Midwest Furbearer Workshop
Deadwood, SD April 27, 2010
(These are my notes from attendance of the two-day conference in Deadwood, South Dakota. The conference was a workshop designed to share furbearer research that is ongoing throughout the Midwest, as well as social and political updates. Please forgive the grammar errors, fragments, and spelling errors—fast note taking is required and good grammar is not! Dave Hastings, May 1, 2010)
(Approx. 45 in attendance) Andy Lindbloom, SD DNR as MC
Welcome by Tony Leif, South Dakota wildlife division director.
Lion season opened in 1995—“big game animal”; SD has 100,000 non-resident pheasant hunters. Historically 500 furbearer licenses, recently 2,000
Greg Schroeder, Badlands National Park; Swift Fox Return
990 released in Canada, 1982-1997 (Captive animals) Turner Translocation Endangered Species fund 1982 (Bad River-Central SD) 114 released. Badlands 06, Pine Ridge also. Limited number of fox available. Reintroduction techniques. Wild caught in CO and WY—320 per year, radio collared, released in male/female pairs “Hard release” just turn out. Semi-hard—put into hole at potential den sites. Soft release: surround den site with chicken wire for 3-5 days, then remove. Soft shows more success than other release methods. After 50 days, movement patters are same for released as opposed to resident. Any fox that went more than 50 miles was considered a mortality. 114 released in 5 years. Plague free, so juveniles were more likely to be plague free. Used box traps (Tomahawk) Tru-catch. Baited with turkey poults or prairie dogs. Survival variables—release sites. (Coyote core home range) Movement was critical in survival. Farther straight-line distance. Those that died moved twice as far. Release method was significant. (Factored into distance moved.) Older fox moved farther. Survival rates. Most in .70s survival rate for 50-days. Coyotes and cars are leading mortality causes. Reproduction. 2009 nearly 170.
Indrani Sasmal SD-Habitat selection for female Swift fox-viability of reintroduction.
Swift fox at about half of population since Midwest settlement. Studied habitat selection and home range size of female SF. 14 collared. 60 locations on each fox were recorded. Adaptive Kernal method. Grassland was 70%, sparse vegetation 9.4% Prairie dog towns 12.5%. Woodland was lowest. Vegetation height is important. Low vegetation was preferred <20 cm. Average home range 5.78km sq(3 mi) to 12.5 sq km. Prairie dogs found in diet in greatest frequency, and locations closest to pd towns. Home range size bigger in agriculturally developed areas, although generally the fox preferred to avoid agriculturally developed.
Greg Schoreder-Home Range and movement of exploited vs unexploited coyotes in the Badlands Ecosystem.
Part of Swift Fox project—Coyotes high cause of SF mortality. SF avoided coyote home range territories. Victor soft-catch or live-catch snares from Snare Shop. Anesthetized, collared, blood samples, age, etc. Lotek GPS collars. ATS Advanced Telemetry System…collars fall off at predetermined time, and collar needed to be recovered to get data. Data every hour in evening. Then 1 fix every 4 hours. 15 locations per day. Home Range ArcGIS. 95% Adaptive Kernal Home range 50% Core use areas.
In Badlands are unexploited (no hunting). Life seasons-Pair breeding-Jan-mar; gestation March-April; pup rearing; May-August; dispersal September to December. Focused on pup rearing period. 46 coyotes. (9.4 coyotes for 1000 trap nights) Home range-Core use did not differ by year or sex. No difference in home range or core use between exploited and non-exploited. In pup rearing, very little violation by neighbor (observed territorial boundaries very rigidly in pup rearing times.
Movement rates between exploited/unexploited. Exploited move far more at night. (Approximately double that of unexploited). Possibly higher trap capture rate on home range boundaries.
Keith Fisk/Ron Schauer—Trap Tagging discussion. SD Fish & Game is interested in initiating trap tagging but sees opposition among trappers—asked the group for input and case history—both good and bad in groups. (85% of states require) Discussion followed.
Scott Larsen, USF&W Black Footed Ferret Recovery
Historically 100 million acres, mostly where black-tailed prairie dog inhabited. (Reintroduction goal is for 500,000 acres) Roughly 1/3 of the original habitat was broken up as farmland. Lots of eradication efforts. Also natural causes such as Sylvatic Plague in first in prairie dogs, then in ferrets, etc. A low of 7 breeding ferrets at one point. 1979, last ferret in captivity died. Found wild (Meeteetse, in NW Wyoming) population. By 1987, biologists were confident that extinction was not assured. Carr, CO, has all the “pre-conditioning” facility (pens that include prairie dog towns to hunt and simulate wild circumstances). Roughly 244 ferret kits produced, and then shared according to requests for allocation for reintroduction sites. 90 or so are kept for captive breeding populations. 19 sites currently active reintroduction underway. Some sites have limited prairie “fill” the site. Pretty successful, and now (Conta Basin, SD) populations are maximized and kits are trapped for translocation. Plague tends to attack Prairie Dogs, which makes sites non-starters. Both ferrets and prey species get that plague. Some “dusting” of deltamethrin (flea powder) into prairie dog holes has had some success in resisting/ avoiding plague. Also field vaccinations, but labor intensive. Hoping to develop oral bait with vaccines imbedded. Also systemic flea control delivered to prairie dogs through baits. Very roughly half way to recovery goals. Artificial insemination success, particularly for genetic variability. Wild born captures for release/reintroduction. Plague vaccine.
Randy Griebel—Plague control activities/black-footed ferret reintroduction. (Plague 101)
Plague not North American, initially around 1900. Didn’t get to SD until 2004. 2005 huge outbreak in Pine Ridge area. Affected 16,000 acres in July of 08. Hot weather and aggressive dusting helped stop the spread. Still increasing. 2009 dusted nearly half-million burrows. ($228,576 spent) from 2007 to 2009, from 320 to 185 ferrets alive. Conta basin in south central SD is still second overall with range wide populations. 201 Ferrets translocated out of the Conta basin ($221 million costs). Generally what was not dusted was taken out by plague. 284 ferrets have been injected with vaccines.
Lon Kightlinger, SD Dept of Health. Wildlife Infections That Make Humans Sick.
Most experts predict that the next human health disaster will come from animals. Sylvatic, Campestral, Domestic, and Human, which are Bubonic, Pneumonic and Septicemic. Can be weaponized. 2009, 8 cases of human plague. 1984, 40. Over half are in New Mexico. (None yet in SD) Urban Plague in Albuquerque, urban Denver. Untreated, 50% fatal. Treated, still 10% death rate. Symptoms are buboes (lump) in the armpit or groin. Fleas and pets transmit to humans. (Typically cats) Case study in AZ, Wildlife biologist, pnumatic plague, mountain lion carcass, biologist was 37 years old. Six days after exposure, died. Recommend that all who handle animals follow vigilant hand hygiene, disposable gloves, long pants, long sleeved shirts, N-95 mask.
SD 53 cases of animal rabies in 2009. High was 1980, 472 cases. Skunk, 68% of reservoir animals. 73% were wild. 3 shots, days 0, 3, 21—then testing every 2 years.
Hantavirus pulmonary symptom. 1/3 cases fatal. Inhalization of aerosolized particles, or nesting/urine/feces, etc. Deer mouse is primary carrier. Over 50 cases in AZ, NM, CO.
Tularemia, SD is 6th highest in US. (Average 6 cases a year) rodents and tics.
John Paulson, beaver management on Tierra del Fuego. (Southern tip of South America) 22,000 square miles. In 1946, 26 pairs of beaver taken there. Some have moved across the Straits of Magellan to get to mainland. Lots of peat bogs in TdF. How to control? Trained 276 trappers, captured 11,760 beaver trapped, mostly the easy access beaver—remote areas, not so much. Both Argentina and Chile signed eradication treaty.
Cory Mosby—Microhabitat Selection and Home Range of Bobcats (southern Black Hills) High stem density, visual obscurity southeastern exposures, and high priority species. Female more toward heavy cover, males to grassy areas. 10 cats captured, collard with Lotek 3300 collars, 8 locations a day, 1 year of data collection. Brownian Bridge Method, designed for GPS issues. 400 sample plots. Males and females select differently. Males higher elevation, females-vegetative height and visual cover. Female home range 22.6 km sq, male 47.8 km sq. Steeper slopes and closeness to drainages was highly selected. Preferred small shrub cover, not coincidentally selected by rabbits. Selected for medium visual cover (hunting preference and prey abundance). Female’s choices affected by exclusive breeding and kitten rearing. Males maximize for breeding opportunity. Generally select patchy vegetative cover.
Dave MacFarland—Wolf/Bear/Furbearer from WI. Bobcat population and harvest monitor in WI.
Bobcats are relatively long-lived, low rates of reproduction and pop growth. Vulnerable to over-harvest. Populations declined in 70s and 80s. Monitoring is difficult. Distribution, northern 1/3 of state. Winter track counts for monitoring, and carcass collection, also observations by hunters and DNR employees. Changes in harvest method, responding to restrictions of regulations. Also response to hound hunting. Trapping was as high as 60%, 2007 was at 20%. Dog hunting increased. Increased harvest of males. Increase in demand for permits. 70% go to taxidermist. 8% sold in fur trade. Harvest trends-pregnancy rates constant (70% in adults) Track counts increased dramatically. Population estimates 2,300 in 05, 2,200 in 08. Peaked in 2003 at just over 3,000. Harvest 2005, 500. 350 is average. Hunter success rate—tripled since 1995 (60%). 12% harvest = no population change. Trapping community pushed for fee increase on license earmarked for research. Track surveys in place, but method is less reliable in that part of state…less snow, higher snowplow use. Sightings and trail camera photos. Will be initiating research.
Tyler Haase--Gear-Gadgest and Garb. Beaver Trapping Equipment. Bridger #5, MB750 and CDR. Center swiveling is advantageous. Paws-i-trip pan system. Recommended re-bar drowner rods, with junction so they can be transported in 5’ pieces. Uses square tubing as drowning lock device. Recommended float sets to avoid non-targets in urban areas. Relaxing washer and Grawe’s locks. Also Bailey’s, Hancock, Easy-catch. Bodygrippers—newer models and a variety of stabilizing devices. Discussed gloves, boots, guns, etc.
Dwayne Etter-evaluation of Two Cable Neck Restraints with Stops to Capture Coyotes. MI DNR Bear/Furbearer Research. 2005 regulation changes required Cable Restraints. 10.8 centimeter minimum. (Approx 4.25”—went to 3.5” stop). Studied all aspects of snares, researched for techniques—issues have arisen between dog hunters concerned about lethality, etc. 24-hour check. 70 set with 3.5” 109 with 4.25” stop. 14 coyotes, lost 8 with 4.25. 7; with 3.5” zero lost. 7x7, 3/32. Capture rate, 4.4 for 1000 trap nights, 9. 4 per 1000 with 3.5”. (Capture rate doubles when minimum size was at 3.5” as opposed to 4.25”) Some deer and some raccoons as non-target. Domestic dogs—all released by owner.
Tim Hiller Species specific design of body-gripper traps—pilot study. Coon Bumpers. Adam Bump and John Caretti. (John Caretti president of MI trapping association.) Compare success and selectivity, animal behavior, statistical models for weather, habitat, etc. 2,000 acres in Whooping Crane Trust, Platte River, Nebraska. (Should be no pets roaming this area.) Coon bumper, standard cubby, and “dog resistant” cubby (recessed.) (Coon Bumpers are attached to triggers of dryland bodygrippers so that a coon must pull the bait trigger, which is enclosed—similar to “dog-proof coon traps” on market.) Video surveillance on a few of the 150 trap sets. Generalized Linear Mixed Modeling. Will be testing in November.
John Olsen WI DNR-- Future Trappers of WI Trapper Education. Trapping is more of a family affair as opposed to bear or deer hunting. WI Trapper Ed Program began in the 1980s. Evening session with one field day. Added Correspondence Course. Instructors must be members of WTA and have application—background checks, etc. May of 1992, mandatory education. (Also law enforcement furbearer training and “fur Camps” over night educational opportunities.) Wildlife Fur School. Fur School for “U” (University based—3 campuses) 1,000+ graduates per year. Future Trappers of WI—under 18 years old. Organization similar to Boy Scouts, 4-H, etc. Four levels, with 10 pins for achievement pins—27 pins total. Mentors included. Currently 170 members in the association.
Gordon Batcheller—European Based Effort to disrupt North American Fur Trade. Industrial Standard—BMP history. In bicycle helmets, for example, ANSI or ISO. International Standards Organization is the “assurance” that it meets industry standards. (ANSI American National Standards Institute is the American version of ISO). 1983, anti-trapping movement mobilized. Veterinarians, manufacturers, Wildlife biologists, trappers, and committee members. What is a humane trap? Began work. Everything changed in 1993: EU Fur regulations. AR’s victory on “seal wars” focused on trapping and lobbied EU to pass anti-fur and anti-trapping. Started with fur coat labeling. Canada got them to insert “or” in the EU Fur Regulation. Will not import fur from countries if they fail to ban traps, or recognize traps that meet trap standards. ISO allows any country to get involved. Russia, Sweden, US, and Canada—went well. Then all anti groups packed the meetings and killed all chance to develop international standards. (For example, voted “humane” out of the standard. W/o that word, then the only option left was to ban steel jawed leg hold trap.) By 1997, looking at the death of the American Fur Trade. Fur constituencies started telling the story of the consequences of North American Fur Trade. Abundance numbers for species, etc. President Clinton made it a trade issue, as opposed to an environmental issue. Governors and Congressional delegations, US Trade Authorities, individuals as lobbyists. (Produced European trapping research document. 400,000 muskrats annually trapped, then thrown in mud…) Quadrilateral trade issue—Canada, US, Russia, and the EU. US and Canada had decades of data. Ended up with Agreed Minute. Canada split with US. December 1997, Agreed Minute. (Canada got a treaty) they have “accepted” traps, and we have BMPs. We needed acknowledgement of State and Tribal ownership of wildlife management, and assurances of the continued fur harvest. AIHTS Agreement. Canada accepted “prohibited” use of steel-jawed leg hold traps; we accepted “phase out” the use of SJLHtraps. “Phase out” is not defined. “Conventional” is not defined in the agreement. AFWA Biologists defined it as “Is used in a system designed to hold an animal alive, but lacks attributes that have been shown to reduce injuries. These attributes include swivels, laminations, rubber jaws, etc.” EU now seems to finally be paying attention to what US is doing. Europeans are now testing using US BMP processes. Quadrilateral parties meet yearly.
Bryant White-BMP research – Overview and update. (Humane Capture Research Project) Probably 1,000 trappers and technicians, over 40 state agencies involved to date. 17 BMPs produced to date. 2010-Kit/Swift fox by October. Badger, Ringtail Canada Lynx in 2011. Tested over 100 trap types. 300,000 trap nights. fishwildlife.org/furbearer_resources.html Starts with commonly used traps; then most promising commercially available; and various modifications.
Day 2
Josh Smith Assessing Marten Reintroduction in SD (SDSU)
Historically present, but basically gone since 1930. 42 Marten released in 1980-81. 90-93 more, for a total of 129 released. Fine tuning detecting estimate probabilities. Baited box stations. 8 km apart, rebaited every 4 days. Captures with Tomahawk live traps, radio collared. Located weekly. Occupancy issues and Detectability issues (How can you be sure that an animal is or is not really there?). Habitat data considerations—tree stand age, precipitation, and distance from core release areas. (Apparently three notable populations.) Measured for high density and low density populations. A 12 day sampling period in high density populations was over 90% likely to have confirmed detection. (Um, I guess they proved that if there are lots of them, they are easier to find…) Precipitation seems an important variable. 61 annual centimeters or more. Males have slightly lower survival rate than the females. Overall 55% to 85% survival rate. 9 predation mortalities known—coyote accounted for 5 of the 9. Pine beetle effects may threaten future viability.
Duane Etter Marten and Fisher in MI using statistical population reconstruction.
Working to understand the models, so the data is preliminary. How to estimate the abundance of furbearer populations. Methods include capture/recapture, radio telemetry and population models. Population index, such as harvest effort, track plates, winter track observations. Exploring Statistical Population Reconstruction as a method. Assumes reliability of original data, such as harvest data reporting, age estimates, etc. Harvest age estimation seems to be a significant indicator.
Survey of trappers that measure harvest effort. 8,000 trappers in MI, only 400 who trap fisher (All marten and fisher harvest is in UP.) Data indicates significant decline in fisher populations. 25% decline in marten population, reasons are not definitive. Trappers are providing important information, and much of the models are based on what the trappers are telling the researchers.
Mountain Lions in South Dakota-2002 opinion survey-Larry Gigliotti (Human Dimensions specialist) Saw need to develop management plan, including controlled harvest. Anticipated resistance, so did extensive public research. Awareness, willingness to modify activities to accommodate lion presence, geography, location, etc. Over 60% supported a regulated season if population models justified it. 17% wanted them wiped out, 20% wanted protected at all costs. Management solutions—20% wanted them to be “chased away.” Simply not feasible. 2002, 1/3 public wanted an increase in lion populations. (Reversed today) 22% strongly pro lion, 33 slightly pro, 11% neutral, 22% slightly contra, and 9% strongly contra.
John Jenks (SD State University) History of Mt. Lion research in the Black Hills
(Dan Thompson Dorothy Feesce involved in research) 8,400 mi sq. One of the most “roaded” forests in the country. High to low elevations have precipitation variables. Typical prey species, including porcupine. Black Hills are 125 mi from bighorns, 100 to Laramie. Gathered data by dog treeing, snaring, GPS collars, etc. 294 lions marked, documented over 300 mortalities. Determined habitat quality measurement. 2005 population saturated at about 250 lions. Mean litter size is 2.6, with birth peak in July/August but can be born any time in the year. Home range males 758(1999) km to 524 km (2005) Females 182 to 107 km. More dense =more male territorial strife. Also saturation resulted in starvation. 2005 first harvest. Kidney fat measurements indicated that as populations are increasing, fat reserves were good—when saturated, kidney fat reserves diminished; after harvest, kidney fat reserves increased. Estimates are that taking 30 lion a year will maintain populations. Investigating possibility of Calicivirus causing some “cloudy eye syndrome,” temporary blindness. Concerns exist for lions, and over lion/human encounter when blind or semi-blind. Food sources of dispersing lions are more diverse than territorial lions. (They will be opportunistic when dispersing, including domestic cats, etc.)
John Kanta, SDG&F Mt. Lion Management Hunter harvest, 14 in 05, 30 in 09, 40 in 2010. When hunter harvest increased, other mortalities decreased. Lots of data collected and are confident about management decisions. Lots of opposition to opening lion harvest, some from California based Mountain Lion Foundation, etc. Strategy was to shut the season down right before it started, (October 1 season, filed docs in September) “Extinction” was commonly used. Electronic calls significant lion hunting tool. In 06, 3 lion incidentals in foot traps, more in snares, mostly small lions and females.
John Erb-Low and High Tech furbearer research-MN Fisher/Marten. Very early in study, so all conclusions are only guesses at this point. Study survival rates, pregnancy rates, den and rest sites, habitat models, prey monitoring, good habits and winter track surveys. Trapping and collaring is key. (Mammal kills of fisher/marten are head-neck-throat. Raptor kills by puncture of thorax area.) Step further into genetic dna/forensics. Hair samples and swabs of wound sites for saliva, hair, etc. 45 fisher 87 marten collared. Predation is over 60% mortality caused, so investigation into details are in order. Pregnancy rates, litter size, etc. historically placental scars, balstocysts etc. but usually requires a dead animal. Hormonal studies-blood samples may help test live animals. Also lots of trail cams, etc. Portable ultra-sound units. Progesterone levels, confirms pregnancy, which focuses spring den research. Probe (security style) cameras to inspect den sites of marten/fisher. Litter size, ectoparasites, juvenile survival, etc. Trail cams allow for monitoring over time for things such as kit survival, etc. Observe and record play behavior. Den attendance patterns, male/other female rearing assistance, feeding behavior, movement of kits. Scat analysis of low tech vs high tech stable isotope analysis for scientific determination of stomach content, etc. and examination of hair samples of harvested animals.
Silka Kempema—Planning for river otter in SD
Status, info, planning, next? Otter are “Threatened” in SD, also furbearer with closed season. Incidentals must be released alive or if dead, SDG&F must be contacted within 12 hours. Observation types. 1-sighting, 2-sign, 3-incidental trap, 4- road kill. “Avoidance brochure” available on website. Silka.kempema@sdstate.sd.us End of day was spent meeting with lion trapper, Jack Alexander, SD F&G. Discussed sets and techniques for lion trapping and damage control. (Ironically, on the bus ride back into Deadwood, we saw a mountain lion by the highway.)
Day 3
Bobcat/Cites Issue Gordon Batcheller
COP voted against delisting last month. Majority supported but 2/3 was needed. Doubtful that US will pursue that in future COP. The EU as a block voted no. Apparently related to European Lynx as endangered species. Repeatedly and consistently AFWA has been asking to delist otter and bobcat. Highest Level of USF&W and Dept of interior wanted to wait until COP vote. The day the vote went south, Batcheller sent letter to USF&W to renew request (Tom Strickland) to eliminate tagging for cat and otter. No reply yet. There seems to be resistance from Solicitors Office (lawyer) in the Dept of Interior. F&W Service has clarified some of the issues (for example, no tag necessary if bobcat is not exported). (In a nutshell, AFWA will continue to press USF&W to drop bobcat and otter tagging.)
Midwest Fish & Wildlife Agencies Furbearer Association Business meeting.
--Federal BMP Funding requests discussed. --Discussed reissuing a BMP support resolution or “information item,” encouraging state directors to support. General discussion of wolf policy and of running pens–next year’s meeting. Wisconsin will host in 2011.
State Reports—MI-as a result of decline in fisher and marten populations, some shortening of season or other method. Hopefully would like to work toward more open dialog to enhance agency trust, trapper/dog hunter issues. 2-day training of staff on furbearers and trapping, in conjunction with state trapping organizations. Also hope to expand that to staff who deal with public—secretaries, pr folks, etc. NE—assisted with badger trapping for BMP. Otter home range and habitat project is near completion. UN-L looking river otter response to phragmites, invasive plants; also using scat dna. River Otter presence work—fill in gaps. Issue occurred when a 220 bodygrip trap killed dog—lobbyist’s dog, trapping on road right-of-way was outlawed. Got a state senator to reverse that; did get reversed. New regs for underwater snares on public land. Changed underwater regs to 48 hours also for snares and drowners. Bobcat harvest down about 50%--heavy snow limited access, etc. Felt populations were stable but reduced take a product of severe weather. Pine Ridge area has resident population of lions—passed 100 confirmed lion sightings. Will hire 2 handlers and scat detection dogs as pilot project to i.d. the possible lion population. KS—no reg changes this year. Fur Harvest ed course is on line, similar to IL trapper ed course, as alternate option for trapper ed course. Confirmed 2nd wild mountain lion. Estes Park rehab lion also hit western Kansas on CO line…was in KS for about a month. Working on publication regarding snares and bodygrip traps. Considering moving forward with otter season; waiting on CITES, but may not wait too much longer. MN—Finally got funding in place (sales tax) sources for natural resources. Can’t be used for research, but can be used for land management. Good thing overall. Research in fisher/marten. Smaller wolf project-aerial survey approach, logistics. Small bobcat project ongoing. Otter seasons, 3rd year normal zone—three years ago expanded zone. This year, discussions for public comment, statewide otter harvest, with consistent limit. Not sure if this will become a proposal. Potential excitement in legislature, but in the end, no changes of note. A few dogs killed in 220s. Otter harvest stable; marten and fisher reduced seasons a couple of years ago. Shorter season, they seem to be doing ok. 900 marten in 9-day season. Fisher concerns. Seem to be doing well on fringes of core area. Fisher harvest dropped 30% from last year. Will consider fisher take regulations. Incidental take of fisher an issue too. Concerns of selectivity of bobcat and fisher. First road-killed cougar. ND—three species considered to be re-colonizing, fisher, marten, and river otter. Red River area. Will begin looking for river otter in other tributaries, such as Little Missouri. Marten in Turtle Mountain area. (A few) Canadians are harvesting them on the Canadian side of the border. Potential considerations of harvest. Coyote numbers up in state. Two hard winters, reduced harvest. Some discussion of bounties, etc. Some deer research into coyote impact. Mountain lion season in western part of state—quota met. 8 lions. 2 more on reservation land. Total for several years is 53 mortalities to hunting. Cats are healthy—high fat, low parasite, etc. Report of Mt Lion inside city limits—Bismark—removed lion. Not much response. Opportunistically collard a lion in 2006. Still getting data. Bobcat harvest down due to weather. 50 cats harvested total. Waiting on funding for bobcat research to investigate harvest impact. Confirmed breeding bobcats in N.E. part of state. SD—not official report. Otter plan. Trap tags. Third year of non-resident trapping, with restrictions. Several research projects. Bobcat harvest down, due to prices down and weather issues. Some increase in non resident sales. Increase in muskrat and beaver complaint issues. Some discussion about reciprocity issues in non-resident trapping. WI—wildlife fur school open, early April. Winter meeting of BMP committee—Madison, WI. January, 2011.