Monday, February 10th, 2025

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Monday, February 10th, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Tim Eisele

Wisconsin DNR ups bear quota, number of kill tags

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved a 6% increase in the black bear harvest quota and a 14% increase in licenses from 2024 for the 2025 fall season.
The target harvest of black bears is now set at 4,075 (3,850 last year). The number of licenses available this year will be 13,110 (from 11,501 last year). Randy Johnson, the DNR’s large carnivore specialist, told the board at its Jan. 22 meeting that the bear population is stable or growing in all of the bear zones except Zone D in the northwest.

Wisconsin DNR ups bear quota, number of kill tags Read More »

Wisconsin study shows CWD greatly reduces annual survival rates in deer, suppresses population growth

Results from the Wisconsin DNR’s largest deer and chronic wasting disease (CWD) study ever undertaken show that the disease substantially reduces deer survival rates, and suppresses deer population growth.
Dr. Dan Storm, DNR ungulate research scientist, reported the results of the seven-year study in southwest Wisconsin to the Natural Resources Board Jan. 22.
“People should expect to see fewer deer in areas of high CWD prevalence,” Storm said. “Deer are not going to go extinct, but there will be fewer of them.”

Wisconsin study shows CWD greatly reduces annual survival rates in deer, suppresses population growth Read More »

Tracking dog helps Wisconsin hunter find two fatally shot deer

Shooting and wounding a deer may well stand as the worst nightmare for any deer hunter.
Once is bad enough, but that happened twice to Mark Martin, of Rio, Wis., this past fall, when excitement turned to disappointment, but then returned to excitement thanks to some outside help.

Tracking dog helps Wisconsin hunter find two fatally shot deer Read More »

Wisconsin NRB attaches 28 acres to Ice Age Trail in Waupaca County

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved the purchase of 28 acres for the Ice Age Trail in Waupaca County at its Dec. 11 meeting for $175,000.
The land had been of interest to the DNR earlier, but was purchased by the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) for $175,000 to ensure it would be available for the hiking trail when the landowner wanted to sell.

Wisconsin NRB attaches 28 acres to Ice Age Trail in Waupaca County Read More »

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board reviews possible fish, wildlife rule changes

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved statements of scope to start the process of drafting new hunting and fishing regulation questions to be presented at the 2025 spring hearings in April.
At the board’s Dec. 11 meeting, Scott Karel, DNR wildlife regulation policy specialist, explained that during the odd-numbered years the DNR presents proposed rule changes to coincide with the new legislative session.

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board reviews possible fish, wildlife rule changes Read More »

Wisconsin DNR study shows reducing bag limits was ‘huge success’ in goal to grow bigger panfish

A new study of experimental panfishing regulations found that reducing bag limits could improve panfish sizes.
The Wisconsin DNR began a study of experimental panfish regulations on 94 lakes in 2016 to see if that would increase size structure by one-half inch. Alex Latzka, DNR fish biologist and panfish team co-leader, provided a report to the Natural Resource Board Dec. 11, saying, “overall it was a huge success.”

Wisconsin DNR study shows reducing bag limits was ‘huge success’ in goal to grow bigger panfish Read More »

Wisconsin NRB takes up Minocqua chain, Lake Superior fish rules

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) members approved an extension of the emergency rule to allow continued limited harvest of walleyes on the Minocqua Chain of Lakes in Oneida County for the remainder of the 2024-25 fishing season.
The fishery was covered by an emergency rule in 2024 that would have expired at the end of January. This new emergency rule will extend the limited open season through the winter until the season is open under the permanent rule on April 1.

Wisconsin NRB takes up Minocqua chain, Lake Superior fish rules Read More »

Deer Management Assistance Program 2.0 offers new benefits — plus fees — for Wisconsin landowners

More landowners interested in managing their land for wildlife will be able to receive extra help from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), but in exchange for new fees and new reporting requirements.
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved new rules for the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that was established in 2014. The rule now goes to Gov. Tony Evers for approval and the legislature for review before going into effect in 2025 or 2026.

Deer Management Assistance Program 2.0 offers new benefits — plus fees — for Wisconsin landowners Read More »

Outdoors journalist Dave Carlson headed to Wisconsin’s conservation hall of fame

Dave Carlson, a well-respected outdoors writer and television producer/host, will be inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame (WCHF) next April.
The 77-year-old journalist from Eau Claire was the outdoors writer for the Eau Claire Leader Telegram for 10 years, and then for 34 years produced outdoor programs for television.

Outdoors journalist Dave Carlson headed to Wisconsin’s conservation hall of fame Read More »

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