Wisconsin

Sandhill crane study committee scheduled to vote on draft bills, including crane hunting

Published

1 year ago

December 9, 2024

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Sandhill crane study committee scheduled to vote on draft bills, including crane hunting

Committee to meet Tuesday in Madison

The Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes is scheduled to vote Tuesday on three draft bills, including two that would allow crane hunting in Wisconsin, as the body wraps up its work on management of the species.

The committee may also make a special appeal to federal wildlife officials to allow the utilization of cranes killed on depredation permits.

The action items are the result of four previous meetings. The committee is charged with examining sandhill population trends and to “determine whether any changes to state law would effectively address the incidence and consequences of crop damage caused by sandhill cranes in this state,” according to its description.

As part of its “comprehensive review of policy options, the committee may consider whether the Department of Natural Resources should seek federal approval to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes.”

After being threatened through the mid-1900s, sandhills have recovered in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. Wisconsin hosted an average of 51,000 cranes from 2018-22, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The large, native birds are welcome sights to most but have a negative effect on many farms. Agricultural producers in Wisconsin sustained an estimated $1.97 million in crane-caused crop damage in 2023, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. Slightly more than half was to corn in spring, the balance to potatoes and other crops later in the year.

No program exists to compensate Wisconsin farmers for crane-caused crop losses.

One of the draft bills (LRB-0604/P3) would establish a cost-share program to provide funding for a seed treatment to corn farmers. The treatment, commonly known by the product name Avipel, has been shown to be effective at preventing cranes from eating corn seedlings in spring. The non-toxic chemical is distasteful to cranes, according to the manufacturer.

The bill draft appropriates $1.875 million of general purpose revenue in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This amount, combined with a 50% cost share, would reimburse producers for seed treatment covering 300,000 acres of corn, according to a Wisconsin Legislative Council estimate.

The seed treatment bill, however, would only address crop damage to corn in spring. Nearly half of the crop losses occur to potatoes and other crops later in the year.

The two proposals that would allow crane hunting include a stand-alone draft bill (LRB-0815/P1) and one (LRB-0591/P4) that would bundle the seed treatment bill with a sandhill crane hunting bill.

The population of sandhill cranes is large enough in Wisconsin to sustain a limited crane hunting season, according to testimony at the committee’s Aug. 1 meeting by retired DNR waterfowl ecologist Kent Van Horn. It would also provide a new hunting opportunity for the state’s hunters, some of whom now travel to western or southern states to pursue the species.

However a potential crane hunt in Wisconsin would likely be structured to have minimal to no impact on the sandhill population, Van Horn said.

Furthermore no study exists that shows sandhill crane hunting has resulted in reduced crop damage anywhere in North America.

As such, crane hunting in Wisconsin would not likely achieve the committee’s objective of reducing the incidence of crane-caused crop damage.

A sandhill hunt in Wisconsin would produce one change, however: it would allow farmers to receive compensation for crane damage through the state’s wildlife damage abatement fund.

That has its own issues since the number of crane licenses would be too low to generate anywhere near the revenue needed to cover the estimated $1.9 million in annual agricultural damage claims from crane-caused crop damage, according to a DNR assessment.

In recognition of this, the two crane hunting bills (LRB-0815/P1 and LRB-0591/P4) would apply an increase of at least $1 in the wildlife damage surcharge on all hunting licenses sold in the state. Most of the licenses are resident deer hunting licenses; they would see the fee increased to $3 from $2.

The increase on all Wisconsin hunting licenses would raise about $1 million more per year for the wildlife damage abatement fund.

Even the infusion of new revenue from the fee increase is associated with risks if a sandhill hunt is approved, according to the Wisconsin Legislative Council.

In its assessment of the draft crane hunting bills, council staff said “if new spending on sandhill crane-related damage exceeds new revenue generated under the bill draft, the program balance may be depleted. This would impact (wildlife damage claim) assistance for other species.”

In other action, the committee will consider submitting a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking permission to allow the utilization of cranes killed on depredation permits in Wisconsin. Rules now require the bodies of cranes killed under the permits to be left in the field or buried. As such they can’t be used by the farmers or others as food.

The Legislature has twice failed to advance bills on sandhill crane hunting, in 2011 and 2021. The Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes is chaired by Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc), author of the 2021 crane hunting bill.

The committee will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Room 417 North (GAR Hall) at the State Capitol.

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Wisconsin

Search for missing kangaroo in central Wisconsin captures online attention

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1 hour ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Search for missing kangaroo in central Wisconsin captures online attention

The search for a pet kangaroo that escaped from its home outside of Necedah has captured media attention across the country.

Chesney is a 16-month-old kangaroo owned by Debbie Marlund, who operates Sunshine Farm Petting Zoo. He and his brother Kenny live in Marlund’s home, along with her five labradors, and often visit the residents of nursing homes and senior centers in the region.

“Chesney actually sleeps in bed with me every night,” Marlund said. “They’re both home bodies. They do get plenty of outside time when it’s nice. They don’t particularly care for cold weather.”

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The kangaroo was in his outdoor enclosure Wednesday morning when he was spooked by an unfamiliar dog and escaped. He’s been spotted multiple times in the area around his home but has so far evaded several attempts to catch him.

News of the search has been picked up by several TV news stations, including as far away as Seattle, and even made a British-based publication.

Marlund said she has not stopped searching for Chesney since Wednesday morning.

Chesney has been missing since Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Sunshine Farm – Necedah’s Facebook page

“I have been asking neighbors to let me go on their property and walk trails, walk paths, and get close to the vicinity,” said Marlund, adding that friends have been driving local roads to make sure he isn’t spotted leaving the area.

Colton Johnson of Midwest Aerial Drone Services has also aided in the search using a drone and thermal camera.

He often uses the equipment to search for lost pets but said tracking a kangaroo is more difficult because of its speed.

“It’s hard to keep up with him,” Johnson said. “He slipped us last night, but we’re going to head back out there tonight and see if we can get eyes on him.”

Johnson said there have been plenty of people in the area showing up to try to get a look at Chesney. But he urged residents to avoid going after the kangaroo because it could drive the scared animal further into the wooded area.

Marlund asked locals to keep an eye out for Chesney and report any sightings.

“He’s not going to come to a stranger, he’s too spooked,” she said. “But I think it is beneficial for people who are staying in the area or driving by to keep their eye out.”

A kangaroo wearing a teal harness sits in a car seat and drinks from a plastic cup held by a person. — Kangaroo Chesney enjoys a taste of Culver’s. *Photo courtesy of Sunshine Farm – Necedah’s Facebook page*

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Wisconsin

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

Published

14 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.

If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.

The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.

Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.

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Wisconsin

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.

MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule

How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.

Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.

This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.

Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.

Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth Live on Fubo

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