FROM THE DIRECTOR
d1rectly engaged m production 1mpr0\ 1ng \\ater quahty, but also agnculture. The population has about ho\\ '"e can budd a already become more urban and roadmap to a better future for our many rural areas continue to state by recogniLing the Impor suffer economically. tance ofprotecttng and improving Yet there are some interest our natural resources. ing trends beginning to evolve. A In h1s Condit1on of the State recent report on land prices address last winter. Gov. Tom md1cate that values on farmland Vd ack la1d out an amb1t1ous plan 1n ..,outhem Iowa have mcreascd ofellminatmg all1mpa1red \\aters by a much a 20 percent, but not 111 the state by 'JQ I 0. The gover becau e of agnculture. The boost nor ha taken a "1se step toward ,.., a result of people ,.,Jiling to 1m prO\ mg the future ofiO\\ a by 1m e..,t s1g111 ftcant money for recogn1zmg the Importance of recreatiOnal pur mts. ha\ mg a clean en\ Ironment. The Water Quality I recently attended a confer ta k of attractmg and retaining ence ''here the concept of a talented "orkcrs m lo,.,a be Summit: Building a "ne\'v economy" was discussed. come that much more difficult Better Future for The prcm1se of this concept IS ""hen there 1s a perceptwn that that the number of highly edu our \\ater quality 1s poor. Iowa cated, h1ghly paid people who are The Governor's Water Governor Vilsack has called not t1ed to a pecific area for ummit will begm a long overdue for a summit to address '"'atcr the1r careers i growing. In other dialogue on '"'hat can be done to quality 1 ues m lov,a. We are \\Ords, the e people can II\ e 1mpro\e \\ atcr quality in Iowa. fortunate to ha' e th1 focused any'' here to do their '' ork. There" Ill be . orne that try to attentiOn on a natural resource \\ hy can't th1 type of portray th1s effort a the em iron concern so cnt1cal to our future. gro'' th occur 1n Io'' a? I belle' e ment 'er us agnculture or the But th1s proces 1s about so \\'C can attract the e type of em 1ronment agam teconomic much more than sc1entlfic people. Io" a ha what I call de\ elopment. I can assure you it mea urements and modelmg of "front porch appeal.'' It's a place 1s not. 'anous cenarios affectmg '' ater '"'here chtldren recei\'e a fir t Th1 1 real!} the beginning of quality. It is about a diSCUSSIOn or class education in a clean, safe a process of ho" all of us the very future of the state of en v 1ronment and parents can contnbute to" ater quality Iow a en vi ronmenta lly, economi actually spend more time with problem and ho\\ all of us can cally and socially. It's about who their children rather than stuck in be part of the solution. It's also we are and who we want to be. traffic. The opportunity to expand about how we can all benefit by Already there is discussion outdoor recreational opportunities impro\ ing water quality for within economic development continue to grow and the solution ourselves and for future genera circles about the direction Iowa is to v.atcr quality challenges go tion . heading. While agriculture'' ill hand-in-hand with meeting their always be a critically important demand. * * * mgredient in the state's econom1c By no'"'· many of you are pie. it wiJilikelycontinue to probably wondering what all of become a smaller slice at least th1s has to do with water. The Director 's Message in terms of the number of people upcoming Water Summit is about cont. on page 5 - -
FRONT COVER: WHITETAIL DEER AT SUNSET BY ROGER A. HILL BACK COVER: LEDGES STATE PARK, lt also BOONE COUNTY BY TV SMEDES Features . :or our THE TABLE IS SET •or- f by Terry Little, Willie Suchy, Todd Bogenschutz, ·ovmg Guy Zenner, Ron Andrews, Todd Gosselink Look out hunters! This year has the makings for one state' of the best hunting seasons in a long time. See what
)ffi DNR biologists have to say. ~ plan raters WHY MORE DOES? by Willie Suchy rver Exactly how do biologists caJculate antlerless quotas )Ward each year? It's much more scientific than some a b\ ' might think, including a lot of number crunching and of computer modeling. ~ The mg A BUM RAP? by Todd Gosselink and Bill Bunger cult When it comes to crop damage, are turkeys really !hat the culprits? A closer look at the crime scene may reveal some other suspects.
erdue Departments TAGGING ALONG ON FISHERIES e to 2 MANAGEMENT va. by Jim Wahl to E Pa r k s P r o f i I e Fish tags and tagging methods vary widely, but they mon arc valuable tools to biologists trying to manage , e fi shery resources. me IJI Conservation 101 IOWA: BEAUTIFUL LAND OU It 2 Although our name implies it might, Iowa rarely makes the top ten list of scenic destinations. One .ingof K ids' Corner------might wonder why as some notable Iowans share their fa vorite spots from around our beautiful state. can m Conservation Update FEDERAL GRANTS GIVE WINGS TO also 3 WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM 1t by by Douglas C. Harr Warden's Diary New federal grants breathe life into the DNR 's nera- wildlife diversity program, which is responsible for the conservation of Iowa's "nongame" species.
THE RETURN OF THE OSPREY 4 by Lowell Washburn It was history-in-the-making this summer at Spirit Lake Middle School's outdoor classroom. Iowa's first wi ld osprey chick in more than a century was banded. -
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www. iowadn r. com/conservation isV Director=s Message participatmg company. The cont. f rom page 3 program has also conserved 354 mi ll ion gallons of water, de While we re on the topic of creased energy use by 11 million economic development and the kWh, reduced solid waste by environment, I would be com 16,600 tons, decreased hazardous pletely remiss ifi failed to waste by 42,380 gallons and htghlightthe Iowa Pollution reduced air emissions by 192 Prevention Intern Program tons. coordinated by the DNR. And, perhaps most important This program, which matches of all, the program has helped college students with Iowa retain some of the brilliant young companies to help reduce pollu minds who came up with these tion in industrial settings, has solutions, here in Iowa. recently received two national honors for leadership and innova tion 111 protecting the environment. Through the work of the intems in thi s program, companies have saved more than $5.4 million with an average of $98,000 per Jeffrey R. Yonk
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I Iowa on the verge of having its best all-arot1r1d l1tu1ting eason in recent year ? The DNR' top wildlife biologi ls eem to think so.
By Terry W Little + Willie uchy + Todd Bogen chutz + Guy Zenner + Ron Andrew + Todd Go elink + Photo by Roger A. Hill
one 2003 HUNTING Iowa. In that time, deer hunting and tiona! antlerless-only licenses for their deer management have undergone farm. FORECAST numerous changes. One thing, License buying restrictions have By Terry Little however, has remained constant also been eased this year. For the first the number of deer that are accept time, hunters who purchase an any Wildlife Research Supervisor able to Iowans is a source of great deer license for the early muzzle loader disagreement. For some people, one or first shotgun seasons may also obtain et 's cut to the chase - deer is too many. For others, there one antlerless-only license for that this year has the makings are never enough. Finding and season. The special antlerless-only -r~of being one of Iowa's maintaining an acceptable balance January late season has been extended best hunting seasons in recent has been, and always will be, the to aU counties, meaning every hunter memory. primary challenge to Iowa's deer has the option of hunting again in Pheasant numbers are up every management program. January. Although it is unlikely every where, and quail numbers have In some areas of the state, deer hunter \Vill take full advantage of the improved in southern Iowa. Duck and numbers are at an all-time high. At antlerless licenses available to them, it goose numbers look good- better issue is the number of than early expectations. Deer num does in the population, bers are at an all-time high - too not so much the high in some places or for some number of deer in people and wild turkey and general. Reducing the furbearer populations remain strong herd requires, first and statewide. As we all know, this in foremost, decreasing itself does not guarantee all hunters the number of female • nm will have a great season, just that the deer in the herd. Thus, most crittcal factor is in place the DNR has set a goal o. abundant wildlife populations. of harvesting 25 Thts year will present some percent more docs than unique hunting opportunities and last year, and deer challenges for Iowa nimrods, particu hunting regulations larly for deer hunters. In spite of have been eased to do record harvests the past several just that. As always, years, deer numbers continue to hunters will play the increase and extra cooperation is lead role in determining needed from hunters if the trend is to how successful this be reversed. But rather than me initiative will be. (To belaboring these points, let's let the learn how antlerless DNR 's wildlife population experts tell license quotas arc set, the story. see Suchy's companion article, Why is critical to the management oflowa's More Does? on pages 16-19). deer herd that enough hunters use these DEER HUNTING For starters, the number of licenses to reduce the number of antlerless licenses available has female deer. By Willie Suchy doubled, and more hunters are eligible If hunters want the deer hunting Deer Biologist for them. Every hunter will have the tradition to remain intact, they need to option of purchasing up to six make a conscious decision to manage The 2003 deer season is a historic antlerless-only licenses in addition to their harvest. That means obtaining at one for Iowa's deer management t\vo statewide any-deer licenses (one least one antlerless license, and making program. Thts season marks the 5Qih firearm and one bow). Landowners every effort to fill it. It means passing anm versary of modern deer hunting in and tenants can obtain three addi- on the small. yearling bucks, and filling
Seprembcr October 101!:1 • Jo" il ( onwl'\ JIIOII I\l 7 their any-deer tag with an SPECIES SE \SON SHOOTING HOURS BAG LIMITS t • DAILY POSSESSIO:" older, more mature buck, or Youth Rooster Pheasant Oct. 18-19 1 2 (after rrrst day) maybe another doe if they (age 15 or younger)•+ Roo ~ter Pheasant Oct. 25 ·Jan. 10, 2004 8:00a.m. to ..t:30 p.m. 3 u can use the meat. Bobwhite Quail Oct. 25 ·Jan. 31,2004 8 16 Obtaining an antlerless Gray Partridge Oct. 11 ·Jan. 31, 2004 8 16 Thrkey One-half Hour Before only tag and an any-deer tag Oct. 13 · Dec. 5 (Gun)• Sunrise to Sunset gives the hunter the option of OneThrkey OneThrkey Thrkey Oct. 1 • Dec. 5 and Per License Per License taking a tender doe for the (Bow Only)• Dec. 22 ·Jan. 10, 2004 Deer Oct. 1 • Dec. 5 and dinner table, and holding out (Bow) Dec. 22 • Jan. 10, 2004 One-half flour Before for a mature buck for the Deer Oct. 11 ·Oct. t9• (early) or Sunrise to One-half (Muzzleloader) Dec. 22 ·Jan. 10, 2004 (late) Hour After Sunset wall. The best part is, One Deer One Deer Deer·· Youth (age 12-15) Per License Per License following these recommenda Sept. 20 • Oct 5 and Severely Disabled tions will help ensure quality Deer Dec. 6-10 (first) or hunting on your land for the (Shotgun) Dec. 13-21 (second) future. Taking only does or a Deer Special Lnte Season jan. 11-19,2004 Ruffed Grouse Oct. 4 ·Jan. 31,2004 Sunri~e 3 6 1 nice buck reduces the deer Rabbit (Cottontail) Sept. 1 · Feb. 28, 200-t to 10 20 herd; harvesting the older, Rabbit (Jack) Oct. 25 · Dec. 1 Sunset 2 4 S uirrel (Fox and Gra ) Se t. 1 ·Jan. 31, 2004 6 12 mature bucks makes room Groundhog June. 15 ·Oct. 31 Oct. 15 • Nov. 30 and for the younger bucks to take Crow None Jan. 14 • March 31, 2004 their place in following years. Pigeon•• Oct. 1. March 31,2004 None An exception to this Co ote Continuous Open Season Raccoon and Opossum Nov. l ·Jan. 31, 2004 might be warranted for young None Fox (Red and Gray) Nov. l-Jan.31, 2004 (Opens 8 a.m.lirst doy only) or first-time hunters. Giving • Residents Only. •• Within 100 yards of buildings and bridges, pigeons moy be taken year round. +See regula lions for complete requirements them the option of taking any deer creates experience and builds prime time for landowners who feel every county need extra hunting confidence in their hunting skills. You they have too many deer to organize pressure. Public hunting areas do not might be surprised, however, by how another hunting group. Party hunting is have excessively high deer populations many of these young hunters will adopt legal during this season, just as it is in and thus. antlerless licenses should be the same rules as everyone else. the shotgun seasons, and all legal used on private land where landowner The bonus January season is another weapons may be used. are having problems with deer. opportunity to take more does. Land It is important to remember, Deer hunting has evolved greatly owners are offered another free although antlerless licenses are avail over the last five decades. If hunters antlerless tag for this season. This is a able in every county, not all areas in from Iowa's first season in 1953 could
8 Iowa ( on,ervauon~>l • Seplember Otlober 2003 Upland Game Distribution Maps
PHEASANT
· ·~- ,.;
hunt today, they would no doubt be CRP and Fannable Wetlands pro quite surprised at the number of deer grams). and two consecutive years of QUAIL and deer hunters in the field. Still, the mild winters and favorable spring • I •• l u .. ) tradition of deer hunting in Iowa Jives weather during nesting periods has Jed I 16 ~ - \ I 16 , on, much like it has for decades. to a miraculous and speedy recovery, 1 o I - Hunters can help keep that tradition \ • ~ especially for ring-necked pheasants. • I I J I - - ) alive by making a conscious decision to The winter of 2000-0 I was l ., . . . I ...... take an extra doc. Doing so will keep I I .'J I l j t devastating to Iowa's upland game .)• .. ., -· deer populations in check. Letting the bird populations. The number of birds smaller yearling bucks live another counted on the DNR 's annual August \? year wi II do nothing but improve Roadside Survey the following sum GRAY PARTRIDGE lo\\ a's deer herd for future hunting mer were the lowest ever recorded. enjoyment. Statewide, pheasants counts that year averaged a dismal 14 birds per 30-mile UPLAND GAME roadside route (slightly more than 200 6 routes are run each year.) Compare HUNTING that to the long-te1m average of 46 .:...... By Todd Bogenschutz pheasants per route and ... well ... Upland Game Biologist you get the picture. COTTONTAIL But with just one favorable winter . ·' I J ' . 1...... , ' 1"-· ) I Iunters who hung up their shot and nesting season behind them, the ••• \~~-+-+·'~·r~:i~J~-r~,-1-T\, guns the past few years on the heels of pheasant population statted to rebound ~ -, • ., I,.., X: declining upland game bird populations last year to an average of 32 birds \ ...... J 1 ~~. 1 b -. ICI) 1m- J may want to reconsider. This year is per route. Counts from this year's ~ \ . ~\._ I-,',. • • I-_-_ .-, .., ;_. shaping up to be an excellent season survey indicate Iowa will average for pheasant, partridge, quail and rabbit about 46 birds per route statewide - hunting is Iowa. a better than 200 percent increase in Improved habitat conditions and pheasant numbers and right at the Excellent Counts represent cooperation from Mother Nature led to long-term average. The numbers • generalized game [] Good abundance There can good survival and reproduction of most represent the highest pheasant count D Fair be areas o flo,, game upland game the last two years. the DNR has recorded in a decade. abundance 1n rcg10ns Increased habitat through USDA In spite of the good overall 0 Poor ~ tth "htgh" counts and vtcc \'C rsa. conservation programs (Continuous statewide outlook, things are not
Scplcmb.:r Ocroher 2003 • lo-.a Con>ervauonrsl 9 equally ros} e\ erywhere. As is with The last year pheasant counts were one bird per route. Follov. ing the wir clling or buying real estate, location this high in lov. a was in 1994. That of 2000, howe\ cr. that number dropp• make~ a big difference. The highe~t year hunter~ harvested more than I .4 to only one quail for every fourth rout numbers of pheasants were reported million roosters. After very poor Th1s year slightly less than one quail r from the northwest, north-central and seasons the past two years (a record route was reported - a 135 percent central regions (an average of 60 to 80 low take of 4 70,000 roosters in 200 I increase over last year and at the pheasants per route, well above the and 730,000 last year), most Iowa average for the last decade. Better qt long-term average.) Populations in nimrods would be satisfied with a numbers arc reported from southwes• west-central and east-central Iowa had season that reached I million birds. and south-central Iowa, but hunters n counts about half as high as the best Anything above that will be pure gravy. to be aware that populations stil1 rema areas, and the southern third of the Bobwhite quail and cottontail well below the numbers seen in the state had counts about a third as high. rabbits ha\ c also made impressi\e 1960s and 1970s. :ar The bright side is populations tncreased e\ erywhere. It's amazing hO\\ fast Mother Nature can replemsh V\ ildl i fe populations ifconditions are nght. The down side is southern lm\ a's brood stock was so lov. follow ing the winter of2000-0 1 it will take another year or more of good weather to bring numbers up to desirable levels.
}-J ~J p [? r~~a ~J3 J~ / /3)s J-,J-: I.!:) 1S 3'!
recoveries from the all-time lows recorded in 200 l. This year rabbit WATERFOWL numbers have doubled to nine per HUNTING survey route compared to four in 200 l. The survey routes indicate numbers arc By Guy Zenner
up statewide, however the highest Waterfowl Biologist \\ er~: counts are in the southern third of Year Iowa. In sharp contrast to 2002, ducks the Quail arc restricted, mostly, to the returning to the Praine Pothole southern third of Iowa, so their state Region of North America found fair wide numbers are much lower on the to excellent wetland habitat conditions survey. Over the last 10 years, quail across most of the region, even in counts have averaged slightly Jess than parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan
I 0 low.t C on,cn,tllon"t • September October 200J where drought has plagued the area mallards, bluewings, green wings and consequently, will be spotty this year. most of the past decade. Ducks took gadwalls bodes well for Iowa Overall, the number of Canada ad\antage of these conditions and waterfowlers, since they comprise geese in the state this spring in settled on the prairies in excell ent the majority of the ducks harvested in creased from 2002, but because numbers. Iowa. The improved wetland habitat production was poor in some areas, The number of ducks surveyed conditions in Canada remained that the fall flight from Iowa will be by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service way throughout most of the summer, similar to 2002. Canada goose increased 16 percent from 2002 and suggesting better-than-average numbers still remain below historic rebounded to the level they were at in numbers of birds will be produced in levels in northwest Iowa, but the 200 l . Mallard numbers are at 7.9 that region. improvements in goose populations in in the mlllton, compared to 7.5 million last In Iowa, the rains that arrived the other parts of the state should give year. The number of blue-winged first week of May were too late to many Iowans a fair opportunity to
...V> -o., E Cl) Ducks, Mergandsers and Coots Sept. 20-24 Sept. 20-22 ,._ ?' (excluding plntalls and canvasbacks) Oct. 11 -Dec. 4 Oct. 18- Dec. 13 Sept. 20-24 Sept. 20-22 " Pintails Oct. 11 -Nov. 4 Oct. 18- Nov. 13 Canvasbacks Oct. 18- Nov. 16 Oct. 25 - Nov. 23 Sept 27 - Oct. 19 Canada geese and brant Sept. 27 - Dec. 5 Nov. 8 - Dec. 24
Sept. 1-15 (Only In designated zones around Canada geese Des Moines and Cedar Rapids/Iowa City. For zone maps, go to www.lowadnr.com/wildllfel) STATEWIDE White-fronted geese Sept. 27 - Dec. 21 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Oct. 4-5 Light Geese (white and blue phase snow geese and Ross' geese) Sept. 27, 2003 - Jan. 11, 2004 Light Geese Spring Conservation Order Jan. 12 - April 15, 2004 (while and blue phase snow geese and (Additional Regulations May Apply) Ross' geese) Woodcock Snipe Rail (Sora and Virginia)
teal pairs tncreased 31 percent from attract outstanding numbers of successfully hunt Canada geese 2002. Gadwall, wigeon, green breeding ducks. Those that did stay, relatively close to home. winged teal, pintail and shoveler however, apparently had good The number of migrant Canada numbers also improved from 2002, success, as witnessed by the number geese in northern Manitoba and the although only pintails and shovelers of broods observed during July on Arctic appear to be similar to last ist were statistically higher than last many northern Iowa wetlands. year, but the warm spring weather year Fewer ducks were surveyed in The early May downpours were observed in those regions should the lake states of Minnesota and not, however, particularly good for improve the outlook for production. Wtsconsm, but many of these birds Canada goose production in Iowa. Fall flights of migrant geese should be likely moved out onto the prairies of Many geese nesting on floodplain similar or slightly better than last Canada to take advantage of the wetlands along Iowa's rivers lost year. Just to our north, Minnesota improved wetland habitats. their clutches just before hatching. and Manitoba are producing bumper The tmproved numbers of Canada goose production in Iowa, crops of giant Canada geese, many of
Sep1ember 0<;1ob.:r 2003 • I0\13 Coos~rvation"l J J which will eventually filter into Iowa allow hunters in the south zone to sources dried up. That allowed seed once winter settles into the upper continue taking white fronts during to settle in mucky wetland soils, ,. Midwest. the closed portion of the regular sprout and grow - an essential part With the prospect of waterfowl Canada goose season. Since white of the wet-dry cycle on the prairies populations slightly above last year's, fronts generally migrate only through that produces the diverse marshes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is extreme western Iowa, relatively few that attract migrating ducks. Spring allowing the same liberal60-day duck hunters will be affected. and early summer rains restored season for states in the Mississippi + A special early Canada goose water levels in most of Iowa's Flyway as we have enjoyed the past season was held in two zones - one wetlands, and thus, many were in several years. Seasons and daily bag around Des Moines and one around ideal condition. and possession limits are also similar Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. The Unfortunately, late summer has to last year, with a couple of excep early season was designed to reduce been very dry nearly everywhere, tions: flocks oflocally produced giant and some of those same wetlands + Hunters will be allowed to take Canada geese that have been causing are nearly dry again. Fortunately, one canvasback duck and one pintail safety haLards around airports and there is plenty of time for fall rains a day during separate 30-day seasons sanitary problems at urban lakes, golf to rectify the situation, but that fall within the 60-day framework. courses and business and housing watcrfow lcrs \\ ould be well-advise< The 30-day seasons for canvasbacks complexes where lagoons have been to scout conditions before choosing and pintails do not coincide, so created for esthetic purposes. their hunting sites. hunters will have to carefully watch Besides good duck and goose The other factor, of course, is the duck season schedules beginning numbers, two other ingredients have weather patterns during the hunting with the start of the second duck to be blended in to make a successful season. Warm, dry weather late into season in both the nmih and south hunting season. Habitat conditions the fall in most cases- kept zones. during the migration period are ducks north of Iowa until late into the + The seasons for dark geese critical. Without adequate habitat, seasons the last two years. When the (Canada geese, brant and white waterfowl will skip over Iowa on migration finally peaked, the ducks fronted geese), which have coincided their way to better accommodations either came through quickly or move< for many years, have been modified. further south. west of Iowa, rather than across the For 2003, there will be separate The past two years have been state in their nonnal migration routes. seasons for Canada geese and brant, abnormally dry, and many wetlands We can only hope that things return and for white-fronted geese. This will that did not have permanent water to normal this year.
i\11 pho t o~ page ~ 12-13 T)' Smcdcl> Iowa, and their numbers should appearance here. In spite of the FURBEARER continue to increase. Although they growing pub! ic opinion to the con TRAPPING AND are still protected, their recovery has trary, the DNR has never released prompted removal from the state's mountain lions in Iowa. The few that HUNTING threatened species list. Research have been documented are either Spnng ~ By Ron Andrews studies are underway to determine the naturally occurring animals moving in Furbearer Biologist feasibility ofholdingalimited trapping from the southwest United States, or season in the near future. captive animals that have either Little has changed in the past 15 Bobcats continue to increase in escaped or been intentionally released years to alter the outlook for trappers numbers on their own Without any help from private ownership. And despite and furbearer hunters. Low interest from the DNR. Nearly two-thirds of literally hundreds oflion "sightings," in both activities, spurred by contin Iowa' s counties have enough sightings only one wild mountain lion has been ued low fur prices, has allowed to consider them established, and confirmed in Iowa - a male lion killed populations of all furbearers to thrive. sightings of bobcats in southwest Iowa by a car near Harlan in Shelby Muskrat numbers have fluctuated are no longer occasion for much County last year. DNR personnel over the years depending on wetland fanfare. They may soon be removed sighted one other mountain lion near conditions. As wetland revegetation from the threatened species Jist. Mt. Ayr in Ringgold County. Four occurs, muskrats should quickly When that happens, they will have the mountain lion tracks (large catlike rrbound to their former numbers. same protection as any other fur tracks) have been documented in Raccoons, fox, coyote, beaver and bearer that is not hunted or trapped. scattered places in Iowa. other furbearers continue to be A research study was initiated by All the other reports the DNR late into abundant and readily available to DNR biologists and Iowa State has investigated have been inconclu trappers and hunters alike. University staff this summer to learn sive or proven to be other animals. The thing that continues to amaze more about bobcat movements, Coyotes, dogs, domestic cats, a is the burgeoning populations of river survival, reproduction and other badger, and other smaller animals otters and bobcats, and the appear factors of their biology that~ ill be have been identified as the real ance in Iowa of mountain lions, also crucial to the future management of culprits in these lion sightings. Sev known as cougars or puma. this valuable and attractive animal. eral dead farm animals attributed to The restoration of the river otter Mountain lions present the DNR lion kills have, after examination, been is complete. They currently occupy with quite a challenge in determining reassigned to coyotes, dogs and nearly all river and stream systems in an appropriate response to their recent natural causes. A quick glimpse of
2003-2004 TRAPPING SEASON SPECIES OPENlNG CLOSING Mink, Muskrat*, Raccoon, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Nov. 1, 2003 Jan. 31, 2004 Badger, Opossum, Fox (Red and Gray), Coyote Beaver Nov. 1, 2003 April 15, 2004 Civet Cat (Spotted Skunk), Continuous Closed Season Bobcat and Otter Groundhog June IS, 2003 Oct. 31, 2003
ALL FURBEAJU:.R SEASO'>S OPEN \T 8 A.M. ON THE OPt./'Oil'.G DATE. THERE AHE 1"0 DAILY BAG OR POSSESSION LIMITS *SELECTED AREAS MAY BE ESTABLISHED tN fuRUARY FOR MUSKRAT TRAPPING ONl.Y.
September October ~003 • lo"a Consenallon"t 13 an animal in the headlights, a FALL TURKEY been relatively few compared to fleeting glance at an animal di sap those regarding other wi ldlife damage pearing into cover at dusk and HUNTING and have frequently turned out to be dawn, unfamiliarity with how large unjustified. (Sec Gosse link 's accom By Todd Go elink a mountain !J on really is, and panying article, 4 Bum Rap on pages frankly, overheated imaginations, Wild Tu rkey Bi ologi t 20-23 ). With plenty of turkeys seem to be the causes for most avail able and some concern about reports. Like furbcarcrs, nothing much having too many, license quotas were It's amazing that with 170,000 has changed in the past several years increased and more hunters will be in deer hunters in the field in Novem for wild turkeys or turkey hunters. the field this year than last. ber and December and 60,000 Wild turkeys now occupy nearl y all The stage is set for a good year turkey hunters out in April and available habitat in Iowa, numbers for hunters. Only time, weather and our own hunting abtlities will deter mine how the year works out for each ofus.
A summary of season dates, bag limits and other hunting I information can be fou nd on the May, and with the large number of remain good everywhere and hunting DNR's web site at • www.iowadnr.com or in the mountain lion "sightings," no one opportunity in the fall has exceeded • has shot a lion, taken a clear picture the demand in most of the state. following booklets available of one or had an unquestioned Early returns from the summer brood where ever li censes are sold: •· sighting with witnesses to verify survey look promising, indicating that their story. Nevertheless, the DNR turkey flocks wi ll be abundant again 2003 Deer and Fall Turkel' will continue investigating the this fall, meaning there will be plenty Regulations sightings as they are reported. of birds next spring too. Unless legislative action dictates With good turkey numbers across 2003 Upland Game. Trapping otherwise, mountain lions are not the state, there have been some and Wate1j011 'l Regulations currently protected in Iowa. complaints that the turkey population is too high and the birds are destroy 2003 Hunting. Fishing and ing crops. These complaints have Trapping Regulations
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Seplcmbcr Oclobcr 2003 • lo\\a '""'"""lwni\1 J 5 li' e 11 die (u hunt) motoi dtseas Perio< rhagic have I do no fe\\ f! ment, or CO) to 11m
men By Willie uchy about
Photo by Roger A. Hill ~peete fawn One of the que tLOn 1 get asked first y '"hen hunter see the regulations for will h th1 s fall1s:" How d1d you come up older. 'W 1th the antlerless quota?" My this~ an wer "anes . omcwhat depending of the upon how "tn-depth" the questiOner planet \-\ants to gel. A complete an wer a\ aila requ1res talktng about'' hat \\e knO\\ Xe\\ 1 (or thtnk \\C knov\) about deer la~b t biOlogy. deer number and hunter fall, t1 han e l. The hort an wer 1 : 'Td bro\\ l1ke to ee the number of doe 111 the that Ia harvest tncrea e b) 25 percent. It i~ a
Kllltng 25 percent more doe should !~nO\\ get deer number dov\n to the long e ~ department's goal." The folio'"' tng 1s suffi my attempt to answer this que t1on And a more completely. deer,, Tl Deer Biology matio Ba ed on the results of several that tn research projects conducted in most 1 d1fferent part of Iowa over the past a\\ a} 30 year we can conclude three born. thtngs about Iowa's deer. F1rst is miles deer have high un ivai rate . Wt th the sp out huntmg, roughly 90 percent of the tngl) 1 deer altve today would be al1\e a miles. year from today. There are no real areas 1 predator (other than humans) that a'ailat
I 6 hm.L { '""c" JILonl't • September Ounbcr 20113 live in Iowa today. The few deer that Deer Numbers Using all three sources of infor die (unless they are killed during a There is no way to accurately mation helps mitigate the problems hunt) usually die due to collisions with count all the deer in the wild. In associated with any one techmque. motorized vehicles. There are few stead, trends in deer numbers are The number of road kills can even be diseases that limit deer numbers. monitored using aerial and spotlight "adjusted" to account for traffic Periodic losses to epizootic hemor surveys and by recording the number volume if we look at the number of rhagic disease (EHD) or bluetongue of deer hit on Iowa's roads (See deer killed per billion miles of traffic. have been recorded but these diseases figure at right.). Each 2o.ooo 100 do not appear to limit deer numbers. A source of information 15,000 75 - few fawns are killed by farm equip s: has it's own strengths ·..;: .21 : 10,000 +-so ~ ment, such as hay mowers, or by dogs and weaknesses. Q. -Aerial 00 or coyotes. But that is still not enough 5,000 + 25 The aerial survey is -Spotlight to limit deer numbers. conducted using fixed Secondly, deer have high reproduc wing aircraft in winter 1985 1990 1995 2000 tive rates. In fact, deer in Iowa are after the hunting season about as productive as possible for the is over. Getting good 15,000 - 1500 12,500 .. 1250 species. From 60 to 80 percent of the results is dependent - 1000::; fawns will have fawns themselves their ______.... . - .... 750 If upon good sighting ... - .. - ..... • • :.<: first year. After their first year, most conditions. A snowfall 500 will have twins and about 10 percent of 250 of at least 4 inches is 0 older, mature does have triplets. Again, needed before observ- this makes sense, since Iowa has some ers can be confident of the most productive land on the that the brown spot they just ob Looking at the figure above we planet. There is abundant food readily served 400 feet below them while see that deer numbers appear to have available to deer almost year-round. traveling at 80 mph was a deer. Or increased during the past three to New plant growth begins in March and was it a rock, stump, cedar bush or four years and all three surveys are lasts until October or November. In the one of many other things that look higher than they were during the last fall, there are acorns, other mast, like deer? Iowa winters are fairly time deer numbers peaked in the late browse and waste grain from crops mild and m some years snow cover 1980s. that last until new plant growth begins. does not last long enough to get a It is a rare winter in Iowa where deep count, especially in the southern half Harvest Data snow cover (12 inches or more) lasts of the state. Estimates of the number of deer long enough to stress deer. Droughts of The spotlight survey is conducted killed during the hunting season are sufficient severity are even more rare. prior to "green-up" in April. DNR an important part of deer manage And as long as there is ample food, the staff drive prescribed routes at night ment. Post-season survey f01ms are deer will continue to do well. and count deer using high-intensity mailed out to a random sample of The last important piece of infor spotlights. In some years early leaf hunters each year. Following last mation we know about deer in Iowa is out reduces visibility and fewer deer fall's seasons, nine separate postcard that they are fairly mobile. Although are seen than expected. surveys were conducted - one each most deer move less than a mile or so Traffic volume, speed and other for the youth season, the early and away from the area where they were variables affect the number of deer late muzzleloader season, the archery born, some young deer disperse several killed on Iowa's highways. The season, the two shotgun seasons, the miles from their mother's core area in number of miles driven in Iowa has January antlerless season, one for the spring. A few have moved surpris increased by more than 40 percent landowners and one for nonresidents. ingly long distances of more than 100 over the last 10 years. Even if deer A total of 50,825 license holders were miles. These deer are able to fill in any numbers were the same as they were surveyed and 32, 179 usable re areas of good habitat when they are 10 years ago, we would expect 40 sponses were returned. This is a available. percent more collisions with deer. response rate of 63 percent which is
September October 2003 • Jo" J Con,cn .moni't J7 't:f) good for thts t) pe of un C) The cia"" and u~ed as tnput for the next ho'' many docs need to be ktlled Jo· goal of the sun e) 1 to pro' 1de doc ;car. The proces<; can be repeated dunng the upcommg season or season~ Rl han e~t t:\tlmate . '' tth a margtn of for an} number of year . The state to keep the populatton at the obJect!\ e. u FE error of 5 percent for the hotgun '' tdc ~tmulatton~ currently u ed begtn The current goal for the deer program "cason. 111 I 985 and run through 2003. a ts to mamtatn a populatton that is JOOd est1mate of the doe pcnod of I 8 years. capable of suo,tatntng a harvest of I 00- hur han e t are needed tncc '"'hat 120thousand 100,000 par happens to the docs determines hO\\ deer annually. • Does por many deer there'' ill be in the popula 75 000 The current • Bucks hur tion each year. The figure at nght sunulations the 50,000 1 shO\\.., the C'>lnnatcd number of docs indicate that !!~ and bucks (antlered and button deer numbers buck.\) that hunter reported each are 30 to 35 25, ~ •• t year \ll1CC 19 5 1f )'OU look at JUSt percent above the pa"t three )Car . ) ou ee the that goal. number of buck ktlled each vear ha..., Ob\ tOusl; thiS - bello <:,ta;cd prert) much the arne The The output from the model ts mean that sub<;tantialh more does - :Je good nC\\.., t'> the number of doe then compared to the three popula need to be ktllcd tht<; fall to bnng at ktlled ha~ tncrea ed by 25 percent tton '>Lin c;., (road kill. potltght and numbers dov. n Increasmg the doe \\II due to changtng regulation that aiiO\\ aenal) to dctcrmtne hO\\ well the han est 25 percent ~hould reduce doe cen hunters more antlerless licen es. But model "fits" the observed trend . Ftt numbers by about I 0 percent for next th~ 1 thi s tncreased doc ktll enough? ts measured statt ttcally and then year. bnngtng the stmulated numbers ar more tmulattons are done to deter do\\ n to the goal tn two to three years loo Population Models mtnc If a htgher or lower tarting Only ttme \\til tell 1fthe quotas po A computer modelts used to put number produce an output that ha a achtc\ e the dco,1red re ult . But as the ptcccs of th1 deer management better correlatiOn" 1th the urvey . more In format ton 1s collected, the puulc together. Input for the model When the 2002 hane t e timates model ''til be updated and reevaluated. mclude the number of male and ''ere placed tnto the computer model. If pteccs of the puale { urYey or the \tmulated number tncrea ed by hane t data) no longer fit. then female deer tn the population. age co and ex- pectfic un tval rate . age about 4 percent th1 pa t year. The changes ''Ill need to be made to the loci spcct fie reproductl\ e rates and the results correlate 'ef) \\ell '' ith the han e. t regulatton.., based on thi ne'' dee number of deer ktlled during the ob en ed change 111 the un e) . The tnput. 8; conttnuou ly updating the Foe harvest. The model begin by calcu stmulatton ha the htghe t correlatiOn model and b; tmpro\ tng the qualtt) of the lattng the number of fawns that'' ould wtth the potltght uney. The imu the han est and populatton data, ''e ''til deh be produced gtven the initial number Jatcd number are a! o highly corre get a better picture of the deer man nee of deer at the start of simulation. lated with the reported roadkill and agement punle. Then the model applies the su rvival the aerial surveys. However, when Tho c of you who made it this far con rates to determine how many deer the reported roadki ll i adjusted for now have the long answer to the rei a que. I ion 0 r how the antlerless quotas would be alive just before the hunting traffic' olumc (ki ll per billion mile . to· ca on . Next the number of deer kpbm) tt has the lowest correlation of were set. And those "ho have asked ktllcd dunng the hunting season are any. Most of the deviation appear to rht question and recei,ed the hort tJO ~ cha remo\ ed and finally the model again be tn the past 3 or 4 year . an \vCr arc probably mtling and the, applte the survtval rates to detcrmtnc thinktng ho'' luck) you \\ere that da). ho" many deer" til be ali'e at the Setting the Antlerless a:n end of one year. ince the simulatton Quota dee ha run through one year, the deer Once the best fitting imulation IS Willie Suchy I\' the deer biologist D~ sttll ali\e arc all moved up one age round the model is u ed to determine for the clepurtment 111 Chariton.
J 8 ln\\ol < un,cn Jtlonl'\t • St.:ph.:mbcr Ounbcr 2UlH led Iowa Deer Hunters Asked: r seaso115 REDUCE DEER HERD, bJect e FEED NEEDY lrograr... IS The Iowa DNR is asking t of 100- hunters to shoot more deer, does in usand particular, to reduce the deer nuall} population. With the hope that Tent hunters will shoot more deer than ons they want for themselves, a pro :that gram has been set up to get the mber.i extra venison to the needy. 0 35 Help Us Stop Hunger, or abO\e HUSH, was announced in Septem tl. ber by the 0 R, the Food Bank of slv thi' ' Iowa and a number of other part does ners. DNR Director Jeffrey Yonk said that in this first year, HUSH doe will be piloted in a 55-county area of Jce doe . central and southeast Iowa. Most of :or nex. the lockers that process deer in this mbers area arc participating, he said. Just ~ e years look for a locker displaying the otas poster at right. 1t as "Any deer hunter can take their the legally harvested deer, any sex from l'aiuatcJ. any season, to one of the participat or ing lockers and fill out a card. lt n costs the hunter nothing, and the to the locker gets paid $50 to process the 1is ne, deer into pure ground venison. The 11 the .<:: Food Bank of Iowa will arrange for talit) of the venison to be picked up and 3. \\ e \\111 delivered into the system to feed the -man· needy," Yonk explained. Several iowa organizations and this ta, companies, most of them hunting he related, have donated cash to pay quotas for the venison processing. Addi ! as ke~ tionally, hunters will be given a OPEN: 9 am - 5 30 pm Mon -Fri short chance to donate $5 when they buy 9 am - 3 pm Saturday ad their deer permit. · at da} More information about HUSH, ON a map of participating lockers and deer seasons are a' ailable on the PLUS D R v.. cb Site at Hwy. 34 East, Creston, lA ogist 641-782-6104 v. ,., '' .10-v.-adnr.com . Email: [email protected] 'Oil· ca~ on I] daR Oh11 ~ho Wild turkeys often get the bla111e for crop danzage. But are they really the culprits? thos by Todd Go elink and Bill Bunger felt cro In the 1830 '"hen the first lo\\ a, and they now inhabit nearly all conducted 111 the early 1990s by Iowa \te ettler cro ed the Mi i ippi Ri' cr remnant timber stand left in the tate Umverstty (JSU) and the DNR mto what 1 no\\ Iowa, they encoun state. In those four decade , the shed e'en more !Jght on the subject. per tcn~d '"tid turkey '1rtually every- turke:> populatiOn ha gro,,n from The survey focused on turkeys and pre " here the:> tra\ elled. At the ttme, oak 7ero to an co.;ttmated 200,000 b1rd crop depredation m northeast Iowa rur and hickory fore t co' ered rough!) 7 '" htch, due to the extensive forest cro million acre. of the tate. and the'' tid T he Public's View CO\ er there. ha one of the highest ie\\ turke) thrl\ ed m the nch em Ironment O\\ 1' 111 turkc:> densities m the state. cau that the turke\• ' un al B:> the mtd-1950 . ho'' eYer. forest 1o\\'a 1s a sured. populatiOn manage In that tud:>, 64 percent of the co' cr had been reduced b:> nearly ment ha~ become more dependent farmer suf\eyed believed the) had t\\ o-thtrd to around 2.6 million upon publtc opm10n than ctentlfic ome crop damage. However, more acres and the turkey population management program . To under than half (52 percent) reported no responded. The dra tic habitat lo , stand \\hat that "magtc number" economic losses, and only 5 percent Fo coupled wtth uncontrolled han est, led mtght be, the DNR surveyed farmer belie' ed they ustained damages to the elimination of the Ea tern wi ld regarding crop damage from deer, exceeding $500. In fact. the majority pre turkey from Iowa by the early 1900s. turkeys and other wtldlife. Ba ed on (56 percent) of all re pondents be moe That would change, however, a 200 I lo"' a Agncultural tati t1c li eved tu rkeys pro' 1ded some positi\ e begmnmg 111 the early 1960s when the en tee suney, only 12 percent of the retu rn , e1ther through eatmg insects, IO\\ a D R and 'anou priYate tho e contacted be he' ed their crop huntmg or\\ tld!Jfe' 1ewing. conservatiOn group embarked on an had su~tamed damage from turkeys, tmtlar unc:> m urrounding aggre 1ve tu rkey re toration pro and onl:> 16 percent belieYed turkey tate ha' e . ho'' n s1mdar results. In gram. mce that ttme, '' lld turkey populations mlO\\ a'' ere too high. outh\\ est ~ 1sconsm. 51 percent of ha' e been released at 259 sites aero A more detailed mail survey farmer sun eyed felt turkeys did not
20 Iowa Con,cn.atoon"l • September October 2003 cause major damage to crops, and before digestion) taken from birds During the fall, the study exam only 3 percent believed they sustained shot after feeding m crop fields. ined more than 200 turkey crops and damages exceeding $500. A 1995 What researchers found was, during found similar results as in the spring. Ohio DNR survey of 1,2 06 farmers the spring, turkey diets consisted The three major foods found were ? showed more than 75 percent of primarily of waste grain (54 percent) com and wild plant material (39 • those who had turkeys on their land and wild plants (27 percent). Waste percent each) and insects ( 12 per felt the birds caused no damage to grain was distinguishable because of cent). More than 90 percent of the crops, compared to 13 percent who its weathered and dirty appearance com consumed was waste grain. y Iowa viewed turkeys as a nuisance. compared to recently planted seed In another study, ISU and the 1DNR These surveys indicate there is a com. DNR looked at wild turkey feeding bject perception of crop depredation habits in the spring and early and present, but the majority felt wild summer by watching turkeys ow a turkeys caused no threat to their feed in fields. Turkeys were 'eSt crops. Still, the fact there are a never observed scratching up best few farmers who believe turkeys planted seeds or seedlings or cause substantial crop damage grazing on emerging plants. fthe warrants further investigation The same study also investi rhad into what wildlife species may gated crop damage in the fall by more actually be causing the damage. wild turkeys. More than 7,000 no ears of com were examined within five days prior to harvest. ~~ent Food For Thought Knowing what turkeys Although 2.3 percent of the ears aJonty prefer to eat is integral to understand were damaged by wildlife, the be- ing crop damage in relation to tur The study also examined the diets majority was attributed to raccoons ositive keys. Several midwestern states, of poults (young turkeys) and hens knocking down the stalk and turkeys sects. including Iowa, have examined diets feeding in corn and soybean fields in feeding on the fallen corn . The of wild turkeys in agricultural areas. late summer. The poults consumed damage was primarily found only in g A 1989 study in southwestern Wis primarily insects (77 percent of diet). the first five rows of the cornfield. ts. ln consin examined the contents of more Crops examined from poults feeding This study concluded turkeys were tnt of than 100 crops (the pouch in the in oat fields consisted of 87 percent attracted to crop fields due to the lid no1 turkey's neck used to store food insects. abundant insects, not crops. In Ohio, Kentucky and Tennes see, blackbirds, raccoons, deer and squirrels caused far more damage to
ABOVE: Raccoons will knock down corn stalks to get at the ears, and can wipe out large portions of a crop in a given year. LEFT: Research in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee found blackbirds, raccoons, deer and squirrels caused far more damage than wild turkeys. And although turkeys are often seen feeding in crop fields, typically it is insects they are after.
SeplembertOclobcr 2003 • lo\\a Con,cn.~llon"l 21 crops than turke) . In Ohio, a farmer Benefits of Wild Turkeys bud) belte\ed turkey ''ere eating hi Rcstonng ''tid turkeys ha been a Identifying re t ! oybcan plants, so a turkey feedtng tn mt\Cd blesstng for lo\van . Some kemt the licld ''a hot and the gizzard \\as people enJOY \vatchtng wtld turkeys The Culprit md1 ~ e:\amtned. The gtzzard contained on thctr property, while others may keml Japane c beetle , wa te grain and not share that appreciation. Large Recogn111ng what animals feed anra< wild plant seeds. flocks of turkey arc often perceived on agnculturc crops and when, and to be "up to no good," especiall y in the stgns they leave behind, will Changing Diets And Spatial crop fields. As explained, turkeys are help detcrmmc ~ htch animals are j Movement an tmportant con umer of insects and targctmg your crops Although crop ared pattal u e by wild turkey \artes '' ccd seeds. Grasshoppers, long an damage ts crop damage to a re~p \\ tth dtffcrcnt season . The tze of ad' crsary to the Amcncan farmer, farmer. tdcnttfymg the actual culprit the area they tnh abtt at any gl\·en tune arc a fa, ontc food of \vtld turkey . ts csscnttal \\hen selectmg the can range from I ,500 acres to a fe\\ Wtld turkeys that take\\ aste gratn appropnate management actton to a I 00 dcpcndtng on food a' atlabtltty from field O\ cr the '' tnter can top further damage and c.;octal tntcracttOn . During the reduce the amount of um\ anted 'oluntccr corn proutmg in a O) bean falL food 1 abundant and turkeys feed MALL MAMMALS mo t hcav Ily on natt\ e ources uch field the ne\.t spnng. Spring: mall mammals as acorns and berries. Turkey hunttng prO\ tdes recre (rmcc, ground squirrels, tree During the winter, turkey will ation for lovvan and produces squtrrelc.;) do most ofthetr crop flock together tn group of I 00 btrd revenue for pn\ ate and public damage dunng the germmation or more, mostly based on food abun organi1attons and local businesses. tage. Damage ts usually charac dance. A native food are depleted, ince the fir t ea on in 1974, Iowa tcrilcd by small holes ( l to 2 inches the bird switch to waste grain and turkey hunters have grown in number 111 dtameter) dug\\ here the seed will typically feed in one area until the from 300 to more than 55,000, was planted or next to the seedling, food is depleted. Although the produc111g in exec ofS I mtllion many tunes lea\ tng the plant intact. perccplton ts the turkey are there annual ly fon\ tldhfe management Fall: , qutrrcls \\ tll feed on year-round, rc earch ha shown they program . lo'' a turkey hunters al o mature com. eattng the germ (seed spent 4 mtllton on thetr port in 200 I ''til mO\ c several miles to join \'vtntcr Roger \ I hll flock , and tndt\ idual flocks may dnft alone, mo t of tt tnp-related expen e up to five mtlc . During spring, flock such as ga , food and lodging. s of t:ot break up and birds move back to thetr ext ttme you ce a flock of the h1 brccdtng areas pnor to the nesting turkeys or a hen\\ tth young feedtng keme season. fn summer, food source are in a crop field or pa ture, realize the shred abundant (primarily insects), and benefits they provtde in insect and keme turkeys do not form large flocks. weed control u ually far exceed the modest amount of crop loss. While btrd d Identifying Crop Damage wild turkeys may not ha ve been the choice for the national ymbol as Turkeys are active during the Benjam111 Franklin wanted, they are a day, and thus, are conspicuous when R val uable resource for Iowans. feedtng in the open. Hence, they are stal1 often blamed for crop damage that mattU is actua ll y caused by nocturnal Cnttre ac(e~ antmals such as raccoons, deer and Todd Gossehnk is a wildlife husk beaver. Turkeys do occasionally research biologi<>t and Bill Bunger cob~ feed on growing crops. but damage is a ll'ildl({e depredation biologist is mtnimal. both stationed in Chariton.
22 ''"''' ( on'crvauonl\1 • Scplcmber Oc1ober 2003 bud) from each kernel and leaving the BOTTOM LEFT: Deer sometimes rest as waste. Cobs and scattered graze on young, sprouti ng plants. kernels below standing corn stalks LEFT: Pheasants occasionally it indicate squirrel damage. The fall en pull up seedlings to get at th e kernels and cobs are often what seeds. BELOW: Tracks (in this ls feed attracts other wildlife species. case a raccoon) often give away n. and th e culprit. RIGHT: Crop damage •ill from raccoons is unmistakabl e. s are BIRDS ~h crop Spring: Crows and blackbirds are the most common bird species portion of a crop and leave extensive culprit responsible for crop damage. Similar areas of a fi eld as waste. e to small mammals, crows and black- onto DEER ~ "':iJ Spring: Deer wil l graze on g :::0 sprouting plants, sometimes - :::0 LS pulling them from the ground. Typica lly deer will eat the new growth porti ons of thc plant, in the ground. Although turkeys primarily soybea n plants. may occasionally eat newl y pl anted lp S ummer: Deer prefer to seeds iffound when scratchin g, m ... ea t the corn cars, biting the tips and will sometim es eat shoots or arac g~ and kernels off emerging corn, leaves of emerging crops, thi s inches co which leads to stunting of the fe eding behavior is minimal. co eed developing ears. Cobs with the Typically, turkeys are in crop fi elds !dim!!. v ends bitten off arc characteris feeding on the insects on the plants mtact. bi rds will eat the germinating seed. ti c of deer damage. Deer wi ll also and in the soil. on They will dig around the seedling, pull out new growth of younger During the fall, turkeys wi ll (seed often pulling it out of the ground to feed on fa llen com knocked get at the seed. down by other wildlife, wind. S ummer: During the mi lk stage hail and insects. They ca n not of com, bi rds wi ll pull away strips of reach ea rs higher than 4 fee t the husk and eat out the pu lp of the above the ground. Tu rkeys will kernels, leavin g a hollow shell. A scratch dust bowls in crop shredded husk with hollowed out :c fields, using the loose so il to kernels still on the stalk is typical of < remove insects and paras ites bird damage. from their fea thers. This can cause a shallow depression in RACC OONS the so il , but does not damage Raccoons typicall y climb corn plants, eating the base of the stems. crops. During the winter, turkeys stalks during the mi lk stage and after Fall: Deer will also bite off the can cause substantia l damage to maturity, often knocking down the ends of mature ea rs, leaving stalks silage pits or corn bins, which can entire stalk. Once the cobs are intact. be remedied with fenci ng. accessible, raccoons will shred the Crops left standing in the fie ld husk, taking a few bites from several WILD TURKEYS into winter are subject to damage cobs. Raccoons can destroy a large Wild turkeys usually cratch for from turkeys, deer, songbirds and fo od. They do not dig or poke holes many other wild animal .
September October 2!103 • lo\\~ ( on,ci'\Jtn>n"t 23 • B enes Rl Article by Jim Wah l + Photos by Lowell Washburn
en I \\as young k1d I caught a v.alleye on pmt Lake that earned a 'vlonel ja\\ tag. The bnght s1h·er tag was secured to the upper Jaw of the 2-pound fish. Like most anglers who catch a tagged fish, I was extremely excited and proud. At the time 1 believed only the best fishennen were capable of landing such a prize. It was and still is the only tagged fish I've ever caught. which e1ther dispels my earlier belief or proves. maybe, that I am not as good of an angler as I thought. Although I haven't caught another tagged fish smce that day, I ha\e placed tags tn thousands of others. Many have been caught and reported by anglers like myself. I still enjoy recei\ ing calls from people who caught a tagged fish. Most exude the same excitement I did as a 13-year old. Why is catching a tagged fish so exciting? In very limited cases, they may carry a reward or prize in conjunction with a fishing tournament. In reality, though, most have no monetary value. More likely, the excitement comes from the satisfac tion some anglers get from know mg the information they provide helps biologists better understand and manage the sport they love.
24 l RIGHT: Clear Lake walleye with visual implant tag. There is a wide assortment of tags and marks that can be used for tagging studies. Selecting the appropriate one depends on the objectives of the study. If the sole purpose is to identify fish as a member of a particular group, a simple mark such as a colored stain or fin clip will suffice. However, if you need to identify Tagging is an important tool for individual fish, then the mark must studying individual fish as well as include a number or detailed code. populations. The studi es help identify Biologists need to be careful not fish stock to determine if subpopula to select a tag that might bias the tions exist; migration or movement results of a study. For instance, the patterns; and behavior, such as growth rate of the walleye I caught habitat selection and species interac more than 30 years ago may have tion. They also provide data on been negatively altered due to the tag abundance; age and growth; mortal in its mouth. Therefore, jaw tags are ity, both natural and fishing related; no longer used by the DNR, but Floy and stocking success of hatchery tags, VI tags, and PIT tags are. All reared fish. of those contain specific numbers or September-October 2003 • Iowa Con,ervJIIM~>t 25 codes, so mdt\ tdual fi sh can be LEFT: A walleye is East tdentt tied. tagged at Clear ~p3\\ Fl oy tags, al o known as dart tags, Lake. it chG arc readily \ tsible to the angler ,,he because they protrude from the body BELOW: Visual April as an C\.t emal tag. Vi sual implant , or Implant fish tags. captu I VI , tags arc generally inserted j ust crutsj BOTTOM: Fisheries below the skin . They are visible, but Oko biologists implant a onl y after close inspection of th e fi sh. PIT tag in a muskie A passive integrated transponder, or at Clear Lake. PI T tag, ts an internal tag and can onl y be detected \V 1th a scanner. These arc currently being used to mark ~~ brood qock muskellunge m the Spmt Lake and OkobOJI chain and Clear I I l"O /'I Lake \ /67 /68 169 0\ cr the year , informatiOn fro m I tagged fi sh has helped biOlogists 7.49 ZS{J 7~1 lll manage fi sh populatio ns throughout /47 7 18 th e state. E\ cry tag returned is Zll va luabl e and pro\ ides interesting I 7 728 ll9 730 7~1 informati on, howe\ er some taggin g stori es arc particularly fascinating. Take C 14 fo r example, a fe male /08 '/.('fl /10 /II Clear Lake \\all cye tagged with a visualtmplant marker in April1 996. From I 996 \.-\hen the female \\as first collected dunng the 0 R 's annual brood tock coll ection. to 2002, C 14 \ tsttcd the Clear Lake walleye hatch cry SIX out of se\ en years, and grev. from 26.5 inches to 28 inches in length . During that time, fi sheri es personnel collected roughl y 200,000 eggs annually from her, or 1.2 million over th e seven year period . Assuming a hatch rate of 75 percent, Cl4 ha s produced 900,000 walleye fry for stocking in th e state. This story docum ents the potential a large female wa ll eye has if anglers practi ce catch and -release. Tag Y04 provides another intrigu in g look at wall eye habits. The 9-year old, 24-inch male was first collected in April 1993 on East Okoboji Lake. A year later, it was captured again in 26 lcm.o C nn,cn.tltcll1"t • ScplcmbN October 200 3 East OkobOJi during the spring brought into the Spirit Lake Fish nine miles up-river to a backwater spawning season. In 1995, however, Hatchery - the fifth time in six overwintering site. In early May, it chose to spawn tn West Okoboji years. That was Y04 's last visit to 49.593 returned to the same exact where it was collected twice during the hatchery, as it was caught and stump that it occupied some seven April. Two years later, Y04 was harvested in May 1998 by a West months earlier. ln October of that captured with a gill net, once again Okoboji angler. Apparently Y04 was year the 3 1/2-pound bass once again cruising the spawning grounds of East a gregarious sort, spreading his genes nenes' . traveled the nine miles back upstream ant a Okoboji. In April 1998, Y04 was throughout both East and West to the same winter site it had used the ~sk1e back in West Okoboji where it was Okoboji lakes. previous year. The mechanism caught by state fisheries workers and Tag 208 was a blue Floy tag governing movements and navigation attached to a 2-pound walleye. The are unknown, but it is obvious this fish was collected on the Winnebago bass "knew" the backwater complex Z98 River by an electro fishing boat in she occupied. I June of 1983 and released in Worth This small sampling from an County near Fertile. In April 1984 endless file of tagged fi sh reports 177 Z78 179 Z7J the fish was caught and harvested by I illustrates how valuable, and interest ' an angler in the Shell Rock River ing, the information can be. Regard t::>B /S6 Z57 near Clarksville. In less than one /~4 less of how unique the history, all tag I I year, 208 traveled more than 70 miles returns assist fisheries biologists in 7..311 7.JO downstream, through four counties improving angling. If you or a friend n /J) :;'_.l4 and two river systems. The distance catch a tagged fish, record the length, traveled was impressive, but even weight, tag color and number, date more remarkable was it successfully and location, and whether the fish 110 ll passed over four Iawhead dams along was released or kept. Report this the way. Most anglers know river information to the nearest DNR fish can make long movements, fisheries station. Who knows, it may however few realize the obstacles have a unique story that only the tag they encounter. can reveal. Tag 49.593 was a largemouth bass tagged and released in Pool 12 of the Upper Mississippi River in September 1988. Shortly after being Jim Wahl is a fisheries management tagged, the fish moved more than biologist at the Clear Lake office. Leave It To The Biologists Although tagging and releasing a fi sh is not an illegal acti vity for anglers, DN R fi sheries biologists prefer sportsmen and sportswomen refrain from tagging their own fi sh and releasing them in publi c waters. Because these tags are unknown and unreported to the DNR, they often create confu sion over studies being conducted by biologists. Anglers can be most helpfu l by reporting tags caught whi le fishing. September October 1003 • lo\1 ,, Con,cl'\.tlll>n"t 2 7 - - .... -.. - -- IOI\3 Re~o rat he prog 1ane re)t ~ that I 11 nh tradJ AnOI ho\\1 onc ~ ,Omf repu bette been pnm oflo "non I em pi pro\1 bel \I ~ln;o ;) of ~u of tht ti~he he)< hanc s:ste manu huntt Spec, ha1e s1de t game ent ol \\ ildl Typ1c ::: lares ~: songl 1e Wildlife Diversity Program Other means for funding WOP 2001. Iowa recently received its third (WOP) JUSt mtght be among activities have been attempted, some year ofappropriations, of!ictally the best kept secrets of the realizing small measures of success, termed "state and tribal wildlife Iowa Department of Natural others failing completely. About half grants" but generally called state Resources. That's due to budget of WOP's annual budget cun·ently wildlife grants, or SWGs. rather than design. This small comes from the so-called "Chickadee This money is not granted without program actually oversees more Checkoff' through which conserva some strings attached. FY200 I varieties of wildlife than does all the tion-minded Iowans can donate a grants required a 3-to- 1 match of rest of the DNR's wildlife bureau portion of expected tax returns when federal and state dollars, and subse that has been historically associated completing their Iowa Form I 040. quent grants have required a dollar with research and management of Additional funds are received from for-dollar match. In a time of tight traditional "game" species. the sale of an annual nongame state government budgets, and an Anonymity is quickly disappearing, support certificate, a small number of already minuscule WOP budget, it however, with the bureau's emphasis publications and other donations or has been difficult to find matching on conservmg all oflowa 's 500- gifts from the pubhc. In recent years dollars so as not to lose these federal some species ofbtrds, mammals, tax checkoff income has fallen and funds. If funds are not obligated to reptiles and amphibians. Even the WOP's budget ha been supple projects by annual deadline dates, better, since 2002 the WOP has mented with a small amount ofFish remaining unobligated dollars may be been receiving federal grants and Wildlife Trust Fund dollars redistributed to other tates. But as primarily aimed at improving the lot just enough to keep the program could be expected in Iowa, many oflowa 's too-frequently-overlooked running. Efforts to create national traditional and new friends of the "nongame" wildlife. funding by placing a manufacturer's DNR anived to help find much of the For some 20 years, WOP has fee on various kinds of outdoor necessary match. Some important struggled along with a small staff, recreation equipment failed in Con contributors to date include Des usually averaging four full-time gress due to industry opposition. Moines Audubon Society, Ducks employees, trying to study and Another effort to fund nongame Unlimited, Iowa Natural I leritage provide for the needs of a nearly programs nationwide known as the Foundation, National Fish & Wildlife bev. ildering an·ay of creatures. The Conservation and Restoration Act Foundation, National Wild Turkey struggle mostly stemmed from a lack (CARA) was on its \<\ay to likely Federation, Pheasants Fore\ er, The of sufficient funding. Management congressional passage in 200 I when ature Conservancy, plus indi\ idual of the state's popu Jar game and sport the September I I terronst attacks donors. The DNR' Fish and Wild fisheries has long been supported by diverted national attentiOn - and life Trust Fund, although trapped for the sale of hunting, fishing and fur budgets - and the measure died. funds, also has been tapped to assure harvester licenses, and th rough a A glimmer of hope arose from completion of some projects. system of self-imposed federal the ashes of 9-11, however, as So what has WOP been spending manufacturers' fees from the sale of Congress promised to annua ll y SWG funds for? A review of hunting and fishing equipment. appropriate money directed to wildlife projects funded to date is in order, Species under auspices of the WOP diversity needs of all states and followed by a brief glimpse at some have managed to subsist chiefly as a teiTitories, plus native American things cwTently on the drawing board. side benefit to good management of tribes. Last year, Iowa began receiv First funded with the new federal game and sport fish, and the consci ing its allocation ofannually appropri grants was protection of a 240-acre entious efforts of many dedicated ated funds, which actually were addition to the Kellerton Bird Conser wildlife and fisheries managers. granted beginning with ti cal year vation Area in Ringgold County. This Typical mid-growth oak-hickory has pro\ided prime habitat for Iowa's " forest is a valuable neotropical by Douglas C. Harr rare greater prairie chtcken and songbird habitat. several other declining spectes of S~ptemb.:r Octob.:r 2UU1 • hm.o t ""'""·'t"'"''t 39 grassland b1rd The next prOJeCt tephen.., • tate I orest 111 Lucas the Hawk Valley Wildlife Manage oflo\ pre..,cn e.., 80-acre of mid-gro'' th County The parcel \\Ill be assigned ment Area (WMA) and Little Sioux tbe~e to the D R 's forestry bureau, but R1 ver WMA Old prame remnants So. th oaJ..-h 1cl-.of\• limber a an additiOn to ''Ill be managed w1 th the needs of and other grassland here wi ll pre leam m1grant songb1rds and federally serve songb1 rd hab1tat fro m loss to and st Below: Wildlife Research plow or pasture. Biologist Todd Gosselink holds endangered lnd1ana bats 111 mind. captu sedated bobcat that has been Because the FY200 1 allocation Beginn1 ng w1th FY2002 appro radio fitted with a radio tracking collar. was all owed to be used for "wildlife priations, tighter restrictions were \\ Jth ( Right: Waterfowl, songbirds and related educatiOn and recreatiOn" placed on how federal dollars could collar bats move freely between three proJeCt , mon1es will be used to be used, now d1rect ing them at de\ w major wildlife areas surrounding repnnt the popular Bats of Iowa research and management for enou! the Top of Iowa Wind Farm, near booklet, much 111 demand and out-of "spec1cs of greatest conservation takml Joice. pnnt for some tune no\A.. In Clay need." Four Important wildlife \\ !ldl Count:>, purchase of an abandoned re ea rch proJects presentl y are reeru railroad nght-of-v,ay comes close to unden"ay. An ob\ 1ous natural deten hnk111g t\\0 maJOr tract of tate land, mcrea e 111 bobcats seen across much once mO\e b1rd~ lo\\a FarmJ State ap an • ~ .... -,... ,- • ,..,._ \\ ea ne co go - ~ ;: za _,. ; ~ • • ..-...... ,c to :::1 '\ c.. - • A ;:; ~ ,_ - ""' . -- - '-'· ~ - L 40 ""'·' ( <> n,cr..lll STATE WILDLIFE GRANTS REQUIRE CONSERVATION PLAN Among conditions placed upon the background infonnation and data conservation concern" (that is, states and tribes agreeing to accept might be found. An independent declining or rare wildlife), threats state wildlife grant (SWG) funds is contractor is being hired to synthesize to these animals, and what actions a requirement to produce a "com this available data and actually need be taken to stabilize or prehensive wildlife conservation prepare a written summary that will increase wildlife populations. plan" for federal review and become the plan. Public input is Aldo Leopold, the "father of approval by Oct. 1, 2005. Should required, and the steering committee wildlife management," and among an acceptable plan not be produced, is examining the most efficient means America's most important histori a state could be forced to repay all for gathering this input, probably cal conservation figures, prepared the grant money received and through a combination of focus group the first conservation plan for would be ineligible for future grants. meetings and a public comment Iowa back in the 1930s. If the Iowa DNR presently is in the period. steering committee can meet all its early stages of work to produce the The plan can include all of the goals, the new Comprehensive necessary plan. A small steering state's wildlife, both nongame and Wildlife Conservation Plan just committee of DNR staff and non game, aquatic and terrestrial, verte may be the next "Leopold Plan," governmental conservation organi brate and invertebrate, at least as far charting Iowa's wildlife conserva zations has outlined what will need as knowledge is available. Its chief tion future for decades to come. to be included in the plan and where subject must be Iowa's "species of -DCH September October 2003 • lo"a Cun,cr,ahon"t 41 ~tud:> mg the pos 1ble mortality effecb and a-;s1stancc , .. 1th the WOP's enatc last spnng \\Ou ld mcrease the of,, md t:ncrg} turb111e on ongb1rd , efforts to re tore magn1 ficent trum purcha e pncc of IO\\a 's specialty '' atcrft)\\ I and bat~ . I U' Coopera peter S\\ans to Jm,a. Future proJects REAP license plates the popular tl\ c h...,h and \V lldllfe Re earch Umt currently under con 1derat10n include goldfinch and \\tid rose license. Thts 1· prO\ 1d111g the reqUired match for a maJor add1t1on to another of the proposed mcrease -would be ear th1~ project, along\\ 1th another that 1s DNR 's new b1rd conservation areas marked only to match WG federal 1m cst1gatmg habitat u e and ne t and protection of hab1tat for orne funds (currently all REAP license succc s of gras land bird at pring mcrcasingly rare varieties of reptiles sales go into a general Resource Run WMA ncar Arnolds Park. A and amph1bians. Enhancement and Protection program th1rd project,'' 1th matching funds lt may have been a long time account, none of wh1ch goes to the from I U' atural Re ource Ecol com111g but state wildlife grants ha\e WOP) f·ate ofth1 bill no-w rests ogy and Management Department, 1 finally g1\ en\\ mgs to Iowa's Wildlife upon the shoulders of the Iowa House conduct111g a 1m liar tudy ofbtrd On crs1ty Program Congre sional of Rcprcscntatn cs when the General rc~pon .... c to prame re torat10n at The act1on currently unden.. ay \\Ill likely <\ ~cmbh. recoll\ene next Januarv. ~ J ature Con en anc:>' Broken Kettle a~~ure federal fund for fi cal year Pre sen c near 10ux City. 2004 but ught federal budget could Doug/a\ C 1/arr I\ the H·ildhfe Other land cape protectiOn still threaten to reduce or eliminate dn enii\ l>wlogi\1 for the depart projects a1med at impro\ ing hab1tat \\ Gs 111 the future. fn add1t1on. the ment. for nongame\\ lldhfe 111clude a 74- 0 Rand 1ts many partner till ha\ e stare acrc additiOn to the Waterman Prame struggled to find all nece ary match Reso WMA 111 O'Bnen County pre erv111g mg fund . A btl I that pa ed the Iowa hab1tat for nver otters, songbird and Av. migratoty bald eagle . A similar- q.. al lied add1t10n to the Big ioux River Fast R.acei-J t.iv.ing rest a WMA in Lyon County will erve a \ anety of nongame pecie and, comc1dentally, protect a ative Getting ¥ou Down? Amencan archeolog1cal tte. A 240- acre s1tc abo' e Rock Creek tate Park 111 Jasper County\\ ill prO\ ide Escape to the magical world of nch gra sland habttat fo r songb1rd The Natural Gait. and 1s be111g cost-shared through a combmat10n of state lake restoratiOn The place smart people go to get and port Ftshenes Restoration funds. A small1mpoundment will help reacquainted with what matters most. protect aquatic species and the watershed of Rock Creek Lake. The U.S. Fish & Wi ld life ervice 's regiona l federa l aid office are submitting several new projects Luxurious Furnished Cabins for final approval. These include a Hiking & Horse Trails three-year extension and expansion of Trout & Bass Fishing the bobcat research project, protec Tubing & Canoeing Wildflowers & Scenic Views tion of an important ba ld eagle winter roost s1te on the De Moines River, constructton of a native prairie seed 877-776-2208 s production facility to aid in nongame www.thenaturalgait.com Agnc and other wildlife habitat restoration 4 2 hm ~ tun .er. Jllon"t • September October 200' iSetbe all\ ' pular overnors owa ..,.._nvi ron menta I ~. This r- deral nse ..,.._ xcellence :e rogram /~~~~~%~;"'-~<~~-- 1 the ~sts Recognizing Leadership and Innovation in Natural Resources . House eneral uar.• . T owa businesses, organizations and ind1v1duals are 1nv1ted to apply for the 2003 Governor's .IJowa Environmental Excellence Awards. Th1s prem1er environmental awards program, ife sponsored by Governor Vii sack and the State of Iowa, recognizes leadership and Innovation oart- in the protection of Iowa's water, land and a1r. 'We are very excited to recognize Iowans who have worked to protect and enhance our state's natural resources," said Jeffrey Vonk, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 'Their work is critical to the future health and vitality of our state." Awards will be given for overall environmental excellence and special recognition in water quality, waste management, energy efficiency/renewable energy, air quality and habitat restoration/ development. Who Can Apply Deadline: The follow1ng organizations are Applications are due by November 1 0, encouraged to apply: 2003. Awards w111 be announced and .. Community/Local Government presented in January 2004. .. Small Business or Industry (up to 200 employees} To Obtain an Application: .. Large Business or Industry (more than Download an application at 200 employees} www.iow adnrcom/other/ee/ or contact .. Institution/Public Sector FaCility J1ll Cornell, Department of Natural (hospital, college, school, etc.} Resources (515) 281-0879; .. Agnculture (operation, farm or other E-ma 11: Jill. Cornell®dnrstate. ia. us. ag-related business or organ1zat1on} .. SeNice/Civlc/Nonprofit Organ1zat1on bins (K1wan1s, Lions Club, Pheasants Forever, etc.} ws Sponsored by Governor's Office • Iowa Department of Natural Resources • Iowa Department of Agnculture and Land Stewardship • Iowa Department of Econom1c Development • Iowa Department of Education • Iowa Department of Public Health • Iowa Waste Reduction Center It ts history in the making. For secure than the light poles, the struc chtcks the fir t time since pioneer settle ture cons1sted of a 65-foot utility pole about. ment, wi ld ospreys are successfully equipped with a raccoon barrier on the may at nesting in Iowa. bottom and a four foot square nesting within "This is an exciting time. The platform at the top. and are opportunity to observe nesting "The folks at Alliant Energy were three ospreys is just something that people a tremendous help on this project," Youn don't get to see here," said DNR said Walt7. "They donated and 'lUth wildlife technician Tim Waltz to a installed the pole, supplied the trucks, nd S 0 e crowd of more than 100 wildlife everything. Alliant employees have It enthu ta t gathered at the Spirit done all the work during their off duty Lake Mtddle chool in July. They time. It's been great." were witnessing the banding of the The ospreys agreed. When the fir t documented osprey chick ever pair returned 111 the spring of 2002, produced tn the wild in Iowa. they immediately took up residence on "We're pnvileged to have the the new structure. After constructing Article and photo by bird here. The ospreys offer a a nest on the platform, the pair pro Lowell Washburn tremendous educational opportunity, duced a single egg that failed to hatch. and a lot of people are taking advan "Everyone was disappointed by tage of that," said Waltz. that, but the important thing was the "This first successful nest didn't pair was firrnly established on the just happen. It is the result of a lot site," said Pat Schlarbaum of the cooperation among a lot of people." DNR 's wildlife diversity program. _J pirit Lake' osprey saga began "The good news is that the ospreys two years ago when DNR fisheries returned again this summer and are technician and birding enthusiast, Ed now being successful." Thelen accompanied his son Nathan, By using a spotting scope to read to a baseball game at the Spirit Lake leg band numbers, biologists have been High School. While sitting in the able to identify the fema le as a bird bleachers, Thelen observed an adult from Lake Minnetonka in central osprey circling above the ball dia Minnesota. The female osprey is six Taking Aim - A male osprey mond. Even more unusual was that years old. launches an attack on Alliant the bird carri ed a large stick in its "Although the male is also banded, Energy's Terry Heidebrink (right) talons. Scanning the field, Thelen we have not been able to get a reading and Kirk Smith. The Alliant wildlife noticed that three of the diamond's on hi m," said Schlarbaum. enthusiasts went to the top of a light poles had piles of sticks wedged "We do know that males tend to 65-foot nest structure located on into the light brackets. The evidence establish territories very near to where vo th e Spirit Lake Middle School was overwhelming that wild ospreys they learned to fly, and I think it's safe the Ol outdoor classroom to remove th e were attempting to establish a to speculate that the bird came from first osprey chick produced in territory in northwest Iowa. Heron Lake in southern Minnesota. Iowa in more than a century. Late that fall, a specialized nest That's only about thirty miles north of After receiving a quick health structure was installed a few hundred here, and Heron Lake has been the check up and being fitted with site of osprey reintroductions." numbered leg bands, the young yards away at the Middle School's According to Schl arbaum, osprey bird was returned to its nest. ou tdoor classroom. Taller and more 44 Iowa Ct>n,enJUomsl • September, October 2003 struc chicks begin testing their wings at long journey to summer nesting areas. pole about 53 days of age. Young ospreys Young ospreys, however, stay put !ron the may attempt catching their own fish where they have spent the winter and nesting within three or four days on the wing, do not return north until the following and are totally self-sufficient within year. ?:fwerc three weeks of leaving the nest. Historically, this migration !Ct." Young birds follow their parents strategy allowed young ospreys to south and spend the winter in Central enjoy greater survival. Today, cks. and South America. scientists speculate that much of that have It is here that a unique aspect of advantage may be lost as young birds ff duty the species' life history unfolds. As are exposed to increased levels of spring starts to invade the northern pesticides that continue to contami the hemisphere, adult ospreys begin the nate South American watersheds. ~ 02. Also, young ospreys are routinely shot by aquaculturists who view the lence on DNA wildlife technician, Tim Waltz fish-eating birds as competitors. ctmg (left) holds on to a young osprey as "Ospreys have a hunting style Alliant Energy's, Terry Heidebrink that is as unique and dynamic as any attaches a numbered metal leg band. of our birds of prey," said More than 1 00 wildlife enthusiasts Schlarbaum. turned out to watch the event -the "They hover, and when they spot first wild-produced osprey ever a fish they di ve right in and go get it. banded in the history of the state. Jreys d are to read ve been 1 b1rd tral yis six banded, 1 reading ·end to With a cherry picker and fto where volunteers from Alliant Energy, rit's safe the osprey chick is removed from the nest for banding. ~:: north of !n the \. •ospre> I The male osprey brings liner material (grass) for the nest. I When it comes to watchable 'AIIdiife it just doesn't get any better. This IS a highly desirable wildlife species, and everyone is obviou ly thrilled to have these birds nesting on the outdoor classroom." Schlarbaum noted that a second osprey pair established a successful ne t Ia t summer at Lake Macbride in Johnson County. That nest, which wa~ about a week behind the Spirit ry Lake pair, produced three young. Scientists regard the osprey as a "true bwlogical indicator" bird pe / cies. During the 1950s, ospreys were nearly driven to extinction when DDT contamination fouled North America's waterways. Because of their tragic connection to pesticide poisoning, ospreys (along with peregrine falcons and bald eagles) served as "canaries in the mine shaft" while alerting humans to the dangers that accompany the unregu lated use of highly persistent pesti cides. "Hopefully this is just the begin ning for Iowa ospreys," said Thelen. "Maybe someday their comeback will be as successful as what we're currently seeing with bald eagles." 46 It"'·' Conwn .1uon"t • September October 2003 Marke lace We hunt Pheasants, Quail, Learn Taxidermy and Chukar Partridge. nmber tor Sale Cascaae Dallas Co Adel Twp Sec 18 7 -week complete course or We also have Sporting Clays. Forestry Nursery 35 A 10 Tillable 25 A Timber weekend classes on deer, along Racoon Rtver • W1ldh fe Trees/Shrubs fish, birds, and mammals. • Iowa Grown Seedlings Come Hunt Contact Mike Nissly • Tree Planting, T.S.I. Hutton Valley with us! 641-648-4285 • Forestry Consulting School of Taxidermy 800-596-9437 Roger Hutton, owner/instructor FAX 563-852-5004 2514 Victory Lane Cascade, lA 52033 St. Charles, lA 50240 E-ma11 cascade@netms net 641-396-2760 www.cascadeforestry.com huttontx® net1ns net Moulton Locker NEWTON, lA JOHN VANDER ScHEL TAXIDERMIST 7 /1 112 S. 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(712) 366-2500 ¥Fax (712) 366-7126 SOUTHERN ARCHERY NORTH SIOUXLAND SPORTS 155 Chestnut Street BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE OTHER 4 13 Nebraska Mankato MN 56001 MEMBERS OF OUR SPORTING FAMILY S1oux C1ty, Iowa 51106 Shane Bruning Rob Brandhagen Phone. (507) 625-7897 ¥Fax. (507) 625-5804 Phone/Fax (712) 234-0028 4 8 I< •a Con-.enatonn"l • Seplcmlxr OCiober ~O(H Marke lace Geode State Park is centered around a reservoir, created 1n 1950, that is now a popular fishing lake and sw1mming spot. A series of multi use 10 MILES WEST OF BURLINGTON, IOWA ON HWYS. 79 AND 34 trails circumnavigate the lake, forming a six mile loop. Bluff ~arbor MariHa jack Smith Gun Sales ' Visit HistDric Just North of Great River Bridge 262·7180 N. Front St, Burlington, Iowa We sel. 888-917-3627 . 319-753-2590 •Colt Snake •Remington • Full Service Marina LJ We sen all major • Beretta • Higher Level of Service brands of nflts, • Winchester • Lower Price handguns & in Alley sholglJns. • Savage www.bluffharbor.com Locted 111he • Ruger Burlington, Iowa1 1 §ERCURY Ctl Ea~~ t9~tbbell ·Armalije 9"' The Water Calls ViSJf. .. LAKE Bird Hunllng VERMILION Huntmg Prec,ervc Sportmg Clays " Minnesota's Most Beautiful Lake" Booking Fall Hunts Now! Fantastic Fall Fishing Pheasant, Quail, Chukar Bird & Bear Hunting Home of World Champion Skeet Shooter Halev Dunn Scenic Drives Burlington ATea Vacation info. on 38 resorts Larry, Lisa & Haley Dunn, Owner!. Convention & Tourism Bureau 1200 miles of structure 3353 Plymouth Avenue 365 islands Eddyville, Iowa 52551 www.visit.burlington.ia.us 1-800-648-5897 (641) 969-4387 or call 800-827-4837 l lakevermilionresorts.com I E;t 1996 Eliminate Your Heating Bills CLASSIC Outdoor Wood Furnace • Total heat for your home, shop, pool, 1 domestic water and more • Unmatched eff1c1ency and backed by the best warranty m the 1ndustry • Adapts eas1ly to new or ex1st1 ng heating system. www.central boi ler.com ' Glen's Outdoor Cole's Outdoor Hydro-Wood Heat Wood Stoves 732 Swisher, lA Platnfteld, lA 319-857-4010 319-276-3085 Dean Meier Wirkler Sales Joe Wtrkler 126 Wood Heat Woodward, lA Garnavillo, lA 515-438-2120 563-964-2753 WE OFFER FINANCING! to"' a Con-.en.ttlon.-1 • Scpl~mbcr Octnbcr 21103 4 9 RKS PROFILE LO nes sou qu LEF. i ts~ the the ::: RIG ed ap A Southeast the Iowa Gem Article by UlfG. Konig and Sarah Franklin-Tharp When people hear the\\ ord geode, most thmk of the sparkling crystal-filled stone that is Iowa's state rock. Maybe that's \\hat park founder had 111 rnmd \\hen the) em r<;roned a lake nestled in a rugged outhea t IO\\a \alley. Because rf you 'rsrt Lake Geode on a cnsp. clear afternoon\\ hen the hore r · It ned \\ rth the reds. yell O\\ sand oranges of autumn. and the un 's ra) s are danctng on the deep blue water, }OU can see why the compari son to a sparkhng "geode" r111 ght make sense. A look back in hi story, however, wil l show "geode" was not the chosen name v. hen the park was founded in 1937. In fact, it wasn't C\ en the second choice. Lake Geode was origmally known a Flrnt llills tate Park. and later. Dam rile tate Park. before the current name was tinall) adopted . .c The name real!) eem to ha\e Ji... origrnated from th e numerous C deposrts of geodes in the area. 50 '""·' ( """'"·'''"""' • Sqllcmber OCiobcr lfl(lJ LOWER LEFT: Lake Geode, were developed and the nestled in the wooded hills of park soon became a southeast Iowa, is known for its premiere recreational quality bluegill fishing. destinati on for southeast Iowans. Today, Geode LEFT: Geode State Park earned still serves southeast its name for the rich deposits of Iowa and visitors from the crystal-filled stone found in many other locales with the area. it's camping facilities and various other RIGHT: Young kids get an attractions a education on furbearers during nd activities. a program presented by one of Many are surprised the DNR's seasonal naturalists. after dri ving through mil es of flat agricultural land - to find the thick, cool wooded hills of Geode at the end of their drive. Geode's 186-site .c campground is located ~ 1----""~ >. on a pI a tea u in the ~ t:;:;.::~~~~!!::.:::: center of the park. Nearl y half (96) of the sites arc snowmobiling and cross country electrica l. There are also two skiing opportunities. Those who shower and rest room buildi ngs, use the trails, though, may want includ ing one that is just a yea r to pack a lunch, because the main old. Many of the tent campsites trail around the lake is a hilly, rest under a canopy of trees, windingeight-milejaunt.lthas creating a shady "woodsy" feel to become popular for mountain the nonelectri c si tes. bi king due to its challenging The park 's trails provide nature. Many people who come hiking, mountain biking, and discover the trails become regulars, whether on bike or by Parks are part foot. Anytime of year of our you will be abl e to • electric co-op. observe natural beauty fact. and wildlife along these tee trails. From a hunting own cooper's hawk, to the ater. howl of a coyote, to the seemingly magical ~ed Elecmc coopcr;lfi\'C< di September There are plenty of activities \\ tlj for everyone at Geode State ~at Park, including a playground ~t o where kids can kick up th ei r oft heels and parents can take a break. For those looking for a more rela;.,.mg expenence, a day on the beach might ju t be the an v. er. Located on the north ea t shore of the lake, the beach 1 typtcally bu y from Memonal Day through Labor Day. Concessions are avaliable on stte, as well as rest room vOtcc and fund-raising effort . horelme anglers have plenty of h facilities. The concession area For the angler, Lake Geode is access throughout the park. Both fi offers boat rental, bait, camping known for tls bluegill fishing. boat ramps arc currently undergo upplies and park information. There are al o good populations ing renO\atton, and three sJit 0 An old bathhouse still of largemouth bas , crappie, retention ponds are being built in stand on the beach, howe\er 1t channel catfish and redear the \vater hed to help boost water 1s cunently closed to the public. unfish. Much of the rea on for clanty and quality m the lake. That may change. The Fnends the good fi hmg can be traced F-uture plans al o call for the e p of Geode support group 1 back to a 198 I renoYation proJect constructiOn of fi, e rental cabms m currently ra tsing fund to mtttated m re pon e to a growmg an ex1~tmg ptcmc area, O\ erlooking restore the bathhouse to a populatiOn of nut ance gtzzard the lake on the 'iOutheast stde of the modem open shelter and lodge ·had. The lake ''as drained, the park facility. The friends group wa gtLLard had ''ere remO\·ed, fish Throughout the '" mdmg roads recently reformed after some habttat ''as added and the lake and thtck ttmber, Geode offers years of inactivity, hoping was restocked with game fish. beautiful scenic picnic areas to several park improvements can Boater can access the lake relax and enjoy the outdoors. Four be brought about through their via two ramps on the east side. open picnic shelters one a historic stone structure with a F The PARKS OF VAN BUREN COUNTY unique fireplace sene all p a Year-round outdoor activities at some of Iowa's occasions and can be reserved at largest parks and in Iowa's largest contiguous forest: the park office. \\ • Lacey-Keosauqua State Park • hunt1ng • f1shmg everal notable Iowa land h • Lake Sugema Recreat1on Area • h1kmg b1k1ng • Sh1mek State Forest • canoe1ng kayak1ng mark e\.tSt '' 1thm the park. A • lnd1an Lake Park • camptng - pnmtttve & modern mall ptonecr cemetery, located • Morris Park • cab1ns • shelters • RV hook-ups • Van Buren County • plCntc and playground areas ncar the \\C t entrance of the park, Conservation Parks • cross-country sk11ng • Des Momes R1ver • snowmobtle tra1ls contatns gra'c marker dating back a early a the 1830s. Ju t off the c 1-800-868-7822 for information www.vlllagesofvanburen.com trali from the east entrance, hikers 5~ Iowa t on,cr.auon"t • Seplembcr Oclobcr 1003 \ - will find an area once known by within a 25-mile radius o f kling beauty of this southeast Iowa Native Ameri cans as "Bald Eagle Burlington, Ft. Madison and Mt. gem. Mound." The flat, mesa-like top Pleasant. Whether you' re in Mt. of the mound was said to have Pleasant for Old Thresher's Re been used by the Sauk and Fox union or visiting historic Ulf G. Konig is the park tribes for racing ponies. Burlington and Ft. Madison, it's manager and Sarah Franklin Geode offers a little bit of always worth making the short Thmp is the park ranger at something for everyone and is drive to Geode to enjoy the spar- Geode State Park. LAKEGEODEATAGLANCE LOCATION: The 1,640-acre park is located in the southeast corner of Henry County, near Denmark and Danville. Burlington is 10 miles east and New London is six miles north. FISHING: Pnme attraction is an 186-acre lake built m 1950. It IS well-known for its largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, redear sunfish and tiger muskie fishing. CAMPING: There are 186 campsites, 96 with electricity. Two modern rest rooms available, along with a sewer dump station. There are two camp pads and a rest room that are accessible to the mobility impaired. TRAILS: Several trails will challenge the typical of hiker. The main trail winds along the lake r-·-·-·-·-·-, oth . I from the north end to the dam. A portion j rgo· I of the trail has been developed as a j i nature trail; a printed brochure identifies ·~ ., tm i 1 points of interest. Another trail begins at I I ~ter i the dam on the west side of the lake and / ,/ _._.... - ·- ·~,.· ends at picnic shelter number one. I i N PICNICKING : Geode State park is one of the most ~ -· - · - · - - ·- ·- ·- ·- · i j ins in I scenic and popular ptcnicking destinations in r-·- ·-·- ·- i oking i j I i southeast Iowa. Several open picnic shelters ... --... ! of the •• are available that may be reserved though .. , • ! BURU NGTON 10 MILES & the park manager. There is also one tf-1/Y 79 • 34 --+ ·oads picnic site accessible by the mobility • •• s impaired. • BOATING: Boats with any size motor Four are allowed at no-wake speed. FUN FACTS: The geode, for which the t PARK OFFICE ~ PICNIC AREA park is named, bri ngs "rock hounds" to the U RESTROOM area in search of the elusive stone. Several geodes, L SHELTER • :t!. BOAT RAMP d at ' with their mysterious crystal formations and HIKING TRAIL i-·- ·- ·- • • • • MULTI ·USE TRAIL hollow cavities, are on display in the NAT~E I MOU'lTAIN lliK~ d· 'I campground. Remember, removing I - • ·- MULTI-uSE TRAIL HIKING geodes and other natural materials, with MOU'lTAI"Ili September October 2003 • I0 \1 .1 Con\<1'\Jttont't NSERVATION 101 From Timber To Table: Part 1 --- - Article by A. Jay Winter + Photos by Austin and Alex Winter 0 Deer hunting in Iowa is ( undoubtedly some of the best 111 the natton. lt annually drav.s thousands of hunter to the field, pro' tde hour of recreatton and B generates mtllions ofdollars for the Iowa economy. [n fact, it ha been estimated deer hunters spent the equivalent of 1.3 milhon day<; huntmg deer in lov.a last year, generated S 150 mtllton tn re\ enue for the state and ~a' cd liT thetr familie another$14 mil l ton on grocery bills. I 'vc done my part upporting the local economy, as my wt fe can attest. And 1 have enJoyed countlc s hours Ill the field But some of my greate t pleasures Ill killtng shot 1s not only ethical, tt relatton to deer huntmg ha\e reduces meat waste and result 111 come at the dinner table. Vent a better tastmg product. The target son is a healthy part of the dinner area is the heart and lungs, in the or pi table, and tasty one at that if it middle of the body immediately 1\h 1 properly prepared. Proper behind the front shoulders. dnJ preparation, howe\ er, begtns 111 the field, not after it ts processed STEP 2 \\J for consumption. To take a deer Make sure the deer is dead. 1•.' from the field to the table ts not Approach from behind and poke it that compli cated if you follow a with a stick. Be observant of the few simple steps. eyes or any other signs of life. This two-part series will take Once that is confirmed, it is a very a look at what it takes to get a good time to take pictures, usmg in the appropnatc space on the tag. deer from the timber to the table. natural surroundings for a back lf attaching the tag to the leg, thread drop. it through a smalltnctston between STEP 1 the tendon and the leg bone on the The first thing to remember is STEP 3 rear leg to make tt more secure. what you do before the shot may The deer must be tagged within have as much to do with the 15 minutes of the kill or before it is STEP 4 quality of the finished product as moved, whichever occurs fir t. Observe the deer to determine what you do after. A quick, clean Make sure to write the date of kill where the deer ''as htt, if the bullet - UPPER LEFT: The proper equipment makes any job easier and more efficient. -- LOWER LEFT: When opening the abdominal cavity (Step 7), guide the knife with your fingers to avoid cutting too deep. BELOW: Enlisting the help of a friend or family member makes the task easier and more enjoyable. an·ow is still inside the deer (if incision in the deer underside, just STEP 10 the arrow is still inside the deer above the hind legs, making sure Reach inside the abdominal proceed with caution) and if the not to cut too deep and rupture cavity in front of the hind legs, to deer should be moved to facilitate any of the organs. Insert your pull the intestine, etc. through the easier field dressing (i.e. off of a pointer and index fingers in the pelv ic cavity. hill, out of the brush, etc.). incision and allow your knife to lay (blade up) between your fingers STEP 11 STEP 5 until you reach the rib cage. Lay the deer on 1ts side and Wearing gloves (either latex, remove all the intcmal organs. or better yet, latex over long STEP 8 plastic gloves) is a good idea To open the rib cage, locate STEP 12 when handling or dress in g any the soft spot (cartilage) where the Dragging the deer and animal. First cut around the anus, ribs meet the sternum. Place the loading it in a vehicle is best done v. ith your knife angled toward the knife's edge facing toward the with the help of a friend. But if outside of the pelvic cavity. deer's head, point down and you are alone, a rope will no handle firmly in hand, and cut doubt make the process easier. STEP 6 through the cartilage toward the Good luck in the field this fall. Cut the trachea immediately neck. If you follow this method, a Hopefully these steps will help in front of the front legs. This will small pocket knife will do the job. you whether you arc a veteran of allow you to remove it and the the deer woods or beginner giving organs from the upper chest STEP 9 the sport a try for the first time. cavity more easily (in step I 0). The last thing to cut free is the ·tween diaphragm, a muscular membrane on the in the middle of the cavity. Cut STEP 7 A. Jay Winter is a /raining ure. the membrane next to the outside Next, open the abdominal officer for the department a/ of the abdominal wall all the way cavity. Straddle the deer between the Springbrook Conservation around th e cavity. its hindquarters with its legs Education Center near Guthrie [111ine extended upward. Make a small Center. !e bullet KIDS' CORNER Air Quality's Most Wanted List attel rrad By Bria n Button and Alan Foster clas Trading card are a mu ch a consum ed co untless hours of player, or 5trcngths and weak part ofg rowing up today as th ey yo uthful free time, mostly from nesses of th e character,just by were a generation ago. Ma ybe frequent neighborhood and school looking at the picture on the card. wa more o given the fact Pokcmon bartering es ion . These Teachers and other edu cators acr pol andYuGiOh ca rd arecapturing young card traders can often can capture the youthfu l . an audience that ha no mtcrc t m tell \\I hat year the card was fascmat1 on and a1 r thetraditionalba eballand 1ssued, 1t \ alue, and wh foo tball card . ometlme even the ap Tradmgcards battmgorpitchmg b haYe tat1 ·t1c ofthe PM 2.5, CO Alla11 D crlptlon1 Leaf smof(e conta'ns sooty, m•croscopoc part1culate maner (PM 2 5) and carbon mono~lde (CO) Crlm•1 Ledf smoke can hann people w1th breathing problems It can tngger asthma onacks Carbon monoxide and PM 2 5 can hann people w1th hean trouble ~ ' S 56 lowJ ( nn,crvatwn"t • September October 21103 attention-holding phenomenon of more about Black Lung Benny, Foran added challenge, let trading cards and bring it into the Backyard Haze Harry, Granny the kids test their word search classroom. Olga Ozone, Otto the Oxman skills on the puzzle below. Each On the opposite page is a and Lead Foot Louie. word can be found somewhere ~y who's-who list ofsome ofthe most Teachers can obtain the on the back ofthe trading cards. ard. wanted pol lutants in Iowa and whole castofRogues Gallery tors across the United States. These air Environmental Collector Cards ul pollutants can spend months in the for classroom use. These fun ~ air and travel great distances from cards show five of the most Brian Button is an air quality where they were released, creating common pollutants. The reverse information specialist with the a potential health and environmental side provides a description of department in Des Moines. hazard. You can learn how to each - the causes, sources and Alan Foster is the managing identify these air quality rogues and how kids and parents can editor ofthe Iowa Conservation- what to do if you spot them. Read reduce emissions. ist HOW TO ORDER For samples or bulk copies, call 515-281-7832 or email at brian. button@dnr. state.ia. us. WORD SEARCH G L T R E D s p E A N y H B ASTHMA R E E D I E 0 K M A R BACKYARDHAZEHARRY s v u BLACK.LUNGBENNY A A u c I 0 I L 0 H M R M R BURNING N D A y X X R L M T X A D N CARBONMONOXIDE N F H c 0 I 0 u s s 0 H c I COMPOST y DIOXIN 0 X L N N T T L A E E u N EMISSIONS 0 0 E E 0 z c A L v H z s G ENVIRONMENT L T G s M L A N I D T A I y EXHAUST G L y F N G F T M w 0 H X A FACTORIES p GRANNYOLGAOZONE A 0 G I 0 N s R w T D u M ,p.,., LEADFOOTLOUIE 0 u v M B s N I X 0 T R F M OTTOTHEOXMAN z I s 0 R D p 0 T I 0 A y c POLLUTANTS 0 E z T A I L p I p E y u Q RECYCLE SMOG N A F G c 0 M p 0 s T K B T SMOKE E N v I R 0 N M E N T c L 0 SOOT y N N E B G N u L K c A L B TAILPIPE N I y TOXINS s 0 s s I M E B v B v & ptemberiOcrober 2003 • Iowa Conservauomst 57 - NSERVATION UPDATE Iowa Becomes Active Member of Be A Fish and Wildlife Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact "Watchdog" Pcnaltte forfishandgame member tatcs, chance are you The Io\.Va Department of v tolation ju t got tougher thanks can't legally hunt or fi sh in any of Natural Resources and the to agreement between 18 mem them." Iowa Tum In Poachers (TIP) ber ~tate of the In terstate Currently, Arizona, Califomia, organization encourage all >Jal Wtldltfc YtolatorCompact. Colorado, Gcorgta, Idaho, Indiana, citizens to become "watch coo Although lO\\a has been a Iowa, Maryland, Mmnesota. dogs" for lo\\. a's fish and na part of the compact for nearly M1 oun, Montana, e\ ada, e\\ wildlife resource!_:,. na tv. o year , 1tju t recently became Mex1co. orth Dakota, Oregon. In 2002. TIP recorded Sm an active participant. A'::> an Utah, Washmgton and Wyoming numerous major wildlife an acttve member, Iowa become are member of the compact. poaching cases, most of part of a network of state fi . h Dermand trc. ed that more which would not have and\\ tldhfe agencie hanng tate could be added at any ttmc. happened\\ ithout good. \ tolator mformation and taking otonly\\tllfi hand\\tldlife timelv• infonnation from rectprocal licen e u pen ton or violattonc;,JCOpardize a per on' concerned cttt/cns. When rev ocatton action\\ hen appli licen e pn\ ilege m IWVC tate . you see or hear\\ hat you cable. failure by the individual to pay believe is a fish onvildlife "Ba ically, that mean i fyour court fine orrc titution a a crime, call the TIP l lotline at huntmg license is su pcndcd m result of the charge will al o 1-800-532-2020. The phone IO\\a, for example, it mo t likely justifysu pen ion and revocation line is staffed ?4 hours a day, 1 u pended in Colorado. I fyour action. In that ca e, the seven days a\\ eck. and fi hmg hcense i revoked m indt\ tdual 'shunting and fi hmg caller can remam anony Mmne ota. it' probably revoked privileges may be denied in all mous. Remember. the in Iowa," said Steve Dermand, IWVC tates, and will remain o information you provide can who over ee Iowa's participa unti I the debt i ati fied or the and does make a difference. tion." implyput.ifyoucan't sus pen ion or revocation peliod legally huntorfi h in one oft he ha been fu ll y erved. D\ The effort to protect and enhance Iowa's natural resources has pr~ found a new home at the Clay County Fair. This 24-foot by 36- diff foot log cabin was moved Aug. 19 from the Ed and Agnes pia, Sundheim farm , located outside of Albert City. The cabin and see1 the area around it has been named the Sundheim fraa ~ Environmental Education Center. The cabin, butlt tn the early Ho, 1950s, was moved in a joint project between the DNA, District 3 County Conservation Boards and the Clay County Fatr unc Association. In addition to now being an annual presence at the tsst fair for the DNA and area county conservation boards, the and cabin and grounds will also be used as meeting space for conservation-oriented groups throughout the year. ~)st re - life NEW AQUATIC INVADERS CAUSING PROBLEMS IN IOWA Brittle Naiad Confirmed Smoke. The chemi cal will be good news and has the potential to of at One Lake; Suspected applied when the plant is actively harm other more desirable native At Others growing so it is absorbed through fi sh species, such as paddlefish, IP) The Towa Department of the stem. It wi II take 60 to 90 young game fish and other fi Iter Natural Resources (DNR) has days for all the plants to die. If feedingspecies, including mussels. - con finned the presence ofbrittle plants are killed too quickly, the Silver carp is not the only new naiad, an invasive aquatic plant mass ofd ecaying plants will rob invadeno Iowa rivers; bighead native to Europe, at Yell ow the water ofoxyge n and could carp are also present. These two Smoke Lake in Crawford County, cause a fish ki ll. The chemi cal species, often used by commercial and suspects its presence at other costs about$1 ,400 per ga llon and aquaculture operations in the Iowa lakes. the treatment at Yell ow Smoke southern United States to keep Brittle naiad has will require five ga llons. catfish ponds clean, are in the taken over Yell ow Mississippi River and Smoke, forcing the Don't Pick Up Aquatic Hitchhikers finding their way into closure of the boat +Thoroughly clean boats, trailers and even fishing Iowa's interior streams. ramp. Ramps are nets at the end of a fishing trip. Si lver carp are also closed at Ne lson + Angler s who coll ect their own bait should use it prolific reproducers and can be found in large ~at Park in Crawford only in the water it was obtained from. [ne County,and +Leftover bait should never be released into the numbers below dams. ay. Crawford Creek lake, river or stream. Bait containers should be They are continuously Lake and Moorehead emptied into a trash can. silver in color, deep- Lake, both in Ida bodied, have very small County, due to excessive weeds. scales with eyes sitting Brittle naiad is suspected. The Brittle naiad is similar to low on their head. They tend to Eurasian watennil foi I. Both plant leap out of the water when in the ~e. DNR also suspects it is in Little Sioux Park in Woodbury County species spread rapidly and can area ofa moving boat. and Casey Lake in Tama County. take over lakes, crowding out Mark Flammang, DNR Kim Bogenschutz with the more desired aquatic plants. fisheries biologist at Lake Brittle naiad has spread through Rathbun, said he co llected the first r DNR' s aquatic nuisance species program said brittle naiad is out much of the eastern Un ited samples of sil ver carp at the end es has difficult to control because the States and has been confirmed in of June from the Des Moines by 36- plant can grow from either the Missouri and Il linois lakes. River at Keosauqua. s Bighead carp are silver with and seeds along its stem or from plant fragments that have broken free. Silver, Bighead Carp black blotches on their backs, 3arly How it got into Yell ow Smoke is Found In Iowa Rivers deep-bodied with eyes low on the head and small scales. Bighead ) 1strict unclear, Bogenschutz said, so she Silver carp have been found r is stressing prevention to boaters in the Des Moines Ri ver at carp in excess of 50 pounds are eat the and anglers to top the spread. Keosauqua and below the common. They were first found he The DNR plans to use a Ottumwa Dam, the Iowa 0 R in Iowa in the Missouri River at )f systemtc herbicide this spring to recently con finned. The pres SergeantBluffin 1988andare remove the brittle naiad in Yell ow ence ofthis nonnative fish is not spreading to interior streams. Scprcmber Ocrobcr ~003 • low.1 Con'~"·llh>n"' NSERVATION UPDATE Iowa Lands A Second Hunt Master Portable Lift The lo'' aD R ha been ational hooting ports Founda awarded a grant from the Na tion, the trade association fo r the tional Shooting Sport firearms 1ndustry, provides much Foundation' ( F) Huntmg needed direct funding to state lleritage Partner hip to provide wildlife agencies to help them C'\panded recreatiOnal huntmg '' tth program that pro\. ide opportunttle to Iowa' phy ically oppOitunities fo r, and remove of challenged hunter . baniers to, hunter participatiOn. re< The S7 ,000 grant\\ Ill allow "Offictals \\ tth Iowa's do the depattment to purcha e a DepartmentofNatural Re ources no second Hunt Ma tcr, a portable, haYe des1gned a unique and kind ofcreati\. e program de\ elop co hydraulic hunting bltnd. The dynam1c recruitment tool and this ment that agenc1es mother states addition will double the number of grant recognize their succe sful can look to as a model to help ffil' hunters erved through lo\va' effort and help butld on them," pre ef\ e our huntmg and conser sa I Iunt Ma ter program. said Doug Painter, president of vation tradtrions." The Hunting Heritage the a tiona! Shootmg Sport me Partner h1p, e tab It hed by the FoundatiOn. "Tht t exactly the Gn Ro g~ lilT no bai \\ ti paJ the anl anc )'01 the T n u ~ ~ STATE FOREST N URSERY cAu 800-865-2477 w515-233-1131 ~\EB www.iowadnr.com/forestry/ - Upcoming NRC Volunteering Today and EPC Meetings The dates and locations have For A Better Iowa Tomorrow been set for the fo ll owing meet Favette Scout Troop 31 Leaves Its Mark On The Volga River ings ofthe Natural Resource • Commission and Environmental Because It's There Protection Commission ofthe In 1999, spring rains swelled the Volga River and flooded part IowaDepartmentofNatural of the Volga River State Recreation Area. When the water Resources. receded, it left behind an assortment oftrash and tires, washed Agendas are set approxi down from upstream. Most residents and visitors to area saw, if mately 10 days prior to the nothing else, an unsightly mess. Others saw a potential health scheduled meeting date. For lop concern, especially with the tires serving as a haven for mosqui additional information, contact the ates toes, and potentially, West Nile Virus. Troop 31 ofFayette - a Iowa Department ofNatural mixture ofWebelo and Boy Scouts ranging in age from 8 to 16 - Resources, Wallace State Office ;er- saw a perfect pub!ic service opportunity. Building, 502 E. 9111 St., Des The young scouts, led by both troop leaders and parents Moines, Iowa 50319-0034. including Rodger Post, Tim N uss, Darwin Vandersee, Steve Greco and Delmar Aller-went to workcleaningup the Big Natural Resource Rock Access to the Volga River. They plucked up tires and Commission: gathered trash left behind by the receding flood waters. By the time they were fini shed, the area was free of debri s most November 13 notably some 211 car, truck and tractor tires that dotted the river Des Moines bank. December 11 Accolades were few for the crew and its daunting task, Des Moines which started in 2002 and ended this spring. Nor were the scouts paid or prodded fortheirefforts. Some may question, then, why they took on such a monumental, seemingly thankless task? Ask Environmental Protection any of the scouts Commission: and they wiII tell you, "because it's there." October20 Des Moines November 17 Des Moines December 15 Troop 31 scout Des Moines members team up to remove a tractor tire from the Big Rock Access to the Volga River. September October 2003 • Iowa Con,CI'\JII<>nl\t WARDEN'S DIARY pinr A Long Way From Canada Phv • by Chuck Humeston the 1 ~tafl I fi hed out my bird ID book The Letter The and flipped through the pages. " I ca ll ed Bob Andersen, who ure enough, it was a peregrine is instrumental in the peregrine falcon a bird Iowa and other release program in northeast co tate have been working very Iowa. Bob found tt was banded Go. ~ hard tore tore. 1 didn't know if it a a nestling \\est of Hudson Bay Ce The call was bnef. 'AOuld Uf\tveit injuries,butl as reported by the Canadtan rna "I thi the game \\arden?'' looked at Jt and aid, "You W tldlt fe Sen 1ce. Thts ts a tundra de ef\ e a chance, my friend." percgnne falcon tmgratmgsouth "l found somekmd ofmJured The next day I took it to the \\hen 1t \\aS 111JUred m IO\\ a. hm" k m the middle of the road. lO\\a tate Unt ver ityVetennary "DetennmatJOn h1t me hard to What do I do 'A ith it?" llo pttal WlldltfeCareCiimc. It ettherdn\e tht btrd tothe "Where are you? Could you \\as Oct. 7, 2002. I filled out Minnesota RaptorCentermyself bring it to my hou e?'' orne paper , and said, "Good or to make orne kmd of arrange ma I gave the caller direction luck, buddy." ments," he wrote. " l contacted beh and hung up the phone. A 1 everal months later, I Bruce Ehresman of the DNR to waited for him, I expected to ce received a picture and letter from accompli h thts. Lon Arent at Li ~ an injured red-tailed hawk, mo t the Univer ity ofMinnesota the Rap tor Center gave me the c~ likely in pretty bad hape. I ee a Raptor Center. Later, a letter exact steps. The b1rd remamed at an·i\ ed from Sharon Selch, an I U for four da] to stabilize for lotofthem,given thetr habit of and running into olid object . ad\ i er at the 1 U Wildlife Care tran port. I personal I) drove the I answered a knock on the Clmtc. I'lllet her(paraphrased) bird to the Des Mome Airport, door and a man handed me a big letter take O\ er the tory from and tt left on North\\ e t Atrlines." box. l thanked him and brought it here. Dr. Julte Ponderrepatredand inside and opened it. "Whoa, here' something you don 't sec every day," I thought. lt wasn't a hawk, but it was obviously orne kind offalcon, and it was banded. It had a drooping wing and a look that said, "Ifl could get out of this box and get hold of you, you wouldn't be so smug." It was a look] 've learned to respect with regards to rap tors. Jane Goggin with the falcon at the Minnesota Raptor Center. 62 lo\\.t (on,crvatll>n"t • September Oc tob.!r 2003 \. - - pinned the fractured wing. somewhowouldsay, "Why go to her letter better than 1 ever could. Physical therapy followed under all the trouble?" At the same time, "In the links of the chain we the care of the Raptor Center I often find myselfasking, "Does all have a responsibility, and are staff, followed by flight exercise. anyone care anymore at all?" placed well for the benefit ofthis The total stay was 28 weeks. I never got the name of the rap tor and other wildlife from who "The bird was scheduled for guy who found the fa lcon on the before the beginning ofit s life to le release at the end of April," Selch road, but obviously it was some the day of release. The question continued in her letter. "Jane guy who did care. He started the for all of us is will we take the jed Goggin, technician at the Rap tor whole chain ofevents. I felt good responsibility and FLY with it. Bay Center as well as a woman who at having played a minor part in One missing link can determine made a substantial financial the saga. Sharon summed it up in the overall outcome." ndra contribution for the bird's uth care, accompanied the bird to the release site. Jon Boats in Stock! udto The peregrine flew perfect Iy over theM iss is self sippi River heading north mge in an awesome sight to •ted behold." ~to Lake Ieana Manna at LOWE BOATS & PONTOONS Links Of The JOHNSON-EVINRUDE :he Chain PARTS AND SERVICE 1730 Juniper Ave., Corning, lA 50841 ned at I read Sharon's letter ~fo r 641-322-5234 and smiled. 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