Contrary to information sent out by the electronic media, there were 139 persons who voted on a series of proposals on Monday, April 8, at James Williams Middle School. Several news releases indicated that 75 persons voted in Oneida County.

There were 99 proposals to consider, plus eight citizen resolutions that were submitted before the DNR Annual Spring Fish and Wildlife Public Hearing and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Annual Spring County Conservation Meeting.
Wisconsin is unique in that the Conservation Congress is established by the state constitution to advise the Natural Resources Board on issues relating to hunting, fishing and trapping. Each of the 72 counties in Wisconsin holds a meeting of the DNR and Congress. This procedure allows the general public to communicate with the members of the congress as they advise the Natural Resources Board regarding the consensus of the state residents.

Each delegate agrees to represent the citizens of Wisconsin by working with the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources to effectively manage Wisconsin’s natural resources, for present and future generations to enjoy. The representatives who serve Oneida County are Jim Heffner, David Blunk, Ed Choinski and Ben Loma. If you have some concerns regarding the outdoors in our area, please contact one of these people.

Almost everyone has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring in our area. Many of us can remember last year when, at this time, our lawns were quite green and all traces of snow were gone. This year has been a disappointment for those who are among the followers of the global warming philosophy. One year ago, some were telling us that times have changed and we can expect fewer months of cold weather.

The rain last week, after receiving several inches of snow, certainly helped to raise the level of the streams in the area. Now is the time when some of our friends are getting their boats ready to slip in any open water they are able to find. One fellow who works for a local outboard business said that his mechanics are having a difficult time finding any open water to check outboard motors.

Again this spring, we have been involved in an activity that requires little thought. We’ve been watching as individuals run snowmobiles over the open water in the area of Cty. W and Lake Creek, skipping across the narrow portion of water from one side of the ice to the other. Sometimes they position themselves as far away from the bridge as possible, rev the machine as fast as possible and skim over the water and under the bridge.

Again last week, we heard that one fellow did not get going fast enough and went down with his machine. Sure hope they get the machine out of the water before losing much gasoline and oil. Of course, the person’s safety is also of concern.

Wherever we go, the question being asked is, “Will the ice be gone by the opener?” Over the many years we have fished the opener, there was only one time that we still had ice on the lake. However, there have been numerous times when it snowed on opening weekend. Something to look forward to!

According to the weather reports that give the average temperatures for our area, as previously mentioned, we should be experiencing warmer temperatures. Hopefully, we will soon be able to delve into some of the yard work that is waiting to be done, participate in some recreational activities such as fishing, and feel the warmth of the sun on our backs. Others who are wishing that the snow would disappear are the student athletes whose spring sports activities have been greatly affected by the weather!

Longtime Northwoods outdoors personality Roger Sabota writes a bi-monthly column for the Star Journal.