The 2025 bear hunting season opened Sept. 3. With diligent scouting and preparation efforts, bear hunters should expect another year of quality bear hunting this fall.

In the mid-1990s, I was hunting from a portable tree stand on private land in northern Illinois near Coal Valley. At quitting time, I climbed down my screw-in tree steps after lowering my bow and arrows with a haul line, as we still teach in hunter safety class.

When a boot found the next-to-last step closest to the ground, I shifted my weight and snap.

Crossbows have surpassed vertical bows in popularity for hunting deer in Wisconsin and other states. Crossbows are easier to shoot accurately, offer a bit more range (up to 100 yards, vs. a maximum of about 50 yards with a vertical bow) and are ideal for young and older hunters who may not have the strength to pull a vertical bowstring (the minimum draw weight for deer hunting in Wisconsin is 30 pounds).

Tuesday, Sept. 2

T-Bird Invitational

Bonduel’s Mariah Wondra had the fastest time among 123 runners at Iola-Scandinavia. Her time of 18.44.1 was also a personal record.

Three Wittenberg-Birnamwood runners placed in the top 10.

Rory Salvesen finished third in 21.04.3, Nora Bushman was fourth in 21.07.1, and Harper Krull was ninth in 21.57.3.

Tuesday, Sept. 2

Blackwolf Run Invitational

Pulaski golfers notched a 454 and placed 15th among 17 teams at Kohler. Hartford Union won the meet with a 356.

Leading the Red Raiders was Grace Melzer with a 105. She was joined by Charlie Lasecki with 112, Taylor Murphy with 113 and Morgan Schuh with 124.

Ellie Mork carded a 128.

Tuesday, Sept. 2

Pulaski 4, Sheboygan North 3

Pulaski’s girls tennis team pulled out two singles victories and two doubles wins to defeat Sheboygan North 4-3.

Ruth Krause, at No. 1 singles, defeated Julie English 6-3, 6-3, and No. 4 Elizabeth Dornfeld beat Sophie Alfonsi 6-3, 6-0.