Wolf Harvest Tags Sent, Duck Hunt on Horizon
9-20-2012
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors.
We post new hunting and fishing material every day of the week, including your own photos and stories from the field. Send your photos, writing, or information for your outdoor organization to ellis@onwisconsinoutdoors.com. We will post it for you. This Blog, posted every Thursday at least and occasionally more if I really want to bore you, serves as a guide with direct links to many of the columns and news worthy items that we posted over the previous week. But it doesn’t touch on everything we post, so make sure to cruise this site and see what you find.
Did you receive your kill permit to hunt the Wisconsin wolf beginning in October? Permits were mailed by the DNR last week. I did not receive a harvest tag but, ol’ Mikey Foss, On Wisconsin Outdoors famous bear guide pulled the ace. He’s the only lucky hunter I know to date.
Successful applicants for Wisconsin’s 2012 inaugural wolf hunting and trapping license received their permits as early as Friday, September 14. The successful 1,160 applicants were selected through a random drawing from the 20,272 people who had applied for licenses.
License authorizations were awarded to 1,145 Wisconsin applicants and 15 out-of-state applicants; 486 hunters and trappers from out of state had applied. Most out of state winners were from Illinois (5) and Minnesota (3.) Connect with “Outdoor News” “Deer Hunting” “Bear Hunting” or ”Trapping” on this website to read the whole story.
I’m finishing up real work today so I can head north tomorrow to hunt ducks and grouse on the weekend. According to Price County Tourism Executive Director Kathy Reinhard on September 20, grouse hunters should know that high winds have knocked down much of the foliage that keeps the shots from connecting early in the season. By coincidence, my “aim” also does that.
Expect excellent hunting dead ahead, says Kathy. Price County is unsurpassed for grouse hunting. In fact, connect with “Dick’s Trips” to read a story from the Park Falls area in 2009 that includes a lot of information on the ruffed grouse from my host and professional guide, Terry Ides that I think is unique. Terry is a true expert. More importantly for you, the story begins with contact information for Reinhard and Executive Director Sue Holm with the Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce who will make your own hunt simple with connections to public land, lodging, dining, entertainment and everything else you’ll need.
Holm also sends us information we post promoting the Ruffed Grouse Fall Festival slated for October 13. As part of festivities, the Park Falls Chamber is offering an ATV Poker Run to help showcase the multiple ATV trail systems available in the area. Check out the grand prize and everything you need to register under “Upland Game” or “Explore Wisconsin” (Click on Price County).
Speaking of ATVs, the Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA) hosted their annual VIP ride this week at the Embarrass trail park on the Embarrass River at Tigerton. I was there as a reporter. Lawmakers, their staff, agencies, tourism officials and other VIP’s discuss legislative objectives pertaining to Wisconsin’s trail system and issues important to Wisconsin’s riders, and try out machines at the beautiful park provided by industry manufacturers. Connect with “Explore Wisconsin” on this site or WATVA at www.watva for more information on county by county Wisconsin trail opportunities. “Dick’s Trips” (September 5 “Where 51 Ends and the Fun Begins”) also spotlights my family’s 2011 trail ride in Iron County with the Hurley Chamber of Commerce. Contact information for you is also found at the beginning of that story.
DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp and Ron Klimcke, Regional Sales Manager for American Suzuki were part of the VIP trail ride at the Embarrass River Park near Tigerton Friday hosted by the Wisconsin ATV Association.
I’m looking forward to the duck hunt in the northland. Wisconsin regulations should allow hunters to begin the season at a normal shooting time Saturday. The 9:00 am start is better than noon, but we have 600,000 hunters starting the deer hunt at sunrise on the opener annually. Safety concerns should not trump good hunting when safety is something that should never be compromised, regardless of time. Sunday, we’re already in the blinds to enjoy the sunrise and whistling wings. What’s the difference? I bet there is much more risk driving north on the highway to find the hunt than motoring out to find the blind and settle in. It’s still going to be a blast as usual and I will bring you our story. Please send me your story.
Among numerous stories and news items posted under “Outdoor News”, Conservation wardens are asking for the public's help in solving a case involving the illegal dumping of potentially hazardous products in northwestern Wisconsin. Sometime around September 4, various paints, coatings and solvent wastes were discovered dumped around Siren in Burnett County and Frederic in Polk County. In fact, under Outdoor News read Warden Wires or Warden Blotter each week to gain some insight from all over Wisconsin on the adventures and wanderings of Wisconsin conservation wardens. After shooting my mouth off about safety concerns maybe next week you’ll have to read where the wardens had to save me from the swamp muck during the duck hunt.
Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts heading into the woods and fields are asked to report any sightings of sick or multiple dead deer to the Department of Natural Resources. Recently, the DNR has received reports of clusters of dead or dying deer in Columbia, Rock, Waukesha and Walworth counties. Connect with “Deer Hunting”. Botulism has been attributed to a duck die-off on Beaver Dam Lake. Find it under “Waterfowl Hunting”.
Paul Keller with his 27 point buck taken in Waupaca County on September 18.
While you’re visiting our “Deer Hunting” pages, check out the trail cam photos of some fabulous bucks in velvet sent to On Wisconsin Outdoors by Darwin Zwieg in Clark County. Zwieg also catches Mama Bear and two Boo-Boos on camera. A monster 27-point buck taken in Waupaca County has just come in and will also be posted under “Deer Hunting”. Also, Rita Johnson sends us a real beauty from River Falls taken on trail cam.
I just thought it was a really neat deer and others could enjoy it,”Rita Writes. “It seems to have no white around his nose or eyes. Could be a transition going from velvet. Or it could be a rare majestic dark deer, not sure.” Link to Rita’s buck under “Deer Hunting”
OWO outdoor writer Mike Yurk took a fishing trip to Key West with his wife last winter that he shares with you under “Trips Elsewhere”. He also sends along a good number of photos of the fish you won’t catch in Wisconsin. OWO writer John Luthens this week heads into Clam Lake in search of Elk and finds ample time to fish. We post John’s column under “Inland Fishing” and “Deer Hunting”.
Make sure to connect with “Inland Fishing” and “Fishing Reports” to read the recent tips and tactics from guides all over Wisconsin. If you’re a guide, send us your stories and photos and we will promote your business and hopefully send anglers your way.
Thanks for visiting OWO. We appreciate it. Good luck. Shoot straight.
Dick