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June 25, 2004

Opinions vary on Minnesota waterfowl hunting

Black bears more visible along northern Twin Cities fringe

Conservation officers say poaching cases lead to misconceptions

Wisconsin bait shops sell more willow cats after Minnesota ban

Mille Lacs more than just a lake full of walleye

Opinions vary on Minnesota waterfowl hunting

A large majority of Minnesota’s waterfowl hunters are satisfied with their hunting experience, but nearly half wish they could harvest more ducks, according to a recently released survey of hunters’ opinions and activities.

Seventy percent reported being satisfied (slightly, moderately or very) with waterfowl hunting, according to the survey, conducted in 2002 by the U.S. Geological Survey through the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In the same survey in 2000, 71 percent of Minnesota waterfowl hunters reported being satisfied (slightly, moderately or very).

In 2002, nearly one half (44 percent) said they were dissatisfied (very, moderately or slightly) with their duck harvest compared with 50 percent dissatisfaction in 2000.

The results show that hunters are reasonably satisfied with hunting regulations, management strategies and the overall experience.

“As waterfowl managers, we’d like to find ways to increase overall satisfaction levels with waterfowl seasons and harvest,” said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl staff specialist. “Since this was a random survey of waterfowl hunters, it provides a good representation of the opinions of hunters across the state. We’ll take these results seriously.”

The survey was distributed to 4,800 waterfowl hunters following the 2002 waterfowl season. A total of 3,129 responded. The average age of respondents was 45 years old and had been hunting waterfowl 22 years. Results of the survey are used to help wildlife managers set seasons, determine regulations and management policies.

A full copy of the report will be available online at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

Among other findings in the survey were:

SPINNING WING DECOYS
While use of spinning wing decoys in Minnesota appears lower than in other states, their use is increasing. In 2000, only 10 percent of hunters reported use of a battery-powered, spinning wing decoy compared to 26 percent in 2002. Of those who responded to the survey, 20 percent reported they own a battery-powered spinning wing decoy.

Of those who used the decoy in 2002, 9 percent believe the decoys are extremely effective, 29 percent believe they are very effective, and 42 percent believe they are somewhat effective. Sixteen percent of respondents believe the decoy is only slightly effective while 4 percent believe they are not effective at all.

When asked about various restrictions on the decoy (if these decoys are found to increase duck harvest and possibly result in shorter seasons and/or lower bag limits), respondents were generally neutral about the restrictions included in the survey. Of the listed restrictions, banning their use for the entire season received the lowest support while banning them during the first eight days of the season received the most support. (Owners of spinning wing decoys were much less supportive of restrictions than non-owners.)

Over the course of the season, users of spinning wing decoys harvested an average of 16.30 ducks compared to 7.96 for non-users. Decoy users averaged 1.29 ducks per hunting day compared to 0.99 for non-users.

SEASON DATES
A variety of questions were asked concerning preferred season dates. Hunters were asked to select their preferred season dates for a 60-day, 45-day, and 30-day duck-hunting season.

60-day season: About half of respondents (52 percent) preferred an early opening date, 35 percent chose the traditional opening date, and 13 percent were undecided.

45-day season: 30 percent preferred a single season with a traditional opening date, 29 percent selected a single season with an early opening date, 17 percent selected a split season with an early opening date with closed dates earlier in the season, 13 percent selected a split season with an early opening date with closed dates later in the season, and 11 percent were undecided.

30-day season: 48 percent would prefer a single season with the traditional opening date while 37 percent would opt for a split season, 16 percent had no opinion.

WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
A large majority of respondents (81 percent) indicated they support creating waterfowl refuges as a management strategy. Approximately 50 percent of respondents indicated a preference for opening day shooting hours to begin at one-half hour before sunrise while 26 percent preferred a 9 a.m. start. The traditional noon start was preferred by 27 percent.

As for the 4 p.m. closure during the early part of the season, 36 percent percent were in favor while 46 percent opposed it.

YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT
Support continues for this youth hunting day, although the percentage supporting it dropped from 66 percent in 2002 to 61 percent in 2002. Thirty-six percent of respondents strongly supported the hunt in 2002, down from 44 percent in 2000.

Of those who responded to the survey, 11 percent reported they took youths hunting on the special day. Based on percentages provided by the survey, it is estimated that nearly 19,000 youths participated in the 2002 youth waterfowl hunt.

OPINIONS ABOUT THE DNR
Survey participants were asked to respond to four statements about the DNR. Overall, respondents were neutral to mildly positive about the DNR.

Over 50 percent of respondents agreed with the statement: “The Minnesota DNR has waterfowl management staff who are well trained for their jobs.”

Nearly 50 percent of respondents agreed with the statement: “The Minnesota DNR answers questions honestly.”

To the statement, “The Minnesota DNR listens to waterfowl hunters’ concerns,” 43 percent agreed.
About 37 percent agreed that the “Minnesota DNR responds to waterfowl hunters’ concerns.”

Seventeen percent of respondents reported they had been checked by a conservation officer during the 2002 waterfowl season and nearly 90 percent of those agreed or strongly agreed that the officer properly enforced regulations. Just over 80 percent agreed or strongly agreed that officers were polite and respectful.

OTHER STATS
• 19 percent of respondents reported hunting waterfowl outside of MN in 2002, down from 25 percent in 2000;

• Goose hunters reported less of a decline in satisfaction over time than did duck hunters. About one-third of goose hunters indicated their satisfaction had declined in the past three years, or since they began goose hunting in the state. Sixty-eight percent of goose hunters were satisfied with their goose-hunting experience in 2002.

Black bears more visible along northern Twin Cities fringe

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Dozens of people living along the northern fringe of the Twin Cities have called authorities this spring after spotting something they usually see many miles to the north: black bears.

Last week, a mother bear and her two cubs came close enough to a Catholic school in Forest Lake that students were told to stay out of the surrounding woods. And a trio of 2-year-old bears also has been seen patrolling the city.

Maple Grove resident Stan Liedman was chatting recently in his back yard with a neighbor about bears in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness when his friend suddenly stopped talking and stared at the woods behind them.

“He says to me, ‘There’s a bear standing right there,’ “ Liedman said. “It was standing in the woods about 100 feet away looking at us.”

The 170-pound black bear stayed long enough for Liedman to take pictures of it climbing a tree and for police to see it.

Rural areas on the metro’s northern end are generating more bear calls this year, said Jim LaBarre, assistant wildlife manager of the north metro area for the state Department of Natural Resources.

LaBarre, who works at the Carlos Avery Wildlife Refuge across Interstate 35 from Forest Lake, said the refuge has fielded more than 25 calls about bears this spring.

He said people in the area occasionally have spotted bears in winter, and he thinks some hibernate in the northern areas of Anoka and Washington counties. In spring, they start foraging for food before their natural snacks of acorns and berries ripen, he said.

Twin Cities authorities have reported no serious trouble with bears, cougars or other wild animals, which certainly aren’t new to the metro area. Jason Jensen, a DNR officer for northern Washington County, said he gets monthly calls from people who believe they have seen a cougar or black panther.

As for black bears, “the only damage is wrecked bird feeders,” LaBarre said. They grab a suet feeder “like a tube of toothpaste and squeeze suet out the top. And they leave a calling card on the driveway.”

Minnesota’s bear population estimate has been stable since 1997 – 20,000 to 30,000 – but bear territory is expanding south toward the Twin Cities and west toward North Dakota, said Dave Garshelis, a DNR bear researcher. He said the last serious bear injury was in September 2003, when a Grand Marais woman was bitten after entering her garage to find a 155-pound mother and two cubs eating seeds.

Maple Grove police said two bear sightings last month were a first.

“I’ve been here for 20 years, and I don’t remember ever hearing about one before,” Chief Mona Dohman said. Champlin police said they’ve had four bear calls, probably about the same animal.

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Conservation officers say poaching cases lead to misconceptions

ST. PAUL (AP) – The publicity over some recent fish-poaching cases in recent weeks has some anglers blaming Southeast Asians or nonresidents for the problem. But conservation officials say that’s a misconception.

Department of Natural Resources officials say the reality is that Southeast Asians and nonresidents are no more likely to violate hunting and fishing laws than anyone else, including white residents.

Some anglers – no matter the race – simply can’t stop fishing when the catching is easy, officials say.

While officials don’t think fish poaching is any higher than usual this year, three recent incidents have put the cases of anglers who allegedly exceeded their limits in the news. Those charged in all three cases were Southeast Asians – fueling perceptions by some that recent immigrants are to blame for the majority of fish poaching cases.

“I’ve heard it,” said DNR conservation officer Travis Muyres, who handled the seizure of 117 walleyes from five Minneapolis anglers in Anoka County. Muyres has encountered a racially and ethnically diverse mix of anglers, having patrolled Minneapolis for three years before shifting to Anoka County.

“Some sportsmen and women are really pointing the finger. This (case) does really look bad. But I haven’t seen more violations by Southeast Asians. In fact, I’d say they’re less likely to violate.”

Conservation officer John Hunt, who handled the confiscation of 125 crappies and 102 white bass from a St. Paul home, said anglers he encounters often unfairly blame Hmong as frequent violators.

“This case involves a Vietnamese woman; the ones in Anoka County were Cambodian,” he said. “People tend to lump them all together as Hmong. That’s like saying a Norwegian and an Italian are the same.”

Hunt said his area includes one of the highest concentrations of Southeast Asians in the state. But they have no higher violation rates than other races, he said. “In fact, it may be lower,” Hunt said.

Lt. Jeff Thielen of the DNR’s enforcement division said the agency doesn’t track the race of violators, but he thinks they’re proportional to the population.

Vuthy Pril, a Cambodian who has been a DNR conservation officer for nearly five years, said he also doesn’t believe there is a disproportionate number of violators among Southeast Asians.

“It’s one of those unfortunate things we see in every community,” said Pril, who patrols in Ramsey, Washington and Dakota counties.

When Southeast Asians began arriving in Minnesota in large numbers 25 years ago, many weren’t aware of game and fish laws or didn’t understand them. They were accustomed to hunting and fishing for subsistence, not sport, Pril said.

“When I started, a lot of people were fishing without licenses,” he said. “Now almost everyone I check has a license.”

Over the years the DNR has tried to educate new immigrants to the hunting and fishing regulations. Pril is one of three Southeast Asian conservation officers, and there are other outreach officers who meet regularly with residents. The DNR also publishes some regulations in Cambodian, Vietnamese, Hmong and Spanish.

In the three recent gross overlimit cases, officials don’t believe culture or language contributed to the violations. They say those charged knew the fishing rules and regulations and flagrantly violated them.

The four anglers stopped in Anoka County with a truck full of 117 walleyes caught in the St. Louis River near Duluth knew the law, but “they had no idea of how much trouble they’d get into,” Muyres said.

The four men spent the night in jail. They lost their fishing licenses immediately and might lose those rights for three years if convicted. They also face fines of up to $3,000 each and up to one year in jail, though Muyres said jail time is unlikely.

The St. Paul woman with the crappies and bass faces fines and restitution of nearly $4,500. An angler from Tracy charged with having 314 crappies over his limit faces fines and restitution of nearly $8,000.

That’s because a 2003 state law boosted penalties for gross overlimit violations, elevating them from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor when the restitution value of the game or fish illegally taken exceeds $1,000. The restitution value of the walleyes in the Anoka County case is nearly $2,800.

Pril said that case has received much attention in the Cambodian community.

“A lot of people are aware of it,” he said. “This will have an impact on the Cambodian community; hopefully people will learn from it.”

In another case, two anglers from Illinois were caught June 11 with 59 walleyes over their limit – and 30 of those were over the slot size on Rainy Lake. They now face fines of up to $3,000, one year in jail and restitution charges of nearly $4,000. They also forfeited their 16-foot boat, 25-horsepower motor and trailer.

But Thielen said he doesn’t believe nonresidents are any more likely to break fishing laws than residents.

“They just tend to get caught more,” he said.

“They are traveling. It’s easier for people to notice them at resorts,” he said. “And it’s easier for residents to go home and put fish in the freezer, then go out and fish again the next day.”

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Wisconsin bait shops sell more willow cats after Minnesota ban

WINONA, Minn. (AP) – Some Wisconsin bait shops have seen dramatic increases in willow cat sales since Minnesota barred the sale of the baitfish along the Mississippi River.

The Main Channel shop in Alma, Wis., was out of willow cats Monday, said manager Randy Anderson.

“We’ve sold a lot more this year than we have in past years,” he said. “I’m thinking that most of our increases are from Minnesotans in Winona and Wabasha.”

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources last month stopped the sale of willow cats – 3- to 5-inch members of the catfish family used as bait by walleye anglers.

In a May 21 letter to bait shops, Roy Johannes, DNR fisheries program consultant, said state law does not allow willow cats to be collected as baitfish from inland waters.

In addition, bait dealers and suppliers cannot collect willow cats on the Mississippi River south of Taylors Falls in Minneapolis because the waters are infested by zebra mussels and water milfoil, and allowing bait collection and sale could spread the species.

The DNR said it plans to ask the Minnesota Legislature next year to allow willow cat harvesting from inland waters. In the meantime, it is still legal to sell willow cats in Wisconsin for use on the Mississippi, the DNR said.

Joy Strelow, co-owner of D & J Riversports in Onalaska, Wis., said willow cat sales doubled in late May after news of the Minnesota ban.

“I’ve met a lot of new faces from Winona,” she said.

Strelow gets her willow cats from two bait suppliers and hopes they can meet the demand.

“They are getting a little bit harder to get because of the high water,” she said.

Bait collectors typically seine willow cats from small creeks, ponds and flowages in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Anderson, who also gets his willow cats from a supplier, said he can’t explain why anglers seem to prefer willow cats to minnows.

“I really don’t know,” Anderson said. “They just work. They always have worked.”

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Mille Lacs more than just a lake full of walleye
Bass fishing overlooked

By Chris Niskanen
St. Paul Pioneer Press

ST. PAUL (AP) – Fishing guide Dave Bentley was sitting in a cafe recently, waiting for a thunderstorm to pass so he could get out on Lake Mille Lacs, when a veteran fisherman walked up to his table to get some free fishing advice.

When Bentley told him he wasn’t fishing for walleyes, but he knew a lot about recent bass and muskie movements, the angler was stunned.

“Bass?” he said. “I didn’t know there were any bass in the lake. Why don’t you go walleye fishing? Aren’t ya up for it?”

Bentley took the jab in good humor.

“I get that all the time,” he said. “I’ve been fishing bass hard for five years. I guess few people on Mille Lacs really care about them.”

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are probably the most unappreciated fish in Minnesota and certainly the most overlooked fish in Mille Lacs – the state’s champion walleye lake.

But the secret’s out. At least a half-dozen television fishing shows, including several national ones, have done programs on Mille Lacs’ trophy smallmouth bass. That’s why in the past five years the parking lots fill up with license plates from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Indiana.

“Oh, yeah, we get guys up here from those states just to fish smallmouth,” Bentley said.

“We’ve even had some guys from New York and a few from Nebraska.”

Said Mille Lacs guide Scott Shore: “Four years ago, we had these bass to ourselves. But now the bass guys know about it. You’ll see them out here midweek, fishing for smallmouth.”

Still, compared with the popularity of walleye fishing, bass are not a significant draw for Mille Lacs anglers. In 2001, bass fishing made up only 2 percent of the total angling hours spent on Mille Lacs.

“It’s a very small percentage of the actual fishing that’s going on out there,” said Tom Jones, the Department of Natural Resources’ large-lake specialist who oversees Mille Lacs.

Jones believes, though, that the next state-record smallmouth is swimming in Mille Lacs. The record is an even 8 pounds, caught in West Battle Lake.

The spawning season for smallmouth bass in Mille Lacs is winding down, which means the fish are moving away from their beds, the shallow depressions they make in gravel areas. Bentley started his hunt in an area pockmarked with these depressions, which appear as light-colored sand or gravel on the darker substrate.

Casting a topwater plug, Bentley immediately set the hook on a 12-inch largemouth, which he quickly landed and released.

Bentley began working around bulrushes near the shoreline, casting topwater plugs and a rubber bait called a Fluke. The bass, he said, were turned off by the rapidly changing weather, mostly the thunderstorms. Although the bottom appears soft and mucky, it actually was quite full of rubble, demonstrated recently by a fishing-show celebrity who stuck his rod down into the muck and hit rock.

Smallmouth, Bentley added, are indigenous to Mille Lacs and have always been around for anglers to catch. The habitat is right for them; it’s just that no one was interested in fishing for them.

Casting near a shallow rock pile, Bentley watched several other boats in the bay. They, too, were bass fishermen, casting plugs into the shallows within sight of a major highway. Three boats hardly makes a crowd, but it sparked the idea of holding a bass tournament on Mille Lacs.

But because the smallmouth daily limit is one fish on Mille Lacs, and the minimum size is 21 inches, a tournament would have to focus on largemouth bass, with only one smallmouth allowed in the daily weight.

According to the most recent survey, half of the Mille Lacs smallmouth are over 17 inches, a size structure that exceeds most Minnesota waters.

To prove Mille Lacs is no slouch when it comes to largemouth bass, Bentley slipped into a narrow channel and began landing bass using a rubber worm.

After a few minutes, he had a fat largemouth gripped between his thumb and finger, a scene not often repeated on Minnesota’s most famous walleye lake. It wasn’t, however, up to Bentley’s standards.

“I’ve seen bigger,” he said.

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