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Dean Bortz

Dean Bortz: Speaking the Wisconsin DNR’s fish survey language

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, Wisconsin /

Readers who catch the lake features on the back page of each issue probably understand that Wisconsin DNR fisheries teams across the state conduct various kinds of fish surveys every spring. Most of these surveys take place on lakes using boats to first set, and then check, fyke (trap) nets during the day, or head out at night with specially rigged “shocker boats” to run electrofishing surveys along shoreline shallows.

Dean Bortz: Speaking the Wisconsin DNR’s fish survey language Read More »

State Roundup: Donors play integral role in improving Wisconsin’s outdoors

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

We have some generous people here in Wisconsin. We see it all the time. In this story, we hear that the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin gave $75,000 to the DNR to offset muskie stocking costs, allowing the agency to stock more fish this year. That’s a big deal. But it’s not the only big deal to happen in our natural resources world recently.
Look at the agenda for the June 25 Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting. NRB members will likely accept a number of donations during their meeting in Kenosha.

State Roundup: Donors play integral role in improving Wisconsin’s outdoors Read More »

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association opens search for new executive director

Featured, Hunting, National Hunting, National News, News, Wisconsin /

With Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) Executive Director Bruce Ross looking to retire later this year, WWA is about to open a search for Ross’s successor.
Ross has served as WWA’s executive director for 6.5 years; he will have close to seven years in after helping his successor step into the job.

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association opens search for new executive director Read More »

Dean Bortz: Sometimes the turkeys have to win, no?

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, Wisconsin /

Oh my aching … let’s go with my back here. But another part of me got kicked right and proper – and more than once – by Zone 7, Zone 1, and Zone 4 turkeys in Wisconsin this spring when hunting under my own tags.
It was downright embarrassing. Very humbling. And I’m – what – in at least my 40th year of turkey hunting? Gee whiz. As my old buddy would have said, “Dirty Irene.” And he would always draw out the dirty, as in Diirrr-ty Irene. He gave it a melody. I never did ask him the origin of that saying, but that’s about as close as he got to cussing.

Dean Bortz: Sometimes the turkeys have to win, no? Read More »

Wisconsin sportsmen will miss one-of-a-kind advocate Corky Meyer

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

Anyone who has ever attended any public gathering on any topic related to conservation or public resource management in Wisconsin likely heard Corky Meyer speak.
Whether it was a gathering called by the Natural Resources Board, DNR, legislature, Conservation Congress or Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, or even a local coon hunting trial, Meyer was there advocating for not just common sense management and regulations, but also urging anyone who buys a hunting, trapping or fishing license to step into the ring and be heard.

Wisconsin sportsmen will miss one-of-a-kind advocate Corky Meyer Read More »

Wisconsin State Roundup: Good news coming for Buena Vista prairie chickens?

Featured, Home Page News, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion, Wisconsin /

The Buena Vista State Wildlife Area’s greater prairie chickens may get some favorable news by July 1 as it relates to the large solar farm proposed by Vista Sands LLC, the company that wants to build a roughly 9,000-acre solar farm on ag land next to the wildlife area.
The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) filed an action against the project in Columbia County Circuit Court a while back. Vista Sands is interested in negotiating a settlement  with the WWF, according to George Meyer, former DNR secretary and the WWF executive director from 2003 through 2021.

Wisconsin State Roundup: Good news coming for Buena Vista prairie chickens? Read More »

Is an electric pickup right for the hunter, angler? Here’s what to consider from the ‘Big Three’

Gear & Gadgets, Home Page News, National Fishing, National Hunting /

Anyone reading online chat rooms regarding the feasibility of using electric pickup trucks for hunting, fishing or trapping might wonder if the day could ever come where an electric rig could replace a good ol’ internal combustion engine breathing and burning a mixture of atmosphere and gasoline (or diesel) for reliable torque in sticky situations.

The day of seriously considering an electric truck may be creeping closer for some sportsmen.

Is an electric pickup right for the hunter, angler? Here’s what to consider from the ‘Big Three’ Read More »

Wisconsin State Roundup: Tommy Burr honored with Youth Conservation Congress Delegate of the Year Award

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Opinion, Wisconsin /

Congratulations to Tommy Burr, of Eagle River, who received the first Youth Conservation Congress Delegate of the Year Award from the congress and Wisconsin DNR. I don’t know young Burr, but I’ve seen him working with Vilas County delegates when attending spring hearings and CDAC meetings.
I remember thinking we have a solid Vilas County delegate coming up while watching young Burr in action during the April 14 in-person spring hearing. Good for him.

Wisconsin State Roundup: Tommy Burr honored with Youth Conservation Congress Delegate of the Year Award Read More »

Dean Bortz: Walleyes for Tomorrow crews in Wisconsin doing yeoman’s work

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, Wisconsin /

There’s a good chance most fishermen don’t know that volunteer members of Walleyes for Tomorrow (WfT) work in their behalf every spring and have been doing so for – what? – 12, 15 years now in Wisconsin?
That spring “work” comes in the form of “walleye wagons,” portable fish hatcheries WfT members place on shores of lakes where local chapters have received permits from the DNR to net walleyes, collect eggs and milt, and hatch fry that go directly into the donor lakes.

Dean Bortz: Walleyes for Tomorrow crews in Wisconsin doing yeoman’s work Read More »

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