Is DNR doing enough to provide shooting opportunities for Wisconsin gun owners?
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The Question: "Is DNR doing enough to provide shooting opportunities for Wisconsin gun owners?"
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photos c. WDNR © 2013 |
More public access to private shooting ranges on way
DNR offers $279,757 in cost-share for private range projects
More high-quality shooting opportunities for the public are on the
way thanks to a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources cost-share
grant program for public and private shooting ranges.
The Shooting Range Grant Program is funded by the Wildlife
Restoration Grant, also known as the Pittman-Robertson, which is fund
supported by a 10 to 11 percent excise tax on firearms and ammunition.
For the first time in several years, this money has been made available
to increase public access to quality, safe shooting opportunities
throughout the state and improving both public and private shooting
ranges. The DNR is awarding 12 shooting ranges full or partial funding
for their projects ranging from $1,500 to $84,000. A total of nearly
$280,000 will be spent on all the projects combined.
READ MORE HERE:
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Herb Behnke, a remarkable man of humble upbringing and extraordinary service oriented talents.
photo c. WDNR. ©2013 |
DNR Secretary Stepp notes passing of Herb Behnke, longest serving Natural Resources Board member
MADISON-Herb Behnke of Shawano, former chairman of the Natural
Resources Board and longest serving member and a “shining light among
Wisconsin conservationists” has passed away at the age of 88.
Behnke, who preferred to go by Herb, grew up on a farm during the
Great Depression and despite his success in business; but those who knew
him say he never forgot his humble, country upbringing. During his 22
years of service on the Natural Resources Board, he was a champion of
the common man and woman.
“Herb was a genuine friend to the Department of Natural Resources and
a shining light among Wisconsin conservationists,” said DNR Secretary
Cathy Stepp. “He understood that not everyone could own land and became a
fearless champion of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. He was
also a great friend to the DNR’s warden force.”
During his time on the Natural Resources Board, Herb was the voice
for the “common man and woman.” Known as a “straight shooter,” he was a
proponent of common sense and a courageous advocate for science-based
resource management. His passion for outdoor recreation and conservation
was inspired by conservationist Aldo Leopold.
A glimpse at Herb’s contributions to the community and conservation
- He and his wife Lenore established a scholarship at the University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources to support
students interested in conservation law enforcement.
- Purchased a section of the Lower Wolf River Bottomlands named in his honor.
- Inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame in 2009.
- Served as a delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for 13 years.
“Herb was a fighter for the people. Or, as he often put it, he stood
for the common man and woman who shared his lifelong passion for the
natural resources,” said Christine Thomas, dean of the College of
Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point and current NRB member. “There
will never be enough thanks for the impact and contributions that Herb
made as a conservationist.”In his professional life, Herb dedicated
42-years to Cooperative Resources International, an international
Shawano-based animal breeding company as the Vice President of
marketing.
Wisconsin is a better place because of Herb’s contributions. His legacy work as a conservationist will live on forever.
Read more here:
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bill Cosh, DNR spokesperson - (608) 267-2773
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Snowy owls.. they're back. Join in the 'ask the experts', Live Chat on WDNR Facebook Page.
photo c. WDNR ©2013 |
Snowy owls alight in state again in large numbers
[EDITOR’S NOTE: A live chat on winter bird watching, bird feeds,
snowy owl sightings and other bird topics is set for noon on Dec. 17;
participate on that day by visiting dnr.wi.gov and look for the box on
the right to enter the chat, or search the phrase ask the experts. People also can join the conversation via DNR’s Facebook pageand by clicking the Cover it Live Chat box at the top.]
ASHLAND, Wis. -- Wisconsin birders are again being treated to a
significant showing of snowy owls from Canada’s arctic tundra while
resident American goldfinches are dominating backyard feeders in most
areas, state bird experts say.
“We’re seeing a significant number of snowy owls this fall and early
winter – well above average. So far the flight is not as big here as two
years ago but we are on the western edge of a massive and possibly
historic irruption from the Great Lakes east to the Atlantic coast, an
event that’s making national headlines,” says Ryan Brady, a Department
of Natural Resources research scientist who coordinates bird monitoring
for the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative.
Hundreds of the owls have been seen at many locations across the
eastern U.S. as far south as North Carolina and even to the islands of
Bermuda, over 600 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean. Observers in
Newfoundland tallied more than 200 owls along a single 25-mile stretch
of road, says Brady. Read more about the irruption and see maps and other resources, in Brady’s Dec. 9 article on Wisconsin eBird.
In Wisconsin, about 55 Snowy Owls have been reported in Wisconsin
through Dec. 8 via eBird, listserves, Facebook groups, WI-DNR staff, and
other sources -- and surely many more are present and either haven’t
been reported or seen, Brady says.
This compares to about 115 owls by the same date during the large
irruption of 2011-12, 30-35 owls in 2012-13, and zero in 2010-11.
Brady says Wisconsin’s snowy owl sightings got off to relatively slow
start, with only five individual birds reported before Thanksgiving. By
early December, however, reports picked up rapidly, including on the
first of the month five birds found in Ashland and an amazing 11 birds
at lower Green Bay, as well as inland birds at Goose Pond, Horicon
Marsh, Marathon County, and other locations, he says.
Bird experts aren’t sure what’s behind this year’s irruption. Snowy
owl movements are usually tied to lemming populations, a favorite prey
whose numbers vary in Canada each year. One possibility is a very robust
supply of lemmings, which allows the owls to raise many young. These
young snowy owls then must disperse south to find their own territory
and food, Brady says.
A second possibility is the opposite – lemming populations re low so
owl reproduction was relatively poor and all birds young and old must
fly south to find food.
While the 2011-12 irruption was believed to be due to a strong
lemming population leading to more young birds dispersing southward,
experts aren’t sure yet the reason for this year’s exceptional influx.
Brady says that birders can maximize their chances of finding a snowy
owl by checking suitable habitats such as coastal beaches, harbors, and
breakwalls, open grasslands and agricultural fields (e.g. Buena Vista
Wildlife Area), large wetland complexes like Horicon Marsh, airports,
and vast expanses of ice, which provide excellent tundra-like roosting
habitat.
Read more here:
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
- Ryan Brady - (715) 685-2933
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