Page 14 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 2-24-2016

LegalsPage 14 • Feb. 24, 2016 Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter

NIACC location added to

DNR’s fall hunting, trapping

listening sessions

The Iowa Department of Natural process helps ensure that rule changes Mel’s Tours
Resources has added locations in Iowa serve the public’s wishes and do not
City, Mason City, Sac City, Sheldon impact Iowa’s economy,” said Dr. Adventure
and Spencer to the list for its Feb. 24 Dale Garner, chief of the wildlife bu- Seekers
public meeting over the Iowa Com- reau.
munications Network where hunters At each meeting DNR staff will Mackinaw and More!
and trappers can go to express their facilitate a discussion about what
thoughts on the hunting and trapping went well last fall, what didn’t, and Join us for an
regulations for this fall. what changes hunters and trappers informational meeting.
Locally, hunters may go to Ca- would like to see for this fall.
reers Building Room 118 at NIACC These discussions along with the Thursday, March 3
in Mason City. The meeting is from 6 data that the wildlife bureau collects 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
to 9 p.m. on harvest and population numbers
These meetings are part of the will be used to develop recommen- located at the Clear Lake
process for making rules in state gov- dations for any rule changes this fall. Senior Citizens Center
ernment. Any changes must be approved by the
“Any rule changes must be dis- Natural Resource Commission and 105 S. 4th St.
cussed with Iowa’s citizens who might then go back to the public for further
be impacted by the changes before comment before taking effect next Call Mel for more
the rule changes are proposed. The fall. information.

1-888-957-2759

An ice fisherman makes his way past a thin ice warning sign on Clear Lake. The Iowa DNR warns those on foot, and especially Clear Lake School Board
vehicles, should use extreme caution on the ice.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.
CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Anglers advised to check ice Work Session Meeting Minutes
often; thickness not uniform February 17, 2016

Present – President: Bergvig; Directors; Brady; Kuhlers; Moeller and Tesar.

While ice fishing has been in full swing for several Avoid slushy or honey-combed and stay away from The Board met with McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. search firm to discuss and plan
weeks, anglers heading out are encouraged to bring a friend dark spots. Don’t walk into areas where the snow cover out Superintendent Search and Interview.
and check the ice often as they make their way to their looks discolored.
favorite fishing spot. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recom- President Bergvig declared the work session adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
“Ice thickness is not uniform on any body of water, mends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for fishing
even in the middle of the winter. Things like melting snow and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. ____________________ ________________________
and runoff can create weak spots and lakes with current Anglers should pack ice picks, about 50 feet of rope Chyrl Bergvig, President Lorna Leerar, Board Secretary
or springs will have areas with slower ice growth,” said Joe and should bring a throwable floatation seat cushion that
Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of they can sit on that could be used in case of a rescue. County Legals
Natural Resources. “Anglers should also avoid areas with
things sticking through the ice like rocks, trees or docks Safety Tips on the Ice:
that will conduct heat and make the ice around it less sta- •There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice.
ble.” •New ice is usually stronger than old ice.
The winter storm that left a fresh blanket of snow over •Ice fishing is a social activity, don’t go out alone. If the
most of Iowa will cover potential areas to avoid so anglers worst should happen, someone would be there to call for
are advised to use safety techniques usually associated with help or to rescue.
new ice. •Check ice thickness as you go out - there could be
“Use a spud bar to work your way out, cut a series of pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed.
test holes and don’t go out alone,” said Larscheid. •Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of
Anglers should use their judgment and trust their in- weakness.
stincts. If the ice does not look right, don’t go out. It is also •The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing
a good idea to follow others footsteps on the ice. process.

Proposed waterfowl seasons and zones
available for public comment before meeting

Waterfowl hunters have the op- a public meeting at 2 p.m., March 8, Youth Waterfowl Days
portunity to comment on proposed in the third floor conference room, North Zone: Sept. 17-18
2016 Iowa waterfowl seasons that were Wallace State Office Building, in South Zone: Sept. 24-25
approved during the Jan. 20 meeting Des Moines. Any interested per- Missouri River Zone: Oct. 1-2
of the Natural Resource Commission son may make written suggestions or
of the Iowa Department of Natural comments on the proposed amend- Dark Geese (Canada Geese, Brant,
Resources (DNR). ments on or before March 8, by send- and White-fronted Geese)
The Commission also approved ing written comments to Orrin Jones, North Zone: Sept. 24-Oct. 9 and Oct.
for public comment a proposal to Wildlife Biologist, Iowa Department 15-Jan. 4, 2017
change the waterfowl hunting zone of Natural Resources, 1203 North South Zone: Oct. 1-16 and Oct. 22-
boundaries for the 2017-2021 hunt- Shore Drive, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428, Jan. 11, 2017
ing seasons. or by email at [email protected]. Missouri River Zone: Oct. 8-16 and
The season proposal adjusts the gov. Persons may also convey their Oct. 22-Jan. 18, 2017
dates to comply with the US Fish and comments orally by contacting Jones
Wildlife Service regulations and to at 641-357-3517 or by visiting the Light Geese (White and Blue
begin the seasons on weekends. Based Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife Station Phase Show Geese and Ross’
on hunter feedback, the DNR has at 1203 North Shore Drive, in Clear Geese)
proposed a nine day Special Septem- Lake. North Zone: Sept. 24-Oct. 9 and Oct.
ber Teal season in the north and south 15-Jan. 13, 2017
zone rather than the maximum 16 Proposed 2016-17 Migratory Game South Zone: Oct. 1-16 and Oct. 22-
days, to allow youth waterfowl hunt- Bird Seasons Jan. 18, 2017
ing seasons to occur prior to the regu- Special September Teal Missouri River Zone: Oct. 8-16 and
lar duck season and allow ducks to North Zone: Sept. 3-11 Oct. 22-Jan. 18, 2017
have a two week period of calm before South Zone: Sept. 3-11
the regular duck season begins. A 16 Missouri River Zone: Sept. 3-18 Special September Canada Goose
day Special September Teal season is Seasons
proposed for the Missouri River zone Ducks, Mergansers and Coots Designated Areas around Des
because the season would close three North Zone: Sept. 24-Oct. 2 and Oct. Moines, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City and
weeks before the regular duck season 15-Dec. 4 Cedar Falls/Waterloo: Sept. 3-11
opens. South Zone: Oct. 1-5 and Oct. 22-
The proposed waterfowl hunting Dec. 15 Statewide Light Geese Conserva-
seasons and zones will be the topic of Missouri River Zone: Oct. 8-9 and tion Order (White and Blue Phase
Oct. 22-Dec. 18 Show Geese and Ross’ Geese):Jan.
19-April 15, 2017 (additional regula-
tions apply)