Weekly News

Week of June 6, 2011

Fishing beyond the Great Lakes

Other Breaking News Items

Michigan Schools compete at the Archery in the Schools Program National Tournament

Nearly 500 schools in Michigan participate in the DNR National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). This in-school target archery program is geared toward students in 4th thru 12th grade who take physical education. Students who attend a NASP School are eligible to compete in Michigan�s NASP state tournament each spring. For those who excel at the State Tournament, qualification to participate at the NASP National Tournament is a great reward.

The 2011 NASP national tournament was held May 13-14 in Louisville, Kentucky. Nearly 7,000 archers from 34 states registered to compete at the national tournament. Among those registered were 145 students, representing six teams from Michigan.

Shelby Simonds, 11th grader from Hartland Middle School placed 5th overall in the High School female division after

winning a tie breaking shoot off. Simonds, whose score was 290 out of 300, received a medal for her

accomplishment and placed first overall among all 11th grade female archers. Steven Schram, 9th grader from Bark River Harris, placed in the top 20 among all male archers with a score of 291 out of 300.

Hartland Elementary, Middle and High School teams performed strongly, placing in the top 20 for their divisions respectively. Other teams competing in the tournament from Michigan include: Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral, Northwoods Christian Homeschool and Laker School.

The DNR is currently offering archery equipment grants and free archery instructor certification training to schools, both public and private, that enroll in the Archery in the Schools program. For more information, contact Mary Emmons at 517-241-9477; e-mail [email protected] , or visit the DNR Archery website at www.michigan.gov/archery.

Michigan & USFWS announce information meeting on Wolf Delisting proposal

The Michigan DNR and USFWS will hold a public information meeting about the Service�s recent proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protection for the gray wolf in the western Great Lakes region, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The meeting will take place on June 16, 2011, 6-9 PM at the Northern Michigan U. University Center, Michigan room, 540 West Kaye Ave, Marquette, MI.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to view a presentation, receive information and ask questions about the Service�s proposal.

The proposal, published May 5, 2011, in the Federal Register, identifies the Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of wolves, which includes a core area of Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, as well as parts of adjacent states that are within the range of wolves dispersing from the core recovery area. The proposal would remove ESA protection and return wolf management to appropriate state and tribal authorities.

The proposal also recognizes the presence of two species of wolves in the western Great Lakes area: the gray wolf, the wolf species currently listed under the ESA, and the eastern wolf, with a historical range that includes portions of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Recent wolf genetic studies indicate that what was formerly thought to be a subspecies of gray wolf is actually

a distinct species. To establish the status of this newly recognized species, the Service is initiating a review of C. lycaon throughout its range in the United States and Canada.

The Service is seeking information from governmental agencies and the general public, on threats, population trends, and other data that could affect the long-term survival of the Western Great Lakes DPS of the gray wolf. The Service is also seeking information on the status of the eastern wolf throughout its range in the United States and Canada.

Written comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. [FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029].
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. [FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029]; Division of Policy and Directives Management; USFWS; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.

Following the close of the public comment period on July 5, 2011, the Service will analyze information received and develop a final rule. The final rule, which will include information gained from the status review of Canis lycaon, is expected by the end of 2011.

For more information on wolves in the western Great Lakes, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf

DEC proposes regulations allowing use of Crossbows for Big Game Hunting

Proposal Allows Physically Disabled Persons to Hunt with a Modified Longbow

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced proposed regulation changes that will allow the use of crossbows for big game hunting and eliminate a permit requirement for certain physically disabled hunters to use special archery equipment during any big game or small game hunting season.

�The proposed changes will provide our sportsmen and sportswomen additional opportunities while hunting afield this coming fall,� Commissioner Martens said. �The popularity of crossbows is growing in New York and the use of modified equipment is in high demand to meet the needs of our hunters who are temporarily or permanently disabled.�

The proposed regulations implement new legislation authorizing DEC to allow hunters to take big game (deer and bear) with the use of a crossbow during regular big game hunting seasons in areas where a shotgun or muzzleloader is permitted, and during all late muzzleloader seasons. In accordance with the new legislation, crossbows cannot be used during the early bear or archery seasons or in any of the �archery only� wildlife management units. Furthermore, hunters may use a crossbow only after they have completed required training in the safe use of hunting with a crossbow and responsible crossbow hunting practices. DEC has proposed implementing the training requirement via on-line education

tools, and in the upcoming 2011-2012 New York State

Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Hunters would be required to carry afield a certificate verifying that they have completed this training.

Hunters who are incapable of drawing, holding, and releasing a (vertical) longbow because of a permanent physical disability will continue to be allowed to take big game or small game by the use of a specially-equipped longbow. However, the new legislation replaces the former �Modified Archery Permit� with a new �Modified Longbow Authorization�, allowing hunters with permanent or temporary physical disabilities to hunt both big game and small game in all hunting seasons.

DEC has proposed that to qualify for this authorization, disabled hunters would need to carry afield while hunting, a standard department form, signed by their physician verifying that the hunter meets the qualifications established to use a longbow equipped with a mechanical device to hold and release the bowstring. The required form would be the only acceptable and valid form for verification of the medical condition of the hunter. The form would be available from any DEC wildlife office or from the DEC website. Disabled hunters would no longer have to apply for and obtain a special permit from DEC for this privilege.

For more detailed info: www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html. The proposed rulemaking can also be viewed in the

www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register.htm. DEC will be accepting public comments on the proposal through July 11, 2011.

(Click on title or URL to read full article)

Ohio Supreme Court should rule soon on Lake Erie private vs. public shoreline battle
The decision falls to the Ohio Supreme Court, which heard arguments Feb. 1 and is expected to make a ruling by July 2.

�Carp czar�: Money woes may sink efforts to keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes
The funding shortage also has stifled federal efforts to look beyond the immediate danger � Asian carp moving from the Illinois River system into Lake Michigan � to consider the broader problem of carp up and down the Mississippi River moving deeper into the U.S.

Invasive Asian carp could take to life in Lake Erie, researchers say
Two researchers have found that western Lake Erie, including the Maumee River, would make a fine home for Asian carp. There's already proof: Three Asian carp have been found in Lake Erie in the last 15 years, and they appeared quite healthy and to be growing rapidly, said Duane Chapman, USGS�

MNR braces for Asian carp invasion
While there is no indication of the Headwaters region being in imminent danger of a carp infestation, there are many reasons for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to be both vigilant and proactive.

Lake Erie wind project embraces regionalism with revenue sharing agreement
Lake Erie's offshore wind project took a giant leap toward regionalism last week with an agreement to share revenue associated with submerged land leases across four counties.

Vessel searched during inquiry into suspected Erie illegal fishing
Officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission served a search warrant on an eastside commercial fishing operation and its fishing vessel Wednesday as part of an investigation into suspected illegal fishing activities on Lake Erie.

Researchers: Western Lake Erie could support growth of Asian carp

Two researchers have found that western Lake Erie and its tributaries, including the Maumee River, would make a fine home for Asian carp, despite previous reports that the Great Lakes are too cold with not enough food to support the invasive fish.

Testing for fish virus begins
Researchers are trying to determine if a deadly virus that can cause fish to bleed to death still poses a threat in Wisconsin�s Lake Winnebago. They've developed an experimental blood test to detect antibodies in fish to gauge their immunity to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, better known as VHS.

Ontario lawmaker wants to legalize public beachcombing; law varies across Great Lakes
A bill proposed in Ontario, Canada may let the general public walk along the Great Lakes shoreline instead of just the people who own lakefront property. Right now they can�t.

State Fish Pages

Illinois - Indiana - Michigan - Minnesota - Ohio - Pennsylvania - New York - Wisconsin - Ontario