Wisconsin: New fishing, hunting licenses on sale

Wisconsin hunting, fishing, trapping and other licenses for the 2014-15 seasons went on sale Wednesday, March 5. The new annual licenses are valid through

March 31, 2015. Hunting and fishing licenses for the 2013-14 license year will expire March 31, 2014.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages long-time license buyers in Wisconsin to consider purchasing aConservation Patron license. A Conservation Patron license gives the license holder all of the basic fishing and hunting privileges at a great price, $165 for Wisconsin residents and $75 for Wisconsin residents under age 18.

Revenue from Conservation Patron license sales is distributed amongst the fishing, wildlife and trapping programs and also helps fund fish and wildlife habitat improvement programs.

In its third year, the first-time buyer license continues to offer an affordable opportunity to explore a number of outdoor activities available throughout Wisconsin. Certain resident licenses are available for as little as $5 for those who have never purchased a Wisconsin license or those who have not purchased a Wisconsin license in any of the 10 years preceding the date of application.

Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased through the Online Licensing Center on the DNR website, at all authorized license agents, at DNR Service Centers (Hours for service centers vary; check the DNR website for service center days and hours of operation; DNR Service Centers are not open on Saturdays), or by calling toll-free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).

DNR Customer Service staff is available to assist the public online and via phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Spanish and Hmong bilingual customer service representatives are also available. Customers may reach customer service at 1-888-WDNR INFo (1-888-936-7463) or by e-mail at csweb@wisconsin.gov. An online chat link is also available

Upcoming Events: North Dakota

Pretty Boy and Pretty Girl Turkey Decoys made by Carry-Lite Decoys. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

April 9: district 3 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., Leeds10: district 4 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., Minto10: district 8 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., Beach11: district 1 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., Williston11: district 5 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., Finley12: district 6 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., Litchville12: district 7 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., New Salem13: NASP state archery tournament, Bismarck14: NASP state archery tournament, Bismarck

14: spring turkey season opens16: district 2 advisory board meeting, 7 p.m., Mohall21: youth hunting/shooting grant program application deadline

Complete List of Schedule of Events

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• **First Fishing Report of the Season**

Wisconsin Outdoor News...Deer Information Included

This is the Wisconsin Outdoor Report.  We have highlighted the deer news in bold.

June is an important month for wildlife in Wisconsin, and reports from across the state this week indicate some wildlife activities that have been delayed by the cool spring are reaching their peak. Numerous reports of abandoned fawns have come into DNR offices this week. Fawns are rarely abandoned. White-tail does will leave fawns alone for protection from predators, but they are nearby and will return to care for fawns. If you see a fawn in the wild, leave it alone and quietly leave the area. Also, many yearling deer have been pushed to fend for themselves as the does are taking care of their new fawns. These yearlings are moving about and are often sighted along roadsides, and because of this June is one of the highest months for vehicle-deer collision.

There were also reports from across the state that turtles have been actively nesting in the last week, and many times this activity takes place along roadways, or turtles cross roadways to reach nesting sites. Please watch for and avoid turtles on or near roads. Some turtles such as the wood and Blanding’s turtles take 15 years to reach maturity. If a turtle is crossing a road, and you can do it safely, move the turtle across the road in the direction it was headed. Be very cautious of snapping turtles and only drag them by their tails. See a news release and video on the DNR website for more information.

Black bears also move into their breeding season in June, and male bears are now on the move in search of receptive sows. Those sows have emancipated their yearling cubs, which are also on the move, and often will stay near homes to avoid the older males. If a young bear is remaining near your home, remove all sources of food such as bird and pet food and garbage, and chase the bear away making loud noises.

Following last week’s warm temperatures, Wisconsin returned to more seasonable weather pattern in the last week. Most of the state also received much needed rainfall in the last week. Water temperatures remain in the lower 70s in the north and to the mid 70s in the south, which has triggered bluegill spawning on southern lakes. The harvest season for bass opens this Saturday in the northern zone, and fisheries biologists are encouraging anglers on some lakes, especially in the northwest, to consider harvesting some bass. The strong catch-and-release ethic among bass anglers has lead to an overabundance of bass in some waters, which fish manager believe may be having a negative impact on walleye populations.

Some very good catfishing was reported at the Peshtigo harbor and along the lowr Fox River at Green Bay. Walleye fishing remained good at Oconto and smallmouth bass fishing was good along Door County. Perch fishing was mixed, but there were some reports of nice size perch along the Door peninsula. Trollers had a good week with some limits being brought in, mostly of coho, but also some chinook as well as rainbow and lake trout.
Spring wildflowers are now giving way to more summer bloomers, with reports of sunflowers, white wild indigo, hoary puccoon, beards tongue, yarrow, goat's beard, and prairie larkspur blooming. Monarchs, mourning cloaks, swallowtails, and luna moths are being seen. Dragonflies have finally appeared and are putting a dent in the mosquito population, and there continue to be reports of high numbers of ticks, so be sure to check yourself and pets especially after walking through tall grass.

Michigan Hunters: Here's a Great Deal for You!

Hunters and Anglers Get Big Discounts on Michigan International Speedway Tickets

Race fans who hunt or fish - or want to try their hand at it - now have an extra incentive to pick up a license, the Department of Natural Resources announced today. Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is offering 50 percent off Friday and Saturday grandstand tickets for its June race weekend, and $10 off Turn 1 Sunday grandstand tickets for June, for those who show a 2011 Michigan hunting or fishing license.

Guests must first visit the DNR booth at the speedway June 17-19, show their license and get a discount voucher to use at the MIS box office (restrictions apply). Hunting and fishing licenses are available at any Michigan license agent or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com, and will also be available for purchase at the speedway for those who don't already have one.

"A great deal on a weekend of racing excitement at MIS adds to the many benefits of buying a hunting or fishing license," said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. "A license gives you the chance to enjoy some of the finest hunting and fishing around, and also supports the conservation efforts that help keep Michigan among the best places to experience the outdoors."

Director Stokes added that Michigan offers ample opportunity for quality hunting and fishing, with more than 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, more freshwater shoreline than any other state and 8 million acres of public hunting land. "Pick up your license and explore Michigan's hunting and fishing opportunities to find out why we rank third in the nation in licensed hunters and why Field and Stream recently named us the No. 1 fly-fishing destination in the nation," he said.

For more information about MIS - located in southeast Michigan's Irish Hills at the intersection of U.S. 12 and Michigan Highway 50 - and its racing events, visit www.mispeedway.com or call 800-354-1010.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go towww.michigan.gov/dnr.