CR 19-131 Rule Text

To monitor the ruffed grouse population, the department utilizes annual drumming surveys and estimates harvest annually through a small game hunter survey. Ruffed grouse drumming activity declined 34% statewide from 2017 to 2018. The decline was greatest in the northern region, with a 38% decline in drumming grouse detected. This area contains the most extensive early-successional forest habitat and healthiest ruffed grouse populations, so focus is generally placed on trends in the northern region. Also, estimated ruffed grouse harvest declined from 262,943 in 2016 to 185,336 in 2017, a 29.5% decline. This represents the lowest estimated harvest in the 34 years the department has been conducting the small game hunter survey. While spring drumming counts were higher in 2019, the cause of the decline from 2017-2018 is still unknown, and the decline occurred after the drumming surveys were completed.

9. Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine the Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Report:

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-2011 (USFWS 2011), grouse hunting in Wisconsin accounts for only 7% of the total hunting effort (hunting days) in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR or the USWFW does not keep specific data on hunting expenditure related to grouse hunting. Additionally, the closure will occur after prime portions of the season that are most desirable to travelling hunters. Based on the limited number of days that hunters dedicate to grouse hunting relative to other types of hunting in Wisconsin, we do not expect that the impact of limiting the grouse hunting season in Wisconsin on reducing the hunting expenditure will be significant.

10. Effect on Small Business (initial regulatory flexibility analysis): These rules are applicable to individual sportspersons and impose no compliance or reporting requirements for small business, nor are any design or operational standards contained in the rule. However, there might be an economic impact to small business who depend on ruffed grouse hunters for revenue. This rule may shorten the ruffed grouse season by almost a month, which could result in decreased revenue during that time.

11. Agency Contact Person: Mark Witecha, 101 S. Webster St., PO BOX 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. [e-mail] [phone]

12. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:

Written comments may be submitted at the public hearings, by regular mail, fax or email to:

Mark Witecha

Department of Natural Resources

P.O. Box 7921

Madison, WI 53707

[e-mail]

608-267-7861

608-267-7857 (fax)

Written comments may also be submitted to the Department at [e-mail].

The hearing was held November 7, 2019 in Rhinelander. The public comment period closed on November 8, 2019.

Section 1   NR 10.01 (2) (a) is amended to read:

Kind of Animal and Locality

Open season (all dates inclusive)

Limit

NR 10.01 (2) (a) Ruffed Grouse 1. Zone A as established under s. NR 10.33.

Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through January 31 the Sunday nearest January 6.

Daily bag 5; possession 15

Section 2   NR 10.33 is amended to read:

  NR 10.33 Ruffed grouse management zones

Section 3. Effective Date. This rule takes effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register as provided in s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats.

Section 4. Board adoption. This rule was approved and adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­December 11, 2019.

Dated at Madison, Wisconsin _____________________________.

          STATE OF WISCONSIN    

          DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES                

          BY ______________________________________

            Preston D. Cole, Secretary

(SEAL)