Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist Steve Easterly informed me CWD (chronic wasting disease) deer-testing kiosks will be set up in Manitowoc County.

Three kiosks are already in place — at BRW Meat Processing in Valders, the new DNR station at Collins and Kiel Fish & Game’s clubhouse.

Two more — at Manitowoc Gun Club on Clover Road and Country Visions Co-Op in Mishicot — should be in place by the time you read this. If not, they will be shortly.

CWD is a fatal, infectious nervous system disease of deer, moose, elk and reindeer/caribou. It belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion diseases. The DNR began monitoring the state’s wild white-tailed deer population for CWD in 1999. The first positives were found in 2002.

The DNR reported the first positive test result for CWD in a wild deer in Manitowoc County on Jan. 14, 2025. The deer was a hunter-harvested 1-year-old buck and was harvested south of the Valders area, within 10 miles of the Calumet County and Sheboygan County borders.

As a result of that detection, a state-authorized baiting and feeding ban is now in effect for Manitowoc County as of Feb. 1. The CWD positive detection also causes the following:

• Manitowoc County will have a new state-authorized three-year baiting and feeding ban. However, the county has a longstanding local ordinance in place prohibiting the feeding of deer.
• Calumet County will renew a two-year baiting and feeding ban already in place.
• Sheboygan County currently has a three-year baiting and feeding ban in place for positive detections within the county, so this detection will not impact Sheboygan County.

State law requires the DNR enact a three-year baiting and feeding ban in counties where CWD has been detected, as well as a two-year ban in adjoining counties within 10 miles of a CWD detection. If additional CWD cases are found during the lifetime of a baiting and feeding ban, the ban will be renewed for an additional two or three years.

CWD can have a significant impact on deer and elk populations. It is important to monitor and manage the disease to protect wildlife and the hunting industry, as there is no cure or vaccine for CWD.

Prevention measures include testing harvested animals for CWD, disposing of infected animal carcasses properly, avoiding feeding wildlife, and educating hunters and wildlife viewers about CWD.

More about CWD can be found on the DNR’s CWD webpage.

Here’s a reminder of the fall hunting season dates in Wisconsin:

• Sept. 13-Jan. 31, 2026: Archery and crossbow
• Oct. 4-12: Gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities
• Oct. 11-12: Youth deer hunt
• Nov. 22-30: Gun deer hunt
• Dec. 1-10: Muzzleloader deer hunt
• Dec. 11-14: Statewide antlerless-only deer hunt
• Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2026: Antlerless-only holiday deer hunt

Collins Marsh Nature Center receives new teaching display

FORWARD Endowment accepting requests for 2025 funding cycle

The FORWARD Endowment, the Manitowoc County trust established to fund projects focused on hunting, fishing, conservation and related education, has announced it will begin accepting requests for its 2025 funding cycle. Requests must be submitted by Dec. 31 to be considered for this year’s funding.

FORWARD, founded by the Manitowoc Unit of Manitowoc County Fish & Game, stands for “Friends of Resources, Wildlife and Recreational Development.” A combination of funding from area sporting clubs and private donations now support the endowment.

Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Association has been a major supporter of the fund through its annual banquet proceeds each year. The trust completed a redesign to a new unitrust format that gives the group more flexibility in funding projects that are important to the community. The new format will allow it to fund larger projects, if deemed appropriate to the overall goals of the trust and needs of the community.

Under the new format, there are fewer limits on related spending, so no specific amount available will be announced.

Organizations are encouraged to take strong community projects to the table. Selection of grants will be made at the Gift Committee’s meeting in February or March 2026. The date will allow the Gift Committee to have accurate information about the funds available from the trust, which is managed by Associated Bank. Investment performance does impact the funding available.

Leede Research will be coordinating the gifting process and aiding in filling grant request materials. A simple application form asks for details of the requests and organization. Both hard projects and related education programs are eligible for grants.

Projects must have public benefit and tie to hunting, fishing and conservation, and must be based in Manitowoc County.

The group has automated the applications, available through mantyfg.org. Contact emails can be sent to mantyfg071@gmail.com.

FORWARD is a 501(c)(3). Donations can be made by making checks payable to The FORWARD Endowment, c/o Associated Bank. Those making end-of-year charitable donations are invited to consider the fund.

The FORWARD Endowment has provided more than $180,000 in grants to projects and groups in Manitowoc County.

Mishicot High School Trap Shoot fundraiser slated

A Mishicot High School Trap Shoot fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, at Maribel Sportsman’s Club. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is a 50-target Lewis class event. The first house will be 16-yard trap and the second house will be 18-yard trap. No pre-registration is necessary.

Cost is $30 per shooter and includes the Lewis fee. Shells are available but not included in that price. Bucket raffles will also be included.

Maribel Sportsman’s Club is next to Interstate 43, exit 164, State 147, Maribel.

Manitowoc City Unit of Fish & Game plans annual fish fry

Manitowoc City Unit of Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Association is holding its annual fish fry Friday, Oct. 10, at Seven Lakes Golf and Dining in Reedsville.

Serving will be from 4 to 9 p.m. A large table will be reserved for Fish & Game guests, or groups of six or more can make their own reservations by calling Seven Lakes at 920-775-4000. Hourly 50/50 raffles and door prize drawings will be included.

Reedsville club plans chicken booyah sale and Ladies’ Night

Reedsville Sportsman Club will have chicken booyah on Sunday, Oct. 5. Pick up your booyah from 9 a.m. until it’s gone. Carry-outs only.

The club also will be holding its Ladies’ Night Saturday, Nov. 1. For more information, contact Cindy Bubolz at 920-252-8086.

EpiPen class set for Oct. 15

Maribel Sportsman’s Club will host an EpiPen class put on by Angel Mueller at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. The class runs for approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

The class will not only cover the use of an EpiPen but also the new nasal spray.

The class is free, but 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.

‘Mini Bioblitz’ coming to Woodland Dunes Oct. 7

Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve in Two Rivers will present an Adult Learning Series event, “Mini Bioblitz,” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 7.

A bioblitz focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a designated area during a set amount of time. Animals, flowers, fungi and more are included.

Learn about favorite identifying apps and field guides, and help Woodland Dunes count what plants and animals can be found on its preserve.

Registration is required by Monday, Oct. 6. To register, email Jess at jessicaj@woodlanddunes.org or call 920-793-4007. Admission is a sliding-scale fee of $3-$10 per person, collected at check-in with cash preferred.

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