News from Bear Camp…and around Wisconsin
Queen, a monster sow captured on Northern Wisconsin Outfitters Trail camera, would not let other bears, even some very large boars, eat at this bait station to the point that the site was eventually abandoned by the guides.
I invaded my brother Steve’s cabin in Iron County last week to serve as an observer and photo man on his bear stand. My brother was sitting on a bait station started by Robert Haas and Northern Wisconsin Outfitters, and I was on a stand right next to him hoping to capture the kill for a future cover shot in On Wisconsin Outdoors.
Steve took over the baiting responsibilities from the experts at Northern Wisconsin Outfitters, who do such a great job of selecting stands mainly over 35 square miles of Bayfield County. Steve also started and maintained two other stations solo. All three bait sites had bears coming with consistency, and we selected a stand that brought in four bears on day one. Steve passed on three of the bears that he evaluated as too small.
Those critters came in crosswind and did not seem very diligent in checking for danger. They pigged out until their hearts were content and lumbered off. A bigger bear came in slow, cautious, and straight into the wind. He stopped 50 yards short, didn’t like something, and slowly turned around and retraced his steps out. I spent 13 hours on stand with Steve. Hopefully, he will fill the tag this week.
Northern Wisconsin Outfitters has 14 bears down after one week of hunting. Hound hunters went first in 2017. Other NWO hunters miscalculated the size and let a 400 pound bear walk, or cleanly missed their shot. This can be expected based on history, in particular when the Wisconsin season averages an 8 year wait before an applying hunter is awarded a kill tag. That means there are many inexperienced hunters on stand for the first time and watching a bear come in is a very exciting experience. Mistakes happen, especially when these bears can go 700 pounds. I helped drag out a 639 pound NWO kill a few years back….with 10 other guys.
The Bois Brule River runs through OWO writer John Luthens. It is his second home.
After visiting Northern Wisconsin Outfitters camp near Ashland, OWO writer and fly-fishing expert John Luthens and I visited the Bois Brule River where I was again the camera man and John was…well…the fly-fishing expert. These photos are a result of Johnny and the Brule. He actually took these shots the morning after I left, but they are better than mine. The best part of this trip? I got to meet John’s classy mom, who lives on the Brule and who, I can honestly say, makes the best chili north of Fond du Lac. My wife lives south of Fond du Lac.
Bill Radek catches and releases his first musky, a 40 inch beauty on the Manitowish Chain.
Moving down now to our cabin in Boulder Junction, the Radek boys, Bill and his son Jeff, were up for their annual visit from Illinois. Bill and my brother Jim played football together for the Wisconsin Badgers back in the late 70s, and they remain close friends. Bill caught his first musky during the trip, a beautiful 40 inch fish that he released after a very good fight. Excuse the Cubs hat on Bill in the Jeff Radek photo. There’s a good explanation for that….Bill’s an idiot. Need proof? He likes the Bears too.
Young Bull Moose are sometimes pushed into Wisconsin during the rut.
Moving over to Price County, Jim Moon sends us a bull moose captured on trail camera. Young bulls sometimes are pushed into Wisconsin from neighboring states mostly during the rutting season by dominant bulls that don’t care for the competition for cows. So they send the young boys temporarily packing. Thanks Jim.
This nice laker fell to Harry Laase (Little guy), shown with friend Roger Mayer (Big guy).
These photos in this week from friend Roger Mayer after fishing Big Green with his buddy, Harry Laase. A fine day on the water was a bad day for these two lake trout. Also, this king salmon fell to Roger under the tutelage of super-guide Eric Haataja off of Racine on Lake Michigan. Want fish, and I don’t care where? Call Haataja.
Roger Mayer caught this king fishing with Eric Haataja in the Racine Harbor on Lake Michigan.
I’m heading off later this week for the duck season opener in the northern zone. Actually looking forward to filling the freezer with wild game. It’s been slim pickins for the last couple months.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. Shoot straight.
Dick Ellis