Hello, Apparently there is more at stake here; concerning the use/banning of lead shot. Read on from Cathy Mauer.............. Karen Johnson Milwaukee County (BayView area) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Cathy <cmauer@xxxxxxx> Date: Sun, Apr 3, 2011 at 5:46 PM Subject: Conservation Congress statewide county meetings Monday, April 11th 7PM To: kmjbirder@xxxxxxxxx Karen, I received the emails (bottom) concerning the Spring Hearings and am sending you a copy of my reply to those to whom Claire forwarded your message. Cathy Mauer MY REPLY: While the question of allowing (new?) state park lands to be used for hunting and/or trapping is important to many park users, it is not the most important question in terms of wildlife/bird health and population viability. Of more importance to birds and other wildlife is the Natural Resources Board Advisory Question about lead shot found on page 31 of the questionnaire. "Question 45 â?? Use of non-toxic shot on department lands. Because of concerns about the continuing effects of lead shot on wild game and non-game birds in Wisconsin, do you favor requiring the use of non-toxic shotgun ammunition for all hunting/shooting activities, with the exception of department approved shooting ranges, on department-managed lands? This proposal would not apply to any form of hunting with rifles or slugs and would not be implemented until 2015 to allow a transition period for retailers and hunters. 45. YES_______ NO______". A good explanation for the proposal precedes the question. This proposal would be a good start toward decreasing the amount of lead being introduced to wildlife/bird habitats. The full Spring Questionnaire can be found at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/congress/spring_hearings/2011/2011%20Spring%20QuestionnaireFINAL.pdf The hunting/trapping on state park lands questions are Conservation Congress Forestry, Parks, & Recreation Study Committee Advisory questions. They are found on page 36 of the questionnaire. The wording uses the term "lands purchased as state parks". *I think it would apply only to new lands but am not certain of that. Does anyone know?* There are two separate questions, one for hunting and one for trapping. The Taylor County Hearing will be held in the Multi-purpose Room at the Taylor County Fairgrounds (where the Bird Club used to meet). The Clark County Hearing will be held in the Greenwood High School Cafeteria, 306 W. Central Ave., Greenwood. You may attend the hearings in any county and vote on the questions, though you have to be a county resident of the site where you are attending if you want to vote on county Conservation Congress delegates. Here is the Spring Hearings site: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/congress/spring_hearings/ The site includes a link to all hearing locations (one in each county). The site contains a link to guidelines for those who have never attended the spring hearings, but I have also attached a copy of the guidelines. Cathy On 4/3/2011 10:04 AM, CLAIRE ROMANAK wrote: I think that everyone who uses our State Parks has a stake in this issue, and possibly in some of the others as well. Please check out the website and if you agree, please attend the Conservation Congress meeting in your area and vote on this matter. Claire ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: KAREN JOHNSON <kmjbirder@xxxxxxxxx> Date: Sun, Apr 3, 2011 at 9:23 AM Subject: [wisb] OT: Conservation Congress statewide county meetings Monday, April 11th 7PM To: WISBIRDN <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Please read below and then plan om attending a meeting in your county! *Here are some other announcements*: The state Conservation Congress has it's annual meeting on Monday, April 11 in every county in Wisconsin. These meetings are usually heavily attended by hunters, so it would be good to have some representation by the environmental community, especially this year, when they will be voting on opening our state parks and natural areas to hunting and trapping. Please see the note below and click on the link for more information. Hi all... My friend Ellen Lafouge from the Bluebird Restoration Assoc. of Wisconsin created an important and timely website. Please read it... I know that all of you enjoy taking nature hikes and watching wildlife, whether birds or animals, which means that the coming Conservation Congress meeting, which will be held in every Wisconsin County on April 11th, is very important. Please take the time to look at the website, and if possible, make plans to be at these meetings. The Milwaukee meeting will be at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis. Let's show them that there are many of us who care about preserving our wildlife, and preserving our State Parks, without the worry of hunters using these same parks to fill their bag limits! Other proposals also could affect our elk and wolf populations. Hunters will make up the majority of attendees. Though I believe that not all hunters will be in favor of some of these proposals, the majority WILL! So it would be nice to counter these proposals by voting NO on them! This isn't the time to be part of the silent majority.... Thanks... and please forward this website to anyone who you feel would be interested in reading/attending. Bob Tamm Keep it going . . . http://www.webcare-usa.com/DNR/ -- Karen Johnson Milwaukee County "BayView" #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn. -- Karen Johnson Milwaukee County "BayView" #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn.