Government Affairs

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the official wolf season will begin Nov. 6, 2021. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will delist gray wolves from the federal list of endangered species on Jan. 4, 2021, returning management authority to the lower 48 states and tribes. Under Wisconsin law, when the wolf is delisted, the state’s annual hunting and trapping seasons shall resume.

Wisconsinites have two upcoming opportunities to weigh in on deer hunting across the state. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host virtual public meetings in each county to discuss deer management Dec. 7-18 and a separate virtual public hearing Dec. 9 on the current white-tailed deer hunting season. Every three years, County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) provide recommendations to the DNR that help determine the herd size objective (increase, decrease, maintain) for their county.

Open enrollment for the landscape pesticide registry is November 1 – February 1. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offers a landscape pesticide registry, which allows Wisconsin residents to be notified 12 hours before commercial pesticide applications are applied to neighboring landscapes.

Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Dunn, Florence, Oconto, Pepin, Price, and Shawano Counties In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has detected emerald ash borer (EAB) for the first time in the following counties: Dunn (town of Rock Creek), Oconto (town of Little Suamico), Pepin (towns of Lima and Waterville), and Shawano (city of Shawano).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2020 Contact: Kevin Wallenfang, DNR deer and elk ecologist Kevin.Wallenfang@wisconsin.gov or (608) 261-7589 Help Shape Deer Season For Your Community By Joining Your County’s Deer Advisory Council Application Deadline July 1   Apply for a seat on a County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) by July 1.

A deadly reminder when walking your dog in rural areas as the weather gets nicer… The WDNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are asking for the public’s help with a string of fatal animal poisonings in Forest, Marinette and Florence counties, even along the border with Upper Michigan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2020 Contact: Larry Bonde, Wisconsin Conservation Congress Chair 608-235-5825 Kari Lee-Zimmermann, Wisconsin Conservation Congress/DNR Liaison 608-219-9134 or Kari.LeeZimmermann@Wisconsin.gov MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Conservation Congress received a record-setting 64,943 responses to the 2020 Spring Hearing Questionnaire featuring topics ranging from baiting and feeding deer to the use of non-toxic ammunition on state-owned land.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2020 Contact: DNRPress@wisconsin.gov MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will reopen 34 state parks and forests on Friday, May 1 at the direction of Gov. Evers with special conditions. Under Gov.

April 13 – 7 p.m. to April 16 – 7 p.m. Individuals interested in natural resources management have the opportunity to provide their input and testimony to the DNR and WCC on proposed rule changes and advisory questions relating to fish and wildlife management in Wisconsin. NOTE: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person portion of the spring hearings has been cancelled. Starting at 7 p.m.

Update 4/7/20 – AB 856/SB867 failed to pass during this legislative session. WWOA President Randy Cooper testified at the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation on February 4, 2020 about proposed changes to the Managed Forest Law program contained in Assembly Bill 856 (formerly LRB 5118/1).  Read WWOA’s testimony to learn more.