1. 2014 Highlights By: Paul Telander, Wildlife Section Chief To: 2015 Roundtable Participants 16 January 2015

2.  2014 a conservative year  Purposeful: severe winter; hunter concerns; revisiting goals  Total season harvest 139,500 (preliminary)  Down 19% from 2013 (-8% buck, -31% antlerless) 2014 Deer Season

3. Harvest by Series (preliminary)  23% from 100 series  60% from 200 series  13% from 300 series  4% metro, special Compared to 2013: 2014 Deer Season SeriesBuck Harvest A-less Harvest Overall 100-22%-64%-40% 200-1%-26%-13% 300+8%-2%+2% State-8%-31%-19%

5. Historical Context

7. Trend in Management Strategies 2005 2014

8. a Harvest success calculated after adjusting for % participation obtained from wolf hunter/trapper survey. b Late season target harvest is the total target harvest reduced by the actual early season harvest. Wolf Season Summary

9.  December 19, 2014 - Federal court ruling returned wolves in Minnesota to “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act  Core issue – USFWS can’t delist distinct population segment from species listing  Next steps – FWS appeal? Congressional action?  Management reverts back to what it was prior to January 2012  Taking wolves in defense of human life  Depredation control allowed where verified depredation 2014 Federal Court Ruling

10. Moose Mortality Research Update Project is an effort to identify the cause(s) of the moose population decline in NE MN Radio collared 111 adult moose in January 2013 and an additional 31 moose in February 2014 Will radio-collar another 30 moose in February Collared moose have been closely monitored since that time In total, 33 moose have died in study to date; 55% from predator-related causes and 45% from health-related causes Of the predator kills, 5 of 18 had underlying health conditions Health-related deaths are mostly brain worm, winter ticks, and multiple chronic conditions Still no ‘smoking gun’

12. Photo by Josh Kavanagh

13. 50 th Wildlife Lake Designated 6 Wildlife lakes were designated in 2014, the most in any single year 6 Wildlife lakes were designated in 2014, the most in any single year Eagle Lake in McLeod County was designated on 9/5/14 and was number 50 Eagle Lake in McLeod County was designated on 9/5/14 and was number 50 In addition to committed staff, we’re fortunate to have great partners like Ducks Unlimited and the MN Waterfowl Association to assist with shallow lakes management In addition to committed staff, we’re fortunate to have great partners like Ducks Unlimited and the MN Waterfowl Association to assist with shallow lakes management

14. Outdoor Heritage Fund Accomplishments Section of Wildlife, 2009-2014 Protection: $3,845.24/acre Enhancement: $160.31/acre

15. Working Lands Initiative approach to Prairie Plan Implementation - 2014 Local Technical Team Allocation 100 Projects 8,650 acres $1.2 million

16.  Work with citizens to conserve/manage state’s natural resources  Provide outdoor recreation opportunities  Provide for commercial uses of natural resources to create sustainable quality of life DNR Mission