Wisconsin Outdoor Headlines Archive

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News Archives for 2007:

October 2007 Archives September 2007 Archives

9/18/07		Gypsy moth populations on the increase Now is time to prepare for next year’s outbreaks MADISON – Gypsy moth populations have been increasing to damaging levels in parts of Wisconsin, according to state forestry officials, who stress that this is the best time ...
9/18/07		Duck season opens Sept. 22 in northern zone Southern zone opens Sept. 29 MADISON – Duck hunters will enjoy a full 60-day hunting season in Wisconsin and again have expanded shooting hours when the duck season opens in the Northern Zone on Sept. 22. The season opens ...
9/18/07		Woodcock season opens Sept 22 Woodcock season opens Sept 22 MADISON -- Interest in pursuing the “timberdoodle,” as woodcock is also known, throughout the forests of Wisconsin remains high with more than 19,000 woodcock hunters spending 72,000 days in t...
9/18/07		Hunters should review baiting regulations prior to hunting seasons MADISON – Deer hunters who hunt over bait should review Wisconsin’s deer baiting and feeding rules prior to deer hunting, according to state wildlife managers and conservation wardens. “Currently, 26 Wisconsin counties do ...
9/18/07		Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp revenue expenditures report available MADISON -- Over the past four years, state fisheries managers have been able to dedicate more than $10 million to maintain and enhance the salmon and trout fisheries in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and their tributaries with ...

August 2007 Archives

8/30/07		2007 archery deer season opens Sept. 15 MADISON – The first of the fall deer hunting seasons is set to open on Sept. 15 with the start of archery deer hunting. The early archery season runs Sept. 15 through Nov. 15 and the late archery season runs Nov. 26 through J...
8/30/07		2007 venison donation program up and running in participating counties MADISON – The 2007 Venison Donation Program is up and running with cooperating meat processors being added to the list weekly. Hunters anticipating the opening of the 2007 deer hunting seasons may want to check the Department...
8/30/07		2007 fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons open Sept. 15 Hunter safety should be a top priority MADISON – The 2007 fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons are set to open at the start of shooting hours on September 15. The grouse population continues to climb as it is still o...
8/30/07		Groundwater rules kick in Sept. 1 Annual pumping reports, more review of some wells required MADISON – Rules and recommendations aimed at getting a better handle on how much groundwater is pumped out of Wisconsin aquifers and at assuring trout streams and ...
8/30/07		Flood safety is more than just high water MADISON – Record-setting rainfalls have left many parts of the southern half of Wisconsin under water, with flooding, washed-out roads, basements under water, downed electrical lines, and the uncertain safety of drinking wate...
8/30/07		Survey shows need for all boaters to take steps to prevent spread of invasive species 40 percent move their boats from lake to lake MADISON -- Wisconsin enters one of its busiest boating weekends of the year with 40 percent of boaters surveyed at landings this summer saying they use their boats frequently a...
8/24/07		The end of summer doesn’t mean the end of Lake Michigan chinook fishing MADISON -- As the last days of summer draw near and the changing colors of leaves signal the approach of autumn, chinook salmon fishing on Lake Michigan continues to provide a great angling experience for both boaters and sho...
8/24/07		Natural Resources Board sets 2007 waterfowl seasons [EDITOR’S ADVISORY: The following news release was originally issued by FAX to daily newspapers, broadcast media and wire services on Aug. 15, 2007] MADISON – Waterfowl hunters will enjoy a full 60-day Wisconsin duck hunti...
8/24/07		Lake Laura Hardwoods designated as 500th State Natural Area in Wisconsin STAR LAKE, Wis. – Lake Laura Hardwoods, an 852-acre old-growth forest of maple, basswood, red oak and hemlock that contains diverse wildlife from bald eagles to bobcats, has been permanently protected through designation as t...
8/24/07		Online purchase of federal duck stamp to be piloted in Wisconsin MADISON –Wisconsin has been selected to pilot sales of a new electronic Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as a Federal Duck Stamp. The stamp will be available this fall at select license ve...
8/24/07		Prequalified hunters will receive buck stickers in mail MADISON – Hunters who registered an antlerless deer last season in a deer management unit that was not Earn-a-Buck (EAB) then but is under EAB requirements this year will begin receiving their 2007 buck authorization stickers...
8/24/07		Survey designed to improve DNR’s CWD in Wisconsin Web pages MADISON – A recently released on-line survey will gather input from the public to help the state Department of Natural Resources improve communication on chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin. The five question survey...
8/24/07		New online resources available to help manage ‘e-waste’ MADISON – Wisconsin residents, businesses and institutions looking for ways to recycle used electronic devices have new online resources available to help then learn more about the legal requirements and recommendations for s...
8/24/07		Brownfield Site Assessment Grants available to investigate contaminated properties MADISON – State grants are now available to help Wisconsin communities with properties that have known or suspected environmental contamination. Brownfield Site Assessment Grants (SAG) are available to help municipalities ...
8/16/07		Natural Resources Board sets 2007 waterfowl seasons Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources DNR Central Office - Madison PO Box 7921 Madison WI 53707 Phone: (608) 266-6790 Fax: (608) 264-6293 For Release: August 15, 2007 Contact(s): Kent Van Horn (608) 266-8841; Ki...
8/16/07		Some oak trees showing signs of deadly fungal disease MADISON – The first signs of oak wilt, a tree-killing fungal disease, are now appearing in infected trees. Oak wilt occurs in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin and affects trees in both the red oak and white oak groups. ...
8/16/07		Forestry officials urge landowners to get help with timber sales FITHCBURG, Wis. -- “I have some loggers in my woods and I don’t like what they are doing! They are taking trees that I don’t want them to take.” For Department of Natural Resources foresters, this type of call from a panic...
8/16/07		Blue green algae becoming a concern on some lakes MADISON – Wisconsin lakes can be a great place to spend the dog days of summer, but swimmers and others need to pay attention to water quality and avoid blooms of blue-green algae. New web pages on the Department of Natura...
8/10/07		Sturgeon hook and line season to open Sept. 1 with new regulations MADISON – The lake sturgeon hook and line season opens on Sept. 1, and anglers should note some updates to the rules. An emergency rule aimed at assuring the long-term health of Wisconsin’s unique lake sturgeon population ...
8/10/07		2006 Big Game Hunting Summary available MADISON – Wisconsin’s 2006 deer hunt ranks as the third best in Wisconsin harvest history with hunters registering a total of 509,536 deer from all seasons, according to final registration figures in the recently completed 20...
8/10/07		Kids, there’s still time for summer fun MADISON -- The long days of summer are beginning to wane and the back to school sales are in full swing, but environmental education specialists say there’s still time for kids to enjoy outdoor summer vacation activities. ...

July 2007 Archives

7/31/07		DNR park offers a natural oasis for respite at lively Wisconsin State Fair MILWAUKEE – A tree-shaded canopy, beautiful native plants and a meandering stream at the Department of Natural Resources park at Wisconsin State Fair provide a pleasant respite for fair-goers of all ages and a great place to ...
7/31/07		Build it and they will come: Trout populations growing thanks to stream habitat work MADISON – 2007 marks the 30th anniversary of the Wisconsin trout stamp and state fisheries biologists say trout anglers have plenty of reason to celebrate. Data collected from streams throughout the state show that trout popu...
7/31/07		Public hearing set on yellow perch harvest in Green Bay MADISON -- Commercial fishers of yellow perch in Green Bay could be looking forward to larger harvest limits in 2008. A rule change allowing the increased harvest will be the topic of Aug. 13 public hearings in Green Bay and ...
7/27/07		Mild winter expected to result in above average deer population growth MADISON – For the third year in a row, relatively mild winter weather across the north is expected to result in high level of survival and good reproductive rates in white-tailed deer, according to state wildlife biologists. ...
7/27/07		Forestry operations improve protection of water quality MADISON – Practices to protect water quality while harvesting timber were correctly applied over 94 percent of the time on federal and industrial timber sales in 2006, based on the results of a monitoring effort coordinated b...
7/27/07		Great Lakes beaches water quality information available online MADISON – People looking to cool off from the summer heat by taking a dip at a Great Lakes beach can find daily online updates on water quality at 120 public beaches along Wisconsin’s shores of lakes Michigan and Superior. ...
7/27/07		Plan ahead for hunter education courses Don’t wait until October to find a hunter education course MADISON -- Every year, about two weeks before the gun deer season, Department of Natural Resources Tim Lawhern gets a flurry of calls from people trying to find a ...
7/27/07		Hunting knife sharpening made easy By: Tim Lawhern, Wisconsin DNR hunter education administrator MADISON -- Want to sharpen up your skills for the hunting season? Like any other piece of hunting equipment, it’s important to get your hunting knife in shape n...
7/27/07		Plans proposed to clean up four streams in Wisconsin Public has until Aug. 22 to comment on proposed cleanup plans MADISON -- The public has an opportunity to comment on plans to clean up four streams in Wisconsin that currently do not meet state or federal water quality sta...
7/27/07		Bike trail relocation may result in incidental take of rare snake [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threat...
7/18/07		Football star joins Wisconsin in tackling VHS Top NFL draft pick Thomas an avid angler MADISON -- Joe Thomas, the most decorated offensive lineman in University of Wisconsin football history and a Cleveland Brown rookie, has signed on to help Wisconsin fight a viral f...
7/18/07		2007 deer hunting regulations now available online MADISON – The 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations are now available on the Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Regulations page of the Department of Natural Resources Web site. Printed regulation pamphlets will be available at...
7/18/07		Research to probe groundwater, lake level connections Low water levels in Central Sands area to be studied MADISON -- New state-funded research is getting underway in central Wisconsin to better understand how groundwater, lakes and rivers are connected and factors that affec...
7/18/07		Tips for doing your part to conserve water MADISON - Drier than normal conditions have heightened concerns over residents' water usage and outdoor burning activities across the state. In fact, several suburban communities are ordering lawn-sprinkling restrictions and ...
7/18/07		White Pine tree seed needed at the Hayward State Forest Nursery Hayward, Wis. -- White Pine tree seed is needed at state tree nurseries to replenish nursery stock. Individuals and groups can make money collecting white pine cones and selling them to the nursery. The Department of Natur...
7/18/07		Berlin woman named Outstanding Hunter Education Instructor of the Year MADISON – A Berlin woman has been named the 2006 Outstanding Hunter Education Instructor of the Year for Wisconsin. Shelly Clark, lead instructor for the Berlin Conservation Club, was chosen as the 2006 winner because of t...
7/13/07		New publication describes options for communities with too many geese MADISON – A new free brochure describing options for managing increasing numbers of resident Canada geese in communities, on golf courses, school grounds and in parks is available at Department of Natural Resources Service Ce...
7/13/07		New guide offers information on managing unused pharmaceuticals MADISON – People, businesses and institutions have new online resources to help them manage or dispose of pharmaceuticals and other personal care products in ways that are safe for them and the environment, state environmenta...
7/13/07		Aug 1. deadline to apply for sharp-tailed grouse harvest permits MADISON – Hunters have until Aug. 1 to apply for one of 695 sharp-tailed grouse hunting permits available for the season running Oct. 10 – Nov. 11, 2007. Sharp-tailed grouse management units use the same boundaries and des...
7/13/07		Hunters, trappers reminded of Aug. 1 permit application deadline MADISON – Hunters and trappers are reminded that applications for harvest permits for fall wild turkey, Horicon and Collins goose zones, sharp-tailed Grouse, bobcat, otter and fisher are due Aug. 1. Drawings for the fall t...
7/6/07		Public hearing set on updated shoreland development rules MADISON – Public hearings are set statewide in July and August for new proposals to update shoreland development rules along lakes and rivers so they better balance property owners’ desires for their land with better protecti...
7/6/07		Some stocking of hatchery raised fish to begin Some stocking of hatchery raised fish to begin Testing found no signs of deadly fish virus MADISON – Wisconsin fisheries officials have finished assessing the risk that state fish hatchery operations could accidentally ...
7/6/07		Internet offers wealth of information for enjoying Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes ADISON – The July 4th weather forecast for much of Wisconsin may look hot, hot, hot. But here’s 15,081 good ways to keep cool: Wisconsin’s lakes. Yes, Minnesota may brag about its 10,000 lakes, but the Badger state’s got m...
7/6/07		Ten things that could get you into trouble on the water during a busy boating holiday MADISON -- The busiest boating time of the year is here, the Fourth of July holiday. Harbors, bays and rivers are brimming with vacationing boaters and vessels are flocking to waterfront fireworks shows, marinas and launch ra...
7/6/07		Following up on fundamentals can improve marksmanship MADISON – People who hunt with rifle in Wisconsin often ask Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Administrator Tim Lawhern what they should do to become better shooters. “Without hesitation I offer everyone the...

June 2007 Archives

6/27/07		Early spring waterfowl surveys present mixed picture MADISON – Variable spring habitat conditions in the United States and Canada present a mixed picture for the fall 2007 Wisconsin waterfowl season. Preliminary information shows wetland conditions ranging from very good to ver...
6/27/07		Hunters should check Earn-a-Buck authorization online MADISON – Deer hunters hunting in any of 57 Deer Management Units in Wisconsin this fall will be required to “earn” a sticker authorizing them to shoot a buck by first shooting an antlerless deer – unless they prequalified fo...
6/27/07		Updated fish consumption advice now available MADISON – Fish consumption advice for people who eat fish from Wisconsin waters has been updated, with the revised recommendations clarifying which species are the best choices to eat because they are lower in mercury and oth...
6/27/07		New studies find changing levels of mercury in fish and PCBs in people MADISON – Wisconsin’s updated fish consumption advisory booklet, “Choose Wisely, A Health Guide for Eating Fish in Wisconsin,” arrives as studies show mixed trends in contaminant levels in sport-caught fish and the people who...
6/27/07		Most fireworks illegal in state forests and parks MADISON -- The Fourth of July weekend is a time of celebration and tradition, but one tradition that park rangers and forest fire prevention specialists would not like to see is the use of fireworks in state parks and forests...
6/27/07		Leave young wildlife in the wild Young animals rarely abandoned; sick animals may be able to transmit disease EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- During early summer, as people venture into the out-of-doors they sometimes come upon what they believe are “abandoned” young...
6/21/07		Panfish spawning season can be a rewarding fishing experience for young anglers MADISON -- Panfishing is considered one of the easiest kinds of fishing you can do and fishing during the panfish spawning season makes it even easier. That is why state fisheries specialist say the next couple of weeks is th...
6/21/07		Boating safety programs aimed at keeping people safe on lakes and rivers Boating safety course now offered on line MADISON – With more than 15,000 inland lakes, 43,000 miles of rivers, and 659 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, waterways are a focal point for outdoor recreation in Wisconsin. But w...
6/21/07		Draft Waterfowl Strategic Plan available for public comment MADISON – Wisconsin waterfowl hunters and waterfowl enthusiasts have until August 31 to comment on a plan for waterfowl management in Wisconsin. “This plan is the most comprehensive look at the past and current condition o...
6/21/07		Major anniversaries for Brule River and Black River State Forests in 2007 MADISON – The Brule River State Forest will observe its 100th anniversary and the Black River State Forest its 50th anniversary in 2007. Brule River State Forest, established 1907 From its source near Solon Springs in D...
6/21/07		Help protect wildlife health by reporting dead birds and other animals MADISON – Wildlife officials working to assure healthy wildlife in Wisconsin are asking people to report unusual die-offs of wild birds, especially waterfowl and other water birds, to aid in wildlife disease surveillance. Die...
6/21/07		State firewood restriction relaxed for dimensional lumber scraps MADISON – People camping at Wisconsin State Parks and Forests are allowed to bring scrap lumber such as 2x4s and 2x6s, with some exceptions, for campfires, according to state forestry officials. The Wisconsin Department of...
6/13/07		Spring turkey hunters register record turkey harvest Fall season permit applications due August 1 MADISON – Preliminary figures show that hunters set a new harvest record, registering 51,306 turkeys during Wisconsin’s 2007 spring wild turkey season. This is a 9 percent incre...
6/13/07		Grouse population estimates improve for second year running New season dates for 2007 in effect MADISON – Wisconsin’s ruffed grouse population appears to be on the upswing for the second year in a row, according to preliminary data state wildlife managers collected during the 2007 ...
6/13/07		State forest hosts art exhibit ‘with a different point of view’ Opening ceremony and celebrations of the exhibit June 16 and 17 MADISON – A popular nature trail in Wisconsin’s largest state forest is being transformed this summer into an outdoor art gallery that will feature ecological...
6/13/07		Beach monitoring season begins at Great Lakes beaches New effort to help identify potential sources of pollutants MADISON – Beach monitoring is in full swing on Wisconsin’s public coastal beaches and work is expected to begin soon on an effort aimed at improving water quality...
6/13/07		Wisconsin communities prepare for emerald ash borer MADISON -- Wisconsin communities have a new resource to assist in their preparation for the possible arrival of the invasive forest best, the emerald ash borer. The Emerald Ash Borer Toolkit for Wisconsin Communities is desig...
6/13/07		Canada thistle, wild parsnip starting to flower Prevent the spread of weed seeds by mowing just before flowering MADISON – Three noxious and invasive weeds that are common along roadsides and grasslands are just getting ready to flower, making this an excellent time to ...
6/13/07		DNR seeks to fill park manager and ranger vacancies Interested candidates can take on-line exam through June 27 MADISON – People interested as working as a park manager or ranger at a Wisconsin state park, trail or forest can fill out an on-line application and examination ...
6/13/07		Draft Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan available for review Six-year plan goes to state Natural Resources Board for approval this month MADISON – A draft plan for how the state Department of Natural Resources will conserve and manage fish and wildlife and outdoor recreation activit...
6/13/07		Road expansion may result in incidental take of rare plant [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threat...

May 2007 Archives

5/29/07		Motorists urged to slow down for turtles and other wildlife Turtle nesting is underway in Wisconsin MADISON – Anyone traveling Wisconsin roadways has likely seen the broken shells and other soft pieces of a once living turtle. Some are of the small painted turtles, while others are...
5/29/07		Remember state trail pass before biking, rollerblading or horseback riding on state trails MADISON – With the approaching Memorial Day weekend signaling the unofficial start of summer, many people will be tuning up their bicycles, getting out their rollerblades and oiling their saddles in preparation for heading ou...
5/29/07		Great Lakes beaches may be mechanically cleaned to remove invasive and nuisance plants and animals MADISON – People who own Great Lakes beach fronts will be able to get a general permit for dredging, including operation of a motor vehicle, to remove algae, mussels, dead fish and similar large nuisance plant and animals und...
5/29/07		Vote for your favorite state park features MADISON – Wisconsin residents and visitors can vote for their favorite Wisconsin State Park features through an online survey being conducted by the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP). People can access the survey throug...
5/29/07		New webpage for online donations to Endangered Resources Fund MADISON – It is now easier than ever for people interested in helping TO protect and restore rare species in Wisconsin by donating to the state Endangered Resources Fund. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau o...
5/29/07		State hunter education administrator receives international recognition MADISON – The state hunter education administrator for Wisconsin has received international recognition for his efforts to make hunting safer in Wisconsin. Tim Lawhern DNR Hunter Education Administrator Tim Lawhern Tim...
5/29/07		Wisconsin sturgeon spawning to be featured in IMAX movie SHAWANO – The Lake Winnebago system lake sturgeon may have ended their 2007 spawning run up the Wolf River, but people will soon be able to experience that primordial journey in living, 3-D color. A Canadian science center...
5/25/07		Walleye bag limits will increase on some northern lakes MADISON – Daily walleye bag limits will increase May 26 on 89 lakes in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory to reflect spearing harvest results by six Wisconsin bands of Chippewa Indians. The bag limit for Lac Vieux Desert in Vilas ...
5/25/07		Leave the firewood at home when packing for camping MADISON -- Memorial Day weekend is coming up and as campers get out to enjoy the great outdoors, state park and forestry officials are reminding all visitors that firewood can transport dangerous pests. They are asking people...
5/25/07		Permits, keeping records to be required for people who harvest bait from the wild Effort aimed at tracking new outbreaks of deadly fish disease MADISON – To help contain the spread of a fish virus in Wisconsin that recently caused a fish kill on Lake Winnebago, people who harvest and sell minnows from t...
5/25/07		Start planning now to take Hunter Education Classes Don’t wait or it might be too late! MADISON -- The cool, crisp days of autumn may seem far away as outdoor activities focus on lakes, rivers or easy access to shade. But it will only be just a few months before the paddles...
5/25/07		Advanced rifle marksmanship course offered MADISON – People who have taken a basic hunter education course and are looking to take their hunting skill up to another level can now enroll in an Advanced Rifle Marksmanship Course being offered by the state Department of ...
5/16/07		Deadly fish disease reported in Lake Winnebago system State seeks to expand emergency rules aimed at containing deadly fish disease MADISON – Reports over the weekend that a new viral fish disease likely killed fish in the Lake Winnebago System is spurring Wisconsin fisheries...
5/16/07		Musky fishing continues to grow in popularity MADISON -- When the first day of the 2007 northern zone musky season arrives May 26, more anglers will be catching more fish faster, and sending more back to the water to fight another day, than a generation ago. “The popu...
5/16/07		DNR warden receives 2007 national wildlife officer award MADISON –Tom Heisler, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation warden from Sawyer County, has been selected to receive the 2007 Torch Award for Region 5 of the National Association of Wildlife Enforcement Offi...
5/16/07		Adopt-A-Trail program seeks volunteers MADISON –Earth Day has passed, but individuals and groups looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day any day can help keep Wisconsin’s State Trail System beautiful year-round by joining the Wisconsin Adopt-A-Trail Program. Ad...
5/16/07		Power transmission line project may result in incidental take of rare turtle EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threate...
5/16/07		DNR launches chronic wasting disease management public dialogue Agency looking for advisory group members [EDITOR’S ADVISORY: The following news release was previously issued May 10, 2007 by FAX to media statewide.] MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board, the Department of Natu...
5/8/07		Anglers reminded to avoid spreading viral fish disease and other invasive species MADISON – With the regular inland fishing season set to open Saturday, May 5, a viral fish disease responsible for huge fish kills on several eastern Great Lakes underscores the need for all Wisconsin anglers to take steps to...
5/8/07		Inland trout stocking returns to normal levels MADISON – Trout anglers anticipating the May 5 opener will be pleased to know that trout stocking is back to normal levels, and nearly 400,000 legal size trout will be stocked before opening day. A list of more than 300 water...
5/8/07		Three convenient ways to purchase fishing licenses before May 5 opener MADISON – The opening day of the 2007 regular fishing season is May 5, and more than 400,00 people have already gotten their license to fish. As of 11 a.m. on May 1, 417,266 people had purchased fishing licenses or patron ...
5/8/07		Numerous forest fires blacken 2,000 acres across north MADISON – A series of forest fires collectively burned more than 2,000 acres across the northern half of the state Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. Aided by prolonged droughty conditions, warm temperatures and strong win...
5/8/07		Restore wetlands by raising special beetles to eat an invasive plant MADISON – People who want to help reclaim wetlands from an invasive plant are encouraged to get involved in a state program to raise and release special beetles that eat only the invasive plant purple loosestrife. Free equ...
5/8/07		Fieldtrips highlight success of biological control of purple loosestrife MADISON – Free field trips during May allow people to see wetlands recovering from purple loosestrife, an invasive plant, with help from a special beetle that targets only the purple loosestrife. The field trips, sponsored...

April 2007 Archives

4/30/07		Arbor Day – kids making a difference From its humble beginnings in Nebraska 135 years ago, kids still make Arbor Day a day to remember MADISON – On these warm spring days, do you gaze out your window dreaming of swinging your nine iron or taking a long bike r...
4/30/07		Fire departments are spring fire season partners SPOONER, Wis. – From the time the snow melts in the spring until it reappears in winter, wildfires remain a threat to homes and other structures in rural areas. This is particularly true this spring as many areas of Wisconsin...
4/30/07		Gypsy moths to return soon: Prepare now MADISON – As warmer weather approaches, homeowners should begin preparing for this year’s battle with the gypsy moth. “Although the big caterpillars won’t be here until June, now is the best time to prepare for the return ...
4/30/07		Spring is the time to get out and destroy garlic mustard MADISON – With spring-like weather finally arriving in Wisconsin, many people are welcoming the sight of green plants once again emerging from the brown ground. But one of the first green plants to come up in the spring is no...
4/30/07		Protecting spawning habitat critical to Wisconsin’s state fish MADISON – By protecting habitat that is suitable for muskellunge spawning state fisheries biologists hope to augment successful musky management strategies that have already helped make the legendary “fish of 10,000 casts” mo...
4/18/07		EDITOR’S ADVISORY – Spring rules hearing results Despite rollercoaster spring weather many game fish should have completed spawning MADISON – Spring’s rollercoaster weather has been sending Wisconsin fish mixed signals, but it’s clear that the May 5 opening day of the re...
4/18/07		Wisconsin inland fishing season opens May 5 Despite rollercoaster spring weather many game fish should have completed spawning MADISON – Spring’s rollercoaster weather has been sending Wisconsin fish mixed signals, but it’s clear that the May 5 opening day of the re...
4/18/07		Hearings set on proposal to control mercury emissions MADISON -- The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on a proposal aimed at reducing the amount of mercury that coal-fired electrical generating units emit in Wisconsin at a series of public hearings in May. ...
4/18/07		Switching to compact fluorescent lights can reduce greenhouse gases MADISON – Wisconsin consumers can take a simple and easy step to reduce their personal contributions to global warming by switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). “National studies show...
4/18/07		Wisconsin wolf population continues to increase PARK FALLS, Wis. – The population of gray wolves in Wisconsin has increased to between 540 and 600 animals, according to a preliminary estimate compiled by the state’s wolf population monitoring team. The estimate is based on...
4/18/07		Wolves kill bird dog in Lincoln County MADISON – Wolves attacked and killed a bird hunting dog April 7 in an area about nine miles west-south-west of Tomahawk in the Harrison Hills near the Otter Lake Campground in Lincoln County. The dog was one of four its owner...
4/18/07		Stevens Point, Fremont wastewater facility laboratories receive awards MADISON – Two laboratories that are registered to conduct environmental analysis to help ensure Wisconsin municipalities and industries are meeting standards that protect public health and the environment have been recognized...
4/18/07		More than 6,000 spring turkey hunting permits still available MADISON – The 2007 spring turkey hunting season kicked off on April 11. Hunters still interested in hunting the spring season can buy one of the 6,000 harvest permits still available. Permits can be purchased: over the Intern...
4/4/07		Cooperative efforts to restore trumpeter swans recognized Officials plan to begin process of removing swans from state endangered species list MILWAUKEE - Cooperative efforts among a large number of partners to restore trumpeter swans in Wisconsin and in the upper Midwest have be...
4/4/07		Spring wildlife and fish rules hearings April 16 MADISON – Wisconsin residents have an opportunity to comment on proposed rules that regulate fishing, hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation activities in Wisconsin by attending the 2007 Spring Wildlife and Fisheries ...
4/4/07		Great Lakes Water Wars, Climate Change talks highlight lakes convention GREEN BAY — The author of the recently published “The Great Lakes Water Wars” and an internationally renowned expert on water and climate change headline the Wisconsin Lakes Convention, set for April 26-28 in Green Bay. Pe...
4/4/07		Orienteering workshop offered at Sandhill BABCOCK – People interested in assuring that they’ll be able to find their way back home while they’re walking in the woods can sign up for an orienteering workshop being offered at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center. The ...

March 2007 Archives

3/29/07		No chronic wasting disease found in west central Wisconsin EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Sampling conducted in 19 west central Wisconsin counties during the 2006 deer hunting seasons found no signs of the fatal chronic wasting disease, indicating the disease has not spread to that part of the s...
3/29/07		Hypothermia is a serious concern during spring boating MADISON – The dramatic rescue of a kayaker from a flood-swollen river in west central Wisconsin this month offers what state boating safety specialists say is a compelling example of how quickly cold water can affect a person...
3/29/07		Yellow perch recovery continuing on Lake Michigan and Green Bay MILWAUKEE – Yellow perch from the big pond are making a comeback in anglers’ creels, reflecting the growing recovery of this species in Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Recently analyzed angler surveys show that anglers pulled...
3/29/07		University geneticist assists state’s musky stocking program HAYWARD, Wis. – By collecting muskellunge eggs from different lakes where muskies have proven they can grow to large sizes and reproduce successfully on their own, state fisheries officials are hoping to improve Wisconsin’s m...
3/29/07		Don’t prune oaks April through July to avoid oak wilt MADISON – People who don’t want to run the risk of losing their oak trees should avoid pruning them in April through July. Spring and early-summer pruning makes oak trees vulnerable to oak wilt, a serious and almost always fa...
3/29/07		Improper trash burning is hazardous, alternatives offered SPOONER, Wis. -- Anyone taking a match to a woody debris pile this spring may want to think twice. If the pile contains household trash the fire will be adding dangerous pollutants to the air. According to the U.S Environm...
3/29/07		Grants available to help landowners manage, restore habitat for ‘at-risk’ species MADISON -- Landowners interested in managing or restoring habitat on their land for plant or animal species that are considered “at risk” have until April 20 to submit pre-applications that would make them eligible for cost s...
3/14/07		Federal delisting of wolf transfers management to state MADISON – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett joined officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a wolf spotting flight from Siren to Ashland Monday, March 12. At a press conference at the Sigurd ...
3/14/07		Draft plan proposed for managing new Peshtigo River State Forest Comments sought on Draft Master Plan & Environmental Assessment GREEN BAY – Additional day-use recreation areas, horse trails, traditional camping as well as campground for horseback riders, swimming beaches, and improved ...
3/14/07		Studies examine impact of ‘culling’ on fishing tournaments in Wisconsin MADISON – Bass fishing tournaments in which participants are allowed to “cull,” or sort fish, have a minimal effect on fish survival when water temperatures are low but can be a concern when water temperatures are warm, accor...
3/14/07		Manure management rules adopted Largest 160 livestock farms will be affected MADISON – Changes to regulations governing manure management on Wisconsin’s 160 largest farms that go into effect this spring are expected to help safeguard drinking water, prot...
3/14/07		Counties starting to offer Clean Boats, Clean Waters workshops Expansion a boost to education efforts at boat landings RHINELANDER, Wis. – People who want to play a direct role in preventing zebra mussels, Eurasian water-milfoil and other aquatic invasive species from spreading to the...
3/14/07		Burn leftover firewood to help avoid spreading tree pests and diseases MADISON -- Spring is almost here in Wisconsin and state forestry officials are urging home and cabin owners who have a small amount of wood left from this winter to burn it up by April 1. This is especially important if you d...
3/14/07		Meeting set on how to measure sustainable management of state forests MADISON – The public will have an opportunity to comment and offer suggestions to a state advisory committee on how Wisconsin can measure progress toward ensuring the state’s forests are managed in a sustainable fashion at a ...
3/1/07		Updated flood maps aim to better protect people, property Open houses to view preliminary maps set to start for 2007 MADISON – A series of open houses begins this week on preliminary flood risk maps developed for 12 Wisconsin counties as part of a modernization effort to give peo...
3/1/07		Sturgeon spearing lasts entire 16-day season Harvest total on all Winnebago lakes hits 1,347 OSHKOSH, Wis. – Sturgeon spearers were able to enjoy the full 16-days for the 2007 Lake Winnebago season, which closed Sunday Feb. 25, with a system wide preliminary harvest ...
3/1/07		Forest certification efforts ramping up in Wisconsin MADISON – Efforts to responsibly manage Wisconsin’s forest resources will be shifting into a higher gear in 2007, with a number of innovative activities planned for state-owned and national forest lands, according to the new ...
3/1/07		Inland game fish season closes March 4 MADISON – Anglers should be aware that the game fish season on most inland Wisconsin waters closes at the end of the day on Sunday, March 4. The panfish seasons remain open year-round as does the season for certain game fi...
3/1/07		Highway expansion, gas line relocation may result in incidental take of snake [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threat...

February 2007 Archives

2/15/07		2006 third highest deer harvest on record; no statewide October antlerless hunt in 2007 Hunters will need a ‘concerted effort’ next year or October hunt will return in 2008 MADISON – With nearly all registration stubs from the 2006 season compiled, hunters harvested just under 500,000 white-tailed deer, which...
2/15/07		First youth spring turkey hunt to be held in Wisconsin MADISON -- 2007 marks the first year Wisconsin youth will be able to participate in an annual youth spring turkey hunt. The hunt is designated to give youth hunters, ages 12 through 15 that have successfully completed a hunte...
2/15/07		Arbor Day student essay contest deadline March 9 MADISON – Smokey Bear and the Department of Natural Resources want to remind Wisconsin fourth graders and their teachers that the deadline for entering the 2007 Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest is March 9. The them...
2/15/07		Tree, shrub seedlings still available from state nurseries for spring planting MADISON –Spring is the ideal time to plant young trees. There is still time to plan tree planting projects with tree and shrub seedlings available from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tree nurseries. “Wisconsin c...
2/15/07		Street expansion project may result in incidental taking of rare plant [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threat...
2/1/07		Lower Wisconsin River bald eagle numbers up from last year DODGEVILLE, Wis. – Bald eagle numbers this winter along the Lower Wisconsin River corridor are almost double last year’s count according to an aerial survey conducted earlier this month by the Department of Natural Resources....
2/1/07		162,500 permits issued for 2007 spring turkey hunt 43,800 spring permits go on sale over-the-counter March 23 MADISON -- More than 162,500 permits have been issued through the spring turkey preference drawing for the spring 2007 Wisconsin wild turkey season. Another 43,800...
2/1/07		Free turkey hunter education clinics offered statewide Clinics begin in February and run through early April MADISON -- Free Turkey Hunter Education Clinics will be offered again this year around the state. These free clinics are presented by volunteer instructors, and are spo...
2/1/07		Winter sports safety reminders MADISON – A recent cold spell and snow cover across much of the state has outdoors enthusiasts pulling out their sleds, ice augers, skis, skates, snowshoes, binoculars and even ice kites. Winter sports are on the roll from...
2/1/07		State Natural Resources Board elects officers MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board has elected Dr. Christine Thomas as chair for 2007. Also elected were Jonathan Ela as vice chair and John Welter as secretary. The board conducted elections at its Jan. 24 meeting i...
2/1/07		$1 million federal grant to help states monitor Mississippi River water quality LA CROSSE – A Department of Natural Resources monitoring crew based in La Crosse will get up to $1 million in federal money for a massive data collection effort aimed at understanding and improving the Upper Mississippi River...
2/1/07		29 Wisconsin lakes to be part of national water quality survey MADISON -- Twenty-nine Wisconsin lakes will be part of a nationwide survey this summer to examine and report on the ecological health, water quality and recreational value of the nation’s lakes. The U.S. Environmental Prot...

January 2007 Archives

1/17/07		Participation in winter sports increasing in Wisconsin MADISON – Baby, it’s cold outside -- but apparently, that’s the way people in Wisconsin like it, according to a recent survey of participation in outdoor recreation. The number of adult residents spending cold, snowy winte...
1/17/07		Brown trout fishing good on Lake Michigan tributaries and harbors MILWAUKEE -- The warm winter thus far may have Wisconsin ice anglers singing the blues, but it is heaven sent for anglers enjoying the fantastic brown trout fishery in the open waters of the tributaries to, and harbors on, La...
1/17/07		State to test seasonal burning permits in some northern counties MADISON – Property owners in nine northern counties will be able to apply for a season-long burning permit for burning yard waste in 2007 under a pilot program to test a new outdoor burning permit system in Wisconsin. As part...
1/17/07		American marten featured on Endangered Resources poster MADISON – A dramatic full-color poster featuring an American marten peeking out from behind a wildflower highlights work to protect and manage rare and non-game species funded through the state Endangered Resources Fund. The ...
1/17/07		Urban Forestry Grants awarded to 59 communities throughout Wisconsin ADISON – Fifty-nine Wisconsin communities and nonprofit organizations are receiving grants totaling almost $614,000 for community urban forestry projects ranging from developing tree plans to forest maintenance to staff train...
1/17/07		Runoff management grant applications available MADISON -- Applications for state grants to help local governments meet state and federal requirements for controlling polluted runoff are now available online, state water quality officials say. “Polluted runoff from urba...
1/4/07		Wisconsin wintering bald eagles offer some of the best viewing in the nation Communities along Wisconsin, Mississippi rivers offer viewing events MADISON – With hundreds of wintering bald eagles congregating along open water areas of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, Wisconsin offers some of th...
1/4/07		Candlelight skis and hikes start Jan. 6 at Wisconsin State Parks If there is a lack of snow, most events will be held as candlelight hikes MADISON – With much of Wisconsin lacking snow cover so far this winter, people can still get out and enjoy Wisconsin state parks and trails this win...
1/4/07		Know ice conditions before venturing out SPOONER, Wis. – Ice is thickening on northern lakes, but many waters across the rest of the state continue to have very tenuous ice cover. With ice anglers starting to venture out and take part in one of Wisconsin’s most popu...
1/4/07		Post-holiday recycling helps usher in a happy New Year MADISON – The holiday season, with all of its associated buying, wrapping and celebrating, substantially increases the amount of waste that we generate. The big question after the holidays are over is what to do with all of t...
1/4/07		Porcupine Ecology on Snowshoes’ clinic offered BABCOCK, Wis. – People can learn about the ecology of porcupines and then trek out on snowshoes to check live traps and visit porcupine winter dens during a “Porcupine Ecology on Snowshoes” clinic at the Sandhill Outdoor Skil...

News Archives for 2006:

December 2006 Archives

12/28/06		How to "Deck the Halls" with less MADISON – ‘Tis the season for gift-giving, food, fun and festivities. All of the sharing and celebrating can drastically increase how much “trash” Americans generate and throw away. With that in mind, here are some creative s...
12/28/06		DNR highlights of 2006 Air regulatory reform, Fox River cleanup, fish and wildlife audit, and investments in Stewardship Program among major achievements of past year MADISON – Streamlining air and waste regulatory processes, moving the clea...
12/28/06		Communities trained to protect water supplies from terrorist attacks, other disasters MADISON – About 50 of Wisconsin’s largest communities have participated in mock exercises to practice their response to a terrorist attack or natural calamity affecting their drinking water supply. Another 65 communities are ...
12/28/06		Awards recognize outstanding efforts to improve Wisconsin fishing STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Five fishing groups, two individuals, and a handful of state fish biologists and technicians have received state awards recognizing their outstanding efforts to make fishing even better in Wisconsin. ...
12/12/06		Inventory finds 46 percent of Wisconsin land area covered by forests MADISON – Wisconsin currently has 16 million acres of public and private forests, accounting for 46 percent of the state’s land area, according to a recently finalized inventory of the make-up, productivity and health of Wisc...
12/12/06		Boater surveys show progress on invasive species front More boaters taking prevention steps MADISON -- State and volunteer efforts to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species in Wisconsin waters are making progress, according to four years of surveys at boat landings tha...
12/12/06		Drinking water deadline for radium approaches Some public system may face additional sanctions MADISON – More than 40 public water systems that have historically produced drinking water with high radium levels have until Dec. 8 to meet the deadline for fixing their p...
12/12/06		Winterize private wells to assure drinking water safety MADISON – Late fall’s cold temperatures and increased precipitation can increase the threat of well contamination for people who rely on private drinking water wells, but well owners can take winterization steps to assure the...
12/12/06		2007 state park/forest admission stickers and trail passes on sale Give the gift of Wisconsin’s great outdoors with a park sticker or trail pass MADISON – Looking for a subtle way this holiday season of telling “Uncle Ernie” or “Aunt Bea” to “go take a hike”? How about giving him or her a...

November 2006 Archives

11/30/06		Hunters register 336,211 deer over nine-day season Several deer hunting opportunities still open including CWD zones MADISON –A preliminary total of 336,211 deer were registered by hunters at the close of Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season. Wildlife officials stress that...
11/30/06		Vast majority of Wisconsin residents found safe water on tap in 2005 Report: 96.6 percent of water systems had no health-based drinking water violations MADISON – The vast majority of Wisconsin’s nearly 11,500 public water systems in 2005 served safe water that met all state and federal st...
11/30/06		Rules would protect streams and high quality waters from high capacity wells Public hearings to be held Dec. 13-20 across state MADISON – Statewide public hearings are set for December for proposed rules to carry out a 2004 law aimed at assuring that trout streams and other high quality waters are ...
11/30/06		Dec. 7-10 statewide antlerless deer hunt set to open MADISON – Wisconsin’s deer hunters’ next big opportunity takes place next week during a statewide antlerless gun deer hunt that runs from Dec. 7 through 10. State wildlife officials say more than 100 of Wisconsin’s 130 dee...
11/30/06		Spring turkey hunting, bear harvest permit deadlines Dec. 11 MADISON – Hunters have a day longer to apply for next year’s spring turkey and bear harvest permits. Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials say hunters looking to participate in both season can look forward to exc...
11/20/06		2006 Opening Day Wisconsin Gun Deer Season Report MADISON – Seasonably mild and relatively pleasant conditions greeted hunters for the opening day of the 2006 Wisconsin nine-day gun deer season. With minimal precipitation reported and temperatures in the mid 30s through most...
11/15/06		Follow four rules of firearms safety to avoid firearm related injuries MADISON – Each year, more than 600,000 hunters participate in Wisconsin’s annual November nine-day gun deer season. According to state hunting safety specialists, firearms safety is imperative with that many hunters afield in...
11/15/06		Lake, stream shorelines off limits to motorized vehicles SPOONER Wis. -- Lake and stream levels are at historic lows across northwestern Wisconsin and other areas of the state, exposing environmentally sensitive shorelines that state officials are reminding people are off limits fo...
11/15/06		America Recycles Day November 15 MADISON -- Wisconsin residents and communities can join in a national effort to increase recycling and conserve natural resources by participating in America Recycles Day and pledging to recycle more and purchase products mad...
11/15/06		Bayfield and Waukesha elementary schools newest Green and Healthy Schools MADISON -- School lunch will take on a whole new flavor as students at Washburn Elementary School in Bayfield County grow their own fruits and vegetables for their hot lunch program next year. At Lannon Elementary School in W...
11/15/06		Comments sought on state applications for federal funding to help clean up brownfields MADISON – The public has an opportunity through the end of November to comment on applications Wisconsin environmental officials are making for additional federal funds for two programs to help local communities assess and cl...
11/15/06		Comments sought on New Berlin proposal to withdraw Great Lakes water MADISON -- People have until Nov. 25 to weigh in on New Berlin’s proposal to withdraw additional water from Lake Michigan as a 60-day public comment period winds down, state officials say. “We want to remind people they h...
11/15/06		Wolf River pier constructions may result in incidental taking of rare mussels EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threate...
11/15/06		A 155-year chronology of Wisconsin deer hunting [EDITOR’S ADVISORY: The following chronology of deer hunting in Wisconsin was previously released locally through the DNR South Central Region public affairs office.] FITCHBURG, Wis. -- Wisconsin has a long and storied tra...
11/15/06		EDITOR’S ADVISOR: DEER PHOTOS; OPENING DAY HUNTING SEASON REPORT EDITOR'S ADVISORY – WHITE-TAILED DEER PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Photos of white-tailed deer and deer-hunting are available on the DNR Web site for media to download and use with deer hunting stories. The images are available in high ...
11/1/06		Surveys find no sign of tree-killing beetle in Wisconsin state parks MADISON -- Researchers looking for the emerald ash borer in Wisconsin State Parks have found no evidence of the dreaded insect that’s responsible for the demise of nearly 20 million ash trees in three Midwest states and one C...
11/1/06		Deer-vehicle collisions highest in October and November MADISON – Reports from state wildlife biologists and archery deer hunters indicate that white-tailed deer are nearing their rut, or mating season, and deer movement will increase over the next few weeks, resulting in a signif...
11/1/06		Deer donation program off to a strong start MADISON – Wisconsin deer hunters can donate venison from deer they harvest this fall for distribution to food pantries across the state. “Wisconsin Deer Donation 2006 is off to a great start for the 2006 deer hunting seaso...
11/1/06		Properly maintain firearm for a successful deer season MADISON – With the gun deer season rapidly approaching in Wisconsin, many hunters are working to increase their chances of bagging a deer by cleaning their rifle. “Proper cleaning of your rifle is a simple task that can no...
11/1/06		Plan calls for improvements at Buckhorn State Park and Wildlife Area EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – A new family campground, improved facilities such as shower and toilet buildings, additional bike and nature trails, and an amphitheater are among the improvements proposed in a draft revision of the manage...
11/1/06		DNR Secretary Hassett named president of Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies MADISON -- Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett has been named president of the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. His term as president will run from October 2006 through September 2007. As...
11/1/06		Volunteers needed to help monitor wolf population in the state Wolf tracking training sessions and ecology courses set MADISON -- The Wisconsin wolf program is looking for a few good trackers. People interested in volunteering to locate gray wolves and other forest carnivores in the com...

October 2006 Archives

10/19/06		44 stream segments designated as outstanding or exception resource waters MADISON – Odds just improved that Wisconsin residents and visitors will continue to enjoy for generations the same clean water, outstanding recreation, and valuable fisheries they now treasure on 44 pristine northern stream s...
10/19/06		Conditions good, participation up, for two-day youth gun deer hunt MADISON – Good conditions and a relaxed atmosphere greeted youth hunters participating in Wisconsin's youth gun deer hunt held on Oct 7 and 8. Open to youth ages 12 to 15 who have successfully completed a Hunter's Educati...
10/19/06		Time getting short for hunters to check on Earn-a-Buck prequalification MADISON – Hunters who shot an antlerless deer last year in a deer management unit (DMU) that is designated as Earn-A-Buck this year still have time before the gun deer season opens to make sure they are pre-qualified to shoot...
10/19/06		Nominations sought for statewide Ethical Hunting Award MADISON – Nominations for the 10th annual Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – La Crosse Tribune Ethical Hunter Award are again being accepted to recognize those hunters throughout Wisconsin who do good deeds and who s...
10/19/06		Milwaukee City forester to be inducted into Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame MADISON – Longtime Milwaukee City forester Robert Skiera will be posthumously inducted into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame on Oct. 19 in ceremonies in Stevens Point. Skiera was nominated for the Hall of Fame by the D...
10/19/06		Recycling in Wisconsin continues to show strength Latest survey shows strong commitment, more materials recycled at higher levels MADISON – Results of a household survey on recycling in Wisconsin show residents remain committed to recycling and are recycling more kinds of...

September 2006 Archives

9/28/06		Wisconsin prairie chickens get genetic boost from Minnesota birds STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Can introducing some fresh blood from the land of the Purple and Gold across the Big Muddy reinvigorate a flock of rare birds in the land of the Green and Gold? That's what a group of conservationists...
9/28/06		Youth gun deer hunt not subject to Earn-a-Buck rule MADISON – Youths ages 12 through 15 who plan to hunt in a special statewide youth gun deer hunt on Oct. 7 and 8 will not have to shoot an antlerless deer first in Earn-a-Buck deer management units in order to shoot an antlere...
9/28/06		Federal Foam Technologies builds environmental efforts through Green Tier program MADISON – A New Richmond-based custom designer and fabricator of foam products has become the newest participant in a statewide program that provides companies greater regulatory flexibility in exchange for demonstrated super...
9/28/06		Waterfowl hunters advised to wear lifejackets and to not overload boats MADISON – As waterfowl hunters head out in boats in search of geese or ducks, state boating safety specialists are reminding them to pay as much attention to their safety on the water as to their success in bagging a limit. ...
9/28/06		Conference to focus on citizen-based conservation and environmental monitoring efforts MADISON – Efforts by Wisconsin residents and visitors to help monitor a wide variety of the state's environmental and conservation conditions will be the focus of a two-day conference Oct. 5-6 in Door County. The Citizen-B...
9/28/06		Conference to address minimizing hazards faced by birds MADISON – A conference on hazards faced by birds from tall structures such as buildings, communication, wind energy generators and power transmission towers and lines is scheduled for Oct. 13 at the Ho-Chunk Convention Center...
9/28/06		Crane-watch clinic offered at Sandhill Wildlife Area BABCOCK, Wis. – The public will have an opportunity join state wildlife biologists in a unique evening next month viewing the daily return of thousands of sandhill cranes to the Gallegher Marsh on Sandhill Wildlife Area in ce...
9/19/06		Cooperative solution preserves trout stream while allowing well to operate VIROQUA, Wis. – A Class 1 trout stream and a quarry in Vernon County should both get the groundwater they need this fall as the result of a creative solution engineered by state groundwater specialists, a willing company and ...
9/19/06		Public urged to watch for invasive mussels when removing piers and boats MADISON – If you thought zebra mussels were bad, wait 'til you get a load of their cousins. Waterfront property owners, who have been inspecting their piers and boats when they take them out each fall to be on guard for ze...
9/19/06		Special deer hunt for youths to be held Oct. 7-8 MADISON – Young people ages 12 to 15 will have two days this year when only they can hunt deer with guns, under the mentoring of an adult hunter. State wildlife officials hope the youth hunt, which in previous years had been ...
9/19/06		Tree stands popular among Wisconsin’s hunters, but must be used safely MADISON – Tree stands are popular among Wisconsin hunters -- especially among those who archery hunt -- because they help improve the hunters' visibility and decrease the chance their scent will spook prey. But the stands als...
9/19/06		Goose Island deer hunt permits available LA CROSSE, Wis. – Physically challenged people who want to participate in a December hunt to control deer numbers at Goose Island Park can secure applications from the North American Squirrel Association. The hunt, designed f...
9/19/06		Fall naturalist programs highlight Horicon Marsh’s international importance HORICON, W is. – As the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States, the importance of Horicon Marsh to migratory birds is so well known that it has been designated as both a “Wetland of International Importance" an...
9/1/06		Nearly 66,700 permits issued in drawing for fall turkey season 23,600 permits available for over the counter sales beginning Sept. 7 MADISON – Nearly 66,700 permits for the Wisconsin 2006 fall turkey season that opens Oct. 1 are being issued through the recently completed fall turkey ...
9/1/06		First of fall hunting seasons set to open September 1 MADISON – Hunters eagerly anticipating the start of fall hunting seasons have reason to smile this week as the first of the fall game bird seasons are set to open on Sept.1. Early Canada Goose The early statewide Can...
9/1/06		Near record chinook catch may be sign of trend toward larger fish KEWAUNEE -- Fisheries biologists hope the massive chinook salmon caught in the port of Kewaunee earlier this month is a sign of things to come: bigger chinooks. The fish measured 42 inches and weighed 36 pounds 4 ounces a...
9/1/06		Oshkosh area family named Wisconsin Tree Farmers of the Year OSHKOSH – John Koerner, 5628 W. Fisk Ave., grew up on a dairy farm near Ripon but for the nearly four decades he's been farming a different crop – trees. This year he and his wife, Diane, were named Wisconsin Tree Farmers ...
9/1/06		Hunters should review baiting regulations prior to hunting seasons MADISON – Deer hunters who hunt over bait should review Wisconsin's deer baiting and feeding rules prior to the opening of deer hunting seasons, according to state wildlife managers and conservation wardens. “Currently 26...
9/1/06		New efforts aimed at protecting health, environment from discarded household drugs MADISON – Properly disposing of unwanted pharmaceutical waste will help protect public health and the environment, and local agencies that collect such waste now have new guidance available for how to safely and properly hand...
9/1/06		Now is the time to report purple loosestrife infestations MADISON – Purple loosestrife is currently blooming across Wisconsin, with its deep purple flowers now easy to see along roadside ditches, lakeshores and riverbanks, which makes this an excellent time of year for people to rep...
9/1/06		School athletic field development may result in incidental take of rare snake EDITOR'S NOTE: Wisconsin's endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threate...

August 2006 Archives

8/15/06		Draft whooping crane management plan topic of public meetings MADISON – What steps should the State of Wisconsin take to balance a high level of protection for the whooping crane, which is a federally endangered species, with the needs and interests of the public and Wisconsin communiti...
8/15/06		Mississippi River states seek to increase protection for shovelnose sturgeon PRAIRIE Du CHIEN, Wis. – An international ban on the harvest of sturgeon for caviar from the former Soviet Union is shifting interest to other sources of the high-priced delicacy, including the Mississippi River. In respo...
8/15/06		Ceremony to mark expansion of Hank Aaron State Trail Ceremony to follow annual Walk/Run, precede ‘Grand Slam Festival' August 12 MILWAUKEE – The public will have an opportunity to join Home Run King Hank Aaron on Saturday, Aug. 12, to celebrate the completion of another sectio...
8/15/06		Trapper education workshop offered BABCOCK, Wis. – First-time trappers in Wisconsin are required to attend a trapper education course before being able to puchase a trapping license. The course was developed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Wisco...
8/1/06		Recycling effort at Wisconsin State Fair expands MADISON – Mooove over cream puffs --the Wisconsin State Fair is adding another great tradition for fairgoers: the chance to recycle away from home. Seventy-two bottled-shaped bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans wil...
8/1/06		State deer herd predicted at 1.5 to 1.7 million this fall MADISON – Wisconsin's white-tailed deer population is projected to be 1.5 to 1.7 million this fall, 12 percent higher than last fall, according to state wildlife officials. That projection is well above established populat...
8/1/06		Hearing set on 2006 Wisconsin waterfowl seasons MADISON – Wisconsin's 2006 waterfowl season is shaping up as a nice long one, with spring breeding waterfowl surveys and other information supporting a proposed 60-day season, the longest possible. Hunters also would enjoy...
8/1/06		Draft corridor proposed for Lake Michigan segment of Ice Age Trail Open houses set to review plan, environmental assessment and possible route options MADISON - The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is taking another major step toward completion with a proposal for a trail corridor and possible...
8/1/06		Vilas County fatality prompts recall of kite tubes MADISON – Wisconsin recreation safety officials are urging Wisconsin residents and visitors to stop using inflatable watercraft called kite tubes that have been recalled by the product's manufacturer. One of two deaths nat...
8/1/06		Cleanup plans proposed for four streams Public has until Aug. 25 to comment on plans MADISON – People can submit written comments through Aug. 25 on plans to clean up four streams in Wisconsin that currently do not meet state water quality standards. The plans...

July 2006 Archives

7/13/06		Deer season dates and rules set for CWD management zones in southern Wisconsin MADISON - Either sex harvest for bow and gun hunting, shorter seasons and a longer break between them highlight changes to deer hunting rules for southern Wisconsin's chronic wasting disease (CWD) zones this fall. The rule...
7/13/06		Tip sheet available on using 2006 deer tags MADISON - Hunters who have questions about how to properly use the different carcass tags that come with 2006 Wisconsin deer hunting licenses can find answers in a new 2006 Deer Carcass Tags (298kb pdf) tip sheet available on...
7/13/06		Overwinter deer survival, reproduction good following mild winter weather MADISON - The 2005-2006 winter weather should have no negative effect on white-tailed deer survival and reproduction in Wisconsin, according to the annual Winter Severity Indices (WSI) report. Winter conditions, including ...
7/13/06		Fall turkey application deadline August 1 MADISON - Turkey hunters have until Aug. 1 to apply for one of the 90,600 wild turkey permits that are available for the fall 2006 Wisconsin turkey hunting season. This is an increase in permits compared to last fall when 85,...
7/13/06		Underwater vehicles help solve mystery of Lake Michigan lake trout Comments sought on plan to restore lake trout to Lake Michigan MILWAUKEE - An underwater reef in deep water 40 miles off Sheboygan figures to play prominently in future efforts to restore native lake trout to Lake Michigan...
7/1/06		Stay safe while enjoying Wisconsin waterways over July 4th holiday MADISON - Outdoor participation surveys show that Wisconsinites love water - more than half participate in water-based recreation -- and it's a good bet that many citizens will be spending their July 4th holiday on the state'...
7/1/06		Spring turkey hunters register more than 46,600 turkeys Fall season permit applications due August 1 MADISON -- Preliminary figures show that hunters registered 46,662 turkeys during Wisconsin's 2006 spring wild turkey season. This is a 1 percent increase from the 2005 spring h...
7/1/06		East Branch Pecatonica River stream corridor to be restored State Wildlife Action grant to help fund restoration BARNEVELD, Wis. - Work has begun on restoring to its pre-settlement condition a one-quarter mile stream channel that has become degraded through years of sedimentation. ...
7/1/06		2005 Big Game Harvest Summary available MADISON - Wisconsin's 2005 deer hunt ranks as the sixth best season in Wisconsin harvest history with hunters registering a total of 467,923 deer from all seasons, according to final registration figures in the recently compl...
7/1/06		Angler survey to get a handle on angler catch, harvest of fish MADISON - A statewide survey is underway to understand how many fish are being caught by anglers in Wisconsin's inland waters -- and how well fish managers are doing their jobs. The mail survey repeats the methods and que...

June 2006 Archives

6/1/06		Conservation plan aims to expand Karner blue butterfly habitat Management of Clark County Forestland intended to expand lupine range NEILLSVILLE, Wis. - Wild lupine is starting to bloom throughout central Wisconsin, and there may soon be more of these native violet-blue flowers blooming...
6/1/06		Draft impaired waters list for 2006 available for public comment MADISON - The water quality in seven water bodies in Wisconsin has improved to the point where those waters should be removed from the list of impaired waters in Wisconsin, according to a draft version of the 2006 list that i...
6/1/06		Fact sheet available on placing piers in waterways during 2006 MADISON - Information now available on the Internet will help Wisconsin waterfront property owners learn what they need to know for 2006 about state requirements for placing their piers in the water, habitat protection offici...
6/1/06		Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area established SPOONER, Wis. - A new partnership of local, state, federal and tribal agencies and organizations joining together to address invasive species in a four-county area is the first effort of its kind in Wisconsin, and one officia...
6/1/06		Waukesha South High School student designs the 2007 state park sticker MADISON - A design featuring sandhill cranes in flight by Courtney Olshefski, a junior from Waukesha South High School in Waukesha, has been selected to be featured on the 2007 Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker. ...
6/1/06		Grants available for wildfire suppression MADISON -- Local fire fighting agencies have until July 3 to apply for two separate Department of Natural Resources grant programs for suppressing forest and wildfires. Both programs provide funds on a 50/50 cash match basis....
6/1/06		June Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine explores fishing contests MADISON -- For some, part of the thrill in catching fish is that someone else wanted to catch it too. Readers of the June 2006 Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine can examine the growing interest in tournament fishing on Wis...

May 2006 Archives

5/18/06		Northern zone musky season opens May 27 MADISON - Good news for anglers eager for the May 27 opening day of the musky fishing season on northern lakes: if state netting surveys are any indication, there's more fish that are 45 inches and larger than a generation ag...
5/18/06		Study finds healthy musky population on Chippewa Flowage HAYWARD Wis. - State fisheries biologists conducting a genetics study of muskellunge in the Chippewa Flowage have documented something that many anglers have known for years: The "Big Chip" has a healthy and thriving musky po...
5/18/06		Spring pond restorations benefit trout, the anglers who chase them ANTIGO -- State fishery crews have begun work in Langlade County to turn back the geologic clock on one of northern Wisconsin's most productive areas for native brook trout. They're using a retired, retrofitted military a...
5/18/06		Rule proposals to affect very largest farms’ manure management Changes aim to reduce well contamination, fish kills, water pollution MADISON - Proposed changes to rules governing manure management by Wisconsin's largest farms will come before the state Natural Resources Board at its M...
5/18/06		Comments sought on roadless area management in state’s National Forests MADISON - The public will have an opportunity to comment on federal management plans for roadless areas within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest at a series of open house meetings that will be held throughout Wisconsin ...
5/11/06		2006 Wisconsin gun deer hunting season set News structure replaces October antlerless hunt with a December antlerless hunt MADISON - Wisconsin deer hunting seasons will look dramatically different this fall under a trial season structure that, among other changes, ...
5/11/06		Green Bay yellow perch bag limit to increase GREEN BAY - Good news for anglers on Green Bay: starting May 20, bag limits for yellow perch increase from 10 to 15 fish per day. The increase follows five years of restrictive bag limits to help protect dwindling stocks o...
5/11/06		Gypsy moth spraying to begin MADISON - Aerial spraying to combat the potentially defoliating effects of the gypsy moth could begin in Wisconsin within the next two weeks. Trained pilots will treat approximately 1,500 acres in four counties as part of ...
5/11/06		Better tools provide better air quality information MADISON -May 15 to 19, 2006 has been proclaimed Air Quality Awareness Week nationwide to draw the public's attention to a number of useful tools that federal, state and local officials now provide to help the public to stay i...
5/11/06		Learn to deer hunt applications available BABCOCK, Wis. - Youths and adults who interested in learning how to hunt deer can now apply for separate one-day "Learn to Hunt Deer" workshops that will be offered this fall at the Department of Natural Resources Sandhill Ou...
5/4/06		More than 400,000 fishing licenses already sold MADISON - Excitement is building for the 2006 regular inland fishing season, with more than 400,000 people already having bought their licenses before the May 6 opening day. As of early afternoon May 1, 418,866 people had pur...
5/4/06		Anglers reminded to avoid spreading invasive species The most common and problematic invasive species in Wisconsin waters are the Eurasian water milfoil, a plant that grows thick mats just below the water's surface that can interfere with boating and swimming, and zebra mussels...
5/4/06		'Clean Air Month' marks start of ozone season in Wisconsin MADISON - The warmer, sunnier weather that ushers in the month of May can also bring the onset of the ground-level ozone season, which typically runs from May through September in Wisconsin. To spotlight the potential adverse...
5/4/06		Wisconsin Outdoor Education Expo May 19-20 MADISON -- Children and families from throughout Wisconsin can strengthen their relationships with wildlife and habitat by participating in a wide variety of outdoors activities at the 2006 Wisconsin Outdoor Education Expo. ...
5/4/06		Web site allows people to report waterbird observations MADISON -- In an effort to help protect colonial waterbirds nesting in Wisconsin, a new Web site -- Wisconsin Colonial Waterbird Survey -- is available for people to submit data on waterbird observations. The goal of the W...

April 2006 Archives

4/27/06		Community effort leads to preservation of rare Mississippi River bluff 'sand prairie' HOLMEN, Wis. - A successful community effort has led to the preservation of the last remnant of a rare type of prairie nestled along Mississippi River bluffs, a remnant that has remained undisturbed from a time before French ...
4/27/06		Intl. Migratory Bird Day May 13 This year's theme is ‘Boreal Forest: Bird Nursery of the North' MADISON -- Many of the most popular birds Wisconsin residents see in their backyards, parks and refuges depend upon the unique boreal forest region of North Ame...
4/27/06		Horicon Bird Festival May 11-15 MADISON -- Each spring, the greatest long distance migrants in the world --shorebirds -- pass through Wisconsin on an extraordinary journey from as far away as southern South America to breeding grounds in Canada and the High...
4/27/06		Fish stocking trucks rolling HORICON, Wis - Beginner to veteran bird watchers will all find opportunities to learn new birding skills at the 9th annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival May 11 through 15. From a beginning bird watching course, to bird banding ...
4/27/06		Help prevent garlic mustard from taking over woodlands Lake Michigan fish, catchable-size trout critical for fishing opportunities RACINE - State fish stocking trucks are rolling across Wisconsin this week, and that's particularly good news for trout anglers and Lake Michigan an...
4/20/06		Inland fishing opens May 6 MADISON - Anglers should be "knocking on wood" that warm weather holds for the opening of Wisconsin's 2006 regular fishing season on inland waters, state fisheries officials say, because if it does they should enjoy a gangbus...
4/20/06		Whooping cranes seen in 35 Wisconsin counties Four crane pairs already nesting this spring MADISON -- Wild whooping cranes released in Wisconsin as part of an effort to restore an eastern migratory population of this endangered species have been observed in 35 of the st...
4/20/06		Manure rules to affect state's largest farms NRB to consider changes at May meeting in Sheboygan MADISON - Work is wrapping up on what state water quality officials say is a critical component of efforts to reduce the manure-related problems that have been occurring ev...
4/20/06		Stop pruning oaks now to avoid 'wilt' disease MADISON - People who don't want to run the risk of losing precious and valuable oak trees should not prune them starting in mid-April until the end of June. Spring and early summer pruning makes oak trees vulnerable to oak wi...
4/20/06		Owners of property with wetlands may receive tax break MADISON -Property assessment notices arriving in mail boxes across Wisconsin, and property owners with wetlands are encouraged to make sure eligible lands are properly classified to allow them to get a tax break. Under a ...
4/6/06		Trumpeter swans expanding range in state Pairs now establishing nests in central and southern part of state MADISON - Successful efforts to re-establish trumpeter swans in Wisconsin have resulted in a flock that this summer is expected to number more than 500 swans...
4/6/06		Proposals seek consistent regulations on boundary waters Changes sought to lake sturgeon, walleye regulations MADISON - Anglers fishing some of the boundary waters and the Bay of Green Bay that Wisconsin shares with Michigan or Minnesota would find the same regulations regardless ...
4/6/06		Balloting to replace show of hands at spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearings Voting results will be available on Tuesday, April 11 MADISON - People attending the 2006 Department of Natural Resources Spring Wildlife and Fisheries Rules Hearings and Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings on Ap...

March 2006 Archives

3/30/06		Spring wild turkey season opens April 12 2006 marks 30th anniversary of reintroduction program MADISON - 2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the reintroduction of wild turkey in Wisconsin, and several "firsts" this year highlight the successful effort to re-establis...
3/30/06		Spring wildlife and fish rules hearings April 10 MADISON - The public will have an opportunity to vote on a wide range of fish and wildlife rule proposals, as well as introduce suggestions for rule changes they would like to see in the future or that pertain specifically to...
3/30/06		Sharp-tailed grouse blinds available for public use SPOONER, Wis. -- The public has an opportunity to observe one of Wisconsin's most unique and fascinating wildlife spectacles - the mating dance of the sharp-tailed grouse - by reserving a spot in an observation blind in an is...
3/30/06		Hunting safety specialists want hunters to aim for an accident-free turkey season MADISON - Spring turkey hunters could almost be guaranteed an accident-free hunting season this spring, a state hunter education specialist says, if they adhere to the four basic rules of firearm safety, and pay special atten...
3/15/06		Dam relicensing negotiations pay off for fish, anglers, boaters LADYSMITH - Anglers, boaters and paddlers enjoying the Flambeau River and the Red Cedar River are the latest to benefit from state biologists' efforts to assure Wisconsin's largest working dams generate more benefits for peop...
3/15/06		Clean Boats, Clean Waters workshops on tap Free sessions train volunteers to help stop spread of invasive species RHINELANDER - Volunteer watercraft inspectors are Wisconsin's front line in the fight against invasive species, and 14 free workshops scheduled in coming...
3/15/06		Conservation Patron license remains a great value MADISON - Hunters, anglers and trappers can save $131 by purchasing the Conservation Patron License over the individual cost of the permits, stamps and stickers included in the patron package. Juniors can save an equal amount...
3/15/06		Public meetings scheduled for proposed air quality rules MADISON - The public will have an opportunity to learn more and provide input about options for three air quality rules at public information meetings being held in Wausau, Manitowoc and Milwaukee in late March and early Apri...
3/15/06		Volunteers needed for annual Sturgeon Guard effort OSHKOSH - When sturgeon spawn each spring along the rocky shorelines of the Wolf River, they pay little attention to people and are very susceptible to illegal harvest. Every year, hundreds of volunteers stand guard along stu...
3/9/06		State wildlife action plan aims to keep species from declining MADISON - Wisconsin has an impressive record in restoring and protecting endangered and threatened species like bald eagles and has been very successful managing game species, like turkeys and deer. But these are just a fract...
3/9/06		Air and Waste Division 2005 Annual Report now available MADISON - Eliminating a backlog in issuing air permits, streamlining waste management rules, and securing a $400,000 grant to aid in the cleanup and redevelopment of the 30th Street industrial corridor in the city of Milwauke...
3/9/06		Anglers catch nearly 419,000 Lake Michigan chinook in 2005 MILWAUKEE - Chinook fishing in Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan got even hotter in 2005: anglers reeled in the highest recorded harvest of chinook and caught them faster than ever before, according to recently analyzed angle...
3/9/06		2006 Wisconsin Fishing Report available online and in print MADISON - Anglers can find forecasts for the coming fishing season and descriptions of projects their license dollars fund to improve fishing in Wisconsin in the 2006 Wisconsin Fishing Report, now available in print and onlin...
3/2/06		Wisconsin eagles have helped in national recovery of the species MADISON - With federal wildlife officials announcing earlier this month that they are reviving an effort to remove the bald eagle from the national endangered and threatened species list, state residents can take some satisfa...
3/2/06		Hunting and fishing licenses on sale March 10; Turkey permits on sale March 25 MADISON - Hunting, fishing, trapping and other 2006 licenses and harvest permits for fish and wildlife activities in Wisconsin will go on sale March 10. Over-the-counter sales of spring turkey permits will start at noon on Sa...
3/2/06		2006 sturgeon spearing ends after full 16-day season OSHKOSH, Wis. -- The 2006 sturgeon season on Lake Winnebago closed Sunday, Feb. 26 after running for the full 16-day season, with just 225 sturgeon taken from the lake, well below the harvest caps put in place to protect the ...

February 2006 Archives

2/23/06		Proposal aims at establishing self-sustaining trophy musky populations in Green Bay GREEN BAY - Wisconsin's effort to reintroduce Great Lakes muskellunge to Green Bay and the Winnebago system already has anglers catching trophy-sized muskies from those waters, and now state fish managers are proposing change...
2/23/06		High speeds identified in fatal snowmobile accidents MADISON -- Speed was a critical factor in five fatal snowmobile accidents that occurred the weekend of Feb. 17 to 19, one of which included an eight snowmobile pile-up, according to state recreational safety officials. "I...
2/23/06		Winnebago sturgeon beating the odds, one weekend remains OSHKOSH, Wis. - Approaching the final weekend of the 2006 Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season, sturgeon continue to elude spearer's efforts to find them. A combination of questionable ice early on and poor water clari...
2/23/06		Inland game fish season closes March 5 MADISON - Anglers should be aware that the game fish season on most inland Wisconsin waters closes at the end of the day Sunday, March 5. As of 2005, the inland game fishing season closes at the end of the day of the first...
2/23/06		Wisconsin State Parks, Trails and Forests seek to fill ranger vacancies MADISON - People interested as working as a park ranger at a Wisconsin state park, trail or forest can take a park ranger exam that will be offered Saturday, March 11, at 14 sites throughout the state. Results of the exam wil...
2/23/06		Wolf poster contest open for submissions Poster will be used to highlight Wolf Awareness Week Oct 15-21 MADISON - Artists and photographers interested in are invited to participate in the 2006 Wolf Awareness Week poster contest. Entries should depict wolves in a na...
2/23/06		Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Waste to meet MADISON - The Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Waste Materials Recovery and Disposal will meet in Waukesha on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building, 141 NW Barstow St., Waukesha from 10 a.m. ...
2/1/06		Deer Donation 2005 closes with more than 324,000 pounds of venison donated MADISON - Wisconsin hunters donated nearly 7,207 white-tailed deer to the Wisconsin Deer Donation 2005 program, which ended Jan. 3, providing more than 324,000 pounds of ground venison for needy families across the state. ...
2/1/06		Comment period extended on additional protection for northern rivers MADISON - The public comment period on a proposal to add 40 northern Wisconsin river segments to the state's list of Outstanding or Exceptional Resource Waters will be extended through Feb. 28, 2006. Additional information on...
2/1/06		EEK! Web site surpasses 3 million visitors in 2005 MADISON - School children, teachers, librarians and others made more than 3 million "virtual" visits to the outdoors through Wisconsin's Environmental Education for Kids, (EEK!) Web site in 2005. The Department of Natural...
2/1/06		Free turkey hunter education clinics offered statewide MADISON - Hunters can brush-up on skills and learn new techniques to help hunt the elusive wild turkey by attending any of a series of free Turkey Hunter Education Clinics that will be held around the state beginning in Febru...
2/1/06		Wild turkey and pheasant stamp design contest winners announced MADISON - A design by a Wisconsin artist who is a veteran at winning stamp contests will grace the 2007 Wisconsin turkey stamp while a design by an artist who has won his first contest after previous entries only received run...

January 2006 Archives

1/18/06		Winnebago sturgeon spearers anticipate good season Winnebago Sturgeon History Project Initiated OSHKOSH - Sturgeon spearers venturing onto Lake Winnebago when the 2006 season opens on Saturday Feb. 11 will be watching and hoping for that one special catch. Department of Natu...
1/18/06		Free poster of great egret highlights the endangered resources fund Residents can donate to fund through Wisconsin tax forms MADISON - A dramatic full-color poster featuring a great egret standing in a relaxed position against a dark back ground highlights work to protect and manage rare and...
1/18/06		Tree seedlings still available for people who want to plant a forest this spring MADISON - Wisconsin residents demonstrate their conservation ethic every year by planting millions of tree seedlings to enhance and restore native forests. Spring is the ideal time to plant young trees and there is still time...
1/18/06		Runoff management grant applications now available for 2007 MADISON -- Applications for state grants to help local governments meet state and federal requirements for controlling polluted runoff are now available online, state water quality officials say. To be considered for fund...
1/18/06		Winnebago Sturgeon history project OSHKOSH, Wis. -- The history of the Winnebago sturgeon fishery will be captured and preserved for present and future generations under a cooperative effort to gather and eventually publish photos, stories and other historical...
1/12/06		Wisconsin offers good winter fishing opportunities but anglers need to watch for poor ice MADISON - Winter is historically one of the best times to fish Wisconsin waters for some species, so many anglers are continuing to pursue their favorite fish despite deteriorating ice conditions. However, with reports of sho...
1/12/06		Lake ice continues to deteriorate in Wisconsin MADISON -Reports this week of ice opening up along shorelines and even in the middle of some lakes southern Wisconsin lakes and of numerous vehicles going through the ice on northern lakes have state recreational safety speci...
1/12/06		Accessible cabins available at state parks Reservations for popular cabins accepted as of Jan. 10 MADISON - People with disabilities can explore and enjoy the great outdoors by camping at one of seven especially designed and equipped "Cabins in the Woods" at Wisconsi...
1/5/06		Wisconsin State Parks offer candlelight skis and hikes MADISON - Cross-country ski and hiking trails illuminated by hundreds of candles will again entice skiers and hikers to check out their favorite, or perhaps a new, trail at a Wisconsin State Park, Forest or Trail this winter....
1/5/06		Bald Eagle Watching Days Jan. 14-15 Public invited to visit Sauk City - Prairie du Sac area for 16th annual event MADISON - The release of a rehabilitated bald eagle isamong the activities scheduled for Bald Eagle Watching Days 2006 which will be held Jan. 14 ...
1/5/06		Wisconsin research featured in national fisheries journal MADISON - Optimal stocking rates for walleye, interactions between walleye and other game fish, and techniques to help conduct fisheries surveys and set fishing regulations are among the Wisconsin research featured in a natio...
1/5/06		Winter a good time to prune trees While trees are dormant, pruning can help reduce the spread of oak wilt. MADISON - Winter in Wisconsin is a great time for outdoor recreation, but it's also a good time to do some tree pruning. For property owners with oak a...
1/5/06		Snowshoe weaving workshop offered BABCOCK, Wis. -- Snowshoeing as a form of outdoor recreation has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. Interested people can join the craze by weaving their own traditional snowshoes during a two-day snowshoe construction wo...

News Archives for 2005:

December 2005 Archives

12/29/05		Conservation and environmental highlights of 2005 MADISON – Major cleanups of contaminated sites along the Great Lakes and Fox River, protection of thousands of acres for recreation and habitat, efforts to protect groundwater and control the spread of invasive species, and c...
12/29/05		Hearing set on listing northern rivers as Outstanding or Exceptional Resources Waters MADISON - Forty river segments in northern Wisconsin would be added to the state’s list of Outstanding or Exceptional Resource Waters receiving increased legal protections under a proposal that is the topic of public hearings...
12/29/05		Hunters take more than 10,500 turkeys in fall season MADISON – A preliminary harvest estimate shows Wisconsin turkey hunters harvested 10,591 wild turkeys this fall. This is just a slight increase compared to the 2004 fall season where hunters harvested 10,362 wild turkeys. ...
12/29/05		Bat study, whooping cranes reintroduction among projects to receive funding Natural Resources Foundation provides $73,500 gift MADISON – A study of bats using abandoned mines in southern Wisconsin and ongoing efforts to establish a second flock of migratory whooping cranes are among Department of Na...
12/15/05		Snowmobile, ATV, boat registration now available at DNR service centers MADISON – Outdoor enthusiasts can now get their public use registration decals for their snowmobiles, ATVs or boats over-the-counter at Department of Natural Resources service centers statewide, for an additional $5 service f...
12/15/05		Project will examine genetic lineage of musky stocked in Wisconsin MADISON – Wisconsin fisheries scientists, hatchery staff and biologists are teaming up for a comprehensive examination of the state’s musky propagation practices, including using cutting-edge technology to tease out the genet...
12/15/05		Public hearings set on proposed rules regulating use of wildlife for dog training MADISON – The public will have the opportunity to comment on proposed rules regulating the use of captive wildlife for hound dog training at two public hearings in January in Wausau and Fitchburg. The Department of Natura...
12/15/05		Hunters harvest 2,490 black bear in 2005 Applications for 2006 season due Jan. 13 MADISON -- Hunters harvested 2,490 black bears in Wisconsin during the 2005 bear hunting season, with an overall hunter success rate of 55 percent, according to preliminary numbers co...
12/15/05		State to hire 12 new foresters and forest rangers MADISON – The Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a class of 12 new entry-level foresters and forest rangers to join the department’s current foresters in the management and protection of Wisconsin’s 16 million...
12/8/05		NRB approves rules that grandfather 99 percent of piers for free MADISON, Wis. – Ninety-nine percent of the owners of the estimated 187,000 piers on Wisconsin waters would see no change to their piers under rules approved Dec. 7 by the Natural Resources Board. The remaining 1 percent o...
12/8/05		Statement on DNR Regulatory Streamlining Successes MADISON - Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett commented today on agency efforts to streamline the state's environmental regulations: "From day one, my administration has worked very hard to review DNR's...
12/8/05		Wild whooping cranes successfully migrating from Wisconsin Ultralight led birds close to Florida MADISON – After four years of reintroduction efforts, 45 wild whooping cranes released in previous years are now migrating independently between Wisconsin and Florida. An additional 19 j...
12/8/05		Late amphibian and reptile sightings reported Creatures likely responding to warm fall and erratic weather MADISON – An October and early November that seemed more like late summer than fall this year has more than people wondering "what’s with this weather?” Unusual...
12/8/05		Park, forest campsite reservation system back on line MADISON – People interested in reserving campsites at Wisconsin State Parks or Forests for next year, are now able to do so on-line again, and they will notice some improvements if they enter the system through the Department...
12/8/05		2006 state park admission stickers on sale now MADISON -- Holiday shoppers with outdoors lovers on their list can give a year’s access to some of the most scenic areas in Wisconsin and some of the state’s best recreational opportunities by giving annual admission stickers...
12/1/05		Hunters register 312,519 deer over nine-day season MADISON – A preliminary total of 312,519 deer were registered by hunters at the close of Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season. Hunters registered a preliminary 303,162 deer during the same period in 2004. "A number of fac...
12/1/05		Study finds some state waters have high concentrations of blue-green algae But concentrations of algae don’t always produce toxins MADISON – High concentrations of blue-green algae occurred in 2004 and 2005 in some waters in all regions of Wisconsin, but the algae didn’t always produce the toxins t...
12/1/05		Antlerless deer hunting continues with Dec. 8-11 Zone T hunt MADISON – Deer hunters will have an additional hunting opportunity for antlerless deer during the late Zone T hunt that will be held Dec. 8 to 11 in Zone T deer management units that are located south of Highway 8. "This w...
12/1/05		Deer harvest data report available on DNR Web site MADISON – Deer harvest data submitted by registration stations across the state are now available online at the Department of Natural Resources Web site . The new harvest monitoring system will be updated regularly during the...
12/1/05		Spring turkey application deadline Dec. 10 MADISON -- Turkey hunters have until Dec. 10 to apply for a permit for the 2006 Wisconsin spring turkey hunting season, which will run in six 5-day periods from April 12 through May 21. Preliminary permit levels for the s...
12/1/05		NRB to consider raising perch limits in Green Bay MADISON – Daily bag limits for yellow perch from Green Bay would increase to 15, and the annual commercial harvest limit would climb to 60,000 pounds, under a proposal the Natural Resources Board will consider Dec. 7 in Madis...

November 2005 Archives

11/24/05		Hunters register more than 161,000 deer opening weekend MADISON - A preliminary tally of deer registration stations across the state showed that hunters registered 161,286 deer over the opening weekend of the Nov. 19-27 gun deer hunt, say state wildlife officials. This compares to...
11/24/05		Muzzleloader deer hunting continues statewide Nov. 28 to Dec. 7 MADISON -- While the regular deer hunting season closes in Wisconsin on Sunday, Nov. 27, deer hunting remains open statewide from Nov. 28 through Dec. 7 for hunters who hunt with muzzleloader firearms only. A muzzleloader ...
11/24/05		NRB votes to reconsider pier rules adopted in September MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board will reconsider its rules governing piers and will consider changes to draft pier rules at its Dec. 7 meeting in Madison. At a special teleconference meeting Nov. 15 board members i...
11/24/05		Hearings set on hunting rules in state parks EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Changes in rules for small game and spring turkey hunting in some Wisconsin state parks will be discussed at four public hearings that will be held across Wisconsin in December. The proposed rule would d...
11/24/05		'Ideal conditions' and 'lots of big bucks' highlight 2005 deer season opener MADISON – Hunting conditions that "don’t get any better than this” around most of Wisconsin and reports of lots of larger bucks with excellent antler development -- especially in areas of the state that had Earn-A-Buck requir...
11/17/05		Realtors ad campaign on proposed pier rules is misleading DNR Central Office - Madison PO Box 7921 Madison WI 53707 Phone: (608) 266-6790 Fax: (608) 264-6293 Contact(s): Todd Ambs, (608) 264-6278 Mike Staggs (608) 267-0796 MADISON, Wis. – Contrary to the misleading a...
11/17/05		State Wildlife Action Plan received federal approval State plans are "blueprint to keep species from becoming endangered” MADISON – A Wildlife Action Plan submitted by Wisconsin has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All 50 states and six U.S. territories sub...
11/17/05		States agree to reduce stocking of salmon in Lake Michigan MADISON -- Wisconsin has agreed to reduce stocking of chinook salmon in Lake Michigan by 21 percent, or about 300,000 fish, beginning in 2006 as its share of a lakewide stocking reduction agreed to by states surrounding Lake ...
11/17/05		Donations of deer for providing venison to food pantries down MADISON – Preliminary reports from the 2005 deer donation program indicates donations are down from last year. The deer donation program allows deer hunters to donate venison they or their families can not use to state food p...
11/10/05		Wisconsin regular gun deer hunt runs Nov. 19-27 MADISON – The opening of the 2005 Gun Deer Hunt is just around the corner and wildlife managers with the Department of Natural Resources say with Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer population estimated at about 1.4 to 1.5 million ...
11/10/05		Hunters in the north need to watch for wolves and elk Coyote hunting is closed in north to prevent accidental shooting of wolf SPOONER, Wis. – People heading to hunt white-tailed deer in northern Wisconsin need to be aware that coyote hunting is closed in the north during the...
11/10/05		Hunters getting ready for deer camp urged to leave the firewood at home Transporting firewood to or from camp can spread insect, diseases MADISON – State forest health officials want hunters preparing for upcoming hunting trips to leave the firewood at home in favor of burning locally cut or pur...
11/10/05		Recycling by Wisconsin households remains strong according to 2004 annual report MADISON – Recycling of all materials that are banned from landfills in Wisconsin increased 5.8 percent from 2003 to 2004, according to reports that municipal recycling programs are required to submit to the state each year. ...
11/10/05		State Parks camping reservation system to be off-line for computer upgrade People will not be able to reserve sites from Nov. 15 through end of the month MADISON – The Wisconsin State Parks and Forests programs are upgrading the computer system that people can use to reserve campsites in parks and ...
11/10/05		Dates, locations for Badger State Trail meetings changed MADISON – The dates and locations for two public meetings on a proposal to develop a 40-mile Badger State Trail that would run between Madison and the Illinois state line have been changed due to scheduling conflicts. The ...
11/10/05		Increased use of outdoor wood boilers causing some air quality concerns MADISON – The increasing popularity of outdoor wood-fired boilers in Wisconsin by people looking to reduce heating costs is raising concerns over the impact the units have on air quality in the state. Wisconsin ranks a cl...
11/10/05		Grants available for conservation projects MADISON – Public and private organizations have until Jan. 15, 2006 to apply for grants up to $1,000 for conservation projects that promote the responsible stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources at the local level. ...
11/3/05		Hunters have mild weather for four-day Zone T hunt MADISON – Weather that was a bit too good for deer hunting prevailed across Wisconsin for most of the four day Zone T antlerless deer hunt that was held across much of the state Oct. 27-30. While warm, sunny weather made ...
11/3/05		New Web site provides photos, information about Wisconsin fish MADISON – While a laptop isn't standard tackle box gear, anglers and others can now turn to the Internet to help them identify Wisconsin fish. A new online fish identification site contains 4,000 close ups of 162 species ...
11/3/05		Report available on efforts to improve public water supply safety MADISON – Wisconsin has the second largest number of public drinking water systems in the country, and a report detailing efforts over the past five years to improve their ability to consistently provide safe drinking water i...
11/3/05		North American Lakes Management conference Nov. 9-11 in Madison MADISON – More than 600 limnologists, lake managers, lake association members and others are expected to participate in an international lakes management conference Nov. 9-11 in Madison that will highlight recent findings on ...
11/3/05		EIS to be conducted for Southwest Wisconsin Grassland Feasibility Project FITCHBURG, Wis. – A project that would bring together a broad group of partners to conserve and enhance functioning grassland, savanna and stream ecosystems over a large section of southwestern Wisconsin will undergo a compre...

October 2005 Archives

10/27/05		Effort to protect state rivers advances with appointment of river team leader RHINELANDER – Efforts to bring together a statewide partnership focused on restoring and protecting Wisconsin’s rivers and streams have taken a step forward with appointment of a statewide river management coordinator within ...
10/27/05		Reporting system will allow hunters to track deer harvest by DMU MADISON – Results from a new data recording system that tracks information on white-tailed deer that hunters register in Wisconsin are beginning to come in and are revealing some very interesting trends, according to state wi...
10/27/05		With mulching, homeowners can leave leaves in the yard MADISON – Each fall, homeowners need to deal with the leaves that accumulate in their yards. Raking and bagging them can be hard and time consuming work and the bags of leaves still have to be disposed of. Raking and burning ...
10/27/05		Volunteers needed to help monitor wolf population in the state Wolf tracking training sessions and ecology courses set MADISON -- The Wisconsin wolf program is looking for a few good trackers. People interested in volunteering to locate timber wolves and other forest carnivores in the c...
10/27/05		Habitat ReStore conference Nov. 7-8 in Madison MADISON – An upcoming conference to help Midwest communities set up "ReStores” that promote the reuse of construction and demolition building materials has proven so popular that advanced registration has already filled up. ...
10/27/05		Conference to look at wetland mitigation and compensation MADISON – Consultants involved in wetland permitting and mitigation are encouraged to attend a free, one-day workshop Nov. 18 in Madison to learn about Wisconsin’s program that allows the state to consider wetland restoration...
10/13/05		Fall gun deer seasons to begin Oct. 27 in Zone T and CWD zones MADISON – The first of the 2005 gun deer hunting seasons is set to open on Oct. 27 with antlerless deer only hunts in deer management units that are designated as Zone T and in southern Wisconsin’s Chronic Wasting Disease zon...
10/13/05		Waterfowl hunters cautioned to watch for swans Population of trumpeter swans continues to increase in state MADISON -- With approximately 450 endangered trumpeter swans now inhabiting Wisconsin, state officials are cautioning waterfowl hunters that these birds are beginn...
10/13/05		Stocking of 10,000 walleye opens new chapter for Lower Milwaukee River MILWAUKEE -- The 10,000, 7- to 9-inch long walleye fingerlings released into the Lower Milwaukee River in early October represent a new chapter in the renaissance of a river that was once an open sewer for the state’s largest...
10/13/05		Oct. 31 deadline to purchase sturgeon spearing licenses OSHKOSH, Wis. -- People who want to participate in the Lake Winnebago lake sturgeon spearing season in 2006 must buy their license by Oct. 31, 2005, unless they are military personnel home on leave or will be turning 14 years...
10/13/05		Fall brings composting opportunities MADISON – Fall is an excellent time of year for people to start composting, or for those who already compost, to think about improvements. State air quality and fire control rules restrict the burning of yard waste in Wiscons...
10/13/05		Public input sought on Environmental Assessment for Wild Rose Hatchery reconstruction MADISON – The public will have an opportunity to comment on a draft Environmental Assessment for proposed future operation of the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery during 30-day comment period that ends Nov. 14, 2005. The hatcher...
10/13/05		Nominations sought for statewide Ethical Hunting Award MADISON – Nominations for the 9th annual Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – La Crosse Tribune Ethical Hunter Award are again being accepted to recognize those hunters throughout Wisconsin who do good deeds and who se...
10/13/05		Wild River designation proposed for Totogatic and Upper St. Croix rivers MADISON – Urban municipalities seeking assistance in dealing with nuisance wildlife problems have until Dec. 1 to apply for grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for financial assistance to develop long-te...
10/6/05		Increased water protection proposed for Lake Superior ASHLAND, Wis. – Lake Superior, the most pristine of the Great Lakes, would be better protected from wastewater pollution under proposed changes that are the topic of a public hearing Oct. 12 in Ashland. The proposal would...
10/6/05		Ring-necked pheasant season to open at noon Oct. 15 MADISON – Pheasant hunters venturing into the prairies and marshes of southern Wisconsin can expect good success in 2005 according to state wildlife officials. The 2005 Wisconsin statewide pheasant hunting season opens at noo...
10/6/05		CWD testing to continue in management zones CWD surveillance testing to be conducted in northeastern Wisconsin MADISON – Adult deer harvested in the zones established around the areas of south central and southeastern Wisconsin where chronic wasting disease has been f...
10/6/05		Public hunting will be allowed at Straight Lake Wildlife Area LUCK, Wis. – Hunters should note that the portion of the new Straight Lake property purchased by the state this year that is designated as a wildlife area will be open to hunting this fall. The portion of the property designa...
10/6/05		Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery renovations proposed Public information meetings set to discuss project MADISON – Public information meetings are scheduled in Wautoma and Madison in mid-October to discuss renovating the state hatchery that produces the most trout and salmon fo...
10/6/05		Incidental Take of rare prairie plants would be authorized for widening Highway 133 [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threat...

September 2005 Archives

9/28/05		Emerald Ash Borer Gets Closer to Wisconsin State Residents Urged to Limit Firewood Movement, Watch for Signs MADISON, Wis. – Scientists in Michigan working to contain a tiny, green beetle have confirmed that the aptly-named emerald ash borer (EAB) has made the leap f...
9/28/05		Hearing set on proposed Green Bay perch rule changes Bag limit would be increased due to increased perch numbers MADISON – Daily bag limits and commercial harvests of yellow perch from Green Bay would increase under a proposal that is the topic of public hearings set for Oct. ...
9/28/05		Surveys promising for Lake Michigan perch population MILWAUKEE – Fish crews who just wrapped up separate late summer surveys for yellow perch in southern Lake Michigan saw something they haven’t seen in a long time: a bumper crop of young fish. “The numbers look good and th...
9/28/05		Panel of experts to review Wisconsin’s deer population modeling techniques. MADISON -- A group of citizen stakeholders will meet Sept. 30 in Madison to discuss concerns over the validity of the model state wildlife officials use to estimate the size of Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer population. The ci...
9/28/05		Warm, dry summer to produce bumper crop of multicolored Asian ladybeetles Sealing off exterior cracks and “crawl spaces” is best prevention method GREEN BAY, Wis. – The summer of 2005 will be remembered for its lack of rain and warm temperatures across much of Wisconsin. For some, it may also be r...
9/28/05		Wisconsin to host 83rd State Forester annual meeting MADISON -- The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) will meet in Madison, Wisconsin in early October to discuss the past, present and future of state and private forestry in the United States. During the four-day me...
9/28/05		Pierce County park water control structure could result in incidental taking of rare flower EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threate...
9/22/05		Vast majority of piers won't need permit under proposed pier rules Rule reflects law changes and continues longtime exemptions for most piers MADISON – The vast majority of Wisconsin’s nearly half-million piers can continue to be placed along Wisconsin lakes and rivers without a state per...
9/22/05		Fewer Great Lakes beaches closed in 2005 MADISON – More Great Lakes beaches were regularly monitored for bacteria in the summer of 2005 than ever before in Wisconsin and fewer beaches were closed due to bacteria levels than were closed in 2003 and 2004, with dry sum...
9/22/05		Backlog of solid waste permit reviews eliminated MADISON – State environmental officials charged with approving the design and modification of solid waste landfills in Wisconsin have announced they recently eliminated a backlog in the review of solid waste plans and have re...
9/22/05		2006 Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp selected MADISON -- A painting of a green-winged teal pair by Tim Schultz of Green Lake has been selected as winner of the 2006 Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp contest from 26 paintings submitted this year. The judging took place August 26 ...
9/22/05		Crane Watch Clinic offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. – People have an opportunity to join wildlife biologists in a unique evening viewing the daily return of thousands of sandhill cranes to the Gallegher Marsh on Sandhill Wildlife Area, following a day of feeding ...
9/15/05		Fall colors arriving early MADISON – Wisconsin’s fall color show has begun in the Northwoods. State forestry officials report that color change is less than 10 percent in some places while as many as 25 percent of the trees – especially the birch, bass...
9/15/05		Surveys find increased perch reproduction in Green Bay Hearings will be scheduled on increasing bag limits for 2006 PESHTIGO, Wis. – August trawling surveys for young yellow perch in Green Bay have reeled in good news: natural reproduction of this fish fry favorite was at least ...
9/15/05		Fall wild turkey season opens Oct. 1 MADISON – Wisconsin’s 2005 fall wild turkey hunting season will open on Oct. 1, with 85,400 permits issued for the 40-day season that runs through Nov. 9. The last of the permit notification were sent out to successful applic...
9/15/05		Hearings scheduled for deer hunting rule changes MADISON – People around Wisconsin will have an opportunity to comment on proposed hunting regulations changes for 2006, including an experimental two-year suspension of the October gun deer hunting season known as Zone T, at ...
9/15/05		Deer carcass tags now include unit information MADISON – Sharp-eyed deer hunters may notice some changes to the Antlerless Deer Carcass Tags included with their regular Wisconsin archery and gun deer licenses and purchased in over-the-counter sales. For one, there’s th...
9/15/05		Plan would guide management of state’s largest forest MADISON – Six years after the original specimen was collected along the banks of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire River, the scientific community has officially recognized a new species of dragonfly discovered by a state Department of ...
9/15/05		New species of dragonfly discovered in Wisconsin MADISON – Six years after the original specimen was collected along the banks of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire River, the scientific community has officially recognized a new species of dragonfly discovered by a state Department of ...
9/15/05		Additional information sessions set on manure handling rules MADISON – Proposed changes in regulations affecting the state’s larger livestock facilities will be the topic of eight additional public information sessions scheduled statewide later this month. The Department of Natural...
9/15/05		Advanced outdoor photography course offered BABCOCK – People interested in learning more about outdoor photography can attend a two-day Outdoor Photography course at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center on Oct. 15-16. Professional photographer Doug Alft will teach the Ad...
9/8/05		Wisconsin remains a leader in removing old, obsolete dams in 2005 MADISON – Wisconsin continues to be a national leader in removing old, obsolete dams and restoring rivers to a free flowing condition that can benefit water quality, fisheries and habitat. A 2005 nationwide survey released la...
9/8/05		Expanded day use facilities proposed for Rib Mountain State Park Master plan revision subject of Sept. 15 public hearing WAUSAU, Wis. – Rib Mountain State Park would offer visitors more day-use activities -- such as expanded family and group picnic areas, a new paved exercise and walking ...
9/8/05		Milwaukee now in compliance with air quality rules for particulate matter MADISON – Milwaukee, the last remaining area in Wisconsin that state officials had classified as not meeting air quality standards for particulate matter, has been officially redesignated as now meeting both federal and state...
9/1/05		Habitat projects start long process to restore fish, wildlife habitat on Mississippi River pool Hunters, anglers, wildlife watchers to benefit immediately BUFFALO CITY, Wis. – Three multi-agency, multi-million dollar habitat projects unfolding along a dammed up stretch of the Upper Mississippi River near here are start...
9/1/05		Early archery deer hunting seasons opens Sept. 17 Special Oct. 1 deer hunt for disabled hunters; bear hunting opens Sept. 7 MADISON – The first of the fall deer hunting seasons is just around the corner with the statewide archery deer season opening on Sept. 17, followed by...
9/1/05		Venison donation program invites meat processors to sign up MADISON – Venison processors across the state are encouraged to contact their county governments if they are interested in participating in the 2005 Venison Donation Program. The program is managed by the Department of Na...
9/1/05		Wild rice crop reported in good condition Harvest season may be slightly earlier this year PARK FALLS, Wis. – Preliminary indications are that the low water levels on many northern river systems is not having a negative impact on the wild rice crop this year, but ac...
9/1/05		Two cities honored for excellence in operation of wastewater treatment plants [EDITOR'S ADVISORY: Awards are to be presented during separate ceremonies the week of Aug. 29. The Park Falls ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 1 at City Hall, 400 Fourth Ave. South in Park Falls. The Marshfield ceremony is s...
9/1/05		Morning on the Marsh Campout BABCOCK, Wis. – People have an opportunity to get an up close and personal view of thousands of sandhill cranes, geese and other waterfowl as they stage for their fall migration by participating in the Sandhill Outdoor Skills...

August 2005 Archives

8/24/05		Governor Doyle announces statewide Conservation Agenda "Conserve Wisconsin" initiative will protect Wisconsin’s environment, encourage energy conservation and innovation MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle last week unveiled his Conserve Wisconsin agenda, a broad package of legislative pro...
8/24/05		Early Canada goose season runs Sept. 1-15 Season will be open over Labor Day weekend MADISON -- Hunters anxious for the fall waterfowl hunting seasons should have excellent opportunities to get in some early goose hunting during the 2005 Wisconsin Early Canada Goose...
8/24/05		Hook and line sturgeon season opens Sept. 3 Low water heightens concerns about popular fisheries POYNETTE, Wis. – The hook and line season for sturgeon opens Sept. 3 on several Wisconsin waters amid concerns from state fisheries managers that low water flows on river ...
8/24/05		Hunters may now pre-qualify for future Earn-a-Buck seasons MADISON – Beginning this year, hunters who harvest an antlerless deer from a deer management unit that has been designated as Zone T for two years in a row will pre-earn a buck harvest privilege for the unit, should the Earn-...
8/24/05		Ginseng harvesters need to be aware of changes for the 2005 season MADISON – People who harvest ginseng in Wisconsin for sale to export markets should be aware of new federal rules that limit the export of ginseng root to those that are at least 10 years old. Beginning with the 2005 harve...
8/24/05		Loaner fly rods now available through some state parks and DNR offices MADISON - New fly rods available for loan through Wisconsin’s tackle loaner sites make it easier for novice anglers to enjoy the improved trout fishing that September’s cooler temperatures and less crowded waters usually brin...
8/24/05		Workshops scheduled on streamlined air permit applications MADISON – Representatives of businesses with facilities that have low level air emissions can attend one of to three upcoming workshops to learn more about a newly streamlined air emission permit program. Earlier this summ...
8/18/05		2005 Wisconsin Waterfowl Seasons Set 2005 waterfowl seasons set MADISON -- The Natural Resources Board has set the 2005 Waterfowl Hunting season dates and bag limits. Duck hunters will have a 60-day duck season with a split in the Southern Duck Zone and a six-d...
8/18/05		New grant program aimed at helping private landowners protect rare species MADISON – Wisconsin landowners would be eligible to apply for cost-sharing grants to plan and carry out efforts on their property to protect and preserve rare plants and animals and the habitat in which they are found under a...
8/18/05		Invasive species information consolidated on DNR Web site MADISON – People concerned about preventing purple loosestrife, zebra mussels, Emerald Ash borers and other invasive species from taking over their favorite lake, forest or wetland can now go to a single Web site to identify ...
8/18/05		New maps show upgraded air monitoring information on the Internet MADISON – People interested in finding out more about the quality of the air where they live in Wisconsin can now take advantage of an improved interactive Internet mapping system through the Department of Natural Resources W...
8/18/05		Stewardship grants available to park and trail friends groups MADISON – State park and trail “friends groups” and other eligible nonprofit conservation organizations have until Nov. 15 to apply for cost-sharing grants of up to $20,000 from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship for development ...
8/18/05		Remaining antlerless deer tags go on sale noon Aug. 27 MADISON – Antlerless Deer Carcass Tags that allow deer hunters to shoot additional antlerless deer in designated deer management units (DMUs) will go on sale at noon, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005. Resident and non-resident hunters...
8/11/05		Fund established for the long-term protection of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway MADISON – The protection and conservation of wildlife and habitat in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway has received some long-term support thanks to an anonymous $25,000 gift that the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi...
8/11/05		Land purchased for new Forestry Education and Awareness Center MADISON -- A major step forward in development of a Forestry Education and Awareness Center was completed last week when Gov. Jim Doyle approved a $249,000 Stewardship Fund purchase of 67 acres of land in the City of Wauwauto...
8/11/05		State park camping fees to increase August 16 MADISON – Campers at Wisconsin State Parks and Forests will pay slightly higher camping fees beginning August 16, under fee increases that were approved as part of the recently approved state budget. The budget increased t...
8/11/05		Workshops set on changes to lake and stream development project permit system GREEN BAY -- Contractors, engineers, and local government staff are invited to attend workshops scheduled across the state in August and September to help learn about significant changes to Wisconsin's environmental permittin...
8/11/05		Trapper Education Course offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. – People who are interested in taking up furbearer trapping in Wisconsin can sign up for a trapper education course being offered Sept. 17-18 at the Department of Natural Resources Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center...
8/11/05		2005 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulation correction MADISON – The 2005 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet contained some incorrect information pertaining to the archery deer hunting season in Metro deer management units and the Chronic Wasting Disease deer management ...

July 2005 Archives

7/28/05		Visit the DNR exhibit at the Wisconsin State Fair MILWAUKEE – Visitors to the Wisconsin State Fair can find a natural oasis from the rides, games and exhibits by visiting the Department of Natural Resources Park in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds. DNR Park not only p...
7/28/05		DNR Web page has new look, easier navigation MADISON – An upgraded home page for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Web site will make it easier for the public to find online information about outdoor activities and for businesses to find help on environmenta...
7/28/05		Bear hunting dog trainers cautioned of wolf attacks EAU CLAIRE – Two bear hounds have been killed and another injured by wolves while being trained in two separate areas of northern Wisconsin this summer, triggering the state Department of Natural Resources to establish two wo...
7/28/05		Public hearings set for proposed rule for large farms Proposal reflects federal changes, addresses manure concerns MADISON –State regulations governing larger-scale livestock operations would reflect changes in federal law governing these operations and promote practices that h...
7/28/05		Listening sessions set on draft national action plan for Great Lakes DNR-hosted meetings also discuss Great Lakes water use MADISON – People who love the Great Lakes have an unprecedented opportunity in August to help shape a comprehensive national action plan to restore and protect these nat...
7/28/05		Chemical treatment no ‘silver bullet’ against lake weeds MADISON - Treating an entire lake, instead of just a portion, with a chemical to kill the invasive, nonnative plant Eurasian water-milfoil is gaining popularity in some states, but has shown only limited success in Wisconsin ...
7/28/05		Brownfield Grants available to investigate contaminated properties MADISON – Local governments with known or suspected contaminated properties in their communities can apply to the Department of Natural Resources to receive a Brownfield Site Assessment Grant. The DNR Brownfield Site Asse...
7/28/05		2005 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations now on line MADISON – The 2005 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations are now available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site and hard copy versions should begin appearing at license sales outlets and DNR service centers during the...
7/28/05		'Archery in the schools' training offered MADISON – Schools interested in establishing an archery program within their physical education curriculums can send their physical education staff to one of three Level I National Archery in the Schools teacher certification...
7/21/05		Additional burning restriction in place in portions of Wisconsin Wildfire danger levels remain high across much of the state MADISON – Additional restrictions on outdoor burning became effective as of July 19 in portions of Wisconsin, as much of the state continues to experience drought c...
7/21/05		New Aug. 1 deadline approaching for fall hunting permits Hunter’s Choice deer, fall turkey, Horicon, Collins zone goose, sharp-tailed grouse, and otter, fisher & bobcat all have new application deadline MADISON -- The new deadline for sportsmen and women to apply for a variety of ...
7/21/05		Highly invasive spotted knapweed is now flowering MADISON -- Spotted knapweed -- an invasive plant that poses a major threat to many of Wisconsin’s natural areas because it displaces native prairie, oak and pine barren, dune and sandy ridge species -- is now flowering, which...
7/21/05		Signs of oak wilt appearing in Wisconsin MADISON – The summer’s first signs of oak wilt, an often fatal fungal disease of oak trees, especially red oaks, have begun to appear in infected trees in a number of Wisconsin communities including Eau Claire, Green Bay, Lac...
7/14/05		Fire Danger increases in Northeastern Wisconsin Counties GREEN BAY, Wis. – Hot and unseasonably dry conditions have caused fire danger in Wisconsin's northeastern forests to increase. State Fire Prevention Specialist Catherine Regan said campfires and fireworks have caused wildfire...
7/14/05		Fire Danger Increases in West Central Wisconsin EAU CLAIRE – Hot and unseasonably dry conditions have caused fire danger in Wisconsin's Central Forest to increase. State Fire Prevention Specialist Catherine Regan said campfires and fireworks have caused wildfires recently ...
7/14/05		Long-term conservation of rare snake to focus on highest quality habitat Broad incidental take authorization proposed for lesser quality habitat MADISON -- The long-term protection of a rare gartersnake found in southeastern Wisconsin will focus on protecting those areas that contain the highest ...
7/14/05		New rules further streamline air pollution permits MADISON – Smaller businesses such as countertop makers, printers, metal furniture and appliance painters, and rock crushing plants will be able to get air emission permits more quickly under new rules intended to allow Depart...
7/14/05		2004-05 winter wildlife severity rated at mild MADISON – The 2004-05 northern winter was relatively mild and did not take an excessive toll on deer numbers nor reduce fawn production, according to a new report available from the Department of Natural Resources. “Overal...
7/14/05		Managed Forest Law forestland receives sustainable forest certification CROSS PLAINS, Wis. – One-third of Wisconsin's forest land is now recognized by independent, third-party reviewers as sustainably managed. Gov. Doyle and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett on June 27 a...
7/7/05		Two-year "test" of alternatives to October Zone T proposed State Natural Resources Board will discuss at Aug 17 meeting in Spooner MADISON – A two-year experiment that would suspend the October Zone T antlerless-deer gun hunt and increase opportunities for harvesting antlerless de...
7/7/05		State wildlife officials to automate deer registration data MADISON – Deer managers across the state will spend less time sorting deer registration stubs this fall when for the first time all registration information provided by hunters will be sent to a single location for data entry...
7/7/05		Early spring waterfowl surveys present mixed picture MADISON – Variable spring habitat conditions observed in the United States and Canada present a mixed picture of the fall 2005 waterfowl hunting season according to Wisconsin waterfowl biologists. Preliminary information show...
7/7/05		Hungry gypsy moth caterpillars disappearing MADISON – Gypsy moth caterpillars are getting harder to find in Wisconsin. Not because their populations are decreasing, but because the caterpillars are beginning their transformation into becoming moths. This transformation...

June 2005 Archives

6/29/05		Proposed shoreland rules topic of upcoming hearings Public hearings to be held on proposed rules in July and August MADISON -- Waterfront property owners -- especially those with homes built before 1970 -- would gain more flexibility in maintaining and upgrading structures on...
6/29/05		Shoreland rules would clarify setbacks for property with wetlands MADISON -- Proposed changes in Wisconsin's shoreland protection rule would clarify setbacks for waterfront property owners who have a wetland or bog between their upland and open water, and could allow homes to be closer to o...
6/29/05		New technology reveals Wisconsin has more stream, river miles MADISON -- Wisconsin officially just got a little wetter. New technology has enabled the state to obtain a more accurate accounting of the number and size of the bodies of water found in Wisconsin. Based on this new electr...
6/29/05		Reports detail condition of Wisconsin waters MADISON -- People can learn more about the condition of Wisconsin's surface water and groundwater, and the Department of Natural Resources programs and initiatives that protect and restore them, through two new widely availab...
6/29/05		2004 Big Game Survey available MADISON – The second highest white-tailed deer harvest on record and increases in the bear and spring turkey harvests are among the statistics available in 2004 Wisconsin Big Game Hunting Summary. The annual summary is now av...
6/29/05		Sharp-tailed grouse permits set at for 2005 MADISON – There will be 780 permits available for the fall 2005 sharp-tailed grouse hunting season in Wisconsin, state wildlife officials have announced. The number of permits is down slightly from 2004, which had 1,000 permi...
6/29/05		Plans proposed to clean up five streams in Buffalo County Public has until Aug. 5 to comment on proposed cleanup plans MADISON -- The public has an opportunity to comment on plans to clean up five streams in Wisconsin that currently do not meet state or federal water quality standa...
6/23/05		Conservation warden trainees prepare for first field training MADISON -- The 10 members of the first new conservation warden class in three years will soon embark on the first of their three assignments with Department of Natural Resources conservation wardens stationed around Wisconsin...
6/23/05		Hunter’s Choice, fall turkey and Horicon, Collins zone goose permit deadlines August 1 Also, sharp-tailed grouse, and otter, fisher & bobcat MADISON -- Sportsmen and women looking forward to fall hunting seasons in Wisconsin now have one consolidated permit application deadline that applies to a number of popu...
6/23/05		Wild parsnip control is the best way to prevent further problems MADISON -- Wild parsnip, a common weed found in fields and along roads that can cause serious burns to human skin, has begun flowering in Wisconsin. Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a non-native invasive plant that is to...
6/23/05		New options for home medical sharps disposal MADISON – Two new options are now available for convenient, proper disposal of medical sharps used at home. Medical sharps include such things as needles from syringes used to administer insulin and some drugs, lancets and ot...
6/23/05		Road project would result in incidental taking of rare plant [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threat...
6/16/05		State continues monitoring potentially toxic blue-green algae MADISON - With blue-green algae expected to reach "bloom" densities on some Wisconsin lakes and ponds starting later this month, water quality officials are beginning another season in a multi-year study to better understand ...
6/16/05		Spring turkey harvest down slightly MADISON -- Preliminary figures show that hunters registered 45,485 turkeys during Wisconsin’s 2005 spring wild turkey season. This is a 4 percent decrease from the 2004 spring harvest of 47,477 birds. The statewide hunter suc...
6/16/05		Northern bass zone season opens June 18 MADISON – Wisconsin's open season for largemouth and smallmouth bass starts June 18 in the northern bass management zone, but chances are, the bass can still breathe easy. Bass anglers are now releasing 91 percent of the b...
6/16/05		State again collecting birds, mammals for West Nile Virus monitoring MADISON -- Wildlife health specialists at the state Department of Natural Resources will again be working with the state Division of Public Health and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services to test wild animals for ...
6/16/05		Budworm may cause heavy damage to jack pine forests this year SPOONER, Wis. – More than 100,000 acres of jack pine forests in Douglas, Bayfield, Washburn and Burnett counties could suffer heavy damage this year from what Department of Natural Resources forestry officials say is the high...
6/16/05		Incidental Take authorization proposed for rare gartersnake [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threat...
6/16/05		Poisons may threaten bear dogs being trained EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Bear hunters training dogs and others who take their dogs with them on hikes in the woods this summer should be aware that poisoned baits, likely to be attractive to dogs, have been reported in Ashland and ...
6/16/05		Invasive weeds should go to the landfill or composting facility MADISON – It’s that time of year when many property owners are hard at work trying to eliminate invasive weeds like garlic mustard and purple loosestrife from their fields and yards. The problem they run up against is how to ...
6/16/05		Strike-Out Wildfire workshop for local officials offered at Miller Park MADISON -- People involved with planning for or controlling wildfires in their community can attend a free seminar July 26 at Miller Park in Milwaukee on how their communities can become more “Firewise.” The Firewise Commu...
6/10/05		Strategy proposed to protect rare animals MADISON – A draft strategy for actions intended to protect rare animals in Wisconsin and prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened species will be available for public comment from June 8 through July 1. The draf...
6/10/05		$1.8 million paid for wildlife crop damage in 2004 MADISON – Wisconsin farmers received more than $1.8 million in payments for crop losses caused by wildlife in 2004 through the Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program (WDACP) according to a year-end report prepared for t...
6/10/05		First bass tournament that allows culling to be held Tournaments to allow culling under legislatively authorized pilot program CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. -- The first bass fishing tournament in which participants are allowed to cull, or sort fish, in Wisconsin as part of a new pilot...
6/10/05		Albino musky found during population survey ONEIDA COUNTY -- For years, anglers have told wild tales of strange white muskellunge seen while fishing on some of the deeper lakes in the area. These ghostly fish reportedly grow to gigantic proportions and are much more el...
6/10/05		Large livestock facility manure handling rules proposed MADISON -- With the number of Wisconsin’s largest livestock operations tripling in the last decade and the increase expected to continue, state water quality officials have been working with the agriculture industry and envir...
6/10/05		Potential threats to public water systems identified Effort intended to help communities prevent drinking water contamination MADISON -- More is known about potential threats to Wisconsin’s drinking water than ever before as the result of an exhaustive state effort to identify...
6/10/05		Revisions proposed to rules for shoreland projects MADISON -- Waterfront property owners could qualify for streamlined permitting for maintenance dredging and four other kinds of waterway projects under proposed rule revisions that are the topic of public hearings June 15 in ...
6/10/05		On-line database of contaminated properties improved MADISON – People will be able to more easily find information on contaminated properties in Wisconsin through a newly improved on-line data base that contains information on nearly 60,000 properties where an investigation and...
6/2/05		Whooping cranes find new state wildlife area to their liking Habitat restoration efforts at Turtle Valley Wildlife Area paying off ELKHORN, Wis. -- Three whooping cranes that have taken up at least temporary residence on a recently established wildlife area in Walworth County are prov...
6/2/05		State seeks applicants for conservation warden training program MADISON – Men and women who are passionate about the outdoors and the environment have an opportunity to help protect Wisconsin’s natural resources by applying to serve as a state conservation warden during a warden recruitme...
6/2/05		Students, teachers work to make their schools ‘Green & Healthy’ Three new schools qualify for Green & Healthy Schools program MADISON -- Encouraging girls to take shorter showers to save water, turning off lights in vending machines, and putting up weather stripping and plastic on window...
6/2/05		Scrapping burn barrels helps lead to cleaner air MADISON – May brings spring weather and outdoor activities are starting to pick up, including yard work. With yard work comes the occasional smell of burning leaves or brush in the rural countryside. People have been burning ...
6/2/05		Grant available to assist in training ATV safety instructors MADISON – Nonprofit organizations interested in safe and responsible operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Wisconsin have until June 13 to apply for a grant awarded to one organization annually to assist the state Depar...

May 2005 Archives

5/25/05		Free Fishing Weekend in Wisconsin June 4-5 MADISON - Resident and nonresident anglers of all ages can fish without a fishing license on June 4-5, as Wisconsin celebrates Free Fishing Weekend. They also can join in dozens of special fishing events, many of them at ...
5/25/05		National Trails Day Saturday June 4 This year’s theme, “Take the Path to a Healthier You”By MADISON – People can significantly increase their health by getting outdoors and hiking on some of the hundreds of miles of trails across Wisconsin for half an hour thr...
5/25/05		State Park Open House Sunday, June 5 MADISON – Visitors will have free access to any Wisconsin state park, forest, recreation area or trail on Sunday, June 5 as the state celebrates Wisconsin State Parks Open House Day. Because Sunday is also part of Free Fis...
5/25/05		State Parks program seeks input on future of parks MADISON – The public will have an opportunity to voice their thoughts on the future of Wisconsin’s state parks, trails, southern forests and recreation areas at a series of town meetings scheduled around the state between Jun...
5/25/05		Uniform beach monitoring begins along Great Lakes MADISON -- With the Memorial Day weekend officially opening the season at many Wisconsin beaches, people can go online or call toll-free from home to check on water quality at many participating public beaches along Wisconsin...
5/25/05		Uniform beach monitoring begins along Great Lakes MADISON – More than 66 workshops, field trips, lectures and work parties are planned statewide in June as part of the inaugural Invasive Species Awareness Month in Wisconsin. The awareness month aims to highlight the impac...
5/25/05		Northern zone musky season opens May 28 HAYWARD - The musky season opens May 28 north of U.S. Highway 10 in northern Wisconsin with populations of this king of Wisconsin fish at all-time highs. Northern fish biologists are reporting that many waters have more large...
5/25/05		Walleye bag limits will increase on some lakes MADISON – Daily walleye bag limits will increase May 28 on 90 lakes in the ceded territory of northern Wisconsin to reflect spearing harvest results by Wisconsin’s bands of Chippewa Indians. Forty-two lakes are increasing ...
5/25/05		New studies confirm need to follow fish consumption advice MADISON – Health officials are urging all fish eaters to follow Wisconsin’s fish consumption advisory, regardless of their age and sex and whether they’re eating fish they caught or bought at a store or restaurant. The adviso...
5/25/05		Follow fish consumption advisory for Lower Fox River Recent testing reaffirms need to limit fish meals GREEN BAY – Anglers fishing the Lower Fox River are reminded to follow the fish consumption advisory as the second season of efforts to remove PCBs from the river gets underw...
5/25/05		Campers, others should inspect firewood for pests MADISON – With the unofficial start of summer just days away and people making plans to spend time in the outdoors, forest health specialists with the state Department of Natural Resources are urging campers and others to giv...
5/25/05		Campers, others should inspect firewood for pests MADISON –A survey of forest songbirds, a bat conservation plan, an inventory of native mammals and grassland restoration work are among 29 wildlife conservation projects the Department of Natural Resources will fund in Wiscon...
5/19/05		Wisconsin wolf population continues to grow State population estimated at 425 to 455 PARK FALLS, Wis. – The estimated number of gray wolves in Wisconsin through the late winter of 2005 was 425 to 455, up about 14 percent from the estimate of 373 to 410 for the same ti...
5/19/05		Revised shoreland zoning standards increase flexibility for landowners Proposed revisions to be considered by NRB May 25 MADISON -- The state is releasing a draft proposal that updates 35-year-old rules governing waterfront development and reflects two years of citizen advisory committee meetin...
5/19/05		Open houses scheduled to discuss future waterfowl management MADISON – Waterfowl hunters and interested citizens will have a chance to discuss and offer comment on the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin at a series of five open houses June 6-10 in locations around t...
5/19/05		Better tools provide better air quality information MADISON – With spring and warmer weather come an increase in outdoor activities, and everyone needs to know how outdoor air quality will affect those activities. The DNR and other federal, state and local agencies and organiz...
5/19/05		Turtle tagging clinic offered BABCOCK, Wis. -- The public has an opportunity to join wildlife biologists at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center as they conduct research surveys for nesting female turtles on an evening outing, Saturday, June 11. Partici...
5/12/05		10 years after reintroduction, elk herd still growing CLAM LAKE, Wis. -- On May 17, 1995 wildlife biologists opened gates releasing 25 elk into the Chequamegon National Forest near Clam Lake in northern Wisconsin. Ten years later, the elk herd has reached 103 and is still growin...
5/12/05		State deer population at 1.64 million going into last year’s hunt MADISON – Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer population was approximately 1.64 million animals going into the fall 2004 deer hunting seasons, which was within 4 percent of state wildlife biologist’s predictions of 1.7 million, acc...
5/12/05		Small engine maintenance keeps the air clean MADISON—Maintaining the small engines of lawnmowers, motorcycles, chain saws, boats and other outdoor equipment can help consumers reduce air pollution while saving money. May is designated as Clean Air Month, and it often...
5/12/05		Learn to Deer Hunt applications available BABCOCK, Wis -- Youth and beginning adult deer hunters interested in learning more about the sport can still register for Learn to Hunt Deer Workshops that are being offered this summer at the Sandhill Wildlife Area near Babc...
5/12/05		Grants available for wildfire suppression assistance MADISON -- Local fire fighting agencies have until July 1 to apply for two separate grant programs intended to help the agencies assist the state Department of Natural Resources in suppressing forest and wildfires. Both progr...
5/5/05		Boat safely and keep Wisconsin waters clean MADISON - With warming weather and the May 7 fishing opener luring more people to Wisconsin lakes and rivers, anglers, boaters, kayakers and canoeists are reminded to take steps to ensure their personal safety and to avoid ac...
5/5/05		Deer seasons set in CWD management zones Natural Resources Board approves either sex hunting PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. – Bow hunters will be able to harvest a deer of either sex during the early archery season in chronic wasting disease (CWD) management zones, under r...
5/5/05		Clean Air Month marks start of ozone season MADISON – The warmer, sunnier weather that ushers in the month of May can also bring the onset of the ground-level ozone season, which typically runs from May through September in Wisconsin. To spotlight the potential adverse...
5/5/05		International Migratory Bird Day May 14 2005 focus on threat to migratory birds from collisions with towers, windows, and wind turbines MADISON -- The observance in Wisconsin of an international day intended to draw attention to the plight of migratory birds will ...
5/5/05		Sponsors sought to host deer hunts for people with disabilities MADISON -- Landowners interested in sponsoring a gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities have until June 1, 2005 to enroll their property in the Deer Hunts for Persons with Disabilities program. This year’s hunt will take...
5/5/05		Enjoy spring but keep a responsible distance from wildlife Baby animals rarely abandoned in wild MADISON – While spring weather inspires people to get outdoors after a long cold season, it also is the time of year for birth and dispersal of many wild animals. “Each year the Depa...
5/5/05		2005 Lake Stewardship Award winners GREEN BAY – A longtime waterfront property owner and member of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes’ board of directors, the Pike Lake Chain Lakes Association in Price County, and a Douglas County couple who have been instrumen...
5/5/05		Plans proposed to clean up polluted waterways in Wisconsin Public has until June 3 to comment on proposed cleanup plans MADISON -- The public has an opportunity to comment on 22 proposed plans to clean up separate water bodies in Wisconsin that currently do not meet state water qual...
5/5/05		2005 International Migratory Bird Day Events Events are listed by area in Wisconsin: southeast, northeast, central, north & northwest, and south & southwest. Most are free, but not all, so be sure to check further information to see if pre-registration is required or if...

April 2005 Archives

4/29/05		Permanent rules for waterway projects in effect May 1 Half of projects expected to receive shorter review or be exempt from permitting MADISON – Waterfront property owners now have an easier, quicker process for getting the appropriate permit and environmental review for thei...
4/29/05		Study looks at pier impacts on fish Pier shading linked to reduced fish, plant, insect numbers CAMBRIDGE- Fish may seek shelter under piers if nothing else is available, but they’re most likely found along vegetated shorelines unbroken by piers or few piers wh...
4/29/05		Take steps to insure proper well construction MADISON – State drinking water officials encourage homeowners to take steps to help assure their private drinking water wells are constructed properly. Increased state inspections of wells have uncovered some unsafe wells and...
4/29/05		Web site allows public to report shorebird activity Goal is to help track shorebirds at waterfowl impoundments and natural wetlands MADISON – The public will be able to help state wildlife officials track migratory shorebirds at waterfowl impoundments and at natural wetland...
4/29/05		Horicon Marsh Bird Festival May 6-9 HORICON, W is – The public will have an opportunity to watch bird banding demonstrations, see live birds of prey up close, and take part in a wide variety of bird watching tours and other opportunities at the 8th annual Horic...
4/29/05		Garlic mustard invading Wisconsin’s woodlands Now is time to pull this invasive plant MADISON – People who walk through their favorite woods this spring may perceive some changes: Where are the wild geraniums and red trillium this year? What are all those whitish dead, ...
4/29/05		Wildlife health unit monitors wildlife diseases MADISON – Healthy and abundant wildlife populations are essential to hunting success and are often indicators of ecosystem health. Wildlife and environmental managers use information provided by the Department of Natural Reso...
4/21/05		Game fish season opens May 7 on inland lakes MADISON - Weather willing, the game fish season that opens May 7 on inland waters should bring fantastic fishing for the 1.4 million anglers who annually wet a line in Wisconsin waters, the state’s fisheries director says. ...
4/21/05		New well requirements aim at protecting state groundwater MADISON – Trout streams, springs and other surface waters will be better protected and groundwater quantity and quality safeguarded by new requirements of the landmark groundwater protection bill that the Wisconsin Legislatur...
4/21/05		Oaks should not be pruned after mid-April Pruning can help spread oak wilt disease MADISON – People who don’t want to run the risk of losing precious and valuable oak trees should not prune them during April, May, or June, state forestry officials say, because it co...
4/21/05		Population research is basis of species management MADISON – Sustainable management of Wisconsin’s game and nongame birds and mammals depends on accurate population counts, harvest numbers and sound scientific data. The Department of Natural Resources annually conducts more t...
4/21/05		New book available on Wisconsin’s famous and historic trees MADISON – Was a bubbling spring beside a great old oak in Waukesha truly what cured an aging diabetic? Was a hollow basswood near Ladysmith really a crude coffin for a man escaping Indian pursuit, back in the late 1600s? Was ...
4/21/05		Contracts awarded to citizen-based environmental monitoring groups MADISON – More than $100,000 in Partnership Program contracts have been awarded to 13 citizen groups to initiate or expand citizen-based environmental monitoring efforts. Citizen-based environmental monitoring involves me...
4/21/05		Free field trips show need for, success of, purple loosestrife-eating beetles MADISON – People can get a first-hand look at the damage invasive purple loosestrife are inflicting on Wisconsin wetlands – and the success a special purple loosestrife eating beetle is having in helping control the invaders ...
4/21/05		Outdoor photography classes offered BABCOCK, Wis. – People interested in learning techniques in nature photography can sign up for a two-day outdoor photography course sponsored by the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center. This course will cover photographing wildflo...
4/12/05		More than 13,000 attend spring rules hearings MADISON – More than 13,000 people attended the 2005 Wisconsin Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearings and Conservation Congress county meetings that were held in each county of the state Monday, April 11. In all, participants...
4/12/05		Fire danger high, burning permits suspended in 20 counties Burning permits suspended in 20 counties MADISON – High to extreme fire danger conditions have led to cancellation of open burning permits and a halt to issuing any new permits in all or part of at least 20 counties until f...
4/12/05		Biologists reviewing musky management to assure trophy fishing MADISON -- With Wisconsin musky populations at historical highs and anglers catching them with fewer casts than at any other time in at least 40 years, state fisheries biologists are focusing on assuring the fish are trophy q...
4/12/05		Pesky insects starting to re-emerge MADISON – With warm weather approaching, people are not the only ones in Wisconsin beginning to stir. Insects many people thought they’d said goodbye to last fall will also find the warmer spring days to their liking and begi...
4/12/05		Reducing runoff protects quality of state waters MADISON – Home building or other projects that disturb one or more acres of land must have measures in place to help protect water quality by preventing soil from running off the site and into Wisconsin lakes, rivers, streams...
4/12/05		Bob Uecker helps state strike out wildfires MADISON -- What does baseball have in common with Wisconsin’s spring fire season? This spring it will be Bob Uecker -- commonly known as ‘Mr. Baseball’ on the Milwaukee Brewers Radio Network -- who will be helping the state D...
4/12/05		Recovery of bobcats and fishers funded through license fees MADISON – Healthy present-day populations of two of Wisconsin’s more secretive wildlife species -- bobcats and fishers -- are a direct result fees hunters and trappers have invested over the years through license and stamp pu...
4/12/05		Wisconsin offers year-round hunting opportunities MADISON – Hunters in Wisconsin could pursue their sport 365 days a year by taking advantage of the numerous seasons available throughout the year. There are high-interest hunts, such as the gun deer hunt that runs nine days i...
4/7/05		No Earn-a-Buck requirements for non-CWD parts of state in 2005 MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board eliminated proposed Earn-a-Buck (EAB) regulations for non-Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management units and then designated 45 units as Zone-T units for the 2005 deer hunting seaso...
4/7/05		DNR spring wildlife and fish rules hearings April 11 Conservation Congress elections and question on feral cats will be addressed early MADISON – People interested in attending the Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings to address a congress advisory question on whe...
4/7/05		Walleye bag limits revised for ceded territory lakes MADISON – The daily walleye bag limits have been revised on 280 lakes in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory in response to harvest declarations make by six bands of Chippewa in Wisconsin, the state Department of Natural Resources ...
4/7/05		Wisconsin receives federal approval of some wolf control MADISON -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on April 1, 2005, granted a special permit to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to trap wolves for scientific purposes and to destroy depredating wolves under some cir...
4/7/05		State conservation warden force faces large gaps in covering state By Randy Stark, Wisconsin DNR Chief Conservation Warden MADISON – Wisconsin has a long and storied tradition of conservation law enforcement protecting our natural resources. The first “fish warden” was appointed by the ...
4/7/05		Salmon, trout egg collection facilities open for public viewing RACINE -- People can see Lake Michigan steelhead trout up close and watch state fish crews collect eggs from the spawning fish at state facilities in Kewaunee County and on the Root River in Racine this week and in coming wee...
4/7/05		Fish stocking to begin around state EAGLE, Wis. -- Fish stocking trucks are rolling out across Wisconsin now and the pace will pick up in coming weeks as state fisheries crews deliver tens of millions of hatchery-raised fish to lakes and streams where Mother Na...
4/7/05		Internet offers information on environment projects for April MADSION -- With three major environmental events taking place during the month of April, people looking for ways to get involved and take action for a better environment can find a wealth of information on the Internet. Ap...
4/7/05		Arbor Day contest winners to be recognized MADISON -- More than 2,200 fourth and fifth grade students from 138 schools put their fondness for trees, into words and artwork to mark the 133rd anniversary of Arbor Day, celebrated in Wisconsin every year on the last Frida...
4/7/05		Wisconsin Lake Convention to honor lake volunteers Convention April 28-30 in Green Bay MADISON -- Lake association members and others who care about and for Wisconsin lakes will take center stage at the 27th annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention that will be held April 28-30 in ...
4/7/05		Orienteering workshop offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- People who lack confidence hiking through the woods on their own can learn the skill necessary to navigate in the out-of-doors with a map and compass by signing up for an orienteering course at the Sandhill O...

March 2005 Archives

3/31/05		Spring turkey season opens April 13 MADISON – More than 193,000 spring turkey permits have been issued for the spring 2005 Wisconsin Wild Turkey Season. The season will run in six, five-day periods beginning April 13 and ending May 22. “Turkey hunters can lo...
3/31/05		Turkey hunting has unique safety concerns MADISON – Only two non-fatal hunting incidents took place during the 2004 spring turkey hunting season and a Department of Natural Resources’ conservation warden says that hunters can do even better. “Even though turkey hu...
3/31/05		Chinook stocking cuts weighed to prevent collapse of forage base STURGEON BAY – A Lake Michigan-wide conference April 9 in Benton Harbor, Mich., offers anglers and concerned citizens an opportunity to learn more about stocking of chinook in Lake Michigan and weigh in on how to address a gr...
3/31/05		Comments sought on master plan for largest state forest Plan would guide management of Northern Highland American Legion State Forest MADISON – A draft master plan and environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 225,000-acre Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is no...
3/31/05		Most forestry operations following practices to protect water quality MADISON – A new report based on audits of forestry practices in Wisconsin found that logging operations correctly followed voluntary measures to protect water quality over 90 percent of the time. The report on the applicat...
3/31/05		Groundwater advisory committee to meet for first time MADISON -- A newly created groundwater advisory committee meets for the first time April 1 to start developing recommendations for more fully protecting Wisconsin's groundwater and the surface waters that depend on it. Le...
3/31/05		Air quality health advisories now available by e-mail MADISON – Wisconsin residents can now subscribe to a new service to receive air quality health advisories via computer e-mail. The Department of Natural Resources air quality health advisory notification system will provide a...
3/31/05		People asked to report sightings of specially marked ducks MADISON – Waterfowl researchers and wildlife biologists are asking the public’s help in reporting sightings of specially marked ducks, known as either lesser scaup or bluebills. People can report sightings including the locat...
3/31/05		Comment sought on gypsy moth suppression plan MADISON -- Plans are being finalized for the 2005 gypsy moth aerial suppression spraying program in Wisconsin and the public is invited to comment on the environmental assessment for the spraying plan. Aerial suppression s...
3/24/05		Fish and Wildlife account annual report available MADISON, Wis. – An annual report explaining how the Department of Natural Resources used hunting and fishing license fees to support fish and wildlife programs in Wisconsin is available on the agency’s Web site. Wisconsin’...
3/24/05		Aeration systems alleviate fish winterkill on northern lakes ASHLAND - Snow and thick ice may still cover Little Clam Lake in Ashland County, but such potentially oxygen-depleting conditions shouldn't pose a problem for fish -- nor anglers -- this year thanks to a state and federal pro...
3/24/05		Volunteer watercraft inspection workshops offered RHINELANDER - Lake property owners, lake enthusiasts and concerned citizens can help prevent zebra mussels and other invasive species from infesting their favorite lakes by attending one of 21 workshops statewide this spring ...
3/24/05		Salmonella outbreak suspected in Redpoll deaths Wildlife health specialist urge people to remove, clean feeders MADISON -- Redpolls, a small red-capped finch that's attracted to finch feeders, have been found dead or dying in some northern Wisconsin counties and state w...
3/24/05		Outdoor cooking class offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- Hunters, anglers, campers and backpackers who want to learn and practice techniques for creating successful outdoor meals can attend an outdoor cooking class at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center. The class w...
3/17/05		Hunters registered 518,630 deer in 2004 Second highest harvest in state history MADISON – Hunters registered a total of 518,630 deer in 2004-2005 Wisconsin deer hunting seasons, the second highest total harvest in state history and the fourth largest deer season h...
3/17/05		Anglers haul in near record chinook harvest MILWAUKEE -- Chinook continue their reign as the "kings" of Lake Michigan: anglers in 2004 hauled in chinook faster than ever before recorded, and in greater numbers than any year during the past 20 but 1987, according to rec...
3/17/05		New Poster Celebrates preservation of Wisconsin's rarest resources Poster a reminder to look for Endangered Resources checkoff on tax forms MADISON – A free color poster of a short-eared owl flying over a Wisconsin marsh carries a reminder that citizens and businesses can help preserve Wisc...
3/17/05		April conference to focus on waterfront revitalization MADISON – The revitalization and redevelopment of Wisconsin’s waterfronts will be the focus of a conference in Sheboygan on April 13, 2005. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Remediation and Redevelopment program, ...
3/9/05		Fish kills underscore danger of spreading manure on frozen ground MOUNT HOREB - A February fish kill on a Dane County trout stream recently removed from a federal list of degraded waters highlights the risks --and growing problem -- presented by farmers spreading liquid manure on snow-cover...
3/9/05		2005 hunting, fishing and trapping licenses on sale March 10 Current licenses expire March 31 MADISON – Wisconsin hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for the 2005 license year go on sale at all license sales locations, over the Internet, or by phone beginning on March 10. The licen...
3/9/05		Information available on how state spends license fees New DNR Web site page breaks down how agency spends license dollars MADISON – People who buy Wisconsin fishing and hunting licenses can learn more about how those license dollars support conservation by visiting new pages on...
3/9/05		Incidental taking of rare mussel proposed for dredging project [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state Endangered or Threat...
3/9/05		Grants awarded for new DNR Wildcard and rain garden project MADISON -- People will learn more about a rare plant that is unique to the Great Lakes area, and a Department of Natural Resources service center will be able to install rain gardens to trap storm water and pollutants that wo...
3/9/05		2005 "Recycling away from home" radio and TV ad campaign begins MADISON – Radio and TV ads from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources promoting “Recycling away from home” will start airing across the state on March 14. This is the second year of the effort by the DNR and its recyc...
3/9/05		Learn to deer hunt applications available BABCOCK, Wis. -- Applications are available for a special “youth” deer hunt at Sandhill Wildlife Area near Babcock. The Department of Natural Resources Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center’s Learn to Hunt Deer Workshops and Hunt fo...
3/3/05		Public hearings scheduled on proposed chronic wasting disease rule MADISON – The public will have an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the boundaries of the western and eastern Chronic Wasting Disease – Disease Eradication Zones and other changes to hunting season structure, and ...
3/3/05		Sturgeon spearing season ends after 12 days MADISON – The public will have an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the boundaries of the western and eastern Chronic Wasting Disease – Disease Eradication Zones and other changes to hunting season structure, and ...
3/3/05		Volunteers needed for Sturgeon Guard program OSHKOSH, Wis. – When the sturgeon in Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago System begin their annual spring spawning run up the Wolf and upper Fox rivers volunteers from across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota come to protect them. Wh...
3/3/05		Now is a good time to prune trees Don’t prune oaks after April 15 MADISON – Property owners with oak and other types of trees who want to do some pruning to their trees should consider doing it soon, while likelihood of spreading oak wilt and other tree dise...

February 2005 Archives

2/24/05		Early trout season opens March 5 MADISON - Wisconsin's early catch and release trout season opens March 5 with good news for anglers on two fronts: there are no new rules for them to learn and there are more fish waiting to be caught. "We came through the...
2/24/05		Wild trout program a stocking success Fish succeeding in repopulating streams MADISON - Trout anglers in 2005 will have more wild fish and more stream miles to challenge them than ever before, thanks in large part to Wisconsin's nationally-renowned, decade-old p...
2/24/05		Inland game fish season closes March 6 New closing date effective this year provides additional fishing opportunities MADISON – Beginning this year, anglers will have some additional time to fish for game fish before the game fish season closes at the end of the ...
2/24/05		Planning for state waterfowl program strategic plan to kick off at conference MADISON -- An Alliance of Wisconsin wildlife organizations is hosting the Third Annual Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunter’s Conference with the theme of how waterfowl hunting could be improved in Wisconsin. The conference entitled...
2/24/05		Tours, hikes held in celebration of legacy of Aldo Leopold Kettle Moraine State Forest events part of inaugural weekend celebration WAUKESHA, Wis. – The public is invited to help celebrate the legacy of Aldo Leopold at a series of free events being held Saturday, March 5 at the Sout...
2/16/05		Information available on how Wisconsin spends hunting and fishing license funds MADISON – People who buy Wisconsin fishing and hunting licenses can learn more about how those license dollars support conservation by visiting new pages on the Department of Natural Resources Web site called "Your Investment...
2/16/05		Winnebago habitat projects fuel fantastic walleye fishing OSHKOSH, Wis. -- A decade of concentrated efforts by state fish biologists and conservation groups to improve walleye habitat on the Lake Winnebago River system will pay off in spades -- make that shore lunches -- for the 200...
2/16/05		Sturgeon season open longer than expected Public meetings announced on future seasons OSHKOSH, Wis. -- The 2005 Lake Winnebago lake sturgeon spearing season is lasting longer than expected, and also may be the last of its kind. Public meetings on tap starting in ...
2/16/05		Winter tops for northern pike catch, harvest Fish should be biting before March 6 game fish season closure WAUKESHA - Some of the year's best fishing for northern pike is upon us, with anglers having until the game fish season closes March 6 to catch the scrappy water ...
2/16/05		2005 Wisconsin Fishing Report now available online MADISON – Anglers can find fishing forecasts and learn about the habitat improvement work, stocking, and other management activities state fish crews pursued over the last year to improve fishing, in the 2005 Wisconsin Fishin...
2/16/05		Wisconsin’s recycling program celebrates tenth anniversary MADISON - Ten years after Wisconsin established what would become a nationally recognized recycling program, more than 90 percent of the state’s households continue to participate, diverting an estimated 1.6 million tons of m...
2/16/05		Wisconsin’s recycling program celebrates tenth anniversary MADISON – Wisconsin citizens show their conservation ethic every year by planting millions of tree seedlings to enhance and restore native forests, and state forestry officials say that hardwood tree species are still availab...
2/16/05		Wilderness medicine clinic offered BABCOCK, Wis. -- The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center will offer a clinic on Wilderness First-Aid on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. This clinic is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy getting off the beaten path a...
2/16/05		Information available on how Wisconsin spends hunting and fishing license funds MADISON – People who buy Wisconsin fishing and hunting licenses can learn more about how those license dollars support conservation by visiting new pages on the Department of Natural Resources Web site called "Your Investment...
2/9/05		Spring wildlife and fish rules hearings April 11 MADISON – Changes to application and permit deadlines, requiring identification on tree stands setup on state-owned lands, prohibiting use of electronic decoys for turkey hunting, establishing a deer hunting season in Kohler-...
2/9/05		Hearings set on proposed rules for wolf damage payments Payments would cover loss of livestock and pets to wolves MADISON – The public will be able to comment for the record on proposed rules regarding payment of damages to livestock, hunting dogs and pets caused by endangered an...
2/9/05		Board will guide citizen-based natural resources monitoring MADISON – A new advisory board to guide natural resources and environmental monitoring that citizens perform in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources has been appointed, DNR Secretary Scott Hassett announced to...
2/9/05		2006 state parks sticker design contest MADISON – Wisconsin students in grades 9 through 12 have an opportunity to have their artwork displayed on more than 150,000 vehicles around the state by entering the 2006 Wisconsin State Parks & Forests Vehicle Admission Sti...
2/9/05		Deadlines approach for ice fishing shelter removal MADISON -- Anglers are reminded that deadlines are approaching within the next 30 days for removing ice fishing shelters from land and boundary waters. Dates are determined by anticipated ice melting and if not removed, shant...
2/2/05		Deer population status meetings schedule around state MADISON - The public will have an opportunity to discuss results of the 2004 deer hunt and the deer population status of deer management units (DMUs) at public information meetings across the state. Locations and times also a...
2/2/05		193,000 permits issued for 2005 spring turkey season MADISON -- More than 193,000 permits have been issued for the spring 2005 Wisconsin wild turkey season. Postcard notifications to successful applicants are in the process of being mailed. Only successful applicants receive no...
2/2/05		Free Turkey Hunter Education Clinics Offered Statewide Clinics begin in February and run through early April MADISON -- Free Turkey Hunter Education Clinics will be offered again this year around the state. These free clinics are presented by volunteer instructors, and are spons...
2/2/05		Anglers’ investments make for great Wisconsin fishing By Mike Staggs, Director DNR Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection MADISON -- Fishing is very popular in Wisconsin. Based on surveys conducted in 2001, there are 1.4 million anglers in Wisconsin who fish 22 m...
2/2/05		Public hearing added for WE Energies wastewater discharge permit MADISON - Responding to citizen requests, the state will hold a second public hearing to allow people to comment on the state's tentative decision to reissue the wastewater discharge permit for WE Energies’ Oak Creek power pl...

January 2005 Archives

1/26/05		Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season opens Feb. 12 Season may close in one day if harvest cap is reached OSHKOSH - Clear water and good ice conditions are expected to make the 2005 Lake Winnebago lake sturgeon spearing season look much like recent seasons: high harvests of l...
1/26/05		Feb. 18 public forum on Great Lakes algae problem Recent research results, cleanup options shared MILWAUKEE – The increase in stringy, smelly algae, called Cladophora, washing up on Great Lakes beaches in recent years likely results from zebra mussels filtering the water an...
1/26/05		$4.8 million in habitat projects approved along Fox, Wolf rivers and Green Bay Funds come from PCB damage assessment settlements with paper companies MADISON – A total of more than $4.8 million has been approved for nine habitat protection and restoration projects along the Fox and Wolf rivers and Gr...
1/26/05		Online guide available to rare butterflies, moths of bogs and barrens MADISON -- A new field guide to rare butterflies, skippers, and moths that are found in Wisconsin's bog and barrens is available on the Internet. The field guide focuses on Lepidoptera species -- butterflies, moths and ski...
1/26/05		Urban wildlife damage control grants awarded MADISON -- Eight municipalities have been awarded matching grants to address wildlife damage problems associated with white-tailed deer and Canada geese. Under the Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control Grant Program man...
1/19/05		Bald eagle numbers drop in lower Wisconsin River valley SPRING GREEN, Wis. – An aerial survey of the lower Wisconsin River corridor found fewer bald eagles this winter compared to the most recent five-year average, but state biologists say the drop is more likely due changes in co...
1/19/05		Scientific Fishing Tactics & Techniques Course offered in June May be last year for course that focuses on fishing walleye, musky MADISON -- For the 25th -- and perhaps final -- year, a summer weekend course on walleye and musky fishing will be offered on Lake Tomahawk, a premier fishin...
1/19/05		Runoff management grant applications now available for 2006 MADISON -- Applications for state grants to help local government meet state and federal requirements for controlling polluted runoff are now available online. Polluted runoff from urban areas, roads, farms, construction site...
1/19/05		Nominations sought for environmental achievement award MADISON – Municipalities and businesses that demonstrate dedication and commitment to protecting the environment could be rewarded for their efforts with the Department of Natural Resource’s most prestigious award, the John E...
1/19/05		2006 wild turkey stamp design contest winner announced MADISON -- A painting of a gobbling tom turkey by Tim Schultz of Green Lake is the winning entry of the 2006 Wisconsin Wild Turkey Stamp contest. Schultz, an outdoor enthusiast, expresses his passion for the outdoors through ...
1/19/05		Course offers opportunity to study porcupine ecology BABCOCK, Wis. -- People can join high school biologists on snowshoes at an upcoming clinic to check live-traps and visit porcupine winter dens to learn about research high school students have been conducting for more than fi...
1/10/05		Education efforts helping slow spread of aquatic invasive species MADISON – Invasive aquatic species continued to be spread to new waters in 2004 but state invasive species experts are also encouraged by signs that expanded education efforts seem to be reaching more boaters and getting them...
1/10/05		Hybrid milfoil may pose new challenges in controlling invasive plant RHINELANDER – An invasive aquatic plant that for the last few decades has been the scourge of boaters, anglers and swimmers on hundreds of Wisconsin waters seems to have morphed into a new form that has invasive species exper...
1/10/05		lux of northern owls reported in Wisconsin MADISON – Parliament is in session in northern Wisconsin, a parliament of owls. That is what a group of owls is called and it is fitting as a variety of northern owl species only occasionally seen in Wisconsin have arrived fr...
1/10/05		Early results show cormorants eat Green Bay yellow perch Study will now focus on whether they eat enough to cause population decrease MADISON – Preliminary research to determine if the resurgence of double-crested cormorants is contributing to the decline of yellow perch in Green ...
1/10/05		Fall turkey hunters harvest 10,216 MADISON -- Preliminary information shows hunters harvested 10,216 wild turkeys during the 2004 fall season that ran Oct. 9 through Nov. 7. Approximately 78,900 permits were issued for the 30-day season, for which there were a...
1/10/05		Environmental gains under Green Tier law to be discussed at international forum Forum to be held Jan. 31 in Madison MADISON -- A new Wisconsin law that rewards superior environmental performance beyond that required by law will be one of the strategies presented at an international conference focusing o...
1/10/05		Wolf Ecology, winter camping clinics offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- People interested in learning more about gray wolves or winter camping can attend one of two upcoming clinics being offered by the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center Timber wolf ecology and tracking The ski...
1/4/05		Wisconsin State Parks offer candlelight skis and hikes MADISON -- While a mid-winter night may not seem like the best time to ski or hike a favorite state park or forest trail, it’s not uncommon for hundreds of people to do just that. What brings out the crowds are hundreds of ca...
1/4/05		Bald Eagle Watching Days Jan 15 - 16 MADISON – People interested in watching and learning more about bald eagles can participate in eagle watching and related activities at Bald Eagle Watching Days Jan 15 and 16 in the Wisconsin River communities of Sauk City an...
1/4/05		Poster of owl highlights endangered resources fund MADISON – A photo of a short-eared owl flying against a crimson sunset in late winter is the subject of a free poster that highlights the work to protect and manage rare and non-game species funded through state Endangered Re...
1/4/05		Walleye return to Milwaukee River MILWAUKEE -- After pollution and dams dating back to the 1800s doomed the walleye population in the Milwaukee River, a state project that capitalizes on extensive pollution clean up efforts and a key dam removal has restored ...
1/4/05		Web site provides access to latest brownfields research MADISON – People interested in the latest research on efforts to clean up and restore contaminated urban sites -- often referred to as brownfields -- can access information through a new comprehensive Web site on the Internet...
1/4/05		Hearings scheduled on revisions to gypsy moth rule MADISON – The public will get a chance to comment on proposed revisions to the Department of Natural Resources gypsy moth suppression rule during a videoconference public hearing. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25...
1/4/05		Into the Outdoors TV show begins fifth season MADISON – Into the Outdoors, a Wisconsin-based children’s television program about the outdoors and environment, starts its fifth season of broadcast on the weekend of Jan. 8-9, 2005. Into the Outdoors, which recently won ...

News Archives for 2004:

December 2004 Archives

12/21/04		Regulatory streamlining, unique land purchases, forestry centennial, groundwater protection among 2004 natural resource highlights MADISON – Major improvements in permit processes governing industrial air emissions and waterfront projects, protection of nearly 8,500 more acres of unique public lands, a centennial recognition of Wisconsin forest restorati...
12/21/04		Meetings set on wildlife species in greatest need of conservation GREEN BAY, Wis. – A series of six briefings will take place in locations throughout Wisconsin during January to share information with the public regarding wildlife species with low and/or declining populations that are in ne...
12/21/04		2005 bear hunting applications due Jan. 14 MADISON -- People interested in participating in the 2005 Wisconsin bear hunting season have until Jan. 14 to submit applications for bear permits. The 2005 season runs from Sept. 7 to Oct. 11, with those hunters who hunt ...
12/15/04		Emergency rule could limit Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing season to one day Season will close if harvest cap reached on opening day MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board has approved an emergency rule that authorizes state fisheries officials to close the 2005 lake sturgeon spearing season on ...
12/15/04		National report lists Wisconsin among top six in nation for brownfields programs MADISON – Wisconsin’s brownfields cleanup efforts rank among the top six such programs in the nation, according to a recent report on the state of brownfields in America. The National Association of Local Government Enviro...
12/15/04		Cooperative effort prevents fish kill on Green County creek MONTICELLO, Wis. -- Quick and cooperative action by state, county and university officials, along with an early alert by a farmer, prevented nearly 200,000 gallons of manure from flowing into a trout stream last month and cau...
12/15/04		Winter mammal tracking clinic offered BABCOCK, Wis. -- People interested in learning how to identify animal tracks and other animal signs can attend a Winter Mammal Tracking Clinic on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Department of Natural Resources ...
12/7/04		Early ice attracts ice anglers, but can be hazardous WOODRUFF, Wis. -- While many anglers feel the first ice of the season often delivers the best ice fishing and they are eager to see the red tip-up flags flying, state recreational safety specialists caution that the first ice...
12/7/04		Snowmobiling underway in some parts of Wisconsin MADISON – With recent snowfall allowing snowmobile trails to open in some parts of northern Wisconsin, state recreation safety officials are reminding snowmobilers to make sure trails are officially open before they go, and t...
12/7/04		Science helps understanding of old growth forest MADISON – Managing forests for all the social, ecological and economic values they provide requires intimate knowledge of how a forest works, how soils, wildlife, weather and disturbances affect it, and how human history has ...
12/7/04		Guide to Lake Superior Northwoods birding sites available MADISON – A free, 70-page travel and viewing guide to the best birding and wildlife viewing spots in northern Wisconsin is now available for ordering over the Internet or through a toll-free phone call. "For travelers exp...
12/7/04		Timber wolf ecology workshop offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. – People interested in learning more about gray wolves, also called timber wolves, may attend a two-day Timber Wolf Ecology Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 8 and Sunday, Jan. 9. at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center ...
12/7/04		December Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine available MADISON – Readers of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine may want to put on a hard hat as the December issue takes them tunneling into old wood, diving under the ice and crawling into bear dens in pursuit of outdoor adventur...

November 2004 Archives

11/30/04		Hunters register 303,000 deer over nine-day season MADISON – A preliminary total of 303,162 deer were registered by hunters at the close of Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season. Hunters registered a preliminary 304,538 deer during the same period in 2003. "The preliminary ...
11/30/04		Spring turkey application deadline Dec. 10 MADISON -- Turkey hunters have until Dec. 10 to apply for a permit for the 2005 Wisconsin spring turkey hunting season. Preliminary permit levels for the spring season are set at 193,386 permits available in the 43 turkey man...
11/30/04		Stormwater control permit public hearings set MADISON -- Proposed permits aimed at reducing pollutants entering Wisconsin waters in stormwater from municipalities and developing areas will be the topic of statewide public hearings in December. The proposed permits ca...
11/30/04		Recycling rates show an increase in 2003 MADISON -- After three years of slight declines in the total tons of recyclable materials collected from Wisconsin residences, the tonnage reported for 2003 rebounded to 735,610 tons, or 267 pounds for every Wisconsin residen...
11/30/04		Man sentenced to jail for illegally installing well pumps Case highlights health risks, costs of hiring unlicensed personnel WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. -- A Wisconsin Rapids man has been convicted of installing pumps for private water wells without a license and sentenced to 1...
11/30/04		5 Wisconsin State Park admission stickers on sale Dec. 1 Stickers make great holiday gifts that last the entire year MADISON -- Holiday shoppers looking for the perfect gift for the outdoors lovers on their list can give a year’s access to thousands of acres of woods, pra...
11/24/04		Hunters register more than 140,000 deer opening weekend Communities receive funds for boating projects MADISON –Eleven Wisconsin units of government will receive grants totaling $340,863 to make improvements for recreational boating in their communities. The grants were approv...
11/24/04		Muzzleloader deer hunting continues statewide MADISON -- While the regular deer hunting season closes in Wisconsin on Sunday, Nov. 28, deer hunting remains open statewide from Nov. 29 through Dec. 8 for hunters who hunt with muzzleloader firearms only. A muzzleloader ...
11/24/04		Know boundaries, respect property when hunting MADISON – Hunters, landowners and other people are wondering about public safety in Wisconsin’s fields and woods following a multiple homicide that occurred in Sawyer County last weekend during the opening of the state’s annu...
11/24/04		Efforts bolster and restore sturgeon populations MILWAUKEE -- Efforts are continuing across Wisconsin to increase the number of lake sturgeon -- the state's oldest and largest fish species -- in rivers and lakes where it is already found and to restore the species to others...
11/24/04		Comment period on pier rule extended MADISON - Due to a high level of interest in proposed changes to Wisconsin's rules on piers and related structures in public lakes and rivers, the Department of Natural Resources will extend the public comment period on the r...
11/16/04		Communities receive funds for boating projects Communities receive funds for boating projects MADISON –Eleven Wisconsin units of government will receive grants totaling $340,863 to make improvements for recreational boating in their communities. The grants were approv...
11/16/04		Peshtigo River State Forest – first new state forest in 30 years CRIVITZ, Wis. -- The Peshtigo River State Forest, Wisconsin’s newest state forest and the first one established in the state in 30 years, includes more than 9,000 acres of land, 3,000 acres of water, and 70 miles of scenic sh...
11/16/04		Deer licenses may now be purchased during season EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Beginning this year hunters will be able to purchase Wisconsin deer hunting licenses during the nine-day deer gun season. Previously everyone except young people who turn 12 during the season and military p...
11/16/04		New open burning informational materials available MADISON – Increasing numbers of communities around Wisconsin are working together to run local recycling programs more efficiently and bolster recycling efforts in the state under a grant program that encourages cooperation a...
11/16/04		Cooperative efforts boost recycling in Wisconsin MADISON – Increasing numbers of communities around Wisconsin are working together to run local recycling programs more efficiently and bolster recycling efforts in the state under a grant program that encourages cooperation a...
11/9/04		2004 Wisconsin regular gun deer season runs Nov. 20-28 Special rules apply in CWD management zones MADISON – Wisconsin’s regular nine-day gun deer season opens statewide Saturday, Nov. 20, and state wildlife officials say, if weather cooperates, hunters should have plenty of opp...
11/9/04		Fast Facts for the 2004 Deer Season Hunting Licenses Hunters must carry a valid hunting license while engaged in hunting. New for the first time this year, anyone meeting age and hunter education requirements for a gun deer hunting licen...
11/9/04		Coyote hunting closed in north Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 to protect gray wolves SPOONER Wis. -- Hunters are reminded that coyote hunting is closed in the northern third of the state during the gun deer and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons Nov. 20 – Dec. 8. This closure extends across northern Wiscons...
11/9/04		Remember T-A-B-K to avoid firearm injuries during upcoming deer hunt MADISON -- Nearly 99 percent of all hunting incidents can be attributed to a violation of one of four rules of firearms safety, according to state hunting safety specialists. While these incidents occur to varying degrees...
11/9/04		Efforts continue to contain, eradicate CWD MADISON – Chronic wasting disease in Wisconsin’s wild deer herd appears to be limited to two areas in the southern part of the state at this time based on current knowledge, say wildlife officials. The officials stress howeve...
11/9/04		Getting ready for deer camp? Leave the firewood at home MADISON -- State forestry officials are asking hunters who are loading up their vehicles for upcoming hunting trips to leave firewood at home. Insects and diseases that can damage or kill healthy trees may be hitching a ride ...
11/2/04		Hunters register more than 64,500 deer during early Zone T hunt [EDITOR'S ADVISORY: Preliminary harvest totals are based on calls to registration stations and are strictly preliminary. DNR wildlife biologists have revised the preliminary total issued Tuesday, Nov. 2, after several additio...
11/2/04		Fall fish surveys wrapping up statewide MADISON -- With water temperatures heading south, work is wrapping up statewide to survey inland lakes to assess how well fish reproduced last spring and how other ages and sizes of fish fared. The fall fish surveys are pa...
11/2/04		Volunteers needed to provide hair samples for mercury study MADISON -- Adult anglers in Wisconsin can help state health officials study the relationship between fish consumption and mercury exposure by volunteering to submit hair samples for the study. The Wisconsin Department of ...
11/2/04		2005 Wisconsin Pheasant Stamp selected MADISON -- A painting of a flying pheasant rooster by Terry Doughty of Brookfield was selected as the winner of the 2005 Wisconsin Pheasant Stamp. This is the second time Doughty has won the Pheasant Stamp design contest; he ...

October 2004 Archives

10/26/04		Demand for wood products helps maintain forest land FITCHBURG, Wis. -- Wisconsin has the most balanced demand for wood products of any state in the nation, which is helping encourage landowners in the state to keep their property forested, according to Terry Mace, forest utili...
10/26/04		Hearing set on waterway and wetland permit for power line MADISON - A waterway and wetland permit required for construction of an electric transmission line proposed to be built from the Duluth area to Weston in Marathon County will be the topic of public hearings Nov. 10 in Solon S...
10/26/04		Public hearing set on proposed live well standards MADISON – Proposed standards for live wells in boats, which anglers use to keep fish alive, that would have to be met for anglers to participate in a bass fishing tournament pilot program will be the subject of a public heari...
10/26/04		DNR accepting applications for bass tournament pilot program MADISON -- Applications are being accepted through Nov. 30 for bass catch-and-release tournament sponsors who want to be involved in a new pilot program allowing participants to cull or sort, fish. A new law, 2003 Wisconsi...
10/26/04		Public hearings scheduled on recycling rule revisions MADISON – The public will get an opportunity to comment on proposed revisions to the Department of Natural Resources recycling rules in a video conference public hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 15....
10/26/04		Nominations sought for statewide ethical hunting award LA CROSSE, Wis. – People hunting in Wisconsin this year will again have an opportunity to recognizes other hunters throughout Wisconsin who do good deeds or who, while hunting, set positive examples for all other outdoor user...
10/26/04		2005 Besadny Conservation Grant applications available MADISON -- Groups across Wisconsin can apply for matching grants of up to $1,000 for environmental educational or conservation projects that promote the responsible stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources at the local le...
10/26/04		DNR Web site unavailable Nov. 6 MADISON -- In order to improve future services the State of Wisconsin is upgrading the power supply to the Wisconsin Department of Natural central office building in Madison. As a result of this service upgrade, beginning at ...

September 2004 Archives

9/28/04		Egg collection for Great Lakes trout and salmon underway STURGEON BAY – With higher water levels on Lake Michigan and a pipeline aiding flow in Strawberry Creek, state fisheries crews are expecting a good run of chinook salmon in coming weeks to the facility where they’ll collect e...
9/28/04		Horicon Marsh recognized as Wisconsin’s first Important Bird Area MADISON -- The 32,000 acre Horicon Marsh will be recognized as Wisconsin’s first Important Bird Area (IBA) on Oct 16 at a 1:30 p.m. ceremony at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center near Mayville. The event is p...
9/28/04		Groundwater protection report available MADISON - Wisconsin's progress in protecting its groundwater resources in the past year and the overall condition and emerging threats to those resources are detailed in the recently released annual report of the Groundwater ...
9/28/04		Communities receive funds for boating projects MADISON – Seventeen Wisconsin units of government and two qualified lake associations will receive grants totaling $3,522,058 to make improvements for recreational boating in their communities. The grants were approved at ...
9/28/04		Brownfields Site Assessment Grant applications available MADISON – Wisconsin communities interested in revitalizing abandoned, idle or underused industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived contamination have until mid-November to apply f...
9/28/04		Transmission line and substation construction may result in ‘incidental take’ of rare snake MADISON -- Construction of new transmission lines that will connect a new substation in Duplainville to the existing Waukesha and Sussex Substations in Waukesha County may result in the "incidental taking" of a gartersnake li...
9/21/04		Kettle Moraine State Forest offers spectacular views of glacial landscape MILWAUKEE -- A series of glaciers -- massive lobes of ice some up to 2-miles thick -- that advanced and retreated more than 10,000 years ago over what is now Wisconsin left unique glacial landforms across much of the state. T...
9/21/04		Fall wild turkey season opens Oct. 9 MADISON -- While results of brood surveys indicate there was a slight decrease in turkey production in Wisconsin this summer, hunters preparing for the Oct. 9 fall turkey season opener should still be able expect a great seas...
9/21/04		New program allows transfer of bear permits to young hunters MADISON -- Nearly 34,000 hunters applied for the 4,740 available Class A bear hunting permits available for 2004, making it one of the most coveted hunting permits available in Wisconsin, with waits of six to eight years to r...
9/21/04		2005 Wisconsin waterfowl stamp selected OSHKOSH, Wis. -- A painting of a pair of wood ducks by Brookfield artist Terry Doughty will be printed on the 2005 Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp. Doughty is a three-time winner of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp contest; he also wo...
9/21/04		Crane watch clinic offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- People interested in seeing large numbers of sandhill cranes flying into marsh after a day of feeding in surrounding agricultural fields can join Department of Natural Resources biologists for a crane watch c...
9/14/04		Lower Fox River and Sheboygan River and Harbor PCB cleanups to begin MADISON – The long-awaited cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyls will begin the week of Sept. 13 from two of Wisconsin’s worst PCB contamination sites, while work at third site moves into a critical phase during the same perio...
9/14/04		Changes proposed to state park camping reservation system MADISON -- Proposed changes to Wisconsin State Park and Forest camping rules that among other things are intended to help ensure that campsites are either occupied or become available to others who would like to occupy the si...
9/14/04		Waterfowl hunters cautioned to watch for swans MADISON -- With approximately 400 endangered trumpeter swans now living in Wisconsin, state officials are cautioning waterfowl hunters preparing for the opening of the exterior zone Canada goose hunting season Sept. 18 that t...
9/14/04		Whooping Crane Festival to be held Sept. 18 in Necedah NECEDAH, Wis. -- A celebration of ongoing efforts to establish a second wild flock of migratory whooping cranes in eastern North America will take place Sept. 18 at the Necedah Whooping Crane Festival. This is the fourth y...
9/14/04		Successful applicants can still purchase Class A bear permits MADISON -- Applicants who were successful in the drawing to receive a Class A Wisconsin bear hunting license but who did not purchase the license prior to Sept. 8 can still purchase their license, but only through Department ...
9/14/04		Boundaries for waterfowl zone not changed by highway renaming MADISON – Recent highway name changes in Waupaca, Outagamie and Winnebago counties will not change the physical boundaries for waterfowl zones and deer management units in that area, according to state wildlife officials. ...
9/14/04		Changes proposed to some Deer Management Units MADISON – Proposed changes to a number of Deer Management Units across Wisconsin will be the topic of a series of public hearings being held around the state later this month. The proposed changes would modify the boundari...
9/8/04		Wisconsin loggers close in on professional recognition GREEN BAY, Wis. – A growing number of Wisconsin loggers are coming to recognize the value of certification and continuing education to their craft and their business, according to state and private forestry professionals, who...
9/8/04		Fishing on Lake Michigan tributaries heats up RACINE, Wis. -- The "phenomenal" action chinook anglers have enjoyed on Lake Michigan this summer is starting to move to tributary rivers and streams as the "king" of salmon readies for its fall spawning run, state fish biolo...
9/8/04		Volunteer fire assistance grants awarded MADISON -- Volunteer fire fighting associations in 16 Wisconsin counties have been awarded federal grants totaling $113,114 to purchase items to be used for fire suppression. The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program wa...
9/8/04		Advanced outdoor photography course offered BABCOCK, Wis. --The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center will sponsor a 2-day fall photography workshop. The workshop begins at 10 am on Saturday, Oct. 16 and runs to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17. Taught by professional photographer, ...

August 2004 Archives

8/31/04		Most healthy trees expected to change on schedule MADISON -- Despite some early signs of fall color in trees around Wisconsin, state forestry officials expect that most healthy trees will turn color as they normally do through the autumn season. Peak fall color varies sli...
8/31/04		What causes the fall colors in Wisconsin? MADISON -- The timing of fall color in Wisconsin's forests is actually determined more by the shortening day-light hours than it is by temperatures, but temperature and other weather conditions play a big role in the intensit...
8/31/04		Busy Labor Day weekend ahead for watercraft inspectors RHINELANDER, Wis. -- Volunteer and paid watercraft inspectors are preventing boats from launching in Wisconsin lakes and rivers with zebra mussels and Eurasian water-milfoil attached, reducing the risk that these and other in...
8/31/04		Record brown trout the state’s fifth to fall in 2004 ALGOMA, Wis. -- The reporters’ calls, the ribbing, and the congratulations are still coming in a week after Richard Crowe hauled in Wisconsin’s latest state record fish. The Ankeny, Iowa, man on Aug. 23 landed a 36 pound, ...
8/31/04		Green Bay, Markesan recognized for wastewater treatment plant operations MADISON -- Green Bay and Markesan will receive regional awards for their outstanding performance in operating their wastewater treatment plants and programs to keep the Fox River and a tributary clean. The Green Bay Metrop...
8/31/04		Comment period for state wolf management plan extended PARK FALLS, Wis. – The deadline for submitting comments on Wisconsin’s Wolf Management Plan has been extended to Sept 10, 2004 for both written and electronic submissions. The comment period was extended due to unforeseen del...
8/31/04		Snowshoe weaving course offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- Snowshoeing has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, and interested people can join this craze on traditional snowshoes that they have woven themselves by participating in a two-day snowshoe construction wo...
8/24/04		Comment sessions set for Great Lakes water use proposals MADISON – Draft agreements on how Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces should protect and manage the Great Lakes will be the topic of five open house and public comment sessions in September and October. The draft ag...
8/24/04		Hook and line sturgeon season opens Sept. 4 POYNETTE, Wis. -- Wisconsin's 2004 statewide hook and line lake sturgeon season opens on Saturday, Sept 4 and runs through Oct 15. Anglers are allowed to harvest one legal sized fish per season. To fish for lake sturgeon ...
8/24/04		Hunters with dogs urged to avoid Ashland County wolf pack PARK FALLS, Wis. -- State wildlife officials are asking that people currently training dogs to hunt bear or preparing to hunt bear with dogs to avoid a remote area of Ashland County where a wolf pack has killed seven dogs in ...
8/24/04		Wild rice crop reported in good condition PARK FALLS, Wis. -- As it has for many agricultural crops, Wisconsin's cool, wet summer may be delaying the harvest of wild rice in some areas this year. "Rice beds are in a wide range of maturation with some still in the ...
8/24/04		Otter, fisher and bobcat permit deadline Sept. 10 PARK FALLS, Wis. -- Trappers interested in participating in the otter, fisher or bobcat seasons in Wisconsin have until Sept. 10 to submit their permit applications for these species. Increased interest in these season, combi...
8/24/04		DNR customer service and licensing director appointed MADISON – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett has selected agency veteran Diane Brookbank, 45, to head the DNR Bureau of Customer Service and Licensing. The program, which has 120 employees statewide, a...
8/24/04		Morning on the Marsh camp out offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- People can get a close up and personal view of thousands of sandhill cranes, geese and other waterfowl that stage at the expansive Gallegher Marsh complex in Sandhill Wildlife Area before their fall migration...
8/17/04		NRB approves compromise emergency rules for waterway permits MADISON – The State Natural Resources Board has unanimously approved compromise emergency rules to implement 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, which is intended to streamline the process for approving projects along public lakes and ri...
8/17/04		Research underway to tackle smelly algae problem on Lake Michigan MILWAUKEE – State researchers in August will don scuba gear and use underwater video cameras to help understand why a stringy green algae that can smell like sewage after it dies has been increasingly washing up on Lake Michi...
8/17/04		Canoeing, fishing highlight Flambeau River State Forest WINTER, Wis. -- With the North and South Forks of the Flambeau River combining to provide more than 60 miles of nearly uninterrupted natural beauty and whitewater excitement, the Flambeau River State Forest is a nationally kn...
8/17/04		Bonus antlerless deer hunting permits go on sale Aug. 21 MADISON –Bonus permits that allow deer hunters to shoot additional antlerless deer in designated deer management units (DMUs) will go on sale at noon, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004. Resident and non-resident hunters will have equal...
8/17/04		CWD landowner and hunter permits available Sept 1 from license vendors MADISON – Beginning Sept. 1, hunters and landowners may apply for free deer hunting permits for the Chronic Wasting Disease – Disease Eradication Zone at any license vendor and get answers to CWD-related questions on a new to...
8/17/04		Advisory team formed to help develop tournament fishing rules MADISON – An advisory group has been formed and meets for the first time Aug. 28 in Stevens Point to help the Department of Natural Resources carry out new legislation requiring the agency to develop rules regulating fishing ...
8/17/04		2004 waterfowl seasons set LA CROSSE, Wis. – The 2004 Wisconsin waterfowl hunting season will consist of a 60-day duck season with a split in the Southern Duck Zone and a six-duck bag limit and a 95-day -- or until the quota is reached -- Exterior Zone...
8/10/04		Gypsy moth populations and tree defoliation reduced MADISON – The cool, wet spring is largely responsible for a statewide decrease in the gypsy moth population and the resulting lack of feeding damage from the caterpillars, according to state forestry scientists. Recent ae...
8/10/04		Public hearings set on rules for waterway grading, culverts, dredging and ponds MADISON – Proposed permanent rules governing some of the most common development activities along lakes and rivers are the topic of statewide public hearings Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and 2. The hearings concern the Department ...
8/10/04		Work under way on policy for ATV use on state lands MADISON -- What state-owned lands should be open to all terrain vehicles (ATV), and what design and construction standards should trails meet to reduce or minimize impact on land or other natural resources and lessen conflict...
8/10/04		Wisconsin fisheries successes, challenges highlighted in national fisheries meeting: Aug. 22-26 session in Madison to draw 1,800 MADISON – The American Fisheries Society meeting here Aug. 22-26 of 1,800 top fisheries scientists and managers from around the world gives Wisconsin a chance to spotlight its fishing and the management and research programs ...
8/10/04		Tree seed needed at the state forest nurseries MADISON – State forest nurseries are looking for more people to help them collect tree seeds to produce the more than 18 million seedlings used every year for reforestation in Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s state forest nurseries...
8/10/04		Awards presented for providing outdoor recreation for people with disabilities SHERWOOD, Wis. – Three organizations, an engineering firm, two state parks and several Department of Natural Resources employees recently received awards for their efforts to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for peopl...
8/10/04		Trapper education workshop offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- First-time trappers are required to attend a trapper education course before participating in the fall season. Such sessions are offered at various locations throughout the state, with the Department of Natur...
8/10/04		Proposed projects may result in the loss of rare gartersnake MADISON -- A proposed highway expansion and a proposed housing development in southeastern Wisconsin could each result in the "incidental taking” of a type of gartersnake that is listed as a threatened species in Wisconsin, u...
8/3/04		Comments sought on state wolf management plan PARK FALLS, Wis. -- With federal officials beginning the process to remove the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list in Wisconsin, state officials are seeking public input on any possible revisions or adjustments...
8/3/04		Beetles making progress in controlling purple loosestrife MADISON – Purple loosestrife-eating beetles are gaining ground in controlling large patches of this invasive plant, one that threatens to squeeze native species out of Wisconsin wetlands. But more human help is critical i...
8/3/04		Wisconsin forests provide multiple recreational opportunities MADISON –Wisconsin’s forests fill many roles: They supply the materials for many products used in homes and commerce, they clean the air, purify water, and they provide habitat for wildlife. But for many Wisconsin residents a...
8/3/04		Automatic feeders prohibited in Wisconsin for feeding or baiting deer MADISON -- Deer hunters who hunt over bait and people who just enjoy feeding deer may not use automatic feeders to feed or bait white-tailed deer in Wisconsin, according to state wildlife officials who have been receiving inq...
8/3/04		Public comment invited at workshops to develop Great Lakes priorities MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle and other Great Lakes governors have outlined their broad priorities for protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and citizens are now invited to offer their specific recommendations for specific proj...
8/3/04		Proposed design changes would allow municipal landfills to expand MADISON -- Proposed rules that would allow larger municipal solid waste landfills, improve landfill design and construction standards, and allow practices intended to lead to quicker biodegradation of the waste in landfills w...
8/3/04		"Recycling away from home" this summer's theme MADISON – Summer vacation trips, the Wisconsin State Fair, outdoor sports and other activities all give us a reason to be "away from home” during this time of year. The Department of Natural Resources has taken a look at our ...
8/3/04		August issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine available MADISON -- Readers of the August issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine will go along to a country auction where a prize rifle almost got away before it was going, going, gone. They’ll learn how to dry wildflowers for ...

July 2004 Archives

7/27/04		Grassland Conservation Area proposed to help protect rare greater prairie chicken EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – A management and recovery plan for the greater prairie chicken and an associated initiative to maintain critical grassland habitat for the species in Central Wisconsin will be the focus of two public meetin...
7/27/04		Meeting set on proposed 2004 waterfowl seasons MADISON – People will have an opportunity to comment on possible frameworks for the 2004 Wisconsin waterfowl hunting seasons in an upcoming series of public hearings scheduled for Aug. 2-5. A summary of the public’s comments ...
7/27/04		Fall turkey application deadline Aug.10 MADISON -- This fall, 78,900 wild turkey permits will be available to hunters. This is a slight increase in permits compared to last fall when 78,750 permits were given out. Permit levels were finalized by the Wisconsin Depar...
7/27/04		Forestry centennial, invasive species featured at DNR State Fair exhibit MILWAUKEE – Visitors to the 2004 Wisconsin State Fair (Exit DNR) can learn more about the history of forestry in Wisconsin, about efforts to control exotic invasive species, and about how burn barrels contribute to air pollut...
7/27/04		Smokey Bear turns 60 years old MADISON -- August 9, 2004 marks Smokey Bear’s 60th birthday, and state forestry officials say Smokey’s simple theme -- Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires -- remains as pertinent today as it was when first coined 60 years ago. ...
7/27/04		Beginner waterfowl clinic offered BABCOCK, Wis. -- The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center in cooperation with the Tomah chapter of Ducks Unlimited will sponsor a Beginner Waterfowl Hunter Clinic on Saturday, September 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Skills Center i...
7/20/04		Construction sites, municipalities affected by stormwater rule August 1 MADISON – A new state rule aimed at cutting pollution that’s picked up by rain and melting snow, carried into storm sewers, and emptied directly into Wisconsin waters with no treatment goes into effect Aug. 1. Constructio...
7/20/04		Advisory group formed to help develop pier rules MADISON – An advisory group including waterfront property owners, anglers, Realtors, conservationists and marina operators is being convened to evaluate the proposed state rules regulating piers, and propose final standards f...
7/20/04		Times listed for public hearings on waterway permit permanent rules MADISON – Public hearings begin statewide next week on proposed permanent rules including one for a "designated waters list” for waterway permits. A July 16 press release issued by the Department of Natural Resources on the d...
7/20/04		1,800 top international fisheries scientists to gather in Wisconsin MADISON – More than 1,800 top fisheries scientists from 30 countries will gather in late August in Madison to ponder Aldo Leopold’s legacy for fisheries and share the latest research, technology, and management techniques reg...
7/20/04		Public hearings Aug. 12 for new invasive species grant program MADISON – A new state grant program to help local governments pay for fighting zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species would emphasize preventing the invaders’ spread to new waters but also would provide funding for ...
7/20/04		First signs of Oak Wilt due to appear MADISON –The first signs of oak wilt, a tree-killing fungal disease found in red and white oaks in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin have begun to appear in infected trees according to tree health experts at the Department...
7/20/04		Permanent director appointed to lead DNR Office of Energy MADISON – Dave Siebert, 41, a wetlands ecologist and 14-year Department of Natural Resources employee, has been appointed permanent director of the DNR’s Office of Energy, Secretary Scott Hassett announced. The DNR Office ...
7/13/04		Governor Thompson State Park draft master plan ready for review GREEN BAY, Wis. – The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed draft master plan for the new Governor Thompson State Park at a pair of public meetings scheduled for Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday,...
7/13/04		Hunter’s Choice application deadline July 20 MADISON -- With the July 20 deadline to apply for Hunter’s Choice permits rapidly approaching, state officials are cautioning that some hunters are buying applications they may not need. This year there are only 28 regular...
7/13/04		Sharp-tailed grouse permits set at 1,000 for 2004 MADISON – A total of 1,000 permits will be available for the fall 2004 sharp-tailed grouse hunting season Oct. 16 – Nov. 7. The deadline for permit applications is Aug 10. The number of permits is down slightly from 2003 leve...
7/13/04		Regulated facilities have opportunity to check environmental data MADISON -- Wisconsin facilities that report hazardous waste generated or pollution discharged or emitted to the water or air in Wisconsin have an opportunity to review data they have submitted to the Department of Natural Res...
7/7/04		Early spring waterfowl surveys present mixed picture MADISON – Mixed spring habitat conditions observed in spring surveys in Wisconsin, the US prairies and Canada are making any early predictions of the fall 2004 waterfowl season difficult according to state waterfowl biologist...
7/7/04		A walk through Point Beach State Forest, a step back in time TWO RIVERS, Wis. – Nearly 6 miles of white sand beach and dunes along an undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline is a major draw for visitors of Point Beach State Forest. Located on Wisconsin’s eastern shore, the 2,903-acre s...
7/7/04		Leafy spurge and spotted knapweed expanding in Wisconsin MADISON -- Two weeds that have degraded millions of acres of rangeland in the western states are now rapidly expanding in Wisconsin. State invasive species specialist say both typically gain a foothold on roadsides where they...
7/7/04		Natural enemies help keep gypsy moths in check MADISON – Gypsy moth caterpillars have reached or are nearing their full size across much of Wisconsin, eating their way through oak, crabapple, aspen, birch and dozens of other palatable trees and shrubs. But while this inva...
7/7/04		Reports available for spending of Inland Trout and Great Lakes stamp funds MADISON – Funds from the sale of Wisconsin inland trout stamps and Great Lakes salmon and trout stamps funded habitat improvement projects along 27.5 miles of 42 streams statewide and the rearing and stocking of more than 8 m...

June 2004 Archives

6/29/04		Urban forests face special challenges MADISON -- Compared to trees that grow in forests, wood lots or other rural settings, trees that grow in cities and towns face what state foresters say can be a pretty tough life for a growing tree. "Unlike their country c...
6/29/04		Anglers caught nearly 1.2 million walleye in northern Wisconsin in 2003 MADISON – Anglers in northern Wisconsin in 2003 enjoyed some of the best walleye fishing in the past 15 years, catching nearly 1.2 million fish in the Ceded Territory, more than doubling the previous year’s total, according t...
6/29/04		Revised hazardous air pollutants rule goes into effect MADISON – A revised hazardous air pollutants rule increasing the number of substances on the list of hazardous air pollutants that was approved by the Natural Resources Board and the legislature earlier this year goes into ef...
6/29/04		Workshops help lake volunteers prepare for aquatic invasive species battle RHINELANDER -- Room is still available at a number of workshops being held around Wisconsin next month for people interested in the tools and knowledge to help prevent zebra mussels, Eurasian water-milfoil and other aquatic i...
6/29/04		Conservation Patron License information packets being mailed MADISON -- Sports people who purchased a 2004-2005 Wisconsin Conservation Patron license on or before June 1, will receive their Conservation Patron information packet in the mail by early July. The Conservation Patron li...
6/22/04		Black River State Forest offers multitude of recreational opportunities BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- Sprawling over 67,000 acres in west central Wisconsin, the Black River State Forest offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunities. From canoeing, to horseback riding, to deer and small g...
6/22/04		Karner blue butterfly festival July 10 in Black River Falls BLACK RIVER FALLS -- Adjacent to the Black River State Forest is a crescent-shaped swath of land that provides the prime habitat for a nationally rare blue butterfly and the native wild lupine that is the only food of this ra...
6/22/04		Survey finding fewer native, nongame fish species LAKE GENEVA, Wis. – Three decades after surveying Wisconsin lakes to learn the distribution and abundance of native nongame fish, researchers are returning to survey many of the same sites in southern Wisconsin this summer, w...
6/22/04		Spring turkey harvest up 10 percent over last year at 47,373 MADISON -- Preliminary figures show that hunters registered 47,373 turkeys during Wisconsin’s 2004 spring wild turkey season. This is a 10 percent increase over the 2003 spring harvest of 42,970 birds. The statewide hunter su...
6/22/04		Wild parsnip blossoming MADISON -- Wild parsnip, a common weed found in fields and along roads that can cause serious burns to human skin, has begun flowering in Wisconsin, making this the easiest time to recognize and remove this noxious weed, acco...
6/22/04		The 'Tree Guy,' a modern day Johnny Appleseed, to tour Wisconsin MADISON -- Tim Womick, who performs under the moniker “The Tree Guy” in a highly animated presentation intended to educate people about the importance of trees and their value to a community’s well-being, wi...
6/22/04		Communities receive funds for boating projects MADISON –Nineteen Wisconsin units of government and one qualified lake association will receive grants totaling $2,246,078 to make improvements for recreational boating in their communities. The grants were approved in May...
6/22/04		Proposed developments could result in loss of rare snake MADISON -- Two separate developments located in City of Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County, could result in the loss of a rare snake listed as a state threatened species under authorization state officials propose to grant for ...
6/8/04		Wardens' 125th anniversary ceremony set for June 14 STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The 125th anniversary of the founding of the Wisconsin Conservation Warden Service will be celebrated June 13 through 16 during training classes at the 2004 Law Enforcement Recertification Conference at ...
6/8/04		Public hearing set on emergency rules for grading along waterways MADISON – Emergency rules that allow many grading projects along lakes and rivers to be approved through a shorter general permit review are the subject of a public hearing June 16 in Madison. The proposed emergency rules ...
6/8/04		Septage haulers would need continuing education under proposed rule revision MADISON – Septage haulers who pump out private septic systems and dispose of the waste would be required under proposed rule changes to take continuing education courses intended to ensure those practices don’t harm public he...
6/8/04		Runoff, warm temperatures likely to bring fishkills MADISON – Warm temperatures and record rains in parts of Wisconsin are expected to fuel an increase in fish kills due to Columnaris, a bacterial infection that most commonly strikes panfish but is not transmissible to humans,...
6/8/04		Safety Specialist John Plenke recognized for hunter education work MILWAUKEE – A Wisconsin conservation warden and safety specialist is the first recipient of the International Hunter Education Association’s new award recognizing outstanding hunter education work by a professional. John ...
6/8/04		Prosise named director of DNR Legal Services MADISON -- Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett has named veteran DNR attorney Richard Prosise, 58, as director of the Bureau of Legal Services. Prosise, a 30-year veteran of the department, is a native ...
6/8/04		The big thirst, water wolves and recovery from the bottom up MADISON -- Despite the deluge of May, many Wisconsin communities are pressed to keep pace with an unquenchable thirst for drinking water. The June issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine explores the consequences of gro...
6/2/04		Public hearing next week on Upper Mississippi River study LA CROSSE, Wis. – A June 9 public hearing in La Crosse will provide Wisconsin residents with an opportunity to submit comments on a federal study and draft plan for managing the Upper Mississippi River in the future. Wisconsi...
6/2/04		Cold winter weather having an effect on some trees MADISON -- The effects of Wisconsin’s cold winter weather is beginning to show up this spring in oaks and conifers according to forest health specialists at the Department of Natural Resources. "Trees in the white oak grou...
6/2/04		Marquette County association earns national recognition for wildfire preparedness MADISON – The Crystal Lake Club, a Marquette County lake association, has earned Firewise Communities/USA recognition from the National Firewise Communities Program. The club and residents were presented with a plaque at a Me...
6/2/04		Hunter education instructors awarded MADISON -- A Portage, Wis., resident and a Horicon, Wis., resident have been named respectively as the 2003 Wisconsin outstanding hunter education and outstanding bow hunter education instructors of the year Mike Middlest...
6/2/04		Bridge replacement may result in loss of some rare mussels MADISON -- The replacement of a bridge over the La Crosse River in La Crosse County could result in the "incidental taking” of a mussel listed on the state threatened species list, under an authorization proposed by state off...

April 2004 Archives

4/27/04		Northward migration nearly complete for whooping cranes in Wisconsin MADISON – Nearly all of the 36 whooping cranes reintroduced into Wisconsin over the past three years have completed their springtime northward migration and are beginning to explore new surroundings or re-establish themselves...
4/27/04		International Migratory Bird Day May 8 MADISON -- The observance in Wisconsin of an international day intended to draw attention to the plight of migratory birds will include the commemoration of a recently deceased high school biology teacher who led his students...
4/27/04		Researches to look at cormorant, pelican consumption of yellow perch MADISON – Research is underway to determine whether the resurgence of double-crested cormorants, a waterbird teetering on the brink of extirpation a generation ago, is now contributing to the decline of yellow perch in Green ...

March 2004 Archives

3/24/04		New program aims to help 'Smokey Bear' help you prevent wildfires MADISON -- After 60 years of urging people to prevent fires, Smokey Bear is getting a helping hand in Wisconsin with a new program aimed at helping communities prevent wildfires from destroying homes and belongings. The pr...
3/24/04		Pesky insects beginning to re-emerge as temperatures warm up MADISON – With the return of warmer weather, people are not the only ones beginning to move about more actively. Insects many homeowners thought they’d finally said goodbye to last fall are also finding the warmer spring days...
3/24/04		New DNR Northern Region director named SPOONER, Wis. – John Gozdzialski, a 24-year veteran employee of the state Department of Natural Resources, has been named the new director of the agency’s 18-county Northern Region by DNR Secretary Scott Hassett. Gozdzialski ...
3/24/04		Wisconsin Lakes Conference April 15-17 GREEN BAY – Lake enthusiasts can hear from Gov. Jim Doyle, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, DNR Secretary Scott Hassett and Tourism Secretary Jim Holperin about a new law that changes shoreline permitting processes, effor...
3/24/04		Workshops aim to slow spread of invasive species to inland lakes RHINELANDER - Lake association members and other citizens can attend 20 workshops across Wisconsin in coming months to give them tools and knowledge to help prevent zebra mussels, Eurasian water-milfoil and other invasive spe...
3/16/04		Survey finds reduction in deer population in CWD zone MADISON – Recent aerial surveys indicate that hunting has reduced the white-tailed deer population by about 10 percent in the zone state officials have established to eradicate chronic wasting disease from Wisconsin, with abo...
3/16/04		Tent caterpillar, "friendly fly" populations should decline this summer MADISON – The attention grabbing, annoying invasion of the forest tent caterpillar and its predator, the friendly fly, have peaked over the past few summers, and forest health experts and entomologists say the populations of ...
3/16/04		Don't prune oaks from April 15 to 10 Oct. 1 to limit disease spread MADISON – Proper tree care can limit the damage caused by oak wilt, a devastating fungal disease of oaks that has been present in Wisconsin for probably 100 years or more, according to forest health experts at the Department ...
3/16/04		Wauwatosa West senior designs 2005 state parks admission sticker MADISON – A silhouette depicting a birding scene was selected as the winning design for the Wisconsin State Parks & Forests vehicle admission sticker for the 2005 calendar year. Wauwatosa West High School senior Bryan Cera...
3/16/04		Volunteers need for 2004 Sturgeon Guard program OSHKOSH, Wis. – When the sturgeon in Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago System begin their annual spring spawning run up the Wolf and upper Fox rivers, volunteers from across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota come to protect them. D...
3/16/04		Turkey hunters still have time for hunting clinics MADISON -- Turkey hunters interested in learning more about turkey hunting still have time to attend a few of the remaining Free Turkey Hunter Education Clinics that will be held throughout the state now through April. Cl...
3/16/04		Outdoor cooking class offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- Campers, backpackers and other outdoor enthusiasts interested in techniques for creating successful outdoor meals can attend an outdoor cooking class April 17 at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center. "Great...
3/16/04		Fire protection workshop registration deadline extended MADISON – The registration deadline for a FireWise Wisconsin workshop to be held on April 3 at YMCA Camp Alexander in Wisconsin Rapids has been extended to March 29. "People attending the workshop will learn what they can ...

February 2004 Archives

2/3/04		Measures in place to carry out regulatory reform law MADISON – With exemptions to state waterway permits effective Feb. 6 under the Job Creation Act Wisconsin lawmakers approved in mid-January, state habitat protection officials are unveiling the first measures to meet th...
2/3/04		Meetings set to review status of Wisconsin's white-tailed deer population MADISON - The public will have an opportunity to discuss results of the 2003 deer hunt and the deer population status of deer management units
2/3/04		Ban on baiting and feeding of deer extended MADISON – A ban on the baiting and feeding of white-tailed deer, enacted by the state Natural Resources Board under emergency rule authority on Sept. 11, 2003, was extended for 60 days by the legislature’s Joint C...
2/3/04		National study recognizes excellence of Wisconsin's brownfield programs MADISON – Wisconsin has "one of the most innovative programs in the country" for the state’s efforts to clean up and redevelop contaminated properties or brownfields, according to a study recently released by two Washington, ...
2/3/04		Wild Turkey & Pheasant Stamp design contest winners announced MADISON -- A painting of a rooster and hen on snow covered ground by Wiley Miller of Boulder Junction is the winning...
2/3/04		Good grounds for conservation MADISON -- What makes a full-bodied cup of coffee taste even better? Knowing that it was raised in a way that’s as good for the birds as it is for the beans. Learn about the value of shade-grown, fair trade coffee in the Febr...

January 2004 Archives

1/27/04		New Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines available MADISON – A new publication that provides land owners and land managers with voluntary guidelines they can follow to help ensure they are managing forestlands in a sustainable fashion is now available. The publication,
1/27/04		Property owners should check on permit requirements before starting projects MADISON – The Job Creation Act of 2003, enacted last week by lawmakers, will change permitting processes for some projects that affect Wisconsin lakes and rivers, but state habitat protection officials recommend that people c...
1/27/04		Public meetings set on 2004 gypsy moth control efforts MADISON -- Landowners seeking information on efforts to control gypsy moth in their community may soon have the opportunity to learn about any local presence of this invasive insect, and potential treatment areas for 2004. ...
1/27/04		Turkey hunting clinics being offered around the state MADISON -- People interested in learning more about turkey hunting can attend any of a number of free turkey hunter education clinics that will be held throughout the state February through April. Turkey clinic informatio...
1/27/04		Watershed Management bureau director named MADISON - A veteran state employee critical in Wisconsin’s successful efforts to create comprehensive rules to prevent polluted runoff from entering Wisconsin waters has been promoted to lead state water protection programs. ...
1/27/04		Porcupine Ecology Clinic offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- A clinic on the ecology of porcupines focusing on the results of studies area high school students have been conducting for the past six winters on porcupines living in Sandhill Wildlife Area will be held nex...
1/21/04		Hunters take more than 12,000 turkeys in fall season MADISON -- Wisconsin turkey hunters continued to have increased success during the fall 2003 season, as both the state's turkey population and number of permits available has continued to increase. A total of 12,466 wild turk...
1/21/04		Hunters report taking about 200,000 doves in first modern hunt MADISON – Approximately 8 percent of small game license holders participated in the first modern mourning dove hunting season in Wisconsin, according to results of a recent Department of Natural Resources survey. Results o...
1/21/04		Harvest caps to increase for 2004 sturgeon spearing season OSHKOSH – Spearers will enjoy a higher harvest cap for sturgeon this year on Lake Winnebago during the annual season beginning Saturday, Feb. 14, at 6:30 a.m. Harvest caps for adult and juvenile females have been raised from ...
1/21/04		Major spearing regulations for 2004 OSHKOSH – Sturgeon spearing regulations for the 2004 season for the most part are the same as for 2003. The season opens at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, and the only major change sturgeon spearers will notice is that 2004 is ...
1/21/04		Deer Donation 2003 closes with more than 305,000 pounds of venison donated MADISON – Wisconsin hunters have donated nearly 6,771 white-tailed deer to the Wisconsin Deer Donation 2003 program, which ended Dec. 31, providing more than 305,000 pounds of ground venison for needy families across the stat...
1/21/04		Public hearings set on air pollution rule changes MADISON – The public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to air pollution rules that companies must follow when undertaking any major new project or major change to an existing operation at public hea...
1/21/04		Winter camping workshop offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- People interested in trying winter camping can learn the basics by attending a Winter Camping Adventure offered at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15. The workshop will incl...
1/21/04		Municipalities receive grants to address urban wildlife damage problems MADISON -- Eight urban municipalities will receive grants to assists them in addressing wildlife damage problems associated with white-tailed deer and Canada geese in urban areas. This 50 percent match grant program is fun...
1/21/04		Department store and church developments could result in 'taking' of rare snake [EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threat...
1/13/04		Ice fishing opportunities expanding statewide MADISON – With recent cold weather finally freezing many southern Wisconsin waters, ice fishing opportunities statewide are expanding even if catch rates are variable. "Ice fishing ought to be in full steam all over the s...
1/13/04		Ice safety tips for anglers and others MADISON – Wisconsin’s on-again, off-again winter is spurring recreation safety officials to urge anglers to make sure they know ice conditions before they go fishing and take special precautions to avoid breaking through the ...
1/13/04		Bear hunting license application deadline Jan. 16 MADISON -- Friday, Jan. 16 is the deadline for bear hunters to apply for a Class A Bear Hunting License for the 2004 Wisconsin bear hunting season or to build preference points for future bear hunting license applications. ...
1/13/04		Fourth TV Season for Into the Outdoors MADISON – Into the Outdoors, DNR’s Emmy-award winning kids TV show, starts its fourth season this January on television stations throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states. The new season, featuring s...
1/13/04		2004 runoff management grant applications available MADISON -- Two state grant programs are available to help governmental units meet state and federal requirements for controlling polluted runoff, including state and federal requirements for municipal control of stormwater ef...
1/6/04		Bald Eagle Watching Days Jan 17- 18 MADISON – The Wisconsin River communities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac will host Bald Eagle Watching Days Jan 17 and 18. This section of the Wisconsin River just downstream from the dam at Prairie du Sac is a winter gather...
1/6/04		DNR "Feedback Call Line" up and running MADISON -- The state Department of Natural Resources has established a "customer feedback line" that the public can now use to report problems with regulations, environmental permits or general services as well as positive in...
1/6/04		Nominations sought for environmental achievement award MADISON – Municipalities and businesses that demonstrate dedication and commitment to protecting the environment could be rewarded for their efforts with the Department of Natural Resource’s most prestigious award, the John E...
1/6/04		Urban Forestry grants awarded to Wisconsin communities and organizations MADISON – Grants totaling $680,000 are in the mail and headed to 67 Wisconsin communities and nonprofit organizations for urban forestry projects intended to improve the community’s capacity to manage trees. The grant winners...
1/6/04		Timber Wolf Ecology Workshop offered MADISON -- Wisconsin turkey hunters continued to have increased success during the fall 2003 season, as both the state's turkey population and number of permits available has continued to increase. A total of 12,466 wild turk...

News Archives for 2003:

December 2003 Archives

12/16/03		State continues to lead nation in dam removals and river restorations MADISON – The removal earlier this month of the deteriorating White River Dam on the Fox River in Green Lake County brought to eight the number of dams removed from Wisconsin waters in 2003, with four removals already on tap ...
12/16/03		Hunters register 7,746 deer in Dec 11-14 Zone T hunt MADISON – A preliminary tally of registrations for the Dec 11-14 Zone T antlerless deer hunt in selected deer management units shows hunters harvested 7,746 deer over the four day period. “Conditions ...
12/16/03		Eagles have begun gathering along Mississippi River LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Hundreds of eagles have gathered along the Mississippi River from Buffalo County south to the Iowa border, with a cluster of more than 100 eagles seen earlier this month on an island in Lake Onalaska, accor...
12/16/03		Timber wolf ecology, winter mammal tracking workshops offered at Sandhill BABCOCK, Wis. -- People interested in learning more about the ecology of timber wolves, or how to identify different mammal tracks in the snow, can attend clinics next January being offered on these topics at the Department o...
12/11/03		Spring turkey hunting application deadline extended to midnight, Dec 12 Madison , Wis. – The deadline for submitting spring wild turkey hunt applications has been extended through midnight, Dec 12, due to an unprecedented demand for online applications. The previous deadline had been Dec 10. ...
12/11/03		Third group of whooping cranes completes migration CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. -- Sixteen whooping cranes following three ultralight aircraft reached their Florida winter home Dec. 8 after completing a 1,225-mile migration from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin to...
12/11/03		DNR Waste Management Program achieves EMS certification MADISON – A state agency program charged with overseeing how solid waste is managed in Wisconsin has become the first such program in the nation to receive a prestigious international certification for its Environmental Manag...
12/11/03		Deadline nears for deer farmers to meet revised fencing guidelines MADISON – White-tailed deer farms have until Jan. 1, 2004 to comply with state law by filing a double or solid fencing plan or a deer harvest plan with the Department of Natural Resources. This deadline also applies for enter...
12/11/03		Deer Donation 2003 approaches record MADISON – Wisconsin hunters have donated nearly 6,000 white-tailed deer to the Wisconsin Deer Donation 2003 program to date, providing about 265,000 pounds of ground venison for needy families across the state. This exceeds t...
12/11/03		Grants available for managing aquatic invasive species MADISON - Local units of government will now be able to tap into $500,000 worth of state grants to help them battle zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and other aquatic invasive species that threaten a growing number of Wis...
12/11/03		Begin planning for next lakeshore or wetland projects MADISON – Property owners in 2003 waited an average of 34 days to learn whether they would receive the environmental permit they need to proceed with a project that could potentially harm Wisconsin lakes, rivers and wetlands....
12/11/03		2005 state parks sticker design contest MADISON – Wisconsin students in grades 9 through 12 have an opportunity to have their artwork displayed on more than 150,000 vehicles around the state by entering the 2005 Wisconsin State Parks & Forests Vehicle Admission Sti...
12/2/03		Hunters register more than 304,000 deer in nine-day season MADISON – A preliminary total of 304,538 deer were registered by hunters at the close of Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season. Hunters registered 277,755 deer during the same period in 2002 and 298,266 in 2001.
12/2/03		Revisions proposed to air permits rules MADISON -- Changes to air pollution permit rules would make it easier for companies to receive permits for major new projects or major changes to an existing operation in Wisconsin, while continuing to protect air quality in ...
12/2/03		Report cites open burning as a significant air quality problem MADISON – Wisconsin residents who burn trash and debris outdoors need to do a better job of complying with state air quality rules to protect public health, an advisory group recommended in a report presented to the Natural R...
12/2/03		Reduced yellow perch bag limit extension proposed for Green Bay PESHTIGO – Green Bay's yellow perch population would continue to be protected by reduced sport bag and commercial harvest limits in a proposal that's the subject of Dec. 11 public hearings in Peshtigo and Green Bay. Depar...
12/2/03		Wisconsin purchases three rail corridors for trails MADISON -- Three railroad corridors in Polk, Manitowoc, Brown and Langlade counties will be converted into trails for hiking, biking and other recreational uses, under and purchase agreement between the State of Wisconsin and...
12/2/03		Spring turkey application deadline Dec. 10 MADISON -- Turkey hunters have until Dec. 10 to apply for a permit for the 2004 Wisconsin spring turkey hunting season. Preliminary permit levels for the spring season are set at 177,470 permits available in the 43 turkey man...
12/2/03		2004 Wisconsin State Park stickers now on sale MADISON – People shopping for that hard-to-buy-for outdoor enthusiast on their holiday gift list can give them a full year of fun and adventure by making them a gift of the 2004 Wisconsin State Parks admission sticker or Wisc...
12/2/03		Brownfields Coalition formed to seek federal funds MADISON – State and regional officials have jointed together in an effort to seek $4 million to help clean up Wisconsin brownfields, such sites as abandoned, idle or underused industrial or commercial properties where redevel...

November 2003 Archives

11/25/03		New Web site highlights Mississippi River fish ONALASKA, Wis. -- People who want to know the ups and downs of bluegill abundance near La Crosse, catfish south of the Iowa/Wisconsin border, or walleye near Alma, or where those worrisome, jumping Asian Carp have been found ...
11/25/03		State Parks present award to Michael Martin Murphey MADISON – One of the nation's top state park systems recently presented an award to America's #1 Cowboy Singer and trail advocate. The Wisconsin State Pa...
11/25/03		Friends of Wisconsin State Parks announce board appointment and elections MADISON -- The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks - Exit DNR (FWSP) have appointed Leslie Ann Howard to their board. The confirmation took place at the organizati...
11/18/03		Chronic Wasting Disease sample collection stations statewide MADISON -- Deer tissue samples will be collected for chronic wasting disease testing in CWD management zones and select counties in the rest of the state during the first weekend of the traditional nine-day gun deer hunt, whi...
11/18/03		Public notice process on water quality plans launched MADISON – In the coming year, the state expects to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency five to 10 comprehensive plans for cleanup of some Wisconsin waters that currently do not meet water quality standard...
11/18/03		State receives "Permitting Excellence Award" for work in waste management MADISON –The state Department of Natural Resources has received a federal award for outstanding work by a state agency in permitting and licensing hazardous waste facilities. The DNR waste management program received the ‘200...
11/18/03		State, local officials join forces to clean up Elkhorn metal finishing properties MADISON – State and local officials have joined forces under a first-of-a kind voluntary agreement to clean up and put back into productive use two former metal finishing properties in the City of Elkhorn. The Wisconsin De...
11/18/03		Brownfields Site Assessment Grant Applications available MADISON – Communities have until Feb. 13, 2004 to submit applications for state grants to help them revitalize properties that are blighted due to the presence of environmental contamination. The grants, available through the...

October 2003 Archives

10/22/03		Zone T hunt to begin Oct. 30 MADISON – An early, four-day hunt for antlerless deer only will begin Thursday, Oct. 30 and run through Nov. 2 in 47 deer management units across Wisconsin. The special "Zone T hunt" is part of a continuing effort to reduce t...
10/22/03		CWD testing during Zone T and CWD zone hunts MADISON -- Hunters participating in the early Zone T hunt in some south central and southeastern Wisconsin counties will have an opportunity to submit samples from their deer to be tested for chronic wasting disease as part o...
10/22/03		Public comment period for Fox River Consent Decree begins MADISON –The formal 30-day public comment period for the Consent Decree announced on Oct. 1, 2003 between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, P.H. Glatfelter Co. and WTM 1 ...
10/22/03		New shoreland stewardship fact sheets available from DNR MADISON – People who own land near the water or who spend time enjoying Wisconsin's lakes and rivers, can find out how to be good stewards of shorland through a new series of fact sheets available from the Wisconsin Departmen...
10/14/03		Apparent shooting of trumpeter swan reported in northwestern Wisconsin MADISON -- The apparent shooting of an endangered trumpeter swan at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Burnett County this week has state biologists and conservation wardens cautioning waterfowl hunters that Wisconsin's popula...
10/14/03		Composting is an excellent way of dealing with leaves MADISON – With leaf drop picking up across the state, environmental officials remind the public that in Wisconsin, yard waste is prohibited from landfills and that air quality and fire control rules restrict the burning of ya...
10/14/03		New Office of Energy established at the DNR MADISON – A new Office of Energy has been established at the Department of Natural Resources to organize environmental permitting and manage technical policy analysis for major utility and energy projects, DNR Secretary Scott...
10/14/03		DNR restructures its air quality program MADISON -- State environmental officials have restructured Wisconsin's air quality program to better align a reduced workforce with the need to more rapidly respond to permit applications, especially for construction of new s...
10/14/03		Rule change boosts renewable fuel options MADISON – Landfills, large farms and wastewater treatment plants will be able to provide biologically derived gases like methane to more businesses in southeastern for use in combustion turbines, under a rule change the state...
10/14/03		Counties receive volunteer fire assistance grants MADISON -- Twenty Wisconsin county fire associations have been awarded federal grants totaling $127,105 to purchase items to be used for fire suppression. The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program helps local fire depar...
10/14/03		Highway reconstruction would result in relocation of a rare plant MADISON -- The reconstruction of a state highway in Bayfield County would result in the "incidental taking" of the state threatened plant, under authorization the Department of Natural Resources has proposed for the project. ...
10/7/03		Aztalan celebrates 75th anniversary as a park LAKE MILLS, Wis. -- The public will have an opportunity on Sunday, Oct. 19, to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the designation of Aztalan -- one of Wisconsin's most important archeological sites -- as a park. Aztala...
10/7/03		Invasive water fleas found in Wisconsin lake MADISON -- Just weeks after the state's first snakehead fish turned up in the Rock River, another invasive species has been found in Wisconsin waters. The University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Department of Na...
10/7/03		Trees from state nurseries can now be ordered on-line MADISON -- People interested in ordering trees or shrubs from state nurseries can now do so over the Internet through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Web site, as well as through the traditional method of fillin...
10/7/03		2004 sturgeon spearing permit deadline Oct. 31 OSHKOSH, Wis. -- People who want to participate in the 2004 lake sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago must buy their spearing licenses by Oct. 31, 2003. Prior to 2003, sturgeon spearing licenses could be purchased or is...
10/7/03		Nominations sought for statewide ethical hunting award MADISON – Hunters who want to recognize a fellow hunter for being an ethical hunter or for setting a positive example for all other outdoor users can submit nominations for the 2003 Ethical Hunter Award. The award, sponsored ...
10/7/03		Proposed transmission line redevelopment could result in “incidental taking” of rare snake MADISON -- The proposed rebuilding of a transmission line between substation in Port Washington in Ozaukee County and one located in northwest Milwaukee County may result in the "incidental taking" of a rare gartersnake, unde...

September 2003 Archives

9/30/03		Fall turkey hunting season opens Oct. 11 MADISON -- Wisconsin's fall wild turkey hunting season opens Saturday, October 11 and state wildlife officials say turkey population estimates indicate hunters should again have another excellent year of turkey hunting. Th...
9/30/03		Hunters may again donate venison for food pantries MADISON – Wisconsin deer hunters are again able to donate venison for distribution to food pantries around the state. The Deer Donation 2003 program, is up and running and participating meat processors will be accepting donat...
9/30/03		Sessions train volunteers to assist biologists in tracking wolves PARK FALLS, Wis. -- People interested in serving as volunteers to search for the tracks of gray wolves and other carnivores to help state biologists monitor populations of these species can attend any of three training sessio...
9/30/03		New brochure on Upper Mississippi River water level management available LA CROSSE, Wis. -- A new brochure that explains how wildlife officials are using water level management as a tool to restore habitat on the Upper Mississippi River is now available to the public. Along with a short explana...
9/30/03		Snakes of Wisconsin featured at Havenwoods State Forest NatureFest MILWAUKEE – People will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with many of the snakes that are native to Wisconsin during a "Snakes of Wisconsin," presentation that is being held on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10:30 a.m...
9/23/03		Giant snakehead exotic predatory fish found in Rock River MADISON - The recent capture of a highly predatory exotic fish in the Rock River between Janesville and Beloit is a clear indication that Wisconsin needs more stringent regulations on the possession of live, potentially harmf...
9/23/03		The challenge of reining in polluted runoff [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the seventh in a series of articles aimed at celebrating Wisconsin's Year of Water by highlighting water resources and some of the major challenges to sustaining these resources for no...
9/23/03		State has new authority to fight asbestos violations MADISON - Building owners, demolition contractors, asbestos abatement contractors, general contractors, excavators, landfill operators, fire departments and others who violate asbestos regulations in Wisconsin could be subjec...
9/23/03		Communities receive funds for boating projects MADISON - Three Wisconsin units of government and five lake protection and rehabilitation districts will receive grants totaling $214,207 to make improvements for recreational boating in their communities. The grants were...
9/16/03		Proposal would remove wolves from state threatened species list PARKS FALLS, Wis. -- The population of gray wolves has recovered in Wisconsin to the point under the state’s wolf management plan that the species should be removed from the state’s threatened species list and man...
9/16/03		Sheboygan County added to deer baiting and feeding ban MADISON - Sheboygan County will be added to the list of counties affected by a ban on baiting and feeding of deer, wildlife officials announc