Hunting Gear You Need to Replace Immediately

Deer hunting season is here. It's that time of year when we take all the information we have gained from the previous seasons and try to apply that knowledge to the upcoming challenge ahead. For most of us, we have taken the time to scout land, place strategic tree stands in our favorite locations and practiced our shooting skills. Once opening day arrives, its likely you are going to find something in your pack of hunting gear that needs replacing. Instead of waiting for opening day, here are a few tips you should take to prepare yourself for the upcoming hunt. 

Arrows Will Go Bad

Many hunters prepare for the archery season by practicing. While that's a great plan to execute that once in a lifetime shot on a monster whitetail, arrows that have been driven into a target can go bad. Are you using arrows you have shot several rounds of target practice with? If so, replace them. Carbon arrows can certainly go bad. While you may not see anything wrong with your arrows, carbon can lose its spine by getting pounded into a target. A tip for not spending hundreds of dollars each season is to buy a set of practice arrows. Using the same arrow type for practice will give you the same result in the field without the fear of using a damaged practice arrow. Buy a box of six arrows and use three to practice with. Or use two and use the other four for the field.

 

Gloves are a Hands Best Friend

Last season was last season. We hunted through rain, snow, sleet and heat. Before we talk about our boots, the least expensive item that should be on your list this year are gloves. So what if you love your gloves and have never needed to replace them. A good set of gloves will give you the best chance of staying dry, warm and keeping your finger on the trigger a lot longer in tight hunting situations. A good set of gloves doesn't cost hundreds of dollars and they certainly protect a valuable asset to your hunt. 



Scope Covers

Whether it be for your crossbow or rifle scope, having a good set of scope covers will give you a security blanket in the field. Even if you have a good set, a new set will cost you little and the replacement helps keep your hunting gear dry and clean to help see clearly on that dream whitetail. 




Take a moment to comment on other items you feel would need to be replaced each year to help have a successful hunt.

DNR Spring Hearings Schedule

On Monday, April 8, starting at 7 p.m. in each county of the state [PDF], individuals interested in natural resources management will have the opportunity to provide their input and testimony on proposed rule changes and advisory questions relating to conservation and fish and wildlife management in Wisconsin.

This year’s Spring Hearings will offer additional opportunity for the public to weigh in.  The DNR and WCC will provide an online option for input for those people who aren’t able to attend a hearing in person or for those who’d rather provide input at the hearing using their smart phone. The online version of the Spring Hearing questionnaire [PDF] will be posted on the Spring Hearing website (dnr.wi.gov search keywords “spring hearings”). The input form will go live at 7 p.m. on April 8 and remain open until 7 p.m. on April 11.

The Spring Hearing input process allows the public the opportunity to comment and register their support or opposition to DNR proposed rule changes as well as Congress proposals that could someday become the rules that regulate fishing, hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation activities in Wisconsin.  This year the DNR will be presenting 49 proposed rule change questions for input. Citizens may also submit ideas to address conservation needs or concerns they observe through the WCC resolution process and vote for WCC delegates to represent them on the Conservation Congress. However, providing input on resolutions or participating in the WCC election will continue to require in-person participation.

People interested in attending the hearings are encouraged to review the questionnaire online prior to the April 8 hearings and should arrive at the hearing location early to register before the hearings begin at 7 p.m.

Source:  Wisconsin DNR

Wisconsin DMAP Enrollment by March 1, 2019

MADISON - Landowners, hunters and land managers looking to improve habitat for deer and other wildlife are encouraged to enroll in Wisconsin's Deer Management Assistance Program.

DMAP provides informational resources and professional assistance regarding wildlife habitat management techniques for properties of any size to help participants improve habitat for wildlife.

"If you're interested in seeing more deer on your property, DMAP is a great option," said Bob Nack, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources DMAP coordinator. "The program provides individual property management plans and access to a community of other landowners working toward the same goal of improving wildlife habitat on their properties."

Enrollment is always open, but properties of 160 acres or more are encouraged to enroll prior to March 1, 2019, to receive priority access to program benefits, including a site visit and walk-through in 2019 with a professional wildlife biologist and forester.

DMAP participants receive access to statewide workshops on habitat and deer management, including professional presentations, property tours and hands-on demonstrations. In addition, they receive a unique opportunity participate in research projects and collect data on the deer they harvest and wildlife they observe.

As one DMAP cooperator stated, "DMAP has been providing me with the resources and education that is helping me manage my property for quality wildlife habitat and a healthy forest."

Be sure to check out an episode of the Wild Wisconsin: Off the Record podcast, titled "What can active management do for your deer hunt?" on YouTube, iTunes, Stitcher and PodBean to hear more from DNR staff and DMAP enrollees.

For more information regarding DMAP and to apply, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "DMAP."

To receive DMAP email updates and other information, click on the email icon near the bottom of the page for "subscribe for updates for DNR topics." Follow the prompts and select the "Deer Management Assistance Program" option, found under Wildlife Management.

Article Source: https://dnr.wi.gov/News/Weekly/

Wisconsin Elk Hunting: Four Participants Awarded

Following a 30-day application period and a great deal of anticipation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff conducted the random drawing for four lucky residents who will participate in the first managed elk hunting season in state history.

"This is an historic time for the department and I would like to sincerely thank all those who applied for an elk license," said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR deer and elk ecologist. "It was a privilege to call all the winners and personally congratulate them - each one recognizes that this will be a unique and exciting experience."

Over 38,000 Wisconsin residents entered the drawing for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - four hunters were selected to receive a license for Wisconsin's inaugural elk hunt. Successful applicants were from Merrill, Kenosha, Appleton and Green Bay. In addition to license fees, over $13,000 in donations was received to benefit elk management in Wisconsin.

An additional license will be awarded through a raffle conducted by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The raffle winner will be drawn Aug. 11, and tickets can be purchased on their website [EXIT DNR]. All Wisconsin residents may enter the raffle, including hunters that applied in the state drawing. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $10 each; the same cost as the state application fee.

Proceeds from elk license applications and the RMEF drawing are earmarked for elk management in Wisconsin.

"Offering this hunt has taken Wisconsin's elk management program to a whole new level," said Wallenfang. "There has been high interest and excitement since we announce the hunt, and it has brought a level of awareness to a lot of people who didn't even know that we have elk in our state. It's an important opportunity to inform and build advocacy for our elk reintroduction effort, while providing a limited, but exciting, recreational opportunity. We anticipate more tags in the future as the herds grow."

The 2018 hunting season will occur only in the Clam Lake elk range in parts of Sawyer, Bayfield, Ashland, and Price counties in far north-central Wisconsin where the original restoration effort was initiated with 25 elk from Michigan in 1995. The herd is projected to comfortably surpass 200 animals this year.

Prior to purchasing an elk hunting license, all winners will be required to attend a Wisconsin elk hunter orientation offered prior to the hunt. The class will cover a hunting area overview, field sampling and health testing, regulations and more.

"The hunt will occur after the rut and the area is dense forest with openings, so it won't be easy," said Wallenfang. "But we estimate about 70 adult bulls in the Clam Lake herd, so it will be a hunt to remember for those lucky winners."

For more information regarding elk in Wisconsin, go to dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "elk." To receive email updates regarding current translocation efforts, visit dnr.wi.gov and click on the email icon near the bottom of the page titled "subscribe for updates for DNR topics," then follow the prompts and select the "elk in Wisconsin" and "wildlife projects" distribution lists.

Post Published by Wisconsin DNR - https://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=4545