Winter Stories and Things to Do

Look for more information on fun winter activities and nature notes in Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, and -- especially for kids -- check out the wintry things to do and see in Environmental Education for Kids (EEK!).

Activities
Nature Notes
Especially for Kids

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine is DNR's bimonthly magazine to get involved in the outdoors and outdoor issues. Subscribe.

Winter Activities

Reader's letters about their ice shanties: Shack Time - We asked, and you delivered. Ice anglers share some hardwater hospitality and invite other readers to see the unique features of their ice shanties.
David L. Sperling, December 2001
Dog-sledding: Mad About Mushing - Step on a dog sled and be carried away by the exuberance of a team in harness and the soft swish of sled runners on snow.
Rich Trotto, December 2001
An entire insert about winter recreation activities: Time to chill out! - When it's winter in Wisconsin, leave hibernation to the bears.
Natasha Kassulke, December 2001
Birkebeiner: When the world comes to the Northwoods - Forest management helps keep the Birkebeiner ski trail on track and beautiful.
Natasha Kassulke, December 2001
Winter camping: When the woods turn white - Winter camping isn't crazy; you just have to be more prepared.
Natasha Kassulke, December 2001-
Volunteer wolf tracking: The herd that tracks the packs - A network of volunteers track wolves in Wisconsin’s Northwoods each winter. You can join them.
Adrian P. Wydeven, February 2001
Ice fishing strategies: Rod squad - Taking a team approach to ice fishing can increase your exercise, your enjoyment and your chances of finding fish.
Noel Vick, February 2001
Snow-shoeing: Floating on snow - Lighter materials and varied designs offer snowshoers new twists on an old-fashioned way to get around.
Patrick J. Lisi, February 2002
Wood-working plans for bird-feeders and houses: Habitat at home - Attract birds and wildlife to your backyard year-round with simple-to-construct shelters and feeders.
Maureen Mecozzi, December 2003
Ice-diving: The glass ceiling - Winter diving opens a window to life under the ice.
Alan W. Pahnke, December 2004
Snowmobile safety course: Booting up for safety - CD course helps new snowmobilers stay on the trail to safer sledding.
David L. Sperling, December 2003

Winter Nature Notes

Moon rings, sun dogs and other phenomena: Moon rings and rainbows - Sunlight, moonlight and water vapor work the angles of the atmosphere to produce brilliant, evanescent light shows.
Anita Carpenter, February 1998
Winter birding: Redpoll winter - Flocks of these arctic finches wander to Wisconsin…sometimes.
Anita Carpenter, December 1999; Winter romance - Great horned owls spark on frigid nights.
Anita Carpenter, February 1999; Invasion of the vole snatchers - A rare winter treat of northern owls had birders flocking to northern Wisconsin.
Susan Foote-Martin; Barred from the woods - Seldom seen but often heard, the eight-hooter enlivens a winter walk.
Anita Carpenter, December 2000; Treetop ornaments - Like kids on holiday, red-breasted nuthatches poke and probe around evergreens looking for winter goodies.
Anita Carpenter, December 2004; Flight of the bluebills - Scaups scoff at winter weather.
Robert J. Zimmer, February 2001; Quiet winter visitors - Pine grosbeaks are big, shy northern guests.
Anita Carpenter, February 2002
Leaves: Leaves in ice - The last outing of the ice-fishing season took an artful turn.
Jim Bishop, Jr., February 1999
Northern lights: Celestial shimmer - The northern lights are crackling in a sky near you.
Robert "Dock" Stupp, February 1999
Snow drifts: Get the drift? - Sculpted drifts are formed by wind, weather and whimsy.
Anita Carpenter, February 2000
Wintergreen: A secret under the snow - An earth essence with cheery red berries and vibrant green leaves lies just under foot in the dead of winter.
Anita Carpenter, December 2001
Birch trees: Standing out from the crowd - White birch grabs your attention in all seasons.
Anita Carpenter, December 2003
Tree frogs (what happens to them in winter): Window stickers - Treefrogs adapted to scurry up bark and fend off the big chill.
Anita Carpenter, December 2006
Nature observations: A surface observation - In every season, the water line forms a fine border that is ceiling, floor, barrier and foundation for a lot of living things.
Anita Carpenter, February 2006

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Especially for Kids

Last Revised: Thursday January 11 2007