MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #12
FEBRUARY 23, 2012
All releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.
IN THIS ISSUE
Moose population continues to decline; hunting season to be evaluated
2011 spring light goose action begins March 1
Strong interest shown in state habitat conservation grants
Conservation officers report litter on Minnesota roadways, waterways
Recent promotions announced in DNR’s Enforcement Division
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Mark Lenarz, DNR forest wildlife and populations research group leader,
218-327-4132.
Moose population continues to decline;
hunting season to be evaluated
Minnesota’s moose population continues to decline, dropping from an estimate of 4,900 in 2011
to 4,230 in 2012, according to the annual aerial survey by the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
“Estimates from the survey and results from research using radio-collared moose both indicate
that the population has been declining in recent years,” said Mark Lenarz, DNR forest wildlife
group leader.
Minnesota’s moose population was estimated at 8,840 in 2006 and has trended downward
since then.
The causes of moose mortality are not well understood. Of 150 adult moose radio-collared since
2002 in Minnesota, 119 have subsequently died, most from unknown causes thought to be
diseases or parasites. Ten moose died as a result of highway vehicle accidents. Two were killed
by trains. Only 11 deaths were clearly the result of wolf predation.
This year’s aerial survey, however, showed some positive trends. The number of cows
accompanied by calves and twin calves increased in 2012, which means more calves can
potentially mature into adults. But the cow and calf ratio, estimated at 36 calves per 100 cows in
2012, remains well below 1990s estimates that likely contribute to a peak population in the early
2000s.
The 2012 survey results also showed the bull-to-cow ratio increased from 2011 to an estimated
108 bulls per 100 cows, indicating that more bulls were available to breed with cows.
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DECISION ON HUNTING SEASON TO COME
While this year’s aerial survey showed improved calf survival and bull-to-cow ratio, the DNR will
be evaluating the data and consulting with tribal biologists before making a decision on a 2012
hunting season. The decision on the season will be announced in the coming weeks.
Last fall, the DNR continued a bulls-only hunting season and cut the number of moose-hunting
permits by more than half, from 213 in 2010 to 105.
Although hunting mortality of bulls is not driving the moose population decline, the state’s
moose management plan does have science-based triggers for closing the hunting season. One
of those triggers is if the bull-to-cow ratio drops below 0.67 bulls-per-cow for three consecutive
years.
While the bull-per-cow ratio dropped to .64 bulls/cow in 2011, it went up this year to 1.08.
ABOUT THE AERIAL SURVEY
DNR wildlife researchers estimate the moose population by conducting an aerial survey of the
northeastern Minnesota moose range. The surveys, which have been conducted each year
since 1960, are based on flying transects in 49 randomly selected plots spread across the
Minnesota’s Arrowhead region.
Since 2005, the downward trend in moose numbers, as reflected in the survey data, has been
statistically significant.
Moreover, a study of radio-collared moose in northeastern Minnesota between 2002 and 2008
determined that non-hunting mortality was substantially higher than in moose populations
outside of Minnesota. Although the formal study ended in 2008, researchers have continued to
monitor non-hunting mortality, which has continued to be high.
A new, two-year study begins in 2013 that will concentrate on identifying disease and parasites
that might be responsible for high moose mortality. Funding for the $600,000 study comes from
the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which gets proceeds from the
Minnesota State Lottery. The funding, recommended by Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Natural Resources, has been appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature.
Funding and personnel for the annual DNR aerial survey are also provided by the Fond du Lac
band of Lake Superior Chippewa and 1854 Treaty Authority.
A copy of the 2012 aerial survey report is available online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/moose.
The DNR’s Moose Management and Research Plan, approved in 2011 as a way to possibly
identify causes of moose mortality and potentially slow Minnesota’s declining population, is
available at www.mndnr.gov/moose.
-30NOTE TO MEDIA: Images of aerial survey are available at ftp://mediaroom.dnr.state.mn.us in
folder named Moose survey images 02-23-12.
Photo credit: Mike Schrage, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Steve Cordts, waterfowl specialist, 218-308-2281.
FEBRUARY 23, 2012
2011 spring light goose action begins March 1
Interested participants are reminded that the spring conservation action on “light” geese (snow
geese, blue-phased snow geese, and the smaller Ross’s goose) will open Thursday, March 1,
and run through Monday, April 30.
The action is allowed under a federal conservation order that permits the take of “light” geese
during the spring.
A required spring light goose permit may be obtained through any Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) license agent, via telephone at 888-665-4236 or online at
www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense. The permits are free, but there is a $3.50 application fee to cover
the cost of issuing the permit. No other license, stamp or permit is required to participate.
Customers using the phone will receive a temporary authorization number in lieu of the permit
until it is mailed to the applicant. Internet customers will be able to print their own permit when
completing the transaction, and will not receive a permit by mail.
Most regulations that are in place during fall waterfowl season also apply during the spring
season, including nontoxic shot requirements and federal baiting regulations. In addition, all
refuges closed to either duck or goose hunting during fall seasons will remain closed during the
spring season. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
No daily or possession limits apply. Use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns are allowed.
The conservation order season is in place in an effort to reduce the population of snow geese
and Ross’s geese that breed in the Arctic coastal areas and around Hudson Bay. High
populations of these birds have caused considerable habitat damage to these fragile
ecosystems.
Minnesota has participated in this spring conservation action each year since 2000. Harvest of
light geese has varied from a few hundred to several thousand birds each spring.
“Minnesota is on the extreme eastern edge of the spring migration corridor for snow geese
through the Upper Midwest,” said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist. “In addition, March
weather, particularly snow and ice conditions, have a major impact on spring migration,
migration routes and migration timing of snow geese in Minnesota. With such a mild winter and
lack of snow cover, migration this year could be much earlier than normal.”
A summary of regulations will be available from license vendors, DNR wildlife offices or by
calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367.
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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 23, 2012
Media contact: Jamie Gangaware, DNR grants specialist, 651-259-5174.
Strong interest shown in state habitat conservation grants
Nonprofit and other organizations have taken a strong interest in the latest round of grant
money available for habitat conservation, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
Jamie Gangaware, a DNR grants specialist, said the agency received 69 applications for $3.5
million available through the state’s Conservation Partners Legacy program. Requests totaled
$6.6 million.
“It was great to see such strong interest,” said Gangaware. “It shows that many organizations
throughout the state want to help restore, enhance and protect fish, game and wildlife habitat.”
She said the agency’s newly improved online application process may have contributed to the
strong application numbers, too.
The grant application deadline was Feb. 8. A technical panel comprised of experts from inside
and outside the DNR will review the applications and make funding recommendations to DNR
Commissioner Tom Landwehr. Grants will be awarded in April.
The Conservation Partners Legacy Program was recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council (LSOHC) and enacted by the 2009 Minnesota Legislature. Funding has been
provided annually from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, one of three conservation-related accounts
funded through the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Constitutional Amendment.
Local, state and federal nonprofit organizations and governmental entities are eligible to apply
for grants ranging from $5,000 to $400,000. To date, more than 100 grants totaling $9.6 million
have been awarded.
“Habitat conservation is an important mission of many organizations,” said Gangaware. “This
grant program helps those organizations accomplish their missions in a way that was not was
not possible in the past.”
A list of this year’s applications can be found on the Conservation Partners Legacy website,
under FY2012 Grant Information http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/cpl/2012_info.html.
A complete list of the prior grant recipients can be found at
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/assistance/grants/habitat/lessard_sams/all-awarded-grants.pdf
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DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 23, 2012
Media contact: Rich Sprouse, public information officer, DNR Enforcement Division,
800-366-8917, ext. 2511.
Conservation officers report litter on Minnesota roadways, waterways
Weekly activity reports from conservation officers (COs) with the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) are littered with evidence of various types of refuse being discarded
along Minnesota roads and waterways.
“We’re seeing everything from wooden fish house blocking materials on lakes to old appliances
in roadway ditches,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement Division director.
Littering is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
Konrad said the DNR wants everyone to keep roadways and waterways clean by properly
disposing of used materials with their local refuse haulers or at their local landfill. Konrad added
that litter tarnishes nature’s beauty, destroys wildlife habitats and ruins many opportunities for
recreation.
Minnesota’s fish house removal deadlines are March 5 in the southern part of the state and
March 19 in the north, and spring cleaning is soon to get underway around many households.
That’s why conservation officers make a concerted effort this time of the year to monitor and
identify possible problem areas.
CO Jeff Humphrey of Cromwell just completed a litter investigation where numerous bags of
household trash were dumped along a rural road. The contents were revealing.
“In this case they made significant effort to remove labels with names and addresses from their
garbage, but I found a child’s name on a piece of homework and a wrist band from a local
hospital,” Humphrey said. “A few phone calls and I identified my suspect.”
The reasons for their actions were likely economics.
“They said they did not have garbage service and usually take their garbage to their employers
to get rid of it,” Humphrey said.
Sometimes a citizen helps a CO solve a litter case. CO Jeff Johanson of Osakis recently issued
a citation to a man caught on a trail camera dumping waste on private property.
The individual was always very careful about removing items with any sort of identification on
them. Finally, the property owner had had enough, put up a trail camera, and was lucky enough
to get a guy and his vehicle on the camera littering.
“With the electronic evidence, the interview went pretty smoothly and the guy admitted to it right
away,” Johanson said. “I made him clean up the waste and issued him a citation. Of course, he
knew nothing about the countless other times things were dumped there; must have been
somebody else.”
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Sometimes the litterbug is just a phone call away.
Last year, Johanson found a bunch of garbage and fish house blocking material left on the ice
after an angler removed his permanent fish house.
“One of the fish house blocks was a piece of wood that said: ‘For Sale – call . . .’ Well, I called
and got a confession from the litterbug.”
Officers also use technology to catch litterbugs.
“While on patrol any fish house that had litter outside or had cardboard skirting the edges of it
was photographed and GPS (Global Positioning Statement) coordinates taken,” said CO Matt
Frericks of Virginia.
“Excuses like, ‘I was going to go get that later’ will not work. Anyone who leaves garbage on the
ice will receive a citation for littering,” Frericks said.
Conservation officers also have solid waste civil citation authority. These civil citations are “by
the pound” or “by the cubic foot” penalties. Since they are not criminal charges, they don’t
require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The person suspected of littering must pay the
penalty and clean up the mess.
The DNR offers the following tips to keep Minnesota roads and waterways clean:
 Set an example for others, especially children, by not littering.
 Properly dispose of any materials that could trap or injure wildlife.
 Check with a local refuse provider or landfill for disposal of household items.
 Keep a litter bag or trash container with when traveling or outdoors.
 Secure trash container covers to prevent wind or animals from spreading litter.
 Cover and secure any vehicle, truck or trailer carrying refuse.
 When visiting any recreation area, make sure to leave the area clean for the next person
to enjoy.
-30NOTE TO MEDIA: Images showing various examples of littering are available at
ftp://mediaroom/dnr.state.mn.us in folder named Littering images 02-23-12.
DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 23, 2012
Media contact: Rich Sprouse, public information officer, DNR Enforcement Division,
800-366-8917, ext. 2511.
Recent promotions announced in DNR’s Enforcement Division
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced several recent
promotions in its Enforcement Division.
Conservation Officer (CO) Alex Gutierrez was promoted to second lieutenant and named the
new metro regional training officer (RTO), overseeing DNR Enforcement’s safety education
programs in Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Le Sueur, Rice, Scott and Wright counties.
Gutierrez had been serving as a field conservation officer in Forest Lake.
Prior to joining the DNR in 2006, Gutierrez spent four year as a police officer in West Palm
Beach, Fla. Before beginning his law enforcement career he worked 10 years for IBM.
Gutierrez was honored in 2009 with the DNR Enforcement Division Education Achievement
Award for outreach efforts bringing the DNR firearms safety program to Worthington’s large
Hispanic community.
“The DNR is fortunate to have an officer with Alex’s exceptional abilities, dedication and
expertise to help us promote the Department’s initiatives,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR
Enforcement Division director.
CO Jon Paurus was named northwest RTO, servicing Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater,
Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk,
Roseau, Red Lake, Wadena and Wilkin counties. He had been the conservation officer in the
Alexandria field station.
Paurus, a former trooper with the Minnesota State Patrol who joined the DNR in 2009, spent a
large part of 2011 as the acting northwest RTO.
“Officer Paurus has proven himself to be an outstanding officer, exemplifying the image of what
today’s professional conservation officer should strive to be,” Konrad said. “I’m sure he will
continue to perform in the same manner in a position he already has experience in.”
RTOs provide service for DNR mandated education programs, including Hunter Education
Firearms Safety, Snowmobile Safety, ATV Safety, OHM and ORV Safety. They also recruit and
train safety program instructors/mentors.
RTOs also design, prepare and deliver statutorily required training to conservation officers,
including use of firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations and CO Academy
Training support.
There are six RTOs stationed around the state, with each having approximately 1,200 to 1,400
volunteers under their guidance.
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CO David Schottenbauer was promoted from the Princeton field station to second lieutenant
and named assistant training coordinator/academy director.
Schottenbauer joined the DNR in 2005 after spending three years as a deputy with the
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department. He is a U.S. Navy veteran.
In his new role, Schottenbauer will coordinate, administer, and supervise training of the DNR
Conservation Officer Academy to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, policies, and
directives. Schottenbauer will also assist with the development, coordination and delivery of law
enforcement training requirements for all conservation officers.
“Officer Schottenbauer brings to us a variety of valuable traits and experience,” said Konrad.
“His impressive work ethic and highly professional approach to conservation law enforcement
have earned him the respect of all those he works with.”
The officers will assume their new duties immediately.
-30NOTE TO MEDIA: Image available at ftp://mediaroom.dnr.state.mn.us in folder named
Enforcement promotions 02-23-12.
PHOTO: From the left, 2nd Lt. Jon Paurus, Col. Jim Konrad, 2nd Lt. Alex Gutierrez, 2nd Lt. Dave
Schottenbauer, Minnesota DNR Enforcement Division.