Boat And Ride Responsibly This Holiday Weekend
The holiday weekend means more folks on state trails and waters – be sure to be extra careful when recreating this Fourth of July.
Wisconsinites and visitors should remember to put safety first when boating and riding ATVs/UTVs during the Fourth of July holiday weekend by wearing appropriate safety gear and operating responsibly.
One of the best things you can do to operate a boat or ATV/UTV safely is to take an online safety course. A list of approved safety education classes is available on the DNR Safety Education webpage.
Hitting the water? Follow these basic boat safety tips:
- Always wear a properly fitted and fastened life jacket when on or near the water. A life jacket will keep you on top of the water if you walk off an unexpected drop-off, a wave or current overpowers you or you fall out of a boat.
- Enjoy the waters sober and know your limits. Alcohol blurs a person’s judgment, reaction time and abilities.
- River shorelines and sandbars pose unseen dangers. Higher, fast-moving water can tax an individual’s boating, paddling and swimming skills.
- Keep an eye on the weather and always tell someone where you are going.
- Create a float plan and tell people when and where you plan to depart and return before going for a float or paddle.
You’ll also see more DNR conservation wardens and area law enforcement on the water July 4-6 as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign.
Riding an ATV/UTV? Keep these safety tips in mind:
- Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during your ride.
- Wear your helmet, seat belt and protective clothing.
- Do not travel in unfamiliar areas.
- Follow all posted speed limits and regulatory signs.
- Let someone not riding with you know where you are going and when you will return.
Plan Now For A Fun Holiday Weekend At State Properties
Make sure to plan ahead this Fourth of July weekend by making camping reservations and purchasing your 2024 annual vehicle admission stickers and state trail passes online.
A Wisconsin state park and forest vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles stopping in most state parks, forests and recreation areas.
Avoid The Crowds At A Hidden Gem
Wisconsin State Parks are popular destinations on holidays and long weekends, and visitors may experience long lines to enter, limited parking availability and crowded trails and picnic areas.
To make the most of the holiday, parkgoers are encouraged to explore lesser-visited state properties to avoid congestion at the most visited parks. With 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, several state recreation areas, wild rivers and flowages to discover, there are plenty of places to find adventure while avoiding the crowds.
Find a new Wisconsin state park, forest, trail or recreation area to explore with the DNR’s Find A Park tool, and check out the DNR’s hidden gems and exploration maps to learn about under-the-radar properties around the state.
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Apply Now For Sandhill Wildlife Area
Learn To Hunt Event
Experience hunting for the first with the DNR’s 2024 Learn to Hunt Deer program at Sandhill Wildlife Area. Applications are open now through July 1, 2024.
Sandhill’s Learn to Hunt workshops combine classroom instruction and hands-on field experience with a mentored hunt on thousands of acres of intensively managed wildlife habitat. This unique opportunity gives you the chance for an exciting educational experience while helping the DNR reach deer management objectives associated with an ongoing study within the 9,150-acre property.
The program is open to young hunters aged 12-15. Adults (age 16+) without previous experience hunting deer with a firearm may also apply. A chaperone must accompany all hunters. Registration for the program is $40.
In-person workshop dates for this year are Aug. 21, 23 and 24. All participants (and accompanying mentors) must attend one of the workshops. The program will culminate with a two-day hunt on Nov. 2 and 3, 2024 at Sandhill Wildlife Area. All participants must complete a hunter education course before the hunt.
Each of the three workshops will cover the same material, including:
- Deer biology and management
- Hunting rules and regulations
- Ethical hunter behavior
- Basic firearm safety
- Practice sighting and firing a hunting rifle
Apply for the 2024 Sandhill Learn to Hunt on the application webpage by July 1.
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Try The New Public Access Lands Web Map
A new web mapping application is available for people to learn about public lands in Wisconsin and plan their next outdoor adventure. The Public Access Lands application is designed for desktop and mobile devices and offers user-friendly tools.
The Public Access Lands app makes it easy to locate a state park, county forest or lake for hiking, hunting or fishing. The Open Managed Forest Law/Forest Crop Law properties are also included in this update.
This web-based mapping application provides up-to-date property information, including maps, restricted areas and links to webpages, if available. To find specific opportunities, such as fishing waters or hunting zones, select which “theme” interests you, and the application will display layers relevant to the activity.
The application also shows DNR parking areas and boat access sites and complements the printed Public Access Lands Atlas, which contains 441 maps covering statewide public lands, roads and waterways.
Launch the Public Access Lands application or visit the DNR’s Public Access Lands webpage to learn more. |
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