Mornin’ to everyone amazed at the 7 people rescued after being sucked into Genoa Lock and Dam. 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:

🏆 Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards

🐦 Survey Says: Increase In Pheasants, Ruffed Grouse Still Strong

🛶 Rib Mountain Man Sets Record On Wisconsin River Kayak

🤔 STORY OF THE WEEK: Why doesn’t the UP belong to Wisconsin?

🏆 Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards LINK

• The 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards honored the innovators, trailblazers, and community champions fueling the state’s booming outdoor recreation scene.

• Hosted by the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation, the awards spotlighted businesses, people, and places making a big economic and cultural impact through the outdoors.

• This year’s winners included the Wisconsin State Park System as Destination of the Year, Adventure Outfitters as Outdoor Business of the Year, and Boulder Junction’s Glide Skating Ribbon taking home the Innovation Award. See the full list here.

🐦 Survey Says: Increase In Pheasants, Ruffed Grouse Still Strong LINK

• Pheasant numbers are up again in Wisconsin, with 2025 spring survey results showing 0.81 birds per stop—well above the five-year average and continuing an upward trend for the second straight year.

• Ruffed grouse drumming activity dipped slightly (6%) from last year’s surprise boom but still sits comfortably above long-term averages, promising solid fall hunting opportunities across key regions.

• The DNR credits dry nesting conditions and strong survey partnerships statewide, with detailed population trends now tracked by priority areas like the Driftless, which saw a notable (though sample-sensitive) rebound.

🛶 Rib Mountain Man Sets Record On Wisconsin River Kayak LINK

• Andy Nevitt of Rib Mountain set a new record for fastest known paddle down the 420-mile Wisconsin River, completing the journey in 3 days, 20 hours, and 45 minutes—beating the previous record by nearly six hours.

• Battling low water, rapids, fog, exhaustion, and 27 dam portages, Nevitt endured with only five hours of sleep and support from his wife, who followed along by van.

• The veteran paddler hopes his effort—documented for a future film—inspires others to push through personal challenges, even if it’s not in a kayak.

WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL

32% of last poll’s voters got it right! Boulder Junction is known for having the largest concentration of white deer in Wisconsin.

This winter, you can go ice skate The Glide and possibly see a white deer all in one weekend!

Weekly Meme 😆

A review from the trail… Great idea. We’ll see what we can do!