Wis Weekly News Update

[Lee Borgersen]

     Wisconsin Weekly News Update.

October 3, 2017


2017 Wisconsin ring-necked pheasant season opens Oct. 14

MADISON - The longtime and popular tradition of pheasant hunting in Wisconsin will again take center stage when the fall 2017 pheasant hunting season opens statewide at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. The season will run through Dec. 31, with the possibility of being extended until Jan. 7, 2018.



Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas Releases Third-Season Findings

MADISON -- After the third year of the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas survey, volunteers have documented 220 bird species breeding in the state, most recently including a family of rare and secretive marsh birds called king rails. With this addition, 12 new species have been observed nesting in Wisconsin that weren't found during the first Breeding Bird Atlas survey two decades ago.



Record number of piping plovers nest in Wisconsin

MADISON - Good news for recovery of the federally and state-endangered piping plover: a record number of eight pairs nested in Wisconsin this summer, including at an island restoration site in lower Green Bay. Piping plovers hadn't nested in Green Bay for 75 years until last year.



A reminder to Hunters regarding changes to the tagging of deer and turkey

MADISON - As the archery and turkey seasons continue and the youth deer hunters will take to the field this weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters about recently implemented changes involving the use of deer and turkey carcass tags.



How hunters can help reduce spread of chronic wasting disease

MADISON - Hunters participating in any of the deer hunts this fall are reminded to observe Wisconsin regulations and to consider supplemental, voluntary recommendations when transporting carcasses across county or state lines. The movement of deer carcasses infected with chronic wasting disease is a key pathway in the spread of this disease.



Help DNR staff monitor Wisconsin's wolf population - become a volunteer carnivore tracker today

MADISON - Wisconsin's wolf monitoring program relies upon volunteers from around the state who help track animals each winter, and people interested in playing a key role in wildlife management are encouraged to sign up for one of a number of classes offered statewide.



October Wisconsin Natural Resources features Sandhill Wildlife Area, antlerless deer hunting

MADISON - Sandhill Wildlife Area in central Wisconsin - with marshes and woodlands that are particularly beautiful in fall - is front and center with two stories in the October issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. "Tracing Sandhill to its roots" recalls how Sandhill was created in the mid-1900s through the work of conservationists Wallace and Hazel Grange, while modern-day care of the area is explained in "A tribute to wetland management."



Grants available to help municipalities minimize flood damage

MADISON - Cities, villages, towns, tribal governments and metropolitan sewerage districts are eligible to apply for grants from the Department of Natural Resources to help minimize flooding and flood-related damages.