Tourism is booming

PLUS wildlife budget shortfall, spring paddling spots, new weather tool

Author

Forrest Koslowski
May 08, 2025

Mornin’ to everyone who wants more details on the sandhill crane shooting in Oconomowoc. 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:

 🎣 ‘Scons weigh license fee hikes amid wildlife budget shortfall

🛶 Can’t-miss spring paddling spots around WI

⛈️ New Wisconet delivers fast, local weather data for smarter outdoor planning

🤑 STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Evers’ plans for booming Wisconsin tourism

🎣 ‘Scons weigh license fee hikes amid wildlife budget shortfall LINK

  • As fishing season kicks off, Governor Evers hopes anglers will bite on higher license fees to reel in a $17 million shortfall in the fish and wildlife fund.

  • Fee hikes are facing choppy waters in the Legislature, with GOP leaders insisting it's too soon to jack up costs before an audit drops.

  • Conservation groups warn that without more funding, stocking programs and wildlife projects may be the ones that get hooked and gutted.

 🛶 Can’t-miss spring paddling spots around WI LINK

  • Spring paddling season is on in Wisconsin, and kayak diehards Darren Bush and Timothy Bauer say there’s no better time to chase rapids, rocky bluffs, and blooming riverbanks.

  • Their must-paddle picks include the iconic Kickapoo River, the serene Grant, and even a “muddy little farm ditch” called the East Branch of the Pecatonica.

  • But don’t get swept up too fast—hypothermia, water levels, and gear mishaps are real risks, so prep like a pro before hitting the river.

⛈️ New Wisconet delivers fast, local weather data for smarter outdoor planning LINK

  • A new UW–Madison website is giving Wisconsin farmers, anglers, and outdoor lovers hyper-local weather updates every 10 minutes—no more waiting on sluggish apps.

  • Powered by 61 (soon to be 80) weather stations, Wisconet offers real-time data straight from the source, with dashboards tailored for everything from cattle comfort to tee-ball.

  • It’s free, fast, and mobile-friendly—basically, your new go-to tool for dodging storms or planting crops with confidence.

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💰 STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Evers’ plans for booming Wisconsin tourism

Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism are kicking off National Travel and Tourism Week with plans to invest $34 million to boost the state’s $25 billion tourism industry. To read the rest of the story, sign up for the Wiscampsin Membership.

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WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL

Tied for 1st in last weeks poll regarding litter pickup habits was “I pick up nearly every piece of litter I possibly can” 😇 

Morel sightings are starting to pop up all across the state! Have you seen/harvested one yet?

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MEME OF THE WEEK 😂

A review from the trail… Wow, great work. Hopefully you got a “full” can to celebrate!

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