Wisconsin Department of

Natural Resources

Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan

Guidance for fish and wildlife conservation, management and
recreation related activities in the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources funded under the Federal Aid in Sport
Fish Restoration Act and the Federal Aid in Wildlife
Restoration Act

July 1, 2007 - September 30, 2015

(2013 UPDATE)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Scope

Department Mission, Vision, Values and Goals

Summary of Statutory, Regulatory, and Constitutional Requirements

Trends, Challenges, Opportunities and Major Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Issues

21

Strategic Objectives
Department Goal: Making People our Strength
Strategies and Objectives

29

Department Goal: Sustaining Ecosystems

Strategies and Objectives

41

Department Goal: Protecting Public Health and Safety

Strategies and Objectives

68

Department Goal: Providing Outdoor Recreation

Strategies and Objectives

73

ATTACHMENT 1:
115
Portfolio of plans and reports impacting the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan
ATTACHMENT 2 (new in 2013):
Genetic Identification of Bears in Wisconsin Status Summary2011
ATTACHMENT 3 (new in 2013):
2007-20010 Fisheries Major Accomplishments

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan (FWHMP) is to provide specific
direction to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fish and wildlife conservation,
management and recreation related programs. The scope of the plan is work funded by the
Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFR) and the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act
(WR), along with non-federal funding used to provide the required 25% match for these funds
primarily funding from state hunting and fishing licenses.
The FWHMP (or the plan) is part of a portfolio of plans and reports that provide strategic
direction and guidance regarding Wisconsins biological communities and ecosystems.
Attachment 1 lists the plans and reports that are part of this portfolio.
The plan establishes Goals and Objectives to support fish and wildlife conservation, management
and recreation associated with:

Sport fish, associated habitat, aquatic education and boating access.

Wild birds and mammals and associated habitat, game species in general and non-game
species as specifically indicated.
Hunter education and shooting range construction.

The plan also includes descriptions of some of the Trends, Challenges, Opportunities and Major
Issues that may influence the accomplishment of the Goals and Objectives.
The intent of the plan is to satisfy the strategic planning requirement under Chapter 4 of the Fish
and Wildlife Service Manual for States administering their SFR and WR grant programs under a
Comprehensive Management System (CMS) grant. In addition to providing direction for the
specific aspects of the Wisconsin DNRs fish and wildlife programs under the CMS grant, the
plan may also serve as guidance and as a resource for other related fish and wildlife programs,
initiatives and projects identified in Attachment 1.
Other Department plans also provide direction and serve as a resource as fish and wildlife
programs are administered and as projects and initiatives are developed and implemented. As
appropriate, those plans are referenced in this document and together with the specific
direction provided in this plan serve as the comprehensive guide for the activities funded under
the CMS grant.

DEPARTMENT MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES

This Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan (FWHMP) is established under the umbrella
of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Strategic Plan which includes the mission,
vision and values for the agency along with four strategic goals. The Strategic Plan provides the
foundation for specific goals and objectives for Department programs and initiatives and
therefore is the starting point the development of the FWHMP.

Our Mission
To protect and enhance our natural resources:
our air, land and water;
our wildlife, fish and forests
and the ecosystems that sustain all life.
To provide a healthy, sustainable environment
and a full range of outdoor opportunities.
To ensure the right of all people
to use and enjoy these resources
in their work and leisure.
To work with people
to understand each other's views
and to carry out the public will.
And in this partnership
consider the future
and generations to follow.

Our Vision
We share responsibility as natural resources stewards with Wisconsin's citizens,
governments, businesses and visitors.
We recognize the air, land and water are interconnected in sustaining all life, in protecting
public health and in achieving healthy, diverse ecosystems and the sustainable economies that
depend on these ecosystems.
We recognize that forestry, farming and nature-based recreation like hunting, fishing and
trapping are key to the state's economy and quality of life.
We value our dedicated staff and provide them with the tools and training needed to ensure
that Wisconsin has the best-managed natural resources in the world.

Our Values
In meeting the goals and objectives, and carrying out the strategies of this plan, we will build
upon the following Department values as a philosophy for how we do business.
Manage Natural Resources as Ecosystems - We recognize the synergy of air, land and water
and how each contributes to defining the places in Wisconsin we call home. We consider the
needs of local ecosystems, and the social and economic needs of the people living in them, in all
our decisions, to assure the highest possible quality of life in our state.
Respect People - We serve the people of the state, treating them as we want to be treated, using
fair and open processes and working with them as partners in protecting the environment. We
appreciate the diversity of our society and strive to reflect that diversity in out work force. We
respect the differing values held by our publics. We recognize that human needs for economic
and cultural security are tied to a high quality environment.
Share Responsibility - We work in partnership with people, a wide variety of public and private
organizations, and with governments at all levels to share the responsibility for managing
Wisconsin's natural resources.
Value Our Employees - Employees are the department's single most important asset. Each
employee brings to the organization important knowledge, a commitment to serve the public and
the state's natural resources, and a strong desire to learn, grow and contribute. We strive to
provide the financial, technological and other resources and management support for employees
to be effective in their jobs. We foster a spirit of pride in employees and the quality of their
work. We involve them in decision-making, are open and candid with them, and encourage
creative thinking, problem-solving and intelligent questions. We invest time and training to
maintain and to continue to develop an internationally respected staff, and we cultivate and
reward employee innovation and initiative. We care about our employees and their needs,
recognize them for their efforts, and find ways to improve the quality of their work life.
Work Together - We appreciate the power of collective knowledge. People from different
disciplines -- both within and outside the department -- share their expertise, skills and the best
available scientific knowledge to search for sound solutions and make informed decisions. We
respect the work and goals of the department and our peers, and support and value each other as
colleagues who share in the great endeavor of understanding and protecting our ecosystem.
Respect the Earth - We seek harmony with our ecosystem, the interconnected web of natural
processes supporting life on this planet. We strive to set a good example by the way we protect
and manage all living things in or on the air, land and water under our stewardship.
Prevent Environmental Harm - We anticipate and prevent damage to the environment and
develop processes and policies to protect our resources and the well-being of the public. We help
people, business, industry and local governments ensure that their activities will not harm the
environment. When problems occur, the state's resolve is certain; we use enforcement as one of
many tools to intervene on behalf of our citizens and natural resources.

Hold Ourselves Accountable - We reaffirm our commitment to future generations as we carry

out our mission. We continually refine management approaches and systems to achieve costeffective, efficient and sustainable outcomes. We set clear objectives, evaluate our progress, and
hold ourselves accountable for achieving our objectives.
Assure Quality Management - We use continuous quality improvement techniques in
implementing our plans and policies: We plan, implement, check for problems and opportunities
for improvement, and incorporate needed changes, knowing that flexibility is needed to
accommodate the changing issues and needs of the people and resources.
Adapt to Future Needs - DNR must adapt and respond to Wisconsin's future needs and will
accomplish that in part by making this Strategic Plan a living, breathing document that we refer
to often and evolve as natural resources and environmental needs and the will of the people
direct.

WISCONSIN DNR STRATEGIC GOALS

The following goals reflect the Department's approach to carrying out its mission and vision by:
promoting open and collaborative relationships among those who value the state's natural
resources; protecting the health and safety of people, wildlife and natural communities that
depend on those resources; and promoting opportunities to enjoy and benefit from natural
resources in ways that are consistent with protection of the environment. In subsequent sections
of this plan, we identify the specific Trends, Challenges, Opportunities, Major Issues and
Objectives that guide our sport fish and wildlife restoration-related programs in reaching these
overall Department Strategic Goals.
Goal I: Making People Our Strength
People, organizations and officials work together to provide Wisconsin with healthy, sustainable
ecosystems. In partnership with all publics, we find innovative ways to set priorities, accomplish
tasks and evaluate successes to keep Wisconsin in the forefront of environmental quality and
science-based management.
Goal II: Sustaining Ecosystems
The state's ecosystems are balanced and diverse. They are protected, managed and used through
sound decisions that reflect long-term considerations for a healthy environment and a sustainable
economy.
Goal III: Protecting Public Health and Safety
Our lands, surface waters, groundwater and air are safe for humans and other living things that
depend upon them. People are protected by natural resources laws in their livelihoods and
recreation.
Goal IV: Providing Outdoor Recreation
Our citizens and visitors enjoy outdoor recreation and have access to a full range of nature-based
outdoor recreational opportunities.

REGULATORY, STATUTORY, AND CONSTITUTIONAL

REQUIREMENTS
The Department's authority to manage fish and wildlife populations is found in State Statute
29.011 and 29.014. There are additional specific authorizations throughout Chapters 29 and 23.
Administrative rules affecting fish and wildlife are found in NR 1, NR 10 (game) and NR 20 - 26
(fishing). Additional authorizations are found in NR 10 through NR 27 and NR 45. Chapters 30
and 31 of the statutes protect aquatic habitat.

FISH, WILDLIFE AND HABITAT

TRENDS, CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND MAJOR ISSUES
Goals for fish and wildlife conservation are the same for the future as they were in the past:
protecting, promoting, enhancing, and passing on our natural resources to future generations.
While the goals are the same, we face new challenges and opportunities. Its clear from a review
of trends that the circumstances under which conservation work will be carried out have changed
and will continue to change rapidly in the next decade and beyond - as a result of shifting social,
technological, economic, and environmental landscapes.
In order to make effective use of Federal Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration funding, its
important we look to the future, consider the changes that are occurring and interpret the
implications in terms of what they may mean to future conservation efforts. With this approach,
were better able to fashion strategies that will allow us to be successful in addressing the
challenges ahead, and in adapting our approaches to take advantage of new opportunities.
Following is a review of some of the trends that have implications for fish and wildlife
conservation, how these trends may shape conservation work in the future followed by some
specific challenges, opportunities and issues we considered as we developed specific strategies
and objectives for this plan and will need to continually consider as we implement fish and
wildlife programs.

TRENDS
A. PEOPLE - Wisconsins Population
We expect a 6.8% increase in our states adult population by 2025.
Population growth directly affects habitat and resource use. More people mean more
competition for space and more development pressure on the resource, with increased
potential for conflict among those who use and enjoy the resource.
Wisconsin Population

millions

(Projected Adult Population)

4.8
4.7
4.6
4.5
4.4
4.3
4.2
2010

2015
Year

2025

B. PEOPLE - Population Age

In Wisconsin, the population of those over age 65 will double by 2030 and represent nearly 20% of
the population.

We are about to experience a change in the age structure of society never before encountered
in human history. Within the next 30 years, for the first time ever more people will be
turning 65 than turning 18. Evidence of this impending shift is readily available by merely
checking age structure in the room at a meeting of any conservation organization. Its a
demographic inevitability, for example, that well have fewer hunters and fewer of our
traditional advocates for conservation in the future than we have today. Additionally, the
population of hunters will be smaller proportionally to the overall population. The
implications for fish and wildlife conservation are many from shifting participation in
various types of outdoor recreation to changes in the membership of conservation
organizations to changes in the fish and wildlife program funding structure.
C. PEOPLE - Diverse Population
As a society, we are becoming more diverse. Currently, on a national level, one in seven
Americans is Hispanic. In Wisconsin, in the Madison school district, 44% of the school
children have an ethnic background other than white. These are the future voters and
stewards of our natural resources. We need to understand the varied interests of our
increasingly diverse customers, and sponsor fish and wildlife programs with new approaches
in place to address those interests.
D. PEOPLE - More Urbanized Population
We are becoming increasingly more urbanized. When Theodore Roosevelt died in 1919, we
were approximately 50% urbanized. By 2010, its predicted 80% of Americans will live in
an urban environment where their experiences and the opportunities to connect with the
outdoor world differ from those of a predominately rural population. Well need a good
understanding of how to tailor fish and wildlife programs to more urban customers.
E. OUTDOOR RECREATION- Fishing
We expect the number of anglers to remain fairly steady or decline slightly - fluctuating
between 1.3 and 1.4 million.
Actual license sales for the last twenty years show that though sales vary from year to year
by as much as three to five percent, total numbers are expected to decline slightly.

10

millions

Number of Licensed Anglers

1.5
1.45
1.4
1.35
1.3
1.25
1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

Year

Licensed Trout Anglers

Licensed Great Lakes Anglers

Demand for inland trout fishing will remain stable with

200,000 to 220,000 anglers

T he number of Great Lakes salmon and trout anglers is

250

expected to remain between 225,000 to 230,000

200

200

thousands

thousands

250

150
100
50

150
100
50

1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

Includes Patrons License after 1992. This license granted trout and salmon fishing privileges to Patrons license holders without their need to
purchase a separate stamp.

Number of Licensed Anglers,

2003-13
1,440,000
1,420,000
1,400,000
Anglers
1,380,000
1,360,000
1,340,000

Year

2013 Update

11

According to national survey estimates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, licensed anglers
spent 22 million days fishing in Wisconsin and contributed over $1 billion directly to the states
economy. Though specific data are not available, we believe that today's anglers are more
effective than in the past because of better equipment and more information about where and
how to fish. Public demands for stocking continue to increase, and stocking policies and
practices need refinement to make the most efficient use of hatchery-produced fish. A growing
number of anglers seek trophy and catch and release fishing opportunities, especially for premier
sport fish (musky, bass, and trout). More anglers participate in organized fishing tournaments
and public concern about the impacts of tournaments is rising.
F. OUTDOOR RECREATION - Hunting
We expect the total number of hunters in Wisconsin to decline over the next 20 years, along with
the number of hunters as a percentage of the population. .

Number of Licensed Hunters

850

thousands

800
750
700
650
1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

Year

Number of Licensed Hunters, 2003-13

730,000
720,000
710,000
Hunters

700,000
690,000
680,000
670,000
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Year

2013 Update
Actual license sales for the last 8 years show the number of hunters remained fairly stable.
Approximately one-fourth of Wisconsins adult population participates in hunting each year.
G. OUTDOOR RECREATION Boating
12

By 2025, we expect a 10.2% increase in the number of people participating in motor boating.

The number of motor boat registrations increased by over 15% since 1996. Surveys indicate
an average of 36% of Wisconsin citizens participate in boating each year, and this level of
participation is expected to continue. In 2007, an estimated 1.5 million people will be
involved in motor boating, and we expect this number to rise to about 2 million in 2025, a
10.2% increase. Federal law requires that at least 15% of SFR funds granted to a state are
used for the development, operation and maintenance of motor boat access sites. The
Department has experienced an increase in the demand for access, and the trend toward
higher land prices and larger watercraft is resulting in greater acquisition and development
costs.
Motor Boating Participation

millions

Age 16+ Projections

1.75
1.7
1.65
1.6
1.55
1.5
2013

2019

2025

H. OUTDOOR RECREATION - Wildlife Watching

By 2010, we expect a 9% increase in the number of people who take part in wildlife watching.

Nationwide data from the National Recreation Survey for the period between 1982 and 1995
shows that bird watching was the fastest growing outdoor recreation activity. It is estimated
that currently about 46% or 1.8 million Wisconsin adults participate in bird watching or
nature study activities. General wildlife viewing is also very popular, with an estimate of
almost 60% or 2.3 million Wisconsin adults participating.
Bird Watching & Nature Study Participants
(Trend for Wisconsin)

millions

2.05
1.95
1.85
1.75
1.65
1995

2000

2005

year

2010

2015

2020

I. ECONOMIC
13

Deficits, an aging population, changes in participation in certain types of outdoor recreation

activities, rising health care costs, and many other trends affect the availability and the
increased competition for limited financial resources in the future. Couple this with a
reduction in the number of people who buy hunting licenses - and the challenges for funding
fish and wildlife conservation become obvious.
J. TECHNOLOGY
The ways in which people get information and communicate with each other the various
options for electronic communications are much different now than they were in the past.
Greater demands will be placed on fish and wildlife agencies to provide data and information
quickly to customers, and tailor communication to meet a wide range of customer needs.
The changes in technology also provide opportunities to collect and interpret data more
efficiently, and communicate information quickly. Technology is also increasing the
effectiveness of harvesting fish and game, which may have the implications for fish and
wildlife programs, how fishing and hunting are monitored and regulated.
K. ENERGY
Energy related issues will have significant impacts on all facets of life in the next decade.
Exploration, extraction, and transportation of remaining fossil fuels and the construction of
new power lines have the potential to change landscapes and alter habitats. Transitioning
from fossil fuels to biofuels and the corresponding increase in corn production for ethanol
have the potential to alter habitats through reduced Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
participation and funding. This shift also presents opportunities for alternative sources of
funding for wildlife conservation work.
L. ECOLOGICAL - Climate Change
Most scientists are no longer debating if global climate change is occurring. Research is now
focused on first understanding, then anticipating the magnitude of the myriad impacts from
climate change. Changes in temperature, weather patterns, and precipitation, will likely
result in significant effects on our nations fish and wildlife resources now and in the future.
A number of states have initiated efforts to study the specific implications of a changing
climate on fish and wildlife species and their habitat. It will become increasingly critical to
forecast population and habitat changes, assess vulnerabilities, link models of physical
processes to ecological models, and to initiate monitoring to link climate impacts to
ecological responses. Resource managers are increasingly in need of tools to help fish and
wildlife and their habitats and ecosystems adapt to climate change.
M. ECOLOGICAL Water Quality and Quantity
Water quality and quantity related issues are becoming more prevalent around the world.
Both water quality and water quantity issues have the potential to significantly impact fish
and wildlife habitat, and consequently fish and wildlife populations.
N. ECOLOGICAL Fish and Wildlife Diseases, Exotic & Invasive Species
14

Fish and wildlife diseases present significant challenges and have dire consequences for both
fish and wildlife and the habitats that support them. Invasive species on both land and water
threaten to drastically change intricate ecosystems.
O. ECOLOGICAL - Changing Land Use and Ownership Patterns
Land use and ownership patterns are changing rapidly. This presents significant challenges
for the forest industry, agriculture, wildlife habitat, for access to outdoor recreation, the
overall health of the ecosystem, and ultimately the sustainability of society. An increasing
amount of rural residential development and urban sprawl are converting farm land to
subdivisions. As paper companies sell large tracts of land once open to public recreation,
buyers are breaking it into smaller private tracts.
Currently, over 60% of the forested land in the United States is owned by people 55 and
over, who, in the next 20 years, may transfer large amounts to their heirs, creating
uncertainty for the future of the land. Leasing land for hunting is becoming more common,
threatening to price many people out of hunting. As energy prices rise and ethanol becomes
economically feasible, owners may convert wildlife habitat lands from the CRP for ethanol
production, possibly affecting access to outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, the future of the
logging industry, water quality and food production.
P. ECOLOGICAL -Terrestrial Habitat and Community Trends

Oak and Pine Barrens

Less than 1% of the pre-settlement oak and pine barren habitat remains. The long term
sustainability of this habitat and the organisms that it supports will require that we protect
and connect the existing scattered sites. Pine barrens originally covered 2.3 million acres
of Wisconsin. Oak barrens covered 1.8 million acres in pre-settlement Wisconsin. The
composition, structure, and ecological function of these communities depend on periodic
fires as a management tool.
It is unclear how many acres of good quality oak and pine barrens remain. A statewide
assessment of the extent and condition is needed. Acreage of oak on very dry and dry
sites has increased in the last decade but jack pine forest continues to decrease. After the
jack pine budworm outbreak in northwestern Wisconsin in the mid-1990s, there was a
short-lived increase followed by a decrease in this type of community. Planting of red
pine plantations on these sites has eliminated some natural jack pine forests and oak-pine
barren affected by the budworm outbreaks. Some natural conversion from jack pine to
white pine has occurred due to lack of fire.

Southern Forests

15

Although the southern forest type is common, large, high-quality, unbroken tracts are
becoming rare. Fragmentation and reduction will continue to increase. Residential
development is causing the loss of high quality woodlands. Other management issues
contributing to loss of biodiversity associated with southern forests include the difficulty
in using fire to maintain oak forests, the spread of oak wilt and the problem of exotic
shrubs and herbs becoming dominant on some sites. Unsustainable management
practices such as high-grading also continue to impact composition.
Unsustainable forest practices, e.g. high grading, continue to occur in the southern oak
forests contributing to the loss of high quality red and white oak forests. Oak
regeneration continues to be a problem on dry-mesic and mesic sites. With lack of fire or
other disturbance, oak forests are continuing to convert to more mesic forest species.
Oak wilt and competition from invasive shrubs continue to be a problem in some areas.
Earthworms are increasing and the impact of increased earthworm populations is
unknown for this type of forest. Beech forests continue to decrease in extent. Beech
forests are threatened by beech bark disease now found in Michigan.

Grasslands
Original land survey records of the 1830s indicate there were 3.1 million acres of
treeless grassland in Wisconsin or 9% of the total landcover. Tallgrass prairie and related
oak savanna are now the most decimated and threatened plant communities in the
Midwest and in the world. Wisconsin has only 0.5% (13 thousand acres) of its original
grassland ecosystem remaining in a relatively intact condition and much of this remnant
acreage has been degraded to some degree by livestock grazing or woody invasion. Over
80% (11 thousand acres) of this remaining acreage is sedge meadow and the rest (two
thousand acres) is native prairie.
Recovering and maintaining native grassland biodiversity in Wisconsin is feasible for
many, but not for all, components. Most remnants are too small for most vertebrate
species but are capable of supporting viable populations of plant species. The greatest
opportunities for recovery of degraded sites are at the dry and wet ends of the soil
moisture spectrum, where several thousand acres of degraded dry prairie and sedge
meadow still exist.
The ecological landscapes within Wisconsin which have opportunities to restore and
preserve prairie are the Western Coulee and Ridges, Western Prairies, Southwest
Savanna, Southern Lake Michigan Coastal, Southeast Glacial Plains, and Central Sands
Plains. Top priority landscapes for grassland restoration are: Military Ridge Prairie
Heritage Area, Muralt/Monroe Grasslands, Buena Vista/Leola Grasslands, White River
Marsh Complex, Star Prairie Pothole Grasslands, Yellowstone/Pecatonica River
Grasslands, Scuppernong Marsh, Badger Army Ammunition Plant, and the Lower
Wisconsin River Prairies and Barrens.
Private landowners have become increasingly interested in restoring or replanting prairie
habitats on their land. The federal Conservation Reserve Program continues to provide
replanted native prairie or surrogate grassland habitat for many grassland bird species.
16

For surrogate grasslands, early hay mowing is still a problem for many grassland birds,
destroying their nests before they can fledge young. Especially in southwest Wisconsin,
an increase of short-term, high intensity rotational grazing has cause an increase in
surrogate grasslands. Depending on the rotation interval of cattle among pastures, the
rotational grazing could benefit grassland birds. Some continuously grazing pastures
provide good grassland bird habitat if stocking densities of cattle are low.

Oak Savanna
In the absence of active management, the future of oak savanna looks very bleak in
Wisconsin and throughout its entire range. In a few ecological landscapes the recovery
potential exists with active management. In the early mid-19th century, the oak savanna
as an ecosystem was fragmented and nearly totally destroyed from conversion to
agricultural use and cessation of fire throughout its range. Oak savanna is one of the
most threatened plant communities in the Midwest.
Intact examples of oak savanna vegetation are now so rare that less than 500 acres are
listed in the Natural Heritage Inventory as having a plant assemblage similar to the
original oak savanna. This is less than 0.01% of the original 5.5 million acres. The
increasing abandonment of lightly to moderately grazed wooded pastures and the
accelerating succession of oak woodlots toward heavy shade producing trees and shrubs
will lead to the decline and possible loss of much of what remains of the savanna flora
and fauna, including eventual decline of the oaks themselves.
Threats to the future survival of oak savanna include the lack of knowledge about the
community, the resistance to the prescribed use of fire, the lack of understanding of the
importance of fire in maintaining oak savanna and increasing human population
pressures.
Opportunities to reverse this trend and increase oak savanna acreage exist primarily in the
Southeast Glacial Plains, Western Coulees and Ridges, Southwest Savanna, and possibly
the Central Sand Hills Ecological Landscapes. The best opportunities for restoration
using intensive management regimes are the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine,
Mississippi River bluffs, along the Lower Chippewa River, and in the Upper Mukwonago
River watershed. Conservation planning is needed to ensure this community type will be
sustained into the future.

Northern Forest
Both the species composition and relative proportion of pre-Euro American settlement
forest types have been greatly altered by humans. Northern forest communities have lost
hemlock, yellow birch, and Canada yew. Overall stand age has decreased and tree
species relative abundance has changed. Generalist species have increased and specialist
species have declined. Invasive species have continued to degrade northern forests.
Continued second home building, lakeshore development, and road building fragments
the forest. Private property parcels continue to be split and sold making parcel sizes
smaller, increasing the difficulty for management. ATV and snowmobile use may cause
erosion or introduce invasive species into the forest. Invasive earthworms could also
have a large impact on the future of the northern forest.
17

Second growth northern hardwood forest lacks species diversity. Sugar maple has a
competitive edge at this time. White pine as a canopy dominant has been lost in some
areas, but is regenerating. Red pine stands of natural origin are lacking. White pine and
balsam fir have been increasing. Emerald ash borer could greatly reduce the ash
component of the forest in the future. Long-term sustainability of cedar swamps may be
in question, with little regeneration occurring.
However, there is still great potential for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in the
northern forest. Certification of public forests may increase sustainability for the future.
Identification of high conservation value forests via planning processes will increase
the likelihood that well sustain ecologically important forests. Weve made several large
acquisitions of property in the northern forest. A conservation design plan is needed for
the northern forest to protect all forest types, ages, and the species dependent on them.

Wetlands
Dutch elm disease continues to cause the loss of American elm from the overstory,
altering the southern floodplain forests. Reed canary grass continues to spread,
eliminating floodplain forest tree regeneration in some areas. Emerald ash borer poses a
threat to ash trees as a component of future floodplain forests. Increased harvest of
floodplain forests has been occurring without a comprehensive plan. Conservation
planning is needed to protect floodplain forests.
Site quality has declined in some floodplain forests due to hydrologic changes that
prevent periodic flooding. Overpopulation of deer continues to be a problem in some
forested wetland types, especially cedar swamps, causing lack of tree regeneration and
loss of browse sensitive species. Ash swamps are potentially susceptible to emerald ash
borer and hydrologic changes. Tamarack continues to decline in southern Wisconsin.
Emergent marshes continue to be degraded by invasives such as purple loosestrife,
phragmites, and hybrid cattail. Common carp continue to impact wetlands, destroying
aquatic vegetation and degrading water quality. Runoff from adjacent agricultural fields
and urban areas deposit nutrients and other pollutants into marshes. Wetland mitigation
and the federal Wetland Reserve program have been restoring wetlands but some
wetlands continue to be lost due to road and other construction.

Q. ECOLOGICAL - Aquatic Habitat and Community Trends

Cold Water Streams

Wisconsin's 10 thousand miles of cold water designated trout streams are protected by a
number of habitat protection laws and regulations, but continue to be threatened by
development, agricultural feed lots, uncontrolled cattle grazing, non-point runoff, and
changing land use such as urban sprawl and construction site runoff. Quantity and
quality of trout streams continue to improve in the southwest part of the state, allowing
opportunities for increased brook trout management and restoration.

18

Warm Water Rivers and Streams

Wisconsin's more than 30 thousand miles of warm water rivers and streams are the most
biologically diverse aquatic ecosystems we have and the most threatened nationwide.
The habitats found in these systems are reflections of their watersheds and its many land
uses. Modification of these rivers and streams and their landscapes have changed the
character of these important systems. These systems harbor over 150 fish and 53 mussel
species. About a third of the mussel species are endangered and threatened. More than
3,700 dams have been built on these rivers and three to four hundred of these are obsolete
and pose hazards to human safety, property, and the ecosystem. Though not appropriate
in all situations, dam removal is one management tool we can use to restore streams.

Lakes
Wisconsin has 15,057 lakes totaling 982,155 acres. The majority of these lakes are small.
About 3,620 lakes in Wisconsin are larger than 20 acres representing about 920 thousand
acres. Wisconsin lakes represent the heart of the U.S. distribution of the native range of
both walleye and muskellunge, making these two species key components of the fish
communities and fisheries of the larger lakes of the state. Degradation of near-shore and
shoreline habitat is increasing with the pace of development, particularly in northern
Wisconsin where, since 1960, two thirds of the larger lakes have been developed, the
number of home sites has doubled, and the annual number of permits for sea wall
construction has tripled. To protect shorelines, many counties are now enacting zoning
standards for minimum lot sizes, riparian buffers, and minimum setbacks for buildings
and other structures.

Great Lakes
Lake Michigan and Lake Superior provide fishing opportunities for over 250,000 sport
anglers and a carefully managed commercial fishery for lake whitefish, lake trout, round
whitefish, yellow perch, smelt, and bloater chubs. The sport fishery provides over 2.8
million hours of recreation each year. The major sport fish are coho and chinook salmon,
rainbow, brown, brook and, lake trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and
walleye. Sport and commercial harvests of individual species fluctuate from year to year,
but we expect continued overall vitality in the sport and commercial fisheries.
As a signatory to A Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, the
Wisconsin DNR is committed to working with other jurisdictions to develop fish
community objectives for the two lakes, identify habitats needed to allow the attainment
of those objectives, and support ecosystem management. The Wisconsin DNR
participates in the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Committees, multi-jurisdictional
bodies that consider issues of common concern. The Lake Michigan Committee provides
regular reports on progress toward achievement of the existing fish community objectives
for Lake Michigan.
Specific fisheries management activities in Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan are
guided by the Lake Michigan Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. For Lake Superior,
management activities are guided by the Lake Superior Basin Plan.
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Wetlands
Despite recent legislation protecting isolated wetlands, we expect a continued decline in
the quality of our wetlands due to land use, hydrological changes, and expansion of
existing and new invasive species. The 1985 Wetland Inventory estimated that there
were 5.3 million acres of Wisconsin wetlands which is only 53% of the state's original
wetland acreage. Over 75% of the wetlands are in private ownership.
During the next six years we expect current protection, permitting, and restoration
programs to hold the line against direct wetlands loss. We estimate a permitted loss of
312 acres per year based on a review of Corps of Engineers permits for the period
between1991 and 1998. Illegal wetland fills add an unknown amount to this total. On
the positive side, between 1992 and 1998, the Wetland Reserve Program, a voluntary
program offered to land owners, estimated that 11,312 acres of wetland have been
restored or improved and an additional 11,312 acres of associated upland habitat have
been protected on private lands. During the period between 1990 and1997, Wisconsin
Department of Transportation road projects resulted in a loss of 1,299 acres of wetlands
that were compensated by 1,903 acres of restoration, compensation and mitigation
banking. From 1992 to 1997, more than 50 thousand acres of wetlands were protected,
restored, or managed and an additional 156 thousand acres of uplands were managed to
protect wetlands through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

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CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND MAJOR ISSUES

As indicated above, many of the trends discussed create specific challenges and opportunities for
fish and wildlife conservation now and in the future. Following is a list of some of the major
issues well be facing as we administer and implement our programs along with a short
discussion on some of the specific challenges and opportunities each of these issues presents.
1) Information - More accessible, accurate, and timely information is needed to influence
decisions which affect fish, wildlife and their habitats.
Wisconsin's resources should be managed with the best demographic, sociological,
biological, and ecological information available to ensure that we can enjoy and protect these
resources into the future. We do not have a good understanding of the public's vision and
level of satisfaction for a wide range of resource related activities. We need to adequately
understand, anticipate, and plan for what our diverse publics want today and in the future.
Lack of information elicits conflict and lack of support. We need to understand the nature
and impacts of these demographics and their changes in order to anticipate changing
customer needs, identify non-traditional funding sources, and manage for future
environmental threats.
2) Connecting with People
Information technology presents an opportunity to communicate and do business with people
on a scale never before possible. Today, people can decide how and when they want to get
their information and they expect service when they want it. Natural resource agencies in
the future will need to leverage every means possible to serve customers and provide needed
information.
3) Fish and Wildlife Program Staff - Wisconsins fisheries, wildlife, and enforcement
programs face an unprecedented turn-over of senior employees during the period from
2007 through 2013.
More than 20% of our senior employees are eligible for retirement before 2010. Our
challenge is to recruit and train replacements, pass on the knowledge and experience of
retiring employees, and maintain personal relationships with stakeholders and partner groups.
4) Connecting to Nature - There is a growing lack of connection between people and
nature.
This is caused by a number of factors, including but not limited to, changing demographics
and changing interests in recreational pursuits. Communicating with Wisconsinites about the
outdoors and the importance of our natural resources is one way to help reconnect people
with nature. Natural resource agencies will need to focus more resources on marketing,
education and outreach strategies. Facilitating community collaboration on behalf of
conservation, increasing the level of ecological knowledge, developing an involved citizenry,
and raising environmental consciousness will all be critical prerequisites to success.

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5) Focus Specific Strategies on the Legacy of the Baby Boomer Generation

Age structure changes present an opportunity for natural resource agencies to work
collaboratively with the children to help shape their conservation legacy. The conservation
legacy the baby boomer generation leaves behind in the next 15 to 30 years will be critical.
Natural resource agencies will need to reach out to this group of people who have time,
financial assets, and tend to be politically active and enlist their support for conservation.
The health benefits of a clean environment, the benefits of outdoor exercise such as walking
on trails with their grandchildren, the importance of leaving a conservation legacy and the
social benefits of being involved in community oriented conservation efforts.
6) Create a More Diverse and Inclusive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Constituency
The ranks of the traditional constituency, predominantly hunters and anglers, are slowly
shrinking. At the same time society is becoming increasingly diverse. Given these changes,
natural resource agencies will need to engage a more diverse constituency to be effective. In
the future, successful conservation efforts will require a bigger, more inclusive tent - one in
which everyone feels welcome one that includes the diverse array of fish and wildlife
conservation interests and perspectives. It will be important to have a broad and diverse
cross section of society understanding the importance of conservation and advocating on
behalf of our natural resources. To accomplish this, natural resources agencies will need to
proactively reach out to a diverse array of cultural communities to diversify the constituent
base to include everyone. Agencies will need to create inclusive organizational cultures and
hire people who have the competencies to effectively and comfortably work across cultural
boundaries.
7) Adopt a More Adaptive and Strategic Orientation
Organizationally, several key elements will be necessary for fish and wildlife programs to be
successful in the future. Foresight will be needed to assess the landscape of the future and
strategically plan the path to be taken. This will require a conscious effort by both agency
leadership and staff to balance the reactive mindset that can pervade the day-to-day activities
of an agency on one hand, and the execution of strategically contemplated actions designed
to shape the future on the other. This shift to a proactive, anticipatory mode of operation
requires leadership, organizational agility, and capable people. To quickly seize
opportunities and effectively address emerging challenges, natural resource agencies will
require an organizational culture with the ability to scan and see trends such as climate
change, energy use and demands, shifting demographics and some of the other trends
discussed earlier - assess their implications, and change or adapt strategies quickly, and
execute competent and integrated multi-program responses.
8) Focus Program Strategies and Objectives on Specific Results
Given the future economic challenges, fiscal accountability will be important to any efforts to
secure additional or alternative sources of funding for conservation. We will need to have

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effective systems in place for establishing clear targets and using performance measures to
determine our progress. In order for fish and wildlife programs to be successful in obtaining
critical funding, the public will need to see natural resources agencies as a good investment.
9) Outdoor Recreation

Demand for Use of Public Lands

There is growing recreational use on public lands and waters along with increasing
demand for accommodating non-traditional uses. Many groups of organized
recreationists are increasingly requesting accommodation of their interests on existing
public lands and waters as well as requesting additional public lands for their recreation.
For example, addressing the growing demand for motorized recreation on the public land
and water base to assure resource protection and avoid conflicts is especially challenging.
The variety of recreation activities, along with increasing numbers, can lead to both
conflicts among recreation participants as well as adverse impacts on natural resources.
As a result, there is a need for more intensive planning and management to assure that
recreation uses do not adversely impact the purpose for which the land was acquired.

Access and Participation in Outdoor Recreation

A lack of time, knowledge and access to outdoor areas reduces some Wisconsinites
ability to enjoy fishing, hunting, trapping, exploring streams, hiking, bird watching, or
other outdoor pursuits. Outdoor activities are popular and create strong personal
connections to nature that increase our understanding and support for conservation
efforts. People who hunt, trap and fish provide an essential service in controlling some
populations of fish and wildlife. Current Wisconsinites must continue passing along
outdoor traditions to guarantee the future of our outdoor recreation heritage.

Purchasing Land and Creating Incentives for Access to Private Lands

Land use and ownership patterns suggest we continue to purchase public land for
recreation, wildlife habitat, and forest production. In addition, it will be critical that
private landowners are provided education and incentives to promote stewardship of the
land. These steps will be necessary to ensure recreational access to land, a continuous
supply of forest products that fuel the economy, adequate agricultural lands for food
production, preservation of wetlands to maintain water quality, and retain Wisconsins
aesthetic beauty. Having a place to recreate and connect with the natural world is a key
element in passing on the conservation ethic. This is particularly true in areas proximate
to urban centers - so people have opportunities to connect to the natural world near their
place of residence. The forestry and agriculture in Wisconsin turns on having access to
productive land. Maintaining Wisconsins tourism economy requires we protect the land
and habitat that supports wildlife and aesthetic scenic beauty people come here to
experience.

Children and Outdoor Recreation

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Another critical area of focus will be encouraging opportunities for children, the future
stewards of our natural resources, to connect with nature and develop what Leopold
called the ecological conscience. As we become more urbanized, this will become
increasingly difficult. The goal should be to introduce children in some way to the
natural world so they gain an appreciation for it and understand the need to protect our
natural resources. Programs and initiatives such as No Child Left Inside, Learn to Hunt,
Learn to Fish, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Project Wild, Outdoor Expositions, and a
diverse range of urban oriented outdoor experiences will be important.
10) Economy

The current level of resource management using existing funding and sources is not
sustainable.
Fish, wildlife, and their habitats are at risk because the system for funding management
of these resources is not adequate due to the increased cost of doing business, demand for
monies. The majority of funding for fish and wildlife management comes from hunting
and fishing license fees. The growing demand for a broad array of fish and wildlife
management services, both for species that are hunted and fished as well as other species
of fish and wildlife, requires a diverse source of secure funding. 1

Secure Resources for the Future

Finding stable funding for conservation is critical. For over 120 years, hunters and
fisherman have paid for a great share of the cost for fish and wildlife conservation. The
demographics clearly show that sustaining the level of programs we currently have is no
longer possible with current funding sources.

Promote the Economic Benefits of Sustainability and Conservation

Increasing energy demand, coupled with increased cost, will be a significant issue, and
opportunity, in the future. Increased demand and cost will drive new technology aimed at
energy efficiency, alternative forms of energy, and cleaner energy sources. This has the
potential to create entire new sectors in the economy - marketed by conservation of our
natural resources - an economy that can get developing new technology, sustainability,
tax incentives, and public policy all on the same side of the ledger as conservation.

Nationwide, many state fish and wildlife agencies have traditionally relied on funding for game species conservation through
hunting and fishing licenses and federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment (Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration
Act and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act). The Endangered Species Act provides funds for federally listed species.
The rest of our nation's wildlife has lacked secure and adequate funding for long-term conservation. Once a species has declined
to the point where it is listed as federally or state threatened or endangered, the cost to protect or restore populations and their
habitat is often far greater than would have been required to prevent their decline in the first place. Until recently, the
conservation of thousands of native fish and wildlife species that are not hunted or fished and not endangered fell into a federal
funding gap. Since 2001, the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program has helped to close the funding gap for these species and
their habitats. However, the SWG program is not a permanent source of funding; allocations are made to each state on an
annual basis. The relatively small amount of annual funding (on average, $1.1 million/year for Wisconsin) and lack of
permanence of the program still leaves the majority of Wisconsin's non-game wildlife and their habitats at risk.

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11) Infrastructure
The fisheries infrastructure of hatcheries and research vessels in many cases is antiquated,
obsolete, and inadequate to address the needs of the program 10 to 15 years from now.
Maintaining an extensive infrastructure is costly. Some of our hatcheries are 50 to 90 years
old, obsolete, and poorly configured to meet future demands for feral fish, multiple strains,
and genetic integrity in our product. There is no quarantine facility. Great Lakes research
vessels are more than 60 years old and need replacement.
12) Ecological

Habitat continues to be degraded, simplified, fragmented or destroyed by some land

and water use practices, policies and development decisions.
Wisconsin's fish and wildlife, our continued enjoyment of hunting and fishing, our
tourism industry, native biodiversity, and our quality of life depend on high quality
natural habitat.2

Wisconsins ability to manage and protect lands has not kept pace with public
demand, the number of approved acquisition projects, and increases in agency land
ownership.
As the state population grows, it creates greater demand for public recreational land. An
increasing population also contributes to fragmentation and degradation of remaining
lands, increasing the urgency for land protection. Funding for the acquisition of land and
land rights is often not adequate to secure available lands of high resource and
recreational value. There is also a need for additional resources to manage acquired land
to standards the public expects.

Much of the fish and wildlife habitat in Wisconsin is privately owned or affected by
local regulations.
Federal, state, and local units of government need to work effectively with private
landowners to protect and manage natural resources.

Residential development adjacent to public lands is increasing. Because public lands are permanent greenspace they
tend to attract housing along their boundaries. As more houses are built, they create a hard edge which can impact the
conservation and recreation values of public lands. Adjacent development can also directly eliminate opportunities to either
expand or buffer public properties and can significantly increase the cost of land, thereby reducing the likelihood of the
Department meeting the propertys acquisition goal. The increasing conversion of rural land, particularly farmland, to
development adversely impacts fish and wildlife resources. Undeveloped rural land, particularly farmland, provides
important feeding, resting, and nesting habitat, provides travel corridors for many species, and buffers public lands. The growth
of Wisconsins population combined with its increasing wealth has resulted in a continued demand for suburban and rural
housing.

25

Wisconsins wildlife and fish populations, people and economies in the state are
threatened by diseases, contaminants, invasive and exotic species, emerging
pathogens and parasites, e.g., chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer or viral
fish diseases such as largemouth bass virus (LMBV) or viral hemorrhagic
septicemia (VHS).
Increasing possession of captive wildlife creates concerns for humane care and risk of
disease introduction to wild animals. Major reallocations of staff time and financial
resources are needed for disease investigation and control programs, including those with
no specific funding provisions, e.g., programs to control invasive and exotic species.

Abundant wildlife is causing increasing levels of damage and nuisance for human
investments and safety.
Conflicts between people and wildlife are rising as the interface of human developments
and abundant wildlife populations grows, requiring increased attention from wildlife
staff. Many species of wildlife are well adapted to suburban, urban and cultivated
habitats, often causing damage or nuisance situations including damage to crops and
structures, browsed landscaping, defecation on lawns, aggressiveness toward people or
pets, road flooding, safety problems at airports, and traffic safety problems.
These situations also occur in rural and suburban areas where the number of houses is
rapidly increasing in areas of wildlife habitat around the state. Species involved in these
situations include white-tailed deer, bear, Canada geese, turkeys, beavers, muskrats,
rabbits, woodpeckers, mute swans, wolves, and coyotes. Local municipalities, businesses
and individuals demand help to address these situations.

By its nature, habitat management is complex.

Managing habitats will positively affect some species and negatively affect others. Land
managers have long wrestled with how best to balance the needs of multiple species and
habitats for a variety of conservation and economic uses. For example, managing for
older growth forests at a location may benefit some species, but may conflict with the
needs of other species that require forests at earlier successional stages. Decisions about
how to manage must consider the spatial and temporal scale of the action as well as the
ecological, socio-economic and institutional context within which the action will be
taken.

26

Within the context of ecosystem management, its important to recognize there is a

need to manage for individual species or groups of species.
Multiple user groups want and expect properly managed populations of species that are
of special interest to them. Hunters, anglers and trappers desire abundant game species.
Birders and wildlife watchers want to see their favorite species in the habitats in which
they expect them. Additionally, many wildlife species require individual or special
management actions because they have low abundance, decreasing trends or are
threatened by other environmental factors.

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FISH, WILDLIFE AND HABITAT STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Following are the Strategic Objectives for this Fish and Wildlife plan. The Objectives were
developed following a review of on-going, core work in each of the Wisconsin DNR fish and
wildlife related programs, along with a review, inventory and analysis of the trends, challenges,
opportunities and major issues discussed earlier.
The Objectives are organized around each of the Departments four Strategic Goals to show how
they fit into the larger scope of work performed by the Wisconsin DNR. The lists of Objectives
also show funding source and program function and are limited to those functions that are
eligible for funding from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program.
The Wisconsin DNR has the opportunity to direct how we use these funds to ensure were
investing these resources to effectively address the long term strategic goals and issues. The
level of detail in this section varies depending upon the planning and special needs of the
individual programs.
More specifically, the Objectives support fish and wildlife conservation, management and
recreation related to:

Sport fish, associated habitat, aquatic education and boating access.

Wild birds and mammals and associated habitat, game species in general and non-game
species as specifically indicated.
Hunter education and shooting range construction.

The Water Division has chosen to address the Wisconsin DNR strategic plan in a very specific
way. The Division has created four goals and assigned them to the bureaus within the Division.
The Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection is one of those bureaus and has
been assigned to the Department goal on Outdoor Recreation and assigned the following Water
Division goal:
"To enhance and restore outstanding fisheries in Wisconsin's waters."
All fisheries work (except for employee safety and training) falls under the single goal stated
above and is directly linked to the Outdoor Recreation goal in the DNR strategic plan.
Note: Some activities found in the 2000-2007 Fish Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan and
formerly assigned to the Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection program were reassigned
along with staff, associated non-fisheries funding and regulatory authority to the Watershed
program in the Water Division. Among these are habitat protection, shoreline protection, and
wetlands regulation and management.

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Strategic Goal I: Making People Our Strength

People, organizations and officials work together to provide Wisconsin with healthy, sustainable
ecosystems. In partnership with all publics we find innovative ways to set priorities accomplish
tasks and evaluate successes to keep Wisconsin in the forefront of environmental quality and
science-based management.
Sport Fish Restoration (SFR):
A. Employee Training and Safety
A safety first culture must be established and nurtured to avoid injuries or risks to employees.
Fisheries management and research field activities involving heavy equipment, shops and
tools, boats and other on-water based equipment, electroshocking, chemicals, and similar
activities introduce safety risks for employees.
This program function includes technical and field safety training for fisheries staff,
orientation and mentorship programs for new biologists and supervisors, and a mentorship
program for technicians to be trained in specialized field activities.
A.1. Employee Safety
a. To create a culture that puts safety first, we will implement and manage the sevencomponent Fisheries Management Safety System through 2013 with primary
responsibility assigned to the Fisheries Board and Safety Task Force.
b. The Safety Task Force and Fisheries Board members will investigate employee safety
concerns within 48 hours of being reported.
c. Conduct safety inspection audits annually in each region and report to the Fisheries
Board.

Fisheries has worked hard to make safety an integral component of every aspect of the
program. Through the leadership of the Fisheries Management Board, the
interdisciplinary Fisheries Safety Team, and Fisheries Supervisors, the following has
been accomplished 2007-2010:

Established a culture of safety

Constant assessment of hazards
Ongoing assessment of training needs and staff training
Regular review of progress through Safety Audits (Building Compliance, DOT
Inspection of Trucks and Trailers, Supervisor Inspection Safety Audits, Safety Training
Records Audit, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Compliance, Work Unit Safety
Plans, Incident Reports and Workers Comp Claims)
Regular Safety Team Meetings

29

Constant learning from experiences;

Long term tracking of incidents
Implementation of Near Miss reporting and tracking system
Significant reduction in annual workers compensations claim
Significant reduction in annual workers compensations claims

2003 2012: 365 incidents

reported in Fisheries Program

21% Ticks

44%
Strains,
Sprains
Sprains
Strains

Ticks
21% Cuts,
21% Cuts.
Bruises, etc

Bruises,etc

Annual $ Cost to FM
Program Workers Comp
Claims, 2003-2012

A.2. Employee Training and Succession Planning

30

By 2010, more than 20% of our senior employees in fisheries will be eligible for
retirement. The recruitment, hiring, training, and mentoring of high quality staff to
replace those who retire is a strategic need that must be met. We need to recruit, train,
and retain a professional and technical workforce suited to meet the challenges managing
Wisconsins fishery resources and serving its fishery customers in the future.
a. By 2007, establish a statewide fisheries technical training team and engage the
university community in developing and teaching a curriculum for fishery staff.
b. By 2007, establish and manage a mandatory technical and safety training program of
100 hours per year for fishery biologists and 100 hours per year for technicians.
Fisheries Training Team established and currently in the process of developing an
updated training plan focusing on three major areas:
1. Fisheries Program Orientation being designed to provide needed introductory
training within the Department and within the Fisheries Program to newly hired
permanent staff, as well as to veteran staff who need or desire introductory training
in program and/or geographical areas in Fisheries within the state.
2. Continuing Education being designed to provide ongoing required or needed
technical and professional training to improve safety, productivity, and job efficiency.
3. Training Records a Fisheries Training Record system is being planned (to be built
in FY14) to provide an interactive up-to-date system maintained by the Fisheries
Statewide Database Coordinator and regularly updated by Work Unit Supervisors.
c. By 2007, develop and implement an orientation and mentorship program of not less
than 320 hours for new biologists and supervisors during their first year on the job.
By 2007, the Fishery Board will develop and implement a succession plan for key
supervisory positions to ensure a transition overlap of three months, allowing senior
employees to work with their successors.
d. By 2007, develop and implement a mentoring program for technicians to ensure an
adequate pool of technicians trained in specialized activities, e.g., electrofishing
construction and maintenance; assistant boat captains on Great Lakes research
vessels; heavy equipment operation and safety certification, fish disease diagnosis,
and chemical applications.
e. By 2007, develop and implement a mentoring program for technicians to ensure an
adequate pool of technicians trained in specialized activities, e.g., electrofishing
construction and maintenance; assistant boat captains on Great Lakes research
vessels; heavy equipment operation and safety certification, fish disease diagnosis,
and chemical applications.
No progress was made in any of the mentoring programs due to high vacancy rate and hiring
restrictions 2007-2012.

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32

Wildlife Restoration (WR):

A. General Support of the Wildlife Program
This program function includes strategic and operational planning, budget, personnel, and
data management, performance measurement and program review for the wildlife program.
A.1. Internal Staff - Professional and Safety Training and Information
a. Develop and provide not less than 40 hours of technical training per year for current
staff in each subprogram.
- Ongoing performance objective for program staff.
b. Develop and implement an orientation program of not less than two to three hundred
hours for new biologists, technicians and managers during their first year on the job.
- Completed and implemented a 12-month training program for new wildlife
biologists. The New Biologist Training plan was reviewed in April 2013 and it
ready for a new round of training. This is expected to be kicked off with our new
class of biologists in December, 2013. A similar training program for wildlife
technicians currently was developed and implemented. We piloted, then
implemented, a formal knowledge-transfer process to capture institutional
knowledge with top-priority given to employees due to retire within the next 5
years (and will be applied when staff transfer or resign as well). Supervisors
were directed to include the knowledge transfer process as a performance
measure in biennial work-planning guidance. Wildlife Management Operations
Handbook rewrite is still in progress. It will serve as a complete, up-to-date guide
for new and seasoned employees upon completion.
c. Hold an annual statewide technical training workshop for employees.
- Wildlife management program conferences held annually.
d. Place additional emphasis and resources towards the recruitment process for new
staff. Work to streamline the process in order to shorten the overall length of time
from announcement to start date. Work with universities, technical schools and
colleges to clarify our needs.
- The hiring freezes of 2010-2012 have been mostly unfrozen. As a result, we
have two relatively large recruitment classes underway. We should be caught up

33

with Biologist vacancies by mid fall, 2013, winter 2013/14 for Technicians. We
have expanded our intern programs. Currently we have contracts with University
of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and River Falls. Additional campuses are being
considered.
e. Encourage acting assignments to enhance professional development and to allow
movement from field to central office and vice versa.
- Ongoing acting assignments in the Bureau and Regions as needed, such as the
Wetlands Specialist.
f. Review compensation issues and support pay comparable to private sector and
surrounding states rates.
- Unable to proceed on this initiative because no cost of living pay increase have
been considered during the State of WI budgets through FY2013. However, for
the first time in a few years, merit increases were granted to approximately 1520% of WDNR, non- executive staff.
g. Provide and encourage attendance at professional meetings and training opportunities.
- Staff attendance encouraged and approved for the Wildlife Society Conference
(WI Chapter) and the North American Fish and Wildlife Conference but with
limitations on out of state travel.
h. Encourage more wildlife staff to attend the Leadership Academy.
-Each year WM staff have been included
i. Provide timely access to new research data both internally and externally using the
intranet, the wildlife newsletter and the Internet.
- Wildlife Policy Team approval of program membership in JSTOR (online
reference library). Recently we have worked out an agreement for access to UW
Madisons reference library. Since this is very extensive, we have ended the
contract with JSTORE.
j. Develop methods to efficiently communicate to staff the research findings shared at
conferences and in journals.
- Methods have been established. Intranet and Newsletter are used to
communicate important findings on research. New research information this year
will be posted on the external web and communicated with the public via
GovDelivery.

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k. Develop internet links to reputable national wildlife information sources, such as the
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agency Furbearer Management Web site, on both our
internal and external Web sites.
- Each program has chosen external links to support information found on their
web pages. Most staff members regularly check these links for accuracy and to
be sure information is still relevant.
l. Use the internal wildlife newsletter to circulate short articles written by various staff
with specialized expertise.
- Developed and well received. Includes monthly getting to know you articles
that feature one staff member. WM Journal page on the IntraNet is an archive of
articles written by staff.
A.2. Partners and the Public
a. Develop a wildlife information needs list to deliver through citizen-based
monitoring programs by 2009.
- We have an assessment of the wildlife inventory needs through the DNR's
"Inventory and Monitoring Review: Final Report" (available at
[Link] and the "Wisconsins Strategy
for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (Chapter 5 - Monitoring. pp
10-28; available at [Link] Wildlife inventory
needs are delivered via the WDNR's Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Inventory
"Statewide Inventory" website (available at [Link] and the Citizen-Base
Monitoring Network's website (available at [Link]
b. Encourage partners to contribute funds and staff toward accomplishing our education
objectives as described in A.3. and Part B.
c. Work with partners to continue youth conservation programs.
d. Make wise use of remaining years of the Stewardship Fund through partnerships and
leveraging to maximize land protection efforts.
e. Sustain and enhance partnerships with statewide and local conservation organizations
to develop and manage habitat.
A.3. Wildlife Education, Marketing, and Outdoor Skills Training

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Package and market existing wildlife outdoor skills and awareness programs to schools
and youth development agencies. Wherever practical, correlate programs to the
Wisconsin Department of Public Instructions model academic standards to encourage
interdisciplinary use by upper elementary and middle schools. Modify programs where
necessary to address the different needs of different target audiences. Offer fish and
wildlife programs in conjunction with other complimentary department education
programs. Supplement with highlights of local education efforts developed by Wisconsin
DNR biologists and conservation wardens.
a. Encourage and sponsor activities such as Archery in the Schools, Learn to Hunt
(LTH) programs and outdoor skills events to increase participation and emphasize the
importance of hunting.
- Have hired a National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) coordinator and
now have NASP in nearly 200 schools with around 800 NASP instructors. Staff
has helped coordinate many LTH programs each year under the coordination of a
Law Enforcement staff person. Staff lead a number of activities in the Youth
Outdoor Expo.
- In 2009 conducted 106 LTH events with 1479 participants and 1823 mentors
- In 2009 WDNR sold over14,000 mentor hunting licenses under Wisconsin
Mentor Hunting Law that took effect Sept 1, 2009. 4,3000 mentor hunting
licenses were sold for the 2010 Spring Turkey Season. Not one safety-related
incident to date.
- Currently working with UW-Stevens Point to evaluate the LTH program as an
overall recruitment and retention tool, based on evaluation make program
modifications.
- Currently working with UW-Madison to research and utilized social
marketing as a hunting and shooting sport recruitment and retention tool.
Development of Hunter Network of Wisconsin website, e-newsletter and
connecting Facebook page with over 200 followers. [Link] is where
young and old share hunting experiences and organization can learn about and
share recruitment/retention information.
b. Increase diversity efforts within the Learn to Hunt (LTH) program and encourage
external partners to find ways to involve participation from outside the normal
hunting community.

c. Continue our curriculum improvement for the Trapper Education Program in

cooperation with Wisconsin Trappers Association (WTA). Improve support materials
for the program.

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- Staff meet annually with WTA to implement and improve program. A new
Trapper Ed manual is nearly complete.
d. Continue the Turkey Hunter Education Program to attract and help new turkey
hunters.
- Staff advertise and hold many THE clinics each year with the help of many
volunteer instructors.
e. Provide hunter information in other languages, e.g., Spanish and Hmong.
- Hunting regulations are now provided in Spanish and Hmong. Persons
speaking these languages can now call the DNR information line and be
connected with a staff person who can speak their language.
f. Partner with sporting goods companies to promote outdoor skills and small game
hunting as a recruiting tool.
- A number of companies are working with DNR to provide necessary equipment
for the National Archery in the Schools Program.
g. Continue to educate the public on the right way to gain access to private land.
- Guidance has been provided in various media formats each year.
h. Increase elementary, middle and high school student and teacher understanding and
appreciation of Wisconsin wildlife and other natural resources.
- Staff have produced Wisconsin Wild Cards that describe life history of various
wildlife species. Information about various wildlife species is also provided in
documents on the DNR web page. Deer and furbearer trunks are made
available to teachers. The youth outdoor expo has booths that teach students
about wildlife. The education specialist has proposed development of a DVD for
teachers to use to help students understand more about Wisconsins wildlife.
i. Provide resource materials for public schools to promote outdoor skills, ethics, and
habitat related messages.
- Staff has produced an outdoor skills manual for activities lead in schools and
clubs. This manual has been widely distributed.
j. Provide funding to Wisconsin DNR wildlife education centers so that curriculum and
staffing are adequate to meet public demands.

37

- Education staff and budgets are provided at the Sandhill, Mead, Horicon and
Crex Meadows educational facilities. The Mead has a new educator position.
Horicon has a new education center.
k. Promote the Watchable Wildlife program at teacher conferences each year for the
next six years.
- This has not been done due to work on other listed priorities, however
watchable wildlife area signs remain on highways near such areas, and a Wildlife
Viewing Guide document is available. The Recreation Committee of the
Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative produced several bird trails publications
for each area of the state.
A.4. Customer Satisfaction
a. Incorporate surveys into the rule making process wherever possible.
b. Explore new ways of getting input from the public such as the Automated License
Issuing System (ALIS) and the new harvest registration database.
c. Include partners, such as the sporting goods industry, in identifying our customer
needs.
d. Continue to conduct sociological surveys on key management issues, e.g., chronic
wasting disease.
e. Explore the possibility of using the Departments Web site for questionnaires to
gauge the public pulse on important issues. .
- We are using Survey Select to develop on line questionnaires in addition to
independent websites on a project by project basis (CWD plan comments, etc.).
f. Continue to conduct surveys of hunting, harvest of game species, and hunter
satisfaction and expand the surveys beyond hunters.
A.5. Conservation Funding and Support
a. Print one or more wildlife or habitat related success stories about a major project in
each areas local press every year in order to establish credibility with constituents
and the Legislature.
b. Annually report wildlife accomplishments, innovations, highlights, and costs to the
public, the Legislature and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

38

- Contribute to the agencys fish and wildlife annual report which is posted on the
public website.
[Link]
The annual performance report to USFWS was reformatted and now includes
opportunities to narrate highlights.
- Science Services and the Office of Communications collaborated with programs
to develop an annual brochure to report accomplishments, innovations, and
expenditures to the public. The 2006-2007 brochure is available at
[Link] . The
2008-2009 brochure is available at
[Link]
c. Explore and obtain at least one new alternative funding source through partnership
coalitions. Develop a plan to show how new revenues would be spent. For example,
explore advertising in regulation pamphlets.
d. Implement the Nature is our Business initiative.
- Ongoing
e. Seek stable funding for statewide acquisition of critical habitats identified in the Land
Legacy Report.
- Accomplished through renewal of the Stewardship program. (See h. below)
f. Biennially work with the Legislature and the public to include a regular increase in
the operating budget for Wisconsin DNRs fish and wildlife properties and state
natural areas.
- Requested increase, but not approved.
g. Seek legislative approval and funding for a development, rebuilding and facilities
maintenance program for DNR fish and wildlife properties to provide an adequate
outdoor recreational infrastructure.
- The state Stewardship program has been renewed for another 10 years and
includes 11 million/year for capital development.
h. Seek reauthorization of the Stewardship Program to ensure needed funding to secure
properties of high resource value as they become available.
- Stewardship has been reauthorized and allocates 50 million dollars/year for 10
years for DNR properties and 12 million per year in grants to local units of
governments and NGOs.

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B. Hunter Education and Shooting Ranges

This program function includes strategic and operational planning, budget, personnel, and
data management, performance measurement and program review for the hunter education
training and shooting range project.
a. Each year, promote safe, responsible, and ethical conduct to all hunters from all
cultures through improved communications in the media and Department
publications.
- Annually purchase media buys (radio or TV) to provide statewide coverage to stress
the 4 rules of firearm safety.
b. Recruit, train, and retain a diverse volunteer instructor corps in the hunter education
program.
c. Establish an improved instructor incentive program to recruit and retain volunteer
instructors.
d. Monitor all hunter education classes each year to assure consistent delivery messages
and content.
e. Improve on the current regional instructor workshops and conduct an annual
standardized training workshop for all hunter education instructors.
f. Train new hunters and instill in them the four basic firearms safety rules, TABK (T =
Treat every firearm as if it is loaded; A = Always point the muzzle in a safe direction;
B = Be certain of your target and whats beyond it; K = Keep your finger outside the
trigger guard until ready to shoot).
g. Deliver advanced and novice hunter training clinics and seminars in all five regions.

h. Continue to increase online/field day delivery of hunter education certification.

i. Develop a mentor program with incentives to get youth, females and minorities
involved in hunting.
j. Modify and update the archery education program.
k. Implement the adult hunter education program required through Wisconsin Act 168,
online program with practical exam.

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l. Utilize funding for shooting range development, maintenance, and increase

utilization of existing shooting ranges. Implement a shooting range grant program.

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Strategic Goal II: Sustaining Ecosystems

The states ecosystems are balanced and diverse. They are protected, managed and used through
sound decisions that reflect long-term considerations for a healthy environment and a sustainable
economy.
Wildlife Restoration (WR):
A. Maintain Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity
Maintain wildlife habitat (grassland, wetland, forest and savanna) on public and private land.
A.1. General Goals and Objectives
a. Make full use of the Biodiversity Report, Land Legacy Report, Ecosystem
Management Handbook, Wildlife Action Plan, WBCI-All- bird Conservation Plan,
individual species conservation plans and other planning documents to help guide
land protection efforts of government and non-government organizations.
- These plans are being used by staff for work planning purposes. Regional
EcoSummits were held in each of the 5 regions to help staff determine what places
and practices would best meet state, regional and global priorities outlined in
these plans. Because we learned as we went, the resulting documentation is not in
the same format for each region, so we are in the process of finalizing a template
that will report the results in a consistent format, which will be used to build a
statewide map of and supporting information for the identified priorities. This
information will then be used for strategic deployment of our staff and fiscal
resources to ensure we are working on the most important habitat in the right
places.
Even though compilation of the results of the ecosummits on a statewide basis is a
work in progress, the information gathered at the regional meetings is routinely
being used for planning and implementation at both the policy level and in the
field. For example, a land acquisition ranking sheet incorporated these concepts,
internal funding processes(stamps)consider this information when allocating
funding, staff use this information when applying for grants, and position
descriptions have been modified to focus on habitats that have been identified as
strategically important. This information is also used to guide our efforts with
both internal and external partners.
b. Identify, protect and restore critical habitat in each administrative area with priorities
determined for each ecological landscape.
- See a. above. This is being done through the EcoSummits

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c. Identify, investigate, and conduct research on the causes of habitat loss or impairment
and take corrective actions in each administrative area.
- There are many research projects ongoing that are being used to determine
limiting factors on species such as prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse, martens,
grassland birds, loons, raptors, and other species. A study on the impact of
introducing MN prairie chickens into Wisconsin was recently completed and
showed that this effort was successful in infusing MN genetics into the Wisconsin
GPC population. Work will continue on identifying and addressing habitat needs.
A few Prairie Chicken Management Plan will be initiated this summer.
Develeopment of this plan will be informed by population modeling for both
species and suggest appropriate management actions. A matrix is being
developed to correlate bird count data with habitat information. Research on the
validity of the use of Bird Conservation Area (BCA) concept has begun, with
initial results indicating that the targeted grassland bird species populations are
higher within the BCAs than in surrounding ares. This work is continuing.
There is not research per se on the causes of habitat loss, but most causes are
obvious (e.g. forest aging, fragmentation, CRP contract expiration, exurbia,
intensification of agriculture).
d. Identify and implement strategies to minimize the effects of rural residential
development adjacent to protected habitat.
- Various wildlife staff members have met with municipalities to outline impacts
for consideration in land use planning.
e. Continue to educate staff on the necessity and safe use of prescribed burning and
other tools for habitat management that may not be well understood or accepted, e.g.,
clear-cutting, herbicide application. Continue to educate the public on the importance
of these methods for ecological management.
- WDNR has a burn team that works on these issues. It also has a mandatory
training program and implementation protocol for those involved in prescribed
burns. Herbicide application information is readily available on a Department
website and proper use and tracking is kept at the forefront by Forest
Certification. A field FTE position has been dedicated to working with private
landowners on young forest management and other staff spend time working with
private landowners on this issue as well. The Wildlife Implementation Team(the
first-line supervisors) have been working with the DNRs Forestry Division to
include wildlife management issues in annual training sessions for forest plan
writers.
f. For habitat conservation planning, integrate the many existing habitat plans by
ecological landscape or other land unit.

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- See a. above. Information is provided by ecological landscape in the Ecosystem

Management Handbook and other plans. The EcoSummits are serving to
integrate plans in administrative areas consisting of several counties that have
staff working on the same team. A new FTE Northwest Sands Coordinator
position has been created to support efforts to develop partnerships in the
Northwest Sands. This individual will focus on integrating the goals of multiple
plans (NW Sands. Sharp-tailed Grouse, NW Sands Corridor Model) into a
cohesive approach to barrens and sharp-tailed grouse conservation that meshes
with local land use goals.
g. Educate the public on adverse habitat trends and what the Department has been and is
doing to slow or reverse these trends.
- These messages are routinely incorporated in talks by staff to various audiences,
but more could be done.
h. Investigate and advocate for strategies that reduce global warming and its impacts on
habitat.
- The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts is operational with many
interests working together to predict impacts of climate change, develop an
understanding of vulnerabilities, and develop adaptive strategies. One of its
subteams is the Climate Change Wildlife Working Group, which has produced a
draft report in the first phase. Wildlife Management supervisors and staff
participated in a series of climate change adaptation workshops which serve to
both inform the participants about climate change and solicit their input on
potential climate change adaptation issues specific to their programs. Results for
these workshops were summarized and will be incorporated into the Wildlife
Action Plan and other relevant department planning efforts.
i. Protect unique habitats of statewide significance such as bat hibernacula.
- A bat protection protocol was developed with increased urgency due to the
spread of white nose syndrome. Surveys of hibernacula have been conducted for
the past 2-3 winters, with no WNS having been detected in Wisconsin yet.
j. Manage lands to provide enhanced food resources for wildlife.
- Public lands are routinely managed for a full range of ages, seral stages, and
habitat components to provide for the food of wildlife. In addition, food plots are
provided on a number of properties through share-cropping agreements. In 2012,
sharecropping of state wildlife areas resulted in 600 acres of standing corn.
Food plots are routinely offered within the Buena Vista Wildlife Area to ensure
over winter resources for the threatened population of Greater Prairie Chickens.

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k. Complete Ecosystem Management Planning team chapters on ecological

opportunities for each ecological landscape.
- The Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook identifies the best area of
the state to manage for different natural communities, key habitats, aquatic
features, and native plants and animals using an ecosystem management
perspective. The handbook also highlights socioeconomic activities that are
compatible with sustaining these important features across Wisconsin. In
addition, it prioritizes Wisconsins most ecologicially-important resources relatie
to the rest of the continent and beyond. Significant progress has been made on
the handbook and some chapters are now available on line by visiting [Link]
and using the search term ecological landscapes.
l. Manage habitats on public lands to encourage less represented communities including
early successional and late successional habitat types.
- The WDNR is doing this by implementing the Upper Mississippi and Great
Lakes Region Joint Venture All Bird Plan. A number of staff and committees have
been doing additional land use analysis and training of staff, particularly on
grassland, savanna, shrubland and wetland needs. Wisconsins Act 166 regarding
timber harvest on public lands has resulted in increased coordination between
Wildlife Biologists and Foresters at the local level to review forest management
plans on Wildlife Areas and to move forward with timber sales to reduce the
backlog. Master Planning has identified where public lands should be managed
for early or late successional forest. For example, the recently completed Master
Plan for the 90,000 Sandhill, Meadow Valley, and Wood Country Wildlife Area
complex identified both grouse management (early successional) areas and old
growth areas as well as barrens management areas.
m. Continue to make progress on writing master plans for state forests, scientific natural
areas, and wildlife areas.
- A plan for writing master plans has been developed. It is estimated that it will
take 15 years to complete all of them. In the meantime, the DNR website has
information on the management of each wildlife area. Forest certification has
created another mandate for these plans. The Wildlife Program has a new public
lands staff specialist to help coordinate and speed up this process and there are
now also plan writers on staff to further facilitate this process. Master Plans
have been completed for 40 Wildlife Areas with others in process. The
Department recently completed analysis of the planning process and has made
recommendations for a more streamlined process which will allow planning to
continue at a faster pace.
n. Work to establish corridors of habitat to connect major blocks of important habitats
across the state.

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- Specific needs for this work have been identified for prairie chickens in central
Wisconsin and sharp-tailed grouse in northwest Wisconsin. The Climate Change
Wildlife Working Group will be identifying corridor needs for species vulnerable
to climate change.
o. Promote recognition of statewide habitat plans in local planning and zoning decisions.
- Various staff have met with local municipalities to share information.
A.2. Aquatic Communities General
a. Support and further promote Forestry Best Management Practices for water quality.
- Ongoing.
b. Continue to work with local units of government to further protect and restore shore
lands.
- Wisconsin has a shoreland protection law and has produced educational
materials and research results regarding these needs.
c. Restore forests, grasslands and wetlands in watersheds to enhance water quality in
streams and lakes.
- Ongoing across the state. WDNR has provided funds to hire farm bill biologists
to increase enrollment in programs that reduce erosion and will be providing staff
to help with the general CRP sign up in June 2010.
A.3. Wetlands
a. Implement "Reversing the Loss: A strategy for protecting and restoring wetlands in
Wisconsin.
- Wildlife staff participate on a team with other WDNR staff, other government
agencies and non-government agencies to work on this objective. Duck stamp
funds have been used to restore and enhance wetlands. Federal grants (e.g.
GLFWR Act, GLRI, NAWCA) have been secured to restore and enhance wetlands
as well
b. Identify and prioritize wetlands in need of protection, restoration and enhancement in
each ecological landscape or administrative area.
- Wildlife staff have a plan of priority areas for wetland restoration based on
topography, hydrology, and soils. This plan is being updated. UMRGLR Joint
Venture Science staff have provided tools for prioritizing areas to restore and
enhance wetlands for waterfowl and waterbirds. Additionally, the Bureau of
Water Quality has developed GIS layers of highly restorable wetlands on the
landscape in some Areas of Concern within some Great Lakes Watersheds.
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c. Seek authority for and develop a comprehensive state administered wetland

regulatory and enforcement program including compensatory mitigation for permitted
wetland loss.
-The Bureau of Watershed Management has developed a program in which it will
regulate and administer wetland mitigation banking programs and in-lieu fee
programs for wetland losses that go through the individual permitting process. A
number of general permit types have also been developed to streamline a number of
minor wetland losses/alterations.
d. Protect wetlands with high value through acquisition, incentives and other innovative
strategies together with federal, state and local government and conservation
organization partners.
- Wildlife staff work with many partners to restore wetlands including the
USFWS, WDOT, USDA NRCS, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin
Waterfowl Association, Pheasants Forever, Audubon, and Ducks Unlimited using
municipal, state, federal and private funds.
e. Restore degraded wetlands on public and private lands to recapture ecosystem
function and value and in certain areas enhance migratory waterfowl habitat.
- A significant portion of waterfowl stamp funds have been used for major
renovations and maintenance activities to retain wetland values.
f. Evaluate wetland restoration and management techniques for effectiveness.
- A number of surveys and monitoring programs are currently in place to analyze
species use and ecosystem changes on restored wetlands. Wisconsin is currently
a leader within national model for marshbird monitoring. Next steps within this
program include addressing questions relevant to managers including evaluation
of restorations and water-level management on public lands.
g. Promote to the public the Departments efforts with wetland restoration and
management.
- Staff routinely incorporate these messages in talks to various audiences. Plans
are in place to do more to outreach on the Departments waterfowl stamp
program, the work that is being done and why it is important.
h. Implement the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture
management plans for water birds, waterfowl and shorebirds.
- Presentations have been made to wildlife staff at statewide and regional
meetings to help them understand the objectives outlined in these plans. Staff are

47

working to integrate plans and determine the actions they can take that will best
meet these regional objectives in their administrative areas. Wetland habitat
activities focus on habitat types that are identified in the plans for Wisconsin to
restore, enhance or protect. This is frequently done by keying in on focal species
identified in the plans. Wisconsin DNR staff are working with partners to
revitalize the Wisconsin Joint Venture Steering Committee. This group will help
to coordinate conservation delivery efforts and establish new partnerships to
make sure that partners are implementing the goals of the Joint Venture in the
most efficient manner possible.
i. Rewrite Wisconsins portion of the Joint Venture management plan for waterfowl and
wetland management.
- The Wisconsin Steering Committee of the Joint Venture recently decided that the
Wisconsin Plan needs to be revised and updated from the current version
which was established in 1992. The revised Wisconsin Plan will consider the
goals and objectives set in the 2007 JV All Birds Plan, and will establish criteria
for revising priority townships and focus areas.
j. Seek opportunities to manage shallow water lakes to benefit wildlife.
- A number of high profile projects have included Rush Lake and Muskego Lake
restorations.
k. Conduct a wetland management training program for wildlife staff.
- WDNR wetland management training sessions have been held in the past with
USFWS and NRCS staff. Preliminary discussions are taking place to establish
another week-long wetland training workshop in 2014 for new biologists.
l. Manage wetlands and flowages through water control structures, water level
management, and dike establishment and management.
- Wildlife staff continue to manage these flowages and have used a significant
portion of duck stamp funds for these purposes in the last couple years. These
projects have also been funded through Pittman Robertson, segregated,
operational, and NAWCA funding. Still, funds are not adequate to keep all
flowages operational.
m. Develop and implement a comprehensive wild rice management plan.
- A wild rice committee comprised of DNR, Tribal, and partner staff has been
working on this plan. After State and Tribal committee members agree on a draft,
further approval will be sought through the respective governmental channels
before adoption.

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n. Develop an educational brochure on shallow lakes and flowage management.

-This has not been done.
o. Educate the public on the value of prescribed burning for wetland management.
- This topic is occasionally incorporated in staff talks to various audiences.
p. Regularly use disturbances such as fire, mowing, disking, or herbicide to prevent
herbaceous wetlands from succeeding to woody habitats.
- Ongoing across the state, but a never ending battle that is made more difficult as
DNR manages wetlands with limited staff and funding. Keeping up with invasive
species suppression has been particularly difficult.
q. Develop forest management techniques for regenerating bottomland floodplain
forests.
-The WBCI All-Bird Conservation Plan now includes a chapter on floodplain forest
conservation priorities, management recommendations and strategies. This chapter
is available to managers on the WBCI website and is promoted through internal and
external communications channels. Wisconsins Silvicultural Handbook also has
chapters on swamp hardwood and bottomland hardwood silvics. Visit [Link]
and search silviculture and forst aesthetics handbook.
A.4. Oak and Pine Barrens
a. Implement the Northwest Sands Integrated Ecosystem Management Plan in concert
with the signatory partners.
- Ongoing with significant attention to maintaining and increasing openland barrens
habitats An newly-created Northwest Sands Coordinator position will allow
increased focus on implementation of this plan on a landscape scale.
b. Work with private landowners with sandy soils to restore barrens and maintain open
landscapes in barrens areas.
- Ongoing; we held a barrens workshop but it did not accomplish anything "onthe-ground.
c. Restore significant blocks of open barrens community in northeast sands ecological
landscape, e.g., Dunbar, Spread Eagle, Athelstane.
- Additional openland barrens has been created through timber harvests and
subsequent management.

49

d. Restore significant blocks of open barrens community in central sands ecological

landscape, e.g., Quincy Bluff.
- Limited additional acreage of open barrens has been provided on state lands in
this area.
e. The Ecosystem Management Team will produce maps and data for central sands
ecological landscape.
- EMT work on the handbook for all ecological landscapes is nearly complete as
a result of special staff assignments. Some chapters are now available on line by
visiting [Link] and using the search item ecological landscapes.
f. Implement Karner Blue Butterfly management plans to increase oak and pine barrens
habitats.
- This is ongoing work for wildlife managers responsible for public lands that
support KBB.
g. Implement pine barrens curriculum at education centers and schools in northwest and
central Wisconsin.
- Not completed, but this topic is incorporated in staff talks to various audiences.
h. Work with forestry and forest industry to have oak and pine barrens restoration
viewed as a priority within the sand-dominated landscapes.
- Conversations regarding these values continue.
i. Lease Namekagon Barrens to preserve open barrens landscape.
- The Namekagon Barrens were recently acquired in fee-an important step in
ensuring that this landscape can be managed as barrens in perpetuity. In
addition, a large Forest Legacy easement has been acquired adjoining the
Namekagon Barrens which provides additional barrens potential.
j. Continue to manage for open barrens habitat as a priority on Crex Meadows Wildlife
Area.
- Open barrens habitat has increased with aggressive treatments of woody
vegetation including biomass harvesting.
k. Work internally to foster timber sales beyond the scope of sustainable forestry for
wildlife benefits, e.g., moving mosaic to produce both wood and open landscapes.
- Wildlife staff routinely work with foresters to address wildlife needs.

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A.5. Southern Forests

a. Protect, enhance and maintain remaining large block southern forest landscapes, e.g.,
Kettle Moraine area, Baraboo hills, driftless area, Mississippi River, Lower Wolf
River Bottomlands, and Wisconsin River.
- Significant planning and management efforts are ongoing in these areas. The
Driftless Area Initiative and the WBCI Southern Forest Planning Committee are
working on a planning process and vision which would incorporate focal bird
species needs along with socio-economic needs and other ecosystem needs. The
Lower Wolf River Bottoms Master Plan was approved by the NRB in 2012.
b. Implement land planning efforts that protect and enhance large blocks of southern
forests, e.g., the Kettle Moraine Feasibility Study, the Southeast Region Natural
Areas Feasibility Study, and the Land Legacy Report.
- See a. above.
c. Identify priority southern forest restoration areas with forestry staff and use available
dollars, e.g., Turkey Stamp, Farm Bill, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program,
Stewardship, to enlarge and connect them.
- Limited progress on connecting forests, however, these funds have been used to
enhance forests and plant trees.
d. Implement management practices to benefit and enhance native flora and fauna
associations, in particular interior forest birds.
- Wildlife staff work with foresters to manage some units for young forests while
others are managed for older forests. A team has developed strategies for old
forest management.
The WBCI Southern Forests Committee has finished bird conservation guidance
for s. forest types including bottomland hardwoods, oak, central hardwoods and
other relevant timber types.
e. Offer liberal hunting regulations to encourage hunters to harvest enough deer to
manage deer populations near established population goals to reduce impacts on
forest flora and fauna; investigate impacts of existing deer population goals.
- As a result of planned harvests and several adverse winters, most northern
forest and central forest units are near goals. Deer populations in most farmland
units are on the rise, with some being significantly over goal. This issue is tied
into the Deer Trustee Report implementation which is currently being discussed
with Citizen Action Teams.

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f. Use partnerships established through the Wisconsin's Bird Conservation Initiative to

improve habitat for wild birds in southern forests.
- A new WBCI committee has been initiated to focus on southern forest birds;
they are working on developing focus areas, similar to the BCA concept for
grassland birds, to guide future management decisions. See above.
g. Work with consulting firms and forestry to certify forested lands on all department
lands.
- WDNR lands are now certified by SFI and FSC. Staff participate in annual field
audits and Depatment-wide Integrated Certification Implementation Team meets
regularly to insure compliance, perform an annual internal audit, and coordinate
responses to corrective action requests and observations.
h. Work with foresters to ensure that timber management on wildlife areas is consistent
with property goals and beneficial to a diversity of wildlife.
- Wildlife staff routinely do this work with foresters. See A.1.1 above. In
addition, properties that have not yet been Master Planned are developing
Interim Forest Management Plans (IFMP) to ensure that forest management that
takes place is consistent with not only property goals but with the landscape
context of the property. This is an ongoing process which includes an opportunity
for public input. The up-do-date list of properties that have completed or are
developing an IFMP can be found on our website: [Link]/topic/lands/ifmp.
i. Develop guidelines that would help incorporate wildlife management into properties
enrolled in the Managed Forest Law and properties receiving funds through the
Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program.
- The Wildlife Implementation Team provides wildlife specific information
annually at seminars to train MFL consultants.
j. Provide incentives that encourage practices that maintain oak dominance in southern
forests.
- Forestry grants and turkey stamp grants have been aimed at this objective.
k. Implement state lands forest management initiative.
- See h. above.
l. Restore agricultural lands to forests where they would add to existing large forest
blocks.

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- Staff are doing this through turkey stamp grants; CRP tree planting is also
helping. Opportunities for the activity have been identified through the ecosummit
process.
A.6. Grasslands
a. Implement recommendations for this community found in the Biodiversity Report
and the Management for Grassland Birds document, e.g., Central Wisconsin
Grassland Conservation Area, Southwest Grasslands, Jefferson County Habitat Area,
Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area, and Glacial Habitat Restoration Area.
- A WBCI Grassland Committee led by wildlife staff from WDNR and USFWS
has developed a plan for priority areas and has been meeting with field staff to
help implement the plans. They have also provided training on grassland bird
management at a statewide training meeting for DNR and partner staff and at
several local training workshops especially targeted toward partners such as
USDA FSA and NRCS staff. Primary focus areas are the Southwest Grasslands,
the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area and the Western Prairie
Habitat Restoration Area. Multiple Bird Conservation Areas have been identified
within each of these landscape projects along with focal bird species. The BCAs
are used as focus areas for acquisition and management, and bird surveys are
conducted to evaluate whether the BCA concept is working. Preliminary results
show that there are higher population levels of focal grassland bird species within
the BCAs than there are outside. Additional BCAs are being established in the
smaller grassland landscapes.
b. Protect, manage, and enhance native prairie remnants as refuges for flora, fauna and
ecological processes.
- Protection of these areas is an ongoing priority, particularly for BER staff and
natural area crews.
c. Protect and manage significant blocks of sedge meadow not currently afforded
management or protection.
- Ongoing; we have added some acreage but not in significant blocks.
d. Explore perennial bio-fuel options for wildlife values on private lands.
- Wisconsin has positioned itself to be a national leader in planting and
harvesting biomass crops while protecting and sustaining the states precious
natural resources, thanks to the Novemeber, 2011 release of voluntary, sciencebased biomass cropping guidelines. The document, Wisconsin Sustainable
Planting and Harvesting Guidelines for Nonforest Biomass, is the result of a two
year joint project conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection

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(DATCP), the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) and the

Wisconsin Bioenergy Council.
e. Regularly use disturbances such as fire, mowing, disking, or herbicide to prevent
established grasslands from succeeding to woody habitats.
- This continues to be a significant priority workload for wildlife staff across the
state. Staff will need to prioritize fields for disturbance as the acreage to staff
ratio grows on public lands.
A.7. Oak Savanna
a. Establish savanna habitat at several landscape scales to meet area requirements for a
wide range of species.
- As most savanna species are not area sensitive, wildlife staff are working to
create blocks of various sizes as opportunities, funding and staff are available.
b. Work with partners to restore large blocks of degraded oak savanna on private land.
- Ongoing. We have made progress through the Landowner Incentive Program
(LIP) but it is limited by the amount of funding we have. It should be noted that
LIP will be ending after 2011 due to no federal appropriation to continue the
program
c. Continue oak savanna restoration across its historical range on several Departmentowned properties.
- See a. above.
d. Use the use-value tax incentives to promote use of grazing land for private savanna
restoration.
- Limited use.
e. Educate wildlife biologists, foresters, and landowners on the value of prescribed fire
for savanna restoration.
- Staff have been made aware. Some landowners have been made aware.
f. Work with the resurging grazing industry to facilitate savanna preservation and
restoration.
- Ongoing and increasing. For example, in the Western Prairie Habitat
Restoration Area, a partnership has been developed and a grazing specialist is
assisting in getting the word out to local farmers and graziers about the value of

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grazing. Likewise, Southwest Grasslands partners are working to hire a grazing

broker to promote grazing options in the project area.
g. Work with local zoning administrators to preserve important grasslands.
- Various staff have discussed this subject with municipalities.
h. Work with farm agencies, organizations and landowners to convert row crops to
grazing lands with practices to benefit grassland birds.
- Ongoing. High commodity prices are making it very difficult to make this
happen.
i. Work within the Department to identify areas where grassland will be a higher
priority than trees (and vice versa).
- This has been an ongoing issue of discussion. The Wildlife Management
program has identified these area, but this is an integration issue that still needs
discussion at the agency level.
j. Work to provide corridors between major grassland areas, e.g., Killsnake and Brillion
Wildlife Areas.
- Staff continue to look for such opportunities using acquisition, easements, and
federal farm programs, particularly in important grassland/barrens areas of
northwest, west-central, southwest and east-central Wisconsin. A new Southwest
Grasslands Area has been established for acquisition and partner contributions
toward grassland core and corridor areas.
A.8. Northern Forest
a. Maintain a full spectrum of forest ecosystems with a range of successional stages,
patch sizes, ages, geographic distribution, and connectivity.
- An ongoing priority for Northern Forest wildlife managers.
b. Work with foresters to plan for and increase the number of large blocks of various
forest components.
- Ongoing on state, county and national forests.
c. Continue to incorporate wildlife needs through the private tax law.
- Limited progress other than the Managed Forest Law.
d. Work with counties to implement 15-year county forest plans.

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- Wildlife staff have worked with county forests on their 15-year plans.
e. Maintain large, contiguous forests for ecological, economic and social reasons.
- Ongoing, especially through acquisition and easements or industrial forest
lands.
f. Prioritize large forest ownerships for protection through acquisition, easements and
other methods and secure special legislative appropriations for these large forests
rather than using so much of stewardship funds that other critical habitats cannot be
acquired statewide.
- Ongoing. Separate appropriations have not been made, and the Stewardship
Fund continues to provide significant funding. The future of the Stewardship
program is unknown at this time but it appears likely that it will remain but at a
lower funding level. Use of Stewardship for the forest easements continues to be
popular and may reduce funding available for Department fee acquisition of
other habitats.
g. Restore under-represented elements of northern forests, e.g., flora, fauna, forest
structure and ecological processes.
- Continuing through opportunities identified by Ecosystem Management Team
and the Wildlife Action Plan and the EcoSummit process.
h. Provide department input on national forest plans.
- Ongoing through the Division of Forestry. A Forest Habitat staff specialist has
recently been hired; this individual will focus on working with internal and
external forest partners and will allow the Wildlife Management program to etter
integrate with Forestry.
i. Work with industrial forests to protect and enhance wildlife habitats; embrace
working forests for the wildlife values they provide.
- Ongoing. Purchasing these forests in some cases and Forest Habitat staff
specialist will also work on this partnership.
j. Manage forest openings in early successional habitats.
- This continues at a limited level, recognizing the impacts of these openings on
edge sensitive species.

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A.9. Urban and Suburban Areas

a. Protect and enhance birds using urban environments, e.g., Bird City Wisconsin,
green space planning, and National Wildlife Federation backyards for wildlife, with
special attention to corridors and riparian habitats. The Bird City Wisconsin
program has proven to be an effective way to deliver conservation messages within
urban environments. In just two years it has recognized 66 communities statewide for
their efforts to conserve bird and educate the public about bird conservation. WM
staff are working with local communities to help with applications and with project
that meet Bird City criteria.
b. Work with municipal parks to develop demonstration projects.
c. Work with urban governments to improve water quality in associated rivers and
lakes.
d. Work with private nature centers in urban areas on practices for city dwellers to
implement on their properties.
e. Promote use of native species for urban habitat plantings.
A.10. Private Lands
a. Department staff will perform a direct role in Farm Bill policy negotiations through
legislators, the Wildlife Management Institute, Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies, State Technical Committee, etc.
- Wildlife staff have provided a critical role in farm bill policy and
implementation through work with WMI, AFWA, legislators, MAFWA committees,
USDA State Technical Committee, and contributions toward 5 farm bill biologists
co-funded by Pheasants Forever and USDA NRCS. Priority programs have
included CRP, CREP, WRP, SAFE, and WHIP.
b. Quantify the impact of the 2007 Farm Bill programs on Wisconsin wildlife by 2011
and deliver this information for decision-making for the next farm bill.
- Wildlife staff have contracted for the evaluation of SAFE impacts on wildlife.
Additionally, survey data have revealed a clear link between pheasant
populations in the state and total CRP acreage, and this information is being used
to support continued emphasis on CRP with USDA partners.
c. Build a coalition of partners, including Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative
partners, to lobby for farm bill policy that benefits wildlife habitat and populations.

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- Wildlife staff have routinely given presentations and information to partners on

farm bill policy. Many partners are very active in advocating for farm bill policy
that benefits wildlife. A national coalition of partners developed a publication
that outlined desired policies.
d. Work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wetland Reserve Program
implementation through shared project positions.
- WDNR co-funds 4 farm bill biologists to do this work and is looking for
additional funds to accelerate WRP implementation in Wisconsin.
e. Field staff will work with landowners to improve habitat directly or through federal
farm programs.
- Some staff have assisted landowners with labor, equipment and cost-sharing
(e.g. Pheasant Stamp), but most support occurs through farm bill biologists and
policy work.
f. Use waterfowl, turkey and pheasant stamp funds for private lands habitat projects.
- All 3 stamp accounts have been used each year to fund private lands habitat
projects.
g. Cooperate with Resource Conservation and Development Districts and the Wisconsin
Woodland Owners Association to inspire private lands wildlife habitat work.
- Wildlife staff work of note in this area is the central Wisconsin Grasslands
partnership coordinated through the Golden Sands RC&D and provision of a
liaison to WWOA for improving wildlife benefits on private lands, particularly
through MFL.
h. Update the educational Wildlife and Your Land series.
- Although limited funding and staffing have prevented this update, a series of
seminars were developed for use with landowners.
i. Seek ways to increase wildlife management considerations on lands under Managed
Forest Law and in the Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program.
- Ongoing through Wildlife Implementation Team and liaison to WWOA.
j. Provide information that will cause consideration of wildlife needs in land use
planning discussions of local governments.
- Various staff have provided information to local municipalities.

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k. Seek ways to bridge the gap between inadequately staffed agencies with habitat
improvement funds and landowners who may be interested in programs.
- This is being done through the farm bill biologists program and partnerships
with conservation organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited,
The Nature Conservancy, the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, and others. The
Private Lands Committee is working on a recommendation regarding the niche of
WDNR WM, considering staffing and funding limitations and the efforts of
partners.
l. Evaluate alternatives to the current use-value tax law which may have less adverse
impacts on wildlife habitat.
m. Seek tax breaks for preserving or restoring critical natural communities, e.g., prairie,
savanna, sedge meadows, and wetlands.
- No political will to have a tax-based incentive program on this issue
n. Promote recognition of statewide habitat plans in local planning and zoning decisions.
- Various staff provide such information to some municipalities.
o. Creatively work with partners to enhance delivery of wildlife management practices
on private lands.
- See objectives above. In addition, the Deer Trustee Report recommended
creating and implementing a Deer Management Assistance Program. The
Department is working with citizen advisors to create a program to assist private
landowners in the management of property for white-tailed deer. Details of all
components of the program are currently being developed, but are anticipated to
include technical assistance to manage deer numbers as well as provide advice
that will improve and manage habitat for a variety of wildlife species besides
deer.
p. Seek tax breaks for lands with resource protection deed restrictions.

A.11. Exotic and Invasive Species

a. Prevent, control where feasible, or contain priority non-native invasive plant species.
- There are both department and wildlife management teams working on this
objective. Field staff routinely work on invasives control. The department spent
$9.3 million in 2012 combating invasive species in Wisconsin based on
preliminary spending estimates. A brief report to the legislature summarizing

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those expenses and activities can be found on the invasive species website: Go to
[Link] and use the keyword search, invasive species to find the plan.
b. Identify invasive species that will be a priority for Department control and then
identify priority sites for invasive control in each administrative area.
- The Invasive Species Council, with significant support from department staff,
has completed a year-long effort to develop a statewide invasive species strategic
plan to help focus human and financial resources most effectively. You can learn
more about the plans by visiting [Link] and using the keyword search,
invasive species.
c. Develop and implement statewide invasive species management plans, including
education, research and control.
- The Invasives Committee has begun work on this objective.
d. Develop guidelines for field biologists to use in controlling invasive species.
- Guidelines for a number of invasive species have been developed.
e. Communicate with landscaping companies and nurseries on invasive species that are
particularly hazardous for Wisconsin.
- We continue to focus considerable effort and attention to try and stem the tide of
invasive species in Wisconsin. We are currently in the process of revising our
invasive species rule (NR 40) and proposing additions to the list of prohibited and
restricted species. The invasive species rule make it illegal to possess, transport,
transfer, or introduce certain invasive species in Wisconsin without a permit.
More information on the proposed changes and rule revision process can be found
by visiting [Link] and using the keyword search invasive species.
f. Continue to support and evaluate bio-control efforts, e.g., purple loosestrife, garlic
mustard, spotted knapweed.
- Use of insects for control have been evaluated for purple loosestrife and spotted
knapweed.
g. Secure funding for programs that would have significant impact on invasive species,
particularly terrestrial species.
- We attempted to secure terrestrial invasive species funding in the current 13-15
state budget, but that effort appear to have failed. However, the department spent
$9.3 million in 2012 combatting invasive species in Wisconsin based on
preliminary spending estimates. A brief report to the legislature summarizing

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those expenses and activities can be found on the invasive species website: Go to
[Link] and use the keyword search invasive species to find the plan.
h. Work toward control of harmful, non-native animal species.
- We continue to focus considerable effort and attention to try and stem the tide of
invasive species in Wisconsin. We are currently in the process of revising our
invasive species rule (NR 40) and proposing additions to the list of prohibited and
restricted species. More information on the proposed changes and rule revision
process can be found by visiting [Link] and using the keyword search
invasive species.
i. Continue to use management tools to control mute swan populations according to the
Natural Resources Boards approved mute swan management policy.
- Mute swan control work continues, but not without significant controversy.
j. Ensure the Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan is implemented.
The Aquatic Invasive Species program uses a comprehensive approach to increase
monitoring, respond to emerging threats, step up enforcement and work with partners
to prevent, contain and control aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin: For more info:
[Link]/lakes/invasives.
k. Develop and implement a feral pig control plan.
- Feral pig control has occurred in many areas of the state through hunters,
biologists and USDA-WS. Information has been made available on the DNR
website. Hunters have been encouraged to shoot feral pigs. Progress has been
made.
l. Continue to work to minimize carp populations in wetland habitats important for
waterfowl production and migration.
- Drawdowns and control structures have been used to control carp on numerous
flowages.
m. Identify and implement measures, e.g., pet owner education, to reduce feral cat
impacts on wild birds and mammals; consider evaluating trap-neuter-release
programs.
- Little progress. The Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative has developed
educational materials about the effects of feral cats.
n. Work to prevent the introduction and manage the impacts of priority high-risk foreign
fish and wildlife disease agents.

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- There has been work on protocols for reducing ballast water introductions and
on policies to address the Asian carp threat.
o. Assess the potential risk to Wisconsin species from emerging continental and global
diseases.
- WDNR has been actively sampling for Avian Influenza and other emerging
diseases.
p. Develop tools to prevent and monitor for the introduction of high risk disease agents.
- Ongoing.
q. Develop and implement tools for the control and/or containment of priority emerging
diseases.
- Ongoing.
B. Establish and/or Manage Wildlife Populations
Analyze and interpret wildlife population data in order to manage species levels, set quotas,
and establish hunting seasons. Results would be shared in publications and communications
with the public.
B.1. Non-game Mammals
a. Implement the Wolf Management Plan.
- Wolves are now a game species. A wolf harvest was implemented in 2012-2013
based on WI legislation passed shortly after delisting. The season went well and
planning is ongoing for the next season. A new Wolf Advisory Committee has
been established and an updated Wolf Management Plan will be initiated soon.
Population monitoring is required as part of the delisting, and new monitoring
techniques are being explored.
b. Continue rare mammal tracking and reporting.
- Ongoing.
c. Assess location, population characteristics, and movements of bats along the Niagara
Escarpment. Develop a Wisconsin bat management plan by 2013.
- Planning in progress. White-nose syndrome response plan in progress. State
wildlife grant being used for bat assessment.

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d. Incorporate small mammal inventories into master planning inventories and other
inventories on public lands.
- Some inventories are occurring.
e. Prepare a Pine Marten Plan update by 2009 and explore opportunities for enhancing
the pine marten populations in northern Wisconsin.
- Plan has been completed and approved.
f. Inventory Wildlife Management Areas for wild mammalian species of greatest
conservation need.
- Limited surveys are occurring.
g. Implement components of the Wildlife Action Plan the benefit wild mammals.
- WAP implementation plan focuses on priority communities around the state. By
protecting and enhancing communities, mammals are benefited.
B.2. Non-game Birds
a. Continue eagle and osprey population monitoring and productivity surveys.
- Ongoing survey.
b. Continue population monitoring and productivity surveys for trumpeter swans; update
and revise the recovery plan to incorporate new down-listing and delisting goals,
which will be based on a population viability model.
- Trumpeter swan population continues to grow and expand its distribution; they
are now delisted. Banding continued through 2012 but plans are to discontinue it
in 2013.
c. Implement Partners in Flight (PIF) plans for migratory songbirds for Areas 16 and 20
Plans through step-down effort by Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI).
Participate in planning efforts to determine the staff and resource costs for
implementing the PIF plans, and develop approaches for meeting those needs.
- These plans have been incorporated into the UMRGLR Joint Venture All Bird
Plan and the WBCI All Bird Plan. Efforts are underway to try to meet objectives
for the various community types (e.g. Jack Pine, Barrens, Wetlands, Grasslands,
Southern Forests). See grasslands and s. forests partnerships above.
d. Revise and update the peregrine falcon recovery plan; continue recovery activities.

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e. Integrate shorebird management into management of wildlife impoundments, and

develop other initiatives as opportunities present themselves in the Wisconsin Bird
Initiative.
- Wildlife staff have been provided a workshop on shorebird needs and made
aware of the Joint Venture shorebird plan. Many flowages have been partially
drawn down with benefits for shorebirds.
Wildlife staff are working to advertise planned summer drawdowns to birders and
photographers which also allows for some data collection through Wisconsin
eBird.
f. Continue population monitoring and management efforts for colonial water birds,
e.g., herons, gulls, terns, cormorants, egrets, and piping plover.
- Ongoing.
g. Develop and implement a cormorant management policy.
- A cormorant management policy has been developed and implemented in the
Northeast Region. Staff have worked with other great lakes wildlife agencies on a
regional policy.
h. Develop and implement a statewide population monitoring and management program
for marsh/wetland birds that allows us to track and monitor populations. Pursue
citizen-based monitoring options for population monitoring.
- Wisconsin has been a regional leader in implementing statewide marshbird
surveys. A survey coordinator has been hired, who works with volunteers and
staff to complete the surveys. The survey is now being re-worked at the regional
level through the Joint Venture to incorporate priority management questions on
public and private marshes.
i. Coordinate efforts with Department research programs to implement landscape scale
management efforts for grassland birds. Implement the Central Wisconsin Grassland
Conservation Plan, Western Habitat Restoration Area (HRA), Glacial HRA and
Prairie Chicken Management Plan. Complete the Southwest Wisconsin Grassland
Feasibility Study.
- Staff continue to work with field staff and partners to increase acreage of
grasslands in these important areas through acquisition, management, easements,
and federal farm programs (e.g. CRP, SAFE). The SWG Feasibility Study was
completed and approved by the Natural Resources Board and the first land
acquisitions have been made. There are plans for the coordinators for each of
these projects to get together to share knowledge and experiences to help each of
the priority projects to be successful.

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j. Serve as a partner in the recovery of whooping cranes. Implement the state

management plan.
- WDNR has been an active partner in this effort through the Whooping Crane
Eastern Partnership (WCEP). While the number of nesting pairs increase, nest
success has been extremely limited. Department staff have worked with
WCEPpartners to incorporate a second recovery area (White River
Marsh/Horicon) in order to find a location more suitable for nesting pairs and to
minimize the risk of a catastrophic event.
k. Develop and implement management guidelines for habitats supporting forest raptors.
Participate in studies to determine status of the northern goshawk; contribute nesting
data to the National Heritage Inventory database. Comply with federal eagle
management rules.
- Ongoing. Eagles delisted in Wisconsin. WBCI partners worked with department
staff to design and implement a 3-year Red-shouldered Hawk survey. This survey
used volunteers to run land-based and water-based survey routes across the
range of RSHA in Wisconsin. Data is currently being analyzed and a final report
will be issued in Fall 2103. This data should allow for a status review for the
State Threathened raptor.
l. Participate in the Mississippi Flyway Council non-game technical section to develop
policy, plans, and regulations.
- Ongoing.
m. Inventory wildlife management areas for wild bird species of greatest conservation
need.
- Surveys have occurred on many areas, particularly Important Bird Areas and
are routinely performed with more active master plan processes.
n. Implement components of the Wildlife Action Plan that benefit wild birds.
- Wildlife staff are doing this, with added emphasis on the WAP in the regional
EcoSummits
C. Monitor Diseases and Environmental Contaminants in Wildlife
Investigate significant mortality of wildlife, monitor health of species of concern, certify
health of captive wildlife, work to minimize the impact of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
our deer herd, and monitor environmental contaminants in wildlife.
C.1. Wildlife Health

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a. Continue CWD monitoring with the goal of minimizing the impact of CWD on the
states deer herd, economy, hunters, and landowners. Monitoring will include
components of surveillance, research, herd reduction, education and outreach, and
disease prevention.
b. The main goal of the WI CWD Response Plan is to minimize the area of WI where
CWD occurs and the number of infected deer in the state.
c. Continue annual surveillance with the CWD-Management Zone in southern WI as
well as around CWD positive locations in the rest of the state.
d. Continue statewide surveillance for CWD utilizing weighted surveillance sampling to
attempt to further increase the efficacy and efficiency of our detection surveillance
efforts. Weighted surveillance focuses collection and sampling efforts on select age
and sex classes of harvested deer that are most likely to have the disease. Because
CWD is found at higher prevalence rates in adult males than in other demographic
groups of harvested deer, they are at the highest CWD risk and represent the most
valuable group of harvested animals to test for CWD detection in areas where the
disease has not previously been found.
e. Continue annual sick deer surveillance statewide. Although they are rare, they
represent the most valuable class of animals to sample for disease detection purposes
because they are at the highest risk for CWD.
f. Continue to provide hunter service testing for adult deer harvested anywhere in the
state.
g. Use a learn and adapt approach by incorporating new scientific information into
CWD Management.
h. Assist CWD research efforts to develop greater knowledge on disease ecology,
testing diagnostics, control strategies, and human dimensions.
i. Provide information, education, and opportunities for public involvement on CWD
management, surveillance, and research to major stakeholders.
j. Work cooperatively with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer
Protection (DATCP) on minimizing the potential for CWD transmission between
wild and captive deer.
k. Assist DATCP with the recapture or removal of escaped captive cervids from the
landscape.
l. Continue surveillance of sampling adult deer in the immediate vicinity of captive
cervid farms where CWD has been detected.

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m. Continue a strong program of fish and wildlife disease monitoring, including

surveillance of significant species to detect introduction of new diseases, changes in
disease patterns, and significant impacts on fish or wildlife populations.
The WDNR Wildlife Health Program continues to maintain a strong wildlife
necropsy program to monitor WI wildlife disease occurrence, patterns, and
trends. In the past three years, 500 wildlife necropsies were performed to
investigate cause of death, to contribute to specific disease surveillance programs
(such as West Nile virus and the National Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Surveillance), and to monitor for new and existing wildlife diseases. These
necropsies included investigating over 20 die-offs (>5 animals sick/dead in one
area over a short time frame) each year. During these 3 years, over 100 wolves
and bald eagles were necropsied. In addition, all loons found dead in WI were
necropsied to contribute to the information available on lead impacts on wildlife.
Since the discovery of White-nose Syndrome in bats in the east, the Wildlife
Health Program also increased the number of bats requested for necropsy in
order to monitor for the presence of this disease. In addition, the Wildlife Health
Program receives weekly reports from the Statewide Dead Bird Hotline to ensure
timely response to events of concern to WI wildlife health.
n. Develop and maintain an integrated wildlife health database that allows archiving of
disease and health testing data and promotes analyses of these data to identify health
trends.
The creation of an Oracle wildlife health database with a web-based userinterface was started in 2007. The database includes much of the departments
wildlife health data, back through the 1980s. Past data continues to be migrated
into the database as time allows.
Several new enhancements were added in the past three years including wildlife
rehabilitation annual reports, field submission, sick deer tracking and lab slips
for toxicology work. Details on the rehabilitation annual report application can
be found in the captive wildlife section of the report. Field staff are now able to
directly enter in animal submissions that were observed sick or dead, submitted
for necropsy or a sick deer submitted for CWD testing. Field staff have been
directed to enter in all of the sick deer observed or reported to them and guidance
has been provided on when to also submit samples for CWD or other testing.
This has enabled us to have a more complete picture of deer health throughout
the state. Lab slips can be created for toxicology work to be taken into the field
prior to sample collection.
o. Develop wildlife emergency response plans and capacities in partnership with federal
and state agencies and industries, so prompt action can be taken when needed for
emerging diseases.

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Over the past two years the Wildlife Health Team has participated in training
events and response plan coordination with national partners. Currently, the
health team is working with local agencies to assist in the development of animal
emergency response plans and attends monthly meetings with state agency and
industry partners in emergency preparedness. These are the beginning phases of
the creation of greater agency wide wildlife emergency response plan.
The Wildlife Heath Team played an active role in the development of a Wildlife
Annex for the Green Bay and Milwaukee Geographical Response Plans Sector
Lake Michigan Area Contingency Plan (ACP) in partnership with USDA APHIS
Wildlife Services, EPA, US Coast Guard, and US Fish and Wildlife Service-the
first wildlife annex for ACPs and wil serve as a model for the nation. With these
same partners the health team has also received responding to oiled wildlife
training, received incident command training, and participated in strategy
meetings.
p. Provide health management for reintroduction and conservation programs for
endangered, threatened, extirpated and rare species.
During the past 3 years, the Wildlife Health Program provided health
management advice and conducted or participated in disease surveillance
programs for reintroduction or translocation programs for elk, American marten,
whooping cranes, and sharp-tailed grouse. Health management advice was
provided and disease surveillance was conducted as part of gray wolf and
trumpeter swan capture and marking programs.
C.2. Captive Wildlife
a. Develop and implement licensing, enforcement, and education systems to ensure
appropriate disease risk management and humane care for captive wildlife, while
minimizing negative impacts on Wisconsins wildlife populations.
We continue to follow-up on individual complaints regarding licensed captive
wildlife facilities to ensure animal welfare, human health and safety and
compliance with associated regulations. We have also developed an Illegally
Held Wildlife policy to address situation when wildlife are illegally held by
unlicensed individuals or facilities.
b. Work with state and federal agencies and industries to manage CWD and other
disease risks in captive cervid facilities.
The department purchased a former deer farm known as Buckhorn Flats in
Portage County in 2011. This property was the most concerning of depopulated
deer farms in the state because of its potential high level of soil contamination
with CWD prions. A nearly 80% prevalence rate occurred from depopulated
deer, which is the highest infection rate in a captive cervid farm in North America

68

and perhaps the world. After extensive consideration and pursuit of several
options, purchasing the property and subsequent management was the only
remaining option to keep the fences in tact to protect the local wild deer herd
from exposure to a CWD contaminated environment. Further, the department
completed the installation of a secondary fence outside the entire perimeter of the
former deer farm and the area is now double-fenced.

c. Implement a wildlife rehabilitation licensing and education system that ensures

appropriate disease risk management, humane care and treatment, and release or
placement of orphaned, injured and sick wildlife.
We continue to educate and license wildlife rehabilitators across the state. Part
of our education efforts include speaking at conferences, writing articles for
veterinary and rehabilitation publications, and participating in youth group
activities related to wildlife welfare and disease risk management. Over the last 3
years, we have created an annual report database, allowing us to monitor trends
in wildlife populations, improve surveillance capability for emerging diseases,
and tailor public education messages to address relevant issues. In the last year,
these data have provided us with valuable information used in the development of
a campaign to prevent people from unnecessarily taking healthy, baby animals
from the wild. We have also created a Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Council
that will advise the Department on wildlife rehabilitation and related captive
wildlife topics.
d. Ensure that the falconry license and education system provides appropriate disease
risk management, humane care and treatment of birds.
e. Develop regulations to prohibit possession and release of swine at risk to become
feral pigs.

Strategic Goal III: Protecting Public Health and Safety

Our lands, surface waters, groundwater and air are safe for humans and other living things that
depend on them. People are protected by natural resources laws in their livelihoods and
recreation.
Wildlife Restoration:
A. Monitor Diseases and Environmental Contaminants in Wildlife
Investigate significant mortality of wildlife, monitor health of species of concern, certify
health of captive wildlife, work to minimize the impact of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
our deer herd, and monitor environmental contaminants in wildlife.
A.1. Wildlife Diseases

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a. Monitor birds for avian influenza.

The WDNR Wildlife Health Program contributed over 2000 samples to the
National HPAI Program during the 3 year time period.
b. Monitor birds for West Nile virus.
During the 3 year reporting period, the Wildlife Health Program collected tissue
samples during necropsies from birds and mammals for WNV PCR testing. In
addition, elk, and whooping cranes were screened for antibodies to WNV as part
of routine health screening done during capture events.
c. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease
During the summer/fall of 2012, higher than normal numbers of deer were found
dead in several counties in south central and southeast Wisconsin. Deer tested
positive for EHD; the first time this disease has been found in Wisconsin since
2002. In total, 427 deer were confirmed positive or suspected to have died from
EHD in a total of 13 counties.

A.2. Contaminant Monitoring

a. Continue contaminant monitoring in identified geographic areas, species of concern.
The Wisconsin Bald Eagle Bio-sentinel Program has tracked eagle productivity
and contaminant levels in WI since 1990, with an emphasis on eagles nesting
along the Great Lakes shoreline. Aerial surveys have shown that the WI Lake
Superior bald eagle population has recovered in numbers and reproductive
performance has improved. Concurrently, contaminant levels have markedly
declined.
At Wisconsin Green Bay/Lake Michigan nest sites, WDNR and USFWS measured
very low reproductive performance and high contaminant levels in the 1990s.
WDNR aerial surveys have recently shown that WI Green Bay/Lake Michigan
eagle numbers increased 5-fold and productivity has dramatically improved. We
are collecting nestling eagle blood samples for contaminant analysis in order to
provide additional data to assess whether the dramatic improvement in Green
Bay/Lake Michigan eagle performance is related to a decline in contaminant
exposure.
b. Conduct surveillance on newly emerging contaminants of concern, e.g.,
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), nanomaterials, perfluorooctane sulfonate
(PFOs), pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds.

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In addition to legacy contaminants (PCBs, DDT/DDE, lead, mercury,

organochlorine pesticides), we are analyzing samples from bald eagle nestlings
for emerging contaminants with the belief that eagles can be used as reliable
indicators of environmental change.
c. Monitor contaminant levels in urban goose populations to facilitate harvest for
consumption as a population management alternative.
This is an annual program in cooperation with USDA-Wildlife Services.
d. Utilizing baseline information from previous and/or historical studies, continue to
monitor changes by periodic sampling of populations.
We are continuing to monitor lead levels in eagles and loons as part of our
necropsy program. We are also working with MN-DNR to necropsy loons from
MN in order to build the dataset regarding lead exposure in MN loons. In
addition, a collaborative project between WDNR, USGS-National Wildlife Health
Center, and the UW-Madison Department of Geology and Geophysics to use
stable lead isotopes in order to investigate the potential routes of exposure of lead
to American woodcock in Wisconsin. We also hope to expand the WI Bald Eagle
Bio-Sentinel program to other areas of the state to utilize eagles as indicators of
environmental change.

e. Develop an education and outreach plan to promote the use of non-lead alternatives
for hunting and fishing.
A Lead Action Plan was created for the Department with input from staff from
several different programs. The purpose of this plan is to help reduce the amount
of lead discharged into the environment. Action items of the plan include copperbullet demonstrations/workshops, non-toxic shot education in Learn-to-Hunt
events, a Wingshooting education program, and development of a non-toxic shot
informational brochure.
f. Assess impacts of pesticides on wildlife populations.
g. Examine contamination issues within Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) within
Wisconsin.
We are re-evaluating existing waterfowl consumption advisories and determining
whether any existing advisories can be removed or if any new advisories are
warranted. We also investigated contaminants in small mammal populations
within the Sheboygan River AOC. We are working with multiple partners
(USFWS, NOAA, USGS) on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA)
process for the Sheboygan River.

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B. Establish and/or Manage Wildlife Population

Analyze and interpret wildlife population data in order to manage species levels, set quotas,
and establish hunting seasons. Results would be shared in publications and communications
with the public.
B.1. Animal Damage
a. Control native species or their populations that have been determined to be
detrimental. Identify the populations.
b. Continue to implement the urban wildlife grants program.
We have successfully awarded grants each year matching the $25,000 allocated
to the program annually.
c. Increase the publics ability to handle their own wildlife nuisance by developing a
ready reference educational tool and liberalize or modify regulations to allow
landowners to legally handle their own problems. Increase availability of how to
and self-help materials for landowners by 2013.
The Department, USDA-Wildlife Services, and UW-Extension has formed a
partnership to create a series of nuisance wildlife fact sheets that help landowners
deal with some of the more common nuisance wildlife species. Several of species
sheets have been developed and we are now designing a website where all the
information can be accessed by each agency and the public.
d. Update policies on abatement for nuisance and agriculture damage bears and turkeys
by 2008.
There have been several policies approved by the policy team, specifically, a
policy on bear management at captive cervid farms, the nuisance bear landowner
cost share program, and more recently guidelines for DNR staff dealing with
nuisance bears. General guidelines were also developed for the issuance of
turkey shooting permits which received support from the DNR Turkey Committee.
e. Participate in a joint U.S. Department of Agriculture/Wisconsin DNR DNA-marking
study to measure the frequency that individual bears are causing agricultural damage
or nuisances.
Wildlife Services continues to conduct DNA research to determine if bears
captured at corn depredation sites tend to depredation again after relocation.
Preliminary results (ATTACHMENT) seem to indicate that trapping and
relocation is an effective damage abatement techniques and captured bears tend
not to be re-captured at corn depredation sites.

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f. Clarify existing rules and consider promulgation of regulations and certification for
the nuisance wildlife control industry.
We have met with the Wisconsin Wildlife Control Operators Association several
times to discuss the implementation of a certification/licensing requirement for
businesses that conduct animal damage control activities. WWOCA is currently
pursing legislative support to create a bill that would require animal damage
control activities to complete a certification/licensing process.
g. Continue to implement the Endangered and Threatened Species and Gray Wolf
damage program.
Wildlife Management staff continue to actively participate on the Department's
Wolf Science Committee as the wolf delisting battles continue between the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and wolf advocates, specifically the HSUS.
.

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Strategic Goal IV: Providing Outdoor Recreation

Our citizens and visitors enjoy outdoors recreation and have access to a full range of naturebased outdoor recreational opportunities.
Sport Fish Restoration (SFR):
A. Boating Access
This program function includes site reclamation and development and maintenance and
public information about the location and use of access sites.
a. Develop an average of 1.5 new boat access sites per year.
Ongoing. While the objective continues to be to develop 1.5 sites per year, during
this review period the Department has developed on average one boat access site
per year. These are located on generally small lakes previously without access.
The Department intends to develop three major lake access points with two
located in southeastern Wisconsin and the other in the Turtle-Flambeau Scenic
Water Area. One of the access sites is located at North Lake. This access has not
developed due to litigation by property owners on the lake. The Turtle-Flambeau
site at Lake of the Pines is in the engineering stage and will be constructed before
October 2011.
b. Renovate approximately six to ten access sites per year.
Ongoing. In the past three years, the Department renovated between five and six
major sites per year through the SFR development program. The sites are
selected by the States BOAT Team. The SFR development program focuses on
high use sites and improvements that extend beyond simple launch repairs to
include expansion of parking facilities, accessibility improvements, storm water
management and facility enhancements (ie vault toilets, fish cleaning stations,
etc.). The SFR maintenance program is utilized for smaller sites requiring minor
improvements that may include parking lot resurfacing, launch replacement or
boarding dock replacement. The SFR maintenance program alone improves at
least 10 access sites throughout the State.
c. Utilize 15% of the available SFR grant funds to acquire, develop and improve motor
boat access sites.
Ongoing.
d. Utilize state boat access funds ($300,000) to develop and improve public boat access
sites focusing on southeast Wisconsin as required by the appropriations.

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Ongoing. The Department annually allocates $200,000 for statewide access and
$100,000 for southeast access sites. The statewide allocation when combined
with the southeast allocation can provide up to $300,000 annually for southeast
Wisconsin sites. This allocation is used as the State match for the SFR fund.
e. Combine appropriate state and federal grant sources such as Stewardship, County
Fish and Game, Recreational Boating Facilities, SFR and Land and Water
Conservation programs in order to maximize program effectiveness.
Ongoing. The State has utilized over $1,950,000 in Recreational Boating Facility
funding to maximize SFR program effectiveness since FY 2007. The States
Stewardship program is used for land purchases and site improvements that have
and can be used for boat access development.
f. Allocate approximately one third of SFR motorboat access funds in the Sport Fish
Restoration Grant for maintenance of Department-owned motor boat access sites.
Ongoing.
g. Implement major maintenance and renovation projects as identified in the
Department's six-year facilities plan and selected utilizing the process identified in the
Comprehensive Management System grant proposal.
Ongoing. The Department through the BOAT Team identifies boat access projects
for placement in the Departments six-year facilities plan. Projects not listed on
the plan through the BOAT Team are not considered for SFR development
funding. SFR maintenance funds are used to fund minor project improvements
that the BOAT Team considers but not competitive against major boat access
redevelopment.
h. Provide training, technical assistance or consultation and design services to achieve
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ongoing. SFR funding is used to fund a portion of the Departments accessibility
coordinator. The accessibility coordinator serves with the Departments BOAT
Team.
i. In those regions that do not have a list, develop a list of the highest priority lakes and
rivers for public access that lack adequate public boat access and help assure that
local managers and land agents are aware of the priorities and seeking out potential
opportunities.
Not yet completed. Will be on the agenda for the BOAT Team in May, 2010. The
Department has initiated a continuous project submittal process for the
identification of projects in the Departments six-year facilities plan. Each region
of the State completes annually a ranking sheet of priority projects for

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consideration by the BOAT Team. The BOAT Team did not meet in 2009 for the
2008 ranking encumbered funding through the 2009 and 2010 fiscal years.
j. Develop regional lists of the top five Department-owned access sites that will receive
priority for upgrades. Work with property managers in an effort to assure that these
projects and sites are included in the Departments six-year facilities plan.
Ongoing. The BOAT Team identifies the project priorities and those priorities
are placed in the SFR development plan based on available funding.
k. Maintain and update the Departments six-year facilities plan for boat access sites to
prioritize development, and renovation projects.
Ongoing.
l. Collect data from all public access sites, enter the data into the inventory system, and
continue to support and manage the data.
Ongoing. The Department continually updates the public access site inventory
system. The data collected is incorporated in the Departments boat access
website for public consumption.
m. Add and verify additional data elements (target: October 2008) to blend into the
Departments inventory system.
The Department has incorporated a comprehensive data collection system and
has continually updated the inventory system.
n. Use part of the 15% available SFR grant funds to complete the overall statewide boat
access information system.
In progress and continually updated.
o. Place priority on local partnerships for the development and maintenance of state
owned or funded boat access sites.
Ongoing. The Department has leveraged over $1,950,000 since 2007 for the
development and maintenance of state-owned or funded boat access sites. The
Department also contracts with local units of government for the maintenance of
sites throughout the state.
p. Provide staff training and information that highlight the value of the boat access
program for Department staff and on the CMS and other federal SFR requirements.
Ongoing DNR staff have attended training sessions and conferences sponsored by
the Fish and Wildlife Services.

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q. Meet with fishing clubs, conservation organizations, and other interested parties to
discuss boat access related issues.
Ongoing. Department staff continually meet with local governments and
interested parties through the States community financial assistance and
fisheries employees. The Department also engages the public through public
hearings in the creation site specific master plans. This was listed as a
performance objective for wildlife staff as part of the 2012 employee review
process.
r. Use existing Department publications and the Departments Web site to highlight the
boat access program.
Ongoing. The Department maintains a website identifying statewide access sites
and services available.
B. Land Management Fishery Lands
The primary focus of this program function is the maintenance and up-keep of the land
portion of approximately 420 fishery areas. Activities include, but are not limited to, site
reclamation, parking lot, trail, road and general property maintenance, assuring user health
and safety, property posting, and development activities designed to facilitate use and
management. Implementation of soil stabilization techniques such as planting of seed
mixtures and trees and other land based activities to protect or enhance aquatic resources are
also included.
Realty activities including land acquisition contacts and negotiations, and encroachment
investigations are included in this function as are feasibility studies for the expansion of
existing fishery lands or the establishment of new lands. Also included in this function are
property planning activities such as master plans for determining the uses and management
of the property and site planning work necessary for proposed development. Development of
policies, activities related to grant requirements such as compliance and accomplishment
reporting, and the development of public informational materials are included in this
category. This category also includes the development of access routes for sport fishing
purposes through other Department property types, e.g., wildlife areas, state forests, etc.
a. Continue to provide clean, safe, and well-maintained fishery properties.
Ongoing. This has been challenging to do effectively due to shortages in
permanent staff because of retirements and the hiring freeze in the state, as well
as a shortage of trucks in the field due to state budget problems. Despite these
challenges, the properties are being well maintained thanks in large part to the
SFR funding.
b. Improve access to sport fishing opportunities.

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Ongoing.
c. Perform management activities needed for the protection and enhancement of aquatic
resources.
Ongoing.
d. Work with fisheries staff to ensure acquisition efforts are targeted to priority sites
which protect critical aquatic resources, provide good fishing opportunities, or are
key locations for fishing access.
Ongoing. Additionally, a Department wide Acquisition Plan is being worked
on to continue to ensure that we are targeting the most important
parcels/properties.
e. Working with and fisheries staff, determine master planning priorities, develop a
strategy for updating property plans, and complete priority plans, with a target of one
group of five to eight properties per region per year.
Ongoing. Master planning priorities are set and there is at least one grouping of
properties being planned per region. Biotic inventory work is being completed in
advance, and timed well with the planning priorities.
f. Continue to improve public information materials about fishery properties. This
includes the development of up-to-date, user friendly, GIS-based property maps on
the Web in a PDF format, and distribution of hard copy maps at service centers.
Ongoing. Major progress has been made in this area. Many fishery areas
(primarily the larger, more heavily used areas) now have individual write-ups
with property descriptions, objectives, directions, and public use maps on the
internet. Hard copy maps have not yet been provided to the Service Centers, and
this part of the objective will be evaluated to balance need/demand against costs.
Many Service Centers have closed or had hours and staffing reduced due to
budget realities, so more and more people are relying on the internet for
information.
D. Fisheries Assessments, Surveys, Research
Fisheries managers need adequate information to set attainable management objectives,
evaluate attainment of those objectives, and make recommendations on required fishing
regulations, stocking quotas, and habitat restoration and improvements, and respond to and
inform our customers on the status of fishery resources.
We recognize that fish populations naturally vary from year to year. Our fishery
management surveys are designed to detect fish populations that are below comparable lakes

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and streams. In some of these cases we may, with public support, recommend habitat
improvement, different fishing regulations, or a change in stocking to restore the population.
We base all management decisions, e.g., stocking, habitat, fishing regulations, on a
populations status relative to the objectives set below. The population objectives expressed
in this plan are based on accepted scientific principles applied to a statistical analysis of
3,955 lake surveys, 5,023 wadable stream surveys, and 903 river surveys conducted during
the 2001-07 planning period and entered into the statewide data base. We conduct all
surveys using a standard protocol to assess the status of fish populations and measure the
impact of our management actions relative to the objectives. This method provides a basis
from which we learn and adapt management of the states waters.
The fishery assessment objectives for 2007-13 are:
1. With the standard Tier 1 sampling protocol, complete statistically valid assessments of all
Wisconsin sport fisheries resources on a rotational schedule that surveys:
a. All important (generally 100-acre or larger) fisheries in lakes with public access at
least once every 12 years.
b. 1st order trout streams and all 2nd order or greater streams at least once every 12 years.
c. All major river sites at least once every 4 years.
- We conducted an annual survey schedule on all major river sites for five years to
obtain trend date to use to evaluate how often surveys are needed to adequately
assess the status of riverine fish populations. The five year survey period has been
completed and the data indicates that surveying major river sites at least once every 4
years will be sufficient; thus the change in objective.
2. Complete data entry into the statewide database by the end of the 4th quarter of each fiscal
year. We interact with this data base to statistically analyze the data we have collected
concerning baseline population measures on species. Tier 1 findings will be augmented
with more detailed Tier 2 surveys of specific fish populations and waters to identify
sources of problems and evaluate management efforts. Specific Tier 2 objectives and
surveys are established each biennium and selected through work planning. As provided
in the Fisheries Technical Version, populations not meeting their potential will be further
investigated by diagnostic Tier 2 monitoring. The results of Tier 2 will indicate what
specific remedy may be warranted to restore the population to its expected natural
variance. Depending upon the specific results of the investigation in each situation,
actions may include remedies such as additional detailed survey work, regulation
changes, stocking, or habitat improvement, etc.
3. Maintain and improve the statewide database through 2013.
Fisheries Research will continue to develop statewide methodology used to classify lakes.
This work is relevant to goal setting for every species of interest. Effective lake
classification groups lakes based on limnology and lake morphometry, allowing assessment

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of the fishery in relation to predictable limitations imposed by natural features of the lake.
Lake classification can be an effective tool for assigning appropriate regulations for the type
of lake. Thus, regulations can be standardized by having a set of options, yet flexible
because the choice of a particular option is related to lake class. This type of network is
efficient because it allows biologically relevant generalization while recognizing important
differences among lakes.
By 2009, Fisheries Research will complete the Wisconsin Fisheries Potential Model. The
GIS-based modeling approach will develop quantitative, predictive models of fish occurrence
and abundance in flowing waters that will improve stream classification, monitoring and
evaluation, and environmental protection/restoration, and help direct fisheries management
activities in over 50,000 miles of flowing waters in Wisconsin.
Fisheries Research will provide research and scientific support on the impacts of dams on
riverine fishes and prepare to evaluate the benefits improved flow regimes and fish passage
in selected rivers.
Fisheries Research will continue research quantifying the large-scale effects of watershed
and riparian agricultural and urban land uses on stream health and fish communities in
streams and lakes.
D.1. Walleye
Wisconsins primary walleye fishery on lakes greater than 100 acres consists of
approximately 480 lakes sustained by natural reproduction and approximately 330 lakes
where the stocking of walleye fry and fingerlings provides most of the angling
opportunities.
a. Three or more adult walleye per acre and total harvest is less than 35% of the adult
population to protect spawning adults in lakes with natural reproduction.
b. 25% of all adult walleye longer than 10 inches are 15 inches or larger in northern
lakes
c. 50% of all adult walleye longer than 10 inches are 15 inches or larger in the southern
lakes where the growing season is longer.
d. 25% of all walleye longer than 10 inches are 18 inches or larger on stocked lakes.
e. Survey all walleye lakes larger than 100 acres with public access at least once every
twelve years.
f. Fisheries Research will continue a long-term study on the effects of exploitation rates
on northern walleye populations and will provide information about sustainable
walleye exploitation rates. The study will allow managers to more effectively

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implement the walleye management plan and will assist them in developing and
refining regulations.
g. Fisheries Research will develop a study to evaluate the role(s) of population
dynamics, e.g., recruitment, and genetics has on recruitment status and viability of
Wisconsin walleye populations. The specific objectives will include:
1. Determine spatial distribution of walleye genetic diversity in naturally recruiting
walleye populations.
2. Evaluate the relationship between effective population size and recruitment
patterns in Wisconsin walleye populations contrasted with traditional population
dynamic model predictions.
3. Correlate walleye habitat availability and quality with recruitment status, genetic
diversity, and effective number of breeders.
4. Determine specific objective measures to delineate the various recruitment
categories used to discriminate Wisconsin walleye populations.
5. Investigate the potential roles genetic diversity and effective population size play
in the overall productivity of walleye populations.
h. By 2010, complete the evaluation of the impact of these three fishing regulations:
1. 14-18 protected slot
2. one walleye over 14
3. three walleye over 18
- Evaluations have been completed for both the 14-18 inch protected slot and one
walleye over 14 inches regulations. The evaluation of the three walleye over 18
inches regulations has not been completed to date due to the lack of sufficient
data. Additional data related to this regulation should become available as
standardized surveys continue to occur in the coming years and may provide the
opportunity to evaluate this regulation at a later date.
D.2. Musky
Muskellunge are found in lakes of all sizes and in slower water of large rivers, generally
occupying areas with abundant submerged aquatic plants. The heart of the range is north
central Wisconsin, although they are found in many other locations throughout the state.
Nearly 90% of muskellunge waters occur in the Northern Region. Muskellunge are the
largest predatory game fish found in Wisconsin. They are sleek, powerful predators,
known to feed on virtually every fish species as well as aquatic birds and mammals.
Their large size and predatory nature mean that muskellunge are usually present at low
densities, with most waters generally containing less than one adult per acre.
Muskellunge are managed with a bag limit of one per day and high size limits. Long

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hours are often required to catch a muskellunge. However, most avid anglers are more
than willing to invest the time required to encounter a muskellunge and many now
practice catch-and-release to help improve the quality of fishing.
Muskellunge occur in 711 lakes (615,241 acres) and 83 river segments (1,682 miles).
Waters are subjectively divided into three classes based on the relative abundance of
muskellunge and the quality of the fishery:
Class A Support good muskellunge populations and provide the best muskellunge
fishing (356 waters; 217,364 acres).
Class A1 Trophy waters (104 waters; 118,173 acres)
Class A2 - Action waters (252 waters; 99,191 acres)
Class B This intermediate class consists of waters providing good fishing. In general,
angler success and catch rates may be somewhat less than in prime Class A waters (222
waters; 115,452 acres).
Class C These waters have muskellunge present but they are generally not of major
importance to the fishery (216 waters; 282,425 acres).
a. 30% of all adult musky larger than 30 inches are 38 inches or larger.
b. Complete an update of the musky management plan every two years.
-This objective was completed and is revised to read every two years.
c. Complete a comprehensive survey of musky genetics to identify stock boundaries by
2008.
-This objective is essentially completed via the Cooperative Fishery Research
Unit at UW-Stevens Point. Some follow up work is necessary and this should be
done by 2012.
d. Increase trophy fishing opportunities for muskies above 45 inches by increasing the
number of lakes with trophy size limits where growth potential and public support
warrant it.
e. Fisheries Research will coordinate the musky genetics project with collection of
tissue samples from populations of interest, obtaining archival material to reconstruct
historical patterns, and by acting as a thesis committee member for a student at
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
f. Fisheries Research has initiated a project to evaluate growth potential of native
Chippewa River Basin muskellunge and Mississippi River (Leech Lake) muskellunge
in waters of the St. Croix Basin. We developed this project in response to angler
interest in genetically based differences in growth potential.

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g. Fisheries Research is conducting evaluations of tagging methodology in muskellunge.

Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags provide long-term identification of
individual fish, aiding assessments of growth and other important population
parameters. This technology also provides a tool for quantifying the contribution of
the propagation program to the fishery.
h. Fisheries Research will conduct research to gain a better understanding of
muskellunge population dynamics and population variability in naturally reproducing
populations. The study will include both exploited and unexploited populations and
will provide managers with valuable baseline information that can be used to interpret
the effects of harvest and management scenarios on other musky populations. As part
of this study, we will also model a muskellunge stock-recruitment relationship using
various biotic and abiotic factors.
D.3. Bass in Lakes
Wisconsin is home to both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The popularity of bass
fishing has increased in the past six years as both a recreation and competitive sport.
Over half (56.5%) of Wisconsin residents reported fishing for bass which is the second
most sought after game fish in Wisconsin, finishing second only to the walleye.
Largemouth are common in 4,151 lakes; smallmouth are common in 1,500 lakes and 214
streams. Our goal is to manage both species of bass as self-sustaining populations by
identifying and protecting shallow water habitat critical to bass survival and reproduction.
We intend to manage bass fishing with regulations to provide the angler with a variety of
bass fishing experiences.
a. 50% of spring electrofishing surveys find at least 13 largemouth bass greater than 8
inches per mile of shoreline and 1.5 largemouth bass larger than 15 inches per mile of
shoreline.
b. 50% of spring electrofishing surveys find at least 2 smallmouth bass greater than 8
inches per mile of shoreline and 0.5 smallmouth bass greater than 15 inches per mile
of shoreline.
c. All bass lakes over 100 acres are sampled at least once every twelve years.
D.4. Smallmouth Bass in Streams and Rivers
The long term direction is to develop a targeted management program of regulations and
habitat rehabilitation similar to trout.
a. Classify all bass streams and rivers by 2013 with respect to the catch from standard
protocol surveys per mile of stream thread for juvenile bass, bass over eight inches,
and bass over 14 inches.

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b. Continue to manage smallmouth bass in streams with a minimum statewide size limit
and occasional stocking or habitat restoration. We will modify these objectives as we
accumulate and analyze data.
c. Fisheries Research will provide technical guidance in designing and implementing
scientifically sound fish monitoring programs for smallmouth bass streams and rivers.
d. We will provide comprehensive monitoring of select smallmouth bass streams to help
set statewide fisheries management objectives.
D.5. Bluegill and Crappie
a. 30% of all adult bluegills over three inches are six inches or larger.
b. 30% of all adult black crappie over five inches are eight inches or larger.
c. Sample 1,223 waters on a six-year rotation using the standard protocol.
D.6. Lake Sturgeon
The waters of Wisconsin collectively possess one of the largest self-sustaining
populations of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the world. The lake sturgeon is a
unique species with respect to longevity, spawning maturity, intolerance to pollution, and
the ease in which a population may be impacted in an exploited fishery. Sturgeon
populations are declining worldwide and are threatened with extinction, except in
Wisconsin. Here, careful management of sturgeon and its habitat, in cooperation with
individual anglers and sturgeon clubs, have secured its future as a sustainable fishery.
Our goal is to manage Wisconsin sturgeon populations as a sustainable fishery and
restore native lake sturgeon to the waters where they were once found.
a. Continue to manage the sturgeon fishery of the Winnebago-Wolf River system as a
sustainable population through harvest regulations, protection, and habitat
improvement.
b. Preserve and enhance existing naturally reproducing populations. Reestablish
populations in waters within their original range consistent with their genetic origins.
c. Reintroduce Lake Michigan strain lake sturgeon into suitable tributary habitats in
cooperation with other states as discussed in the Joint Plan for Management of Great
Lakes Fisheries.
d. Continue to restore at least four lake sturgeon populations through 2013 from
prioritized waters listed in the Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon Management Plan, e.g.,
middle Wisconsin River, Menominee River, Milwaukee River, Manitowish River,
Manitowoc River, and Green Bay.

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- The restoration of lake sturgeon populations has been severely hampered by the
propagation policies and biosecurity measures implemented at the Wild Rose
State Fish Hatchery in response to the Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) fish
virus. It is unclear, at the present time, if we will be able to continue to meet this
goal.
e. Revise Wisconsins Lake Sturgeon Management Plan by 2008 with the involvement
of stakeholders.
- This goal was not met due to workload issues that resulted from the change in
team membership brought on by the implementation of Fisheries standing team
procedures. The revision of the Lake Sturgeon Management Plan is now
scheduled for late 2010.
f. Allow for sport harvest opportunities where there is a harvestable surplus.
g. Evaluate impact of sturgeon hook and line harvest tag on angler participation,
sturgeon harvest and management activities by 2012.
- The funds in the dedicated lake sturgeon account, collected from the sales of the
hook and line lake sturgeon harvest tag, have allowed fisheries biologists to
conduct a variety of important sturgeon projects:
Sturgeon populations continue to be rehabilitated with a multi-state
approach on Lake Superior.
Streamside rearing stations have been developed to help bring back lake
sturgeon populations to major Lake Michigan tributaries.

D.7. Trout
The trout resources in Wisconsin are generally in very good shape. Improved land use in
the western Wisconsin driftless area has resulted in increased water infiltration and
increased trout stream flows. Especially where combined with trout stream habitat
restoration, this has resulted in increased trout populations, more natural reproduction,
and conversion to native brook trout. For example, in the last 10 years, over 250 trout
streams and 800 miles have been added to our list of classified trout streams.
In 2005, the Wisconsin DNR became one of the main partners in the Midwest Driftless
Area Restoration Effort a geographically-focused, scientifically based, broad
partnership to improve the trout resources throughout the four-state driftless area. The
effort is part of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan and is expected to bring numerous
funding sources to bear on this unique area. It will attempt to bring all partners together
in a coordinated regional approach to increase the effectiveness of watershed restoration
by strategically linking upland conservation efforts with stream restoration.

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The trout resources of Wisconsin are not without some threats to their health.
Groundwater use in the central sand plains appears to be reducing flows in many trout
streams and has completely eliminated flow in at least two streams for short periods of
time. Recent legislation gives the DNR some authority over new high-capacity wells
within close proximity to trout streams, but will require help from Fisheries program to
successfully implement. Recent droughts have aggravated the problem, but increasing
competition for groundwater will result in allocation issues that will be difficult to solve.
a. Sample trout populations in all 2nd, through 5th order streams on a one, three, six or
twelve-year rotation and sample any 1st order streams that have adult trout
populations.
b. Sample approximately 30 (six per region) unclassified but potential trout streams
every year as candidates for a higher level of environmental and ground water
protection as designated trout streams.
c. Fisheries Research is continuing to develop and refine models that predict stream
temperature, fish presence/absence and relative fish abundance using GIS landscape
data and climate data. We will use this stream classification and land-use model
allocate trout stream monitoring efforts, e.g., identifying unclassified but potential
trout streams, to identify streams for restoration work based on the potential for
success, and to evaluate the relation between watershed land use and trout
populations in streams.
d. The Wisconsin DNR has a wild trout stocking program that uses hatchery-reared trout
of wild parentage to develop self-sustaining populations of brook trout and brown
trout in waters that lack them and to increase the survival and longevity of trout
stocked in streams. We will continue to study the viability of the source populations
that provide eggs for this program to ensure a sustainable wild trout stocking program
into the future. These studies will examine viability from both population dynamical
and genetics aspects.
e. Fisheries Research will continue to study how to use in-stream habitat restoration to
benefit native brook trout versus brown trout in streams in which they coexist.
f. Fisheries Research will continue to develop population models to help manage trout
populations in Wisconsin streams. Trout population models will complement stream
classification and land-use modeling. Stream classification and land-use modeling
will be used to predict the ecological status of streams and how current and future
land use may broadly affect fish habitat and fish assemblages. Trout population
models will explicitly consider trout size and age classes. Given that there is a
population of trout in a stream, stressors such as habitat degradation or loss and
angler catch and release or harvest may affect trout reproduction or growth or
survival of trout in different size and age classes. Trout models will aid in the better
understanding of processes that regulate and factors that limit trout populations and

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will provide a framework for the rigorous evaluation of trout fishing regulations and
habitat management activities.
D.8. Great Lakes
The Great Lakes fisheries program comprises a variety of activities including conducting
assessments, creating and revising sport and commercial fishing regulations and stocking.
Broad goals include supporting recreational fisheries, sustaining viable commercial
fisheries and restoring native species (Great Lakes spotted muskie and lake sturgeon).
The program follows an annual cycle of work and reporting that is grounded in longerterm strategic planning. The major strategic planning documents are the Fish
Community Objectives for Lake Michigan, the Fish Community Objectives for Lake
Superior, the Lake Michigan Integrated Fisheries Management Plan, the Wisconsin Lake
Superior Basin Brook Trout Plan, the Lake Trout Restoration Plan for Lake Michigan,
and four restoration plans adopted by the multi-agency lake Superior Committee, one
each for lake trout, walleye, brook trout, and lake sturgeon.
Restoration of several species is being pursued, including lake trout on both lakes, lake
sturgeon in two Lake Michigan tributaries, Great Lakes spotted muskie in Green Bay,
walleye in the Milwaukee River, and lake sturgeon in the St. Louis River. Coordination
with other jurisdictions is accomplished through the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior
Committees and the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Technical Committees, under
terms of the Joint Strategic Great Lakes Fisheries Management Plan. On Lake Superior,
the management and exploitation of lake trout and other species are guided by terms of
the State-Tribal Lake Superior Agreement.
a. Continue to assess and monitor the recovering yellow perch populations of Green Bay
and Lake Michigan and manage recreational and commercial harvest appropriately to
allow exploitation consistent with continued population recovery.
b. Continue to assess and monitor the recovering lake trout population in Wisconsin
waters of Lake Superior and work with the Red Cliff and Bad River bands of Lake
Superior Chippewa to support the State-Tribal Lake Superior Agreement and to
adjust harvest limits appropriately to allow exploitation consistent with continued
population recovery.
c. Devote resources for the building of a new research vessel, the RV Coregonus for
Lake Michigan, replacing the 73 year-old RV Barney Devine and retrofit the RV
Hack Noyes on Lake Superior.
d. Continue to pursue brook trout restoration in Lake Superior tributaries pursuant to the
Wisconsin Lake Superior Basin Brook Trout Plan.
1. Fisheries Research is evaluating relations between brook trout and introduced
salmonids in Lake Superior tributary streams. This work is designed to identify

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potential limiting factors in local brook trout abundance, and will help set realistic
goals for rehabilitation.
e. On Lake Michigan, continue to work with other jurisdictions through the Lake
Michigan Committee to adjust lakewide salmonine stocking strategies to meet
mutually accepted fish community objectives and support recreational fishing.
f. Work with the Lake Michigan Committee to finalize and implement a new lakewide
lake trout restoration plan.
g. Sustain long-term assessment data bases on both lakes.
h. Continue to develop and improve statistical catch-at-age population models for lake
trout in Lake Superior, yellow perch in Green Bay and Lake Michigan, and lake
whitefish in Lake Michigan.
i. Continue to develop and enhance our human and technological capabilities for
science-based fisheries management.
j. Continue stocking and reintroduction of Great Lakes strain spotted musky into Green
Bay, Lake Michigan, and appropriate tributary streams in the Lake Michigan basin in
cooperation with other states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). [A
goal of self-sustaining stocks is not achievable during this planning period.]
k. Continue management of Lake Michigan strain lake sturgeon in the Menominee,
Peshtigo, and Oconto rivers as source populations for Green Bay and Lake Michigan
in cooperation with other states and the USFWS.

l. Reintroduce Lake Michigan strain lake sturgeon into suitable former river habitats,
including the Milwaukee and Kewaunee Rivers using streamside rearing facilities.
m. Fisheries Research will coordinate the genetic monitoring and assessment of the longterm sustainability of streamside rearing of lake sturgeon in Lake Michigan. This
project will include the collection, analysis, and archiving of tissue samples from
adult spawning lake sturgeon and representative progeny to determine the genetic
diversity of stocked fish, the future genetic diversity of returning adults, and the
straying rate.
n. Revise the Lake Michigan Integrated Fishery Management Plan and the Lake
Superior Plan and gain stakeholder and Department approval by 2013.
D.9. Mississippi River
a. Rehabilitate five to seven hundred acres of Mississippi River habitat each year using
the Environmental Management Program.

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b. Fisheries Research will conduct annual standardized monitoring of Pool 11 of the

Mississippi River and the Lower Wisconsin River to determine game fish abundance
and as surveillance monitoring for the invasion of Asian carp into the upper pools of
the Mississippi River.
E. Treaty Assessments
The Chippewa Tribes of Wisconsin ceded land in the northern one-third of Wisconsin to the
U.S. Government in Treaties of 1837 and 1842, but reserved off-reservation rights to hunt,
fish and gather within the Ceded Territory. These rights were affirmed in a 1983 Appellate
Court decision. The Wisconsin DNR is under a court mandate to monitor, assess and
manage the joint sport and tribal fisheries in the Ceded Territory and establish safe harvest
limits for walleye and musky.
a. Ensure that the joint sport and tribal fishery in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory is managed
at a sustainable harvest level and within the constraints of the federal court decision.
b. Implement the court-mandated requirements for monitoring, assessing, and managing the
joint sport and tribal fisheries in the Ceded Territory. Conduct approximately 15 to 25
walleye and musky population surveys, 100 fall young-ofyear surveys and 15 to 20 creel
surveys each year. Establish treaty safe harvest levels for walleye and musky on 800
lakes each year.
c. Fisheries Research will continue a long-term study on the effects of exploitation rates on
northern walleye populations. This research will provide information about sustainable
walleye exploitation rates as included in the current walleye safe harvest system
referenced in Objective b.
F. Habitat Restoration and Development
This program function includes in-lake habitat restoration through biomanipulation, chemical
rehabilitation, control of carp and other exotics, water level management, warm water
spawning habitat and lake aeration systems. It also includes habitat restoration of warm
water rivers, including dam removal and restoration of riparian areas, inland trout stream
habitat improvement, fencing where directly related to improving habitat, spring pond
dredging, maintenance of previous improvements and beaver control.
F.1. Trout Habitat Improvement
Effectively utilize available Trout Stamp funding to restore and improve an optimal
amount of inland trout stream habitat each year. Provide additional Fish and Wildlife
Account funding so that total investments in inland trout management programs,
including inland stocking, are commensurate with the number of inland trout anglers and
trout harvest (currently about 12% of total anglers and catch).

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a. Restore and maintain 25 to 30 miles of trout stream per year, based on funding, and
maintain past habitat development, while protecting and enhancing habitat for nongame, threatened or endangered species.
b. In conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, keep high priority
streams free of beaver dams, consistent with the beaver control policy.
G. Fish Propagation, Stocking and Hatchery Development/Maintenance
While most Wisconsin waters do not need fish stocking to provide outstanding fishing
because they have adequate natural reproduction, approximately 10% of lakes and streams
including Lakes Michigan and Superior will have better fishing for some species if stocked.
To accomplish this, the Wisconsin DNR effectively stocks all waters that need stocking as
determined by scientific assessments. State fish hatcheries currently produce 90 different
species, strains, and sizes of fish for stocking to ensure a diversity of sport fishing
experiences, the genetic integrity of specific fish populations, and the selective reintroduction
of native species to Wisconsin waters.
Our general strategy for the Wisconsin state fish hatchery system is to redevelop a small
number of our current facilities to meet our needs through the middle of the 21st Century.
We recognize that doing so implies a consolidation from the many small and obsolete
facilities we have inherited from the past; many of our current facilities are 50 to 90 years
old. In 2003, we received legislative approval for redevelopment of the Wild Rose Hatchery
and reconstruction began in 2006. In planning for the future, we recognize the need for more
flexibility in our facilities and better environmental controls to produce a healthy product and
meet anticipated environmental standards. We anticipate the need to produce many different
strains of fish to ensure the genetic integrity of our native species and their restoration and to
respond to emerging fish disease issues.
G.1. Propagation and Stocking
a. Implement the 2007 statewide stocking guidelines, and subsequent revisions, to direct
the priority system for establishing stocking quotas and set production goals.
- Completed and ongoing. Revisions are made as needed to the statewide
stocking guidelines and applied to the current years stocking requests.

b. Fisheries Research will continue to conduct stocking evaluations to determine

whether it is more cost effective to stock small walleye fingerlings (1.5 inches) in
June or extended growth walleye (over six inches) in September. We will use the
results of the study to amend the statewide stocking guidelines.
c. Current stocking guidance requires the use of regional brood stocks to guard against
the risk of outbreeding depression. Conversely, the repeated use of regional brood
stock lakes runs the risk of inbreeding depression. Research staff will examine the
utility of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging adult muskellunge to identify

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individual fish within a lake and develop a database to ensure gametes are not
repeatedly collected from the same fish for the hatchery system. We will also use the
same tagging technique to evaluate the contribution of stocked muskellunge
fingerling to the fishery.
d. By 2007, complete a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay production cost analysis of
all hatchery products and implement recommendations from the evaluation after
2008.
- A University of Wisconsin-Green Bay production cost analysis of all hatchery
products was completed late 2009. The FM Board will plan to release this
information internally and to the public and develop recommendations from the
evaluation after 2010.
e. Operate and maintain the hatchery system as a flexible system of facilities that
responds to quota requests developed for a six to ten year horizon.
f. Fisheries Research will continue assessing whether walleye returns can be improved
by stocking 2.5 inch fingerling instead of 1.5 inch fingerling during a critical life
history stage in late June.
g. Issue an annual online stakeholder report of stocking efforts.
h. Use contract and cooperative agreements for species routinely produced by private
aquaculture where it is cost effective and meets management needs for healthy fish
and appropriate genetic stocks.
G.2. Propagation Infrastructure
a. Complete the renovations to the Wild Rose Hatchery Phase I by 2008 and begin
Phase II by 2009.
- Phase I was completed in 2008 and Phase II began in 2009. Progress is being
made according to plan.
b. By 2009, complete a statewide propagation facilities study to guide redevelopment
and consolidation of facilities to meet the stocking needs and staffing constraints of
the future.
- The statewide propagation facilities study will be completed in 2010.
c. Gain Department, Governor, and Legislative support for a propagation system
redevelopment plan by 2009-2010.
- The department will proceed with securing support once the statewide
propagation facilities study is completed in 2010.

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H. Fish Health
This program function includes fish health monitoring and fish health management at the
state hatcheries, rearing stations, coop ponds, and spawning weirs. The fish health program
also assists regional staff with investigating the cause of fish kills in lakes, streams, and
rivers and participates with national and regional surveillance programs for fish pathogens
such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHS). The fish health program also collaborates
on research studies focused on certain fish pathogens.
- Science Services reviewed the state of the science associated with VHS and
freshwater fisheries. A Technical Bulletin with the findings is available at
[Link]
a. Ensure the fish stocked in Wisconsin are healthy. Health is measured by results from
diagnostic testing and annual health inspections at state hatcheries. The fish health
specialist or contracted veterinarians issue fish health certificates to comply with
Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection regulations for fish stocked
in Wisconsin.
b. Use the best techniques available, including vaccination, high quality diet, good water
quality, and improved aquaculture techniques, to prevent the introduction and
transmission of fish pathogens and the occurrence of fish diseases.
c. Ensure biosecurity practices are developed and implemented at state hatcheries.
d. Participates with USFWS Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership program
specifically to gain drug approval for LHRH, which is a hormone used to synchronize
ovulation in fish.
I. Public Piers
The Wisconsin DNRs approach to shore fishing facilities fully recognizes that there are an
enormous number of potentially good shore fishing sites among our 15,057 lakes, 8 thousand
miles of trout streams, 30 thousand miles of inland rivers, and hundreds of miles of shoreline
on the Great Lakes and Green Bay. Through June 30, 2007, under the federal Sport Fish
Restoration program, the Department has developed 99 shore fishing facilities (Northeast
Region 19, Northern Region 29, Southeast Region 14, South Central Region 20, West
Central Region - 17).
Shore fishing facilities include fishing piers that extend out into the water, flat spots along the
shore and fishing trails with several fishing stations. A fishing facility may include other
amenities, such as restrooms or a fish cleaning station, depending on the level of use. Our
intent is to provide ADA compliant accesses in good fishing locations for the many anglers
who dont have a boat. The actual demand for shore fishing facilities has not been
quantified, however, anecdotal information from local communities, non-governmental

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organizations, service organizations, and fishery biologists suggest that the current demand is
far from satisfied. Given other program priorities, we choose to manage the shore fishing
program with:

A relatively low level of asset investment.

A high emphasis on partnerships with local communities, federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations where the Wisconsin DNR provides partial or full funding
for shore fishing facility development to partners willing to provide long-term
maintenance of the facility and long-term angler use agreements.
Minimal investments in sites on Department property where we will incur a continuing
maintenance obligation.

Consequently, we look for good fishing sites with a high degree of commitment and longterm involvement by active partners. The goals and objectives reflect this strategic
assessment and approach. The department and its partners will provide and improve shore
fishing facilities on the states navigable lakes, rivers and streams. Developments and
improvements will occur that are consistent with demand and sensitive to the capacity of the
resource to support recreation.
a. Develop eight to twelve shore fishing facilities per year that meet federal ADA standards
for non-boaters with an annual allocation of $200,000-300,000.
-We have been investing on average $100,000/year and developing approximately
five facilities per year. The program is currently on temporary hold due to a
shortfall of staff to manage the program.
Priorities for development include:

Sites on water without shore fishing facilities or the first facility over five miles from
the next facility on a river, Great Lake or large lake with greater than five miles of
shore.
Sites that are close to a local community center or a cluster of housing or are located
in a campground area.
Facilities that will be funded in part with non-SFR funding (any state or local funding
source).
Facilities that will be planned and constructed by a non-DNR partner and/or will be
maintained by a non-DNR partner.
All sites must provide reasonable sport fishing opportunities for shoreline angling.

b. Allocate up to 10% of SFR funds available annually for shore fishing facilities for
maintenance and upgrades of Department-owned facilities.
c. Where practical, seek agreements with local units of government and other partners to
maintain shore fishing facilities when it is in the best interest of the Department to seek
partnerships for state-owned facilities.

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d. Seek local partnerships for the development and maintenance of shore-fishing facilities in
order to complete more projects with the available resources.
e. Ensure that local partnership agreements provide for federal ADA accessibility.
f.

Provide information about shore fishing facilities available statewide on the

Departments Web site, which both Department staff and the public can access.

g. By June 30, 2008, verify through site visits the information currently entered into the
statewide access Web pages and collect additional information for each shore fishing site.
-Due to staff workload and vacancies, no site visit verification has occurred and
limited updates of information on the website have been completed.
h. Add additional shore fishing sites as completed, update information as necessary and
upgrade the access Web pages as needed.
J. Aquatic Education and Public Awareness
The Fisheries Aquatic Education program is focused on increasing the ecological literacy of
our citizens and their relationship to Wisconsins waters and fisheries. The program operates
through regional fishery biologists who speak to anglers, interest groups, and schools. It also
operates more formally through our aquatic resources education director who trains school
teachers to use our materials which are aligned to state teaching standards and the Wisconsin
Model Academic Standards as set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The program also provides accessible information over the Internet, produces exhibits, and
provides fishery biologists with selected materials for discussion with the public and school
groups. Although the program will build on its past accomplishments, initiatives, and active
volunteer instructors, its focus through 2013 will be on teacher training to enhance formal
education in schools and consistent outreach messages to traditional and non-traditional
publics.
Fisheries Outreach is focused on: (1) communicating with anglers to better ensure their
understanding of fisheries issues (e.g. aquatic invasive species) and regulations (e.g. the
impact and value of regulations to ensure a quality fishery and quality habitat), and habitat
restoration to benefit sport fish ; (2) retaining anglers who have purchased fishing licenses;
and (3) recruiting new anglers to the sport.
J.1. Aquatic Education
a. Increase the number of teachers trained at workshops offered for university credit as
requirements to maintain state licensure from 50 to 100 per year and then average 100
or more through 2013. Teacher participation may be assisted through stipends to
cover expenses for teachers from poorer school districts. Since the aquatic resources
education program lacks the funding to adequately cover teacher stipends at for-credit

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workshops, we seek to partner with programs and teacher academies that do. Once
trained, we expect each teacher to reach 30 to 60 students each year.
b. Attend, demonstrate, market, and recruit teacher candidates to the for-credit
workshops at a minimum of five professional educator statewide conferences each
year.
c. Provide school district-wide in-service workshops upon demand as schedule allows.
d. Provide PDF versions of all written and visual information where appropriate to
decrease dependence on printed materials. Encourage use of the fish habitat Web
pages by fisheries staff, educators, volunteers, and the public as materials are updated.
Provide CDs as companion student materials for teachers to print as needed.
e. With regional fisheries staff, parks staff and select partner organizations, maintain
and replace equipment at 42 or more tackle loaner sites around the state.
f. Develop and test exhibits at major event venues and then locate the final exhibits at
hatchery facilities consistent with the operating parameters for the facility.
g. Regional fisheries staff, interns, and other DNR staff will participate in 15 to 25
fishing related events (including free fishing weekend, state fair, etc.) to promote
fishing, especially in urban areas.
h. Develop consistent fishery messages and materials for fishery biologists to use in
discussing the relationship between people, actions, Wisconsins waters and its
fisheries.
i. Collaborate with Department and university colleagues to offer comprehensive
aquatic education resources to schools and partner organizations that support fish
habitat goals and objectives, in conjunction with other related nature-based education
programs.
Fisheries Accomplishments Aquatic and Angler Education
Exhibits FHAF and FHSF
The traveling aquaria were exhibited at approximately 30 different major events statewide and
drew an estimated 400,000 people annually. Aquaria have been kept in good working order and
are impressive draws wherever they go. Staff carefully picks and chooses which events they will
attend due to the labor-intensive nature of this project and requests for the aquaria are often
turned down, particularly for one-day events. Maintained the State Fair aquarium which was
enjoyed by approximately 100,000 visitors annually. Established wireless internet connection at
our exhibit which enhanced our ability to provide timely information to fairgoers. Completed
repairs of fish mounts used at State Fair. Each year since 2009 approximately 12,000 children
received passports upon arrival and were directed to seek out answers to questions to get
their passports stamped for a small prize. Coordinated staffing for our exhibit area. Produced a

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portable exhibit to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship

program, in keeping with the WDNRs State Fair theme, and tied it to Fisheries. Exhibited
Angler Education display at 5 education conferences. Planned and contracted for design of
Great Lakes exhibit at Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery. Planned and began re-design work for
2013 State Fair exhibit.
Angler Education & Publications
We provided an average of 14 volunteer certification workshops to 165 individuals, primarily
formal educators at their professional conferences annually. New audiences included social
studies and math teacher conferences. Also trained Trout Unlimited members, UW-Oshkosh
Physical Education majors, Afterschool providers, Edgewood College Education majors, and
people at three workshops for general audiences and service organizations. Assisted at Casting
for Recovery fishing event. Our instructors and other volunteers offered nearly 100 events or
programs serving 7914 people annually including formal education or youth programs serving
over 3000 youth annually and 30 each year were at Free Fishing Weekend. Publications & Web
Printed 40,000 WI Fishing posters, surplus funds in the Urban Fishing Program and funding
from Law Enforcement allowed us to print 40,000 rulers. Printed 5000 Hook Line & Thinker CD
sleeves. In 2011 Ten Angler Education web pages were viewed a total of 11,581 times with
individuals spending an average of 1:19 minutes per visit. Attended Aquatic Resources
Education Association conference in Omaha and implemented exhibit ideas gleaned there at
State Fair. Using Pittman Robertson funds through Wildlife and Angler Ed staff time,
coordinated purchase and assembly of 13,500 non-lead tackle sample packets to be distributed
through angler education instructors, creel clerks and at special events.
Urban Fishing FHCN
Coordinated fishing clinics throughout SER and served an average of 9000 youth annually with
the help of local fishing clubs and fisheries staff from throughout the state, includingfor example
in FY2011 6244 youth who participated in dry-land clinics at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Sport Show, State Fair and the Outdoor Youth Expo, all supported by staff statewide, and 1305
at SERs Annual Ice Fishing and Spring Clinics. The states largest tackle loaner program
continued in the SER and its approximately 200 rods were maintained and distributed by Urban
Fishing biologist, Regional Inland Fish Supervisor, Regional Operations Supervisor, and Eagle
staff; provided 685 fishing days for fishing and casting clinics. An LTE coordinated tackle
purchases for statewide program prior to the transfer of the project back to Central Office,
which coordinated its distribution to loaner site hosts at Fisheries Statewide Meeting in March.
Quality fishing opportunities were provided through stocking efforts. The DNR annually stocked
68,000 rainbow trout in 55 urban designated waters. In addition we worked in cooperation with
Milwaukee County House of Corrections Fish Hatchery which stocked 40,000 panfish annually
into approximately 20 Milwaukee county park ponds. The Urban Fisheries Program expanded
by designating three new urban waters. Appleton Memorial Pond in Outagamie County, KohlerAndre State Park Pond in Sheboygan County and the Delafield Rearing Pond in Waukesha
County were added to the list of urban designated waters that offer long-term fishing
opportunities to urban youth. The responsibility for ranking and approving fishing pier and flat
projects was assigned to the Urban Fisheries Team starting July 1, 2010. This directly relates to

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the programs efforts to increase quality urban fishing opportunities by offering increased
shoreline access to anglers.
FY2011 Highlights Projects WET & WILD, teacher training, and three school-based field
projects
Project WET & Project WILD
In FY2011 Project WET and Project WILD facilitators trained 1233 educators, 1141 in Project
WILD and 145 in Project WET. Amalia trained an additional 50 educators (43 in both WET &
WILD; 7 in WET alone) at three workshops. Wrote text for and produced Lake Superior poster
to complete the Wisconsin Watershed Series. Exhibited at seven different venues and/or
professional educator conferences to highlight the value of using WET, WILD or Angler Ed
materials in the classroom.
Northern District - Spooner
Numerous aquatic education efforts in the St. Croix Basin included: electro fishing demo on the
St Croix River for Somerset School at Interstate Park; presentation at Pigeon Lake Field Station
for 3rd Graders; and Brule Family Fun Day.
Northern District - Hayward
The Hayward Fish Team conducted nine programs involving about 700 participants. The 21st
anniversary River Rats event (partnering with Cable Natural History Museum) was prominently
covered in local media. The second annual Musky Festival Family Fishing Fun at Shues Pond
in Hayward was enthusiastically received by beginning anglers and their families. Additionally,
the Park Falls Fish Team conducted 4 programs involving survey equipment demos, displays
and other activities for approximately 685 participants at these venues: 200 6th Graders from all
Rusk County schools; 35 5th Graders from Prentice Schools; 50 3rd Graders from all Park Falls
schools at a learn to fish day at Coolidge Springs Trout Ranch; and the Taylor County Youth
Expo that served 400 Sixth Graders from all schools in Taylor County and southern Price
County. This program exceeded expectations despite retirements, largely because retired
Hayward biologist returned as a volunteer to continue to coordinate events.
Western District Eau Claire
Provided 8 school talks to high school and college students (150 kids); gave training in electrofishing; and netting techniques. Assisted in electro fishing demonstrations for Conservation
Congress, Governor's Opener, and local Land Conservationists.
Western District Mississippi River
Popular teachers workshop on the Mississippi River was held by Jeff Janvrin for 30 teachers.

J.2. Outreach: Strategic Vision: We provide real-time, high-impact, credible information to

customers who share our information within their diverse communities of interest.
a. Develop and implement an annual outreach communications plan to traditional and
other stakeholders that includes an annual Spring Fishing Report, annual report of

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expenditures, and a consistent message package concerning ecological literacy and

fisheries management with supporting graphics and images for use by all biologists.
b. All biologists will plan 200 hours per year to present these messages, with additional
local information to schools, conservation and angling groups, lake associations, and
non-traditional stateholder groups.
c. Increase the utility and timeliness of the external Web site for fisheries information.
d. Fisheries Research will continue to compile data on all aspects of the biology, e.g.,
taxonomy, identification, distribution, ecology, life history of all fish species in the
state and make these data available in accessible and easy-to-use formats for both our
managers and the public.
Fisheries Outreach Accomplishments - Completed draft Strategic Plan for Fisheries Outreach
with emphasis in the following key areas:
Strategy 1- Refreshing Fisheries Working Relationship with the Wisconsin Conservation
Congress
Strategy 2 - Involving the Local Public in the Fisheries Program
Strategy 3 - Involving the Statewide Public in the Fisheries Program
Strategy 4 - Involving Internal Publics in the Fisheries Program
Strategy 5 - Providing Fisheries Information to the Public
Strategy 6 - Promoting WI Fishing and the Fisheries Program
Strategy 7 - Providing Angler and Aquatic Resources Education
Strategy 8 - Maintaining Fisheries Staff Credibility and Outreach Capabilities
Final plan will be completed by Fall 2013. Implementation of some action elements of key areas
has already begun including working closer with the Conservation Congress, conducting annual
local public meetings to review fisheries survey results and discuss management issues with
interested publics; actively engaging public in development of statewide management plans for
panfish, trout, walleye, and sturgeon; development of a Fisheries App (due to be completed in
2014); conducting thorough review of Urban Fishing and Angler Education programs;
increasing support for field Biologists to conduct hands-on educational programs with youth and
their parents; completing final plans to create a statewide Fisheries Advisory Council to assist
and advise the Fisheries Management Board on issues and program objectives.

Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration:

A. Engineering and Construction Management for SFR and WR Projects
The Engineering and Construction Management Section and field engineering staff provide
project administration, technical expertise, surveying, cost estimating, design, specification
preparation, construction supervision, environmental cleanup/remediation on state lands, and
inspection services statewide for boat access sites, fish hatchery projects, fish passages and

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other water control structures, public access to shore fishing areas and related public contact
areas, as well as fisheries habitat improvement projects.
a. On an annual basis, provide engineering staff services for approximately 25 boat
access sites and 10 fishing piers or shore fishing facilities and provide construction
oversight for phase two development of the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery. The
Department has dedicated one full-time employee and additional engineering staff to
provide construction oversight and engineering staff services for the development and
maintenance of all Department sites. The amount of projects worked on varies from
year to year. Phase 2 of the Wild Rose Hatchery is complete.
b. Provide necessary engineering services for wetland wildlife habitat projects.
Our citizens and visitors enjoy outdoors recreation and have access to a full range of naturebased outdoor recreational opportunities.
Wildlife Restoration (WR):
A. Wildlife Surveys
This program function includes all surveys that are used by wildlife managers to assess
various species population status, trends and responses to management and landscape
changes.
a. Perform auditory and visual surveys of wildlife.
Ongoing with mandatory surveys for staff to conduct each year.
b. Continue key surveys of wildlife to support knowledge on wildlife trends, knowledge
of wildlife responses to weather and land use changes, and models to predict
population levels and set harvest quotas and permit levels.
Ongoing with mandatory surveys for staff to conduct each year. Modeling
conducted annually to determine population status and harvest quotas.
B. Establish and/or Manage Wildlife Population
Analyze and interpret wildlife population data in order to manage species levels, set quotas,
and establish hunting seasons. This program function also includes publications and
communications with the public.
B.1. Black Bear
a. Continue to gradually bring the bear population toward its goal of 11,300, through the
use of liberal quotas when necessary. Administer the permit system to fairly
distribute hunting opportunities based on harvest objectives.

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Ongoing. A new study using tetracycline marking has suggested that there are
significantly more bears than formerly estimated. Permit levels have been
adjusted upwards, but conservatively so. Another tetracycline marking study is
planned to occur in the near future.
b. Continue to communicate with other states to improve our population model and our
survey method, and to keep abreast of the new modeling and surveying technology
and techniques available.
Staff routinely communicate with staff from other Midwest states. The new
structure population reconstruction method is being investigated in addition to
use of the tetracycline study.
c. Provide bear management training for new wildlife biologists or those who recently
began to see bears in their area.
This has been completed for new recruits.
d. Conduct research to improve population monitoring procedures.
See a. above.
e. Complete a statewide bear management plan by 2008.
Deer management priorities have prevented the bear plan from being completed,
but a draft is being worked on. The public will be engaged on new bear goals
considering the new population estimates.
f. Develop operational guidelines on bears in urban environments and on translocating
nuisance bears.
Translocation guidance has been developed including policy on landowner costshare for repeat problems. Guidelines for responding to nuisance and safety
issues was recently developed and approved by the Wildlife Policy Team.
B.2. Elk
a. By 2010, manage for a healthy, growing population of elk numbering somewhere
between 200 to 300 animals. Implement first elk season and permit system as the elk
population reaches 200.

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Ongoing. Elk herd growth has tapered off compared to earlier growth rates.
Estimated population is approximately 186 animals. An updated elk managed
plan was prepared and approved by the Natural Resources Board in 2012. This
plan provides recommendations to accelerate growth rates and expand the elk
herd in Wisconsin.
b. Develop an elk hunter education program.
Planned for coming year in anticipation of first elk season, modeling the program
after the State of Michigans program.
c. Request surplus elk from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada, to both
supplement the Clam Lake herd and establish a second herd in Jackson County. If
approved, translocate elk to Wisconsin through strict adherence to health testing and
monitoring requirements.
While a request has been made, CWD in Wisconsin and prion diseases in Canada
have limited options for getting additional elk to date.
d. Implement strategies to reduce elk mortality caused by vehicle collisions and
diseases.
A warning light system was installed on highways with the greatest elk collision
problems.
e. Encourage landowners, including the U.S. Forest Service (FS), to provide critical
habitat for elk in the elk management area near Clam Lake. Ongoing.
B.3. Wild Turkey
a. Implement habitat management practices to meet objectives outlined in the wild
turkey management plan using primarily turkey stamp revenues supplemented by
license funds. Management practices to benefit turkeys and turkey hunting include:
prairie ecosystem establishment and management, oak savanna establishment and
management, barrens management, oak-hickory ecotype management, hunter
education, population monitoring and population dynamics research.
Ongoing using turkey stamp application and project selection process.
b. Improve habitat to benefit turkeys on private land.
Ongoing through turkey stamp funding of projects, cooperation with NWTF, and
discussions with foresters.
c. Develop partnerships to fund farm bill biologists to increase landowner use of
beneficial farm bill programs.

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Five farm bill biologists have been co-funded by DNR, USDA NRCS and
Pheasants Forever.
d. Update priorities for the use of turkey stamp funds.
A new application scoring system was enacted.
e. Consolidate turkey management zones and explore additional regulation
simplifications for turkey hunting.
The greater than 40 turkey hunting zones are now seven. Use of dogs has been
allowed. Registration through web or phone is being developed.
f. Administer fall and spring seasons and permit numbers that maximize quality hunting
opportunities without adversely affecting turkey populations.
Ongoing with the help of results of hunter surveys, which show continued high
satisfaction and low interference.
g. Update the Turkey Management Plan by 2013.
The turkey plan update has been initiated with a public input phase.
B.4. Ring-necked Pheasant:
a. Expand pheasant hunting opportunities while improving hunt quality and hunter
satisfaction. Implement habitat management practices to meet objectives outlined in
the pheasant management plan using primarily pheasant stamp revenues
supplemented by license funds. Management practices for pheasants include: prairie
ecosystem establishment and management, Conservation Reserve Program expansion
and implementation, wetlands preservation and restoration, and population
monitoring and population dynamics research.
WDNR staff have been working with partners to increase wetland and grassland
acreage and quality through pheasant and duck stamp projects and partner
projects and funds. In addition, federal GLFWRAct and NAWCA grants have
been secured to do the same in primary pheasant range in westcentral and
southeast Wisconsin. Five farm bill biologists have been hired to increase
landowner participation in farm bill programs that benefit pheasants. Primary
partners have included USFWS, USDA, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited,
Wings Over Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Waterfowlers Association. Crowing cock
surveys in project areas have been conducted each year.
b. Develop partnerships to fund farm bill biologists to increase landowner use of
beneficial farm bill programs.

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See a. above.
c. Revise and update the pheasant plan by 2013.
Work on this plan is awaiting completion of work on the sharp-tailed grouse and
turkey plans.
B.5. Ruffed Grouse:
a. Encourage high hunter participation in ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting in
Wisconsin.
WDNR regularly provides information on ruffed grouse populations to hunters
through news releases and our web page. In some areas, maps of 10-20 year
aspen and alder stands have been developed to aid hunters.
b. Implement habitat management practices to meet objectives outlined in the ruffed
grouse management plan. Work with foresters, planners, county personnel and FS
personnel to ensure that timber harvest remains a primary use (where feasible) of
Wisconsin's forests.
Staff are working with the Wildlife Management Institute, foresters, federal
landowners, county landowners, and other partners on implementation of the
Young Forest Initiative.
c. Implement the North American Ruffed Grouse/Woodcock Plan.
Staff are working through EcoSummits with each region to build awareness of the
recommendations of these plans and identify best sites for implementing practices
beneficial for these birds.
d. Evaluate the need for a grouse/woodcock stamp.
This funding mechanism has been proposed a couple of times but does not
generate enough support to get in the Governors budget or into legislative
budget proposals.
e. Implement State Lands Forestry Initiative.
Ongoing with wildlife managers and foresters.
f. Continue wildlife habitat improvement grants for county forests, e.g., Dime an Acre
Program. Establish wildlife habitat priorities for this program.

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WDNRs wildlife liaison to county forest administrators has implemented this

recommendation.
g. Revise and update the Ruffed Grouse Management Plan by 2013.
Work on this plan is awaiting completion of the Sharp-tailed Grouse plan and the
Wild Turkey plan.
B.6. Sharp-tailed Grouse:
a. Encourage implementation of the northwest barrens management plan to promote a
core sharp-tailed grouse range. Support identification of central Wisconsin core areas
to maintain populations. Implement habitat management practices to meet objectives
outlined in the sharp-tailed grouse management plan.
This work is being carried out on core properties across northwest Wisconsin,
particularly on Crex Meadows, Moquah Barrens, Douglas County Wildlife Area,
Fish Lake, Riley Lake, Kimberly Clark Wildlife Area, Pershing Wildlife Area,
Namekagon Barrens and other county and private lands.
b. Continue to manage sharp-tail harvests at safe levels through a permit system;
evaluate whether sharp-tailed grouse should continue to be hunted.
The permit system continues to be used with conservative harvest quotas and
permit levels. Sharptail harvest rates have been very low. The draft sharp-tailed
grouse plan suggests that harvest impacts are minimal and that hunting under the
current system could be continued.
c. Revise and update the Sharp-tailed Grouse Management Plan by 2008.
A draft of the sharp-tailed Grouse plan is out for public review and will be
presented to the Natural Resources Board for approval in 2010.
d. Investigate the need and priorities for sharp-tailed grouse translocations for range
expansion or genetic restoration.
Genetic evaluation shows problems for sharptails as a result of isolation and low
numbers. A translocation program is under way. In addition, a telemetry project
is under way to better understand limiting factors on sharptails.
B.7. Ducks
a. Continue to implement the objectives in the Upper Mississippi River Joint Venture
including cooperation of "all bird objectives." This will be done by restoring and
enhancing wetlands and upland cover important for ducks and other bird species. The
key to our success will be working through partners to achieve the goals established

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in the Joint Venture. We will also continue to funnel dollars through a non-profit
organization for waterfowl habitat work in Canada that achieves the objectives of our
state waterfowl program, as required by state statute.
WDNR staff continue to use duck stamp, pheasant stamp and federal NAWCA and
GLFWRA grants to increase the quantity and quality of wetland and grassland
acres for ducks. The wetland staff specialist has worked to identify solutions to
obstacles for getting more wetland work done. This work has resulted in the
expenditure of carryover duck stamp funds for important waterfowl habitat. An
interagency team is working toward this objective. Primary partners have been
USFWS, USDA, Ducks Unlimited, Wisconsin Waterfowlers Association, and
Pheasants Forever. One-third of duck stamp funds continues to go to wetland
and grassland projects in Manitoba through Ducks Unlimited as required by state
law.
b. We will continue to work with the Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) in the annual rule process to ensure that our annual regulations offer
waterfowl hunting opportunities that support population goals. We will do this by
working with our constituents year round.
WDNR staff continue to be active at the national and Mississippi Flyway levels,
including hosting two flyway meetings. Staff have also been active in extra MFC
committee level work such as the MVP Canada Goose Committee, updating a
plan for this population. Staff meet regularly with waterfowl interest groups to
consider regulation changes such as refuges, open water hunting, zone lines,
season dates, bag limits, concealment requirements, etc. An annual March
waterfowlers meeting is held to bring hunters up to speed and offer them an
opportunity for input.
c. We will initiate species research to address critical information needs.
Research on blue-winged teal limiting factors has been underway for a couple
years now.
d. We will continue our spring breeding waterfowl survey and waterfowl banding and
enhance procedures as needed.
Surveys and banding have been done each year.
e. Complete the update to Wisconsins Waterfowl Management Plan by 2008.
This plan has been completed.
f. Reinvigorate the Wisconsin Steering Committee of the Joint Venture.

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The Wildlife Policy Team will consider a specific proposal to do so at their May
2010 meeting. In the meantime, there are 2 teams that have similar functionthe
Migratory Gamebird Committee and the Reversing the Loss Team.
g. Explore the potential for an increased fee for the waterfowl stamp.
WDNR staff have been talking with waterfowl hunters and interest groups about
this option, and there is substantial support for a fee increase considering
wetland restoration and maintenance needs and Joint Venture All Bird Plan
habitat goals.
h. Increase the marketing of waterfowl stamps.
Staff occasionally have the opportunity to promote the purchase of stamps to nontraditional audiences who value wildlife.
i. Support annual winter waterfowl workshop with waterfowl conservation partners and
enthusiasts.
We have supported and participated in this workshop each year.
j. Apply for and administer North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants for
waterfowl habitat management and acquisition.
WDNR has been one of the most successful states in applying for these federal
grants with our partners, having received around $24 million in grants so far.
We have an LTE who is coordinating this program nearly full time.
k. Conduct wetland restoration and management activities using state waterfowl stamp
funds.
Ongoing. The large number of flowages requires a substantial portion of these
funds to be used for flowage maintenance activities, with less spent on restoration
of wetlands recently. The large amount of carryover funds from past years has
now been spent on valuable projects.
l. Evaluate the need and support for limiting hunter numbers for some public hunting
grounds.
This idea is described in the completed waterfowl management plan, but there has
been little public interest in this practice.
B.8. Geese

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a. Continue to improve our Canada goose harvest management procedures to ensure we

offer our hunters a simple system that meets scientific and management needs. We
will continue to work with the Flyway Council in monitoring the status of migrant
birds and participate in collection of data to address critical information needs. We
continue to monitor the status of Canada geese nesting and summering in the state
and adjust hunting seasons as appropriate to maintain population at specified goals.
Surveys continue to be used to monitor the resident goose population. Mandatory
reporting is used to monitor harvest. Liberal opportunities are provided for
harvesting resident Canada geese. Resident geese make up an increasing
percentage of total goose harvest. Regulations have been simplified in the
Horicon Zone, and a few refuge delineations are being removed elsewhere.
b. Implement goose a hunting season structure approved by the Mississippi Flyway
Council and the FWS.
We are now under a stable regulations period adopted by the MFC and USFWS.
c. Evaluate and implement new federal resident goose regulations.
Ongoing.
d. Continue critical banding programs.
We continue to band geese each year.
B.9. Mourning Dove
a. Continue to enhance habitats for doves, monitor their populations and adjust hunting
regulations consistent with those populations.
Harvest surveys and population data show that harvest rates are acceptable. An
increasing number of sunflower fields have been planted on state lands to provide
food and hunting opportunities.
b. Participate in the national banding program for doves.
Staff continue to band doves to meet banding quotas.
c. Evaluate dove management potential and develop habitat management guidelines.
Work to date has included guidelines for sunflower fields on state lands.
d. Participate in non-toxic shot evaluation; evaluate whether non-toxic shot regulations
are prudent for doves and other small game.

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A proposal to hunt doves on state lands with non-toxic shot only received public
support and has become a hunting regulation.
e. Evaluate the need and support for limiting hunter numbers for some public hunting
grounds.
This proposal has been discussed by staff and stakeholders, but enabling
legislation is not present.
f. Establish food patches through sharecropping on some public hunting grounds.
This practice has increased substantially over the last 3 years. These food
patches are valued by hunters.
B.10. Beaver
Beavers are plentiful throughout the state. Populations have been reduced by as much as
45% in northeastern Wisconsin; availability of FWS and U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) staff to counties and local townships has helped to reduce problems and protect
habitat from valued trout streams to town roads to unique waters such as wild rice
management areas.
a. Continue our three-year rotation of beaver population surveys in Zones A and B.
Aerial surveys have been conducted every 3 years in these zones.
b. Secure funding for and develop a similar survey for the remainder of the state.
c. Develop zone specific population goals by 2011.
Stakeholders and staff will begin meeting in June 2010 to discuss beaver
management issues and initiate an update to the beaver management plan.
Population goals will be one of the objectives.
d. Continue our beaver harvest survey with a focus on obtaining additional information
about densities, harvest pressure and pelt value trends.
The furbearer harvest survey has continued to be conducted.
e. Explore funding opportunities for municipalities for beaver damage control.
Beaver control has continued to be done primarily by licensed trappers and
USDA WS personnel.
B.11. White-Tailed Deer

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a. Implement effective harvest management strategies, e.g., seasons, permit systems,

regulations, to manage deer populations near goals in most areas of the state.
Harvest management strategies together with winter impacts have reduced deer
populations to or below goals in much of the northern and central forests. Herd
control strategies continue to be implemented in the farmland regions and CWD
zone as populations remain above goals in most of those deer management units.
Public controversy and declining deer numbers in some areas have lead to the
suspension of use of the earn-a-buck rule in all but the CWD zone. A stakeholder
panel developed alternative regulation proposals for herd control, but this effort
was tabled when deer harvests declined substantially over a two-year period.
b. Conduct deer management unit reviews as required by administrative code and treaty
rights.
A deer management unit review was completed during the last year with much
public input and use of a diverse stakeholder panel. Population goals were
changed in 45 units.
c. Continue to monitor populations on a unit-by-unit basis including mandatory
registration. Improve the believability of this monitoring data and subsequent
modeling outputs. Explore survey enhancements and models other than Sex-Age-Kill
(SAK) in greater detail during the next six years.
Populations continue to be monitored through the SAK model, an accounting style
model, and aerial surveys (CWD zone). Recommendations of a SAK audit are
being fully implemented. Major new research is being initiated to answer
questions that staff and the public have about the use of the model. A plan call
Investing in Wisconsin Whitetails provides the details. We have and will
secure partnerships with agencies, organizations and individuals.
d. Implement SAK audit recommendation as feasible.
See c. above.
e. Complete a two-year review and evaluation of alternative deer seasons for years 2006
and 2007.
The review was completed. A herd control season without the October gun hunt
was not effective in meeting harvest objectives, so the October hunt was added
again for units with herd control seasons.
f. Collaborate with the Governors Council on Forestry on strategies to reduce forestry
deer impacts.

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Wildlife staff have given presentations and had discussions with the Council. The
council has been supportive of herd control strategies.
g. Involve diverse stakeholder groups in deer management discussions.
WDNR has had a great deal of diverse stakeholder input through public meetings
and stakeholder panels for setting harvest objectives, population goals, and
regulations.
h. Create a 20-minute video on the deer management program.
A video was produced as a lead in for public meetings held around the state.
i. Continue the deer hunt TV show.
The deer hunt show has been discontinued. Other methods of communicating and
engaging the public have been pursued.
j. Explore additional deer hunting rule simplifications.
Ongoing discussions. Suspension of earn-a-buck outside of the CWD zone has
simplified regulations.
k. Explore the use of deer population levels in forest certification as an incentive to
manage deer.
Deer management is a concern of forest certification, but this objective has not
been implemented.
B.12. Fishers, Otters and Bobcats
a. Administer the permit system to limit harvest in consideration of population levels
relative to population goals.
Ongoing. A new bobcat goal range was adopted.
b. Continue to examine carcasses from harvested animals for modeling data.
Ongoing with a different schedule for different species.
c. Conduct aerial surveys of otters.
Otter aerial surveys have been conducted with help of the Wisconsin Trappers
Association initially. This survey is now a standard and funded survey.
B.13. Prairie Chickens

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a. Continue to transplant prairie chickens from outside Wisconsin to central Wisconsin

to improve the genetics of our population.
Prairie chickens have been transplanted from Minnesota each of the last several
years. Initial research indicates that survival of their young has been poor.
Coming genetics evaluations will determine impacts on population genetics from
the translocation.
b. Expand the acreage of grassland habitat as described in the prairie chicken
management plan.
Addition properties have been purchased for prairie chickens. The area was also
established as a USDA SAFE area with an acreage allocation for landowner
enrollment of grassland acreage.
B.14. Northern Bobwhite
a. Participate in the revision of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and
implement habitat management practices contained in the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Farm Bill CP33.
There has been limited attention to this objective as Wisconsin is on the edge of
the range of quail and recent winters have decimated remnant quail populations.
Only a few counties in Southeast Wisconsin have had these practices available.
B.15. Sandhill Crane
a. Work with the Mississippi Flyway Council Technical Section to write a sandhill
crane management plan.
WDNR staff chaired an effort to write the sandhill plan. It was completed and
approved by both the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyway Councils this past spring.
B.16. Woodcock
a. Implement the North American Woodcock Management Plan.
WDNR staff have been working with the WMI, USFS and other partners to find
focus areas to implement this plan and the Young Forest Initiative.
C. Development of Rules & Regulations Affecting the Use of Wildlife & Public Lands
This program function includes the review of past season harvest information, research and
other surveys to assist in the establishment of harvest management recommendations. Once
the Wildlife Management Program makes harvest recommendations, the mechanics of setting

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regulations involves the establishment of administrative rules and annual regulations

publications.
a. Evaluate options for rule simplification with hunters and trappers.
Combined three regulatory publications, small game, spring turkey and fall
turkey, into one. This resulted in cost savings and simplification by locating more
information in one publication.
Established consistent, statewide opening dates, resident and nonresident opening
dates, and consolidated management zones. Affected seasons were for fox
hunting and trapping, coyote trapping, raccoon hunting and trapping, and wild
turkeys.
b. Promulgate rules annually to address customer demands and resource management
needs. Work with stakeholders. Hold hearings. Present rules and statutory proposals
to the Natural Resources Board and legislative committees
Promulgated wildlife management rules related to natural resources board policy,
license and permit procedures, game and hunting, wildlife damage and nuisance
control, captive wildlife, miscellaneous fur, fish, game and outdoor recreation, and
the use of department properties.
In promulgating these rules, public outreach activities included 90 public hearings,
at least one in each Wisconsin county, that were conducted by the department.
Hearings were attended by more than 8,000 citizens an increase in participation of
at least 3,000 people over the previous year.
Additional hearings or meetings regarding these regulatory policies were held with
the secretarys office, natural resources board, legislature, division administrator
and Wildlife Policy Team.
Annual outreach on hunting and trapping seasons included preparation and
distribution of the following publications:

Regulation Pamphlet

Publication
Type

Pages
and/or
size

Paper

Number
Published

2009 Small Game, Fall

2009 Turkey, Spring 2010
Turkey (combined into one
pamphlet)

booklet

32 pages/
5 3/8 x 8 3/8

newsprint

625,000

Complex fold

11x 17

booklet

32 pages/
3 5/8 x 6

Early Goose
Trapping

50 # white
offset
45# white
offset text

60,000
54,500

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Deer

booklet

Migratory Bird

Booklet

2009 Spring Turkey

Bear
Hunting & Trapping
Season Fact Sheet

double half
fold
complex fold
double sided

72 pages/
5 3/8 x 8 3/8
32 pages/
3 5/8 x 6

newsprint

840,000

45# white
offset text

270,000

8.5 x 14

50 # white

175,000

11x 17

50 # white
50 # color
varies yearly

80,000

8.5 x 11

190,000

C.1. Managing User Conflicts

a. Provide information to hunters on how their behavior affects other outdoor users and
explain the funding of wildlife management through public service announcements,
safety education programs, warden contacts, brochures pamphlets and personal
contacts.
b. Assist municipalities with developing ordinances and management plans that ensure
compatible use opportunities appropriate for the local resources.
c. Use master planning and program direction to define property uses and minimize
potential user conflicts. We will also identify other facilities or lands to meet the
needs of alternative recreation, e.g., ATV, dog trialing, etc.
d. Evaluate the amount and composition of recreational uses of state lands.
e. Increase vigilance in defending public rights to hunt and trap where they were
historically legal, e.g., public lands adjacent new developments.
f. Wildlife biologists and other staff shall involve partners and communities in
identifying and solving issues affecting wildlife, endangered resources, and habitat.
They will resolve user conflicts within each administrative area through increased
contact with landowners and community-based action.
Surveys of gun deer hunters and non-hunter visitors to the Kettle Moraine State
Forest (KMSF) were conducted during the October 2008 gun deer hunt in the
KMSF. The surveys were initiated to enhance the anecdotal information
surrounding user conflicts between gun deer hunters and other visitors to the
Forest. A total of 811 questionnaires were returned usable; 88 from gun deer
hunters and 723 from other visitors.
To anticipate the findings, the golden nugget in the data pertains to visitor
awareness of the hunt. Across numerous variables, visitors that were aware of
the hunt prior to their visit were more positive about their visit, were more likely
to wear blaze orange, and less likely to be bothered by the hunt than were
visitors who did not know of the hunt until they arrived. This is a good finding
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it is an action-able finding, meaning it is something we can work on and improve.

Based on the findings, we could hypothesize that if awareness of the hunt
increased (awareness in advance of a potential visit) the likelihood of hunter
non-hunter conflicts should decrease and visit satisfaction for all users should
increase. (NOTE: This is not to suggest that increased awareness will completely
eliminate user conflicts and feelings of personal risk.)

D. Wildlife Facility Maintenance

This program function includes the repair and maintenance of existing DNR facilities and
equipment (for public and departmental use) to ensure that the facilities continue to serve
their intended purpose.
a. By 2010, complete the inventory of all wildlife properties and develop minimum
property maintenance standards for wildlife, including basic infrastructure to support
public use.
In progress, but not complete. Infrastructure inventories are part of the regional
and property analysis component of our master planning process. Michele
Woodford has been put on special assignment to assist in trying to standardize as
well as accelerate this effort.
b. Repair or replace habitat management equipment as needed.
Ongoing, but limited by available funding
E. Acquisition, Easements and Leasing of Land
This program function includes preliminary work by wildlife management staff related to the
purchase, leasing and grant easements on wildlife management lands. Included are
landowner contacts, providing technical assistance for public hunting grounds leases and
conducting biological reviews for proposed easements.
a. Continue leasing private lands for public hunting in southern Wisconsin.
WDNR continues to lease a significant amount of private lands for public hunting,
primarily in southeast and south-central Wisconsin.
b. Expand and promote tools for locating public hunting lands.
Maps are available with many data layers on the DNR website. A recently
approved statute requires greater posting for public awareness of public lands
locations and boundaries. A significant increase in funding has been made
available for posting efforts. The DNR website is being revamped to give the
public easier access to information on opportunities for recreation across the
state.

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c. Develop GIS mapping for wildlife areas and make it available to the public.
A GIS Committee has been established to improve GIS mapping abilities for
public lands and management practices on them. A GIS position is proposed to
be created using the increase in PR allocations. Maps of wildlife areas are now
available to the public on the DNR website.
d. Explore the opportunity for a private lands access program for hunting.
The WDNR has developed a preliminary proposal in anticipation of a federal
grant funding opportunity called the Voluntary Public Access Program.
e. Implement the Land Legacy Plan for land acquisition and protection, including wildlife
lands and state natural areas, to support resource conservation and public outdoor
recreation.
The Land Legacy Plan is being used to guide land acquisition. The Stewardship
Fund was reauthorized to fund acquisition for another 10 years. In addition, a
policy is being developed to further guide future acquisition in a manner that
would be most strategic both for conservation and recreation

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ATTACHMENT 1:
PORTFOLIO OF PLANS AND REPORTS IMPACTING THE FISH,
WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN.
STATEWIDE PLANS
Department Strategic Business Plan
This document identifies the goals and strategies of the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources to carry out its mission and vision to protect the health and safety of people, wildlife
and natural communities that depend on those resources; and to promote opportunities to enjoy
and benefit from natural resources in ways that are consistent with protection of the environment.
Six-Year Fish and Wildlife Plan
This document addresses the Wisconsin DNR Mission, implements the four goals of the
Departments Strategic Plan, and provides specific information and objectives relevant to fish,
wildlife, and habitat management for the six-year period from July 1, 2007, through June 30,
2013. The plan is required to receive federal aid.
Biodiversity Report
This report presents a Wisconsin DNR strategy for the conservation of biological diversity. It
provides an overview of the issues associated with biodiversity and provides a common point of
reference for incorporating the conservation of biodiversity into our management framework.
Wisconsin Ecological Landscapes Handbook
This handbook is organized by ecological landscapes, areas similar in ecology and management
opportunities within the state. It contains ecological and socio-economic data and descriptions
about each of Wisconsins 16 ecological landscapes. This information is used to determine what
ecological resources and what ecological opportunities exist within an ecological landscape to
benefit regional and statewide efforts for maintaining and restoring natural resources. It also
offers suggestions on what socio-economic activities would be compatible and sustainable with
the ecological landscapes.
Land Legacy Report
This report identifies 229 places within Wisconsin believed to be most important to meet the
states conservation and recreation needs over the next 50 years.
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
Since 1965, the Wisconsin DNR has developed and maintained the Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) in an attempt to classify, measure, and provide for the
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preferences and needs of a statewide recreating public. The SCORP examines these trends to
assess current and future recreational needs within the state. With its comprehensive statewide
and regional focus, this plan guides the allocation of limited recreation funds to acquire
additional recreation and conservation lands and support the continued development of outdoor
recreation opportunities.
Wisconsin Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need (and State Wildlife
Action Plan)
This strategy takes a thorough look at the animal species that are part of Wisconsins natural
heritage, identifies those most in need of our attention because they are declining or are
dependent on habitat or places that are declining, and suggests conservation actions to ensure
that Wisconsins natural species are preserved. The State Wildlife Action Plan will provide
strategies on how to implement management to preserve species of greatest conservation need.
Department State Forest Plan
This plan includes a common vision for Wisconsins forests based on five goals and ten
assumptions for statewide sustainable forestry, a description of 52 trends and issues, and
objectives to address each trend and issue. Each trend and issue write-up contains a summary
discussion of the relevant ecological, economic, and social implications, explores relationships
among them, and provides a strategic objective. The final plan also includes the possible actions.
Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI) All-bird Plan in preparation
This effort will coordinate the plans listed below into one All Bird Plan for the state of
Wisconsin. Wisconsin partners will deliver the full spectrum of bird conservation, including
both game and non-game birds, by working together in voluntary, cooperative initiatives. Birdbased projects will be coordinated to ensure effective management for all birds in Wisconsin.
Birds and their habitats will be monitored and managed using the best available science and
using ecological landscapes as the management units.
North American Landbird Conservation Plan
North American Waterfowl Management Plan
U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan
North American Waterbird Conservation Plan
Partners in Flight regional plans - Regions 16 and 20
Upper Miss. River & Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan
Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Regional Waterbird Plan-in preparation
Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Regional Shorebird Plan
Managing Habitat for Grassland Birds: A guide for Wisconsin
Department Shoreline and Shallows Strategies
Despite current shorelands and shallows management program efforts, Wisconsin is still
experiencing the incremental loss of shorelands and shallows. These strategies are intended to

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change this trend to one of increasing protection and restoration of shorelands and shallows.
Threats to shorelands and shallows include an increase in development and scale of
development, increased intensity of recreational use, and the invasion of exotic species.
Shorelands and shallows are vital for flood protection, water quality protection, natural scenic
beauty, recreational opportunity, and economic health. A hierarchy of ecological goals is an
underlying concept for the strategies:
Ensure protection of ecosystem function.
Protect ecosystem structure.
Protect ecosystem composition.
Water Monitoring Strategy
The Wisconsin DNR Water Monitoring Strategy covers all monitoring done under the bureaus of
Fisheries Management, Watershed Management, and Drinking Water and Groundwater and
identifies efficiencies that can be gained by working together. It also clarifies which monitoring
efforts are used to meet the Clean Water Act, Fisheries, and Public Trust Doctrine objectives,
and prioritizes where future efforts will be focused given varying funding levels.
Wisconsin Great Lakes Strategy
In parallel to the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, the Wisconsin DNR Office of Great Lakes
is drafting a Wisconsin Great Lakes Strategy. The Wisconsin Great Lakes Strategy will serve as
the vehicle for coordinating and allocating resources and will better position Wisconsin to begin
program and project implementation in the event that significant funding comes from Congress
for the Restoration of the Great Lakes. Based on comments from the public, the Wisconsin
Great Lakes Strategy was revised and finalized in 2006. We will use this document guide
restoration and protection efforts in the Wisconsin portion of the Great Lakes Basin. Following
the release of the initial strategy, we will design and implement a process to revise it in future
years.
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protections Wisconsin Working Lands
Initiative
Wisconsins extensive farmland that established our character as the dairy state is rapidly
disappearing to development. The forested lands that built our paper and recreation industries
are being sold as small, private lots. These changes are essentially irreversible, and are
accelerating. Our goal is to find new approaches to planning and zoning, and policies that
promote residential and commercial development while also preventing the further loss and
fragmentation of Wisconsins working lands.
Hunter Education Strategic Plan
This document identifies the goals and strategies of the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources Hunter Education Program to carry out its mission and vision to train hunters to be
safe, knowledgeable and responsible. It outlines processes by which safety and promotion of
hunting opportunities will be presented to the public. It further outlines the necessary projects
needed to continue the growth of the program to meet the changing demographic and social
trends of society.

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REGIONAL, PROPERTY, OR SPECIES PLANS

State of the Basin Reports
These reports provide a picture of the status of Wisconsins water-based ecological resources and
identify key areas for management for each of the 22 major watersheds in the state. The reports
are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for federal funding.
Department Property Master Plans
Each Wisconsin DNR property has a "master plan" that establishes goals and objectives for the
property and identifies how it will be managed and developed. These plans are designed to
clearly communicate to the public how the property will look and what benefits it will provide.
County Forest Plans
County forests operate under the direction of fifteen-year plans. These plans originate through
the input of counties, the State of Wisconsin, local townships, citizens and various other groups.
Fifteen-year plans set policy on all actions conducted within county forests. The forests provide
revenue to the counties while they practice sustainable forestry. This revenue also supports
recreational uses and environmental protection. These plans are vital because they involve the
public in how county forests are managed.
Karner Blue Habitat Conservation Plan
The Karner blue butterfly is a federally listed endangered species. Although the species is rare
nationwide, it is relatively common in central and northwestern Wisconsin, especially where pine
barrens, oak savannas, and mowed corridors support wild lupine, the only food of the Karner
blue caterpillar. The Habitat Conservation Plan is based on a legal agreement between the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wisconsin DNR, and an array of public and private land
managers. The agreement allows Wisconsin land managers to continue operating in and around
Karner blue habitat, provided they modify their activities to minimize incidental take (death,
harm or harassment) of Karner blues.
Department Fish and Wildlife Species Strategic Plans
These plans are developed for individual species or groups of fish and wildlife species by
Species Advisory Committees of experts. Plans in revision include sharp-tailed grouse, bear, and
waterfowl.
Department Endangered/Threatened Species Recovery Plans
Developed by Endangered Resources staff, these plans help ensure the recovery and survival of
endangered and threatened species.

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Upper Mississippi Forest Partnership

The Upper Mississippi River Watershed Forestry Partnership is a cooperative venture of the
USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, the Wisconsin DNR-Division of Forestry, and the state
foresters of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri. The partnerships mission is to
provide solutions to environmental problems in the watershed through targeted efforts in tree and
forest restoration, protection and sustainable management.
Northwest Sands Landscape Level Management Plan
This report presents the results of a landscape level management planning effort for the
northwest sands area within Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, and Washburn Counties. The plan
is multi-jurisdictional encompassing multiple land owners, political jurisdictions, and social
service organizations, some of which already have plans in place for their individual ownership
or organizations. The purpose of the plan is twofold:
1. Provide a comprehensive database of information which could be used by individual
jurisdictions in their own planning efforts to see how they fit within the larger context, and
2. Identify opportunities that individual jurisdictions could consider acting on within their
individual areas of responsibility.
Landscape Analysis and Design on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
This plan was instituted to take a large-scale look at the entire National Forest and surrounding
areas in Wisconsin to meet the needs for sustaining ecosystems as well as producing forest
products. The plan used an inventory and assessment phase to collect information to design how
the national forest might be managed to meet biodiversity and forest products needs. This effort
became part of the national forest planning process.

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