OCTOBER 25 MEMBERSHIP MEETING –

 Blue Wing Teal Study

 Ron Gatti, DNR Wildlife Biologist, will discuss a study they would like to conduct on why they are seeing a reduction of the Blue Wing Teal in the state.  Membership that evening will likely have an opportunity to recommend to the Board whether or  not we should assist with this study.

 The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM Tuesday, at the VFW Hall, 133 E. Lakeside, Madison.  Members will also have a chance to purchase one pound of Jumbo Wild Rice.  We last featured this item two years ago, and it sold out in a few meetings.  It’s great for the fall and winter seasons.  Great treat and gift for the upcoming holiday seasons.  We will be offering the rice through January, or earlier, if we sell out.

 We will also hold a special raffle that evening for all graduates of the League’s Spring and Fall Hunter Education program who are sixteen years of age or younger.  We had two successful Spring and Fall classes, and our thanks to the educators

In addition to the graduates raffle, we will hold our normal raffle, which will feature a quality gun, print, and other items.                   

Prepaid mailers will be available for those members who want to recycle a printer cartridge.  Helping to do our part to show you can make the difference

GOLF OUTING A COMPLETE SUCCESS

Once again the team of:  Jerry Paffenroth,  Tim Algiers, Ray Kirch, and Pat McGowan with a score of 63, were the winners of the DCCL golf outing held at Deer Valley in August.  All enjoyed some great golf, fun and comaraderie.  Golf Outing chairs Keith and Linda Waier again put together a great event. 

Special thanks also goes out to Todd King and his staff for going over the top again to make sure we had a great time. Also thanks to Jenny Larson for volunteering with scoring, selling raffle tickets and making sure the foursomes stayed well-hydrated. Look at the DCCL.org website for additional photos of the outing.

Again, thanks to everyone for making this a profitable and successful outing.

FARM ACTIVITIES

The farm was closed in early October.  End of the year close-up consisted of cleaning feeders, cultivating and discing the pens, including seeding all with winter wheat including the runs.  The prairie still has its color but is turning a nice brown.

We raised 1,800 beautiful pheasants and 600 quail.  Members who worked a designated number of hours picked up their birds, and the remaining birds were all sold.   Thanks to all members who put in their work hours.  Special thanks to Ron Brinkmann, Bob Domek, Don Sprang, Lowell Carter, Floyd and Greg Scheel and Ed Brost, as they form our core for the farm.

The flag was retired for safe keeping, and we already are looking forward to next spring, as the pheasant committee will meet to go over past issues at the farm and things we need to do for next year.

Some ask, what is done to close the farm?  Remaining feed in the feeders is removed, the feeders are then pressure-washed, tarps are removed and folded, waterers are taken down and placed in vinegar to be cleaned, water lines are drained, and catch areas are spread with barn lime, as is the area in front of each feeder to reduce the bacteria that may have accumulated during the year.  The area in front of the feeders is also bleached.  Lines are blown out with air, and the water tank is drained.  We then siphon out remaining water at the bottom of the pump.  The boxes around the prairie are mowed, as is the yard.  We disc the pens and runs.  They are then sown with winter wheat for next year.

NOMINATIONS TAKEN FOR LEAGUE AWARDS

The League annually selects individuals for Conservationist and Member of the Year.  Nominees do not need to be members; however, a League member must nominate them.  The nominees do not need to walk on water, but the nomination must be supported with a written narrative limited to no more than two pages.  Mailed nominations must be sent no later than December 18 to the League’s address listed below.                  

DCCL

                        Nomination Committee

PO Box 44039

Madison, WI  53744

The board will review nominations at their December directors’ meeting.  Recipients will be announced in the winter newsletter in January, and the awards will be presented at the annual meeting in January.

 The DCCL Newsletter is published quarterly; winter, spring, summer and fall.  The Dane County Conservation League is a non-profit volunteer organization.  Our purpose is to enhance the education and habitat conservation of its membership and to enhance the natural resources in Dane County and the State of Wisconsin.  The DCCL was established in 1933.

 Manuscripts and photographs are welcome and may be forwarded to the address below.

 Dane County Conservation League

PO Box 44039

Madison, WI  53744

Please notify us of any address or name change, or, “god forbid” typos, additions or deletions by sending to the address listed above.  Submit articles for the DCCL Newsletter by the first week of  the month.

HIGHWAY CLEANUP

Ed Fuss reports that Cathy Matts, Randy Buisker, Ed Brost, Phil Terry, Jim Baxter and Bob Geiwitz cleaned our two sections of highway Saturday, October 1. 

They collected approximately 11 bags of garbage.  No money was found this year.  The only big item was a tire.  He also wanted to point out, for those who say it’s tough to get their hours in, that opportunities like this, and numerous other opportunities, are there during the year for any of those folks to get their hours.  In the meantime, thanks all for a nice job.

RENTAL SPACE

BOAT/CAMPER/VEHICLE/MOTORCYCLE winter storage space at the shed is filled again this year, our first year with an actual waiting list.  Thanks to Dwaine Rundle for continuing as our storage chair.

GREAT OPEN HOUSE

Temperatures were more moderate than they had been in the past as this year’s Open House went well with about sixty-five members and their families and friends making it out for a great meal prepared by chief cook Ed Brost, Jack and Helen Bond, and Cathy Matts.

The main staples of chicken breasts, burgers, dogs and corn on the cob were big hits.

Thanks to those who made some great desserts as they were delicious.

DEER STAND EXPERIENCE

                             By:  Jim Baxter

(Below is an outline that Jim Baxter sent to me about his experience with deer stands and he decided to share a little hard learned knowledge with other hunting friends.)

Yesterday, I headed out to the woods behind the house to take down my tree stand.  Other than taking a ladder out there, the only way to take it down is to climb up it and undo the cinch strap that  holds it to the tree.  The lower adjustable brace that attached the ladder to the tree is left in place – about 7 ft off the ground.  Everything appeared pretty solid after I adjusted the wooden supports under each leg of the ladder.  I put the wood boards under the legs so they didn’t sink into the dirt and allow the ladder sections to separate.  I climbed the ladder and from the top platform, about l5 feet off the ground, carefully released the cinch strap holding the platform to the tree.  I assumed that my weight and the lower mounted brace would hold the ladder against the tree, or at least verticle, until I could descend.  As I started my descent my center of gravity shifted ever so slightly and the ladder came away from the tree. I decided to hang on, anticipating that the lower brace would stop the ladder from going over backwards.  The ladder bent like a pretzel and somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees of bend the legs shot out, hit the tree and the reverse force separated the lower brace.  The rest of the fall was at considerably greater velocity.  I landed flat on my back and then got the steel ladder right across the top of my head.  The wind was knocked out of me, added to a questionable back, sore rib in front and a helluva goose egg on my head.

My reason for writing this is to pass on a few of the things I’ve learned about setting up/taking down tree stands:  Using a ladder has it’s own risk, but they are certainly manageable.  A pointed window cleaning ladder or a standard ladder with an attachment that permits resting it on a round or edged surface could be used to affix the top cinch strap, and to remove it.  That takes you out of the stand when it is not tied to the tree.

Another ladder option is to take a smaller ladder that permits you to place the bottom brace between the ladder and the tree so you can get it higher up and where there won’t be as much leverage on the section just above the brace.  This also allows you to slope the stand at a greater angle to the tree, hence reducing the tendency to go over backwards.  (If you put the brace too low it won’t adjust far enough out to properly angle the ladder away from the tree).  Before attaching the top cinch strap, the feet of the ladder rails should be driven into the dirt all the way to the first rung, if possible.  This way the ladder can’t sink and separate at the joints and it can’t kick out at the bottom, at least not easily, if there is a sudden weight shift caused by the bending of the rails above the brace. That’s what really did me in.  I had hoped I could slowly ride the bending rails down, or at least to where I could safely jump, but when the rails kicked out and flipped back to the tree the slow ride was all over. 

Something else I could have done was to tie the top platform to the tree with a quick release knot, using the hoist rope, undo the cinch strap, descend the tree, and then release the knot.  However, this isn’t an option when putting up the stand. 

Tree stands have become a lot safer and a lot more comfortable to hunt out of, it’s time they worked on designs that don’t kill you when you’re putting them up or taking them down. 

If you think that some of your hunting companions might benefit from this little discourse feel free to pass it on.  

Dane County Parks 2005 Fall Prairie Seed Collecting

Park volunteers meet at a central location at 9:30 a.m. and may drive to nearby prairies for collecting.  Call parties below for directions.  Wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, prepare for mosquitoes; bring pruning shears and gloves if available.

Wayne Pauly or Rhea Stangel-Maier @

245.6898 or 224.3601                     Office              575.0396        Cell Phone

October                 9:30 a.m. to 12:30  p.m.

Day             Date    Meet at:

Monday              10/24            Ice Age Junction, Hwy “M”
Tuesday             10/25            Ice Age Junction, Cross Country Rd
Wednesday        10/26           Goose Lake, Verona
Thursday             10/27           Badger Prairie Park Shelter #1
Saturday               10/29          Ice Age Junction, Cross Country Rd

Monday             10/31           Ice Age Junction, Hwy “M”
Tuesday             11/1             Ice Age Junction, Cross Country Rd

Volunteers Needed to Clean Prairie Seeds

The Dane County Parks Adult Conservation Team is recruiting volunteers who enjoy working with old-fashioned machinery and homemade devices to clean prairie seeds.  

Volunteers are needed on these workdays:

Thursday, December 1, 2005

Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Wednesday, December 7, 2005               Thursday, December 8, 2005
Tuesday, December 13, 2005                     Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005

This project takes place at the Dane County Parks Shop located at 4318 Robertson Rd.  Morning/Afternoon shifts are available, from 9:00 -12:00 and 1:00 - 3:30.  This is fun, dusty, noisy work with a great group of volunteers working under the supervision of Naturalist Wayne Pauly.  Contact Rhea at 224-3601 for information or to sign up.  This volunteer project involves standing, and if you have allergies or any respiratory problems, please volunteer for a different project.

The seeds being cleaned were collected this fall by volunteers including approx. 800 youth, from existing prairies around Dane County.  The cleaned seeds will be planted into Dane County Parks prairies next spring and fall, continuing our prairie restoration program.

Tips For Frosty Times Ahead!

Early Beginnings:

      By:  Jack Bell, Historian

1934 Article/Wisconsin State Journal

Water conditions in the Four Lakes drainage system was a problem in the early years.  Construction of locks at the outlet of Lake Waubesa is under discussion.  Question arises: who will pay construction costs.. county, city, state or town.  The Dane County Sportsmens League is sponsoring a petition for construction of the locks as a public works project; and a similar petition is in circulation at Stoughton by Lake Kegonsa property owners seeking construction of locks to raise the level of that lake also.  Suggestions that the county seek FERA and WERA aid in financing the locks as a work project were discussed…. approximate cost $40,000.

To meet emergency conditions of the lake because of the offensive condition of Lake Waubesa, the City of Madison has offered equipment and men for chemical treatment: copper sulphate.  Dr. Bernard Domogalia, City biochemist, estimated the cost of chemicals for treatment of Waubesa during the remainder of the summer at $1,000; favored the plan for a lock to raise the lake to the normal level fixed by the Public Service Commission.  Boats can be managed to treat the lake at that level; but if it were raised higher than the present fixed normal level, new shallow places would be created to breed algae and complicate the task.

The offensive condition of Lake Waubesa was attributed to abnormally low water combined with “dog days” weather. Lakes in Northern Wisconsin and even in Canada are affected as are others in Southern Wisconsin with scum and odors this summer; and early history was cited to show that in 1872, before Madison had a sewage system, Lake

Waubesa was so infested with weeds that passage of boats was difficult.  The Alvord-Burdick Report of 1920 was cited at the meeting as a reminder that Lake Mendota and Monona both became offensive at times before the days of sewage.  The Alvord-Burdick report also cited findings made by Prof. Langdon Pearse in 1913, when the Stondahl suit was brought against the City, that the offensive condition of Lake Mendota was caused by algae rather than sewage; and it also quoted papers writted by Prof. William Trelease, biologist of the University.  Madison constructed its first sanitary sewer in 1886.  The report showed untreated sewage continued to discharge into Lake Monona until 1899.  Prof.  Trelease came here in 1882 and remained about 5 years.  In Prof. Trelease’s observations the report stated, “We have indisputable evidence that Lake Mendota and Lake Monona were subject to occasionally heavy growths of algae that gave rise to offensive odors before any sewage had been introduced into them.”  And we have further evidence from his papers that a small amount of sewage must have reached the lakes, that in 1886 and 1887 the algae growths were of little consequence.

From Prof. Trelease’s “The Working of Madison Lakes”, the report quoted his statement that on June 17, 1882, enough scum had collected along the city shore of the  Fourth Lake to prevent boats from operating; and he added, “The odor which it gave off was noticeable at the distance of one or two blocks from the water”.   The origin was traced to the shallow bay between Picnic and Second Points.  The algae affecting Mendota at that time were described by Trelease as “anabaena”; and the offensive growth in Waubesa this summer is of the same type.

Dave Wilken thanks all of those who helped remove unwanted plants such as Queen Anne’s Lace and Curled Dock from the prairie.  There will be very few seeds from unwanted plants to add to the existing seed bank so we hope that there will be fewer unwanted plants to remove from the prairie next year.  Dave particularly wants to recognize the efforts of, and also thank, Jim Nemke for lowering nearly all of the two by two wood frames around the known prairie plants so that they are flush with the ground.  This makes mowing the prairie plant demonstration area much easier and less time consuming. 

Although it was a very dry summer compared to last year, which resulted in shorter plants, the prairie still was beautiful.  At next February’s general meeting we will circulate a sign-up sheet for anyone who is interested in helping burn the prairie.  We hope to burn it in mid to late March depending on weather conditions.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Patrick Wagner, Ron Trachte, and Keith Nelson.

Source of a receipt that I received from Eric (baliff in the Dane County Court.

            Take jalapeno peppers; cut them lengthwise; take out the inside seeds; put in your meat of choice (turkey, pheasant, chicken, etc).  Put the two halves of the pepper together and wrap a piece of bacon around the pepper.  Put a toothpick through the bacon to secure it.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.    GREAT APPEATIZER.

   LEAGUE CALENDAR

October 18                  Board of Director’s Mtg.

October 25                  Membership Meeting – Blue Wing Teal Study

November 7                Badger Fly Fishers Auction – Maple Tree 7:30

November 8                Board of Directors meeting at VFW, 133 E. Lakeside.

November 15              Membership Meeting has been moved up one week.

December 20              Board of Directors meeting at VFW, 133 E. Lakeside.

Note:  We do not have a Membership meeting in

            December due to Christmas.

January                       Southern WI TU’s annual Ice Breaker

January 18                  Board of Directors meeting at VFW, 133 E. Lakeside.

January 25                  Membership Meeting.

All Membership Meetings are held at the VFW Hall, 133 E. Lakeside St., Madison beginning at 7:30.  Members are also welcome at League Board Meetings.  They normally take place the third Tuesday of the month and begin at 7 PM and are at the VFW Hall. 

Note that November’s BOD’s meeting and membership meeting have been moved up one week.