With the cold and snowy February we have experienced, wood duck and bluebird houses were not on the mind of most individuals.

However, the people from Maribel Sportsman’s Club, Francis Creek Sportsman’s Club and Friends of the Branch River Watershed were still hard at work assembling birdhouses.

As always, these birdhouses are given out to conservation-minded individuals to place out onto the landscape to enhance nesting capabilities for those species.

Houses are given out, but any donations go directly back into the project for the purchase of lumber and supplies to keep the project going.

If you would like some of these houses, give me, Bob Schuh, a call at 920-682-3106 to make arrangements to pick them up.

Elk hunt application period open

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced the application period for the 2025 elk hunt is open now through May 31.

This year, there will be increased opportunity within the Black River Elk Range, as both antlered and antlerless harvest authorizations will be available through the state licensing process.

Applicants are required to select a zone when applying (the Black River Elk Range or Clam Lake Elk Range).

This year’s elk quota for the Black River Elk Range will be four antlered elk and five antlerless elk.

The Clam Lake Elk Range quota will be eight antlered elk with 50% available to Ojibwe hunters.

For individuals who select Black River Elk Range during the application process, the first four randomly drawn applicants will receive an antlered harvest authorization.

The next five applicants drawn will have the option to accept an antlerless authorization.

If the applicant declines an antlerless authorization, another applicant will be drawn as a replacement until the five antlerless harvest authorizations are accepted.

Any applicant who declines an antlerless authorization may still apply in the future.

As a reminder, only Wisconsin residents can be issued an elk license, and only one authorization can be issued (regardless of sex) per person in their lifetime.

Winners will be notified by early June.

Wisconsin residents can purchase an elk license application online through the Go Wild license portal or in person at a license sales agent. The application fee is $10 and is limited to one per person.

The DNR recommends all applicants check and update their contact information to ensure contact with successful applicants.

For each application fee, $7 goes directly to elk management, monitoring and research. These funds also enhance elk habitat, which benefits elk and many other wildlife.

If selected in the drawing, an elk hunting license costs $49.

Before obtaining an elk hunting license, all winners must participate in a Wisconsin elk hunter education course. The class covers Wisconsin elk history, hunting regulations, biology, behavior and scouting/hunting techniques.

The 2024 inaugural elk hunt in the Black River Elk Range was a success, with hunters harvesting four of the four-bull quota early in the season. Bull-only quotas and hunting have been provided every fall since 2018 in the Clam Lake Elk Range.

For more about the elk hunt, visit the DNR’s elk hunting webpage.

Camp Tapawingo holding Astronomy Day March 9

Camp Tapawingo, 915 Tapawingo Road, Mishicot, will hold Astronomy Day from 1 to 4 p.m. March 9.

Crafts, creating your own telescope, time to connect with others and a portable planetarium will be all be included in the drop-in event.

Questions? Email [email protected].

Fish & Game to meet March 12

Manitowoc Unit of Fish & Game will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. March 12 at Lincoln Park Cabin No. 1.

The group’s meetings, usually on the second Wednesday of every month except July, are back at Lincoln Park until late fall. Members and the public are welcome. A speaker, short business meeting, and lunch and refreshments are included.

Speaker for the March 12 meeting will be Jim Medley of WOMT Radio. He will update the group on activities in the community and at Seehafer Broadcasting. Seehafer Digital recently partnered with Manitowoc County Fish & Game on the design and development of its new website, mantyfg.com.

Sportsmen’s Rummage Sale March 15

Viking Bow & Gun Club will hold its Sportsmen’s Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. March 15.

Buy, sell or trade guns and sporting collectibles. Food and refreshments will be served.

To check on table availability, text Mark at 920-901-3900.

Kettle Range Snow Riders’ fish fry March 28

Kettle Range Snow Riders will hold its fish fry March 28 at the Mishicot VFW, 314 W. Main St., Mishicot.

Serving will be 4:30-8 p.m. and they will have perch, walleye, cod and chicken tenders, along with homemade desserts.

Carry-outs are available by calling 920-323-6950.

Native plant fundraiser underway

Warmer temperatures mean native blooms are on their way, and the Glacial Lakes Conservancy annual native plant fundraiser is ready to go!

The plant sale is live, and orders can be placed at glaciallakes.org through March 31.

Pickup of orders will be May 16 and 17 in Howards Grove. May 17, special guest Rob Zimmer, a renowned expert in native plants, will be on site to offer insight on creating a native plant oasis in your yard.

Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Glacial Lakes Conservancy.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.