Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for May 17, 2012

Fawn Under a tree
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Baby fawns were being seen in good numbers across Wisconsin this week, and as usual, many people were calling DNR offices to report orphaned fawns. Fawns are rarely abandoned. Does will intentionally leave fawns unattended to prevent leaving scent around their young that can attract predators. Does are generally close by feeding and keeping an eye on their fawns. If you see a fawn in the wild, slowly back away and leave the fawn alone. Do not approach or touch it. Unless you know a doe has been killed, such as in a collision with a vehicle, please do not call DNR offices to report fawns.
Many other wildlife are also giving birth. It appears to be an excellent year for duck and goose production, with many large clutches of both being seen in many areas. Turkey poults have hatched in many areas. First of the year bluebird s are fledging from nest boxes already. Four peregrine falcon chicks hatched this week in a nest box on top of the Madison Gas and Electric Blount Street Generating Station. Trumpeter swans are still sitting on nests, but cygnets should be hatching very soon.

Water levels are very high on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers after last week’s rain. The Mississippi was as much as 5 feet above normal in some locations. The Wisconsin was out of its banks in many locations, but was starting to drop. The North and South Forks of the Flambeau River were both high and offering excellent whitewater paddling conditions this week.
With the warmer weather in the last week, fishing picked up in many locations and some very good catches were being reported in a number of areas. Walleye bag limits were being reported on Northwoods lakes this week, as well as on the Upper River Lake Winnebago System and along both the west and east shores of Green Bay. Some of the best northern pike fishing in years was also being reported in the north. Crappies have finished spawning on most northern lakes and bluegills and bass were now on their beds. Anglers are reminded that bluegill and bass as they are very vulnerable while sitting on their beds and can be easily overharvested while spawning.
Despite some windy days, conditions were generally better for Lake Michigan trollers to get out on the water and catching good numbers of fish, with limits of chinook not uncommon, along with a mixed bag of coho and rainbow and brown trout. Anglers fishing at harbors and piers have also been catching a few chinook, browns, and rainbows. Along Door County, bass anglers were out in good numbers prefishing for the Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament this weekend.
Despite the rain in the last couple of weeks, warm, dry, and breezy weather this week kept current fire danger between moderate and very high, with 50 wildfires reported in the last week, causing the suspension of burning permits in several counties.
Turtles are crossing roads now from their wetland habitat to upland sand areas to lay eggs. Please watch for turtles crossing roads and if it can be done safely, move the turtle across the road in the direction that it was heading to help prevent it from being hit by a vehicle.

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