Hunting is a time-honored tradition in Wisconsin. If you’re curious about the sport, looking for a better understanding of the culture or interested in knowing where your food comes from – the DNR’s Hunt For Food program has you covered.

Hunt For Food combines classroom and field instruction for beginners before pairing participants with an experienced hunter to go out in the wild. We sat down with a husband and wife duo of Wisconsin transplants who fell in love with hunting through the DNR’s free Hunt For Food program. From making new friends, learning new skills, bringing home the meat to enjoying the outdoors, Martin Perales, a PhD Candidate at UW-Madison’s Center for Limnology (Fisheries), and Flora Csontos, a staffer for a state representative, say Hunt For Food is well-worth the small commitment.

Interested in joining the course? We’re hosting different courses for various species across the state throughout the year. Visit Hunt For Food (https://dnr.wi.gov/education/outdoorskills/HuntForFood.html) to sign up today.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first detected in Wisconsin more than a decade ago. Today, the fight against it continues. We sat down with Mandy Kamps, a DNR wildlife biologist, to learn the basics of CWD. We also catch up with avid Wisconsin deer hunters, Mitch and Elizabeth Baker, to hear about their journey to help to slow the spread of this deadly disease. To learn more about Wisconsin CWD volunteer opportunities such as the Adopt-A-Kiosk or Adopt-A-Dumpster programs with the DNR, email your contact information to [email protected], and we’ll get you in contact with your area’s deer biologist.

We all remember Smokey Bear and his fire prevention message from childhood. But did you know that the message has changed slightly in recent years? The big guy is turning 75 on August 9th and to celebrate we sat down with Catherine Koele and Sara Pearson to get the inside scoop on the history of Smokey, his message, and how you can help him celebrate. Spoiler Alert: This episode is best listened to without the kiddos as we reveal some Smokey secrets that are best kept secret for a younger audience.

Wisconsin State Fair is a tradition dating back to 1851 that is loved by Wisconsinties and visitors to the state of all ages. This year it runs from August 1st through 11th and Wisconsin DNR will be back with an even bigger presence. Hear from DNR Secretary-designee Preston Cole, Wisconsin State Fair CEO Kathleen O’Leary and DNR Secretary’s Director of the Southeast Region Joe Liebau on why this is a year at Wisconsin State Fair that you don’t want to miss.

July is National Anti-Boredom Month. And what better way to celebrate and escape the indoors than by visiting Wisconsin State Parks. With over 40 state parks and even more state forests, trails and recreation areas, there's something nearby for anyone.

10:20-- Learn about Blue Mind Science

11:40-- Ideas in Door County

14:00-- Gems in Southeast Wisconsin

16:50-- Visit Southwest Wisconsin

20:00-- Beat the boredom in West Central Wisconsin

24:30-- Escape the indoors in Central Wisconsin

26:10-- Head up north and explore

Find your new favorite State Park, Trail, Forest or Recreation Area by location, type of property or activity, here: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/findapark.html

In episode 20, Secretary-designee Preston Cole claimed that he has the best job in Wisconsin. We checked in with Chief Conservation Warden Todd Schaller on this, and he begs to differ. On this week's episode of DNR's Off the Record podcast, Chief Schaller and Lt. Conservation Warden John Sinclair sit down to talk about what it's like being on the beat for natural resources in Wisconsin and why wardens have the best jobs around.

Chief and Lt. Sinclair also debunk some myths and answer questions you didn't know you had:

• How many snakes are too many snakes?
• Is there more to being a warden than hunting and fishing enforcement?
• What happens when a lion is sighted in downtown Milwaukee?
• How does someone become a conservation warden?

Over the last decade, cougars have returned to Wisconsin after a 100-year hiatus with the dispersal of males from a breeding population in western South Dakota. Why are cougars showing up in Wisconsin now? How do we know whether or not they're breeding here? And what should you do if you spot a cougar in your area? Scott Walter, DNR's large carnivore specialist, and assistant large carnivore specialist Jane Wiedenhoeft come on the show to talk everything mountain lion, from their biology to how we monitor their presence in Wisconsin. Loved the episode and want to know more? Visit https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/cougar.html

Free Fun Weekend is around the corner (June 1 and 2), and for a lot of Wisconsinites, that means time on the water. But what if you never learned to fish? Or you want to get your kids into fishing? In this episode, we talk with angler education specialist and R3 coordinator Theresa Stabo about how to get started with fishing - for free - through clinics offered around the state, using loaner tackle kits at many state parks and more.

Give fishing a try and tag us on your adventures using #FishOnWisconsin.

Learn more online: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/anglereducation/learntofish.html

What started as a crazy idea in a Wisconsin State Parks meeting to tap into the fitness tracker craze in 2017, has evolved into an initiative to help folks get outdoors. In this episode, hear from Parks' Jane Simpkins and Missy Vanlanduyt about the program's first year, how it nearly didn't happen and how OutWiGo is bolstering our state's physical, mental and community health one OutWiGo-getter at a time.

Get outside and use hashtag #OutWiGo to share your adventure.

Learn more online: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/outwigo.html

With spring comes warmer weather, those first hikes where you leave the sweater at home and, of course, adorable baby animals. Join wildlife biologists and Keep Wildlife Wild co-coordinators Mandy Kamps and Dianne Robinson for a look at how to handle those unexpected wildlife interactions as well as tips and tricks to help keep wildlife safe and, most of all, wild.

Listen in and then find out more on our website: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/orphan.html.