Outdoor/Recreations
Snowmobilers: Fall is the ideal time to start required Safety Certificate Course
Wisconsin is the birthplace of snowmobiling and continues to offer some of the best snowmobiling opportunities you are likely to find, especially in northern Wisconsin. More than 200,000 registered snowmobiles hit Wisconsin’s 25,000 miles of groomed trails each winter, which means safety is an important part of the ride. Fall is the ideal time to…
Read MoreFall waterfowl hunting season openers just around the corner
MADISON, Wis. – Duck hunters in the Northern Zone will begin another fall duck hunt on Saturday, Sept. 26. Southern and Mississippi River Zones open Saturday, Oct. 3. Due to health concerns related to COVID-19, no waterfowl breeding surveys were conducted this spring. However, feedback from the public and Department of Natural Resources staff indicated…
Read MoreDNR offers robust statewide CWD resting
In cooperation with local businesses, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff will collect deer heads for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing during the 2020 archery, crossbow and gun hunting seasons. The health of the deer herd relies on commitment from hunters. Managing CWD begins with knowing where the disease exists on the landscape, and having…
Read MoreCollared deer are legal to harvest during fall deer seasons
MADISON — During the 2020 hunting season, hunters may spot deer that are equipped with radio collars. Collared deer are part of a mortality study in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and are legal to hunt with a standard Wisconsin hunting license and harvest authorization. The DNR Office of Applied Science is conducting a…
Read MoreArchery and crossbow deer hunting season now open
MADISON, Wis. – Deer hunters throughout the state have their first opportunity to enjoy the woods this fall with the opening of the 2020 archery and crossbow deer seasons, which run concurrently statewide from Sept. 12 to Jan. 3, 2021. The archery and crossbow seasons are extended to January 31, 2021 in metro sub-units, and…
Read MoreThe DNR urges hunters to wear a harness while using treestand this fall
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would like to remind those participating in the upcoming deer hunting season to practice safety when using treestands. According to surveys, one-quarter of bowhunters have experienced a fall or near fall from an elevated stand. Less than half of Wisconsin deer hunters use a safety harness…
Read MoreA successful catch – 9-16-2020
Trapper education for adults and kids now available online
MADISON, Wis. – In partnership with the Wisconsin Trappers’ Association, the Department of Natural Resources has adjusted trapper education course requirements for the 2020 season so adults and youth can earn their certification online or through a correspondence course. This change provides individuals an opportunity to earn their trapper education certification with limited contact with…
Read MoreWisconsin State Park group camping for 50 people or less starts July 13
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will begin to allow group camping for groups of 50 or less with reservations on Monday, July 13. The DNR will also begin placing camp hosts at state park campgrounds, and firewood is now available at select state parks. Special park operation conditions remain in place to ensure the…
Read MorePreliminary 2020 Spring Turkey Harvest Registrations Up From 2019
MADISON, Wis. – Preliminary totals show Wisconsin turkey hunters registered 44,963 birds during the 2020 spring turkey hunting season, nearly a 17% increase from the 38,576 birds registered in the 2019 season. The 2020 youth season resulted in a total of 2,880 birds registered, up 47% from 1,953 in 2019. Harvest increased significantly across all…
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