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Dean Bortz

Wisconsin Roundup: Remembering Don Bluhm; and more on wolf incidents

Featured, Hunting, Opinion, Wisconsin /

I’m going to miss Don Bluhm, one of our writers who passed away Aug. 13 at age 90. I consider myself very lucky to have known Bluhm.
When his stories arrived, I would sit down and just read them before picking up my electronic “editing pen” and going through the copy. The only thing better was listening to his stories over a cup of coffee in a Woodruff cafe during his visits.

Wisconsin Roundup: Remembering Don Bluhm; and more on wolf incidents Read More »

Dean Bortz: Which way will Wisconsin DNR lean on wolf loss payments?

Featured, Hunting, National Hunting, Opinion, Wisconsin /

Anyone in Wisconsin who hunts with a dog, who owns dogs and lives in “wolf country,” or who raise any kind of livestock within sniffing range of a wolf pack just might want to pay attention because the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expects to call a virtual meeting/hearing sometime in December – date yet to be determined – on the language and bullet points that will be included in a permanent rule on pet and livestock damage payments when wolves kill dogs, cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, goats, sheep, chickens, and even cats (one cat that I know of – in Marathon County this year).

Dean Bortz: Which way will Wisconsin DNR lean on wolf loss payments? Read More »

Wisconsin State Roundup: A list of verified wolf attacks and kills in the state

Featured, Opinion, Wisconsin /

We talked about wolf kills on pets and livestock in this spot last issue, and the fact that the Wisconsin DNR fund that pays for those losses could run short.
I wonder if many readers know the DNR tracks wolf attacks on its website. Go to the “hunting” tab, click on “wolf” and you’ll see a tab that lists verified wolf kills and attacks, along with definitions for the three levels of “human safety” incidents. I’m going to list all of the attacks and kills verified by USDA-Wildlife Services since July 1. You might be surprised.

Wisconsin State Roundup: A list of verified wolf attacks and kills in the state Read More »

Dean Bortz: Wisconsin Conservation Congress, DNR forge ahead

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Hunting, Opinion, Wisconsin /

So we have a little news for this spot this week, followed by more submissions on short-eared does. I’m not sure what I started here when running the first bit on short-eared does, but apparently there are more of these oddball critters running around than I would have anticipated.
As for the first item we’re going to run through today, a renewed commitment from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and DNR to work together going forward. This should have run as a news story farther forward in this issue, but the press release hit my email in-box just as we were closing out this issue so it will appear here.

Dean Bortz: Wisconsin Conservation Congress, DNR forge ahead Read More »

State Roundup: A simple solution to paying for Wisconsin’s wolf damage claims

3 Comments / Discussions, Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, Opinion, Wisconsin /

Wolf kills of livestock and pets are down in Wisconsin a bit from last year at this time, but the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may still have to prorate damage payments to livestock and pet owners this fiscal year because of DNR budget concerns (see Kevin Naze’s story in this issue for full details).
The DNR’s current fiscal year began July 1. The DNR may hold off all wolf kill payments until the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2027) in order to compare claims to cash on hand.

State Roundup: A simple solution to paying for Wisconsin’s wolf damage claims Read More »

State Roundup: A potential budget shortage for Wisconsin wolf damage payments

Featured, Fishing, Opinion, Wisconsin /

Congratulations to all of the high school trap team members who competed at the national championships, with four Wisconsin high school teams finishing in the top 10 spots in the country. That’s really something.
The Fall Creek team won the national team event – woohoo. I hate to admit this, but I have a heck of a time hitting 15 out of 25 – and 15 might be stretching reality a bit.

State Roundup: A potential budget shortage for Wisconsin wolf damage payments Read More »

Wisconsin DNR’s Lobner is navigating knife-edge fine budget line

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

While legislators lambasted the Wisconsin DNR for cuts to fish, wildlife, and parks programs since budget woes became more definitive in early March, the man in charge of those programs has been looking for ways to ease the pain felt by sportsmen.
Eric Lobner has headed up the DNR’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Division for just under two years. Lobner took some time last week to work through budget issues in that division.

Wisconsin DNR’s Lobner is navigating knife-edge fine budget line Read More »

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