Deer Management Units revamp underway, open houses held
Public comment period to follow
Most hunters in the Northwoods are aware that there are changes proposed to the deer management units (DMUs) in the Northern Forest Zone. The proposed plan brings DMUs back to a more habitat-based system.
Deer season changes throughout the years
Deer seasons have changed over the years, but one thing has remained strong — hunters still flock to Wisconsin’s woods and fields in search of trophy bucks and venison for the freezer. Here are some of the changes that have happened over the years, starting in the mid 1800s.
Things to do on Hunting Widows Weekend
Make it a fun start to the holidays
While more and more women are going out into the woods during deer season, many still stay behind and enjoy the proverbial “Widow’s Weekend.” But simply because the men are in the woods or at deer camp does not mean women need to stay home to “keep the home fires burning,” like back in the day.
Commemorate that first hunt
A youth’s first hunting experience is a memory they will not soon forget, whether they are able to harvest an animal or not. A harvest, of course, makes that memory extra special. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants to help first time hunters of all ages to commemorate that experience.
Fish Like a GIRL
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection
It is interesting how life works out sometimes. This week, I knew I wanted to write about Thanksgiving, as it’s just around the corner. It’s an important time to me, and one that marks the beginning of the holiday season. It includes gun deer season. It is a time of celebration and also reflection.
Feeding and baiting defined
Bans still in place across the state
As stated in the gun deer season outlook story on this page, baiting and feeding of deer in Oneida and Vilas counties is still banned. These bans are statutorily regulated.
Have deer tested for chronic wasting disease
Experts advise against eating meat from sick animals
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has once again urged hunters to have their deer tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the always-fatal neurological disease affecting cervids such as white tailed deer, elk and mule deer.
Use proper carcass disposal options this season
In an attempt to limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), hunters should avoid moving the carcass of harvested deer. In fact, there are only certain parts of a deer that may be legally moved beyond the county of harvest or an adjacent county.
Chronic wasting disease calls for safe handling of harvested deer
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an always-fatal neurological disease that affects cervids such as white tailed deer. The disease causes holes in the brain, eventually leading to death of the animal. However, cervids can have the disease for 18 months or more before showing clinical signs of CWD.
DNR advises to check venison for lead
According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website, the department is advising caution for hunters when dealing with deer harvested with lead bullets. At times, tiny portions of lead can be found in processed venison. Some fragments have even been found far from the wound channel.
Hunters unsure about gun deer season, but could it line up perfectly?
Anecdotal evidence suggests yes
This deer season will be anything but predictable for many. While the deer herd should be strong coming off of an almost non-existent winter, this will also be the latest possible start for the nine-day gun deer hunt.
Hunters in the town of Stella area asked to get deer tested for PFAS
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking hunters who hunt within a three-mile radius of the town of Stella, east of Rhinelander, to bring in a tissue sample from those deer harvested in that area. The hope is to better understand if the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that has been found in the area is accumulating in deer meat.
Wolf predation shaped by prey availability, pup-rearing demands in summer
Thomas Gable of the University of Minnesota and his research team conducted a study from 2015-24 on the summer predation behavior of more than 500 wolves. The team searched over 40,000 clusters of GPS locations and identified over 1,900 kill sites in an effort to see how the temporal dynamics of wolf predation changed during summer months.
Healthy Watersheds High Quality Waters viewers show valuable lake information
Wisconsin, and the Northwoods in particular, is home to some high quality waters. This recent webinar, presented by Lauren Haydon of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), looked at what can be done to protect those waters.
Hunters can help stop the spread of terrestrial invasives this fall
As hunting season approaches, there is always an uptick in the number of people who are in the woods. Hunters hike in to their stands breathing in deep the crisp morning air and leaving crunching under their feet.
Fish Like a GIRL
Navigating grants with the Besadny Grant committee
Last week, I mentioned that this week I would talk about some of the grant applications that came through for the Besadny Grant Program. I am a member of the Natural Resources Foundation board, and through that, I was able to grab a seat in the Besadny Grant committee. Having been a member of the Lumberjack RC&D Council as the Vilas County representative for just over a year now, when I got the chance for a spot on the
Chew on this!
Salad primavera
Before we know it, the holidays will be here. Many of us are already getting ready for deer camp and all the fun, food and camaraderie that comes along with that. All of these things can mean we need to bring a dish to pass, or bring something to add to the holiday festivities.
Preliminary deer harvest numbers available
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has preliminary deer season numbers available on their website through Oct. 29. So far, in the Northern Forest Zone, the DNR website shows 6,680 deer had been registered. Of those, 3,998 were antlered deer and 2,682 were antlerless.
Trees for Tomorrow gets funding to help with outdoor classroom
Founded in 1944, Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River is the state’s oldest natural resources based school. The school uses transformative educational experiences to promote sustainable use of natural resources.
Wolf kills of deer fawns near human infrastructure more dependent on deer movement than building density, study finds
The Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem (GVE) is an ecosystem in Northern Minnesota in which many studies of wolves have been done. That research continues today. The ecosystem boundary was set nut by any geologic or hydrologic landscape features, but in order to bound the study area and therefore the research efforts.
Phenological extremes could jeopardize walleyes in north-temperate lakes
A 2024 study by Martha E. Barta et al. looked at phenological extremes and how those might affect walleye in 194 Midwestern lakes. Growing variability in things such as ice off and on could be causing trophic mismatches, or mismatches in the timing of peak predator and prey abundance.
Wayne Plant retires from Lumberjack RC&D
Wisconsin’s Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&Ds) was established in 1962 through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Lumberjack RC&D was established as a local council in the Northwoods in 1968.
Does large carnivore policy matter?
Erik Olson of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources posed this question with his research he revealed at the Great Lakes Wolf Symposium in Ashland last month. He wondered whether large carnivore policy would build more tolerance for those who were somewhat intolerant to having a species such as wolves close by.
Using historical data to predict possible changing fish growth rates
Aquatic ecosystems are facing many different stressors that all interact with each other, according to Karen Alofs of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. These include climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, exploitation and invasive species. All together, these things can create a diverse set of biological responses in ecosystems. These stressors can act from a molecular scale, all the way up to perpetuating ecosystem-scale effects.
International Bat Week comes to a close
International Bat Week has come to a close, but that does not mean people should forget about bats. They are not only an important part of the ecosystems in which they live, but the are important to humans as well.
Fish Like a GIRL
Attending the Great Lakes Wolf Symposium was a great experience
Last month I attended the Great Lakes Wolf Symposium in Ashland. It was a three-day event, packed with session after session of wolf research and various other tidbits. Admittedly, not all of us in the room had the same perception of wolves on the landscape.
Department of Natural Resources wardens handle more than fish and game
Natural Resources Board hears update
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) deputy chief safety warden Matt O’Brien reported on the Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection emergency response efforts at last month’s Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting. Due to a board member’s request, he appeared to give the board an update.
Wolf conflicts in Wisconsin topic at Great Lakes Wolf Symposium
“You are in the area where wolves kill livestock,” said Dave Ruid, the USDA wildlife services northern region supervisor while speaking at the Great Lakes Wolf Symposium in Ashland earlier this month. He said there was a verified depredation just that morning, only a few miles from the symposium.
Grouse louse fairly common
Annoying, but no cause for concern
There have been reports of grouse louse being found in grouse harvested in the Northwoods this fall. The look of these flies can be a bit off-putting to grouse hunters, but there is no real cause for concern, according to Department of Natural Resources ruffed grouse specialist Alaina Roth.
Prescribed burns help land managers create forage, habitat for wildlife
Historically, fire has provided the perfect habitat for various species of wildlife. Native people used prescribed burns in their land management processes as well. They understood how fire could be used for good, and put it to good use.
Fish Like a GIRL
Website provides data to help solve big problems
As many know, I used to call myself an accidental birder. I have always thought it was cool to watch birds at a feeder and to see them in the woods and whatnot. But in recent years, I have gotten into Project FeederWatch and have also done more reporting of observations and checklists of birds wherever I happen to be.
Natural Resources Board hears proposal for changes to Wildlife Abatement and Claims Program
Brad Koele, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) northern district wildlife supervisor and former wildlife damage specialist came to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) with a final rule package for the Wildlife Damage Nuisance Control program, Chapter NR 12 of state statutes.
Vilas County land and water conservation committee forwards grant resolutions on to full county board
Last week, the Vilas County land and water conservation committee voted to forward on several resolutions from the department to the full county board. These resolutions involved grants for their boat decontamination program, a Lakes Monitoring effort and Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) awareness and education efforts.
Science on Tap reveals insect trends in Wisconsin
PJ Liesch, director of the University of Wisconsin Department of Entomology Diagnostic Lab, handles approximately 2,500 insect identification requests every year. He was the most recent presenter at Science on Tap in Minocqua, a program through Trout Lake Station in Boulder Junction.
Fish Like a GIRL
eBird provides big data to help with big problems
As many know, I used to call myself an accidental birder. I have always thought it was cool to watch birds at a feeder and to see them in the woods and whatnot. But in recent years, I have gotten into Project FeederWatch and have also done more reporting of observations and checklists of birds wherever I happen to be.
Wisconsin Bass Team Trail anglers battle wind on Winnebago Chain
2025 championship to return to Minocqua
The first weekend in October brought another Wisconsin Bass Team Trail season to a close, with anglers battling through some high winds on the Winnebago System. On day one, winds blew a stout 15-20 miles per hour out of the southwest.
Stars align for young hunter to bag first bear
Both gun and tag were won at Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge
Tyson Skubal, 17, of Hazehurst went bear hunting for the first time this year. But what makes the story a dream come true, was how the hunt happened. At the Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge banquet back in January, Skubal won a 30.06 rifle. That was a great surprise for him, but this summer, that surprise would get bigger and bigger. At the Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge, Skubal also put his name in a drawing for a bear tag that was donated by Vern Schaller.
New wolf conflicts in Oneida, Price counties
The list of wolf depredations and harassments is growing, and so far this year, Wisconsin residents have been involved in the third highest number of conflicts in decades. Only 2020 (102) and 2021 (108) saw more wolf conflicts throughout the entire year than the state has seen in 2024 so far. This number will likely rise at least through the end of the year.
What the heck is an umbrella rig?
Great bait for fall fishing
The umbrella rig, or Alabama rig (A-rig) as some people call it, got its name because when hanging in the air, the five wires that hold a bait on them look much like the frame of an opened umbrella. At the end of each of the “arms” of the bait, there is a swivel and a snap.
Oneida County lakes classification project continues
The Oneida County land and water conservation department is currently working on a project to classify all of the 451 named lakes in the county. The primary goal of the project is to keep the county’s high quality waters at their current state.
Fish Like a GIRL
Tournament season is wrapping up
As I write this, I have stacks of tournament-related stuff all over my house as we prepare to head to the Winnebago System for our championship for the Wisconsin Bass Team Trail. We have a pretty limited field this time around, about five to 10 boats short of a normal field for us. But it is still a big tournament with money and bragging rights on the line. The winning team is also guaranteed a spot in the championship next year, which will be on the Minocqua Chain on the first weekend of October.
Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series anglers compete in their last Tournament of Champions
Turtle Flambeau Flowage shows its strength as a bass fishery
The Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series anglers from three divisions took on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage at the end of last month. Sixty teams competed over two days to bring in the heaviest five fish per day. Totals from each day were tallied and it would take over 30 pounds to even get into the top 13.
Wolf conflicts up from last year
Depredation and abatement payments do not cover total costs
This year Wisconsin hunters, farmers and residents of the northern half of the state have seen more wolf conflicts than in almost any year. According to Laurie Groskopf from Wisconsin Wolf Facts, this year has already seen the third highest number of reported conflicts.
DNR Wolf tracking program classes offered this fall
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is once again offering their carnivore tracking classes to individuals interested in volunteering for their snow tracking surveys. The DNR has used volunteer trackers for many years.
Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund helps fish and wildlife
Donations can be made with license purchases
National Resources Foundation Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund committee members are currently working on selecting grant winners for the program from a list of well-deserving applicants. This endowment provides a permanent source of funding for projects on the state’s public lands.
Boom Lake anglers register impressive weights at Rod Gaskill Memorial Bass Tournament
Major changes announced for 2025 tournament
The Rod Gaskill Memorial Bass Tournament saw attendance dip a bit this year, but almost 40 anglers still took to Boom Lake in the hopes of bringing in the heaviest five bass of the day. Gaskill was an avid bass angler that moved to the area from Las Vegas, Nevada in the mid 1990s.
Fish Like a GIRL
Attending writing workshops
As I write this, I am coming to the end of two week-long writing summits. Both were held online, with a somewhat different format. One, the Writing Brave Summit, held live sessions, which were pre-recorded, but the presenter in each session joined the group in the chat during the presentation, which I thought was a neat add-on feature. It allowed attendees to talk to the presenters in real time while listening to their session presentation.
112 teams compete in Shoeder’s RV & Marine Hodag Musky Challenge
Musky anglers fishing the Shoeder’s RV & Marine Hodag Musky Challenge can choose from many lakes around the Rhinelander area. Boom Lake and the Wisconsin River, The Moens Chain, Pelican Lake, Lake George, Crescent Lake, Bearskin Lake, Lake Julia and the Sugar Camp Chain are all available for teams to fish. Top prize in the two-day tournament is $10,000. There are also monetary prizes for the largest musky, the largest northern and there is one random winner from all of the winners of largest fish on each lake.
DNR deer advisory committee looks at deer management unit configurations
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) deer program specialist Jeff Pritzl lead the latest DNR deer advisory committee meeting with one of the main agenda items being the possible reconfiguration of Deer Management Units (DMUs).
‘Significant Other’ tournament anglers have fun on Manitowish Waters Chain
This was the fourth year of the You and Your Significant Other Bass Tournament on the Manitowish Waters Chain. Tournament organizer Yeng Thao of Wausau said his wife had been asking to fish a tournament with him for years.
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