Wisconsin: Maple Syrup Sanctuary

Mornin' to anyone wishing Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty up 'der in Minocqua would open soon. 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. 

*Hey der neighbor. If you've found yourself staring at the wall thinking, "Cripes, I should really find a hobby, and something to hang on this wall," then you're in luck! Stay tuned for some original Wiscampsin artwork coming next week (good luck finding that hobby, maybe this week's edition will inspire ya...)

What we're salivating about this week:

• Wisconsin maple syrup 🍁

• 2024 stamp contest open 🦆

• World-record river run 🛶

Wisconsin: Maple Syrup Sanctuary

When it comes to the liquids we hold in high regard here in the Dairyland State, it pretty much goes like this:

• Beer

• Milk (and the many things it creates)

• Maple syrup

• Tears of Chicago Bears fans

Though three are for actual consumption, all four just make us feel goooood. 

Especially the maple syrup. What would a pancake breakfast be without some homegrown maple syrup?  

Surely, most of us know a 'Scon or two that harvests this liquid gold. So much so, that we've actually got quite a reputation for our maple syrup...

Wisconsin's maple syrup production:

• Rank fifth in North America in maple syrup production

• Season typically runs from mid-March to mid-April

• Last year we produced 300,000 gallons of maple syrup

A sappy history

Long before Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty was serving maple syrup on tap (not actually, but it's a good idea), Native Americans were tapping sugar maples for the sweetness within. 

At the time, sugar maples were practically unlimited in our original forests. The natives believed the maple syrup to be a direct connection to the earth. Like milking the utter of the forest...

Today, the Ojibwe still practice the ancient tradition to reap the health benefits from the "sugarbush."

Now some biology

Why does Wisconsin rank fifth in North America in maple syrup production (behind Quebec, Vermont, New York and Maine)? Great Q, reader. 

It all has to do with our springtime climate. Ah yes, wonderful spring. A time when you can wear shorts one day, and shovel the driveway the next. 

For sap to run, it requires just above-freezing daytime temps, and just-below freezing temps at night. Too cold, and the sap won't run. Too warm (read: Honey, the neighbor got his jorts out already!), and the sap becomes unusable. 

But with the right conditions, this back and forth creates an ideal harvest, which typically takes place between mid-March to mid-April. 

Harvesting

Harvesting maple syrup can be boiled down to four activities:

1. Tapping the tree (no, not the keg Uncle Joe)

2. Collecting

3. Cooking/boiling

4. Filtering and bottling

Once a sugar maple - our state tree - reaches 40 years old, it's typically ripe for tapping. 

A single tree can produce up to as much as 20 gallons of maple syrup. We're gonna need a lot of pancakes, granny!

The maple syrup is categorized by color and flavor. They range from golden syrups, which are delicate in flavor and lightest in color, to amber, dark, and very dark. 

A number of factors affect the color and flavor, such as temperature, speed of processing, duration of boiling, etc. 

Getting out 'der

Unfortunately, the maple belt continues to move farther and farther north as our climate becomes warmer. In three out of the last five years the season commenced as early as February. 

But if you'd like to try your hand, all you need is a few supplies from the hardware store and a sugar maple. Maple water has even been hailed as the next health craze, possessing nutritional properties akin to coconut water.

It also just plain tastes good. 

There ya have it folks! Now go grab a few pancakes and get out der!

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Some of you must have read the newsletter last week (hello, mother).. A whopping 72% of you guessed the poll right! There were 15 confirmed cougar sightings in Wisconsin in 2022.

NEW: Wisconsin Events

Butt glued to the couch? Here are some great Wisconsin events to get you out 'der:

ALL THINGS MAPLE EXPLORING NATURE PROGRAM on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Northern Kettle Moraine Unit - Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center - Campbellsport, WI

DEVIL'S LAKE TORCH-LIT HIKE on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI

WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND TELEMETRY WORKSHOP on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center - Baraboo, WI

Know a WI Outdoors-related event happening? Reply to this email with the details and we will share the week before the event!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🖼 Stamp contest open!: Get those paint brushes ready, the DNR is accepting artwork entries for the Wild Turkey, Pheasant, and Waterfowl Stamp contest. The designs will be featured on 2024 stamps, and judging will occur at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo in Oshkosh, WI. Deadline: July 15th! 

🥾 Seasonal staff hiring: Where did Kevin, founder of Wiscampsin, procure his legendary work ethic (as well as a warm, earthy aroma)? From his seasonal job at a Wisco state park! If you need a little extra spending money, consider applying here. 

🛶 Paddlers race for a record: Come May, four paddlers will attempt to set a world record and canoe the entire length of the Mississippi River - in under 17 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes, 49 seconds. They'll be supported by two other boats and a dozen folks. Hope they packed some cheese sticks!

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... Criminy, we're glad you enjoy it!