Licenses and permits for hunting, trapping and other recreational activities enjoyed by Wisconsinites, went on sale March 8, 2017, through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Go Wild System, an online portal dedicated to the innumerable recreational opportunities made possible by sound management of natural resources.

In discussing the benefits of the Go Wild System, Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Cathy Stepp, wrote, "Our top rankings in the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young record books for trophy whitetail bucks, top-tier turkey and black bear hunting, world-record musky and exceptional walleye, trout and bass fishing are just a few reasons why hunting and fishing are so popular in Wisconsin.  The Go Wild system makes it easier than ever for our hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy Wisconsin's wild side with all of the licenses and access information they need in one place."

Go Wild, inaugurated in 2016, secures licensing information electronically and enables customers to provide proof of purchase through a personalized conservation card, an authenticated Wisconsin driver's license, a print out or PDF display on a mobile device.  Thanks to its twenty-four hour, seven days per week, three-hundred-sixty-five days per year availability, the Go Wild System also expands opportunities for purchasing fishing and hunting licenses, and register boats, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, beyond the hours offered at Department of Natural Resources Service Centers.

2017 Go Wild Conservation Card

County Deer Advisory Council

Statewide County Deer Advisory Council meetings commenced on March 13, 2017.  The County Deer Advisory Council meetings recently convened to discuss key management actions for the 2017 deer hunting season.  At these spring meetings, councils will review deer population data and other key information in order to develop preliminary antlerless harvest goals and corresponding tag level recommendations on public and private lands within their counties.  Additionally, council members will discuss options for additional deer hunting opportunities beyond the normal seasons in 2017.  Each County Deer Advisory Council meeting is open to the public--a statewide meeting schedule is available online. March County Deer Advisory Council meetings will develop preliminary recommendations--public feedback on these recommendations will be collected from April 3-13 using an online survey.

Wisconsin Deer Metrics

This year, the Department of Natural Resources launched an online system for the public to easily access the metrics used by the County Deer Advisory Council's to inform their management decisions.  Metrics provided in the system include deer harvest figures, population trends, deer impacts on agriculture and forest resources, herd history, deer herd health, and deer hunter surveys, to name a few.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, the deer metrics system is unlike any other in the country and will provide anyone interested in deer management the opportunity to be better informed on their local deer herd.  Users are encouraged to get more involved in deer management through participation in County Deer Advisory Councils or the Deer Management Assistance Program.

This week in the Madison

This was another busy, yet productive week in Madison.  I had the opportunity to welcome members of the Wisconsin Apartment Association to the State Capitol during their annual legislative day; and had the privilege of meeting with constituents representing the Wisconsin Homeless Coalition; the Ozaukee County Realtors Association; and Coalition of Independent Living Centers.  Also, one of my staffers, Christopher Schaefer, was honored with the Outstanding Professional Legislative Staff Award by the Wisconsin Apartment Association, for all of the work he has done to ensure that affordable rental housing is made readily available to every Wisconsinite. 

If you will be in Madison this week to cheer on the Cedarburg Bulldog's men's basketball team, who will be playing in the WIAA State Basketball Tournament, be sure to stop by my office, 309 North State Capitol, to say hello.  Best of luck to the Cedarburg Bulldogs at this year's state tournament. The Bulldogs play Milwaukee Washington High School on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 3:15 p.m.

Welcoming members of the Wisconsin Apartment Association to the Capitol.

Meeting with constituents who were visiting the Capitol for the Wisconsin Homeless Coalition's legislative day.

Participating in a panel discussion with my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, hosted by the Southeastern Wisconsin Realtors Association.

One of my staffers, Christopher Schaefer, received the 2017 Wisconsin Apartment Association's Outstanding Legislative Staff Award.

Meeting with a constituent who visited the Capitol during the Metropolitan Builders Association's Legislative Day.

Have a great week,

Stay up to date

One of the best ways to stay up to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking service. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison.  Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notifications about specific bills or committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject area (i.e. real estate, education, health).  You can sign up for this service at any time. 

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