RHINELANDER — A proposal to allow statewide motor trolling  drew the most interest at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual Spring Fish & Wildlife Hearing in Oneida County last Monday night.

More than 125 Oneida  County residents showed up at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander to vote on 68 DNR proposed rule changes and another 30 Wisconsin Conservation Con­gress advisory questions.

The bulk of the questions at the hearing were voted on without discussion, although proposals  allowing trolling statewide and adding panfish regulations by species generated some comments.

Like the statewide vote, Oneida County

The Northern Snow Wings Ladies Ducks Unlimited (DU) will host its 16th annual Lady’s banquet at Eagle Waters Resort Thursday, April 25, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s banquet theme is Sweet Sixteen, representing 16 years for the Northern Snow Wings Chapter No. 155 Ladies DU, said secretary Bets Fountaine.

The event will feature auctions, raffles of wildlife and sporting art, jewelry, as well as numerous goods and services donated by area businesses.

“Due to popular demand, we will once again be having an

State Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) announced a forum will be held with Department of Natural Resources Furbearer Specialist John Olson Thursday, April 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Crandon High School.

Olson will discuss bobcat numbers and management practices in the state.

Members of the public are welcome to attend to share questions, concerns or experiences with Wisconsin’s bobcat management practices.

The Headwaters Chapter of Muskies Inc. will host its 35th annual awards banquet and fundraiser Saturday, April 20, at Eagle River Inn & Resort.

A social hour will start at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Awards, raffles and auctions will follow.

Only 200 tickets will be available for the banquet, which is open to the public. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for youths 16 and young­er. There will be a family-style dinner with all the trimmings. Hors ­d’oeuvres also will be served.

There will be an early-bird raffle

DNR predicts good number of birds this spring

The spring wild turkey hunting season begins today, Wednesday, April 10 with Department of Natural Resources (DNR), officials saying that hunters should look forward to a good season.

“We had an outstanding year of production in 2012. The warm, dry spring and early summer provided outstanding nesting and brood-rearing conditions for hens,” said Scott Walter, DNR upland wildlife ecologist.

“Our statewide surveys revealed

A proposal to allow statewide motor trolling  drew the most interest at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual Spring Fish & Wildlife Hearings in two counties here Monday night.

At St. Germain, about 180 Vilas County residents showed up to vote on 68 DNR proposed rule changes, while more than 100 sportsmen and -women attended the Oneida County meeting at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander.

The bulk of the questions

Anglers, hunters and trappers are reminded that April 1, marked the start of the new license year for all Department of Natural Resources  (DNR) fishing and hunting licenses.

Licenses from the 2012-’13 license year expired on March 31. Anyone planning to fish and hunt again this year can buy license for the 2013-’14 seasons through the Online Licensing Center, at all authorized license agents, at DNR Service Centers, or by calling the DNR.

New licenses are valid through

Spring fish, game hearings
set April 8 in all 72 counties

The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on a wide variety of proposed fish and wildlife rule changes — including allowing motor trolling statewide — at the 2013 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spring fish and wildlife rules hearings and annual Conservation Congress meetings.

The hearings will be Monday, April 8, in all 72 public hearings Wisconsin counties starting

A newly formed Northwoods Chapter 61 of Muskies Inc. will hold its kickoff meeting and fundraiser Tuesday, April 9, at Norwood Pines Supper Club in Minocqua.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour, while the meeting will follow at 7 p.m. A ?$5 donation will include a club sticker.

Raffle prizes include rods, lures, guide trips and more.