Posted: 8/7/07
Bluffland Whitetails working to help manage deer population
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The whitetail deer population in Southeast Minnesota is one of the highest in the state. In fact a recent survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicated current population numbers in zones 346 and 349 are well over their goals.
While herd numbers are up, the number of hunters and the acres available to hunters are down. That combination will only increase the number of deer in the area, which will result in more car-deer accidents, and the potential for more injuries and deaths.
Members of the Bluffland Whitetail Association (BWA) are concerned about the current trend and have been working with state legislators, wildlife management, and property owners to improve the situation.
To aid in their cause, a membership/fundraising event has been scheduled in Caledonia. The Caledonia/La Crescent Bluffland Whitetails Banquet will be held Saturday, Aug. 18 at Ma Cal Grove Country Club. Refreshments will be served beginning at 5 p.m. with the dinner at 6:15. The cost is $50 per individual. This provides admission, dinner, annual membership, and opportunity for door prizes.
Raffles, featuring quality shotguns and rifles, Mathews Bows, Michael Sieve wildlife prints, and hunting equipment, will be conducted throughout the evening.
According to BWA President Gary Bartsch, the August 18 event is an important way to support BWA causes, such as the venison donation bill.
According to the latest BWA newsletter, hunters who wish to donate a deer to food shelves this fall wonít have to wonder whoís going to foot the bill for processing. For the first time in the history of Minnesota, a state-funded venison donation program will be available to pay for the processing of thousands of deer.
Initiated and supported by BWA, the bill was written and submitted by Representative Rick Hansen (DFL-Winona) and a bipartisan group of legislators. The original version of the bill called for a $1 increase in regular deer license fees in order to cover the cost of the venison processing and administration, virtually ensuring the success of the program.
But that version met with significant resistance from some legislators and the Minnesota Deer Hunterís Association (MDHA), which claimed that this is merely a social program that would burden hunters without providing any benefit to them. Instead, MDHA proposed that the program should be funded by voluntary donations.
According to BWA director Jim Vagts of Harmony, voluntary donations have failed to generate enough funds in Iowa and Wisconsin to make the programs successful. The organization sought to use the lessons learned in these states to design a successful venison donation program that would continue for years to come.
Statewide funding would also provide hunters with an opportunity to harvest additional deer. Those who have already filled the freezer can then donate to a worthy cause without having to pay additional processing fees. "Itís a win-win situation" said Vagts. "Hunters can spend more time hunting and (the program) provides us with positive exposure."
In the end, a compromise version was inserted into the 2007 Omnibus Bill and passed, thanks to the hard work and dedication of numerous advocates, including the billís authors, Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes, and BWA directors Jack Peck, Bartsch, and Vagts, who testified and advocated for the program. Betty Wilkens, coordinator for Venison Donation Minnesota, also provided her expertise and support of the program in legislative hearings.
According to Lou Cornicelli, Big Game Program coordinator for the Minnesota DNR, an appropriation of $160,000 from the general fund will be used to start the program in 2007. In addition, non-residents will be required to pay an additional $5 for a deer license and residents will be given the option to donate $1, $3, or $5 to the program.
In 2008, the $5 non-resident license fee and voluntary donations will continue. In addition, the cost of bonus tags will be increased by $1 to offset the general fund appropriation. Although the donation option will only apply to deer license transactions, anyone can voluntarily donate to the program.
For more information about the August 18 banquet, persons should contact Mike Staggemeyer at 507 725-5165 (home) or 724-3395 (work).
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com