Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report 12-01-12
With the warm temperatures we had this past week we are advising anglers to stay off area ice and wait for cooler temperatures and more solid ice. Right now in Central Wisconsin we have from 1 1/2 inches to 2 1/2 inches of ice and that will more than likely diminish before it gets better if the weather continues to stay the way it is. With the lack of safe ice on the water this upcoming Saturday (December 8th.) would be a great time to stop down at Gander Mountain in Wausau as they are holding their 2012 ice fishing expo. There will be over $3,000.00 dollars in prize give-a-ways and seminars by several great ice fishing experts.
With that said deer hunting has been very good for muzzle-loader hunters and it should continue to be good for the remaining archery season which continues into January.
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| Hooksetters guide Phil Schweik with his 2012 firearms buck. | Another view of Hooksetters Guide Phil Schweik's 2012 firearms buck. |
With muzzle-loader season coming to an end archery hunters can expect to find the woods pretty much to themselves and the deer finally getting back to their normal patterns and routine. To take advantage of targeting late season whitetails you should look for any areas that contain some sort of food. From my experience at this time of the year my prime locations have been by hunting near remaining crop fields like corn or alfalfa. If you have the capability food plots are also a great source that will draw numbers of deer in at this time of the year. Another great location to try is any freshly cut trees by loggers or clear cuts as deer will move into these areas at this time of the year as their regular food sources begin to diminish. New clear cut areas or freshly cut poplar trees are a magnet when it comes to late season hunting, find these locations and you will have yourself a deer hunting hotspot for the remainder of the season especially if we start seein some snow on the ground.
A view of the moss in the swamp.
We do have one great tip for the hunters out there. This past season we were successful in tagging a couple of deer, but with the lack of nearby water we were left with bloody hands after field dressing them. What we found in the woods that worked absolutely great was swamp moss. The moss when pulled from the ground had thick roots that were soaked with water and virtually spotless of dirt. The coarse roots and clean moss made for a great scrubbing agent and the moistness took care of all the blood on our hands leaving them spotless. Next time your in the woods and need a cleaning resource give the swamp moss a try it worked out fantastic.
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| John Sparbel with bloody hands after field dressing a deer. | John Sparbel cleaning his hands with swamp moss which worked out perfect. | John Sparbel with totally spotless and blood free hands after cleaning them with swamp moss. |
Good luck and have a great week,
Glenn Moberg processing some fresh venison.
Phil Schweik
Licensed Wisconsin Hunting & Fishing Guide
Hooksetters Guide Service www.hooksetters.biz
Ruttnut Guide Service www.ruttnut.com
Reed & Hoppe Wildlife Food Plots www.foodplotting.com