Ridgelanders, LLC

10/15/2025

WATCH FOR DEER: Deer are on the move! Last year in Wisconsin, there were a total of 6,064 deer/vehicle crashes in October and November, with one fatality and 237 injuries.

Deer crashes are especially dangerous for motorcyclists – there is about a 37% chance that a motorcycle/deer crash will result in a fatality or serious injury.

Remember to slow down, avoid distractions, and scan the road ahead this fall. https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/101425-deer-crashes.aspx

09/25/2025

Creekside Winery has a fantastic weekend of live music planned for the end of September!

On Saturday, September 27, Rich Sinclair will perform from 1-4 p.m. Then on Sunday, September 28, Chad Brecke will take the stage from 1-4 p.m.

Enjoy a weekend of great music and wine at Creekside Winery!

09/25/2025

09/25/2025

Pattison State Park is 105 years old this year!

At Pattison, Big Manitou Falls cascades over a 165-foot drop, making it Wisconsin’s highest waterfall, while just a few miles up the Black River, Little Manitou Falls drops 31 feet. Both falls offer accessible overlooks.

Plan your trip to Pattison State Park and learn about other parks marking milestones this year: https://issuu.com/wisconsinnaturalresources/docs/wisconsin_natural_resources_magazine_fall_2025/s/112042769

09/22/2025

Hunters! If you've harvested a deer, don't forget that you have until 5 p.m. the day after the deer is recovered to register the deer.

Good news: You can do it quickly and easily online using GameReg: https://gowild.wi.gov/wildlife/harvest

09/20/2025

For 125 years, the Wisconsin State Park System has been honored to be a part of some of our visitors' most memorable life moments. Weddings, birthdays and family vacations. Annual trips and spontaneous adventures that build lifelong bonds. Each visitor has their own story and each of those stories finds a backdrop in a Wisconsin state park, forest, trail or recreation area. More than just incredible natural beauty, these important public lands also provide locations to build lasting connections.

The Wisconsin State Park System we know today was established in 1900 with the formation of the state’s oldest state park. Under the direction of the "Commission for the Interstate Park at the Dalles of the St. Croix," land was acquired, and Interstate Park was established as Wisconsin's first state park on Sept. 20, 1900. The founding of this property was largely a community-driven effort; this drive to protect and preserve Wisconsin’s natural resources is still strong today.

Interstate Park is one of more than 120 locations that form the Wisconsin State Park System. Each of these properties is managed to protect and preserve some of the state’s most special natural places. But what does that really mean? Each day, staff and volunteers manage resources and educate visitors to ensure that these places remain for generations to come to enjoy.

We encourage you to explore the vast forests of the Northwoods, the unique geography of the Driftless Region, the power of the Great Lakes and the magic of a Dark Sky. We invite you to try something new, venture outside of your comfort zone or visit a place you’ve never been before. However you choose to find your adventure, you can find it in Wisconsin.

Today, we celebrate the founding of one of our state’s most important resources. Happy birthday to the Wisconsin State Park System and wishing you many, many more.

Share your favorite Wisconsin State Park System memories with us using !

09/20/2025

The fall issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine has arrived!

This issue is full of good stuff like info about our prickly neighbors in the Northwoods (porcupines), why spiders are more active in fall, tips on helping pollinators this season and an in-depth look at wild rice, a vital but vulnerable resource in the state. There’s also plenty more coverage celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System.

Grab a festive fall flannel and read it now: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/wnrmag/2025/Fall/e-Edition

09/19/2025

Elk occasionally venture outside Wisconsin's two elk ranges, especially during the fall breeding season.

Since there are still isolated incidents where hunters mistake an elk for a white-tailed deer, the DNR reminds hunters that any illegally taken elk may result in a fine and a revocation of hunting licenses.

Positively identifying the correct target ensures the safety of other people and prevents the accidental shooting of non-target species.

Here are some tips to help identify elk this hunting season.

Adult elk are larger than adult deer. An adult elk stands about 1-2 feet taller than an adult deer at the shoulders. An elk calf will be about the same size as an adult white-tailed doe but will display coloration similar to that of adult elk.

Spot the difference in the antlers. White-tailed deer antlers curve forward, whereas elk antlers are larger and sweep back from their heads.

Look for color markings. Elk have a tan rump patch, black legs and a dark brown mane. Deer have legs the same color as their bodies, a white throat patch and a fluffy white tail.

Additional markers. Elk moving throughout the state may have noticeable markers, including colored ear tags or tracking collars. These collars are fixed around the neck and are typically orange in color, sometimes with a visible printed number.

Just like firearm and tree stand safety, it's always good to get a refresher before you head out, which is why we're posting this reminder.

For more help differentiating between white-tailed deer and elk, refer to this reference guide: https://widnr.widen.net/s/trb7gtnmzh/elk_vs_deer_poster

09/18/2025

This year is the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System, and we’ve been celebrating with fun events and exciting outdoor adventures. In addition to that anniversary, other state properties are marking milestones in 2025.

Peninsula State Park is 115 years old this year. This fall, take your pick of unique seasonal offerings at this popular Door County park, including Eagle Tower, with an 850-foot accessible canopy walk to the top; 18-hole and six-hole golf courses, open spring, summer and fall; and Northern Sky Theater, an outdoor venue with shows through Oct. 25.

Learn more about parks marking milestones this year: https://issuu.com/wisconsinnaturalresources/docs/wisconsin_natural_resources_magazine_fall_2025/s/112042769

09/17/2025

Reminder: the deadline for participants in Operation Deer Watch to submit observations is Sept. 30.

These surveys are designed to measure the reproductive status of deer by establishing ratios of adults to juveniles (e.g., fawn-to-doe ratios). This data helps indicate the productivity of Wisconsin’s deer populations. The data from these surveys, along with harvest information, provide DNR scientists with the key elements needed to make knowledgeable management decisions for these species.

Participation in Operation Deer Watch requires no registration, and observations can be recorded using a mobile device. If in a vehicle, participants should only record sightings when their vehicle is stopped and not while driving.

For more information, please visit the Operation Deer Watch webpage:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/summerdeer

09/16/2025

The Wisconsin DNR reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of the regular goose and duck hunting seasons in September.

The regular goose season opens on Sept. 16 statewide. Wisconsin’s regular season dates vary by zone, so hunters should know which zone they plan to hunt. If hunting Canada geese during the regular season, a regular Canada goose permit is required.

The regular Canada goose season structure is as follows:
– Northern Zone: Sept. 16 to Dec. 16
– Southern Zone: Sept. 16 to Oct. 12, Oct. 18 to Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, 2026
– Mississippi Zone: Sept. 16 to Oct. 12, Oct. 18 to Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, 2026

The regular duck season structure is as follows:
– Youth Waterfowl: Sept. 20 and Sept. 21
– Northern Zone: Sept. 27 to Nov. 25
– Southern Zone: Oct. 4 to Oct. 12 and Oct. 18 to Dec. 7
– Open Water Zone: Oct. 18 to Dec. 16

Licenses and stamps required for duck hunting include a Wisconsin small game license, a Wisconsin waterfowl stamp and a federal migratory bird stamp. Waterfowl and other migratory bird hunters must register each year with the federal Harvest Information Program and may receive a survey regarding their harvests.

Health Advisories
Waterfowl can be infected with the avian influenza virus (HPAI) without showing signs of disease. The DNR recommends the following precautionary measures:

– Avoid handling sick or found dead birds.
– Prevent dogs from contacting sick or found dead birds.
– Wear rubber gloves when handling game.
– Field dress in ventilated areas.
– Always wash hands and equipment thoroughly with soap and water.

The DNR also reminds hunters who hunt on Green Bay that a new PFAS advisory is in place for harvested mallards and wood ducks.

More information on waterfowl hunting (including a link to info on the advisory) can be found on the DNR’s Waterfowl Hunting webpage: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/waterfowl