Horicon Marsh Joint Trapping Bid Procedures 2020-2021 Season

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources-Horicon Wildlife Area

1. The trapping season will follow Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area (SWA) Trapping Regulations. Details of the 2020-2021 trapping seasons, trapped species, trapping unit maps, and general rules and considerations for both Horicon NWR and the Horicon SWA will be provided to all interested trappers (Attached) and can also be found at:

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Horicon/visit/visitor_activities.html and http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/WildlifeAreas/horicon/recreation.html

2. Twenty-one wetland trapping units will be available for bid on the Horicon NWR and the Horicon SWA.

a. Horicon NWR- 11 wetland units will be available for bid b. Horicon Marsh SWA- 10 wetland units will be available to bid

3. Trappers must be at least 18 years of age to bid 4. A minimum bid of $25 is required per unit, payment will be made only if successful. 5. All bids including “Horicon Marsh Trapping Bid” (Attached) must be sealed in an envelope and be

returned to Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center Office via mail or delivered to a drop box marked “Trapping Bids” located under the carport by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday October 7, 2020. Bids received by mail must be post-marked by Wednesday October 7, 2020 to be valid. Last day to receive mail is Tuesday, October 13. Bids will not be accepted via email/phone/text/or fax.

Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center N7725 State Road 28 in Horicon, WI 53032

For bids submitted via mail please note on envelope: “Attention: Horicon Marsh Trapping Program”

6. As in previous years, trappers may bid on all trapping units but trappers can only win one of the trapping units on the Horicon Marsh (i.e., 1 trapper cannot win and trap units on both the NWR and SWA). Trappers are required to rank units in preference for which unit they want to trap. If there is a tie (i.e., highest bid and same ranked preference), a random drawing will determine who is awarded the trapping unit. If any unit(s) are not bid on, those unit(s) will not be trapped for the 2020-2021 season.

7. Opening of the bids will take place on Wednesday October 14, 2020 at 9:00am. A neutral party will be present to observe the bid opening. Successful applicants will be notified by phone call on the same day. Winning bids will be posted at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center (near drop box at carport) on the same day. Results can also be emailed upon request.

8. Information provided on the bid may not be altered once the bid has been submitted. Inaccurate, misleading, or missing information shall void the bid. Both the USFWS and the DNR reserve the right to reject any or all bids.

9. Successful applicants shall make a full bid payment by 5:00pm on Friday October 16, 2020.

Payments received by mail must be post-marked by this date. a. Horicon NWR- Payments will be accepted by check, money order, debit card, or credit

card. No cash will be accepted. Checks and money orders shall be made payable to "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” Credit/debit card payments will be accepted via phone. All payments and payment related questions can be directed to: Mandy Dorsch, Administrative Officer W4279 Headquarters Rd. Mayville, 53050

Ph. 920-387-6501 Email. mandy_dorsch@fws.gov For bids submitted via mail please note on envelope: “Attention: Horicon NWR Trapping Program”

b. Horicon SWA- will only accept checks or money orders. Checks and money orders shall be made payable to the “Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.” Cash will not be accepted this year due to current safety precautions and changes in operational procedures. All payments and payment related questions can be directed to the Horicon SW trapping program contact noted below. For bids submitted via mail please note on envelope: “Attention: Horicon SWA Trapping Program”

10. Neither the DNR nor USFWS will re-bid trapping units that do not receive full payments by the October 16th deadline. These units will be forfeited and will not trapped for the 2020-2021 season.

11. Trapping permits to successful bidders for both the Horicon NWR and Horicon SWA will be issued after payment is received. Due to current operational restrictions, permits will be issued preferably by email. In-person meetings to obtain trapping permits may be arranged directly with the respective Horicon NWR or Horicon SWA trapping program contacts.

12. Senior/Disabled Trapping Units: a. Horicon NWR- One unit will be set aside for seniors or trappers with a disability. Seniors

must be 62 years of age or older and trappers with disabilities must have a valid disabled hunting/trapping permit from the State of Wisconsin-DNR. Two trappers will be randomly drawn for trapping in this area, at no charge. The drawing will be held on the same day of the bid opening and take place prior to the opening of bids. Selected trappers will be notified on the same day. All bids received from trappers selected for the senior unit will be removed from bidding.

Trappers interested in the senior drawing shall fill out the “Senior/Disabled Trapping Unit Entry Form” (Attached). Entry forms must be returned to Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center Office drop box or postmarked by bidding deadline (See 5). You may also call or email to enter the drawing by the above date and time by contacting the Horicon NWR trapping program contact.

b. Horicon SWA- One unit will be available at no charge to any interested disabled trapper (must possess a disabled hunting permit), or Senior Citizen (age 65 +). Trappers must obtain a permit by contacting the Horicon SWA trapping program contact.

13. Youth Trapping Units: One unit will be available at no charge to any interested youth between the ages of 12 to 17 on both the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. A free permit can be obtained by contacting the respective NWR or SWA trapping program contacts.

14. Upland Trapping Permits: Permits will be given free of charge to persons with a valid State of Wisconsin trapping license and are included with all wetland unit permits. Upland permits separate from wetland permits will be available beginning October 13 and can be obtained by contacting the respective NWR or SWA trapping program contact.

15. Interested trappers are encouraged to scout the trapping units prior to the auction a. Horicon NWR: Scouting on the refuge areas that will be open to trapping will be allowed on

Monday October 5 and Tuesday October 6, daylight hours only. Interested trappers must obtain a scouting permit at the Refuge Office/Visitor Center off of County Road Z (W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI 53050) before accessing the units. Scouting permits and bidding forms may be picked up outside at the main entrance to the Visitor Center on the scouting days. A scouting permit can also be obtained by emailing a request to the Horicon NWR contact beginning October 1.

b. Horicon SWA: Trappers may scout, by foot or boat, at any time.

Agency Trapping Program Contacts:

Horicon NWR Horicon SWA

Sadie O’Dell, USFWS Wildlife Biologist Paul Samerdyke, DNR Wildlife Biologist

Ph. (920) 387-6505 Ph. (920) 763-6405

Email. sadie_odell@fws.gov Email. Paul.Samerdyke@wisconsin.gov

Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area 2020 - 2021 Trapping Unit Information

Wetland Units Ten wetland units will be auctioned off for trapping during the 2020 -21 trapping season. One trapper and a helper are allowed per unit. Trappers are limited to one unit on the entire marsh, either as a trapper or helper. Successful bidders and their helpers will be allowed to trap muskrats, raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, coyote, mink, and weasel. In addition, 2 beaver and 2 otter (trapper and helper must possess a central zone otter tag) may be harvested per unit. Trapping season for all units will run from October 24, 2020 through March 15, 2021. In waterfowl refuges, trapping of dikes may begin October 24th and the remainder of the unit December 1st. Canoes and skiffs are allowed in all of these units and ATV’s may only be used on the ice or on dike tops. Boat motors are not allowed in the following units: J, KL, N, and OP. These units are located within waterfowl refuges. Pre-staking is allowed, and stake willows may be cut on the Wildlife Area. Youth/Disabled/Senior Citizen Trapper Unit Any interested youth (between the ages of 12 to 17), disabled trapper (must possess a disabled hunting permit), or Senior Citizen (age 65 +) will be allowed to trap Unit H&I, free of charge. Trappers must obtain a permit at the auction or from the DNR office prior to trapping. Mentors may accompany permitted persons but will not be allowed to physically check or set traps. Upland Permits Upland trapping permits will be given free of charge. Upland trappers are only allowed to trap raccoon, opossum, skunk, fox, coyote, mink, and weasel. Species not allowed to be harvested under this permit include muskrat, beaver, and otter. Season dates for all species will run from October 24, 2020 through March 15, 2021. Upland trappers may trap on any Horicon State Wildlife Area uplands regardless of wetland unit boundaries. No wet sets will be allowed in order to minimize incidental muskrat harvest. Any incidental muskrat, otter, or beavers must be reported and dropped off at the DNR office located on Hwy 28. Other Rules and Considerations

• All flagging, stakes, and traps must be removed by March 15, 2021. • Trapper harvest reports are mandatory for all wetland and upland trappers.

Reports are to be kept for each month each month. You may choose to call in your harvest, mail a report, or email your harvest. The monthly totals will due five days after the end of the season. This can be done by mail (Paul Samerdyke N7725 HY 28, Horicon, WI 53032) or e-mail to paul.samerdyke@wisconsin.gov

• Preseason scouting by foot or boat is allowed at any time. • The combination for any gate locks will be provided to the trappers

• Be conscious, courteous, and respectful of other trappers, hikers, hunters, dogs, and other Wildlife Area users. Always portray a positive image because the future of trapping at Horicon depends on it.

• Unit N will be closed this year to let muskrat numbers rebuild. This unit has been replaced with opportunities for disabled, youth and senior trappers due to proximity to access lanes and fields.

Wetland Units Eleven wetland trapping units will be available for bid on the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). A sealed-bid application system will be used to issue permits for the 2020-21 trapping season. One trapper and one helper are allowed per unit. A trapper which includes the helper will only be allowed one trapping unit on the Horicon Marsh and may not have a unit on both the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area. Boats and skiffs are allowed in all of these units and ATV’s may be used as long as the ATV’s have floatation devices when over ice. Boats with electronic motors are allowed. Senior/Disabled Trapping Unit Unit 7/Hiking Trails will be set aside for seniors and/or trappers with a disability. A free permit will be issued to two trappers randomly drawn. The area will not be divided. To be eligible for the drawing seniors must be age 62 + and trappers with disabilities must have a disabled permit from the DNR. Trappers must meet the age requirement prior to the start of the trapping season. Each trapper may have one helper who also must meet the age requirements. Youth Trapping Unit Any interested youth between the ages of 12 and 17 will be allowed to trap Unit 11/Frankfurth. No random drawing will be held, but the youth must obtain a free refuge permit. Adult supervisors may accompany the youth trappers but will not be allowed to physically assist in trapping. **No pre-staking will be allowed in the Youth and Senior/Disabled trapping units since the areas are shared. Upland Permits Upland trapping permits will be given free of charge to any person with a valid State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources trapping license and will be included with all wetland trapping permits. Upland trappers are restricted to the designated areas as outlined on the upland trapping map. Trapping Species Trappers will be allowed to trap muskrats, beaver, mink, raccoon, weasel, fox, coyote, opossum, and skunk. Trapping for otters is also allowed with a valid state issued otter tag. Trapping Seasons Upland Oct. 17- Mar. 31 *Water sets allowed starting Oct 24 Dike Oct. 24 - Mar. 31 *Trappers are restricted to 25 yards into the marsh from where the water meets the toe of the dike Marsh Dec.1- Mar.15

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge 2020-2021 Trapping Information

General Rules and Considerations

• The Refuge Manager may at any time, before, or during the trapping season, halt or limit trapping on the refuge or any portion thereof. No refunds or payment will be granted.

• Trapper is responsible for adhering to all Special Conditions provided with the trapping permit. • Trapper harvest reports are mandatory for all wetland and upland trappers with a permit. • A report is required regardless if trapper is actively trapping. Reports are due monthly. Reports

can be sent by mail or email. • Scouting on the refuge areas that will be open to trapping will be allowed on Monday October 5

and Tuesday October 6, daylight hours only. Interested trappers must obtain a scouting permit at the Refuge Office/Visitor Center off of County Road Z (W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI 53050) before accessing the units. Scouting permits and unit maps may be picked up outdoors at the main entrance to the Visitor Center on the scouting days. A scouting permit can also be obtained by emailing a request to the Horicon NWR contact beginning October 1.

• All flagging, stakes, and traps must be removed before the end of the season. • Trappers should be aware, courteous, and respectful of other trappers, hikers, hunters, and

other refuge visitors. • * NEW for 2020* The refuge hunting program was recently updated and the refuge is now

open to hunting for furbearing animals including; raccoon, weasel, fox, coyote, opossum, and skunk. Please visit the Horicon NWR website located at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Horicon/ for more information.

• The entire refuge is open for general public access from Dec. 1 to Mar. 15. Refuge Trapping Program Contact Information Sadie O’Dell, Wildlife Biologist Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Complex W4279 Headquarters Rd. Mayville, WI 53050 920-387-6505 sadie_odell@fws.gov

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF TRAPPING PERMIT (2020-21 Season)

Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 50, Section 31.16, the following conditions apply to the trapping of furbearing animals on the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and are attached to and become a part of the Special Use Permit. 1. State and Federal Laws – Permittee must comply with all State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources trapping laws and regulations, and may be further restricted by general and special conditions of the refuge Special Use Permit for trapping. 2. Trapping Permits – Any person exercising the privilege of trapping furbearing animals on the refuge shall possess a valid trapping license issued by the State of Wisconsin and a valid Special Use Permit for trapping issued by the refuge. Permittee shall carry both the State trapping license and refuge Special Use Permit card with them at all times while trapping, and upon request, shall exhibit them to any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer. A trapping permittee is allowed one helper who must also possess a valid trapping license issued by the State. The helper must be listed on the permit and obtain a permit card. The Refuge Manager may at any time, before, or during the trapping season, halt/limit or extend trapping on the refuge or any portion thereof. Conditions of permit may be modified as needed. Any changes will be made by addendum, which becomes part of the permit.

The permit shall not restrict the refuge from carrying out any management practices, such as but not limited to, prescribed burning, manipulations of water levels. Permits are not transferrable. No refunds of payment will be granted. Wetland Units Trapping units will be sold to the highest bidder with a limit of one trapping unit on the Horicon Marsh which includes both the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area. Senior/Disabled Unit One unit will be set aside for seniors or trappers with a disability. Seniors must be 62 years of age or older and trappers with disabilities must have a disabled hunting permit from the DNR. Two trappers will be randomly drawn for trapping in this area, at no charge. Helpers must also meet age requirements. No pre-staking will be allowed in senior/disabled trapping areas since this areas is shared with other trappers. Youth Unit One unit will be available at no charge to any interested youth between the ages of 12 and 17 during the trapping season Adult supervisors may accompany the youth trappers to provide guidance but may not physically assist in trapping. No pre-staking will be allowed in senior/disabled trapping areas since this areas is shared with other trappers.

Upland Units Permits will be given free of charge to persons with a valid State trapping license and are included with the marsh units. Upland trappers are restricted to the designated areas as outlined on the upland trapping map. 3. Trapping Species/Seasons – Only muskrat, beaver, mink, raccoon, weasel, fox, coyote, opossum, and skunk may be trapped. Trapping for otters is also allowed with a valid state issued otter tag. For all units including wetland, dike, and upland the trapping season will be as follows; Upland- Oct. 17- Mar. 31 *Water sets are allowed starting Oct. 24

Dike- Oct. 24 - Mar. 31 *Restricted to 25 yds. into the marsh from toe of dike

Wetland Units- Dec. 1- Mar. 15 4. Approved Traps; Trap Inspection and Removal; Plant Life –All State regulations apply to the type and use of traps. Traps set in water or on dry land are required to be checked daily and traps set under the ice are required to be checked every 3 days. Water sets are allowed on the upland area in water pockets/ditches. Traps shall only be tended between one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Permittee shall not cut any vegetation on the Refuge, except for use as trap stakes or drags.

5. Fur Catch Report – It is mandatory that all permittees and helpers submit a monthly record of all animals taken; both target and non-target species, the number of traps used each day within their unit, and time and effort spent setting traps and submit this report via phone, mail, or email to the Horicon Refuge Office, even if no active trapping takes place. Failure to accurately complete and submit monthly reports shall be sufficient cause for refusal of future permits. 6. Access – Trappers are only allowed to be in units during the trapping season. Early entry for cutting stakes or marking runs is not permitted. Permittees will comply with all regulations and conditions affecting access and use of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Any rights and combination to locked gated areas granted under the trapping permit are to be used for trapping purposes only and for access only in the trapping area as outlined in the individual permit. Maps will be provided. No other rights or access is allowed. Vehicle and ATV travel are allowed only on road and dikes when conditions are suitable for driving. ATVs are not allowed in upland units. Trappers will not block any gates and will remain far enough over to allow Refuge staff to pass. Vehicles and ATVs will not be allowed to remain on the Refuge overnight.

ATVs are allowed on the marsh units as long as the ATVs have flotations when over the ice. ATVs are not allowed to make trails though cattails or any other wetland vegetation without prior permission from the Refuge Manager. No snowmobiles are allowed. Boats with electric motors are allowed. Permittees can use more than one boat while trapping, but only one boat per wetland trapper will be allowed to stay overnight on the Refuge. 7. Prohibited Methods; Other Restrictions- It Is Unlawful To: *Disturb or molest any muskrat house, mink or otter den, or beaver house or dam. *Dispose of carcasses or animal parts on the Refuge. *Use exposed flesh or carcass baits, including fish. *Tend, disturb, or molest another person’s traps, fur catch, or trapline. Any lost, stolen, or misplaced traps must be reported and all stakes, traps, flags and equipment must be removed from the refuge prior to the end of the season. 8. Possession of Firearms – Permittees are allowed to dispatch animals caught in traps with a firearm in accordance with State law, except in No Hunting Zones. 9. Disposition of Unauthorized Animals – Birds and mammals other than those authorized to be trapped under permit and found alive in the traps of the permittee shall be released immediately.

Such birds and mammals found dead or mortally injured in traps shall be immediately euthanized, tagged, and reported to the refuge law enforcement officer or State Game Warden. The tag should contain date trapped, name of trapper, and trapping unit number. If an otter is caught and the trapper does not possess a state issued otter tag, a State Game Warden or a Federal Wildlife Officer must be notified prior to the removal of the furbearer or tampering with the set. 10. Penalties – Failure of a permittee or partner to comply with any of the trapping regulations relating to trapping on Horicon National Wildlife Refuge or with applicable Federal or State law or regulation may be sufficient cause for one or more of the following actions:

a. Revocation of existing permits.

b. Refusal of future trapping special use permits.

c. Refusal of other privileges requiring a permit.

All traps and equipment used as instruments of any violation, and all animals or furs illegally taken, shall be subject to immediate seizure, and subsequent forfeiture. 11. Refuge Contact Numbers Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Office: (920) 387-2658 Law Enforcement:(920) 948-2579 To report wildlife violations: 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477) 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367)

Horicon NWR2019-2020 Trapping Results

Muskrat

MinkRac

coon

Coyote

River O

tter

Opossum

Beave

r

Wease

l

No Trap

ping

Grand To

tal

Trapping Unit Bid6,7 NW $700 3496 19 7 8 1 5 1 35374 $800 1561 15618,9 NE $5,800 1150 2 2 11541,17,18 $900 1012 2 4 10187 Senior 1 Free 715 5 2 1 72313,14 $800 706 7062,3 $900 474 47419,T2 SE $4,700 372 1 1 37415,16 $600 285 1 1 28710,12 $1,600 276 276T1-Radke $350 257 2575 $1,400 171 1 1727 Senior 2 Free 1Upland 1 Free 1Youth Frankfurth Free 1

Grand Total 18,550.00$ 10475 26 17 8 5 5 2 1 10539

Unit NamePreference Order

Rank

Bid - Min $25/unitOnly bid on

units of interest. Unit Name Preference Order

Rank

Bid - Min $25/unitOnly bid on

units of interest.

A&B $ T1 - Radke $

C,E,G $ 1,17,18 $

D $ 2,3 $

F $ 4 $

H&I $ 5 $

J $ 6,7 NW $

K&L $ 8,9 NE $

O&P $ 10,12 $

S $ 13,14 $

T $ 15,16 $

19, T2 SE $

Horicon Marsh Trapping BidAll bids must be sealed in an envelope and be returned to

Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center Office drop box located under the carport by

6:00 p.m or post marked by Wednesday October 7, 2020 (N7725 State Road 28 in Horicon, WI 53032)

WI - DNR State Wildlife Area

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge

Name:_____________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________

Phone Number:(_______)________-_____________________

As in previous years, trappers may bid on all trapping units but trappers can only win one of the trapping units on the Horicon Marsh (i.e., 1 trapper cannot win and trap units on both the NWR and SWA). Trappers are required to rank units in preference for which unit they want to trap. If there is a tie (i.e., highest bid and same ranked preference), a random drawing will determine who is awarded the trapping unit. If any unit(s) are not bid on, those unit(s) will not be trapped for the 2020-2021 season.

Senior/Disabled Trapping Unit Entry Form

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Horicon National Wildlife Refuge

PLEASE FILL OUT THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BELOW

Entry forms must be returned to Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center Office drop box located under the carport by 6:00 p.m or post marked by Wednesday October 7, 2020.

(N7725 State Road 28 in Horicon, WI 53032)

You may also call or email to enter the drawing by the above date and time by contacting the refuge.

Refuge Contact:

Sadie O’Dell, Wildlife Biologist

Ph. 920-948-4336

Email. sadie_odell@fws.gov

Senior/Disabled Trapping Unit Entry Form

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Horicon National Wildlife Refuge

Name:

Address:

City: St.: Zip:

Phone:

Email: