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April 2026

Gretchen Steele: In southern Illinois’ outdoors, April lies

Featured, Illinois, Nature Page & Night Sky /

Easter has just passed through, we’ve been eating big grey morels for a good week, and even the big sought-after yellows were found by a few in the last few days. Lilacs are blooming.
Then today, as I sat down with my plate of morels, bluegill, and an omelet full of spring greens for my lunch, the weatherman on the noon news forecasted snow tonight and in the morning.

Gretchen Steele: In southern Illinois’ outdoors, April lies Read More »

Commentary: Earlier deer gun season opener in Wisconsin long overdue

Featured, Hunting, Opinion, Wisconsin /

I disagree wholeheartedly with Wisconsin Outdoor News Editor Dean Bortz when he says it’s time to think about an earlier opening date for the deer gun season. It’s not time, Dean, it’s way past time and, according to the majority of the letters to the editor I’m reading, I’m not alone.
Twenty-five years ago, when I was the regional warden for the DNR’s Northern Region – a position now called captain – I was part of the DNR’s Deer 2000 and Beyond effort.

Commentary: Earlier deer gun season opener in Wisconsin long overdue Read More »

Commentary: One last pitch… crossbows need limits during Minnesota’s general archery season

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting, Opinion /

When “temporary” archery season crossbow inclusion first passed in 2023, Minnesota Bowhunters, Inc., was well aware that it was going to be an uphill battle for that legislation to expire and see a return to a 60-plus age limit and disability permits for its official sunset date of June 30, 2025.
Our legislative efforts in 2025 helped delay that expiration for another year, which allowed for the Minnesota DNR crossbow report to be published and give us more time to grow and continue fighting to preserve archery seasons for archery.

Commentary: One last pitch… crossbows need limits during Minnesota’s general archery season Read More »

Elk import bill, wolf conflict prevention see Capitol action in Minnesota

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Minnesota, News /

A new bill in the state Legislature would allow elk to be imported into Minnesota from other states. HF4508 would exempt elk from the state’s ban on importing live cervidae. Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, said the change would support Minnesota’s struggling elk industry.
“The elk industry in Minnesota has been struggling, and this would allow them another option to help with the breeding of elk here in Minnesota,” Heintzeman said.

Elk import bill, wolf conflict prevention see Capitol action in Minnesota Read More »

Jeremiah Haas: Lake sturgeon stocking part of recovery project in Illinois

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky /

Twenty-one lake sturgeon raised at the Quad Cities Nuclear Station fish hatchery were released into the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park on March 27.
This was a research project collaboratively conducted by Constellation, Southern Illinois University, and DNR to see how large young-of-year lake sturgeon could grow over the winter in a hatchery setting.

Jeremiah Haas: Lake sturgeon stocking part of recovery project in Illinois Read More »

Steve Piatt: Time for a rematch with the West Branch of the Delaware River

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, New York /

It wouldn’t be accurate to say I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the West Branch of the Delaware River because I’ve never really loved it.
That’s more of an indictment of my fly-fishing ability than it is the river itself, which has a well-earned reputation as arguably the best trout water east of the Mississippi. But “best” doesn’t equate to easy, and so many times I’ve stomped off the water after a frustrating evening casting to scores of rising fish, none of them rising to my flies.

Steve Piatt: Time for a rematch with the West Branch of the Delaware River Read More »

Remembering Ernie Swift — the other Wisconsin conservationist

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky, Wisconsin /

When Gov. Julius P. Heil worked to oust Wisconsin Conservation Department Director Harlan “H. W.” MacKenzie in early 1942, much to the dismay of MacKenzie’s many supporters, he unwittingly set in motion the ascension of Ernest “Ernie” Swift to the top state conservation post.
MacKenzie, an outspoken and at times abrasive proponent of modern natural resources management, had made his share of enemies as director and his removal by a “secret” vote of conservation commissioners was clearly politically motivated.

Remembering Ernie Swift — the other Wisconsin conservationist Read More »

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