Mornin' to everyone wondering why we might see millions of cicadas this summer. 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:

• The bald eagle comeback 🦅 

• Camp host volunteers needed ⛺️

• Elk poaching investigation 🦌 

The Bald Eagle Comeback

Kayaking down the Wisconsin River. The drive up nort’ to Grandma’s cabin. Fishing on the lake.

Nearly every ‘Scon can picture that special place where they’ve spied a bald eagle.

In fact, Wisconsin is famous for its bald eagle abundance and culture, even going way back to Old Abe, the bald eagle who served on the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.

But there was a time when the bald eagle teetered on the brink of extinction, and its comeback is one of the best examples of conservation in the country.

WI and bald eagles

• Latest 2019 eagle survey found 1,684 known active nest sites

• Pesticides and other dangers nearly eliminated eagles in mid-1900s

• Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers, and forests make for prime bald eagle habitat

History

Way back in 1782, before Concrete Mixers and the Brewers, bald eagles were thriving—estimates put their nesting site numbers somewhere around 100,000.

They were so populated that the government actually offered a bounty for them in Alaska.

But by 1940, the hunting of bald and golden eagles was banned, making it illegal to hunt them or harm their eggs or nests. Pheasant tastes better anyway.

Then, in the wake of WW2, pesticides like DDT became more commonly used, harming the shells of many bird species and decimating the bald eagle population.

Exhibit A: In 1963, there were just 417 bald eagle nesting pairs left in the country.

With a herculean conservation effort, and by banning these harmful pesticides, bald eagles had an incredible comeback—by 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the list of federally endangered and threatened species.

In 2019, a survey found 1,684 known active sites in Wisconsin, and estimates found 71,000 breeding pairs across the US.

Check out this incredible visual on nests in 1974 compared to 2019.

Why Wisconsin

It’s not just us ‘Sconnies that think Wisconsin is pretty great.

Bald eagles flock to Wisconsin every summer to raise young near its lakes, rivers, and protected forests.

In the winter, all this water (especially our running rivers) provide a great food source for bald eagles, especially those migrating from farther up nort’.

In fact, in the lower 48, Wisconsin borders the most populated bald eagle region: The Mississippi Flyway.

While the northern population has become stable, the southern half of the state is still growing.

How to get out ‘der

Now that you’re all birdy to see some bald eagles…

• Best time for viewing is early morning and last two hours before dark

• The DNR has as great resource page for where to go

• Don’t miss Bald Eagle Watching Days 2.0 (February 10th!)

• Fund bald eagle conservation with the Endangered Resource license plate

• Join the Bald Eagles Nest Watch (also this Saturday)

• Support the Raptor Education Group

Now get out ‘der!

Other great Wiscampsin reads…

Wisconsins Fall Migration

The Return of the Sandhill Crane

Wisconsin's State Bird

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Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Cripes! A whopping 75% of readers say they would vote YES to Bill LRB-5343-1 prohibiting harvesting does in northern Wisconsin for four years.

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🏕️ Volunteer campground hosts needed: Love to camp? Love getting other folks to camp, too?! The DNR is looking for volunteers to help at various parks statewide, for a few days, weeks, or more at a time. Helping others? Getting out ‘der? What more could you want!? Apply here. 

🦌 Illegal elk kill in Jackson County: Two of ‘em. Yup, two cow elk were illegally shot in Jackson County in separate instances in 2022, and the DNR is seeking tips from anyone who may know anything. Call the DNR’s confidential violation hotline at 1-800-847-9367 or click here.

🎣 Which fish to put in ‘da freezer: The DNR and DHS have updated their fish consumption recommendations based on bodies of water that have elevated or decreased levels of contaminants. If you don’t want to be munching mercury, PFOAS, or PCBs, give it a gander.

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Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… Just doing our job!