It's that time of year again - the 2014 gun deer hunt begins tomorrow, Saturday, November 22!  I have always enjoyed hunting.  Even if you don't get anything, it's a great way to spend time with friends and family while enjoying Wisconsin's natural beauty (and, hopefully, decent weather).  The Department of Natural Resources has put together a page that will tell you pretty much anything you'll need to know about the hunt so that you can have a fun, safe time over the next nine days.

Happy hunting!

It's also time to prepare for the holidays!  Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be great opportunities to find deals, but it's important to make sure that you shop smartly and safely.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection recently issued a press release, "Do Your Research to Avoid Layaway Surprises".  Last November, the department issued two other helpful pieces that are just as important to bear in mind in 2014 as they were in 2013:  "Smart Shopping Tips for Black Friday and Beyond" and "Simple Steps for Safe Cyber Shopping".

In observance of Thanksgiving, my Capitol office will be closed Wednesday, November 26, though Friday, November 28.  Please still feel free to send an e-mail or leave a voicemail message, and we will see it when we return Monday, December 1.

If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, you may want to check out the Department of Transportation's Travel Information website, www.511.wi.gov, which includes a road conditions map.

Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!