The Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Association held its February meeting at City Limits.
State Rep. Paul Tittl reported a sandhill crane bill has passed the Assembly. He encouraged everyone to contact their state senator to support final passage. The bill would establish a state-regulated sandhill crane hunting season, aiming to manage growing populations and mitigate agricultural crop damage. The legislation, which now moves to the Senate, includes provisions for a permitting system, specialized hunting zones and potential farmer reimbursements for crop protection.
In other news, wake boats also remain an ongoing issue. Current rules require only a 100-foot distance from shore, with no minimum depth requirement.
Here are more highlights from the meeting:
Conservation and community updates were shared
Miriam Duero of the Glacial Lakes Conservancy said the organization manages three Manitowoc County properties. All are open to hunting by permission only.
Adam Rohrer of the newly formed Two Rivers High School trap team shared that practices will be held at the Manitowoc Rifle & Pistol Club. The association approved a $500 donation to help the team get started.
Members also voted to renew the group’s Sportsman’s Alliance membership for another year.
Memorial Park bricks and upcoming events were discussed
Memorial Park brick application forms are available at mantyfg.com. Bricks honoring a loved one or fellow member are a lasting way to recognize conservation efforts.
Collins Marsh will host a phragmites education session from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 11. The program is open to the public.
Friends of the Branch River Watershed will hold a kids’ birdhouse painting event March 14 at Branch Station. The association approved a $500 donation to help cover costs.
Local lake and club news was also detailed
A new sign will be installed at Long Lake to explain panfish regulations after reports of anglers exceeding species limits.
To close the meeting, Mike Kouba of the Shoto Conservation Club presented a $500 check to support additional lumber purchases for the wood duck and bluebird house project.
Big Game Extravaganza set in Maribel March 14
Maribel Sportsman’s Club will host its third annual Big Game Extravaganza from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14.
Participants may display any North American big game mount at no cost. Exhibitors receive a free entry into a gun drawing, with the drawing held at 4 p.m. There is no admission fee.
Official scorers from Boone and Crockett, Pope and Young, and the Wisconsin Record Book will be on site from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Scoring costs $10 per mount.
Food and refreshments will be available. Questions can be directed to Carl Bonde at 920-973-4151 or bondecarl@gmail.com, or Charlie Philipps at 920-755-4692 or chasphilipps@gmail.com. The club is near Interstate 43, exit 164, on State 147 in Maribel.
Ice safety warning
Local ice anglers should use caution on Weyers Lake and Carstens Lake. Aerators are running to prevent fish kills caused by low oxygen levels.
Open water has been reported near the aerators, and thin shell ice can form overnight. Anglers are urged to know aerator locations or consider staying off the ice for the remainder of the season.
Wisconsin 2026 elk hunt applications due by May 31
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has opened applications for the 2026 elk hunt. The deadline is Sunday, May 31.
Hunters will see expanded opportunities, including increased license availability and a longer season. The Central Elk Management Zone will offer six bull and six antlerless elk licenses, up from 2025. The Northern Elk Management Zone quota is eight bull elk, subject to a 50% declaration by Ojibwe tribes.
Applicants may apply for one bull and/or one antlerless license. Bull licenses are drawn first, followed by antlerless licenses. Only one resident elk hunting license may be issued or transferred per person in a lifetime.
The 2026 season will run continuously from Saturday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 13, eliminating the split-season format used from 2018 to 2025.
Applications may be submitted through the Go Wild license portal or at a license sales agent. The application fee is $10 per authorization type. Selected applicants will be notified in early June.
Reedsville club’s Friday fish fry continues through March 27
Reedsville Sportsman Club is serving its Friday night fish fry through March 27.
Service runs from 4 to 8 p.m., with dine-in and carryout available. Call 920-754-4884 for details.
That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.
Outdoors columnist Bob Schuh’s “Scoping the Great Outdoors” column appears each Sunday in the Herald Times Reporter. He can be reached at 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc conservation groups plan events and issue safety alerts
Reporting by Bob Schuh, Special to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
