News Bulletin: Nov. 6 – Nov. 12

WHAT HAPPENED

• The towns of Brussels, Union and Gardner have approved a $2.8 million referendum for the April 2016 election to upgrade the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department. A Nov. 2014 referendum to approve $4.2 million for the fire station failed.

COMING UP

• More than 20 local, state and national groups are gathering for a “Stink-In” on the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol at 1 pm Saturday, Nov. 7, to oppose the impact of industrial animal operations. The coalition of community, environmental and agricultural groups includes Kewaunee CARES, Farms Not Factories, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Sierra Club (John Muir Chapter), Humane Society of the U.S., Wisconsin Farmers Union South Central and Penokee Hills Education Project. They will call on members of Wisconsin’s Assembly and Senate to reverse the longstanding trend of failed CAFO oversight, faulty county and state CAFO permitting processes, and noncompliance with federal law to establish a healthier, more sustainable future for Wisconsin.

• With the launch of the GameReg system and electronic registration, hunters now have until 5 pm the day after harvest to register a deer. This rule applies for all deer hunting seasons. “Previously, hunters could register their deer by 5 pm the day after the close of the nine-day season, regardless of the date of harvest,” said Matt O’Brien, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources administrative warden. “The new registration deadline is a bit of a change for 2015, so hunters should make sure they are up to speed before the nine-day gun deer hunt.” After tagging a harvested deer, hunters can visit gamereg.wi.gov or call 844.426.3734 to access the game registration system. Hunters may also register their deer electronically at a participating registration station. Upon completion, hunters will receive a 10-character confirmation number to write on the carcass tag as proof of registration. This tag should remain with the deer until the meat is consumed. To help make sure hunters are ready for another nine-day deer hunt, the department will host a chat Nov. 16 at noon. Questions related to harvest registration, safety, regulations or any other deer season topic are welcome. To participate or view the transcripts for previous chats, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “chat.” Hunters may also find a variety of deer season materials, including season structure maps, frequently asked questions and helpful links at dnr.wi.gov, keyword “deer.”

• The Landscape Pesticide Registry is now available to sign up for the 2016 growing season. You can request that professional lawn care companies notify you when they are going to apply pesticides to lawns, trees and shrubs on the block where you live, or on blocks immediately adjacent to yours. You can register online until Feb. 1 at datcpservices.wisconsin.gov/landreg. Participation in the registry is free. The registry applies only to professional landscape applications. Homeowners or landlords who do their own applications are not covered by the notification requirements, nor are applications to the inside or outside of buildings. The registry does not allow for notification of pesticide use in agriculture, or for you to be notified about applications around your workplace or your children’s school or day care center.

• The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Office of the Great Lakes is inviting entries for its eighth annual photo contest. Photos from all seasons are needed and will be accepted in the following categories: natural features and wildlife; cultural and historic features; and people enjoying Wisconsin’s Great Lakes. Submissions for a new category, lake stewardship activities, will include a photo and a 180-word description of the restoration or protection project. Photos of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior as well as their tributaries, wetlands and harbor towns are eligible. The top photos will be featured in Wisconsin’s Great Lakes 2016-2017 calendar, which will be distributed at the 2016 Wisconsin State Fair. The Office of the Great Lakes is also accepting short essays, stories, poems and songs about Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Photos and written work may be used in the calendar and other Great Lakes publications as well as on DNR’s website and in displays and presentations. The deadline for photo and written submissions is Feb. 1, 2016. For details on how to enter, visit DNR.wi.gov and search “Great Lakes Photo Contest.”