Paul A. Smith

Pennsylvania, United States, Wisconsin

Outdoors Editor at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Outdoors Editor at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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Articles

DNR forming committee to assist with Wisconsin wolf management

1 week ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking applicants interested in serving on the agency's new Wolf Advisory Committee. The committee's general role will be to assist the DNR with implementation of the Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan. Approved in 2023, the plan "details the objectives, strategies and products that will help guide wolf conservation and management efforts in Wisconsin," according to the DNR. The plan is based on an adaptive management principle.
Fishing the walleye run on the Wolf River

1 week ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith

Paul A. SmithAnglers fish from the dock at Red Banks Resort on the Wolf River. Paul A. SmithJoey Grabarczyk of Weyauwega, Bob Caryl of Red Banks and Mike Wabiszewski of Elm Grove (right to left) fish for walleyes on the Wolf River near Red Banks. Paul A. SmithJoey Grabarcyk of Weyauwega lifts a walleye into the boat while fishing on the Wolf River with his grandfather Bob Caryl of Red Banks and Mike Wabiszewski (not pictured) of Elm Grove. Paul A.
Fishing the walleye run on the Wolf River

1 week ago | goerie.com | Paul A. Smith

Paul A. SmithAnglers fish from the dock at Red Banks Resort on the Wolf River. Paul A. SmithJoey Grabarczyk of Weyauwega, Bob Caryl of Red Banks and Mike Wabiszewski of Elm Grove (right to left) fish for walleyes on the Wolf River near Red Banks. Paul A. SmithJoey Grabarcyk of Weyauwega lifts a walleye into the boat while fishing on the Wolf River with his grandfather Bob Caryl of Red Banks and Mike Wabiszewski (not pictured) of Elm Grove. Paul A.
Wisconsin's spring turkey tag drawing for hunters under review

2 weeks ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith

A recent finding could change the way tags are awarded to spring turkey hunters in Wisconsin. For many years the Department of Natural Resources has held a drawing in winter to allocate about 60% of the available tags, or authorizations, for the spring wild turkey hunting season. Applicants must pay $3 or be conservation patron license holders to enter the lottery. The "leftovers" are offered for sale in March.
State of the Birds report indicates about one-third of U.S. bird species at increased risk

3 weeks ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith

The latest update to a periodic assessment of U.S. birds has once again sent out a distress signal. The 2025 State of the Birds report found 229 species, or approximately one-third of U.S. birds, are facing low population levels, declining trends or other threats that require action, according to its authors.
Black bear research in Wisconsin

3 weeks ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith

Paul A. SmithA group including the landowner and DNR staff hike toward a black bear den on private property in Barron County. The den was empty, likely due to recent rain and snow melt that flooded the site. Paul A. SmithDNR wildlife technician Julia Olson holds a GPS collar used on black bears. Paul A. SmithA black bear watches a photographer in a wooded tract on private land in Barron County. The bear was one of three that vacated a nearby den in mid-March, likely because the site was flooded. Paul A.
Black bear research in Wisconsin

3 weeks ago | sports.yahoo.com | Paul A. Smith

The Department of Natural Resources is conducting research on black bears in Wisconsin. In mid-March DNR staff visited a den with a sow and three cubs.
Smith: How long before mountain lions are documented reproducing in Wisconsin?

1 month ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith

For the first time in more than 100 years, wild cougar cubs have been documented in the Upper Midwest, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Biologists with the Michigan DNR confirmed the existence of two cougar cubs on private land in Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula. The spotted cubs, believed to be 7 to 9 weeks old, were verified from photos taken March 6 by a local resident.
Tree swallows and eastern bluebirds among species that benefit from nest boxes

1 month ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith

SAUKVILLE – Prairies are rich wildlife habitats. They are so bountiful, in fact, sometimes they even host species that evolved to breed elsewhere. For proof we need only look at two restored grasslands at the UW-Milwaukee Saukville Field Station. No special lens required, either. There you'll find 80 vertical structures sprinkled over dozens of acres and clearly visible above the big blue stem and Indian grass. More: Outdoors calendarNeed a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Here's how much Wisconsin hunting license fees would increase in Gov. Tony Evers' budget proposal

1 month ago | jsonline.com | Paul A. Smith |Claire Reid

The price of Wisconsin hunting licenses could go up $20 if proposed increases in Gov. Tony Evers' 2025-27 state budget are passed by the state Legislature. The budget proposal, unveiled Feb. 18, includes a proposed increase from $22 to $42 for a resident deer hunting license, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It'd be the first time since 2005 that the resident deer hunting license fee would increase. The nonresident license fee increased in 2023.