North Dakota Knock-Out
First, the DNR is bombarding our offices with so many reports on so many different topics related to fishing and hunting Wisconsin that I don’t remember that the outdoor news has ever been so brisk. You can read it all on this website under “Outdoor News”, and of course under appropriate titles like “Inland Fishing”, “Upland Game” and Bear Hunting”. As I write this I know that the news includes sturgeon spearing reports, bear season quotas, spring hearing questions, lake trout emergency information on Superior, etc. etc. etc.
Check it out every week. They send. We post. You read.
Our group of Wisconsin ice fisherman had our trip to North Dakota knocked out by a nasty front carrying 40 mile per hour winds and plummeting temperatures. Our host, “On Wisconsin Outdoors” Polk County guide and writer Dave Hraychuck and his better-half Ann, is now a guide working from Ashley, North Dakota.
Ann Hraychuck likes the pike in North Dakota.
This week Dave was working on the ice in balmy 40 degree temperatures and clients were taking perch home to 15-1/2 inches before Mother Nature stuck her nose in it. An out-of state 3 day fishing license costs $20 and the perch take is 20 per day per man plus the walleyes and pike you’re allowed. They place tip-ups for perch and jig for walleyes that average 21 inches. Dave will tell you the specifics, but the Hraychucks also offer lodging with many different options. Our plan with 8 Wisconsin fishermen will be rescheduled for February or March.
OWO writer and North Dakota Guide will put you on fish.
Hraychuck, for years a tremendous guide in northwest Wisconsin, in the past would let me come and bother him for stories, field photos and to take home a load of fish. Now he’s doing the same thing out west and his clients, I guarantee you, will reap the benefits of a guy totally in his element outside. Watch for Dave’s online stories and photos on this website and print columns too that we will probably slap with a headline like, “The Badger Connection….”
Stay tuned. And connect now with the Hraychucks at 715-553-0578 or 701-288-2375.
Do you have what it takes to be the “Last Angler Standing"?
Ice Duels is a competitive ice fishing tournament that pits anglers in head to head, 30 minute matches in a double elimination format. Sitting back to back, you have 30 minutes to outfish your opponent while a scorekeeper scores your fish before you release it. Bluegill and crappie are the designated species for the Madison event, with each fish worth one point.
After each 30 minute “Duel” two time losers are eliminated and the field narrows until the last two anglers are pitted against each other in the championship round. It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s challenging. Do you have what it takes to be “The Last Angler Standing”? Find out more at www.iceduels.com
Terry Russ sighted in the Midwest Industries AR15 built by OWO firearms expert and writer Stuart Wilkerson for our upcoming coyote hunt while I handled the camera. I think I missed with the telephoto more than he missed with the rifle. He’s good to shoot at 200 yards with the group you can see below. He purposely placed the group an inch above the bullseye at 100 yards so he can kill a coyote at that range or significantly greater distances.
Terry and I then traveled to Rock and Green Counties where we asked for and received permission from farmers to hunt on many properties. Next step is the actual hunts both nocturnally and in daylight. Terry hunts nothing but coyotes by calling them in and he’s good at it. His equipment includes thousands of dollars’ worth of night vision equipment including scopes. Stand by. I will be the camera man for that one too.
Have you visited Kwik Trip Outdoors lately? They want to know what you’re up to in the field. Send your photos and stories. Pick up your OWO in any Kwik Trip store in Wisconsin, and any Menards store too.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. I’m not sure if can watch the Super Bowl this time, unless Lori really wants to. If she does not, I just may be out under that beautiful full moon Sunday night with Terry Russ, calling in Wily…….
Shoot straight. I hope Terry does.
Dick Ellis