New hunting regulations are out

At least it won’t be a telemarketer.

Wisconsin’s woodlands are a great escape for more than a quarter-million bow and crossbow enthusiasts, as well as more than 550,000 deer hunters who head afield with firearms.

Excitement is building for the upcoming season, which begins its multi-month run a half-hour before sunrise in the mosquito-infested fields and forests Sept. 13. Even if you’re one of the many who wait for hard frosts to kill the biting bandits, now’s the time to prepare for your best shot at venison backstraps this fall.

In addition to purchasing your license and brushing up on the regulations, it’s important to scout multiple areas, double-check your gear for safety and put in the time at the archery range or your favorite backyard target so you’re absolutely dialed in.

With baiting banned in 62 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties — Brown, Kewaunee and Door are the lone legal areas in northeast Wisconsin — you’ll need to know where whitetails are feeding naturally to have the best chance at being in position to see one. Productive oak stands are always a solid bet, and many hunters also put in small food plots to increase sightings.

Whatever your hunting style, you can read all about the opportunities at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/deer. Also, check out the newly-released fall 2025-spring 2026 Wisconsin hunting regulations booklet at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/regulations. Copies will also be available wherever DNR licenses are sold.

Board to meet Aug. 13

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will hear an update on the 2025-2027 budget as it relates to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when it meets in Madison next Wednesday.

Additionally, the board will learn about the DNR’s latest biennial Habitat Work Plan, which establishes priorities and goals for habitat work on state-managed lands and measures progress.

DNR recreational safety and communications personnel will provide an overview of the agency’s off-highway vehicle (OHV) safety program, OHV trends, enforcement and public outreach efforts.

The seven-citizen board will also be asked to approve Statement of Scopes and the public hearing notice and submittal of proposed rules to the Legislative Council Rules Clearinghouse for proposals related to beaver management and wildlife and fisheries management.

You can view the entire agenda and board meeting materials online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/NRB. There’s also a link to the YouTube livestream.

Photo contest

If you’re an amateur or professional photographer with some great pics from the outdoors, the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden For Wildlife Photo Contest might be something you want to take a shot at.

Images of native plants in the garden, wildlife in the garden, candid and funny moments in the garden, and small space gardens and habitat images are welcome. There’s even a youth category for those ages 13-17.

One grand prize winner will receive $1,000, and category winners will receive $100 gift certificates to Wild Birds Unlimited.
Modest entry fees help support the NWF’s conservation work. You can enter up to 20 photos for $25, up to 15 for $20 or up to 10 photos for $15.

For a step-by-step guide to learn how to enter, visit https://gfwphotocontest.nwf.org/.
WTU banquet Sept. 10

Whitetails Unlimited has awarded 2,277 grants totaling more than $4 million toward mission-related projects in the past year, growing and cultivating its four pillar programs: Staying on Target, Habitat Options and Planned Enhancement for Wildlife, Developing Environmental Education Resources and Preserving the Hunting Tradition.

There are a number of events coming up in northeast Wisconsin, including the Crivitz-High Falls Chapter Banquet Sept. 10 at Embers 1871 near Peshtigo. Ticket order deadline is Sept. 2. You can get tickets online at https://www.whitetailsunlimited.com/product/crivitz-high-falls-chapter-banquet-2/ or by calling the headquarters at (920) 743-6777.

In its 42-year history, WTU has grown to more than 475 chapters and nearly 120,000 members. To date, the Sturgeon Bay-based group has spent more than $147 million on program services and activities.

Damaging wake

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have released a study that found wake boats disturbing the lake beds up to 15 feet deep and are recommending the popular recreational boats stay in water at least 20 feet deep to minimize damage.

Jeff Meessmann, a director with the Last Wilderness Alliance, called the study’s findings credible and pointed to underwater footage collected by researchers that shows the boats are essentially blowing up the bottom of the lake.

Learn more about the new study at https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/healthywatersinitiative/phase-ii-research.