The sugar maple tree was officially named Wisconsin’s state tree 70 years ago, even though the idea was discussed as early as 1893.

It has been about 20 years since white-tailed deer have had to cope with a winter like 2018-19 in southern Wisconsin. Mild December and January weather turned nasty in February and March.

A band of four coyotes came down a pasture ravine; two were run off leaving a pair to themselves.

The outdoors, to many people, is a pick-me-up for many things monotonous, including the weather and persistent winter conditions.

ROCK FALLS — There have been no documented cases of chronic wasting disease making the cross-species jump from deer to humans, but the possibility that it someday could has hunters concerned.

RICE LAKE — Evidence of northern Wisconsin’s proud lumbering heritage can be found throughout the region. Look no further than the street signs in the city of Rice Lake, many which bear the familiar surnames of prominent lumber barons such as Knapp, Stout, Tainter and Wilson.

In an era when fast-moving, sophisticated cutting equipment dominates the logging industry, Randy Blakeman of Marengo and his crew are content to tackle timber sales with the old-school dependability of gas-powered chain saws. For Blakeman, a successful tree harvest is as much about time wel…

If there ever was a slow time for outdoors enthusiasts, it might be now. So with the long winter, and lots of snow, don’t be that summer-away-from-school child and say, “I have nothing to do outside.”

People may soon have a new weapon in the battle against mosquitoes, and it comes from an unusual source: bacteria.

Being outdoors in Wisconsin’s winter elements is not for the weak, many would suggest. So why engage in it? Why freeze and become soiled and bruised?

Wisconsin’s ruffed grouse face several serious hurdles in maintaining stable populations, even in central and northern Wisconsin where generally stable but cycling populations are present.

As common as bald eagles have become, people never seem to tire of viewing, photographing and admiring them.

TOWN OF RIDGEWAY — The 10th Annual Hyde Area Squirrel Hunting Tournament brought back memories of bygone days when dozens of cars and trucks once crowded in-person deer registration stations.

Wisconsin’s bald eagle population continues to reach new heights as 2018 nest surveys revealed a record number of nests statewide and Walworth County confirmed its first documented nest in at least a half century, according to results released in the 2018 Wisconsin Bald Eagle Nest Survey.

BLACK EARTH CREEK, DANE COUNTY — Wisconsin’s early catch-and-release trout season was uncharacteristically sunny and warm, air temperature reaching 50 degrees by noon. The weather, as much as catching fish, grabbed the attention of most anglers.

To hear Marieke “Rieke” Kuchenbecker talk of home in Berlin, Germany, might give most outdoors men, women and children shivers, or worse.

Trout anglers remember last summer, when nature threw a wave at them with record high water. Last summer trout fishing and catching had just begun to “get good” and then the high waters hit. Many put their flyrod away for the year.

SPRING GREEN — Most ice anglers do not give much thought to scouting winter fishing holes, but Buddy Hynek of Lone Rock, via La Crosse, planned ahead when he relocated.

Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer can serve more than a recreational outlet for nearly 600,000 hunters, including some from 33 foreign countries.

BARNEVELD — The 2019 gun deer season opens Nov. 23, six days later than the 2018 season opened.

The five-year Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer and Predator study is entering its third winter of capturing and collaring adult deer, bobcats and coyotes.

BARNEVELD — Kim Meier, 62, ended his career in the Army while in Alaska and then went to work at the U.S. Postal Service in Wasilla, Alaska. One might imagine all the hunting opportunities in the 49th state would satisfy his quest for wild meat.

Wisconsin’s 2018 gun-deer season opened Nov. 17 with a hush of snowfall in some areas of southwest Wisconsin. An inch or more sky down fell quieting and covering deer habitat with a white blanket providing added safety, good sighting for participants, and when necessary, a surface to imprint…

BARNEVELD — Mike Zintz, a 72-year-old man from Madison, hunts deer almost exclusively with archery equipment, including a climber tree stand.

CHIPPEWA FALLS — After several years of tracking a prized deer, Joshua Gawrysiak shot the “buck of a lifetime” Nov. 10 in the northeast corner of Chippewa Falls.

With nearly 600,000 gun deer hunters handling slugged shotguns, muzzleloaders, rifles, and various types of archery equipment, it behooves us to review the four rules of firearm safety before donning hunter orange caps and coats.