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Turn your deer into tasty venison with tips from the DNR and UW-Extension

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Once you’ve got your deer on the ground this season, now comes the time to turn that deer into tasty food.

DNR wildlife management director Eric Loebner says adding deer meat to your diet is a great way to get lean, healthy protein. 

“Making that homegrown sustainable organic meat protein source, you know really it’s unique to the experience and it certainly adds to the experience and as well.”

There’s more and more interest these days in processing and butchering deer at home, rather than taking it to a meat processor according to Loebner.

“There’s even videos out there now about the whole nuances of making your own meat at home, whether you’re making sausage or whether you’re making bacon.”

The UW-Extension offers tips and classes on handling your own deer, as well as canning and preservation processes.

Loebner says it’s important to be ready to field dress your deer by yourself while COVID-19 continues.

Temperatures are getting cool enough to properly hang a deer, but won’t freeze it outside, so be sure to get your deer to a processor or cut it up yourself before too long. 

Recount now underway in Dane and Milwaukee Counties, says WEC

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Wisconsin’s partial presidential election recount is now underway.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meghan Wolfe says local officials in Dane and Milwaukee Counties will be the ones handling things.

“Those counties have already begun talking with the parties to make sure that they understand the process for designating representatives and for making sure that people will have opportunities to engage with the process and to be able to meaningfully engage with offering those objections and challenges and information.”

Wolfe says that while outside observers will still be welcome to watch the proceedings, they are not allowed to interfere with the recount process.

“They could certainly raise their concerns or their objections to somebody like the primary representative for the candidate, and if they felt like that was information that needed to be brought before the board of canvassers they could.”

Selected officials with either the Biden or Trump campaign will be able to inspect or challenge ballots, and observers can be on hand at a safe distance to watch the proceedings. The exact process will be up to local officials in either Milwaukee or Madison.

There’s also been a discussion on getting a full audit of the state’s voting equipment. Wolfe says that by law they have to inspect 3% of the voting machines in the state every election, but that they check 5%.

“Again, we’ve never had a problem that resulted from the voting equipment audits, but if there were that of course would be a huge deal and something that we would bring to the commission and the public’s attention immediately so that they can address next steps.”

Wolfe says that those audits are performed on random machines across the state through a hand counting method, so technically the machines that are under a recount are also being audited at this time.

The recount will have to be completed by December 1st. 

Record day for COVID-19 deaths in Wisconsin, Dane County puts strict gathering ban in place

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It’s been another record day of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Wisconsin as a surge of infections continues to move through Wisconsin.

The Department of Health Services reports that 318 people were sent to the hospital and 92 people died of COVID-19 on Tuesday, a record for both of those numbers. Over 7,000 people tested positive, putting the total number of cases over 323 thousand.

The seven day average number of deaths is now at 49, and that’s up over 800 percent in only 2 months.

Public Health Madison – Dane County has put a ban on public indoor gatherings, and is restricting outdoor gatherings to just 10 people, even with social distancing. 

That includes sporting events, meetings, movies, conferences, and other activities. Indoor mass gatherings of any people who do not live together are prohibited. “This virus does not spread on its own. We spread it. Every gathering – no matter the size – is an opportunity for disease spread and prolongs the pandemic,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “We are hopeful that with the community’s cooperation, we can bring our numbers down and avoid more hospitalizations and deaths,” added Heinrich.

The new emergency order will be in effect starting on Wednesday and running through December 16th.

DNR sees increased license sales ahead of gun deer season

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The gun deer season starts this weekend, and the Department of Natural Resources says things are looking good heading into opening on Saturday.

DNR wildlife management director Eric Loebner says that COVID-19 hasn’t put a damper on enthusiasm in this year’s hunt. 

“Right now we’re at about a 9 percent increase over last year, so certainly the interest is out there and that interest is carrying throughout all outdoor recreational activities.”

Loebner reminds people to keep their COVID-19 precautions in mind, and to wear masks around other hunters, and wash hands when you get the chance. 

“Although getting out in nature is a great way to escape the mental challenge that we may be experiencing with a quarantine and a global pandemic, but it’s also important to think about protecting yourself and protecting your family members and those around you.”

The department is recommending against taking long trips to hunting camp this season.

“And if your camp is not that far from your house, you know, a short distance, I would also recommend people think twice about getting into a cabin or riding in a vehicle with non-household family members.”

Elections Commission puts price tag for recount at nearly $8 million

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Workers recount ballots in Dane County, 2016 (WRN file photo)

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has put a price tag on any potential recount in the state at almost $8 million.

That amount has significantly increased since the 2016 recount, but WEC administrator Meghan Wolfe said that those extra costs come from the increased numbers of ballots cast, as well as the need to rent larger spaces to accommodate social distancing, and increased security measures to keep the recount safe.

The Trump Campaign will have to make that payment to the Commission in full by 5:00 PM Wednesday, November 18, in order to initiate the recount.

Plaintiffs withdraw lawsuit over ballots in three Wisconsin counties

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A lawsuit that sought to toss out all votes cast in Milwaukee, Dane and Menominee Counties has been withdrawn by the plaintiffs. The three counties had the highest percentage of votes cast for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, 82%, 75% and 65% respectively, out of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.

That lawsuit was filed last week in U.S. District Court in Green Bay by three voters who claimed that voter fraud caused their own ballots to be “diluted.” The suit made claims that absentee voting was rampant with abuse, and was one of several similar lawsuits filed in several battleground states.

No evidence was ever provided to back up the claims made in the lawsuits. Court records indicate the suit was withdrawn Monday, prior to a scheduled hearing.

Sen. Baldwin calls on Republicans to step aside for President-Elect Biden

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Senator Tammy Baldwin says Republicans need to stop their efforts to cast doubt on the election and get behind President Elect Joe Biden. 

The fact that the Trump Administration is withholding access to funds and the mechanics of smooth transition is dangerous, frankly. Dangerous to a smooth transition and to our security and safety.”

Baldwin says that the election, and Wisconsin’s election in particular, was handled very smoothly and accurately, and that there should be little doubt to the electoral process. 

“There’s no reason to mistrust the outcome in the state of Wisconsin and certainly we know, nationwide, that Joe Biden has a commanding lead.”

Baldwin says that there’s little chance that a recount in Wisconsin will overcome the 20,000 vote lead that President Elect Biden currently has over Donald Trump.

WEDC offers new website to connect small businesses with experts and information to help them grow

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The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is aiming to help put new business owners in contact with each other, and the experts they need to expand.

The program is called Start in Wisconsin and WEDC CEO Missy Hughes says the state’s economy has been damaged, and they’re helping people get businesses back on the market.

“We need a vibrant ecosystem, a vibrant economy, and one business is not going to do that, so we want businesses to be moving through the cycle of idea to start up to scale up.”

Hughes says they’ve carefully worked to ensure that all the topics and information on the new program are up to date and helpful to people. 

“The worst thing that we can do is to provide information that creates more work for someone who’s already no doubt overwhelmed with trying to start a business. What we do is relieve stress and certainly not add to it.”

Hughes says they’re aiming to help get Wisconsin’s economy back on track by supporting the next generation of new businesses.

You and your business can get signed up and learn more online at Start in WI.com. 

Evers signs order urging people to stay home and break the chain of COVID-19

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Governor Tony Evers has signed a new executive order urging people to stay home and not to socially mingle.

Evers says people need to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously as we head into the winter months.

“And unfortunately with the holidays just around the corner, we recommend that you plan to celebrate just with your own household. You can still invite others to join virtually, but we advise you not to go to any gatherings with people who are not in your immediate home.”

Evers says people need to stay home and break the chain of the spread.

“Each day this virus goes unchecked is a setback for our economic recovery. Our bars, restaurants, small businesses, families and farmers will continue to suffer if we don’t take action right now.”

“We must get back to the basics of fighting this virus, just like we did last spring, and it starts at home. It’s not safe to go out. It’s not safe to have others over. It’s just not safe.”

The measure also calls on businesses to limit the amount of contact people are having with each other. The order does not carry any actual enforcement language, as those efforts have been largely stymied due to repeated lawsuits challenging the state’s health orders. 

 

UW-Health experts pleased to hear news of possible COVID-19 vaccine

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News of a viable vaccine for COVID-19 is just the first step, according to UW-Health’s Dr. Jeff Pothoff.

Pothoff says the vaccine will need to go through its final trials before it’s fully approved for use, but that it’s a fantastic result. 

“This is a tremendous feat for science. Over the course of less than a year develop, and then not only develop but do the trials that are necessary to begin proving that the vaccine is safe and effective.”

Reports from Pfizer say that the vaccine appears to be 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19. Pothoff says the US will have to start ramping up production to ensure that it can make over 300 million doses for the nation.

“Scientists bring the expertise, governments bring the resources, and before you know it… Bam! There it is. That’s a pretty monumental moment for all of us.”

Pothoff expects that there will be a staggered rollout of the vaccine, once it’s ready. First doses will go to medical staff and those who are most vulnerable, and then roll out to the rest of the nation. 

“We’re still fighting a fierce battle against this virus and we need every single healthcare provider to stay healthy so that they can come to work and take care of the rest of us.”