Mourning dove hunting season underway
Deer lottery deadline approaching quickly
DNR: Multiple approaches needed to improve Leech Lake walleye fishing
Trust purchases pristine Long Island on Burntside Lake
Black lab measures up in the field and in field trials
Mourning
dove hunting season underway
DNR
clarifies dove myths
By The Associated Press
As Minnesota hunters prepare for the state’s first mourning dove hunting
season in nearly 60 years, the debate continues over the bird’s conflicted
public image.
While the mourning dove is the most popular and abundant game bird in the country,
it’s also commonly found at urban backyard bird feeders and has taken on
more of a songbird image.
Many opponents of the law that re-established the mourning dove hunting season
argue doves shouldn’t be hunted because they are “the bird of peace.”
“The mourning dove, in the Biblical sense, is not the bird of peace,”
said Jim Berdeen, a biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, who
has studied doves. “People who are anti-dove hunting are trying to raise
an issue.”
Carrol Henderson, nongame wildlife program supervisor for the state Department
of Natural Resources, agrees.
The mourning dove likely got its image as the bird of peace from the Biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood.
Henderson said the mourning dove is native to North America, so it could not
have been the same bird Noah sent out to see if the flood had subsided.
The Biblical references “would be referring to one of the native doves
from the Middle East, like the white turtledove,” Henderson said.
The assumption that the dove is a songbird is also wrong.
“The mourning dove technically is not a songbird,” Henderson said.
“They have a different structure in their larynx and different feather
patterns. But people often group them with songbirds because they a common backyard
bird.”
Historically, the birds were hunted here for decades, but that ended after
the 1946 season. This spring, the Legislature narrowly approved legalizing a
mourning dove hunt, making Minnesota one of 40 states where such hunting is
allowed.
But those who oppose hunting the birds remain upset.
A “Vigil for the Doves” was scheduled to be held at the State Capitol
from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, the eve of the mourning dove hunting season.
The Humane Society of the United States, which is promoting the vigil, argues
that recreational hunting of doves serves no wildlife management purpose, that
dove hunting is inherently cruel, that hunters have other species to hunt and
that mourning dove populations are on the decline.
Henderson, a longtime birdwatcher and backyard bird feeder, has received some
calls from dove hunting opponents.
“I try to tell them that biologically, Minnesota’s doves have already
been hunted for many years when they fly south (where hunting has been allowed),”
she said.
Officials have estimated that Minnesota hunters will hunt here for a couple
of weeks of the 60-day season, because the birds will migrate south at the first
sign of cold weather.
“And the hunting will be out in rural areas,” said Henderson. “It’s
not like the birds in your backyard bird feeder are going to be taken during
the hunting season.”
There are an estimated 10 million to 12 million doves in Minnesota in summer
months, and about 450 million nationwide. Nearly all of Minnesota’s doves
migrate south each fall to places like Texas – where dove hunting has long
been popular.
The DNR has published a dove hunting brochure, available at hunting license
outlets, that explains dove identification, habitat and management.
It also shows four protected birds that could be mistaken for mourning doves
in the field. Those birds are the common nighthawk, American kestrel, killdeer
and meadowlark.
“If they’ve never done this before, they need to make sure they’re not shooting at protected species,” Henderson said.
Deer
lottery deadline approaching quickly
This year the application deadline for a Minnesota either-sex
deer hunting permit is Sept. 9.
Hunters who want to obtain an either-sex permit in a lottery area
need to purchase their license and apply before the deadline.
“While most either-sex permits will be available over the
counter this year, there are areas of the state that you still need to apply,”
said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game coordinator.
Maps that show the locations of lottery, managed and intensive
permit areas can be found on the pull-out map in the 2004 Minnesota Hunting
Regulations Handbook.
For the second year, either-sex permits will be available throughout
Zone 3A (Nov. 6-12) in southeastern Minnesota.
Hunters who are interested in harvesting antlerless deer during
that season need to purchase their deer license on or before Sept. 9.
Last year, only about 60 percent of the Zone 3A lottery permits
were distributed.
However, it is likely that applications will increase this year
as more hunters learn about the opportunity, Cornicelli said.
Licenses must be purchased by Sept. 9. Licenses can be purchased at more than 1,800 Electronic Licensing System agents, over the Internet at www.dnr.state.mn.us, or by phone at 1-888-665-4236. The permit is free and there is no fee to apply for an either-sex permit.
License
options abound for deer hunters in MN
Minnesota deer hunters now have more flexibility than ever in selecting a hunt
to fit their schedule and hunting style.
Some licenses allow deer hunters to hunt multiple seasons in many
areas of the state while others are simpler, allowing hunting during a single
season in one area.
“Hunters asked for more flexibility,” said Lou Cornicelli,
DNR big game program coordinator. “With generally high populations of deer
throughout the state, the DNR is in a position to respond to those requests.”
Last year, hunters purchased 31,000 all-season licenses, which
allow hunting during the archery, firearm (except 3B), and muzzleloader seasons.
Under the all-season license hunters may harvest a buck and an antlerless deer.
Hunters also purchased 33,000 multi-zone licenses, which allow the harvest of
a legal buck in any open regular firearms season except 3B and the muzzleloader
season. There are about 500,000 deer hunters in Minnesota each season.
While most hunters enjoy the flexibility of multiple license options,
Cornicelli said there’s still some confusion, as a number of hunters who
purchased multi-zone licenses, as well as archery permits, found out last year.
“They paid the same amount of money for the opportunity to
take one deer, when they could have bought the all-season license and taken
two deer and also hunted the muzzleloader season,” Cornicelli said. “The
take home message is that if a hunter is interested in hunting with a bow and
a firearm and/or muzzleloader, they should purchase the all-season license.
It offers the most flexibility in terms of season length and number of deer
that can be harvested.”
All deer licenses (archery, firearms and muzzleloader) may be purchased at any time before the deer season.
However, licenses purchased on or after the day the respective season opens is not valid until the second day after the license is issued. For example, a license issued on Saturday would not be valid until Monday. The exception is bonus permits, which are valid immediately when issued as long as the appropriate regular license is also valid.
Check
DNR Web site for deer season info
Hunters looking for information on the 2003 deer harvest or how to purchase
a 2004 deer hunting license can now find it online at www.dnr.state.mn.us
“Hunters are interested in obtaining information relative
to where they hunt and what they need to do for this year, so we strive to get
this information available,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program
coordinator.
The 2003 deer harvest report and an interactive map that illustrates
harvest in a variety of ways is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html.
Hunters will also find 2004 deer permit area maps, a list of frequently asked
questions, and a condensed guide to buying a deer license.
The buying guide is designed to print on legal-sized paper, double-sided, and in color. The guide will walk most hunters through the buying process and let them know how many deer they can harvest in the deer permit areas they hunt. However, Cornicelli cautions the guide is not intended to replace the regulations book.
DNR:
Multiple approaches needed to improve Leech Lake walleye fishing
In an effort to improve Leech Lake walleye fishing, the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and Leech Lake Band will address issues raised by the area community
about controlling cormorants, stocking walleye, changing walleye regulations
and conserving and restoring habitat.
Approximately 200 people attended a citizen input meeting last Wednesday in
Walker to express concern over an increase in fish-eating cormorant and a decrease
in walleye fishing quality.
“The citizens spoke and we heard them,” said Mark Holsten, DNR Deputy
Commissioner. “We want the situation to improve and we will work with the
local community to do just that.” Holsten was among several DNR staff that
participated in last week’s meeting, which was sponsored by the Leech Lake
Association and facilitated by environmental specialist Don Hickman of the Initiative
Foundation.
The DNR, Leech Lake Band and Leech Lake area residents have met several times
since last spring. All agree the number of nesting double-crested cormorants
has increased significantly, that Leech Lake has not produced a strong walleye
year class since 1997 and that the situation needs greater attention. Citizens
at Wednesday’s meeting strongly supported controlling cormorants. The group
also expressed various levels of support for walleye stocking and developing
a special fishing regulation that could lead to more restrictive harvest regulations
in 2005.
Cormorant control is often misunderstood, in part, because the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service issued a rule late last year that grants some authority to
the DNR and tribal officials to control the birds in order to prevent harm to
fish and other public resources. The rule, however, retains the federal government’s
ultimate authority for managing this species under the federal Migratory Bird
Treaty Act.
“Cormorants can be shot under Minnesota law because they are unprotected
species.” explained Holsten. “However, the cormorant is protected
under federal law. The DNR can not control 90 percent of the cormorant population
without demonstrating why control is necessary with scientific data.”
Holsten said local citizen and intergovernmental cooperation is critical, especially with the Leech Lake Band. That’s because the Leech Lake cormorants nest on Little Pelican Island, which is owned and managed by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. “As we work through this issue our approach must reflect the federal government’s regulator authority and the band’s right to manage their lands.”
Holsten said the DNR will initiate immediately four inter-related actions
with citizens and others to improve walleye fishing on Leech Lake:
• Develop options for proposed special fishing regulations that will be
discussed with citizens this winter and potentially implemented in the 2005
fishing season
• Coordinate with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to initiative cormorant
control and collaborate on research that will help the DNR comply with the federal
government’s regulatory process. The Leech Lake Band was notified last
week that it will receive a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that
will allow the Band, DNR, University of Minnesota and others to examine the
affects of cormorant predation on walleye and perch populations in Leech Lake
• Stock specially marked walleye fry in 2005 to help determine why small
walleye numbers are in short supply
• Develop long- and short-term habitat goals that minimize or eliminate impacts to fish habitat. This will be done in conjunction with the tribe and Governor’s Water Initiative for potential application in other parts of the state.
“Our Leech Lake fisheries staff, as well as others in the DNR, are increasingly
concerned about cormorants’ affect on fishing. This is due to their rising
numbers and recent research from Lake Onedia in New York that speaks to impact
a large cormorant population can have on a fishery,” said Ron Payer, DNR
fisheries program manager. He added the DNR and citizens need to work together
to “understand why the lake hasn’t produced a strong walleye class
in recent years and to achieve the outcomes we all want.”
Hickman, the facilitator of last week’s meeting, said the majority of
participants viewed controlling the cormorant as a key outcome. He added that
when asked for a show of hands, a significant majority expressed support for
posting the lake in preparation of the development of more restrictive fishing
regulations.
The double-crested cormorant is native to Minnesota. The species was decimated
throughout North America following World War II due pesticides such as DDT and
other human actions. The bird has made a remarkable recovery due to the ban
on DDT and federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treat Act.
Today, the North American population is estimated at upward of two million, with the bulk of them nesting in Great Lakes states and Canada. Minnesota has about 35 cormorant colonies, a number that is higher than in recent decades but believed to be less than in earlier historical times. At Leech Lake, the cormorants are out-competing the common tern, a state-threatened species that nests alongside the cormorants on Little Pelican Island. Initial efforts to reduce their nesting habitat last fall failed to have an impact on the size of the breeding population in 2004. Today, about 5,000 cormorants nest on Little Pelican Island, about twice the number as in 2003.
Trust
purchases pristine Long Island on Burntside Lake
Trust
for Public Land will buy the island near the BWCA in $2 million dollar deal
ELY, Minn. (AP) – A nonprofit trust intends to purchase a 43-acre island
near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota for $2 million,
protecting from development a view associated with famed conservationist Sigurd
Olson.
Olson, an author and advocate who died in 1982, looked out on Long Island from
his Listening Point writing retreat. A highlight of his long career was helping
draft the 1964 legislation that created the U.S. wilderness preservation system.
The Trust for Public Land will buy the island for $2 million in a deal. The
group eventually hopes to sell the island to the U.S. Forest Service to become
part of the Superior National Forest.
The island was about to be subdivided for expensive summer homes when Forest
Service officials in nearby Ely helped connect the island’s owners with
trust officials. It can take the Forest Service years to get federal money for
such purchases.
“The south half of the island already had been surveyed to be split up
into lots and was initially listed with a real estate agent last fall. It was
that close to being developed,” Shaun Hamilton, director of the trust’s
Northwoods Initiative, told The Duluth News Tribune.
Per acre, the island – which includes an active osprey nest – is
the most expensive land the trust has purchased in northern Minnesota, Hamilton
said.
“The significance of being near Sig Olson’s Listening Point. The
proximity to the BWCA. The clarity and water quality in that lake. All of the
unique species of wildlife, like osprey. Everything combined made this clearly
within our mission of protecting land for people,” Hamilton said.
The north end of the island is owned by Jeff Rome, a doctor in Rochester. Rome’s
sister, Lexie Rome of California, owns the south half. The family has had ties
to Burntside Lake since the 1940s and purchased the island in 1993.
“It’s such an extraordinary piece of property, where it is on the
lake and the view around there, that we thought it should stay that way,”
said Jeff Rome, who owns a cabin on the mainland of Burntside Lake. “It
was extremely important to us that the island be left as it is ... but it also
had to make financial sense for my sister. So it worked out for everyone,”
he said.
The acquisition fits well with the Forest Service’s new long-term plan
to provide more undeveloped, easily accessible primitive recreation opportunities
outside of formal wilderness areas, said Barb Soderberg, spokeswoman for the
Superior National Forest.
Other nearby islands on the lake already are managed as state-owned Scientific
and Natural Areas and won’t be developed.
Long Island ranks among the most ecologically and aesthetically important purchases
the Trust for Public Land has made in Minnesota, Hamilton said.
The purchase, along with other recent trust purchases in the Chequamegon/Nicolet
National Forest in Wisconsin, has tapped out the organization’s Northwoods
Initiative fund until Congress appropriates money for the Forest Service to
purchase the island from the trust, he said.
“We’re really in competition with developers almost every time we try to do something like this,” Hamilton said.
“If it wasn’t for people who have a conservation ethic, like the Romes, we would never succeed.”
Black
lab measures up in the field and in field trials
By Sam Cook
Duluth News Tribune
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – All Jeff Wiklund wanted was a better-trained hunting
dog. Now he has a gem of a field-trial dog, too.
His 5-year-old black Lab, Annie, took second place in the American Kennel Club
registered field trial sponsored by the Duluth Retriever Club. And she was handled
in the trial by Duluth’s Wiklund, not by a professional trainer.
That’s the highest placing by an amateur-handled local dog in that trial
in at least 20 years, perhaps longer.
“It goes back past anyone’s clear memory,” said John Nichols,
a longtime Duluth Retriever Club member.
A total of 55 dogs competed in the special open class of the trial, held Aug.
13 and 14 at the Duluth Retriever Club.
Wiklund, 48, has trained Annie by himself with the help of other club members.
It is a challenge for a dog just to finish the series of retrieving tests in
a field trial.
The Duluth trial consisted of four tests, each with three different retrieving
challenges. One series of land retrieves took dogs about seven to 10 minutes
to complete, Wiklund said, and a single series of water retrieves required 15
minutes per dog. Some retrieves were at least 400 yards long.
“I joined the Retriever Club in 1999, the year I got Annie, to learn more
about training,” Wiklund said.
He credits Nichols as being an important mentor in training Annie.
“He’s been a student of all the literature the pros (professional
trainers) put out and he puts it into practice with the people he trains with.”
Wiklund and Nichols train regularly at the Retriever Club with other dog owners.
Club members were happy for Wiklund, a modest person who has worked hard to
support the club’s programs.
“I can’t think of anybody who deserves it more,” said Dale Johnson,
owner of DeLoia Kennels. “For a guy doing everything himself, he’s
got a pretty good dog.”
“Annie is a tremendously talented natural retriever,” Nichols said.
“What’s more remarkable, in my mind, is that Jeff, with his first
field-trial dog, has been able to elevate his handling skills to the level of
the dog in the time he’s had the dog.”
Annie has been a high achiever since her puppy days. She earned her American
Kennel Club Junior Hunter title at 6 months, the earliest she could be tested.
She became a Master Hunter at 3 years. She qualified for her first all-age stake
in a field trial at age 4 and earned her first Judge’s Award of Merit the
same year. But she had never finished all the tests in a field trial until last
weekend.
“I was just so proud to have finished,” Wiklund said. “To take
second at my home club, with my family there to watch – it was very emotional.”
Competing in a field trial requires both the handler and the dog to make good decisions at the right time.
Professional trainers might enter 30 to 35 field trials per year, running multiple
dogs at each trial. Wiklund and Annie enter about seven to eight field trials
or American Kennel Club hunt tests per summer.
When fall comes, many field trial dogs keep competing. Annie goes hunting.
Wiklund hunts ducks, geese, pheasants, grouse and woodcock.
“One of the biggest thrills in my life ever was to have eight goose hunters
give my dog a standing ovation after a 400- or 500-yard blind retrieve,”
Wiklund said. “That’s what it all comes down to is the hunting.”
A blind retrieve is one in which the dog does not see the bird fall, instead
taking hand signals from its handler.
At home, Annie’s a family dog.
“She’s a wonderful house dog. That’s the biggest deal,”
Wiklund said. “She’s our pet. She’s so good with people and other
dogs.”
Annie may not know it, but Wiklund is thinking even bigger.
“My goal would be – and this is a dream – to run the National
Amateur (Retriever Championship), which will be in Virginia next year,”
he said.
But first, there’s hunting season.
© 2004 Outdoor Outlines, Inc.