Wisconsin’s Environment 1970-1995

FISH AND WILDLIFE

How fish and wildlife are used

1970

Some animals were less numerous

Numbers of typical native animals such as Canada geese, raccoon, beaver and coyote were fairly small in Wisconsin 25 years ago. Few wild turkeys were found, and the fisher, a ferret-like animal, lived in such small numbers that it was protected from hunting or trapping.

An endangered Karner blue butterfly perches on Showy Goldenrod. Wisconsin is home to one of the largest populations of this beautiful butterfly in the country.
PHOTO: Thomas A. Meyer 1994

Wildlife specialists concentrated on protecting habitat and stocking wildlife in new suitable habitat. Major programs begun in 1970 bought land to maintain high-quality habitat for white-tailed deer and to provide more outdoor recreational opportunities.

In lakes and streams across the state, efforts to enhance or create desirable sport fisheries focused on improving habitat for specific species, such as brown trout, walleye, musky and largemouth bass. Chemical treatment was used in some cases to remove undesirable fish species such as nuisance carp from badly degraded waters, which were then restocked with various sport fish.

Very few programs existed to protect nongame fish or wildlife. Land and water animals of little interest to hunters were seen as less valuable members of the natural community. This attitude began changing as the public and natural resource professionals began recognizing nongame animals as vital parts of the complex web of life.

Threatened and endangered species received attention

Drastic declines in bald eagle, osprey, and wood turtles, and the loss of more than a dozen species from Wisconsin, including the peregrine falcon, troubled many state residents and contributed to the change in attitude toward nongame species. The pesticide DDT reached center stage in 1970 because of its devastating impact on bird life in the U.S. Protests about DDT s use and its impact on birds caused Wisconsin to ban the chemical that year the first state in the nation to do so.

Conservation organizations also began to exert pressure on state and federal governments to enact protection legislation for rare animals, but as of 1970 no such laws had been written.

1995

Restoration efforts pay off

Large wildlife species have continued to expand in numbers since 1970. Wisconsin is home today to a healthy, expanding black bear population and a thriving deer herd.

Wild turkey, reintroduced in 1976 after a century of absence, now range in 58 of the state s 72 counties and can be hunted in spring and fall. The fisher, reintroduced in 1956, has rebounded and is no longer a threatened animal. While Canada geese have increased in number, pheasant, duck and woodcock continue to deline largely due to habitat loss.

Following a dramatic increase in anglers and a loss of habitat from the 1970s to the 1990s, several sport fish species experienced a decline. Stricter harvest limits have been imposed and, coupled with cleaner water, most popular fish species have responded favorably. Fishing license and stamp fees are heavily relied upon to fund habitat protection efforts and fisheries management. Ecosystem approach evolving

Overall, wildlife and fisheries management has progressed from a single-species approach to a more holistic approach where ecosystems are managed for the benefit of humans and nature. The interests of hunters, anglers, hikers, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages are being considered and respected.

Nongame species are benefiting from new programs to protect their habitat and populations. Listing of rare, threatened and endangered birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fish, insects, mussels and other species continues under the Natural Heritage Inventory program.

Thanks to the help of countless individuals and organizations and the 25-year-old ban on harmful DDT, birds like the bald eagle and osprey have been moved from the endangered species list to the threatened list. The timber wolf and trumpeter swan have returned to Wisconsin in growing numbers, and the Karner blue butterfly and ornate box turtle are recovering in native habitat located in State Natural Areas.

These efforts today are supported by taxpayer contributions, endangered resources license plate fees and private and public donations.