Beckie Gaskill
Recent Stories
Minocqua Chain emergency rule on walleye harvest now set to carry through until permanent rule starts
The Minocqua Chain is currently operating under an emergency rule for walleye harvest, as many anglers know. This was to be the last year of zero harvest by both tribal members and state-licensed hook and line anglers. However, last spring, tribes made harvest declarations for the chain and there was a subsequent harvest.
Ten-year panfish study looks to see which regulations would work to improve size structure
Alex Latzka, fisheries systems biologist and panfish team co-chair for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), came to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) this month with a review of the 2016-2026 panfish study result so far.
Natural Resources Board approves changes to Deer Management Assistance Program
The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) is a program through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that helps private land owners to manage their property for deer and other wildlife.
Fish Like a GIRL
Last week I talked about field guides and journals as gifts or state park or state trail passes. This week, I wanted to go a little more “adventure-y,” if you will. A little more toward the survivalist-type of gear.
DNR bear advisory committee recommends quotas for 2025 season
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) bear advisory committee met at the Mead Wildlife Area to look at quotas for the 2025 bear hunting season and to recommend tag allotments based on those quotas.
WCC wolf advisory committee considers citizen resolution for farmers and compensation
Last week the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) wolf advisory committee met for their regular meeting. One of the items on the agenda was a citizen resolution, brought forth by Valerie Dantoin of Seymour.
Management with fire increases bird abundance, diversity in oak dominated woodland
Maia Persche of the UW-Madison and Ann Calhoun of the Nature Conservancy of Wisconsin recently presented the results of their three-year field study looking at managing woodlands for oak using fire may increase biodiversity and can change soundscapes of those woodlands.
Fish Like a GIRL
I was thinking about Christmas, and what types of things are usually on the wish lists of outdoorsmen and women. A good friend of mine’s wife bought him a Garmin watch for Christmas. She gave it to him early. I guess, like me, maybe she has a hard time keeping a secret. I am very bad about presents — it is difficult for me to not give them early. I am like a little kid; I get so excited, but I digress.
Early ice is tempting, but caution is needed
Many “hard water” anglers wait patiently through the fall for ice to start forming on their favorite lake. The lure of “early ice” has been the downfall, literally, of more than one angler.
