Warm temps, little snow lead to 16% drop in Wisconsin opening weekend deer kill
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says hunters killed 16% fewer deer during this year's opening weekend of the state's nine-day gun season than last year.
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says hunters killed 16% fewer deer during this year's opening weekend of the state's nine-day gun season than last year.
Wisconsin's annual nine-day gun deer-hunting season starts this weekend to a mixed outlook.
Cold winters and dry summers can have different impacts on animals in our state. Despite challenging weather patterns, pheasant numbers have taken off in southwestern Minnesota.
John Lauritsen talked with the DNR and hunters about why pheasant numbers have taken off, and what it means for the bird’s future.
A Minneapolis man is recovering after he was accidentally shot while hunting Sunday in northwestern Minnesota.
Saturday marks the start of the firearm deer hunting season. Governor Walz celebrated the start in Lanesboro.
Experts are urging drivers to stay vigilant when driving down dark roadways.
Hundreds of thousands of hunters are hoping to bag that trophy buck during Minnesota’s firearm deer hunting opener this weekend.
The DNR said despite more than 400,000 hunters expected this season, the number of license sales is down by about 4% this year, which follows the national trend of baby boomers aging out of the sport.
Between 2021 and 2022, there were 13 hunting accidents and one fatality in Minnesota, which prompted at least one change. Hunters are already required to wear blaze orange, but beginning this year their blinds will have to have blaze orange as well.
The DNR says to make sure your gun is unloaded when you are traveling in a vehicle or on an ATV. They currently have 4,000 firearms safety instructors in the state but are always looking for more.
Two Minnesota men have been injured in separate hunting accidents when they were accidentally shot by young, inexperienced hunters during the state's youth firearms deer season.
Authorities say an Iowa man has died after being shot while hunting coyotes with friends.
Archery hunters have been in Minnesota's woods for a couple weeks now, but this year another kind of hunter is joining them.
The Superior National Forest and three Ojibwe tribes in Minnesota have signed an agreement that gives the bands a stronger voice in managing land they ceded to the federal government nearly 170 years ago.
One hunter mistakenly shot another near Stillwater Wednesday afternoon, authorities say.
One hunter mistakenly shot another near Stillwater Wednesday afternoon, authorities say.
You won't be seeing as much blaze orange across the border in the days ahead.
Hunters from all over have started hunting in the region this weekend.
“This is the big day for a lot of Minnesotans,” said DNR Area Wildlife Supervisor Bob Fashingbauer. “Basically, it’s population control. Hunting is the main tool that DNR uses for deer population control.”
The agency says the number of deer hunters drops about 3% each year, and the average age is now 57.
Minnesota's deer hunting opener is just a week away. But it won't matter what you bag if you don't make it home safe.
For the past two years we’ve had drought conditions in Minnesota and Wisconsin. At the same time -- our falls are warming -- and so are our winters. How does that impact animal behavior and your next trip out to the deer stand?
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday that Gov. Tim Walz will celebrate the opening of deer hunting season in the Three Rivers Park District.
It's really starting to feel like fall, and that means it’s time for WCCO’s sports and hunting enthusiast Mike Max to get out in the field.
Taylor Heise scored her first goal of the season 2:57 into overtime Saturday to give the Minnesota Frost a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes as the Professional Women's Hockey League Takeover Tour hit Edmonton's Rogers Place.
On Saturday, cross-country skiers raced in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in an event that happened earlier than the normal.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
On Saturday, cross-country skiers raced in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in an event that happened earlier than the normal.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
The weeklong festival of Kwanzaa began on Friday with much fanfare at Lake Street's Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
A man and a woman are dead, and two others, including a 1-year-old boy, are injured after a crash in Thompson Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
As Christmas trees across the nation come down, a farm in Elk River, Minnesota, is finding a new purpose for the pines.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional Slender Man has been ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital after she escaped from her group home last month.
Several schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting delayed starts on Monday amid a messy morning commute.
The U.S. Justice Department has sued three states, including Illinois and Wisconsin, and D.C. for not turning over requested voter information to the Trump administration.
Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers are raising alarms about judicial independence and say they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
Minneapolis officials have banned government officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from using city lots and ramps as a staging area to enforce federal immigration laws, according to an updated city ordinance.
The Veterans Affairs Department is reimposing a near total ban on abortions for veterans and their families that was modified in 2022.
President Trump says the U.S. launched powerful and deadly strikes against Islamic state forces in Nigeria, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Strikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria come after President Trump spent weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
This season of giving can really do a number on our recycling systems. But we can all be part of the solution.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
Twin Cities shoppers were out and about on Super Saturday, the second-busiest shopping day of the year. The day lands on the final Saturday before Christmas annually.
Buy now, pay later plans are becoming more popular for shoppers this holiday season.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Police in Roseville, Minnesota, are investigating after they said officers found a man injured at the scene of a reported shooting on Friday morning.
Minneapolis police say they're investigating a "suspicious death" after a woman's body was discovered inside a vehicle Tuesday morning.
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
A 63-year-old West St. Paul, Minnesota, man accused of pointing a gun at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent says the agent also pointed a gun at him, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Minneapolis police are investigating after they say a man suffered "potentially life-threatening injuries" in a stabbing on Thursday morning.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
The Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association says of the middle and high schools they know of, only 49% have an athletic trainer providing some level of service.
From 2021 to 2025, Smart Therapy Center submitted claims totaling $31.8 million across all Minnesota Department of Human Services programs, according to that data. But the provider was only approved for a fraction of those payments.
The family of a Minnesota Vikings player who died at training camp from heat exhaustion in 2001 is still fighting to protect others.
A Twin Cities metro area school shifted to e-learning after a flu outbreak impacted nearly a quarter of its students. A senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health said flu season is "definitely picking up."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Feeding America's CEO said the organization is "incredibly grateful" for Taylor Swift's large donation.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
Taylor Heise scored her first goal of the season 2:57 into overtime Saturday to give the Minnesota Frost a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes as the Professional Women's Hockey League Takeover Tour hit Edmonton's Rogers Place.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine straight games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl.
The World Junior Championship tournament kicked off in Minnesota on Friday. For those eager to check it out, there's a free fan experience called the Bold North Breakaway.
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to practice the process of winning in December despite being eliminated from contention for the playoffs.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Fear and uncertainty continue in Minnesota's Somali communities as ICE continues its intensified focus on the Twin Cities.
Opposition to ICE actions is widespread among Democratic elected officials throughout the state, though nowhere more than in Minneapolis, home to the state's largest Somali population.
Minnesotans who welcomed a child this year were able to start applying this week to the state's new paid family and medical leave program to take time off in 2026.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
According to the Smithsonian Magazine and Britannica, eggnog has British roots.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
The story of "The Wizard of Oz " is 125 years old, yet still reinventing itself in all kinds of forms.
It's the time of year when we accumulate the most stuff. When we do, people often throw around the word "hoarding." But it turns out it's a frequently misunderstood term.
Why do we have oily or dry skin? A dermatologist explains the root cause and how it can change over time.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
On Saturday, cross-country skiers raced in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in an event that happened earlier than the normal.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Dense fog advisory in place starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday will see a big change as heavy snow and strong winds move across the state. Sunday night is expected to be the worst of the conditions. WCCO has issued a NEXT WEATHER ALERT for Sunday. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows breaks everything down to keep you weather aware.
We will have a dense fog advisory starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday morning a winter storm watch goes into effect, lasting until Monday morning. The worst conditions are expected Sunday night with strong winds and potentially heavy snow. Lisa Meadows breaks down the important information you need to know to stay safe.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Dense fog advisory in place starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday will see a big change as heavy snow and strong winds move across the state. Sunday night is expected to be the worst of the conditions. WCCO has issued a NEXT WEATHER ALERT for Sunday. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows breaks everything down to keep you weather aware.
The last two years haven't seen a lot of snow. This year is expected to be different.
We will have a dense fog advisory starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday morning a winter storm watch goes into effect, lasting until Monday morning. The worst conditions are expected Sunday night with strong winds and potentially heavy snow. Lisa Meadows breaks down the important information you need to know to stay safe.
A Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital security guard who was involved in a confrontation on Christmas has passed away from her injuries.
Saturday will be gloomy but mild temperatures before a major change comes Sunday.