So You Like to Fish Wisconsin?
Before we dive into the Wisconsin water, here’s a brief update on the Mike Foss black bear courtship and mating video we talked about in last week’s Blog. I will be traveling to OWO writer Jim Olsson’s studio today to film the introduction. You probably watched the Olsson crew’s great footage of the double gobbler kill with bow and arrow that we posted on the homepage recently. Believe me, I’m not a big fan of being in front of a camera and tried to entice Mike Foss down with a bucket of bear bait to talk himself about his work and incredible footage that we will be unveiling very soon, but he has a unique dedication to his sport.
These rare cinnamon-phased black bears were captured on camera in Bayfield County Wisconsin this spring.
“It’s crucial now that I stay up here in Bayfield County to bait and set stands,” he said. “What we do now determines how many bears and how many big bears we bring to the hunters in September. You film it.”
Okay, I’ll do it. I just won’t like it. I will like shining the light on Foss and his work. I interviewed him this morning via phone to try and get the bear facts straight, and he sent the SD card that has now arrived showing about five minutes of black bear courtship before the mating footage up close and personal on Mike’s perfectly set cuddeback at about five yards. After our studio work, Jim Olsson will put it all together. The finished product will certainly be up on our homepage this coming week.
We will have a delay in next week’s blog perhaps until Sunday due to our art director’s Northwoods vacation, but hopefully the bear film will be posted prior to that.
In the meantime, we posted two new Mike Foss Bear Blogs with new photos under “Bear Hunting” on this website. You will get a good feel for Mike’s work and why capturing on film or tagging big bears, little bears and even courting bears for Mike Foss is just no accident.
Fishing? Man do we have fishing. On Wisconsin Outdoors July-August issue prints tomorrow, June 27 and you can look for it in all Wisconsin Kwik Trip stores, Menards stores, Elliott’s Ace Hardwares, most Gander Mountain stores, and other businesses soon after. By Friday too, look for it posted on our website homepage. Here’s what to expect from the lakes and streams:
Drifting for suspended summer panfish- Gary Engberg
Flyfishing Wisconsin-Jerry Kiesow
Dragn’ for Winnebago walleyes-John Lindemann
Head Lamps and Bucketmouths-Tom Luba
Summer smallies-Glenn Walker
Memories of Summer Creek-John Luthens
Small lures, big fish-Dave Duwe
The first sinking worm-Mike Yurk
Not the fish of 10,000 casts-Denny Murawska
Dog-Day muskies-Phil Schweik
Pass on the tradition-Dan Moericke
Muskies on top-Clay Heller
Bass in a Bowl-Tom Carpenter
Lake Michigan Kings-Dick Ellis
That last guy is my favorite writer.
Anyway, you say you want hunting? We have coverage on DeerFest coming to Washington County, deer rifle comparisons, enter the crossbow, deer hunting features, bear hunting, concealed carry, a feature on the Midwest Industries 300 Hunter, and let’s not forget Cochran cartoons, recipes by Suzette, updates from Diane Schauer, Product 6-Pack, and Explore Wisconsin.
Kwik Trip Outdoors will begin a new contest July 1 in which you can win a 4-day bowhunt courtesy of DeerFest trophy properties. First though, you still have the rest of June to try and win that day on the water with Super Guide Phil Schweik. When you’re exploring Kwik Trip Outdoors, check out their new Fishing Reports section. It’s going to be a great regular way for you to check out where you want to fish. Guides, it’s also going to be a great way for you to gain welcome exposure. See Kwik Trip Outdoors and On Wisconsin Outdoors together in our DeerFest booth August 8-10 at the Washington County Fair Grounds.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. Have a great 4th of July.
Shoot straight. And shoot often and loudly for freedom.
Dick Ellis