Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The latest news from the Wisconsin DNR
DNR Outdoor Report – November 23, 2011
Archived under: Previous Outdoor Reports
Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for November 23, 2011
Hunters generally reported good hunting conditions changing to poor conditions in the north on opening day of the 2011 gun deer season. Hunters reported that the rut was still in progress across much of the state, with many hunters reporting seeing and shooting bucks that were actively pursuing does. Light rain mid day Saturday turned to snow across much of northern Wisconsin, with reports of anywhere from just a dusting to up to 9 inches of snow in the far north central part of the state. Colder temperatures and the new snow cover provided improved conditions on Sunday, but many wardens reported it appeared the hunting ranks thinned about the time the Green Bay Packers took to Lambeau Field.
A preliminary call-in tally showed hunters registered 112,581 deer over the two day opening weekend. The preliminary count was up about 5.8 percent from the opening weekend in 2010, with the preliminary buck harvest statewide up about 7 percent and the preliminary antlerless harvest up about 5 percent.
The traditional season runs through Sunday, with mild conditions in the forecast for much of the remainder of the week. Hunters have until 5 p.m. Monday to register deer, so preliminary season totals will not be available until late Tuesday after they are compiled from the more than 600 deer registration stations scattered across the state. The regular season is followed by a statewide muzzleloader season that runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 7, so all hunters are reminded that the blaze orange clothing requirement remains in place during this season. Hunters are reminded they can post photos from their hunt on the DNR’s Facebook page and visit the page to see many photos already posted.
The cold front that brought the snow also pushed more northern ducks into the state. Divers including red heads and ring-necks. Trumpeter swans and whooping cranes and tundra swans were also on the move this week. More than 70,000 tundra swans were staging in the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge this week. The northern zone duck season closed this week, but the southern duck zone and the exterior goose zone remain open until early December, so waterfowl hunters need to continue to be very sure to identify the species.
For all practical purposes, the open-water fishing season has come to an end in the Northwoods. Musky season will close on Wednesday, Nov. 30 - but very few anglers have been out trying their luck. Many medium-sized lakes saw some skim ice late last week, but that has since gone away with the wind and milder weather. A few of the smaller lakes still have a thin layer of ice -- but thickness is less than an inch and not near thick enough for any kind of ice fishing. There continue to be some reports of a few fly fishers out having success with brown and rainbow trout on Lake Michigan tributaries.
While some areas of northern Wisconsin say their first substantial snowfall and snowmobilers are getting their sleds ready, they are being reminded that trails don’t open until the county snowmobile trail coordinator declares trails open. Using trails before they are open is trespass and can result in the loss of trail easement from landowners.
Immature snowy owls are starting to show up in Wisconsin and across the Upper Midwest. Owls have been seen this week near Ashland, Horicon, Sheboygan, and Door County and other locations.
Archived under: Previous Outdoor Reports
Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report Summary for November 23, 2011
Hunters generally reported good hunting conditions changing to poor conditions in the north on opening day of the 2011 gun deer season. Hunters reported that the rut was still in progress across much of the state, with many hunters reporting seeing and shooting bucks that were actively pursuing does. Light rain mid day Saturday turned to snow across much of northern Wisconsin, with reports of anywhere from just a dusting to up to 9 inches of snow in the far north central part of the state. Colder temperatures and the new snow cover provided improved conditions on Sunday, but many wardens reported it appeared the hunting ranks thinned about the time the Green Bay Packers took to Lambeau Field.
A preliminary call-in tally showed hunters registered 112,581 deer over the two day opening weekend. The preliminary count was up about 5.8 percent from the opening weekend in 2010, with the preliminary buck harvest statewide up about 7 percent and the preliminary antlerless harvest up about 5 percent.
The traditional season runs through Sunday, with mild conditions in the forecast for much of the remainder of the week. Hunters have until 5 p.m. Monday to register deer, so preliminary season totals will not be available until late Tuesday after they are compiled from the more than 600 deer registration stations scattered across the state. The regular season is followed by a statewide muzzleloader season that runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 7, so all hunters are reminded that the blaze orange clothing requirement remains in place during this season. Hunters are reminded they can post photos from their hunt on the DNR’s Facebook page and visit the page to see many photos already posted.
The cold front that brought the snow also pushed more northern ducks into the state. Divers including red heads and ring-necks. Trumpeter swans and whooping cranes and tundra swans were also on the move this week. More than 70,000 tundra swans were staging in the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge this week. The northern zone duck season closed this week, but the southern duck zone and the exterior goose zone remain open until early December, so waterfowl hunters need to continue to be very sure to identify the species.
For all practical purposes, the open-water fishing season has come to an end in the Northwoods. Musky season will close on Wednesday, Nov. 30 - but very few anglers have been out trying their luck. Many medium-sized lakes saw some skim ice late last week, but that has since gone away with the wind and milder weather. A few of the smaller lakes still have a thin layer of ice -- but thickness is less than an inch and not near thick enough for any kind of ice fishing. There continue to be some reports of a few fly fishers out having success with brown and rainbow trout on Lake Michigan tributaries.
While some areas of northern Wisconsin say their first substantial snowfall and snowmobilers are getting their sleds ready, they are being reminded that trails don’t open until the county snowmobile trail coordinator declares trails open. Using trails before they are open is trespass and can result in the loss of trail easement from landowners.
Immature snowy owls are starting to show up in Wisconsin and across the Upper Midwest. Owls have been seen this week near Ashland, Horicon, Sheboygan, and Door County and other locations.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Deer Hunt 2011 on Public Tv
Deer Hunt 2011 will air Nov 3 & 5 on Public Television and Nov. 10 & 12 on Fox Sports
MADISON – Deer Hunt 2011, hosted by Public Television’s Dan Small is set to air on public television on November 3 and 8 and on the Fox Sports Network on November 10 and 12.
This year’s show will be packed with interesting deer hunting features. Some examples include: efforts to recruit new hunters and retain old hunters with a drop in on a youth deer hunt; current deer research focused on answering Wisconsin hunters’ questions about populations and predators; a new deer hunter outreach effort called Hunt, Harvest, Help; deer season forecasts; hunter safety tips; new rules and regulations; and a fireplace conversation on hunting traditions and values.
Broadcast dates and times:
Milwaukee Public TV: Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 5 at 9 a.m.
Wisconsin Public TV Digital Wisconsin Channel: Nov. 3 at 8.p.m.
Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin: Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 12 at 8 a.m.
Show segments will also be posted to the DNR webpage following public broadcast dates.
“The annual outbreak of buck fever is spreading rapidly across Wisconsin as the rut and November gun deer season fast approach,” said Tom Hauge, DNR’s wildlife program director. “Deer Hunt 2011 is a fantastic way to kick off the fall hunt and keep your fever under control.”
Host Dan Small will be joined by DNR wildlife biologists and conservation wardens who will share updates and important information hunters should review before they head to the woods for the November deer hunt.
“This is the 20th season for our annual Deer Hunt Special,” Small said. “This year we’ve decided to broaden our reach to include the Fox Sports Network in an effort to reach even more hunters in Wisconsin and also those in Minnesota, the Dakotas and northern Iowa. Wisconsin offers some of the best deer hunting in the U.S., and we hope to help convey that message to our viewers.”
Highlights of the show also will include advice on sighting in a rifle, gear and strategy tips to help hunters improve their chances of success, a look at a hunter recruitment program for college students at UW-Madison and an interview with DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp
Deer researchers will share first year data collected from radio-collared adult deer and fawns on causes of death from predators to vehicles to environmental stresses and how hunters can help by getting involved.
DNR customer service lines will be open during the broadcast and are just a toll-free phone call away nearly every other day of the year. DNR operates its toll-free information line 1-888-WDNR-INFo (936-7463) 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, year round, including right through the hunting seasons when operators have taken calls from hunters sitting on their deer stands on opening morning. The call center is closed only Christmas Eve and Christmas day and New Year’s Eve and New Years day.
“I hope you’ll join Dan and the rest of the crew in this annual salute to one of our most hallowed traditions, the November deer hunt,” Hauge said. “It’s part of who we are in Wisconsin and I wish all hunters good luck and safe hunting.”
Deer Hunt 2011 is sponsored by: Milford Hills Hunt Club; Safari Club International – Wisconsin Chapter; Whitetails Unlimited; Lightfield Ammunition; Rosen Nissan of Milwaukee; Wisconsin Safes; Legendary Whitetails, The Outdoor Heritage Education Center, TenPoint Crossbows, Fuel Powersports of West Bend and the Department of Natural Resources.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Manwell - (608) 264-9248
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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