Former Wisconsin Conservation Warden Fined for Killing of Protected Gray Wolf 🐺

The weekend might not be here just yet, but your favorite dispatch from the great outdoors is. 

So grab your coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and let's get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past 24-or-so hours. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

NO DOLLAR AMOUNT WAS DISCLOSED
FORMER WISCONSIN CONSERVATION WARDEN FINED FOR 2023 KILLING OF PROTECTED GRAY WOLF

It was Christmas Day 2023 when Pat Quaintance, a resident of Bayfield in northern Wisconsin, shot and killed a collared gray wolf near his rural home. Quaintance, a former conservation warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, self-reported the incident to the Bayfield County Sheriff's Office around 2 a.m., stating that he had killed the wolf, which he said was at or near his back door.

The wolf was a 13-year-old female from the Echo Valley pack, part of a long-term research effort by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, sporting a tracking collar used for monitoring. At the time of the initial investigation, authorities confirmed that there was no evidence that the wolf had attacked any person or pets…

🚔 Upper Peninsula Hunter Faces Potential Charges for Illegally Killing Mother Bear with Cubs. A man located in Michigan's southern Upper Peninsula, is under investigation for illegally shooting and killing a female black bear that was accompanied by cubs. The case came to light after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources received a tip, prompting Conservation Officer Steve Sajtar to interview witnesses and the suspect at his residence. The hunter admitted to failing to register the bear within the required 72-hour period following the harvest, leading to an immediate misdemeanor citation for that violation. More seriously, Sajtar submitted a request for additional charges to the Menominee County Prosecutor’s Office, as Michigan law strictly prohibits killing bear cubs or a female bear with cubs.

If charged and convicted on the more severe counts, the hunter could face restitution of $3,500 per illegally killed bear.

👍 Pennsylvania's 2025-2026 Elk Hunt Yields 108 Harvests from 140 Licenses. Pennsylvania's highly anticipated 2025-2026 elk hunting season concluded last week after spanning multiple phases which included archery (September 13-27), general (November 3-8), and late (December 27-January 3). A total of 140 tags were awarded via a July lottery, and 108 hunters successfully punched those tags across 57 bulls and 51 cows. Success rates were strong across seasons, with standout performances in the archery bull hunt (15 of 16 tags filled) and general season. The largest bull taken weighed 867 pounds with a 7x6 rack, while the heaviest cow tipped the scales at 538 pounds. All harvested elk underwent examination by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to monitor herd health and diseases.

The controlled hunt helps manage the state's elk population, estimated at over 1,400 animals, by addressing conflicts with agriculture, motorists, and human development in the region. The season remains one of the most sought-after big-game opportunities in the East, drawing attention to Pennsylvania's thriving elk herd centered around areas like the aptly named Elk County in the northcentral portion of the state.

🐻 Louisiana's Second Modern Black Bear Hunting Season Concludes with 16 Bears on the Ground. Louisiana's reinstated black bear hunting season, the second since its revival after more than 35 years, wrapped up successfully with hunters harvesting 16 bears across three designated regions between December 6 to December 21st of last year. A total of 26 permits were issued via lottery to Louisiana residents only, resulting in 10 males and 6 females taken, including the largest bear that clocked in at 565 pounds. The harvests were distributed as follows: eight in northeastern Area 4 (where the biggest bear was killed), five in southern Area 1, and three in central Area 2. Cubs and females with cubs remained protected. Compared to the 2024 inaugural season, which saw 10 bears harvested (including one nearly 700 pounds), this year's higher yield reflects a lot of careful management based on population data and perhaps a little luck.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hailed the season as a conservation triumph, crediting efforts by the agency, landowners, and partners for the black bear's recovery—from a low of 80-120 animals in the 1950s to delisting from the Endangered Species Act in 2016. Secretary Tyler Bosworth emphasized that lottery revenues fund ongoing monitoring programs that work to ensure the species' future in the Bayou State.

Is Fatal Brain Disease in Deer, Elk and Moose Spreading in WA?: The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife says although the test was not performed by their labs, it's very likely an 8th case of a fatal brain disease has been found. WDFW says the deer, legally taken in Ferry County (north central part of the state) tested positive for chronic  wasting disease. Read the full story.

Maryland Deer Firearms Season Resumes January 9, 2026: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will open the winter firearm deer hunting season on Jan. 9, 2026 in Deer Management Region B, which includes all of the state except the westernmost counties. Read the full story.

Three hunters cited for after-hours duck hunting, over-limit take in Worth County: According to the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division, the incident happened on the evening of January 2 in Worth County. Sgt. Greg Wade, along with K-9 Cuff and Game Warden Tyler McKay, apprehended three individuals who were actively hunting ducks after hours. Read the full story.

Alaska Board of Game to consider upping nonresident bag limit for Sitka-area deer: A proposal to increase the nonresident bag limit in the Sitka area from two bucks to four deer each year will be considered at an upcoming Alaska Board of Game meeting in Wrangell later this month.  Read the full story.

Missouri begins new nonresident hunting permit: Non-resident hunters visiting Missouri who want to pursue waterfowl, doves, snipe, woodcock and rails will be required to purchase a new Non-Resident Migratory Bird Permit for $60 beginning Jan. 1.  Read the full story.

🦅 Whose carcass is it? Yesterday we shared some footage of some coyotes getting frisky over a bison carcass. In today’s edition, we’ve got blad eagle vs. coyote instead.

No word on who won but I’d say that eagle held his ground…

The pull of the weekend.

📸 by: @lostcreek_ranch

Oh, and one more thing…