Iowa News on Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in Deer, Dove Hunting News, and Other Outdoor News,
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virus claiming deer in midwest, iowa not immune
The
Iowa Department of Natural Resources is receiving scattered reports of
dead deer around water. This is likely the result of Epizootic
Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD.
“Losses
due to EHD occur annually, usually at low levels and in localized
areas,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa DNR. “In
dry years it can be worse as deer are more concentrated around water and
since the disease is spread by a biting midge more deer can become
infected. This could be one of those years and DNR staff have been on
the lookout for increased incidence of the disease.”
EHD
causes high fever in deer and their cell walls in their heart, lungs
and diaphragm to weaken and burst. Infected deer are attracted to water
to combat the fever and dehydration due to the hemorrhaging.
“The last widespread outbreak in Iowa was 1998. Even then the impact on hunting was minimal,” said Garner.
If anyone sees a sick or dead deer near water, they should call their local conservation officer or wildlife biologist.
“We
would like to collect tissue samples to identify what strain of EHD we
are dealing with and to rule out any other cause of death,” Garner said.
The
disease is also showing up in Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri and
Michigan. EHD remains active until rain disperses the deer or a heavy
frost kills the midges.
REstored CCC-era Lodge to open aug. 20
SPIRIT
LAKE – The restored lodge at Mini-Wakan State Park, on the north shore
of Spirit Lake, will begin accepting reservations through the local park
office on Aug. 20.
The
lodge, originally built during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation
Corps, was renovated over the last two years. A free-standing, open air
shelter with a modern restroom adjoining the lodge was added and next
fall, a parking lot will go in. The total project cost is $1.25 million.
The
project was supported locally with a fundraising campaign that netted
more than $500,000, of which more than $200,000 will go into an
endowment to fund the Mini-Wakan lodge and the Gull Point lodge for
future repairs. The rest of the funds went to the Mini-Wakan
restoration.
The
lodge will rent for $150 per day on the weekend, and $75 per day on
weekdays. It features a galley kitchen for catering and has a maximum
occupancy of 125.
The
lodge shares the area with a two lane boat ramp. Parking is available
in designated areas and along the road. The area where the new parking
lot will be installed is currently going through an archeological
recovery of Native American artifacts. Once completed, the parking lot
will be installed that can accommodate the lodge use and boat ramp
traffic.
To reserve the lodge, call the park office at 712-337-3211.
Dove Hunting Seminar Aug. 11 at Banner Range
The
Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a free dove hunting
seminar at 8:30 a.m., Aug. 11, at the Banner Shooting Range, south of
Des Moines. Participants should gather at the north concession building
by 8:15 a.m.
The
hour long seminar will review the aspects of dove hunting in Iowa,
including dove behavior, hunting regulations, equipment, safety, dove
flight characteristics and where to hunt.
Participants
have the option of spending time on the range with simulated dove
hunting scenarios. If they choose this option, they should plan to bring
their shogun and can shoot at the rate of $7 for 25 targets.
Participants can bring their own ammunition or purchase it at the range.
Visit the DNR at the State Fair – Plenty to See and Do
For
more than 100 years the DNR has been present at the Iowa State Fair.
The DNR’s historic aquarium, pavilion and courtyard, located at the west
end of the Grand Concourse, draw thousands of State Fair visitors each
year.
The
aquarium, built in 1921, is filled with Iowa fish species and the focal
point of the open-air pavilion built around it. Inside, there are
interactive displays and hands-on activities, touch live reptiles and
amphibians and shoot a bow at the new archery range.
This
year, visitors can test their knowledge of state parks and maybe
receive one of the $100 Sportsman’s Warehouse gift certificates offered
each day.
Conservation
officers and other DNR staff are on hand to answer questions related to
natural resources and the outdoors and then be sure to stop and get
your subscription to the Iowa Outdoors magazine.
Outside
the west gates of the building is a pond full of waterfowl and turtles
-- a magnet to fairgoers of all ages. The courtyard also features a
full-sized replica of a bald eagles nest and new this year -- the
world’s largest birdhouse. The birdhouse and eagle’s nest make great
photo opportunities, and the courtyard, with its benches, picnic tables
and water fountain, is a great place to sit and relax during the fair.
Learn
how to make simple, everyday behavior changes inside your home to help
protect and improve the environment outside at the mobile education
exhibit along the north courtyard fence.
Sculptor
David Williamson uses metal trash collected from the DNR annual river
clean up event, Project AWARE, to create sculptures and most recently to
create gates for the pavilion. He provides plenty of opportunity get
involved during his weekend courtyard demonstrations. This will be
Williamson’s last year turning “trash into treasure” as he completes the
final gate. Williamson will also be featured in the Cultural Building
during the week.
Be
sure to check out the display of entries in the fly tying competition,
sponsored by the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association. The entries will be
judged on the DNR courtyard stage at 4 p.m., August 13.
Presentations
are given daily on the courtyard stage including live animal talks and
cooking demonstrations. Chef Patrick from Honey Creek Resort State Park
will join the stage this year, cooking up some samples off the resort’s
menu.
See a full stage schedule and more information about what to find at the DNR building by visiting www.iowadnr.gov.
The DNR “tweets” stage schedule reminders to its followers on Twitter
and will be posting highlights of the Fair on Facebook. Like us at http://www.facebook.com/
OPERATION RELEAF ORDER FORMS FOR EIGHT RESIDENTIAL TREE DISTRIBUTIONS ARE NOW ONLINE
DES
MOINES – Iowans looking for a cost-effective, yet eye-pleasing way to
reduce home heating and cooling costs are encouraged to participate in
Operation ReLeaf. Operation ReLeaf is a residential tree planting
program that promotes long-term energy and natural resource
conservation.
Operation
ReLeaf is a partnership initiative funded by Alliant Energy and
administered by the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau with assistance from local
partners, which include county conservation boards and county extension
offices.
Through
the program, approximately 2,380 high quality landscaping trees will be
offered to Alliant Energy residential customers for just $25 each this
Fall. The trees typically retail for between $65 and $125 and will be
sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The
Iowa DNR will be offering four 45 minute landscape tree planting and
care workshops during the distribution events in DeWitt, North Liberty,
Story County, and Lee County.
Alliant Energy will sponsor eight Operation ReLeaf events this fall in the following communities:
Cerro Gordo County
Lime Creek Nature Center, Mason City
September 20
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Clinton County
Lincoln Park, DeWitt
October 4
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Tree Planting and Care workshop at 5:30 p.m., Led by DNR District Forester Steve Swinconos
Johnson County
North Liberty Community Center, North Liberty
September 22
9 - 11 a.m.
Tree Planting and Care Workshop at 10 a.m., led by Iowa DNR Forester, Mark Vitosh
Lee County
Lee County Fairgrounds, Donnellson
October 13
8 - 10 a.m.
Tree Planting and Care Workshop at 9 a.m., led by District Forester, Lisa Louck
Linn County
Squaw Creek Park, Marion
October 6
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Story County
September 13
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Tree Planting and Care Workshop at 5:30 p.m., led by District Forester Joe Herring
Tama County
October 11
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Winneshiek County
Decorah Fish Hatchery, Decorah
September 20
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Tree
species offered will vary at each event and include shade trees,
ornamentals and conifers. Homeowners should prepare for emerald ash
borer and other tree pests by planting a diverse mix of tree species.
Just a few of the advantages of yard trees are:
- Decrease in household heating and cooling costs
- Increase in property values
- Decrease in storm water runoff, which may reduce flooding events
- Beauty and personal enjoyment
Operation
ReLeaf participants must be Alliant Energy residential customers.
Advanced order is highly recommended and advance purchase is limited to
two trees per household. In the event there are extra trees available
on distribution day, those trees will be released for purchase at that
time. Order forms, and workshop registration forms are available online
at www.alliantenergy.com/releaf.
“All
trees are purchased through a bidding process to promote local
nurseries,” says Paul Tauke, Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau chief and State
Forester. “This is a great way for homeowners to get a quality tree at
an affordable price.”
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