Wildlife counts from deer stands provide DNR baselineBy Jim Lee, Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers, found at the Green Bay Press Gazette
January 3, 2010MADISON — By sharing observations, deer hunters have provided the Department of Natural Resources with a much-appreciated glimpse into the state's wildlife populations.
"The response was wonderful," said Brian Dhuey, DNR research scientist. "Participation was three times my expectations."
The "Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey" was taken for the first time in 2009. It asked bow and gun hunters to record sightings of deer, raccoons, bears, otters, fishers, bobcats, house cats, badgers, wolves, opossums or other rare wildlife during the deer hunting season.
"Since deer hunters often spend many quiet observation hours in the woods, you can provide valuable information about species that are often very difficult to measure," the agency explained in seeking participants for the survey effort.
Through Dec. 10, hunters had reported on 17,293 trips to the woods involving 104,417 hours of their time.
During those hunting hours, they observed 4,347 bucks, 9,065 does, 5,311 fawns and 1,901 deer that could not be positively identified for a total of 20,624.
The number of bucks seen in two-week increments leading up to the gun deer season varied from a low of 329 during the Oct. 10-23 period to a high of 931 during the immediately following period of Oct. 24-Nov. 6.
However, although the number of bucks spotted per hour of hunting remained fairly constant throughout the archery season — usually in the .08 or .09 per hour range — that ratio plummeted to .02 bucks per hour the week of the gun deer season, That dip likely reflects the difference between bow and gun hunting. Archery deer hunting is a quiet, individual sport with a lengthy season that often provides better hunting opportunities as the season progresses. Archers frequently limit their hunting to a few prime evening or morning hours and can often "cherry pick" the best days to hunt weather-wise.
Gun hunting involves a crowded "opening day" scenario where a majority of deer are killed the first two days and hunting prospects wane as the season progresses. Because opportunities are limited, gun deer hunters are likely to spend the greater part of a hunting day in the woods.
Overall, hunters spotted 1.19 deer per trip and .20 deer per hour. The most productive period for deer sightings (.51 per hour) was Sept. 26-Oct. 9, just prior to leaf fall in many areas.
The least productive period (.13 per hour) was Nov. 21-Dec. 13, during and following the gun deer season. On average, it took more than 7 hours to spot a deer during this period.
Turkey led the list of overall wildlife sightings with 23,057 spotted by deer hunters.
The list of other wildlife observed — in order of abundance — included ruffed grouse (6,178), coyotes (1,345), gray fox (1,289), wolves (1,081), house cats (930), raccoons (843), red fox (753), black bears (614), porcupines (368), fishers (147), otters (103), skunks (102), opossums (94), bobcats (50) and badgers (31).
"It's a baseline," said Dhuey. "Yes, it is a deer survey but there's also a lot of other critters in there that we will be setting up a baseline for."
The initial data has already raised questions that may be the subject of future research: Why are there twice as many gray fox as red fox? Is it normal to have so many bear sightings during the gun deer season? Why are bobcats showing up in the southern half of the state and will their presence grow? Will the wolf and coyote populations continue to expand? Will deer sightings increase or decline?
"For a lot of these species, we don't have a lot of data," Dhuey said. "The study is virtually costless and it's a really efficient way to collect some data" on them.
The study period runs from the beginning of the bow season in September to the end of the bow season in January. All deer hunters are invited to participate and file regular reports. Wildlife observations must be made by the hunter during daylight hours though trail camera photos of unusual wildlife are encouraged to be submitted.
"I'm hoping we'll be able to keep this enthusiasm for years to come," Dhuey said, noting the survey allows hunters to take a more active role in wildlife management.
This bobcat was captured by a trail camera in Dane County. Bobcat sightings have become more
common in the southern half of Wisconsin, a trend that will be monitored in future wildlife reports
from the state's deer hunters. (Submitted by DNR)Jim Lee is an outdoor writer for Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers. He may be reached at 715-845-0605 or by e-mail at jlee77@earthlink.net.http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100103/GPG0204/1030578/1233/GPG0204/Wildlife-counts-from-deer-stands-provide-DNR-baseline
