— The head of the DNR’s deer program says the “slow erosion” of Wisconsin’s hunting community continues this year due in large part to aging hunters.
Department of Natural Resources Deer Program Specialist Jeff Pritzl yesterday told WisconsinEye that hunting license purchases are down so far ahead of this year’s nine-day gun deer season, which begins Nov. 18.
“We’re going to probably lose about 2% a year,” he said, referring to the total number of participating hunters. “That’s been happening that way for a number of years, and it’ll probably continue for another decade.”
Earlier this month, Pritzl said hunters are likely to see a smaller deer harvest this year than in 2022, when favorable weather and other factors made for a successful hunt statewide. But rather than hunter activity being influenced much by predictions like these, he said the “real driver” for the decline is the demographic trend.
“The Baby Boomer generation has hit that age where they’re starting to age out of deer hunting, and that’s such a large proportion of our hunting population,” he said. “Last year, the most common age of a deer hunter was 60 years old, and five years from now it’ll be 65 … and our numbers will probably level out somewhat, and at that point we’ll probably have half a million deer hunters.”
By comparison, about 600,000 hunters are expected to participate in this year’s gun deer hunt, Pritzl said. The DNR has reportedly estimated the total economic impact of the hunt at $1 billion, as hunters purchase ammunition, equipment, food, gas and other supplies.
Wisconsin hunters last year bagged more than 200,000 deer, including about 98,000 antlered deer and 105,000 antlerless deer, according to DNR figures highlighted on the program. Compared to 2021, the total firearm deer harvest was 14.4% larger.
“Unless we get snow again like we did, and that’s not an annual occurrence anymore, so if we don’t get the snow we had last year, I find it’ll be hard to match the numbers we had last year,” Pritzl said, adding snow on the ground helps hunters spot and track deer.
Plus, with only about a third of the state’s grain corn harvest complete by the end of October, deer have more cover in the fields and are less inclined to seek food elsewhere, he said.
Meanwhile, the state’s overall deer population is around 2 million going into opening weekend, Pritz said, noting much of that growth is happening in the “deer factory” central farmland zone. That population total has been trending upward for about 30 years.
Pritzl also urged hunters to get their deer tested for chronic wasting disease, after the agency last week announced CWD had been identified among wild deer in Trempealeau County and for the first time in Polk County. Testing isn’t mandatory, but Pritzl said it can help hunters decide whether to eat what they’ve killed. And it gives them a chance to pitch in as “citizen scientists,” contributing to the fight against the disease, he said.
The DNR is conducting ongoing disease surveillance across most of the state’s southern half and part of the central and north-central regions, while detection and assessment is happening elsewhere.
“A lot of the monitoring we’re doing in Wisconsin has been beneficial nationally, because there’s a lot of states that are dealing with this that are not quite as far along the timeline as Wisconsin is,” he said. “And so they’re very interested in watching what we’re capturing so they can make informed decisions in their states.”
Watch the interview here: https://wiseye.org/2023/11/06/newsmakers-preview-of-the-deer-hunting-season/
See more on this year’s deer season: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt
— Kohler Co. has announced plans to spin off its energy business into a separate company early next year.
The Kohler-based manufacturer of plumbing, furniture, generators and other products yesterday said Kohler Energy will be established as an independent entity. Platinum Equity, a California investment firm with $47 billion in assets, is named as the majority investment partner.
The division includes other portfolio businesses such as Power Systems, Engines, Home Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Heila Technologies, according to a release.
Following the expected closing in the first half of 2024, Brian Melka will be CEO of the energy business. He currently holds the role of energy group president, the release shows.
“Our immediate priority is ensuring a smooth transition that delivers the best experience for our customers and team members around the world,” Melka said.
Kohler CEO and Chair David Kohler, who will also keep a board seat at Kohler Energy when it splits off, calls the change “a bold and strategic move” for the future of the 150-year-old company.
In a statement, he said the company will be “deepening the focus and investment” in its kitchen, bath and hospitality divisions going forward.
“The timing is right due to the strength of the Energy business, which is driven by world-class products manufactured and sold by highly skilled associates,” he said.
With more than 40,000 employees, Kohler had about $8 billion in revenue in 2022, according to Forbes.
— Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman said a new $32 million proposal will “go some ways” toward addressing the state’s workforce needs as UW seeks to recoup money GOP lawmakers cut from its budget over diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
“The investments we make today, or fail to make, will define Wisconsin’s future,” Rothman told reporters yesterday.
The plan seeks to invest the money to boost graduation in four key areas, including engineering and health care.
Joint Finance Committee Co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein told WisPolitics he likes the proposal’s emphasis on “engineering, nursing, healthcare, business, finance, technology and other high-demand fields.”
“As with any request, we will do our homework and determine what the additional resources will mean to our campuses,” the Spring Green Republican added.
The proposal, which the Board of Regents plans to take up this week, comes as Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has vowed not to give the UW another nickel until DEI positions are eliminated or position authority is returned to the Legislature.
See more at WisPolitics: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/mon-pm-update-rothman-pitches-32-million-workforce-plan-as-uw-seeks-release-of-funds/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— The UW School of Medicine and Public Health will evaluate the use of a prostate cancer therapy for treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in women.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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— Foxconn told “UpFront” it is open to the possibility of selling more of its land to other corporations interested in developing part of its Mount Pleasant campus, like what was recently acquired by Microsoft.
But the Taiwan-based company also reaffirmed its commitment to Wisconsin.
“As it pertains to other future partnerships with non-Foxconn entities who may want to call this area of the park home, the company is open to discussions,” said Robert Schlaeger, Foxconn’s chief of staff to the vice chairman. “It’s just simply a matter of transactions, mechanics weighed against potential opportunities, what Foxconn is currently doing here within our area of the park and what our future plans are for the park in response to those market demands, and simply the company’s perspective that this area of Wisconsin is a key strategic asset to respond to market demand.”
The company gave “UpFront” and WISN cameras access to its manufacturing floor for the first time ever, where Schlaeger said about 1,000 employees are making data servers.
Foxconn once promised 13,000 jobs and a $10 billion investment in Wisconsin.
“Market conditions have changed as to the original scope of what Foxconn wanted to do in 2017 and 2018,” Schlaeger said. “But what hasn’t changed, what hasn’t changed is Foxconn’s continued efforts to find business opportunities that can succeed.”
To that, Schlaeger said Foxconn is continuing to look at electric vehicle opportunities, including in Wisconsin.
Foxconn will learn next month whether it qualifies for a third year of tax credits after a renegotiated contract with Gov. Tony Evers’ administration after Evers beat former Gov. Scott Walker.
See more from the show: https://www.wisn.com/upfront
#TOP STORIES#
# Kohler Co. is planning to sell the majority of its energy division. Here’s what we know.
# Stellantis parts hub in Bay View to close following UAW strike. What we know about impact on workers.
# Milwaukee tech executive Andy Nunemaker to be honored for investing track record
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Tyson recalls 30,000 pounds of chicken nuggets after metal pieces were found inside
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=982&yr=2023
– $19.5M USDA investment in rural Wisconsin
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=980&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Milwaukee’s Hoan Bridge under construction for safety improvements
– 18 year old shares success story after trading college for carpenter’s tools
– Construction doubles number of new jobs in October compared with September
# ECONOMY
– Biden calls for $16 billion for child care. How much would Wisconsin get?
# EDUCATION
– Organic plant breeding gets new leader
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=981&yr=2023
– UW System proposes plan to recoup $32M from Legislature
# ENTERTAINMENT & THE ARTS
– Madison-born Slow Pulp return to backyard for Majestic show
# ENVIRONMENT
– With colder days ahead, the Inflation Reduction Act could help reduce efficient energy costs
# LABOR
– Zywave moving 100 U.S. jobs to the Philippines
# MANUFACTURING
– Molson Coors CEO Hattersley on recent success … and what’s coming from Blue Moon
– Saputo planning second facility in Franklin
– Kohler Co. to spin-off energy business in deal with PE firm
# RETAIL
– Kohl’s follows in Boston Store’s footprint in downtown Milwaukee
# SMALL BUSINESS
– This nurse posted a video making juice, which led her to start her own company
# SPORTS
– Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell hired by Chicago Cubs
– Dates set for 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay: April 24-26
# COLUMNS
– Opinion: Want conservatives to buy EVs? Boycott Tesla
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Dept. of Natural Resources: Seeks public comment on updated water condition lists
