DNR Weekly News Update for March 10, 2020
Published March 10, 2020
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Bonus Spring Turkey Harvest Authorizations On Sale March 16
More than 100,000 Bonus Authorizations Available
Spring turkey bonus harvest authorizations go on sale March 16.Photo credit: Contributed
Contact(s): Alaina Gerrits, Assistant Upland Wildlife Ecologist, 608-261-8458, Alaina.Gerrits@wisconsin.gov
MADISON, Wis. - Starting March 16 Spring turkey bonus harvest authorizations go on sale for each of the seven spring turkey hunting zones.
Hunters are encouraged to check the Department of Natural Resources' turkey zone map and spring turkey bonus harvest authorization availability to see if harvest authorizations are available for the time period and turkey zone in which they want to hunt. There are 113,412 spring turkey bonus harvest authorizations for sale in all seven management zones.
Anyone visiting the site between 9:45-10 a.m. will be assigned a random number (there is no advantage to entering the site before 9:45 a.m.) Starting at 10 a.m., customers who enter the GoWild website will be added to the purchasing queue in the order of their arrival. Sales start at 10 a.m. and run until midnight each day.
The following zones have available bonus harvest authorizations, and their corresponding sales dates are as follows:
- Zone 1 - Monday, March 16;
- Zone 2 - Tuesday, March 17;
- Zone 3 - Wednesday, March 18;
- Zone 4 - Thursday, March 19; and
- Zones 5, 6 and 7 - Friday, March 20.
Bonus harvest authorizations are $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Both groups will have equal opportunity for purchase. Bonus harvest authorizations can be purchased online through GoWild.Wi.Gov and at all license agents.
All spring turkey hunters are required to purchase a spring turkey license and 2020 Wild Turkey Stamp unless they are a 2020 Conservation Patron License holder. Bonus harvest authorization purchases will not affect preference point status for future spring drawings.
Once you log into your personalized dashboard on GoWild.Wi.Gov, click the 'Buy License' button to open the catalog. From there, you will find "Spring Turkey Bonus Harvest Authorization" at the top of the list.
Bonus turkey harvest authorizations can be purchased at a rate of one per day until the zone and time period is sold out or until the season closes.
DNR customer service staff recommend that turkey hunters who are interested in purchasing a Conservation Patron license do so prior to March 16 to make the bonus harvest authorization process as quick and easy as possible.
After zone-specific sales, all remaining turkey harvest authorizations will be made available for purchase 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21.
Spring Turkey Periods Run For Seven Days
The 2020 spring turkey season is April 15 - May 26, with six seven-day periods running Wednesday through the following Tuesday. A total of seven zones will be open for hunting. For more information regarding turkey hunting in Wisconsin, visit the DNR website here.
"In 2019, we experienced overall favorable conditions during nesting and brood-rearing, and winter has been relatively mild, so we are anticipating another great spring turkey season in Wisconsin," said Mark Witecha, DNR upland wildlife ecologist. "I encourage turkey hunters to look at the regulations ahead of the season, and I wish everyone a safe and happy hunt!"
Spring turkey hunting regulations can be found within the 2019 Small Game Hunting Regulations, 2019 Fall Turkey Regulations, and 2020 Spring Turkey Regulations.
Public lands are the perfect place to pursue turkeys this spring.
Youth Turkey Hunt Set For April 11-12
Youth hunters under the age of 16 may hunt during the youth turkey hunt on April 11 and 12. Hunters under the age of 12 and youth hunters without hunter safety can participate in the youth turkey hunt under the Mentored Hunting Program.
Youth hunters must be accompanied by a qualified adult and follow the youth turkey hunting and mentored hunting program rules. Spring turkey youth hunters must possess a valid spring turkey license, stamp and harvest authorization. A harvest authorization for any time period can be used during the youth hunt weekend, but youth hunters must hunt within the turkey management zone indicated on their harvest authorization.
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Passionate About Deer Hunting? The DNR Wants To Hear From You
Public Meetings For 2020 Deer Season Planning Start March 30
At CDAC meetings participants will review the 2019 deer season results and develop recommendations for the 2020 deer season.Photo credit: Contributed by Jerry Davis
Contact(s): Kevin Wallenfang, 608-261-7589, kevin.wallenfang@wisconsin.gov
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin's hunting heritage runs deep. If you're passionate about deer hunting and management in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites hunters, farmers, foresters and anyone interested in deer management in Wisconsin to the upcoming first-round of County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) meetings across the state March 30 through April 6.
Every county in Wisconsin has a County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC). Councils give the people of Wisconsin greater input into local deer management. These meetings are important for shaping the 2020 deer hunting seasons and annual antlerless harvest quotas.
Additionally, County Deer Advisory Councils provide input and recommendations to the DNR on deer management within their county. Councils work with local DNR staff to:
- Schedule meetings;
- Provide community outreach and an opportunity for public input;
- Review population data and deer impacts on forests and agriculture;
- Develop three-year recommendations on county population objectives; and
- Create annual antlerless harvest quotas.
Council members will review the 2019 deer season results and develop recommendations for the 2020 deer season to help each county reach its deer population objective of increasing, decreasing or maintaining the population. Options under discussion include the antlerless deer harvest quota and various season framework options such as offering the Holiday Hunt or extended archery/crossbow seasons.
A schedule of each county's meeting and their location can be found on the DNR website. Those interested can also look up their meeting time and location by county. Visit the CDAC webpage for more info.
Anyone wishing to provide feedback for their county but unable to attend a council meeting can review and comment on preliminary recommendations through an online survey. The survey will be available on the DNR website April 16-28.
The second-round of meetings will take place in May, during which council members will review public comment and make final recommendations for the 2020 deer season.
All council meetings are open to the public and include an opportunity to provide feedback as each council develops its preliminary recommendations. The DNR's staff will review County Deer Advisory Council recommendations following the May meetings and provide recommendations to the Natural Resources Board for approval in June. Following Natural Resources Board approval, final recommendations will be in effect for the 2020 deer seasons.
More information about CDAC population objective recommendations, agendas and membership is available here. Additional questions can also be sent via email to: DNRCDACWebMail@wisconsin.gov.
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Get Ready For "Earth Day At 50" With The Spring Issue Of Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine
A variety of field trips from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin are highlighted in the Spring issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.Photo credit: DNR
Contact(s): Andrea Zani, managing editor, 608-267-9517, Andrea.Zani@wisconsin.gov Kathy Kahler, associate editor, 608-266-2625, Kathryn.Kahler@wisconsin.gov.
MADISON, Wis. - As the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaches in April, the latest issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources gets a head start on the celebration with expanded coverage of "Earth Day at 50."
The DNR magazine takes an in-depth look at the 1970s environmental era and the defining event started by Wisconsin's own Gaylord Nelson, former governor and U.S. senator. Coverage is highlighted by a conversation with Nelson's daughter, Tia Nelson, who is passionate about continuing her father's work on behalf of the environment. Readers also can learn how to help to keep the Earth Day legacy alive through events such as Work*Play*Earth Day and other opportunities.
The magazine's seasonal message from DNR Secretary Preston D. Cole expands on the Earth Day theme and the importance of everyone coming together to address the environmental challenges of today.
"Wisconsinites of all stripes can agree that a changing climate affects our natural resources, our communities and is a grave threat to our health, safety and economic well-being," Secretary Cole writes. "Moving forward, we have a lot of work to do - work we can do together."
Other stories in this issue include:
- a sneak peek of field trips offered by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, with signup coming April 1;
- another anniversary celebration in the 100th year of Pattison State Park near Superior;
- a look at how prescribed burns can benefit forested lands; and
- information plus beautiful photography from Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha.
As the magazine looks back at the first Earth Day 50 years ago, it also stays current in the latest issue with design and content improvements. There's more readable text and an engaging appearance with added photos. New features include "Dateline DNR" to highlight important dates and agency news; "Taste of Wisconsin," focusing on food resources; and "Your Outdoors," a space for readers to relate their own experiences enjoying all the state has to offer.
Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine is published four times a year and is available via subscription for $8.97. Call 1-800-678-9472, or find stories and subscribe online at wnrmag.com.
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