Local News
Wisconsin Wildlife Management account losing money because of dwindling interest in hunting and fishing
Wisconsin’s wildlife management account will start the next two-year budget period nearly $16 million in the red, due largely to dwindling hunting license sales, putting projects from fish stocking to habitat restoration in doubt.
The department places money from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses into what’s known as the fish and wildlife account. The department uses the money for a host of fish and wildlife management programs, including stocking game fish, restoring habitats, wardens, monitoring chronic wasting disease and paying farmers’ wolf depredation claims.
The department expects to generate about $62.3 million for the account in fiscal year 2026 with spending obligations totaling $78.2 million. That translates to a $15.9 million deficit heading into the next state budget.