February 28, 2020 at 4:26 p.m.
2020-2030 migratory bird management plan unveiled
2020-2030 migratory bird management plan unveiled
The plan was the result of work conducted by a 20-person committee tasked with creating the plan.
The 2008-2018 plan was scrutinized first, looking at successes and failures of objectives and strategies of that plan. Then the group identified strategies for moving forward. Objectives were ranked in matter of importance, using input from all of the different stakeholder groups. Information was given and input taken from 119 people in the spring hearings meetings as well as comment from more than 150 people in six public meetings held as the plan creation went along.
The goals
Finger said some common themes emerged from all of the input. One of those themes was for the department to improve communications with waterfowl hunters. Simplification of regulations was also found to be a high priority. Hunters, Finger said, were also interested in having more information regarding bird numbers during the fall migration.
While many of the regulations regarding waterfowl are federally legislated, there were many things that could be done within the state to improve hunter experience and to create habitat conducive to waterfowl. There were several goals included in the plan.
First, there was a desire set forth to continue to contribute to continental management of waterfowl populations as well as to provide habitat and management strategies for non breeding and breeding species within the state. The committee also wanted to be sure the new management plan would provide quality waterfowl hunting opportunities throughout the state.
The last major goal was to "recognize Wisconsin's diversity of habitats, hunting techniques, hunting heritage and waterfowl species." These goals were broken down into several objectives, with strategies to reach those objectives delineated under each one.
The first objective, which was said to be the most important to all stakeholders, was habitat work. The objective is to "maintain, enhance and manage" various habitat types throughout the state with an eye on the effects on the diverse waterfowl that are present in Wisconsin at various times. Specifically, one strategy looked to improve nesting habitat as well as to create some best management practices regarding habitat. The Wetland Habitat Plan will also be used to look at what can be done in the way of habitat improvements. Federal programs as well as wetland protection policies could all be rolled into this objective. Strategic land acquisitions could also be used to help achieve this objective.
The second most important objective identified was in regard to monitoring waterfowl species. This monitoring would be more effective across all seasons and locations. This monitoring would be used as a guide to habitat and harvest management. Strategies listed under this objective included waterfowl breeding and banding surveys and nonbreeding surveys. These surveys could be used to inform regulations. Another strategy that will be used as a means to reach this objective will be to grow partnerships with various conservation groups. These partnerships with stakeholders could prove invaluable, allowing for a good deal more monitoring and habitat work.
Objective number three was research. It looked to see what factors may be influencing changes in breeding populations, migration patterns, and even changes in waterfowl hunter needs. Research would look at fall and winter distribution of waterfowl as well as any emerging diseases. Recently, Dr. Drew Fowler was hired to help with waterfowl management. Research needs will be further identified with this position filled, with more possibly more strategies looked at to achieve this research objective.
The fourth objective focused on hunters. Of importance was increasing waterfowl hunters' experience and satisfaction. Listening to hunter input and effecting open communication with those groups was a strategy proposed to help improve in this area. The committee also put forth a strategy to educate hunters and the general public on Wisconsin' history of managing waterfowl and harvest seasons. Recruitment and retention of waterfowl hunters was also important under this objective. Reviews of regulations and how they affect hunters, in areas where the state has control, also made the list of strategies here. Quality access would also be looked at to determine where hunters would likely use access to waterfowl hunting areas if that access were improved.
The last objective was the ongoing Canada goose issue. Managing the resident Canada goose population at a level that balances societal perspectives made the list as an important objective of the management plan. Strategies included finding ways to manage quality hunting and optimize goose populations while addressing human/goose conflicts. Population monitoring was one of the strategies at the root of managing the Canada goose.
"I'm not happy with our resident goose population," board member Bill Bruins said. "I don't know if you're doing anything to address that issue, if there's anything you can do, but resident geese have gotten to be a very big nuisance in the state of Wisconsin."
"It's become a growing part of my job," Finger said. "People who want to see Canada geese, people who don't want to see Canada geese. How do we balance that?"
He said the Canada goose management plan at the flyway level was just approved and the allowable bag limit was raised to three for the 92 day season. The early season, which he said, targets resident geese, had a bag limit increase to five. Of the geese shot in the total 107-allowable days of hunting, Finger said one-third of those were shot in the first 15 days, representing resident geese. Several of the states in the flyway, he said, were interested in increases in bag limits for nuisance reasons.
More action
Board chairman Dr. Fred Prehn mentioned that much of the world of waterfowl was federally regulated, and asked Finger if there was anything that might be done to address Wisconsin, which was at the top of the flyway, being subjected to a lower bag limit than some states at the southern end of the flyway. Finger told the board he felt there was better opportunity now, as many of the birds may not be pushing as far south as in the past.
Bruce Roz, the executive director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association came to the board to comment on the plan. He offered the association's support for the plan and stated the association was currently going through their own strategies. He believed habitat was key to hunter satisfaction, stating that numbers of birds drove hunter success and opportunities, and ultimately, satisfaction.
Roz told the board he felt private lands disproportionally affect duck breeding in the state, with 75% of wetlands in private hands and 85% of restorable wetlands bing private lands. He offered the idea of creating a landowner incentive program for wetland restoration as a way to influence private land owners to manage for waterfowl. He also mentioned DNR's Bob Nack had hosted a private lands meeting to talk with land owners about projects they could undertake to improve habitat, and that the association felt this was a positive and worthy step.
The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation also offered its support for the plan, calling it "one of the best plans we've had in 30-plus years."
The key elements of the plan, they said, were the focus on key waterfowl properties and the ability to see the effects and try new management tactics to achieve the goals. The goals could also be adjusted yearly as things change, it was noted.
"We will likely see more action in the wetland mitigation area, and maybe we can put a hook in there that says that part of doing the mitigation planning, is that our hunters are allowed access," former board chairman Terry Hilgenberg said.
The idea of possibly looking at tax credits for those doing mitigation work with hunters in mind was thrown out as an idea as well.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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