CWD confirmed in the ceded territory

    The first occurrence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer from the Wisconsin ceded territories was confirmed by the WDNR on April 3. The animal came from an area about three miles west of Shell Lake, WI in Washburn County.
     The confirmation of the disease will induce stepped-up surveillance and testing efforts in the affected region. Testing will be available to tribes during the 2012 treaty deer season, according to GLIFWC Wildlife Section Leader Dr. Jonathan Gilbert.
     Gilbert encourages people not to push the panic button, but be cautious. CWD is a deer health issue. “People harvest elk and deer in many places throughout the country where CWD is present, such as in Colorado. There is no evidence that CWD in cervids contributes to human disease,” he says. GLIFWC will work with the State to coordinate management responses to the CWD confirmation and will likely ask tribes to participate in testing during the tribal deer season.
     GLIFWC will post any new developments as they become available on our website or Facebook. 
     If you have concerns or questions, contact Jonathan Gilbert at 715/682-6619, ext. 2121 or Public Information at 715-682-6619, ext. 107.  For further information about CWD and handling harvested deer, see: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/regs/deer5.pdf

 

Wolf Issue

In response to the Wisconsin legislature's proposal to establish a wolf hunting and trapping season, GLIFWC Executive Administrator James Zorn made clear that Ojibwe tribes in the Wisconsin ceded territory oppose the public harvest of the animal known as ma'iingan. Wolves are a significant species in traditional Ojibwe teachings, considered educators and brothers to the Anishinaabe people. See Zorn's written testimony on Senate Bill 411.

 

Mininig Legislation

GLIFWC submits testimony on the mining legislation currently being considered by the Joint Finance Committee. Threats to treaty guaranteed resources remain a concern.

Assembly Bill 426 & LRB-3520/1

 

Following are comments submitted by the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission opposing AB426. AB 426 proposes changes to current environmental regulatory standards that would apply to Gogeic Taconite’s proposed iron mine in the Penokee Range. The Bill passed the Wisconsin Assembly in January and has moved to the Senate.

GLIFWC testimony on AB426

 

Navigable Waters

Below find written testimony submitted by the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission opposing Wisconsin Special Session Joint Assembly/Senate Bill 24. This Bill would change the way permits in navigable waters are issued, with potential impacts on wild rice as well as other treaty resources.

GLIFWC testimony on Wisconsin Special Session Joint Assembly/Senate Bill 24

 

Wetlands Legislation

Below are comments from the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission opposing the Wetland Regulatory Reform Bill, AB 463/SB 368. Among several issues, the Bill proposes changing regulations governing discharges into wetlands with a potential impact on wild rice and other treaty resources.

GLIFWC testimony on Wetland Regulatory Reform Bill AB463/SB368

 

Iron Mining In the Lake Superior Basin

 

Commission Orders effecting changes in some WI treaty harvest regulations.
Commission Orders, effective as of November 16, 2011, made changes to regulations for several treaty seasons (see below). These changes are effective but have not yet been incorporated into the Model Code that defines treaty harvest regulations in Wisconsin (See Model Code).

     Deer Hunting Regulation changes

     Bear Hunting Regulation changes

     Wild Turkey Hunting Regulation changes

     Trapping Regulation changes

     Uncased Firearms changes

     Uncased Firearms Questions & Answers

 

WDNR/GLIFWC announce updates to Voigt decision

Subscription form & PDFs of past issues

Tribal ecosystems benefit from GLRI

2012 Netting & Spearfishing

Students tap into traditions at Michigan sugarbush

Ceded territories mining update

Elevated selenium in Goose Lake from iron ore mines

Wild Plants

Mercury maps updated

Marten research in northern Wisconsin

Ma'iingan

Enforcement news

Gichigami news

Let's be good water workers (kids page)

Primary Application

Special Enforcement Application

GLIFWC Positions Qualifications Table

Wildlife Project Aide - 5/4/12

Boating Safety, May 19&20 @ St. Croix contact Brad Kacizak 715.562.0030

 

Boating Safety, May 21-25 @ LCO contact Mike Popovich 715.292.7535 or Lauren Tuori 715.292.8343

 

Hunter Safety, June 11, 16&17 @ Mole Lake contact Roger McGeshick 715.889.3200 or Adam McGeshick 715.209.7217

 

ATV/Snowmobile Safety, June 11-13 @ Red Cliff contact Mike Soulier 715.209.0093 or Jim Stone 715.292.3234

 

Learn to Trap, June 23-24 @ St. Croix contact Brad Kacizak 715.562.0030

 

ATV/Snowmobile Safety, June 26-18 @ Lac du Flambeau contact Jonas Moermond 715-562.0026 or Riley Brooks 715.562.0300

 

ATV/Snowmobile Safety, July 7-8 @ Mole Lake contact Roger McGeshick 715.889.3200 or Adam McGeshick 715.209.7217

 

Boating Safety, July 19-21 @ Bad River contact Vern Stone 715.292.8862

 

Camp Onji-Akiing @ Camp Nesbit, Sidnaw, Michigan contact Heather Naigus Heather Naigus 906.458.3778 or Fred Maulson 715.682.2113