Coming Events

Bear Non-Hunting Deaths Up In WV

Along with West Virginias record harvest of 1,804 black bears during the combined archery and firearms seasons of 2007 came another less distinctive record. Division of Natural Resources officials say more than 200 black bears were killed because of nuisance behavior and other non-hunting causes.

A DNR report said Raleigh County led the state in nuisance bear calls last year, with Greenbrier and Nicholas counties coming in second and third.

DNR bear biologist Christopher W. Ryans report in the states Big Game Bulletin for 2007 indicated last years harvest was not only the highest on record (a 6 percent increase over 2006) but also the first time the kill topped 1,800 bears.

A number of different factors contributed to the record harvest of 2007, Ryan wrote. The statewide spotty mast (food sources) helped archery hunters (have their second-highest harvest on record) and the incredible bear population and the average weather conditions in most of (last) December enabled gun hunters to have their second-highest harvest on record.

In addition, hunters harvested bears in many non-traditional counties in the western, southern and eastern portions of the state that added to the harvest. This years harvest (2007) combined with non-hunting mortalities set the record of 2,032 known bear deaths in the Mountain State.

Non-hunting bear mortalities increased 98 percent over 2006 statistics. There were 62 deaths from vehicles in 2007 compared to 61 in 2006. The number of illegal kills was down from eight in 2006 to four in 2007. However, the number of bears killed from nuisance behavior was up 155 in 2007 compared to 36 in 2006.

Some DNR wildlife officials said the lack of food sources helped drive bears into more urban areas of the state last year, which contributed to the 436 percent increase in nuisance bear kills. A decrease in nuisance bear calls this year most likely is because of better mast condition, officials said.

A bear hunting expert, Ronald Warner, believes individuals who feed bears from their front porches were also a major reason so many nuisance bears were killed last year.

When people put feed out for the bears, they become tamer and will start coming around to look for more, Warner said by phone Friday. And when the people get tired of seeing the bear around, or it starts to get closer to the house, then they call the DNR to take care of it.

Warner said bear damage at his Pocahontas farm near Cheat Mountain has been negligible this year and he has only seen one sheep killed by bears.

Theres been plenty of food for the bears in the wild this year, said Warner who has been hunting bears since he was five years-old. There were plenty of berries and apples and right now theres plenty of cherry and oak nuts. Its made a big difference for the bears.

In comparison, Virginia wildlife officials stated they issued 95 bear kill permits in 2007 that resulted in 120 bears killed, and 12 other bears were euthanized. In 2008 so far, 19 Virginia bears have been euthanized.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has established nuisance bear guidelines that promote public safety, protect property and conserve bear populations, black bear project leader Jaime L. Sajecki said by phone Friday. Whenever possible, the departments approach to managing problem bears encourages the co-existence of bears and humans. The specific response to nuisance bear problems is determined by public concerns, public safety, type and extent of damage, black bear biology, animal welfare and available control methods.

The number of damage claims in West Virginia increased 52 percent over last year, which resulted in total payments of '188,004 to reimburse owners for property damage. That was a 92 percent increase over the '98,089 paid out in 2006, according to the report. Claims were reported in 29 counties in 2007 and 30 counties in 2006.

DNR employees received a record 1,598 nuisance bear calls in 2007, Ryan said. The top counties with the most complaints were Raleigh (288), Greenbrier (179), Nicholas (142), Kanawha (108), Fayette (105) and Boone (97).

New White-tailed Deer Density Map Available from QDMA

BOGART, GA. – One of QDMA’s most popular educational posters has been updated – the White-tailed Deer Density poster, first produced in 1999, has been redrawn using new data from the most recent estimates. The 28×40-inch poster features a map with estimated deer densities across the entire range of white-tailed deer in the United States, with information down to the county level. The map was produced in cooperation with every state wildlife agency.

2008 West Virginia Buck Season Fact Sheet

·         The West Virginia buck season is November 24 – December 6. It is open in all counties except Logan, Mingo, McDowell and Wyoming.

·         Approximately 320,000 licensed hunters will be in West Virginia’s woods during this season.

·         Hunters should review the 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for detailed instructions concerning bag limits and season dates. The regulations are online at www.wvdnr.gov

·         A list of deer checking stations in West Virginia can be found online at www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/check_stations.asp  

·         The bag limit during the two week buck season is two (one on the base license and one on an RG [resident] or RRG [nonresident] stamp). A hunter may take no more than three antlered deer per calendar year in all archery and firearms seasons combined.

·         The last day to purchase an additional deer gun tag (Class RG/RRG Stamp) is November 23. Class RG and Class RRG additional buck stamps can only be used to take an additional antlered deer in buck season. Unused Class RG and Class RRG stamps may not be used in antlerless or muzzleloader seasons.

·         A concurrent antlerless deer season will be available in all or portions of 44 counties on private land only during the entire two-week buck season and beginning November 26 through the remainder of the buck season on specified public land. This is not a “hunter’s choice” season, because hunters must have purchased the proper antlerless deer license (Class N for residents and Class NN for nonresidents) to participate. Hunters may take only one deer per day; therefore, a buck and an antlerless deer may not be taken on the same day. Class N and Class NN antlerless stamps are no longer county specific. See the 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for county and public lands specific regulations.

·         All deer must be field tagged and checked in within 72 hours of the time of kill or within 24 hours of the close of the season, whichever comes first. Additional deer may not be taken until all previously taken deer have been checked. Only one deer may be taken per day during the buck season.

·         Deer hunting in West Virginia generates a total annual economic impact of '233 million, much of it in the rural areas of the state that depend upon the deer seasons for a large portion of their annual income.

·         In 2007, deer hunters in West Virginia harvested 67,213 bucks during the two-week buck season, an increase of 1.7 percent from the previous year.

·         Based upon scouting reports and mast production, DNR is looking for the buck kill to be slightly higher than last year.  Poor weather conditions last year during the first week of buck season resulted in a large number of antlered deer carrying over to this hunting period, meaning more and bigger bucks will be harvested.  Hunters who have done their pre-season scouting and have located food sources for deer will have the best chance of success.

·         Sunday hunting is legal in the following 14 counties on private land only: Boone, Brooke, Clay, Hancock, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Marshall, Mingo, Ohio, Wayne, Wetzel and Wyoming. The only Sunday that is open in these counties during the buck season is November 30. Hunters are reminded that deer gun seasons are closed in Logan, Mingo, McDowell and Wyoming counties.

·         Hunters are required to wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange (about the size of a vest) as an outer garment for visibility and safety. Blaze orange camouflage patterns are legal as long as 400 square inches of blaze orange are displayed on the garment. A blaze orange hat is not required, but the hunter must have blaze orange visible from both the front and the back.

·         Hunting licenses may be purchased online at any time and printed out on a home computer printer. Go to the goWILD! Web site at www.wvhunt.com, fill out the application, and purchase it over a secure server with a credit card.

·         Hunters who wish to donate deer meat or dollars to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program, which distributes deer meat through the Mountaineer Food Bank and the Huntington Food Bank, should call (304) 558-2771 or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov to find a participating meat processor.

**DNR**

Open Season - A Forum for All Hunters

Hunters Need Not Apply

ALERT to ALL HUNTERS

George Washington National Forest

2008 Upcoming Workshops

Workshops on Vegetation Management (Wildlife Habitat Improvement, Timber Harvest, Prescribed Fire)

Workshops have been scheduled for:

TOPIC: VEGETATION MANAGEMENT (Wildlife habitat improvement, timber harvest, prescribed fire)

Thursday, November 13
Time: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Augusta County Government Center
18 Government Lane
Verona, VA 24482

Wednesday, December 3
Time: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Rockbridge Co. High School
143 Greenhouse Rd.
Lexington, VA 24450

TOPIC: FOREST PLAN COMPONENTS (Fitting the workshops and other information together toward a Draft Plan)

Tuesday, January 20
Time: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Augusta County Government Center
18 Government Lane
Verona, VA 24482

Thursday, January 29
Time: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Rockbridge Co. High School
143 Greenhouse Rd.
Lexington, VA 24450

CDC Study Shows No Health Risk
Associated with Traditional Ammunition

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study on human lead levels of hunters in North Dakota has confirmed what hunters throughout the world have known for hundreds of years, that consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition poses absolutely no health risk to people, including children, and that the call to ban lead ammunition was and remains a scare tactic being pushed by anti-hunting groups to forward their political agenda.

Today, additional information became available about the CDC study, originally released yesterday, that is important to disseminate to hunters, their families and the general public about the total and complete lack of any evidence of a human health risk from consuming game harvested using traditional ammunition. For instance, in the study the average lead level of the hunters tested was lower than that of the average American.

In the CDC's study, children's lead levels had a mean of just 0.88 micrograms per deciliter, which is less than half the national average for children and an infinitesimally small fraction of the level that the CDC considers to be of concern for children (10 micrograms per deciliter). Yet, despite the total and complete lack of any evidence from this study of the existence of a human health risk, the Department of Health nevertheless urges that children under 6 and pregnant women not eat venison harvested using traditional ammunition. The North Dakota Department of Health's recommendation is based on a "zero tolerance" approach to the issue of blood lead levels that is not supported by science or the CDC's guidelines.

To further put in perspective the claims concerning the safety of game harvested using traditional ammunition, consider this statement from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) -- a state agency that has conducted an extensive panel of blood-lead testing for more than 15 years: "IDPH maintains that if lead in venison were a serious health risk, it would likely have surfaced within extensive blood-lead testing since 1992 with 500,000 youth under 6 and 25,000 adults having been screened." It has not.

Read the NSSF press release.

Date: October 17, 2008 Source: Wyoming Game and Fish Department Cheyenne--- A three-year-old female moose has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease in western Wyoming. CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose that affects the brain, causing weight loss, abnormal behavior, and, eventually, death. There is no evidence that CWD has any human-health implications. "This finding was a very big surprise, said Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Disease Specialist Hank Edwards."Number one, because this is the first CWD-positive moose we have ever found in Wyoming. And number two, because this moose was in an area that is a significant distance from any other known CWD areas." The animal was found approximately two miles south of Bedford, Wyoming, and showed no clinical signs of CWD, which include loss of body condition, excessive drooling, and drooping ears and head. It was unable to stand up but was in very good nutritional condition. Testing at the WGFD laboratory in Laramie determined this animal had elaeophorosis (arterial worm disease), which accounted for its inability to stand. According to Edwards, mule deer are the normal host for elaeophorosis, where it does not cause serious disease. Elaeophorosis is rarely seen in elk, but can cause significant disease in moose. Additional testing by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory confirmed that the moose also tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. Based on laboratory tests and lack of clinical sign, Edwards said this animal was in the early stages of CWD. Though CWD has been found in deer and elk in many parts of Wyoming and other states, it is extremely rare in moose. Only three other wild moose in North America have tested positive for the disease, all of them in Colorado. As a result of this finding, the Game and Fish will increase CWD surveillance activities in this region of Wyoming. According to WGFD Jackson Region Wildlife Supervisor Tim Fuchs: "We will immediately begin to gear up our CWD surveillance in the Star Valley. We plan on enlisting hunters in that area to help us by submitting their animals for CWD testing. To do this, we are establishing check stations throughout the region, and through news releases and other media we^ll be letting hunters know we need their help." WGFD personnel collect and analyze more than 4,000 CWD samples annually throughout the state. "There are no methods that have been proven effective in stopping the expansion of CWD, although a number of things have been tried in other states," said WGFD Director Steve Ferrell. "Recent research in Wisconsin and Colorado has shown us that large-scale culling of animals is ineffective in stopping the spread of the disease or reducing its prevalence. Currently, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is monitoring the disease, conducting various research projects to understand more about CWD, and educating the public on the presence of the disease and what it means for wildlife and people. The department is committed to using the tools we do have and the best available science to manage this disease in a manner that makes sense for the wildlife and people of Wyoming."

MADISON -- A white-tailed deer on a Portage County hunting preserve has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt announced today.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, reported the test results Thursday, Oct. 9. The animal was a 7½-year-old doe owned by Alligator Creek Whitetails LLC and was one of about 150 deer in the preserve. The 119-acre preserve near Junction City in the Town of Eau Pleine in Portage County.

The deer was killed on Sept. 20. The Animal Health Division of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection^s investigation will look at the animal^s history and trace movements of deer onto and off the property to find out whether other herds may have been exposed to CWD.

Deer herds on hunting preserves are generally not on the state^s CWD monitoring program. However, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection rules require that all farm-raised deer and elk 16 months or older must be tested when they die, go to slaughter or are killed.

Ehlenfeldt quarantined the Alligator Creek herd immediately. The quarantine stops movement of live deer off or onto the property without written permission from the department. The business will be allowed to conduct hunts through Jan. 15, because properly handled dead animals leaving the premises do not pose a disease risk. Hunters must be notified of the quarantine and the reason for it.

This is the first new CWD-infected herd on a Wisconsin farm since January 2005.

To date, 97 farm-raised animals in Wisconsin have tested positive for CWD on eight farms and hunting preserves, including 82 on a single Portage County operation. One of the infected animals was an elk; the rest have been white-tailed deer. To date, more than 21,500 farm-raised deer and elk have been tested.

Anti-Gun-Rights Candidate Could Gut “Heller” Decision

Now that Barack Obama has received the endorsement of the Brady Campaign gun-control group, will the Supreme Court’s findings in the D.C. gun-ban “Heller” case matter?

That’s the question experts are asking in the wake of Obama’s 11th-hour support from America’s leading gun-ban advocates. The late-date endorsement was conspicuously absent from most large news outlets. Those groups have repeatedly claimed that anti-gun-rights agendas were a key issue in the Democrat election defeats of 2000 and 2004.

“Obama publicly supported Washington D.C.’s total gun ban until the Supreme Court’s ‘Heller’ case voided it,” says Alan Korwin, co-author of “The Heller Case: Gun Rights Affirmed,” which was just released (see below for news-media review copies). “His opposition to gun rights is well known and carefully documented in the new book,” he said. Obama swiftly reversed his position after the High Court found that gun rights belong to individuals, a point also documented in the new book.

“Before the ban was overturned, Mr. Obama supported the position of the Court’s dissenters — that gun bans are fine and the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights does not protect people, it protects ‘collective rights’ of states,” Korwin notes. That position had little to support it in the historical record, but was favored by people seeking to ban firearms from public hands. The “collective rights” theory, a recent creation, was dismissed with ridicule by the Court (equating it to Alice in Wonderland). The Amendment itself speaks of “the security of a free state,” and “the right of the people.”

As the first book released about the landmark gun-rights decision, “The Heller Case: Gun Rights Affirmed” describes the events leading up to the case, and precisely what the Court said, word-for-word and in plain English. If Obama follows the Court’s decree, the civil rights of the general public should be fairly well safeguarded with respect to owning and using firearms.

If he instead follows the lead of his endorsers in the Brady Campaign, gun rights as America has known them for more than two centuries could easily end. His campaign positions so far suggest the latter, if he is elected. His widely available voting record is 100% consistent — voting for every restriction on law-abiding gun use, and against every proposed protection for innocent individuals.

Virtually all recent gun-law proposals fall into those two categories — bans on honest ownership and rights, or support for honest ownership and rights. New laws targeting criminals are rare, since every imaginable criminal activity with guns is already against the law and carries severe penalties.

The only thing left, according to leading experts, is to ban guns for non-criminals, a policy choice adopted in some circles. Gun bans on criminals have had embarrassingly little effect on street gangs, the drug war and career criminals in general. Facing abject failure of crime-related social policies, and unable to disarm criminals, many politicians are turning instead to civil-disarmament schemes. Working against this trend, “Disarm Criminals First” says one campaign slogan in the Marksmanship Movement.

The three publicly announced elements of the Brady-Obama anti-gun positions include 1- Ban the freedom to sell firearms from one innocent person to another, euphemistically called the “gun-show loophole”; 2- Allow all law enforcement officers to fish through gun-dealer records looking for paperwork or other violations, and compile data as they see fit, euphemistically known as “repealing the Tiahart Amendment” (which prevents them from doing so currently); and 3- permanently ban an enormous list of perfectly legal firearms and accessories based on looks, names and operating characteristics, euphemistically called an “assault-weapons ban.”

First, knowledgeable observers know assault is a type of behavior, not a type of hardware, plus the ban seeks to outlaw all semiautomatic firearms. Second, it’s already completely illegal for criminals to buy firearms under any circumstances, so the proposed private-sale ban would only affect innocent citizens. And third, the Tiahart Amendment protects the innocent from government registries and abuse, so all three proposals, as noted above, have virtually no effect on stopping crime, but do crush freedoms Americans currently enjoy.

A long wish list of other gun-freedom repeals have been previously announced by Brady, Obama and their supporters, but have not shown up in the candidate’s platform yet. See some of them here:

http://www.gunlaws.com/PageNineIndex.htm

and many more here:

http://www.gunlaws.com/Left-wing%20Gun%20Plan.htm

including (as listed during the Clinton administration):

THE FIVE YEAR PLAN:

1. National Licensing of all handgun purchases.

2. Licenses for Rifle and Shotgun owners.

3. State Licenses for ownership of firearms.

4. Arsenal Licenses (5 guns and 250 rounds of ammunition).

5. Arsenal License Fees (at least '300.00, with a cap of '1,000.00).

6. Limits on Arsenal Licensing (None in counties with populations of more than 200,000).

7. Requirement of Federally Approved Storage Safes for all guns.

8. Inspection License. (Gun safe licenses, yearly fee for spot inspections).

9. Ban on Manufacturing in counties with a population of more than 200,000.

10. Banning all military style firearms.

11. Banning Machine Gun Parts or parts which can be used in a Machine gun.

12. Banning the carrying a firearm anywhere but home or target range or in transit from one to the other.

13. Banning replacement parts (manufacturing, sale, possession, transfer, installation) except barrel, trigger group.

14. Elimination of the Curio Relic list.

15. Control of Ammunition belonging to Certain Surplus Firearms. (7.62×54R and .303).

16. Eventual Ban of Handgun Possession.

17. Banning of Any ammo that fits military guns (post 1945).

18. Banning of any quantity of smokeless powder or black powder which would constitute more than the equivalent of 100 rounds of ammunition.

19. Ban the possession of explosive powders of more than 1 kg. at any one time.

20. Banning of High Powered Ammo or Wounding ammo.

21. A National License for Ammunition.

22. Banning or strict licensing of all re-loading components.

23. National Registration of ammunition or ammo buyers.

24. Requirements of special storage safe for ammunition and licensing.

25. Restricting Gun Ranges to counties with populations less than 200,000.

26. Special Licensing of ranges.

27. Special Range Tax to visitors. ('85.00 per visit per person).

28. Waiting period for rentals on pistol ranges.

29. Banning Gun Shows.

30. Banning of military reenactments.

PLUS:

Ban of all clips holding over 6 bullets.

Elimination of the Dept. of Civilian Marksmanship.

Ban on all realistic replica and toy guns (including “air soft” and paintball).

The right of gun-violence victims to sue, with financial assistance from government programs, the gun manufacturers.

Taxes on ammo, dealers, guns, licenses to offset medical costs to society.

The eventual ban on all semi-automatics regardless of when made or caliber.

Don't Trust the Wildlife Land Trust

By J.R. Robbins

We’ve heard from a couple of sources that a radio ad for the Wildlife Land Trust is getting increased play around the country.

Not having heard the ad ourselves, we visited The Wildlife Land Trust website, which tosses around a lot of pretty words like “protecting your land from development,” “preserving natural habitats,” “protecting land for wildlife,” etc. You are encouraged to help by donating your land outright to the Trust or gifting it to them as a conservation easement, with the Trust’s promise that permanent protection of both land and wildlife is possible.

But the Wildlife Land Trust is an affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the most rabid anti-hunting group in existence, and the Trust’s true agenda is evident in these two excerpts from their published principles.

“We work in partnership with The Humane Society of the United States and other organizations to create a world in which animals are respected for their intrinsic value and humane solutions are sought to human-wildlife conflicts” (emphasis ours).

“Recreational and commercial hunting and trapping are not permitted on properties protected by the Wildlife Land Trust.”

Since hunting and the funds hunting generates for our states is the most effective wildlife management tool in existence, it is unthinkable to propose that game will flourish in an area that prohibits hunting.

Hardworking farmers and ranchers who have nurtured their land for years should not be taken in by lofty-sounding radio ads that promise to turn their land into a “permanent sanctuary.”  The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, other true conservation groups, and even your state DNR can help you assess options on creating and protecting wildlife habitat on your property.

Recently HSUS called for a total end to the use of lead ammunition for hunting, helped block sorely needed wolf hunting seasons in the northern Rocky Mountains, and made a formal endorsement of Barack Obama. Click here to learn more.

(Columbus, Ohio) – The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has filed to represent sportsmen in yet another lawsuit brought by animal activists seeking to eliminate hunting, fishing and trapping wherever endangered or threatened species exist. The Maine based case mirrors another case from the state that was settled last October, with the plaintiff groups sharing key personnel with the plaintiff from that case. In both, the plaintiffs attempted to stop trapping altogether in Maine due to the incidental taking of the federally protected Canada lynx. 

On October 10, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) asked a U.S. District Judge for permission to join a federal lawsuit brought by two anti hunting groups, the Wildlife Alliance of Maine and the Animal Welfare Institute against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.  This lawsuit comes on the heels of a similar case brought previously by a third anti hunting group, the Animal Protection Institute (API), which also sought to stop trapping.

USSAF’s Legal Defense Fund (U.S. SLDF), Fur Takers of America (FTA), the National Trappers’ Association (NTA), the Maine Trappers’ Association (MTA), Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, and several individual sportsmen joined together to fight the API suit. As a result of those efforts and that of the State, the case was settled under an agreement that restricts trap sizes in areas where Canada lynx exist rather than close down trapping altogether. 

 “Unfortunately, these groups are joined at the hip with API. They share key personnel and use the same expert witnesses,” said Rob Sexton, USSAF vice president for government affairs. “You can’t just keep re-filing the same case whenever you’re unhappy with an outcome, especially after you agreed with the decision at the time. Yet that’s what they’re doing. The new case is nothing more than a second bite at the apple for them.”

Both the API case and the new one deal with serious legal issues regarding the possible use of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to ban all hunting, trapping, and fishing whenever there is a possibility of incidentally taking an animal that falls under federal protection.

As Mr. Sexton indicates, “Once more the antis are striking at trapping, but like the API case, if they win here, the precedent will be set to attack all forms of hunting and fishing.

The USSAF has filed to join the case, along with the MTA, FTA, NTA, and individual sportsmen Dana Johnson, Sr., Donald Dudley, and Carl Guay. 

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The U.S. SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects and advances America’s heritage of hunting, fishing and trapping.

by Howard Meyerson | The Grand Rapids Press

Thursday October 09, 2008, 11:30 PM

LANSING -- A six-month ban on baiting deer and elk in the lower peninsula was replaced with a permanent ban Thursday following a unanimous vote by the state^s Natural Resources Commission.

The NRC heard testimony from supporters, critics, state veterinarians and Dr. Mike Miller, who is the head wildlife veterinarian for the state of Colorado. Miller is considered the world expert on Chronic Wasting Disease.

"It is a pretty critical prevention strategy," Miller said when asked by NRC chairman Keith Charters if a baiting ban was justified.

The six-month ban went into effect in August, after a 3-year old doe on a Kent County deer farm was found to have CWD. The Michigan 2002 chronic wasting disease response plan requires the DNR director to ban baiting in the peninsula where the disease is found.

Miller, who participated in a teleconference with the commission, said the baiting ban creates a broad protective safety net. He said it was "amazing" that Michigan still allowed baiting given all of the trouble it has had with TB showing up in deer.

Critics of the ban, primarily growers and sellers of vegetables sold as bait, said they were being hurt economically.

Supporters said there would be an even larger economic loss at stake if the disease showed up in the wild deer herd and spread. Deer hunting in Michigan generates '500 million in economic activity each year.

"We don^t want to play Russian Roulette with the wild deer herd," Charters said.

Miller affirmed state procedures so far. He is one of several experts consulted by Michigan natural resources and agriculture officials, looking for outside feedback.

"I can^t think of anything you^ve missed. The challenge will be maintaining public support," Miller said.

The commission vote followed on the heels of an announcement during the afternoon that Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk had upheld the DNR^s authority to issue the ban. Farmers and store owners had sued the agency, maintaining they had been hurt by the ban.

DNR director Becky Humphries said the decision was the commission^s to make. She had executed her responsibilities under the 2002 CWD response plan.

"The commission thought it was a serious issue and they wanted to take it up," she said.

Judge upholds Michigan's ban on deer baiting, feeding to battle chronic wasting disease

by The Associated Press

Thursday October 09, 2008, 6:59 PM

LANSING -- A judge Thursday let stand a ban on feeding and baiting deer in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, ruling the state had authority to issue the emergency rule after its first case of chronic wasting disease was detected.

The decision was a blow for farmers and store owners who sued because they're being hurt financially by the ban. Hunters place piles of bait -- beets, carrots, corn, apples and other produce -- in areas to attract deer.

After hearing arguments, Ingham County Circuit Judge Joyce Draganchuk acknowledged that a number of people earn a living by growing and selling the bait. But she said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources based its decision on "sound scientific management principles."

"It did it for the purpose of preserving deer and elk herd so that those who make their living from it may continue to do so in the future," Draganchuk said of the ban imposed Aug. 26. It's effective for six months and could be extended.

State attorneys defended the policy as a necessary precaution to prevent the spread of the disease.

It wasn't immediately known if the plaintiffs would file an appeal. Their attorney, Ed McNeely argued the ban was arbitrary and said arguments that it would stop the disease from spreading were "vastly overblown." A number of farmers and store owners watched the arguments in a Lansing courtroom.

Mike Kinzel, part owner of Highland Fuel in Hartland, which sells '40,000 to '50,000 worth of deer feed, said afterward that he's concerned the ban could be in effect "forever" if the state doesn't start taking into consideration the overall financial hit to the hunting industry.

The infected deer was discovered at a captive deer operation near Grand Rapids. It's unknown if the disease exists in the wild deer population. Chronic wasting disease attacks the brains of infected deer and elk and produces small lesions that result in death.

It has never been shown to cause illness in humans.

"We are very pleased and felt all along we were doing the necessary and right thing," DNR spokeswoman Mary Dettloff said.

The state adopted a policy in 2002 that called for an immediate prohibition on feeding if chronic wasting disease were detected in either peninsula or within 50 miles of the state line.

Another part of the lawsuit pertaining to whether wildlife rehabilitation facilities can have fawns or not wasn't addressed Thursday.

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Michigan : DNR Director Amends Order Restricting Movement of Deer from the CWD Surveillance Zone Date: September 11, 2008 Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources Contacts: Rod Clute 517-373-1263 Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca A. Humphries today announced plans to amend the regulations concerning handling deer in the nine-township surveillance area in Kent County surrounding the captive deer facility where chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected. In making the announcement at the monthly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission, Humphries said the DNR will have refrigerated trucks at the check stations in the zone and that hunters will be allowed to store their deer in those trucks while waiting for CWD test results. Once the hunter receives notification from the DNR Wildlife Disease Lab that their deer is negative, the deer may be picked up at the check station. "We originally used the same regulations we have in place for bringing dead deer and elk into Michigan from states with CWD," Humphries said. "But hunters have made a reasonable request that we amend the order so as long as there is a negative CWD test for the animal, there is no reason to require it to be boned out on the spot. Hunters are reminded that all deer killed in the CWD surveillance zone -- Tyrone, Solon, Nelson, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland, Alpine, Plainfield, and Cannon townships - must be taken to a deer check station. For information on check stations in the CWD surveillance zone, visit www.michigan.gov/chronicwastingdisease.

USDA TO LAUNCH PUBLIC ACCESS INCENTIVE FOR THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM

RENO, Nev., Oct. 3, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today said that USDA would fully implement President George W. Bush^s directive to offer incentives to farmers and ranchers for opening up their land in the Conservation Reserve Program to the public for hunting, fishing, bird watching and other recreational activities. Schafer made the announcement at the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy today in Reno. "The President is committed to enhancing support of habitat conservation by offering public access to Conservation Reserve Program land," Schafer said. "The Conservation Reserve Program is the largest public-private partnership for conservation and wildlife habitat in the nation and we expect robust participation in this initiative. It will provide better access and allow more efficient management of game populations while allowing CRP participants to continue to provide vital environmental benefits such as improving air and water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat and reducing erosion." The goal of this incentive, Schafer said, is to double public access by providing up to 7 million acres of CRP land for public access in the next 5 years in participating states. The CRP public access incentive permits partnerships with existing state public access programs to identify and mark tracts of land as publicly accessible and publish maps for hunters and recreation enthusiasts. The incentive is consistent with current state public access incentives and will enhance the ability of state game departments to use hunting seasons as a wildlife management tool. The CRP public access incentive will be limited to CRP participants in the 21 states that already have public access programs. These 21 states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. The public access incentive will pay '3 per acre, per year, for the life of the CRP contract, provided the contract acres remain enrolled in the state public access program. CRP contracts are between 10 and 15 years. This incentive will be available to CRP participants with new or existing CRP contracts. This public access incentive is available to CRP participants that voluntarily agree to open CRP land to public hunting, recreation, wildlife viewing and other recreational activities. CRP is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers enhance environmentally sensitive land. Producers enroll in CRP and plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve water quality, control soil erosion and enhance habitats for waterfowl and wildlife. In return, USDA provides producers with rental payments. After environmental compliance requirements are complete, USDA will announce a sign up date when farmers and ranchers can begin to enroll at their local county FSA office. Information on CRP: ( http://www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation )

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Date: August 27, 2008 Source: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Contacts: Deer Project Coordinator Matt Knox, 434-525-7522 Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Sleeman, 804-367-9492 Richmond, VA — Effective September 1, it will be illegal to feed deer statewide in Virginia. The prohibition runs through the first Saturday in January (January 3, 2009). The regulation designating the prohibition went into effect in 2006. This regulation does NOT restrict the planting of crops such as corn and soybeans, wildlife food plots, and backyard or schoolyard habitats. It is intended to curb the artificial feeding of deer that leads to negative consequences. Problems with feeding deer include: unnaturally increasing population numbers that damage natural habitats; disease transmission, including tuberculosis as well as many deer diseases; and human-deer conflicts such as deer/vehicle collisions and inappropriate semi-taming of wildlife. In addition, feeding deer has many law enforcement implications. Deer hunting over bait is illegal in Virginia. Prior to the deer feeding prohibition, distinguishing between who was feeding deer and who was hunting over bait often caused law enforcement problems for the Department. Deer Feeding was Booming Along with the Population Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) Deer Project Coordinators Matt Knox and Nelson Lafon noted when the regulation first took effect that for more than twenty years the practice of feeding deer had expanded across the eastern United States among both deer hunters and the non-hunting general public. The most common reason for feeding deer is to improve their nutrition and to supplement the habitat^s ability to support more deer; in other words, to increase the carrying capacity for deer. According to Knox, many people feed deer because they believe it will keep them from starving, but this is not a legitimate reason to feed deer in Virginia. In Virginia, deer die-offs due to winter starvation have been almost nonexistent and according to Lafon, "We do not need more deer in Virginia. In fact, we need fewer deer in many parts of the state." Nelson Lafon completed a revision of the Department^s Deer Management Plan in June 2007. Based on his research, it appears that the citizens of the Commonwealth would like to see deer populations reduced over most of the state. Lafon noted that Virginia^s deer herds could be described as overabundant from a human tolerance perspective and stated that feeding deer only makes this overabundance problem worse. Is Your Bird Feeder Attracting Deer? Supplemental feeding artificially concentrates deer on the landscape, leading to over-browsed vegetation, especially in and around feeding sites. Over-browsing destroys habitat needed by other species, including songbirds. It is not unheard of for deer to take advantage of bird feeders and begin to eat spilled birdseed. Individuals who inadvertently are feeding deer through their bird feeders may be requested by VDGIF conservation police officers to temporarily remove feeders until the deer disperse. Deer Are Wild Animals In their natural state, deer are wild animals that have a fear of humans because we have preyed upon deer for thousands of years. However, when deer are fed by people, they lose this fear, becoming less wild and often semi-domesticated. Fed deer are often emboldened to seek human foods, leading them into conflict with people. Despite their gentle appearance, they can become lethally dangerous during mating season capable of goring and slashing with their sharp hooves and antlers. There are numerous cases across the country of individuals injured, and in some cases even killed, by deer they treated as pets. People often treat the deer they feed as if they own them, even going so far as to name individual deer. Not only does this association diminish the "wildness" of "wildlife", it also leads to a mistaken notion regarding ownership of wildlife. Deer and other wildlife are owned by citizens of the Commonwealth and are managed by the Department as a public resource. Deer Feeding Congregates Animals, Increasing the Spread of Disease The increase in deer feeding that has taken place in Virginia over the past decade now represents one of Virginia^s biggest wildlife disease risk factors. According to VDGIF Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Sleeman, deer feeding sets the stage for maintaining and facilitating the spread of disease. According to Dr. Sleeman, diseases are a big issue in deer management today across the United States. Feeding deer invariably leads to the prolonged crowding of animals in a small area, resulting in more direct animal to animal contact and contamination of feeding sites. Deer feeding has been implicated as a major risk factor and contributor in the three most important deer diseases in North America today. These include tuberculosis, brucellosis, and chronic wasting disease (CWD). Fortunately, none of these diseases have been found in deer in Virginia, although CWD is present in West Virginia, less than 5 miles from Frederick County, Virginia. Please Don^t Feed Deer It is clear that the negative consequences of feeding deer outweigh the benefits. If you are not feeding deer, you should not start. If you are currently feeding deer, you should now stop. Feeding deer is against the law between September 1 and the first Saturday in January. If anyone sees or suspects someone of illegally feeding deer during this time period, or observes any wildlife violations, please report it to the Department^s Wildlife Crime Line at 1-800-237-5712. To learn more about Virginia wildlife regulations visit the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at www.dgif.virginia.gov. It is the mission of the VDGIF to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia^s fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities.

It^s been quite a year for West Virginia Bass Federation Nation angler Jim Summers. Rarely in one year have many bass anglers been able to win the state^s most coveted fishing title but this is title number two for Jim having also won in 2001. It^s been that kind of a year for Jim, said Joe  Calvert, President of the West Virginia Wildlife Federation. Jim is always there when someone needs help with conservation issues; be it wildlife, fisheries, trapping, hunting or protecting the heritage of the sportsmen and women of West Virginia.

Invasive Algae Confirmed in Elk River

            The invasive algae known as Didymo have been found in the Elk River in the Webster Springs area, according to Bret Preston, Assistant Chief, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section.  Following reports from anglers that heavy algal mats were seen in the Elk River, DNR staff collected samples from three locations near Webster Springs.  The samples were sent to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for confirmation.  All three samples contained Didymo.

            Didymo is a common name for Didymosphenia geminata, a freshwater diatom species that can form extensive mats on stream beds.  The thick mats can cover native algae and aquatic insects, and make fishing very difficult.  These thick mats appear slimy, but feel more like cotton or wool fabric.  The algal mats are also called “rock snot” and can be white, yellow or brown in color.  The algae form stalks that attach to rocks.   While the algae eventually die and break off, the stalks persist and may impact stream habitats and aquatic organisms for weeks or months.

            Didymo is native to the northern latitudes of North America, Europe and Asia.  Its range has expanded and it now can be found in rivers in the western United States and more recently in Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont.  It has also been found in three western Virginia rivers (Jackson, Pound and Smith).  “In West Virginia, the DNR will work with other state and federal agencies, and anglers to monitor Didymo in the Elk River and other locations,” said Preston. 

            This range expansion is largely attributed to anglers and boaters. Didymo can be attached to waders, paddles and boats.  Felt-soled boots and waders are likely the worst culprit in the spread of these algae. The porous material stays damp and the algae cells can remain alive in the damp felt bottoms.  “We encourage anglers to take precautions against moving Didymo and other potential invasive species from one waterbody to another,” said Preston.  While anglers and boaters may be responsible for the introduction of some unwanted species, they also are the most important line of defense in minimizing the spread of aquatic invasive species by following a few simple steps. 

• Before leaving a stream, scrub mud and debris off of boots and fishing gear.
• Disinfect boots and equipment by scrubbing or soaking in 5 percent salt solution (2 cups of salt in 2.5 gallons of water) for one minute and then let dry completely.  You may also scrub equipment with dishwashing detergent and rinse well.
• Allowing equipment to completely dry for at least 48 hours will also kill Didymo, but realize that felt bottoms of boots may require longer drying times.
• Soak items in very hot water (140° F).

            Anglers are encouraged to report unusual algal mats that may be Didymo to DNR district offices and the Elkins and Charleston offices.

First Fish Certificate Available Online

            Proud parents or relatives can now present a First Fish Certificate to a young angler to commemorate that memorable feat, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

           “The First Fish Certificate is designed to recognize that special first catch by young anglers,” said Jezioro. The First Fish Certificate is available on the DNR Web site and can be completed by relatives or friends of the successful young angler.

           The online certificate is a colorful, tangible way to record a youngster’s first fish. “The certificate is easily completed with the angler’s name, species of fish, and date and place of catch,” said Jezioro. The certificate can then be printed at home at no cost.  The First Fish Certificate can be found online at www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/First_Fish.shtm .

2008 West Virginia Spring Gobbler Harvest Reported

            Hunters in West Virginia harvested 9,895 turkeys during the 2008 spring gobbler season, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR). Preliminary harvest figures indicate this year’s spring turkey harvest was about the same as last year’s harvest (less than 1 percent lower than the 9,965 birds taken in 2007).  

            The top five counties this spring were Mason (396), Preston (371), Jackson (319), Wood (316) and Harrison (291). Thirty-five of the state's 55 counties had lower harvests this year. Three districts had lower harvests this year with District 2 (11 percent lower), District 6 (4 percent lower) and District 4 (2 percent lower) decreasing in harvest when compared to 2007.  Three districts had higher harvests rates with District 5 having the largest increase at 5 percent.  The highest harvests were reported in DNR District 1 (2,184), followed by District 6 (1,944), District 4 (1,868), District 5 (1,705), District 3 (1,372) and District 2 (822).

            “The reduced gobbling activity and a slightly lower harvest rate this past spring were the result of cold and wet rains, particularly during the first week of the season,” according to Curtis Taylor, DNR Wildlife Resources Section Chief.

            Biologists had predicted a slightly higher spring gobbler harvest in 2008 than in 2007, based on better-than-average brood reports the past two years. Wildlife Biologists have determined the level of brood production accurately forecasts spring turkey harvests two years later, as these older birds tend to gobble more and are more susceptible to harvest. Field reports indicated that hunting pressure in many areas of the state was lower than normal. Also, higher gas prices may have kept hunters from traveling to favorite hunting grounds. Hunters can look forward to better spring gobbler hunting next year, since brood production was good in 2007.

**DNR**

 [Editor’s Note: The attached table contains spring wild turkey harvest figures by county for the years 2004 through 2008.]