Category Archives: Hunting & Camping

Wisconsin Declares Buck-Only Deer Hunting Season

Wisconsin deer hunting season will be buck-only. The state goes back to an old tradition that has been observed since 1915. The DNR said that 19 central and northern forest zones will be buck-only to allow the deer population to recover. Counties that are buck only are Ashland, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Florence, Iron, Forest, Jackson, Langlade, Lincoln, Oconto, Oneida, Rusk, Taylor, Vilas, Price, Sawyer, Wood and Washburn. Reservations that are buck only this season are Bad River Reservation, Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation, Red Cliff Reservation, and Lac du Flambeau Reservation.

Bill Hogseth, a wildlife biologist from the DNR, said that the buck only ruling is scheduled for the 2014 deer season. It has been approved by the Natural Resources Board. He added that the severe winter made hunters and the general public to be concerned about the deer population. The regulation would give the population the chance to recover.

Tips for Watching Wildlife in the Outdoors

One way to keep your kids from watching TV all the time this summer is to go camping. It doesn’t matter whether you erect a tent in the wilderness or just in your backyard; it is a good way to introduce the children to the wonders of nature.

Camping and observing animals in their natural habitat are fun ways to spend the summer with the whole family. Just make sure the kids know what to do when there are wild animals around. Kids must not try to feed or touch the animals, even if it is just a small squirrel. They can scratch or bite and that could lead to rabies. Tell them to take photos of the animals and allow them to be wild and free. They should be given space to roam around.

Camping on the Decline according to Statistics

According to National Park statistics, the number of overnight camping stays in national parks has dropped in the last 15 years. More than 9.2 million overnight camping were recorded in 1998. The number decreased to 8.54 million in 2003 and 7.99 million in 2008. The number was 7.91 million in 2013.

The statistics included RVs, tent camping, stays in campgrounds operated by concessions, and backcountry camping. Jeffrey Olson, spokesman for National Park Service, said the drop started in the mid-1990s but started to level out in 2004. The numbers fluctuate from one year to another. Some years showed increases. The number of camping and national park visitation is affected by the weather, economy, and the other factors.