Chad and David Biersach of C & D Charters a presentation on fishing techniques at the Jan. 4 meeting

Chad and David Biersach of C & D Charters a presentation on fishing techniques at the Jan. 4 meeting

People looking for a unique way to ring in 2011 can participate in the first of more than 30 candlelight skis or hikes that will be held this winter at Wisconsin state parks, forests and trails.

Blue Mound State Park, west of Madison in Iowa County, will hold a candlelight ski, hike and snowshoe event on the night of New Year's Day along 1- to 2-mile trails that will be lighted with hundreds of candles.

In all, 36 candlelight events are scheduled at state properties this winter, with events held at different parks most weekends in January and February. Most include additional activities, such as bonfires, and offer hot chocolate and other refreshments for sale. Some events offer grills for cooking food or roasting marshmallows. Candlelight events are free, but 2011 Wisconsin State Park System annual or daily vehicle admission stickers are required. Candlelight events at state properties become more popular each year, said Dan Schuller, director of the Wisconsin state parks program.

Last year, Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit held its 21st annual candlelight ski/hike. With a fresh 10-inch snowfall, clear skies and temperatures around 20 degrees, the event attracted almost 1,000 outdoor enthusiasts. Rib Mountain State Park, which does not have cross-country ski trails, held a candlelight snowshoe hike that attracted nearly 700 people.


Many of the parks receive help from volunteers setting out the luminaries, baking treats and helping clean up after the event. If there is a sudden decline in snow conditions due to changes in the weather, events may be held as hikes only or canceled, so state park officials say it is always best to check the DNR website and contact the office at the host park or forest for updates.

In southeastern Wisconsin, two candlelight events will be held Jan. 8: Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit, Campbellsport, Nordic Heaven Winter Fest, featuring skiing on the new 1.2-mile lighted trail; and Lapham Peak Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit, Delafield. A complete list of candlelight events with times and more details is available on the DNR website at www.dnr.wi.gov.

Trap and archery shoot: Hartford Conservation and Gun Club will hold its annual trap shoot and outdoor 3-D archery shoot Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include practice trap shooting, a 50-target, 16-yard cash shoot, an outdoor archery "Snow Shoot," raffles and free chili. The Rose Bowl game will be shown in the clubhouse. The club is 2 miles east of Hartford on Highway 60. Visit www.HCGC-INC.org or call (262) 673-9919 for more information.

Fishing: Chad and David Biersach of C & D Charters will give a presentation on charter fishing techniques at the Jan. 4 meeting of the Great Lakes Sport Fishermen Ozaukee Chapter, Railroad Station Hall, 200 S. Railroad St., Saukville. The 7 p.m. meeting is free and open to the public. Call (262) 644-8481 for more information.

Conservation banquet: The Waukesha County Conservation Alliance will hold its 50th annual dinner Feb. 4 at Olympia Resort, 1350 Royal Mile Road, Oconomowoc. The event raises funds for conservation needs in Waukesha County. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m. The event will include raffles, door prizes and auctions for firearms, fishing equipment, wildlife prints and more. Advance tickets are $40; no tickets will be sold at the door. Advance ticket orders must be submitted by Jan. 19. Call Ken at (262) 547-2802 or Syd at (262) 542-3684 to order tickets.

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