10/30/14 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report summary
Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state)
White-tailed deer rut getting underway in Wisconsin
Reports from around the state indicate the white-tailed buck rut - or mating season - is getting underway. Lots of scrapes and rubs are being found, and bucks have begun sparring. Conservation Warden Kyle Lynch of Juneau County responded to a report of two very nice sized bucks locked together by their antlers. One was deceased, but Lynch was able to free the other. Other parts of the state are reporting bucks still in pre-rut activities checking scrape lines but not actively pursuing does.
An indication that deer are on the move has been a recent increase in vehicle-deer collisions. It is especially important during the rutting season that if motorists see a deer cross the road they slow down and watch for another deer to be following.
The firearm deer season is less than a month away, opening Nov. 22, so now is the time for hunters to hit the range and sight in deer rifles and get in some target practice. Search the DNR website for keyword "deer" to find out about changes in rules for the upcoming season.
Pheasant hunting is in full swing and many hunters have been using the DNR website to locate public lands with stocked birds. Fall turkey hunters have been reporting turkeys are feeding in the stubble of recently harvested corn fields, but many are also still spending a lot of time feeding on this year bountiful acorn crops in the woods. Leaf drop is nearly complete in the north improving conditions for grouse hunters. The woodcock season closes next Monday, Nov. 3.
Waterfowl hunting has also picked up with the arrival of more northern diving ducks and Canada geese, and with the cold front forecast for this week more should begin moving into the state.
Fishing pressure has generally been low but fishing success is very high for those anglers still out. Musky action continues to be good to excellent in the Northwoods. There was one report of a 50-inch fish caught in the past week, so trophy potential has been getting better. Walleye are biting on the Menominee, Fox and Wisconsin rivers. The chinook salmon run is starting to wind down on Lake Michigan tributaries, but there was still some good numbers being caught along with coho and brown and rainbow trout. The Root River Steelhead Facility passed 1,296 fish upriver in three days last week.
Fall color is now past peak across the entire state on the Department of Tourism's Fall Color Report (exit DNR), but there are still hints of color on southern hillsides and tamaracks and oaks are still holding their golden and amber needles and leaves.
There have still been fair numbers of campers taking advantage of the recent nice weekends at state parks and forests, but most properties have begun to or will soon close modern shower and bathroom facilities for the season.
Along with falling back an hour this weekend on the clock, another sign of the changing seasons: crews at state park and forest properties have been busy mowing and clearing trails to prepare for the winter ski and snowmobile season.
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Outdoor Report editor:
Paul Holtan, DNR Office of Communications, Madison
608-267-7517 or paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov