Wisconsin gun-deer hunters who use ground blinds on lands controlled by the Department of Natural Resources should note a new state law requires blaze orange visibly displayed on the exterior.

DNR Warden Tim Lawhern who administers the agency's Hunter Safety Education program, said the patch of blaze orange material must be visible from all directions.

"This blaze orange material must be at least 144 square inches – that's 12 inches by 12 inches. And it must be visible all around the blind – that's 360 degrees," Lawhern said of the state law that took effect this year. "This law is all about keeping hunters safe while they enjoy one of Wisconsin's traditions."

Lawhern said the new law, however, does not apply to blinds made of dead vegetation found on the property nor does it apply to tree stands or other elevated stands.

"However, it wouldn't hurt if those hunters hunting from tree stands or other type blinds did the same thing," he said.

This new law also contains requirements for unoccupied ground blinds.

"When the ground blind is left unoccupied, the owner must post their DNR customer identification number or name and address written legibly in English somewhere in a conspicuous spot on the outside of the structure and near its entry," Lawhern said.

To learn how to get a DNR customer ID number or about this new law, call 1-888-936-7463 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. or visit a DNR Service Center.

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As a young lad growing up in any rural area can tell you, predators are a part of life, whether you like it or not. I was introduced to a form of predator control at an early age, my father always used to run a small trap line, nothing special, just a bunch of snares and a few foot traps set out on only the most popularly used predator trails. My old man was always on the lookout for a new spot to set up traps and was usually right on the money when he returned to see if his hunch was correct. His personal best was 8 coyotes and one red fox, which he managed to collect during a 2 - day period about 20 years ago, it seems the tradition is bred into our heritage. This is the story of how my brothers and I tied my dad's personal best.