Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2018

AUTHORS. Chris Hamerla, Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc

ABSTRACT. Angler and boater awareness of invasive species has greatly increased with outreach programs and messages such as Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!, Clean Boats Clean Waters and Clean, Drain, Dry.  This awareness has helped prevent the spread of invasive species and increased detection of new populations.  Furbearer trappers require a modified approach to invasive species outreach but can be another significant partner towards invasive species prevention and detection. Much of the angler/boater outreach has been designed to engage people from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Other user groups such as trappers use their watercraft and equipment from October through April. It is very likely that many trappers are also anglers or summer boaters but they might not think of invasive species while on the trapline.  Others may only use their boat/equipment during that time of year may not have been exposed to the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! message.  By varying existing outreach methods and using existing trapper resources Golden Sands RC&D Council, Inc in cooperation with WI Trappers Association and the Wisconsin Aquatic Invasive Species partnership has started reaching thousands of trappers through print media and by one-on-one contacts. Trapping access points are are highly variable and typically random at best so interactions are best during scheduled trapping events like banquets, rendezvous, youth events and required safety courses. While these events are valuable for teaching how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species they are also great opportunities to teach identification of invasives to help with early detection monitoring.