Buck Only Hunt in Northern Wisconsin

Due to the harsh conditions last winter, the Wisconsin DNR has approved buck-only hunting for most of Northern Wisconsin to help rebuild deer herds.  See all the details in this article by Dean Bortz from Outdoor News

Green Bay, Wis. — Deer hunters in forested areas of the state didn’t have any trouble convincing DNR wildlife biologists – and Natural Resources Board members – that something had to be done to increase deer numbers in the 19 units that were approved for buck-only hunting this fall.

NRB members easily adopted the DNR’s proposal for 19 buck-only units in the Northern Forest Zone and Central Forest Zone at its May 28 meeting at the Tundra Lodge in Green Bay.

Full story Buck-only for 19 forest deer units

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How Many Beards on Your Turkey?

A man from Sparta bagged a 5 bearded turkey on April 23rd - total length was 31 1/8 inches. But it's not a record. See this article from Wisconsin Outdoor News.

Sparta, Wis. — Ever shoot a gobbler with a beard measuring 311⁄8 inches?

Odds are way better than even that no Wisconsin turkey hunter has ever done that.

However, Ryan Tichenor, of Sparta, did shoot a gobbler with five beards that totaled 311⁄8 inches.

That happened April 23 during Wisconsin’s second turkey season in Monroe County and Zone 1. Tichenor was hunting alone that day when he shot the five-bearded bird at 2:30 p.m., but he had been in contact with that gobbler and three others all day long.

Full Story Wisconsin hunter bags five-bearded tom

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Night Deer Hunt Ban Remains

The Chippewa Tribes are seeking to establish Night Deer Hunting on tribal lands, but the State is fighting this, citing safety concerns. See this article from the Pioneer Press

MADISON, Wis. -- State attorneys tried to persuade a federal appellate court Wednesday to reject a request from Wisconsin's Chippewa bands to reopen a long-settled case barring tribal hunters from hunting deer at night.

The state Department of Natural Resources has long banned night deer hunts out of safety concerns. The Chippewa, though, have pushed for years for a tribal night deer hunt in the ceded territory, a gigantic swath of northern Wisconsin the bands handed over to the federal government in the 19th century.

Full Story Wisconsin asks federal court to keep night deer hunting ban

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Spring Turkey Season is Underway

There are still tags available for this Spring Turkey season.  See this article from the Wisconsin DNR for more details.

MADISON - Though the 2014 spring turkey season is officially underway in Wisconsin, there are still tags available and a number of public hunting lands to enable you to give the season a try.

"With such a large number of public hunting lands available and almost 38,000 leftover turkey tags left for the spring season, 2014 is an excellent year for first-timers and seasoned veterans alike to head out and turkey hunt," said Scott Walter, Department of Natural Resources upland wildlife ecologist. Hunters can find more information about leftover turkey tags on the leftover permit availability page of the DNR website.

Full story Leftover tags still available for 2014 Wisconsin turkey season

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Harsh Winter Takes a Toll on Fish and Elk

Because of the harsh winter, more fish may have died under the ice and the elk calves did not all survive the winter, according to the WI DNR. Fishing will be affected and the expected 2014 Elk Hunt is being cancelled.  See more details in this article by Lee Bergquist from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Two more outcomes from this past winter:

The Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday that an extended ice cover is likely to produce a surge in fish kills this year.

Also, winter mortality of Wisconsin's elk herd prompted the agency to delay the first regulated elk hunting season in 2014.

With more than 3 feet of ice on some northern Wisconsin lakes, and more snowfall last week, fish biologists with the DNR say they expect more fish mortality due to low oxygen levels, especially in shallower lakes.

That means when the ice finally melts, people should expect to see more dead fish littering the shore.

Last year, the DNR documented 18 fish kills caused by low levels of dissolved oxygen in lakes. This year, the agency expects more. The reason: Plants are usually the source of oxygen in lakes in the winter. With more ice and snow cover, the plants gobble up the available oxygen as they decay from the lack of sunlight.

Full Story Harsh winter to bring fish kills, year delay on elk hunting

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Less Spring Turkey Permits to be Issued

The Wisconsin DNR is reducing the amount of over the counter Spring Turkey permits in certain zones due to losses in the turkey population this winter. See all the details in this article from Wisconsin Outdoor Fun.

MADISON — Remaining over-the-counter permits in Turkey Management Zones 6 and 7 will not be issued and over-the-counter permits in zones 4 and 5 will be reduced by 25 percent in response to hunter feedback requesting a conservative approach to the number of permits issued for this spring's hunt, due to concerns that increased winter mortality has depressed turkey numbers.

Although Department of Natural Resources biologists recognize that spring harvests do not play a significant role in wild turkey population dynamics, it is clear that prolonged periods of cold and deep snow have impacted turkeys throughout the northern part of the state.

Full Story DNR: Spring turkey permits reduced to address concerns over winter losses

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Hunting and Fishing in Wisconsin

Sure spring is coming....eventually.  But hunting seasons will be here snow or not!

Get ready by checking out dates and times for all hunting and fishing seasons in Wisconsin for 2014 - get the flyers here 2014 Wisconsin Hunting - 2014 Wisconsin Fishing

And new hunting and fishing licenses go on sale today - get details from the WI DNR here New fishing, hunting licenses go on sale March 5

And find your perfect Wisconsin hunting or recreational parcel here BuyWisconsinLand.com

Wisconsin Deer Classic and Hunting Expo

Trying to stay warm and get ready for the upcoming hunting seasons?

Head to Cedar Creek Mall in Rothschild for the Wisconsin Deer Classic and Hunting Expo at the Patriot Center February 21st-23rd. See Firearms, Hunting Gear, Wildlife Art & Gifts, Guides & Outfitters, Outdoor Equipment and more.  Also at this event is the Wisconsin Taxidermists Association Convention and the WTA Championship Competition.

See the Wisconsin Deer Classic event page here Wisconsin Deer Classic and Hunting Expo

See WTA Convention and Competition Information here 2014 WI Deer Classic

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Turkey Hunting

The Wisconsin DNR has released the numbers for the Fall Turkey Hunt - 4,633 birds were registered, which was down from 2012.  You can also see harvest information for the Spring Turkey Hunt, and if you did not enter the drawing for a Turkey License, 10,000 permits will be available in mid-March.

 MADISON -- Wisconsin wild turkey hunters registered a total of 4,633 birds during the fall 2013 wild turkey season, a decrease of 34 percent from the 7,054 turkeys registered during the 2012 season. Success rates also decreased, from 12.9 percent in 2012 to 7.1 percent during the 2013 season.

"The late spring and wet June last year translated into poor overall reproductive success for turkeys, so with fewer young birds out there we expected to see a bit of a drop in harvest during the fall season," said Scott Walter, upland wildlife ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. "However, the magnitude of the decline from the 2012 harvest was somewhat surprising. We'll be looking at the results of our fall hunter survey to see if hunter participation rates or effort may have played roles in the drop in harvest."

Full Story Hunters register 4,633 birds in 2013 fall wild turkey hunt; spring permit levels set

See the DNR Flyer on the Spring Turkey Hunt here Spring 2014 Turkey Hunting Information

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We've Got an App for That

The Wisconsin DNR has a new app: "The Official Guide for Wisconsin's Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife".

Get information on all things outdoors including Wisconsin’s fishing, hunting and wilderness sites, species profiles, rules and regulations, permits and licensing details, record trails, mark traps and keep track of wildlife sightings.  

Get more information or download the app here Official WI Fish and Wildlife Guide

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Looking for Wisconsin Ethical Hunter

The La Crosse Tribune and Wissconsin Department of Natural Resources are searching for this year's Ethical Hunter Award winner. See this article by Wisconsin Ag Connection for information on how to nominate a hunter before January 15th.

Getting the biggest buck or the most pheasants, the longest-bearded turkey or the heaviest duck doesn't mean a thing if hunter ethics are not part of the experience. That comes from Bob Lamb, the retired outdoors editor of The La Crosse Tribune and co-founder of The La Crosse Tribune/Wissconsin Department of Natural Resources Hunter Ethics Award.

Nominations for this statewide award will be accepted through January 15. The annual honor was established by Lamb, retired DNR conservation warden supervisor Steve Dewald and retired University of Wisconsin-La Crosse instructor Jerry Davis. Chief Conservation Warden Todd Schaller joined the award committee last year.

Full Story Nominations Being Accepted for Hunter Ethics Award

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Cross Bow Hunting

Beginning in 2014, Wisconsin will allow cross-bow hunting for all hunters.  Check out this article from Bowhunting Magazine that invites you to comment on the new law.

The ever-expanding list of states allowing crossbow hunting got a little longer this month when Governor Scott Walker signed legislation expanding crossbow hunting opportunities in Wisconsin.

Under previously existing rules, only hunters age 65 and over or with physical disabilities were allowed to hunt deer with crossbows. Beginning with the 2014 fall hunting season, hunters of all legal ages and abilities will be able to purchase a crossbow hunting license and hunt during a crossbow hunting season that will run concurrent with the archery deer season.

Full Story Read & React: Wisconsin Introduces First-Ever Crossbow Season

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Fewer deer taken this gun season

Reports are showing that cold weather may have resulted in a 7% lower harvest of deer during the nine day Whitetail Deer Gun Season in Wisconsin.  Eight hunters sustained gun shot wounds, but none died.

Check out this article from the Peshtigo Times Deer Harvest Drops 7% As Wisconsin Wraps Up Season

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New State Record Buck

A new state record was set for archery nontypical with a buck taken in Waukesha County.

See the picture and article on outdoorlife.com Big Buck Alert: 249-Inch Whitetail Breaks Wisconsin Archery Record

Good luck hunters - Whitetail Deer Gun Season November 23rd-December 1st.

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Public Shooting Ranges

Looking for a public shooting range? The Wisconsin DNR has a Public Shooting Range Map showing each range's location, information and types of shooting activities allowed, as well as a link to the shooting range website.  Check it out: Public Shooting Ranges

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Youth Hunt Programs

A learn to hunt program will be taking place October 4th and again December 7th at the MacKenzie Center near Poynette. Get more details from this article in the Portage Daily Register.

PORTAGE | The Columbia County Pheasants Forever Chapter is proud to announce it will co-sponsor Learn-To-Hunt programs this fall along with the Friends of the Poynette Game Farm. The events will be held Oct. 4 and Dec. 7 at the MacKenzie Center.

The chapter also co-sponsored two Learn-To-Hunt programs earlier this year, as well as two shooting events where kids and their families were able to shoot archery, air rifles, .22 rifles, muzzle loaders and shotguns. The chapter has worked for the past 13 years to provide opportunities for kids and their families to experience hunting and target shooting through Pheasants Forever’s No Child Left Indoors Initiative, and improve habitat for pheasants and other wildlife in Columbia and Marquette Counties. The chapter will announce several new youth programs at its upcoming banquet, to be held Oct. 3 at the Cascade Mountain banquet room.

Full Story Pheasants Forever co-sponsors youth programs

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Fall Hunting

The fall hunting seasons are underway here is Wisconsin. Bear, Mourning Dove and Canada Goose hunting seasons have begun with Whitetail Deer (Bow), Turkey, Rabbit, Crow, Ruffed Grouse and Squirrel seasons set to begin September 14th. Good luck to all the hunters for a safe and successful season.

While you're out trying to bag your prize, check out our great wooded acreages across Wisconsin, or let us help you find a great hunting property to call your own. Visit BuyWisconsinLand.com or email us at property@buywisconsinland.com and let us know what you're looking for.

Wisconsin Trappers' Association 50th Anniversary Convention

Attention Trappers!  The annual Wisconsin Trappers' Association Convention will be held September 6th and 7th at the Central Wisconsin Fairground in Marshfield.  This is their 50th Anniversary of protecting our trapping heritage and promoting future trapping.

Check out the vendors, see many demos and presentations, buy a raffle ticket or bid in the auction.  Camping available on the grounds. Admission is $10, kids 12 and under Free. Get the schedule of events here Fall Convention

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Wolf Hunt Drawing

A total of 16,672 hunters or trappers applied for a chance to receive one of the 251 permits for the 2013 Wisconsin wolf hunting season.  The drawing for these permits will be August 15th.  Read this Wisconsin DNR article for all the details.

MADISON – A total of 16,672 interested wolf hunters or trappers applied to receive a permit or a preference point for the 2013 Wisconsin wolf hunting season, according to Department of Natural Resources officials. The permit drawing is scheduled to occur Aug. 15.  

“This is Wisconsin’s second state-managed wolf hunt, and a continued testament to the recovery of wolves in Wisconsin,” said Dave MacFarland, DNR carnivore specialist. “As we did for the inaugural hunt, we are entering this second season cautiously and will continue to learn valuable information for updating the state’s wolf management plan and adopting permanent wolf hunting rules. We are anticipating another successful, safe, season. “

Full Story Wolf permit drawing will occur August 15

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Wisconsin DNR at the Wisconsin State Fair

If you're heading for the State Fair this year, look for the "DNR Park" where you can get licenses, passes and park stickers, plus there are lots of fun interactive activities. Find all the details in this article from the DNR Weekly News:

WEST ALLIS, Wis. -- The 2013 Wisconsin State Fair kicks off this week in West Allis and the Department of Natural Resources has a lot of new things for the entire family to enjoy.

Start at the front desk where adults can pick up hunting and fishing licenses, trail passes and state park stickers, while kids can grab materials for their DNR Park scavenger hunt. Search with them for items in the DNR exhibit area such as an aquatic invasive crime scene, an insect that lives in water and a fish with a nose like a paddle. 

Full Story Visit DNR Park at the Wisconsin State Fair

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