White-tail deer rutting activity nearing peak in some areas; Northwoods receives 2 to 6 inches of snow

The Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin. Taken by User:Wonder al. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Temperatures have dropped and that has continued to trigger rutting activity, which is now reaching peak in some areas. White-tail bucks are running pretty hard with their noses to the ground. More bucks have been seen chasing does as the rut gets into full swing, and archers have reported some very good success in the last week.

In the Northwoods it went from autumn gold to winter white in just two weeks' time, with anywhere from 2-6-plus inches of snow falling Oct. 31. The fresh snow had many hunters excited for the upcoming deer season as it was much easier to see deer standing out against the white background.

The cooler weather also brought large flocks of ducks to south central Wisconsin, with one duck hunter noting thousands of scaup, or bluebills, coming into a Columbia County marsh he was hunting, flocks the size of which he hadn't seen in 40 years. Canada geese also continue to be abundant, offering waterfowl hunters some ample opportunities to harvest a bird. Goose numbers have now reached 30,000 at Horicon Marsh.

Very large numbers of pheasant hunters have been out on state wildlife areas throughout southern Wisconsin in recent weeks. Grouse hunters are reporting good success with observed bird numbers similar to last year in the Northwoods. While there are still some woodcock being seen in central Wisconsin, the season is now closed.

Trappers are reporting success catching coyote, fox, beaver and muskrats, though fur does not quite appear to be prime. Raccoon hunters have reported successful harvests over the last several weeks.

Overall, fishing has slowed down across the state. Inland some walleye and musky anglers continue to report some success. Along Lake Michigan, the chinook salmon are done with their run and the coho salmon are almost done as well. Numbers of brown trout were increasing as the salmon taper off. Pier and shore anglers were reporting some success for brown and rainbow trout.

People may be noticing smoke rising from some state wildlife areas as wildlife crews are taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather to conduct prescribed burning on select properties throughout the state.

Common loons are staging on the Great Lakes and large inland water bodies, with smaller numbers of red-throated loons reported. Tens of thousands of canvasbacks, gadwall, wigeon, ring-necked ducks, mallards, and coots can be seen from various vantages along the Mississippi River. Numbers of tundra swans are building but have not yet reached peak. More than 21,000 sandhill cranes were counted near Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Burnett County this past week. The first snowy owls of the season were reported from northeast Wisconsin near Green Bay this week but it's too early to tell if that means another influx of the arctic visitors this winter.

There is still plenty of time to enjoy a fall hike on any of the state trails, with prairies still showing late fall colors of some asters, woodland sunflowers and fall grasses such as big bluestem. Hikers, bikers, skiers and even canoeists and kayakers are being encouraged to provide feedback on Wisconsin's nonmotorized and water trails to the Wisconsin Nonmotorized Recreation and Transportation Trails Council through a new online survey available through the DNR website.

Related articles

• October Brings Big Bucks to Michigan Bowhunters (outdoorhub.com)
• Learn more about Horicon Marsh deer (host.madison.com)
• Rut Secrets, Legendary Buck Highlight November Issue of North American Whitetail (ammoland.com)

Wisconsin Outdoors: White-tailed deer rut continues in full swing

The white-tailed deer rut is continuing in full swing across much of the state, with bucks chasing does during the daytime and lots of scrapes and rubs still being found, but some areas report deer activity is beginning to slow, with bucks locked down with does.

Archers have been out in very strong numbers and continue to report some very good success. Good numbers of pheasant hunters have also been out and are also reporting success on stocked wildlife areas. Although blaze orange clothing isn’t required when gun deer seasons are not open, conservation wardens say with the large numbers of hunters in the field, wearing blaze orange while pheasant hunting greatly increases hunter safety.

Leaf drop is now progressing rapidly in southern Wisconsin, with oaks beginning to drop leaves in the last week. With leaves off the trees, grouse hunters are reporting improved success.

Visitors to Wisconsin state park properties are reminded that many properties will open to hunting and trapping on November 15. Maps showing areas open and closed to hunting are available on the DNR website and posted at all properties. All park visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing during the hunting seasons, which remain open in parks through December 15 for firearms and through January 5 for archery. For a list of open properties, maps and more information search the DNR website for "hunting state parks."

The cold weather of the last week has caused a lot of puddle ducks to move south, while bringing in increasing numbers of diving ducks. Strong north winds in the last week increased Canada goose and tundra swan migrations.

With all the hunting activity and colder temperatures, fishing activity has slowed and the open water fishing season is coming to an end in the Northwoods, with ice beginning to form along shorelines of larger lakes, but it will still be at least a couple of weeks before there is any safe ice for ice fishing. A few musky anglers are still out, but without much success. Some crappies and perch were being caught on the Oconto River. In the south, walleye continue to be caught on Lake Wisconsin and the Rock River. Coho and chinook salmon and some rainbow and brown trout continue to be caught on Lake Michigan tributaries, especially the Sheboygan, Milwaukee and Root rivers.

With the opening of the nine-day gun deer season rapidly approaching, hunters should make sure firearms are properly sighted in and that hunting gear is order. Search the DNR website for “shooting ranges” to find a map of public ranges. Hunters can also get pre-season questions answered by joining any of three live online chats. They all begin at noon: on Tuesday, Nov. 19, what to expect for the season; on Wednesday, Nov. 20, on hunting land accessible to the public; and on Thursday, Nov. 21 on safety and regulations. To join: search “ask the experts” on the DNR website.

Related articles

• White-tailed deer rut underway across Wisconsin (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Northwestern Wisconsin receives snow; whitetail deer rut continues in full swing (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• First Ever Pre-rut Whitetail Antlerless Season Opens Oct. 12 (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• New Antlerless Deer Muzzleloader Season a Success for Ohio Hunters (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• North Dakota Hunters Report Few Sightings of Dead Deer (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Sportsmen Against Hunger Accepting Deer, Light Goose Meat

North Dakota’s Sportsmen Against Hunger Program is again accepting donations of deer at select

processors across the state. In addition, the program is also able to accept light goose breast meat (snow, blue and Ross’s geese) for the first time this fall.

Canada goose meat, while accepted during the early goose season, is not eligible for donation during the regular waterfowl season.

Sportsmen Against Hunger is a program administered by the North Dakota Community Action Partnership, a nonprofit agency that serves low-income families across the state. SAH raises funds to pay for processing of donated deer and geese, and coordinates distribution of ground venison and goose meat to food pantries around the state.

The State Game and Fish Department strongly supports the SAH program and encourages hunters to consider donating deer, according to agency Director Terry Steinwand. The program can accept whole deer only, which must be processed at a participating licensed meat processor.

According to NDCAP Executive Director Andrea Olson, the SAH program has sufficient funding available to process deer and geese this fall. “The meat that is generated is so appreciated by the families who receive it,” Olson said. “They are all so grateful for access to a nutritious source of protein; something that is often expensive and otherwise difficult for them to obtain.”

A list of participating processors and more information is available on the Community Action website at capnd.org.

Participating processors will not accept deer shot in the hind quarters, and donated deer will be processed individually or only with other donated deer.

Hunters can clean their light geese at home prior to delivery to a processor, but breast meat brought from home without a wing or head attached to the meat, must be accompanied by written information that includes the hunter’s name, address, signature, hunting license number, date taken and species and number taken.

Hunters may also deliver light geese directly from the field to a processor, but identification must remain attached to the bird until in possession of the processor.

Hunters interested in donating light geese are encouraged to call processors to have a clear understanding of how goose breasts will be accepted.

Related articles

• SD Early Fall Canada Goose Season Opens Sept. 1 (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Help feed the hungry with donation to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• New Antlerless Deer Muzzleloader Season a Success for Ohio Hunters (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• North Dakota Hunters Should Note Canada Goose Limits (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Hunters Can Process Deer in Field With Electronic Registration (kansas-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Second Deer Lottery Held in North Dakota, Remaining License Sales Suspended (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Ohio Offers Abundant Waterfowl Hunting Seasons (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)

South Dakota Hunting Seasons Proposed

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CUSTER STATE PARK – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed changes in several fall hunting seasons, including West River Deer, Black Hills Deer, Archery Deer, Archery Antelope, Youth Deer, Muzzleloader Deer, Fall Turkey and the August Management Take for Canada Geese.

Changes proposed for the West River Deer Season include:

• Adjust the number of resident licenses that were issued in 2011 by increasing one-tag licenses by 1,590 to 2,625; increase two-tag licenses by 830 (1,660 tags) to 16,735 (33,470 tags); and reduce three-tag licenses by 4,960 (14,880 tags) to 3,340 (10,020 tags)
• Adjust the number of nonresident licenses that were issued in 2011 by increasing one-tag licenses by 128 to 212; increase two-tag licenses by 67 (134 tags) to 1,342 (2,684 tags); and reduce three-tag licenses by 397 (1,191 tags) to 268 (804 tags)
• Modify the boundary for Fall River County Unit 27L to add some public lands adjacent to the Cheyenne River and Angostura Reservoir and make the unit boundary more easily identifiable for hunters
• Only unfilled antlerless tags would be valid during the antlerless deer extension beginning the Saturday after Christmas and running for nine consecutive days
• Eliminate antlerless deer hunting during the Antelope Rifle Season

Changes proposed for the Black Hills Deer Season include:

• Adjust the number of resident licenses that were issued in 2011 by reducing "any deer" licenses by 200; "any whitetail" licenses by 500; "antlerless whitetail" licenses by 50
• Adjust the number of nonresident licenses that were issued in 2011 by reducing "any deer" licenses by 16; "any whitetail" licenses by 40; "antlerless whitetail" licenses by four

Changes proposed for the Archery Deer Season include:

• Add Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin and McCook counties to the area where only one, one-tag "antlerless" deer license is valid
• Antlerless deer licenses would not be valid for Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• Allow issuance of access permits for five "antlerless deer" and five "any deer" resident-only licenses for Blood Run Nature Area, along with the 45 "antlerless deer" and five "any deer" resident-only licenses for Adams Nature Area
• Modify an existing rule to allow an individual to possess an uncased bow and allow the use of bow-and-arrow to hunt deer and turkey within the Blood Run Nature Area

Changes proposed for the Archery Antelope Season include:

• Eliminate the two-tag license valid for one "any antelope" and one "doe/fawn antelope"
• Include those portions of Custer and Pennington counties within the Black Hills Fire Protection District (except Custer State Park) and issue by lottery drawing five special-access permits to licensees who possess a valid "any antelope" resident archery license

Changes proposed for the Youth Deer Season include:

• Add Brookings, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, Turner and Yankton counties to the restricted area where only one youth deer license is valid

Changes proposed for the Muzzleloader Season include:

• Add Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin, and McCook counties to the restricted area where only one, one-tag "antlerless" deer license is valid

Changes proposed for the Fall Turkey Season

• Offer residents 410 more one-tag licenses and 1,550 fewer two-tag licenses in East River units
• Offer 500 fewer one-tag licenses for residents and 40 fewer nonresident licenses in the Black Hills
• Close Harding and Turner counties to fall turkey hunting
• Season dates Oct. 1-Jan. 31

 

Changes proposed for the August Management Take of Canada Geese include:

• Expand the hunting area to include Brown, Hutchinson, Spink, and Turner counties

More information and highlights from the May GFP Commission meeting are available online.

People who wish to provide written comments on those commission hunting proposals may do so until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 6. Comments may be mailed to Game, Fish and Parks Commission, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD, 57501 or emailed to wildinfo@state.sd.us . Comments must have the sender's full name and address in order to become part of the public record.
Comments may also be made in person at the next GFP Commission meeting during a public hearing at 2 p.m. CDT on Thursday, June 7, at the Ramkota in Pierre.

Related articles

• Iowa Commission Approves Changes to Fall Hunting Seasons
• North Dakota's Deer Season Set, Online Apps Available May 9
• Kdwpt Commission Approves Big Game and Turkey Regulations
• South Dakota: GFP Commission Sets Pheasant, Other Hunting Seasons
• 2012 Kansas Nonresident Deer Application Deadline April 27

Iowa Commission Approves Changes to Fall Hunting Seasons

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Changes to Iowa’s waterfowl, deer and furbearer seasons, were approved during the April 12 meeting of the Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The season proposals will be available for public comment in May prior to a public hearing on May 23.

Approved changes to the waterfowl regulations include a three zone, two season split with the Missouri River zone as the new third zone, and reduced Canada goose zone boundaries in some areas.

Changes to the resident deer hunting seasons this fall include reducing the county antlerless quotas by 13,000 in 20 counties, eliminating the November antlerless deer season, and shortening the January antlerless season by one week.

Approved changes to furbearer regulations include increasing the bobcat quota from 350 to 450 and river otter quota from 650 to 850.

Related articles

• Indiana Reserved Hunt Information
• Iowa Remaining Hunting Seasons Starting to Close
• Iowa Regular Deer Seasons End
• Wisconsin Final 2011 deer harvest numbers available
• Deer Harvest Down in 2011

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 23, 2012

Image via Wikipedia

Some much needed snow fell across northern Wisconsin this week, leaving from 3 to 5 inches of fresh snow in the far north central and northeast parts of the state. The new snow allowed snowmobile trail groomers to get out and revive trails some in Iron, Vilas, Oneida, Forest and Marinette counties. Trails were being listed on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) as good to fair in most of those counties, with some poor areas remaining due to heavy use.

Much of the rest of the state remains free of snow, and warm weather continued in the last week, worsening ice conditions on many southern lakes. State recreational safety specialists say shoreline are opening up on many southern lakes, and even some larger lakes, like the Madison area lakes and Beaver Dam lake, have areas of open water. Wardens are recommending ice anglers remove shelters now and not wait for the March 4 deadline to remove shanties from southern lakes. Lakes in northern Wisconsin continue to have a fairly solid foot or more of ice, but river systems are opening up.

Ice fishing success on northern lakes has continued its season-long slow trend, with all species showing very erratic action. Walleye have provided some fair action at times during the past week, but success has been confined to short periods during the day. With the constantly changing weather, fishing for northern pike has also been variable. Panfish action continues to be on the slow side, with anglers really having move around and search for the active fish. Ice anglers on the frozen smaller bays of the Bay of Green Bay continue to report good success for whitefish.

The Wisconsin River is now open through central Wisconsin and walleye fishing has been fair to good below dams, with good numbers of angler reported fishing below the Wisconsin Dells and Prairie du Sac dams. Open water anglers are also having success with brown and rainbow trout on Lake Michigan harbors.

Wildlife officials say the mild weather should be a boon for the deer herd, with strong fawn crops and good buck antler grown usually following mild winters. State wildlife officials will be conducting a series of deer hunter forums around the state in March where hunters can get the latest information on results from last year’s hunts and the outlook for the coming season, and have input on deer management. The format of meetings will vary, but in many cases the local wildlife biologist will provide a brief presentation followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format,

The mild weather has also been a boon for waterfowl and migratory birds, with large flocks of Canada geese being seen returning to many areas. Tundra and trumpeter swans are being seen in many areas. Sandhill cranes have already returned to southern Wisconsin. Bluebirds and robins are being seen in increasing numbers, with some bluebird scouts already checking out nest boxes. Bald eagles and other raptors are also are being seen in good numbers. Bald eagles remain along the Mississippi River, and this Saturday Prairie du Chien will be celebrating Bald Eagle Appreciation Day (exit DNR) with live bald eagle and raptor programs, birding and nature displays, birding experts on hand, outdoor viewing through spotting scopes and more.

Related articles

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report Summary for January 12, 2012 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 2, 2012 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for December 1, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary for February 16, 2012 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report Summary for January 12, 2012

Image via Wikipedia

Snow was falling across Wisconsin Thursday, after most DNR offices and staff submitted reports this week. DNR properties and county snowmobile coordinators and snowmobile clubs will evaluate conditions after the snow falls and determine if and when trails will be groomed and opened. Check the Department of Tourism’s Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) and state parks current conditions pages for updates.

If enough snow arrives, it will be timely for the four candlelight skis scheduled for this weekend. People interested in attending should contact the parks directly to confirm if the events will be held and if there is enough snow for skiing.

Prior to the snow and cooler temperatures that arrived Wednesday, Wisconsin had continued to experience very unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures in the low 50s even triggering reports of insects out in some locations. The warm temperatures continued to create hazardous conditions on southern Wisconsin lakes. There were three fatalities over a three day period in the last week from people falling through thin ice. Ice anglers reported that lakes that had 4 to 6 inches of ice a week ago had thinned to 2 to 4 inches this week. Recreational safety specialists are cautioning that this week’s snow may create even more hazardous conditions. The new snow will insulate lakes from colder temperatures, slowing ice formation, and will make it more difficult to see thin areas. While many northern lakes now have a foot or more of ice, there are still lakes in southern Wisconsin with open water.

The nice weather of the last week brought out good numbers of ice anglers where there is good ice and even increasing number of anglers open water fishing from boats or shore. In the north, anglers were reporting action for walleye and northern pike was picking up with some nice sized fish being caught on tip-ups, but action slowing some for panfish.

Along Lake Michigan anglers have been fishing from boats for the trout that would usually be caught through the ice this time of year. Browns and steelhead were being caught all up and down the Milwaukee county coast line. One day this week there were as many as 40 boats out on the water enjoying the weather and the fishing. Open water boat anglers have been also been fishing the Mississippi River below lock and Dam 11, catching sauger on the Iowa side near the locks.

A mid-winter waterfowl survey along the Fox River in the Fox Cities found a mixed bag of waterfowl, including more than 1,500 mallards, 8,000 Canada geese, 1,900 goldeneyes and 800 mergansers, along with several hundred bald eagles. An annual mid-winter eagle survey the first week of January recorded 186 bald eagles along the Wisconsin River from Petenwell to the Mississippi River, which is close to the 20-year average for the survey. That’s good news for this weekend’s 25th anniversary of the Eagle Watching Days at Sauk City and Prairie du Sac. The event includes a live birds of prey show featuring hawks, eagles, owls and falcons, the release of a rehabilitated eagle, children’s events, and tours to observe eagles throughout the day Saturday and Sunday. A complete schedule of activities is available on the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council website www.ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org/eagledays (exit DNR)

More information on bald eagles, additional eagle watching events and places to view eagles. is available on a new feature page on the DNR website celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Wisconsin Endangered Species Act.

Related articles

• Winter bald eagle watching events to be held around the state of Wisconsin (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for January 5, 2012 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Iowa 2012 Bald Eagle Watch Events (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for December 15, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for November 10, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

IOWA REMAINING HUNTING SEASONS STARTING TO CLOSE

Image via Wikipedia

Iowa’s pheasant, late muzzleloader and archery deer, and fall turkey seasons close on Jan. 10.  The January antlerless deer season is Jan. 11 to 29. Furbearer seasons, squirrel, quail, partridge and grouse remain open until Jan. 31.

Rabbit season is open until Feb. 28. Crow season is Jan. 14 to March 31. Pigeon season closes on March 31. Beaver trapping season closes on April 15.

For waterfowl, the south zone for Canada goose hunting closes Jan. 11 and the light goose season, south zone closes Jan. 13. The light goose conservation order season is open Jan. 14 to April 15 statewide additional licenses and fees apply.

Related articles

• 2011 SD Firearms Antlerless Season Closes Sunday (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Fall Hunting Seasons in Oklahoma (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Final Iowa Deer Season Begins Jan. 11 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• ND: Muzzleloader Season Opens Nov. 25 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

North DakotaLate-Season Hunting Opportunities End Soon

Image via Wikipedia

Late-season hunters still have time to get out in the field and enjoy North Dakota’s deer, waterfowl, upland game, turkey, small game and furbearer opportunities.

The season for Canada geese closes Dec. 22, except for the Missouri River Zone, which closes Dec. 30. The Missouri River Zone was created in 2008 to provide additional late season Canada goose hunting opportunities without reducing harvest in areas where crop depredation by Canada geese is a problem. Following the close of the regular Canada goose season, more than 95 percent of Canada geese in the state are within the Missouri River Zone, which has little Canada goose depredation within its boundaries.

Light goose hunting also closes statewide Dec. 30.

High plains duck hunting runs Dec. 10 through Jan. 1, 2012.

Archery deer, fall turkey, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, pheasant and tree squirrel hunting seasons continue through Jan. 8, 2012.

Bobcat, mink and weasel hunting and trapping are open through March 11, 2012. The mountain lion season in zone 2 is open through March 31, 2012.

Muskrat hunting and trapping close May 6, 2012, with trapping restrictions beginning March 12.

Fox, coyote, raccoon, badger and beaver hunting and trapping are open year-round.

Related articles

• North Dakota Outdoor Events (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• SDGFP Encourages Hunters to Register for Winter Depredation Hunts (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Duck Hunt North Dakota Recap (viewfrombippus.wordpress.com)
• Conservation Action August 2011 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Whooping cranes pay rare visit to southwest Missouri (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for November 17, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day gun deer season opens this Saturday, and if the weather cooperates prospects should be excellent for hunters, as white-tailed deer are being reported as near peak or just past peak of their mating season known as the rut, with many reports this week of bucks actively pursuing does throughout the day.

The forecast does call for the possibility of some rain in the south and snow in the north. As of Thursday, only portions of far northern Wisconsin were reporting any remaining snow cover. Much of northern, western and south central Wisconsin are reporting very dry conditions, while recent rain in the northeast and southeast have marshes and lowland very wet.

While portions of the state are included in Herd Control or CWD seasons that allow for addition harvest to curtail growth, most of the state will have limited or no antlerless harvest, under the in the 2011 deer season structure. The only Earn-A-Buck requirement this year is within the chronic wasting disease management zone and the rule has been modified to allow the harvest of one buck deer per unused gun and one buck deer per unused archery buck deer carcass tag without earn-a-buck requirements. Also new this year hunters may harvest deer with archery equipment during the nine-day gun deer season however they must observe blaze orange hunting clothing rules.

Hunters can get last minute questions answered by calling the toll-free DNR Customer Information line from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days per week, at 1-888-WDNR INFo (1-888-936-7463).

Waterfowl hunters continued to report increased numbers of diver ducks and Canada geese moving into Wisconsin with the cold front of the last week. Unfortunately, wildlife officials report that a collard trumpeter swan cygnet was shot and killed in St. Croix County, prompting officials to again warn waterfowl hunters to be sure of their targets. The hunter in this case turned himself in to conservation wardens. Due to the mild fall conditions, the nearly 200 pairs of swans that nested in Wisconsin this year have not really begun migrating and are still widely dispersed.

Fishing pressure continues to be very low. Musky anglers continue to be the most active, though there are still fly fishers working Lake Michigan tributaries where they were now seeing fewer coho salmon and more rainbow and brown trout. In the north, the native brook trout spawning season is nearing its peak, with males exhibiting some spectacular spawning colors. Look for the spawning fish around gravel areas in riffles in the smaller tributary streams, but watch from a distance and not disturb the fish or these fragile spawning areas.

As of earlier this week there were more than 60,000 tundra swans in the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge. The loon migration is beginning to speed up with recent cold temperatures. Birders are also reporting an ongoing phenomenon of vagrant birds from the southwestern United States showing up in Wisconsin, including a broad-billed hummingbird, a Eurasian widgeon and Pacific loons.

Related articles

• 2011 Wisconsin gun deer season opens Nov. 19 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• OK Deer gun season at a glance (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Preliminary Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey Results (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for November 10, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin: Hunters may harvest deer with tags and collars (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• 2011 Wisconsin archery deer season to be longest in state history (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report Correction

Image via Wikipedia

The following information has been corrected in the September 29, 2011 Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary:

The waterfowl season opened last weekend in the northern and new Mississippi River zones and the duck season will open at 9 a.m. this Saturday in the southern zone. CORRECTION: Shooting hours do not begin until 9 a.m. only in the southern zone. The North and Mississippi River zones are already open and don't have the 9 a.m. restriction (they had it last week). Hunters are reporting conditions were good for the northern opener and they were seeing good wood duck and mallard numbers. Waterfowl are scattered due to good water levels, so ducks aren't nearly as concentrated as they have been in past years. Migrant Canada goose numbers are slowly building up, with some geese concentrated around Theresa Marsh, Horicon Marsh and other large wetland complexes, but most geese are spread out and hunters will need to do some scouting to figure out where the birds are feeding. Mississippi River water levels are below 8 feet in many areas resulting in large shoreline areas and mud flats. Waterfowl hunters in the new Mississippi zone commented on the large areas of "unforgiving mud" opening weekend. Wood ducks were prevalent with occasional flocks of blue winged teal and a few mallards.

Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for September 29, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Fall colors are coming on fast in northern Wisconsin, with several areas reporting colors are approaching peak. The Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR). has most of central and even much of southern Wisconsin at near 50 percent color, with peak still two to four weeks off.

The entire state received rain in the last week, with some areas reporting 2 to 3 inches. Strong winds are in the forecast this week, with wind advisories for possible gusts up to 40 miles per hour. The rain and winds could bring down a lot of leaves.

The waterfowl season opened last weekend in the northern and new Mississippi River zones and the duck season will open at 9 a.m. this Saturday in the southern zone. Hunters are reminded that shooting hours do not begin until 9 a.m. in all zones this Saturday. Hunters are reporting conditions were good for the northern opener and they were seeing good wood duck and mallard numbers. Waterfowl are scattered due to good water levels, so ducks aren't nearly as concentrated as they have been in past years. Migrant Canada goose numbers are slowly building up, with some geese concentrated around Theresa Marsh, Horicon Marsh and other large wetland complexes, but most geese are spread out and hunters will need to do some scouting to figure out where the birds are feeding. Mississippi River water levels are below 8 feet in many areas resulting in large shoreline areas and mud flats. Waterfowl hunters in the new Mississippi zone commented on the large areas of "unforgiving mud" opening weekend. Wood ducks were prevalent with occasional flocks of blue winged teal and a few mallards.

Although the white-tailed deer rut, or mating season, is still about a month off, archery hunters are reporting they are already finding some scrapes made by bucks as they stake out territory. One registration station in central Wisconsin reported most bucks registered the first week were still in velvet, but that this week most bucks have polished antlers.

Cooler and windy weather along with hunting activity continued to suppress fishing activity, though some anglers continue to venture out. Bluegill action slowed some on the Mississippi River, but largemouth and small mouth bass fishing has been good to excellent in along with an occasional walleye being caught. Water temperatures are dropping and this transition is helping anglers catch walleyes and sturgeon on the Wisconsin River. Inland trout fishing has been good the last week of the season in both Coulee region streams and in central Wisconsin, where brown trout action has been strong. The inland season closes this Friday, Sept. 30.

Recent rains giving the trout and salmon some much needed help making their way up Lake Michigan tributaries. Chinook and brown trout were being reported up the Manitowoc, East and West Twin, Kewaunee and Sheboygan rivers, and fish were just beginning to move up the southeastern tributaries, with a few reported up Sauk Creek, and the Milwaukee and Root rivers. Strong winds have kept many trollers off the lake, but pier and shore anglers reported some good chinook and brown trout action at many harbors.

Now is the time to start looking for gypsy moth egg masses, which can help predict the pest’s population size and potential damage to trees next year. The yellowish egg masses can be found on tree trunks and the undersides of branches, but they can also be found on buildings, picnic tables, and other outdoor objects. People who find egg masses on their property can spray them with horticultural oil labeled for gypsy moth to help prevent them from hatching next spring.

Related articles

• 8/4/2011 MDC Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin-Outdoor Report Summary for September 22, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Outdoor Report - Week of 9/1/2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• 9/29/2011 MDC Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Wisconsin-Outdoor Report Summary for September 22, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Temperatures were comfortable for the first few days of the archery deer, squirrel, turkey, and exterior goose seasons last Saturday, but rain on Sunday made many hunters stay home. Youth waterfowl hunters reported good success during their two-day hunt, with mostly blue-wing teal, mallards and wood ducks harvested, along with some geese. Turkey hunters report turkeys are still flocked up in family groups. Archery hunters had some success on opening weekend in southern Wisconsin, with a number of registration stations having some deer brought in, with most of the bucks having polished antlers and gray winter coats. Bucks are still grouped up and many are still in summer patterns, but the cooler weather is starting to get deer moving, so drivers should start being more aware of deer crossing roads.

The northern duck zone and new Mississippi duck and Canada goose zone seasons open this Saturday, and waterfowlers out scouting are reporting increasing numbers of migratory geese moving into the state and just a few northern ducks starting to show up. Wildlife crews have been out activating banding locally breeding ducks at major wildlife areas, and are reporting good numbers of mallards and wood ducks. Hunters that shoot a banded duck are asked to go online to www.reportband.gov and report the band number and where the bird was harvested.

With so many hunting seasons open, fishing pressure showed a sharp drop on many waters. In the north, there have still been quite a few musky anglers out and they have been seeing quite a bit of action along the deep weed edges. Some anglers have started dragging suckers with only mediocre success due to the warm early fall water temperatures. Walleye fishing has been steadily improving. Bass continue to be found in relatively shallow water with the best action late afternoons after the water has warmed up.

Bluegills were being caught throughout the Mississippi River backwaters. White bass and walleye were being caught below dams on the Rock River and catfishing has been good on the Crawfish River.

Strong southeast winds in the last week have made fishing on Green Bay and Lake Michigan difficult. Anglers continued to report some walleye and perch on the west shore off Oconto and some perch action at Little Sturgeon Bay on the Door County. Salmon were scattered up the Manitowoc and Twin rivers, but only a small number were seen by the dams with few caught. Similarly, despite some rain in the last week, water levels remain low on southeastern Lake Michigan tributaries, and few salmon have started to move upstream yet, though some were reported on the Sheboygan and Root rivers.

Sandhill cranes are flocking up and some large groups are being seen. Blackbirds are forming some very large flocks also. There have been several reports in southern Wisconsin of collared whooping cranes being seen. Waterfowl hunters are being cautioned to make sure they watch out for whooping cranes and trumpeter swans.

Fall color is really starting to come on in the north, with about a dozen counties now reporting colors at 25 to 50 percent and Vilas County reporting color at 50 to 75 percent on the Department of Tourism’s Fall Color Report (exit DNR).

Related articles

• 8/26/2011 MDC Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• 9/15 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report Update (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

9/15 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report Update

Image via Wikipedia

Wisconsin’s fall hunting seasons move into high gear this weekend with the opening of the Canada goose season on Friday, and the opening of fall turkey, archery deer, ruffed grouse, cotton tail rabbit and squirrel seasons on Saturday. This weekend there is also a special two-day youth waterfowl hunt (pdf) open to youths 10 to 15 years of age who are hunter safety certified or participating in a mentored hunt. Participants must be HIP registered and be accompanied by and adult.

There are some changes this year for turkey hunters and archery deer hunters. It will be more convenient for turkey hunters to register their birds this year, either toll-free over the phone at 1-888-HUNT-WIS (1-888-486-8947) or usingonline turkey registration (Note: link will become active when season opens) through the DNR website. There will no longer be turkey registration stations. The fall turkey hunting season will also be extended for turkey zones 1 through 5 to Dec. 31. This late season had a two-year trial period, but is now permanent. There are still plenty of turkey permits available for these zones this fall. Archery deer hunting will now be open during the nine-day gun deer season, which will make this the longest archer deer season on record.

Pleasant late-summer weather in the past week made for very nice fishing conditions. In the Northwoods, water temperatures dropped into the mid-60s spurring on fall feeding activity for most species. Musky and northern pike action continues to improve and anglers have reported some very good success. The hook-and-line sturgeon season into its second week with moderate pressure and quite a few fish being caught, including a couple legal 60-inch-plus fish reported. Bass fishing continued to become more erratic, but some excellent action has been experienced on a couple of days, especially for largemouth. Walleye success continues to improve with some decent catches reported from on and around mid-depth structure on leaches and crawlers. In the south smallmouth bass are very active and feeding on the Wisconsin River and walleye fishing remains good below dams on the Rock River. Panfish action has been good on many southern lakes.

On Green Bay, some very good perch fishing with some limits were being reported along Door County. Anglers were targeting musky on the lower bay and Fox River with some success this week. Lake Michigan trollers continue to work outside of harbors with success for chinook and brown trout as well as farther off shore with a mixed bag of chinook and coho salmon and brown and rainbow trout reported. Lake Michigan tributaries continue to run quite low. A few chinook were reported this week on the lower sections of the Manitowoc and Sheboygan rivers, but additional rainfall is needed to draw fish up tributaries for fall spawning.

Whitetail bucks are now being seen both with and without velvet. Archers are reminded that if they shoot a buck in velvet and want to keep the antlers they must contact a conservation warden and request written authorization.

Coyotes have been very vocal over the last several weeks. Family groups have established rendezvous sites. These are typically open areas including old log landings, abandoned quarries or grassy hillsides, where family groups meet to socialize, and prepare for an upcoming hunt. Pups are especially vocal at this time and will readily respond when howled at by a human voice.

Spots of autumn color are starting especially with some maples starting to turn. Iron County in far northern Wisconsin is reporting the most color at between 25 and 50 percent on the Department of Tourism’s newly revamped Fall Color Report (exit DNR), but peak color is still several weeks off in the north and a month or so in the south.

Related articles

• Wisconsin Deer hunters asked to report deer, wildlife observations (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• 2011 Wisconsin archery deer season to be longest in state history (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Hunters: Outdoor Report as of September 8, 2011 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)