But when you’re tracking wildlife, there’s one thing that’s even more important: making sure you hit exactly where you’re aiming.
With the first fall hunting seasons opening Sept. 1, early-season shotgunners and anyone using a rifle for black bear should be finding the nearest sportsman’s club or gun range to dial in their eye, and equipment.
New to the shooting sports, or have an interest? There’s a lot of excellent information available at https://www.letsgoshooting.org/ and https://www.nssf.org/shooting/where-to-shoot/.
Looking for a public range to shoot? Check out https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/WisconsinShootingRanges.
Three of Wisconsin’s earliest migrators — the ruby-throated hummingbird, chimney swift and monarch butterfly— will be featured in free online presentations next week.
The Zoom programs will run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m., with leading experts sharing amazing biological feats of these winged marvels, as well as their conservation needs and how to take simple steps to help them reach their destinations.
The presentations will be recorded, and are sponsored by the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, SOS Save Our Songbirds and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, with additional partners for each.
Jennifer Lazewski, former executive director of the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology, is presenting Monday’s Zoom on hummingbirds, Learn more and register at https://swibirds.org/all-events/2025/8/18/mighty-migrations-hummingbird.
Dr. Steffanie Munguía, Avian Conservation Programs Manager for Zoo Miami and field director of the longest-running migratory bird banding station in the continental United States, presents Tuesday’s program on chimney swifts. Sign up at https://swibirds.org/all-events/2025/8/19/mighty-migrations-chimney-swifts.
On Wednesday, Dr. Karen Oberhauser, internationally renowned monarch research and former director of the UW-Madison Arboretum, presents. Find out how an insect weighing about as much as a paperclip can travel some 1,700 miles to central Mexico.
Register at https://swibirds.org/all-events/2025/8/20/mighty-migrations-monarchs.
Daryl Tessen, one of Wisconsin’s most passionate birdwatchers, passed away July 28 at the age of 85.
Tessen edited and co-authored birding books, and was the Western Great Lakes Region editor for American Birds for 24 years. He also was a member of the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology for most of his life, and served on the board of directors for 40 years.
Tessen was a member of the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology for most of his life, and served on the board of directors for 40 years. He traveled across the country, ultimately tallying a life list of 778 bird species. His Wisconsin list stands at a remarkable 437 species, the most of anyone by far. His last new bird was a kelp gull in Milwaukee in early June.
The avid birder had the largest number of Wisconsin counties with over 200 species (28), including Manitowoc (295 species), Brown (284), Door (227) and Kewaunee (202).
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 could take a shot at.
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/.
In response to the latest study on the effects of wake boats on lake ecosystems by the University of Minnesota — one that found damage to lake beds up to 15 feet deep — Wisconsin’s Green Fire said the report affirms its 20-foot depth recommendation established in its wake boat paper.
The group, which promotes science-based management of natural resources, still anticipates a wake boat industry-backed bill to come up this legislative session. But its leaders say a coalition of 80 organizations is ready to counter with science-based legislation designed to protect lake ecosystems, lakeshore properties and local control.
Looking for expert advice on a landscape or gardening issue? A Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener will respond to your inquiry if you fill out a form at https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/ask-a-gardening-question/.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here