Back in 1946, the Wisconsin Conservation Commission had the idea to set aside an area made up of five lakes in Vilas County for fisheries research. Using special free permits and mandatory reports from all anglers fishing the lakes, they’ve gained a lot of knowledge and tested the impact of various fishing regulations on those fishing populations. We’re celebrating the 75th anniversary of this groundbreaking research area. To learn more, we spoke with the facility’s lead reasearcher, Greg Sass. ...
Jun 16, 2021•29 min•Ep. 60
Researchers across the world rely on curious citizen scientists to be their eyes and ears, collecting data that can help solve some of the biggest questions in science. Citizen scientists can be anyone from any background who wants to volunteer their time to helping the scientific community learn more about the world around us. At the Wisconsin DNR, we rely on these volunteers for a number of research projects, including Snapshot Wisconsin. On this episode, we spoke with Christine Anhalt-Depies,...
Apr 30, 2021•17 min•Ep. 59
As the Wisconsin DNR prepares to welcome another warden recruitment class, now, more than ever, diversity in the field is essential to make sure the warden service reflects the communities they serve. In this episode, we hear from DNR Conservation Wardens Vong Xiong and Juan Gomez who come from different walks of life and serve the same mission. Both share how they were introduced to the career field, the experiences they’ve had and why it’s important to have people of color in the warden servic...
Apr 14, 2021•40 min•Ep. 58
It doesn’t matter if it’s January or June, snowing or sunny and 85 degrees; it’s always a good idea to get outdoors in Wisconsin. Sure, we have plenty of beautiful opportunities all across our state. But it’s not just a matter of looking at some pretty scenery. Studies have found a significant link between getting outdoors and improved mental health. On episode 57, we spoke with Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist with UW Health about the benefits of stepping away from the screen, logging off an...
Feb 17, 2021•20 min•Ep. 57
On Episode 56, we talk to Wisconsin snowmobilers, Erica Marten and Jen Marcott-Bong, founders of the female-focused Facebook Group “Wisco Sled Divas” connecting women who love to ride. Erica and Jen share some of their best tips, tricks and snowmobiling stories – including what to pack, favorite trails and how you can make the most of your next ride. Since safety is an important part of the ride, the Wisconsin DNR reminds all snowmobilers to think smart before they start. Learn more about stayin...
Jan 27, 2021•21 min•Ep. 56
With roughly 15,000 lakes and over 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, there are plenty of opportunities for Wisconsinites to fish around every corner. Free Fishing Weekend is coming up this weekend – Jan. 16-17, 2021. It’s the perfect opportunity to give ice fishing a try. Grab some gear and find your adventure on any water bodies in Wisconsin where there is currently an open season. All other rules and regulations apply. Learn more at bit.ly/WisconsinFFW . On this episode, we spoke with Emily ...
Jan 13, 2021•22 min•Ep. 55
‘Tis the season for celebrations and recollection. We’re looking back at all 15 Wild Wisconsin – Off The Record podcast episodes from 2020 and delivering our “greatest hits.” Hear highlights from a few of our best episodes and find a new favorite as we head into the new year. Listen to the full episodes here: 50 Years Of Earth Day What 50 Years Of Clean Air Looks Like It’s Your First Buck, Buddy Find all of our past episodes here . Or tell us who you’d like to hear from in 2021. ----------------...
Dec 22, 2020•20 min•Ep. 54
In 2010, Wisconsin established legislation that banned electronics waste from the landfills. Over those ten years, Wisconsinites have recycled more than 325 million pounds of TVs, laptops, cellphones and more. As one of only 25 states with some sort of an electronics recycling law, Wisconsin is widely considered to have one of the most successful programs in the country. But it isn’t without its challenges. On this episode, we speak with Sarah Murray, Wisconsin DNR’s E-cycle Coordinator, and Sen...
Dec 16, 2020•31 min•Ep. 53
Hunting is a long-established tradition woven into the fabric of Wisconsin’s culture. As hunters new and old make their way into the woods this November, we wanted to know what makes this season so special in Wisconsin. In this episode, we hear from Carissa Freeh, a wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever in central Wisconsin. Hunting since 2014, she shares advice for anyone interested in trying it but not sure where to start. Also joining the podcast is lifelong hunter Jim Wipperfurth, a retir...
Nov 12, 2020•29 min•Ep. 52
Chronic Wasting Disease is an always fatal, infectious disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. Hunters (and non-hunters, alike!) play an important role in helping us monitor the disease across the state. And in 2020, we've made it easier than ever before to help us do exactly that. On this episode of Wild Wisconsin, we sit down with DNR wildlife conservation specialist, Amanda Kamps, to learn more about how hunters can participate by getting their deer sampled for CWD, the improveme...
Oct 28, 2020•23 min•Ep. 51
2020 has been an unpredictable year. Despite the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsinites have remained resilient. Although times have been tough, Wisconsinites have gotten outdoors to enjoy the many adventures available in our state. In this episode of Off the Record, we asked residents on Facebook to share their inspirational stories of how they found their adventure at Wisconsin State Parks this summer. These four stories represent a collective upward trend in outdoor activi...
Oct 15, 2020•12 min•Ep. 50
Each year, over one million people use Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail to recreate, meditate or take in the unique sights sculpted by a glacier thousands of years ago. Last spring, Coree Woltering, a North Face sponsored ultrarunner, embarked on a challenge that very few have attempted in the IATs 12,000-year history. For over 21 days, Woltering endured an ankle sprain, remnants of a tropical storm and a barrage of mosquitoes and ticks all in route to setting the record for the fastest known time acro...
Sep 30, 2020•26 min•Ep. 49
Ninety-four percent of Wisconsinites live in an area that meets all federal air quality standards. Fifty short years ago, that wasn’t necessarily the case. The first Earth Day in 1970 paved the way for a couple of landmark environmental initiatives, including the signing of the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act is widely considered one of the most comprehensive and successful pieces of legislation ever signed into law. We continue to benefit from it today. The act has achieved tremendous reductio...
May 20, 2020•32 min•Ep. 48
Wisconsin has thousands of miles of trails that can be used for everything from hiking to snowmobiling – and lots in between. State trails are an easy way to start exploring Wisconsin’s outdoors. We’re also fortunate enough to have two of 11 National Scenic Trails wind their way through our state -- all of the Ice Age Trail and about 200 miles of the North Country Trail. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spends nearly 1,200 miles winding its way through Wisconsin’s many lakes, river valleys, hil...
May 06, 2020•34 min•Ep. 47
Earth Day was founded by Wisconsin’s very own Gaylord Nelson. Then a senator, and former Wisconsin governor, Nelson had a simple idea for a day of awareness for the planet. The year was 1970. Gas was cheap. There were no regulations like the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act to keep factories from polluting our air, land, and water. A rising consciousness after several environmental disasters had the country buzzing with a desire to do more. His idea took off, and millions joined in across th...
Apr 22, 2020•31 min•Ep. 46
Every 10 years, the U.S. population is counted via a census – and the 2020 census is right around the corner. In March, about 95% of the nation’s households will be receiving an invitation in the mail to participate. And 2020 will mark the first year that the census can be completed online. How and why should you respond to that invitation? In this week's bonus episode, we talked with Joanna Beilman-Dulin from the Department of Administration to learn why it's important to participate and how it...
Mar 11, 2020•11 min•Ep. 45
More and more women are getting involved in science-based careers historically dominated by men. Although women are still underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a number of women scientists. In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, we talked with three women research scientists at the DNR. Listen in as Stephanie Shaw, Jennifer Stenglein and Christine Anhalt-Depies discuss their work, experienc...
Mar 04, 2020•24 min•Ep. 44
During the 2019 hunting season, we asked you to pass it on and take someone hunting with you. Justin Morrissey was already a step ahead of us and was working with his best friend, Joey Wakeen, who has Down syndrome, to get ready for the season. The friends, who are really more like brothers, decided it was time for Joey to give hunting a try. They started, without success, with turkeys in the spring. After practicing shooting for safety and accuracy all summer and fall, they were ready for deer ...
Feb 19, 2020•26 min•Ep. 43
There’s a lot of love for Wisconsin’s state parks. In honor of Valentine’s Day, visitors share their Wisconsin State Park love stories about first dates, surprise engagements and scenic wedding days. Listen in to hear how their special day is something they’ll remember forever. -------------------------------------- TRANSCRIPT Announcer: [00:00:00] Welcome to Wisconsin DNRs Wild Wisconsin - Off the Record podcast, information straight from the source. Katie Grant: [00:00:12] Welcome back to anot...
Feb 05, 2020•25 min•Ep. 42
Wisconsin is the birthplace of snowmobiling and continues to offer some of the best snowmobiling opportunities you are likely to find, especially in the northern part of the state. Eagle River is the Snowmobile Capital of the World and host of the Amsoil World Championship Snowmobile Derby. On this episode, Kim Emerson, Executive Director of the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, sheds light on the mecca of snowmobiling. With more than 200,000 registered snowmobiles hitt...
Jan 22, 2020•21 min•Ep. 41
Ice fishing is a favorite pastime for many Wisconsinites, who have fond memories of going out on frozen lakes with their families with they were young. If you drive past any Wisconsin lake in the middle of winter after its iced over, you’ll almost certainly see at least one person out ice fishing. On this bonus episode of Wild Wisconsin, Bill Scott talks with See Yang about the appeals of ice fishing -- it's tougher to predict than open water fishing, and there's always something new to learn. G...
Jan 16, 2020•8 min•Ep. 40
Bald eagles in Wisconsin, and across the country, were once on the verge of extinction, but they’ve made a comeback through conservation efforts. Nests for these distinct birds are now found in 71 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, typically near a water body such as the Mississippi River. In just the last year, numbers in the southeastern part of the state have increased by 27 percent. “Eagle flight” surveys are conducted via plane by researchers, who are looking to see if known-nests are active and i...
Jan 08, 2020•34 min•Ep. 39
Wisconsin is home to an array of magnificent natural resources. Native plants, animals, picturesque forests and wetlands are part of what makes the Badger State so great. Sadly, more than 400 fish and wildlife species are in big trouble – with some populations so low that many are at risk of extinction. The Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is working hard to jumpstart wildlife comebacks on the ground, in the air and water for generations to...
Dec 04, 2019•35 min•Ep. 38
How and why did you get started in hunting? Everyone has their own story. Did a family member introduce you? Were you looking for another way to spend time in nature? Did you want to learn about where your food comes from? In this special bonus edition of Wild Wisconsin, we’re bringing you another story from Wisconsin’s wild side. Listen in as Bill Scott, Keith Warnke and Sophie Klimowicz talk about their earliest hunting memories, how they got started and how they stay safe in the woods.
Nov 25, 2019•9 min•Ep. 37
Opportunities and exposure for women who fish in Wisconsin are rising. According to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, women anglers ages 25-34 have grown over 30% in the last 10 years. And 43% of people who are new to fishing are women. We sat down with various DNR staff to learn why an increase in women fishing is so significant. Listen in as we talk with Justine Hasz, the director of the DNR’s Bureau Director of Fisheries Management and Kelsey Pickart, a competitive angler and D...
Nov 20, 2019•26 min•Ep. 36
This week we're bringing you a bonus episode of Wild Wisconsin - Off The Record. Special guest host and Wisconsin Radio Network announcer Bill Scott chats with avid hunter Jacob Zueske who shares a memorable hunt on a Treestand that left quite the impression. Listen in for more adventures and memories from Wisconsin's wild side.
Nov 13, 2019•7 min•Ep. 35
Wisconsinite’s love the outdoors. But for families, it can be challenging to find the time for adventures while balancing responsibilities at home. John Stellflue, a Sun Prairie resident and avid outdoorsman, recently headed out for the youth hunt with his nephew – on his wedding anniversary. How did he pull that off? Compromise and respect. From the day they said I do, John and his wife, Caralyn, have had a few simple rules to balance his love of the hunt and their marriage. Listen to the lates...
Nov 06, 2019•34 min•Ep. 34
In July, the Wisconsin DNR and Secretary-designee Preston Cole hosted wildlife experts from several Midwest states to collaborate on how to slow the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a deadly nervous system disease which affects deer, moose and elk. The DNR began tracking the disease in 1999. When we say every sample counts, we mean it. Since 2002, the DNR has processed more than 220,000 samples from hunters across the state. Research is ongoing, and it could change the way the disease is...
Oct 23, 2019•35 min•Ep. 33
As a state that is well-known for its world-class coldwater fishing experiences, Wisconsin could see significant changes to trout distribution through its streams as a result of climate change. These fish, namely brook trout and brown trout, require cold water to live. Warming temperatures are also more ideal for parasites, which can harm and kill trout. Projections show in the coming years that if temperatures continue to rise, 68% of the stream kilometers suitable for brook trout in Wisconsin ...
Oct 09, 2019•35 min•Ep. 32
Shortly after retiring, former DNR employees Ed and Sandy Miller started working at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Door County after seeing an ad in the newspaper. The lighthouse, which was built in 1868, stands on a bluff at Peninsula State Park and not only aids boats through the treacherous bay in the summer, but also helps cross-country skiers, snowmobilers and ice-fishers find their way in the winter when the water is frozen over. The lighthouse is still functioning today, and has been an operat...
Sep 25, 2019•22 min•Ep. 31
