Tick-borne illnesses are exploding in Wisconsin and across the nation, and scientists don’t have good answers for how to slow their spread, treat their symptoms or even diagnose them reliably.

With camera in hand, I set out to explore familiar locations, places I visit regularly in search of wildlife. I was a little later than normal. It had been one of those “five more minutes of sleep” mornings when the bed was comfortable and the cat was snuggled next to me, lying on my arm … y…

We’ve all heard about Murphy’s Law — anything that can go wrong will go wrong. And, in our day-to-day living, we have all probably found that, to some degree, this is true.

ROCK FALLS — Testing for chronic wasting disease would be mandatory during the nine-day 2019 gun-deer season in six townships surrounding the sites where three deer returned CWD-positive tests in 2018 if the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources implements the recommendations of the Chip…

SPOONER — Summer days are days created by God for kids to enjoy. No homework, no tests, no getting up and rushing to catch the bus each morning. Kids can enjoy freedom. And that is what being a kid is really all about, isn’t it? Freedom to just, well, be a kid!

A panel of researchers has raised concerns about the science behind the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's latest push to remove gray wolves in the lower 48 states from the endangered species list.

RINGLE — Gail Piotrowski discovered the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in the 1970s.

BARNEVELD — Fred Casper of Westby was presented the 2018 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Ethical Hunter Award by WDNR Chief Warden Todd Schaller and Customer Sales Specialist Ryan Muckenhirn of Vortex Optics in Barneveld.

Spring and early summer are two of the better times to add color to yards and gardens by attracting migrant and resident birds.

Mississippi River waterfowl watchers can view their favorite birds from the comfort of their homes courtesy of a new flyway cam. The video recording system set up in Pool 7 is now active and capturing wildlife activities as well as migrations.

Adam Armenta of Verona told his son Riley, 11, he’d likely spend the rest of his life trying to top the large turkey he shot during a Learn-to-Hunt session before the regular season opened in mid-April.

Preston Cole, Department of Natural Resources secretary nominee, leans scientifically in approaching chronic wasting disease, possible water contamination problems, and communications with the public.

ASHLAND — Laine Stowell made a near-fatal error. He separated an elk cow from her calf — and this four-legged mom wasn’t standing for it.

An incomprehensible part of gathering morel mushrooms is finding the season’s first fungus fruiting body. After that, everything seems beautiful.

With an increasingly urban population in the state of Wisconsin, it can be a challenge to get city residents the access to the wild spaces they desire.

The Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner will celebrate Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 25.

A recommendation to prohibit shooting bucks this year in Buffalo County has many hunters and residents up in arms.

Wisconsin’s turkey seasons don’t challenge the variety of deer hunts, but there is no shortage of opportunities, either.

Between rain showers on the opening morning of the 2019 spring turkey hunt, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Dale Hochhausen sat in his truck on the side of the road while a tom turkey strutted behind him.

Now and for the next six weeks, turkeys are in the spotlight, sashaying about for hens, hunters and anyone who can tolerate a 20-plus pound gobbler displaying in an ostentatious manner to attract attention.

EAU CLAIRE — County Deer Advisory councils announced their initial proposals for 2019 antlerless deer quotas across the state at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ annual Spring Fish and Wildlife Public Hearings held April 8 in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.

Three years ago when the Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer, and Predator Project began, those connected and interested were eager for results, even anecdotal leanings.

TOWN OF BRIGHAM — Trout fishing has a way of drawing many who place a premium on their time. They take time to relax, fish, join friends, and take their eyes away from the water long enough to see wildlife, examine vegetation, and take pictures of the landscape.

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.