2011 Deer Season in review

Well the 2011 traditional 9 day deer hunt has closed. You still can harvest deer with a Muzzleloader until December 7th and Bow until January 8th. For rifle hunters there is a antler-less deer hunt which runs December 8th-11th.
This year we was another very successful deer hunt for us. We hunt in Northern Grant County with around 30 others from the area and 6 that make the trip every year from Mississippi. Total we shot around 27 deer in the group out of roughly 1,600 acres that we lease and hunt. This year the numbers seemed to be up slightly from last year (WI season numbers reflect that +3%)we averaged about 6 sightings per sit. Opening morning we always stand hunt until noon and stand hunt the final 2 hours of day light through the week. During the afternoon we plan and coordinate a number of very detailed drives which always produce. Some very nice bucks were taken this year (2 wall hangers) and we passed on many smaller bucks. We all love to eat vension and use that as our primary source of meat throughout the year. I harvested two does and a 11 pointer so supply enough meat for the family.

Another safe and successful season!
Now back to bird/small game and ice fishing.

7 days from Wisconsin deer season!

Well we are only 7 days away! Today during my lunch I headed over to the Dane County Sheriff facility for the annual Dane County Sheriff sight in. This year I am shooting a new rifle a 30.06 Remington 7600 pump rifle. Had a 1 inch grouping of three shots at 50 yards dead center so the gun is ready! Last weekend we finalized stand locations on the property in Grant County and I am very excited about my stand placement this year! I am located on a large saddle ridge that runs down into a deep wooded valley all mature hardwoods with corn and brushy edges on all sides. Tons of great trails and buck sign all over!

Wish everyone a successful and SAFE hunt!

Little one I shot during the October antler-less hunt.......... Not proud of this at all but sure will taste good!

Wisconsin DNR updating Beaver Program is good news for trout streams.

Getting it's first modifications in 20 years.

Updating the program

Wisconsin's aim to boost hunting and fishing participation. Step in the right direction?

MADISON, Wis. -- A bill designed to boost participation in hunting and fishing in Wisconsin by offering steep discounts to first-time license applicants has passed the Legislature's budget committee.

The Joint Finance Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to pass the measure. It now heads to the full Legislature for consideration.

The bill also creates a new task force to come up with ways to improve the recruitment of hunters, anglers and trappers.

Under the bill, license fees for first-time resident hunters would drop to $5. Depending on the type of license, those now cost between $7 and $24. Fees for non-resident hunters would also drop about 50 percent.

The measure also establishes a half-credit for high school students who complete a Department of Natural Resources hunter safety program.

To find out more on this, visit Channel 3000's Search page.

Sunday Squirrel Hunting

Went out early Sunday Morning with my Cousin Martin looking for squirrels and possibly a turkey. This is my cousin Martin's first year hunting so I figured the best way to teach someone how to hunt is by starting with bushy tails. Most of us learned how to hunt by still hunting and two stepping the woods for squirrels. Doesn't matter what you are hunting if you learn the basics of animal movements how to read the woods and understand bedding areas, feeding areas and travel corridors you will be successful. The section of woods we were hunting today is a large deep valley with mature hardwoods. This area is loaded with squirrels,rabbits/pheasants on the edges turkey and deer. Martin was getting the hang of things and walking at a good pace and taking a seat on a log or boulder and waiting a good 20-30 minutes before walking another 30 yards. Needless to say he is learning pretty fast! He got his limit of nice squirrels in about 2 hours of walking. Martin is still using a 12 gauge for now, but I am going to have him switch to a .22 here soon. I just want him to have some early success so he won't get too frustrated.
This trip was also a deer scouting trip for me and I found a new place to hang a stand. Deer sign everywhere! We also saw about 6-7 deer during the morning. The turkeys were only heard and not seen.

This weekend I will either pheasant or turkey hunt with the other option chasing some Coho's on the Lake Michigan Tribs.

Cougar confirmed in Juneau County, WI

Cougar captured on Trail Cam.

There has been rumors of a large cat or two roaming in the area.

DNR Surveying people who stopped trout fishing

The Wisconsin DNR has started surveying trout anglers that recent gave up the sport. The DNR is mailing out 800+ surveys to people who at one time were considered "Avid" trout fisherman or someone who purchased a trout stamp every year from 2004-2008. I am looking forward to seeing what the results say.

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