Outdoors Roundup: New scam being reported trying to capitalize on the emerald ash borer

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State officials report a new scam that seeks to capitalize on the spread of the tree-killing emerald ash borer.

The consumer protection agency says some unscrupulous tree companies are going door-to-door, using high-pressure sales pitches to urge people to treat or remove their trees. Department administrator Sandy Chalmers says the pitch is being made in places where the ash borer has not been found – and the shady operators are pointing to drought-stricken trees as evidence that their owners need to take action. Chalmers says most tree-care firms in Wisconsin are legitimate – but some operators are telling people that the ash borer is in their neighborhood, even though it’s miles away. Only 12 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have been hit with the beetle. Before agreeing to any offer, the Consumer Protection Department recommends that you check the state’s Web site at EmeraldAshBorer.Wi.Gov, to make sure the bug’s in your area. Officials also suggest that you call a local tree firm with a good reputation and get a cost estimate – check to see if your treatment firm has a state pesticide license – and get a written contract.

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A court hearing is set for August 29th on a lawsuit that challenges Wisconsin’s new wolf hunting season. Environmental and animal rights groups sued the DNR earlier this month. They said the agency had no business allowing hunting dogs to help sniff out wolves – and it would result in violent confrontations between the two groups of animals. The plaintiffs are asking a Dane County judge to issue a temporary injunction that would delay the wolf season while the lawsuit is being considered. The season is scheduled to run from mid-October through the end of February. The animal rights groups also contend that the wolf hunt would not be popular with hunters – but the DNR disagrees. As of yesterday, just over 10,000 people have applied for about two-thousand available wolf-hunting permits. That’s five applicants for every permit, and all but 200 of the applicants so far are from Wisconsin. The deadline to apply is August 31st with the DNR.

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It’s been almost a month since a pipeline spilled 50,000 gallons of gasoline near Jackson – and the DNR says they’re still finding contaminated water wells nearby. Officials said yesterday that two more homes have been put under state usage restrictions – and they’re being warned to use their water only to flush toilets. The DNR now says 23 private wells near the pipeline have been contaminated from the spilled gasoline. The pipeline’s owner, West Shore, has been paying for hotels for all families in the flush-only zone.

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The Wisconsin DNR says more than 10,000 applications for a wolf hunting permit have been filed so far. More than 9,800 of the 10,025 permit applications were from Wisconsin residents in the process which runs through the end of the month. The Department of Natural Resources is going to issue 2,010 permits through the lottery. The hunt is scheduled to run from October 15th through the end of February. Several groups have joined to filed a lawsuit asking for an injunction from the courts. A hearing on that injunction is scheduled for August 29th.

Tags: outdoors, wisconsin