There were more than 14,000 leftovers available for Zone 2, which includes much of eastern Wisconsin, and more than 67,000 bonus tags in Zones 1 and 3 in the southern and central part of the state. Zones 4 and 5 also had some, but there were no leftovers in Zones 6 and 7 up north.
These bonus tags are for bearded birds and cost $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. If you don’t already have them, you’ll be required to purchase a spring turkey license and stamp. You can purchase one per day.
This year’s first regular spring period begins April 16. The youth hunt is April 12-13, and some Learn To Hunt programs will begin even earlier. Most of the leftovers in our area are for the last period.
Meanwhile, hunters concerned about their local deer herd may want to get involved in the County Deer Advisory Council Meetings next month, including April 21 in Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties, April 22 in Brown County, April 23 in Door County and Marinette counties and April 28 in Oconto County.
Those six area meetings will begin at 7 p.m. at the county highway department on County Rd. F west of Kewaunee; 6 p.m. at the Woodland Dunes Nature Center near Two Rivers; 6 p.m. at the DNR Service Center in Green Bay; 6 p.m. at the Door County Government Center in Sturgeon Bay; 6 p.m. at the Crivitz Village Hall; and 6:30 p.m. at the Fox Ridge Game Farm, Oconto Falls.
County deer councils gather public opinion on deer populations and goals, and review and consider data on herd trends, impacts to habitat and agriculture and car-deer accidents before making county-specific recommendations.
Many counties have vacancies on their councils. Learn how you can get involved, either on the council or by providing public input, at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt/cdac.
Anglers who fish Green Bay or its tributaries are encouraged to watch for colored tags on walleyes and report the information as part of a movement and exploitation study.
This spring, DNR fisheries staff plans to tag up to 5,000 walleyes with yellow floy tags around Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay and west shore tributaries. Another 400 will carry red $100 reward tags.
You don’t have to keep the fish to earn the reward. Take a clear, close-up photo of the tag that includes the three-digit number and a picture of the angler holding the walleye with the attached tag visible. Report the catch at DNRFHGBFISH@wisconsin.gov or call (920) 662-5411. If it’s legal to keep the fish and you do, you can also mail the tag to DNR, Attn: Fish Biologist,
2984 Shawano Ave., Green Bay, WI 54313.
The DNR began the reward tag study last year thanks to funding from Walleyes For Tomorrow.
In addition to the tag number, fisheries staff would like the approximate length, location caught, date and whether kept or released. Learn more about best practices for catch-and-release fishing at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/outreach/ResponsibleRelease.html.
A record 278 field trips are being offered to members of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin this year. There are a variety of annual membership plans starting at $35. They include a magazine subscription, e-news, access to the field trips and more.
Local experts lead the outings. See the list at https://www.wisconservation.org/field-trips/guidebook. Some trips fill up within minutes of registration opening, which is at noon April 8.
Lake Michigan water levels have dropped 11 inches in the past year, and are about 8 inches below the 100-year average. Levels are down 43 inches below the record March high, in 2020, but 22 inches above the monthly low, set in 1964. Levels are expected to rise about three inches by mid-April.
The Ringneck Pheasant Club is holding its annual dinner at the Waterfront Banquet Hall in Kewaunee on April 5. Tickets for the buffet-style chicken and tips dinner are $40. There will be music, door prizes, raffles and a silent auction. For tickets, call Dan at (920) 559-2980.
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