After the Department of Natural Resources' successful winter capture effort in Kentucky, more than 60 elk await release from their acclimation and quarantine pen into their new home in northern Wisconsin.
The release of these elk later this summer will conclude the fourth, and final, year of Wisconsin's elk translocation efforts. This is also the second year elk have been released into the Clam Lake elk range since their initial reintroduction in 1995.
Following two years of translocation efforts in Jackson County, focus shifted back to the original northern herd that resides in Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Rusk and Sawyer countiesand originated from 25 Michigan elk. In 2017, 31 elk were added to the area from Kentucky.
"It was another great year, with many key partners, including the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Flambeau River State Forest, U.S. Forest Service and others all coming together to make the effort possible and successful," said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR elk ecologist and elk reintroduction coordinator. "Adding more than 60 elk this year means we are approaching 300 elk in the northern herd."
In March, DNR translocated 48 adult elk from Kentucky to a pen in northern Wisconsin, where they receive 24-hour monitoring during the required quarantine period.
During the spring, pregnant cows gave birth to calves, growing the number of elk in the pen to more than 60 animals.
As in the project's first year, this year's quarantine period has been extended a few weeks to allow calves recently born to grow and to allow for further health testing.
"As occurred in 2015, we had one elk test as a 'suspect'positive for bovine tuberculosis, which requires us to extend the quarantine period while definitive testing of this elk is completed," Wallenfang said. "All the elk tested negative prior to coming to Wisconsin, and we've seen this before. As was the case in 2015, the most likely result is that this elk is negative for bovine TB. The results on this animal should be back in August. Pending clearance, the herd will be released into the wild."
Each animal, including newborn calves, have already been fitted with a tracking collar to provide useful movement, habitat preference and survival data after release.
The public is asked to avoid the general vicinity of the holding pen and to remain watchful when driving in the area to avoid vehicle collision with elk.
•Sturgeon spearers have until Aug. 1 to apply for a 2020 Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing license or purchase a preference point to be used in future drawings.
Participation in the February 2020 Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing season on lakes Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan is controlled through a preference point system where applicants possessing the most preference points are given priority in the drawing. All applicants are notified by Oct. 1 of whether they were drawn for a license and authorized to purchase a license for the 2020 Upriver Lakes season.
All applicants not drawn for an Upriver Lakes license, or those who purchase a preference point only, can still purchase a spearing license for Lake Winnebago before the Oct. 31deadline.
Spearers can only buy a license for either Lake Winnebago or the Upriver Lakes, not both.
Groups of up to four may apply together by designating a group leader and using his/her Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources customer ID on all applications. Each group will carry the preference points of the group member with the fewest points.
Spearers can apply for the license drawing or purchase a preference point through the DNRGo Wildonline license sales or atlicense agents or DNR Service Centers.
•Northeast Wisconsin Youth Shooting Program, Inc., will hold its final shoot of the season on Aug. 1.
Youngsters age 18 and younger will get a free box of shells and a free round of clays.
Shooting starts at 5 p.m. and goes until all kids have had a chance to shoot their round.If you would like to shoot another round, the cost would be on you.
Maribel Sportsmen’s Club is next to Interstate 43, exit 164, State 147, Maribel.
•Francis Creek Sportsmen’s Club is holding its 3-D Archery Tournament from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.July 27-28.
Shooting fees are $10 for adults, $8 for 12- to 15-year-olds, and free for 11 years of age and younger.
Course features 30 Rinehart targets with three tower stands throughout a natural wooded area to challenge archers of all ages.
Marked yardage and rangefinders are allowed. Classes include Open, Hunter Max, Women, Junior, Cub and Traditional. They fog for mosquitos.
Refreshments and food will be available with a full bar.
This shoot is sponsored by Rinehart targets. A Rinehart Wild Boar target will be raffled off.
Francis Creek Sportsmen’s Club isat 9309 Parkway Road, a quarter mile north of the village of Francis Creek.
More info:Steve Thielbar at 920-323-1927 or Bob Mehorczyk at 920-860-0941.
•Aug. 1 is an important application deadline for trappers and hunters who wish to pursue bobcat, fisher and river otter this fall. Permit applications to pursue these species for the 2019-2020 season are available for purchase online atGoWild.wi.gov as well as in person atDepartment of Natural Resources service centersand alllicense agents. Permit applications cost $3 ($6 for bobcat).
•Maribel Sportsmen’s Club recently wrapped up itsspring trap league.
In Division 1, first place went to Kozlowski Insurance, second place went to Ripley's Bar & Grilland third place went to Bradley Guns.
In Division 2, first place went to Lakeshore Heating, second place went to Girls with "Outskirts,"and third place went to Herrmann Trucking.
League-high gunwent to Bill Simonar with a 23.29 average.
Most Improved shooter went to Harmony Baril, going from a 13.67 to a 20.33 average.
That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.
Bob Schuh:920-682-3106 orbobschuh@lsol.net
MORE BOB SCHUH:
- Great Lakes Salmon Derby had 331 participants register 464 fish
- Snake fungal disease imperils Wisconsin snake populations
- Wisconsin 3-legged deer welcomes fourth fawn in four years
