MAFWA



13th Meeting of The Midwest Pheasant Study Group Finalizing the National Wild Pheasant Conservation PlanHosted by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and ParksSeptember 12-15, 2011 AmericInnChamberlain, South DakotaTravis Runia, Chairman 2011 Report13th Midwest Pheasant Study Group MeetingThe Midwest Pheasant Study Group is a Technical Working Committee of theMidwest Association of Fish and Wildlife AgenciesTable of ContentsMeeting Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Meeting Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Information for the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6List of Attendees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Group Bylaws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11State Reports National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan OutlineMIDWEST PHEASANT STUDY GROUPIndiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin13TH MIDWEST PHEASANT STUDY GROUP MEETINGMonday, September 12, 20115:00 pm – 10:00 pmCheck-in ($75 Registration payable to Heartland Region Pheasants Forever)7:00 pm – 10:00 pmEvening Social (Appetizers and some beverages provided)Tuesday, September 13, 20117:00 am – 8:00 amBreakfast (Continental)8:00 am – 12:00 pmMorning SessionIntroduction – Travis Runia, SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP)State Status Reports – Group (Complete by 10:00 am)10:00 am – 10:30 amPheasant Production Model – Josh White, SD State University (SDSU)10:30 am – 11:00 amPheasants/Winter Wheat Nesting Study – Brian Pauly, SDSUSouth Dakota CREP – SDGFP12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLunch (provided)1:00 pm – 3:00 pmAfternoon SessionPrivate Lands Habitat Programs in South Dakota, SDGFPWild Pheasant Restoration in PA:? Is Trap and Transfer the Answer?-Scott Klinger Pennsylvania Game CommissionDigital data collection for game surveys Travis Runia, SDGFP; Mark McInroy IADNR; Dave Dahlgren KSWP 3:00 pm – 6:00 pmField Trip – Lyman County: Will tour study site used to evaluate use of winter wheat by nesting pheasants, private land habitat projects including the first perpetual easement purchased by PF through NAWCA grant, and several CRP fields.6:00 pm – 10:00 pmCookout (Halverson Farms)Wednesday, September 14, 20117:00 am – 8:00 amBreakfast (Continental)8:00 am – 12:00 pmMorning SessionNational Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan: ReviewTaking the Next Step:? Expanding the Midwest Pheasant Study Group to a National Pheasant Technical Committee, Scott Klinger, PGCNational Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan: Habitat Calculation12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLunch (Provided)1:00 pm – 5:00 pmAfternoon SessionNational Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan5:00 pmSupper (Provided)6:00 pmBoat Ride, Missouri RiverThursday, September 15, 20117:00 am – 8:00 amBreakfast (Continental)8:00 am – 12:00 pmMorning SessionNational Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan10:00 amConference Call11:30 amFinal thoughts & meeting adjournment, discuss potential location of 2012 meeting MIDWEST PHEASANT STUDY GROUPIndiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, WisconsinMeeting Summary13th Midwest Pheasant Study Group MeetingEight Members (IN, IA, KS, NE, ND, OH, SD, and MI) of the Midwest Pheasant Study Group (MPSG), along with representatives from Pennsylvania and Washington arrived on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 at the Chamberlain AmericInn. The evening was spent getting acquainted and discussing the next day’s agenda.Tuesday morning began with formal introductions and a review of the meeting agenda. Following introductions, state representatives delivered their state reports, summarizing last year’s hunting activities, ongoing management activities, and current pheasant research (Appendix 1).Josh White, an M.S. graduate student at South Dakota State University (SDSU) presented preliminary results of his pheasant production model research. Josh has been analyzing landscape-level landuse surrounding pheasant encounters from South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) annual roadside pheasant surveys. Results from this study will help predict how changes in landscape-level landuse will influence pheasant populations.Brian Pauly, an M.S. graduate student at SDSU presented preliminary results of his pheasant nesting study. Specifically, Brian is investigating the use of winter wheat for nesting by pheasants. Brian has completed one field season with another field season planned for 2012. Preliminary results suggest that winter wheat is an important nesting habitat for pheasants in South Dakota.Matt Grunig with the SDGFP presented information related to the SD Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). In SD, public hunting and fishing access is tied to CREP contracts. The SDGFP pays an additional 40% of the standard soil rental rate in addition to the Farm Service Agency payment. There is a 100,000 acre allocation within the James River watershed, with about 60,000 acres enrolled so far. Ben Bigalke and Tim Olson also with the SDGFP presented information on private lands habitat programs available in SD.To end the session, Travis Runia (SDGFP) and Dave Dahlgren (Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks) explained how their states are using GPS-enabled digital data collectors for pheasant surveys. Group discussion on the subject followed.At 3:00 pm on Tuesday, the group left Chamberlain for a field trip. Jim Ristau, a Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist in Chamberlain led much of the tour. The first stop was a state-owned game production area which featured well managed native range, tame grass seedings, food plots, and a shelterbelt. Jack Freidel, habitat manager with SDGFP described the management regime and habitat goals for the property. The second stop was a 3 year old CRP SAFE seeding which featured a highly diverse seeding mix. This CRP seeding was in its prime with a diverse mixture of grass and forbs with very little duff build up. Also on the property was a tract of native prairie that had not been managed for quite some time. Jim explained how management would improve the composition and structure of the native range.Next, we visited two wetlands in which Pheasants Forever purchased wetland easements through a North American Wetland Conservation Act grant. This first of its kind acquisition is a unique way to conserve non traditional, but critically important pheasant habitat. There is enough money left from the grant to purchase one more wetland easement. Future grant applications are expected as these projects are considered a great success. On the way to the next stop we drove through the study site used for the aforementioned pheasant winter wheat nesting study.The group met with a local landowner during the last stop of the day. The landowner explained how he used the CRP to establish 40 acre blocks of dense nesting cover (DNC, intermediate or tall wheatgrass, sweetclover, and alfalfa) on most of the ? sections he owns. The DNC is managed with periodic haying and the alfalfa responds great. His property boasts extremely high pheasant density. The group spent the evening enjoying a cook out sponsored by Halverson Hunts LLC.Wednesday morning was spent reviewing the previous meeting in Indiana, and updating the group on the progress of the National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan. We reviewed the existing plan, and put together an updated outline. We decided to replace the umbrella “best management practices” sections with “challenges and opportunities” sections within each regional section. The pheasant range was also divided into management regions which required in depth group discussion (see outline).On the final day of the meeting, a teleconference was held to update members of the MPSG on the accomplishments of the meeting. Biologists of all states within the pheasant range were also invited to participate in the call. Mike Rabe with the Arizona Game and Fish Department briefed the group about his experience with the Western Qauil Management Plan. Also on the call were Todd Bogenschutz (IA), Rick Northrup (MT), Kurt Haroldson (MN), Sharon Gericke Fandel (WI), and Beth (Cole) Emmerich (MO).With a draft plan nearly completed for the Midwestern states, the Midwest Pheasant Study Group will be contacting all states within the entire pheasant range to encourage participation in the development and finalization of the National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan. The participation letter will come from the Bird Conservation Committee of AFWA who has endorsed the draft plan.Director Action Items – NoneDirector Information Items – Update on organization of the National Wild Pheasant Conservation PlanTime and Place of Next Meeting – Autumn 2012, MinnesotaParticipant Contact List13th Midwest Pheasant Study Group MeetingIndianaBudd VeverkaIndiana Div of Fish & Wildlife553 E Miller DrBloomington, IN 47404812-675-1559bveverka@dnr.KansasDavid DahlgrenSmall Game SpecialistKansas Department of Wildlife and Parks1426 Alt. Hwy 83Hays, KS 67601435-881-1910dave.dahlgren@IowaMark McInroyWildlife Research Station1436 255th StBoone, IA 50036515-432-2823 x 111mark.mcinroy@dnr.NebraskaJeff LuskNebraska Game and Parks CommissionResearch, Analysis, and Inventory Section2200 N. 33rd St.Lincoln, NE 68503402-471-1756jeff.lusk@North DakotaStan Kohn N.D. Game & Fish Dept. 100 North Bismarck Expressway Bismarck, N.D. 58501 701-328-6339 skohn@OhioKenneth DurenOhio Division of Fish and WildlifeOlentangy Wildlife Research StationAshley, OH 43003740-747-2525 x 28keneth.duren@dnr.state.oh.usSouth DakotaTravis RuniaS.D Dept. Game, Fish and Parks895 3rd St. SWHuron, SD 57350605-353-8477travis.runia@state.sd.usWashingtonJoey McCannaWashington Department Fish and Wildlife2315 North Discovery PlaceSpokane Valley, WA 99216-1566Joe.McCanna@dfw.PennsylvaniaScott KlingerGame Research DivisionPennsylvania Game Commission1380 Church RoadMiddleburg, PA 17842717-433-8796scklinger@state.pa.usOrganizational Guidelines of the Midwest Pheasant Study Group Objectives: 1. Provide an informal forum for common management problems concerning the pheasant and associated upland game (where applicable) in Midwest upland/farmland habitats. 2. Stimulate an exchange of information between states on survey techniques, harvest regulations, research, and habitat management. 3. Provide an opportunity to define and set priorities for common research needs and to minimize duplication of efforts among member states. 4. Provide an opportunity to develop cooperative research projects that one state could not address by itself. 5. Act as a source of detailed information on pheasants in the Midwest (and other applicable states) for the public and other resource agencies. Organization: The Midwest Pheasant Study Group shall consist of representatives from the member states who, as wildlife biologists, are directly responsible for research and management of pheasants and associated upland game birds. States invited to join the Group are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Other states are encouraged to participate. The Midwest Pheasant Study Group is sanctioned by the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA)a. Officers: The offices of chairperson and secretary shall be filled by biologists from the state selected to host the next meeting. Their term of office shall be from their selection until completion of all responsibilities for their Group meeting. Officers will be selected by the host state with recommendations made by the group. Their responsibilities will include organizing the meeting to be held in their state, selecting a meeting site and dates, arranging for lodging and meeting rooms, formulating an informal program, publicity and meeting announcements to member states, and publication of a meeting summary and updated biologist directory. Committees: Committees may be selected to investigate specific problems and make recommendations to the entire group. Committees will be selected by the chairperson after reviewing requests for committee action submitted by the membership.Meetings: 6At each group meeting the date and host state for the next meeting will be decided. Meeting sites will be rotated among member states on a volunteer basis. If no volunteer comes forward, the first member state (proceeding alphabetically) that has not yet hosted a meeting, or the member state with the longest elapsed time period since it last hosted a meeting, will be chosen if agreeable to that state. Meetings will generally be 2-3 days in duration with meeting costs kept to an absolute minimum. A general theme shall be selected for each meeting; site chosen should enhance the selected topic. Field trips are encouraged to investigate management practices and/or research projects. Notice of arrangements for the meeting shall be distributed to member states at least 4 months in advance to allow time for securing out-of-state travel authority and preparation of presentations/status reports. Meeting Agenda: The program shall be informal with ample time for open discussion. Each state shall submit a written report on hunting regulations and harvest, population surveys and trends, new research and management projects, university research, and any other topic that the state representatives deem important. Also, the chairperson may invite guest speakers to present reports on the selected theme of the meeting or other topics that may be of interest to the group. Short field trips may be utilized to point out areas of special interest to the group. Attendance: To enhance an atmosphere of total participation and exchange of ideas, the attendance shall be limited to 40 persons. The chairperson will be responsible for limiting the size of the meeting to that number. Forty seats will be allocated in a manner that allows the 11 non-host states to send a maximum of 3 individuals apiece, the host state is allowed 5 seats, and 2 seats will be available for national-group representatives such as Pheasants Forever and Quail Unlimited. If pre-meeting registration indicates that some states will not send their full allotment, the chairperson can delegate unfilled seats to the host state or to states requesting extra attendance. Persons invited by the host state to participate in the program would not be counted toward the allotment. Business Meeting: The agenda will include a short business meeting. Topic of discussion will include selection of the next host state, date of the next meeting, future topic(s) of interest, selection of officers, committee reports, and any other information pertinent to the operation of the group.Meeting Summary and Minutes: The secretary of the group shall be responsible for preparing a summary of topics discussed at the meeting to persons attending and any other organization or agency making a request. The meeting summary shall contain a synopsis of information presented and items covered at the business meeting, including committee reports. Any written reports submitted at the meeting shall be included as well as a list of persons attending the meeting and their addresses. Group chair will provide a copy of the meeting summary to the president of the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agenciesb. Duplication of status reports and related material to be placed in the meeting summary shall be the responsibility of member state representatives and adequate copies must be turned in at the meeting. Funds for distribution of the meeting summary and other materials will be furnished by the host state. aRevised at the 2004 meeting by unanimous vote. bRevised at the 1996 meeting by unanimous vote. 7Previously revised at the 1993 meeting.MIDWEST PHEASANT STUDY GROUPIndiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, WisconsinAppendix 1State Reports State Reports to be sent in hard copy form via postal mail. National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan (Status and Outline)Executive Summary - IncompleteIntroduction – Draft CompleteEconomics – Draft complete using Midwest states’ dataJustification – Draft completeGoal – Draft completeMethodology – Draft completePheasant Habitat Management RegionsRegion 1: CT, ME, MA, NH, RIRegion 2: DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, WVRegion 3: IL, IN, MI, OH, WI – Draft Nearly CompleteRegion 4: IA, MN, MO, ND, SD, MT – Draft Nearly CompleteRegion 5: CO, KS, NE, NM, OK, TX – Draft Nearly Complete for Midwest statesRegion 6: ID, OR, WA, WY, AZ, CA, NV, UTComponents of Regional SectionsRange map by countyRegional descriptionEconomicsState SectionsDescriptionHabitat and Wild Pheasant Harvest GoalsScenariosWhat would harvest be without CRP?ChallengesOpportunitiesManagement Region Summaries and Overall Habitat and Harvest GoalsPlan Implementation ObjectivesPersonnel – Draft CompletePolicy – Draft CompletePartnerships – Draft CompleteEducation – Draft CompleteResearch – Draft CompleteBibliographyAppendix A – State Habitat and Harvest Goal Work Sheets ................
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