Important Timely News
Retired Rick
Oct 19, 2026
Deadline To Purchase Sturgeon Spearing Licenses Approaches
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds all spearers interested in harvesting a lake sturgeon from Lake Winnebago during the 2027 sturgeon spearing season to purchase their license before Oct. 31, 2026, as the 2027 Winnebago lake sturgeon spearing season is right around the corner.
All license holders must be a minimum of 12 years old. There are an unlimited number of licenses available for Lake Winnebago, and both residents and nonresidents can purchase a license through the Go Wild system or at any license sales location.
Read More Here
Retired Rick
Oct 19, 2026
Wisconsin Conservation Congress Meetings
Oct. 20- Nov. 2, 2026
Oct. 22
Executive Committee of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress
Time: 6:30 p.m. End of Agenda
Location: Virtual
Contact: Paul Reith, prodnet@gmail.com or 608-616-0808
The Executive Committee of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress will meet to receive Department updates, review the October Natural Resources Board Agenda, discuss the Wolf Committees motion on DNR emergency rule proposal NH-10-26 related to Wolf depredation payment, and other topics as noticed.
Join this meeting via Teams or Dial in 608-571-2209, Phone Conference ID:484 827 80#
Retired Rick
Oct 15, 2026
Wisconsin NRB Meeting Oct. 28
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the October meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters.
The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Tommy G. Thompson Center, Room 121, 201 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703. The Board will act on items 1-4 as listed on the agenda.
The public is encouraged to watch the October meeting on the DNRs YouTube channel.
The deadline to register for public testimony and/or submit written comments for board consideration is 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted. In-person public appearances are also welcome.
Read More Here
Retired Rick
Oct 14, 2026
DNR Releases 2025-2026 Sustainability And Business Support Report
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources today announced the release of the Sustainability and Business Support (SBS) section's 2025-2026 report.
The report highlights the many ways forward-thinking businesses, in partnership with SBS, are voluntarily outperforming regulatory requirements while achieving both superior environmental outcomes and operational efficiencies.
Read More Here
Retired Rick
Oct 14, 2026
Webinar: Wisconsin State Natural Areas At Age 75
Now at age 75, the Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program was established by the Wisconsin Legislature following recommendations from giants in the conservation community and is the oldest and largest such program in the nation. Despite our success, we are facing unprecedented challenges. We need to acknowledge those challenges and find ways to still meet our mission to locate, establish and conserve a system of natural areas representing the wealth and variety of Wisconsins natural communities for education, research and long-term protection of the states biological diversity in pragmatic, implementable ways.
Join Matt Zine, a conservation biologist with the DNR, to learn about the history of Wisconsins State Natural Areas program, celebrate its successes and discuss the conservation challenges that lie ahead.
When: Tuesday, Oct. 27 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST
Where: Zoom webinar from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
Cost: Free
Register Here
Retired Rick
Oct 10, 2026
Wisconsin State Parks Celebrate The Season With Fall Candlelight Hikes
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites the public to attend candlelight hikes, fall festivals and other seasonal events being held throughout October and November at Wisconsins state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas.
With scenic drives and thousands of miles of trails to explore, the Wisconsin State Park System offers some of the best fall color viewing in the state.
"When evenings cool and nights grow longer, park staff embrace the changing seasons with the warm glow of candles, toasty bonfires and tasty smores," said Steve Schmelzer, DNR Parks and Recreation Management director. "Looping around the forest on illuminated trails is a memorable experience for visitors of all ages."
Candlelight hikes are held on trails illuminated by candles, torches or similar light sources. Hikes may be self-guided or led by park staff or knowledgeable volunteers. Trail length and surface types can vary, however, visitors of all experience levels are encouraged to attend.
Read More Here
Laurel Steffes
Oct 6, 2026
Kendall Kamke (retired Oshkosh Fisheries Biologist & Supervisor) and his wife Chris were on vacation in Utah when Chris experienced severe pain in back & legs.
She was flown to St George Hospital and has been in ICU for the past two weeks and counting. Situation and Updates are chronicled in the attached Caring Bridge weblink, which also has link to Chris's Go Fund Me page.... because to get Chris back to WI can cost up to $50,000 not covered by insurance!
www.caringbridge.org
www.gofundme.com
Retired Rick
Sep 22, 2026
DNR Shares Deer Herd Health Reminders And Updates
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that they play an important role in the continued efforts for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance in Wisconsin. One of the most effective tools for monitoring CWD is testing your harvested deer.
The DNR is especially interested in receiving more samples from the 2026 Fall Priority Areas near recent CWD detection locations. Additional samples in these areas will help the DNR better understand disease levels and distribution.
Read More Here
Retired Rick
Sep 16, 2026
DNR To Host Open House At Governor Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery Sept. 26
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host an open house event at the Governor Tommy G. Thompson Fish Hatchery in Spooner on Saturday, Sept. 26 beginning at 10 a.m.
This free open house will give eventgoers a chance to see musky and walleye up close and personal and will feature family fun activities and guided hatchery tours. Attendees will be able to see fish pumping demonstrations, a fish stocking truck, participate in various family-oriented games and more.
Read More Here
Retired Rick
Sep 16, 2026
DNR Adopt-A-Kiosk Program Creates Statewide Partnership Opportunities
In response to hunters seeking to get more involved with chronic wasting disease (CWD) efforts, the DNR launched the Adopt-a-Kiosk (AAK) program to create partnerships between the citizens of Wisconsin and the DNR to work towards common goal of providing CWD sampling options for hunters.
Testing deer for CWD provides the DNR with valuable data to better understand disease distribution in the state and informs hunters of the CWD test result for their harvest. Making CWD sampling convenient and increasing participation are vital to the states CWD monitoring efforts.
Read More Here
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