In my opinion the stat does a pretty darn good job managing habitat...QUOTE]
Have to disagree with you on this Tbear. I don't think our DNR does a good job with habitat management. I can take you to 100s, maybe 1000s, of acres of WMAs where habitat has degraded to short Bromegrass. The areas I'm talking about are decades old and not a thing has been done with them in that time. I take that back, there are few places they're now cutting trees. They're leaving the felled trees there for us to all trip over buried in Canary grass, but hey, at least they can claim it's open prairie again.
Most of the good habitat work I've seen has been by USFWS. Just looking at a map, if I had to choose between a WPA and a WMA, I'd go to the WPA.
I agree, more habitat is needed. Let's also look at the quality of the habitat too. There are a lot of acres out there that could produce more wildlife if properly maintained. That's what I'd like to see discussed.
Lastly, though the above is critical of MN DNR, I'll take them over just about any other state's DNR.
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MNSpaniels
UPH Rookie
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbear View Post
they need to look at continuous habitat not 160 acres chunk and not another pc around for 2 miles the birds need to be able to move from pc to pc.
Agree 100%
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0fer2
UPH Pro
MN Spaniels
I would have to agree with you on the WMAs habitat in central MN. but when we started hunting SW MN the DNR has a roving crew that did a lot of great work on grasslands. What has your experience been on WPAs in that part of the state? I am afraid with the craze to graze, in effect (in my opinion) the silly notion that grazing is good management, and what I have seen on WPAS in SDak, that it leaves zippo for the upland hunters for cover. And I am not sure WHAT the reason the USFWS has for doing things like dozing done the old farmstead woodlots on Slaughter Slough. In the grand scheme of things, perhaps creating more grasslands for non game species and diversity, loses sight of the fact that in this day and age may be impossible to recreate whatever the vision is they have with most of the land in private hands.
And yes, have tripped/struggled through trees cut on WMAs and even at Big Stone Refuge lost my bearings with all the trees and shrubs removed.
Perhaps with the habitat on WMAs trade some of the small isolated parcels to make bigger blocks of existing WMAs?
Keep those thoughts coming, and thanks for the good words, TBear
Dan
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Tbear
UPH Master
Lets keep in mind they are a government run operation. I don't mean that as a slam to anyone that works in the government, but they sure do like paperwork and lots of it before you can get anything done. I have volunteered for some PF chapters and its a difficult process to acquire land. MN DNR is definitely one of the best.
To properly maintain habitat takes a lot of work and a lot of money. Ya there are some WMA and WPA lands that are not the best but they still have the ability to produce wildlife unlike a cornfield. I really bet organizations like PF are kicking them self in the butt for putting all the time and effort into private land CRP programs and what happens years later....... Its gone.
I really like the WIA program its not permanent but they are a great way for the state to get more land at a inexpensive price.
As for grazing on land i do get why they do it. It breaks up the soil and fertilizes the land and stimulates new plant growth. Think Buffalo. I think emergency haying is a bunch of BS though. Sorry I was just in SD for a week and they had more hay than they new what to do with. I should have taken some pictures. When management is done right grazing, burning, haying are all good in my opinion its when it gets abused that its a problem.
Not to beat a dead horse but really look at South Dakota there is so much private land with good and great habitat. you cant drive more than 1 mile with out seeing some sort of shelter belt, slew or 1/4 section of grass land.
Birds don't starve they die from lack of Habitat.
ignore the angry face at the top not sure were that came from insert angry face!
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MNSpaniels
UPH Rookie
Quote:
Originally Posted by 0fer2 View Post
MN Spaniels
I would have to agree with you on the WMAs habitat in central MN. but when we started hunting SW MN the DNR has a roving crew that did a lot of great work on grasslands. What has your experience been on WPAs in that part of the state? I am afraid with the craze to graze, in effect (in my opinion) the silly notion that grazing is good management, and what I have seen on WPAS in SDak, that it leaves zippo for the upland hunters for cover. And I am not sure WHAT the reason the USFWS has for doing things like dozing done the old farmstead woodlots on Slaughter Slough. In the grand scheme of things, perhaps creating more grasslands for non game species and diversity, loses sight of the fact that in this day and age may be impossible to recreate whatever the vision is they have with most of the land in private hands.
And yes, have tripped/struggled through trees cut on WMAs and even at Big Stone Refuge lost my bearings with all the trees and shrubs removed.
Perhaps with the habitat on WMAs trade some of the small isolated parcels to make bigger blocks of existing WMAs?
Keep those thoughts coming, and thanks for the good words, TBear
Dan
Each of us is a product of our own experiences. For me, I put on 1000s of miles pheasant hunting in MN each year. If it's West of 35 and South of 94, I guarantee I've at least been in the area a few times. From my experience, taken as a whole, WPA land beats WMA land (even in SW MN).
You've had an experience I've never had though: seeing an MN DNR crew out working. Not saying they don't (I've seen pictures in Outdoor News), I've just never seen it in person in 31 years of hunting. I've seen USFWS staff many times out working, even on weekends.
I have no problem with grazing, burning, scraping, etc. to maintain the land. I don't have a problem with taking down trees either, just remove them or pile them up. A rat's nest of downed timber isn't much more conducive to prairie grass growth than the standing woodlot.
I'm not saying there isn't a lot of great WMAs, but there could be a lot more. Why are we going to buy more land when the land we do have could be in better shape?
Again, I think, when compared to other state's DNR, we have a good one. But that's because of support from the citizenry of this state who so highly value our outdoors.
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HollowWatcher
UPH Master
I think this Summit is a great idea, it shows that your DNR cares. From an outsider looking in and after researching a bunch of states I would have to say your DNR is one of the top agencies! As far as habitat being put in the ground..all states struggle..there will never be enough time, money or resources to get all the work done.
