Ring-Necked Pheasant

Top things to know:

1. FFLIGHT – The Fields & Forest 3. Pheasant Stamp Lands Interactive Gamebird Tool Accomplishments – Every 2 years, the (FFLIGHT): This interactive mapping tool DNR funds various habitat and outreach allows hunters to locate properties stocked projects that benefit pheasants with pheasants along with managed dove throughout the state. For the 2017-2019 fields and suitable habitat for ruffed funding cycle, the pheasant Stamp and woodcock. FFLIGHT also allows has funded 29 projects with $438,500 hunters to use aerial maps, topography affecting thousands of acres of habitat and measuring tools to easily navigate and throughout the state. identify areas of interest to make their trips more productive and enjoyable. 4. Farm Bill – The DNR partners with Pheasants Forever and the USDA 2. Holiday Stocking – After the Natural Resource Conservation Service popularity of the 2017 late season pheasant to fund Farm Bill biologist positions stocking effort, the DNR will again be throughout the state. These specialized stocking select properties before the 2018 consultants enroll landowners in holiday season. More details on the holiday programs, such as the Conservation stocking effort will be posted on theDNR Reserve Program, that provide wildlife Pheasant Hunting webpage later this fall. habitat on private land property.

1 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Releasing pheasants on VPA land in Dane County. Photo: Matt Ahrens/DNR

Pheasant Stocking Harvest Each year, the department program, conservation clubs During the 2017-18 season, stocks approximately 75,000 raise pheasant chicks to an estimated 42,450 pheasants on 90 DNR- be released on approved hunters pursued pheasants, managed properties. The DNR-managed properties spending 418,890 days pheasant stocking program is or private property open to afield and harvesting in place to supplement hunting public hunting. The DOC 301,490 pheasants. Fond opportunities in areas of the program currently involves du Lac, Kenosha, Jefferson state where wild pheasants are conservation clubs that counties harvested not abundant. The state normally receive about 35,000 the most pheasants. farm also provides additional rooster chicks annually. To Participation and harvest hunting opportunities find properties stocked with estimates reflect the through the Day-Old Chick pheasants, visit dnr.wi.gov pursuit of both wild and (DOC) program. In the DOC and search FFLIGHT. stocked pheasants.

2 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Survey Results Each year, the DNR conducts several surveys looking at ring- necked pheasants in the state. In the summer, brood count surveys are conducted, and those results are available in early September each year. In the spring, crow count surveys along with the rural mail carrier surveys are conducted and those data are available in June. Collectively, these surveys help indicate pheasant production levels and population trends in Wisconsin. The 2018 spring pheasant crow count survey showed that the average number of pheasants recorded at each stop was 0.59 pheasants/ stop. This is above the 5-year running average from 2013– C. D. (Buzz) Besadny and John Gates of the Wisconsin Conservation Department tagging pheasants in Fond du Lac County for the purpose 2017 (0.56 pheasants/stop), of sighting them to gather information on their range. February 10, but was down slightly from 1959 PHOTO: Wilbur D. Stites/WCD 0.64 pheasants/stop in 2017. The statewide abundance observed while driving. index estimate was 742.32 In 2018 the total number Population Status A long-term reduction in roosters along survey routes of pheasants observed the availability of stable in 2018, a decrease from increased 24.9% from the grassland cover has the 2017 estimate of 829.46 previous year, and the continued to contribute roosters. Abundance estimates number of pheasants seen to an overall decline in remained highest in the per 100 miles driven was ring-necked pheasant northwest counties compared 0.52 in 2018, an increase populations. Enrollment in to counties in east-central and from 0.40 in 2017, but is the Conservation Reserve southern regions. still below the long-term Program, a U.S. Department Each year, pheasant mean. The counties with of Agriculture program abundance in Wisconsin the highest number of which pays landowners is indexed using a rural pheasants seen per 100 to retire their cropland for mail carrier survey. In late miles driven were Dunn 10- to 15-year periods and April, mail carriers record (2.82), Barron (1.26), Oconto the number of pheasants (1.06), and Calumet (1.04). Population Cont. on pg. 4

3 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Population Cont. from pg. 3 plant permanent cover like grass or trees, has declined significantly in Wisconsin. CRP enrollment in the state peaked in the mid-1990s at more than 700,000 acres, but in recent years high crop prices have pushed enrollment downward to approximately 238,000 acres in 2016. CRP has been shown to provide important habitat for pheasants and other grassland wildlife, and the loss of CRP and other grassland habitat in recent years is likely the primary factor affecting pheasant populations statewide. Given the loss of grassland and wetland acres on the landscape and concurrent declines in pheasant numbers, hunters may need to scout to locate . Hunters who wish to pursue wild pheasants should look for landscapes that include a mix of several cover types. Agricultural areas composed of at least 10-15 percent grassland, or idle ground with wetlands and/or shrublands available to provide winter cover are most likely to hold pheasants.

◀ C. D. (Buzz) Besadny making a field check on pheasant cover conditions. August 1965. Photo: Dean Tvedt / WCD.

4 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Top things to know: Photo: Rev. Kelly Todd

1. West Nile Virus 2. FFLIGHT - The Fields 3. Wisconsin DNR Monitoring – In & Forest Lands Interactive participates in the Young collaboration with the Gamebird Hunting Tool Forest Partnership in and Michigan (FFLIGHT) is an interactive northern Wisconsin, DNR, Wisconsin will be mapping tool that allows which works to promote looking at prevalence of hunters to locate and view active forest management West Nile virus in ruffed suitable habitat for ruffed to benefit young forest grouse in the Great Lakes grouse and woodcock wildlife species such as region. The WI DNR will be in the state. Using this ruffed grouse. Learn more asking hunters to submit map, hunters can explore by visiting dnr.wi.gov and samples of harvested the young aspen and searching keywords “young grouse as well as report lowland alder stands that forest”, or by visiting the and submit any sick or provide excellent cover Wisconsin Young Forest dead grouse found in the for ruffed grouse and Partnership website. field. More information on woodcock, along with how to submit samples locate dove fields and can be found at dnr.wi.gov, properties stocked with search “ruffed grouse pheasants. FFLIGHT allows hunting”. hunters to use aerial maps, topography and measuring tools to easily navigate and identify areas of interest.

5 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Annual Surveys Each year, the DNR activity in southwestern and conducts ruffed grousesoutheastern Wisconsin are drumming surveys in the at or near historic lows, and spring and brood count likely would not significantly surveys in the summer. add to grouse abundance in Roadside surveys to monitor the state. the number of breeding Spring was late to arrive grouse have been conducted in 2018, with much of the by staff from the department, state having below normal U.S. Forest Service, tribal temperatures and early spring employees, and numerous snow storms until late into grouse enthusiasts and April. Much of the early survey volunteers since 1964. Brood period in the southern half data is collected summer of the state had conditions Photo: Paul Carson and the data is available in outside of the survey’s early September. Collectively, parameters. Surveyors in the overriding downward trend these surveys help indicate south were given an extension can be noted for the Wisconsin grouse production levels of 10 days to get their survey Grouse population since and population trends in routes completed. Most of the the inception of this survey. Wisconsin. early part of May had normal Grouse highs are not as high Results from the 2018 temperatures and rainfall as they have been in the past drumming survey showed a and surveyors were able and the population seems 34% decrease in drumming to complete their transects to be slower to recover from activity between 2017 and on time. Overall survey cyclic lows. The long-term 2018, based on the roadside conditions were “excellent” aging of Wisconsin’s forest are survey to monitor breeding on 64% of transects run, likely playing a role in these grouse activity. The down turn while 53% rated the overall changes. Not all regions of was seen in both the central conditions as “excellent” in the state see these changes (-29 percent) and northern 2017. Conditions were rated in forest aging occurring at (-38 percent) forest regions as “Fair”, the lowest available the same rate, with the more of the state. These two areas weather condition rating, 2% commercial forests of the comprise the primary grouse of the time in 2018 and 8% Northern and Central regions range in Wisconsin. While the in 2017. Survey conditions do aging at a slower rate than decreases in the southwest (-14 influence drumming activity the more privately-owned percent) part of the state were and may cause grouse forests of the Southwest and smaller by percentage, and numbers to be over or under Southeast regions. It is likely an increase in the southeast estimated. that this trend in grouse was observed, these areas are While grouse populations numbers will continue to not within the primary range ebb and rise on a nine occur until our forests reach for grouse. The drumming to eleven-year cycle, an a stasis in their aging process.

6 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Habitat Beyond managing state- owned lands, Wisconsin DNR is working to provide young forest cover through an extensive collaborative effort known as the Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership. This partnership provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners interested in managing for young forest. The program is helping to create habitat for ruffed grouse and other wildlife species, and helping maintain healthy and diverse forest communities. Harvest Grouse hunters are very much in tune with grouse numbers relative to the population cycle – the number of hunting days spent in the field and overall harvests vary significantly from year to year. Preliminary ruffed grouse harvest data for the 2017-18 season show that 64,533 hunters reported spending 583,917 days in the field hunting grouse, with approximately 185,336 grouse Photo: Lindsay Stedman/USFWS harvested. Highest harvests were reported by hunters in Price, Douglas, Marinette types, but young, early- grouse in a new hunting area. counties. succession forests are most Checking harvested birds’ Hunters may need to important when trying to find crops will show hunters what scout different sites in grouse. Finding the densest grouse are currently eating to find pockets of birds. Ruffed woody cover available is and may also suggest likely grouse use a variety of habitat often the best way to locate hunting locations.

7 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast SHARP-TAILED GROUSE

Sharp-tailed grouse in mating display. Photo: SHARP-TAILED GROUSE Richard Baetsen / USFWS Top things to know:

1. Sharp-tailed grouse but are unsuccessful 3. The Northwest season Dates: October 20 in the drawing will be Sands Ecological – November 11, 2018 awarded a preference Landscape contains point. Preference points the rare and globally accumulated in previous significant pine barrens sharp-tailed grouse community that Sharp-tailed Grouse 2. drawings will be valid Wisconsin’s sharp-tailed Permits Available: Hunters for the 2018 drawing. grouse population interesting in harvesting The application period is inhabits. You can learn a sharp-tailed grouse August 1-31. Applications more about the Northwest this year must apply cost $3 and will be Ecological Landscape for a permit. There will available for purchase at by visiting dnr.wi.gov be 25 permits available any license agent or online and searching keywords for Game Management at GoWild.WI.gov. “Northwest Sands”. Unit 8. Those who apply,

8 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Population Status The sharp-tailed grouse is native to Wisconsin and historically occupied a large portion of the state, using primarily young, open pine and oak barrens or savanna ecosystems. Long-term population declines across North America, including Wisconsin, have occurred A close-up view of a Sharp- since the early 1900s due tailed Grouse. Photo: Brett to habitat loss. Sharp-tailed Billings / USFWS grouse management began in northern Wisconsin during the late 1940s and early to historic levels, it is Habitat 1950s and a tightly regulated believed a limited harvest harvest season has been in is sustainable. Wildlife In northwestern Wisconsin, place in 1997. managers are quite hopeful sharp-tailed grouse Each spring sharp-tailed that the sharp-tail population are found primarily in grouse dancing ground will respond positively to association with large blocks surveys are conducted. These ongoing focused habitat of barrens habitat on public survey results help to provide management efforts. Recent lands. Barrens habitat in an index to population disturbance events such as northwestern Wisconsin is abundance and allow wildlife the 2013 Germann Road Fire recognized internationally managers to make informed and the 2011 blow-down as a key conservation management decisions for may also prove beneficial to opportunity area. The birds sharp-tailed grouse. sharp-tails, over time. attract many visitors to the The 2018 survey results northwestern part of the show an increase in sharp- Harvest state each year. tailed grouse activity in Game There were no permits Wisconsin’s Sharp- Management Units 2, 8, and 9. available for the 2017 sharp- tailed Grouse Management Douglas County Wildlife Area tailed grouse season, therefore Plan provides framework saw a 64% increase in sharp- no birds were harvested. For to combine habitat tailed grouse activity during the 2016 sharp-tailed grouse development for barrens- the survey, while Namekagon season, 148 hunters applied dependent wildlife species Barrens Wildlife Area saw for 25 sharp-tailed grouse with working forests, a 6% decline. Both wildlife permits. The reported harvest with a goal to expand the areas are located in Game was 7 birds, with a success suitable habitat for sharp- Management Unit 8. rate of 28%. Success rates tails and reconnect isolated Though the population are not corrected for non- populations wherever has not yet recovered participation. possible.

9 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast WILD Top things to know:

1. The fall turkey drawing has been waived, and each fall turkey license or conservation patron license now includes a fall turkey harvest authorization valid in the zone that the hunter specifies at the time of purchase.

2. Bonus harvest authorizations will be sold over the counter starting August 18. A limited number of harvest authorizations will be available for purchase in Zones 1-4. Visit the DNR Fall turkey bonus harvest authorization webpage for more information

3. Stamp Accomplishments - Every 2 years, the DNR funds various habitat and outreach projects that benefit turkeys throughout the state. For the 2017-2019 funding cycle, the Turkey Stamp has funded 67 projects with $1,335,000 affecting thousands of acres around the state.

10 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Annual Surveys Each year, the DNR conducts results are available in but is still above the long- summer brood surveys September each year. term (1987- 2016) mean of looking at the number of The 2017 turkey brood 2.15 broods per observer. broods and brood size of production varied across the The average brood size (4.1) various upland game birds, state with more areas that for 2017 is down from the including . Turkey saw increases than declines. 4.5 observed in 2016. While brood production can affect Wild Turkey broods seen per turkey numbers vary among the number of birds available observer hour increased 8% regions, turkeys are doing to harvest in fall. Summer from the previous year. Broods well statewide with strong brood surveys are conducted per observer decreased from numbers going into the fall June through August and 3.8 in 2016 to 3.5 this year, hunting season.

Harvest The 2017 fall turkey This success rate was less only hunt April 14-15. Statewide season was open from than the 7.3% recorded for there were 244,673 harvest 16 September through 31 the 2016 fall season. authorizations available, 3,520 December, 107 consecutive Based on the 2017 fall more harvest authorizations days, with no closure turkey hunting questionnaire, than the 2017 season. In during the gun deer season 52% of all fall turkey hunters spring 2018, 38,886 birds were in Turkey Management receiving a harvest permit harvested, approximately 4,419 Zones (TMZ) 1-5. Turkey hunted turkeys during the fewer than in 2017, though Management Zones 6 and 7 2017 fall turkey season, this is licensing information suggests had a 63-day season running a decrease from the 2016 fall declines in hunter participation from 16 September through season (66%). Statewide, the during the early periods as a 17 November. Statewide, the average number of days spent result of the late winter weather number of permits available hunting for fall turkeys was 6.5 that impacted much of the (102,550) was up from the days; hunting pressure was state. Zone 1 had the highest 101,800 available in 2016. highest on weekends. Most recorded harvest of 11,235 birds. Total permits issued through a fall turkey hunters (35.5%) are Statewide success rate for the random drawing process and hunting fall turkeys incidental 2018 spring season was 18.3%, over-the-counter sales were to archery hunting. less than the 20.4% recorded 66,816. Permitted hunters The 2018 spring turkey for the 2017 season. The data harvested 3,971 turkeys for season was comprised of 6 from the spring turkey hunting a success rate uncorrected 7-day time periods from 18 April questionnaire is available in the for non-participation of 5.9%. to 29 May with a 2-day youth- fall each year.

11 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast Turkey Tactics Courtney Celley/USFWS The restoration of turkeys in Wisconsin ranks as one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in our state’s history. Absent from Wisconsin’s landscape as recently as the 1970s, our spring turkey harvests now rank among the largest in the nation. Wild turkeys have proven surprisingly tolerant of harsh winter weather as they have become established throughout northern Wisconsin. After over two decades of rapidly increasing population and harvest, turkey numbers in the state appear to be stabilizing at levels suitable Turkey flocks typically make few evenings prior to turkey to the available habitat. use of areas dominated season locating roosting Turkey population numbers by oak and hickory – this areas will help hunters find and harvests will likely habitat shift coincides birds when the season begins. ebb and flow near current with food availability when Most turkey hunting levels in response to natural succulent vegetation occurs on private land, so factors like weather and and insects become less it is important for hunters food availability. Hunters available and mast becomes to make sure landowner can expect some annual more available. relationships remain a high variation in both their In poor mast production priority. Landowners in personal success and overall years, turkey flocks are drawn Wisconsin are often willing turkey harvest. to areas where food can be to allow hunters to use their Fall turkey hunters can found. This often leads to land, and Wisconsin hunters maximize their chances for turkeys frequenting farmland have continued to set the success by learning about and open fields, where they standard high in forming turkey behavior and the wild become more visible and valuable relationships with turkey annual cycle. In the vulnerable to hunters. Turkey these landowners. fall, there is a shift in habitat hunters should monitor mast For more information, use, with turkeys moving crops where they hunt and visit dnr.wi.gov and from more open field determine where turkeys search “turkey.” habitats into forested areas. may be feeding. Spending a

12 2018 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast