Sled Safe This Holiday Season
Two of the most common off-highway vehicle crash contributors around the holidays are weak ice and impaired operation. much of Wisconsin enjoys the first significant snowfall of the season, snowmobile season is officially underway in Wisconsin – just in time for the holidays!
We’re sure you’re itching to get your thumb on the throttle and hit the trails, but before you do, ensure you’re taking every precaution to be safe this season.
Here are some safety reminders to take with you on the trails this winter:
- Don’t drive or ride impaired! Alcohol and drugs are a leading cause in Wisconsin snowmobile fatalities, especially during the holiday season.
- Avoid riding on lakes and rivers when possible and wear a life jacket over your outer clothing if you must ride on ice. Stay off ice with moving water near or under it; no ice is 100% safe, but ice in these areas may be especially thin and weak.
- Stay on the trail unless otherwise designated.
- Watch the weather and monitor ice conditions by asking the local experts like outfitters, bait shops and fishing clubs. The DNR does not monitor ice conditions.
- Never ride alone.
- Always wear a DOT-approved helmet and facemask and layer clothing to keep yourself warm and dry.
Learn more about how to keep yourself safe on Wisconsin’s snowmobile trails online.
Welcome The New Year With A First Day Hike
Make your plans now to jump-start the Wisconsin State Parks System’s 125th anniversary year with a First Day Hike!
There are 24 First Day Hikes happening on Jan. 1, 2025 at DNR properties across the state. Many properties offer 1 to 3-mile guided hikes led by property naturalists or rangers. These hikes have a specific start time and gathering spot to meet up with others. For further flexibility, other properties also offer routes for self-guided hikes without a set start time. Certain guided hikes are pet-free, so please check with the property before bringing along your leashed pets.
Warm clothing, hats, gloves, warm boots or insulated hiking shoes are highly recommended. Many properties will also have bonfires or warming shelters to help you fight off the cold, along with snacks and warm refreshments, such as hot chocolate.
First Day Hikes are free, but a vehicle admission pass or state trail pass may be required. Purchase your 12-month vehicle admission pass online to easily access parks, forests and recreation areas in the new year.
If a First Day Hike is unavailable in your area, you are still invited to visit a Wisconsin state park, forest, trail or recreation area and create your own First Day adventure.
Scheduled First Day Hikes
- Buckhorn State Park
- Copper Falls State Park
- Council Grounds State Park
- Devil’s Lake State Park
- Governor Dodge State Park
- Harrington Beach State Park
- Havenwoods State Forest
- High Cliff State Park
- Interstate Park
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
- Mackenzie Center
- Mirror Lake State Park
- Newport State Park
- Northern Highland American Legion State Forest
- Pattison State Park
- Peninsula State Park
- Red Cedar State Trail
- Rib Mountain State Park
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area
- Roche-A-Cri State Park
- Straight Lake State Park
- Sugar River State Trail
- Whitefish Dunes State Park
For details on First Day Hike events, visit the DNR’s Events calendar. Note that events may be canceled in cases of inclement weather. |
Happy Holiday Hunting
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spend some quality time with loved ones than getting out and enjoying the last gun deer hunt of the year together? Wisconsin’s Holiday Hunt will take place in select farmland zone counties from Dec. 24, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025.
During the Holiday Hunt, only antlerless deer may be harvested in participating counties, and all weapon types are allowed.
Hunters must ensure at least 50% of outer clothing above the waist is blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Hats or head coverings, if worn, also must be at least 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Faded or stained clothing is unsafe, may not be legal and should be replaced immediately.
When hunting from a ground blind on state property, a minimum of 144 square inches of solid blaze orange or fluorescent pink material must be visible from all directions.
It’s important for all hunters to do their part to keep Wisconsin a safe place to hunt by following the TAB-K firearm safety rules:
T – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
A – Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
B – Be certain of your target, what’s before it and what’s beyond it.
K – Keep your finger outside your trigger guard until you are safe to shoot.
View the 2024-2025 deer season map on page 11 of the regulations to learn which counties are participating in the Holiday Hunt.
Good luck to those participating in this hunt, and happy holidays to all!
Photo Credit: Bob Haase |
Find Snow Much Fun In Latest DNR Magazine
When it comes to cold-weather activities, snow is often at the heart of it all, but we’re here to help you have “Snow much fun!” no matter what the winter brings.
Check out the latest issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine for more on how to enjoy all sorts of outdoor adventures this winter. You’ll find stories on everything from sledding to snowshoeing to snowmobiling and more.
There’s even a look at snowflakes themselves — it takes millions of individual snowflakes to make enough snow for winter fun, and each one is unique. The winter issue includes “A study in snowflakes,” highlighting the science behind snowflakes and how they form. There’s a kid-friendly project, too, so you can decorate with your own paper snowflakes!
Find all these stories and plenty more in the winter digital issue.
Give a subscription to family and friends, subscribe for yourself or renew your subscription today and get a special holiday rate — five issues for just $5! That’s an $11.21 value for a gift that keeps giving all year long.
The offer is valid through Dec. 31, so sign up now. Visit wnrmag.com or call 1-800-678-9472 to give a gift, subscribe or renew today.
Cover Art by Jada Thur |
|
