Page 16 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 7-8-2015

OutdoorsPage 16 • July 8, 2015
DNR reports:
2014 Iowa
pheasant harvest
increases 30 percent
Iowa’s pheasant harvest increased
30 percent in 2014 to an estimated
216,000 roosters, marking the third
harvest increase in a row for the popu-
lar game bird. Hunter numbers also
increased an estimated nine percent to
more than 63,000 small game hunters
in 2014.
The harvest and participation es-
timates are based on an annual survey
of hunters following the season.
“I think some of our former
pheasant hunters are taking the wait-
and-see approach or our harvest could
have been even better. Hopefully, they
won’t stay on the sidelines much lon-
ger,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland
wildlife biologist with the Iowa De-
partment of Natural Resources who
led the survey.
Bogenschutz said he has received
a lot of reports from people seeing
roosters this spring leading him to
think there were some missed oppor-
tunities last fall.
“Our August pheasant survey has
Lime Creek offers kids camps
The Lime Creek Nature Center
and Cerro Gordo County Conserva-
tion Board are offering several camps
for children this summer. Registra-
tion is required for all of the camps
and space is limited. call 641-423-5309.
•Outdoor Adventures: Partici-
pants will learn a variety of outdoor
skills including canoeing, fishing,
archery, air rifles, edible plants, navi- a.m., ages four-six years. Registration
gation and survival skills. $15 mem-
bers; $20 non-members; youth enter-
ing grades five and six; July 13 - 17, 9
a.m. - 1 p.m. Registration required;
call 641-423-5309.
•Canoeing and Fishing Adven-
tures: Participants will learn canoeing
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increased three years in a row, indicat-
ing that the population is rebound-
ing from the bad winter and spring
weather from 2007-11,” he said.
Pheasants weren’t the only spe-
cies to see a harvest increase in 2014,
the quail harvest increased an estimat-
ed 23 percent, rabbit an estimated 28
percent, squirrels an estimated 23 per-
cent and doves an estimated 17 per-
cent. The survey asked hunters about
partridge but the responses were too
small to estimate accurately.
The August roadside survey pro-
vides the best population estimate
for pheasants, quail, rabbits and par-
tridge. The survey is conducted Aug.
1-15, over the same 217- 30 mile
routes each year. Results are posted on
the DNR’s website in early Septem-
ber.
“With the mild winter we had,
2015 could be our best fall in a num-
ber of years for pheasant and quail
harvest,” Bogenschutz said. “Roadside
counts will be interesting this year.”
and fishing skills and enjoy a float on
the Winnebago River. $15 members;
$20 non-members; youth entering
grades seven and eight; July 23-24, 9
a.m. – 3 p.m. Registration required;
•Tiny Tot Nature Camp: Par-
ticipants will learn all about Iowa’s
habitats. $20. Aug. 4-6, 9 - 10:15
required; call 641-421-3673.
•Insectigations: Participants
will learn all about insects. $20. Aug.
4-6, 10:45 a.m. - noon, ages seven
and eight-years-old. Registration re-
quired; call 641-421-3673.
Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter
Warning issued
about increased
bat activity
The Cerro Gordo County De-
A hen mallard accompanies her brood of young across a North Iowa wetland. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, partment of Public Health reminds
duck breeding populations have remained stable during 2015. A survey count of nearly 50 million breeding ducks brings the residents that this time of year, bat ac-
continental estimate to more than 40 percent above the long term [1955-2013] average. Although spring habitat conditions tivity increases throughout our coun-
declined across portions of prairie Canada and the northern U.S. during 2015; biologists are predicting a strong waterfowl ty. This also increases the interaction
migration exceeding 100 million birds for this fall. - Photo by Lowell Washburn. between humans and bats. Bats are
associated with rabies, so the Health
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Department is encouraging residents
predicts strong duck to follow safety precautions when
migration for 2015 dealing with bats.
Rabies is a disease of the brain
by Lowell Washburn percent increase over last year and 98 percent above the caused by a virus. It results from ex-
When autumn winds blow and fall weather sets in, long term average. A total of 760,000 breeding canvasback posure to an animal with rabies. Ra-
Iowa waterfowl hunting enthusiasts can anticipate a strong ducks were reported; an eleven percent increase over last bies in humans is always fatal, but
duck migration during 2015. That’s the official assessment spring and 30 percent above the LTA. also 100 percent preventable if treated
for this year’s North American Breeding Duck and Habitat But not all duck species enjoyed and increase in num- appropriately. Anyone can get rabies
Survey released this week by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ser- bers or even held their own. The number of prairie nesting after exposure to a rabid animal. Ra-
vice. redhead ducks declined by 6 percent to 1.9 million breed- bies spreads when the virus from the
Conducted every spring since 1955, the annual sur- ers during 2015 but remain 71 percent above the LTA. animal’s saliva (mouth) gets through
vey measures trends in duck breeding populations and American wigeon, shovelers, northern pintails, and lesser a person’s skin through open cuts,
monitors wetland [pond] indexes across large portions of scaup also suffered population declines during 2015. Pin- wounds, or in the mouth or eyes. The
prairie and boreal Canada and the northern U.S. During tail numbers have dropped to 24 percent below the long chance that rabies infection will result
this year’s survey, a total of 49.5 million breeding ducks term average; lesser scaup are 13 percent below the aver- varies with the type of contact or “ex-
were tallied – a count similar to last year and 43 percent age. Despite these declines, however, total duck numbers posure.”
above the 1955-2013 Long Term Average (LTA). A total of remain strong and above average for 2015. Bat bites can be visibly unde-
6.3 million ponds were also inventoried this spring; down Although anticipation is already beginning to mount tectable and therefore, if you have
12 percent from 2014 but remaining 21percent above the as we move toward fall, Iowa hunters still have a couple any physical contact with a bat, you
LTA. The decrease in pond numbers was attributed to of months to go until the opener of this year’s duck sea- should wash the exposed area thor-
poor spring runoff and lack of early precipitation across son. A lot can change between now and fall. As always, oughly with soap and water. If pos-
parts of the northern U.S. and southern Canada. the success of the Iowa duck season will depend on local sible, the bat should be captured with-
Species Highlights: A surveyed breeding population wetland conditions, developing fall weather patterns and, out damaging the animal and tested
of 11.6 million mallard ducks was reported by the Fish & of course, upon the migratory whims of the birds them- for rabies. Residents should contact
Wildlife Service during 2015 – a 7 percent increase from selves. Although plenty of uncertainties remain, one fact is the Health Department for instruc-
last year’s high count, and 51 percent above the LTA. A sure. When autumn winds begin to blow, a projected fall tions on how to test the bat for rabies.
total of 8.5 million blue-winged teal were inventoried; un- flight easily exceeding 100 million ducks will be heading If capture is not possible, you should
changed from 2014 and 73 percent above the LTA. Green- south. That’s a forecast that should stir the blood of any seek medical attention. Additionally,
winged teal populations rose to 4.1 million breeders; a 19 duck hunter. if a bat is found in the same room as
an unattended child, a sleeping per-
son, or anyone who cannot reliably
communicate what happened, this
is considered a potential bat expo-
sure and medical attention should be
sought.
Vaccination of pets against ra-
bies is the best way to reduce human
exposure. Avoid contact with all wild
animals. Control of stray animals can
decrease both animal and human ex-
posure to rabies.
If you have additional questions
about bats and or rabies, visit www.
cghealth.com or call 641-421-9300.
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