Wisconsin Mixed Bag: Wisconsin DNR accepting shooting range applications through Aug. 15

Madison — The Wisconsin DNR is accepting applications for the Shooting Range Grant Program through Aug. 15.

The program provides financial assistance for safe firearm or archery shooting opportunities. Managers of public or private ranges or members of the public interested in building a new range may apply. Ideal ranges are located near highly populated areas and offer educational programming for the public related to hunting and shooting sports. For-profit businesses are not eligible for funding.

Prior to submitting an application, all applicants must contact either Sarah Brenner, DNR Shooting Range Grant Program manager, at Sarah.Brenner@wisconsin.gov or (715) 894-8666, or Brett Johanen, DNR public shooting range manager, at Brett.Johanen@wisconsin.gov or (608) 772-4928 to discuss their interest.

More information is on the DNR’s shooting range grant program webpage.

Buffalo Co. CDAC Passes on Holiday Hunt

Town of Buffalo, Wis. — The Buffalo County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) voted 5 to 3 against making a December holiday hunt available this year for antlerless deer, which would then also do away with an extended archery hunt.

Those recommendations will be passed along to the DNR and Natural Resources Board for a final determination on the county’s 2026 deer season framework.

The Buffalo County CDAC also set antlerless deer harvest quota recommendations for the 2026 deer seasons. Members voted to keep the harvest quota the same as 2025 at 4,300, with proposed bonus permits available for 175 tags for public land and 750 for private land. Three farmland tags and three bonus tags per license were also recommended by CDAC members, who met Wednesday, April 28, at the Town of Buffalo town hall.

DNR Working Marathon Co. Manure Spill

Athens, Wis. — The DNR responded to a manure spill near the village of Athens in Marathon County. On Tuesday, May 5, the DNR was notified of manure discharging from a waste storage structure at Deercreek Holsteins LLC, a permitted concentrated animal feeding operation, to a tributary to Black Creek. A valve on a waste transfer system failed. The volume that was released is unknown at this time.

DNR staff are on site and working with the Marathon County Department of Conservation and Marathon County Planning and Zoning Department to monitor the spill. Containment measures are in place. The farm is cleaning up the discharge.

This is the second manure spill at Deercreek Holsteins this year.  At least 100,000 gallons of manure spilled from the farm into an unnamed tributary of Black Creek in late January. Reports from that spill said the farm had 1,780 milking cows and 300 heifers at the time.

DNR Drafting New Fish Management Plan

Madison — The DNR is drafting a new fish management plan and is seeking public input to provide direction on how Wisconsin’s fisheries resources are managed and sustained over the next 10 years.

The DNR is responsible for managing more than 160 fish species in 15,000 lakes, 42,000 miles of streams and rivers, two Great Lakes and 260 miles of the Mississippi River. The updated plan will outline management objectives and outcomes that will benefit fisheries, their ecosystems and everyone who interacts with them.

Citizens may comment through May 10 via the DNR’s website.

Vortex Supporting B&C Club Youth Camps

Missoula, Mont. — Wisconsin-based Vortex has renewed its dedication to fostering the next generation of conservation advocates by continuing the Vortex Outdoor Adventure Camps Fund with Boone and Crockett Club for 2026. The fund is designed to support youth participation in Boone and Crockett’s conservation education programs at the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch. Vortex’s sponsorship will support youth scholarships plus gear for B&C’s Outdoor Adventure Camps.

“Vortex’s renewed support empowers the next generation to become stewards of wildlife and conservation,” said Tony Schoonen, Boone and Crockett Club CEO. “Theodore Roosevelt understood that conservation is only as strong as the people who believe in it and partnerships like this one are how we make sure that never changes.”

Registration for the 2026 Outdoor Adventure Camp is now open on the B&C website. For information about supporting these youth education programs, call Michelle Scheuermann at (406) 543-1888, ext. 218, or email michelle@boone-crockett.org.

Genoa Kids’ Fishing Day is May 16

Genoa, Wis. — The Genoa National Fish Hatchery kids’ fishing day will run Saturday, May 16, at the hatchery from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. That day kids will gain fishing tips from the experts and then put them into practice in a stocked hatchery pond.

The learning stations focus on fish ID and habitats, fisheries conservation, boat safety, and more. The pond will be stocked with 2,500
10- to 14-inch rainbow trout. Poles and bait are provided. For information, visit the hatchery website or call (608) 689-2605.

Minnesota has New C&R Record Sturgeon

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota DNR said last week that it has certified a new catch-and-release record lake sturgeon, an 80-inch fish caught by Travis Keating April 18 on the Rainy River in Lake of the Woods County. The DNR did not release a photo of the fish.

The fish had a 38-inch girth. While it is not recommended to weigh fish for release records, using a chart of sturgeon length-girth-weight estimates would put the fish around 165 pounds. That chart is available on the DNR website. Records and guidelines for state record fish are on the Minnesota DNR web page.