Canadian Woman Killed in Rare Bison Attack at Custer State Park 🦬

We are back in the saddle again and trust each and every one of you had a very meaningful Memorial Day.

And in the event that the long weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another (short) week.

So, without further ado, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

FIRST FATAL ATTACK IN TWO DECADES
CANADIAN WOMAN KILLED IN RARE BISON ATTACK AT CUSTER STATE PARK

A 70-year-old woman from Canada was fatally injured by a bull bison while hiking with her husband on a popular trail in Custer State Park, marking the first bison-related death in the park in more than two decades.

The incident occurred last Monday while the couple was traversing the Grace Coolidge Trail, when they spotted a group of about five bull bison roughly 1,500 feet ahead of them. According to reports, they stopped multiple times in an attempt to maintain distance, waiting as the animals moved along…

🏷️ Wisconsin DNR to Issue Record Elk Tags in 2026 as Herds Reach New Highs. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it will issue a record 20 elk harvest tags for the 2026-27 hunting season, marking an increase from the 17 tags issued the previous year. This comes as the state's elk population reached another record high of 573 animals in 2025. The tags will be divided between the two main herds: 8 bull tags for the northern herd and 12 tags for the central herd (6 bulls and 6 antlerless/cows). The higher allocation for the central herd is intended to manage its faster growth and reduce conflicts with agriculture.

New regulations for 2026 also include smaller hunting units within each zone for more precise management and a continuous season for state-licensed hunters from October 17 to December 13. The DNR reintroduced elk to Wisconsin starting in 1995, and the population has grown steadily through restoration efforts. Applications for tags are open until May 31, with selected hunters required to complete an elk hunter education course.

🎣 Federal Judge Blocks Florida’s Expanded Red Snapper Season Hours Before Memorial Day Weekend Start. A federal judge in D.C. issued a preliminary injunction last week, just one day before the scheduled start, blocking Florida’s expanded 2026 Atlantic red snapper recreational fishing season. The ruling halted Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) approved by NOAA Fisheries for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These permits would have allowed a 39-day recreational season in federal waters, giving states more management flexibility after years of very limited seasons. The lawsuit, filed by the Southeastern Fisheries Association (representing commercial interests), argued the EFPs risked overfishing and bypassed proper review processes.

In response, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission immediately rescinded Executive Order 26-11, which had implemented the EFP rules. This keeps recreational red snapper harvest closed in federal waters for now. However, it allows anglers to continue fishing for red snapper in state waters (generally within 3 nautical miles of shore) under existing state regulations. When the EFP is ultimately restored, FWC plans to issue an updated order that would expand the area available for fishing. Governor Ron DeSantis and FWC have criticized the ruling and have expressed their intent to fight it.

🍄‍🟫 Toxic Wild Mushroom Poisonings Hit Record High in California, Killing 4 and Prompting Strong Warnings. California health officials are sounding the alarm after toxic wild mushroom poisonings have reached record levels across the state. As of today, authorities have reported 50 cases of mushroom poisoning, including four deaths and multiple patients requiring liver transplants. The surge is believed to be linked to recent wet weather that has caused wild mushrooms, including highly toxic varieties, to proliferate in parks, yards, open spaces, and foothill areas throughout California, including Southern California and the Inland Empire.

Officials are reminding the public that many poisonous mushrooms closely resemble edible species, and even cooking or drying them does not neutralize the toxins. They strongly advise residents against picking or consuming any wild mushrooms unless positively identified by a trained expert. Anyone experiencing symptoms after eating wild mushrooms (which can sometimes be delayed) should seek immediate medical attention or contact poison control. This marks one of the highest numbers of mushroom-related poisonings and fatalities reported in the state in recent years.

🤔 What did you eat, fella?!?! Watch as this elk is hauling around a little bit extra.

I’m going with watermelon seeds. He hate too many watermelon seeds…

That new week feeling.

📸 by @jenlritchie

Oh, and one more thing…