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BWA Newsletter - Winter 2007A Bluffland Whitetails Association quarterly publication for
Buck harvest and shooting preserves are hot topics at DNR roundtable
by Chris Kolbert Deer seasons and shooting preserves were once again on the agenda for the 2007 DNR Roundtable which was held recently in St. Cloud, MN. Big Game Program Coordinator Lou Cornicelli presented the results of his deer hunter survey (see Fall 2006 BWA newsletter) which showed that respondents had no clear preference for a strategy that would improve the age structure of the deer herd. In southeast Minnesota, antler point restrictions (51.4 percent supported or moderately supported) were preferred over earn-a-buck (36.1 percent supported or moderately supported) or moving the season out of the rut (34.2 percent supported or moderately supported). Nearly half of the respondents from zone 3 supported the elimination of cross-tagging for bucks. According to data generated by the DNR, this could increase buck survival while still allowing population management through the harvest of does. “The interest in mature bucks is concurrent with the agency desires to lower deer populations,” Cornicelli stated. With the establishment of two big game shooting preserves in the state during the last year, and documentation of at least one escaped deer from a Houston County shooting preserve, the topic of deer and elk shooting pens was also an important concern for Roundtable attendees. Ed Boggess, deputy division director for the Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, provided an historical perspective on the attempts to legalize shooting preserves in the state. Under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota DNR, it was not legal to shoot big game animals behind closed fence. However, in 2003, governance of farmed cervidae was moved to the Bureau of Animal Health and, inadvertently, a loophole occurred which allowed the killing of fenced big game. DNR concerns with shooting of big game behind fences include the prospect of disease outbreaks, the erosion of public support for hunting, and the accidental capture of wild animals within the enclosures. These concerns, and the ensuing backlash from sportsmen’s groups, have prompted a request by the DNR to clarify the statutory direction on this matter. Mark Johnson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Deer Hunter Association, also spoke on the issue, expressing concern about escapes that have occurred since the opening of the Houston County preserve. However, veterinarian Glen Ziebarth spoke in support of the shooting preserve industry, claiming that the preserves are well regulated and are no threat to hunters or the wild deer population at large. But CWD has, indeed, been detected in game farm animals in the state, and hunters still foot the bill for CWD testing of wild game from areas surrounding infected game farms. As long as escapes occur, the safety of the wild deer herd will be in question. Even as the 2007 DNR Roundtable adjourned for the year, that argument remained alive and well.
Letter to the editorUsed to be… WILD and FREE The surest, and perhaps most profitable way to capitalize on a population, is to enslave it. The process is straightforward: capture, confine, claim ownership, publicly demean and degrade to farm animal status, remove all legal rights and protections, and enlist the government's support in quelling the public and rationalizing the act of enslavement... For all of us who believe in the concept of "fair chase," the "canned hunt" is a travesty, and every attempt made by the "slavers" to rationalize it is an insult! —Kent Holen
A message from BWA's new president...
My name is Gary Bartsch, and I live with my wife Evelyn on a small farm near Houston. I have operated an equipment business in Rochester since 1977. Most people would call me a hunting fanatic (or worse). I'm a dedicated food plot, trail camera, habitat improvement, shed hunting, whitetail nut. I also enjoy hunting the wilder areas of the Northern Rockies. I have been involved with BWA since the very first meeting in Houston back in 1998 and have served on the board since the first election in the spring of 2000. The election of officers was the main focus of the January 2007 Board of Directors meeting, and the following board members were elected to new positions. BWA and I appreciate the dedication, effort, and the countless hours put in by Jim, Kent, and departing directors Steve Bjerke and Rick Boyer to keep BWA moving forward. These are exciting times at BWA, with the legislative bills nearing completion on shining and venison donation funding. Reports from various sources indicate the youth hunts went very well, and it's great to see so many girls participate. The Minnesota Deer and Turkey Expo is not far away; March 9, 10, 11, 2007, at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna, MN. Last year was good, but this year will be better! If anyone can help, give me a call at 507-259-7697. BWA's relationship with the Minnesota DNR continues to be strong, and we are very fortunate to have guys like Lou Cornicelli, Marrett Grund, and Ryan Bronson to work with! I have received many reports of really nice bucks showing up on trail camera pictures after the seasons have closed. This bodes well for next fall. The shed hunting season is upon us, and hopefully, some of these antlers will show up in our next newsletter. Although I have big shoes to fill as the new president, it is an honor to be elected to this position, and I will work hard to further the cause of BWA. Good luck in 2007. This might be your year to find that big shed, or get an awesome trail cam picture, or maybe put a tag on a huge buck! After all, any year that ends with a 7 should be lucky! Right? —Gary Bartsch, president
Member profile
I have enjoyed all kinds of outdoor pursuits as long as I can remember. My first hunting was for squirrels, and at one time or another, I have also hunted turkeys, grouse, ducks, geese, pheasants, raccoon, elk and deer. I enjoy fishing and camping as well and take every opportunity I can to get outdoors. My dad took my brother and me deer hunting when I was 13 years old. That was 45 years ago, and since that time, my brother and I have not missed a deer season, except in the mid 70s when there wasn’t a season. We are now joined by another brother, sons and daughters, nephews and nieces and other family members. I shot my first deer, an eight-point buck, when I was 16 and have been fortunate to be successful on many more hunts. But the connections with family, and being able to get out and enjoy all aspects of nature, has become a bigger part of the hunt each year. Even though I currently live out of state, I return every year for the annual deer hunt. The camaraderie, traditions, and old and new stories make it an important part of each year. There have been many changes in the deer population in the area we hunt. In the early 70s, the deer population was significantly lower. I can remember years when seeing two or three deer of any kind was considered a good year. In 1976, if my memory is correct on the year, we did not even have a season; and at that time when we did have a season, it was two days long. Today we see many more deer and especially many does. When the early buck season (3A) was started, some groups in the area would fill all their tags, sometimes as many as 8 to 10, with nice bucks. Over the years that has declined both in numbers and quality of bucks. This and other changes point to the need to do things differently in order to manage the current deer herd correctly. When I first heard about Bluffland Whitetails Association and their goals, I was immediately interested and became a member. Bluffland Whitetails Association has helped with increased awareness of herd makeup and education of hunters on the effects of certain management practices. One of the biggest accomplishments in my mind is the establishment of a good working relationship with the DNR. Changing something like deer hunting regulations and seasons, which is almost sacred to hunters, requires time, patience, and good working relationships. BWA has accomplished several things in the relatively short time the group has been in existence. Examples are the changes in seasons and the youth hunt in the Whitewater Refuge. Just the fact that there is an organization and forum where interested parties from many points of view can come together to work on their shared passion of deer and deer hunting is no small accomplishment. BWA has made progress influencing change in the season structure and the way the deer herd is managed, but there is still a long way to go. With continued support, I believe BWA will keep making gains in the future. We as individuals can also do our part by shooting more does, continuing to educate ourselves, and by supporting organizations like BWA.
La Crescent banquet a successBluffland Whitetails Association banquet committee would like to extend our thank you to the following sponsors for their donations and prizes to our 5th annual banquet that was held on Thursday, October 19, at the La Crescent American Legion clubroom. The banquet was a great success, and we also extend our congratulations to all the prize winners. We hope to see you back in 2007!
Committee Members:
Herb Becker
BWA board to focus on four secondary prioritiesBluffland Whitetails Association has now spent a half dozen years being involved with issues relating to the management of the deer herd in southeast Minnesota. Our priority goal has been to open communication between landowners, deer hunters and other southeast Minnesota residents with the Minnesota DNR. The primary issues have been related to deer herd numbers, increasing doe harvest and improving buck population numbers and age structure. BWA efforts have resulted in season changes in zone 3 for the first time in over thirty years. Zone 3 no longer has a "buck-only" season, and doe harvest has been increasing. However, much work remains to be done to achieve our goal of improving our buck herd. Over the past few months, the board of directors of BWA has compiled a list of four secondary priorities that they feel are of great importance to the future of the southeast Minnesota deer herd. The board feels these issues are all important in the big picture of deer management in zone 3. The four issues are as follows:
The following are articles written by BWA members on these issues:
Cross-tagging revisitedEliminating the cross-tagging of bucks is one of the goals of Bluffland Whitetails Association. As stated on page 14 in the July 2006 issue of this periodical, this simply means if you bag it, you tag it. This ruling would in no way affect helping each other harvest your/their buck via driving, calling, rattling, etc. for each other; but whoever kills the buck would have to claim it with their tag. You would still be able to use your regular or bonus tag on an antlerless deer shot by another hunter in your party and would obviously be able to harvest antlerless deer for other tagholding members of your party. The primary reason we are against cross-tagging bucks is that we don't feel the buck pool can afford the drain of some hunters taking multiple bucks each year. We believe we will all be better served by a maximum of one buck killed per person per year ruling. Various "experts" have suggested there would be an increase of three percent to as high as 15 percent in survival of bucks by eliminating cross-tagging. It is important to understand that even a three percent savings would significantly influence our antlered age structure. The reason is that older deer are smarter deer. The 2 1/2-year-old class would see a greater than three percent increase in survival, and the 3 1/2-year-olds would see a greater increase still. Many of us are seeing the benefits of a lot of hunters letting the young bucks walk. If a lot of hunters choose to stop cross-tagging, we will see even greater benefits. —Kent Holen
Venison donation license surchargeIn the past few years Iowa and Wisconsin have implemented venison donation programs. Hunters donate harvested deer to local lockers, and the venison is supplied to local food shelves and food banks. The first couple of years they tried a volunteer system set off when a person purchased their hunting license, but in both states this method raised insufficient funds to run a statewide program. A successful program needs a budget and operating plan before the hunting season starts. Both states went to charging a license surcharge of one dollar to the hunter when buying their main license. The last two years both states have had very successful donation programs. South Dakota started a venison program just this last fall. Iowa processed 6,414 donated deer during the 2005 hunting season. They used their collected one-dollar surcharge from their hunters’ main deer license to pay locker plants sixty dollars per deer. This resulted in 293,488 pounds of venison or 1,173,952 1/4 pound servings to people in need. BWA feels this is an important program that could be used in Minnesota. It would help the DNR by helping to manage deer herd numbers and at the same time furnish tons of healthy food to Minnesota people in need. BWA plans to introduce legislation this winter to implement a venison donation plan in our state. —Jim Vagts
Venison donations
Venison donation seems to be catching on here in southern Minnesota. It’s considered a new concept by most people, but sportsmen have been donating venison to needy causes for almost 15 years. Legalities regarding the processing and distribution stilled attempts at organized programs until the Minnesota Department of Agriculture drafted new rules and regulations in 2003.
Since 2003, donation sites have sprung up across Minnesota, and hunters have stepped up to the plate. In 2004, 223 deer were donated (10,886 pounds). 2005 totals were 589 deer or 25,450 pounds. 2006 numbers aren’t in yet, but we can expect another increase. Fresh meat is donated from almost every state. Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) and Safari Club Internationals (SCI) “Sportsmen Against Hunger” are two of the largest national organizations sponsoring venison donations. FHFH took in 171,000 lbs. in 2003; 180,000 lbs. in 2004; and 204,000 lbs. in 2005. SCI’s program reports 76,020 lbs. for 2005. It’s still too early for 2006 totals, but FHFH reports to be 10 to 15 percent larger than last year. Locally, Bluffland FHFH was started the fall of 2005. With little time to coordinate funding before deer season, there was just enough to process 12 deer. For 2006, contributions covered the cost of processing about 70 deer. Donated deer fill the freezers of food shelves in Rochester, Winona, Preston, Rushford and others. Obtaining funds to cover the cost of processing the deer is the biggest obstacle in these programs. BWA is pushing our congressmen to pass legislation to help finance them. These programs are a great benefit to everyone. It gives hunters more time in the field. They purchase extra tags and donate the meat they don’t want to food shelves. There will be less deer on the road to run into, thus reducing insurance rates. The state will benefit from the revenue of increased license sales, and the DNR will get help controlling deer numbers. Some states use the venison to feed inmates in prison, reducing costs there. Many states such as Wisconsin and Iowa have state-funded venison donation programs. Please support any legislation on this issue. Any inquiries or donations can be sent to:
Bluffland FHFH For a listing of participating meat processors:
Minnesota: http://www.venisondonationmn.com
Shooting preservesCanned hunts for big game animals should be banned. There are a number of reasons why:
The threat is multi-tiered, but the two main points are public perception of hunters and the disease risk to humans and wild deer herds. Fences were first put up to control domestic livestock. As the fences got higher in an attempt to control wildlife and access to them, the public and their rights have been circumvented. Here is what others have had to say about the FENCE: “We do not intend that our natural resources shall be exploited by the few against the interests of the many. Our aim is to preserve our natural resources for the public as a whole, for the average man and the average woman who make up the body of the American people.” Theodore Roosevelt “Public rights come first and private interests second.” Theodore Roosevelt “The men who are the real enemies of our natural resources are those who are content to buy what they have not the skill to get by their own exertions.” Theodore Roosevelt “The successful hunter is the one who shows skill and patience and the capacity to endure fatigue and exposure.” Theodore Roosevelt “The North American conservation achievement is outstanding. It is based upon the tradition of inclusivity. Wildlife and access to it is to be in the public domain, by law. From this tradition, and within the North American hunting heritage, we come to the question of the fence. The fence – a denial of movement in or out, a property claim against the public estate, an estrangement of all but a few of the millions of Americans who bought hunting licenses. The fence – a denial that wild game can and must be free, and an assertion that the hunter must pay a toll to follow the track. The fence – a retreat to fortress, an acknowledgement that nature can’t be trusted, but must be controlled and manipulated. The fence – a reason to justify artificial feeders, water manipulation, mineral supplements, shooting blinds, and bait stations. The fence – nature denied the democracy of the hunt, the Roosevelt philosophy is ignored, and the idea of fair chase tortured. The real problem with fences is that they cause us to torture ourselves, our logic, our science, and our philosophy in an effort to make them, fences, marginally acceptable.” Shane Mahoney “The true hunter counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and the fairness of the sport.” Saxton Pope The term fair chase means that the hunter does not have an undue advantage over the animal being pursued. The Boone and Crockett Club and the Pope and Young Club both will not accept any entry taken within an escape proof enclosure. Completely eliminating high fences around any area being hunted is the only way to insure that the hunt will be totally fair chase. At the present time, shooting preserves in Minnesota are hiding behind a cloak of jurisdiction under the Agriculture Department. Because of this, all animals inside the enclosures are considered domestic animals and do not fall under the control of the Department of Natural Resources. One option would be to transfer control back to the DNR. Another option would be to promote the adoption of a state statute that dictates that domestic animals can not be hunted or advertised as huntable animals, and that when a domestic animal is killed, it can only be referred to as being slaughtered. If the people who are willing to pay a fee to hunt on a shooting preserve could not boast about “hunting” the animals, they would soon lose interest and the market for big game animal shooting preserves would soon dry up. There are presently only two licensed shooting preserves for big game animals in Minnesota. The longer we wait before doing something to stop them, the more difficult the task. They need to be stopped now before their numbers grow.
—Glenn Hisey
Shining regulationsThree years ago, the Bluffland Whitetails Association board of directors started discussing the pros and cons of recreational shining of deer in southeast Minnesota. During this time, the BWA board has spent much thought and discussion on this issue. The pastime of recreational shining has become very unpopular with landowners. This results in a lot of involvement and time for the local conservation officers. There is little doubt that this practice contributes to poaching of deer; especially mature bucks. The undesirable results of this practice seem to greatly outweigh the benefits. Unhappy landowners result in less hunting access, and poaching creates a horrible impression of hunters and a loss in our mature buck herd. The BWA board conferred with Minnesota DNR officials in St. Paul about recreational deer shining. They stated that they did not have any objection to BWA working on new legislation to deal with shining issues. Randy Demmer, Representative 29A, introduced the bill in 2006, but the committee chairman would not hear the bill. He suggested we work with local government, such as individual counties. A meeting was scheduled with a southeast Minnesota county. This included county commissioners, sheriff and the county attorney. After months of discussion, they did not approve the new ordinance. They thought shining laws should be changed by the Minnesota DNR. Senator Dave Senjem will be introducing new legislation in January dealing with the shining issue. Several people are going to testify at the hearing, including DNR CO's. BWA is asking all BWA members to support this issue and contact your senator or representative with your thoughts. This is important to improve landowner relationships and protect our mature buck population. —Allen Iverson
Winter tree identification
Jim Edgar People frequently bring tree leaves into the forestry office for identification. For many people, the leaf is the part of the tree best suited for identification. From November until April in southeastern Minnesota, leaves aren’t a very good tree identifier. There are still plenty of leaves in the woods, but they are mostly off the tree and on the ground. Pine, spruce and cedar keep their leaves (needles) all winter, but most of our trees have lost their leaves by the first of November. What do foresters and others who work in the woods use to identify trees during the leafless months? I will share a bit of information to help you look at a leafless tree and know what kind it is. Your next hours spent on a deer stand or walking in the winter forest may be a bit more interesting if you can look around and see what kind of trees surround your location. Some characteristics that I use for identification that are in the woods year round include:
Twig and branch arrangement is a good first characteristic to note. Trees native to southeast Minnesota are either opposite or alternately arranged. Opposite means that buds and branches grow from the stem directly across from each other in pairs. In an alternately arranged plant, the buds and stems grow from the stem singly instead of in pairs. In a tree with opposite arrangement, there won’t be two branches at each node (place on the stem where leaf or branch is attached), since some will die or break off. The general look of the tree will be that of pairs of branches all over the tree. Alternate branched trees will not have the same symmetrical look but will have randomly spaced branches.
In the Blufflands, the most common native trees with opposite branches are maples (box elder is in the maple family) and ashes. When comparing these two families, ash trees almost always have thicker twigs than the maples. Box elder can be an exception to this having fairly stout twigs. Box elder twigs have a green or purple color with often a whitish, powder-like substance that can be rubbed off the twig. Ash twigs lack this powder-like substance and the purple color. So… a tree with opposite branches and very slender twigs is a maple. If that tree is growing in a river bottom, it is probably a silver maple; on a steep hillside in the woods, most likely a sugar maple. A few characteristics of some local trees are:
There are many books to assist in tree identification. While some books focus on leaf shape, many also list the other identifiers of the common trees we have in our area. If you are interested in learning more about how to identify trees, go to a book store or library and get one or more books and look at more of the tree than just the leaves. Some books used in the writing of this article include:
Manual of Vascular Plants by Gleason and Cronquist
The Houston Nature CenterA place where the "cool" parts of southeast Minnesota nature are showcased by Karla Kinstler, Director/Naturalist
Many people ask, “How can the town of Houston, with a population of just 1,020, support a nature center?” The answer begins with the Root River Trail and ends with you. The Center was built on 18 acres to serve as Houston’s trailhead for the Root River Trail. But a small town can only do so much. The Friends of the Houston Nature Center joined forces to fill the critical fundraising role for the Center through memberships, special events, and grants. And generous people from all walks of life, from all over the country, have donated essential time, talent, and treasure to make the Houston Nature Center something very special. So special that we’ve become known as the undisputed best trailhead in the state! Once inside the Houston Nature Center, you’ll notice that everything in it represents our local environment—all displays feature only the plants and wildlife that currently inhabit southeast Minnesota, used to, or show up on occasion. And nearly all specimens are obtained locally; thanks to people who are willing to stop and pick up road kill, generous taxidermists like Ken Irish of Chatfield and Jim Willard of Brownsville, and to Conservation Officers such as Scott Fritz from La Crescent and Dan Book from Peterson. Besides being known as the best trailhead in the state, the Houston Nature Center is becoming internationally known for its annual Festival of Owls, held the first weekend in March. The Festival began simply as a way to celebrate the “hatch-day” of Alice the great horned owl; the Center’s only live animal. It has since grown into a full-weekend, all-owl event suitable for all ages and interest levels, and is apparently the only event of its kind in North America, and perhaps the world! It’s a hoot, to say the least, and a very successful fundraiser for the Center. The nature center also offers free public programs every Saturday evening at 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and sporadically throughout the rest of the year. Programs cover a wide variety of topics from wild edible foods, viewing a woodcock skydance, frogs, rattlesnakes, owls, bats, forestry, rare species, invasive species, prairie, and more. We hope to find a certified scorer to teach a class on how to score buck racks in the fall, and someone to teach a class on aging deer by their teeth. If you are interested in teaching a class on either of these subjects (or another class you think may be of interest), please contact me soon. I hope to finish scheduling the 2007 program lineup in mid-winter. As mentioned before, donations are essential to the Houston Nature Center’s success. Thanks to a very generous contribution from Bluffland Whitetails Association, a large discount from award-winning taxidermist Jim Willard of Brownsville, and Conservation Officer Scott Fritz, I’m excited to announce our upcoming display of two trophy bucks locked in mortal combat. The bucks were found outside of Brownsville on November 17, 2006—one dead and caked in mud, the other still alive but in bad shape from the days-long struggle. The display should be finished by late spring and will be featured in the Center’s lobby.
For more information about the Houston Nature Center, visit http://www.houstonmn.com and click on the nature center logo, or contact the Center at nature@acegroup.cc or 507-896-4668.
2007 Pope & Young Club conservation raffleCHATFIELD, MN — What bowhunter wouldn't love to win an opportunity to hunt giant Alaska/Yukon moose AND mountain caribou in the remote, scenic and game-rich Pelly Mountains of southern Yukon! Or, how about a superb black bear hunting adventure in northern Alberta! Here is a terrific chance for you to win either of these all-expense paid bowhunting adventures! The Pope and Young Club is announcing its 2007 Conservation Raffle, the ninth such raffle generating much-needed funding for wildlife conservation and education projects throughout North America. The Grand Prize is a fully-guided, 1x1, 10-day combo hunt for Alaska/Yukon moose and mountain caribou in the Yukon with Darwin Watson of Yukon Stone Outfitters (http://www.yukonstone.com). Taking place September 25th to October 4th, 2007, the grand prize hunt (bow or rifle) includes all transportation and license expenses. Or, the winner may elect to receive $5,000 cash instead of the hunt. The Second Prize is a fully-guided, 1x1, 6-day bow hunt for black bear in Alberta with Ryk Visscher's Bowhunting Adventures (http://www.ryk.ca). This package takes place during May of 2008 and includes all transportation and license expenses. Tickets are available from now until April 20, 2007. The drawing will be held on Saturday April 28th, during the Pope and Young Club's 25th Biennium Convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Donations are $5 per ticket or six tickets for $25. To purchase tickets contact: Pope and Young Club, Box 548, Chatfield, MN 55923, (507) 867-4144, admin@pope-young.org, or purchase tickets online at http://www.pope-young.org. The Club would like to thank our partners Darwin Watson of Yukon Stone Outfitters, Neil Summers and Mark Buehrer of Bowhunting Safari Consultants, and Ryk Visscher of Ryk Visscher's Bowhunting Adventures for the generous contributions of the prize hunts. 100% of the raffle proceeds will be used to perpetuate our bowhunting heritage and the conservation of North America's wildlife. Through the P&Y Conservation Fund, the Club provides grants to worthy projects in areas of wildlife conservation, research, education, partnerships and pro-hunting projects. Included among the grants awarded this past year are: the National Archery in Schools Program; the Jack Creek Preserve Youth Camp, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners; the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance; a mule deer mortality study with Utah State University; a pronghorn antelope study with South Dakota State University; the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Program; and the Hunt Fair Chase Program.
2nd Minnesota Deer & Turkey ExpoThe 2nd annual Minnesota Deer & Turkey Expo will be held March 9-10-11, 2007 in the Four Seasons Centre on the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna.
Show Highlights:
Returning Favorites:
For more information about this year's expo, visit the show's web site at http://www.deerinfo.com or call 1-800-324-3337.
Expo info posters & flyers available for distributionInformation posters and flyers on the upcoming Minnesota Deer & Turkey Expo are available from the expo producer for distribution to appropriate businesses in your area, such as convenience stores, gas stations, sporting goods stores, bars/taverns, bait shops—any place deer and turkey hunters might see them. Posters are for on-site display, of course; the small info flyers are billfold size, designed for taking as expo reminders. To get posters and flyers for distribution, contact Target Communications, 7626 W. Donges Bay Rd., Mequon, WI 53097. Ph: 1-800-324-3337 (toll free). E-mail: mac@deerinfo.com. Go to the expo's web-site—http://www.deerinfo.com—for expo details.
BWA annual meeting reveals future directionby Chris Kolbert
BWA annual meeting hosts incoming state senatorBluffland Whitetails Association once again held its Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn South in Rochester. Normally reserved for the election of new directors and assessment of organizational goals, this year’s event also included a visit from State Senator-elect Sharon Ropes. Ms. Ropes pledged to learn more about the issues that are important to the organization and agreed to work with BWA representatives to assess the need for additional restrictions on shining and big game shooting preserves.
Directors remain committed to moving back the firearm deer seasonDuring the meeting, BWA directors once again committed to working for season changes that would push the beginning of the firearm deer season back to the second or third week of November.
Legislative initiatives continueBWA members continue to advocate legislation that would restrict big game shooting preserves. As noted in previous issues of this newsletter, shooting preserves foster a poor image of hunters, and the interstate transport of captive animals is thought to be a route of infection for chronic wasting disease. Recent changes to the Minnesota statute on shining do not protect landowners from unwanted lights shining into their homes, according to BWA directors. Additional restrictions are needed, and BWA will work with legislators to address the issue. BWA directors have also voted to advocate changes to cross-tagging regulations. Cross-tagging, otherwise known as party-hunting, is the practice of shooting deer for another hunter, who then tags the animal. Recent DNR studies suggest that at least 6 percent of bucks would survive if cross-tagging were abolished. A yearly increase in buck survival would likely result in an increased number of older bucks within a short time, thus improving the age structure of the herd. Although the practice is a long-standing deer hunting tradition in Minnesota, many states do not allow it. BWA supports continued cross-tagging for antlerless deer, but hopes to see buck cross-tagging curtailed in the near future.
New directors electedBWA would like to welcome Tom McConnell, Dan Bosshart, and Jeff Heil to the BWA Board of Directors. They are the latest additions to the board, and we thank them for volunteering to serve the outdoorsmen and women of southeast Minnesota. We are also deeply indebted to outgoing BWA directors Rick Boyer, Kent Holen, and Steve Bjerke for their hard work and support over the last several years. It is said that volunteerism has a short life span, yet these men have worked diligently to support BWA for many years. We hope that they continue to work with us in the future.
Vagts steps down as BWA presidentA debt of gratitude also goes out to BWA President Jim Vagts, who recently stepped down to pursue more relaxing endeavors. Vagts, a founding member of the organization, will continue on the Board of Directors. New officers were elected at the January board of directors meeting, and the results are as follows:
Trophy Deer/Bear/Moose Contest for MN Deer & Turkey Expo in OwatonnaYou’re invited to enter your Minnesota big game trophy in the deer/bear/moose trophy contest at the Minnesota Deer & Turkey Expo, March 9-10-11 in the Four Seasons Centre, Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna. "Minnesota produces trophy animals. Lots of them," said Glenn Helgeland of Target Communications, producer of the new expo. "Everyone who hunts enjoys seeing home-grown wall-hangers." Trophy contest entry fee is $15; in return, entrants get a three-day pass ($27 value). There is no advance entry; just bring your trophy to the show. For additional entries, it’s $7.50 if the trophy already has been officially measured, $15 if the trophy has not been officially measured. Entries begin at noon Friday and close at 10 a.m. Sunday. All trophy measuring is done by members of the Measurers of Minnesota (MOM) with the assistance of additional certified Pope & Young Club and Boone & Crockett Club measurers. If the trophy already has been officially measured, it will not be measured again, so bring paperwork proof with you if it has already been officially scored. Antlers do NOT need to be mounted but they must be attached to a solid skull plate. Bear skulls must be clean. Award presentation begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, and entries must be present to win. Awards are based on antler score only or skull measurements, as applicable. In the Minnesota deer brackets, there are firearms, archery and black powder divisions with typical-antler and non-typical-antler classes in each, Historical (2005 season or earlier) and Current-Year (2006 season) categories. The black bear division has firearms and archery categories. The moose category has only one category—Minnesota moose. Entries in the Out-of-State Category (whitetail deer only) can be from anywhere except Minnesota. Trophies taken in Canada or Mexico also may be entered here. It will have firearms and archery divisions, typical and non-typical classes. Show hours are 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, March 9, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10, and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, March 11. Tickets are $9 one-day adult; $16 two-day adult; $7.00 for Hunter Education graduates ages 12-18 who show proof of course completion at the ticket window (otherwise, pay adult price); $3.00 youth ages 6-11, children five and under admitted free when accompanied by adult. Go to the show's web-site (http://www.deerinfo.com) for details on special ticket offers. Parking is free and there are plenty of spaces. Tickets will go on sale at 8:30 Saturday and Sunday morning. Go to the expo's web-site—http://www.deerinfo.com—for expo details or call 1-800-324-3337. This event is produced with the assistance of the Bluffland Whitetails Association.
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Greetings from BWA's newest President.
Pat Hammell
A real mammoth tooth and giant bison skull found between Houston and Caledonia. A 115-pound female wolf shot between Houston and Hokah. An elk antler found in the 1800s in Fillmore County. And coming in 2007, two huge bucks locked in mortal combat found near Brownsville. You will find all of these and more at the Houston Nature Center in Houston, MN.
