" Let's Talk Wild "
" Did You Know"
The Bear Species vs. Color Variation
The world has eight distinct bear species.
Many of the
common names you hear, especially in North America,
refer to a specific color phase or a subspecies of one of thesemain species.
1. The Polar Bear (A True Species)
Scientific Name: Ursus maritimus
Color/Appearance:
They are famous for their white-appearing fur. Interestingly, their fur is actually translucent and reflects light, making them look white
—and their skin underneath is black!
Classification: The Polar Bear is its own distinct species,
highly adapted to the Arctic marine environment.
2. The American Black Bear
(A Species with Major Color Variations)
Scientific Name: Ursus americanus
Color/Appearance:
While their name suggests black,
the American Black Bear has the widest range of color variations of any bear species.
Black: The most common color, especially i
n eastern North America.
Cinnamon Bear:
This is a color phase (or sometimes considered a subspecies, Ursus americanus cinnamomum) of the American
Black Bear with brown or reddish-brown fur. They are common in the western U.S. and Canada.
A black-colored mother can give birth to a cinnamon-colored cub!
Let’s take a quick "deep dive"
into the world of Caribou.
These animals are more than just "reindeer" (though they are technically the same species);
they are masters of arctic engineering and long-distance travel.
Here are the most fascinating things about them:
1. Caribou vs. Reindeer: What’s the Difference?
Technically, they are both Rangifer tarandus. The distinction is mostly about geography and lifestyle:
Caribou: The name used in North America for wild populations.
Reindeer:
The name used in Europe and Asia. It often refers to semi-domesticated or farmed animals, though wild reindeer also exist in places like Norway and Russia.
2. Arctic Engineering (Built for the Cold)
Caribou have evolved some of the most specialized physical traits in the animal kingdom:
The "Clicking" Walk: When they walk, a tendon slips over a bone in their feet, making a loud clicking sound. This helps the herd stay together in whiteout blizzards by sound alone.
Ultraviolet Vision: They are one of the few mammals that can see UV light. This helps them spot white lichen (their food) and white wolf fur against a white snow background.
Self-Regulating Hooves: In the summer, their foot pads are soft and spongy for traction on soggy tundra. I
n winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the sharp rim of the hoof to cut into ce and crusted snow.
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The "Outdoor Wild" Identification Guide: Whitefish vs. Chubs
While they look like twins at first glance, they play very different roles in the Great Lakes ecosystem.
1. The Mouth: The "Under-Slung" vs. "The Under-Bite"
Lake Whitefish: Has a subterminal mouth. This means their snout actually hangs over their lower jaw, forming a little "beak." It is designed for vacuuming food (like those tubular lures!) off the lake floor.
The Chub (Bloater): Has a terminal mouth (or slight under-bite). Their mouth is right at the front of their face, allowing them to grab tiny organisms floating in the mid-water.
2. The Size: Big Brother vs. Little Brother
Lake Whitefish: These are the heavyweights. Anglers in Sturgeon Bay regularly pull up fish between 18 and 25 inches weighing 3 to 8 pounds.
The Chub: These are bite-sized. Most bloaters are only 8 to 12 inches long. If it fits on a small cracker whole, it’s a chub; if you need a fork and a plate, it’s a whitefish.
3. The Texture: Flaky vs. Oily
Lake Whitefish: Known for being firm and lean. It’s the "steak" of the whitefish family. It’s perfect for a healthy, organic grilled meal or a clean smoke.
The Chub: These are extremely oily. That high fat content is why they are world-famous for smoking—the oil keeps the meat incredibly moist and buttery even after hours in the smokehouse.
Why it matters for Outdoor Wild
Both fish are "Superfoods of the North." They are wild-caught, packed with Omega-3s, and represent a clean alternative to farm-raised fish.
Cisco
The Central Valley Death Trap
The Almond-Bee Industrial Complex
Status: Critical
The California Central Valley produces 80% of the world's almonds. On paper, it’s a gold mine. In the dirt, it’s a killing field.
Every year, billions of honeybees are loaded onto flatbeds and hauled across the country into a chemical fog. They aren’t there to live; they are there to work a monoculture desert. The "Salad Guardians" see the truth: when you strip the land of every weed, every wildflower, and every native shrub to make room for endless rows of almond trees, you create a biological void.
The Raw Reality
Chemical Warfare: These bees are flying into a cocktail of fungicides and "bee-safe" pesticides that, when mixed, become a lethal neurological poison. They lose their way. They forget how to get home. They simply drop.
The "Salad" is Gone: A bee needs a diverse diet to survive—a "salad" of different pollens. In the Central Valley, they get one thing: almond. It’s like a human trying to survive on nothing but white bread for a month while running a marathon. Their immune systems collapse.
The Body Count: We are losing 30-40% of colonies every year. This isn't "nature taking its course." This is an industrial extraction of life.
Why the Salad Guardians Matter
The Salad Guardians aren't just watching; they are the resistance. They are the ones demanding cover crops—planting mustard, clover, and wildflowers between the trees so the bees actually have something to eat. They are the ones fighting to keep the "wild" in the orchard.
At Outdoor Wild, we don't buy into the "clean" image of industrial farming if it leaves a trail of dead pollinators in its wake. Our commitment to organic, animal-safe coffee is born from the same grit. We believe the land should be a sanctuary, not a factory.
The choice is simple: We can have "cheap" almonds and a silent spring, or we can support the Guardians and keep the wild alive.
Whitefish
Key Visual Differences
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The Mouth Position: This is the most reliable way to tell them apart.
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Lake Whitefish: Have a "subterminal" mouth, meaning the upper jaw overhangs the lower jaw. Their snout is somewhat rounded and blunt.
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Cisco: Have a "terminal" mouth, where the upper and lower jaws meet evenly at the tip, or the lower jaw may even protrude slightly.
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Body Shape:
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Lake Whitefish: Usually have a deeper, more compressed body. Large adults often develop a noticeable "hump" behind the head.
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Cisco: Have a more slender, streamlined, and cigar-shaped body compared to the whitefish.
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Size:
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Lake Whitefish: Grow significantly larger, often reaching 20+ inches and weighing several pounds.
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Cisco: Generally smaller, typically averaging between 10 to 15 inches.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 23, 2026
Contact: Alissa Kakatsch, DNR Assistant Game Bird Specialist Alissa.Kakatsch@wisconsin.gov or 608-576-7559
DNR Now Accepting Artwork For The 2027 Turkey, Pheasant And Waterfowl Stamp Contests
The DNR is now accepting artwork entries for the 2027 Wild Turkey, Pheasant and Waterfowl Stamp Design Contests. / Photo Credit: Sam Timm/Wisconsin DNR
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting artwork entries for the Wild Turkey, Pheasant and Waterfowl Stamp Design Contests. The winning designs will appear on the 2027 collection of stamps.
Each year, local artists from across Wisconsin compete for the opportunity to showcase their talents, commemorate their work and promote wildlife conservation across the state.
Hunters are required to purchase a species-specific stamp to legally harvest any of these game birds in Wisconsin. The sales of these three stamps generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for species management throughout the state, including habitat management, restoration, education and research projects.
Stamp design entries must be received or postmarked by Aug. 1, 2026. Judging will take place on Aug. 22, 2026, at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The winners of the 2026 contests were:
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Wild Turkey – Sam Timm of Wautoma
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Pheasant – Caleb Metrich of Lake Tomahawk
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Waterfowl – Sam Timm of Wautoma
All stamp contest applicants should review the contest rules carefully to ensure the eligibility of their entries. Artwork must meet technical requirements to be properly processed and prepared for judging and display.
Registration, rules, entry information and reproduction rights agreements are available on the DNR’s Wildlife Stamp Funding and Stamp Design Contest webpage.
Stamp contest applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain insurance for their artwork if shipped and to confirm the delivery of their submission directly with the stamp contest coordinator.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 27, 2026
Contact: Christina Kizewski, DNR Central Elk Herd Biologist
Christina.Kizewski@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-3882
Application Period For The 2026 Elk Season
Opens March 1
Applications for Wisconsin's 2026 elk season open on Sunday, March 1. / Photo Credit: Cody Austin
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that the application period for Wisconsin's 2026 elk hunt will open Sunday, March 1, and close on Sunday, May 31. Applicants and selected hunters will see increased opportunities again in 2026. These include increased application options and license availability, coupled with a longer hunting season.
For the third year in a row, there will be increased opportunity to pursue elk within the Central Elk Management Zone (formerly Black River Elk Range), as additional bull elk and antlerless harvest authorizations will be available through the state licensing system. The 2026 elk quota for the Central Elk Management Zone is six bull elk and six antlerless elk, up from a quota of four bull and five antlerless in 2025.
The Northern Elk Management Zone (formerly Clam Lake Elk Range) quota will be eight bull elk, subject to a 50% declaration by Ojibwe tribes.
During the open application period, applicants will have the choice to submit one bull elk license application and/or one antlerless elk license application, separately. Applicants can apply to any unit grouping with an associated quota for that authorization type (bull or antlerless). The order of drawing will be bull licenses first, followed by antlerless licenses. As a reminder, only one resident elk hunting license can be issued or transferred to a person in their lifetime, regardless of authorization type.
Selected applicants will be notified in early June.
In 2026, there will be one continuous hunting season, opening Saturday, Oct. 17, and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 13, eliminating the split-season structure that was in effect from 2018-2025. This offers elk hunters more opportunities and flexibility to pursue elk in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin residents can submit elk license applications online through the Go Wild license portal or in person at a license sales agent. The application fee is $10 for each of the bull elk and antlerless elk drawings and is limited to one application per person, per authorization type. The DNR recommends that all applicants check and update their contact information to ensure contact with successful applicants.
For each application fee, $7 goes directly to elk management, monitoring and research. These funds also enhance elk habitat, which benefits elk and many other wildlife. If selected in the drawing, an elk hunting license costs $49.
Before obtaining an elk hunting license, all selected hunters must participate in a Wisconsin elk hunter education course. The class covers Wisconsin elk history, hunting regulations, biology, behavior and scouting/hunting techniques.
For more information on the elk hunt, visit the DNR's Elk Hunting webpage.
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Wisconsin Rivers and Streams
Wisconsin is a water-rich state.
Rivers and Streams
Wisconsin has more than 84,000 miles of rivers and streams.
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Perennial Streams: About 32,000 miles flow year-round.
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Intermittent Streams: The remaining 52,000 miles flow primarily during spring or after heavy rains.
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Trout Streams: If you're looking for the cleanest, most "wild" water, there are roughly 13,000 miles of classified trout streams.
Lakes
While we don't typically measure lakes in linear miles, the stats for Wisconsin's "lake country" are impressive:
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Total Lakes: Over 15,000 documented lakes (the official DNR count is often cited as 15,074).
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Surface Area: These lakes cover nearly 1 million acres.
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Great Lakes Shoreline: Wisconsin has more than 800 miles of coastline along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
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Mississippi River: The state also shares about 200 miles of shoreline along the Mississippi River.
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Dean Romano
A Legacy of Conservation: My Friendship with Dawn Wells
Beyond the Island: How Conservation Brought Dawn Wells and Dean Romano Together
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"A Shared Mission: Why Dawn Wells Supported Outdoor Wild"
Dawn Wells was a beautiful human being and a wonderful person to know. She was known for sweet little Mary Ann Summers in Gilligan Island Sitcom that aired in the 60's However she carried her delightful sweet personality with her in real life as well.
Little did I know she had an interest in Conservation and the Outdoors she had a public history of supporting certain Environmental and conservation efforts .
Her and I shared something in common with Outdoor Wild to where it sparked her interest . She had me sit next to her during an autograph signing where she could talk with me when she caught a break There was even a point where she had her friend take down my name and phone number . we talked a lot about them getting involved with my show. I had talked with her in following discussions and met her 3 times after that first meeting. I actually saw her four times but she was so busy on the second time I gave her a break and let her tend to business.
We met three times after that and our third time was the last I seen her. We talked in messages after that . Then came the sad news that we lost her due to covid
"I’ll always cherish the time Dawn and I spent discussing our shared passion for the outdoors. Seeing her hold up the Outdoor Wild colors was a proud moment—it wasn't just a celebrity endorsement; it was a friend standing up for the conservation values we both believed in."
She was a long time supporter of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and she hosted Dawn Wells Reel Adventures where she went Fly Fishing all Over the World. She came here to Wisconsin once where her and I spent about 3 hours visiting
as she signed autographs and talked with some of her fans
Her interest in the outdoors and conservation allowed her and I to share my show Outdoor Wild as a close connection to our work . The shirt that I gave her at the time was an ex large . From what I was told She wore it that evening for a nightie
She was a Great person and friend to know and will long be Remembered . We lost a beautiful friend in 2020 from Covid
Gone but never forgotten
So this one is for you Dawn
Respectfully yours
Dean Romano
"Honey bee pollinating wildflower - Outdoor Wild Conservation."
The Buzz of a Crisis: Why Our Pollinators are in
Peril
We often take for granted the tiny workers that keep our world in bloom. But right now, the honeybee is facing a fight for survival that stretches from the massive almond groves of California right to our own backyards.
The Almond Crisis
In the Central Valley of California, a tragedy unfolds every year. Billions of bees are trucked in to pollinate the almond crop—the backbone of the almond milk industry. Unfortunately, the combination of industrial pesticides, habitat loss, and the stress of transport leads to staggering die-offs. When we lose billions of bees for a single harvest, we aren't just losing insects; we are losing the very engine of our ecosystem.
Beyond the Trap: A Call for "Safety Zones"
It isn't just large-scale agriculture causing the problem. Many companies and homeowners still rely on "bee traps" filled with poisonous liquid. These traps are a dead end.
Instead of extermination, we should be looking at Safety Zones. Imagine a world where businesses don't reach for a spray bottle, but instead call a "Bee Collector"—a professional who can safely track, collect, and relocate the hive without harm. Moving toward live relocation and chemical-free zones is the only way to ensure the next generation sees a thriving wild.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for an upcoming video segment where we’ll dive deeper into this, including some classic footage from our archives showing how we've been advocating for these little giants for years.
WILD CALL TO ACTION: Help Us Build a Safety Zone!
We are looking to connect with local beekeepers and "Bee Collectors" who specialize in live, non-lethal removals.
Do you know a local expert in Wisconsin (or beyond!) who uses bee vacs or relocation boxes instead of chemicals? We want to hear from you. Let’s build a directory for businesses and homeowners who want to save the bees rather than trap them. Drop a comment below or send us a note through our 'Field Notes' contact page!