Health Care Exchanges in Wisconsin
Governor Walker announced today that Wisconsin will not build a state-run exchange and will defer to the federal government's insurance exchange. The Governor cited four reasons in a press release;
- The long-term risk to Wisconsin tax-payers is too high.
- No matter who sets up and administers the exchange, the federal government makes all the decisions.
- Federal Government demonstrated lack of cooperation and details increases risk on state
- No option to customize or tailor to the State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s 2012 gun deer season opens Nov. 17
Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites eagerly await the arrival of the 2012 9-day gun deer season, which kicks off Nov. 17.
Approximately 10 percent of Wisconsin residents will take to the field for the annual hunt, and thousands more will participate by providing food, hotels, and other services that make deer hunting such an important part of the Wisconsin culture and economy.
Kevin Wallenfang, big game ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, says the 2012 gun season is one that he hopes will be exciting and satisfying for all involved. “It’s a tradition that many hunters and businesses look forward to all year long. It will also have more of a traditional feel to it this year due to the elimination of most early season gun hunts.”
Wallenfang says that getting back to a more normal season framework seems to have many people very enthusiastic this year. “Add to that the fact that deer populations across the north have increased in many units thanks to a very mild winter and reduced antlerless permits, and hunters could be in for a very satisfying year,” Wallenfang says. He adds, however, that some northern units are still below goal, so hunters should not expect to see a lot of deer in some areas.
For more information on deer in different areas of the state, see the 2012 Wisconsin Fall Hunting Forecast [PDF].
How to donate your deer
Hunters, you can help feed needy people throughout Wisconsin this fall by taking 5 simple steps.
- Donate any legally harvested deer taken outside the CWD management zone by dropping it off at a participating processor [PDF] by Friday, February 1, 2013. Deer taken outside the CWD zone are registered with a silver metal tag, and only deer with silver tags may be donated to these processors. Deer taken within the CWD management zone are registered with a red metal tag and must be brought to a participating processor within the CWD management zone [PDF].
- Field dress the deer and register it at a Wisconsin DNR registration station prior to donating the deer.
- Call first! Contact one of the participating processors before dropping the deer off to verify the processor has space to accept your deer. Some counties with metro deer management units may be accepting deer until the end of the metro unit hunts. Check locally with a participating processor.
- Donate the entire deer to receive the processing for free. (Head and/or antlers may be removed for mounting.) Please handle the carcass as if it were destined for your own table. A couple bags of ice placed in the cavity will help preserve the carcass in warm weather.
- When dropping your deer off at a processor, please sign the simple log sheet indicating your desire to donate the deer. We'll do the rest. The donated deer will be processed and the venison will be distributed to charitable organizations to help feed Wisconsin's needy.
Hunters please help Target Hunger and the statewide deer donation program "Feed The Need!" Please consider switching to non-toxic ammunition as even a very small amount of lead in a deer carcass is toxic to humans and wildlife. Page 23 of the Deer Hunting Regulations [PDF] booklet lists recommendations to reduce the risk of lead in venison and also lists links on where to find copper bullets and non-toxic ammunition for hunting. Thank you for your interest and good luck hunting!
Winter will soon be here.... Be Prepared
Plan your travels and check the latest weather reports to avoid the storm. You can find out the latest road conditions by visiting the Wisconsin Department of Transportation travel info website at www.511.wi.gov or by calling 511.
It is also important to check and winterize your vehicles before the winter season begins. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Carry a winter emergency kit in your vehicle that includes:
- Blankets
- Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Shovel, tools, booster cables and windshield scraper
- High calorie non-perishable food
- Cell phone adapter
- Sand or cat litter to use for traction
Winter safety tips can also be found at the following websites: