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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                                           Oct 16, 2025

Wisconsin's 2025 Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 18

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters and the general public that the 2025 pheasant season opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

The opening weekend, Oct. 18-19, has a daily bag limit of one rooster per day. Starting Monday, Oct. 20, the daily bag limit increases to two roosters per day. This limit remains in place for the remainder of the season. Hunters may harvest a rooster or hen when hunting in designated rooster and hen hunting areas (see page 18 of the hunting regulations for a list of these areas).

Read More Here

Chuck Pils                                           Sep 20, 2025

There will be a very interesting presentation given by Larry Nielsen regarding 'The Great Conservationists of Our Era', on October 7, 10:00am, at Vista West. The talk is free.

Read More Here

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.

Read More Here

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.

Read More Here

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.

Read More Here

Retired Rick                                           Sep 10, 2025

DNR Launches Updated Air Quality Data Map

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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.

Read More Here

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.

Read More Here

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.

Read More Here

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.

Read More Here

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.

Read More Here

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