Bird Dog & Retriever News
December 2022/ January 2023 issue page 10
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Illinois
IDNR monitoring suspected outbreaks of avian influenza during fall waterfowl migration
At least 300 waterbirds, primarily snow geese, have died of suspected avian influenza at public hunting areas throughout southern Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has confirmed.
Deceased wild birds have been found at Baldwin Lake, Pyramid State Recreation Area, Rend Lake, and Carlyle Lake in recent days.
IDNR will continue to monitor for ongoing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, during the fall bird migration. Members of the public are encouraged to report large concentrations of 20 or more deceased birds at one location. Reports can be made to the local IDNR district wildlife biologist at the following link: https://www.wildlifeillinois.org/sidebar/contact-an-idnr-district-wildlife-biologist/.
IDNR first announced HPAI was detected in wild Canada geese in Illinois in March 2022 in a joint notice with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
IDNR continues to remind waterfowl hunters to take precautions by thoroughly cooking game meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and implementing other guidance found here: Hunters-Protect Your Poultry and Pet Birds from Avian Influenza (usda.gov).
Hunters also should avoid handling sick or dead waterfowl found in the field, and they should not allow dogs or other pets to consume waterfowl that died from unknown causes. Further guidance for hunters can be found at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf.
Rubber gloves and a mask should be worn when disposing of any deceased wild birds, and carcasses should be double-bagged in sealed plastic bags. The bags can be buried away from scavengers or placed in the garbage if approved by the local waste service provider.
Anyone handling deceased birds should thoroughly wash their hands and any other clothes or tools with soap and water following disposal.
Iowa
Banner and Olofson shooting ranges offer discounted annual passes
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has discounted its annual passes for the Banner and Olofson shooting ranges for 2023 by $40 making it the perfect gift for the hard-to-buy-for member of the family.
From Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, individual passes will be available for $200 and family passes for $260 (this is a $40 savings). Annual passes may be purchased at either range and is valid at both shooting ranges. If you currently have a pass this purchase will just add an additional year to your current pass.
Banner Range, between Indianola and Des Moines on Hwy. 65/69 in Warren County, is a multi-use shooting facility that offers a safe, clean shooting environment for handguns, rifles, archery, and shotguns. The range is staffed with professional certified range safety officers during all operating hours. Banner Range is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Wednesday and Thursday.
The Olofson Shooting Range, located off Hwy. 415, about five miles northwest of Polk City, features a classroom, handgun, rifle, Trap/Skeet, and archery ranges. The Olofson Range is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Shooting ranges welcome shooters of all skill levels and abilities. Patrons have the ability to pay $10 per hour or purchase an annual pass to cover their shooting time. Information on Iowa shooting ranges is available at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Places-to-Hunt-Shoot/Iowa-Shooting-Ranges
Banner and Olofson shooting ranges are closed December 24, 25, and January 1.
Minnesota
DNR webinars cover training a hunting puppy, and snowmobiling
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in fishing, wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to upcoming webinars that will discuss training a hunting puppy and snowmobiling in Minnesota.
The first webinar is at noon Wednesday, Dec. 14. Bird hunter Tina Dokken will discuss how to pick out a puppy and train it to become a hunting dog, including basic obedience training, bird retrieval and Dokken’s training journey with her new hunting pup.
The second webinar is at noon Wednesday, Dec. 21. Wade Miller, DNR state trails snowmobile consultant, will discuss how to get started in snowmobiling, where to go and what someone needs to know to try this wintertime activity.
The webinars are part of the DNR’s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. The webinars are free but registration is required. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website.
Explore the outdoors this winter by hunting Minnesota small game
Hunting pheasants, ruffed grouse, squirrels or rabbits offers opportunities to enjoy the Minnesota outdoors as temperatures fall and snow blankets the landscape.
Pheasants: Hunting season is open through Jan. 1, 2023. On Dec. 1, the daily bag limit increased to three roosters, with a possession limit of nine roosters. The best places to find pheasants at this time of year are in tall grass or cattail marshes. Hunters should remember to exercise caution around thin ice.
Grouse: Hunting season is open through Jan. 1, 2023. Wintertime grouse hunters may find success during the “golden hour,” which is the last hour before sunset, when ruffed grouse move out of their snow roosts to feed.
Squirrels: Hunting season is open through Feb. 28, 2023. Winter is breeding season for squirrels, which means they are active and easier to find.
Rabbits: Hunting season is open through Feb. 28, 2023. Hunters will find the most success around thick cover, such as brush piles, thorn tangles and briars.
More information about how or where to hunt can be found on the DNR’s learn to hunt pages. Hunters also can find regulations and complete bag limit information on the DNR website.
Additionally, the DNR invites people interested in rabbit hunting to join an upcoming webinar at noon Wednesday, Dec. 7, when DNR staff will share tips and ideas on how to hunt rabbits, return with delicious table fare, and gain lifelong memories in the process. More information is available on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR website.
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