DO NOT EAT: Wisconsin DNR Issues Historic Advisory For Fish and Deer 🤮

In the event that the 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 week.

So, without further adieu, 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:

NOT GOOD.
DO NOT EAT: WISCONSIN DNR ISSUES HISTORIC PFAS CONTAMINATION ADVISORY FOR FISH AND DEER

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Health Services have issued a groundbreaking "Do Not Eat" advisory for fish and specific restrictions for deer consumption in areas near Rhinelander, Wisconsin, due to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. This marks the first time the DNR has issued such a warning for fish and deer due to PFAS, highlighting the severity of the environmental and public health concerns in the region.

The recently released advisory targets all fish species sourced from the Moen Chain of Lakes, Sunset Lake, Snowden Lake, and Starks Creek, all located east of Rhinelander in the town of Stella. These water bodies have recorded some of the highest PFAS levels in Wisconsin’s environment. 

In addition to the do not consume order regarding fish species, the DNR has also released an urgent "Do Not Eat" advisory for deer liver, and a "one meal per month" advisory for deer muscle (venison), harvested within a 5-mile radius of the Town of Stella's town hall. This guidance follows extensive testing of deer samples from the 2024 hunting season…

Wildlife experts predict ‘banner year’ for Iowa’s centennial of pheasant hunting: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducts a roadside survey of pheasant each August and this year’s survey shows pheasant populations are at a 20-year high. Read the full story.

Change for Pa.'s mentored youth hunting program gets first approval, PGC purchases land: The Pennsylvania Game Commission has preliminarily approved a rule change allowing mentored hunters under age 7 to receive their own big game tags. The board also approved several land deals that will add more than 500 acres to state game lands. Read the full story.

Fewer deer killed by Connecticut hunters and drivers in 2024, report shows: A total of 9,768 deer were killed in the state last year, including 898 hit by vehicles, 4,249 taken by bowhunters, 2,750 killed by hunters with shotguns and rifles and 864 by farmers trying to protect crops. The remainder were killed by private landowners and by hunters with muzzle-loading firearms, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's 2024 Deer Program Summary.  Read the full story.

It was a short season for some backcountry bighorn hunters: Talk about a short hunting season: Two days after the backcountry bighorn sheep season opened Sept. 1 in the Gallatin-Yellowstone hunting district, the season was closed. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks sent out a notice on Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, notifying other hunters that the quota of two legal rams had been met, including the killing of one additional ram over the quota. Read the full story.

New Florida tax holiday kicks off for hunting equipment, including guns and ammo: Starting Monday and running through the end of the year, Florida will provide a sales-tax exemption on a variety of hunting equipment, the first time a state tax “holiday” includes guns and ammunition. Read the full story.

🤕 Always keep your head on a swivel! Watch as this dude is absolutely side-swiped by an errant fish while just trying to enjoy the simple beauty of being out on the lake.

Oooof!

Fresh fall air: incoming

📸 : @cheffoutfitters

Oh, and one more thing…