Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Hunting can bring many joys, but barriers prevent some from experiencing these benefits. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, people of color comprise only about 23% of hunters. Learn how groups are encouraging people of all backgrounds to try hunting, especially through mentoring efforts and access to public lands, in the latest issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/g3bQaXDC Photo Credit: Hunters of Color

Have you seen lights on the water at night that look like this? Don’t worry – it’s not an alien spaceship. It’s just a DNR electrofishing boat conducting a fall walleye survey. Every fall, the DNR and Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission conduct dozens of surveys throughout the Ceded Territory to track the success of natural reproductive success and stocked walleye survival during early life stages, which is a crucial tool used to help predict future changes in adult populations. You’ll see the boat drive slow at night, in shallow water, along the entire shoreline of a lake, targeting walleye that hatched last spring (known as the young-of-the-year) or the spring before (i.e., age-1 walleye). These surveys are typically conducted at night because that’s when juvenile walleye tend to move into shallow, nearshore water. So, how does it work? The two rods on the front of the boat produce an electrical current between them that stuns fish, allowing DNR staff to net them and place them in a tank on the boat. Once on the boat, staff weigh, measure and tag these fish before releasing them back into the water. Cool, right? Because a large generator is required to produce the necessary electrical current, it may be hard for staff to hear or speak to anyone on shore. If you see one of these boats, feel free to watch from shore or ignore them. With the electrical current in the water, it’s unsafe for pets and swimmers to be in the water near the electrofishing boat. Reach out to your local biologist with questions: https://lnkd.in/gdqDs3nv

It’s always a gorgeous morning on the water in Wisconsin, and the gorgeousness is even better when you get to witness it while you’re working as Lt. Warden Jake Bolks did in Chippewa County on the opening day of the duck season.

Happy Good Neighbor Day! Wisconsinites try hard to be good neighbors to our surrounding states and region, and the EPA is trying to ensure others do the same. An EPA regulation known as the Good Neighbor Plan is intended to address ground-level ozone transport by holding states responsible for air pollution that moves to other states. In Wisconsin, the main driver for high ozone concentrations is transported emissions from mobile sources like cars and trucks in large urban areas to our south, like Chicago. Large industrial centers, like northern Indiana, also contribute significantly to transported emissions. The EPA estimates that Wisconsin’s own emissions sources contribute no more than 10% to the ozone measured in our state. Other states are responsible for approximately 49%, with international and natural sources contributing the remainder. The EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan was a step in the right direction, however, it fell well short of fully addressing the air quality impact of emissions from other states. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the entire Good Neighbor Plan, pending the outcome of legal challenges. This means Wisconsin’s neighbors are not currently required to reduce the emissions being transported to Wisconsin. Visit the ozone page, to learn more about the pollutant and its regulations, health impacts and more: https://lnkd.in/gT3BJZ37

The days are getting shorter, and mornings feel cooler — Wisconsin’s duck season is right around the corner (and already here in the Northern Zone)! This year is shaping up to be another excellent season for duck hunters across the state. Before you head out, brush up on Wisconsin's duck season structure, the regulations and some changes from prior years in the latest issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/gf8_9HfD

Do you work for a hunting or conservation-related organization? We have a grant opportunity for you! Our Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) Grant offers funding for projects that break through barriers for people who want to learn hunting skills or for projects that promote safe, ethical hunting and its benefits to society. We value opportunities to partner with different entities to work toward common goals. If you’re a member of an organization such as a local rod and gun club, a technical college, a local chapter of a conservation organization or even a municipality, you are eligible to apply. The application period is open now through Oct. 15. Find more information under the “Applying” tab on the Hunter R3 grant webpage: https://lnkd.in/gAZvdMKY

It's fall and the leaves are changing ... do you want your career to change, too? Well, guess what? We're hiring! To see the DNR's open positions, head to wisc.jobs, then click Search by Agency and choose Dept of Natural Resources to find your next opportunity.

Our Air Management Program is looking for an Air Management Specialist to operate and maintain air quality monitoring sites for the state’s air quality monitoring network. Along with knowledge of quality control and quality assurance, we're looking for a candidate with experience or training in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biology, meteorology, or other natural science related to Air Management, along with experience: – Collecting environmental samples or auditing environmental sampling equipment in a classroom or training environment – Problem-solving and/or troubleshooting technical or mechanical issues In this role, you'll be responsible for following the procedures outlined in the Clean Air Act, Quality Management Plan, Standard Operation Procedures and Quality Assurance Project Plans to operate the equipment that collects ambient air monitoring data and ensure the timely collection of valid ambient air monitoring data. To read more about the position and to apply, visit wisc.jobs and search job ID 15537.

Deer hunting in Wisconsin is about spending time with friends and family, connecting a little closer to nature and hopefully filling the freezer, but there’s also a species management reason for the deer season. Hunting helps keep the deer population at sustainable levels. This helps reduce the negative impacts of deer, such as crop damage, decreased forest regeneration and car accidents. The timing of the deer hunting season is important as well. With a smaller deer population leading into frigid Wisconsin winters, scarce food sources go further. Deer that survive the season face less competition to stay healthy and strong into the spring. The crossbow and archery deer seasons are already underway, and the firearm deer season is not far off. Learn more about deer hunting in Wisconsin at https://lnkd.in/ep6hPZxW

Teachers, make learning about wildlife easy this school year and bring Snapshot Wisconsin into your classrooms! Snapshot Wisconsin, launched in 2016, is a collaborative project that uses a statewide network of trail cameras and crowdsourcing to provide data for wildlife management. This effort makes hundreds of thousands of wildlife photos available at your fingertips to enhance learning about Wisconsin's wildlife species. Get inspiration on how to make wildlife an engaging part of your curriculum using Snapshot Wisconsin by checking out the latest issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/gYvJ3FEE