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WI Natural Resources Board September 2019 Webcast

This presentation provides updates on the population and management of ruffed grouse, including factors such as West Nile Virus, hunter surveys, and proposed changes to the hunting season.

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WI Natural Resources Board September 2019 Webcast

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  1. WI Natural Resources BoardSeptember 2019 Webcast AGENDA ITEM 4c Kent Van Horn, Chief – Bird and Habitat Section

  2. Ruffed Grouse Events 2017 • 2017 Spring drumming counts up • Hunter expectations high as grouse population cycle climbs • Fall 2017 – Hunters begin reporting low flushes during hunts • Michigan DNR reports West Nile Virus (WNV) in ruffed grouse • Winter 2017-18 WDNR, MI DNR, MN DNR begin planning 3 state WNV monitoring AGENDA ITEM 4c Kent Van Horn, Chief – Bird and Habitat Section

  3. Ruffed Grouse Events 2018 • Spring 2018 grouse drumming count down unexpectedly • Spring 2018 – Conservation Congress asks NRB to reduce grouse season length • Summer 2018 – NRB asks staff to prepare emergency rule to shorten season • Summer 2018 - WNV kits to hunters and request submission of sick birds AGENDA ITEM 4c Kent Van Horn, Chief – Bird and Habitat Section

  4. Ruffed Grouse Events 2018 • September 6 – Public input on grouse season – most oppose Nov 30 proposal • September 2018 – NRB adopts Emergency rule to end season December 31st. • Sept - Mgmt. plan Committee formed • 2018 – Hunters submit 16 sick/dead grouse and over 200 WNV kits • Of the 16 grouse submitted, 3 are confirmed with WNV AGENDA ITEM 4c Kent Van Horn, Chief – Bird and Habitat Section

  5. Ruffed Grouse Events 2019 • Winter 2019 - Grouse hunter survey – over 1600 – 70% response rate • 67% support season end 1st week January • WNV lab results available early fall 2019 • June NRB meeting – Ruffed grouse update. NRB request rule for early closure • July – Draft mgmt. plan published with committee recommendation on shorter season – end Sunday near January 6 AGENDA ITEM 4c Kent Van Horn, Chief – Bird and Habitat Section

  6. 2019 Grouse season proposal • Concern over unexpected grouse population drop in 2018 • 2018 Harvest lowest in 35 years – 173,000 • Department awaiting lab results and continuing analysis • Concern expressed in 2018 remains • Recommend Sept 14- January 5 AGENDA ITEM 4c Kent Van Horn, Chief – Bird and Habitat Section

  7. WI Natural Resources Board AGENDA ITEM 4c Kent Van Horn, Chief – Bird and Habitat Section

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