The Good, The Bad and the Coyote Ugly
12-21-2012
We’ve been trumpeting On Wisconsin Outdoors’ new column, “On the Trapline with Arnie Groehler” for a few weeks because if you’re not reading it yet, you’re missing something good. We posted Arnie’s newest writing and photos under “Trapping”, “Deer Hunting” and “Outdoor News” on this website. After you read about Arnie’s matches this week with Wily Coyote, make sure you scroll back if you have not yet and find his first three or four columns too. It’s much more than trapping; it’s man trying to outsmart critter on its own turf, outdoor education, and not just a little humor. It’s entertainment for the outdoorsman. And Outdoorschick.
Let’s talk about quality writing for a minute. Those of us who aren’t really good at, let’s say angling….and hunting….and trapping….but love the pursuit….I put myself in this category, often strive to write about those who are good at these things. We strive to write well….gooder than the next guy. We’re called outdoor writers. Then there’s Darrell Pendergrass. He actually accomplishes this quality writing thing week after week. See for yourself. We’re posting two columns of Darrell’s this week, one because it’s time and one because I lost it last week. Outdoor writers are also often unorganized. Anyway, we post Darrell’s story about peaking early for Steelhead under both “Flyfishing” and “Deer Hunting”. And we’re posting his story called, The Closet, about….I can’t tell you or we’ll blow the plot….under "Deer Hunting”. You will laugh your head off, and it’s all because of that elusive quality writing thing that Darrell has tamed.
Robb Manning’s Concealed Carry column with photos is posted weekly under “Firearms”. Scroll back on Robb’s column too if you’re a first time reader and take in everything he has to say for the person interested in possibly carrying or at least going through the steps of receiving a permit to do so. I don’t think I’ll actually carry outside of my truck but I am going to get the permit.
Gary Engberg has a comprehensive column posted under “Deer Hunting” looking back on the deer season from his perspective, including a lot of statistics and thoughts from his time working at a Wisconsin registration station. There is still time left to fill tags in Wisconsin, and often over the decades on New Year’s Eve I have been in a tree with the bow hoping to do just that. I won’t be this year, but sometime in the next two weeks I will be. Adding one more deer to the one already in the freezer sounds just about perfect.
After cutting up the doe last week and looking forward to all the steaks and tenderloin we packaged, I ended up with 32 pounds of sausage meat. Just a heads-up for you southeast Wisconsin hunters. I took it in to one of On Wisconsin Outdoors’ advertisers; Bucky’s Fine Meats and Sausage (buckysmeats.com) in Mukwonago. I was hooked long ago when I walked in their door and tasted some of the sausage samples that they always have going in about eight kettles for their consumers. I dare you to sample their product, and then try to leave without spending money. Ha!. Good luck. You can’t do it. I ended up ordering summer sausage, four different kinds of brats and hot sticks. I can almost feel the need for new jeans.
John Luthens’ column I think is among his best. We posted his Armageddon story under “Inland Fishing” and “Fly Fishing”. Some people believe the end of the world is slated for December 21 and John recalls his experience in the wilderness as he and his father strived to get one more quality trout angling trip in before the end of the world slated for May 21, 2011. It’s not a criticism on the doomsday predictors as much as a stark perspective from a son who would lose his father too soon after the trip. The end is here every day for someone. It is well written.
Find Mike Yurk’s column on targeting yellowtail snapper in the Keys under “Trips Elsewhere”. Yurk is an outdoor writer based in Hudson, Wisconsin who likes to travel to fish especially during the Wisconsin winters, and provides plenty of contact information for your own trip.
Also under “Deer Hunting”, read the full stories on two of Wisconsin’s biggest bucks taken in 2012, one with bow and one with gun. We’ll also be showcasing these hunters in the January-February issue of On Wisconsin Outdoors, due out next week.
It’s Showtime. Mark your calendars. 2013 The All-Canada Show schedule includes three stops in Wisconsin. Madison, Marriott Madison West Convention Center, Jan. 14-16; Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Jan. 17-20; Green Bay, ShopKo Hall, Jan. 24-27. See their complete media release and photos posted under “Deer Hunting” and “Inland Fishing”.
The Wisconsin State Hunting Expo will be held February 22-24 at Shopko Hall in Green Bay, featuring Pat Reeve and Nicole Jones from Driven TV and indoor pop-up 3-D Archery Shoot. On March 1-3, the Northeast Wisconsin Sport Fishin’ Show will be held at its new home of Players Choice of the Fox Cities, with $20,000 in door prizes given away. Connect with www.greenbaysportshows.com or 920-434-7469 for information.
The 2013 Wisconsin Sport Show featuring outdoor presentations and demonstrations, exhibitor marketplace and special guests and attractions will be held Friday through Sunday, March 15-17 at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center. Connect with www.wisportshow.com.
Mark March 6 through 9 on your calendars for the Wisconsin Decoy and Collectibles Show at the Hilton Garden Inn in Oshkosh. For more information contact Ludwig at RogFuzz@charter.net or 920-233-0349. We’ll be posting complete information on these shows and more in the coming weeks.
Went to South Dakota last week for two days of hunting wild pheasants. Remember that comment I threw out a few paragraphs ago about outdoor writers sometimes not being too proficient in the field? Well, I’ll tell you the whole story next week. I’m waiting for the photos. But, despite the very wily survivor birds hunkered down and wary in the winter cover of cattails; I should have had my two day limit of six roosters because of Micah’s great work. Instead I woke up this morning to a classified ad in my local paper and my Golden Retriever not being able to look me in the eye.
“Wanted...New Owner...
Keep Christ and his teachings in Christmas. Strive to obey the 10 commandments. Know that failure is part of the journey. So is forgiveness.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors.
Dick Ellis