Forestry & Recreation

Forestry & Recreation Committee August 7th, 2026 Meeting Room-3rd Floor Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:30 AM by Scott Mildbrand. Members Present: Scott Mildbrand, Gary Beadles, Jim Gebauer, Harvey “Bud” Suckow, and Rollie Thums. Members Absent: N/A Other Attendees: Alex Solawetz, Tanisha Macdonald, and Brian Wilson-Star News. Approve Minutes: Suckow moved to approve the minutes of the June 5 th, 2026, meeting; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. Approve Agenda: Thum s moved to approve the agenda of 14 items; seconded by Beadles. Motion carried. Approve Bills: Solawetz presented the monthly bill spreadsheet. Thums moved to approve the bills spreadsheet as presented; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. Timber Sales Update: Solawetz presented the following updates: • Sale #725; Czarnezki Forest Products, cutting and skidding is complete. Wood is decked and needs to be hauled. Five acres of ash was cut additionally due to the dry weather. Should be ready to close out next month. • Sale #730; Smola Enterprises, sale started June 8th and was completed July 24th. This was a large sale that required some repairs. Water bars were installed, ruts were fixed, and several buried culverts were cleared out. All wood and equipment has been removed. Closeout next month. Timber Sale Closeout #722: Sale was cut by Twin Forest Products . Final invoices have been paid. There are no pending items. Thums moved to approve the closeout of timber sale #722, seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Timber Sale #727 Contract Reassignment : This sale is currently held by Central Wisconsin Lumber. No work has been done. Central Wisconsin Lumber is being bought out by Twin Forest Products. Twin Forest Products has agreed to take over the sale with no changes to the contract and a deadline of June 30, 2029. Suckow made a motion to approve the reassignment of Sale #727, seconded by Thums. Motion carried. Timber Sale 1 -26 Direct Sale: Czarnezki Forest Products has offered to buy thi s sale at the minimum bid value. This is a sale from the Spring 2026 bidding. There were no bids offered on this sale in the spring. The committee would like to bid out this sale one more time before offering it for direct sale. This sale will be offered in the Fall 2026 bids. Timber Sale Access Road Project: There is 87-acre sale with limited access. There would need to be 800 ft of woods road that needs to be established. Waiting on a cost estimate. County Forest Road Annual Projects: Wood roads have been graded once this year. Another round of grading will occur in the fall. Annual grading was reduced from three times a year to twice a year. Three culverts were replaced due to damage. Two were along Cutoff Road and one along Camp 8 Rd. The ATV Troute funding paid for the majority of the cost for the culvert replacement. $993.44 of the remaining cost was billed to gas tax funding. Solawetz presented three County Forest Road projects for next year. • 500 ft of gravel is needed at the end of Brads Blvd to complete the connection for a timber sale that will be established in the spring. • 500 ft of gravel is needed for a private easement located at the southeast corner of Zettler’s property to prevent this stretch of dirt road from becoming damaged with rutting. • About 2,000 ft of gravel is needed to finish the project along Fawn Ave. This is a continuation of last year’s project. Solawetz would hire the Highway Department to complete these projects. Funding for the projects will come from the ATV Troute Grant and the gas tax account. Any of the remaining costs for the road projects will be funded by the Road Construction and Supplies account. Gebauer made a motion to approve the proposed gravel projects, seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Administrator Report: Solawetz presented the following updates: • 2027 budget proposals are due at the end of August. The department budget will be presented at the September meeting. • Maintenance reimbursement for recreation grants have been submitt ed. The final reimbursement for the snowmobile maintenance grant has been received. • The Rib Lake Shooting Range Grant application will be submitted next week. • Jonathan Knusta (DNR Technician) was able to use training hours to do some dozer work on Mezich Road without any charge to the county. • Maintenance mowing was completed at Chelsea Dam, Camp 8, and Miller Dam. • The Pineline herbicide application was completed in the last week of July. The Pineline will be mowed this weekend and the field located i n Whittlesey along the Pineline, that was previously being burned, was mowed this week. • Mowing along the county roads will begin in the next few weeks. • The gravel work on Wilderness ATV trail was completed using ATV Maintenance money. • Since being awarded the Turkey Stamp Grant there have been seven new openings established totaling about six acres. This project fund is available for another year so the Forestry Department and DNR will work on installing a few more openings. • Bids are open for a road wor k project that is funded by the Sustainable Forestry Grant. Bids will be reviewed at the September 4th meeting. • Bids are also open for a snowmobile bridge located on Mink Creek which is funded by the snowmobile and ATV maintenance grant. Bids will be reviewed at the September 4 th meeting. DNR County Forest Liaison Report: Timothy Allen was not present to give a report. Solawetz provided a short update on the work DNR Technician, Knusta, has been doing. He completed the dozer work along Mezich Road and has helped establish a few of the wildlife openings. Next Committee Meeting : The next Forestry and Recreation Committee meeting will be Friday, September 4th, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. in the third-floor Meeting Room. Adjournment: With no further business, Thums moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 AM. Secretary: Tanisha Macdonald Forestry & Recreation Committee June 5th, 2026 County Board Room-3rd Floor Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:30 AM by Scott Mildbrand. Members Present: Scott Mildbrand, Gary Beadles, Jim Gebauer, and Harvey “Bud” Suckow. Members Absent: Rollie Thums Other Attendees: Alex Solawetz, Tanisha Macdonald, Timothy Allen -DNR, Brian Wilson -Star News, and Black River Riders (Melissa Siikarla, Al Siikarla, Trinity Wesle, & Brook Wesle) Approve Minutes: Suckow moved to approve the minu tes of the May 1 st, 2026 meeting; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. Approve Agenda: Gebauer moved to approve the agenda of 16 items; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Approve Bills: Solawetz presented the monthly bill spreadsheet. Gebauer moved to approve the bills spreadsheet as presented; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. WDNR Shooting Range Grant Application: There were three options considered for the new Rib Lake Shooting Range. Option 1, located along Bear Ave; option 2, located a long Loop Rd; and option 3, located along Camp 8 Rd. Option 2 and 3 would significantly increase the cost of the range because the locations are flat and would need more fill bought in. Both locations are farther from State Highways and County Roads. Option 1 is the most suitable site. More safety precautions will be taken with option 1 due to the location of recreational trails nearby. The direction of the range can be shifted so that it is not directly in line with the horse trail, and a berm will be added to the East side of the range. Solawetz suggests waiting on shooting tubes. Shooting tubes would limit the sound from the range for other recreation users but impacts users at the range since the sound is concentrated around the shooter. Solawetz also suggested closing the shooting range on days when the horse club has their annual horse -riding event. Suckow made a motion to approve applying for the option 1 site and adding all additional modifications to the application: seconded by Beadles. Motion carried. Northwoods Archers Improvements: Solawetz presented information regarding the addition to the archery facility on Pirus Rd. Northwoods Archers will manage the project themselves. Suckow made a motion to approve the addition to the Northwoods Archery facility; seconded by Beadles. Motion carried. Village of Rib Lake Land Use/Purchase Request: Village of Rib Lake requested to use 1 -2 acres of County Forest for a new brush pile site. Their old site was on a private property which has been sold recently and requires them to find a new site quickly. The land they are requesting to use was purchased using Knowles -Nelson funds which would make using that land for a brush pile a lengthy process with DNR and the Village needs a new site quickly. Solawetz does not recommend putting a brush pile on County Forest land since it could lead to the spread of invasive species. Mink Creek Bridge H&H Study Proposals: Solawetz presented the three proposed bids. Suckow moved to approve the lowest bid of $8,840.00 by Becher & Hoppe; seconded by Beadles. Motion carried. Miller Dam Inspection Proposals: Solawetz presented the four proposed bids. Gebauer made a motion to approve the lowest bid by Roth Professional Solutions for $2,800.00; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Timber Sales Update: Solawetz presented the following updates: • Sale #721; Smola Enterprises, sale is partially complete with a small amount of wood decked on Trout Ave. • Sale #722; Twin Forest Products, wood has been cleared off Cut off Rd. Waiting on final billing. • Sale #725; Czarnezki Forest Products, some wood has been hauled. Working on the west portion of the sale for selection cut. Approve Timber Sale Bids: Solawetz presented the spring timber sale bids. The total bid value was $155,872.00 for a total of 371 acres, with two sales remaining unsold. • Tract #10-24: No bids. • Tract #5-25: Czarnezki Forest Products LLC submitted the only bid at $9,956.00. • Tract #1-26: No bids will be readvertised in the fall. • Tract #2-26: Four bids with Smola Enterprises being the high bidder at $79,116.00. • Tract #3 -26: Seven bids with Czarnezki Forest Products being the high bidder at $66,800.00. Beadles made a motion to approve the highest bidders for sales 5 -25, 2-26, and 3-26, seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. County Forest Projects: The work plan has been established; waiting on final cost estimates. Administrator Report: Solawetz presented the following updates: • In 2017 a private road south of Trout Ave was improved with funds fr om the county and a landowner who lives on that road. The road was recently used for a timber sale and the crown of the road needed to be leveled to allow log trucks to pass. The southern half of the road has been retaining water. To fix this the road would need some ditching and leveling. A DNR technician will be checking out the road in the next few weeks to determine if training hours can be used to provide some dozer work. If not, Solawetz will present other options at the July meeting. • SRS Title 3 funds were received for the delayed 2024 payment and the 2025 payment. The balance of the account is $23,047.90. • The Whittlesey field was burned again. The county does not know who has been burning it, but the field will need to be mowed in the future and not burned. • Moore has been working on fall timber sale establishment. • Moore will be attending a DNR training on June 17th. • The Pine Line was spot sprayed. DNR County Forest Liaison Report: Allen finished the Spirit Falls remark. Started on a hardwood/aspen sale. DNR has completed their county time standards of 785 hours. Next Committee Meeting : The next Forestry and Recreation Committee meeting will be Friday, July 10th, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. in the third-floor Meeting Room. Adjournment: With no further business, Suckow moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 AM. Secretary: Tanisha Macdonald Forestry & Recreation Committee May 1st, 2026 Meeting Room-3rd Floor Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:30 AM by Scott Mildbrand. Members Present: Scott Mildbrand, Gary Beadles, Jim Gebauer, and Harvey “Bud” Suckow. Members Absent: Rollie Thums Other Attendees: Alex Solawetz, Tanisha Macdonald, Timothy Allen -DNR, Brian Wilson -Star News, and Black River Riders (Melissa Siikarla & Al Siikarla) Approve Minutes: Gebauer moved to approve the minutes of the April 10 th, 2026 meeting; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Approve Agenda: Suckow moved to approve the age nda of 12 items; seconded by Beadles. Motion carried. Approve Bills: Solawetz presented the monthly bill spreadsheet. Gebauer moved to approve the bills spreadsheet as presented; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Timber Sales Update: Solawetz informed the committee that seasonal weight restrictions were lifted on the 20 th of April so no logging occurred during that time, but some contractors have started to haul decked wood. Timber Sale Closeout - #696: This sale was cut by Wilson Forestry an d had two extensions. Final invoices have been paid. There are no pending items. Gebauer moved to approve the close out of timber sale #696; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Timber Sales for Bid: Solawetz presented five (5) timber sales for a total of 371 acres. • Tract 10-24: 60 -acre sale located near Trout Ave and Porky Dr. Minimum bid value of $9155.00. • Tract 5-25: 35-acre sale located near Cutoff Rd. Minimum bid value of $9,393.00. • Tract 1-26: 54-acre sale located along State Hwy 13. Minimum bid value of $22,705.00. • Tract 2-26: 118-acre sale located along Bear Ave. Minimum bid value of $43,921.00. • Tract 3-26: 104-acre sale located along Camp 8 Rd. Minimum bid value of $40,569.00. Suckow made a motion to approve the five (5) timber sales for bid, seconded by Beadles. Motion carried. WDNR Shooting Range Grant: Solawetz presented an update on the locations for the Rib Lake Shooting Range. Option 2 site along Loop Rd is flat, and fill would need to be brought in for the berms and back s tops. All additional fill would need to be purchased and hauled in, which would be a 30% cost increase to the original proposed total. The Loop Ave site is also 6.5 miles from Hwy 102, whereas Option 1 (Bear Ave site) is 2.5 miles from Hwy 102, this could mean that the range is less likely to be funded. The Bear Ave site is still a good option for the range except for the proximity to the horse trail. There is the option of installing sound barriers to reduce sound levels and help with direction of fire. These sound tubes would help address the noise and stray bullet risk that the horse club is concerned about. Solawetz would like to perform a decidable test to accurately measure the volume of gunshots at the trailhead. There is the option of choosing a third site, but it will be limited due to nearby residences in the county forest, wetlands, and recreational trails. Solawetz will explore all of the options to determine the best course of action and will present his findings at the next committee meeting. Administrator Report: Solawetz presented the following updates: • SRS funding was awarded to the Rib Lake Fire Department for a new ATV. • Northwood’s Archers have requested to expand their archery facility on Pirus Rd, which is leased by the county. • Solawetz met with Pat Harder from the Highway Department to discuss summer gravel projects. • Two gates will need to be replaced this summer. • The Pine Line Commission had a meeting on April 28 th. Approved a permit for the Economic Development Foundati on to allow ATV’s on the Pine Line Trail for one weekend. • Moore has been working on fall sale establishment. • Trees were planted for wildlife openings. Tubes were installed around the apple trees planted. DNR County Forest Liaison Report: Allen has been working on paperwork for two of the spring timber sales for bid. Remarking trees in the Spirit Falls timber sale. Next Committee Meeting : The next Forestry and Recreation Committee meeting will be Friday, June 5th, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. in the third floor Meeting Room. Adjournment: With no further business, Suckow moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 AM. Secretary: Tanisha Macdonald Forestry & Recreation Committee April 10th, 2026 County Board Room-3rd Floor Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Scott Mildbrand. Members Present: Scott Mildbrand, Gary Beadles, Jim Gebauer, and Harvey “Bud” Suckow. Members Absent: Rollie Thums Other Attendees: Jim M etz, Alex Solawetz, Jake Moore, Tanisha Macdonald, Timothy Allen - DNR, Brian Wilson -Star News, and Black River Riders (Melissa Siikarla, Al Siikarla, Sue Draeger, Sharon Grimm, Trinity Wesle, Marilyn Matyka, Steve Cain, and Guy Nelson) Approve Minutes: Suckow moved to approve the minutes of the February 6 th, 2026, meeting; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. Approve Agenda: Gebauer moved to approve the agenda of 11 items; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Public Comment: The Black River Riders Ho rse Club shared concern on the location of the proposed shooting range in relation to the horse trails in the Bear Ave area. The club’s concerns included the potential sound impact on horses and the possible threat to safety with horse trails located in the vicinity of the proposed shooting facility. The club asked if Taylor County had other potential locations for the proposed shooting range. Solawetz shared that when the project was originally proposed in 2023 there were two potential sites chosen by the previous administrator, Walcisak, before the Bear Ave site was chosen. These locations were assessed based on many factors including location in relation to main roads outside the forest, the presence of wetlands in the area, and available fill in the area to reduce costs of importing material. Solawetz shared maps of the current proposed location option 1 and another location previously investigated, option 2, with the committee. Solawetz provided a measurement of 2,000 ft from the proposed range to the n earest horse trail and about 4,000 ft in a down range direction to the nearest horse trail. There was discussion by the committee on the site options and potential impact on horse trail riders. Solawetz will do more research on both sites and present the information at the next meeting. Approve Bills: Solawetz presented the monthly bill spreadsheet. Suckow moved to approve the bills spreadsheet as presented; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. Timber Sales Update: Moore presented the following update: • Sale #696 – Wilson Forestry: Cutting has been completed and all wood has been hauled off site. • Sale #719 – Wiitala & Vozka: Finished cutting selection area. The crew pulled out of the sale before weather warmed up. There is still some aspen coppice to be cut. They did cut some red pine they were offered from a neighboring ash sale that did not sell in 2024. • Sale #722 – Twin Forest Products: Cutting is complete, but wood is left to haul on Cutoff Rd. Access was limited due to the snowmobile trail on Cutoff Rd. • Sale #721 – Smola Enterprises: This sale has been subcontracted. Work began in late February but only a few days of work were completed before the weather warmed up and ground conditions deteriorated. There was a rutting issue in soft ground that was addressed. All cut wood was piled on Trout Ave. Timber Sale Closeout - #709: This sale was cut by Lakeland Forestry. The job was completed in early January. Some minor dozer work was done to repair the woods roads after the sale. Final in voices have been paid. There are no pending items. Gebauer moved to approve the close out of timber sale #709; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Administrator Report: Solawetz presented the following updates: • Snowmobile trails were open for a total of 47 days. A 5-year average of 39 days. • There was a snowmobile council meeting on April 9 th. There are concerns about trail access if a proposal to allow extended archery until January 31 st in all farmland zones is approved. Clubs shared that some land owners may not allow trails to operate until the end of January. o The council also asked for continued support on an increase in trail pass fees. Funds from trail passes go to the program for improvements such as bridges. Available funding for new trail establishment and new bridges is on a downward trend. o Officers Election: Penny Olson – President, Marcus Reimann – Vice President, Sadie Trawicki – Treasurer, and Alex Solawetz – Secretary. • Solawetz and Moore attended the WCFA spring conference in Rothschild. • There will be three new timber sales offered for bid in May. Some previous sales that did not receive bids will also be offered. These will be presented at the next meeting. • 200 oak and 100 apple trees along with 100 shrubs will be planted at some of the new wildlife openings that were funded by the Turkey Stamp Grant. These areas will also be seeded with rye and clover. • Moore was able to place 5 duck houses this year before ice out. • A permit was issued to a UW -Lacrosse master’s student who will be doing research on orchids, specifically Pink Lady’s Slipper, within the county forest. Some small soil and root samples will be taken for the project. Results of the study may be available when the project is published. • Miller Dam will need a required inspection this year. Solawetz will request quotes from local engineers. Cost in 2024 was $3,250. • Quotes will be requested for the Mink Creek Bridge Project hydrology study. • A petition has been created to show support for the Rib Lake shooting range gra nt application. The petition can be signed online, and paper copies are available which have been shared with local sportsmen’s clubs. • RTP grant for Rib Lake Ski & Snowshoe club was not submitted this year. Private lands that have trail access require a 10-year agreement to be funded by RTP. Forestry and the club will work toward an application in 2027. • Pine Line Commission will be meeting April 28th, Westboro Town Hall, at 7pm. • Pine Line Marathon will be on Saturday, April 18th. DNR County Forest Li aison Report: Allen has been working on timber sale establishment along Camp 8 Rd and Bear Ave. Both sales will be a little over 100 acres. Next Committee Meeting: The next Forestry and Recreation Committee meeting will be Friday, May 1st, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. in the third floor Meeting Room. Adjournment: With no further business, Suckow moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Gebauer. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:49 AM. Secretary: Tanisha Macdonald Forestry & Recreation Committee February 6th, 2026 Meeting Room-3rd Floor Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:30 AM by Scott Mildbrand. Members Present: Scott Mildbrand, Rollie Thums, Gary Beadles, Jim Gebauer, and Harvey “Bud” Suckow. Members Absent: N/A Other Attendees: Jim Metz, Alex Solawetz, Nicole Hager, Tanisha Macdonald, Timothy Allen - DNR, Spencer O’Brien-DNR, and Brian Wilson-Star News. Approve Minutes: Thums moved to approve the minutes of the December 5 th, 2025 meeting; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Approve Agenda: Thums moved to approve the agenda of 12 items; seconded by Beadles. Motion carried. Approve Bills: Solawetz presented the monthly bill spreadsheet. Thums moved to approve the bills spreadsheet as presented; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. Timber Sales Update: Solawetz presented the following update: • Sale #696; Wilson Forestry – Work started Monday. This is the last active job since 2021. • Sale #709; Lakeland Forestry – Work has been completed. Final billing is outstanding. • Sale #719; Wiitala and Vozka – Work started January 22. Solawetz talked to them about cutting portions of an ash sale that is adjacent to sale 719. The ash sale was originally set up in the fall of 2024 which did not sell. • Sale #721; Smola Enterprises – Sale was started in December but was stalled due to warm weather that made the site wet. Skidding of what was cut is complete. A subcontracted crew is planned to complete the sale this winter. • Sale #722; Twin Forest Products – Cutting is complete. Some wood left to haul. • Campus Woods – Access agreement established for the driveway on State Hwy 13. A meeting with Jason will be held soon. This sale has a two -year contract, but Smola plans to cut this month. Timber Sale Closeout - #695: This is a sale from 2020 and cut by Wilson Forestry. Cutting started in fall of 2023 and completed November 2025. Total value of $117,725.77. Overrun volume of 52%. All cleanup work has been finished and bills are paid. Beadles moved to approve the closeout of sales #695; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. 2026 RTP Projects: This grant would be for Perkinstown and Rib Lake Ski and Snowshoe trails maintenance. The Forestry and Recreation Department has applied to fund this project in the past with the last application being for the 2023-2024 season. The last time the department was awarded maintenance funding was in 2019-2020. Solawetz is working with the Rib Lake Ski and Snowshoe Club (Scot Bromann and Gary Krueger), and the county’s Buildings and Grounds director, Joe Svejda, to determine trail maintenance cost estimates. The grant funds up to 80% of costs, however our request will be around 50% since this is competitive funding. Both groups will provide records of maintenance completed and the grant will pay the percentage of eligible costs. Administrator Report: Solawetz presented the following updates: • Solawetz met with DNR grant administrators to discuss the Shooting Range Grant which would cover about 70% of the total cost for the Rib Lake Shooting Range. The department had applied in 2025 but were unsuccessful. The DNR also brought up that the department apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund provided by NPS through DNR. This grant funds recreational opportunities including shooting ranges and requires a 50% match. The deadline is May 1, and it would require amending our 15-Year Plan to include the project and raising the additional funds to meet the 50% match requirement. The two grants cannot be combined so the department will apply for the Shooting Range Grant this year and if the department is unsuccessful again, they will look into applying for the LAWCON fund next year. • Jake Moore who was hired for the Assistant Administrators position will be starting February 9. • Snowmobile trails have been open since January 14. • The Black River Bridge project started February 2 and should be completed by February 11. • UW – Stevens Point requested permission to operate a drone of the UWSP timber sale to collect photos and elevation data. The county do es not currently have an ordinance about operating drones over county forests or a permit system. Solawetz plans to inquire with other counties about their policies in case the county needs to implement a permit system or ordinance in the future. • There has been discussion with Joe Sveda about mowing the county land adjacent to the Pine Line in Whittlesey, North of Settlement Dr between the Pine Line Trail and E Front St. Residents have burned the area in the past and were told to stop. A discussion will be held at the spring meeting for the Pine Line Commission. • The department has been installing wood duck houses over the last year. The department would like to get some volunteer groups to assist with the maintenance, which would involve checking and cleaning annually and recording the condition of the houses. Update from the WDNR Wildlife Biologist : Spencer O’Brien presented the following harvest reports: Bear • Zone A – The goal was to maintain population. Harvest was 1,161 and the target was 1,075, which resulted in an 8% over harvest on the 1,680 tags awarded. • Zone C - The goal was to maintain population. Harvest was 661 and the target was 750, 88.1%. 3,750 tags awarded. • Taylor County harvested 116 bears. 50% male and 50% female. Turkey (Zone 4) • Spring – About 8,500 birds harvested. • Fall – 679 birds harvested. Taylor County harvest 49 birds, only 12 were female. Bobcat • Season ended January 31. Preliminary results are that Taylor County harvested 26 cats. There were 1,141 harvested statewide. Fisher • There were 400 harvested statewide. Taylor County harvested 15. Otter • Halfway through the season with 750 harvested statewide currently. Normally there are around 1,000 harvested at this point in the season. Deer • There were 339,500 harvested statewide. • Outstanding muzzleloader season with 11,787 harvested statewide and the average year is 7,000. A collared, 2-year-old male cougar from Nebraska had been observed making its way through, South/North Dakota, Minnesota, and is now through Wisconsin. There ar e no plans to capture or recollar since it has no issues or conflicts with livestock or people. The federal bill, HR 845 (Pet and Livestock Protection Act), was passed today by the House of Representatives. The bill will move onto the Senate. If passed into law, it would reissue the federal wolf delisting rule from 2020, delisting wolves in WI and the lower 48 states from the ESA. DNR County Forest Liaison Report: Timothy Allen reported that he has been working on the Orion timber sale. He held meetings with Luke to close out things before beginning work with the new administrator and completed the 2025 audit. 500 out of 735 hours have been completed for county time standards. Next Committee Meeting: The next Forestry and Recreation Committee meeting will be Friday, March 6th, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. in the third floor Meeting Room. Adjournment: With no further business, Thums moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Suckow. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 AM. Secretary: Tanisha Macdonald