11 Dec -3.5 05:52:25 W 63
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Crop Circles - Alien Messages Or Human Hoaxes?
Crop circles are patterns created by the flattening of crops (although at least one has been found in Russia using snow and ice); the term was first used by researcher Colin Andrews to describe simple circles he was researching.
However, since the early 90's the circles have evolved into complex geometries, but the term "circle" is still applied when describing these unusual patterns.
Many explanations have been offered on how these circles appear, including the formation by UFOs. However, most of these are believed to be man-made. A study into circle hoaxing (2000) concluded that 80 percent of UK circles were definitely man-made, but this percentage may have increased since that report was published.
Whilst some of the crop circles seen may be the work of UFOs or some other paranormal phenomena, it is quite possible their existence was inspired by earlier reports of UFO landings.
Once such report involved a sugar cane farmer in Tully, Queensland, Australia, who claimed to have witnessed a saucer-shaped craft rise 30 or 40 feet up from a swamp and then fly away. On investigating the location later he discovered the reeds intricately weaved in a clockwise fashion on top of the water (strong enough to hold the weight of 10 men).
Although crop circles became far more complicated in their design after the 90's, they first started to attract attention in the late 1970's, appearing all over England. Since this time more than 10,000 circles have been discovered all over the world.
The following extract (from Wikipedia) mentions how Doug Bower and Dave Chorley created a hoax circle in 1976:
"In 1991, two men from Southampton, England announced that they had conceived the idea as a prank at a pub near Winchester, Hampshire during an evening in 1976. Inspired by the 1966 Tully Saucer Nests, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley made their crop circles using planks, rope, hats and wire as their only tools: using a four-foot-long plank attached to a rope, they easily created circles eight feet in diameter. The two men were able to make a 40-foot (12 m) circle in 15 minutes.
The pair became frustrated when their work did not receive significant publicity, so in 1981 they created a circle in Matterley Bowl, a natural amphitheatre just outside Winchester, Hampshire - an area surrounded by roads from which a clear view of the field is available to drivers passing by. Their designs were at first simple circles. When newspapers claimed that the circles could easily be explained by natural phenomena, Bower and Chorley made more complex patterns. A simple wire with a loop, hanging down from a cap - the loop positioned over one eye - could be used to focus on a landmark to aid in the creation of straight lines. Later designs of crop circles became increasingly complicated.
Bower's wife had become suspicious of him, noticing high levels of mileage in their car. Eventually, fearing that his wife suspected him of adultery, Bower confessed to her and subsequently he and Chorley informed a British national newspaper. Chorley died in 1996, and Doug Bower has made crop circles as recently as 2004. Bower has said that, had it not been for his wife's suspicions, he would have taken the secret to his deathbed, never revealing that it was a hoax"
Unfortunately, many readings taken at crop circle sites are also possible to recreate and it is difficult to be know whether any of the crop circles found are real, at least those with more complicated designs.
However, marks left by UFOs "landing" are a different matter and are usually too simple to attract any interest in the media (which in my opinion gives them more credibility), much like the Australian report mentioned earlier.
The subject of Crop Circles has recently arisen in a claim made by a Bulgarian Scientist, who says Aliens "already exist on Earth".
Oddly enough, a comment made by Lachezar Filipov, deputy director of the Space Research Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, was that "humans were not going to be able to establish contact with the extraterrestrials through radio waves but through the power of thought"
Some weeks ago I received an email from a person (who did not wish to be identified) also claiming that Aliens were already here, but taking control of people's minds.
The "informant" chose to provide this information on a weekly basis (not sure why), and whilst the details seem fantastic, there was something about his story (I am assuming it is a "He") that appeared genuine.
Apparently, this person works for "a government agency involved in technology research with military connections". No location was given, but a search revealed the first email came from an area near Arlington, Virginia.
I have received three emails, but these stopped suddenly. The person was clearly worried about the risks involved, and said, "...but feel I must tell someone about the information I have."
In his email, he claimed that a number of people at the agency had apparently been taken over by Aliens, and that many unusual promotions had taken place (to replace lost staff). He wrote "The thing that attracted my interest and concern was the sudden deaths of five senior members of staff within just three months. We were told that these were as a result of accidents, health problems and one suicide."
It has been almost three weeks since I received the last email (which is just signed "D") and the person sounded quite desperate in the last communication. He mentioned meeting a colleague who also had information on the Aliens, but this person died from a "Heart Attack" just a few hours after they met.
He expressed a desire to provide more proof but ended by saying "I must think about this some more, I just don't know what to do yet."
I shall wait a little longer, to see if I receive any further emails, before revealing more of his story. I have tried to contact the "informant", but he made it clear from the beginning that he would not respond to any replies.
Apparently, he chose to share this information with me because he found me "to be a person who not only takes this subject seriously, but is prepared to look at all aspects in a constructive manner." As he pointed out, I often receive information of this kind (which is true), but I like to keep an open mind on almost any topic.
source....
However, since the early 90's the circles have evolved into complex geometries, but the term "circle" is still applied when describing these unusual patterns.
Many explanations have been offered on how these circles appear, including the formation by UFOs. However, most of these are believed to be man-made. A study into circle hoaxing (2000) concluded that 80 percent of UK circles were definitely man-made, but this percentage may have increased since that report was published.
Whilst some of the crop circles seen may be the work of UFOs or some other paranormal phenomena, it is quite possible their existence was inspired by earlier reports of UFO landings.
Once such report involved a sugar cane farmer in Tully, Queensland, Australia, who claimed to have witnessed a saucer-shaped craft rise 30 or 40 feet up from a swamp and then fly away. On investigating the location later he discovered the reeds intricately weaved in a clockwise fashion on top of the water (strong enough to hold the weight of 10 men).
Although crop circles became far more complicated in their design after the 90's, they first started to attract attention in the late 1970's, appearing all over England. Since this time more than 10,000 circles have been discovered all over the world.
The following extract (from Wikipedia) mentions how Doug Bower and Dave Chorley created a hoax circle in 1976:
"In 1991, two men from Southampton, England announced that they had conceived the idea as a prank at a pub near Winchester, Hampshire during an evening in 1976. Inspired by the 1966 Tully Saucer Nests, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley made their crop circles using planks, rope, hats and wire as their only tools: using a four-foot-long plank attached to a rope, they easily created circles eight feet in diameter. The two men were able to make a 40-foot (12 m) circle in 15 minutes.
The pair became frustrated when their work did not receive significant publicity, so in 1981 they created a circle in Matterley Bowl, a natural amphitheatre just outside Winchester, Hampshire - an area surrounded by roads from which a clear view of the field is available to drivers passing by. Their designs were at first simple circles. When newspapers claimed that the circles could easily be explained by natural phenomena, Bower and Chorley made more complex patterns. A simple wire with a loop, hanging down from a cap - the loop positioned over one eye - could be used to focus on a landmark to aid in the creation of straight lines. Later designs of crop circles became increasingly complicated.
Bower's wife had become suspicious of him, noticing high levels of mileage in their car. Eventually, fearing that his wife suspected him of adultery, Bower confessed to her and subsequently he and Chorley informed a British national newspaper. Chorley died in 1996, and Doug Bower has made crop circles as recently as 2004. Bower has said that, had it not been for his wife's suspicions, he would have taken the secret to his deathbed, never revealing that it was a hoax"
Unfortunately, many readings taken at crop circle sites are also possible to recreate and it is difficult to be know whether any of the crop circles found are real, at least those with more complicated designs.
However, marks left by UFOs "landing" are a different matter and are usually too simple to attract any interest in the media (which in my opinion gives them more credibility), much like the Australian report mentioned earlier.
The subject of Crop Circles has recently arisen in a claim made by a Bulgarian Scientist, who says Aliens "already exist on Earth".
Oddly enough, a comment made by Lachezar Filipov, deputy director of the Space Research Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, was that "humans were not going to be able to establish contact with the extraterrestrials through radio waves but through the power of thought"
Some weeks ago I received an email from a person (who did not wish to be identified) also claiming that Aliens were already here, but taking control of people's minds.
The "informant" chose to provide this information on a weekly basis (not sure why), and whilst the details seem fantastic, there was something about his story (I am assuming it is a "He") that appeared genuine.
Apparently, this person works for "a government agency involved in technology research with military connections". No location was given, but a search revealed the first email came from an area near Arlington, Virginia.
I have received three emails, but these stopped suddenly. The person was clearly worried about the risks involved, and said, "...but feel I must tell someone about the information I have."
In his email, he claimed that a number of people at the agency had apparently been taken over by Aliens, and that many unusual promotions had taken place (to replace lost staff). He wrote "The thing that attracted my interest and concern was the sudden deaths of five senior members of staff within just three months. We were told that these were as a result of accidents, health problems and one suicide."
It has been almost three weeks since I received the last email (which is just signed "D") and the person sounded quite desperate in the last communication. He mentioned meeting a colleague who also had information on the Aliens, but this person died from a "Heart Attack" just a few hours after they met.
He expressed a desire to provide more proof but ended by saying "I must think about this some more, I just don't know what to do yet."
I shall wait a little longer, to see if I receive any further emails, before revealing more of his story. I have tried to contact the "informant", but he made it clear from the beginning that he would not respond to any replies.
Apparently, he chose to share this information with me because he found me "to be a person who not only takes this subject seriously, but is prepared to look at all aspects in a constructive manner." As he pointed out, I often receive information of this kind (which is true), but I like to keep an open mind on almost any topic.
source....
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
ISS Tomorrow Morning
10 Dec -2.3 05:30:20 S 43
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Pilfered trees, native mistletoe and life under the ice in the December issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources
In the seasonal story, the Grinch steals the holiday tree, but timber theft is a very real concern that doesn’t have a happy ending. The crime takes many forms from dark-of-the-night theft, cutting across private property lines and failure to pay in full for harvested timber. In the December issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, Gary Bibow, DNR forestry law enforcement specialist, explains the many ways timber is stolen and how woodlot owners can avoid becoming a victim.
Exact numbers of timber theft cases are hard to quantify. Some cases are reported to local law enforcement and the DNR but many times the theft is unreported because the landowner is not immediately aware trees are missing or logging totals have been misreported and the landowner doesn’t realize when they are shorted.
“I’ve been involved in timber theft investigations from Rock County to Ashland County,” Bibow says. Read how landowners can better protect their stand or woodlot from theft in the story “When You Can’t See the Missing Trees From the Forest.”
Another feature, “The Season’s Tiny Tot,” introduces readers to Wisconsin’s smallest native shrub. Only an inch high, eastern dwarf mistletoe (our only native mistletoe), slowly parasitizes small patches of northern spruces, but it can benefit the forest habitat, too.
In the story “Nature’s Architects and Engineers” readers will marvel at the materials, design and construction that insects, birds and mammals build into their nests, webs, dams and nurseries.
The cloistered world of how fish survive life under the ice is explored in “A Cold World With an Icy Ceiling.”
And “Road Map to the Right Place at the Right Time,” celebrates the completion of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail series that is encouraging ecotourism, green travel and outdoor exploration.
Find all this in the December issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources. Subscribers can receive six colorful issues delivered to their door all year for less than $1.50 a copy. All year long the magazine shares the hot spots at the hot times to enjoy the Wisconsin outdoors for only $8.97. Subscribe toll-free at 1-800-678-9472, online at [www.wnrmag.com] or by mail. Subscription blanks and single issues are also available from our circulation office at PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
source....
Exact numbers of timber theft cases are hard to quantify. Some cases are reported to local law enforcement and the DNR but many times the theft is unreported because the landowner is not immediately aware trees are missing or logging totals have been misreported and the landowner doesn’t realize when they are shorted.
“I’ve been involved in timber theft investigations from Rock County to Ashland County,” Bibow says. Read how landowners can better protect their stand or woodlot from theft in the story “When You Can’t See the Missing Trees From the Forest.”
Another feature, “The Season’s Tiny Tot,” introduces readers to Wisconsin’s smallest native shrub. Only an inch high, eastern dwarf mistletoe (our only native mistletoe), slowly parasitizes small patches of northern spruces, but it can benefit the forest habitat, too.
In the story “Nature’s Architects and Engineers” readers will marvel at the materials, design and construction that insects, birds and mammals build into their nests, webs, dams and nurseries.
The cloistered world of how fish survive life under the ice is explored in “A Cold World With an Icy Ceiling.”
And “Road Map to the Right Place at the Right Time,” celebrates the completion of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail series that is encouraging ecotourism, green travel and outdoor exploration.
Find all this in the December issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources. Subscribers can receive six colorful issues delivered to their door all year for less than $1.50 a copy. All year long the magazine shares the hot spots at the hot times to enjoy the Wisconsin outdoors for only $8.97. Subscribe toll-free at 1-800-678-9472, online at [www.wnrmag.com] or by mail. Subscription blanks and single issues are also available from our circulation office at PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
source....
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Weather Alert Upgraded
BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST WEDNESDAY
NIGHT.
WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED.
THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING.WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST WED NIGHT.
THIS REPLACES THE WINTER STORM WARNING.
* SNOWFALL FROM 1 TO 4 INCHES WILL ACCUMULATE BY SUNSET. SNOW WILL
THEN INCREASE IN INTENSITY FOR THE EVENING & OVERNIGHT HRS.
WITH TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO AS MUCH AS 16 INCHES BY
THE TIME THE SNOW ENDS WEDNESDAY.
* NO. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH LATE
TONIGHT & CONTINUE THROUGH WED EVENING. GUSTS UP TO 45
MPH WILL CAUSE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY IN
BLOWING SNOW.& SEVERE DRIFTING.
* FALLING TEMPS COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS SHOULD PRODUCE
WIND CHILL VALUES OF 15 TO 20 BELOW ZERO WED NIGHT.
* THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.WITH
ROAD CLOSURES & IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL ARE EXPECTED. COMBINED WITH
THE SEVERE COLD.THIS STORM MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE IF
PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
NIGHT.
WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED.
THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING.WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST WED NIGHT.
THIS REPLACES THE WINTER STORM WARNING.
* SNOWFALL FROM 1 TO 4 INCHES WILL ACCUMULATE BY SUNSET. SNOW WILL
THEN INCREASE IN INTENSITY FOR THE EVENING & OVERNIGHT HRS.
WITH TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO AS MUCH AS 16 INCHES BY
THE TIME THE SNOW ENDS WEDNESDAY.
* NO. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH LATE
TONIGHT & CONTINUE THROUGH WED EVENING. GUSTS UP TO 45
MPH WILL CAUSE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY IN
BLOWING SNOW.& SEVERE DRIFTING.
* FALLING TEMPS COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS SHOULD PRODUCE
WIND CHILL VALUES OF 15 TO 20 BELOW ZERO WED NIGHT.
* THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.WITH
ROAD CLOSURES & IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL ARE EXPECTED. COMBINED WITH
THE SEVERE COLD.THIS STORM MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE IF
PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
This Could Be The Last Time I Am Able To Cut Wood
Last time this winter, that is. At least I got a week more cutting this year than the last two winters. It started snowing hard the last day of November 2007 and never quit until April 2008 when I was finally able to get back out in the woods. December 1st was when the heavy snow came last year, but I was able to get out in the woods in February because of an icestorm and a thaw/freeze that put a crust on top so I could drive on it.
With my wood haulin' rig, anything much over 6 inches at one time is too much snow to work with. If we get 6 inches at a time and I can pack the trails down in between, then I'm ok for awhile. A foot of snow in one storm, and I'm stuck.
Not that I have any shortage of firewood ready to burn and really need to cut more at this time!
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO
MIDNIGHT CST WED NIGHT.
* SNOW WILL CONTINUE SPREADING NORTHWARD THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY.
FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE BY SUNSET. THE HEAVIEST
SNOWFALL SHOULD OCCUR TONIGHT.
* TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY THE
TIME THE SNOW ENDS WED EVENING. A FOOT OR MORE OF SNOW
IS POSSIBLE OVER PARTS OF NE IA INTO SOUTHWEST
WI.
* NO. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH LATE
TONIGHT & CONTINUE THROUGH WED EVENING. GUSTS UP TO 40
MPH WILL CAUSE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW.
* FALLING TEMPS COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS SHOULD PRODUCE
WIND CHILL VALUES OF 15 TO 20 BELOW ZERO WED NIGHT.
* IMPACTS FROM THIS STORM INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF NEAR WHITE
OUT CONDITIONS.ROAD CLOSURES & IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL.
ESPECIALLY ON THE RIDGE TOPS & IN OPEN COUNTRY.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
With my wood haulin' rig, anything much over 6 inches at one time is too much snow to work with. If we get 6 inches at a time and I can pack the trails down in between, then I'm ok for awhile. A foot of snow in one storm, and I'm stuck.
Not that I have any shortage of firewood ready to burn and really need to cut more at this time!
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO
MIDNIGHT CST WED NIGHT.
* SNOW WILL CONTINUE SPREADING NORTHWARD THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY.
FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE BY SUNSET. THE HEAVIEST
SNOWFALL SHOULD OCCUR TONIGHT.
* TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY THE
TIME THE SNOW ENDS WED EVENING. A FOOT OR MORE OF SNOW
IS POSSIBLE OVER PARTS OF NE IA INTO SOUTHWEST
WI.
* NO. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH LATE
TONIGHT & CONTINUE THROUGH WED EVENING. GUSTS UP TO 40
MPH WILL CAUSE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW.
* FALLING TEMPS COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS SHOULD PRODUCE
WIND CHILL VALUES OF 15 TO 20 BELOW ZERO WED NIGHT.
* IMPACTS FROM THIS STORM INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF NEAR WHITE
OUT CONDITIONS.ROAD CLOSURES & IMPOSSIBLE TRAVEL.
ESPECIALLY ON THE RIDGE TOPS & IN OPEN COUNTRY.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Predicted Storm Track and Snow Totals
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
ISS Tomorrow Morning
9 Dec -3.4 06:40:35 WSW 60
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
Hunters register 195,647 deer in November hunt
A survey of Wisconsin deer registration stations conducted by the state Department of Natural Resources has yielded a preliminary tally of 195,647 for the just-ended, nine-day November gun deer hunt. This includes a buck tally of 86,251 and an antlerless tally of 109,396.
This number is preliminary and is expected change before a final report is published in late winter. It does not include harvest information from the archery, October antlerless gun deer hunt, muzzleloader, December antlerless deer gun hunt or late archery seasons. The preliminary harvest count in 2008 was 276,895.
“Deer populations are variable throughout the state,” said Keith Warnke, DNR’s big game biologist, “and we believe people when they say they did not see deer in their hunting area. We have also received reports from successful camps. As always, local populations make all the difference.
“Wildlife management and especially deer management is a process of continual adjustment. In response to hunter input we adjusted seasons this year to reflect lower populations across the north and central forests and suspended EAB in many areas.”
DNR wildlife officials anticipated the total harvest would be down due to changes in season structure that significantly reduced the antlerless deer harvest, lower fawn production and tough weather conditions for deer and hunters alike. In some northeastern units it was not possible to shoot an antlerless deer and in other northern region units the small supply of bonus antlerless deer tags did not meet demand. Careful adjustment of antlerless tag numbers is an important tool in managing deer numbers.
“There are still days to hunt in 2009 in herd control units where deer are above goal and in CWD units. The muzzleloader hunt is underway and the December antlerless hunt is around the corner.”
In February, DNR biologists will compare unit-level harvest numbers against overwinter population estimates and will adjust the recommended season structure for 2010 to address any significant trends.
“A pillar of Wisconsin deer management is the accurate harvest figures provided by hunters,” said DNR wildlife biologist Jeff Pritzl. “Periods of stable deer populations have always been relatively short-lived in Wisconsin. Mandatory deer registration allows us to respond quickly to changing population levels. We have annually adapted our harvest strategies, and will continue to do so in consideration of what the 2009 harvest tells us about the deer population.”
“This year, in response to hunter input, we moved 29 units from earn-a-buck to herd control status and 38 units from herd control to regular unit status. The total number of regular units grew from 21 in 2008 to 59 this year.” said Warnke. “The result was inevitably less antlerless opportunity and lower antlerless harvest numbers.”
A table of county by county harvest broken down by DNR region, with a comparison to the 2008 preliminary harvest is available on the DNR Web site.
Young hunters prove themselves safe and responsible
“What is really exciting, is the 9,907 mentored hunting licenses purchased by 10- and 11-year olds,” said Diane Brookbank, chief of DNR’s licensing and customer service unit. “These are the future hunters and conservationists that will step into the woods in place of the hunting ‘retirees’ as our population ages.”
Wardens reported no firearm incidents among these young hunters.
Hunt fourth safest in history
DNR hunter education administrator and conservation warden Tim Lawhern said there were seven hunting incidents during the nine-day gun hunt. A possible eighth incident remains under investigation.
“Our hearts go out to the families whose loved ones suffered injury during the hunting season,” said Lawhern. “Our goal is to eliminate all injury and loss of life while hunting. Every incident is investigated to learn what happened so we can work to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Self-inflicted gunshot injuries accounted for 57 percent (4 of 7) of this season’s incidents. Deer drives contributed to 25 percent of all incidents. Both categories and all firearm related incidents can be attributed to failure to observe one of the basic rules of firearm safety according to Lawhern.
Still, noted Lawhern, hunting remains a safe sport and has gotten safer over time as more and more hunters are graduates of hunter safety education courses. This is especially true in Wisconsin where the incident rate for hunters is well below the national average. The incident rate for 2009 in Wisconsin was 1.11 incidents per 100,000 hunters – the national average is 3 per 100,000.
“This was the fourth safest season ever and the fourth time in history that we’ve had a gun deer season with less than 10 incidents,” said Lawhern, “Nonetheless, our goal is zero incidents.”
More than 638,000 gun deer licenses sold
DNR’s automated License Issuance System, known as ALIS, peaked at 200 transactions per minute at 5:30 p.m. on the Friday before gun season. The 638,040 gun licenses sold through the end of the season on Nov 29 represent a near identical number of hunters as in 2008 when 642,419 hunters hit the woods.
* Nearly one in five hunters age 15 and younger is female and women bought 8.6 percent of all gun licenses sold
* All 50 states are represented in license sales with the highest number of nonresident hunters coming from Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan.
* The most licenses were sold in Dane County.
* All ages participate with over 54,000 hunters age 65 and older buying licenses.
source....
This number is preliminary and is expected change before a final report is published in late winter. It does not include harvest information from the archery, October antlerless gun deer hunt, muzzleloader, December antlerless deer gun hunt or late archery seasons. The preliminary harvest count in 2008 was 276,895.
“Deer populations are variable throughout the state,” said Keith Warnke, DNR’s big game biologist, “and we believe people when they say they did not see deer in their hunting area. We have also received reports from successful camps. As always, local populations make all the difference.
“Wildlife management and especially deer management is a process of continual adjustment. In response to hunter input we adjusted seasons this year to reflect lower populations across the north and central forests and suspended EAB in many areas.”
DNR wildlife officials anticipated the total harvest would be down due to changes in season structure that significantly reduced the antlerless deer harvest, lower fawn production and tough weather conditions for deer and hunters alike. In some northeastern units it was not possible to shoot an antlerless deer and in other northern region units the small supply of bonus antlerless deer tags did not meet demand. Careful adjustment of antlerless tag numbers is an important tool in managing deer numbers.
“There are still days to hunt in 2009 in herd control units where deer are above goal and in CWD units. The muzzleloader hunt is underway and the December antlerless hunt is around the corner.”
In February, DNR biologists will compare unit-level harvest numbers against overwinter population estimates and will adjust the recommended season structure for 2010 to address any significant trends.
“A pillar of Wisconsin deer management is the accurate harvest figures provided by hunters,” said DNR wildlife biologist Jeff Pritzl. “Periods of stable deer populations have always been relatively short-lived in Wisconsin. Mandatory deer registration allows us to respond quickly to changing population levels. We have annually adapted our harvest strategies, and will continue to do so in consideration of what the 2009 harvest tells us about the deer population.”
“This year, in response to hunter input, we moved 29 units from earn-a-buck to herd control status and 38 units from herd control to regular unit status. The total number of regular units grew from 21 in 2008 to 59 this year.” said Warnke. “The result was inevitably less antlerless opportunity and lower antlerless harvest numbers.”
A table of county by county harvest broken down by DNR region, with a comparison to the 2008 preliminary harvest is available on the DNR Web site.
Young hunters prove themselves safe and responsible
“What is really exciting, is the 9,907 mentored hunting licenses purchased by 10- and 11-year olds,” said Diane Brookbank, chief of DNR’s licensing and customer service unit. “These are the future hunters and conservationists that will step into the woods in place of the hunting ‘retirees’ as our population ages.”
Wardens reported no firearm incidents among these young hunters.
Hunt fourth safest in history
DNR hunter education administrator and conservation warden Tim Lawhern said there were seven hunting incidents during the nine-day gun hunt. A possible eighth incident remains under investigation.
“Our hearts go out to the families whose loved ones suffered injury during the hunting season,” said Lawhern. “Our goal is to eliminate all injury and loss of life while hunting. Every incident is investigated to learn what happened so we can work to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Self-inflicted gunshot injuries accounted for 57 percent (4 of 7) of this season’s incidents. Deer drives contributed to 25 percent of all incidents. Both categories and all firearm related incidents can be attributed to failure to observe one of the basic rules of firearm safety according to Lawhern.
Still, noted Lawhern, hunting remains a safe sport and has gotten safer over time as more and more hunters are graduates of hunter safety education courses. This is especially true in Wisconsin where the incident rate for hunters is well below the national average. The incident rate for 2009 in Wisconsin was 1.11 incidents per 100,000 hunters – the national average is 3 per 100,000.
“This was the fourth safest season ever and the fourth time in history that we’ve had a gun deer season with less than 10 incidents,” said Lawhern, “Nonetheless, our goal is zero incidents.”
More than 638,000 gun deer licenses sold
DNR’s automated License Issuance System, known as ALIS, peaked at 200 transactions per minute at 5:30 p.m. on the Friday before gun season. The 638,040 gun licenses sold through the end of the season on Nov 29 represent a near identical number of hunters as in 2008 when 642,419 hunters hit the woods.
* Nearly one in five hunters age 15 and younger is female and women bought 8.6 percent of all gun licenses sold
* All 50 states are represented in license sales with the highest number of nonresident hunters coming from Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan.
* The most licenses were sold in Dane County.
* All ages participate with over 54,000 hunters age 65 and older buying licenses.
source....
Monday, December 7, 2009
Jupiter dominates
The planet Jupiter dominates the western evening sky this month. It is at least twice as bright as any other planet or star in the evening sky. The brightest star of Capricornus, which is only about one percent as bright, is just to Jupiter's left.
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
- Quads, hailing from Grand Marsh Observatory atop Elk Castle Hill
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