Wisconsin - MAFWA



Wisconsin State of the State ReportJune 5, 2014Cathy Stepp, SecretaryWisconsin Department of Natural Resources101 S. Webster StreetP.O. Box 7921Madison, WI 53707-7921Significant AccomplishmentsWisconsin Bat Program: The WI Bat Program uses a comprehensive approach to address lack of knowledge for bats. The Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau’s dedicated team conducts statewide projects to investigate status, trends and current threats, and monitor bat population health. The goal is to prevent extinction, monitor bat health, status, and trends, while implementing adaptive management actions to sustain or recover one of Wisconsin’s greatest natural resources for the benefit of future generations. The WI Bat Program conducted state wide surveillance for the disease, White-nose syndrome (WNS) in 2013-2014 and found the first confirmed case of WNS and the causative fungus, Psuedogymnoascus destructans, in a bat hibernaculum in Southwestern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Bat Program continues to work with partners (U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center, the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Center and Eastern Regional office, and researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison) to advance our understanding of the disease and work toward developing effective control management strategies. During the summer of 2013, statewide date collection continued by utilizing nearly 1,000 volunteers in two citizen-based monitoring projects: Acoustic and Bat Roost monitoring projects. These projects have vastly increased the Department’s knowledge of all bat species in Wisconsin. Northern long-eared bat listing: The Wisconsin DNR continues to monitor bat hibernacula, support landowners in their efforts to protect cave bat species and to participate in White-nose syndrome related research. Wisconsin supports the federal listing from a biological perspective, and the species has been listed as Threatened at the state level in Wisconsin for several years. Wisconsin also has been working closely with other states to provide input regarding guidance for this species and plans to lead an effort to coordinate other states in the northern long-eared bat range. The goal is to develop guidance that can protect the remaining population while allowing for sustainable forestry and other land management to activities which can be beneficial to cave bat habitat. The department is currently carrying out research to better define northern long-eared bat maternity roost habitat.Citizen Based Monitoring (CBM) Program: The Wisconsin DNR’s CBM Program is rounding out its tenth year of support and development of citizen (volunteer) programs. The goal of the CBM initiative is to facilitate the expansion of public involvement in terrestrial and aquatic natural resource monitoring and conservation. DNR provides direct financial and technical support to new or evolving projects and offers continuity to a growing network by facilitating communication and information exchange between organizations, disciplines, projects and individuals. Since initiation in 2004, the popular CBM Partnership Program fund has supported 1998 high priority natural resource monitoring projects statewide; most of which are directed entirely by external organizations. This provides a significant cost savings to the State of Wisconsin since partners normally exceeds a 3:1 match in non-state cash and donated time. Last year 21 citizen-based monitoring projects received seed funds. Projects occurred throughout the state and monitored a wide range of topics including invasive species, bumble bees, water quality, rare plants, birds, fish, flying squirrels and Northwoods lake levels. The Citizen-based Monitoring Program and partners manage a directory of over 150 CBM projects and organizations called the “Who's Who of Citizen-based Monitoring,” a website and YouTube channel full of training resources, and a Facebook page to facilitate communication among members of the CBM community. Wisconsin Stopover Initiative: Coordinated by WDNR, The Wisconsin Stopover Initiative is a multi-partner project working together to protect, conserve, and enhance the “stopover” habitats used by birds migrating through the Great Lakes. In 2013, the project focused on educational programs and outreach to raise awareness of migratory birds and stopover habitat. Last year 150 private landowners attended Grosbeaks Galore, Birds On Your Landscape Workshop a workshop on how to use native plants in their yards to provide cover and food for migratory birds during migration. Due to overwhelming demand and a resulting waiting list, this workshop will be held again in fall 2014. In early 2014, Landscaping for Migratory Birds: A Workshop for Professionals was attended by 52 people representing a diversity of agencies, organizations, and businesses. The workshop was designed to inform professional land managers and natural resource educators on the importance of protecting, creating, and enhancing migratory bird stopover habitat in the Lake Superior basin. The Initiative continued to distribute the popular handbook, Managing Habitats for Migrating Land Birds in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Basin: A Guide to Landscaping and Land Management. This guide has been distributed at conferences, trainings, nature centers, and will be featured at several International Migratory Bird Day celebrations along the Lake Michigan shore in May. More information on the Wisconsin Stopover Initiative may be found at Migratory State Natural Areas Property Management: – There are 673 designated state natural areas encompassing over 373,000 acres of property in Wisconsin. A major focus on these properties is the restoration of native community habitats and control of invasive plant species. This program occurs across the state to improve habitat conditions for game and non-game wildlife species and is a major objective for implementation of Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action Plan. Program accomplishments included completing over 3,200 acres of controlled burns to restore oak, oak savannah, and native grass communities; more than 6,000 acres of invasive plant species control; and over 2,450 acres of woody vegetation control. Other activities related to state natural area management included the acquisition of 3,400 acres of high quality prairie, fen, forest, coastal plain marsh and boreal wetland communities. Data on rare animals, plants and ecological communities are collected through numerous inventory and monitoring projects by Wisconsin DNR staff, as well as, through the administration of 90 research permits provided to scientists from various institutions. Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership - 2014 marks the 13th year in the effort to reintroduce a flock of migratory whooping cranes into the eastern US. The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) is a state, federal, and private partnership. WCEP partners have released over 200 birds since the beginning of the program. In 2013, releases took place on state managed property for only the third time in the history of the project. This cohort of ultra-light birds began their migration south on schedule and eventually arrived and wintered in Florida. In 2014, a pair set up a nesting territory for the first time in eastern Wisconsin at the Grand River Wildlife Area. Another set of whooping cranes will again be raised at White River Marsh State Wildlife Area in 2014.Walleye Initiative - The Wisconsin Walleye Initiative (WWI) was developed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Governor’s office to increase the number of walleyes in state walleye waters by expanding production of large fingerling walleye at state, private and tribal fish hatcheries for stocking in waters accessible to the public. This historic investment in Wisconsin’s walleye fishery will benefit all users and Wisconsin’s angling related economy.Master Planning – In the past year, a master plan for the Lower Wolf River Bottoms Natural Resource Area has been completed, and plans for the Green Bay West Shore Wildlife Area and Northern Kettle Moraine Planning Group are almost done32766006540500Bilingual Youth Fishing Outreach -Implemented bilingual summer youth fishing outreach programs at five sites. The face of the typical Wisconsin angler is changing. While the fisheries program continues to work closely with traditional customers, immigration trends in the state over the last 20 years-114300057594500has resulted in a wave of new anglers and potential anglers all interested in fishing and enjoying the recreational as well as fish-to-eat opportunities with the state’s diverse fisheries. This special effort works with youth and their parents through a “summer school” scenario to get bilingual kids introduced to fishing and actually out there fishing.-2466340129159000Successful Sturgeon Restoration on the Wolf River- Fisheries staff in Oshkosh have been working with the Menominee Tribe since 2011 through a 10 year MOU between the Tribe and the Department to restore spawning lake sturgeon to the section of Wolf River that flows through the Reservation. DNR and Tribal crews capturing and transferring adult sturgeon from the lower Wolf River and transferring them by truck upstream past two dams have restored successfully spawning lake sturgeon on the below Keshena Falls on the Reservation in 2013, the 1st known documented successful sturgeon spawning restoration using capture and transfer techniques in the sturgeon world.Record Fish -Eastern District waters continue to produce some of the best fishing opportunities in the Midwest; and maybe in the entire nation. In fact, Sturgeon Bay was named Bassmaster’s number one Bass Lake in the nation for 2014. At a large bass fishing tournament headquartered in Sturgeon Bay, an angler caught a smallmouth bass that weighed 8.45 pounds, just nine ounces short of the State record (see photo) in Marinette, while fishing Green Bay from the public breakwall, an angler landed a 57-inch Great Lakes spotted musky. Although spawned-out and therefore low in weight, this fish still weighed over 40 pounds. This same fish in fall would have been at least a 50-pounder.38766751460500Fish Propagation - Fisheries staff raised and stocked over 7.6 million fish. Wisconsin’s fisheries program completed a thorough study of its state hatchery facilities and system, which provided the information needed to do the long-term planning for the facility upgrades and technology improvements required to maintain high levels ofproduction of quality fish for stocking and maintenance of importantfisheries in the state.Fisheries Monitoring - Fisheries staff sampled almost 900 lakes, rivers and stream sites to assess fish population, habitat health and angler harvest. Managed fisheries in384810082550015,000 lakes and 44,000 miles of streams. Wisconsin is entering its second decade ofstandardized monitoring of fish populations and habitat in its lakes, rivers, and streams. The upgraded and standardized monitoring system, along with a state-of-the-art database management system, has allowed Wisconsin’s fisheries biologists and administrators to examine important statewide as well as local trends in fishpopulation dynamics and harvest, providing in turn key insight needed for effective regulation development and long term planning.336232523749000Warmwater Habitat Improvement - Fisheries worked with the Bureau of Watershed Management to create a new general permit (GP) to encourage more lake woody cover habitat improvements – projects also known as “fish sticks. The new GP will reduce costs and streamline the permit process for conservation groups and local stakeholders who want to improve the fishing on their lakes by creating more shoreline spawning and nursery areas for fish.Western District Trout Habitat Projects Funding - Western District Coldwater Habitat Enhancement Specialists have been very busy in calendar year 2013 restoring trout streams. To date, 15 projects totaling over 4.5 miles of stream thread have been completed with that many or more planned for 2014. The cost: over $689,000, with more than 70% coming from outside partners. The Western District has five teams that are located in Black River Falls (2), Eau Claire, LaCrosse and Wisconsin Rapids.The Western District is host to many coldwater streams that are in need of habitat work. “It is imperative that funds from outside sources be acquired to complete numerous projects in our area of the state,” said Bob Hujik, Western District Fisheries Supervisor. All projects were completed with a combination of funds that include: Wisconsin Trout Stamp, local sportsman clubs, Trout Unlimited Chapters as well as National TU, Izaak Walton League, county land conservation departments and various federal programs (NRCS, WHP, USFWS). The Western District receives a portion of the state’s trout stamp allocation, approximately $234,000 annually, to conduct such work. Habitat Specialists, including, biologists, technicians and heavy equipment operators have been instrumental in obtaining over $488,000 of outside funding as well as easements and fee title land for the current year projects.Volunteers from local sportsman clubs, Trout Unlimited, Wisconsin Industrial Sand, local schools, NRCS and county land conservation departments have put in countless hours with the habitat teams to help bring the projects to completion. Fish Team Supervisor Justine Hasz said, “None of these projects would have been completed without the dedicated effort of volunteers and Department staff. It’s great to see everyone working together.”Projects range in cost from $1,700 on 1,000 feet of Tomorrow River (Portage County), which required little bank shaping and the use of habitat structures to $137,640 on 2,600 feet of the Trimbelle River (Pierce County), which required major bank restructuring, tree removal and 7,300 tons of rock to fortify the stream banks and reduce erosion. Partners provided roughly 80% of the funding for the project.A project on Ft McCoy was funded entirely by a USFWS grant ($113,000). Crews removed 2 concrete dams, several 6 foot culverts and approximately 10 concrete weirs, which opened approximately 5 miles of coldwater stream to trout movement. Additionally, crews used over 700 cubic yards of rock and sloped banks on 1000 feet stream. Habitat structures (LUNKERS), rock grade control structures and plunge pools were constructed to provide various habitats for the trout.Trout Habitat and Fishery Management - Improved and maintained habitat on 76 trout streams. Wisconsin’s trout habitat program has been in a leadership position in this field for most of the last 60 years. The program has evolved over time and is currently focusing on less intensive, more natural like methods to improve in-stream habitat for specific trout species and life stages. Conducted a comprehensive public review of the inland trout program and regulations.Wisconsin’s current suite of trout regulations, which manages streams by regulation class or type attempting to focus on a balance between the stream productive capability and the angler desires, was developed and implemented in theearly 1990s. The WI fisheries program initiated an effort in 2012 to work with trout anglers across the state to conduct a thorough review of the trout management objectives and regulations, their effectiveness over the last 20 years, and makerecommendation on what direction we should go into the next 20 years. A new regulation package is being developed jointly by trout anglers and biologists that will be submitted for review in 2014. 2014 Year-Class of New Wildlife Biologists – A new class of 18 Wildlife Biologists is on board, filling long-standing vacancies. Due to previous budget constraints Wisconsin had been unable to hire new wildlife biologist since 2008. District Wildlife Supervisors and the Bureau Deputy Director are working with their staff to provide quality, hands-on training. These outstanding young men and women represent the future of the program during the next several decades. They’re stationed in field positions throughout the state. Wildlife Rehabilitation and Captive Wildlife Policies - An existing Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Committee was revised into a Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Council. The new council has expanded membership to include a more equal distribution of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the state, and other wildlife rehabilitation and captive wildlife professionals from the Department of Natural Resources, UW System, Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and the captive wildlife and captive cervid industries. The council is advisory to the Department of Natural Resources on wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife health, and captive wildlife topics.In late 2013, discussions began on a Keep Wildlife Wild educational campaign to begin in spring of 2014 and continue into 2015. Outreach efforts include print documents such as keys to determine if an animal is truly orphaned, magazine articles, and press releases; radio PSA’s and videos, appearances on statewide news channels, and creating educational materials to be used in classroom curriculum.Lead Action Plan - The WDNR created an outreach/public education program that illustrates the negative impact of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on wildlife and the environment and will help reduce the amount of lead discharged into the environment. We have developed a Lead Action Plan that outlines objectives with associated action items to reduce the amount of lead in the environment in present day as well as both short and long-term future. We also developed a Wingshooting for Migratory Bird Hunters (WFMBH) program which is closely based on the CONSEP (Cooperative North American Shotgunning Education Program) program. This program provides an outdoor skills educational opportunity for experienced shooters to refine their wing shooting skills and build upon the fundamentals of wing shooting for migratory and upland game birds. Participants are trained to improve their shooting proficiency, to better estimate distance to target, and how to select the proper ammunition and shotgun chokes.In 2013, the WDNR recruited and trained partner groups whom in turn provided wing shooting workshops for their constituents. Through this partnership, we will help Wisconsin bird hunters become more efficient in harvesting game and ultimately reduce the numbers of wounded or lost game.Wisconsin Bald Eagle Biosentinel Program - The Wisconsin Bald Eagle Biosentinel Program, a research program in WDNR Science Services, has tracked eagle productivity and contaminant levels in WI since 1990, with an emphasis on eagles nesting along the Great Lakes shoreline. Aerial surveys have shown the WI Lake Superior bald eagle population has recovered in numbers and reproductive performance has improved. Concurrently, contaminant levels in these eagles have markedly declined. Since 2006, the National Park Service have supported work to track contaminant levels of WI eagles nesting at Lake Superior sites, illustrating that contaminant levels have continued to decline or remained level.At Wisconsin Green Bay/Lake Michigan nest sites, WDNR and USFWS measured very low reproductive performance and high contaminant levels in the 1990s. WDNR aerial surveys have recently shown that WI Green Bay/Lake Michigan eagle numbers increased 5-fold and productivity has dramatically improved. A collaborative project between WDNR-Wildlife Management, WDNR-Science Services, and the USFWS began in 2011 to continue aerial surveys and nestling blood sampling for contaminant analysis to assess whether the dramatic improvement in Green Bay/Lake Michigan eagle performance is related to a decline in contaminant exposure. Results indicate that the increase in the number of nesting bald eagles as well as nesting success has coincided with a decrease in PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, especially in the Lower Fox River population. The decrease in levels of contaminants in eaglets from the Lower Fox River is especially apparent along the areas of the river that have been remediated – indicating that bald eagles can be a useful and reliable indicator of environmental change.Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) Program -Wisconsin was awarded $1.9 million during the first two years of the VPA-HIP program administered by USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA). The third year of the program was not funded by Congress and USDA FSA staff was prohibited from working on the program during FFY12 which ended the grant on 9/30/2012. During the grant, Wisconsin enrolled 42,985.13 acres from 262 properties. Private land acreage open to public access increased 202% in Wisconsin, and the number of recreational users on these lands increased 495%.Visitor survey cards were collected from the VPA-HIP properties. The most popular activity conducted on VPA-HIP lands in Wisconsin was hunting. However, many visitors participated in multiple activities during their visit such as hunting & wildlife observation, hunting & trapping, etc. Law Enforcement Unique Cross Boundary or Cooperative, Enforcement EffortsTribal Relations –continue to build a strong partnership with our Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Wardens (GLIFWC)- GLIFWC has jurisdiction over tribal members off the reservation but within the ceded territory. During this past year GLIFWC and WI Wardens have partnered during academy, firearms certification, team and regional trainings and work together to solve major wildlife violations. Tribal Youth Initiative-The Department of Natural Resources has worked with the Lake Superior Chippewa Indian youth to provide them hands-on training on natural resource related issues. The youth are hired to complete habitat related projects on trout streams, boat landing improvements, trail maintenance and conduct various tree plantings to name a few. This initiative started several years ago with the Lac Courte Oreille tribe and has become so popular additional tribes are working toward their own youth outdoor projects. In 2014, the St.Croix Tribe was added as to the tribal youth initiative outreach. Chippewa Indian Tribal Training- This past year all DNR LE Officers working within the ceded territory attended a one-day training session provided by tribal members on numerous tribal cultural issues including: Sovereignty, Tribal Culture, Sustenance Hunting, Importance of Wild Rice and GLIFWC Warden Authority. The training was very valuable and assisted with DNR LE Officers understanding of our tribal harvester’s culture.Records Management System – Wisconsin shadowed MN DNR during their RMS evaluation and purchasing process. WDNR is using this experience as the 1st step in moving forward with a RMS system. Airboat Training –In March, Minnesota and Wisconsin Wardens met to engage in airboat training for DNR and local LE agencies. Minnesota hosted this 2-day classroom and skills training along the Mississippi River near Winona, Minnesota. Wisconsin is in the process of reviving its aging airboat fleet. Officers learned to operate in all types of conditions during daylight and night-time operation. Wisconsin will be receiving two new airboats this season.Ginseng Enforcement –- Wisconsin Wardens partnered with USFWS agents and Wardens from Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota to audit and investigate nearly 400 ginseng harvesters identified as having questionable transactions over a 5-year period. This was a first of its kind, multi-agency effort that culminated in training and briefing 150+ officers for a one day training event and 5-day takedown in various areas of MN and WI.Integrated Warden, Parks, Forestry, and Lands Law Enforcement Team -- This team has been actively working to address issues germane to all law enforcement programs within the Department of Natural Resources. Examples include the development of common policies and procedures, joint recertification training, hiring etc. Law Enforcement Innovations Mission Ready Teams – The warden service continues to be called upon to provide expertise and equipment in marine and outdoor environments. In an effort to meet this need, the warden service has developed statewide specialized “mission ready” tactical teams for on-water security, ROV, dignitary security, tactical flight operators and tactical enforcement teams. Wardens selected for these teams are provided additional training and equipment to be proficient in their selected area of expertise.Trauma Medical Kits – Applying knowledge learned from recent active shooter response, our wardens are being equipped with personal carry medical trauma kits (tourniquets) for use in responding to critical incidents.Smart Phones – Warden staff are transitioning to smart phone technology across the state. With the sharp increase in smart phone participation we are realizing great cost savings with regards to cancelling office lines and other technologies. The implementation has improved efficiencies and tools available to our Law Enforcement officers.MACH- Mobile Architecture for Communications Handling was installed on warden computers in 2014; training occurred at in-service February-March. This technology will completely replace the vehicle locator system that was installed under Windows XP operating systems. Our CF 31 computers operate in a Win 7 environment. Wisconsin DNR Warden Service partnered with the Wisconsin State Patrol to create a statewide MACH system other agencies can join. The enhanced program not only shows where officers are on a map, but it also allows for asset management such as directing the closest and most appropriate resources to the event. Whether it be enforcement officers to a disturbance, ambulances to a multi-vehicle crash or sand trucks to a snowstorm event.Major Issues for the AgencyWhite-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in Bats: The deadly disease, white-nose syndrome, was detected for the first time in Wisconsin in a Grant County Mine on March 28, 2014 by Bat Program staff. A small percentage (<2%) of the hibernating bat population were visually infected and follow-up surveillance in the surrounding sites has determined the disease to be present at only one site. ?In total, over 91 sites were surveyed, all of which included the highest priority sites based on population, species present and distance to closest known suspect site. Between two groups, WDNR and University of Southern California - Santa Cruz researchers, 1,520 samples were collected from 17 counties and sent-in to labs in order to detect WNS or the fungus. Approximately 35% of the samples are still pending. The detection of WNS in Wisconsin has maintained the need for the WDNR to continue working with partners and stakeholders to identify and implement control and management practices based on the WNS Implementation Strategy. The DNR continued work this past winter with US Fish and Wildlife Service to study the mortality and return rates of banded bats at hibernacula. The DNR also collaborated with the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in research efforts to help characterize climatic parameters within bat hibernacula, which has potential implications for the mitigation of WNS in bats.In 2013, the state-wide acoustic bat project completed 491 surveys with over 500 volunteers.? 38 acoustic driving transects were incorporated into the acoustic bat monitoring options in an effort to replicate work being done on a national level. The information derived from the various acoustic survey methods has created an invaluable baseline of information, not available without the assistance of many dedicated volunteers and partners. ?Volunteers have also played an integral role in summer roost surveys. Roost volunteers actively monitored over 77 sites in 2013, most of which reside on private property (~80%).Chronic Wasting Disease - Wisconsin has monitored chronic wasting disease (CWD) for 12 years. Between 2002 and March 2014, we have tested over 185,000 free-ranging deer, of which over 2,500 have tested positive. Wisconsin has two separate cores of disease infection, one in the southwest part of the state, one in the southeast (contiguous with a CWD area in northern Illinois).? During the 2013 deer season, we tested over 6,600 deer and had 356 positives. We also had five deer test positive outside our management zone (figures 1 and 2) bringing the total to 12. The five deer were harvested during the season in Grant, Adams, and Portage (3) counties, For CWD year 2013-14, in lieu of rotated outstate sampling, we continued a project started in 2011-12 to attempt to further increase the efficacy and efficiency of our outstate detection surveillance efforts. Since 2002, the DNR has enlisted the assistance of cooperative Chronic Wasting Disease sampling stations. In recent years, these stations have become increasingly vital to our CWD operations. In 2009, we began a pilot project to utilize two cooperative stations (one in Southeast Region, and one in South-Central Region) as field sample collection sites, as opposed to head collection sites. In 2010, we expanded our cooperative field sample collection sites to nine stations with the overall number increasing in following seasons as well. This program has been generally effective, well received by stations and hunters alike, and has made our CWD sampling operations more efficient. For the 2013 season, we are continuing a program that involves this methodology along with a weighted surveillance approach. Specifically, it involves working in conjunction with Wisconsin taxidermists to collect samples from deer that are brought to them for mounting as well as opportunistically collecting CWD samples at registration stations during opening weekend. This program produced over 500 samples collected from the three sample regions of Vernon, Crawford, & Dodge counties.? Our goal is to continue this sampling effort statewide in the coming years.Wisconsin Deer Trustee and Review Committee Report - Following the release of the Final Report and Recommendations by Wisconsin’s White-tailed Deer Trustee and Review Committee (Drs. Kroll, Guynn, and Alt), the WDNR Wildlife Management program initiated a public involvement process which took the 62 recommendations of the DTR Report and converted them to specific action items. The action items developed by the 52 members of the 4 action teams became the basis for a rule package which was presented to the Natural Resources Board in September and was reviewed by the public through rule hearings held at 35 locations around the state in October. The rule package significantly changed many aspects of Wisconsin’s deer management program including:Consolidated 134 deer management units (DMU) which followed roads and rivers to 76 DMU’s which follow county lines and reservation boundaries.Created a Deer Management Assistance Program which was launched in April 2014 which will involve WDNR wildlife biologists and foresters working with private landowners to manage their property for wildlife.Consolidated the various types of antlerless deer carcass tags (Herd Control($2), CWD Management Zone(Free), and Bonus($12)) to one type of antlerless deer carcass tag which are $12. Hunters in the central and southern farmland will automatically be issued a buck tag and an antlerless tag with the purchase of their license.Eliminated DMU goals that were based on the number of deer/mi2 to an objective of increase, stabilize or decrease. In those counties where additional antlerless tags will be issued in order to meet the objective, antlerless tags will be divided between public and private land antlerless tags.Eliminates the CWD-Management Zone and creates CWD-affected counties, consistent with the baiting and feeding ban area, which will be those counties where a CWD positive test result has occurred or counties within 10 miles of a CWD positive test.Establishes that $5 of every additional antlerless tag sold in a CWD-affected county will go towards CWD management efforts in the state. ................
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