Wisconsin anglers now have a new platform to head to when looking for new places to fish in the state. The interactive map includes all of the information formerly found on the Trout Regulation & Opportunities User Tool (TROUT) and much more.
With the coming of spring, snow melting, and an increase in standing water as the weather warms, residents and visitors alike are sure to start to encounter more mosquitoes. These annoying summertime pests can make being outside less fun than if they were not around.
Those who know me know I could not possibly get all the way through the month of April without talking about Citizen Science Month. For me, citizen science is some of the most fun things I get to do throughout the year. It is fun to get out and learn about things and start to better understand the flora and fauna around me.
Many have been there — waiting at the launch ramp while someone slowly slides their trailer into the water for the first time of the year. Excitement is high as the outboard of the boat at the landing turns over … again, and again, and again, but to no avail.
As temperatures continue to rise and daylight hours increase, bats across northern Wisconsin are beginning to emerge from hibernation, just as many other species are. With the bats’ nocturnal nature, however, they may be some of the less thought about species. This emergence can be observed not only in the forests, but even in residential areas. Spring can be a critical time for bat conservation efforts.
North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters will once again hold their Woods and Waters Conference. Registration will begin at 7:15 a.m., with a welcome and programming beginning at 8:15 a.m. There are more than 15 speakers planned for the day, and attendees will have the ability to learn from scientists, lake association leaders, land owners and even fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Last weekend was the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation annual meeting and banquet. It is a long weekend that consists of a Friday evening that can stretch well into the late night, with chatting and eating and camaraderie after the meeting itself.
Part of Governor Evers’ budget includes reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program for 10 years with annual funding of $100 million made available for projects around the state. So far, funding from the program have contributed to 10,274 projects for a total of $1.3 billion. In Oneida County alone, 135 projects have been funded for $56,512.90, according to the interactive map on the website.
As spring settles in across Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is setting fire to parts of the landscape — on purpose, but there is no need to be concerned. Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are a time-tested land management tool used by the DNR to maintain healthy ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk. While the idea of intentionally starting fires might raise eyebrows, DNR officials say the benefits are both immediate and long-term.
One of the most contentious debates in the realm of species management in Wisconsin, and, indeed across much of the country, is that of the gray wolf. The species has found itself on and off the Endangered Species List (ESL) many times over the years.