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The Association of Retired Conservationists was organized by a group of retirees from the Wisconsin Conservation Department in the 1960's. By the mid-1970's, the WCD had been combined with the Department of Resource Development to form the Department of Natural Resources, and the retirees group had grown significantly, met monthly for lunch and began inviting speakers to address the group on issues of interest to the members. Today, the organization has more than two hundred members.

website contact: retiredrick@wisarc.org

Welcome to the ARC Breaking News/Action page where you will see articles you may find interesting that are too timely to wait for discussion at our next monthly meeting.

Important Timely News

Retired Rick                                           Jan 5, 2026

DNR Confirms CWD In Wild Deer In Clark County

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms the first positive test result for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer in Clark County. The deer was a hunter-harvested adult doe and was not harvested within 10 miles of any other county.

This detection will cause the following:

Clark County was already under a 2-year baiting and feeding ban prior to this detection. That ban will be extended for another three years and will reset following any future detections, as required by state law.
Since the detection was not within 10 miles of any county lines, no other counties are impacted by a baiting and feeding ban from this detection.

Read More Here

                                          Dec 26, 2025

George Meyer's Memorial Celebration

The celebration will be held on May 2, 2026, in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

Click the link below to fill out a form if you are interested in attending in person or viewing the live stream.

Click Form Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 22, 2025

DNR Confirms CWD In Wild Deer In La Crosse County Baiting And Feeding Ban Extended

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms the first positive test result for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer in La Crosse County. The deer was a hunter-harvested adult buck and was harvested within 10 miles of both the Monroe and Vernon County borders.

This detection will cause the following:

La Crosse County was under a 2-year baiting and feeding ban prior to this detection. That ban will be extended for another three years and will reset following any future detections, as required by state law.
Monroe and Vernon counties currently have 3-year baiting and feeding bans in place for positive detections within each respective county. This detection will not impact those counties.

CWD is a fatal, infectious nervous system disease of deer, moose, elk and reindeer/caribou. It belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. The DNR began monitoring the state's wild white-tailed deer population for CWD in 1999. The first positives were found in 2002.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 22, 2025

2025 Elk Hunting Season Wraps Up

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates the completion of the 2025 elk hunting season. The states eighth managed elk hunt opened on Oct. 18 and concluded Dec. 19.

This elk season marks another rewarding hunt for 13 lucky state hunters, said Christina Kizewski, DNR Central Elk Zone biologist. The opportunity to establish a close relationship with the elk hunters and witness the excitement each one had was very special."

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 22, 2025

New Year, New Adventures With Wisconsin State Park System First Day Hikes

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages Wisconsinites to join the DNR at one of several First Day Hikes scheduled at state properties on New Year's Day.

From Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee County to Pattison State Park in Douglas County, First Day Hikes are scheduled across Wisconsin.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 18, 2025

Wisconsinites Invited To Participate In Wisconsin Conservation Congress Resolution Process

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) invites all Wisconsinites to take part in its annual spring hearing process.

The WCC is an independent organization of residents that advises the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on how to responsibly manage Wisconsins natural resources.

Each year, residents have an opportunity to submit ideas as resolutions to the WCC.

Wisconsinites can submit proposed resolutions via the online process beginning Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 17, 2025

Storied Past, Bright Future: Whats To Come For The Wisconsin State Park System

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System throughout 2025. As the new year approaches, the DNR encourages visitors to join in the celebration by looking to the future.

During its 125th year, the Wisconsin State Park System completed a number of large projects, held more than 1,500 events and programs and welcomed almost 21 million visitors.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 15, 2025

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting award nominations for the 2025 Wisconsin Ethical Hunter Award.

Nominees are selected based on exceptional moral actions and character while out in the field.Established in 1997, the award recognizes a hunter whose action is symbolic of Wisconsins hunting heritage. This honor represents an outdoor tradition enjoyed responsibly, respectfully and safely.

Examples of potential award nominations could be those who assist other hunters in finding their lost game, help find lost equipment, mentor novice hunters or help protect our shared natural resources.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 10, 2025

Wisconsins Agriculture And Conservation Leaders Unite To Protect Our Waters And Strengthen Our Farms

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that nearly 150 farmers, agricultural industry representatives, conservation organization members and government leaders gathered at the Agriculture & Conservation Roundtable on Dec. 9 to tackle one of Wisconsins most pressing challenges: keeping our waters drinkable, fishable and swimmable while sustaining the productivity of our farms.

Hosted by the Interagency Water Quality Workgroup (IWQW) at the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, the event marked a major milestone in advancing Wisconsins next Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS), a statewide framework to reduce nutrient losses from agricultural lands through farmer-led innovation and science-based collaboration.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 9, 2025

DNR Releases Its 2024 Water Withdrawal Report

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released its 2024 Report on Water Withdrawals, which gives an overview of the past 10 years of water withdrawals throughout Wisconsin.

Since the onset of the Great Lakes Compact, Wisconsin requires water users to register and annually report on any surface water or groundwater withdrawals that have the capacity to pump 100,000 gallons per day.

Read More Here

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