Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials received input from more than 700 people at a series of deer hunter forums held around the state this spring and through more than 13,000 responses to an online survey on deer management issues.

The collected public feedback was used in developing the 2013 deer hunting seasons that will be recommended to the Natural Resources Board today, Wednesday, May 22, in Madison.

“We’ve put a high priority on hearing the public’s perspective on deer management issues. Thanks go out to all who participated in one of the 34 meetings held statewide or online,” said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big game ecologist.

Results of both the local forums and online survey indicate strong public

Boulder Junction Shooting Range will hold a trap or combination shoot Sunday, May 26, beginning with registration at 9:30 a.m.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will feature 50 targets in a 16-yard trap shoot, or 25 skeet targets and 25 five-stand in a combination shoot.

The competition also will feature cash prizes, according to event organizers.

To reach the shooting

The World Muskie Tournament (WMT) series will host two Vilas County qualifying events this Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 25, on Lac Vieux Desert in Land O’ Lakes and Monday, May 27, on North and South Twin lakes in Phelps.

Each event is a Muskie Country Tournament Circuit qualifier where the top 50 teams will earn their way to the WMT Series Invitational Championship.

The championship has set records for the last three years with the highest cash payouts for a muskie tournament circuit championship with last year’s top prize of $50,000 and a purse of more than $70,000.

This year could see that record falling for the fourth straight year

The Headwaters Chapter of Muskies Inc. will hold its 33rd anniversary Spring Classic of Champions team muskie release tournament on the Eagle River Chain of 28 Lakes Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9.

There are still openings for the tournament, according to event co-chairman Jim Heffner. He said about 56 teams have already entered the tournament.

“We are slightly ahead of last year,” he said.

Entry fee is $330 per two-person team

The Chain O’ Lakes Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society, in conjunction with Forest Wood Kennels and Northern Lights Kennels, recently announced it will give away two puppies as a part of its second annual Grouse Dog Giveaway.

An eight-week-old English Cocker Spaniel and a Small Muensterlander puppy will be given away to two young hunters.

“Both puppies come from excellent lines of purebred hunting dogs, and, with the right

This past winter, hundreds of volunteers helped state wildlife researchers in capturing and placing radio collars on yearling and adult deer. Now researchers would like help locating and radio- collaring newborn fawns during May and June.

“Most fawns are born during the last week of May and first week of June, which is a short time frame to meet our goal of getting radio collars on 80 fawns,” said Jared Duquette, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ungulate research ecologist.

“Mother deer do not

The Headwaters Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) will host its 39th annual banquet for waterfowl and wetlands conservation Thursday, June 6, at Eagle River Inn, with the early-bird deadline of May 20.

The traditional-style DU banquet will feature a sit-down dinner, firearms giveaways,  traditional raffles and a silent auction. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $60 each or $100 for a couple. Those who return their reservation by Monday, May 20, will receive one free chance on a $140 DU debit card good on most raffles.

There also will be a pre-event raffle for a gun

The Headwaters Chapter, of Muskies Inc., was recognized by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress as the Statewide Organization of the Year recently at the state convention in Eau Claire.

The Headwaters Chapter supports a wide range of activities, programs and events, including the Vilas County Musky Marathon, plaques and free fish mounts, Fishing Has No Boundaries, Eagle River Guides-Kids Day, Conover Kids Fishing Day, and Camp USO R&R for veterans.

Lake-access improvements that assist anglers