DCCL News
Email Membership@DCCL.org to submit your pictures and stories
Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!
- December 2024-
Have you renewed your annual membership? You have some choices. We recommend renewing online and you have two choices on how to pay: 1) pay online or 2) send in a check. We encourage you to pay online. Click on the Annual Membership Form button below and follow the instructions.
Mark Your Calendar
The annual DCCL Meeting is January 28, 2025. Throw your name in the hat to join the DCCL board and if you have someone you think will be an active board member, ask them if you can throw their name in the hat.
Elections are that night with pizza, raffles, and a good time. Come on out! Get to know your fellow members and 2024 Board Members.
North Wisconsin Unexpected Hunting Adventure
I asked my son Isaac (and Quin, his German Short-hair pointer) if he’d like to head up north for 3 days with me and my Small Munsterlander (Beaker) to grouse and woodcock hunt. He was excited to go and see how Quin would perform with grouse. We arrived around noon at our campsite. We set up the tent, had some sandwiches and talked to our campground neighbor who was also grouse hunting. He was seeing a fair number of birds. So with that information and the anticipation of getting into the woods with the dogs, we were excited to begin our adventure.
We walked about a quarter mile down the trail and decided to take a left at the fork. Beaker seemed excited (birdy) and headed off trail into the woods with Quin following. After approximately 5 minutes Quin returned and soon after I heard a yelp from Beaker. Seconds later he comes barreling onto the trail grubbing his head into the dirt and vegetation. It didn’t take long to see porcupine quills sticking out of his muzzle! This is my 3rd year hunting in this area and have never encountered a porcupine. Beaker was obviously distressed and of course my blood pressure shot up since I’d never had to deal with this before. I called Beaker over and was able to pull a couple of quills out, but each time I did this the harder it was to call him back. I told Isaac I needed to find a local veterinarian and he should continue hunting without us.
I called the local vet who was nice enough to fit us into his busy schedule (not sure what I would have done if he couldn’t). The routine is to sedate the dog and then pull quills. This took about 4 hours after drop off. Beaker was what I would characterize as drunk when he was returned to me. He could hardly walk, swaying around. The day was done for Beaker and me.
We headed back to camp and went into recovery mode. When Isaac returned he seemed happy to have gotten off a few shots at a couple of grouse. The next morning we headed out again to a different area. Beaker seemed fully recovered and ready to go. He became birdy and ended up pushing up a woodcock which my son shot. After 30 more minutes of hunting, Beaker bounds out of the woods onto the trail grubbing his head into the ground. He had tracked down another porcupine (and lost again)! Quin provided an admonished look at Beaker, then went on about her business. This round there were quills on his muzzle as well as several on his tongue and roof of his mouth. Off to the vet we go.
Again, the vet clinic took him in (thank you Ladysmith Vet Clinic). Beaker set a new record at the clinic. They have never had a dog get quilled 2 days in a row! Way to go Beaker! After Beaker was returned to us, we headed back to camp for recovery time yet again. We hunted the next morning with several shots being fired but no birds. We packed it up and headed back to southern Wisconsin. I dropped my son and Quin off and then headed home.
There are a few conclusions I’ve determined from this unexpected adventure: 1: Although it didn’t go as planned it was great to spend time with my son and his dog. 2: Memories, whether good and/or bad were created and I’m certain will be talked about for years to come within our family. 3: They say once a dog has been quilled they either never go after them again or they have a vengeful streak for being “wronged” and will continue tracking down porcupines. I guess Beaker falls into the latter category (or he’s a blockhead). 4: When you factor in multiple vet bills, and hunting effort (hours put in), the single 6 oz woodcock is probably the most expensive bird breast we have ever had!
Submitted by Chris Worley, DCCL Secretary (2024)
- November 2024-
See you on Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Guest Speaker: Lesa Kardash (see bio)
Topic: Management of 17,000 acres of grassland habitat on the Buena Vista and Paul J. Olson Wildlife Areas.
When: 7:00 PM, February 25, 2025
Where: Schwoegler Park Towne Lanes
444 Grand Canyon Dr, Madison, WI 53719
Hope to see you there!
Reminder: The farm is closed for the season.
My husband and four children live next to the Buena Vista grasslands and spend as much time as we can outdoors together. We enjoy camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, biking, gardening, and simply exploring the natural world as a family.
I am a native Wisconsinite and grew up near here - in Verona. I received my Bachelor and Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am an active member of The Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society. For the past 18 years, I have been a Wildlife Biologist in Portage and Wood Counties with the Wisconsin DNR. During that time, I have been responsible for implementing the wildlife management program in Portage and Wood Counties. A significant portion of my work involves the management of 17,000 acres of grassland habitat on the Buena Vista and Paul J. Olson Wildlife Areas. In 2022, I took on the role of Greater Prairie-chicken staff specialist.
- October 2024-
DCCL-Enews.Oct2024.pdf - September 2024-
September2024.Enews.DCCL..pdf - August 2024-
Did you hear Wisconsin Public Radio and solar/prairie chickens?
Improvements
The Board approved this new improvement at the farm for DCCL members.
This project was led by Steve Spaeni. Thank you!
A huge thank you to Kevyn Quamme for bringing his tractor with a BUCKET and his time digging the hole and helping to lay the base.
A shoutout to Mitch Urbanowicz at Yahara Materials, the neighbor by the farm, for donating 3000 POUNDS of base material.
If anyone is out at the farm, please water the new plantings around the outhouse.
submitted by member, Chris Worley
A lot is going on to keep the pheasant farm operational, including feeding the birds. I asked one of our long-time volunteers how many pounds of feed do we use for 1050 birds, from when we receive the day-old chicks to release day. How does 7000 pounds sound to you!
This equates to roughly 70 pounds/bird to end up with a 3-pound pheasant (see picture). He also mentioned a few other history tidbits. In the past we have raised 2000 pheasant and 500 Bobwhite quail in one season (currently we raise 1050 pheasant). We have gotten pretty good at keeping the mortality rate pretty low. Estimates are probably around 100 lost birds this year, which is average for the last few seasons. About 9 years ago, the bird population was hit pretty hard by a weasel (usually a lone operator). That particular year our volunteer estimated we lost 500 birds to the wily weasel. He said it's pretty evident when you have a weasel issue, they bite them in the neck and pile them together (for future food). Major effort went into trapping the weasel to no avail. This issue persisted for several years and at some point, there was even discussion about shutting the farm down for a year in hopes the weasel would move on since there was no food source. This plan wasn't implemented and for whatever reason after a few years there were no more weasel incidents.
Thank you Dane Co. Pheasants Forever (DCPF)
Pictured above is a DCPF member.
Every year 6 to 10 PF folks come out and clean out the 4 brooders once the chicks have moved to the outdoor pens. As you probably can imagine, the smell is formidable after 250 chicks dispense uric acid inside each brooder for over a month. I can hear you asking why PF members would want to do this for a morning. In return for their hard work, the DCCL donates 50 pheasants to PF for their annual activity day event.
- July 2024-
The Annual Picnic is scheduled for August 10, 2024. Please RSVP to membership@DCCL.org
Click here for the .pdf version of the July 2024 newsletter.
- June 2024 -
We need your help!
At the Farm:
General Work on Saturdays: We have had some storm damage that needs repair as well as the usual mowing and routine netting repair. The farm opens at 8 am and we usually work for 2-3 hours. No tools are necessary. If any questions, they can call Lowell at 608-271-7912 or email at lrcarter44@hotmail.com
Upgrades to porta-potty: Contact Steve at 608.206.5310 or email sspaeni@hotmail.com
The Annual Picnic is scheduled for August 10, 2024. Please RSVP to membership@DCCL.org
Let us know what you may want to bring.
We hope to have some activities for all who want to participate. Stay tuned!
Would you need an outdoor all-terrain chair to get around the farm? See www.AccessAbilityWI.org to reserve one. Questions? Contact AAW at 608.886.9388 or reach out to DCCL member, Steve Spaeni, call 608-206-5310.
- May 2024 -
We couldn't do it without you!
Thank you to Jerry and Jim Paffenroth for the dozen or so bluebird houses they assembled and installed in the Waunakee/DeForest area. This was all done with DCCL materials.
Thank you to the eight members who did highway cleanup this April!
Thank you to all who helped with the annual banquet. A few photos have been posted in the DCCL's Stories section. Stay tuned for more updates.
The Annual Picnic is scheduled for August 10, 2024. Please RSVP to membership@DCCL.org
Let us know what you may want to bring.
We hope to have some activities for all who want to participate. Stay tuned!
Would you need an outdoor all-terrain chair to get around the farm? See www.AccessAbilityWI.org to reserve one. Questions? Contact AAW or reach out to DCCL member, Steve Spaeni, call 608-206-5310.
We want to hear from YOU!
If you would like to submit a story, conservation idea, or something related to DCCL's mission, please submit your story here -> "Submit Story"
Check out stories from members and updates from the community on our new Stories & More page.
Board Members' Corner
Each month at least one Board Member will be sharing something with the DCCL membership.
This month DCCL Board Member, Dan Stepper and his wife, Sharon, share a story about their experience with prairie chickens. Click here to read more...