February 10, 2012

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DNR hits the trails this weekend

February 3, 2012 By

Drinking and riding a snowmobile can often lead to tragedy. The Department of Natural Resources says if you’re going to drink, you cannot ride after. “That’s going to end in tragedy, not only for you, but for your family and friends,” says DNR snowmobile administrator Gary Eddy. A statewide enforcement team will hit the trails in Bayfield County this weekend

Seventeen snowmobilers died in Wisconsin last winter. More than three-quarters of the accidents involved alcohol. Sixty-five percent of the accidents were speed related. Nearly half of the fatalities occurred at night.

Matt Lehman, WSAU 

Filed Under: News, Recreation & Entertainment

Study outlines shutting the door on Carp

February 1, 2012 By

A new study says it would cost up to between $3 billion and $9.5 billion to separate the artificial water link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. 

The report done by the interstate Great Lakes Commission shows three specific ways to separate that connection. It’s part of an effort to prevent invasive species including the Asian Carp from entering the Lakes.

Environmental groups say the expense would be worth it in the long run to keep the carp from ruining the Great Lakes and connecting waterways. The voracious feeders can grow up to 90 pounds destroying ecosystems which the Alliance for the Great Lakes says will lead to lost tourism and fishing related dollars.

Changes at the Mississippi River/Lake Michigan connection have been a contentious issue. Suggestions to close Chicago lock system have been met with opposition by Illinois officials who cite major economic loss from the heavily traveled shipping channel.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Record number of spearers expected

January 30, 2012 By

For the second year in a row a record number of Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing licenses have been sold; 12,680 people bought licenses, up from the previous record of just over 12,423 set last year. It’s also an increase of 50 percent since 2007. 

DNR Fisheries Supervisor Ron Bruch cites “public ownership” as a reason for the program’s popularity. He says the agency sets policy based largely in input received through the Winnebago Citizens’ Sturgeon Advisory Committee and Sturgeons for Tomorrow.

Bruch adds the sturgeon population is as robust as it’s been since the 1800s with DNR assessments showing a number of 200-pounders in the water.

With spotty winter conditions this year, Bruch advises spearers to be extra cautious when cutting into the ice.  Due to an algae bloom earlier this winter he says water clarity in the system is “marginal right now but they look to be improving.”

The season begins February 11 to February 26 or until spearers reach the harvest caps.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Walker health care decision could lead to D.C. showdown (AUDIO)

January 23, 2012 By

Governor Scott Walker’s stand on health care reform could set the stage for a confrontation with Washington. The Walker administration is choosing not to pursue the implementation of a health insurance exchange under President Obama’s health care reform law, turning down federal grant money. “We have a health insurance cost crisis in Wisconsin, we’ve had hyperinflation. much worse than the national average, and Governor Walker is turning away $38 million we could use to create a competitive health marketplace,” says Robert Kraig, executive director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. He says Walker may be betting on a change of administration in Washington. “This may be part of a strategy to make it harder to implement the law, in order to try to get it repealed,” says Kraig, who attended last week’s Health Action 2012 conference in Washington.

AUDIO: Robert Kraig interview (5:15) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Hunters groups disagree on weapons bill

January 19, 2012 By

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee is considering a bill that changes guidelines for weapons that may be used to hunt certain animals. 

The Wisconsin Bowhunters Association is backing the legislation which allows crossbows to be used during the gun-deer season, bear season and small game seasons. However the proposal would not change existing law that bars use of the weapon during the archery-deer season.

Ron Kulas, with the association, said the bill’s expansion of crossbow hunting is “consistent” with public opinion research conducted since 2005 by the Conservation Congress and the DNR.

AUDIO: Kulas lays out public opinion research (2:08)

During that hearing Wednesday, the Wisconsin Crossbow Federation took issue with the data.

“When you do five surveys and you survey only the user of a compound bow, or a traditional bow, of course you’re going to get an answer ‘we don’t want competition,” said Alan Schimelpfenig, while testifying against the bill.

AUDIO: Schimelpfenig on survey respondents (:31)

Kulas insists the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association is not “anti-crossbow,” and said stakeholders came to a consensus on the best way to approach new guidelines. Schimelpfenig said he didn’t know of anyone in his group that was part of that dialogue.

Currently, archery-deer hunters may only use a crossbow if they are over the age of 65 or have disabilities.

Filed Under: News, Recreation & Entertainment
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