Important Timely News
Retire Rick
Sep 20, 2025
How To Test Your Deer For CWD This Hunting Season
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 and management in Wisconsin. One of the most effective tools for monitoring CWD is testing your harvested deer, and testing is available statewide.
The DNR is especially interested in receiving more samples from the 2025 Fall Priority Areas near recent CWD detection locations. Additional samples in these areas will help the DNR better understand disease levels and distribution.
CWD is a contagious, fatal neurological disease that affects the nervous system of deer, elk, moose and caribou. It belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases. Prions are misshaped proteins that can spread the disease through direct animal-to-animal contact or in the environment through bodily substances or the carcass of infected deer.
Prions are extremely resilient and capable of remaining in the soil for years, potentially infecting several deer from a single source. Common signs of infected deer in the later stages of the disease are drastic weight loss, drooped head and ears, loss of coordination, excessive salivation and reduced fear of humans.
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Retired Rick
Sep 16, 2025
Get Ready For The Upcoming Waterfowl Hunting Seasons
EDITOR'S NOTE: The previous version of this release incorrectly stated the DNR processing fee for federal duck stamp purchases. That error has been corrected below.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of the regular goose and duck hunting seasons in September.
Regular Goose Season
The regular goose season opens on Sept. 16 statewide, and the daily bag limit is three Canada geese for the first portion of the season. During the holiday hunt, the daily bag limit increases to five birds in the Southern and Mississippi zones. Wisconsin's regular goose season dates vary by zone,so hunters should know which zone they plan to hunt.
If hunting Canada geese during the regular Canada goose season, a Regular Canada goose permit is required.
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Retired Rick
Sep 10, 2025
Wisconsin NRB Meeting Sept. 24
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the September meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters.
The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24 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 September meeting on the DNRs YouTube channel.
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Retired Rick
Sep 10, 2025
DNR Launches Updated Air Quality Data Map
A blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has improved its air quality data map to help the public stay "air aware."
The map displays real-time data from the states air quality monitoring network and provides a color-coded guide to pollution levels based on the Air Quality Index (AQI).
The latest updates offer a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, making it easier to stay informed about air quality.
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Retired Rick
Sep 8, 2025
DNR To Host Open Houses At Fish Hatcheries And Spawning Facilities Across The State
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the dates for fall open houses at two fish spawning facilities and two fish hatcheries. Over the coming weeks, the DNR will host open houses at the Governor Tommy G. Thompson Fish Hatchery, Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility, Root River Steelhead Facility and the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery.
Each of these free events will give attendees a chance to see fish up close and learn how hatcheries and spawning facilities help sustain Wisconsins fish populations.
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Retired Rick
Sep 4, 2025
Discover Public Land To Hunt This Season
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages the public to explore and hunt on public land this hunting season.
There are over 6 million acres of public lands across Wisconsin, with most of them open for hunting. In addition to state lands, there is another 28,000 acres known as Voluntary Public Access (VPA) lands that private owners allow the public to access.
Hunters can search for and discover new public hunting areas using the DNRs mobile-friendly online public lands mapping tools. These tools provide information on state-owned properties, voluntary public access lands and more.
Public Access Lands Tool This tool shows DNR properties and nearly all federal and county-owned lands.
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Retired Rick
Sep 2, 2025
Groundwater Coordinating Council Releases 2025 Report To The Legislature
The Groundwater Coordinating Council (GCC) recently shared its recommendations for protecting and preserving the states vital groundwater resources in its 2025 annual report to the Wisconsin State Legislature.
The recommendations address the most prevalent and pressing groundwater issues in Wisconsin, such as:
The continuous presence of PFAS in both public and private wells that pose a threat to public health and the environment.
Nitrate contamination in both private and public wells a long-standing concern that has impacted the state for five decades.
The presence of pesticides in over 40% of private potable wells.
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Retired Rick
Aug 29, 2025
Get Ready For Hunting Seasons Opening In September
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of several hunting seasons in September. Hunters can once again head to Wisconsins wild spaces as these seasons open across the state.
There are six dates throughout September when seasons open. Hunters are encouraged to double-check season dates and that they have acquired all necessary licenses and stamps before going out for a hunt.
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Retired Rick
Jul 30, 2025
Eligible Hunters: Sign Up For Fall Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities. Deadline To Apply Is Sept. 15
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds eligible hunters hoping to participate in the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities to contact and confirm a location with a hunt landowner sponsor before Sept. 15, 2025.
Thousands of acres of land are available for this year's hunt, which will take place Oct. 4-12, 2025. Hunters should contact sponsors directly to participate in the 2025 hunt.
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Retired Rick
Jul 25, 2025
Applications For 2026 Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing Season Due Aug. 1
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds sturgeon spearers that the deadline to apply for an Upriver Lakes spearing tag for the 2026 sturgeon spearing season is Aug. 1, 2025.
Due to the higher harvest rate associated with the Upriver Lakes (lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts), anyone wishing to spear on the Upriver Lakes is required to apply for a tag. A total of 500 applicants will receive a tag to spear a sturgeon from the Upriver Lakes during the 2026 sturgeon spearing season.
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