Mornin' to everyone looking for a cool Wiscampsin stocking stuffer. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

This week’s weekly:

• Anti-FIB bill proposed by lawmakers ⛺️

• Low bear harvest 🐻 

• Chocolate bait ban 🍫 

WI Lawmakers Propose New Campsite Bill

Picture this:

It’s 11 months to the day and you go to book your ~fav~ campsite at Devil’s Lake.

But what’s this? All the spots are already reserved?!

No matter, you’ll just find a spot at your other favorite—Peninsula State Park!

!!! Also completely booked!!!

Turns out, all the FIBs down in Illinois (and other out-of-staters) beat you to the reservation window, and everything is gone like a Yelich homer.

Sure, you could use a campsite availability alert system like Campnab, but what good are your tax dollars if they don’t even give you a little advantage over the Chicagoans at your own state parks?

(Keep reading.)

Woah! New GOP bill prioritizes WI residents

• Gives residents prioritization over non-residents for state park reservations

• The catch: Will have to pay a premium to skip the line (more below)

• Florida and Wyoming already have something like this

WI folks > Non-WI folks

It sounds a little harsh, but it makes sense—if Wisconsin residents are footing the bill to maintain, establish, and staff our State Parks, why shouldn’t we get first dibs on camping in them?

Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) have proposed legislation that would give ‘Sconnies a 14 day head start on state park reservations.

Currently, reservations for high-demand campgrounds like Devil’s Lake and Peninsula State Park open at 9 a.m., 11 months prior to the booking date.

Which creates a crazy, rollercoaster mad dash on opening day. Not fun.

This bill would open up reservations to residents 11.5 months prior. Ah, how nice…

Here’s the catch

If you do decide to reserve in this “early access” window, you’ll have to pay a premium, which is the non-resident reservation price (about $10 to $15 more).

Why? Because if every campsite is now booked out by a resident vs non-resident, the State Park System would lose out on a lot of funding.

"It's up to the individual if it's worth it for them to do that or not," Kitchens said. "I think we did that because we don't want the park system to take a financial hit by doing this…but I think for the citizens of Wisconsin it will be an improved system.”

So… pretty much a glorified Fast Pass at Disney World (with more poison ivy).

Gettin’ out der

Though the DNR has declined to comment on the bill, they have made some comments doubting how this system could be implemented.

But Kitchens said that amendments could be made to equip the DNR with tools to make this exclusive resident reservation window a reality.

Fingers and toes crossed that this gets passed, but in the meantime, learn how to set campsite availability alerts or check out a paid service like Campnab.

Now get out ‘der!

Other great Wiscampsin reads…

How Dispersed Camping Works in Wisconsin

Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library

State Park Availability Alerts

Shop Wiscampsin

Wisconsin State Bird Art Print: “Very nicely made, great colors and design. It looks amazing in my home. Keep it up Wiscampsin ❤️” - Peggy

Wiscampsin Badgers Tee: “It’s the perfect t-shirt to show off my love for camping and Wisconsin at the same time :)” - Emily

Wiscampsin Recycled License Plate Frame: “Love it! Get out der! Makes my Mazda look even better” - Alex

Wiscampsin Mug: “Awesome mug, very lightweight, the mug doesn't get piping hot if you need to microwave your coffee either.” - Matthew

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Congrats to the 17 readers that harvested a deer this year in Wisconsin!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🐻 Blame the acorns: Wisconsin’s bear harvest gave the DNR paws this year, as the harvest was at its lowest in 15 years. Hunters tagged 3,005 bears in 2023, well shy of the DNR’s quota of 4,575 bears. The cause? Acorns. Apparently, there was plenty of acorns for bears to munch on, according to DNR Large Carnivore Specialist Randy Johnson, thwarting hunters attempting to use bait.

🍫 Speaking of bait…: The Wisconsin Conservation Congress Bear Advisory Committee (say that three times fast) rejected a proposal to ban chocolate in bear baits. Hunters often use rotting fruits, desserts, and other sweets in their baits, which they sit over in hopes that a hungry bear comes to investigate. The committee found no evidence that chocolate does widespread harm to bears.

🎣 Carpe Carp: Sieze. The. Carp! Remember how we said the DNR was tracking “traitor fish” to find larger schools of carp? Well, it worked. Wildlife officials reportedly followed six of these “traitors,” leading them to their biggest removal of carp ever. Officials removed 296 silver carp, 23 grass carp and four bighead carp on Nov 30th near Trempealeau county. Big win for conservation! 

 Sponsored by our Wiscampsin Shop!

Let’s be honest, what does that special someone in your life really want for the holidays? Some slippers? Another snow shovel? An engagement ring?

LAME. Check out the Wiscampsin shop for a great stocking every good ‘Sconnie will love!

Recycled coffee bean coffee mugs, license plate frames, our new shirts… Everything we stock, we source as sustainably as possible to keep our green spaces all the greener.

*And as always, 1% of profits will go to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

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Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… Well cripes, that you ma?