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BWA Newsletter - July 2004A Bluffland Whitetails Association quarterly publication for
Commitment to changeThe recent release of the 2003 zone 3 deer harvest numbers has prompted BWA officials to reevaluate the harvest goals for southeast Minnesota. A total of 21,933 deer were harvested in zone 3 during the 2003 season. Among them, 12,199 were bucks (antlered and fawns). This gave a buck harvest of 55.6 percent, with 21 percent of the buck harvest being fawns. Since the beginning of the organization, BWA members have wanted to manage the deer herd for better buck age structure. Many feel that if this goal is to be realized, the overall buck harvest will have to be decreased to the point where more does are being harvested than bucks. Although not a quick fix, one possible solution would be to allow hunters during the 3A season to take more does, thereby reducing pressure on younger bucks. In 2003, DNR officials allowed a restricted harvest of antlerless deer during the 3A season. However, many people did not take advantage of the opportunity because of the confusion surrounding the season changes. Antlerless tags in most permit areas were not sold out. This year, BWA would like to see an increase in the number of antlerless tags available to hunters during the 3A season. So it was with this idea in mind that BWA representatives Chris Kolbert, Jim Vagts, and Gary Bartsch met recently with several top DNR officials. Representing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources were commissioner Gene Merriam, deputy commissioner Mark Holsten, Fish and Wildlife director John Guenther, former assistant chief Section of Wildlife Ed Boggess, and big game program coordinator, Lou Cornicelli. The primary goal of the meeting was to communicate the concerns of BWA members to the DNR and to identify ways for the two organizations to work together to improve deer hunting in southeast Minnesota. BWA president Chris Kolbert presented the BWA position on whitetail management to the group and outlined the issues that are important to BWA members. Three main issues were discussed, including population management, the age structure of the herd, and land access. Kolbert emphasized that, overall, the DNR does a good job of managing the deer population. Nevertheless, some areas are difficult to manage effectively. Deer populations are still too large in some large tracts of private land and too low in some public areas. In addition, current management practices favor hunters who don’t mind harvesting younger deer. Many hunters have taken their share of young bucks and would like an opportunity to harvest a mature deer. He went on to discuss the feeling among BWA members that deer seasons should be structured to focus on a doe-heavy harvest for areas with high deer populations in order to manage the population and to reduce the pressure on young bucks during the peak of the rut. Commissioner Merriam agreed that change is needed and made a commitment to implement changes to the zone 3 deer seasons. However, the changes will not occur overnight. “I just want to make sure it is done in an appropriate manner,” noted Cornicelli. Plans are now underway to increase the number of antlerless deer tags available during the 3A season, with the hope that hunters will pass up yearling bucks and harvest a doe instead. In addition, Cornicelli plans to establish a two-state study with Iowa to determine the buck age structure within the respective states, and region-specific surveys are currently being discussed. Director John Guenther suggested that advertisements be placed in the DNR Hunting Synopsis and elsewhere to educate the public on the advantages to passing up young bucks. Education will go a long way toward the goal of increasing the age structure of the deer herd, but BWA vice president Jim Vagts thinks that more effort is needed in the form of season changes. “Education alone won’t be enough to cause a change in the age structure,” noted Vagts. “Season changes are needed to protect young bucks when they are most vulnerable.” Either way, a commitment has been made to change the current system. BWA members are ready to help the process in any way that they can.
—Chris Kolbert
A message from BWA's president...
We need you….to get involved.
Speaking of schools…
…and meetings…
…and talking about deer…! In the past, BWA proposed season changes that would move the firearm deer season back by a week or two. Most of our members feel that moving the season out of the peak of the rut would increase the survival of young bucks. Indeed, according to the recent DNR survey, 69 percent of hunters in zone 3 support regulations to protect small bucks. Recently, the BWA board of directors voted to support the creation of two either-sex firearm deer seasons (instead of the current buck-only season and an either-sex season). The intent of this decision was to decrease pressure on young bucks during the first firearm deer season, which is usually held during the peak of the rut. The proposed increase in antlerless deer tags for the 3A season may not be a full-scale either-sex season, but it would be a step in the right direction. —Chris Kolbert, president
Board member profile
Geoff Heppding
I am 34 years old and am one of the owners of Magnum Sports. I was born at the Annapolis Naval Hospital in Maryland, but I have lived in Chatfield for as long as I can remember. My father, Wayne Heppding, is from Maryland and my mother, Penny (Pease) Heppding, is from Chatfield. They live in the country, a few miles west of Chatfield. Growing up in the Chatfield area gave me the opportunity to hunt, fish, and play sports. Probably pretty normal I would suppose. I know some won’t believe it, but it is true; I did graduate from high school. I went to the local college for a brief visit and found some extra curricular courses. Unfortunately, they didn’t give credits for these courses. After my short collegiate attempt, I worked construction and lived to hunt. Unfortunately, I blew a knee out one summer, and while being laid up, the only thing I found that kept me from going crazy from boredom was shooting my bow. That started the whole process to where I am now. I was sitting in my parents’ basement reading another archery hunting magazine and waiting for my leg to heal, when I decided that if all these people I was reading about could make a living in the world of whitetail deer hunting, maybe I could, too. At that time, I was an accomplished tournament archer, so I started to travel to where I could shoot and get recognized. I resourced with as many people as possible and got lucky with a part-time position with AFC Carbon Arrows. It was not long and I was offered a full-time position with AFC and began to travel all over the continental United States talking about AFC Carbon Arrows and archery hunting. I will be the first to admit that that job was one of the greatest jobs a person in love with hunting could possibly have. As a young man, I got to work with all of my idols; people like Bill Jordan, Ted Nugent, Jerry Martin, Dan Fitzgerald, and so many more. But as a lot of businesses in the hunting world do, Game Tracker bought the marketing and distribution of AFC Carbon Arrows. After traveling all over the United States working in the deer hunting industry, I knew that I never wanted to work in any other field of work. So, I asked two friends that are now my business partners, Dan Clemens and Kevin Ericson, to open a whitetail pro shop in Chatfield, and those two crazy fellows said yes. It hasn’t been easy, but ten years in the school of hard knocks, and we’ve been lucky enough to survive, learn and watch our company grow. Through my career in the whitetail deer-hunting world, I have seen all the different degrees of deer hunting people enjoy. From the weekend warrior who hunts once a year and has had the same hunting gear from day one, to the deer hunter that likes to bow hunt some—shotgun hunt some—maybe muzzle load hunt some, but hunting is not the main thing that drives their life; to the hunter that lives, eats and breathes deer hunting the year round. No matter what degree of deer hunting someone likes, there is a common thread between all types of deer hunters—when the action is good, they all love deer hunting the same at that moment in time. With that last statement in mind, that is why I have joined the Bluffland Whitetails Association and have even become a board member. I hunt with every type of deer hunter that I just described above sometime through the deer seasons; and I enjoy hunting with my dad, friends, and somebody I have just met for the first time. With all that said, I ask you as a BWA member to ask another deer hunter to join this organization and help make southeast Minnesota a better place to deer hunt for everyone. I have belonged to numerous non-profit wildlife organization chapters through the years. I am proud to say that BWA is the best group I have ever worked with—hands down. And if any deer hunter wants to help improve deer hunting in southeast Minnesota, join up!
Member profiles
Jim Jensen
In 1959, a close friend of mine invited me to go on my first deer hunt, and we have been hunting together ever since without missing a single deer season. We began elk hunting in 1970 in Colorado and have been on many elk trips since, mainly in Montana, but also in Wyoming. We hope to carry on this hunting tradition for many years to come. My hobbies include hunting (deer, elk, pheasant, turkey, and fox), fishing in Canada, jogging, biking, and doing carpentry work. I enjoy spending time with my family and hopefully will be able to hunt and fish with my grandchildren some day. My friend not only got me started hunting when I was 15 years old; he also encouraged me to join BWA. I joined this organization in hopes of seeing a change in the quality of our deer herd in southeast Minnesota. Hopefully, with all of the hard work that the members of the BWA are doing, that will happen in our future hunting years.
Gary M. Smith I would have to say that hunting came to me as an innate interest. Of all the sports out there, it is the only one that ever interested me. When I found out about the existence of Bluffland Whitetails, I knew it was something in which I wanted to participate. Their interest in balancing the whitetail herd’s age structure was an idea with which I agreed. Their intent to work with the DNR to provide a regional input as to how the wildlife resources are utilized is something that needs to be done. The DNR needs to work with, and respond to, regional interests. If they do not, individuals will find a way to satisfy their needs on their own, without the guidance of the DNR. The rapid changes happening to land use in southeastern Minnesota will greatly affect how we hunt and where we hunt.
Doe management is an integral part of any management plan. Doe tags for the hunter are just as important as buck tags. A doe has to lose one-third of her blood to die, just the same as a buck. If I make a poor shot placement on a doe, it tells me that my skills are not up to par, and I need to adjust and improve them and become more consistent to properly handle my next opportunity at a buck or a doe. Attitude adjustment and realistic expectations are important for the development of any young hunter. It is not important whether or not a tag is filled, but how the hunter handles the filling of the tag, or realizes that there is nothing wrong with ending the season with an unfilled tag. Finally, I would encourage all hunters to attend hunter education classes. In August of 2003, I took the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) bowhunter class; and in April of 2004, I became certified as an NBEF instructor through the Iowa DNR. It is the exchange of ideas and information that make hunting new and exciting every year, and these classes are an excellent way to stimulate that process.
Building on the successful Whitewater Youth HuntOpportunities for beginning hunters expanding
Ryan Bronson It didn’t happen without controversy, but then again, very few good things ever do. In October of 2003, Minnesota held its first special youth firearms deer hunt in the Whitewater WMA Refuge, and by most accounts, it was a success. A brainchild of the Bluffland Whitetails Association, the hunt was cooperatively organized by the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, DNR and BWA. The goals of the hunt were to provide a high-quality mentored hunt for 50 kids, and to reduce the population of deer within the refuge to reduce vegetative depredation. Both goals were accomplished, with 19 kids harvesting deer and 50 hunter/mentor pairs enjoying a tremendous hunt in one of the most scenic wildlife areas in the state. Youth hunts are becoming common in most states as wildlife agencies look for ways to attract and keep young people in the sport of hunting. More barriers to hunting participation exist now than at any time in history. Kids in 2004 have less free time to spend hunting and predominantly live in urban environments that separate them from places to enjoy the outdoors. Video games and other recreational pursuits actively market to kids as they compete for their limited time, and youth are bombarded by TV advertisements to draw them to just about every hobby except hunting. When it comes to creating hunters, we are not competing against People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA). We are competing against X-Box, soccer and American Idol. However, even with all of the barriers to recruiting new hunters, we still have the tools that can get kids hooked for life. Families need opportunities to spend quality time together, and there is no better quality time than time spent hunting. Once we can get a parent and child to commit to setting time aside to hunt together, the chances are very good that they will make every effort to keep setting aside that time every year. Special hunts like the Whitewater hunt give parents and children an extra opportunity to spend time together, and since parents are not allowed to hunt themselves, they focus on their child. Let’s face it; even the most nurturing parent can have a tough time focusing on their child when they are hunting themselves. What’s more, since the hunt is held earlier than the regular firearms deer season, the chances that weather will be mild are much better.
Other Special Hunts That is why the Whitewater firearms hunt was such a breakthrough. It proved that an early youth firearms hunt could be successful and safe. As a result, several new locations throughout the state will be holding special youth firearm hunts this year. Lake Bemidji State Park, St. Croix State Park, and Rydell National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting October hunts. Additionally, on October 23-24, Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Pennington and Marshall counties in northwestern Minnesota are open to hunting for kids age 12-14 to take one antlerless deer. This early youth season was created by the legislature this session, and kids with any valid Minnesota firearms license (including zones 3A and 3B) may participate. Youth hunts are not limited to deer. This past spring a pilot Youth Turkey Hunt was held in the Twin Cities area in coordination with the National Wild Turkey Federation, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and the Wildlife Science Center. Thirty, first-time turkey hunters age 12 to 17 took to the spring and are committed turkey hunters now.
2004 Whitewater Hunt Second, youth may hunt with bow and arrows in the hunt. Third, applications are through the electronic licensing system (ELS), so applicants can register for the lottery at any license vendor. Participating youth are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the hunt and must attend a pre-hunt orientation and safety presentation. Blaze orange is required for all participants, as well as fall turkey and small game hunters in the refuge during the hunt. Participants may take one deer of either sex and are encouraged to take the first deer available. While hunters can only take one deer, they may use a bonus tag for antlerless deer to avoid burning their primary deer license prior to the regular season. Fifty hunters will be selected by lottery.
Controversy The survey completed by BWA following the hunt seems to confirm some of the concerns. The survey indicated that 77 percent of the hunt participants were not going to shoot the first available deer, and 58 percent took part in hopes of harvesting a trophy buck. However, 81 percent said they would participate even if the hunt were limited to antlerless deer only, and only half the participants had harvested a deer before. By limiting participants to age 15 and under, we expect that we will better capture the introductory hunter demographic. Clearly, the bigger problem is with parents that encourage their kids to only hunt trophies. While trophy hunting is a valid and ethical stage in a hunter’s development, it is not an approach that is conducive to retaining young hunters. As Firearms Safety Instructors know, hunters go through several stages, and trophy hunting is something that many evolve into after many years of hunting. For the vast majority of kids, harvesting anything is an accomplishment that they cherish. Parents should let them experience that as much as possible. Many Boone & Crocket and Pope & Young record holders’ most precious hunting memories are of taking their first small doe or spindly buck. Experienced hunters value the chase and the challenge much more than the taking of game, but beginning hunters often don’t develop those values for several years. Projecting your ethical preference on your children can cause them to become frustrated, which can lead to their desertion from hunting.
What you can do for the future of hunting Of course, recruitment doesn’t just happen with kids. Co-workers and relatives may have an interest in hunting, but no one ever taught them. Take them shooting and help them get started. The biggest gift you can give them is your time and your knowledge.
2004 special youth deer hunts
General Special Youth Deer Hunt Regulations
Youth Firearms Deer Hunts
Youth Archery Deer Hunts
Whitewater Refuge Youth Archery and Firearms Hunt
Minnesota DNR to offer either-sex permits during 3A season
Lou Cornicelli For the 2004 firearms deer season, the Minnesota DNR will again offer either-sex permits during the 3A season. Last year, the DNR offered 4,050 permits but only had 2,700 people apply. I think the low application rates were due to the fact that the program was new and 3A hunters were not accustomed to applying in the lottery. I did take several calls after the deadline from hunters asking how they could get one of those permits. So, here’s how you do it: Buy either your all-season or firearms license by Thursday, September 9th, 2004. The license agent will ask you if you’re interested in applying for the lottery. Tell the agent “yes” and indicate which permit area you hunt. You’ll automatically be placed in the drawing for an either-sex permit. There is no cost to apply, and the permit authorization is also free. What will happen if you’re successful is you will get a postcard in the mail allowing you to take an antlerless deer during the 3A season. As for bag limits during 3A, there are some differences between the all-season and regular license. If you buy a regular license and apply, the authorization will allow you to harvest one deer, of either sex. If you buy an all-season license and apply, the authorization will allow you to use the antlerless part of your all-season license to take that antlerless deer. So, the 3A limit for all-season licenses is actually two deer.   Lou with his daughter, Teresa.
In the spotlight...John GuentherGrand Rapids, MN Occupation: Director of DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife
My wife and I live in Grand Rapids and have a son in Winona and a daughter in New Prague. We also have three grandchildren with my daughter and her husband in New Prague. My hobbies are focused on hunting and fishing. Other hobbies seem to stem from those two; like dog training, photography, and cooking. I grew up concentrating on waterfowl and deer hunting; along with fishing the Mississippi for walleye, and the southeast Minnesota streams for trout. For the past years, I have become a bit of a fanatic on upland bird hunting. I especially like hunting sharptail grouse and grey partridge, but I’ve been known to drop everything to take a trip to Arizona to hunt quail in January.
A landowner's perspective
by Ed Hammell Hunting, like every leisure activity, requires three things: time, money, and a place to enjoy it. For most hunting, one needs forested land. It must have food sources nearby and the proper habitat for the game to be hunted. Also, hunting, by its very nature, demands that it be undertaken a certain distance from populated areas. This explains why tree stands and organized deer drives are never seen on city streets. If such a thing were attempted, the chances of bagging a deer would be slim to none, while the chances of ending up in jail or on the stupid things people do segment of a television show, would be excellent. The area of southeastern Minnesota where I live has some of the best habitat for whitetail deer and turkeys anywhere in the country. Wild turkeys were introduced to our area back in the seventies, and until that time, none of us here had ever seen one. They have adapted remarkably, and it is not uncommon to see groups of thirty or forty birds roaming the fields and pastures in the spring. Deer are also plentiful. Every year there are at least a few impressive bucks taken from the area. November for many local families, including ours, means getting out the orange and heading to the woods after the elusive whitetail. Whatever is shot is processed and put in the freezer. Venison is a staple in many local households, and it would be unusual to find an area resident who hasn’t at least tried it. As a hunter and landowner, I am sometimes asked why we allow others to hunt on our land. There are several reasons. In the case of both turkeys and deer, the populations need to be reduced continually. With an almost ideal mix of agricultural and forest land, both species proliferate and can become an economic burden to those of us who live here. It is not uncommon to find edges of fields next to wooded areas almost completely destroyed from the feeding activity of deer and turkeys. Deer in southeastern Minnesota also have a very poor sense of roadway safety. Collisions between deer and vehicles are an all-too-common experience. From November of 1999 to August of 2002, our family hit six deer with five vehicles. One car was a repeat offender; first on one side, then the other. While it is nice to maintain contact with an auto insurance provider, a letter we received from them after this period of mayhem left the distinct impression that they would like to hear from us a good deal less in the future. Collisions with turkeys, while less common, can still be quite dramatic. I know of several motorists whose grills were taken out by turkeys and one instance where a windshield was shattered by one. If we did not allow other hunters on our land, we would only invite more property and crop damage. Our family alone cannot adequately control the populations of deer and turkeys. While some of those who hunt on our land are neighbors and friends, many are from the Twin Cities and other larger towns in Minnesota. Whenever we spend time in metropolitan areas, it is easy to gain an understanding of why people who live there would want the change of pace that hunting offers. This trend will continue. The impetus to introduce wild turkeys and maintain a large deer herd here did not come from people who live in our area. The state of Minnesota already owns thousands of acres in our area. If it becomes increasingly difficult for urban hunters to find places to hunt, it is very likely that there will be pressure for the state to purchase more land for this purpose. The final reason for allowing others to hunt on our land is the chance to meet and interact with people from many different backgrounds. To name a few, we have had computer programmers, teachers, ministers, body shop owners, steel fabricators and plumbers in our woods each year. Some of these have become good friends. Although we have no set fee, everyone who hunts here shows their appreciation in some way. While generous contributions are nice, the amount is not as important as knowing that those who visit are truly grateful to have a place to hunt. It is easy for city dwellers to create stereotypes of people who live in the country. Likewise, rural dwellers have certain images of city people. When we talk with hunters who are visiting, it becomes apparent that we have many things in common, no matter what our backgrounds. As we abandon stereotypes, productive discussion about land use also becomes possible. As with all things in life, respect is the key for cooperation between hunters and landowners. As a landowner, I can understand the need for access to places to hunt, and when hunters respect our rights as landowners, a partnership is created where everyone wins.
Landowner habitat field day eventOn August 28, 2004, Bluffland Whitetails, along with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Pheasants Forever, Fillmore County SWCD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will be sponsoring a "Landowner Habitat Field Day.” This event is tailored toward landowners aspiring to learn more about wildlife habitat creation and enhancement. Numerous habitat "stations" will be set up on two Fillmore County farms focusing on native grass establishment, tree/shrub plantings, forest maintenance and enhancement, wildlife ponds, trout stream habitat and protection, whole farm wildlife habitat planning measures, and cost-share program assistance and availability. Conservation and habitat professionals with NWTF, NRCS, Fillmore SWCD and DNR Wildlife, Forestry and Fisheries will conduct "classes" at each habitat station and will be available to answer your habitat concerns and questions. The field day event is free of charge and will be an opportunity for landowners to witness established habitat improvements and discover what goes into these practices to ensure success. If you would like to get signed up for this event and have specific details and directions sent to you, please contact Colin Williams at (507)523-2171 or by e-mail at colin.williams@mn.usda.gov.
Minimize soil erosion on woodland roads and trails
Jim Edgar
Erosion is a major factor in land management in the blufflands. Farmers spend considerable time and expense laying out grass waterways, contour strips, terraces and purchasing soil-saving tillage equipment; all with the goal of keeping the soil on the field where it belongs. Our woodland soil is subject to erosion since most land in tree cover is steep; usually steeper than the adjacent cropland. The soil that produces high-quality forest products and abundant wildlife is easily dislodged and washed down our steep hillsides if not properly protected. In most woodlands, the trees, shrubs and leaf litter provide erosion protection to forest soils. The removal of trees in a timber harvest is seldom a significant cause of erosion in our bluffland wooded areas. New vegetation grows back quickly and provides protection for the soil after large trees are removed as long as the leaf litter and other vegetation is left in place. Most woodland erosion occurs because of improper construction and use of trails and roads that expose soil to rainfall and snow runoff. A poorly constructed or designed road or trail can quickly become a ditch or gully, washing away the valuable topsoil and dropping it into nearby creeks and rivers. A properly constructed road or trail can provide access to the wooded area as well as keep soil erosion to a minimum. Road or trail design will vary with the type of vehicle that is to be used and the amount of area that is available for the road. Plan to install water bars or broad-based dips when constructing a steep road. These allow water to be directed off the road so it doesn’t create a gully. On low-traffic roads, a gentle side slope down hill will allow much water to be shed from the road before it can accumulate. As soon after construction as possible, stabilize the road surface with grass. Sod, once in place, absorbs the impact of falling rain and also keeps flowing water from contact with the soil. When choosing what type of grass to plant on your trail, make sure that it will grow in the amount of sunlight available on the site and is winter-hardy for our area. A seed mix that includes legumes such as clover will be beneficial to wildlife such as deer, turkeys and grouse. Mulching with straw or hay will help keep the soil in place until the seeding gets established. After your road is stabilized with grass, limit vehicle travel during times of wet or saturated soil conditions. Spring, before the frost leaves the ground, and after a heavy rain, are good times to stay off a woodland road. If rutting or other damage does occur, repair and reseed the damaged areas as quickly as practical. Many woodlots have existing roads and trails from previous timber harvest or other activity in the woods. Often these roads are stable and need no further work. When existing roads are actively eroding, they should be stabilized. As with new construction, the use of grass cover, water bar construction and side sloping to shed water are the most common methods to stabilize an existing road. If deep gullies are present, the road may need to be re-graded before other work is attempted. In some cases, existing roads may not be usable. These roads should be stabilized and closed. Activities in our woodlands such as hunting, hiking, timber harvest, tree planting, bird-watching and fishing can all be enhanced by having access roads and trails in the woods. A well-constructed road or trail can have minimal impact on the forest soil while allowing improved access for the use of our woodlands. The USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry has a publication available, A Landowner’s Guide to Building Forest Access Roads. It can be ordered, one copy at no charge, by clicking here. If you do not have internet access or have other questions about woodland road/trail construction, contact your local forestry office.
Northwest Minnesota special youth antlerless deer season Oct. 23-24Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, and Roseau counties are open October 23 to October 24 for the taking of antlerless deer by firearms for youth at least age 12 and under age 16 by October 23, 2004. Participating youth must obtain a license for taking deer by firearms valid for any zone or season option, and a free northwest Minnesota youth deer season license endorsement (code 632) by the beginning date of the special season. Participant numbers are not limited. Participants may use a bonus permit, but they can only take one antlerless deer during the special season. An adult mentor age 18 or older must accompany the youth hunter at all times during the hunt. The accompanying adult may not hunt. Party hunting is not allowed. The blaze-orange requirements apply to all hunters and trappers, and all adult mentors of youth hunters, in the areas open to youth firearms deer hunting during the special youth season. Participation in the youth season does not affect eligibility to participate in regular deer seasons.
Water and whitetailsby Colin Williams Wildlife habitat management is principally concerned with two major objectives: (1) maintaining quality habitat and (2) providing quality habitat where it has deteriorated or where a specific habitat component is lacking. With this in mind, three habitat components must be considered: food, water and shelter. Recent emphasis on landowner-based whitetail management has justifiably concentrated on the food and cover factors. However, food plot establishments are certainly not the cure-all answer as other habitat needs must be considered to ensure an environment that may attract and hold Ol' Long Tines. When I met Winona County landowner Roger Deets, he had already recognized water as a significant part of his habitat management plan. Deets also understood that adequate food, water and cover are essential for virtually any wildlife specie to prosper. Not only must these factors be available, the spatial relationship can spell the difference between deer just happening through your farm or deer taking up residence there. Now that many of his planned practices including tree plantings, wildlife openings, food plots, native grass plantings and three pond installations have been established, Deets is already noticing a major change in how the wildlife utilize his farm. "When I began my whole-farm wildlife habitat planning efforts with NRCS, the preservation of the land and the farm’s resources were my main objective," said Deets, "but the additional aesthetic value of the ponds and the heavy wildlife utilization has simply been amazing." When figuring water into your habitat management plan, the fact that vegetation stores much of the daily water requirement, coupled with frequent spring rain events, one would think water would not be much of a concern. Factor in, however, those summer and early fall months when rain events are sporadic and the moisture content of plants is significantly less than other times of the year. Deer acquire water from three sources: free water such as ponds, streams and dew on plants; preformed water or that contained in plants; and metabolic water, which is produced in animal cells as part of metabolism. Even though it may not be necessary, deer can require free water occasionally. Research has shown that lactating females can need it daily. While succulent green plants provide much of the water need, a lack of free water may deter deer from using certain parts of otherwise suitable range. Only by meeting all of the animals needs can a whitetail manager expect to attract and hold deer. If a source of free water does not already exist on the farm, find a location on your property that is washed or gullied due to erosion. These gullies are created by water in concentrated flow, thus each rain event may supply a source of free water. These locations may be favorable for the creation of a pond. A constructed dike will block an area of concentrated flow and create a pool on the upstream side of the structure. The size of this dam is in relationship to the size of the drainage area (the amount of acres contributing water to the concentrated flow area) and how much storage area a dike can provide. The installation of a "trickle tube" can help control water flow and depth. These tubes are designed to handle excess runoff and may be as small as a six-inch PVC pipe or as large as a three-foot diameter steel culvert. Some pond sites may also demand the use of a liner. These membranes can help ensure water hold capacity in those sites that are close to bedrock or rocky and light soils. The actual expenses of installing a pond will vary greatly depending upon contractor cost, the amount of fill needed to create the dam, and the type, length and diameter of the trickle tube. If you plan on looking into a pond, it would be advantageous to contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. This phone call may save you time, headache and money. There may also be the possibility of receiving cost-share assistance in reaching your habitat improvement goals. "I would certainly recommend getting the NRCS folks involved with your pond construction plans right away," noted Deets. "After seeing everything that goes into constructing a pond, it would have been very difficult for me to tackle these projects on me own. My ponds have become a focal point for deer activity. Deer frequently emerge from the woods just below the ponds, stop for a drink and then continue into the adjacent fields from there. The ponds see so much deer traffic that grass cannot remain established in a four- or five-foot fringe area around the pool. It's like there is a herd of cattle using my ponds." When you make the commitment to improve the habitat on your farm, water should be part of that planning effort. There are a variety of cost-share programs which may help with anywhere from fifty to seventy-five percent of the project cost, depending upon available dollars. Due to the fact that earmarking cost-share dollars for these types of projects can take time, it would be advantageous to get the ball rolling now. NRCS, along with our DNR wildlife and forestry partners, can help develop a whole-farm habitat management and improvement plan, including cost-estimates and possible cost-share incentive availabilities. These consultations are free and available as a service from the United States Department of Agriculture. If you are interested in the possibility of constructing a pond, you can contact me at the Winona County NRCS office at (507)523-2171. I can then get you in touch with the NRCS staff in your county.
Colin Williams (left) and Roger Deets (right)
Deer hunters quizFacts and figures about zone 3
The answers can be found at the end of this newsletter.
Shed hunting—the cowboy wayby Rick Boyer A friend has been trying for a long time to get me to go horseback riding with him. We both go to the mountains elk hunting in the fall, and he has some great mountain horses. He also knew that I am an avid shed hunter, so this spring he called me and invited me on a horseback shed hunt to Iowa. I called my good friend, Tom Weber, and on an early sunny spring day, we were off. It was a grand adventure and very successful. We met my friend and Andy Overby with their pickup and trailer loaded with two horses and two saddle mules. I was worried about the mules since I have never ridden one, and I wasn’t sure yet which animal was my mount for the day. We traveled into Iowa to a large public wildlife area which has maintained horse riding trails and also happens to have a huge amount of wildlife, including some old whitetail bucks for which this state has become famous. This area covers about 1800 acres of wetlands, a small river, several hundred acres of native grasses and large tracts of mature oak forest—a perfect setting for shed hunting on what turned out to be a beautiful day. On arrival, the guys got the animals saddled and assigned Tom and I the two horses to ride, which was fine with me. I was riding a red roan named “Magic,” and Tom climbed on a grey horse named “Poker.” And we were off! In very short order, after riding across a picked corn field with Andy finding the first shed, I could see that being elevated on a horse’s back gave me a much better view of the area where I was looking for sheds. This was going to be a big advantage.
Five hours after leaving the trailer, we were back with a bunch of horns, and we’d had a great time. Tom and I got off and hobbled to our truck to end our ride with some snacks. We were both worried about how we were going to feel the next day, but it went better than expected. I think there is little doubt that we will be doing this again. I’m not sure if shed hunting on foot will ever be the same again. Tom and I give a big thank you to our horse and mule owner friends.  Andy Overby, Jim Vagts, Rick Boyer and Tom Weber
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Answers to the hunters quiz:1) c 2) d 3) b 4) e - a & d 5) b 6) b 7) c 8) b 9) b 10) b 11) a 12) b 13) True 14) True 15) True 16) True
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Recently, BWA invited Judy Kovar, native American hunter and lecturer to visit southeast Minnesota and give seminars at five different elementary schools. Judy spent time in Elgin, Eyota, St. Charles, LaCrescent, and Plainview. Her talks consist of a mixture of Indian lore and hunting, fishing, and trapping techniques. Clad in her elk skin dress, with beaded fringe and deer hoof trim, Judy kept the attention of hundreds of school children by telling stories about her ancestors and educating them about the natural world.
I grew up in Harmony, MN, starting school there in second grade and graduating in 1962. My dad did not come from a hunting family, so my two brothers and I were not involved in hunting as a family tradition.
The photo with this profile is obviously not of me; it is of my fourteen-year-old son and his 2004 jake turkey. This photo, and the photos of your children, is the future of hunting. We of the graying hair group make the rules and pass on the attitudes that our offspring have to live by. Just as I try to encourage and develop the potential in my children, I would also like to see the potential developed in the whitetail herd. To do that requires age structure and population control. To accomplish that goal will require creativity and discipline on everyone’s part.
I grew up in Hokah and went to high school in Houston, where I met my wife. After service in the navy, I returned to attend college at Winona State where I finished degrees in psychology (BA/MS). After college, we moved to Coon Rapids, Minnesota, where I taught psychology classes. During that time, I worked on projects such as developing the adult hunter education curriculum for the DNR. I joined the DNR full time in 1975 as the department training officer. Over the next 30 years I moved to a variety of jobs dealing with conflict situations, working with citizen groups, and planning difficult projects. I was appointed as Special Assistant to Commissioner Joe Alexander to continue to address problems and work closely with citizens and groups. For the past decade, I served as regional director for northeastern Minnesota.
The terrain of southeast Minnesota is a result of the erosive forces of water in the recent and distant past. Without the results of flowing water many years ago, we wouldn’t have the steep wooded hillsides and beautiful views that we are blessed with in this area.
Later, I was riding along a fence line on the east boundary of the management area when I noticed a nice four-point horn lying in plain sight. How much more obvious could it get? Maybe no one else had got this far back in the area. We decided to tie the animals and search this area closer on foot. Within minutes Andy found a matching horn to the one I had found. A few more feet and we found the remains of a deer, maybe the owner of the matched set we had just found. Farther down in the thick, wooded ravine, we found two more sheds, one from the year before and one three-point without a brow tine. Soon we were back on the horses—this walking was too much work!