Mornin' to everyone finding morel mushrooms out ‘der! Based off sighting reports, it seems like the time to mushroom hunt is now. 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:

• Bugs, bugs, and more bugs🪳 

• Drought ending ☔️

• Record boating deaths ☠️

WI Bug Update: Ticks, Emerald-Ash Borers, and Cicadas

Grab your bug spray, folks: Normally, our “bug bandwidth” is all used up on mosquitos, but there are a few other creepy crawlies you need updating on this spring.

Ticks, Emerald-Ash Borers, and Cicadas

• New research program wants you to mail in your ticks!

• Emerald Ash Borers have made ash trees “functionally extinct” in WI

• Cicada Brood XIII will be emerging in southern WI for the first time in 17 years

Pls send ticks

A few months ago, we covered ticks + how/why you should check yourself (No, Dad, I don’t need your help!).

Now, researchers are asking ‘Sconnies to mail in their ticks!

The Tick Inventory through Citizen Science wishes to study tick species distribution and see if any invasive species are, well, invading.

In just 3 weeks, they’ve already received 600 samples!

Most sent in are American dog ticks and blacklegged/deer ticks (which can cause Lyme disease).

In the long-term, researchers hope to test the ticks for disease-carrying pathogens.

If you’d like to help out (and see your sample on the interactive map), you can request a free kit by email at [email protected] or by calling 1-715-389-7796, ext. 16462.

Ash trees in trouble

If you still have a live ash tree in your yard, go give it a hug.

Experts predict that the dreaded Emerald Ash Borer has spread to nearly every county in Wisconsin—and now have killed 1/3 of the ash trees.

The only county safe (so far) is Burnett County. But scientists say it could be there within the year.

In 2018 we had some 890 million ash trees in Wisconsin, an economic value of $1.5 billion.

Now, most ash trees are dead or dying in the southern part of the state, with estimates of a 99% casualty rate in green, white, and black ash if northerners don’t protect their ash trees.

When an ash tree dies, it can increase the # of invasive plants, decrease wildlife habitat, as well as lead to swamping or higher water tables.

If you have an ash tree in your yard, consider having a professional come out and take a gander. Early detection is important to help protect your ash!

Cicadas reemerge

It’s about to get loud. Why?

A brood of Cicada, uncleverly named Brood XIII, will be emerging in parts of Wisconsin for the first time in 17 years!

These critters have been underground, waiting for the perfect soil conditions to reemerge.

Once they’re above ground, they have essentially one job: Eat, mate, and die.

Then, the newly laid nymphs will await underground until the cycle repeats itself.

The males will be especially loud, making that classic cicada droning noise that only a lawnmower can drown out. They do this to establish territory (i.e. your yard) and attract a mate.

You can see if your county is ripe for the reemergence on this map here.

What’s very interesting is that Brood XIII will also be reemerging at the same time of Brood XIX, which is on a 13-year cycle, overlapping in Iowa and Illinois.

The last time this happened was 1803 when Thomas Jefferson was president, and won’t do so again until 2245!

Thanks for reading, now get out ‘der!

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Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

For the first time ever, our poll ended in a TIE, and it's easy to see why!

Two options vied for the top spot: Completing the Ice Age Trail in under 20 days and doing it in 20-25 days, each capturing 30% of the votes. As it stands, Coree Woltering holds the record for the fastest known time on the trail, clocking in at an impressive 21 days.

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🌧️ Droughts getting better: April and May showers have helped moisten things up after nearly a year-long drought. About 3/4ths of the state is no longer in a drought. Last September, 98% of the state was in a drought or “abnormally dry.” Now that number is just 28% of the state.

☠️ Boating deaths see record highs: Be careful out ‘der, folks—2023 saw the highest amount of boating fatalities at 28, a 50% increase over the average from the last decade. The DNR is issuing “Wear It” and “Dry Water” campaigns to encourage people to wear their life jackets (which none of the victims were wearing) and to stay sober while operating a boat. Safe da beers for shore!

🐟 Winnebago hosts big walleye tourney: The Masters Walleye Circuit will be coming to Lake Winnebago for its 3rd stop of the tour. Lake Winnebago has hosted every major walleye circuit in the country over the past four decades, and for good reason—the ‘Bago system is known for walleye! The tournament takes place 5/31 and 6/1, with 1st place getting a guaranteed $10,000 + other prizes.

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Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… Well shucks, thanks for spreading the word neighbor!