February 27, 2009 - TOP STORIES
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Minn. DNR announces division change
Harsh winter combined with habitat losses create tough times for pheasants
Hundreds of fish die in St. Croix River
Red River Snowmobile Club marks four decades
Compound bows recalled by BowTech Archery
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Minn. DNR announces division change
Division change means managing for cleaner water, land
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that it will align the responsibilities of two existing divisions into a new division focused on watershed management.
“This new division will approach conservation work differently,” said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. “Minnesotans value clean water and abundant habitat. We need to do all we can to manage our natural resources in the most comprehensive and efficient way.”
“In the end, it’s all about outcomes – including healthy, habitat-rich lands and fishable, swimable water for our children and grandchildren,” Holsten said.
Assistant Commissioner Larry Kramka will lead the effort to create the new division with staff from the existing divisions of Waters and Ecological Resources. Kramka will work closely with Division of Waters Director Kent Lokkesmoe and Division of Ecological Resources Director Steve Hirsch throughout the process.
“We’ll be doing much more than integrating two divisions,” Kramka said. “We’ll take a careful look at how we can further progress toward our conservation goals in the areas of clean water, productive lands and high-quality habitat.”
Among those goals will be building the agency’s working relationship with private landowners, communities, watershed organizations and others.
The new division eventually will incorporate Division of Waters responsibilities, such as public waters protection, water supply management, and water levels measurement, with the Division of Ecological Resources functions of protecting and restoring ecosystems and providing support for land use decisions.
Waters has a staff of about 145 and a 2008-2009 budget of approximately $30.9 million. Ecological Resources has about 166 staff and a budget of $50.7 million.
Harsh winter combined with habitat losses create tough times for pheasants
Pheasants Forever’s 2008-2009 Winter Update
Saint Paul, Minn. – The 2008-2009 pheasant season has ended or is winding down in a few states as quickly as the temperatures outside have been plummeting. To date, the winter of 2008-2009 has been harsher than recent years in many places across the pheasant range. This has created a myriad of inquiries to Pheasants Forever’s offices from people concerned about pheasant populations.
Upland bird numbers fluctuate from year-to-year due to two main factors: the amount of quality habitat and weather. It is easy to predict that a prolonged period of severe weather will diminish populations, but pheasants are resilient creatures with an uncanny ability to bounce back, especially when given winter cover to make it through harsh weather and then nesting cover to ensure sufficient reproduction in the spring. So far, many of the calls and emails Pheasants Forever has received center on the ability of pheasants to find food.
“Our first thought may be, ‘those pheasants are going to starve if I don’t feed them,’” said Jesse Beckers, Pheasants Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist in North Dakota, a state hit particularly hard this winter, “But is this the limiting factor when it comes to pheasants surviving harsh winter conditions? The answer is no. It all comes down to habitat, namely good winter cover. A pheasant that starves to death is rare, and most will die of exposure or predators long before starvation. Corn and grains are diet staples for wintering pheasants, but they also feed on weed seeds and berries. So what can we do to ensure the pheasants will make it through a tough winter? Establish some winter cover on your property to limit stress, and establish good nesting cover so the hens that do make it through the winter can reproduce. Indeed, a study completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows that good habitat has the ability to produce a 96 percent hen survival rate during a mild winter and a 43 percent hen survival rate during a snowy winter. Comparatively, a study area with poor habitat produces a 90 percent hen survival rate during a mild winter and only a 23 percent survival rate for hens during a snowy winter. Unfortunately, this winter has come at a time when quantity and quality of habitat is suffering. Over 7.5 million acres have expired from the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in recent years, and most have been converted for row crop production (South Dakota will have lost the equivalent of a one mile wide strip of land from Sioux Falls, SD, to Pittsburgh, PA, in habitat from 2007-2009).
Wetlands: Wetland complexes provide excellent winter cover for wildlife during the harsh winter months. It is not uncommon for wetlands to hold 75% of the wintering pheasant population. Wetlands can consist of thick cattails and shrubs, blocking snow and keeping wildlife warm – in essence keeping birds dry and out of the wind. The north and west sides of the wetland may get drifted with snow, but in a large complex much of the wetland will stay open. Shelterbelts: Trees and shrubs provide excellent winter cover and shrubs block wind, snow drifts, and provide loafing, roosting, and escape cover for pheasants. For maximum benefit, tree rows and shelterbelts must follow some basic rules. They should not be planted in a prairie complex, as prairies are vital as nesting and broo ths, especially for carrying strong hens into nesting season. However, location must be carefully considered in relation to winter cover. Food plots should be at least 5 acres in size, and within or next to winter cover. If pheasants have to travel any great distance in the open between winter cover and food plots, they are exposed to winter weather and predators that may be nearby. Corn and grain sorghum provide an excellent food source and some cover in winter months. Plant your food plots on the leeward side and within ¼ mile of winter cover to avoid blowing and drifting snow.
South Dakota - In recent years, South Dakota has experienced very mild winters which have helped produce record pheasant populations. To date, the 2008-2009 winter has brought an end to this mild spell as constant cold fronts carrying snow, arctic temperatures and strong winds (up to 70 mph in some areas) have passed across the entire state. This bombardment has taken its toll as habitat conditions continue to grow worse. Blowing snow has begun to fill up much of the winter cover provided by farmstead shelterbelts, field windbreaks, cattail sloughs and other CRP grasses. “Pheasant losses this winter have been minimal,” said Chad Switzer the overall effect of this winter on local pheasants. “Feeding pheasants is strongly discouraged as it increases chances of predation and disease,” added Switzer, “Landowners who have an interest in the well-being of pheasants can significantly increase the quality of winter cover by excluding livestock from any woody habitat that provides overhead thermal protection.” To join your local South Dakota PF Chapter, go to www.PheasantsForever.org.
Iowa - Pheasants sure could have used some good news after last winter’s record-setting snow and devastating floods. Unfortunately, the snow has been falling again in Iowa since early December. “We could use a break and so far we are not getting it,” stated Todd Bogenschutz, Wildlife Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. To date, winter snowfall has averaged 15-30 inches across the northern half of Iowa with less than 15 inches across the southern half. This has caused the goo or food plot project for next year. “There are plenty of Pheasant Forever chapters who are more than willing to help,” added Bogenschutz. To join your local Iowa PF Chapter, go to www.IowaPF.org.
North Dakota - The 2008-2009 winter weather conditions have been brutal in North Dakota. Winter started early this year and hasn’t let up yet. At present, there is roughly 30+ inches of snow in the central part of the state with all of the prominent pheasant areas having an estimated 24+ inches. Freezing rain, ice and strong winds have also added to the rough season. Luckily there is still a fair amount of CRP land available for many birds to find shelter. “As of right now, it sure looks like this winter is going to have a negative effect on future pheasant populations,” said Stan Kohn, Upland Game Supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish.
Minnesota - Since early to mid-December, Minnesota’s pheasant range has been experiencing well below normal temperatures (with wind chills as low as -44 degrees) and consistent snow cover of over six inches. This has made it difficult for the local pheasant population since a majority of the grass habitat is now full of snow and the smaller wetlands are beginning to give-in to the weight of snow drifts. Fortunately, the larger cattail wetlands and shelterbelts are still providing adequate winter cover in most areas. “Minnesota had a good 2008 hunting season,” said Kurt Haroldson, Wildlife Research Biologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To join your local Minnesota PF Chapter, go to www.MinnesotaPF.org.
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Hundreds of fish die in St. Croix River
STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says a fish kill on the St. Croix River near Oak Park Heights appears seasonal and is no cause for alarm.
Many of the fish are gizzard shad, which DNR officials say tend to die off around this time of year.
But people who fish the river say they’re concerned by what they’re seeing. Seth Slaikeu, who’s fished the river every winter for 20 years, says he’s also noticed walleyes, crappies and sunfish floating dead.
But the DNR says it didn’t see any bigger species of fish.
DNR spokesman Harland Hiemstra says two biologists went to the river last week to test oxygen in the water and found it adequate.
Red River Snowmobile Club marks four decades
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The Red River Snowmobile Club is marking four decades on the trail.
The club formed in East Grand Forks, Minn., in October 1968 and today includes members from both sides of the Red River.
The club has focused through the years on snowmobile safety training and improving snowmobile opportunities in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
The club is celebrating its 40 years on Saturday with a public event in a Grand Forks park that will feature sleds from 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008.
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Compound bows recalled by BowTech Archery
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: “The General” Compound Bows
Units: About 8,000
Manufacturer: BowTech Archery, of Eugene, Ore.
Hazard: The ends of the bow’s limbs can unexpectedly break during use and send fragments of the bow in the direction of the user or bystanders, posing a risk of injury.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 255 reports of the bow’s limbs breaking, including 11 reports of lacerations, abrasions, or contusions when pieces from the breaking bow struck the user.
Description: This recall involves the “The General” compound bows hunting and target models with draw weights of 60 and 70 pounds that do not have a collet (see illustration below) in the limb. The bows measure about 31 inches long and have draw lengths of 26-30 inches. Hunting models were sold in real tree and mossy oak camouflage patterns. Target models were sold in gray, black, and wood-grain. The bows have laminated wood grips engraved with the word “BowTech” and a label with “The General” on the center pivot point of the bottom limb.
Sold at: Authorized BowTech Dealers nationwide from September 2007 through July 2008 for about $800.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bows and contact their dealer to schedule a free repair.
For information, contact BowTech Archery at (888) 689-1289 anytime or visit the company’s Web site at www.bowtecharchery.com
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