Wisconsin Mixed Bag: Dec. 10 deadline approaching for spring turkey, fall bear tags

Madison — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds bear and turkey hunters that applications for the 2026 black bear- and spring turkey-hunting seasons are due by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. Hunters may apply for harvest authorizations or purchase preference points toward future drawings, or edit an existing application, through Go Wild or an authorized license agent until the deadline.

The drawing for 2026 black bear harvest authorizations will occur in February. This year, more than 32,000 people applied for one of the 13,110 bear tags available for the 2025 season.

Turkey harvest authorizations are issued through a preference-based drawing system. The spring drawing takes place in late December. Successful applicants may purchase their 2026 spring turkey license/permit/stamp beginning in March 2026.

NRB Will Meet Wednesday, Dec. 10 in Madison

Madison — The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the December meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wis. The board will act on items 1-4 and 7 as listed on the agenda.

The public may watch the meeting on the DNR’s YouTube channel. The annual elk permit drawing, sharp-tailed grouse management, Great Lakes whitefish quotas and turkey management are just four of several agenda items up for board discussion.

MORE COVERAGE FROM WISCONSIN OUTDOOR NEWS:

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Sandhill crane hunt bill awaits Senate action in Wisconsin

Wisconsin DNR asking for public input on statewide turkey management

Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo Adds Second Hangar for Dec. 12-14 Event at EAA Grounds

Oshkosh, Wis. — The Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo returns Dec. 12-14 to the EAA grounds and adds a second hangar, increasing space by 20,000 square feet. The added space will feature indoor food trucks, lots of seating for enjoying a bite to eat or seminar, two bars and a more comfortable area for folks spending the day.

Ice fishing enthusiasts will explore nearly every major ice fishing brand and unique offerings that aren’t found in big box stores. Ice fishing lures, shelters, augers, electronics and retailers will be packed into more than 78,000 square feet of exhibition space. ATV, UTV, and snowmobile enthusiasts will appreciate the expanded powersports companies making deals right at the show.

Seminar speakers include Jason Mitchell, Larry Smith, Tom Boley, Tommy Kemos, Tony Peterson, Cody Solberg and others.

There also will be a trout pond with tagged trout and prizes, a kids’ zone with youth activities, Santa visits on Sunday and a kids’ fish bingo game where the first 300 kids each day get a prize package with candy, an ACME fishing lure and other goodies.

The first 200 people each day get a free pack of ice jigs from HT Enterprises. Eskimo/Jiffy will have sign-ups where people can scan a QR code to win a free shelter. Attendees can also win fishing gear from the roving “Giveaway Gang.” Heated shuttles will ferry visitors from the parking lots to the expo, and back at the end of the day – along with any new gear.

For information go to www.icefishexpo.com. Tickets are $10; kids 12 and under are free. The event is sponsored by: Wisconsin Outdoor News, Eskimo, Ion, Acme, Beaver Dam, HT Enterprises, Thorne Brothers and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association.

National Fresh Water Fishing Hall Offers Youth Writing Contest with Cash Prizes

Hayward, Wis. — The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is again sponsoring the Lindsay Sale Youth Writing Contest, with entries due by Jan. 10, 2026. The hall encourages stories about young anglers’ most memorable fishing trip. Prizes are available for first ($300), second ($200) and third ($100) places.

Winners will be announced by May 15. Winning stories will be published in the spring issue of the hall of fame’s Splash newsletter. The contest is open to those ages 12 to 15 (parental consent required). All stories must be the work of the entrant, without the use of A.I. Stories need to be between 200 and 500 words long, and entries will be judged by qualified outdoor journalists, photographers, and educators. Details are available online at: www.freshwater-fishing.org/lindsay-sale-tinney-award-entry-form.

Prune Oaks Now to Avoid Risk of Oak Wilt

Madison — Now through February is a great time to prune or cut oaks without the risk of oak wilt infection, according to the Wisconsin DNR. Oak wilt is an invasive fungal disease deadly to all of Minnesota’s oak species. One of the ways it spreads is by sap-feeding beetles that carry spores from infected trees to fresh wounds of healthy trees.

Oak wilt is very expensive to treat, but prevention is often effective and much less costly. One of the best ways to help protect oaks is to do pruning or cutting in winter.

GF&P Seeking Comments on Draft Chronic Wasting Disease Action Plan

Pierre, S.D. — Pierre, S.D. — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is reviewing and revising the state’s 2025 chronic wasting disease plan that assesses the risk of the disease for deer and elk, determines ways to address the disease and implements future management steps.

The draft plan can be found at gfp.sd.gov/management-plans. Individuals may provide suggestions and comments by Dec. 22. Comments may be sent to 523 East Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or submitted at gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions.