Beavers, Holsters & Deer
12-13-2012
“On the Trapline with Arnie Groehler” is posted again both under “Trapping” on this website, “Deer Hunting” and we’ve thrown him too under “Outdoor News”. Until OWO readers catch on that this new column is a weekly feature, we’re going to continue to post his adventures in other places in addition to trapping. It’s that good. But this week in particular deer hunters will get a kick out of reading Arnie’s encounters with rutting whitetail bucks during his trapping quest for beaver. Annually, Groehler seems to have very unique close encounters with rutting bucks in late October and November and 2012 is no exception. The trapper has some of his own ideas of just why bucks like him so much and deer hunters will want to take note. It’s really worth your time, as are all of Arnie’s adventures. Two of his beaver photos in particular are also stunning, including this one of a 60-pound bruiser. Arnie’s the one in the hat.
Robb Manning’s “Everyday Carry” concealed carry column is posted as usual under “Firearms”. This week‘s focus is ‘beer, cheese…and holsters’. Actually it’s just holsters, but Manning introduces us to Wisconsin-made Cleveland’s Holster, produced right in Milwaukee. If you’re interested in applying for a concealed carry permit Manning has some great weekly insight for you, especially if, like me, you’re not really sure about all the options. Find John Luthen’s “Fencerows” column entitled Lost Arrow Road and some excellent outdoor photos posted this week under “Inland Fishing” and "Ice Fishing". Luthens is out searching for something but he’s really not sure what, based on the name of that road that draws him to his adventure. Take note of the photo on the goose pond that John finds, in particular.
Check out Bill Thornley’s quest for Wyoming mule deer posted under “Trips Elsewhere”. It’s also posted under “Deer Hunting”. Bill goes after mulies in the Rockies each year with Wisconsin friends and his column will help you get started with your own planning. As interesting (and not just a little spooky) as the hunting is Bill’s writing on intimate close up encounters with grizzly bears that seem to come to the rifle shot like pigs to the slop…or like whitetails to a Wisconsin baiter’s tumbling kernels of corn. (send complaints to ellis@onwisconsinoutdoors.com) Thornley isn’t real fond of coming across still-steaming bear dung in thick brush. I know I would hate it. It’s a very good read.
Connect with “Outdoor News” on this website for daily information coming across the wire from the DNR fish and game people, wardens from all over Wisconsin, Natural Resources Board and much more. This week in addition to the complete outdoor report, we post the wolf harvest updates and zone closings, warden report for the deer hunt, updates on the hunting and trapping proposal for state parks, Natural Resources Board agenda for December, Tundra swan and crane migration alert, a media release on a deer testing positive for CWD outside the management zone in Grant County and more.
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Connect with “Outdoor News” on this website for daily information coming across the wire from the DNR fish and game people, wardens from all over Wisconsin, Natural Resources Board and much more. This week in addition to the complete outdoor report, we post the wolf harvest updates and zone closings, warden report for the deer hunt, updates on the hunting and trapping proposal for state parks, Natural Resources Board agenda for December, Tundra swan and crane migration alert, a media release on a deer testing positive for CWD outside the management zone in Grant County and more.
I’m heading out later today to hunt South Dakota pheasants and will bring you that story soon. It’s been 10 years since I hunted the west for birds and almost that long since I visited Iowa. I’ve done plenty of wild bird hunting in Wisconsin and tuned up for this trip once at Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club. My 2-1/2 year old Golden Retriever Micah obviously has never hunted outside Wisconsin and he is ready for the big stage. So am I.
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| Micah, Dylan and John Ellis tune up at Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club in Waukesha for this week’s trip to South Dakota. | |
Last Friday, I did accomplish my primary goal of putting venison in the freezer again during the antlerless only statewide hunt. Having venison shouldn’t be a guarantee for a hunter, but it should be a reasonable goal and I am hoping we reach that again soon in Vilas County, my primary stomping ground. In the meantime, I was invited to a friend’s QDM property because he feels the does are too numerous for the existing food supply and proper management.
I was planning on being out until 10:00 Friday morning before taking a break. The very large 150 pound doe entered the stage exactly at 10:00. After facing me and not liking something she sensed during a five minute standoff, she relaxed and turned broadside at 40 yards. If you’re going to be a hunter, it’s nice when they’re dead on their feet when you pull the trigger. Patience, I think, and refusing to compromise a probable clean kill shot, will greatly eliminate wounded deer. We’re hunters. We all will experience that nightmare someday anyway. Even the thought of backstraps on the grill isn’t worth the chance shot. I butchered Saturday and as usual, the crows are mad at me. Even the rib meat goes to sausage. And it felt oh so good to be cutting deer again and knowing that many meals are waiting ahead.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. The January-February print issue will be on the stands at 700 locations in less than two weeks. We also post each issue right here on our homepage. Send us your own photos and stories to ellis@onwisconsinoutdoors.com. Let us shine the spotlight on you.
Shoot Straight.
Dick Ellis