Price County NEWS
In Price County, Roadside vegetation, especially ferns, is beginning to turn color. As you take an auto tour through the county, you’ll find that Black-Eyed Susan, a North American native plant with daisy-like flowers and dark ‘eyes’ with brightly-colored yellow petals, are abundant. Slight hints of color are showing up in the tree canopy. Autumn tree color change begins in early September and usually peaks during the first week of October.
The August moon is the Ricing Moon. In August wild rice ripens, goldenrod blooms, and night hawks migrate. Wild bergamot, bunch berries, blue cohosh, and blue bead lilies are blossoming. The Monarch butterflies seem to be flittering here and there. Horse flies, black flies and mosquitoes are out, so be prepared. The fewer than normal dragonflies and the ever nocturnal bats are filling up on those pesky mosquitoes. Grouse coveys and young turkeys have been seen by Flambeau River State Forest staff and visitors. The deer and elk have been busy grazing. Cow and calf groups are secretive and hanging out in cover. Elk calves are weaning off of the cows and eating more vegetation. Bulls are hanging out in bachelor groups constantly eating, eating, eating. All, filling up for those long lean winter months. The bulls are still in velvet. The first to lose their velvet is the raghorns. All velvet should be off by the end of August and bugling will commence. The biggest bull elk in the Flambeau River State Forest, 20 miles west of Phillips on Hwy w, has a 6x6 with his antlers extended way beyond. This is the time of year for habitat management on the State Forest. Openings and trails are being mowed and habitat plantings being made. These practices promote holding and supporting deer and elk in the area. Turkeys, woodcock and grouse are some of the other animals that benefit from these efforts.
On the North and South Forks of the Flambeau River, water levels are normal for this time of year. There is a nice flow of water on the North Fork of the Flambeau River from the Turtle Dam to Park Falls, but more rocks are showing. This makes for a nice paddling challenge.
All ATV, UTV and Off-road Motorcycle trails are in good riding condition. There are a few signed detours and some active timber sale in progress. Please use caution in these areas. .
A local fishing guide reports: Muskie activity this past week was pretty good. Many of our fish were found off the deeper weed edges. Large spinner baits dropped to the bottom and then quickly retrieved brought many fish to the boat. Bucktails in the #8 blade sizes with a very fast retrieve also provided action. We also fished some mid lake deep humps and saw action on dawgs and crank baits. Afternoons and evenings provided the best action on stained water lakes. We did get some trolling action on the clearer deep water lakes from dusk until early morning with some success around lunar majors and minors.