• The Manitowoc County Lakes Association will hold its annual meeting and banquet Oct. 11.
• A first-time hunter pheasant hunt is scheduled for Sept. 27 at Thunderbird Game Farm.
• Maribel Sportsmen’s Club will host a free EpiPen and nasal spray training class on Oct. 15.

Manitowoc County Lakes Association will hold its 2025 annual meeting and banquet Oct. 11 at Viking Bow & Gun Club, 13431 Rusch Road, Valders.

Social time with cash bar will be at 4 p.m. with buffet dinner catered by the Altona at 5:30 p.m. Guest speaker and program will follow dinner.

Phil DeCastro, meteorologist at WLUK-TV FOX 11 in Green Bay, will be the guest speaker. He has been a meteorologist at WLUK-TV FOX 11 for 14 years after spending two years at WLUC-TV in Marquette, Michigan. He has a degree in meteorology from Penn State University. Since coming to this region, he has developed a deep appreciation for the crucial links between weather, climate, and our local environment and ecosystems.

The annual meeting, election of officers, awards, 50/50 raffle and door prizes will follow the speaker.

Reservations and door prize commitments are due by Oct. 3 to Kim Braun at kimskattebo@icloud.com or phone/text 920-973-2390.

Cost is $20 per person. Advance reservation is requested for headcount purposes, although the fee is payable at the door by cash or check only, payable to MCLA.

First-time hunter pheasant hunt slated Sept. 27

The Sheboygan-Manitowoc Pheasants Forever Chapter 590 is holding a first-time hunter pheasant hunt Sept. 27 at Thunderbird Game Farm in Collins. It starts at 7 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m.

Participants must have completed the Wisconsin Hunter Education Course in 2025.

The hunt is limited to the first 36 people who sign up. Contact Craig Lukasavitz at Lukasavitz2150@gmail.com for more information and to get registered.

EpiPen lesson set for Oct. 15 at Maribel club

Maribel Sportsmen’s Club will host an EpiPen class put on by Angel Mueller at 6 p.m. Oct. 15.

The class runs for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. It will not only cover the use of an EpiPen but also the new nasal spray.

The class is free, donations are always used and certification is good for four years.

Angel needs to know how many people will be in the class, so pre-registration is required by calling me, Bob Schuh, at 920-682-3106. Space is limited, so register early.

DNR encourages hunting on public lands; online tools and more info

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages the public to explore and hunt on public land this hunting season.

More than 6 million acres of public lands are available across Wisconsin, with most of them open for hunting.

In addition to state lands, another 28,000 acres are known as Voluntary Public Access lands that private owners allow the public to access.

Hunters can search for and discover new public hunting areas using the DNR’s mobile-friendly online public lands mapping tools. These tools provide information about state-owned properties, voluntary public access lands and more.

Here’s what to know about each tool:

• Public Access Lands Tool: This tool shows DNR properties and nearly all federal and county-owned lands. Hunters should confirm beforehand to verify hunting is allowed. The Open Managed Forest Law/Forest Crop Law properties are also included.
• Fields and Forest Lands Interactive Game Bird Hunting Tool: This tool helps hunters locate young aspen and alder habitat, woodcock and ruffed grouse hunting areas, pheasant-stocked public hunting grounds and public-access dove fields.
• Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Interactive Map: Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program provides landowners with financial incentives to open their properties year-round to public hunting access. Hunters should read the guidelines for accessing Voluntary Public Access properties.

Once hunters have done their preliminary research online, the next step is to scout the habitat and search for wildlife signs. The DNR recommends hunters scout multiple options in case of changing weather conditions or added hunter pressure in a particular area.

Hunters are reminded that public lands are for everyone, and it is likely that other hunters and recreational users could be on the property.

Follow these tips to ensure a safe and successful experience on Wisconsin’s public lands:

• Know the property boundaries and only hunt in legal areas.
• Follow “leave no trace” principles; this includes altering or cutting tree limbs.
• Be adaptable and have a backup plan.
• Be aware and respectful of other hunters, recreators and DNR staff.
• Follow the TAB-K rules of firearm safety to protect yourself and others: 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 the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
• Remember, all hunters, with the exception of waterfowlers, are required to wear blaze orange whenever and wherever there is an active gun season.

For more information on regulations, season dates, hunting hours and other helpful information, visit the DNR’s Hunter Resources webpage.

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