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Capitol Christmas Tree

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This year's Capitol Christmas tree is now up. The tree is decorated with ornaments handmade by students across the state with this year’s theme, Wisconsin Wildlife, in mind.
“The magnificent wildlife and natural beauty of our state are major reasons we remain a top tourist destination,” Governor Walker said. “Our thanks to the many students who provided ornaments reflecting Wisconsin Wildlife for this year’s Christmas tree, as well as to the countless others who contributed to the holiday magic here at the Wisconsin State Capitol.”
The Capitol Christmas tree is selected every year from donation requests on a first come, first serve basis. The tree must be a balsam fir approximately 35-55 feet tall. The 2016 Capitol Christmas tree is a 35-foot balsam fir donated by Bruce and Charlotte Carey from their cabin in Eagle River.
“We are honored to have the beautiful balsam fir from our property in Eagle River become this year's Capitol Christmas tree,” said Charlotte Carey. “We nurtured it for many years and it was part of our family. We trust it will bring joy to many visitors as they view the tree sparkling in the rotunda of the State Capitol.”
The following parties also helped to make this year’s beautiful display at the Wisconsin State Capitol a reality:
• The tree was harvested and delivered to the capitol by the Great Lakes Timber Producers Association (GLTPA).
• Henry Schienebeck, GLTPA Executive Director, coordinated the harvest and delivery.
• The State Capitol Facilities Team lit the tree with 2,000 LED multi-colored lights and hung the decorations.
• Patti Hellenbrand of Village Creek Quilts in Lodi designed the tree skirt.
• Cindy Hasse of Cottage Grove quilted the tree skirt.
• BouMatic of Madison fabricated and donated the stainless steel tree stand.
• Ken Lucht of the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company supplied the locomotive circling the base of the tree.

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Rural Broadband Expansion Bill

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Governor Scott Walker called on the State Legislature to pass a proposed bill that appropriates an additional estimated $35.5 million for broadband expansion and technology programs, such as the Broadband Expansion Grant Program and the Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) program, over the next three fiscal years. Governor Walker made the announcement at the Muehl Public Library in Seymour where his first listening session was conducted in December 2015.

“Over the past year, we’ve conducted more than 70 listening sessions in communities throughout the state, and one of the topics we hear brought up all the time is access to reliable broadband internet,” Governor Walker said. “The proposed legislation we’re asking the Legislature to act on triples the state’s broadband and technology investments and it will allow Wisconsin communities, especially in rural areas, to compete for jobs, improve education, and provide a higher quality of life.”

The proposed legislation appropriates an additional estimated $35.5 million for broadband expansion efforts and TEACH grants over Fiscal Years 2017, 2018, and 2019. The TEACH program provides money to eligible schools, libraries, and other educational institutions to upgrade technology and train teachers from small and rural school districts on technology. In addition to providing more funds, the bill also knocks down a barrier to broadband development by prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation from requiring appraisals or charging any fee prior to granting any permits or easements for the construction of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas.

The funding comes from a surplus in the Universal Service Fund. The broadband expansion funds would be administered through the Public Service Commission, and the TEACH program funds would be administered through the Department of Administration.

“As Wisconsin continues to compete in the global economy, it is crucial for our small businesses, schools, and households to have access to the internet,” Governor Walker added. “This legislation helps expand broadband access for areas in need as we work towards building an infrastructure where every community is able to connect to fast and reliable internet.”

In addition to Governor Walker’s announcement, State Broadband Director Angie Dickison attended a Broadband Forward! event in Thorp to certify them as “broadband ready.” In March of 2016, Governor Walker signed legislation into law requiring PSC to certify communities as being “broadband ready” through Wisconsin’s Broadband Forward! Community Certification Program, which coordinates and streamlines administrative procedures, thus eliminating obstacles to broadband investment.

Since Governor Walker signed this legislation into law, four communities, including the town of Clam Falls, Iowa County, village of Kronenwetter, and city of Thorp, are now certified as “broadband ready” by the Broadband Forward! Community Certification Program.
 

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Spring Black Bear and Wild Turkey Permit Deadline Dec. 10

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Wild turkey and black bear hunters have until Dec. 10 to submit an application for 2017 hunting season permits.

Black Bear

Bear hunters are reminded that harvest permits (Class A licenses) are issued via drawing, and hunters must apply for several years in some management zones before they receive a permit.
Harvest numbers from the 2016 black bear season are not yet finalized, but preliminary estimates show that hunters harvested more than 4,600 bears. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and the Bear Advisory Committee are currently in the process of determining 2017 harvest quotas.
Bear hunters are reminded that they can apply for a permit or purchase a preference point for future years. In order for bear permit applicants to retain their accumulated preference points, they must apply at least once during any period of three consecutive years or all previously accumulated preference points will be lost.
If a bear management zone is selected at the time of purchase and the hunter is selected in the February drawing, their preference points will be reset to zero, even if they do not purchase the harvest permit. It is the applicant's responsibility to be aware of drawing status - applicants selected in the drawing will be notified by mail shortly after the drawing, and may purchase their 2017 Class A bear license beginning in March 2017. Applicants may also check their status through Go Wild or by contacting a DNR Customer Service Representative.

The season structure for the 2017 bear hunt is as follows.

Zone C (dogs not permitted):
• Sept. 6 to Oct. 10 - with aid of bait and all other legal methods not using dogs.

All other zones (use of dogs permitted):
• Sept. 6-12 - with the aid of dogs only
• Sept. 13 to Oct. 3 - aid of bait, aid of dogs, and all legal methods; and
• Oct. 4-10 - aid of bait and all legal methods not using dogs.
For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "bear."

Spring 2017 Turkey Season

The 2017 spring turkey season will begin April 15 with the annual Spring Youth Turkey Hunt. The regular turkey season will begin the following Wednesday, April 19, and will consist of six seven-day time periods, with the final period closing May 30. New this year, the spring turkey season is opening on the third Wednesday in April.
A permit drawing will take place in late December. Successful permit applicants will receive a postcard by late January 2017. Applicants may also check their drawing status online through Go Wild beginning in late January.
Permit winners may purchase their required 2017 Spring Turkey License ($15 for Wisconsin residents and $60 for non-residents) and 2017 Wild Turkey Stamp ($5.25) in early March. Leftover permits following the initial drawing for 2017 spring turkey season will be available for purchase in late March.
Turkey hunters are reminded that Wisconsin's state park turkey management zones were eliminated Sept. 1, 2014. However, state parks remain open for hunting. For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "hunting state parks."

Hunters have two options for registering their turkey:
• online at gamereg.wi.gov (fastest and easiest option); or
• by phone at 1-844-GAME-REG (1-844-426-3734).

All turkeys must be registered by 5 p.m. on the day following harvest. GameReg will generate a 10-character confirmation number, which must be written on the paper tag that accompanies the harvested turkey. Hunters are reminded to carry a pen or pencil to write the confirmation number on the tag, at which point the animal is considered to be legally registered. Hunters must retain the tag with the confirmation number as proof of registration until the meat has been consumed. More information on electronic registration is available at dnr.wi.gov, keyword "GameReg."

Youth Turkey Hunt

The ninth annual Spring Turkey Youth Hunt will be held April 15-16, the weekend prior to the opening of the regular spring turkey season.
In conjunction with the Mentored Hunting Program, the Spring Turkey Youth Hunt will be open to resident and non-resident youth hunters ages 10-15. A Hunter Education Certificate of Accomplishment is not required for Spring Turkey Youth Hunt participants. Special rules and regulations apply to those who choose to participate in the Mentored Hunting Program, and interested hunters should carefully review these rules prior to entering the field.
A spring turkey license, stamp, and valid permit/carcass tag is required to participate in the youth hunt. All other existing turkey hunting rules and regulations apply.
Youth hunters who do not harvest a turkey during the youth hunt may use an unfilled permit during the zone and time period for which the tag was issued. Interested youth hunt participants should apply for a spring turkey permit before the Dec. 10 deadline.

Applications for turkey hunts for hunters with disabilities are due Dec. 10

Hunters with disabilities who wish to turkey hunt next spring on private land are reminded of an additional opportunity to hunt using a separate application and authorization form.
Applications to conduct a Spring Wild Turkey Hunt for People with Disabilities on private land must be submitted using DNR Forms 2300-271 and 2300-271A. Forms must be submitted before Dec. 10 to a local DNR wildlife biologist or department office for the county where the hunt will take place. Please note that any applicant who applies for a disabled turkey hunt on private lands using the above forms may not apply for a permit through the regular spring turkey drawing.
Hunting and fishing licenses and applications for permit drawings can be purchased through Go Wild, at all authorized license agents, at DNR Service Centers (hours for service centers vary - check the DNR website for service center days and hours of operation), or by calling toll-free 1-877-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).

First-time license buyer discount

Certain resident hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses are available for as little as $5 for those who have never purchased that same type of license or have not purchased a Wisconsin license authorizing that activity in any of the prior ten years. Select non-resident licenses are also discounted for first-time buyers.
For more information regarding bear and turkey hunting in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "bear" or "turkey."