1 Brookings Wildlife Federation Box 104, Brookings, SD 57006 Affiliated with: South Dakota Wildlife Federation National Wildlife Federation Board: Spencer Vaa, President; Rich Widman, Past-President; P. Wagner, D. Micko, Bob Kurtz, T. Wieczorek, Bd Members; L. Novotny, Treas. Newsletter Editor: C. Berry September 2019 September 6 Infolunch: Fall hunting and fishing forecast The Brookings Wildlife Federation will host Conservation Officer Jeff Grendler and Senior Waterfowl Biologist Rocco Murano (photo right) who will profile the upcoming fall hunting and fishing season prospects at the Federation’s monthly Infolunch. The Infolunch will be held at the First Lutheran Coffee House meeting room at noon on Friday, September 6. Murano will cover the status of the populations of pheasants and waterfowl, and make comments on other game animals. As the State Waterfowl Biologist, Murano keeps in touch with biologists throughout the Central Flyway. Their observations on wetland conditions, nesting success and other factors determine the fall flight of waterfowl. Pheasant hunting predictions are made from standardized surveys. The pheasant survey in Brookings County is done by driving three standard routes from East to West across the county and counting pheasant broods beside the road in the morning, when the birds move from wet grasses to roadsides for food and gravel. This pheasant counting methodology seems unscientific, but when the survey is done in a standard way for many years and the data correlated with harvest, then GFP has a good tool to predict hunting prospects. Grendler’s “boots on the ground” data is from his everyday observations and communication with hunters and anglers. Grendler is especially good at predicting deer hunt prospects. He is also up-to-date on hunting and fishing regulations and has practical hunting and fishing advice. The Infolunch is open to the public. The BWF is affiliated with the South Dakota Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. The BWF is in its 38th year of supplying conservation information and activities to the Brookings community. For more info contact BWF President Spencer Vaa 695-6867. A look back: Last year’s September meeting with the GFP folks was the first meeting that the BWF had in the Lutheran Church Coffee House. Thirty-six people attended to hear news from Grendler and Murano. Last year, Rocco said that duck numbers were down in North America by 13%, mostly because of dry conditions in the prairie pothole region. He reported that the April snows really killed the goose hatch and there were a lot fewer Canada geese around in the fall of 2018. Both Grendler and Rocco were upset about the future of CRP; as
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P. Wagner, D. Micko, Bob Kurtz, T. Wieczorek, Bd Members;
L. Novotny, Treas.
Newsletter Editor: C. Berry September 2019
September 6 Infolunch: Fall hunting and fishing forecast
The Brookings Wildlife Federation will host Conservation
Officer Jeff Grendler and Senior Waterfowl Biologist
Rocco Murano (photo right) who will profile the
upcoming fall hunting and fishing season prospects at the
Federation’s monthly Infolunch. The Infolunch will be
held at the First Lutheran Coffee House meeting room at
noon on Friday, September 6.
Murano will cover the status of the populations of pheasants and
waterfowl, and make comments on other game animals. As the State
Waterfowl Biologist, Murano keeps in touch with biologists throughout the
Central Flyway. Their observations on wetland conditions, nesting success and other factors determine the fall
flight of waterfowl.
Pheasant hunting predictions are made from standardized surveys. The pheasant survey in Brookings
County is done by driving three standard routes from East to West across the county and counting pheasant
broods beside the road in the morning, when the birds move from wet grasses to roadsides for food and gravel.
This pheasant counting methodology seems unscientific, but when the survey is done in a standard way
for many years and the data correlated with harvest, then GFP has a good tool to predict hunting prospects.
Grendler’s “boots on the ground” data is from his everyday observations and communication with
hunters and anglers. Grendler is especially good at predicting deer hunt prospects. He is also up-to-date on
hunting and fishing regulations and has practical hunting and fishing advice.
The Infolunch is open to the public. The BWF is affiliated with the South Dakota Wildlife Federation
and the National Wildlife Federation. The BWF is in its 38th year of supplying conservation information and
activities to the Brookings community. For more info contact BWF President Spencer Vaa 695-6867.
A look back: Last year’s September meeting with the GFP folks was the first meeting that the BWF had in the
Lutheran Church Coffee House. Thirty-six people attended to hear news from Grendler and Murano. Last year,
Rocco said that duck numbers were down in North America by 13%, mostly because of dry conditions in the
prairie pothole region. He reported that the April snows really killed the goose hatch and there were a lot fewer
Canada geese around in the fall of 2018. Both Grendler and Rocco were upset about the future of CRP; as
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contracts end, about 2,600 acres will be plowed in Brookings County. Grendler
said that the State needs a grass program; don’t wait for the Feds to protect
grasslands.
Rocco likes to conclude his talks with a photo of a Northern Shoveler,
which he says is his favorite duck. Some Infolunch attendees scoffed at the
shoveler. But Rocco retorted “The shoveler is just a blue-winged teal but better
at its job!” Will we see the “spoonbill” at the end of Rocco’s talk again this
year??
August Infolunch Review: SDSU Dean Dr John Killefer’s Joke (short version) The Brookings Wildlife Federation (BWF) hosted Dr John Killefer at the August
Infolunch. Killefer, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
talked about the “environmental” part of the College’s name, with a focus on the natural
resource conservation benefits of the new precision agriculture program.
Did you hear the one about the guy who took his pet duck to the vet? The vet’s quick
examination revealed that the duck was dead, but the owner couldn’t accept the diagnosis.
So. the vet brought in a black lab from the kennel; lab sniffed the duck and left the room.
Then the vet got a cat from a cage; cat pawed the duck and jumped back into the cage. The vet gave the guy a
bill for services that amounted to $800, which included lab fees and a cat scan!!
Game can be restored by the creative use of the same tools which have heretofore
destroyed it – axe, plow, cow, fire, and gun.” Aldo Leopold, 1952
Hunt for Habitat Raised $320,990 The Hunt for Habitat raffle is part of Governor Kristi Noem's Second Century Initiative, which works to
ensure the next generation has an opportunity to enjoy South Dakota’s outdoor heritage. The Gov wants to get
money for habitat by raffling special hunting permits, like a Bison license and a license called a "triple tag" that
allows a hunt of antelope, deer, and elk. Nonresidents were eligible to win one of the three “triple tag” prizes.
The raffle raised $320,990 to improve habitat for everything from butterflies and other pollinators to
deer, elk, pheasants and everything in between. The money raised will be used to improve habitat on both
public and private lands, along with improving access to public hunting areas across South Dakota.
37,720 Raccoon Tails The Gov’s plan to improve the state’s pheasant and duck
population by trapping nest predators finished the first year. The
program focused on introducing people to trapping and outdoors
activities as well as reducing localized populations of nest
predators. The program offered a $10 bounty for nest predator
tails, and gave 3 free traps to 5,500 people; no trapping license
was needed. Nest predators include raccoon, striped skunk,
badger, opossum, and red fox. The Program had a budget of
$500,000, which was gone by August 12. Trappers turned in
37,720 raccoon tails and 5,529 skunk tails. The top counties
included Minnehaha, Beadle, Yankton, Grant, Brookings, Turner,
Kingsbury, Clark, Roberts, and Lake.
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Jackrabbit Football Players Hunt and Fish (by Chuck Berry)
For the past few years, our Brookings Wildlife Federation
Newsletter Editor has interviewed a couple of SDSU football players
about their hunting and fishing interests. This opportunity comes
thanks to Coach Stig’s openness and the cooperation of his Director
of Football Operations. Again this year, I explained the BWF’s
interest in Jacks’ football players to the new Director of Football
Operations Jonathan Shaeffer. And, I asked my usual question:
“Can you line me up with a couple of outdoorsmen/football
players?” Shaeffer replied “No problem.” He later emailed that I
should be present at media day to interview Chase Venatieri and
John Gruetzmacher.
Assisting me on these interviews is Skip Webster who
represents the Lake Campbell Sportsmen Club. Skip is supposed to
be the cameraman but every year, he poses with the players while I
take the photos – says he doesn’t know how to use my camera.
Members of the South Dakota Wildlife Federation know the Venatieri name well because Chase’s
Grandfather is Paul Venatieri, who is the SDWF District One Director (Rapid City). Chase is a Senior from
Sioux Falls who is majoring in Nursing and is a kicker for the team. He was shocked when I said “Don’t want
to talk football today, we’re here to learn about your interest in hunting and fishing.”
Chase is mostly a waterfowler, hunting ducks on public land, and geese on the Missouri River bluffs.
He usually meets his Dad the early morning after a home game; Dad brings the boat and decoys. On goose
hunting days, he meets Dad in Madison and they drive through the early morning hours to be at the GFP’s
registration trailer so they can register for one of the pit blinds in the Lower Oahe Waterfowl Access Area.
Chase said that he enjoyed taking Taryn Christion hunting; Taryn is last year’s star QB now trying to make the
Dallas Cowboy team.
When asked about a memorable experience, he told of the
time he and Taryn sneaked up the face of a stock dam full of
ducks and geese. Chase shoots a 10 gauge shotgun for geese and
a 12 ga pump for ducks. They sometimes hunt pheasants on
public land after the duck hunt; says he will join some
conservation organizations like the SDWF after he graduates and
has more money. Whether he goes into Pro football or Nursing,
he’ll have more money next year, and the SDWF will probably
have a new member.
The other guy that we interviewed was #75, Jon
Gruetzmacher, a 300+ pound O-lineman. Jon is a Sophomore
from Merrill, Wisconsin; is majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
The first thing to know about his outdoor interests is that he has
won several youth archery tournaments – how does the patience,
precision, concentration, and repetition of the sport of archery
translate to the violent interior line of the Jacks offense??
Hunting and fishing is a family affair at Jon’s house. His
Chase Venatieri and Skip Webster;
Chase is the one with the #4 jersey.
Jon G. (#75) and Skip Webster at
SDSU Media Day, Fall 2019.
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favorite hunt is bow hunting for bear and turkey. His most memorable hunt was taking a 251 pound black bear
with a bow when he was 12 years old!
Jon likes to fish a lake near his home town; says the big crappie hang out around the old railroad trestle
and tree stumps. In Brookings, he has caught walleye from the bridge at the south end of Lake Campbell. And,
he has “pestered the poultry” (pheasant hunted) with another SDSU football player, Krockett Krolikowske, who
invited him to hunt the family farm near Winner.
Jon doesn’t know it but he has a connection with former Jacks football player and now top official in
GFP – Kevin Robling. This year, Kevin was promoted to deputy secretary of GFP. Robling received his
bachelor’s and master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from SDSU, began his career with GFP in 2009
as a graduate student radio-collaring white-tailed deer, and was soon promoted to a big game biologist. In
2017, he moved to Pierre as special projects coordinator working with the GFP Commission and the state
Legislature (can a Jacks lineman have such good people skills??).
What’s the connection between Robling and Gruetzmacher besides their outdoor interests – they both
had/have football jersey #75.
SDWF Convention in Aberdeen, Sept 13-15 Exec Chris Hesla sent this letter giving the agenda.
SDWF’s 74th Annual Summer Convention is scheduled for Sep. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Sportsmen’s Club of
Brown Co. located in Aberdeen.
Pre-Convention Social Friday, Sept. 13 at the Sportsman’s Club Hunter Education Center.
Saturday Meeting Saturday Sept. 14 – Sportsmen’s Club Hunter Education Center 8 am to 4 pm
8 am Registration
8:30 am Meeting called to order
10 am GFP Sec. Hepler and Tony Leif
Noon Lunch
4pm GFP presentations
“Comparing Walleye Netting Results with Angling Success” - Cameron Goble
“Deer radio-collaring projects” – Chad Switzer
Awards Dinner & Auction: Saturday Sept. 14 - Aberdeen Gun Club log cabin 6 pm to 10 pm
Sunday Meeting: Sunday, Aug. 26 – Sportsmen’s Club Hunter Education Center, 8 am to Noon
Saturday morning will kick off the convention with Tony Leif and GFP Secretary Hepler. Some topics they will
cover are the new reg. and rules for zebra Mussels and CWD. Other guest speakers (to be announced) will be
scheduled for Saturday afternoon and announced in the Out-of-Doors. Saturday night the Auction combined with
the Conservation Award presentation will be held at the Aberdeen Gun Club log cabin.
Sunday will be a business meeting with Resolutions and hopefully, we will be out of there early afternoon.
SDWF hopes ALL AFFILIATES can send their two delegates and each club gets additional delegates for each 75
paid up members. As in the past we ask each affiliate to bring a couple of auction items to help add to the auction
Saturday night if you are donating money, please advise me, so we can purchase some auction items prior to the
night of the auction, we request your donation to be in the $250 range. There will be registration Friday night and
Saturday morning prior to the opening ceremony.
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BWF’s Highway Clean-up Four individuals (Steve Britzman, Dennis Micko, Mike Riley, and
Lawrence Novotny) spent an hour walking the 2-mile stretch of the
outhouse road on August 21 as part of BWF’s highway cleanup project.
They obtained one full large trash bag of mainly discarded beverage and
food container items amongst the 4 of them. Photo shows a couple of happy
litter pickers from a previous effort.
Membership Overview (by L. Novotny)
We ended the fiscal 2019 membership year on June 30 with 109
members. The new fiscal 2020 membership year began on July 1. Thanks
for renewing in August – Ken Higgins, Ron Jacobson, Harry Manshiem,
Bill Gibbons, Marlin Hintz, Jay Johnson, John Ruffolo, Jerome & Maxine Leslie – family, Tom Campbell and
Michele Dudash & Charlie Fenster. Welcome New Member Trevor Penning.
We are losing 23 members so, to the list below – thanks for your interest in the past, sorry to see you go.
Beer Collins Eggen Hanson Koerner Main Pederson Rang
Burris Dahl Ellis Johnson Krogh Mitchell Peick Schardin
Earley Fixit Shop Kindt Lee Munsterman Prohaska Wicks
Rainy Day Thoughts about Plant Eaarth (by C. Berry) “Think globally, act locally.” This environmentalist’s cliché is easy to say but what the heck does it
mean. I found myself looking out over damp and dreary Lake Campbell as I recalled the saying “If people
concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles.”
However, a couple of global environmental issues are
nagging at me, so here are some rainy day thoughts. I know, I
know --- why worry about the Arctic and ocean plastic pollution
when we have important local issues to deal with, like pheasants,
Big Sioux River water quality, the City’s drainage plan, pollinator
gardens, and the sale of our state wildlife to out-of-state hunters.
My main goal is to give you a “heads-up” about some recent
publications that are easy reading and very informative. I’ve got to
point you to the September issue of NatGeo on the newsstand down
at HyVee. The magazine covers the two big issues concerning planet “Eaarth.” The unusual spelling is in
reference to a 2010 book titled Eaarth by Bill McKibben. The premise is that we now have a planet that
operates by different rules than in the past – a planet where one species changed the environmental rules to
create a new planet, still recognizable but fundamentally different. My Grandkids will be living on Eaarth.
The Arctic: If you believe the climate scientists (and I do), the Arctic is
warming faster than the rest of the globe and ice is melting. If you believe
messages sent to us by the fish and wildlife in the Arctic (and I do), then the
Arctic must be changing. Some species are profiting and some aren’t. Read a
good, general-interest article about the Arctic written this May during an 18-
day voyage through the Northwest Passage. https://e360.yale.edu/features/a-