Category: General

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.

The departures of the many snowbirds create volunteer opportunities at Community Memorial Hospital. Openings are available in various areas of the hospital such as patient escorts, nutrition services, and information services. Other opportunities include helping out at special events and projects.

“Whatever your background, interests, or talent, there are ways you can help. We have men and women from all backgrounds, young and old.” said CMH Auxiliary volunteer chairperson Steve Carrico. “Volunteer service is personally rewarding and it enriches our community.”

Job-seekers and students can gain valuable experience serving in volunteer roles.

To learn more, those interested should contact Steve Carrico at (920) 621-7572 or scarrico65@gmail.com. Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in hospital-sponsored functions and receive other benefits including a pharmacy discount.

The CMH Auxiliary supports Community Memorial Hospital through volunteer service and fundraising projects.

Fall colors will be peaking in southern Wisconsin within the next week, with only some stubborn maples and oaks hanging on to their summer colors. In northern Wisconsin the recent rain and heavy wind has all but nearly knocked most leaves off of trees, but the tamarack trees are making up for them with their increasing gold color. Leaf drop is providing for some better archery hunting and upland bird hunting. Morning frost in forecast for some areas of the state will provide for more leaf drop, along with the oaks beginning to turn to their fall reds and bronze.

The reopening of the southern zone duck season proved successful for many hunters last weekend with ducks in nearly everyone’s bag. Some diving ducks, mostly ring-necks and canvasbacks have been seen throughout the state. Diving duck migration should continue as more seasonal temperatures arrive. Some more exotic birds such as trumpeter swans, egrets, and large flocks of cormorants have been seen around the Mississippi River.

Last weekend brought several hunting season openers. On Saturday Oct. 19 the pheasant and bobwhite quail season will be opening statewide at noon. Many state properties are going to be stocked of pheasant for the opener. Southern area cottontail, statewide raccoon and fox seasons will also be opening. Several trapping seasons will be opening this Saturday as well. isconsin’s second wolf season kicked of Tuesday morning, with a few successful hunts being confirmed in northern Wisconsin and also one in Columbia County.

Wardens and biologists from across the state are reporting that the classic signs of the pre rut are starting to show with many rubs and scrapes are beginning to cover Wisconsin’s landscape. Smaller bucks are reported to be chasing doe, and there has been many large bucks harvested. In Sauk County, a buck harvested by bow and arrow was unofficially scored at 196. Look for cooler temperatures and the harvesting of crops to create more deer movement.

The Lake Michigan tributaries have been host to some heavy action for salmon. Perch and walleye have also been providing for good fishing across the state as water temperatures drop.

Anglers fishing the structure below the dam at Stiles caught some bluegill and crappies using slip bobbers and minnows or leaf worms. Chinook were caught near the Iron Bridge on the Oconto River using spawn sacks, spoons and stick baits and wooly buggers. Perch were caught in the Breakwater Park and Oconto Park II landings using minnows or chunks of crawlers. – Kevin King, creel clerk

MADISON – As fall colors near peak in northern Wisconsin, state officials want the public to know that state park, trail, forest, wildlife and other properties all remain open for public recreation and enjoyment.