Changes coming to ‘up north’ deer hunt

Northern Wisconsin hunters unhappy with the county-based deer management system that’s been in place since 2014 may have something to smile about starting next year.

The Department of Natural Resources set up County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) that year, and also abandoned time-tested deer management units that had been largely based on habitat types. 

Next week, the DNR is seeking emergency rule approval to move forward with unit review when the state Natural Resources Board meets Wednesday.

Door and Marathon counties — two CDACs that had forwarded a request to split the units three years ago — aren’t included in the emergency rule procedure to be considered by the board, but a proposal to expand some southern metro units did make the cut. 

Up north, changes could include starting from scratch, going back to boundaries that were in place prior to 2014, or taking a look at old units and pairing some to make bigger units.

If approved, the proposal would move to the Deer Advisory Committee, then to public hearings yet this fall.

Elk management, boating safety and aquatic invasive species are among the other agenda items. Check out the complete list at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/About/NRB/2024/August. 

Hunting forecasts

Wisconsin’s first hunting seasons are just three weeks away, with the early teal, early Canada goose and mourning dove hunts all opening Sept. 1. Bear hunters who drew tags can begin Sept. 4 if using bait or other non-dog methods.

The DNR has released its 2024 fall hunting forecasts, including information about specific species, helpful reminders and registration requirements. 

Deer hunting, the most popular fall hunt, is previewed at https://widnr.widen.net/s/gzqxhjl5vt/2024-deer-forecast. There are also forecasts for upland game birds, migratory game birds, black bear, and furbearer hunting and trapping. Check the DNR’s home page (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov) and enter keywords for the species you’re interested in.

For more on Wisconsin hunting opportunities, check out https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt.

Fishing contest

The Shanty Days Fishing Contest wraps up Sunday morning, with final photos via text coming in by 9 a.m. and the last weigh-in from 9-10 a.m. at the pavilion adjacent to the marina. The awards ceremony — which includes cash and prizes for the winners and hundreds of dollars of random draw prizes among those who bought tickets — begins at 10:30 a.m.

Short windows to weigh fish will take place Friday and Saturday evenings from 8:30-9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9-10 a.m. 

Tickets and rules are available at Algoma Citgo and Graf’s Mobil. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for those 17 and under. Questions? Email gofishwisconsin@gmail.com, or text 920.883.9792.

125th anniversary

Audubon magazine is celebrating 125 years of delivering birding news, photography, and practical advice to help readers enjoy and protect birds and the places they need. 

From its beginnings as Bird-Lore in 1899 to Audubon Magazine in 1941 and later, simply Audubon (1966), the magazine has continued to focus on giving bird enthusiasts premium content. 

Take a look back at https://www.audubon.org (keywords, Time Flies), then check out Audubon’s 2024 photography contest winners via a link on the home page. 

Ducks and geese

Spring breeding numbers of Canada geese and ducks in Wisconsin remain strong, according to the 2024 survey.

The state’s breeding duck population was estimated at more than a half-million birds, down slightly from last year but still above long-term averages. Mallards and wood ducks combined for nearly half of that total. 

The Canada goose population estimate was more than 150,000 birds, similar to 2023 and significantly higher than the long-term average.

Water levels update

As of Aug. 2, Lake Michigan and Green Bay’s water levels had risen an inch in the past month, were an inch higher than last year and were six inches above the 100-year average. Water levels were 38 inches above the all-time low, set in 1964, but are down 27 inches since the record high of August, 2020.