Outdoors - Pierce County Journal

Participants in the 2026 Data Analysis and Monitoring Crew (DAM Crew) gather ecological data in the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls. Five UW-River Falls students, one UW-Milwaukee student and two UWRF student interns participated in the fifth year of the program July 20-31, supported by funding from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.

University students get hands-on experience monitoring Kinni in advance of dam removal project

RIVER FALLS — For a fifth year, students from Universities of Wisconsin campuses stepped into the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls to gather data that tracks the … more

8/13/26

My bike is used for many adventures, including fishing, checking trap lines, elk hunting, getting the mail and more.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Bike is a game changer

Have you noticed the uptick in young people buzzing around on electric scooters and bikes? My first thought is: it’s too bad those same kids aren’t pedaling around on a normal bike getting … more

By Dave Beck | 8/5/26

A bear has been coming into my bait pile almost daily, especially during the hot weather.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Baiting a bear

Normally I wouldn’t be so early in talking about a fall hunting season, but it has already started, sort of. Let me back up a little. Bear season is one of the first hunting opportunities … more

By Dave Beck | 7/29/26

My latest cooking experiment included wrapping turkey legs in bacon and firing up the pellet grill.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Bacon makes everything better

Wow, here we are and it’s already late July! The year sure has been an interesting one. Spring kept ahold of us for an extended period and about the time we wished it would warm up a … more

By Dave Beck | 7/22/26

Outdoor Tales & Trails: A trout outing

I haven’t passed along many fishing reports this summer but trust me, I’ve been out there. Not only that, but I’ve spread myself from bass to walleyes and everything in between, including … more

By Dave Beck | 7/15/26

Standing on the good side of Hell Hole Point.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Hallowed ground

Even though I have been writing in this space for decades it still can be a surprise where subject inspiration comes from. the credit goes to Sarah Nigbor. Last week she wrote a … more

By Dave Beck | 7/8/26

Mayflies are aquatic insects that live only a few hours before they die in early summer.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The good and bad of mayflies

It’s getting to be the tail end of the big hatch on the river, but I wanted to cover the topic anyway. If you have ever lived along the Mississippi, you know all too well about the mayfly … more

By Dave Beck | 7/1/26

The bald eagle is an icon for conservation success in Wisconsin.

Support endangered species conservation, Bald Eagle recovery in Wisconsin

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is celebrating National Eagle Day (June 20, 2026) by reminding Wisconsinites that they can support the next species comeback in … more

6/23/26

Me and my youth hunter with one of our harvests years ago.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: What’s the right age?

Earlier this spring there was a turkey hunting incident of note that I will circle back to. In Racine County a 37-year-old hunter was mentoring a 3-year-old turkey hunter. Presumably the … more

By Dave Beck | 6/23/26

Hunter John Martinson poses after a successful hunt.

DNR seeking landowners to host Fall Gun Deer Hunt for hunters with disabilities

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds landowners who are interested in sponsoring a Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities to enroll their properties, by July … more

6/17/26

On the day of the Summer Solstice, the sun will officially set at 8:59 p.m., peeking over the western bluffs on the longest daylight day of the year.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The longest day of the year

This coming Sunday is one of the best days of the year. Officially it is the astronomical beginning of summer, making it noteworthy. It is the greatest day of the summer because it is in … more

By Dave Beck | 6/17/26

Ethan Nigbor and Shane Nigbor saw this black bear walking through a field just off County Road BB north of Highway 29 in the town of Gilman on Thursday, June 4.

Be bear aware: Avoid potential conflicts with black bears this spring

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages the public to be bear aware and take steps to prevent potential conflicts with black bears this spring. As the weather warms and people … more

6/17/26

This map shows the portion of Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area that will be closed to the public through September 2027.

Portion of Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area temporarily closed for improvements

BAY CITY – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public of the temporary closure of a 125-acre portion of Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area . The area … more

6/17/26

The Prescott participants in the Wisconsin Bass Nation High School and Youth Tournament, which took place on the St. Croix River.

Pierce County represented at fishing tournament

HUDSON – Pierce County youth anglers were well represented at last weekend's Wisconsin Bass Nation High School and Youth Tournament, showcasing both their fishing skills and sportsmanship on the … more

6/17/26

A trip back to the Spillway, one of my favorite childhood fishing spots, was a welcome trip down memory lane.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Going home

Have you heard the old adage that you can never go home again? I really think that it means that you can go home but it will never be the same. Things change and pages get turned to new … more

By Dave Beck | 6/9/26

Wisconsin turkey hunters registered 47,725 birds this season, 8.6% above the five-year average of 43,953.

DNR announces 2026 Spring Turkey season results

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources June 8 announced preliminary totals for the 2026 spring turkey season. Wisconsin turkey hunters registered 47,725 birds this season, 8.6% … more

6/9/26

Walking up to your tom after harvest never gets old: Eyeballing the beard and spurs, along with guessing the weight of the bird.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: It never gets old

As we scoot along into June the fishing season is in full swing and I already have stories to tell. Before I do that, it’s last call for the spring turkey hunting season. I actually have … more

By Dave Beck | 6/3/26

To me, it’s not really Spring until I find that first morel mushroom.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Wisconsin gold means Spring is here

There is a lot going on right now and I have terrific choices, at least they are as I pen this but probably not by the time my typed words become newsprint. What I‘m really saying is that … more

By Dave Beck | 5/27/26

I sneaked a peek at this advancing tom turkey, praying for the clock to slow down so I wasn’t late to an appointment.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Time limit on a tom

Spring turkey hunting is almost over but within those later seasons is another crossover season that provides the chance for some multi-tasking, if you’re paying attention. Yep, I’m talking … more

By Dave Beck | 5/20/26

My good friends Falco and Dave came along on a Mississippi River fishing trip near Wabasha, Minn.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: A signature, chilly moment

Ahhhhh, another new season is here and it comes at just the right time. Yep, I’m talking about fishing season. I could not wait to get back into the boat. I thought how ironic that … more

By Dave Beck | 5/13/26