Onalaska, Wis. – Beginning October 15, voluntary waterfowl avoidance areas will become effective in Basins 7 and 8 on the Mississippi River.
These areas are part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge and are places where migrating waterfowl and other waterfowl move in the fall. Refuge officials are asking waterfowl hunters and others to avoid these areas.
The Basin 7 Voluntary Avoidance Area is located on Lake Onalaska and covers a portion of the lake approximately 3,300 acres in size. It is marked with orange and white buoys and will be valid until mid-November. The Basin 8 area includes the 980-acre Goose Island No-Hunt Zone and the 6,500-acre Wisconsin Islands Closed Area. The avoidance area remains in effect until the end of the waterfowl season.
MORE COVERAGE FROM WISCONSIN OUTDOOR NEWS:
The Wisconsin DNR says recent wolf encounter incidents are not part of a trend
A bear hunter in Washburn County, Wisconsin, lost three dogs to wolves
A decision on a possible Nov. 13 sandhill crane hunting season in Wisconsin
The Roche-A-Cri State Park fire is contained, but 6.5 acres have burned
Friendship, Wis. – DNR fire crews and local agencies recently contained a 6.5-acre fire at Roche-A-Cri State Park in Adams County. Officials say the fire broke out at the top of the Roche-A-Cri Mound steps around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 6. No injuries were reported. The cause is still under investigation.
The fire consumed pine needles and leaf litter, with minimal tree torch. Ten local fire departments are working with DNR crews, using hoses and hand lines to build containment lines. The Nature Conservancy and UW-Stevens Point Fire Department crews are assisting with the cleanup. They will continue to look for smoke and burning materials within the fire area. The park’s main gate is closed for the season and the facility is closed to visitors until further notice.
The B&C Caucus welcomes the passage of the Fix Our Forests Act in the House of Representatives
Missoula, Mont. — The Boone and Crockett Club welcomed the recent action by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 8790) by a vote of 268 to 151.
“The Boone and Crockett Club applauds the bipartisan passage of the Fix Our Forests Act in the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Tony A. Schoonen, CEO of the B&C Club. “This legislation would enable the U.S. Forest Service to accelerate energetic forest management in our national forests – reducing the risk of severe wildfires, improving huge game habitat and creating jobs in rural communities.
Active forest management such as tree clearing, thinning of dead and dying trees, creating fuel breaks, prescribed and managed burns, and creating defensible spaces are effective tools for reducing wildfire risk and improving wildlife habitat.”
The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission is accepting nominations for awards
Ann Arbor, Mich. – Each year, the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission honors individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to science, policy and management of the Great Lakes.
The committee announced that it is now accepting nominations for three annual awards: Jack Christie/Ken Loftus for outstanding scientific contributions to understanding vigorous Great Lakes ecosystems; Buzz Besadny Award for Supporting Great Lakes Partnerships; and the Vern Applegate Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sea Lamprey Control.
The committee is accepting nominations for these awards, which will be presented at the committee’s annual meeting in May 2025. The nomination submission form is available online and has been designed to be convenient.
Nominations can be submitted until November 1. Nominations submitted within the last three years will be considered and do not need to be resubmitted. More information about the awards and a list of previous winners can be found at: www.glfc.org/about.php#awards.
Federal Ammo continues its partnership with the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance
Anoka, Minnesota – Federal Premium announced an ongoing partnership with the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, strengthening their shared commitment to introducing up-to-date enthusiasts to unthreatening and responsible shooting sports. As a sponsor of this organization, Federal supports YSSA’s mission to support the development of shooting sports programs that prioritize safety and responsibility.
The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance was founded in 2007. YSSA has loaned and donated equipment to youth programs across the country, benefiting over 120,000 teenage people.
