This is the Wisconsin Outdoor Report. We have highlighted the deer news in bold.
June is an important month for wildlife in Wisconsin, and reports from across the state this week indicate some wildlife activities that have been delayed by the cool spring are reaching their peak. Numerous reports of abandoned fawns have come into DNR offices this week. Fawns are rarely abandoned. White-tail does will leave fawns alone for protection from predators, but they are nearby and will return to care for fawns. If you see a fawn in the wild, leave it alone and quietly leave the area. Also, many yearling deer have been pushed to fend for themselves as the does are taking care of their new fawns. These yearlings are moving about and are often sighted along roadsides, and because of this June is one of the highest months for vehicle-deer collision.
There were also reports from across the state that turtles have been actively nesting in the last week, and many times this activity takes place along roadways, or turtles cross roadways to reach nesting sites. Please watch for and avoid turtles on or near roads. Some turtles such as the wood and Blanding’s turtles take 15 years to reach maturity. If a turtle is crossing a road, and you can do it safely, move the turtle across the road in the direction it was headed. Be very cautious of snapping turtles and only drag them by their tails. See a
news release and video on the DNR website for more information.
Black bears also move into their breeding season in June, and male bears are now on the move in search of receptive sows. Those sows have emancipated their yearling cubs, which are also on the move, and often will stay near homes to avoid the older males. If a young bear is remaining near your home, remove all sources of food such as bird and pet food and garbage, and chase the bear away making loud noises.
Following last week’s warm temperatures, Wisconsin returned to more seasonable weather pattern in the last week. Most of the state also received much needed rainfall in the last week. Water temperatures remain in the lower 70s in the north and to the mid 70s in the south, which has triggered bluegill spawning on southern lakes. The
harvest season for bass opens this Saturday in the northern zone, and fisheries biologists are encouraging anglers on some lakes, especially in the northwest, to consider harvesting some bass. The strong
catch-and-release ethic among bass anglers has lead to an overabundance of bass in some waters, which fish manager believe may be having a negative impact on walleye populations.
Some very good catfishing was reported at the Peshtigo harbor and along the lowr Fox River at Green Bay. Walleye fishing remained good at Oconto and smallmouth bass fishing was good along Door County. Perch fishing was mixed, but there were some reports of nice size perch along the Door peninsula. Trollers had a good week with some limits being brought in, mostly of coho, but also some chinook as well as rainbow and lake trout.
Spring wildflowers are now giving way to more summer bloomers, with reports of sunflowers, white wild indigo, hoary puccoon, beards tongue, yarrow, goat's beard, and prairie larkspur blooming. Monarchs, mourning cloaks, swallowtails, and luna moths are being seen. Dragonflies have finally appeared and are putting a dent in the mosquito population, and there continue to be reports of high numbers of ticks, so be sure to check yourself and pets especially after walking through tall grass.
