Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Weekly Digest Bulletin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 23, 2021
Contact: Taylor Finger, DNR Migratory Game Biologist
Taylor.Finger@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-8841

Waterfowl Season Changes Provide New Hunting Opportunities

The 2021 waterfowl hunting season brings changes to zones, dates and stamp fees, all designed to improve hunters’ experience in the field. / Photo Credit: iStock / mauribo

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that there are significant changes from previous years that Wisconsin waterfowl hunters can expect ahead of the 2021 season opener.

The 2021 season will include a new duck zone structure. The former Mississippi River Zone has merged into the Southern Zone, and a new Open Water Zone has been created in the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

The 2021 migratory game bird season starts Sept. 1 with openers for early goose, mourning dove and early teal. Regular waterfowl hunting will run for a 60-day season, with open and close dates set by the harvest zone. The Northern Zone opens Sept. 25, the Southern Zone opens Oct. 2 and the new Open Water Zone on Lake Michigan opens Oct. 16. Based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s season framework, there will be a scaup bag limit of one scaup for 15 days and two scaups for 45 days.

Goose hunters will have a 92-day regular goose season, which includes two splits to allow hunting during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The South Canada Goose Zone has a daily bag limit of three Canada geese during the first portion of the season and five Canada geese during the Holiday Hunt (Dec. 20-Jan. 4).

In addition to zone and date changes, hunters will see a state waterfowl stamp fee increase from $7 to $12 to adjust for inflation since the last increase 24 years ago. Numerous conservation groups, including Ducks Unlimited and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, advocated for the fee increase. Stamp fees fund crucial waterfowl habitat restoration work across the state to improve breeding, bird health and hunter opportunity.

Before the season begins, the DNR is partnering with multiple waterfowl conservation organizations to host the inaugural Waterfowl Hunter’s Expo on Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh. The DNR’s migratory game bird biologist, Taylor Finger, will be on-site to answer questions and talk about everything waterfowl. The event will feature plenty of hands-on exhibits and booths from industry experts, habitat managers and waterfowl scientists. The event is family and dog-friendly. More information is available on the Waterfowl Hunters Expo website here.

For more information regarding migratory birds in Wisconsin, visit the DNR webpage here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 23, 2021
Contact: Scott Karel, DNR Wildlife Rules And Regulations Specialist
Scott.Karel@wisconsin.gov or 608-206-0222

DNR Announces 2021 Hunting Season Changes

2021 Combined Regulations Pamphlet Now Available

Hunters are encouraged to review the 2021 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations pamphlet to prepare for the season. / Photo Credit: iStock.com/river34

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the 2021 combined Wisconsin Hunting Regulations pamphlet is now available online and will soon be available at license agents and open service centers around the state.

For the second year, the combined regulations pamphlet brings season dates, shooting hours and regulations together in one convenient document.

Early teal and early goose seasons kick off the 2021 hunting season on Sept. 1. There is no longer a Mississippi River duck zone. Instead, the DNR has added an Open Water zone on Lake Michigan. After a multi-year effort by sporting groups to raise the fee and increase crucial funding for waterfowl habitat conservation and restoration, waterfowl stamp fees have changed this season.

Deer hunters throughout the state will have their first opportunity to enjoy the woods with the opening of the 2021 archery and crossbow deer seasons, which run concurrently statewide from Sept. 18 to Jan. 9, 2022. The archery and crossbow seasons are extended to Jan. 31, 2022 in metro sub-units and many counties will offer the antlerless-only holiday hunt between the Christmas and New Year holidays. Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations are still available in almost all counties. Check the DNR website for availability. The 2021 deer season schedule is as follows: Gun Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities: Oct. 2-10, 2021 Youth Deer Hunt: Oct. 9-10, 2021 Gun Deer Hunt: Nov. 20-28, 2021 Muzzleloader: Nov. 29-Dec. 8, 2021 Statewide Antlerless Hunt: Dec. 9-12, 2021 Farmland Zone Holiday Hunt: Dec. 24, 2021-Jan. 1, 2022 New this year, updated bear zones will be in effect, approved as part of the 2019-2029 Wisconsin Black Bear Management Plan. Those pursuing bear this season should familiarize themselves with zone boundaries and hunting dates. Bear baiting regulations are also newly updated and detailed on page 23 of the 2021 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations. Trapping and wolf harvest season regulations will be published as separate documents and available in print and on the DNR website. As in previous years, the hunting regulations pamphlet summarizes Wisconsin’s hunting laws most relevant to hunters. For additional hunting and trapping laws, consult Wisconsin State Statutes chapter 29 or consult chapter 10 of the Administrative Code of the DNR. For more information on hunting in Wisconsin, visit the DNR Hunting webpage.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2021
Contact: 
Steve Elmore, DNR Program Director, Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater
Steve.Elmore@wisconsin.gov or 608-259-6100
Adam DeWeese, DNR Chief, Public Water Supply Section
Adam.DeWeese@Wisconsin.gov or 608-630-2204

Annual Drinking Water Report Shows
Compliance Despite Pandemic Challenges

Last year, more than 98% of Wisconsin’s public water systems provided water that met all the health-based drinking water standards. / Photo Credit: iStock/laflor

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released its 2020 Annual Drinking Water Report. The report shows compliance with the drinking water requirements and statewide efforts to help public water systems provide safe and adequate drinking water supplies throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Last year, more than 98% of Wisconsin’s public water systems provided water that met all the health-based drinking water standards. This high compliance was achieved even though COVID-19 affected operations of public water systems statewide. Water system personnel, DNR staff and partners collaborated to find solutions to the challenges and create new ways of working together.

“The pandemic exemplified how critically important access to safe drinking water is for everyone,” said Steve Elmore, DNR Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater Program Director. “Safe drinking water has been essential throughout the pandemic, not just for drinking. We also depend on it for hand washing and minimizing disease risk. This year’s report showcases efforts by the DNR and water system owners and operators in response to the drinking water challenges caused by the pandemic.”

Achieving compliance requires efforts on many fronts. Water systems collect samples regularly to monitor their water quality. The DNR inspects public water systems on a routine schedule and also conducts on-site assessments when bacterial contaminants are detected. Additionally, the DNR’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program helps communities repair and improve their water systems. In 2020, the DNR provided more than $93 million in assistance to 14 communities around the state.

The 2020 Annual Drinking Water Report is available on the DNR website, or by calling 608-266-1054 to request a copy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2021
Contact: DNR Office of Communications 
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

Find Public Hunting Land With DNR’s
Hunt Wild App And Online Tools 

Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program lands and other public properties expand opportunities for hunters. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – With millions of acres of public land available across the state, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) simplifies finding a hunting spot with the free Hunt Wild Wisconsin mobile app and online tools.

The DNR's Hunt Wild Wisconsin mobile app has everything hunters need in one place, including maps, cover types, shooting hours and chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing locations.

Hunt Wild Wisconsin app users can find new public lands to explore, brush up on the regulations and listen to hunting season podcasts. With mobile mapping, up-to-the-minute shooting hours and much more, the DNR gives hunters the tools to focus on what's important – enjoying time outdoors.

Additional online public land mapping tools include:

• Fields and Forest Lands Interactive Game Bird Hunting Tool (FFLIGHT). Locate young aspen and alder habitat, woodcock and ruffed grouse hunting areas, pheasant-stocked public hunting grounds and public-access dove fields.
• Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) interactive map. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, VPA-HIP provides landowners financial incentives to open their properties year-round to public hunting access. Hunters should read the guidelines for accessing VPA properties.
• Map of lands enrolled in Managed Forest Law and Forest Crop Law – especially useful for scouting locations in the central and northern forests.
• Public Access Lands Atlas. The atlas includes all DNR properties as well as nearly all federal and county-owned lands. Hunters should contact landowners beforehand to verify hunting is allowed.

From the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in the north to the prairies of southern Wildlife Areas and everything in between, Wisconsin hunters have some of the best public land access east of the Mississippi River.

For more information on public lands in Wisconsin, visit the DNR Public Access Lands webpage.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 25, 2021
Contact: Darren Ladwig, DNR Wildlife Biologist
Darren.Ladwig@wisconsin.gov or 715-498-2338

Now Accepting Applications For Sandhill Wildlife
Area Trapping Permits Through Sept. 10

The Wisconsin DNR invites trappers to apply by Sept. 10 for a unique trapping experience at Sandhill Wildlife Area. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it is accepting applications through Sept. 10 for a unique trapping opportunity at Sandhill Wildlife Area.  

The DNR will award successful applicants a high-quality trapping experience on the 9,150-acre property near Babcock in Wood County. By participating, trappers will help DNR Wildlife Management achieve furbearer management goals.

To apply for the 2021-2022 trapping season, candidates should fill out the 2021 Sandhill Trapping Permit Application by Sept. 10, 2021.

Successful applicants will be required to attend a two-hour workshop at Sandhill Wildlife Area to review season objectives, vehicle use and data collection. The DNR will issue trapping permits during the workshop.

Sandhill Wildlife Area lies within the bed of ancient Glacial Lake Wisconsin – an expansive region of flat, marshy land interspersed with forests covering parts of seven counties in central Wisconsin. The property features low, sandy uplands of oak, aspen and jack pine forests, large marshes and many flowages. A small herd of American bison, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, Canada geese, ducks, loons, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, shorebirds, songbirds, hawks, owls and furbearers make Sandhill home.

For more information about Sandhill Wildlife Area, visit the DNR Sandhill Wildlife Area webpage.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 26, 2021
Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

Hook And Line Lake Sturgeon Season Opens Sept. 4

DNR Fisheries Technician Katie Renschen with a lake sturgeon captured during a 2021 electrofishing survey on the Menominee River. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the inland hook and line season for lake sturgeon will take place Sept. 4 – Sept. 30 on certain waters.

To harvest a sturgeon, anglers must have a valid fishing license and purchase either an inland or boundary water sturgeon harvest tag. Licenses and tags can be purchased through Go Wild, the DNR’s online license portal, or at one of our licensed sales locations. All licenses and regulations apply.

If an angler catches a lake sturgeon that they wish to harvest, they must immediately validate their tag. Any harvested sturgeon must be registered at a designated registration station no later than 6 p.m. the day after they caught the fish.

Anglers around the state should look for tags near the dorsal fin on lake sturgeon. If a tag is located, anglers should submit the date of catch, location and tag number, color and material composition (i.e. metal or plastic) to the DNR. This tag information will be used to help monitor the movement and growth of lake sturgeon, aiding in future species management.

When fishing on Yellow Lake in Burnett County, anglers should be on the lookout for yellow dangler tags, with a five-digit number on the dorsal fin of lake sturgeon. Often covered in algae, anglers will need to scratch off the algae in order to see the tag number. Please leave the tag on the fish and report the tag number to Craig Roberts at 715-416-0351 or craig.roberts@wisconsin.gov.

Based on surveys conducted this year, fisheries biologists are predicting a strong overall hook and line lake sturgeon season. While anglers fishing the Menominee River are likely to encounter a limited number of 60-inch lake sturgeon, they should enjoy good catch-and-release action. On other inland waters, anglers should expect to encounter larger fish in 2021 and years to come.

The DNR encourages anglers to continue to practice responsible catch and release when releasing any fish they do not wish to keep. Advice on responsible catch and release can be found on the DNR’s responsible release page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 26, 2021
Contact: Rori Paloski, DNR Conservation Biologist
rori.paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-3742

Incidental Take Notice For Juneau County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of a rare snake, which may result from the Cranberry Creek and Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPCO) ditch maintenance project. Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species' overall population at risk.

Cranberry Creek Cranberries, Inc., proposes to conduct maintenance on a Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPCO) ditch and a portion of Cranberry Creek in Juneau County. WRPCO constructed a network of drainage ditches to alleviate groundwater flooding that resulted from damming the Wisconsin River to create the Petenwell Flowage in the 1930s.

Restricted flow in several ditches resulting from years of accumulated down trees and the formation of sand deposits has negatively impacted landowners within the drainage area, including the flooding of residential basements and a small rural cemetery. Cranberry Creek Cranberries, Inc., has difficulty moving water off their cranberry beds that discharge water into the WRPCO ditch during periods of peak flow. 

The presence of the state endangered eastern massasauga is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes. The eastern massasauga is also a federally threatened species, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has already approved the project.

The DNR concludes that the proposed project is not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the species within the state, the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part of or the habitat that is critical to its existence.

Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Permit. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the eastern massasauga are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski at 608-516-3742 or rori.paloski@wi.gov.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the eastern massasauga by Sept. 9, 2021 to:

Department of Natural Resources
c/o Rori Paloski, DNR Conservation Biologist
101 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53707
rori.paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-3742