Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault re-opens after short closure
According to Casey Wagner, the new executive director of the Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the council is once again open after a closure of over a month. The organization underwent a restaffing and restructuring period, but is now open and ready to help community members that are in need of resources.
Oneida County Biking and Walking Trails Council advocates to get people outdoors
The vision of the Oneida County Biking and Walking Trails Council is “a walk-able and bike-able Oneida County.” The 501(c)3 organization was created in 2004 through a merger of Oneida Trails and Oneida County Biking and Walking Trails. The mission, in part, is to education the public about health and the physical activity, safety and economic benefits of trails.
Stakeholders urged to back Knowles‑Nelson
Public support sought through WCC spring hearings and outreach to state legislators
Earlier this month Charlie Carlin from Gathering Waters spoke during a webinar with approximately 150 people in attendance regarding where the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund funding laid and what to expect as this legislative session winds down. In short, the future of funding for Knowles-Nelson is in question. Although the program would continue even if no decision was made, there would be no funding for grants to be given out for projects.
Oneida County L&WC committee questions state bid to add second dwellings
Assembly bill 449 could boost tourist rentals, strain lakes and sideline local zoning
Oneida County conservationist Michele Sadauskas addressed the land and water conservation committee about a resolution being prepared in Vilas County regarding Assembly bill 449. She said Vilas County conservationist Al Wirt had put out an email regarding this bill, which brought it to her attention first. She said she felt Vilas County’s concerns would closely mirror Oneida County’s concerns in regard to this bill.
PFAS release and ecological responses to land-applied biosolid
Study looks at plant uptake as possible remediation
The recent Great Lakes Virtual PFAS Summit featured a presentation entitled, “PFAS release and ecological responses to land-applied biosolids.” Dr. Weilan Zhang of the University at Albany in New York State said PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl) in biosolids must be removed or stabilized before land application to prevent PFAS pollution, which would then be potentially up taken by plants.
Oneida County land and water conservation department reveals new lake classification and protection tool
Over the last several years, the Oneida County land and water conservation department has worked with a team of stakeholders to create a lake classification system, a large undertaking for a county with over 1,100 lakes. Of those, 451 are names lakes, with the rest being small “pot hole” lakes of 50 acres or less.
DeWayne ‘Speck’ DeByle’s legacy is more than just a downtown businessman
Integral part of Hodag Sports Club growth
Most Rhinelander residents will remember Speck DeByle as a downtown businessman, often seen eating lunch at the Northwestern or walking through town, dressed impeccably. But many people, too, will always remember the sporting side of DeByle, the side that brought him to join the Hodag Sports Club decades ago when he and Jim Birginal approached the club to ask if they could shoot.
Violet’s spectacular return home
Community pulls together in rescue effort
It is never an easy thing when a beloved family pet goes missing. It is even harder when the pet is a rescue, trying to recover from unbearable conditions in a new, loving home. This was the case for Violet, a six-year-old basset hound, rescued by Elizabeth Kowieski’s family only six months ago. She slipped out of a friend’s house on Christmas Day and spent a few days eluding those who only hoped to help her make a safe return.
Wisconsin Conservation Congress citizen resolution submission opens Jan. 5
Closes Feb. 9
Wisconsin residents have the opportunity annually to be involved in a process that is unique to the state, that of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress citizen resolution process. In this process, residents are able to put forth a resolution that they would like to see become a regulation in relation to any of the state’s natural resources.
Speck DeByle, pillar of Rhinelander community, passes away at 92
The name Speck DeByle has been synonymous with downtown Rhinelander for decades. Most Rhinelander natives over a certain age can say they shopped at DeByle’s Clothing Store for back-to-school, work and play for years. DeWayne “Speck” DeByle, 92, passed away on Christmas Eve.
Could traditional food resource consumption put tribal communities at greater PFAS risks?
New research calls for a more holistic approach
Gavin Dehnert of Wisconsin Sea Grant at the University of Wisconsin Madison was asked by the Voigt Intertribal Task Force to come look at contaminants found in the liver of several wolves found by the task force. This started some research into looking at more traditional food sources consumed by Native Americans and also looking at PFAS contaminants through a “One Health” lens rather than looking individually at environmental health, human health and wildlife health.
Speck DeByle, pillar of Rhinelander community, passes away at 92
DeWayne “Speck” DeByle, 92, passed away on Christmas Eve.
WCC bear advisory committee forwards recommendations to NRB
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) bear advisory committee met on Dec. 5 to review and forward recommendations from the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) bear advisory committee regarding harvest quotas and license numbers for the 2026 bear season.
Northwoods Chapter of Muskies, Inc. hosts second annual Battle on St. Germain Lakes on Jan. 17
Fishing guide Jim Lund started the Battle on St. Germain Lakes last year, a family-friendly ice fishing tournament on 14 lakes in the St. Germain area. Over 200 people attended this first-ever event and competed for over $9,000 in prizes that organizers were able to raise. The event also provided 50 kids with a bucket that included a tip up, a rod and reel, and ice scoop, an ice fishing bait puck and a rod holder.
U.S. House passes Representative Tom Tiffany’s bill to delist the gray wolf
On Thursday, Dec 18, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 211 to 204 to pass Tom Tiffany’s (WI-07-R) and Lauren Boebert’s (CO-04-R) Pet and Livestock Protection Act. The bill would delist the gray wolf and not allow for judicial review of the delisting. Tiffany has said many times that the lack of judicial review would be important.
Wolf advisory committee updates prompt questions from Conservation Congress
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) wolf advisory committee met this month at the Mead Wildlife Area in Milladore to hear updates on wolf management efforts in the state, including progress on the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) re-established wolf advisory committee.
Walker hound victim of wolf depredation in town of Little Rice
On Thursday, Dec. 11, a four-year-old Walker hound was depredated by wolves while bobcat hunting with its owner in Little Rice. The complainant said they noticed the hound remained stationary on the GPS tracking device at 3 p.m. The complainant could not get closer than 0.60 of a mile when it got dark. The complainant was unsuccessful at calling the hound and waited for it to return. They reported hearing a wolf while waiting for the hound to return.
Oneida County forestry committee approves RASTA trail agreement, 2026 department work plan
At a Dec. 9 meeting, the Oneida County forestry recreation and land committee approved the annual trail maintenance agreement with the Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association (RASTA), as well as the 2026 forestry department work plan.
DNR bear advisory committee backs higher quotas for 2026 season
More tags possible as committee leans on new data
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) bear management advisory committee met on Dec. 1 and rolled out preliminary recommendations for the 2026 bear season. Those proposals could put significantly more tags in hunters’ hands.
Navigating first ice
Balancing safety and excitement
With winter setting in across the Northwoods, anglers’ thoughts are turning to ice fishing. But the allure of early ice comes with its dangers as well, as some anglers have had the misfortune to find out.
DNR numbers show license sales, harvest numbers down slightly through gun deer season
On Dec. 2, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) put out their preliminary nine-day gun deer season numbers. According to the DNR, numbers were slightly off of last years numbers. DNR deer program specialist Jeff Pritzl said that while license sales were down slightly, they were about average for the last four years, as last year’s numbers were up slightly from the previous year.
2025 preliminary opening weekend gun deer hunt numbers in
Licenses down slightly, registrations up, one fatality
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released their preliminary opening gun deer season numbers on Tuesday, Nov. 25. As of 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, total license purchases, including gun, archery, crossbow, conservation patron and sports licenses, numbered 777,843, which was down only 0.03 percent from last year at the same time.
While he is in the stand, she is out on the land Widow’s Weekend
Seven fun things to do for Widow’s Weekend in the Northwoods
Every November, as the blaze orange army heads to the woods for Wisconsin’s nine-day gun-deer season, women across the state celebrate something a little different: Widow’s Weekend. This weekend is that glorious kickoff to girl time where the only hunting is for good deals, good laughs, and good cocktails.
Hunters will find new boundaries, good bucks in Northern Forest Zone
In the Northern Forest Zone (NFZ), after years of hunters asking for unit boundary changes, 2025 marks the year they will get their wish. In 2014, the state moved to using county boundaries as Deer Management Unit (DMU) after the deer report stated there were too many DMUs that were too small to facilitate proper management. However, in the NFZ, there has been a push for several years to return to more of a habitat-based unit system.
Rhinelander youth bags second wall hanger
Oct. 8, 2025 will be a day youth hunter Claire Laddusire remembers for a long time. She will remember it every time she looks up at the wall. That is the day she arrowed a 10-point buck in Oneida County. The buck had a 16-inch inside spread and received a Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge score of 26.
Wisconsin Bass Team Trail anglers fight wind and weather at championship on Minocqua Chain
The weekend of Oct 4-5 was one of the windier weekends anglers of the Wisconsin Bass Trail could remember fishing their championship tournament. Spot-Lock ® or shallow water anchors, it was difficult at best to control boats and fish efficiently, many anglers reported. Others said it was impossible to fish docks and other structures in certain areas due to the wind.
Hunter Nation urges sportsmen and women to get out and vote
Hunter Nation held a town hall meeting with Congressman Tom Tiffany, also a 2026 gubernatorial candidate, in Green Bay on Nov. 14. The main topic of conversation with sportsmen, who came from across northern and central Wisconsin, was the progress made, or lack thereof, on wolf delisting.
Oneida County forestry, land and recreation committee stays course on snowmobile trail openings
The county’s snowmobile trail opening policy came before the forestry, land and recreation committee at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting this week. Committee chair Bob Almekinder said he had been asked to put the matter on the agenda for the committee, and said there was also some question as to who should be the representative for the county on the committee.
Wisconsin Headwaters Invasives Partnership steering committee looks at funding concerns, projects, communications plan
The Wisconsin Headwaters Invasives Partnership (WHIP) is one of several Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) in Wisconsin. The organization is headquartered in Rhinelander in the Lumberjack RC&D office.
Vilas Lakes Partnership offers networking for local lake organizations
Each year the Vilas County Land and Water Conservation Department holds the Vilas County Lakes Partnership meeting at the Boulder Junction Community Center. It is an opportunity for lake organizations and members of those organizations to learn about what issues the county has been seeing in the way of lake health, invasive species and other water-related topics. It is also a place where the county and lake organizations alike can share their successes and stories of their work over the past year.
Lumberjack RC&D helps to fund 2 local projects in 2026
Projects are 2 of 8 for the year
Each year, Lumberjack Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council funds several conservation projects around their nine-county area, and this year, two of those were here in Oneida and Vilas counties.
Nicolet College Learning in Retirement provides wide array of opportunities for members over 50
Nicolet College’s Learning in Retirement program is directed by retired and semi-retired Northwoods residents and was created for those who are retired or semi-retired, and is open to anyone 50 years of age or older. The program offers short-term learning opportunities that allow people to have a wide variety of experiences in what has been described as a relaxed, informal and friendly setting.
DNR wolf advisory committee holds second meeting
Cooperation, compromise key to success
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wolf advisory committee met for the second time this month on Oct. 16. Wolf management is arguably one of the most contentious issues in wildlife management within the state, meaning the group is charged with no small feat.
State forestry leaders talk about why forestry and forest products matter to Wisconsin
Sam Rikkers, chief operating officer for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, on Oct. 20 led a panel of forestry industry experts to talk about opportunities, challenges and all of the facets of the future of forestry in Wisconsin for Forest Products Week on the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point’s campus.
Cutting to the chase
Oneida County land and water conservation committee tightens shoreland rules
Seeking to close what they called a loophole in Oneida County’s shoreland ordinance, members of the land and water conservation committee voted to prohibit clearcutting and other land-disturbing activities in lakefront access and viewing corridors — citing concerns over erosion, aesthetics and water quality.
Vilas County land and water conservation committee approves grant application resolutions
Resolutions to boost water quality, conservation efforts in 2026
At last week’s Vilas County land and water conservation committee meeting, the department brought forward several resolutions looking for support for various grant applications to keep department projects and tasks running smoothly for 2026. The committee approved sending all of these resolutions for grant proposals on to the full county board
Wheeler, Daniels make strong comeback to win MLF
Fishing Clash event held in Minocqua
Jacob Wheeler and Mark Daniels Jr. staged a dramatic late-day rally to capture the Major League Fishing-Fishing Clash Team Circuit title in Minocqua, overcoming an 11-pound deficit in the final hour.
Pack It In: DNR estimates 1,200 wolves roaming Wisconsin
New monitoring model revises past counts as debate over wolf management continues
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released their wolf monitoring report for 2024-2025. That report estimated that there are 1,226 wolves in Wisconsin. It is important to note that these estimates are created when the wolf population is at its lowest point during the year.
Oneida County forestry recreation and land committee looks at Almon Park improvements
The forestry department had brought several Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) to the forestry, recreation and land committee for approval at the August meeting, but there were two for which they wanted to have a more solid idea of the costs involved. Those came back to the Sept. 9 committee meeting and were both regarding work at Almon Park.
A dandy indication
Some residents report seeing fewer dandelions this spring and early summer
While there are many reasons for declining dandelion populations some have seen this year, some of them could be a cause for concern. Whether this year’s low dandelion crop could be caused simply by unfavorable weather, or something more, is not fully known, but there are other early spring phenomena that could be linked, and are of even bigger concern.
Nokomis pumps brakes on DOT’s proposed U.S. 51 roundabout
The Nokomis town board last Monday approved sending a letter to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) opposing a proposed roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 51, County Highway K and Swamp Lake Road. Russ Berg of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department said, from the department’s standpoint, it was a safety issue.
Forest History Association of Wisconsin’s Fall Conference heads to Manitowish Waters
Celebrate 100 years of the NHAL and 50 years of the FHAW
Join the Forest History Association at their Fall Conference to celebrate their 50th anniversary as well as the 100th anniversary of the Northern Highland American Legion (NHAL) State Forest on Oct. 3 to 4 at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters.
Minocqua lands Major League Fishing’s Heritage Cup
National spotlight hits Northwoods as fans and elite anglers discover lake locations in real time
Major League Fishing (MLF) is one of the premier bass fishing tournament series in the country, and their Fishing Clash Team Series Knighten Industries Heritage Cup will be coming to Minocqua next week, hosted by the Minocqua Area Visitor’s Bureau. Twenty-four of the top MLF anglers will team up to create 12 powerhouse teams that will compete over six days, starting on Sept. 14.
Increased revenue in DNR Fish and Wildlife Account shows money is flowing – but to where?
Audit looks into need to shore up funding, shows no glaring misuse
Last year the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources came forward to say they were expecting a $16 million deficit in the Fish and Wildlife Account for the 2025-26 biennium. While some called for higher license fees, sighting fewer people taking part in pursuits such as deer hunting, and a lack of increase in these fees in over 20 years as the reason for the shortfall, legislators such as Senator Rob Stafsholt (R–New Richmond) called for an audit of the expenditures from that account before they would accept an increase.
Oneida County pasture walk scheduled for Sept. 10
The Oneida County land and water conservation department, partnering with the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, Golden Sands RC&D and Grass Works, Inc. will hold a pasture walk from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10. The walk will take place at Hanson’s Garden Village in Rhinelander.
Oneida County forestry committee tips hat to duck hunters, approving wild rice project
Oneida County forest director Jill Nemec and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife biologist Curt Rollman brought a Cassian wild rice project to the Oneida County forestry, recreation and land committee for consideration at the committee’s last meeting.
Trout Lake Station open house highlights world class research
Future of Long Term Ecological Research Program uncertain
Each year Trout Lake Station in Boulder Junction holds an open house to showcase the research graduate students and others are doing. One of the Northwoods best kept secrets, research done at Trout Lake is used by scientists worldwide.
Oneida County forestry committee tips hat to duck hunters, approves wild rice project
Oneida County forest director Jill Nemec and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife biologist Curt Rollman brought a wild rice project in the Town of Cassian to the Oneida County forestry, recreation and land committee for their consideration at their last meeting.
Hunting dog depredated by wolves in Oneida County
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services confirmed a 1.5 year old female Plott Hound was depredated by wolves at approximately 7:30 a.m. on August 10, in the town of Little Rice.
Northwoods Honor Flight benefit looks to educate veterans, the public
By now most have heard of the Honor Flight. However, organizers of the Northwoods Honor Flight benefit, Cynthia and Jeff Devor, said, many veterans have still not taken that flight. There are a number of reasons for that, but the Devors said the hope with this event was to encourage more veterans to make that trip. The benefit was held last month at Cabaret Cove in Rhinelander.
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