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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. 

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.”

Tommy Bartlett Show in Wisconsin Dells closes permanently

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A perennial Wisconsin Dells attraction is closing down, permanently.

The owners of the Tommy Bartlett Show say the ski show is not coming back next year. President Tom Diehl says that the loss of revenues from being closed for the 2020 season makes it impossible to reopen for 2021.

The move will not affect the year round Exploratory Museum in the Dells.

The ski show had been in operation since 1953.

Bucks and Brewers sit out games in protest of Jacob Blake shooting

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Wisconsin’s professional sports teams did not play scheduled games Wednesday night.

The Milwaukee Bucks never emerged from the locker room, for Game 5 of their playoff series with the Orlando Magic, and released a statement saying they were “calling for justice for Jacob Blake.”

The NBA then cancelled Game 5 of the series between Houston and Oklahoma City, and the LA Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.

Players for the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnatti Reds also did not play, saying they wished to draw attention to racial injustice and systemic oppression.

MLB games between Seattle and San Diego and the Dodgers and Giants were also cancelled.

 

Marcus Theaters set to restart summer movie season by opening locations across the Midwest

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Marcus Theaters is getting ready to reopen their theaters by the end of the week.

The company says it will be reopening select locations on August 21st, and more on the 28th.

That includes locations in Wausau, the Milwaukee area, Sun Prairie, La Crosse and the Fox Valley.

Shows will be running in reduced capacity so that social distancing can take place, and they’re asking people to buy their tickets online. You will have to wear a mask inside, except when you’re eating.

Keep yourself safe from ticks this summer with The Tick App from UW-Madison

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A UW-Madison research team is working to help make it safer to be outside with a program to find and identify ticks.

It’s called The Tick App and researcher Bieneke Bron says they want to prevent the spread of tick borne illnesses like Lyme Disease. 

There are several features to help you figure out what steps you need to take to protect yourself. Bron says you can even get a tick forecast from your phone before you go out. 

“If you have your GPS location on it will find out in what county you are and it pulls from a database what activity level we expect for the deer ticks.”

You can also upload pictures of ticks you find and researchers will identify them for you. Bron reminds people that ticks are excellent at hiding inside of things like clothing and other debris.

It’s also important to make sure you check your pets for ticks after they come back inside. 

“After going outside or after running into leaf litter or out in the backyard if you have the time and opportunity.”

You should also keep a close eye on any bedding your pet uses in order to be sure ticks aren’t hiding in there either.

You can download the app for both Apple and Android at The Tick App.

DNR state park campgrounds open on Wednesday

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Wisconsin state park campgrounds reopen Wednesday. But Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole advises it’s going to be a little different than pre-pandemic.

“Changes around public safety are going to be in place, only because we’re worried about folks. We’re worried about social distancing, and we have to pay attention,” Cole said. “There will be park staff at each and every site, to remind folks about social distancing.”

Campgrounds were closed in March as a COVID-19 precaution.

Restrooms will be open, however concessions will not, so you’ll need to bring your own bug spray and firewood. Also, campground hosts, who are typically older adults at greater risk for COVID-19, won’t be there to greet campers.

Reserve a site and get more information on the DNR website.

State Parks to open for camping on Wednesday, with some restrictions

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The D N R is set to reopen the state’s campgrounds on Wednesday.

DNR section chief Missy VanLanduyt says that while restrooms will be open, bubblers are turned off and no staff are on site, so trash cans have been removed.

“So just remember to bring your own water and to pack in and pack out and that there may be capacity restrictions but if you go to our web page and search Park capacity you’ll be able to plan your trip ahead of time before you get there just in case the capacity restriction is put into place.”

VanLanduyt says that you’ll still need to buy a park pass online, and do online registration and reservations. 

“And we still will have a number of the tools in place to limit overcrowding and to promote social distancing but we still wanted to keep this as an opportunity and as a tradition to really get people out and explore outdoor recreation on our state properties.”

One more thing to remember is that there will be no onsite firewood sales at parks. “So people should plan ahead and purchase firewood outside of the property prior to entering and it actually is a requirement that fire would be purchased only within 10 miles of their camping location.”

That’s part of the state’s effort to prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer and other infectious diseases.

You can register for a campsite and get your parks passes online at http://dnr.wi.gov. 

 

Bummerfest: pandemic causes cancellation of Milwaukee’s music festival

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Milwaukee’s Summerfest is canceled this year. The board of directors made the decision to cancel at its regular meeting Thursday morning.

The COVID-19 pandemic makes large gatherings risky.

Milwaukee’s sprawling lakefront music festival had already been postponed from June to September. People who’d bought tickets through Summerfest.com or Ticketmaster can get refunds.

No cream puffs: 2020 Wisconsin State Fair cancelled

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Cream puff (PHOTO: Wisconsin State Fair)

The Wisconsin State Fair has been officially called off due to COVID-19.  This is the first time in 75 years that the fair will not be happening.

The decision was made on Thursday by Fair Board chairman John Yingling. In a statement, Yingling says the decision was not made lightly, and that he’s got everyone’s safety in mind.

The Fair attracts over a million visitors every year and organizers said it would be impossible to enforce social distancing on the grounds. The other issue would be putting on the fair only for no one to show up due to fears over COVID-19.

Tourism officials say this will be another $200 million loss to Milwaukee and the suburbs, but that they’re hoping more summer events will be happening to help ease the financial impact.