Statewide recreation plan ready for public review
Contact(s): John Pohlman, DNR planner, 608-264-6263
MADISON – The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The plan provides guidance to public outdoor recreation policy and planning decisions and is used in allocating recreation-related grants administered by the Department of Natural Resources.
This iteration of the SCORP covers the period from 2019 to 2023 provides updated information on Wisconsinites’ participation in outdoor recreation, existing opportunities, and future needs. The plan was developed with the assistance of an advisory team comprised of a diversity of representatives.
Adding additional trails, such as the recently complete portion of the Great Sauk Trail, is one of the priority needs identified in the plan.Photo credit: DNR
The DNR will host an open house meeting on Wednesday Dec. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the Dreyfus University Center on the UW-Stevens Point campus. The Center is located at 1015 Reserve St. Stevens Point.
The SCORP provides guidance for public outdoor recreation policy and planning decisions in the state. The plan also guides the allocation of recreation-related grants administered by the department, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund program.
The plan lays out five overarching goals for outdoor recreation in Wisconsin:
- Boost participation in outdoor recreation.
- Grow partnerships.
- Provide high-quality experiences.
- Improve data to enhance visitor experiences and benefits.
- Enhance funding and financial stability.
People can review the plan and the appendices by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword “SCORP.” In addition to the open house, people can also comment on the plan through a public input form on the SCORP page of the DNR website. The form is intended to gather perspectives about the draft SCORP and ideas people may have to improve the document. People can provide input on an online questionnaire, or can download a form and mail it in. Comments, either online or hardcopy, are due by Jan. 4, 2019.
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Deadline to apply for black bear permits and spring wild turkey harvest authorizations is Dec. 10
Contact(s): Jaqi Christopher, DNR assistant upland wildlife ecologist, 608-261-8458; Scott Walter, DNR big game ecologist, 608-261-7588
MADISON – Black bear and wild turkey hunters are reminded to submit their applications before midnight on Dec. 10.
Applications for permit drawings can be purchased through Go Wild at GoWild.wi.gov or through an authorized license agent.
Black bear
Harvest numbers from the 2018 black bear season are not yet finalized, but preliminary estimates show that hunters harvested more than 3,680 bears. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and the Bear Advisory Committee are currently in the process of determining 2019 harvest quotas.
Bear hunters are reminded that due to the high interest in this hunt, hunters must apply for several years before receiving a permit through the drawing process for most bear management zones. In order for bear permit applicants to retain their accumulated preference points, they must apply at least once during any period of three consecutive years, or all previously accumulated preference points will be lost.
If the hunter is selected in the drawing, their preference points will be reset to zero, even if they do not purchase the harvest permit. It is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of drawing status. Applicants selected in the drawing will be notified by mail shortly after the drawing and may purchase their 2019 Class A bear license beginning in March 2019. Applicants may also check their status online through their Go Wild customer account.
The season structure for the 2019 bear hunt is as follows:
Zone C (dogs not permitted):
- Sept. 4 to Oct. 8 – with aid of bait and all other legal methods not using dogs.
All other zones:
- Sept. 4-10 – with aid of dogs only (bait may be used to locate bear to hunt with the aid of dogs);
- Sept. 11 to Oct. 1 – with all legal methods, including bait and dogs; and
- Oct. 2-8 – with the aid of bait and other legal methods not using dogs.
2019 spring turkey
Dec.10 is the deadline to apply for a spring turkey harvest authorization (previously known as a tag or permit). Turkey harvest authorizations are issued through a preference-based drawing system. For more information on the turkey preference drawing, see the Turkey Frequently Asked Questions.
Applicants may choose up to two time period and zone combinations that they would like to hunt. As a third choice, applicants may choose one zone in which they will accept a harvest authorization for any time period. This third choice can be the same zone as the first and/or second choice. The second and third choices are optional, but applicants are encouraged to provide second and third choices to maximize their likelihood drawing a harvest authorization.
Successful applicants will be notified by mail after the drawing results are finalized.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive a preference point that will increase their chances of drawing a harvest authorization the following spring season. Hunters can check their application status online through Go Wild.
Any harvest authorizations that were not awarded in the drawing will be available for purchase as bonus harvest authorizations. Bonus harvest authorizations will cost $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents.
All turkey hunters are required to possess a valid spring turkey license and wild turkey stamp when they acquire their spring turkey harvest authorization. A 2019 Spring Turkey License is $15 for Wisconsin residents and $60 for non-residents. The 2019 Wild Turkey Stamp is $5.25.
The 2019 spring turkey season is as follows:
- Youth Hunt – April 13-14;
- Period A – April 17-23;
- Period B – April 24-30;
- Period C – May 1-7;
- Period D – May 8-14;
- Period E – May 15-21; and
- Period F – May 22-28.
For information on hunting in state parks, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “hunting state parks.” All harvested turkeys must be registered. For information on how to register your turkey, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “turkey registration.”
Youth turkey hunt – April 13-14
The annual Spring Turkey Youth Hunt is designed for hunters ages 15 and younger. Interested youth hunt participants should apply for a spring turkey harvest authorization before the Dec. 10 deadline. A harvest authorization for any time period can be used during the two-day youth hunt, but hunters are limited to the zone listed on their hunting authorization.
Youth hunters must either have a Hunter Education Certificate of Accomplishment or hunt under the Mentored Hunting Program. All hunters under 12 years of age must participate in the Mentored Hunting Program, even if they have successfully completed a hunter safety education course. All other turkey hunting regulation apply to the youth hunt.
Spring wild turkey hunt for people with disabilities applications due Dec. 10
Hunters with disabilities may apply for a harvest authorization outside of the normal spring turkey drawing. Hunters can apply for the Spring Wild Turkey Hunt for People with Disabilities by submitting Forms 2300-271 and 2300-271A.
This special hunt is only valid on private lands. Forms must be submitted by Dec. 10 to the DNR wildlife biologist for the county in which the hunt will take place. Any applicant who applies for a turkey harvest authorization using Forms 2300-271 and 2300-271A may not apply for a harvest authorization through the general spring turkey drawing.
For more information regarding bear and turkey hunting in Wisconsin, search keywords “bear” or “turkey.”