Wis. DNR expanding use of social media

GREEN BAY - Do you like nature or hunting?

If so, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources would like you to "Like" its Facebook page.

“So, I'll monitor this – all day, all night; weekends, holidays,” explained Trish Ossmann of the DNR’s Facebook page. “It's kind of how social media is – we're always here."

Ossmann is with DNR's communications department in the Northeast Region.

With gun deer season a little more than one week away, the DNR is making a concerted effort to use various forms of social media to help the public prepare for the hunt, share traditions, stories and ask questions.

"We can answer questions, we can handle inquiries and really create a great conversation with our customers," said Ossmann about the ways social media can help connect the DNR with the public and vice-a-versa.

That means sharing nature or hunting pictures on its Facebook page, flickr page or Twitter. It also has a YouTube page where you can watch educational videos.

And some hunters and avid social media users like the idea.

"I think it's a good idea,” said Don Doxtator of Green Bay.

Hunting with his family since he was 12 years old, Doxtator says he uploads hunting pictures to Facebook so friends and family can see what he's been up to. Often times from the field through the Facebook application on his cell phone.

“I think it's encouraging for others to see that. Maybe they'll encourage others to bring out their family and try hunting," said Doxtator.

Have questions about when and where you can hunt? There's an app for that.

The social media push comes on the heels of the department's newly released hunting time application for Android phones.

It costs $.99.

“When hunters go out and are aware of where they are going to be, it has the start time, the end time," said Ossman.

Ossmann says an iPhone app is in development.

The DNR is also set to publish its first ever wildlife blog during the upcoming gun deer hunt.

It will highlight hunting's social, environmental and health benefits.