ROOSTER TALES

FRVCNEWSLETTER FALL 2008

YOUTH HUNT 2008—D ECEMBER 6TH The Fox River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever will hold their annual Youth Hunt Saturday, December 6th. Again this year RW Ranch had generously donated the use of their facility. The day includes an education program, trap shoot, and an actual field hunt with stocked birds. Parents are encouraged to attend, but all participants will be matched with an experienced Hunter / Mentor. Lunch will also be provided. One change this year is that we will be dividing up the day into two sessions 7:30a.m. to noon and 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost is $10 and all participants must be between 12 and 18 years old and a graduate of a hunter’s safety course. A registration form is enclosed with this newsletter or can be downloaded from our website www.foxvalleypheasants.com.

We would also like to thank this year’s sponsors: INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Evil Roy Slades Fran & Karen Sedlachek Wilke Construction FOX VALLEY CHAPTER 2 Fox Valley Transmission NAPA Schuman Construction BANQUET WINNERS 3 Expert Towing Auto Authority Carl M Henning VICTORY IN ARIZONA 4 Bergstrom Neenah Gary Langkau John's Automotive Fin-n-Feather STRETCHING THE BUCK 5 Tommy Franks

Mike Schanke LAND ACQUISITION 6 Winneconne Men's Club Ricoshay's Bar Automotive Supply YOUTH CORNER 8 Mid State Amusements Don and Kevin Stowe Badger Mill- Larry Schroeder "DC Stoneworks, Dave Curtis" H UNTING FORECAST 9 Nelson Sales Corp. Van Dyne Sportsman's Club CALENDAR 11 Mike Bell Ohio Street Station Sports Bar Wild Turkey Federation We’d also like to thank the many other businesses and individuals who have donated cash, food or other materials. If you or your company would like to become a Sponsor ($100 or more cash donation) or would like to participate in another way, please contact Mark at 920-426-0491 or Al at920-231-0860.

VISIT T HE FOX R IVER V ALLEY CHAPTER W EBSITE : WWW.FOXVALLEYPHEASANTS .COM POWERED B Y T HUNDERA MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTIONS PAGE 2 R OOSTER TALES

P HEASANTS FOREVER FOX VALLEY CHAPTER

OFFICERS CROWING COUNT- PRESIDENT Start 45 minutes before sunrise. Drive 10 mile routes, stopping LEO KOLASZEWSKI every 0.5 miles to listen and record location of crowing roosters on VICE PRESIDENT plat book maps. Finish 1 to 1.5 hours after sunrise. Jim Ryf (920) 379-8170 M ARK LEWIS SECRETARY YOUTH HUNT- R YAN SEELEY Members and their dogs pair one-on-one with youth who have passed the gun safety course to have a group field day hunt for youths to TEASURER experience pheasant hunting. JOHN MANION Mark Lewis (920) 379-6526 Al Heidl (920) 231-0860

DIRECTORS MEMBERSHIP- CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD To recruit the avid pheasant hunters who are not members to join and STEVE HARNITZ participate. Committee would meet occasionally to discuss and act on ways to increase membership in our chapter. ERIN D OUGHERTY Ryan Seeley (920) 235-9712 or [email protected] RACHEL FOSTER AL HEIDL ADOPT A DNRPLOT- TOM MANGIN Clean up of a specific Winnebago County areas 4-5 times a year. JERRY MATHUSEK Jim Ryf (920) 379-8170 JIM RYF FUNDRAISING- BRIAN TREBIATOWSKI Assist in selling tickets to raffles, help out at the sponsor banquet, BRIAN WILKE attend fall social etc. during the year. Jerry Mathusek (920) 235-5610 x 11 or [email protected] NEWSLETTER KRISSY SEELEY,EDITOR LAND ACQUISITION- LEO KOLASZEWSKI,MANAGING EDITOR A planning/work committee for our chapter to initiate land JERRY M ATHUSEK,PUBLISHER acquisition programs. These programs are funded and executed using federal and state grants, Pheasants Forever national and local funds, easements and land trust cooperation. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE Jack Doemel (920) 231-1096 or [email protected] COMMITTEE DIRECTOR/C HAIRMAN HABITAT/PREDATOR- BANQUET AL HEIDL/J ERRY MATHUSEK A planning committee to work on improving habitat and controlling BURN CREW JOHN KELLERMAN predation. FINANCE JOHN MANION Jim Ryf (920) 379-8170 FUND RAISING JERRY MATHUSEK HABITAT JIM R YF BANQUET - LAND ACQUISITION JACK DOEMEL Attend planning meetings before next year’s banquet. MEMBERSHIP RYAN SEELEY Jerry Mathusek (920) 235-5610 x 11 or [email protected] NEWSLETTER KRISSY SEELEY Al Heidl (920) 231-0860 PREDATOR CONTROL JIM R YF VOLUNTEER OPPROTUNITIES- PUBLIC RELATIONS MARK LEWIS WEB-SITE MARK LEWIS Sign up to participate in various activities throughout the year. Get on the e-mail or call list to be contacted about upcoming events. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR RYAN SEELEY Ryan Seeley (920) 235-9712 or [email protected] YOUTH PROGRAMS LEO KOLASZEWSKI LEOPOLD EDUCATION PROJECT (L.E.P.)- The L.E.P. is designed to teach the public about humanity’s ties to the LIFE MEMBERS natural world and to provide leadership in the effort to conserve and PAUL FOWLER protect the earth’s natural resources. JERRY MATHUSEK Jack Doemel (920) 231-1096 or [email protected] BILL MILLER NEWSLETTER- T OM PUPETER TOM RUSCH Contribute articles, photos, or ideas to the newsletter. MIKE SKOGLIND Krissy Seeley (920) 235-9712 or [email protected] TERRY ZAWACKI FRVCNEWSLETTER PAGE 3

Jon’s Sport Shop 2968 Jackson Street 6526 Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 233-5533

9712 or [email protected] Over 3000 Rifles and Shotguns in Stock Largest Archery Selection in the State 5 times a year. Bows by Hoyt, PSE, Darton, AR, Custom Arrows

VITALE’ S BANQUET GRAND P RIZE WINNER Fran Sedlachek was the Grand Prize winner at Vitale’s Fall Banquet. The prize is an all-inclusive pheasant hunt for two in mail or call list to be contacted about upcoming events. South Dakota. The hunt is provided by Rooster Run Lodge’s Dick Stille. Congratulations, Fran! PAGE 4 R OOSTER TALES

U.S.SPORTSMEN’S A LLIANCE FOUNDATION

801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229 Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326 Website: www.ussportsmen.org•E-mail: [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Greg R. Lawson (614) 888-4868 ext. 214 September 9, 2008

Victory for Sportsmen in Arizona as Judge Decides in Favor ofWildlife Management

(Arizona) – In a major victory for sportsmen and conservationists nationwide, a federal court has ruled to protect hunting and wildlife management on an important parcel of federal land. The ruling reiterates that wildlife management takes precedent over protectionism on the nation’s National Wildlife Refuges.

Judge Mary H. Murguia of the U.S. District Court for Arizona decided in favor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in a case brought against it by Wilderness Watch and the Arizona Wilderness Coalition. In the suit, the plaintiffs had claimed that FWS violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Wilderness Act by constructing and restoring wildlife watering devices on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). While these devices are key for the survival of bighorn sheep and other desert wildlife, the plaintiffs claimed they violated federal law.

Last year, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (U.S. SLDF), the litigation arm of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), moved to defend FWS and several sportsmen groups in the case. The U.S. SLDF argued that a “Wilderness” designation does not preclude wildlife conservation. Joining the U.S. SLDF were several other groups including: Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association.

“This decision establishes that conservation in a wildlife refuge does not take a back seat to the concept of an area being designated as “wilderness” stated USSAF Senior Vice President Rick Story. “Hopefully, this will prevent other efforts to prohibit active wildlife management in refuges that have been given the “wilderness” designation.”

The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939. It is home to desert bighorn sheep and an array of other wildlife species. In 1990, more than 80 percent of the refuge was designated Wilderness by Congress.

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

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law. FRVCNEWSLETTER P AGE 5

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By, Jack Doemel To date, our Fox River Valley Chapter has completed three separate land acquisitions, encompassing a total of 134 acres of wildlife habitat. Our first purchase occurred in April of 2005. At a cost of $142,000, we secured a 49.8 acre Town of Omro parcel owned by Arthur and Megan Sullivan. Out of pocket money from the FRVC totaled $37,000 while grants of $35,000 from the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) and $70,000 from Wisconsin Stewardship funds rounded out the balance. It was just over a year later when a 44 acre piece of land in the Town of Poygan owned by Ronald Pelz went up for sale. Once again, the chapter pulled cash from earmarked reserves totaling $15,000. Two thousand five hundred dollars of the reserves were courtesy of a cash donation by the Kenosha Chapter of Pheasants Forever. We then utilized a matching NAWCA grant for $15,000 and the balance of the $112,500 purchase price was covered by a Wisconsin Stewardship grant. Our third, and most recent acquisition, encompasses the forty acre Wiese property set in the Town of Rosendale. At $2,500 per acre, the purchase price totaled $100,000. Through a matching Stewardship grant of $50,000, the Chapter and our project partners (Fond du Lac Chapter of PF, Winnebago Conservation Club, Wings Over Wisconsin, Whitetails Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation), consummated the sale of the property to Pheasants Forever and closed in July of this year. All totaled, expenditures on the purchase of land has come to $354,500. But, it is important that you understand just how much money the Fox River Valley Chapter had to spend out-of pocket. You might be surprised to know the FRVC has spent just a mere $61,000 on land acquisitions, approximately 17% of the total cost of the property. The remaining funds came largely through state and federal grants. NAWCA accounted for $50,000 or 14% of the total. Wisconsin Stewardship grants were far and away the largest source of dollars at $202,500 or about 57%. The remaining portion came from partnering conservation groups which tallies up at $41,000 or about 11.5%. What this means to you is that your chapter leaders are finding ways to make contributions go further. It also means that the FRVC can utilize the remaining cash resources in other areas such as, habitat projects and youth programs.

Land Acquisition Funding

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0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 Dollars Invested PAGE 6 R OOSTER TALES

W ITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS... FOX RIVER VALLEY CHAPTER COMPLETES 3RD LAND ACQUISITION

By, Jack Doemel With temperatures climbing into the 80’s and the sun beating down, it didn’t have the makings for a classic day afield trying to flush a wild pheasant or two. Nonetheless, I was joined by our chapter president, Leo Kolaszewski and Wisconsin DNR Biologist, Bryan Woodbury as we checked our map, sprayed on insect repellant, and made a quick plan before beginning our trek. As we began pushing south through the tall grass in boots and long pants, it wasn’t long before we were wiping the sweat from our brows’ but the three of us hiked on, stopping occasionally to visually pan the landscape or discuss observations and ideas. No dogs ran about in front of us, but rather iridescent Monarch butterflies would rise and flit about while Mourning doves and Red-winged blackbirds flew overhead, providing their own measure of splendor to the day. Deer trails meandered here and there and the flattened ovals in the cover divulged where the apparently plentiful ungulates had bedded to rest and chew their cud. Further along, several Sandhill cranes clamored above, framed in a sapphire sky. Simply stated, it was a beautiful day to be out walking the land that Pheasants Forever had purchased just a few hours earlier as part of our Fox River Valley Chapter’s land acquisition program. On July 31st of this year, the 40 acres of premium wildlife habitat located in northern Fond du Lac County, was deeded to Pheasants Forever, Inc. from William and Tammy Wiese. The Town of Rosendale parcel was part of the Wiese’s Family Farm and looking at it’s final year of enrollment in the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program). Rising crop prices made it a prime candidate for conversion back into working farmland which would destroy vital nesting and brood cover for the native pheasant population. When discussions began nearly a year ago, Mr. Wiese expressed his belief that this land was better suited as wildlife habitat, as opposed to farming and in the end we were able to work out a purchase agreement that was a win-win for all, especially the critters calling this back forty home. Perhaps what made this acquisition most notable is the cooperative effort that took place between six of the area’s conservation organizations in raising the $50,000 needed to obtain a matching grant from the Wisconsin Stewardship Fund. The Fox River Valley Chapter had initially earmarked $10,000 for the project, but needed to raise the additional $40,000 before a sale could take place. Not long after the call went out, the Winnebago Conservation Club pledged $10,000 and the Fond du Lac County Chapter of Pheasants Forever jumped in with $10,000 of their own. Next to come on board was Whitetails Unlimited. Although working toward land acquisition has not been the number one priority for their group, they believed this to be a worthwhile venture and sent a $1,000 check our way. Subsequently, the consortium was joined by the Puchyan Longbeards Chapter of the National Land Acquisition Partners

Wild Turkey Federation. Two thousand five PF-FRVC hundred dollars from the NWTF put us closer to $1,000 goal and through some cross member $2,500 $11,500 PF-Fond du Lac encouragement, Jack Wendler (WOW & NWTF $10,000 member), helped in bringing Wings Over Wings Over Wisconsin

Wisconsin into the fold. Burt Bushke coordinated Winnebago Conservation with four local WOW chapters to add another Club $10,000 to the ante. NWTF $10,000 $15,000 It was just a few weeks before the July Whitetails Unlimited closing date would be upon us when I received a FRVCNEWSLETTER PAGE 7 telephone call from PF-Fond du Lac member Mark Randall, stating that their group had met and agreed to another $5,000 donation. It was at this point and still needing $1,500 to reach our mark that a call went back to our FRVC leaders to satisfy the balance. They cordially obliged and the rest, as they say, is history. To the north of the newly acquired 40, lies an existing State of Wisconsin owned parcel, encompassing 70 acres of uplands with a couple ponds and small wetland areas. When combined, this tract will consist of 110 acres of contiguous habitat and along with game species like turkey, deer and pheasant, visitors walking about the property should not be surprised to see a variety of prairie dwelling songbirds, frogs, snakes and a myriad of insects. Approximately 25 acres of the property is in upland habitat. Another 5 acres is scattered trees and the balance is 10 acres of willow brush and marsh. A drainage creek runs along the westerly line of the 40 and then cuts east and into the heart of the entire 110 acres. Wetland restorations may be a real possibility, which would add diversity to the environs as high quality waterfowl nesting and brood cover. No dogs ran about in front of us, but rather iridescent Monarch butterflies would rise and flit about while Along with wetland projects, we anticipate future restoration work taking place to remove some of the woody cover, and the less desirable box elders bordering the land. By doing so, avian predation is hampered, which enhances nesting success rates of the non-predatory species. It also opens the soils to encourage re-growth of grasses and forbs native to Wisconsin’s dwindling prairie lands. Ultimately, this parcel will be donated to the State of Wisconsin, and put under the supervision of the Dept. of Natural Resources. Public access for hiking, hunting, bird watching and other non-vehicular use will be permitted and most importantly, native and migratory wildlife will have a guaranteed place to rest, flourish and procreate throughout the seasons. As the three of us headed back toward the trucks, we were still sharing thoughts and chatting about all the possibilities this latest acquisition created. It will surely take planning, time, money and manpower to attain the next set of goals but the potential for enhancing this already outstanding parcel had my mind working overtime. As if on cue, Bryan When discussions began nearly a year ago, Mr. Wiese expressed his belief that this land was better suited as said “Look there!” when a magnificent Ring-necked rooster lifted into the air and sailed to our right. After putting 150 yards or so between us, he settled back down into the chest high cover. At that point, I couldn’t help but smile as I realized what a great thing our volunteer members’ financial support and efforts had just accomplished. Respectfully, Jack Doemel - Land Acquisition Chairman

Pictured above; Jeff Gaska, Tammy Wiese, Bill Wiese The gratitude and appreciation of the entire PF membership goes out to the Wiese family. Their fairness, patience and understanding, while all the details were worked out on this latest land purchase were key elements of the transaction. -Leo Kolaszewski - President PAGE 8 R OOSTER TALES

YOUTH CORNER— HABITAT CLEAN UP

By,MariahVerzal,WestWoods andWaters

On Saturday,April 15th, a good ten plus people fromWestWoods andWaters went to Omro to clean up the habitat for Pheasants Forever. We started with clearing out brush and made our way to cutting down dozens of trees. Molly and I volunteered to clean up the tree protectors for the trees recently planted. When pulling one up, what we thought was a frog, turned out to be mice! One sat on Molly’s foot until we screamed bloody murder and started jumping around frantically. The boys watching from afar found this comical and made fun of us the rest of the morning! After cleaning everything up, we all had brats, hamburgers, etc. and went home a lot muddier than when we arrived! It was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to do it next year! FRVCNEWSLETTER PAGE 9

PFPHEASANT HUNTING FORECAST Save for Iowa, where devastating weather negatively impacted the pheasant population, the remainder of the core pheasant powerhouses – the Dakotas, Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska – will provide great opportunities for you to slide roosters into your vest this fall.The good news is easy to digest: South Dakota has its highest pheasant numbers in 45 years with over 2 million roosters harvested there last year; Kansas had its highest harvest since 1987 and numbers this year are expected to be higher; Minnesota had its highest harvest since 1964 in 2007 and looks to again have a strong pheasant population. The bad news doesn't go down so easy. Unfortunately, because of massive habitat losses, mostly from recently expired Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, the sun may be setting on "the modern good ol' days" of pheasant hunting. Over 800,000 CRP acres are already gone from the Dakotas, and millions more acres are set to expire across the pheasant range in the coming years. Given today's current agricultural climate, many expiring acres are expected to be lost to row crop conversion. Fortunately, CRP was reauthorized by the 2008 federal Farm Bill, and Pheasants Forever will continue working to establish a dynamic and economically competitive CRP going forward.The new continuous, state-specific CRP program - State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) - and the early success of that program in states like South Dakota and Minnesota, indicates landowner support for CRP remains strong. Yes, 2008 may be the end of the recent run of spectacular pheasant numbers, but at Pheasants Forever, we're already working to create the next run of "good ol' days."They'll come around again, but only with your help. Not a Pheasants Forever member? WISCONSIN The southern half ofWisconsin was hit with a double whammy, receiving twice as much snowfall as normal, then an extremely wet and cool spring, including 12 inches of rain in June and damaging flooding in some areas. DNR biologist Sharon Fandel reported that though final numbers weren't available, statewide pheasant numbers are looking to be down 30 percent.West-centralWisconsin looks to be the best Badger State destination this year. Not only does it contain what's regarded as some of the state's best public land, the area avoided the snow and rain that plagued the southern half and surveys showed an increased numbers of birds.And be sure to mark your calendars for Pheasants Forever's National Pheasant Fest, coming to Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison,Wisconsin, February 6-8, 2009.

-reprinted from PF National PAGE 10 R OOSTER TALES

Our apologies to Bee Hive. They were left off the list of ticket sellers we thanked in our last newsletter. Thank you,Bee Hive,your effort and support is greatly appreciated!

“I love not man the less, but Nature more” -Lord Byron OCTOBER 2008

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat thanked in our last newsletter. 1 2 3 4

Close: 5 6 7 Bear 8 9 10 11

Open:Ruffed Grouse B, Youth Sharp Tailed Grouse, 12 Deer Hunt 13 14 15 16 17 18Bobwhite Quail, Partridge, Pheasant 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Deadline to purchase 26 27 28 29 30 31Sturgeon Spearing License

NOVEMBER 2008

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Close: 9 Sharp tailed 10 11 12 13 14 15 Grouse Veteran’s Day Close: 16 17 18 19 20 Archery 21 22 Open: Deer, Crow, Gun Deer Fall Turkey 23 24 25 26 27 Happy 28 29 Thanksgiving!

Close: 30 Gun Deer, Muskie, Turtle

*VISIT HTTP://WWW .DNR.STATE.WI.US FOR COMPLETE HUNTING DATES, GUIDELINES, AND REGULATIONS. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WINNECONNE, WI PERMIT NO. 11

2755 Algoma Blvd. Oshkosh, WI 54901

Rachel Foster submitted this photo of roosters fighting on the road in front of her house.