2015 ProceedingsMidwest Deer & Wild Turkey Study

Group MeetingSeptember 8th-11th, 2015Lake Delton, Wisconsin

Submitted by:Krista Pham, Daniel Storm, and Robert RolleyWisconsin Department of Natural Resources

May 2016

Table of Contents

Background..................................................................................................................................................3

Meeting Time and Place..............................................................................................................................3

Attendance..................................................................................................................................................3

Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................3

Business Meeting........................................................................................................................................4

Director Information Items..........................................................................................................................5

Table 1. List of Participants..........................................................................................................................7

Table 2. Previous Midwest Deer & Wild Turkey Study Group Meeting Locations.....................................10

Background The Midwest Deer and Wild Turkey Study Group (MDWTSG) meeting is an annual gathering of wildlife managers sanctioned by and affiliated with the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Primary objectives of the meeting include dissemination of deer and wild turkey management strategies, discussion of emerging or existing issues associated with deer and wild turkey management, and coordination of regional deer and wild turkey management or research efforts. The meeting location rotates among the Midwestern states that are active within the group.

Forums such as the MDWTSG meeting provide valuable opportunities for state deer and turkey biologists to become acquainted with emerging issues and exchange information and ideas related to deer and turkey research and management. The need for state fish and wildlife agencies to establish and maintain deer and turkey biologist positions and support travel of these biologists to the annual MDWTSG meeting is imperative for exchanging information to promote quality wildlife management and research in each state. It is more important than ever that state agencies are at the forefront of issues related to deer and turkey management in order to protect the heritage and recreational opportunities of hunting for future sportsmen and sportswomen.

Meeting Time and Place The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) hosted the 2015 MDWTSG meeting at the Perlstein Resort and Conference Center in Lake Delton, Wisconsin on September 8-11. The MDWTSG appreciates the financial support provided by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the Wisconsin Chapter of NTWF, and the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) in sponsoring the evening socials. Additionally, we thank the Port Huron Brewing Company for donating beverages for socials.

Attendance Fifty-seven participants attended the 2015 meeting, including state deer and turkey biologists from 13 Midwest member states (Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) and attendees from other organizations and institutions including the NWTF, the QDMA, Michigan State University, National Wildlife Health Center, and the University of Wisconsin. A complete list of attendees and contact information for deer and turkey state biologists are available in Table 1.

Executive Summary Attendees at the 2015 MDWTSG meeting were welcomed by Kevin Wallenfang, WDNR Deer and Elk Program Specialist. Following the meeting introduction, there were seven presentations that occurred during the joint session, including the following topics:

• a Massive Open Online Course on perceptive hunting, Aldo Leopold and conservation• Snapshot Wisconsin, a citizen-science trail camera project

• why fewer gun-deer hunters bought licenses in 2010 and 2011• hunter retention and recruitment• county deer advisory councils understanding climate change in Wisconsin national update on chronic wasting disease

Following the joint session, a number of presentations were given during both the deer and wild turkey break-out sessions. These topics included:

• custom web applications to automate wildlife workflow integration of harvest and time-to-event data to estimate deer demographic parameters deer dispersal research National Deer Alliance Wisconsin’s deer management assistance program e-registration and biological checkstation pilots deer reproduction and nutritional condition in Wisconsin Wisconsin’s wild turkey management plan Continuous versus discontinuous spring turkey seasons 11th National Wild turkey Symposium Wisconsin’s wild turkey research

During a portion of the wild turkey break-out session, meeting attendees participated in a Midwest Wild Turkey Consortium Workshop. The Workshop provided attendees with an update about the Midwestern cooperative wild turkey research project and fostered discussion of project future direction. State status reports were presented in both the deer and wild turkey break-out sessions.

A field trip was conducted on the afternoon of the second day of the meeting to the Aldo Leopold Foundation. The field trip include a tour of the Leopold shack as well as talks about the Driftless Forest Network and the Leopold-Pine Island Important Bird Area.

Business Meeting The Business Meeting was conducted as a joint session involving both deer and wild turkey program leaders. The 2016 MDWTSG meeting will be hosted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The group discussed maintaining the website which has been hosted by South Dakota (http://mdwtsg.org/). The website has been a useful tool for MDWTSG members, providing a means to disseminate meeting proceedings, a repository for study group documents and meeting notes, and information about upcoming meetings. South Dakota is willing to continue to maintain the website, but would be happy to hand it off if anyone else is interested.

The study group approved a resolution related to federal funding for CWD management. The group also voted to request commitment by state Directors to fill vacant turkey project leader positions. The

vacancies are resulting in knowledge gaps and limiting the analyses of the Midwest Wild Turkey Consortium.

There is interest in updating the multi-state CWD guidelines. A subcommittee agreed to discuss this with the Midwest Wildlife Health Committee.

The study group agreed to update the deer harvest density maps that were compiled in 2009. Over the next year the study group will work on compiling regional deer research needs.

Director Information ItemsThe Midwest Deer and Wild turkey Study Group request commitment by state Directors to fill vacant turkey project leader positions.

The Study Group also request a commitment by state Directors to support increased federal funding for chronic wasting disease management. A draft resolution is included.

Resolution by the Midwest Deer and Wild Turkey Study Group regarding federal funding for chronic wasting disease management and research.

Whereas, chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease of mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose;

Whereas, CWD has been detected in captive and/or free-ranging cervid populations in 23 states (including all but 2 of the Midwestern states), 2 Canadian provinces, and the Republic of Korea;

Whereas, the geographic distribution and prevalence of CWD continues to grow;

Whereas, CWD poses a threat to the health of deer and elk population wherever it occurs;

Whereas, effective surveillance of free-ranging and captive populations is critical for sound management of CWD;

Whereas, concerns about potential human health effects of CWD persist and public demand for hunter service testing will likely increase as the size of CWD affected areas increase;

Whereas, indemnification of captive cervid producers has been important for timely depopulation of CWD-positive herds;

Whereas, there remain research needs that are critical for disease control efforts in captive and free-ranging cervids including development of an effective live-animal test and construction of a successful vaccine;

Whereas, the USDA declared CWD to be a national emergency in 2001 and Congress appropriated more than $18 million per year in the early 2000s to USDA for CWD surveillance, management, and research; and

Whereas, recent federal appropriations for CWD management have decreased markedly to approximately $1million to $3million per year and surveillance has consequently diminished;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Midwest Deer and Wild Turkey Study Group respectfully request the Midwest Directors to request restoration of federal funding for CWD management and research to the levels of the early 2000s to assist member states with CWD management.

Note: This resolution was subsequently modified in consultation with the MAFWA Wildlife and Fish Health Committee and submitted jointly.

Table 1. List of Participants Last First Agency/Affiliation Phone Email

Adams Kip Quality Deer Management Association 814-326-4023 kadams@qdma.comBacks Steve Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife 812-849-4586 x222 sbacks@dnr.in.govBeardmore Ben Wisconsin DNR 608-266-6437 alan.beardmore@wisconsin.govBoyer Ryan National Wild Turkey Federation 231-878-5131 rboyer@nwtf.netCain Rebecca Michigan State University 517-432-0804 cainrebe@msu.eduCoffey Jim Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources 641-774-2958 james.coffey@dnr.iowa.govCrocker Lee National Wild Turkey Federation 740-222-3505 lcrocker@nwtf.netD'Angelo Gino Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources 507-642-8478 gino.dangelo@state.mn.usDhuey Brian Wisconsin DNR brian.dhuey@wisconsin.govDuren Kenneth Ohio Division of Wildlife 740-362-2410 kenneth.duren@dnr.state.oh.usFlinn Emily Missouri Dept. of Conservation 573-815-7901 x3619 emily.flinn@mdc.mo.govFox Lloyd Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism 620-342-0658 lloyd.fox@ksoutdoors.comGarner Dale Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources 515-725-8494 dale.garner@dnr.iowa.govHams Kit Nebraska Game & Parks Commission 402-471-5442 kit.hams@nebraska.govHolsman Robert Wisconsin DNR 608-264-8592 robert.holsman@wisconsin.govHolzwart Jim Wisconsin DNR 920-361-3149 james.holzwart@wisconsin.govHorton Rick National Wild Turkey Federation 218-326-8800 rhorton@nwtf.netIsaac Tom Wisconsin DNR 262-670-3409 thomas.isaac@wisconsin.govJenkins Gabe Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources 800-858-1549 x4490 gabriel.jenkins@ky.govJensen William North Dakota Game & Fish Dept. 701-220-5031 bjensen@nd.govKaminski Dan Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources 515-432-2823 x122 dan.kaminski@dnr.iowa.govKohn Stan North Dakota Game & Fish Dept. 701-328-6300 skohn@nd.govLiebl David UW Madison david.liebl@wisc.eduLindbloom Andy South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks 605-223-7652 andy.lindbloom@state.sd.usLusk Jeffrey Nebraska Game & Parks Commission 403-471-1756 jeff.lusk@nebraska.govMcCaffery Keith Wisconsin DNR retiredMcCoy Clint Ohio Division of Wildlife 740-362-2410 john.mccoy@dnr.state.oh.us

Last First Agency/Affiliation Phone EmailMcGinley Krista Wisconsin DNR 608-261-8458 krista.mcginley@wisconsin.govMcInenly Leslie Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources 651-259-5198 leslie.mcinenly@state.mn.usMicetich Tom Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources 309-543-3316 x231 tom.micetich@illinois.govMilestone Carrie Wisconsin DNR 715-884-2882 carrie.milestone@wisconsin.govMurkowski Adam Wisconsin DNR 608-261-7855 adam.murkowski@wisconsin.govNack Bob Wisconsin DNR 608-264-6137 robert.nack@wisconsin.govNorton Andrew Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources 515-432-2823 andrew.norton@dnr.iowa.govNowak Josh University of Montana 406-214-7666 james.nowak@mso.umt.eduOwsley Bret Wisconsin DNR 920-387-7874 bret.owsley@wisconsin.govParent Chad Michigan State University 517-432-4440 cjparent@msu.eduPeterson Brittany UW Madison 608-514-5463 bpeterson24@wisc.eduPollentier Chris Wisconsin DNR 608-221-6372 christopher.pollentier@wisconsin.govPriest Christine Wisconsin DNR 608-264-6023 christinea.priest@wisconsin.govRichards Bryan National Wildlife Health Center brichards@usgs.govRolley Robert Wisconsin DNR 608-221-6341 robert.rolley@wisconsin.govRyan Tami Wisconsin DNR 608-266-3143 tamara.ryan@wisconsin.govSams Kyle Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wild. Resources 800-858-1549 x4490 kyle.sams@ky.govSlack Dawn Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife 812-334-1137 dslack@dnr.in.govStenglein Jennifer Wisconsin DNR jennifer.stenglein@wisconsin.govStewart Chad Michigan DNR 517-641-4903 x263 stewartc6@michigan.govStewart Al Michigan DNR stewarta1@michigan.govStorm Dan Wisconsin DNR 715-365-4712 danielj.storm@wisconsin.govSuchy Willie Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources 515-725-8499 willie.suchy@dnr.iowa.govSumners Jason Missouri Dept. of Conservation 573-815-7901 x3620 jason.sumners@mdc.mo.govTonkovich Mike Ohio Division of Wildlife 740-589-9930 mike.tonkovich@dnr.state.oh.usVan Deelen Timothy UW Madison 608-265-3280 trvandeelen@wisc.eduWallenfang Kevin Wisconsin DNR 608-261-7589 kevin.wallenfang@wisconsin.gov

Last First Agency/Affiliation Phone EmailWarnke Keith Wisconsin DNR keith.warnke@wisconsin.govWiens Eric Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism 620-637-2748 eric.wiens@ksoutdoors.comYancy David Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources 800-858-1549 x4525 david.yancy@ky.gov

Table 2. Previous Midwest Deer & Wild Turkey Study Group Meeting Locations Year State Location Date Date1977 Missouri Fountain Grove Wildlife Area January 17-191978 Wisconsin Wyalusing State Park January 16-171979 Iowa Rathburn Fish Hatchery January 15-181980 Minnesota Whitewater State Park January 21-241981 Indiana Harrison-Crawford State Park January 19-221982 Ohio Lake Hope State Park January 18-211983 Nebraska Louisbille 4-H Camp January 17-211984 Kansas Camp Aldrich January 16-191985 South Dakota Black Hills May 7-101986 North Dakota Camp-of-the-Cross January 20-231987 Michigan Kellogg Biological Station January 27-291988 Illinois Touch of Nature February 1-41989 Missouri YMCA Camp of the Ozarks January 23-261990 Wisconsin Bethel Horizons Prairie Center January 15-181991 Iowa Conservation Education Center January 14-171992 Minnesota Whitewater State Park January 13-161993 Indiana Harrison-Crawford State Park January 11-141994 Ohio Canter's Cave 4-H Park January 30 - Feb 21995 Nebraska Mahoney State Park January 15-181996 Kansas Camp Pecusa January 14-161997 South Dakota Camp NeSoDak August 24-271998 North Dakota Camp Grafton August 9-121999 Ontario Blue Springs Scout Reserve August 15-182000 Michigan Thunder Bay Resort August 20-232001 Illinois Dixon Springs Ag. Station August 19-222002 Missouri Conception Abbey August 18-212003 Wisconsin Bethel Horizons Prairie Center August 24-272004 Iowa Conservation Education Center August 22-252005 Minnesota Eagle Bluff Envir. Learning Center August 21-242006 Indiana Camp Ransburg, BSA August 20-232007 Ohio Canter's Cave 4-H Park August 19-222008 Nebraska Fort Robinson State Park September 14-172009 Kansas Rock Springs 4-H Camp September 14-172010 North Dakota Camp Grafton August 22-252011 Michigan Ralph A. MacMullen Center September 25-282012 South Dakota Custer State Park October 16-192013 Illinois Allerton Park August 18-212014 Missouri YMCA Camp of the Ozarks September 9-122015 Wisconsin Perlstein Conference Center September 8-11

2015 Midwest Deer & Wild Turkey Study Group Meeting Agenda