Mo. Sets 2010 Turkey Seasons

From MDC

JEFFERSON CITY–The Missouri Conservation Commission has set 2010 spring and fall turkey hunting regulations that mirror 2009 season structures. Spring season dates are the only difference.

The regular Spring Turkey Hunting Season is April 19 through May 9. Other spring turkey hunting regulations remain unchanged from 2009, with a limit of two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards. Only one bird may be taken from April 19 through 25, and only one bird per day may be taken from April 26 through May 9. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Central Daylight Savings Time.

The 2010 Youth Spring Turkey Season is April 10 and 11. Hunters age 6 through 15 who have valid resident or nonresident spring turkey hunting permit may take one male turkey or turkey with visible beard. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, Central Daylight Savings Time.

Hunters will be glad to note that the formula for setting spring turkey seasons has been changed to avoid Easter, which falls on April 4 this year. Nonresident hunters age 6 through 15 will be able to buy turkey hunting permits for $8.50, the same as young Missourians. These permits entitle youths to take two turkeys, but only one may be taken during the two-day youth hunt. Youths who take a turkey during the youth season may not take another until after April 25.

The 2010 Spring Turkey Hunting Information booklet, available online in February, will contain details about a special managed archery turkey hunt, managed firearms hunts and special hunts for youths and people with disabilities.

The 2010 Fall Turkey Hunting Season is Oct. 1 through 31. Two turkeys of either sex may be taken during the fall season. Both may be taken on the same day. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, Central Daylight Savings Time.

The Conservation Commission also approved turkey hunting regulations for conservation areas. These will be published in the 2010 Spring Turkey Hunting Information booklet before the spring turkey season.

Ark.'s December aerial surveys show drop in duck numbers

From AGFC

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission waterfowl biologists took to the skies last week for the December aerial waterfowl survey, and the population index reveals a drop in the estimated number of ducks in the state since the November survey.

The survey shows an estimate of just less than 580,000 ducks in Arkansas’s Delta region, which includes most of the eastern one-third of the state. Population estimates for northwest Arkansas include 31,304 ducks (18,580 mallards), and estimates for southwest Arkansas are 31,820 ducks (19,230 mallards).

The Delta total includes an estimated 191,299 mallards, 439,733 other dabblers and 188,307 divers.

Totals for the November aerial survey have been revised as a result of a calculation error during the compilation of last month’s survey results. The revised November total was an estimated 1.5 million ducks.

AGFC is using a new method for its aerial waterfowl surveys this year, a transition that possibly led to the calculation error for the November surveys.

Hunters should also be aware that, because of the new survey method, numbers from this year’s aerial surveys cannot be compared to previous years’ survey results.

According to Luke Naylor, AGFC waterfowl program coordinator, the drop in Arkansas’s estimated duck numbers from November to December was likely the result of early migrant species, such as shovelers, pintails, gadwalls and teal, departing the state for more southern latitudes along the Gulf Coast.

“The vast majority of ducks we saw in the November survey were species such as pintails and gadwalls that traditionally winter along the Gulf Coast,” Naylor said. “It appears that many of those ducks may have left the state since the last aerial surveys.”

Another explanation for the drop in numbers may be the new survey methodology. Because the east-west transect lines are chosen randomly for each month’s survey, it’s possible survey flights took observers over higher concentrations of waterfowl during the November survey.

While the discrepancy seems substantial, transect surveys are the standardized method used by most waterfowl managers, allowing wildlife management agencies like AGFC to have more scientific information and a “big-picture” look at waterfowl populations over long periods of time.

While mallard populations declined by about 58,000 ducks since the November survey, Naylor pointed out that mallard numbers didn’t drop as drastically as other dabbler species. One explanation for the decline in mallard numbers is that many mallards appear to be using habitat in flooded bottomland forests, including the Cache and lower White River basins.

“It’s very difficult to count ducks in flooded forests like the Cache and White river bottoms, so if the mallards are using that habitat – and anecdotal evidence suggests they are using it – they can’t be counted during the survey flights,” Naylor said.

New maps showing mallard and overall duck densities have been created to show relative densities around the state. The maps are included among several Web links AGFC has created to assist hunters in tracking waterfowl movements throughout the flyway and within the state.

For a list of links, visit http://www.agfc.com/hunting/huntingseasons/waterfowl-migratory-birds/waterfowl-locations.aspx.

Weather conditions across the state bode well for hunters. Heavy rainfall took place Wednesday and is forecast to continue through Thursday night, with chances of snow in the forecast for northern and western portions of the state. Colder temperatures also will enter the forecast, with highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid 20s through the weekend.

Arkansas’s duck season will be closed Dec. 24-25. It reopens Dec. 26 for the final segment of the season and runs through Jan. 31.

This waterfowl report provides capsule information from agency staff in all corners of Arkansas and is updated each Wednesday throughout waterfowl season. Just go to http://www.agfc.com/data-facts-maps/publications/agfc-newsletters/weekly-waterfowl-report.aspx, or to receive the report each week on your computer, send an e-mail to arkansasoutdoors@agfc.com and type "Waterfowl Report" in the subject line.

Miss.'s December Aerial Waterfowl Surveys Complete

From MDWFP

Jackson – MDWFP biologists completed the second aerial waterfowl survey of the 2009-2010 duck season on December 18, 2009. The survey estimated approximately 400,491 waterfowl in the Mississippi Delta. “As expected, waterfowl numbers increased from the November survey, but duck numbers are considerably less than last year’s estimate of 685,000 ducks,” reports Houston Havens, MDWFP Waterfowl Biologist. Maps developed through analysis of survey data may be accessed through http://www.mdwfp.com.

MDWFP flies transects throughout the Mississippi Delta four times during the winter to estimate duck abundance. MDWFP began flying surveys in 2002, and this year, MDWFP is working with Arkansas Game and Fish and Commission, Delta Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey and the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture to generate reliable estimates across a large portion of the Delta over time.

The freeze line which extended from mid-Missouri to Indiana has remained largely unchanged. However, warmer temperatures have melted snow and ice in areas south of this line. In addition, extended rainfall has flooded large expanses of habitat in the areas north of Mississippi, and habitat conditions are good. In contrast to these good habitat conditions, only a few areas of the Delta have large amounts of flooded habitat, and these regions have reported good concentrations of ducks and relatively consistent harvest. Compared to last December’s estimate of 224,000 mallards, the current survey estimate of 117,000 mallards is considerably less. “The combination of above-normal rainfall and unseasonably warm temperatures in areas of Arkansas and Missouri has likely contributed to the relatively low numbers of mallards that waterfowl hunters are observing,” states Ed Penny, MDWFP Waterfowl Program Coordinator.

MDWFP encourages hunters to take advantage of other new tools to track waterfowl numbers and migration. These tools include a weather severity index developed by Mississippi State University which forecasts potential waterfowl migration movements based on weather data throughout the Mississippi Flyway. In addition, Missouri Department of Conservation, in cooperation with MDWFP and several other state and federal agencies, has developed a mallard migration map, which is updated weekly. These tools may be accessed through MDWFP’s Waterfowl Program website: http://www.mdwfp.com/waterfowl.

Second Consecutive Record Bear Harvest Reported in Tennessee

From TWRA

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. -- A new record for black bear harvest has been established for 2009, according to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports.

Through the various seasons this year, the 2009 harvest of 566 surpassed the previous record of 446 set just last year during 2008.

The harvest in each county by season is as follows:

Sept. 26-Oct. 30 archery-only: Blount (4), Carter (39), Cocke (17), Greene (11), Johnson (28), Monroe (4), Sevier (3), Sullivan (18), Unicoi (13), Washington (10).

Sept. 28-Oct. 4 Gun/Muzzleloader/Archery (G/M/A): Blount (27), Cocke (9), Sevier (37).

Oct. 5-6 G/M/A: Monroe (26), Polk (15).

Oct. 17-18 G/M/A: Monroe (16), Polk (7).

Nov. 2-5 G/M/A: Blount (16), Carter (20), Cocke (24), Greene (9), Johnson (9), Monroe (22), Polk (15), Sevier (15), Sullivan (9), Unicoi (10), Washington (4).

Nov. 26-29 G/M/A: Blount (2), Carter (1), Cocke (3), Greene (2), Johnson (2), Monroe (3), Unicoi (2), Washington (1).

Dec. 3-16 G/M/A: Blount (6), Carter (11), Cocke (15), Greene (14), Johnson (4), Monroe (14), Polk (17), Sevier (9), Sullivan (1), Unicoi (16), Washington (3).

Tennessee’s black bear population has been steadily increasing over the past 40 years due to several management practices put in place by TWRA. These practices include: establishment of a series of bear reserves throughout the bear habitat, protection of females and cubs, and setting the majority of the bear hunting season later in the year when most females have gone to the den.

Harvest totals have varied over the past 60 years from less than 10 animals to the record of 566 set this year. The annual harvest has been more than 300 bears the past five consecutive years.

Successful 2009 Fall Turkey Season Concludes

From TWRA

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports that another successful fall turkey season has concluded. Fall hunters had a consolidated 12-day season which ran from Dec. 7-18.

The impact of the shift from a split season to the consolidated season was expected to have little effect on the number of turkeys that were harvested.

“The 2009 fall harvest of 1,931 turkeys was right at the long-term average” said Gray Anderson, TWRA’s wild turkey program coordinator.

Statewide, there were 1,217 hunters that reported harvested birds for an average of 1.6 birds per hunter. About 73 percent of hunters harvested a single turkey and only 2 percent of hunters took over five birds. Maury (142), Smith (105), Giles (102), Rutherford (91) and Lincoln (82) counties were the top five harvest counties.

“Our fall turkey season does a great job of focusing harvest pressure exactly where our regional biologists have identified a management need,” said Anderson.

Applications for the 2010 Spring Turkey Quota Hunts are currently being accepted until Feb. 10, 2010. Interested hunters may apply at any TWRA license agent, TWRA regional office, or online at the TWRA Web site.

For more information about Tennessee’s turkey hunting seasons, refer to the Hunting and Trapping Guide available at all license agents or on the TWRA Web site. Harvest information is also updated on the For Hunters section of the Web site.

Ark.'s iPhone App And Telephone Deer Checking Working Well

From AGFC

LITTLE ROCK – Checking deer has never been easier for Arkansas hunters. For many years, simplifying the deer checking process has been a goal of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Now that the new system is in place, it may be the reason for Arkansas’s deer harvest being well ahead of last year at the same point.
 

According to AGFC Assistant Chief of Wildlife Operations Matt Hodges, the deer harvest numbers are up from last year despite several deer hunting areas being closed due to flooding. “We are about 1,500 deer ahead of last year without DMAP camps added in and all of those flood prone zones being closed for most of November,” Hodges said.
 

Since Arkansas’s deer season opened Oct. 1, the AGFC’s electronic checking system has provided convenience and ease for hunters checking their deer.
 

Checking of deer and turkey can be done three ways – online at www.agfc.com, the call to (877) 507-4263, or on the AGFC’s iPhone application. When you’ve finished checking your game, you’ll be given a check number that must be recorded on the game tag. So make sure you have a pen ready. The AGFC Web site is one of the easiest ways to check your deer. The AGFC’s electronic system replaces the check stations that were used for years.

Ohio Hunters Have Already Donated 95,000 Pounds of Venison

From ODNR

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Ohio deer hunters have donated more than 95,500 pounds of venison to local food banks so far this deer season, according to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The 95,500 pounds equals approximately 382,000 meals for needy Ohioans. To date, 1,910 deer have been donated with plenty of deer hunting opportunity left in the 2009-10 season. Last year at this time, 671 deer had been donated representing 33,550 pounds of venison.

Last year FHFH collected 54,800 pounds of venison from 1,096 deer through the entire season, from September 2008 to February 1, 2009.

"I applaud Ohio hunters for their generosity and continue to encourage them to donate what they can so Ohio's food pantries will receive the nutritious red meat they so desperately need," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Hunters still have a weekend of deer-gun hunting, December 19-20, and eight weeks of archery hunting; the archery season remains open until February 7, 2010. The statewide muzzleloader deer-hunting season will be held January 9-12, 2010.

The Division of Wildlife collaborated with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) in an effort to assist with the processing costs associated with donating venison to a food bank. A $100,000 subsidy grant was provided in two $50,000 allotments that are to be matched with funds generated or collected by FHFH. The division subsidized this year's FHFH operation as an additional deer management tool, helping wildlife managers encourage hunters to kill more does.

Venison donated to food banks must be processed by a federal, state or locally inspected and insured meat processor that is participating with FHFH. Hunters wishing to donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay for the processing of the venison as long as the program has funds available to cover the cost. There are presently 65 participating meat processors across the state. A list is provided at www.fhfh.org.

Currently there are 33 local chapters across the state with a need for more. Anyone interested in becoming a local program coordinator or a participating meat processor should visit the "Local FHFH" page at www.fhfh.org. The Web page includes a current list of coordinators, program names and the counties they serve.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com.