MAY 2013VOLUME 40NUMBER 5

Committee MembershipInterested in having input on a WWF Committee!

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Want to work closely on issueswith other conservation leaders?

Sign up and join a Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Committee

If you are interested, email jennifer@wiwf.org or call608-635-2742 with your contact information and the

committee you wish to serve on.

Wildlife CommitteeGreat Lakes CommitteeDog CommitteeEducation CommitteeWaterfowl Committee

Inland Fisheries CommitteeEndangered Resources CommitteeEnvironmental/Wetlands CommitteeShooting Range CommitteeForestry and Parks Committee

Committees usually meet twice a year, usually in Stevens Point

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WISCONSERVATION May 20132

WISCONSIN WILDLIFE FEDERATION COMMITTEE CHAIRSCOMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PHONE EMAILAchievement Awards John Wagner 262-560-1230 ext2022@sbcglobal.netBanquet Advisory Ed Rollins 630-561-3099 ednangie@sbcglobal.netBy-Laws Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 geo44@charter.netCalendar Lil Pipping 920-876-4312 lpipping@wi.rr.comDog Andrew Lewandowski 262-527-1988 hcinc53150@aol.comEducation Ruth Ann Lee 608-635-2742 ruthann@wiwf.orgEndangered Resources Chuck Matyska 715-745-6382 mmatyska@yahoo.comEnvironmental/Wetlands Russ Hitz 715-632-2143 russellhitz@centurylink.netForest, Parks & Recreation Jerry Knuth 715-344-0017 knuth0628@sbcglobal.netGreat Lakes Fisheries Larry Freitag 920-458-4117Great Lakes Fisheries/Lake Superior Connie Pribnow 715-774-3301 prbnw@cheqnet.netInland Fisheries Larry Vanderhoef 715-366-2453Membership Jack Nissen 262-370-8154 countyhighway@yahoo.comScholarships Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 geo44@charter.netShooting Range Bill Tollard 920-379-3429Waterfowl John Wetzel 608-526-4238 john769@centurytel.netWildlife/State Affairs/Hunter Education Ralph Fritsch 715-850-2456 rsfritsch@hotmail.com

Wisconservation Dan Gries 920-725-4092 wwfedt@gmail.comYouth Leadership Leah McSherry 608-576-8646 lmcsh525@uwsp.edu

OFFICE PHONE:800-897-4161 - Toll Free

FAX 608-635-2743

WEB PAGEADDRESS:www.wiwf.org

OFFICEADDRESS:

W7303 County Road

CS & Q

Poynette, WI 53955-9690

WisconservationWISCONSERVATION (USPS 108-190 ISSN 0164-3649) is published monthly for $25 per year by

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, W7303 County Road CS & Q, Poynette, WI 53955-9690. Periodical postage

paid at Oshkosh, WI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: WISCON-

SERVATION, W7303 County Road CS & Q, Poynette, WI 53955-9690. All communications regarding adver-

tising, editorial, circulation and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation matters should be sent to W7303 County Road

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$25.00 of annual dues paid to Wisconsin Wildlife Federation entitles members to one year’s subscription

to Wisconservation. One year’s subscription to non-members—$25.00.

Printed by Ripon Printers, 656 S. Douglas St., Ripon, WI 54971.

WISCONSERVATION EDITORDaniel A. Gries

Phone: (920) 725-4092Fax: (920) 725-1013wwfedt@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE EDITORRalph Fritsch

(715) 850-2456

* * * OFFICERS * * *

President John Wagner, 722A Silver Lake St., Oconomowoc, WI 53066, (262) 560-1230. Email:ext2022@sbcglobal.net

First Vice President George Borchert, 7420 US Hwy 45, Oshkosh, WI 54902, (920) 688-3122.Email: geo44@charter.net

Second Vice President Bill Tollard, 4630 Friedrich Ave., Omro, WI 54963, (920) 379-3429.Email: bill@adashunjones.com

Secretary Carolyn Brown, 8131 N. Oak Ridge Drive, Milton, WI 53563, (608) 868-2514. Email:brownc@centurytel.net

Treasurer Pat Ramirez, 3696 Blueberry Lane, Waldo, WI 53093, (920) 838-1266. Email:pmramirez05@yahoo.com

DISTRICT 7

Dave Chingway, Watertown, WI, (920) 261-0379.

Don Hammes, Middleton, WI, (608) 836-1205.

Mike Meyer, Watertown, WI, (920) 342-9439.

DISTRICT 8

Doug Kurth, Big Bend, WI, (414) 350-0940.

John Wagner, Oconomowoc, WI, (262) 560-1230.

Mike Rynearson, Oconomowoc, WI, (414) 313-2079.

DISTRICT 9

Rick Lazarczyk, West Allis, WI, (414) 321-5750.

Roger Borkowski, Milwaukee, WI, (414) 571-0002.

Gordon Merz, Pewaukee, WI, (262) 695-0060.

DISTRICT 10

Gary Dieck, Wonewoc, WI, (608) 464-3290.

DISTRICT 11

Norb Moes, Green Bay, WI, (920) 434-1999.

Keith Pamperin, Green Bay, WI, (920) 494-3990.

Richard Baudhuin, Sturgeon Bay, WI, (920) 743-2581.

DISTRICT 12

Chuck Matyska, Cecil, WI, (715) 745-6382.

Jim Weishan, Wabeno, WI, (715) 473-6013.

Mike “Oscar” Stueck, Crivitz, WI, (920) 323-9230.

N.W.F. REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Jason Dinsmore, 199 Kristin Drive NW, Rochester,

MN 55901. Office: (507) 206-3732. Cell: (517) 204-

8962. Email: dinsmorej@nwf.org.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

Craig Challoner, Omro, WI

Mike Arrowood, Oakfield, WI

Steven Kettenhoven, Clintonville, WI

Bob Chojnowski, Plover, WI

Roxanne Taylor, Plymouth, WI

Bill Tollard, Omro, WI

Jim Huhn, Watertown, WI

Pat Ramirez, Waldo, WI

Andy Lewandowski, Muskego, WI

Carolyn Brown, Milton, WI

Jacob Marty, Stevens Point, WI

Andrew Voight, Stevens Point, WI

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Art Jorgenson

Catherine Koss, Land O’ Lakes, WI

Vern Mangless

Jim Mense, Menomonie, WI

Ray Rheinschmidt

J. L. Schneider

Betty Schneider-Borchert, Oshkosh, WI

Art Seidel, Brookfield, WI

Al Kube, Cochrane, WI

Joe Zanter, Sparta, WI

Bucky Kilishek, Menasha, WI

Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WI

Mary Cassidy, Plainfield, WI

Ken Zettlemeier, Waukesha, WI

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS

Joseph A. Gruber, Campbellsport, WI

Dr. Dan Trainer, UW-Stevens Point

Les Voigt

PAST PRESIDENTS

Chuck Matyska, Cecil, WI

Jack Nissen, Dousman, WI

Lil Pipping, Elkhart Lake, WI

Corky Meyer, Kewaskum, WI

Jerry Knuth, Plover, WI

James Weishan, Wabeno, WI

Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WI

Russell Hitz, Wheeler, WI

Jim Baldock, West Bend, WI

Ralph Fritsch, Townsend, WI

Robert Miller, Sparta, WI

Doug Olson, Viroqua, WI

Doug Johnson, Hartford, WI

James Wareing, Sussex, WI

Leo Roethe

Bill Buckley

Dick Hemp

Bob Lachmund

Jerry Laudon

Ron Piskula

Harold Spencer

Les Woerpel

STATE AFFILIATES

DIRECTORS/REPRESENTATIVESAmerican Wild Turkey Hunting Dog AssociationJon Fries, Maribel, WI, 920-776-1272

Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.Larry Laehn, Milton, WI, 920-540-9927

Izaak Walton League, Bill Cook ChapterRonald Macdonald, Stevens Point, WI, 715-344-0054

Sturgeon for Tomorrow, North ChapterWayne Hoelzel, Menasha, WI, 920-725-1206

Trout Unlimited, Aldo Leopold ChapterMichael Barniskis, Beaver Dam, WI, 920-356-0081

Trout Unlimited, Green Bay ChapterPaul Kruse, Green Bay, WI, 920-494-4220

Walleyes for Tomorrow, Inc.Michael Arrowood, Oakfield, WI, 920-922-0905

WI Association of Field Trial ClubsJim Gleash, Madison, WI, 608-257-3089

WI Association of Sporting DogsRobbie Brooks, Cascade, WI, 920-602-1439

WI Association of Beagle ClubsJerry Knuth, Stevens Point, WI, 715-340-5414

WI Coon Hunters AssociationDennis Roehrborn, Plymouth, WI, 920-467-3845

WI Council of Sportfishing OrganizationsJohn Durben, Cecil, WI, 715-745-2248

WI Deer Hunters AssociationMark Toso, Roberts, WI, 715-781-4887

WI Deer Hunters Inc.Dennis Hoffman, Neshkoro, WI, 920-293-4098

WI Federation of Great Lake Sport Fishing ClubsMark Hasenberg, Kenosha, WI, 262-652-9503

WI Hunter Ed Instructor AssociationNorb Moes, Green Bay, WI, 920-434-1999

WI Muzzleloaders AssociationCarolyn Brown, Milton, WI, 608-868-2514

WI Sharp Tailed Grouse SocietyJim Evrard, Grantsburg, WI, 715-463-2446

WI Taxidermist AssociationBucky/Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WI, 920-734-8774

WI Trappers AssociationScott McAuley, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 715-423-3229

WI Woodland Owners AssociationDale Zaug, Tigerton, WI, 715-754-5774

Wild Ones Natural Landscapers LTD.Donna VanBuecken, Neenah, WI, 920-730-3981

Wildlife Society, WI ChapterPat Kaiser, Lodi, WI, 608-592-7974

Wings Over WI

Burt Bushke, Mayville, WI, 920-387-5198

WI Chapter American Fisheries SocietyThomas Slawski, New Berlin, WI

WI Division – Izaak Walton League of AmericaGeorge Guyant, Amherst Junction, WI, 715-824-4205

WI Trapshooting AssociationBruce Stitely, Tomahawk, WI, 715-453-5271

WI Waterfowl AssociationPat Smith, Janesville, WI, 608-774-1157

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DISTRICT 1

Pat Quaintance, Bayfield, WI, (715) 779-5104.

Ken Lundberg, Lake Nebagamon, WI, (715) 374-3404.

DISTRICT 2

Walt Camp, St. Germain, WI, (715) 542-3856.

Laurie Groskopf, Tomahawk, WI, (715) 453-6301.

Larry Vanderhoef, Plainfield, WI, (715) 366-2453.

DISTRICT 3

Jim Swanson, Menomonie, WI, (715) 232-8266.

Dean Borofka, Rice Lake, WI, (715) 234-6303.

John Tully, Cameron, WI, (715) 859-6775.

DISTRICT 4

Dale Zaug, Tigerton, WI, (715) 754-5774.

Delbert Dietzler, Randolph, WI, (715) 421-2591.

Dave Verhage, Plover, WI, (715) 344-3497.

DISTRICT 5

George Borchert, Oshkosh, WI, (920) 688-3122.

Kevin Marquette, Shawano, WI, (715) 851-4175.

Dan Gries, Menasha, WI, (920) 725-4092.

DISTRICT 6

Dennis Reinhardt, Osseo, WI, (715) 597-3535.

John Wetzel, Holmen, WI, (608) 526-4238.

Ed Rollins, Humbird, WI, (630) 561-3099.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / LEGISLATIONGeorge Meyer, 201 Randolph Dr., Madison, WI 53717, (608) 516-5545. Email: georgemeyer@tds.net

BUSINESS MANAGERJennifer Evans, W7303 County Road CS, Poynette, WI 53955, (608) 635-2742. Email: jennifer@wiwf.org

WISCONSERVATION May 20133

President’s MessageVol. IV Part I

Iwould like to thank the Wis-consin Wildlife Federationassembly for electing me to

represent you as the President ofthe Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.I am humbled that you would placeyour faith and trust in me. This isa responsibility that I do not takelightly, and I will endeavor to repre-sent you with the utmost transpar-ency and assertiveness. This board Isee as having the experience, knowl-edge and continuity to carry on theWWF mission. I am looking forwardto working with the new Execu-tive Board and all of you. I am alsopleased to know that our ExecutiveDirector George Meyer has agreedto continue with the Federation foranother two years. I look forward toworking with him.

The past couple of months I havebeen very busy with the Wiscon-sin Wildlife Federation everythingfrom meetings for banquets, Awards,Executive Board meetings, clubmeetings, NWF Annual Meeting inAlbuquerque New Mexico and the

Annual WWF Meeting. Now that Iam President I foresee my scheduleeven busier than before. While weare facing some great challenges Isense the organization is as strongas I have seen it in the time spanthat I have known the Federation.I also think that it is poised to takeitself to a whole new level.

In the next couple of months I in-tend to meet with the chairs of theFederation Committees and discussConservation issues and the work-ings of their committees. By ourJune meeting in Stevens Point I willhave set my goals and I will presentthose goals to you at the Board ofDirectors meeting. Personally I amlooking very much forward to theAugust Board of Directors Meetingin Ashland WI. From the ApostleIslands, Chequamegon Bay, CopperFalls and the Penokee Range, theAshland area has Wisconsin WildlifeFederation written all over it.

John Wagner,President

Remembering “John Czerwonka”(1944-2013)

by Jerry Knuth, Forest, Parks &Recreation Committee Chairman

It’s with sadness that I amwriting to let our Federationmembers know that John Cz-

erwonka passed away on February23rd after a two-month battle witha blastomycosis-type disease thatcaused liver failure.

John was very active with thelocal chapter and a former boardmember of the Wisconsin WoodlandOwners Association “WWOA”. Hedid a great job of representing theirorganization at our Forests, Parks& Recreation committee meetingsfor many years. He was also a sol-id participant at our WWF AnnualMeetings and carried our messageon to district WWOA meetings. Johnowned and managed his own tree-farm operation; so all of these activi-ties were a pretty natural fit.

John was born in Illinois andmoved to Wisconsin after a tour ofduty with the U.S. Army (1962 to1965). On July 1, 1967, he marriedMaribeth Walli in Milwaukee andmoved forward with his career. Heretired from the Federal Postal Ser-vice having served as postmaster for

the Rosholt and Nelsonville commu-nities here in Central Wisconsin formany years. He is survived by hiswife, four daughters, a son, a broth-er, a sister and 12 grandchildren. Weextend our sympathies to his entirefamily.

I had occasion to phone John totouch base about the upcoming For-est – Parks meeting being postponed.I was taken back to learn of hishealth situation. His wife Maribethtold me how the past couple monthshad been going and expressed herappreciation that the family hadtime to visit and say their good-byes.John’s friend Merlin Becker alsocommented that he had visited Johnfor about an hour a couple days be-fore he passed. Merlin was amazedat how John’s attention to planningplayed out. John told Merlin abouthow he planned his funeral rightdown to the church service and foodpreparations. John was at peacewith his fate.

John was a great person and areal asset to our Federation and theWWOA. He will be missed. May hisspirit live on and may he rest-in-peace knowing that he made a dif-ference.

by Editor Daniel A. GriesWisconsin Rapids April 2013

Friday – President Mytaskagaveled the meeting open at7:30pm requesting all in atten-

dance to introduce themselves. Treasur-er Ramirez presented the current cashflow status, a Motion passed to acceptthe report. Financial requests received,discussed and approved.

Executive Director George Meyer in-troduced the evening’s guest speaker,Department of Natural Resources ChiefWarden, Randy Stark. Chief WardenStark reported the new warden appoint-ments have been made statewide anda new class is now in training. Wiscon-sin Warden History – Wisconsin’s firstwarden was appointed in 1879 and thewarden service responsibilities have pro-gressed greatly over time to include lawenforcement/public safety assistance as-signments in this post “9/11” atmosphere,from demonstrations at the Capitol andthe discovery of large marijuana planta-tions within the north woods. Meetingadjourned, social gathering followed.

Saturday – Pledge of Allegiance andIntroductions of delegates and guests.New Affiliate Club Membership Appli-cations were presented and approvedunanimously. Welcome: Underhill Sports-man’s Club, Gillett and KAMO (Kids andMentors Outdoors), Necedah.

Presidents and Treasurers reportswere presented and approved. PastWWF Presidents and current Commit-tee Chairmen Jerry Knuth and RalphFritsch conducted a delegate orientationsession concerning Committee activi-ties and collective interaction with theBoard of Directors. Department of Natu-ral Resources Executive Assistant ScottGunderson spoke to a variety of currentissues. A primary Department manage-ment goal is to improve customer servicereducing approval timetables. He up-dated attendees concerning the ongoingproposed educational curriculum chang-es at the MacKenzie Educational Centerlocated within the Poynette Game Farm- Wolf Management: 2012 wolf season re-sults were discussed indicating the Wolfprotectionists remain very active. DeerManagement is under review to includehunter input. CWD research continues

and remains a difficult complex issue.Wisconsin’s Elk Hunting season remainson hold because the Department’s Man-agement plans requiring a minimum 200elk herd goal has not been met. Plans toestablish a second Wisconsin Elk herdin Jackson County continues. However,many elk producing states have con-firmed CWD within the herd which hasinvoked a movement moratorium. For-est Land Management and StewardshipFund allocations were discussed. TheDepartment has been improving publicaccess and signing of public hunting ar-eas and will continue to do so. Mining:An exploration mining application is ex-pected to be filed this summer. Approvalwill allow for the drilling of core mineralsamples which will establish the mineralvalues. Cougar: Identification in Wis-consin confirmed with ongoing researchand monitoring activity. Ceded TerritoryWalleye Bag Limits: Discussions will betaking place concerning the unexpectedspearing harvest increase. PropertyManagement usage expansion to includeas many outdoor activities that any oneproperty will safely allow – High SchoolTrap Teams: The goal is to provide theshooting sport in every Wisconsin HighSchool - Shooting Range expansions andupgrading. An active Q&A followed.

Conservation Leadership Corps Coor-dinator Leah McSherry introduced thenew WWF CLCC program of college stu-dent recruitment which includes profes-sor referrals modeled similar to the suc-cessful State of Missouri Program. Leahtravelled recently with WWF directorsto Missouri. Executive Director GeorgeMeyer updated delegates of the ongoingMacKenzie Center educational programexpansion proposed by the Departmentof Resources. The WWF is committedto continue current curriculum throughJanuary 2014 to honor existing reserva-tions. New legislation on a slow tract asthe Governor’s Budget Bill is being re-viewed. Mining: The August Board of Di-rectors meeting will be held in AshlandWi., with a scheduled tour of the entireproposed Mining site. National Wild-life Federation Representative JasonDinsmore gave an overview of Federalactivities. Resolutions were presented,discussed and voted upon followed byBoard of Director elections (See Page 2of this issue for the current Executive

2013 Annual Meeting SynopsisBoard officers, District Directors and As-sociate Directors). Meeting adjourned forthe Awards Banquet presentations (Seepages 4&5 of this Issue)

Sunday: 9:00AM – “Passing” of gav-el by President Chuck Mytaska, Cecil,Wisconsin – Incoming President JohnWagner, Oconomowoc gave a brief state-ment of his personal commitment to the

continuation of the Federation’s goalsand introduced the new executive com-mittee – Management issues discussed.Committee reports received - Old Busi-ness: Mackenzie capital reserve will beexhausted by the decision to operate thecenter through January 2014. New Busi-ness discussed. Adjournment and travelhome in a very blustery show storm.

This meeting today in generalwas a prelude meeting to set-ting wolf harvest goals involv-

ing hunting & trapping for 2013. Themeeting was headed by Bill VanderZouwen and it addressed informationalitems and issues that will direct the quo-ta setting meeting on May 23, 2013.

The meeting began with distributionof the Wolf Advisory Committee Mem-bers list, of which there are currently 26members. This list is made up of DNRpersonal, Statewide Sportspersons Or-ganizations, Forestry, Wolf, Cattleman’sAssociations and Tribes. A wide varietyof groups but many familiar groups.

Issues that will stay the same are allcurrent wolf harvest zones will stay thesame (1-6). Depredation harvest wolfswill not be placed as numbers of har-vested wolves under hunting & trapping.Farmers claiming lost calves or animalfunding, must allow wolf hunting ontheir land or loose funding payment. Pos-sible change will be harvest license feedropped from $100.00 to $50.00, this inthe state budget for 2013-15.

Concerned issues still are, higher or

lower harvest quotas, updating of cur-rent wolf counting numbers in trackingor more trackers added to current fig-ures, depredation funding available, un-used harvest tags, tribes request of quotawolfs.

This was an all day meeting whichcovered much items and issues fromour April 19th meeting dealing with an-nounced statewide wolf population fig-ures.

As stated before, our next meeting ofMay 23rd and that meeting will estab-lish a set quota recommendation for har-vest of wolfs in the hunting & trappingseason.

When the quota figures are decided bythe Wolf Study Committee those figuresare sent to the DNR Policy Committeefor review & possible change. Final quo-ta figures are then presented to the DNRBoard at its June Meeting for approval.

If you have questions, contact methrough e-mail or phone: (715) 850-2456.

Respectfully submitted,Ralph R. Fritsch

Wildlife Committee - Chairman

Wolf Advisory Committee MeetingApril 23, 2013

WISCONSERVATION May 2013 WISCONSERVATION May 20134 5

2013 W.W.F. Achievement Award Recipients

The Sheboygan County Trapshooting League began when a team of Sheboygan County High School trapshooters participated in the first annual State High School Team Trapshooting Championships, held at the Mayville Gun Club, in May of 1975. This team was a composite team with individual members coming from several county high schools. The team finished in sec-ond place that day, and the seed for the program’s development was sown. Over the past twenty-some years, Sheboygan County high school trapshoot-ers have dominated at the State High School Team Championships. There have been many team and individual class winners as well as Boys and Girls State Champions. Shooters from this league have won numerous awards at the Wisconsin State Trapshooting Championships as well as several national championships. Many graduates of this program continue to participate in local trapshooting leagues. We have actually reached the point that the chil-dren of early league participants are now competing in the league. The Sheboygan County High School Trapshooting program continues to empha-size safe gun handling, responsible recreational shooting, and accountability for your actions. The same benefits that are promoted for interscholastic sports are offered in this program as well. Team concepts, camaraderie, and self-esteem are a valued end product for all participants. Accepting the award on behalf of the High School shooters are Jean and Larry Nysse, parents - mentors - volunteers.

2013 Shooting Sport Organization of the Year…

Sheboygan County High School Trap Shooting Program

Jim Baumgart has a long history in the promotion of the wise use of Wisconsin’s natural resources. For nearly 50 years, Jim was a member of the Sheboygan County Izaak Walton League, many years as a delegate and member of the Sheboygan County Conservation Association, a lifetime of service in Scouting employment with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, earned a Wildlife Fishery degree from UW Stevens Point, spent 12 years on the natural resources committees, held a 10 year membership on the County Board’s Planning, Resources, Agriculture and Extension Committee, 25 years with a weekly outdoor (Crosstrails) column in the Shoreline Chronicle as well as over 20 years programming shows for WSCS Community Cable TV. Jim also spent 10 years writing a weekly (Your County) column for the Plymouth Review. Jim first became involved in fishing, canoeing, hiking and camping with the Boy Scouts of America. His service also includes 25 years as an adult scout leader and he still continues his active service and has received the highest adult award in Scouting - the Silver Beaver. He was also a State Representative advocated keeping the current WWF staff running the facility during the interim period between the ending of the WWF contract and the new vendor contract. His work was critically important in protecting the interests of the students and workers of MacKenzie.

2013 Conservation Communicator of the Year…Jim Baumgart

Presenting the awards are WWF President Chuck Matyska (right) and WWF Executive Director

George Meyer (left).

Jim and Diane have a long history of volunteer work at the local and state levels. Jim has served as a member and chair of the North Central Chapter of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association and served as chair of the Membership and Raffle Committees which raised funds for special projects. Jim also attended and graduated from the Wisconsin Woodland Leadership Institute to sharpen his skills as a leader in Forestry. In 1990, Jim and Diane purchased 130 acres of farm and forestland and is designated as the Marathon County Demonstration Forest by Golden Sands RC&D. Their wood-land was recognized as Wisconsin outstanding Tree Farm in 2008. Over the years, they have done extensive work on the property including the creation of 5 miles of trails, seeded pine, 1,000 red oak and 300 white pine. They have installed dozens of bluebird houses, constructed brush piles for wildlife and leaves dead falls for grouse to enhance their property for wildlife and shelter. Jim and Diane actively seek out opportunities to invite school children to the property to give them lessons in forest and wildlife management.

2013 Forest Conservationist…James & Diane Mroczenski

The Mosinee Sportsmen’s Alliance was one of the first members of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. Their early support of the Federation efforts on behalf of the conservation can be measured in terms of time and talent as well as the dollars they donate to the cause. The Mosinee Sportsmen’s Alliance accomplishes their mission of conservation and community service with a sup-port from the community. This tradition of community service and giving was highlighted when the Mosinee Sportsmen’s Alliance was named as the National Wildlife Federation’s Outstanding Conservation Club of the Year in 1987. They have a top notch trap range which includes a 22 station walking archery range with several 3-d targets. They have 9 members certified as Hunter Safety Instructors and will be offering several classes yet this year. Today, their legacy of service lives on with the many community and statewide activities of the Mosinee Sportsmen’s Alliance and with a wide variety of local donations including building a wildlife museum at DC Everest School Forest, sending kids to camp, Outdoor Ed program at Mosinee Middle School, Mosinee School Libaries for hunting & fishing books and magazine subscrip-tions, annually donates a shotgun for a drawing amongst youth shooters, annual donations to aid Mosinee Fire District projects, sponsors 2 veterans each year on the Never Forgotten Honor Flights to Washington D.C., amongst many, many more. Accepting the award on behalf of the Alliance are Larry Peterson and Jim Bittner.

2013 Conservation Organization of the Year…

Mosinee Sportsmen’s Alliance

President Mytaska – And now it is my great privilege to announce the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year…this is one of the truly great parts of being the Federation’s president. Wisconsin is known as a very pro-conservation state…no doubt that is because of our outstanding inland waters, land, forests, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River. Other states have had great natural resources but squandered much of them. What has kept Wisconsin’s natural resources valuable is the prevailing conservation ethic of its citizens; but just as important, having individuals step up to provide professional leadership in natural resources management. Tonight we are proud to recognize one of those leaders…an individual who, standing on the shoulders of former professional colleagues, has placed Wisconsin on the map internationally in terms of natural resource management. This individual is a Wisconsin native. He studied in Wisconsin schools, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree from UW-Stevens Point, a Master’s Degree from UW-Milwaukee, and ultimately a Doctorate from UW-Milwaukee. He then took his strong interest in fisheries, especially Lake Sturgeon, to his highly suc-cessful career with the Department of Natural Resources. For the great major-ity of his long career, he was the Upper-Fox Wolf Fisheries Work Supervisor. And while that job had responsibilities for all fish species, it is the home of Wisconsin’s internationally recognized Lake Sturgeon. This individual became Wisconsin’s leader in sturgeon management and greatly enhanced the future of Lake Sturgeon in Wisconsin. By working very closely with sports men and women, local governments and businesses, and successfully working through the bureaucracy, and by being an inspiration and effective leader of his col-leagues, this individual as insured that the Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon popula-tion is and will remain the most successful remaining population of sturgeon in the world. This individual is recognized as one of the top Lake Sturgeon biologists, not just in Wisconsin or the US but in the world…just as an exam-ple, a couple of weeks ago when we contacted him on arrangements for tonight, he had been called to Italy for an international emergency meeting on Lake Sturgeon. His list of educational experiences, work experiences, publica-tions, and outside affiliations is far too long to read to you, but I will give you a brief flavor. He is the president and founding member of the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society and the secretary and founding member of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society. He served on the steering commit-tees for five different international symposia on sturgeon held in Piacenza, Italy; Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Rasmar, Iran; Wuhan, China; and Nanaimo, British Columbia. By the way did you catch Oshkosh, Wisconsin in that group? That’s putting Wisconsin on the international conservation map. Despite all this, this individual has remained a humble person who works extremely well with aver-age sports men and women…and that is what has led to his great success. It is truly an honor to name Ron Bruch as the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year!

2013 Conservationist of the Year…Ron Bruch

Representative Ripp, Lodi, represents the 42nd Assembly District, comprised of portions of Dane, Columbia, Marquette, Green Lake, Fond du Lac and Dodge counties. He was elected to the Assembly in 2008 and re-elected in 2010 and 2012. He is a farmer and a small business owner and has strong ties to the land including land and water conservation. He has been a very strong participant in the activities of the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center and a supporter of the Federation’s key partner, the Friends of MacKenzie. He attends many events at the Center and regularly serves pancakes at the Annual Maple Fest Breakfast at the Center. Representative Ripp took a very strong interest in retaining the highly successful school-based environmental education programs at the Center when the DNR proposed to drop the pro-grams which serve 16,000 students a year. He particularly advocated to keep the current WWF staff running the facility during the interim period between the ending of the WWF contract and the new vendor contract. His work was critically important in protecting the interests of the students and workers of MacKenzie.

2013 Conservation Legislator of the Year…

Representative Keith Ripp

Senator Olsen, Ripon, represents the 14th Assembly District comprised of por-tions of Waupaca, Waushara, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Adams, Dodge and Columbia counties. He served as a State Representative from 1994 to 2002 and has served in the State Senate from 2004 until the present. He serves on numerous Senate Committees but most notably he is a long-time member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee and has chaired the Senate Educa-tion Committee for many years. While he has not served on natural resource committees in the legislature, he has strong interests in conservation due to the nature of his District and his upbringing. Senator Olsen’s passion however is education and he brought that interest, his interest in conservation and his deep knowledge of state fiscal issues to be a very key advocate for the reten-tion of school-based environmental education at the MacKenzie Environmen-tal Education Center in Poynette and played a major role in preventing the DNR from dropping the school-based programs which serve 16,000 students a year at MacKenzie. Suffice it to say the outcome at MacKenzie would not have been successful without Senator Olsen’s important efforts.

2013 Conservation Legislator of the Year…Senator Luther Olsen

Senator Cullen, Janesville, represents the 15th Senate District comprised of portions of Rock, Walworth, Dane and Green counties. He was a State Senator from 1975 to 1987, five years of which he was Senate Majority Leader. He then worked in the private sector and was re-elected to the Senate in 2010. Sena-tor Cullen became heavily immersed in the issue of ferrous mining legislation in Wisconsin and was appointed Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Mining in 2011. Concerned about the balance and failure of earlier Wisconsin mining law reform efforts, Senator Cullen held several hearings totaling 20 hours, bringing in experts from the state and federal government, the business community, conservation and environmental groups including the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. He strongly encouraged the discussions between the Wis-consin Mining Association and the WWF which led to consensus between the organizations that he then introduced as a balanced mining regulation reform bill. While the bill did not pass, the Committee work brought far greater science and regulatory facts to bear on the mining issue and proved invaluable in edu-cating his colleagues and the general public about the concerns of massive taconite iron mining in the state.

2013 Conservation Legislator of the Year…Senator Tim Cullen

Conservation Warden Mike Dieckhoff has worked diligently to build a law enforcement program that balances enforcement and community needs while exceeding expectations in many facets of a warden’s duties. Mike’s enforce-ment efforts demonstrate an effective, efficient enforcement program. Mike is stationed in southern Rock County with a population base active in hunting and fishing activities. Mike has earned public respect for his work ethic, public involvement and enforcement program. Through Mike’s efforts, many success-ful, self-sustaining programs have been developed by creating and tailoring the program to fit the community and resource needs. Mike has also provided lifelong memories for new hunters and anglers by assisting with organizing two learn to hunt events (turkey and pheasant) and two fishing events; one for kids in the inner city of Beloit and one for developmentally disabled children. Mike is also very involved with his safety programs and in 2012 attended a total of 14 safety classes that were attended by 360 students.

2013 Warden of the Year… Mike Dieckhoff

Bob is an avid angler. He is a member of the Central Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Co-Executive Director of the Musky Clubs Alliance of WI, Founding Member of the Walleyes for Tomorrow, Van Dyne Sportsman Club, Winnebago Streamers Fly Fishing Club and a Fond du Lac County Conservation Congress delegate. He has strongly advanced the interests of all of those organizations, promoting fishing and the importance of fish habitat in the state. He hosts the “Outdoor Thursday” radio program on Outdoor Sports where he is a strong advocate for fishing and angling education. He is very involved in fly tying and fly casting programs, takes seniors from the Markesan Care Center fishing and is a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor for fishing and fly fishing. There is no more active or dedicated advocate for the future of fishing in the state than Bob Haase.

Over the course of 30 years, Connie has personally instructed 2,444 students of all ages, men and women. Connie is a member of the Brule River Sportsman Club, Wisconsin Deer Hunters Inc., Wisconsin Hunter Education Instructor Association and the National Muzzleloaders Association. Connie also served as a District 1 Director for the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. Connie has been very involved with youth shooting sport programs and archery programs in Bayfield County. Connie is a certified National Muzzleloader Instructor, Hunter Education Instructor, Angling Instructor, certi-fied NRA Basic Firearms Instructor, certified National Bowhunter Education Instructor, and instructor for 4-H in rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader and hunting and also is a certified 4-H Sportfishing Instructor. Connie has encour-aged other women to get involved by organizing and developing a Hunter Education class for women. She was also the first woman certified in Wisconsin for Master Instructor in Hunter Education program in 1984.

2013 Water Conservationist of the Year…Robert A. Haase

2013 Lifetime Achievement Award…Connie Pribnow

Tell People You Read it in Wisconservation!

WISCONSERVATION May 20136

by Steve Ales, WDNR 4/13

MADISON – Heavy rains in south-ern Wisconsin and the threat ofrivers flooding are spurring state

drinking water officials to urge private wellowners to take action immediately if theirwells become flooded.

“If you see your well surrounded by flood-waters, stop drinking water from the well, andhave it tested to assure it’s safe before youstart drinking the water again,” says SteveAles, private water section chief for the De-partment of Natural Resources.

“Flood waters contain bacteria and wastecontaminants that can threaten water sup-plies,” he says. “Wells located in pits and base-ments are especially susceptible to such con-tamination.”

Well owners whose wells become floodedshould assume their wells are contaminatedand take the following steps:

1. Stop drinking the water and find anoth-er known, safe source of water to use.

2. Disinfect the well.3. Sample the well after disinfection to as-

sure the well is bacterially safe before drink-ing water again or cooking or preparing food

Heavy Rains Stir Concerns of Potentialfor Contaminated Wells; Well Owners

Urged to Act if Well is Floodedwith it

Wells should be disinfected with a chlorinesolution and that solution must come in con-tact with all the surfaces of the well, from topto bottom, and throughout the plumbing dis-tribution system, Ales says.

“Disinfecting the well is work best doneby licensed well driller or pump installer,” hesays.

Lists of pump installers and well drillersand laboratories certified to test water for bac-teria can be found by searching the on DNRwebsite for “flood,” and clicking on the link for“Recommendations for private wells inundat-ed by flooding.”

For more information about Coping withFlooding on topics ranging from debris cleanup to recreation safety, search the DNR web-site for keyword “flood.”

For specific help or questions regardingflooded wells and bacterial contamination ofwells in Wisconsin, please contact:

• Steve Ales, Madison, 608-267-7649• Glenn Mueller, Fitchburg, 608-275-3215• Zoe McManama, Sturtevant, 262-822-

7730• Tom Puchalski, Horicon, 920-387-7870

With the arrival of spring so, too,will be the arrival of baby wildlife.Well-intentioned animal enthusi-

asts may mistakenly assume some wildlife ba-bies are abandoned and in need of their helpwithout realizing the babies’ mothers mostlikely are nearby and on the job.

Department of Natural Resources wildlifebiologists remind outdoor enthusiasts thatthese wildlife babies are best left in their nat-ural homes and near their mothers, which arelikely hiding from sight in an effort to protecttheir babies.

“Wildlife animal mothers protect, concealand feed their babies in ways that may beeasily misinterpreted by humans who wantto help the animal baby that appears vulner-able,” said Amanda Cyr, a DNR wildlife bi-ologist. “Unlike humans one way they protecttheir babies is to conceal them and leave themhidden from predators under natural vegeta-tion.”

Cyr says the mother returns to feed the ba-bies, but often under the cover of darkness orbrush. This is something humans may not un-derstand because it is so removed from whata human mother does. The well-intended butuninformed person may attempt to rescue orfeed a wild animal baby because, in the hu-man world, we perceive the baby as beingafraid, alone and abandoned.

“It often is not. Its mother is followingnatural behavior instincts to help the babiessurvive and thrive,” Cyr said. “Human inter-ventions, while done with good intentions, in-stead can damage the health and well-being ofthe baby animal.”

Cyr says feeding a wild animal with hu-man foods can cause more damage to the wildanimal because their digestive systems aredifferent. Wild animals require different foodsand nutrient levels that cannot be met withhuman diets. Too much human or domesticanimal disturbance or activity near a babyanimal could also cause the mother to shyaway from the area. Especially keep a closewatch on pets when they are outdoors so theydon’t disturb a nest of baby animals.

To help prevent a wild animal from mak-ing a nest in a building or too close to humanactivity, place caps on chimneys, vents andwindow wells, and seal up any unintendedopenings or hollows.

Born without body scents for a reason;fawn’s spots for survival

Some wild animals are born with littlebody scent. Their protection from predators,Cyr says, is for them to remain motionless andconcealed within the environment.

“Their mothers are keeping watch fromafar,” Cyr said. “The mother returns a coupleof times each day to quickly feed the babies.After feeding, the mother will quickly hide

Born Wild: Babies Best Left in Naturethem again from the predators.”

Cyr says this is the natural behavior ofwhite-tailed deer and fawns.

“Fawns have little scent to attract a preda-tor and their spots help them blend in to theenvironment,” she says. “They move very littlein their first weeks while they are alone in aplace the mother selected. If you see a fawnlying on the ground by itself, you should leavethe fawn where it is and not disrupt the area.”

Baby rabbits also are usually alone in theirnest during the day when the mother is notthere. The baby rabbit’s best protection frompredators is to remain in their nest which isconcealed with grass or vegetation.

“The mother will come back to the nest acouple times each day to feed the babies,” Cyrsaid.

Don’t touch but call for help; drive withcare during animal rush hours

If you find a baby wild animal, Cyr saysthe best policy is to leave them alone. “A goodoption to really help the animal is to call theDNR Call Center (1-888-936-7463, 1-888-WD-NRINFo). We can evaluate the situation anddetermine if you should be connected with awildlife rehabilitator in your area.”

To get the name of a wildlife rehabilitatorin your area, you can contact the WDNR’s CallCenter (1-888-WDNRINFo / 936-7463) or Bu-reau of Wildlife Management (608-266-8204),or search for “wildlife rehabilitator directory”on the DNR website.

“Animals tend to be on the move duringspecific times during the day and the hoursaround dusk and dawn are especially busy,”Cyr said. When driving in more rural or woodsareas slow down and watch for animals on themove. Just like humans, animals start gettingmore active when the weather makes a transi-tion into the warmer temperatures.

What is the law on assisting wildlife?State and federal laws prohibit the pos-

session of live native wild animals without alicense or permit from the Wisconsin Depart-ment of Natural Resources or the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service. A permit from the US-FWS is required to possess all native birdsprotected under the Migratory Bird TreatyAct. A few species are allowed to be possessedwithout a license, but the take of these speciesmust be from a legal source.

If it is absolutely necessary to help a younganimal that is injured or its mother has beenkilled, a person may legally have the animalin their possession for up to 24 hours for thepurpose of transporting the animal to a li-censed wildlife rehabilitator.

People can learn more about assistingwildlife by searching the DNR website for “or-phaned wildlife”.

As the remaining signs of wintermelt away and black bears begin toemerge from their dens, homeown-

ers statewide are encouraged to take precau-tions to reduce the potential for problems withthese hungry bruins.

Natural food sources are limited at thistime of year, and bears are often attractedto bird feeders, garbage cans, grills, or othercommon attractants found in yards, says BradKoele, Department of Natural Resources wild-life damage specialist.

“Taking steps to remove any food attrac-tants will greatly reduce the likelihood of hav-ing problems with bears,” said Koele. “Blackbears normally avoid contact with people.However, when food sources are available,bears can quickly learn to associate humanswith food and can become a nuisance.”

Highly habituated bears can be dangerousand may need to be euthanized.

“Preventing the problem in the first placeis the best solution for both humans andbears,” said Koele.

It is illegal to intentionally feed bears inWisconsin. It is also important for landown-ers to make sure they are not unintentionallyfeeding bears by allowing a food source to beaccessible near their home. Bird feeders areoften a source for a quick meal, especially inthe spring, and unsecured garbage cans ordumpsters are also potential attractants.

Wildlife biologists encourage residents tofollow these steps to avoid attracting bears:

• Don’t knowingly feed a bear;• Completely remove bird feeders, even

during daytime hours. Bears are active dur-ing the day and may cause problems even ifthe feeders are out only during that time.

• Reduce garbage odors by rinsing foodcans before putting them in recycling contain-ers or garbage cans;

• Keep meat scraps in the freezer untilgarbage day, and if possible, keep garbagecans in a closed building until the morning

of pick-up. Commercial dumpsters should belocked;

• Keep pet food inside or inaccessible tobears even during daytime hours;

• Keep barbeque grills and picnic tablesclean.

If a bear is near your home, wave yourarms and make noise to scare it away. Thenback away slowly or go inside and wait for thebear to leave. When scaring the bear away,make sure it has a clear escape route. Nevercorner a bear.

If a bear finds food such as bird feed orgarbage near your home it will likely return.The visits will eventually stop when food is nolonger available. Bears will periodically checksites where food was once available, so it maytake several days to weeks before the bear willquit visiting a site once the food source hasbeen removed.

If you encounter a bear while in the woodsyou should stay calm and not approach it.Give it space, walk away, and watch from adistance. Never approach a sow with cubs.

The Department would also like to cau-tion that it is unlawful and unethical to shootat bears. Each year the Department receivesreports about bears that were shot with birdshot.

“Shooting bears with bird shot is illegal,extremely inhumane and could result in sig-nificant injuries or even is fatal to the bear,”said Koele. “There are a variety of non-lethal,humane abatement options available for re-solving conflicts with bears.”

The Department of Natural Resourcespartners with USDA-Wildlife Services for re-sponding to black bear complaints. Homeown-ers who are unable to resolve a conflict withbears should contact the U.S. Department ofAgriculture-Wildlife Services toll-free line at1-800-433-0663 for properties in SouthernWisconsin, and 1-800-228-1368 for propertiesNorthern Wisconsin.

Bears Emerging from Dens; Take Stepsto Avoid Nuisance Problems

Trapper education courses are underway statewide and open for thoseneeding this required training before

doing any trapping this fall, a Department ofNatural Resources furbearer ecologist says.

“These courses are popular and can fill upquickly,” said Geriann Albers, DNR assistantfurbearer ecologist. “The courses are led byvolunteer instructors who are experts in trap-ping. However, not all counties have the trap-per courses so it’s best to find the course in thecounty closest to you and sign up now.”

Albers says the course is required for thosewho have not previously held a trapping li-cense and are not actively engaged in farm-ing. She also recommends students be at least10 years old.

Just more than 2,000 completed the trap-per education course in 2012.

“The credit for that graduation rate goesto our many dedicated volunteer instructors

and education coordinators from the Wiscon-sin Trappers Association who put in countlesshours to keep this program top-notch,” Alberssays. This course includes strong attention ontrapper ethics and trapper responsibility be-sides the important basics of rules and regu-lations, traps and trap setting, history of fur-bearer management and biology of furbearers.

Wisconsin’s trappers, can participate inregulated trapping seasons in other stateswith the exception of Minnesota, Michigan,Hawaii and Washington, D.C. Oftentimestrapper education is a requirement and ourWisconsin course is recognized and acceptedby others.

The trapper education course cost is $12and pre-registration is required. To learnmore about this course and where the coursesare taught, search the DNR website for “trap-per ed.”

Want to Trap in Fall?Do Required Safety Course Now

People interested in learning to huntWisconsin’s largest game animalhave until May 24 to apply to partici-

pate in a Learn to Hunt Bear outing featuringclassroom and field instruction capped with areal hunt with skilled mentors.

“The Learn to Hunt Bear program repre-sents an opportunity of a lifetime for novicehunters of any age,” said Keith Warnke, hunt-ing and shooting sport coordinator for the De-partment of Natural Resources. “Working inpartnership with many dedicated bear hunt-ers and local conservation organizations, war-dens and wildlife managers, successful Learnto Hunt Bear events have been held acrossnorthern Wisconsin during the last severalyears.”

In 2012, DNR conservation wardens anddedicated bear hunters coordinated LTH Bearevents for 56 participants in nine counties. Atotal of 42 bear were harvested: 25 over baitand 17 using dogs. Conservation Warden JillSchartner who organizes the Bayfield CountyLTH bear event said those who participate inthese events leave with the skills and basicbuilding blocks needed to hunt for a bear inthe future.

Schartner said last year instead of onlyhunting the weekend for just two days, a daywas added on each end of the weekend in Sep-tember 2012.

This change, she said, gave both hunters alittle more time to spend with their mentors

Learn to Hunt Bear ApplicationProcess Open

and those two extra days really made a differ-ence. While all the LTH bear events are dif-ferent (not all are four days long), every groupgoes to extra lengths to ensure the novicehunters are well trained.

Schartner believes the mentors are theones who are crucial to this program. “If notfor their experience, money, time and energy,there would be no program,” she said.

Schartner, who has more than 16 BearHunting Mentor Groups who help run thisprogram, said mentors share their experienc-es to keep improving the program each year.Participation in the DNR Learn to Hunt Bearprogram is limited, so qualified applicationswill be evaluated and winners drawn andnotified in mid-June. Documents and appli-cations for the Learn to Hunt Bear programcan be found by searching the DNR websitefor “LTH.”

The program is limited to novice bearhunters only. A novice hunter is anyone age 10and older who has not participated in a Learnto Hunt Bear event and has not previouslypurchased a Class A or Class B bear license.Applications must be postmarked by May 24

In 2005, the DNR began the Learn to HuntBear program as another outreach programfor novice hunters. Other Wisconsin wildlifefeatured in the Learn to Hunt program in-clude turkey, deer, pheasant, upland gameand waterfowl. For more information searchthe DNR website for “LTH.”

“Tell People You Read It In Wisconservation”!!!

WISCONSERVATION May 20137

Sponsors and landowners interestedin hosting a gun deer hunt for hunt-ers with disabilities have until June

1 to submit their application. New in 2013, anonline application form will replace the previ-ous paper application that had to be mailedin.

“The new online application will stream-line the application process for both the huntsponsors and DNR staff and allow disabledhunters to see which properties are enrolledin the hunt sooner than in previous years,”said Scott Roepke, assistant big game ecolo-gist for the Department of Natural Resources.

The new online application can be foundby going to dnr.wi.gov and searching keyword“disabled deer hunt.” The application willcontain the same information as in the past;however, it will now be in an easier format forsponsors to submit. If sponsors do not have ac-cess to the online application, hard copies willbe available.

The Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Dis-abilities Program first began in 1990 to pro-vide an opportunity to hunt deer while mildtemperatures persist and mobility is relative-

People Seeking to Sponsor Deer Huntsfor People with Disabilities Can Now

Submit Applications OnlineApplications due June 1

ly unhampered. These hunts are sponsoredby private individuals or organizations andalmost entirely take place on privately-ownedlands.

In 2012, 93 sponsors worked with land-owners to make nearly 75,000 acres of landopen to hunters with disabilities. These spon-sors and landowners provided opportunitiesfor more than 450 hunters to get out in thefield and enjoy the woods. This year’s gunhunt for hunters with disabilities will occurOct. 5-13.

Hunters interested in participating in thehunt can find a list of sponsors on the DNRwebsite after June 1. Hunters are encour-aged to contact sponsors as soon as possibleso that the sponsors can begin to plan for thehunt. Sponsors are required to submit a listof participating hunters no later than Sept. 1.The list of participating hunters can also besubmitted online, similar to the sponsor ap-plication.

“We would like to thank all of the huntsponsors, landowners, and volunteers for theirdedication to this great event. Without them,this hunt would not be possible,” Roepke said.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis.– Ozaukee County’s fishpassage program and a key

volunteer in documenting how fish areresponding to efforts to restore theirmigration routes along Lake Michigantributaries were among the groups andindividuals recently recognized for out-standing achievements in citizen-basedmonitoring of Wisconsin’s natural re-sources.

Other honorees for the Citizen-basedMonitoring Awards include two volun-teers with Milwaukee’s Urban EcologyCenter, a key volunteer in surveys tocollect data about dragonflies, and DaveRedell, the late Department of NaturalResources bat ecologist, who built theWisconsin Bat Conservation Program.

Separate Wisconsin Stream Monitor-ing Awards were given by the Univer-sity of Wisconsin-Extension and DNRto recognize volunteers, employees andteachers for their commitment to moni-toring, collecting data, raising awarenessand sharing knowledge about Wisconsinstreams.

Recipients of those awards includeda leader of the Central Wisconsin TroutUnlimited Riverkeepers, a Racine highschool student, a teacher at MenomineeIndian High School in Keshena, a Craw-ford County stewardship group and thecoordinator of stream monitoring forMilwaukee Riverkeeper

“Wisconsin is fortunate to have somany people who care so deeply aboutour natural resources,” says Owen Boyle,who coordinates the Citizen-based Moni-toring Network for DNR.

“We appreciate the efforts of each andevery one of those volunteers. Our con-ference offered us a chance to honor inparticular some of the groups and indi-viduals who have provided outstandingservice and leadership.”

Kris Stepenuck, volunteer streammonitoring program coordinator forDNR and UW-Extension, says the recipi-ents were “inspirational.” It’s a pleasureto be able to learn from these leaders involunteer stream monitoring,” she says.

The awards were given out duringthe Citizen-based Monitoring conferencein Wisconsin Rapids on April 5-6, whichwas jointly hosted by the Water ActionVolunteers and the Citizen-based Moni-toring Network. More than 135 peoplefrom nature centers, schools, colleges,friends groups, and state and countyagencies attended the convention.

A list of award winners and short de-scriptions of their work follows.

• Ozaukee County Fish PassageProgram was named the Citizen-basedMonitoring Program of the Year. Ozau-kee County’s Parks and Planning De-partment has procured nearly $8 millionin federal, state, local, and other fund-ing since 2006 to carry out fish habitatrestoration work. That department hasworked with municipalities, consul-tants, conservation corps, non-profit or-ganizations, and volunteers to remove180 impediments to fish migration inthe county and restore habitats, and todocument the effects of their work andprovide information that can be used infuture planning decisions by state andlocal governments.

• Rick Frye received the OutstandingAchievement in Citizen-based Monitor-ing award for his leadership role withinthe Ozaukee County Fish Passage Pro-gram’s fish surveys. He has volunteeredalmost 30 hours at five electrofishingsurvey events and helps guide new vol-unteers into the labor intensive process.

• Robin Squier received the Out-standing Achievement in Citizen-basedMonitoring for her work with the UrbanEcology Center bird banding program,donating more than 150 hours of herown time in 2012 alone. She also led theeffort that made Milwaukee the largestcity in Wisconsin to receive the Bird Citydesignation.

• Dan Jackson received an Outstand-ing Achievement in Citizen-based Moni-toring for his work as a citizen volunteerparticipating in dragonfly surveys andhelping build the Web presence of thenew Wisconsin Dragonfly Society. Since2009 he has contributed 4,051 Odonatarecords to the Odonata Survey, including

a first state record of a striped saddle-bags (Tramea calverti).

• Ethan Bott received an Outstand-ing Achievement in Youth Monitoring forhis volunteerism with the Urban EcologyCenter. Now 17, the White Fish Bay HighSchool senior has volunteered more than300 hours since joining the organizationat age 12. He has devoted most of histime to the center’s bird banding projectbut has also collected information formonarch, snake, and turtle monitoringsurveys.

• David Redell posthumously re-ceived a Lifetime Achievement in Cit-izen-based Monitoring for his work tobuild the Wisconsin Bat Conservationprogram after becoming DNR’s first batecologist in 2004. He worked to enactvanguard regulations to protect Wis-consin bats and developed a plan thatwill guide the state’s response to white-nose syndrome, a disease devastatinghibernating bat populations in NorthAmerica. Redell also helped createdcitizen-based monitoring efforts thatnow involve nearly 500 volunteers. Allfuture lifetime achievement awards willbe named the “David N. Redell Award forLifetime Achievement in Citizen-basedMonitoring.”

Wisconsin stream monitoring awards• John Gremmer of Winneconne was

recognized as the outstanding adult mon-itor for the Wisconsin Stream Monitoringprogram. Under his leadership, CentralWisconsin Trout Unlimited Riverkeep-ers has grown to support 25 teams whomonitor across a six-county area includ-ing Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago,Green Lake, Fond du Lac, and Marquettecounties. Gremmer does media outreachabout Riverkeepers’ activities, seeksfunding to support the group’s efforts,and participates in stream improvementwork days.

• Crawford Stewardship Project,based in Crawford County, was recog-nized as the outstanding group. Theybegan in 2007 to address concerns aboutthe effects of land use on water qualityin rural Crawford County and the lowerKickapoo River Watershed. Their moni-toring has identified some stream siteswith runoff pollution issues. The groupstarted a statewide network to fosterclean water and organized a communityeducational workshop about potentialimpacts of sand mining on surface andground waters.

• Joe Rath was recognized as the out-standing employee of the year. He hasbeen the monitoring coordinator for Mil-waukee Riverkeeper since 2010. By 2012this network had grown to support 63volunteers monitoring 100 sites. He wasinstrumental in pilot testing a volunteerphosphorus monitoring effort in streamsacross the watershed, the largest volun-teer phosphorus monitoring initiativeever carried out in Wisconsin.

• Maya Dizack of Racine was recog-nized as the outstanding student moni-tor. Dizack is completing her freshmanyear at The Prairie School in Racineand began testing a site near her homeseven years ago. Today, she and her fam-ily monitor three different locations andMaya is an integral member of the Prai-rie Stream Consortium – a local allianceof community members, She has madepresentations to local officials and at thestatewide Volunteer Stream MonitoringSymposium.

• Dan Hannen-Starr was recognizedas the outstanding teacher. A high schoolscience teacher at the Menominee IndianHigh School in Keshena, he worked withtribal elders and community membersto bring his students to the streams tomonitor them and to assist with stur-geon rehabilitation efforts. In 2011 heand the Menominee Indian High Schoolreceived a technology grant that allowedstudents at the high school to increasetheir participation in volunteer streammonitoring.

This spring state environmental of-ficials are recommending optionssuch as recycling and composting to

replace open burning of trash and yard debris,alternatives that can help the economy andalso keep dangerous pollutants out of the air.

While it is legal to burn some yard wastein certain areas, state forestry officials cau-tion that debris burning is the number onecause of wildfires in Wisconsin, causing about30 percent of the state’s wildfires each year.

“Don’t let the recent rainfall lull you intocomplacency,” says Catherine Koele, wildfireprevention specialist with the Department ofNatural Resources. “Wildfire season is uponus and the weather can change quickly. All ittakes is a day or two of dry and windy condi-tions to elevate the fire danger.”

Burning trash in Wisconsin is illegal be-cause of its environmental risk. A study by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency foundthat 15 households burning trash each dayemits the same amount of cancer-causing di-oxin and furan emissions as a 200-ton-per-daymunicipal waste incinerator that uses high-efficiency emissions control technology.

“Open burning of any material – plastic,paper or wood – produces a variety of hazard-ous and toxic air pollutants, including car-cinogens such as arsenic, benzene and form-aldehyde,” said Brad Wolbert, DNR wasteand materials management program sectionchief. “Children and people with asthma areespecially harmed by smoke from burninggarbage. If you burn trash, you’re affectingyour health and the environment more thanyou know.”

It’s also illegal in the state to burn recy-clable materials such as glass, plastic, metalcontainers and clean paper, as well as agricul-tural and horticultural plastics such as silage

film, haylage bags, bale wrap, woven tarpsand nursery pots and trays. If these materialscannot be recycled, they should go to a landfillor other legal disposal facility, not a burn bar-rel or pile.

“Every community has a recycling pro-gram for plastic, glass and metal containers,and paper,” Wolbert said, “and for yard debris,composting is the best option.”

Wolbert noted that composting and recy-cling are the preferred alternatives to burningand provide many additional environmentaland economic benefits. Search for “open burn-ing” on the DNR website for more alternativesto burning.

If burning is the only option for yard waste,a burning permit from the DNR is required toburn debris piles or for broadcast burning anytime the ground is not completely snow-cov-ered. Permit holders are authorized to burnvegetative materials, such as leaves, brushand pine needles. Permits are designed so thatpeople burn safely when and where the risk ofwildfire is minimal.

Customers can obtain permits online orby calling 1-888-WIS-BURN from 7 a.m. to10 p.m. daily. They may also visit their localranger station or emergency fire warden to re-ceive permits. Once an individual has a burn-ing permit, he or she must call or go onlineafter 11 a.m. on the day of the planned burnto check daily fire restrictions.

For more information on burning per-mits and the current fire danger in Wiscon-sin, visit the DNR website and search “burnpermit.” To learn more about ways to handlewaste materials, search “waste” on the DNRwebsite. Information on recycling of agri-cultural pesticide containers is available atwww.acrecycle.org.

If you value your oak trees, do not prunethem from April through July. Springand early summer pruning makes oak

trees vulnerable to oak wilt, a fatal fungaldisease of red oaks. The risk of oak wilt mov-ing from one tree to another is highest Aprilthrough July.

In fact, homeowners should take specialcare and avoid wounding oaks in any wayfrom April through July. Any action that pro-vides an opening into the tree, such as carv-ing initials into the tree, accidentally cuttingexposed roots with a lawn mower, or attachinga birdfeeder or clothes line, could provide anopportunity for the oak wilt fungus to invadeand establish itself in the tree.

Builders and developers also need to bevery careful, as many oak wilt infections occurthrough inadvertent damage to roots, trunks,or branches during the construction process.

While using paint or a wound dressing isnot normally recommended on pruning cutsor wounded surfaces on most trees, oaks arean exception from April through July. An im-mediate light painting of wounds on oak treesis recommended during this time to help pro-tect against the spread of oak wilt by beetles.“Just 15 minutes could be enough time for thebeetles that transmit the disease to land on a

fresh wound and infect your tree,” said KyokoScanlon, DNR’s statewide forest pathologist.

While the risk of spreading oak wilt is lowafter July, homeowners should avoid pruningor wounding oaks until November, to be on thesafe side. Check with your municipality to findout if they have their own oak wilt ordinancesthat you should follow as well.

Oak wilt is found in all Wisconsin coun-ties except Ashland, Bayfield, Calumet, Door,Douglas, Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Manitowoc,Price, Rusk, Sheboygan, Taylor and Washburncounties. The most recent oak wilt infesta-tions were confirmed in Lincoln, Sawyer andVilas counties in 2012.

“Pruning deciduous trees in generalshould be avoided in the spring, as this is thetime when tree buds and leaves are growingand food reserves are low,” according to DonKissinger, a DNR urban forester.

More information about oak wilt and oth-er forest pests is available on the WisconsinDNR website. Visit dnr.wi.gov and search thewords “forest health”. Additional informationabout proper pruning techniques is availablefrom your community forester, a Universityof Wisconsin-Extension agent, or DNR urbanforestry coordinators.

To Avoid Oak Wilt, Don’t PruneOaks April Through July

Citizens Honored for their Work to CollectInformation about Natural Resources

Open Burning Hazardous to Air,Leading Cause of Wildfires

WISCONSERVATION May 20138

2013 WWF BANQUET CALENDARDISTRICT CONTACT DATE LOCATION

District 4 East Jerry Knuth Sept. 5, 2013 Shooter’s(Plover) 715-344-0017 Plover, WI

District 7 Dave Chingway Sept. 19, 2013 Turner Hall(Watertown) 920-253-5251 Watertown, WI

District 7 Ruth Ann Lee Oct. 12, 2013 MacKenzie Center(MacKenzie Banquet) 608-635-8105 Poynette, WI

Statewide Banquet Wayne Thayer Jan. 25, 2014 HoChunk Casino608-754-4965 Wis. Dells, WI

Take Note!WWF Committee Call. Page 1

2013 Board of Directors. Page 2

WWF Achievement Awards. Pages 4 & 5

Citizens Honored. Page 7

Editor D. A. Gries

April 2013CalendarWinners

1 $1000 Cash Randy Dvorak, Auburndale, WI 84692 Browning BPS Camo 12 ga Mark Giese, Pewaukee, WI 613 $100 Cash Mark Pape, Hartland, WI 63324 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Chris Vandenberg, DePere, WI 2515 Remington 750 .270 Robert Reinemann, Sheboygan, WI 11936 $100 Cash Tony Van Beek, Appleton, WI 22107 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Neil Kronich, Brookfield, WI 83308 Mossberg Silver Reserve 12 ga Brad Roush, Dousman, WI 83199 $100 Cash Al Goertz, Milwaukee, WI 7282

10 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 James Heller, Neenah, WI 66511 Weatherby Vanguard 30.06 Art & Gay Seidl, Deerbrook, WI 49112 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Linda Smentek, Cecil, WI 504013 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Shawn Grossman, Fond du Lac, WI 173414 Marlin 1895 45-70 Josh Lundberg, Reeseville, WI 431915 $100 Cash Matt Call, Sheboygan, WI 892216 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Terry Olia, Madison, WI 218217 CZ Mallard 104 12 ga Gail Harlan, Avon, IN 301018 $100 Cash Pat Crum, Eagle River, WI 580119 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Jim Raiten, Tomah, WI 706920 Savage 17 HMR Ron Vian, Sparta, WI 900621 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Jim Luchinski, Berlin, WI 493622 Weekend Camping at Sheb. Marsh/$50 gas Jennifer Smith, Madison, WI 391723 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 John Schiefen, Oak Creek, WI 187924 TC Impact 50 Caliber Terry Hall, Mukwonago, WI 636325 $100 Cash Mike Lettau, Kimberly, WI 220926 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Kimberly Gehrke, Omro, WI 541827 Ruger 10/22 RB Justin Rabinek, Greendale, WI 788028 $100 Cash Jesse Curtin, Marathon, WI 662429 Gander Mountain Gift Card $100 Ryan Fletcher, East Troy, WI 9930 Marlin 925 Carol Luetkens, Pardeeville, WI 5508

Youth Essay ContestOne Youth to Win BearHunting Opportunity

Poynette, WI – The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, in partnership with the Depart-ment of Natural Resources will reward one youth with an opportunity to participatein a chance of a lifetime bear hunt!

At the February 2013 Board Meeting of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation it wasdiscussed and voted on to pass our youth bear harvest tag for 2013 to the OcontoRiver Kids Adventure. It’s our intention to have a youth with a life threatening illnessparticipate in harvesting a bear during this year’s bear harvest season.

To enter, any individual, age 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 must submit an originaltyped, double-spaced essay, 500 words or fewer, addressing this question:

“What is the importance of youth involvement in hunting today?”

Only “novice hunters” are eligible to be selected as a participant in the Learn toHunt Bear Program. A “novice hunter” for the purpose of the Learn to Hunt BearProgram is:

“Novice participant” means for hunting any person who is 10 years old orolder, who has not received an approval authorizing hunting in any priorhunting license year, including a class B bear license, for the species thatwill be pursued in the specific educational outdoor skills activity they desireto attend.

Entries must be postmarked by or e-mailed by May 15 to:

Wisconsin Wildlife Federationc/o Bear Hunting Essay Contest

W7303 Cty Rd CS & QPoynette, WI 53955-9690

Email: Jennifer@wiwf.orgPhone: 608-635-2742

Entries must include the contestant’s name, address, and email address, birth dateand phone number(s) on each page of the essay – and a completed, Learn to HuntBear Program application is available at; dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/bear/lth.htm

Essays will be chosen from each age category. The grand prize winner will be cho-sen by a random lottery. The winner will be notified by telephone.

7th Annual Little Plover RiverAppreciation Day – May 13, 2013

Little Plover River Park1501 Hoover Ave. Plover, WI 54467

“PUBLIC INVITED”:Come and learn about the River

Info: friendsofthelittleploverriver.org

Gone Wild for Monarchs!

Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natu-ral Landscapes, a national not-for-profit environmental edu-

cation and advocacy organization based inWisconsin, has just launched their Wild forMonarchs campaign to help preserve themonarch butterfly migration. They wanteveryone to know just how important thiscampaign is to the continuation of the bestknown insect migration in the world. WildOnes Chapters and members are meetingwith organizations and community mem-bers to promote such milkweed basics ashow to clean, grow and collect milkweed,and to inform everyone about the currentplight of the monarchs. Included as part ofthe national Wild for Monarchs campaignthis year, Wild Ones chapters throughoutthe USA will be conducting plant sales andworkshops about planting Monarch Way-stations.

The amazing MonarchsIt is truly amazing that the fall migra-

tion monarchs survive for eight or ninemonths – through the heavy demands ofmigration, flying the equivalent of a mara-thon race every day. From the northeasternU.S. region, the butterflies navigate to awinter refuge in a specialized ecosystem,10,000 feet up in the Trans-volcanic Moun-tains of central Mexico. Sheltered by densefir trees, the monarchs cluster together andare sustained by their own body’s food re-serves of long-lasting lipids metabolizedfrom milkweed leaves eaten as caterpillars,and the sweet flower nectar gathered asadult butterflies.

As the early spring days lengthen,overwintering monarch butterflies begintheir movement down the tall mountainsto migrate northward. As they move intonorthern Mexico and the southern UnitedStates, the females look for sprouts of freshmilkweed on which they’ll lay the eggs thatwill become a new generation of monarchs,ready to continue the population’s springmigration north. This first generation ofthe new year recognizes their summerbreeding range. This story is well known,but still inspires awe, especially for thosewho become personally involved throughobservation, reflection and stewardship ofnature.

In our quickly changing world, this ex-traordinary annual migration has becomeeven more challenging. Research trendsshow significant population decreases

starting in 1997-98, in both the eastern andwestern migrating monarchs. The primarydrivers of these declines are habitat loss –in the overwhelming sites from illegal log-ging and in their northern breeding range,from development and the loss of milkweedplants in agricultural areas. There is astrong correlation between the increaseduse of herbicides allowed by genetically-modified crops and the decline in monarchnumbers. Climate change, recent droughtconditions and increased frequency of se-vere storms can also affect monarchs andtheir habitat.

The monarchs have taken flight forthe spring migration. They are on

their way!This season plan to welcome the mon-

archs back by planting more milkweed andnative nectar plants. Help monarch conser-vation take flight! If we all grow additionalmilkweed and native nectar plants, wewould truly provide considerable supportfor monarchs and other Lepidoptera, aswell as an array of native pollinators.

If you prefer not to grow your own plantsfrom seed, you can (if applicable) orderplants from your local Wild Ones chapterspring plant sale or seek out a native plantgrower in your area. To learn more aboutmonarchs, go to the Wild Ones website atwww.wildones.org to find interesting fea-tures from basic information to children’sactivities.

Partnering with Wild for MonarchsTo stay involved with the campaign,

periodically check back at wildones.org/learn/wild-for-monarchs/ and see what newthings have been added to the Wild Oneswebsite. Share your garden photos, ideasand activities, successes and advice. Helpspread the word about the Wild for Mon-archs campaign by posting on your Face-book page or simply mention it to a friend.You can email monarchs@wildones.org orcall 877-394-9453 and request copies of thebrochures and other promotional materialsespecially developed for the Wild for Mon-archs campaign. Tell everyone you’ve “goneWild for Monarchs!”