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Wisconsin received its first substantial snowfall of the year, with up to 6 inches of wet heavy snow falling in a swath through the central and north central part of the state Wednesday.
Lesser amounts fell though south central region, with the far southeast and the northwestern part of the state receiving just a trace of snow. Mornings have been cool enough to create a thin layer of ice across small ponds in the north, which has been melting in warmer afternoon temperatures. Temperatures are forecast to go into the mid 40s to the north and low 50s in the south by the weekend, so snow cover is not expected to last.
The state’s white-tailed deer herd is at or very near the peak of its mating season, known as the rut, and deer activity is very high. With Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day season now just over a week away, many biologists expect hunters will benefit from deer still being in rut when the season opens. Archery deer hunters continue to report very good success.
This week the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources launched a Facebook page and Twitter account. The Facebook page will focus on enjoying Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation. The DNR is encouraging hunters to share photos and stories from the upcoming deer season, as well as fans to share fishing, biking, hiking or other outdoor-related experiences. The page can be found by going to [www.facebook.com\WIDNR]. You can find us on Twitter at [twitter.com/WDNR].
Hunters preparing for this year's deer hunt are also reminded to leave firewood at home. Firewood can harbor pests and diseases that people can easily move with firewood from one place to another without knowing it. Threats to forests also threaten the enjoyment of hunting and countless other recreational activities. Instead of moving firewood, hunters should purchase or harvest it where they plan to use it.
Pheasant hunters have been out in force on the stocked public hunting grounds. Hunters are reminded that the 2 p.m. closure rule for pheasant hunting on certain state wildlife areas expired last week. Pheasant stocking will continue through the week of Dec. 5 on some properties.
Reports from waterfowl hunters indicate there was a significant increase in northern diver ducks moving into the state last week. Due to mild weather, woodcock remained around making for good hunting until the season closed on Nov. 7.
Fishing activity continues to diminish. Water temperatures are now down into the mid to low-40s. Nearly all waterfront property owners have removed docks and boat lifts and most anglers have winterized boats. But there are still musky anglers out, nearly all of which are dragging large suckers at this time of year. Lake Michigan tributaries are running low and fishing pressure has been generally light. While chinook salmon have tapered off, decent numbers of coho have been caught, along with more brown and rainbow trout.
Bald eagles are beginning to congregate, with large numbers spotted on Pool 8 of the Mississippi River and a golden eagle spotted on Pool 9. Eagles area also being seen along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers. Other raptors such as American kestrels, red-tail hawks, harriers, short-eared owls and rough-legged hawks are also being seen. Trumpeter swans are flocking up getting ready to head south and approximately 600 tundra swans migrated to the Horicon Marsh this week.
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