whitetails has done more than any other organization has done for zone 3 hunters. And they continue to work to improve things for zone 3 hunters and the deer herd. I think the future is bright for the BWA. With a new board and aggressive new committees, Minnesota’s deer hunting, and deer herd, stands to be improved even more in the future, and hopefully BWA will continue to lead the way in writing Minnesota deer hunting history in the years to come. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Even if you are not an active member, you can still do your part by telling your friends and other people about BWA, and explain what the group is about. The more people and ideas we have, the stronger our voice will be, and the better off the deer herd will be.
Cy Champa I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. My first deer hunt was in 1949, and I haven’t missed one deer season since. I learned to be a woodsman from my dad. We supplemented our diet and income by hunting, fishing, and trapping. My senior year in high school, I ran trap lines for fox, raccoon, mink, muskrat, weasel and beaver. I made $4,000 on my pelts, and that gave me enough money to go to college. I picked a school where I could continue my first loves; hunting, fishing and trapping. I earned my undergraduate degree from Bemidji State in education and my master’s degree in ecology from the University of Montana. I taught biology and coached at Blue Earth High School before I came to Rochester Community College in 1967. After settling in Rochester, my life ambition was to own land, build ponds and do wildlife management. In 1969 I bought a farm west of Pine Island. Then, in 1973, I bought our home farm in Wisconsin; and in 1977, a farm in northeast Rochester where I now live. My sons and I still own all three farms and manage them for fish, game and non-game species. Our farms have woods, ponds, CRP, crops and livestock. We leave food plots on all three farms for wildlife.
I joined BWA a few years ago. I believe in a lot of BWA’s deer hunting strategies for southeast Minnesota. BWA has developed a good relationship with the Minnesota DNR and has input into our deer season structure. If we can sell the hunting public on the proper strategy for our season structure, there is no question that we can get our deer population balanced and southeast Minnesota would be North America’s whitetail trophy hotbed. Ben Dahl, age 12 of Zumbro Falls, with his first buck, taken on the first day of his first hunt. Ben is one of the five in Cy's hunting party.
Landowner profileHoward and Janice StaggemeyerEitzen, MN Age: 60 (Howard) Children: Randy and Sue Grandchildren: Travis, Troy and Spencer Occupation: Farmer I grew up on the farm where we live now, and it has been in our family since 1868. It is located on the southeast corner of Minnesota with our line fence the border to Iowa. We also rent my brother’s farm which is a mile down the road. This is where we raise most of our cattle, and our crops are corn, oats, and hay. It’s an ideal hunting area with a lot of woodland and pasture. Our crops produce very good eating for the deer and turkeys, so we see a lot of damage. My nephew Duke started hunting buck season with my wife when he first got his license almost ten years ago. Duke enjoys sitting in the tree stands, and Janice finds a place on the ground. This year Duke got a nice 9-point buck with his bow; his second year trying. Janice started our grandson Travis hunting, and he was lucky to be in the right spot and got to shoot his first deer the second day of hunting. I party hunt doe season with my brothers, our sons, and a few cousins. I guess if I could change things, I would go back to the three-day season we had years ago. Having it later in November and everyone hunting at that time should get the herd size down. We have been members of the Bluffland Whitetails Association for three years and have really enjoyed the newsletters and banquets.
Rochester BWA banquet well attended
With a total of 35 guns and 2 bows given away as door prizes or raffled off, the odds of going home with something was pretty good. Many thanks to all the volunteers that helped with the games and raffles. Mark your calendars for next year’s banquet. It will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2006, at the Radisson Hotel. Special thanks to:
Archery Headquarters —Jeff Therring and Marty Stubstad, BWA directors
In the spotlight...Larry R. NelsonSt. Paul, MN Occupation: Deputy Director, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife Though I have been Deputy Director only since June of 2004, I am neither new to the state nor to working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Albert Lea is where I was born and spent most of my first two decades. My dad was raised on a farm and became an avid hunter, trapper and angler. He started raising mink and fox in the 1930s on the north end of Fountain Lake in Freeborn County. After his untimely accidental death in 1950, my Mom took over and operated the growing business for 20 years. The fur farm eventually produced 5,000 high-quality mink pelts per year. Living and working with furbearers against a backdrop of mature oaks, native prairie, and wetlands provided me an early and inseparable connection with the land and natural resources. A strong family outdoor tradition, combined with close and abundant hunting, trapping and angling opportunity, has propelled me recreationally across fields, lakes and wetlands for most of my 61 years. Over the years, I have pursued a wide variety of birds, small game, big game, and coldwater, warm water and saltwater fish. All of this has been a motivator in my natural resource career, which was built upon a 1967 Bachelor of Science Degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from the University of Minnesota.
Since first being hired by DNR in the fall of 1967, I have served as a Park Planner (St. Paul), Assistant Area Wildlife Manager and Area Wildlife Manager (Redwood Falls), Regional Wildlife Manager (New Ulm), Wildlife Chief (St. Paul) and Regional Director (Rochester). My wife Sandy and I have been married for almost 39 years, have three grown children and two grandchildren, and very much enjoy our family. Sandy has joined me in hunting, hiking, canoeing and fishing over most of those years and is a skilled wild turkey hunter. Besides a passion for family, outdoor activity and my profession, I also enjoy free-lance writing (co-authored a book on white-tailed deer with Gary Clancy), flying, dog training, traveling and music.
2005 BWA Expo survives snowstormThe BWA Expo always creates excitement, except this year it had to be the biggest Minnesota snowstorm in years. Fortunately, the attendees are outdoors people used to dealing with the harsh weather that Minnesota offers. Attendance was down from last year but was still quite respectable with 1,500 outdoor enthusiasts present. BWA member Allen Iverson was in charge of the “Wall of Fame” trophy deer heads display which was the best ever seen in southeast Minnesota. Allen earned all of our gratitude for doing an outstanding job of recruiting and safeguarding these outstanding deer mounts which were harvested in southern MN. This task requires an immense amount of time and effort to result in this quality of display, and so THANK YOU ALLEN! We were blessed with some outstanding seminar speakers this year. The most well known speakers were Greg Miller of North American Whitetail Television and Rob Dreislein, highly respected editor of Outdoor News. They both presented interesting and informative seminars to our attendees. Rob Dreislein stepped up at the last minute to fill in for Gary Clancy and did an excellent job. He is very knowledgeable about Minnesota outdoor issues and does a good job of keeping us up to speed. Once again we had a nice show of vendors, and we thank them for supporting our event. Along with taxidermists, food plot vendors, other various outdoor equipment, and motor sports, the Minnesota DNR also brought the “Wall of Shame” for display for another year. A special thank you to those BWA members who dedicated a lot of time and effort to making this another quality sports event. Next year will bring a major change to this event. For all the details, see the article titled “BWA Expo changes coming in 2006” later in this newsletter.
Highlights of the 2005 BWA Expo
BWA Expo changes coming in 2006Several years ago Gary Clancy, BWA member and supporter, suggested BWA should produce an outdoor show the following winter. This was the beginning of the BWA Expo that has been held the past three Januarys in Rochester. This show has been a huge success for BWA and for the sports people in southeastern Minnesota. Gary, as an outdoor writer, travels around the country each winter giving hunting and fishing seminars. Following the 2004 BWA Expo, he pointed out that for an outdoor show to be successful it should improve and grow each year until it reaches its maximum potential. He suggested we get in touch with Glenn Helgeland, president of Target Communications Corporation in Mequon, Wisconsin. Gary said that Mr. Helgeland produces deer-and-turkey expos in several states (Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee) and is the best in the business. BWA took Gary's advice and contacted Target Communications. In the following months, Jim Vagts, BWA vice president, and Mr. Helgeland had several phone calls about the possibility of BWA and Target Communications working together on future events. A couple of months ago, three BWA directors met with Mr. Helgeland and discussed working together on future events. BWA’s full board of directors then spent considerable time discussing the pros and cons of this joint venture. The board decided to meet with Mr. Helgeland the evening before the BWA Expo in January. At this meeting, BWA signed an agreement with Target Communications to put on a three-day show in future years. BWA is very excited about this new venture and the things that will be happening in the coming years. Mr. Helgeland has the experience and expertise to create and produce a huge and successful show in coming years. Greg Miller, BWA's main seminar speaker this last January, commented that Minnesota deer hunters deserve a hunting show equal in quality to those Mr. Helgeland already produces. Mr. Helgeland said, “We’re grateful to Gary Clancy for getting us and BWA together. This is a wonderful opportunity in a prime location for an event such as a deer and turkey expo and within easy reach of deer and turkey hunters throughout the Upper Midwest. We’re looking forward to the entire package--developing and producing a top-flight event for Minnesota’s deer and turkey hunters, working with BWA and other individuals and groups to make the event a winner. BWA is an excellent organization to work with. We’re all working toward the same goal--a well-managed, healthy deer herd and turkey flock, and providing information on a wide range of topics so knowledgeable, ethical hunters can get every ounce of satisfaction from their days afield. There are only 365 days a year to think and talk about deer and turkey hunting, and we want to help everyone make the best of every day.” The 2006 Minnesota Deer & Turkey Expo will be the second weekend of March in the Four Seasons Centre on the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna. This is a fine facility and easy to get to near the junction of I-35 and Highway 14. The Expo will be a two-and-a-half day event, opening at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 10, and running through the weekend. It will be similar in format to the other expos produced by Target Communications--tight focus for the exhibitor base on the manufacturers of archery/black-powder/centerfire hunting equipment and accessories (the gamut of scents, lures, treestands, footwear, clothing, etc.); food plot and habitat management information and product suppliers, plus guides/outfitters, state associations, and related exhibitor categories; three seminar rooms with multiple seminars every day; a trophy contest and display of Minnesota whitetails, black bears and moose; hands-on shooting opportunities with airguns, laser-equipped firearms and archery tackle; plus outdoor-related special displays and activities that all members of the family can enjoy. All trophy contest entries will be measured by certified measurers. “Just as BWA has done, we work hard to produce a tightly-focused weekend for families,” Helgeland said. “We want to put together an event that you’ll feel will require two days to see, hear and do everything you want to do, and talk with all the exhibitors you want to talk with. It’s the best cure we know for cabin fever.”
North American Squirrel Association
In 2004, funds gathered were utilized to buy a specially-designed pontoon boat fitted with a wheelchair ramp for use on Lake Onalaska by those with special needs. Also, two physically challenged fishing piers will be built in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) this summer. This organization also helps the physically challenged and elderly obtain access to the outdoors by means of companion sportsmen, specially-designed equipment and accessible locations. As part of our services, we offer those in need of hunting or fishing assistance, a “buddy.” A buddy is a volunteer who when called upon will coordinate the time, place, and when necessary, materials needed to make a trip possible. The buddy outdoor experience (hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, etc.) can be created through our web site. To learn more about our organization; write us at nasa Squirrel, PO Box 186, Holmen, WI 54636, call us at 608-781-3636 or email us at nasasquirrel@yahoo.com
—Rick Boyer
3rd annual deer show held in BrownsvilleBWA member Ed Gittens, along with his lovely wife Deb, hosted their 3rd annual deer show on March 6, 2005, at the Shellhorn Bar & Restaurant outside of Brownsville, MN. Ed and Deb simply called friends and neighbors, and word spread throughout the Brownsville area that another show was being planned. Approximately 100 people attended the event. Once again the show featured some incredible bucks and sheds from southeast Minnesota. We were fortunate to have Jim Kostroski of Rochester show his world record velvet buck that was taken near Rochester on the opening day of the 2003 archery season. Also displayed was a handcrafted montage provided by Tim Bechtel. Each year representatives from Bluffland Whitetails Association give an update on what is going on with our group and the changing attitude of the Minnesota DNR. BWA is trying to influence the DNR to continually tweak their management ideas to take pressure off the bucks and shift the pressure to the growing doe population. The DNR is listening to us, but changes are slow in the coming. We will, however, keep trying. We would like to extend a special thank you to BWA member Terry Denstad for providing the use of his restaurant for this event, and also to carver Sam Nottleman for donating a world-class carved black duck as a special door prize. Sam is to be commended as well for all he does for conservation groups. Ed and Deb Gittens are big supporters of Bluffland Whitetails, which we greatly appreciate, and they will continue to have this show each spring. Everyone had a good time, and BWA gained several new members as well.
—Rick Boyer and Steve Bjerke, BWA directors
Tree plantings for deerby Colin Williams
If I was to assume you have already planted a few trees here and there, I bet I wouldn’t be too far off my guess. While your intentions were good, the results may not have been. There is much more to a “serious” tree planting project than buying a few trees and sticking one in the ground now and again. You should incorporate a detailed planning effort as the first step in your tree planting plans. A well-planned, thought-out tree planting strategy can, and will, change how deer will utilize your farm. During this planning phase you have both the opportunity to custom design the layout of your farm and create future hunting opportunities. Through a good tree planting planning process you can engineer additional food and cover source diversity that will supplement annual and native food sources and other habitat management steps you may already have in place. There is no shortage of technical resources available to help with this process. There are numerous private business habitat consultants out there along with DNR Forestry and Wildlife folks, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and NRCS staff that are at your disposal. Cost-share dollars may be available as well. If you have ever thought about planting a few trees or consider it after reading this article, give these folks a call. The timing of the article may seem inopportune. If you were to call area tree vendors, such as a county SWCD or DNR Forestry office, you would likely find tree numbers in short supply. This is actually the best time to begin planning for next year’s planting. After consulting with specialists in the field, this spring and early summer can be spent developing a blueprint of what you would like to do with the farm. There are three tree planting approaches toward improving deer habitat that can be taken; providing food by planting fruit bearing trees, providing thermal and concealment cover through establishing areas of spruce and cedar, and managing your existing woods for oak. Oak stands, and the mast they produce, may arguably be one of the most important food sources available to deer in the southeastern region of Minnesota. With that in mind, managing your oak stands should be part of your tree planting and management plan. DNR forester Kevin O’Brien encourages landowners to maintain an oak stand component in their woods. “The first step toward managing your woods for oak,” said O’Brien, “is making an assessment of what you already have. If there is indeed oak coming in the under-story, your most cost-effective approach is to manage what you already have. This may include cutting and thinning of undesirable species such as box elder and buckthorn.” According to O’Brien, open field plantings of oak have resulted in marginal success. “If an oak planting is necessary,” said O’Brien, “you can expect better success under-planting oak in your existing woods.” Your local DNR Forestry offices are available to help with these oak stand assessments and welcome the opportunity to visit your farm. Another consideration that can be partially accomplished through tree plantings is providing food source diversity and availability on your farm. Fruit trees, such as crabapple and hawthorn, can add some “candy” to already available food source options. These plantings can be a real attractant. In the research I have done, these types of plantings cannot provide the total tonnage of food availability that a well-planned and maintained food plot can; but they can, do and will both attract deer and offer another food source option. DNR wildlife habitat specialist Don Ramsden offers the following advice when considering fruit trees into your tree planting plan. “For a fruit tree,” noted Ramsden, “good location means sunlight. Seek planting sites in full sun or at least on edges where the trees will receive sunlight more than half the day. Where most people make their mistake is planting fruit trees too close together. I would recommend twenty feet and no closer than 15. While this may seem too far apart, one fruit tree with room to grow, optimizing available sunlight, will out-produce two or three trees jammed in close together.” Another commonly used habitat creation option is the establishment of thick areas of spruce and cedar. These areas provide deer with thermal bedding and concealment cover. Show me a south-facing slope with cedar and spruce, and I’ll show you a spot where deer converge come winter. According to Ramsden, these thermal bedding area establishments should be no less than three acres. Once your trees are in the ground, the fight isn’t over. Maintenance, especially in those areas of high deer concentrations, will make or break your tree plantings. Fruit trees need protection. If not, you are simply offering deer and rabbits an alternative food source of the tree itself. Commercial tree shelters work very well, and many landowners circle the tree in a four- or five-foot diameter around the tree. If you use the fence option, you would be well advised to protect the base of the tree with a piece of tile or other protective measure to ensure rabbits will not girdle the trunk. In those spruce and red cedar plantings, you will see where a buck may rub his antlers on a tree, but they typically do not feed on these species. White cedar and pine can be a real challenge to keep alive; as deer will, and do, eat these trees. Each spring, I put time into weeding, maintaining and replacing trees in my spruce, cedar and fruit tree plantings. Time well spent, I figure, as beneath the bows of one of those crabapple trees I planted may just be where one of my daughters shoots her first deer.
Deer physiology quiz
The answers to this quiz can be found at the end of this newsletter.
Prescribed fire
Jim Edgar Prior to the mid-1850s, large areas of southeast Minnesota were burned every year. These fires were set or accidentally started by the American Indian inhabitants of the area. Although not specific to our area, reasons for setting fire that were documented prior to white settlement included:
Most of our present oak forests are the result of these past fires. Oak seedlings were able to withstand the repeated burning and be ready to grow when the fires stopped. Once the widespread burning was stopped by settlement, the oak seedlings were free to grow and became the oak forests that dominate southeast Minnesota. Prescribed fire is a tool that can be used to manage both woodland and grassland vegetation. A prescribed fire is the application of fire to wildland fuels (trees, brush, grass) under specified weather conditions. Under these conditions the fire can be confined to a predetermined area and will result in desired objectives. These objectives often include:
Fire in warm season grass management works in several ways. Competing cool season grasses like quack or brome are burned back by a late April or early May fire. The field, blackened by the fire, warms up more quickly than if not burned, and the increased soil temperature favors the warm season plants over the cool season plants. Invading trees like box elder are top killed, and with repeated fire, the young trees are completely killed. In the oak forests of the state, fire is also a useful tool for management. Under the right conditions (adequate access, enough fuel to carry fire, proper weather and good fuel breaks) a series of prescribed fires in a woodland can promote regeneration of oak seedlings and reduce the number of competing trees such as maple and ironwood. This can be done prior to the harvest of mature trees so when timber is harvested young oaks can take the place of the harvested trees. Although not used in most woodlands, prescribed fire can be a useful tool in regenerating some of our oak forests.
Fire, now as in the past, is a force that influences our natural resources. Prescribed fire is an important tool in vegetation management and is beneficial for our natural resources. Fire also can be destructive to personal property, natural resources and human life as witnessed in the many large wildfires experienced in the United States in the past years. Prescribed burns require planning and expertise to be done safely and to achieve the desired result. Private consultants, natural resource agencies, The Nature Conservancy and other conservation organizations are involved in conducting prescribed burns. Some of these also assist landowners and other interested individuals in learning how to use fire as a tool and in using that tool. The use of prescribed fire in Minnesota is regulated by state statute. Contact local DNR or law enforcement officials to determine where and what permits are needed and where to obtain those permits prior to any use of fire. Contact your DNR Forestry office for more information if you are interested in prescribed burning. *Fire Management Today, USDA Forest Service, Vol. 64, No. 3, Summer 2004. Various articles.
Managing resources in Minnesota State Parks
Carmen Diestler—Media Relations Coordinator Minnesota’s 72 state park and recreation areas host more than 8 million visitors annually. These individuals visit state parks for a variety of reasons--to recreate, to enjoy the scenic beauty and to learn more about our natural and cultural resources. At the top of the list of park features valued by customers is the natural setting of the park and well-protected natural resources. Monitoring and managing these important features is coordinated and implemented by a team of natural resource specialists and resource coordinator. Among the responsibilities they have is to maintain a balance of plant and animal life in the parks. One of the challenges in that area is the management of the deer herd within the park. “Deer are part of the natural communities that we seek to preserve or restore in state parks,” said Ed Quinn, resource management coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation. “When deer populations in an area become too high, however, they can have significant negative impacts on the natural balance of plant and animal communities. Heavy deer browse on seedling trees during the winter can nearly eliminate regeneration of some tree species, such as pine. Because of the recent mild winters, the deer population has grown rapidly in some areas and damage has increased proportionally.” Quinn added that deer browse can greatly reduce the numbers and variety of wildflowers and other herbaceous plants that grow on the forest floor. “Techniques, such as bud-capping and deer exclosures also are used to control levels of deer browse,” Quinn said. “Our overall goal is to manage the deer population in the parks so that their numbers are at a level that does not negatively affect the other natural resources. In some cases, that is best accomplished through special hunts.” State parks annually host a number of deer hunts in order to manage park resources. In order to determine which parks should be included in the special hunts, several steps are taken to evaluate whether or not a hunt is appropriate. The area wildlife manager, parks resource management staff and park manager comprise the management team that reviews the current situation in the park. An aerial survey done in winter helps track the size and location and type of deer in the herd. On-the-ground tours of the park give the team information they need on the impact the deer have had on vegetation. The team also looks at recent deer harvest data for the area around the park. Other evaluations include assessing a hunt’s potential effects on non-hunter visitors. If a hunt is held, how much of the park will be hunted, how many visitors who use the park at that time of the year will be displaced by the hunt and where will the line be drawn between meeting management needs without causing significant negative impacts to visitors? When the evaluation is completed, a recommendation is sent to the Division of Parks and Recreation Central Office for a final discussion and determination regarding the hunt. While most of the hunts are designated for regular firearms, some parks hold hunts for muzzleloaders. In recent years, special hunts have been held annually in as many as 27 state parks. Some of these hunts have included opportunities for hunters with disabilities, an archery hunt and special youth hunts. For more information on special deer hunts, contact the area wildlife manager near you.
Minnesota DNR seeks public input on proposalsThe Minnesota DNR recently sought input from Minnesota hunters at eight different locations across the state. A crowd of about 30 people attended the meeting at the Stewartville Sportsmen’s Club on March 3, 2005. Led by DNR Southwest Region Supervisor Ken Varland, the discussion focused on specific proposals regarding deer population management, bear guide and baiting regulations, and waterfowl management. Deer Management In an effort to control burgeoning deer populations in some areas, antlerless firearm deer seasons have been proposed for permit areas 225, 227, 236 (north metro) and 209, 210, 401, 405, 406 (northwest Minnesota). Hunters would need to possess a valid firearms license for the zone and may purchase up to two early antlerless deer permits ($14 each) for use only in the special antlerless season. Deer taken in the special antlerless season would be in addition to the statewide bag limit of five. The antlerless season, which is similar to Wisconsin’s Zone T hunt, is slated for October 15-16. According to Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator, the DNR sought to minimize the affect on archery hunters by using deer harvest data to pick days that have shown the lowest archery deer harvest of the month. Although the proposal does not affect zone 3, some southeast Minnesota bow hunters expressed concerns that if such a hunt were implemented here, it would be detrimental to the archery harvest and would limit the ability to scout during the prerut period. Muzzleloader hunters may have additional opportunities in the near future due to a proposal to allow the use of telescopic sights during the dedicated muzzleloader season. Although several people have expressed support for this proposal, others prefer to continue the ban because they feel that magnification aids would detract from the primitive nature of muzzleloading firearms. A realignment of permit areas in northern Minnesota was also proposed, causing zone 4 permit areas north of U.S. Highway 10 to become part of zone 2. This would create one continuous nine-day season instead of the current split seasons of two and four days. Forested permit areas 205, 211, 214, 283, and 284 in zone 2 would be moved to zone 1, creating a 16-day season. In order to further increase deer management opportunities in the Twin Cities area, the DNR proposed a metro deer zone in permit areas 228 and 337. The firearm season in this zone would extend from the start of the general season to the end of the 3B season (23 consecutive days). A proposal which would allow the use of both archery and firearm licenses was also discussed. Hunters would be allowed to tag deer with both their regular firearms and regular archery licenses. However, only one buck would be allowed. Currently, hunters may purchase both archery and firearms licenses, but may only fill one of those tags. New Bear Hunting Regulations New bear baiting restrictions would require that hunters purchase a bear license prior to baiting. At this time, bear hunters may bait without having a valid license. DNR officials felt that some individuals establish bait stations, and then fail to purchase a hunting license. The presence of a bait station discourages other hunters from using an area, causing some areas to not be hunted. This proposal would not stop someone in northern Minnesota from baiting for another hunter. But individuals who provide a baiting service must have in their possession the license number of the hunter for whom they are baiting. Surveys have shown that bear hunters set out an average of three baits per hunter. However, bear guides often set out a much larger number in order to make sure there are enough active baits for their hunters. This practice sometimes displaces hunters not using a guide service. In an effort to provide an equitable solution, DNR officials have proposed limiting the number of baits per hunter to three. In recent years, an increasing number of individuals place large signs warning of bait stations in the area. In some instances, this practice may have been used to discourage others from using an area. A proposal was also made to require that bait station signs be no larger than 18 by 24 inches and must contain the hunter’s bear license number. A proposal for the 2005 bear season would allow the purchase of a quota area bear license AND a nonquota area bear license. Currently hunters may only purchase one or the other. Waterfowl Waterfowl feeding and resting areas were proposed for Lake Henry, a 360-acre lake in Cleveland township, Le Sueur County; and Thielke Lake, a 350-acre lake in Big Stone County. Additional public input meetings will be held later this year to address specific concerns with waterfowl habitat management and season regulations. Once the meeting locations and schedules are determined, they will be announced through news releases and on the DNR web site. Individuals who have comments on these proposals may contact the DNR by email at wildlife@dnr.state.mn.us. Additional information about Minnesota Department of Natural Resources policies or practices may be obtained by email at info@dnr.state.mn.us.
Answers to deer physiology quiz:1) b 2) c 3) c 4) a 5) c 6) c 7) b 8) b 9) b 10) b 11) f (a & d) 12) c 13) a 14) True
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Steve Bjerke
Aaron Bjornson
Our deer hunting party consists of me, my two sons and a friend and his son. We buy the all-season deer license and hunt bow, buck season, and muzzleloader. Before muzzleloader season, we hunt bucks only, and we shoot only bucks over 125 inches. We fill our doe tags during the muzzleloader season. In 2004, our party of five each filled his own tag with a buck over 130 inches.
Thank you to all that attended the 1st annual BWA banquet that was held in Rochester at the Radisson Hotel on February 18, 2005. 
A great time was had by all 200 people that attended. Of those 200, BWA gained 135 new members!
In the fall of 2001, I left Minnesota to become the Species Conservation Section Manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (Denver), with responsibility for that state’s endangered species program. I returned to Minnesota in June of 2004, accepting my present position as Deputy Director. I am pleased about being back in Minnesota and excited about working with people inside and outside the agency on Minnesota fish, wildlife and other natural resources.
Have you ever heard of the North American Squirrel Association (nasa)? It sounds pretty humorous doesn’t it? I think our founder, Tony Christnovich, thought of it as a spoof on other fundraising groups. As he thought more about it, he decided any monies raised would be used to help the physically challenged and elderly enjoy the outdoors.
While all landowners who manage their land for whitetails, whether as a whole or partially, are dedicated to the improvement of their properties, your property will simply not achieve its full potential unless you consider all the pieces of the habitat puzzle. In past articles I have touched on a variety of different management and improvement techniques you should consider in your pursuit to make that deer hunting oasis of your dreams. This issue will talk a little about trees.
Uncontrolled wildfire in hardwood forests can seriously damage timber, contribute to soil erosion and be detrimental to many species of wildlife (some of the same species that benefit from prescribed fire).