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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                                           Dec 5, 2025

Deer Hunters Are Encouraged To Take Advantage Of Late Season Opportunities

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds deer hunters that although the 2025 nine-day gun deer season is now closed, additional harvest opportunities remain available throughout the late fall and early winter.  

Late Season Firearm Hunting Opportunities

Muzzleloader Dec. 1-10
Statewide Antlerless-Only Hunt Dec. 11-14
Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2026, in select Farmland Zone units
Hunters may use any unfilled antlerless harvest authorization during any of these hunts, but the authorization must be used in the zone, county and land type designated on the harvest authorization. Only antlerless deer may be harvested during the statewide antlerless-only and antlerless-only holiday hunts, regardless of weapon type.

Wisconsins archery and crossbow seasons remain open statewide through Jan. 4, 2026. These seasons extend until Jan. 31, 2026, in metro sub-units and certain deer management units.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 4, 2025

DNR Seeking Public Input On Statewide Turkey Management

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input as the revision process for the state's Turkey Management Plan begins.

Wisconsin's current Turkey Management Plan, adopted in 2015, was designed to guide and inform statewide turkey management practices and priorities for a period of 10 years.

As part of the management plan revision process, the DNR has convened a Turkey Management Plan Committee to better understand the various interests and perspectives related to Wisconsin's turkey season. The committee is comprised of diverse stakeholder representatives from tribal agencies, hunting organizations, conservation partners and Conservation Congress members, as well as technical staff from the DNR and federal agencies.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Dec 2, 2025

2025 Preliminary Gun Deer Hunt License Sales And Harvest Totals Now Available

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates the conclusion of the 2025 nine-day gun deer hunt, which kicked off the holiday season in Wisconsin with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, harvest food for the table and create memories with family and friends. Preliminary license sales, harvest registration and hunting incident numbers are now available.

Preliminary License Sales Data

Preliminary figures indicate the number of deer hunters in Wisconsin slightly decreased compared to 2024. As of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, sales for deer hunting privileges (which include gun, archery, crossbow, conservation patron and sports licenses) reached 790,044, down 0.12% from the same time last year. Of those, 550,611 were for gun privileges only (which include gun, conservation patron and sports licenses).

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Nov 27, 2025

2025 Preliminary Gun Deer Opening Weekend License Sales And Harvest Totals Available

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced preliminary deer harvest and license sales totals for the opening weekend of the 2025 gun deer season.

Preliminary License Sales Data

Preliminary figures indicate that the number of gun deer hunters in Wisconsin stayed nearly constant compared to 2024. As of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, sales for deer hunting privileges (which include gun, archery, crossbow, conservation patron and sports licenses) reached 777,843, down 0.03% from the same time last year. Of those, 538,865 were for gun privileges only (which include gun, conservation patron and sports licenses).

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Nov 27, 2025

Deadlines Approaching For 2026 Bear And Turkey Harvest Authorization Applications

Applications for the 2026 black bear and spring turkey hunting seasons are due by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 10.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds bear and turkey hunters that applications for the 2026 black bear and spring turkey hunting seasons are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Hunters can apply for harvest authorizations or purchase preference points toward future drawings, or edit an existing application, through Go Wild or an authorized license agent up until the deadline.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Nov 27, 2025

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Dec. 10

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the December meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10 in public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7 as listed on the agenda.

The public is encouraged to watch the December meeting on the DNRs YouTube channel.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Nov 21, 2025

Natural Resource Foundation Tree Planting Event for Bruce Braun

What: Tree planting to honor Bruce Braun and his lifelong dedication to conservation efforts in Wisconsin.

Bruce will not be able to attend due to his health as he battles cancer, but we will be taking photos and videos of the event to share with him.

Date: December 2nd at 2:00PM

Location: Governor Nelson State Park; the tree will be planted at the entrance of the park.

When entering the park, take your first left onto a service road, where you can park. The tree will be planted just left of the road.

Coordinates to the service road are here:

Map to Governor Nelson State Park

Attire: Please dress warmly as we will be outdoors

Event Plan:

2:00 - 2:10: Arrival & Welcome (hot chocolate available)

2:10 - 2:20: Remarks from Board and Staff members

2:20 - 2:25: Tree planting ceremony

2:25 - 2:30: Group photos

2:30: Closing remarks

Retired Rick                                           Nov 14, 2025

DNR Celebrates Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Award Winners Ahead Of America Recycles Day

In honor of America Recycles Day on Saturday, Nov. 15, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces the winners of the 2025 Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Awards.

Wisconsins recycling law bans certain materials from the trash and establishes a statewide recycling program.

For the last 13 years, the DNR has celebrated outstanding recycling and waste minimization efforts through its annual awards recognizing high-performers and highlighting proven ideas and strategies that other organizations may use to improve their recycling efforts.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Nov 10, 2025

DNR Seeking Public Comment On Draft 2026 Program Guidance For Federal Recreational Trail Program. Public Comment Period Open Through Dec. 1

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the Draft Program Guidance for the Federal Recreational Trail Program (RTP) Grant Program.

The RTP Grant Program guidance will no longer be combined with the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Local Assistance Program or the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program guidance. This notice also includes a date change for the RTP grant application deadline, changing from May 1 to March 1 annually.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Nov 10, 2025

Grants From The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund Will Improve Wildlife Habitat In Dane, Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Ozaukee And Wood Counties. Hunters Can Donate While Purchasing Licenses

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) are pleased to announce that over $100,000 from the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund will be supporting six habitat projects on public lands this year in Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee and Wood counties.

The DNR and NRF invite hunters purchasing their licenses this fall to consider donating to the Cherish Fund, which helps fund critical conservation projects in Wisconsin each year.

Read More Here

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