Public hearings for proposed permanent rules to help prevent the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) are set for August 14, 15, 16, 20 and 23 at locations across the state. The proposed rules would make permanent emergency rules now in place that affect boaters, anglers and other water users as well as the bait industry...

Shorebird migration is beginning to heat up with many adults and even a few first-year birds staging in Wisconsin on their way to points farther south. Tree swallows are beginning to stage in large groups and sandhill cranes are beginning to flock up in recently harvested farm fields...

With a lack of rain over the past few weeks over much of the state, the dry conditions have water levels on many lakes and rivers extremely low, and wild fire danger has risen across the state, which is unusual for mid summer. Fire danger levels have reached high in south central Wisconsin and are moderate across the rest of the state. Burning permits were suspended in Douglas and Bayfield counties this week. The Wisconsin River is running near historic lows in southern Wisconsin and was at less than half its historical flow for this time of year at Wisconsin Dells...

Wild turkey broods are becoming more and more visible as they forage in fields and grassy openings...

With the seasonal summer weather of the past week, boating and water recreation has been at its peak with most lakes bustling with activity. Boaters should be especially cautious around swim areas and beaches as many people are swimming during the warm weather. Although much of the state received some rain in the past week, many lakes and rivers are extremely low for this time of year. Water levels on some Northwoods lakes are...

For the third year in a row, relatively mild winter weather across the north is expected to result in high level of survival and good reproductive rates in white-tailed deer, according to state wildlife biologists. They estimate that the Wisconsin whitetail population will be between 1.6 and 1.8 million animals this fall...

Waterfowl hunters in Wisconsin would have an 85-day Canada goose season in the Exterior zone with a two goose daily bag limit, six tags in the Horicon and Collins Canada goose zones, and a 60-day duck season under a preliminary season proposal state officials will present this week at the Mississippi Flyway Council...

Practices to protect water quality while harvesting timber were correctly applied over 94 percent of the time on federal and industrial timber sales in 2006, based on the results of a monitoring effort coordinated by the Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division...

Disabled gun deer hunters who qualify for a Class A, long-term Class B or Class C disabled hunting permit and hunt sponsors have until September 1 to complete the application process for the October 6-14 disabled gun deer hunt...