District Administrators Corner

by Loren Glasbrenner River Valley School District Administrator The population of white-tail deer has exploded in the past few years to become 1.25 million statewide. That is not a surprise to many folks, as deer have started their fall acrobatics of flying across roads and surprising drivers as they travel. Sauk, Richland, and Iowa counties are identified by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as areas of hopeful decrease for the population. Wisconsin’s deer herd is managed by setting three-year population objectives for parts of the state to find balance between the environment and the species (dnr.wisconsin.gov). Our local objective is to keep the population healthy by decreasing white-tailed deer numbers and enjoying the tradition. One of the most celebrated “holidays” that affects rural Wisconsin (and rural education) is the Deer Gun Season that is about to open (November 21, with the breaking of the dawn). It is the “holiday” that is not listed on the calendar, but is celebrated by many. Teachers have accommodated the season for years, and students have looked forward to the time with family in the woods and fields of Wisconsin.  However, there are many things a student could do while in the woods if the “deer ain’t moving” and you get bored: 1. Be bored. Enjoy the nature around you. Wisconsin is home to many species of flora and fauna that we ignore or neglect to notice. Don’t turn on your phone and watch TikTok. Just be. Don’t even think... 2. Or, just think. If you cannot stop the process, then fall into a thoughtful stream of ideas about ecology. The study of how the elements around you interconnect should get a person to analyze how we can preserve this tradition for years to come. 3. Read. If you know you are going to need it, take a book. Select a classic like Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, or a more recent hit, The Mindful Carnivore, by Tovar Cerulli. As a kid, I would get bored and take a book to keep me interested in something besides my feet freezing inside my boots. 4. Draw. Naturalists, such as John James Audubon or Owen Gromme, spent time outside as kids and let their minds wander. After the mind wandered, they sketched and later painted incredible collections of wildlife. 5. Take a nap. If you are in a hunting stand and elevated, of course, wear a harness to protect you and keep you safe. Clearly, if you nap too long, you are going to miss any game that runs past, but a quick nap shouldn’t hurt. 6. Be aware. You never know what might come your way. There have been recent sightings of all sorts of things in Wisconsin. Black bears are still on the move. My brother from Boscobel recently shared a picture of a bull elk in southern Wisconsin. A couple bow hunters have seen timber wolves in Sauk County. And, cougar, or mountain lions, which are native to Wisconsin, are also being seen on trail cameras throughout the state. Keep your eyes open. If you are a student, use the chance to do research and get ready for homework when you return. As you come back to class, you will have a story to tell, something to give a speech about, something to write about, and something to research further. Wisconsin needs people to treasure it. The hunting season is a “sacred” time for many families in River Valley. Share the time carefully, take pictures of the 30-pointer, and virtually brag. Safely enjoy the time and use it wisely.