Reports from around the state indicate the white-tailed deer mating season, known as the rut, will likely reach its peak across Wisconsin over the next two weeks or so. Bucks are actively pursuing does even during the day, and conservation wardens continue to report increased vehicle-deer collisions in the last week. Archery hunters are reporting some very good success, with buck deer actively responding to grunt and bleat calls.
Despite some recently colder weather – with the first reports of measurable snow in the north last week – the mild fall still appears to have many activities behind schedule. Waterfowl hunters continued to report wood ducks as far north as Florence County this week. While increasing numbers of diver ducks, such as canvasback, bluebills, buffleheads and ring necks are being seen, mallards, teal and shovelers are still being seen in good numbers. Canada goose numbers at Horicon Marsh have reached about 50,000, still well below peak levels of 200,000 that use the marsh as a stop-over on their southerly migration. Numbers of migrating birds at Horicon Marsh are expected to peak in the next two weeks. The updated Natural Resources monthly page of the DNR website contains a new video with a hint of what birders will see, and online resources steer to birding hot spots for prime viewing.
Grouse hunters are reporting mixed success, with more flushes being reported in some areas than others. There appeared to be another fair movement of woodcock in some areas in the last week. Late season turkey hunters are reporting that some broods are already grouping into winter flocks and are frequenting the harvested fields in the county.
Water temperatures continue to hold in the low 50s to upper 40s on northern lakes, with fewer and fewer anglers venturing out. Musky continue to be the main species of interest and have been providing some fairly consistent action. Musky action has also been good on the Wisconsin River and on Dane County lakes in the south. Walleye fishing has been sporadic on northern lakes, but some good walleye fishing was reported on the Fox, Wolf and Wisconsin rivers.
While the peak of the fall salmon run has come and gone, anglers were still reporting some good numbers on Lake Michigan tributaries, including the Sheboygan, Menomonee and Root rivers. While the number of chinook have decreased, more coho salmon and brown and rainbow trout were being seen. On Green Bay, perch fishing picked up , with nice catches reported off Oconto and Pensaukee along the west shore and off Chaudoir’s Dock on the east shore.
With the opening of Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day gun deer season now just over two weeks away, hunters should be busy preparing, including making sure all firearms are in proper working order and accurately sighted in. Many ranges are now holding extended hours to give hunters extra time to sight-in rifles and get in some extra target practice.
The Deer Hunt 2011 television special with Outdoor Wisconsin host Dan Small will be carried this year by Wisconsin Public Television and Milwaukee Public Television and Fox Sports Wisconsin and Fox Sports North. The show will be broadcast on Milwaukee Public TV: Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 9 a.m.; on Wisconsin Public TV Digital Wisconsin Channel on Nov. 3 at 8.p.m.; and on Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 8 a.m.
