Family-Outdoors

(Photo credit: Wikipedia) As the remaining signs of winter melt away and black bears begin to emerge from their dens, homeowners statewide are encouraged to take precautions to reduce the potential for problems with these hungry bruins. Natural food sources are limited at this time of year, and bears are often attracted to bird feeders, garbage cans, grills, or other common attractants found in yards, says Brad Koele, Department of Natural Resources wildlife damage specialist. "Taking steps to remove any food attractants will greatly reduce the likelihood of having problems with bears,” said Koele. “Black bears normally avoid contact with people. However, when food sources are available, bears can quickly learn to associate humans with food and can become a nuisance." Highly habituated bears can be dangerous and may need to be euthanized. “Preventing the problem in the first place is the best solution for both humans and bears,” said Koele. It is illegal to in...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia) The Department of Natural Resources' Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program will present an Introduction to Archery class in Lansing on Tuesday, July 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. Hosted by Compounds & Crossbows Family Archery Center, this workshop will cover safety, dominant eye, proper shooting form/technique, various archery equipment, maintenance and selection. Participants will also get hands-on practice shooting a bow with instructor assistance. No skill level is required. All equipment will be provided, or attendees may bring their own equipment. Light refreshments will be available. Girls 10 and older are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Cost for both adults and youngsters is $25 per person, and pre-registration is required. Compounds & Crossbows Family Archery Center ( www.compoundsandcrossbows.com ) is located at 644 Migaldi Lane in Lansing. For registration forms and m...

Image via Wikipedia MADISON – One hundred ten thousand people can't be wrong. That's how many more Wisconsinites are ice fishing these days than a decade ago, according to results from a recently released national recreation survey. "Clearly more people are getting interested in ice fishing in Wisconsin, which is great," says Mike Staggs, Wisconsin's fisheries director. "It's a low cost way to try fishing or to extend your season if you're a veteran open water angler. It's as easy as drilling a hole -- or finding a hole someone else left behind -- and using some basic equipment to catch some fish for dinner." An estimated 590,700 Wisconsinites 16 and over report they ice fish, up from 479,900 in 2000, according to the most recent National Survey on Recreation and the Environment. Department of Natural Resources staff are using results from the federally funded survey and other studies to develop its 2011-2016 Statewide Comprehen...

Image via Wikipedia Safe Kids Kansas offers families important outdoor safety tips TOPEKA — Sleeping bag? Check. Hiking boots? Check. Safety guidelines? While the preparations for a family camping, boating, or hiking trip usually include a review of the necessary gear, parents should also review safety guidelines with their children, paying special attention to potential hazards specific to outdoor recreation. Campfires, portable stoves, heaters, and fuel-burning lanterns all produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can poison a child very quickly. About 30 campers each year die of CO poisoning in the U.S. Never use any of these devices in an enclosed area, even a tent. In addition, make sure these devices — as well as campfires — are clear of flammable material, from paper napkins to dry grass. Safe Kids Kansas recommends these safety guidelines around campfires and portable heating devices: keep matches and lighters out of the reach of childre...

Instructor offers lessons learned from 40,000 students HORICON - Mark Baldock was 3 years old when he started fishing. His parents put a rod in his hand when they went to a cabin on a lake for vacation. "I caught a yellow perch, and I was hooked!" Baldock recalls. Now he gets other people hooked on fishing. Baldock has taught nearly 40,000 kids about fish and fishing during his eight years working for Wisconsin's fisheries management program. As the Department of Natural Resources urban fishing coordinator in 2005 and 2006, Baldock worked with school and scout groups, conducted kids fishing clinics and events, and ran DNR's fishing activities at the Wisconsin State Fair and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Sportshow. Now a fisheries technician-advanced at DNR's Horicon office, Baldock still takes several school groups fishing each year, helps out with fishing events at the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center near Poynette, and serves as fishing camp director fo...

Image via Wikipedia Here’s a special opportunity… There’s still time to get in on the 2 nd Annual Discover Nature: Families Confluence Campout at Columbia Bottom next Saturday and Sunday, September 18-19!  This overnight event is going to be a blast for the whole family, and there are still openings available.  A chance to camp out by the confluence of North America’s two greatest rivers . . . learn to cook great campfire meals, explore the Columbia Bottom slough by canoe, sunset and sunrise hikes, geocaching with GPS, bike ride . . . all in one weekend!  Participants are asked to bring their own camping gear, but Columbia Bottom can offer tents to loan those who do not have their own.  The event is perfect for beginning campers, since knowledgeable staff will be on hand to help get everything up and going. Check in begins Saturday at 3 p.m. and all activities will wrap up by 1 p.m. Sunday.  The Discover Nature: Families Confluence Campout is free.  Adva...