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Outdoors

Applications due Aug. 15 to serve on Wisconsin deer advisory panel

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages members of the public with a passion for conservation to apply for a seat on a County Deer Advisory Council. Each County Deer Advisory Council includes representatives from the hunting community, as well as from a variety of stakeholder groups with interest in hunting and deer management. The application period for each county is open until Aug. 15. Council members meet annually to review deer management data, gather public input and provide recommendations to the DNR and the Natural Resources Board regarding ...

Surplus land to be auctioned in Michigan

LANSING — Lake frontage, river frontage and vacant forested acreage surrounded by private ownership are just some of the 95 parcels available in the next round of surplus land auctions from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Surplus land sales are a regular part of the DNR’s ...

Wisconsin boosts its nonresident fees

IRON MOUNTAIN — Wisconsin’s nonresident hunting and fishing license fees will rise as a result of the 2024-25 state budget. The fee increases range from $5 to $40 and are only for nonresidents. Licenses for the 2023-24 season are valid through March 31. The last time license fees for residents or nonresidents increased was 2005, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The new nonresident hunting fees: — Annual small game, $90. — Five-day small game, $60. — Deer, $200; archery and crossbow, $165. — Turkey, $65. — Furbearing animal, ...

Penalty eased for deer hunt violation

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Tuesday that reduces the penalty for failing to report a deer harvest or retain a deer harvest confirmation number. The new penalty is a one-time fine of $150, reduced from a possible misdemeanor resulting in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 paying the costs of prosecution. Senate Bill 52 was sponsored by state Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint. “Our grassroots membership unanimously voted to support decriminalizing failure to report a deer harvest,” said Amy Trotter, Michigan United Conservation Clubs chief executive ...

Heimo Korth of ‘The Last Alaskans’ coming to July 27-29 Escanaba event

ESCANABA — An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 outdoor enthusiasts are expected to attend the National Trappers Association Convention and Outdoor Show at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba later this month. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, July 27, through Saturday, July ...

Watersmeet forest visitor center reopens; state parks upgraded

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center in Watersmeet has reopened after a pandemic closure that was extended due to lack of staff. Summer hours for the center at the intersection of U.S. 2 and U.S. 45 are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. “We greatly ...