WDNR Weekly News For September 25, 2012

Wisconsin DNR Weekly News – September 25, 2012

State Natural Areas protect some of Wisconsin’s best natural landscapes MADISON – The nation’s first statewide natural area protection program turns 60 this year and wears it well, Wisconsin’s top land official says. Six hundred fifty-three designated State Natural Areas preserve 358,000 acres of prairies, forests, and wetlands that are among the best of their kind left in Wisconsin and are a vital refuge for endangered plants and animals,…

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Listen to Thomas Meyer, a conservation biologist with DNR’s State Natural Areas program, on The Larry Meiller Show live from 11-11:45 a.m. Sept. 26 on these WPR Ideas Network stations or online. If you miss the show, you can still listen to the archives.]

Waterfowl stamps help fund habitat projects in Wisconsin and Canada FITCHBURG, Wis. – Revenue from the sale of Wisconsin waterfowl stamps funded 19 waterfowl habitat projects in Wisconsin over the last year, as well as additional major projects in Canada benefitting migratory waterfowl that pass through the state, according to wildlife officials….

Youth deer hunt to be held Oct. 6-7 statewide MADISON – A statewide youth deer hunt will be held the weekend of Oct. 6-7 in Wisconsin. The hunt is designed to give youth hunters ages 10-15 an opportunity to hunt deer and gain valuable hunting experience at a time when other hunters are not authorized to hunt deer with a firearm….

Hunter Challenge 2012, new hunter recruitment pilot project By: Keith Warnke, DNR hunting and shooting sports coordinator

Wisconsin’s hunters are committed to the sustainable use of wildlife, which they back up by contributing a lot of funding and volunteer efforts toward conservation in Wisconsin….

States surrounding Lake Michigan agree to revised stocking strategy MADISON – Wisconsin and other states surrounding Lake Michigan have agreed to a new stocking strategy to continue the outstanding salmon and trout fishing anglers have enjoyed on the big pond for the last decade,…

Trout and salmon egg collection facilities to hold open houses KEWAUNEE – Lake Michigan trout and salmon are soon to start their spawning runs, offering “fintastict” opportunities to see first-hand how state fish crews give nature a hand in helping produce the next generation of fighters to test anglers on the big pond….

Burning permit restrictions now based on fire risk MADISON— Wisconsin wildfire control officials plan to implement a three-year pilot program that will allow fire managers to set burning permit restrictions based on fire risk….

EDITOR’S ADVISORY: online chat Sept. 26 on Wisconsin’s fantastic fall fishing EDITOR’S ADVISORY: The Department of Natural Resources this Wednesday will host an online chat with Steve Hewett, DNR fisheries management section chief. Hewett will be online at 11 a.m. Sept. 26 to answer questions about Wisconsin’s fantastic fall fishing for walleye, musky and Great Lakes trout and salmon. To participate, visit the DNR home page, dnr.wi.gov, and look for the advertisement or search the word “chat.” Participants will be able to see the questions and answers as they happen….