A proposed administrative rule change in Wisconsin would allow habitat-based deer management units in the Northern Forest Zone, rather than following county boundaries.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host a virtual public hearing at 5 p.m. Wednesday to hear comments on proposed changes in the state’s deer management unit boundaries.

A decade ago, Wisconsin deer management units that were bounded by major roads and rivers were adjusted to align with county boundaries. The DNR’s proposed administrative rule change would include a return to habitat-based deer management units in the Northern Forest Zone.

Also, the DNR may consider options to adjust the geographical areas represented by deer advisory councils in the Northern Forest Zone to better align with adjusted unit boundaries.

A proposed DMU map may soon be presented to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. If approved, the changes would go into effect for the 2025 hunting season.

More information and a preliminary map can be found at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/deermanagement.

To access a link to the hearing, go to https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/101966.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Wisconsin DNR will host an informational meeting on walleye management in Florence and Forest counties, hosted by fisheries biologist Greg Matzke. The program will be at the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center, 5628 Forestry Drive in Florence, Wis.

It kicks off a series of meetings in the region to educate anglers on various fisheries management and habitat topics. A list of events can be found at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/102111.

The Zoom link for the Jan. 14 Florence session is

https://link.edgepilot.com/s/f560e708/2KN0opHY5kiEXmLvHLGTYA?u=https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/-Xl9OsP3RzeqbIYEuTkbiQ.

Eight Wisconsin hunters who participated in the 2024 elk hunt that concluded Dec. 20 were randomly selected from a pool of more than 25,500 applicants.

In the Central Elk Zone, all four hunters successfully harvested a bull elk and two hunters in the Northern Elk Zone successfully harvested a bull elk.

Ojibwe Tribal hunters met their four-bull harvest declaration. Of interest, a 10-year-old mentored hunter was able to harvest a mature northern Wisconsin bull elk, the DNR said.

The 2025 elk hunt application period for Wisconsin residents is expected to open in early spring and run through May 31.

Michigan’s 2025 lake sturgeon fishing season on Black Lake in Cheboygan County will begin Saturday, Feb. 1. The harvest limit for the season is six lake sturgeon.

Anyone who wants to participate must register online by Jan. 31. Get more registration and season information at Michigan.gov/Sturgeon.

This year’s first episode of the Michigan Wildtalk Podcast can be found at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1808556. Olivia Triltsch of Michigan United Conservation Clubs discusses habitat improvement projects. There is also a discussion on the coyote.

For trail enthusiasts, the wait for snow continues. Tri-County Snowmobile Club will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Waucedah Township Hall in Loretto.

Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club has set a date for the 2025 Tip-up Town of the U.P. — Saturday, Feb. 1. The club has a gun and knife show slated for Feb. 7-8.