DNR and Other Outdoor News
First, we had a great time in our booth with Kwik Trip Outdoors at DeerFest August 8-10. Thanks to all of you who stopped by to win a great prize from Kwik Trip Outdoors or to pick up an issue of On Wisconsin Outdoors, or meet OWO fly-fishing expert John Luthens or OWO firearms expert S. Wilkerson. It was an eye-opener to see how many people have taken ownership in Kwik Trip. They love it. I counted a minimum of three West Bend local residents alone who expressed their wish to KTO marketing man David Jackson for a Kwik Trip store to be built in their city.
One woman actually wrote a letter to city officials requesting that a store be put in. Don’t get me wrong. My field partners and I start virtually every hunting or fishing trip with a stop at KT stores in New Berlin or Muskego. I think you should too, it’s that good. But a company has to be doing something right to form such customer loyalty. Without exaggerating, I bet I heard 100 comments from DeerFest visitors who absolutely love Kwik Trip.
There has been a flurry of increased news coming in from the DNR for posting throughout our website at www.onwisconsinoutdoors.com. It’s obvious that transition time from fishing to both hunting and fishing is just on the horizon. Changes in deer season regulations, duck season quotas, and less pleasant reading like hounds training for the upcoming bear season being killed by wolves are sure signals that fall is almost here.
Below are just a few teasers of entire news items that we have posted this week. We probably posted 20 items from the DNR. On this site, I would check out “Outdoor News”, “Inland Fishing”, “Deer Hunting” “Waterfowl Hunting” and anywhere else your hunting or angling heart leads you to read the full stores. We have also posted stories from some of our top writers and fishing guides as usual. Thanks for your visits.
In 2014, Wisconsin will be divided into three duck hunting zones, each with 60-day seasons. There will be split seasons in the Southern and Mississippi River duck and goose zones.
Waterfowl breeding populations in 2014 are mostly good to excellent in Wisconsin and North America, according to recent surveys by state, federal and Canadian wildlife officials. A recent United States Fish and Wildlife Service survey showed the highest North American duck population estimate in the survey's 59-year history.
"With strong total duck populations and good water conditions, Wisconsin waterfowl hunters can expect a good season," said DNR waterfowl ecologist Kent Van Horn.
Changes as a result of NRB approval include an expansion of the Horicon Zone Canada goose season harvest limit (from six birds to 12) and a reduction in the daily bag limit for canvasbacks (from two birds to one).
"I would like to thank all the folks who took the time to get involved, attend public meetings and participate in the regulatory process," said Van Horn. "As always, we heard from hunters with a range of desires and practices. The final season dates represent a compromise among diverse hunter preferences. Waterfowl hunting is a blend of traditions, friendships and memorable days on the marsh - we wish you a successful hunt and leave you with a reminder to be safe. As always, hunters who take the time to scout preseason are going to be the ones with the best chance of success on opening day."
The Natural Resources Board approved today the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' recommendations to establish a deer hunting season in which the use of a crossbow is allowed.
Wisconsin deer hunters will also have their choice of hunting with the crossbow in 2014.
A crossbow deer hunting license is available for any qualified hunter to purchase - this will be the first time many Wisconsin deer hunters will have the opportunity to hunt with a crossbow. Previously, only holders of permits for hunters with disabilities and hunters age 65 or older could use a crossbow under the authority of an archer license.
The crossbow deer hunting season will run concurrent with the archery season. During open firearm seasons, a gun deer license will authorize bow and crossbow use. Crossbow licenses include one statewide buck tag and one Farmland Zone antlerless tag. It is important to note that those who purchase both an archer license and a crossbow license will receive only one set of tags.
On August 9, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves killed a 4 year old Walker/Blue Tick hound. The attack occurred in the Town of Mercer, Iron County. More information and a caution area map are available on the gray wolf webpage.
Hounds being trained in summer for the fall bear hunt are each year killed by wolves most frequently in Wisconsin’s northern forest regions.
Hunters are reminded to use the caution area maps on the DNR website (dnr.wi.gov, keyword "wolf management") to help reduce conflicts during this year's bear dog training and hunting season.
People interested in learning to identify what tracks and signs different kinds of mammals leave in the wild can attend a three-hour Learn to Track Mammals course Saturday, August 16 at the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Find all the information under “Outdoor News”.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. I’m going fishing with Lori. All weekend long in Wisconsin’s northland. How good is that?
Shoot straight.
Dick Ellis