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Opening Weekend Deer Harvest: State Down, Northwoods Up Published on 11/24/2021 under News

While opening weekend harvest numbers were down statewide, deer registration numbers were up here in the Northwoods.

Overall, the DNR says that hunters shot nearly 86,000 deer opening weekend, about 14,000 fewer than last year. Northwoods hunters saw a bit more luck. As a whole, the 19 county Northern Forest region had a 9% increase overall.

That trend is the exact opposite of last year when numbers were up statewide but down locally.

Here in Lincoln County there were 734 deer registered the first two days of the 9-day season. The preliminary total is actually the exact same as last year. There was, however, a 17% increase in the buck harvest specifically, offset by a drop in the number of antlerless deer registered.

Elsewhere in the Northwoods, Oneida County's overall opening week registration went from 757 deer last year to 798 this year. Vilas County's registration jumped from 456 to 572 thanks to the availability of antlerless tags.

As is typically the case, the central farmlands led the way, with Marathon, Waupaca and Shawano Counties topping the registration totals. Each of these counties reported more than 2,500 deer harvested.

The number of licenses sold this year was down slightly from last year, when sales of most outdoor recreation passes spiked during the pandemic.

The DNR reported 3 firearm accidents opening weekend, none were fatal. Two occurred in Door County, the third in Waukesha County.

County	2021 Harvest Opening Weekend	2020 Harvest Opening Weekend	Percentage Difference	2021 Buck Total
Lincoln County	734	734	0%	549
Oneida County	798	757	5.4%	549
Vilas County	572	456	25.4%	406
Langlade County	813	855	-4.9%	610
Forest County	434	335	29.6%	374
Price County	934	806	15.9%	575
Taylor County	1,384	1,375	0.7%	769

In Other News

Community Groups Raise Funds in STAR Splash

Published on 01/05/2026 under News A quick dip in the icy waters of Lake Mohawksin Saturday was well worth it for dozens of people who raised tens of thousands of dollars to support local organizations. This weekend marked the return of the annual Tomahawk STAR Foundation STAR Splash. On Saturday afternoon, organizers cut a hole into the ice on Lake Mohawksin outside of Castaways hosting the event. Local individuals and groups collected pledges in exchange for a jumping into those icy waters. Half of the pledges are committed to a local non-profit of the jumper's choosing, while the other half goes to the STAR Foundation, which eventually returns it back into the community as well, through grants. Continuing a good week for snowmobilers after local trails opening, it was Nancy Swan, on behalf of the Knight Owls snowmobile club who was the top fundraiser to claim the bonus. Her solo leap raised more than $7,000. The Tomahawk High School Hockey team was among the other groups taking a dip. Prior to this year, they had been the top fundraiser for three consecutive years, raising more than $30,000 over the past four years. And after dealing with temperatures in the single digits last year, it was a bit warmer Saturday, relatively speaking. And while the Splashers were only in the water for less than a minute, their moment of bravery will have a lasting impact on their respective organizations. We'll share additional results as numbers are finalized.

Published on 01/05/2026 under News The Tomahawk Community has many great, locally-owned businesses. And the Tomahawk Chamber is looking to identify the best of the best. This past week, the Tomahawk Chamber put out a call for nominations for the 'Small Business of the Year' Award. According to the announcement, their goal is to celebrate locally-owned businesses that demonstrate excellence, growth, and a commitment to our community. They said, "Whether it's your favorite shop, restaurant, service provider, or a business that quietly makes a big impact—let's shine a spotlight on the businesses that make our community thrive." They'll accept nominations through the end of the week. The winner will be recognized at the annual Chamber Appreciation dinner coming up at the end of January. More information is available on the Chamber Facebook page including a link to the nomination form.

Published on 01/05/2026 under News It won't be long before peregrine falcons return to their nests around the state for breeding season. That includes the Wisconsin Public Service and We Energies Power Plants, which have played a key role in the bird's recovery over the years. Before the new arrivals, the utilities took a look back, publishing their 2025 nesting report prepared by peregrine falcon manager Greg Septon. Since the program began in 1992, there have been 443 peregrine falcon chicks hatched at the WPS and We Energy facilities in Wisconsin. This past year there were four active nesting sites which hatched a dozen new chicks. Their names were all inspired by past peregrine falcons. The northern-most, the Weston Power Plant near Wausau produced three chicks, along with an unhatched egg. This nest has been active since 2006 with 48 young birds, a little more than two per year. The chicks are banded before leaving the nest, though sightings in the wild are rare. Septon wrote that most peregrines end up nesting within 200 miles of where they were hatched. But the power plant peregrines have spread their wings, with band birds identified nesting in Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana. Among the challenges Septon highlighted was the highly pathogenic avian influenza which is the likely cause of death for both of the nesting pair in Port Washington. For those eager to watch the falcons on the nesting webcams, the eggs are typically laid in mid-March. That entire report is available on the WPS and WE Energies Websites.

Published on 01/05/2026 under News Food insecurity has been on the rise. In Rhinelander, two high school student organizations teamed up to give back to their local food pantry. On Friday afternoon, members of the Rhinelander High School Key Club and National Honor Society paid a visit to the Rhineland Food Pantry where they were able to present a check for $3,000, along with more than 600 pounds of non-perishable food donations. This continues an effort last month where the students generated enough food donations to support 29 families over the Holiday break. Lexi Radtke, RHS Key Club Advisor, added, "I am incredibly proud of our students for their initiative and follow-through. They identified a need in our community and took meaningful action to make a real difference for families. Their compassion, leadership, and commitment to service are truly inspiring." While the two clubs led the way by organizing various fundraisers and collection efforts, it was a district-wide effort. The contributions from RHS students will directly support Food Pantry's Hodag Monster Meals Program which helps ensure families have access to nutritious food.

Published on 01/05/2026 under News As holiday decorations come down for the season, officials are encouraging proper disposal to prevent the spread of invasive species. According to the DNR, holiday wreaths, boughs and other arrangements may be home to invasive insects and even plants awaiting an opportunity to find a new home in your yard or neighborhood. They said, "Invasive plants and insects don't mind playing the long game. After all, they're just trying to survive and thrive, like the rest of us." As for how to get rid of these arrangements safely, they recommend bagging them up and putting them in the trash. If regulations and conditions allow, an alternative is to safely burn them. They said, "In this way, a little extra effort can prevent the spread of invasive insects, seeds and spores that can harm your trees and plants and potentially spread to cause problems elsewhere."

Published on 01/05/2026 under News A former Merrill School employee charged with using school funds for personal use reached a plea agreement. According to court records, Dale Bergman was back in Lincoln County Court on Friday for that hearing. Initially facing a single count of misconduct in office, he pleaded no contest to an amended charge of disorderly conduct. Bergman is the former director of buildings and grounds for the Merrill School District. Investigators say he used school funds to purchase an air conditioner for his home. The approximately $1,500 purchase was made in June of 2022. It is also alleged that Bergman occasionally utilized other district-owned equipment such as the plow truck for personal use. Bergman resigned on Feb. 5, 2024. Following the plea agreement, the case moved directly into sentencing. Records show Bergman has already paid restitution. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine, as well as court costs.

Published on 01/02/2026 under News In a little more than 24 hours, some brave individuals here in Tomahawk will be taking a quick dip into the icy waters of Lake Mohawskin, and it's all for a good cause. The countdown is on for the 2025 edition of the Tomahawk STAR Splash. The STAR Splash supports the Tomahawk STAR Foundation, and Jackie Leonard stopped by the WJJQ studios early this week to talk about the organization and tomorrow's event. The STAR Foundation is a locally-run non-profit that supports Tomahawk area programs, projects and organizations. Leonard offered a few examples of the many major projects they've supported including the Dream Park, the Hatchet football field, the River Walk Trail, and the Kinship House. But they also help with smaller donations for non-profits and their operational needs. The STAR Splash is one of their two major fundraisers, along with Best Burger in Paradise. Participants have been busy collecting pledges to jump. The funds collected tomorrow will be split between the STAR Foundation and the non-profit of the jumper's choosing. Over they raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, with the Tomahawk hockey team the top fundraiser for several consecutive years. Leonard says they've got some returning participants along with some new teams. Conditions have varied over the years from sub-zero temps to mild days with no ice on the lake. It is, of course, winter, but Leonard, a cold water plunge regular, notes that sun shine always makes a big difference. Participants will get a blanket to warm up and they've got bonfires and host Castaways nearby. For those that would like to support the cause but prefer to stay dry, they'll have other entertainment and activities on land including raffles and drawings. Castaways, formerly Happy Snapper, has been hosting the event for nearly two decades and will do so once again. Activities get underway at noon; the jumping at 2pm.

Published on 01/02/2026 under News While snow earlier this week was a welcome sight for snowmobilers eager to start the riding season, it's added plenty of extra work for the snowmobile clubs. The winter storm Sunday and Monday blanketed more than a half foot of wet, heavy snow across the Northwoods. That left plenty of hazards and debris on the snowmobile trail system including some downed trees as well as low hanging branches. The Northwoods Passage club put out a call for volunteers to help clear trails Friday and Saturday. The said, "The sooner we get the trails cleaned up the quicker we can get the groomers on them and bring them up to great condition." With approximately 275 miles of trails to get through, they added, "Many hands make light work." It also serves as an important reminder of the work that goes into the club-maintained trail system that Wisconsin uses, and for riders to get involved in their local snowmobile club. For those looking to help with the Northwoods Passage, they've got information on their Facebook Page.

Published on 01/02/2026 under News Yesterday we talked about setting New Year's resolutions and sticking to them. And experts say it can be a good idea to get kids get involved in New Year's resolutions as well. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that these goals can build healthy habits, confidence, and resilience for children. Dr Heather Winesett, a pediatrician at Aspirus echoed those thoughts adding, "It's a great time to reflect on where they've been and where they'd like to go." Winesett recommends setting one or two small, realistic goals with youth. A few suggestions she offered include reading goals, keeping up on chores, limiting screen time or weekly family time. Winesett noted it should be light and fun because it's all about progress, not perfection. She says by keeping goals small, realistic, and fun, families can turn the New Year into a chance to grow together.

Published on 01/02/2026 under News With plenty of snow across Wisconsin, the state's tourism department has launched their snow report for the season. The snow report offers updated snow conditions and other relevant information for winter sports of all types including snowmobiling. To gather the information, they use an impressive roster of more than 100 local snow reporters across all 72 counties. This includes Chambers and Visitor's Bureaus, snowmobile clubs, and state and county park staffers. In addition to trail conditions and snow cover, the report also provides ideas and resources for winter activities and nearby accommodations. As the report grows in popularity the Travel Wisconsin also continues to expand the information available. They now include sorting filters for silent sports activities like snowshoeing, fat-tire bikes, and cross country and downhill skiing. You can find the snow report on the Travel Wisconsin website, we'll include a link.

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