November/December 2007 Vol. 1. Issue 2

I Old Dogs And Children— Upland Game And Memory Lane

I 2007 Gun Season Outlook

I Cultivating Future Hunters— Making The First Deer Hunt Fun

I Planes, Trains, Automobiles... And The Suburban Whitetail Rut

I Whitewater & Quietwater II—Planning Your Trip

I Two Cans Per Man— Expert Tactics For Taking Canvasback Bulls

I The Fish-On Fix— Addictive Fall Therapy s i

l With Quickset Rigs l E k c i

D I y Outdoor, Christmas Humor B o t o h P I The Frozen Jungle— Lessons From A Trapper 2 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 3 Whitewater And Quietwater II Planning Your Wilderness Trip

By Steve Henske bush. We cannot control the weather. We cannot control the insects. We cannot control the possibility of one remember preparing for my first of our group getting appendicitis. But Boundary Waters trip to Quetico I with proper planning and reliable Provincial Park in Ontario 27 years gear we certainly can be ready to deal ago. Drawing from my experiences with any of these variables if they growing up I knew the basics of should occur. canoe camping and also owned a lot of the general camping gear, but I FIRST STEP- had never been to Canada nor been HOW DO I GET STARTED? in a truly wilderness area beyond If you really want to get involved in what northern Wisconsin’s Vilas wilderness canoe tripping I would County had to offer. Very few “how highly recommend you attend the to” books were written before 1980 Canoecopia Exposition in Madison, WI, on getting started. And, since I was which is typically held in early March at young and knew everything, I was the Alliant Center. As one of the largest too bullheaded to read one anyway. paddling expositions in the world the Fortunately two of my buddies had show offers 20,000 square feet of exhibits been there before and possessed a displaying gear, outfitters, maps, rough gear list including the proper gadgets, books and anything else even maps, a somewhat reliable vehicle remotely related to paddling. There is and some bush paddling experience. also an impressive line-up of guest We survived my first Canadian canoe speakers from around the globe trip without mishap. Mishap is a big covering a huge range of paddling Wisconsin canoers enjoy the view at the last drop of the falls section on the Kopka word when venturing out into the Continued on page 4 River, Ontario. 4 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors

topics. Another great source of informa- An excited 65 lb. Golden Retriever tion is the Internet. Web sites like bouncing around in your canoe will Quietjourney.com, Paddling.net, help your sense of balance better than MYCCR.com (Canadian Canoe Routes), anything I know. canoeing.com and some others offer an endless stream of info regarding gear, THE CAMPING PART techniques, experiences and paddling Learning the basics of canoe destinations. If you know someone that camping before diving into the middle has been canoe camping then try to get of nowhere will put your stress level at them involved. Drawing from actual ease so you can have an enjoyable trip. experience is always the safest route. Bottom line is you have to get out and do it. Wisconsin has a lot to offer for WHAT NEXT? one, two or even weeklong paddling As in any type of physical activity, trips. Pick up two of Mike Svob’s books: practice makes perfect. Day trips on Paddling Northern Wisconsin and local waters with your canoe will Paddling Southern Wisconsin. These build confidence in your skills and wonderful guides to 165 Wisconsin also show your limitations. rivers can help you find a place to get Experienced paddlers tend to be a started. The Lower Wisconsin State friendly lot, and it is a rare situation Riverway is a fantastic place to get your when you are not welcome to join in a feet wet if canoe camping for the first day paddle with some newfound time. Extending 92 miles from Prairie friends. Start paddling with a loaded du Sac to Prairie du Chien, this gem is a canoe and do it on a variety of water great trip for anyone. conditions. Moving water skills should be developed, but most rapids TIME TO BUY A REAL COMPASS encountered in the bush can be either Planning a Wilderness Canoe Trip: Rob and Eric Simkins of Amherst, Wisconsin look for portaged or lined. Some of the most Once you have reached a comfort Indian pictographs on the falls section of the Kopka River, Ontario. challenging situations I have encoun- level living out of your canoe for a tered have been on windblown lakes. night or two begin to look for a more designated canoe camping area chock Learning the nuances of paddling a challenging destination. For many full of lakes and rivers. If taking this Steve Henske is a veteran canoeist having craft through two and three foot Midwest paddlers the first taste of the next step I highly recommend you paddled thousands of miles on the white-capped rollers can save your North Country is northern Minnesota’s secure the services of an outfitter. A Canadian Shield, and many more in life. One of the best skill builders is Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). good outfitter will set you up with the Wisconsin. He resides in Stevens Point, WI, canoeing with a dog as your ballast. The BWCA is a remote and beautiful proper equipment, maps, food and with his wife and paddling partner Missy, permits taking the worry out of what to and faithful canoe rocking specialist Cody, eat and how to pack. Take notes of how a golden retriever. they set you up. Many seasoned veterans of canoe camping will become self-outfitted. Owning your own canoe and gear has the benefit of familiarity and will save you some big money if you use it enough. Our basic “outfit” has been developed over many years of trial and error, stays packed as a unit and is ready to go almost anywhere at the drop of a canoe paddle. Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Travel EARNING YOUR STRIPES and Outdoor Humor Wilderness canoe tripping is not for PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Dick Ellis everyone. Camping in remote areas [email protected] away from cell phones, computers and ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: the family SUV can create a disjointed Karen Cluppert [email protected] feeling for most people and panic for the PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: rest. History shows that each generation Maureen Splitgerber becomes more dependent on technology [email protected] and further removed from the land. In Published Bi-monthly through 2008 by ON WISCONSIN OUTDOORS, LLC. Published monthly thereafter. Appli- our busy world it is what makes our cation to mail at periodicals postage rates is pending at economy click. That same technology is Waukesha, Wisconsin. making it easier to access the boreal ©Copyright 2007 ON WISCONSIN OUTDOORS, LLC with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use without forest due to demands for pulp for permission, of editorial, advertising or graphic content paper, minerals and hydroelectric power. in any manner is prohibited by law. The roadless areas are getting roads. True NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS: All advertising is subject to publisher's approval and acceptance without recourse. wilderness still lies a short distance north Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility for of the border but it is getting further the condition of the contents of advertising printed, and agree to indemnify the Publishers of OWO for any and all away every year. To experience it from a claims and expenses arising there from. canoe, relying on your own prepared- CORPORATE OFFICES LOCATED AT: 20240 West Rustic Ridge Drive ness and judgement is a challenge, and a New Berlin, WI 53146 wonderful challenge at that. Phone: 262.549.5550 Web site: www.onwisconsinoutdoors.com Postmaster: Send address changes to: NEXT ISSUE: Bears can’t swim and 20240 West Rustic Ridge Drive mice don’t jump. New Berlin, WI 53146 On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 5 And He Is Us The Worst Enemy Of Our Outdoor Heritage

By Jeff Nania So nothing has changed, right? Parents are still asking the same ques- tion and kids are still doing the same ill our natural resources and things. In spite of the concern of our W outdoor traditions survive the elders, the world has kept on spinning. future? This is a question that is Dire predictions of future doom and often and very easily asked, but far gloom, due to youthful lack of interest, less frequently answered. In fact, have not really materialized. I, for one, those who do search for the answer did not go blind … from watching TV. I are often thwarted—sometimes as a even grew up to lead a fairly produc- result of our own unwillingness to tive life. So these doomsayers be face the truth. damned, nothing bad happened. Or There is no doubt that our environ- has it? ment and traditions are facing significant What is our life really like? What challenges. If we are to perpetuate and have we given our kids? Society, protect these two things, change is teamed with technology, helped along desperately needed. It is essential we by our Visa card, has successfully made plan for the future, but first we need to life on the couch immensely enter- look at the past. Those who fail to under- taining. Our kids are so engrossed in stand history are doomed to repeat it. this electronic world that even verbal “What is this younger generation communication has been replaced by coming to?” That is a question that in email and text messaging. one form or another has echoed Let’s not even talk about real through the ages. Cave parents prob- outdoor experiences. Why go to the ably asked it of cave children when Students from the River Crossing School in Portage learn teamwork under Jeff Nania's they were caught making wheels or tutelage, including using the Archimedes Principle to move a log with a lever. Continued on page 6 playing with fire. My parents certainly asked it of my generation, and I of my Fast forward to today. We have kids. However if we were going to ask come a long way from that old black that question more honestly it would and white. Hundreds of TV channels, change to, “What have we done to this video games, personal computers and younger generation?” cell phones—along with soccer, karate, When I was growing up, for dance and football—all compete for the example, television was in its infancy. time left over after the school day and

“Society, teamed with technology, helped along by our Visa card, has successfully made life on the couch immensely entertaining...”

As kids it was not unknown for my on weekends. Life has become a rapid brothers and me to waste a fair amount fire juggling act, intensity even pervades of time watching the mindless idiot box. our leisure. If the family still has two We didn’t, however, invent television, parents living under one roof, it’s likely nor did we buy one and put it in our both are working. They want to make living room. Our parents did that, darn sure their family has all the necessi- because no home was complete without ties, just like my parents did. We all a TV. So now instead of being occupied want the very best for our children. with playing outdoors or even, heaven So when we walk into the house forbid, reading, (all endeavors that and see our son or daughter firmly require creative involvement on the part planted on the couch, playing a video of the participant), some of our free time game, eating a Ho-Ho, with the TV was spent as dedicated observers in the blaring on a beautiful fall day, our unreal world of vicarious adventure— immediate reaction is to tell them to go levering cartridges rapid fire through a outside, get some fresh air. Get some Winchester 92, sending the bad guys exercise. In doing so we allowed heading for the hills—all the thrills and history to repeat itself as we again ask chills of a death defying experience, the wrong question, “What is this with none of the risks. younger generation coming to?’’ 6 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors BREAKING NEWS: Nothing To This Publisher Stuff By Dick Ellis “That’s terrible,” he says. “No lie,” So I’m on all of this outdoor stuff I say, “It was an 1894 Spittin Image.” for you. Since I don’t have a staff yet, “No, I mean your sister,” he says. and these guys who write for On here’s really not much to this “No worries,” I say. “I had two other Wisconsin Outdoors actually expect to get Toutdoor publishing business after ones.” paid, maybe I can ask for a little reader all. The reason we decided to print only Mr. Vetta gave me the money right participation to help fill the pages. We’d six issues of “On Wisconsin Outdoors” then and there, right out of his own like your hunting and fishing photos. through September of 08 before going wallet in fact, and then asked me to We will publish them here or post them monthly was to earn a bit of reader leave. I never saw a guy so emotional on our website at www.onwisconsinout- loyalty and attract some advertising just to help out a new business. He was doors.com. In fact, OWO will select the support to this new paper. But mainly, it crying in fact, as I walked out with my best kid’s photo each issue and artist was so that I could learn to be a Publisher. $213…including 10 brand new crisp Jonathan Kuehl’s caricature of that Nothing to it. You are now the twenties. I think that’s more money photo will appear in print, with the orig- boss. You put your feet up on the desk, than any outdoor writer ever had at inal art tubed and sent to the winner. If smoke em or chew em if you got em one time in the history of Wisconsin. Dick Ellis you don’t win, but still want a carica- and start yelling to your secretary for And now… I was a Publisher ture, Jonathan will do that for you for coffee. A slight problem did arise with I called my friend Larry the possum that it might be the nun I had in fourth $35.00 including shipping and handling. that scenario initially since I forgot that skinner. “I’m a Publisher,” I say. “I thought grade at St. Lukes, I checked on that one We’d like your organization’s the budget didn’t allow for a secretary. you was just an outdoor reporter,” he says. myself, after calling my reporting staff upcoming events for an ongoing “Get your own coffee, Dad,” my 13 “What do a publisher do?” in for a meeting and then remembering calendar, and you can sell your outdoor year old daughter’s voice carried back “Well, I know that after the money that we don’t have a reporting staff yet. “stuff” for $25.00 in the upcoming clas- through the window as she ran to catch starts coming in you get to yell for But false rumor. It was just Jim Doyle, sifieds. We’d like your letters too on the bus. “And Mom says you’re not coffee,” I say. “And the big city publishers and he’s haunting way more than Holy anything related to the outdoors, for supposed to have your goose poop sit on things called editorial boards so Hill. Told me he heard I had come into publication here or on the web. And boots on the desk.” they can tell people exactly what’s $213 recently and that he would have to we’d like your patience, as we do learn Anyway, the important part is I happening out there…like when the take $197 for the good of me and the a thing or two about publishing. had gone to the bank to ask for a loan Wisconsin glaciers melted and Al Gore state. Said he would make sure it got Pick up On Wisconsin Outdoors at so that we could begin to publish. figured out that it was either secondhand right to something called the “Spearing any of the 14 Gander Mountain “What do you have for collateral?” Mr. smoke or Bush’s fault . I think the Miss Fund for Better Wisconsin Fishing”. Wisconsin stores at no charge. If you are Vetta, the Banker asks. Universe Pageant gave him Most Did you know too that deer hunters a Wisconsin baitshop, gun store or other “What?” I ask back, but I do this Valuable Player for that or somethin.” who bait sometimes need to fill up the outdoor related business and would professionally so that I look like a But I was way wrong it turned out. whole back of a pick-up truck…just to fit like to have OWO delivered for your publisher right down to my camo shirt There’s lots more to being a publisher. I in the two legal gallons of feed? customers, please call us at 262-549-5550 and tie, so that he doesn’t have a clue that I call up things called “sources”, get these “Wow…that’s only two gallons?” I or e-mail us at editor@onwisconsinout don’t have a clue what he’s talking about. things called “leads” from all around said to a hunter neck deep in corn back doors.com. For display advertising “You know,” he says, “something Wisconsin outdoors and send out staff to near the Upnorth Beaver Dams where I information contact ads@onwisconsin of worth that we can feel confident try to break these things called “stories” hunt without bait. “No wonder I outdoors.com. If you would prefer to about taking from you in the event that first in On Wisconsin Outdoors… Do you flunked the water displacement section have the paper delivered to you home, you don’t pay up.” know that Wisconsin has Chronic in high school chemistry. I always send $23.95 in check or money order for “I have a nice wife and an .870 Wasting Disease, for example? You’ll thought a guy could carry a couple delivery through 2008 to: Remington,” I says. “You can’t have read about it here first. gallons of corn, just like a couple On Wisconsin Outdoors, LLC Lori. I learned my lesson back in ’68 Did you know that the Holy Hill gallons of milk. By the way, I dint see 20240 W. Rustic Ridge Dr. when my dad got wind of the big trade area is rumored to have a big ugly, any deer again last night. You?” New Berlin, WI 53146 about to happen down by Fisher’s stinky, mean half wolf-man half Bigfoot “I had an off-night too,” he said. Pond with the Leet Brothers…my sister haunting the woods? At first suspecting “Only 476.” See you in the woods! Barb for their Daisy BB Gun.”

And He Is Us... (Continued from page 5) trouble? With a flick of the remote, we kids involved in the outdoors. I heard of surprise, then laughter greeted the At no time in history have we ever can experience the cold of an Arctic disheartening testimony about the appearance of a meadow vole next to created an environment for our kids winter or the heat of a summer desert. future of our traditions. someone’s foot. I listened with them as that so discourages pursuit of an The other day I heard a radio On the way home I lamented the we heard the raucous call of sandhill outdoor life. That must change and we commercial that instructed parents on state of things, the potential disastrous cranes and the music of migrating each must make a personal commit- how to talk to their kids, followed by a events that would befall our world if geese. Young eyes cast to the sky, ment to change it. Make your own news report that said childhood obesity the next generation chose to ignore our allowed without distraction to both choice: Will you be part of the solution has reached near-epidemic proportions. natural resources. observe and be part of our natural or part of the problem? I read a story in the paper about The next day I took the kids from world. Give them a chance. Take a kid the discharge of raw sewage into Lake River Crossing School on a field day to It was then I realized what consti- outdoors. Michigan that closed beaches, and a nearby wetland and woodland. I tuted the biggest threat to our outdoor Happy trails! caused human illness. I went to a watched and helped as they explored traditions and environment, to quote hearing at the Capitol that dealt with and learned and became totally Pogo: “I have met the enemy and he is Jeff Nania is Executive Director of the lowering the hunting age to get more engrossed in our natural world. Shrieks us.” Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 7 Paul Smith’s Outdoors Some Treasures Unchanged At Wisconsin Dells

By Paul Smith tourist fame, with stops at several select geon harvest tag system this year for spots to try for smallmouth bass, northern hook-and-line anglers. The tag is pike and walleye. Then, after sunset, we'll required for anyone who keeps a fish; the s fast as the world changes, it's move upstream to the deepest holes in the cost is $20 for residents and $50 for non- Anice to know some things river, where we'll anchor and fish into residents. The revenue generated from remain the same. Perhaps no place is darkness for sturgeon. sales of the tags will be used to help this more apparent than in the Ehardt feathers the boat downstream manage the state's lake sturgeon fishery. Wisconsin Dells. by using the electric trolling motor. We On the Wisconsin River below the Blink your eyes and a new amuse- throw buzzbaits at the shore, watching for Dells, the protective regulations include ment park goes up and a new condo- a strike on the surface bait. Just minutes a one-fish per season bag limit and minium development is completed. But from launch, a large northern pike slashes minimum length limits of 50 inches in go down to the Wisconsin River that at one of Ehardt's offerings. The fish, more odd years and 70 inches in even years. courses through the Dells and Dave than 36 inches long, lunges out of the The 70 inch minimum length limit Ehardt is still running his guiding busi- water but misses the bait. essentially means the season is catch- ness, the fishing is still great and one of We continue downstream. After and-release only, although 175 stur- the fish, the lake sturgeon, hasn't another five minutes, a 16-inch small- geon were harvested in 2004 (the most changed in millennia. mouth inhales my bait. The fish lever- recent season with the 70-inch limit). Guide Dave Ehardt shows another I joined Ehardt for an evening of ages its weight against the current, That's fine with me. sunset walleye taken and released at fishing in the Dells in October, my first fighting long and hard before it comes “That's as big as I've ever seen Wisconsin Dells. excursion there in over a decade. to net. I pop the hook out of its jaw and them,” says Ehardt. “Ones that big are “The river is as rich as ever,” Ehardt turn it back to the river. rare. If we do get one on, it will drag us said, pointing his 17-foot aluminum The boat continues its controlled walleye line. We catch and release 10 around the river.” deep-v away from shore and into the drift with the current as we cast to the walleye in the next 15 minutes. The fish After just five minutes, one of the dark current. “We shouldn't have much shore. Ehardt points out how weeds are between 12 and 16 inches in length. rods begins wiggling. Ehardt strikes trouble bending a few poles.” now grow in places he never saw them With the sun just below the back and connects with the first stur- Ehardt has operated Big Dave's before, probably linked to zebra horizon, Ehardt pulls anchor and geon of the night. It turns out to be a 24- Guide Service out of Wisconsin Dells mussels and clearer water. Our baits are makes the final move of the evening. incher, just a baby in the sturgeon world. since 1990. For the last 16 years, he has fouled on several casts. We motor upstream through the cool Ehardt quickly removes the hook and spent an average of 250 days a year on “The fish seem to be doing fine,” air and between the sandstone cliffs. A places the fish back in the water. the Wisconsin River. Such an invest- says Ehardt. “They go in cycles, with few boats have anchored in the deeper “Once the sturgeon in that hole get ment in time has afforded him a unique some having poor year classes but then holes, also seeking sturgeon, and we the scent of our baits, it will be steady perspective and unparalleled knowl- rebounding, but overall we are still move past them to a hole that is unoc- action,” says Ehardt. edge of the river. catching lots of walleye, smallmouth, cupied. By anglers, at least. Over the next hour, one of our “The river can change in a day,” white bass and crappie.” “This hole always holds sturgeon,” baits is being inspected by a fish at Ehardt says, motoring the boat toward As we move downstream over the says Ehardt, anchoring the bow and every moment. As the rod bounces, scenic sandstone cliffs. “If they release next hour, we catch a dozen smallmouths, stern so the boat is perpendicular to the indicating a strike, we quickly rear back more or less water over the dam, the ranging from 10 to 18 inches, and several current. “Not many people fish it.” and attempt to set the hook. We level can change by several feet. And white bass. The fish hit an assortment of Ehrdt lights a gas lantern and we succeed about half the time. Most are each spring we find new holes and runs. spinner baits and plastic grubs. bait six heavy rods with gobs of night- sturgeon, but several are sheepshead Each autumn, the Wisconsin River “Isn't this amazing?” says Ehardt, crawlers. A heavy sinker allows us to and one is a 17-inch white bass. presents a cornucopia of fishing opportu- gesturing in all directions. “Just a few miles cast the baits downstream and keeps It's an exciting, unique style of nities. Ehardt’s game plan for this evening from the biggest tourist spot in Wisconsin them on the bottom, where sturgeon fishing. Sitting near the glow of the intends to touch on several of the high- and we have the river to ourselves.” spend much of their time. There is 21 lantern, we constantly monitor the rods, lights. It starts with a fishing tour down- We did have some company. A red- feet below the boat, but we cast down- waiting for the next bite. Then, when stream, through the picturesque Dells of tailed hawk circled overhead, then dive- stream into 27 feet of water. Ehardt says we set the hook on a fish, we work the bombed a juvenile bald eagle, making that sturgeon, which are very sensitive fish out of the blackness toward the boat the eagle select a more protected tree. to scent, will smell the crawlers and where it can be identified. With a half-hour of light left, Ehardt move up into the hole to eat. The biggest sturgeon started out moves the boat to the edge of an eddy The lake sturgeon is called “acting like a catfish,” said Ehardt. After that traditionally holds walleye and Wisconsin's “swimming dinosaur,” a 10 minutes of give-and-take, Ehardt sauger. The depth beneath the boat is four living link to our ancient past. We are pronounced it a sturgeon. And it was, feet and drops to eight feet in the middle fortunate to live in a state with a healthy all 40 inches and probably 18 pounds of of the eddy. It's the type of spot that is the population of sturgeon, so healthy that it. The fish made several long runs and equivalent of a buffet table for fish. there are sport seasons on the fish both circled the boat twice, tangling two “They are usually stacked in here,” for spearing and hook-and-line. other lines, before we were able to net it. says Ehardt, flipping out a piece of According to the DNR, lake stur- After a quick picture, it was released, nightcrawler on a plain hook and geon are the state's largest and longest- back to swim with its ancient kin, a happy weighted by a small split shot. lived fish. They have been aged at 100 reminder that some things - especially It only takes a minute for the years and can reach 200 pounds. Since some good things - don't change. veteran guide to prove himself right. We females don't reproduce until they are cast crawlers along the edge of the eddy, 20 or 25 years old and then only spawn A sturgeon caught in the hue of lantern Wisconsin outdoor writer Paul Smith, of letting the current pull the bait to the every three to five years, it is important light from a familiar hole by expert Wauwatosa, has won numorous national waiting line of mouths. In this case, it’s a to protect the fish from overharvest. Wisconsin river guide Dave Ehardt is awards for his work. about to be released. The DNR has instituted a new stur- 8 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Spoon Fed Walleyes On The Bay Of Green Bay

By Captain Paul Mueller certain times of the year. I primarily use tation will stand out and trigger bites this presentation during peak water that wouldn’t happen with a more tradi- temperatures on the bay that occurs tional or commonly seen presentation. onventional presentations gener- during the summer and early fall. What spoons work? My experi- C ally reserve trolling spoons for This presentation has some key ence has been that smaller spoons work trout or salmon. Exceptions began features, the first being speed. This is the best. A slender spoon one and one- primarily on Lake Erie where charter not a game for slow pokes, as key half inches to two and one half seems to captains have been trolling spoons for speeds range in the 2 mph category. work for me. There are a variety of walleyes for many years. After a trip to The advantage of this is covering water. brands out there, but Moonshine Lures Lake Erie where spoons out-produced, For those who like to do math, you can seem to work the best for me. They crankbaits and crawler harnesses cover twice the amount of water using have a long lasting glow paint that combined, I was determined to give spoons when compared to crawler seems to make a big difference in deep spoons a try on the bay. harnesses. When water temperatures water or as the sun is going down. The first obstacle (likely the most are high and fish are on the move, The next time you are looking for a difficult too) in trying a new presenta- covering water can be the most impor- difference-maker in the summertime, tion is the mind-set shift. A few years tant part of your fish catching strategy. give spoons a try. For those that lack ago I was determined to try this new Second, they are easy to use; put confidence, run them in with your presentation and mustered up enough them behind jet divers, down riggers, cranks and you will see the difference it confidence to try trolling one spoon in bottom bounders, leadcore or planer can make. the midst of several crankbaits. I was boards with a split shot. Any or all of Good luck and let me know how convinced the first walleye was a fluke. these variations produce fish. Pick your you do! The second fish: beginner’s luck. The target depth, select the method to get Guide Paul Mueller of Oconomowoc used third fish was an attention grabber. you there and off you go. spoons to take big walleyes and lots of To catch your first walleye on a spoon, That day spoons out-produced all other The third reason is that they are them off of the Cedar River 15 miles north call Master Captain Paul Mueller at 262- presentations. different. Unless you are on un-fished of the Wisconsin border in the Upper 490-7621 or email him at walleyefever Since that day, spoons remain at the fish all year, a difference can make the Peninsula. @wi.rr.com. forefront of my walleye arsenal during difference. Sometimes a unique presen- On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 9 The “FISH ON” Fix Different Techniques For The Late Fall Addiction

By Phil Schweik slip it over the point of the hook on the Set up over a traditional deep jig to prevent it from coming off of the wintering hole and vertical jig for sucker’s lip. When I hook the leader to muskies that have transitioned into a s I set the hook into another big the jig, I simply hook both together on dormant state. I basically run the same ANovember musky, I yell, “Fish the snap of the leader that is coming home-made quick set rig described on...” Even after years of guiding and from my line. This technique allows a earlier. Instead of dragging it behind tournament fishing, there are no two quick, easy set-up and eliminates the the boat, though, work it slowly across words that will cause more commotion, need for an inline sinker to hold the the bottom of a deep wintering hole instantaneously start the adrenalin keeping contact with the bottom struc- pumping and create such a sense of ture at all times. Structure is the key. urgency in the boat. Look for any wood or rock outcrop- With the great rush that comes pings on your locater and you will find with not only hooking but fighting and fish. landing the greatest fresh water fish of With this technique, run a heavy all, it is no wonder that so many people spinning rod and reel, spooled with 65 pay the dues of time on the water in pound Cortland Spectron. The bite can search of the ‘few minute fix.’ With be very subtle at times and you need to more people addicted to the sport, the have a tool that is sensitive enough to odds of tagging that musky, in partic- feel the light pick-up of a late fall ular the big fish, become harder, more musky. Work the area thoroughly and competitive and more challenging. Fall techniques that aren’t often used by other anglers have helped me Dave Kalstrom with a 45-inch musky caught put fish in the boat, even on heavily on a quick strike rig after it followed a Smitty pressured waters. With water tempera- Bait to the boat but missed the lure. tures dropping and big fish on the feed, November and December is the time to depths under the bobber cover more take any edge with you on Wisconsin’s water. But here is where I choose the lakes and river systems. less traveled route. Start with live bait rigging. Most Instead of running two quick set often when fishing in the fall, musky rigs, I offer my own home-made rigs hunters are running live bait with a which consist of a one-to two-ounce jig simple quick set rig. Quick set rigs are hooked through the sucker’s upper lip. Dave Henderson caught this giant on a pre-packaged at your local sporting A six-to eight-inch leader is then run Delong Flying Witch, a rubber jerkbait. goods store—including Gander from the jig to a small treble hook Mountain, where I serve as a member inserted into the sucker’s back, slightly sucker down. of the Pro Staff. The rigs are quick and behind the dorsal fin. Once the rigs are set, I run one 15 easy and most often run effectively at Take a piece of rubber approxi- to 25 feet behind the boat, suspended four-to eight-foot depths under a mately one-half inch in diameter, for about four-to eight feet below a slip bobber. Two quick set rigs at different example from an old twister tail, and bobber. I prefer the use of slip bobbers over traditional round bobbers. Slip bobbers are easier to manipulate, have less drag in the water and the muskies feel less resistance pulling them down. Guided by the author, 88-year old Bud My second line is run totally Konopacki pauses with a beautiful Tiger different. I use the same home- made taken on a Jim Korducki Rubber Tailed quick set rigs without a bobber. Free- Bucktail run among the rocks in late line this presentation behind the boat afternoon. anywhere from 25 to 50 feet. The free- swimming sucker is given the opportu- nity without any drag to run as natu- don’t be afraid to get right down in the rally as possible. heart of the wood structure. The big I have caught significantly more girls are lying there…waiting for you. muskies on the free line (as many as Try these new methods after two-to-one) in comparison to the tradi- perfecting one important technique at tional bobber method. And on days home. Look in the mirror and yell when the bite is slow, this presentation “Fish On!” You’re going to use it later will often produce when other methods on the water. This is late fall in fail. Wisconsin. The taker just may be the When the bite becomes increas- fish of your lifetime. ingly more difficult very late in the year, another method will frequently Contact Phil Schweik and Hooksetters out-produce any offering in your boat. Fishing Services at www.hooksetters.biz. 10 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Pike’s Peak Turnover Fishing On The Madison Chain

n the Madison Chain, turnover bottoms. When searching these steep on the windward side of the lake. This O usually occurs when the surface breaks, you can use a variety of tactics. usually oxygenates the water and temperature hits the mid-to-upper 50’s. If you choose to use artificial lures, try makes the forage fish more active. 2007 has been an abnormally warm jerk baits such as Jerko’s, Reef Hogs, Some good areas to look if you choose year for water temperatures, with Bobby baits or similar lure styles. As for to start on Mendota are Governor’s temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s later color choices, look for chartreuse, perch Island, Second Point, Picnic Point and into the fall. When these temperature or other bright patterns to produce the Fox Bluff. Also, mid-lake bars can be changes occur, it suggests that larger most action. productive this time of year. On cooler fish will be feeding more aggressively. If you prefer to use live bait, you’ll days, when water temperature drops Lake Mendota typically produces some want to use suckers between the range between 32 and 42 degrees, you’ll want of the larger Northern Pike on the of eight and ten inches. Always use a to turn your focus to live baits. Look for chain. During the post-turnover stages quick-strike rig to prevent any unneces- deep breaks where the water drops into on Mendota, Pike fishing action is sary damage to the fish, as Lake the main basin of the lake. ample enough to satisfy most family Mendota has a minimum size limit of 40 inches and a one fish maximum per members. The fishing experience at this This article was compiled with the help of angler. The livelier the bait you use, the time on Mendota can rival that of the Scott Bitz, 14, of Pleasant Prairie, with a Travis Richardson, host of “The Fishing better the action you will experience. Canadian fishing experience. When 41-inch Lake Mendota Pike taken on a Guide” TV show, as well as the staff of Another productive method to use is fishing for Northern Pike on Mendota cold and windy November day in 2006. D&S Bait. To contact D&S Bait, Tackle trolling. Try using large number 18 or around the Madison Chain, look for and Archery, LLC by phone, call (608)- Rapalas in 17-24 feet of water, 65-100 the majority of the action to be on at two or three miles per hour. When 241-4225 or check on the web at feet behind the planer boards, trolling steeper breaks with rock and sand choosing a location to start, always try www.dsbait.com. Slow Zone Easy Pick’ns Sucker Will Trip Sluggish Predator

By John Kubiak good spot and have success, the loca- shore, or the top of the bar. If a musky tion will produce year after year when follows the jerkbait, but does not strike, the conditions are the same. This is not the sucker 5 feet below the surface is he big musky looked like he was in the time to run and gun, since the sure to attract some attention. Many Tslow motion as he followed behind muskies’ metabolism has slowed with times the slower moving sucker is just my Bulldog in the forty-degree water. As the cool water temps. It’s time to pick what a lazy following musky is looking I went into my figure 8, the fish just two or three spots, and just camp out. for. The deep running sucker in the disappeared, seeming very uninterested. The feeding windows are much smaller back of the boat will intercept any fish Before I had time to even think about in fall, so often it’s just a waiting game. that are cruising the breakline. If it what just happened, line started peeling I will generally run two sucker becomes too cold for casting, I like to off one of the sucker rods in the back of rods in rod holders, one in the front of do some vertical jigging with a bait like the boat. From the sound of it, the fish the boat, and one in the back. The rod in a Fuzzy Duzit. Vertical jigging allows had found what it was looking for. I the front employs a sucker on a slip you to wear heavy gloves to let your grabbed the rod, reeled in the slack, and bobber, set to about five feet below the hands warm up a bit and take a break set the hook hard to break the quick strike surface. The rod in the back uses a reel from casting. I will generally work the rig away from the sucker and into the with a line counter, and a sucker with Fuzzy Duzit near the deep sucker in the musky. After a short fight, I was able to one to two ounces of weight added to back of the boat. The flash of this bait slip the net under a very nice 47” musky. keep it down at the desired depth. I try seems to attract attention, and when the Catching muskies in the fall is not always to run this sucker down deep, about one fish come in they usually end up hitting this easy, but with the right approach you to two feet off the bottom, and the line the sucker, which is an easier target. can definitely increase your odds. counter makes it easy to know exactly Fall can be one of the most exciting I have a fall strategy that has what your depth is. The rear rod does times of the year to fish for muskies. produced many big fish over the past not need a slip bobber, but rather the Just remember to be patient, and bring several years that includes using bait clicker feature on the reel. That little plenty of warm clothes. Finding the suckers on quick strike rigs, casting jerk click-click-click lets you know when a right spot, and using the right tech- baits, and vertical jigging. The first thing musky has found its meal, and is one of niques can reward you with the fish of you need to do is find a good spot. A the sweetest sounds you’ll ever hear. a lifetime. deep weed edge in the 10-15 foot range The author shows his late fall 47-inch fish just prior to release. Now that the spot is chosen, and where panfish are located is one the rods are set, here’s how the strategy John Kubiak is an avid musky fisherman example. My favorite spots however are works. I keep the boat in 15-20 feet of points and shorelines that bottom-out in who fishes when he can. He has 85 fish up hard bottomed areas like rock or gravel water, and cast a jerkbait toward the the 15-20 foot range. Once you find a to 48 inches caught and released. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 11 First Ice Great Fishing, Grave Danger

By Bill Whiteside out approximately three times as much doing. To check the ice, I take a few as you think you’re going to use. I like slow steps and watch for sinking or to use two-pound-test line for most cracking, knowing if the ice breaks I can veryone knows that first ice can be panfish, three pound for larger crap- get back to shore. E the best fishing they have all pies. I’ve had good luck with fluoro- I also begin to drill or chisel holes. winter. Some of us waiting all summer carbon line such as Vanish or Pline. Three inches of good ice is enough to for hard water and others just putting Also, replenish your bait box, remem- walk on. As I walk out, I keep drilling away their open water equipment are bering what baits worked well in the holes. Sometimes the ice isn’t always fired up to fish the new ice fishing past on first ice. consistent. It may be three inches in one season. First ice means you haven’t You’re going to be walking out, so spot and only one inch or less in fished since last ice, so you have a lot of don’t forget your sled to carry all your another. So be careful! I strongly recom- things to think about. gear. First ice can be very slippery. Ice mend wearing a life vest and carrying a You probably used a power auger cleats could save you from broken rope and screw drivers that can help the last time you were out. Check your bones or other injuries. Our fishing you escape in the event that your eval- hand auger. It might need new blades buddy slipped and broke his hip on uation of safe ice was wrong. Also, or sharpening. Make sure your vexilar new ice. They took him away on a there may be other people out on the battery is charged. A spare battery is stretcher. If only he would have had his ice when you first get there. Try to take nice. Guaranteed: your line will be ice cleats on! the same path out that they took. kinked and curled. Change your line or First ice is nice but be careful. I hope you have a safe and stretch the old line out to get rid of the Fishing may be hot, but it’s not worth successful ice fishing season. Good luck kinks and curls. You can do this by falling through. If you evaluate the ice and take a kid fishing. firmly pulling and sliding the line as questionable, do not go. You’ve between your thumb and index finger heard the old saying “You’re walking Bill Whiteside is a northwest icefishing expert Bill Whiteside works a northwest Wisconsin without breaking it. You should stretch on thin ice.” That’s exactly what you’re from Eau Claire. lake for pannies with one eye on the vexilar.

“I know many of you diehard ice fishermen and women hear this every year, but it is worth repeating: No fish is worth risking your life over. Always use caution when heading out onto the ice...” Hardwater Gold Experience The Early Rush In Wisconsin’s Northwest

By Chris Powell I will usually set one shiner directly of ice cleats to help with traction. These under the ice and place one near the lakes can get downright slippery! bottom as well. First ice is also a great I wish you all a fun and safe ice ell it’s just about that time of year time to catch walleyes by way of jigging fishing season! Wto go hit the ice, and here in pole or on tip-ups. Personally, I prefer northwest Wisconsin, we have bountiful jigging them with a jigging shad rap, as Chris Powell, Fat Guy’s Guide Service, opportunities to hit ice fishing gold. First they put up a great tussle and taste great Phone: 715-577-9771, www.fat-guy.org. ice around here is usually hot. Lakes such afterward. Look for them in low-light as Marshmiller, Otter, the Chetek Chain, hours of the day in 10-20 feet of water. Menomin, and Miller Dam are popular I know many of you diehard ice with local anglers in search of a good fishermen and women hear this every meal of bluegills. Look in the shallow year, but it is worth repeating: No fish is water during this early ice period. Tear worth risking your life over. Always use drops, moon jigs, and rockers work well caution when heading out onto the ice, tipped with waxies, wigglers, or if you especially this early in the season. can find them, mousies. Always bring a spud bar along to check Early ice is also a great time to break the ice for weak spots, and never fish out the tip-ups for bass and northern alone. It is a good idea to pick up ice pike. I usually set out two tip-ups while I picks to hang around your neck, just in jig. I like to use a mono leader about 18 case you do fall through. These will help inches long with a split shot eight inches you to pull yourself out. Also, with the above a number 4 treble hook, tipped lack of snow the last couple of years, it What kid do you know who is just waiting with a small to medium northern shiner. Fast hardwater action keeps kids and adults alike happy on any Wisconsin lake. would be a good idea to invest in a pair to spill a smile on the Wisconsin ice? 12 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Cheap Shots Gambling With Garands, The CMP Experience

By S. Wilkerson Sheesh. I thought if they had time to find someone an Inland M1 Carbine in the 4.3 million serial number range, nyone with a passing familiarity they darn well had time to paw Awith gun magazines has seen the through a pallet and send me one that Civilian Marksmanship Program’s hadn’t been to hell and back. advertisements for M1 Garands: “Own I figured I’d get a nice one because I a piece of history.” “Genuine U.S. deserved a nice one and web posters said Government M1 Garands.” “This Typical CMP Service Grade Inland M1 Carbine after cleaning and installation of a I would. The CMP disagreed with me and historically significant collector’s piece surplus birch stock re-stained by the author. Original carbine was replaced by the them. What I actually got was a rifle only symbolizes a greatness in the American CMP because of a heavily pitted barrel. CMP customer service is second to none. fit as a source of a few parts. Split stock, character and deserves to be passed cracked front site, an inoperable bolt stop, down to your children and to theirs.” CMP’s wares are lend-lease returns chances of me getting one of those? I and, wonders of wonders, a pitted bore. All of which is true. What is a tad bit from Greece, Italy and Denmark. ordered a service grade Harrington and As a service grade version, my carbine disingenuous, are the pictures of the I, myself, own or have owned four Richardson M1 returned from Greece and was guaranteed to have a serviceable Garands in the advertisements. They CMP firearms: A Harrington and then waited four months for it to arrive. bore, free of pitting. I contacted the CMP, look virtually unissued or fresh from a Richardson Garand; two Inland M1 When it did, I couldn’t believe my told them of my plight, and they told me US armory rebuild. Unfortunately, reality Carbines; and a Model 1917 “Enfield.” eyes. In fact, I couldn’t freakin’ believe to send the carbine back. They agreed that and the pictures in the ads can be as After drooling over CMP Garand that any self-respecting army on the it didn’t meet the definition of a service different as night and day when it comes ads for years, I finally decided to research planet would have fielded such a grade, and in less than two weeks time, to CMP Garands and M1 Carbines. the organization and its rifles before wretched example of a rifle. No wonder sent me another carbine. Even if you get a bone, you’ll be making an informed decision, free from the Turks took Cyprus and won’t give it Hope springs eternal, and I figured supporting a good cause. The purpose marketing hype. I began (as always) by back. Greek soldiers were probably too that the CMP would now, finally, send of the CMP is to promote firearms consulting numerous web-based forums. embarrassed to meet the Turks on the me an unblemished example that I, too, training and marksmanship, especially Within minutes, it was obvious that most field of battle armed with rifles like mine. would be proud to post on a web for youth. It is a non-profit organization posters had nothing but glowing reports Among my Garand’s “attributes” forum. Instead, what I got was okay. charted by Congress. Currently, they about CMP Garands. Admittedly, a very was a stock so loose that the barreled Great metal finish, muzzle wear of less offer Garands, M1 Carbines, Kimber .22 teeny, tiny minority wrote that they got action could move laterally in it. The gas than two, a bright shiny bore, a func- rifles in some abundance and the occa- something less than perfection. Always tube, upon which the front site sits, moved tional slide stop, and again, a well-used, sional 1903 and 1903A3. With the the optimist, I figured what are the north and south and east and west and heavily dinged stock. Despite the shiny exception of the Kimbers, most of the was barren of finish. Muzzle wear, bore, a close inspection revealed what however, was less than two and with the looks to me like some pitting. I thought exception of the operating rod and stock, of sending it back again, but decided the rifle was all Harrington & Richardson, this might be the best I could do. apparently original and never rebuilt. You might do better, or just as The dang thing shot, too, and pretty likely, as well or worse. I think my expe- well with Korean surplus ammunition, rience with the CMP, based on the many no less. Three inch groups at 100 yards of them available for resale at gun were the norm when I did my part and shows, is pretty typical. Those perfect some measured tighter than two. Clips examples in the CMP ads and on web were ejected, on top of my head, after forums are actually atypical. People are every eight rounds. In fact, it shot so well always proud to show off good fortune that I figured it deserved a new stock and reluctant to advertise bad luck. and fresh parkerized finish. While I was One thing’s for sure though, a rifle at it, I opened the barrel, thus tightening or carbine purchased from the CMP the gas tube and preventing it and the will be guaranteed to be serviceable front sight from moving. The rifle is now and, in fact, if you read their descrip- very attractive and accurate, although it tions, they don’t promise anything still dumps its clips on top of my head. more than what they eventually deliv- When Inland carbines became avail- ered to me. New after-market stocks able from the CMP for the first time in are not that costly. Parkerizing is inex- years, I had to order one. This time, I took pensive. CMP prices are fair and if the advice of web forum posters and you’re not happy with what you got, placed a Post-It note on my order form they will make it right. asking for a nice one to compensate for I wouldn’t hesitate to order the junk they had sent me in the past. another one, with the understanding Because I believe everything I read, I had that it might not look like the one “learned” that the CMP almost always advertised in Guns and Shooting maga- fulfills such requests. Why, according to zine, Post-It note or not. scores of posts on the CMP’s very own web site, happy CMP workers will gladly S. Wilkerson is an award winning Wisconsin go out of their way to hand pick a rifle or journalist, firearms expert and student of carbine in some arcane serial number the second ammendment. range to fill a hole in someone’s collection. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 13 Out There A Pirate Tale

By Darrell Pendergrass girls from the same family grew up brother, and they both smiled at me. ribs and sides of the old boat have eerily there; those children are either retired “It’s a pirate boat,” I fibbed as the risen above the surface, as if those ghosts now or have passed on. That was years kids looked on. “Pirates lived around of long ago are trying to get it to float here’s a skeleton of an old wooden ago. When they could, I imagine that here way back when, and this was their again. You can see it was once green. T boat sunk down near the shore of like me they would get on to the lake boat, before it sank in a big battle. There’s I recently saw the pirate boat again the lake by our house. for spring-time rides across the water. probably a skeleton down there.” for the first time this year. Floating in my I found the boat by chance a few They probably liked watching the Of course, because they were little canoe I looked at the boat. I don’t know years ago during a canoe paddle along ducks and geese as they migrated back kids, they believed me. And subse- the real individuals who actually oared the edge of that lake. I wasn’t looking for to the area, or spent time listening to quently, when we’ve gone for canoe the boat around the lake, but I’m guessing anything; the old boat just sort of the sounds of nesting cranes lifting up rides around the lake the kids always whoever it was saw the things I see today appeared beneath me as I was staring into from nearby ponds, feeling a part of the want to see the pirate boat. Together we - loons, snapping turtles, swans, and the lake. At that time the old boat sat a water. They likely used that boat. always seek out the boat near the cattails ducks of all kinds. Those people may good two or three feet below the water’s There’s clearly something soothing and shore muck, looking for it like have been entranced by a bear swimming surface, upside down, its hull filled with about being on a lake that transcends buried treasure. “There it is! There it is!” across the middle of the lake as I was a an assortment of holes. It was apparent time. The feeling we get when we’re on they’ll shout. “There’s the pirate boat!! few years back. I know they felt what I why it was on the bottom of the lake. the water is the same feeling that man Once we even salvaged a water- feel. I know they stood in awe as I do. When it happened I felt lucky to got at the dawn of time. Not everything logged beaver-chewed oar from the Pirates or not, they were a lot like have found the boat, and even enter- changes through the years. ‘wreck,’ carrying it above our heads in me. And I am like them. tained thoughts of bringing it to the When my children were finally old triumph on the way home. I told the surface for repairs. Those thoughts enough to go out in the canoe with me, kids that pirate ghosts might come “Out There: Twenty years of family, fishing, eventually passed, and just as well. I I showed them the sunken boat on a looking for it, so the pirate paddle sat farming and a life afield”, a collection of hardly needed another farm project. day when there was a slight chop on near the hay barn for a long time, stories by Darrell Pendergrass, can be The boat had to have belonged to the water. Grace and Jack leaned over before it was eventually tossed into the purchased for $15 at The Daily Press in the people whose home my family now the edge of our canoe, peering into the wood pile. We still talk about it. Ashland. Or send $15 and $3 for shipping owns, as they were the only ones who depths, trying to make out the lines of Over the course of a few short years and handling to Darrell Pendergrass, 52405 have ever lived close to the lake other the boat. Grace pointed it out to her the lake has dropped in depth, and the than us. Two generations of boys and Otto Olson Road, Grand View, WI 54839. 14 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors The Frozen Jungle Trappers Part Of Predator-prey Life Cycle

By Dick Ellis TRAPPING FACTS Attendance at a16-hour trapping EDITOR’S NOTE: This month’s column education course is mandatory in from the Ellis archives takes the place of the Wisconsin before a trapper’s license usual OWO column “On the Trapline with may be obtained. Curriculum Arnie Groehler.” Groehler is currently includes trapping instruction, pelt serving in Iraq. handling and a history of trapping. Because the course also addresses animal habitats and scents, persons he orange flag tattering in the not interested in trapping may find T breeze at the end of a long bamboo the course beneficial. stick calls Arnie Groehler to another muskrat “feeder hut” far out on the ice of Big Muskego Lake. Located near the HORICON MARSH primary food source of cattail, feeder A HOTBED hunts offer muskrats a place to eat Wisconsin’s fur quality is among the protected from elements and predators. best in the nation. Annually, muskrat In this frozen jungle though, protection fur from Horicon Marsh is recognized as the world’s finest at auction house and survival stand precarious at best. Resetting a leghold trap at the base of a feeder hut is Arnie Groehler, a Wisconsin sales around the world, including A trail of air bubbles trapped in the trapper education instructor for the State of Wisconsin and Director of the North Copenhagen and Toronto. Groehler ice and remnants of gnawings from American Fur Auction, which evolved from the Hudson Bay Fur Company of 1670 and regularly attends these auctions and feeding muskrats betray the runway first sent pioneers to explore Wisconsin. his pelts have been regularly included leading from the succulent cattail stand among the top 100 in the world of to the hut. Groehler has the No.1 “Five years ago, Muskego Lake was potato to emulate a cattail snack are also that species by Top-Lot muskrat. Stoploss trap, a foothold trap designed a poor environment for all species of set beneath the ice along the runways, to drown, set in the submerged wildlife,” he said. “The DNR eradicated designed to snap like a mousetrap and PURCHASED doorway below. With a metal spud, he the carp population which was riling up kill the muskrat instantly. Today, these AROUND THE WORLD chisels a hole in the ice that has formed the water so the cattails couldn’t grow. are empty and Groehler’s long rubber Wisconsin muskrat pelts are worth $4 around the base of the bamboo since he Once the rough fish were gone, the water glove disappears below the ice to check in the fall and $6 in the winter, and last checked the traps two days earlier. became very clear which prompted the leghold trap. are marketed to Russia for the economical type of hat preferred Dropping to his knees to check the trap, extensive new growth of nutrient-rich This time he emerges with a mink, he probes the icy water with rubber there, and to the Chinese military for cattails and with that increase of their an “incidental” or unintended catch. cold-weather hats. The Chinese also gloves stretching to the shoulder. primary food source, the muskrat popu- During the mile walk out on the ice purchase the entire world’s otter fur Groehler has claimed almost 1,600 lation drastically increased.” under stormy skies hours earlier to find for military officers’ hats. muskrats in the traps already this fall He called trapping vital to the the trapper, a reporter had felt peaceful, and winter. He will probably take 2,000 balance of nature and said an unchecked yet isolated: a man alone on the marsh. ATTITUDES before the February season closure. muskrat population will continue to Peaceful? The mink was traveling TOWARD TRAPPING Ten trappers here aim to harvest 90 increase and devour literally every bit of on the muskrat runway under the ice Groehler started trapping 30 years percent of Big Muskego’s estimated vegetation in its own habitat. with one intention: invade the hut and ago and in addition to muskrats, he muskrat population. The previous “The trapper balances those peaks devour any muskrats inside their own targets mink, raccoon, fox, coyote, year, that estimate was set at 30,000 by and valleys,” he said. “We want some residence. Had it found no one home, possum, beaver and otter. He is also Department of Natural Resources muskrats there because they keep the the mink would have waited and, one an animal control trapper and said (DNR) biologists. proper cattail and open water mix. In by one, killed the returning inhabitants, surveys show that the large majority The 90 percent population harvest, building huts, they keep cattail growth then followed the runways to of citizens are accepting of trapping for an individual’s economic gain or Groehler says, is the proper goal to main- in check and provide puddles and surrounding huts and repeated the tain the pre-trapping number of to control problem animals. nesting areas for waterfowl.” ritual…moving, killing, eating…until “People’s attitudes change when muskrats the following year. Muskrats Last year, he said, trappers took out the mink had survived the winter. coyotes start eating their pets or there become sexually mature at six weeks only 5,000 muskrats of the estimated Had the mink survived the trap, it are 14 raccoons in the attic, or they and in southern Wisconsin they average 30,000 population due to the hard early may have been instinctively killed by paid $150 for a clump of birch trees three litters annually. Under normal winter. As a result, muskrats took out all an otter protecting its territory. Had a and a beaver takes them down the conditions, for every female muskrat in the vegetation in the center and east side muskrat survived the mink or the trap, next day,” he said. April, there will be 36 muskrats by fall. of the lake. By winter’s end, muskrats the osprey and hawks on the marsh Failure to harvest 90 percent will were starving to death and cannibal- were waiting…. or the coyotes, which SIGNS OF lead to the doubling of the population izing other muskrats trapped. As a quickly learn to run the trapper’s OVER POPULATION annually, excessive vegetation eradica- result of the feeding frenzy, Groehler circuit to get an easy meal first, or dig Nature addresses wildlife overpopula- tion and accompanying loss of habitat said, vast floating mats of rotting, putrid through the south side of a hut softened tion with diseases such as rabies and for other wildlife, related problems for cattail stalks clogged channels and by the sun, then wait in ambush for the distemper. Groehler is seeing a rela- man, and eventual mass muskrat star- shorelines and impeded boating. architect to return to repair its lair. tively high number of those diseases in coyotes and skunks. “There is often vation. The muskrat, Groehler says, is On this morning, 10 dispatched Alone? Such a humanly self- an “indicator species” used to deter- a perception that trappers aren’t muskrats are piled on the sled that centered perspective. Alone and professional,” he said. “But we’re mine the health of a marsh. High popu- Groehler tows along on his journey of peaceful? Such a humanly ignorant very professional. As wildlife lations of muskrats indicate a healthy checking and resetting some 70 foothold perspective. There is much to be managers, we have a real love for the marsh while a nonexistent population traps ambushing the feeder huts. A learned on a trapper’s coattails one day outdoors and wildlife in general.” may signal too much pollution. handful of conibear traps baited with in the frozen jungle. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 15 Dog Talk For A Christmas Puppy, Plan Ahead By Kevin Michalowski and English pointers like to run. You want to know a bit about the breed of dog before you bring it home. All here are two schools of thought puppies are cute; so don't buy one based T when it comes to puppies at solely on how it looks. Think about what Christmas. Some people say Christmas you want the dog to do and where you puppies should be avoided, others see live. Do some research. Ask questions the puppy as a traditional gift that and make an informed choice. brightens the holidays. Good planning PURCHASE CARE ITEMS and a little forethought will allow those AHEAD OF TIME - Get every- who want to keep the tradition of a 3 thing you will need BEFORE you bring Christmas puppy alive, and enjoy the home the puppy. Dog food, water dish experience they hoped for. Here are 10 and chew toys can all be wrapped up tips for making sure the Christmas and placed under the tree to give the puppy is a welcome addition and not an new dog owner some presents to open. overwhelming burden at the holidays. You'll also need a portable kennel, NO SURPRISES - If someone is leash, collar and training treats. 1 set on getting a Christmas puppy, Kids and puppies are a great combination. Just make sure you plan ahead when you consider the first thing I would tell them is to TRAIN THE TRAINER - bringing a puppy home as a traditional Christmas gift. (Photo by Kevin Michalowski) prepare for the pup well in advance 4 Whoever will be handling puppy and never give a puppy as a surprise. If care must be trained to properly react to your actions and will learn puppy to people as long as there are not you plan well, a Christmas puppy can handle, discipline and teach the young through repetition. too many and they are not too loud. If dog. Training the dog is not difficult, work, but remember, it's one more DON'T LEAVE THE PUPPY you have a large group for a holiday but learning to train the dog takes some responsibility on the schedule during a ALONE FOR TOO LONG - The party, keep the puppy in a quiet room in time. Dogs can't use logic or reasoning, 5 busy holiday season. socialization and training of your puppy the portable kennel and make regular so stop thinking in human terms. Have CHOOSE THE RIGHT DOG - will start the day it arrives in your home. patience, and understand that dogs Continued on page 16 2 Beagles tend to bark, Huskies pull Christmas is a fine time to introduce the 16 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Bear Necessities Bananas, Buddies A Recipe For Success

By Dick Henske down nine bear already during the 2007 only nocturnally. I hunted three nights season, was really into it. He gutted the and saw a sow and two cubs. Then, on bear quickly and rigged a harness with the fourth night, I connected. he bait site was located in an old a rope so three of us could lift and drag I bait with left-over fish fry T pine stump on the edge of a dark, the bear easily. Jim Patterson, another vegetable oil so the bears dig in it and timbered swamp. hunter and fishing guide, helped haul walk scent back into the woods. These It was mid-morning and only half and manned the flashlight. Dan scent trails draw all the bear in the area. of the bananas and candy had been Connaughty, who owns Townline I also use candy, rolls, bread, apples and eaten. The logs were scattered every- Sports and has helped me pull out a a huge box of bananas that our local where and I could see where the bear bear before, provided the support and Ward’s Grocery Store provide. I think had lain on the ground digging into the muscle until the bear was in the truck. that the banana/candy combination bait. I baited again, pulled the logs into The bear then went to the Pea Patch was too much for this bear.I have shot place, and felt that this time the bear Saloon, where owners Lisa and Barry took many bears and still learn more every might return before dark for “seconds.” pictures. They had provided me with the year. Oil placed on bait sites causes the That evening I snuck in, made sure vegetable oil left over from fish fries that bears to dig up hollow logs and makes a the bait wasn't hit, and sat 60 yards down has worked so well in my bait sites. mess out of your set up. My best luck wind on a bait bucket. A doe worked What next? I called my wife, has been baiting at the base of a large through, a raccoon checked the bait, and Mariel, arguably the finest looking stump and covering it with lots of logs then after a two-hour vigil I saw a big, retiree north of Milwaukee. Then, on to keep out the scavengers. black shape working the gusting south that 60 degree night, because I could Bow hunting is the way to hunt wind in a mist of rain. He was coming in! not register it until the next day, we had bears when they cooperate. They didn't Nose up. Listening. Stopping often. to transport the bear to the Manitowish this year. I had to keep shifting to different Cautious. When he was ten yards from Waters Lions' beer cooler. He was regis- sites depending on the bait activity. When the bait pile he started to circle the bait site tered the following morning at Dietz's deer and grouse hunting waits, I hate to and offered me a broadside, clear lung Gas station—their first bear of the waste time scouting and baiting bears. shot. The .35 caliber Marlin with 180 grain year—where we removed a rib and a Cautious bears also make it difficult to hand loads did the job. The bear took off tooth for D.N.R. studies. place a double lung shot with a bow and crashing brush. Although hard of hearing, Jeff Krans, a fellow bear hunter, arrow; and a bruin’s abundance of fat can I listened but heard no death groan. and I skinned him on a tarp. We quar- make it difficult to sustain the necessary I followed the direction the bear tered him on the tailgate of my truck blood trail even when the hit is good. Dick Henske dropped this bear with a had run and after a ten-minute search and turned that bear into delicious Bear hunting is fun. Make sure you .35 caliber Marlin on public land near and 75 yards made the recovery. I steaks, burgers, and a bucket of meat apply for your license. In Wisconsin it Manitowish Waters. tagged him in the tongue, and then destined for sausage. takes six to eight years of preference Brown at Timber Wolf Lodge (1-807- blazed the trees back to the meadow so That's it. How sweet it is. Amazing points before you'll draw a tag. I'm an old 599-2716) or Merkels Camp (1-807-938- I could find him later. It was dark by how a great hunt still energizes you at "codger". By my next draw, I'll be 80 years 6428). Go on the internet and you'll find this time and I needed help; the bear 72 years-of-age as if you were still 16. old. Mariel, arguably the best looking all kinds of outfitters that offer quality was a 10-minute walk from the truck But the successful hunt was no retiree north of Milwaukee, will undoubt- hunts. and weighed about 275 pounds. accident. It started August 1, when I edly still love me although she did Get out and do it! Keep the rust The Howling Dog is a great local collected bait and set up four bait sites. I momentarily mistake the bear carcass from settling in! bar near my Manitowish Waters home baited every three or four days until the hanging in the cooler for me this season. and I hoped the locals would be last week before the hunt, when I began If the Wisconsin wait is too long, finishing a brew. It cost me a round of to bait every day. All the bait sites were I'll probably once again travel to Retired principal Dick Henske of drinks, but three hunters returned to the hit, but one declined in activity, so I Ontario where I have shot many bears Manitowish Waters hunts and fishes field with me. Big Dave Ryan, a bear- abandoned it. Two other bait stations in the evening after long days of non- Wisconsin, Canada and the western states. hound guy who had helped bring were often heavily hit by a big bear, but stop walleye action. In Ontario, try Ted Rarely does he miss a day in the field.

Dog Talk... (Continued from page 15) visits to play with, pet and talk to the a routine so the dog becomes accus- notice results after only a short time. spayed before their first heat cycle. puppy. Take a few (no more than three tomed to eating, sleeping, playing, KEEP THE DOG HEALTHY By following these tips, Christmas or four) guests along to show the puppy bathroom breaks, and training. If you're 9 AND HAPPY - Your dog will puppies can be a great addition to any strangers are nothing to worry about. not the type to adhere to a schedule, depend on you for everything. So make household. A puppy at Christmas time BEGIN THE HOUSEBREAKING don’t get a dog. sure you give it plenty of water, exercise may sound like a lot of work, but with 6 SCHEDULE IMMEDIATELY - CONDUCT TRAINING REGU- and entertainment, as well as the proper a little planning, things will go quite Don't forget to take the pup outside every 8 LARLY - Use 15-minute daily food, shelter, training and medical care. smoothly. couple hours because this starts the house- training sessions to teach your dog SPAY/NEUTER - Unless you breaking process. Don't train the pup to go basic obedience commands. You can 10 intend to include your dog in a Kevin Michalowski is the author of “15 on newspaper, which can cause problems start this training as soon as you get the well-planned and monitored breeding Minutes to a Great Dog” and “15 Minutes with the housebreaking schedule. Use puppy home. It is never too early. program, call your vet after the holi- to a Great Puppy” (Krause Publications, newspaper only in emergencies. Remember, dogs learn through repeti- days and discuss the spay/neuter $12.95 each). If you have questions or ESTABLISH A ROUTINE - Be tion, and short daily sessions will help options. Male dogs need to be about comments about dog training or care 7 sure to plan activities according to reinforce acceptable behavior. You'll five months old and females should be email Kevin at [email protected] On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 17 Two Cans Per Man Expert Tactics For Taking Canvasback Bulls By Captain Todd Lensing conditions, let alone a mature bull. The hen canvasback is only a three-color hen that I am aware of, meaning they ost die-hard duck hunters dream have a chocolate head and tail, grayish Mof shooting a trophy bull canvas- back and whitish belly. In low light back. In the waterfowling world it’s like they can look a lot like a bull, consid- shooting a Boone & Crockett buck. With ering some of the mature hens are an unprecedented bag limit of two cans bigger than the bulls. per day per hunter throughout the entire Again, be patient and pick out 2007 60-day season, there’s no time like your trophy carefully. A true trophy the present for making it happen. bull will have a large burgundy/brown Through the years I have learned a few head with no white speckles (pin tactics that should help you in your feathers), and will have a silver/white pursuit of the majestic “bull can.” back and a black breast and tail. LOCATION One other note, a canvasback is the best eating duck you will find First and foremost, you must be in an anywhere. area that holds huntable numbers of Have a great season! canvasbacks (i.e. Mississippi River). The author among just a part of his canvasback spread off of Mississippi River bluff Second, within that area you have to be country. Drake decoys and lots of them is part of Lensing’s advice for success. where the canvasbacks are feeding or Todd Lensing, Flyway Fowling Guide trading from their feeding to resting areas. followed by mature bulls. I am not bulls which made picking out a trophy Service, LLC, Ferryville, Wisconsin, saying you wouldn’t be able to shoot a a lot easier. www.flywayfowling.com Phone: 608-734- DECOYS true trophy canvasback when they are TROPHY IDENTIFICATION 3235. Grandview Motel, LLC, e-mail: I like to use all drakes—and lots of first staging, just that you need to be [email protected], It is extremely difficult to differen- them—but if you are in the right loca- very selective. www.grandview-motel.com. tion, especially a feeding area, you can In my experience, when a flock of tiate a hen from a bull in low-light be successful with a smaller spread. We canvasbacks (15+ birds) come to your all know ducks need room to land, but decoys, here’s what usually happens: there is a big difference between The flock will come in very tight dabblers and divers. Think of it this together on the first pass (we call this way, dabblers are like helicopters and “balled up”) and a few birds, usually can basically drop straight down into hens or juvenile bulls, will drop into the small pockets, whereas divers are like decoys. The main flock will come back airplanes and need a runway to land around again with the same scenario and take off. Keep this in mind when occurring. As the flock continues to setting your decoys for canvasbacks. If circle, they spread out thus making it you think you have a big enough easier to pick out a mature bull can. landing area, make it a little bit bigger. I Many times I will let a flock circle use a minimum of a twenty-yard wide three to four times before calling the landing zone. shot. The key to bagging a mature bull is patience. What I witnessed last year TROPHY SELECTION on a full, 60 day can season was that The area we hunt is considered a late in the year there were mostly small major staging area. The hens and juve- flocks (three to four) of canvasbacks nile bulls are usually the first to arrive, around, but most of them were mature

Todd Lensing clients with bull canvasbacks taken on pool nine of the Mississippi River near Ferryville. 18 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Planes, Trains, Automobiles And The Suburban Whitetail Rut

By John Volkman short, out-of-town trip found me racing back home after seeing several bucks from the highway cruising at midday. ne thing is certain with deer I was back on stand at 12:30 p.m. O hunting…eventually you will with the snow boiling as if on cue, just as have an encounter with a whitetail that I got settled. It was the kind of day every truly defines why so many of us are bowhunter dreams about. With the addicted to chasing Odocoileus virgini- snow came buck movement and lots of anus. 2006 was a year in which several it. By 3:00 p.m. I had already seen six personal encounters did just that. bucks, including a 3-1/2 year-old buck My primary hunting area is with an odd shaped, right main beam. located very close to my home. It is far At one point I had this buck coming to from a stereotypical whitetail habitat. my call when two smaller bucks Located on the edge of the Fox Valley, it diverted his attention and changed his is bordered by a heavily used railroad course. The snow was falling so hard on one side, and by a large trucking that I was constantly cleaning my arrow warehouse on the other, and on the off. It seemed like every time I looked up remaining two sides, by state high- another buck was cruising the CRP field. ways. And it lies directly underneath At 4:00 p.m. the split G2 buck the flight path of planes both arriving appeared like a ghost out of the corn field. to and departing from a major airport. Again I grunted, snort wheezed and Short on solitude but long on bleated at him, to no avail. He appeared convenience, most of my available Chloe Volkman poses with the buck that kept her parents on edge in suburbia all on a mission and it didn’t involve November hunting time finds me through the 2006 season until a final November encounter. walking under my tree. I watched him as perched in a tree listening for whitetail he disappeared and wondered if I would buck grunts mixed amongst the train ever get a shot at him. I could only think whistles, jet engines and semi back-up His main beams were very heavy and every whitetail in the area had vanished. that this early bow season was almost beepers. Available cover encompasses his G2 was split on one side. The morning of November 6 told me over. Sunday morning I was leaving for a about 15 acres. Standing corn expands With the DNR designating our area that the rut had definitely started in my deer hunt in Alberta with four co- the usable cover tenfold until harvest an Earn-A-Buck zone, our opening day neck of the woods. At first light, a wide workers. At 4:30 I looked down and time. Despite all this unrelenting first priority was for my wife to take a 10-point chased a doe across the CRP field directly underneath me the buck with the human encroachment, every year a few doe. I had pre-qualified in 2005, so just out of range. An hour later, I instantly odd right main beam had walked out! At whitetails call it home, offering me opening night found my wife and I recognized the heavy beamed buck with 12 yards he offered a perfect quartering quick access into their world. settled into a ground blind. Barely an the split G2 cruising the same field 100 away shot and I took him up on it. Forty Like many whitetail fanatics, my hour into the hunt, a choice doe yards out. He was in prime shape, and yards from the tree I saw him fall. To date, “season” starts in early summer with approached and after a few tense looked even better now than the last time November 9 is one of the most exciting observations of bucks sporting velvet moments Amy was able to make the shot. I had laid eyes on him in late August. The days I have ever had afield. buck stopped when I grunted but The next morning found me wouldn’t alter his course. I watched him checking my Cuddeback one last time as he continued his route, eventually “Short on solitude but long on convenience, disappearing into the 90-acre standing corn field like it was a black hole. most of my available November hunting time The morning of November 9 finds me perched in a tree listening for whitetail found me back in the same tree over the buck grunts mixed amongst the train whistles, CRP field. At 6:45 a.m. I heard a buck grunt. jet engines and semi back-up beepers...” With my eyes fixed on the location of the sound, a doe broke out of a stand of willows. Right on her tail was a buck. It was him, doing his best to keep another covered racks, tree stand maintenance Not long after the arrow struck, she took smaller buck away from the doe. He and backyard target practice. Last year up the trail with her color-blind husband even spent time chasing her buck fawn included an added challenge. My wife giving directions. 100 yards down the away, which appeared to have a hard Amy accompanied me into the white- trail, “There she is!” broke the silence as time understanding what was going on. tail woods when bow season opened, Amy found her first bow-killed whitetail. I watched the show for over 30 minutes with her own bow in hand. The remainder of September and as the buck divided his attention Summertime Cuddeback trail October breezed by without a sighting between the smaller buck and the doe camera photos had revealed several of a mature buck. Amy had a few close he had claimed for his own. Several mature bucks living in my hunting calls with a 2-1/2 year-old buck but times they started to come my way only area. Anticipation was high heading couldn’t get a shot. The much antici- to have the doe change her mind again The author arrowed this fine suburban into September after several August pated First of November arrived but and again. Eventually they disappeared buck in a snow storm in the Fox Valley stakeouts revealed three different after the first five days I hadn’t seen any into the corn. Again, I climbed out of the before finally catching up with his slug mature bucks visiting the soybeans. deer. If not for my Cuddeback photos, I stand and with snow in the forecast, gun on Thanksgiving morning with the One buck’s rack sported a unique look. could have easily convinced myself that planned on an early afternoon return. A buck that had eluded him all season long. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 19

turned his body 180 degrees. He stepped the corner of my eye and turned to see directly into our row broadside at 12 yards, a buck chasing a doe at full speed stopped, and looked the other way! Amy across the set-aside field. I instantly already had her bow drawn, and when the knew it was him. The doe stopped at buck stopped, she settled her pin behind the top of the field and the buck pinned the shoulder and released. At the shot the her against a black cherry tree. About buck ran 10 yards and turned back 20 minutes later the doe bedded with towards us. It appeared he was trying to the buck standing close by. He was out determine if another buck had moved in of range and obscured by brush. All I on him. Instantly, another smaller buck could do was watch and wait. was standing within feet of us. Amy and I Once again this buck had me on were locked into a stare down with him. edge. After an hour he decided to bed After a few tense seconds he realized we down next to the doe. When he settled, in were something that wasn’t supposed to I could barely see the top of his rack in the be there. When he left, the heavy beamed tall canary grass patch. After what buck and his doe followed. Amy made the seemed like an eternity, the doe nerv- comment that her knees were shaking ously stood up and the buck followed. from kneeling so long. I told her that’s not She made a break back to where the pair what the shaking was from. had come from and he stopped her again. After a short search we were able to This time he was in the open but find the arrow and determined it must on the edge of shotgun range. I knew it have deflected just short of the buck as it was now or never as I settled the was protruding from the ground at an crosshairs on the buck. At the shot the odd angle. I couldn’t believe what had buck reared up like a horse and just transpired, by far one of the most changed direction, I shot again and Amy Volkman took this doe with bow and arrow to qualify for Earn-A-Buck in 2006, then exciting encounters I have ever had heard the bullet hit home. The buck chased tremendous bucks with husband John Volkman in suburban Fox Valley country. while hunting whitetails. I told Amy to disappeared from the scope. let it all soak in since she may never After waiting a few minutes, I experience anything like that again. called Amy and told her what had before my trip to Canada. On the way we continued to inch closer; 20 After my return from Alberta, I happened. I had her come down to the back to the house I spotted a buck in the yards…19...18...17...16. At 15 yards, I was was excited to learn that the heavy field while I stayed in the stand and standing corn. When I raised my binos I about to come out of my skin. I couldn’t beamed buck was spotted on opening directed her to the location I last saw instantly realized it was the heavy believe we actually were able to get so morning of the Wisconsin gun season the buck. When I heard a whoop from beamed buck guarding a doe. I ran back close. He had absolutely no idea we were heading into the same corn field where her direction I knew she had found the to the house and told my wife to grab her buck. I couldn’t believe after all the bow. We both threw on snow camo and close calls the buck was finally ours! hurried to the other end of the 90-acre Whether you hunt the Northwoods, cornfield to get the wind in our favor. “I couldn’t believe what had just transpired, farm country or even on the edge of The initial 200 yards of the stalk suburbia, whitetails are where you find went fast as we moved closer to where I by far one of the most exciting encounters I have them. When you do, you will also find last saw the buck. At one point we had ever had while hunting whitetails...” an addiction that only gets worse with another smaller buck at less than 10 each and every encounter. It’s something yards. He moved on without spotting us I’m sure I’ll never get over. and shortly after, I spotted “our” buck Just ask my wife. standing over a doe very close to where I there and was completely focused on the our stalk had taken place. On had seen him a half-hour earlier. Moving doe bedded beneath him. Thanksgiving morning, I was perched John Volkman of Neenah, Wisconsin is an at a snail’s pace, inches at a time, Amy Since he was standing one corn row in the same stand I had spotted the buck outdoor/hunting product manufacturers and I moved to within 40 yards of the to our right and Amy still could not get a during archery season, this time with sales rep for Mike Wiek Sales, covering buck. Amy was having trouble picking clear shot at his vitals, I whispered to her to my slug gun in hand. I watched a 2-1/2 Wisconsin. He is a three time Wisconsin goose him out; he was standing in a large weed get ready; I was going to blow on my grunt year-old eight-point check scrapes at calling champion, avid waterfowler, fish- patch inside the corn. We moved even call and did not know how he would react. first light while wondering if I would erman and big game hunter. Contact him at closer and I ranged him at 25 yards. With When the buck heard the grunt he turned ever see the cornfield buck again. [email protected]. Amy still unable to make out his vitals his head toward us for a moment and then At 7:30 I caught movement out of 20 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Deer Facts On North America’s Most Common Big Game Animal

By Jeff Peters  Scent glands are located between the two parts of the hoof on all four feet, metatarsal glands on the he white-tailed deer is the most outside of each hind leg, and a plentiful big-game animal in T larger tarsal gland on the inside of North America. Their range extends each hind leg at the hock. These from southern Canada all the way scents identify individual deer and through the United States and Central mark a deer’s territory. America to Bolivia.  During breeding season bucks  Male deer grow new antlers each mark their territories with scrapes year. Antlers grow quickly, but stay (pawed areas on the ground) and soft and tender until late summer rubs (areas on trees where the bark and are covered with a fuzzy skin has been rubbed off by a buck’s called velvet. Bucks scrape against antlers). They mate with several trees to remove the velvet and does within the territory and often expose the sharp points, called tines. use their hooves and antlers to  Young bucks grow small antlers drive off other bucks. with usually 2 points and older  Deer have good eyesight and acute deer grow larger antlers with 6 or hearing, but they depend largely more tines or points. on their keen sense of smell to  A deer’s hoof is divided into 2 detect danger in their outdoor segments and spreads like 2 environment. fingers for greater flotation in  A deer’s hollow hair – along with a muddy or swampy areas. Deer thick layer of under fur – provides also use their hooves to dig insulation and protection against Don't look at the rack... through snow for food – nuts and snow, wind and water, keeping the crosshairs on the vitals. plants – and for combat. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 21

night. They typically bed down at crabapple, American plum… noon and rarely bed in the exact  A deer can rotate its ears to focus same place. on a particular sound. They can  The lifespan of a whitetail is 11 to also alert other deer of danger with 12 years (17 to 20 years in a simple flick of their ear(s). captivity), but most deer never live  Everyone knows the whitetail gets that long. In heavily hunted areas, its name from its 12 to 15 inch long many deer are harvested within tail, which is brown on the outside months after birth. and white underneath. They raise  Antlers are the fastest-growing their tail straight in the air – called tissue in the animal world, “flagging” – if they detect danger. growing an average of one to two  Studies have found that deer are inches a week in the spring and 4,000 to 10,000 times more sensi- summer. The velvet on a growing tive to smell than humans. They set of antlers contains blood have millions of receptors in their vessels and nerve endings. noses and they can differentiate  The deer family is the only species between six odors at one time. in the world to grow antlers.  In order to regulate their body Antlers are often mistaken for temperature, a deer grows a different horns, but horns are permanent coat in the summer and winter. This and antlers fall off each year. process is called molting and is trig-  Antler size is mainly determined gered by hormonal changes regu- by genetics and nutrition. Good lated by the changing seasons. genetics and good nutrition combine for larger racks.  A buck may lose 30 percent of his body weight during rut – from chasing does, breeding and chal- lenging other bucks.  Favorite wild deer foods include yellow sweet clover, wintergreen, red clover, smooth sumac, moun- tain ash, poplar, quaking aspen, cucumber tree, red alder, dande- Don't try to slap this whole lion, acorns, nuts, berries, boy on a bun.

deer warm and dry in extreme Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, cold conditions. Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and  Deer are herbivores – eating an South Carolina. assortment of plants, nuts, fruits  North America’s whitetail popula- and farm crops (including tion is estimated at 20-25 million gardens) where available. In the and is the most popular game winter they eat the twigs of animal in the United States, various trees and shrubs. pursued by about 11 million  White-tailed deer breed once a year hunters each fall. from October to December. Does  Deer were an integral part of the lives give birth to an average of two of the indigenous people of North fawns the following spring. Young America. Venison made up a large males leave their mother after one part of their diet, and the deer hides year, but females often stay with were used for clothing, rugs, blan- their mother for two years. kets, shoes and much more. They  Fawns weigh four to eight pounds also fashioned various tools and at birth and have a reddish-brown jewelry out of the antlers and bones. coat with white spots. They move  Unregulated market hunting in the very little the first few weeks, late 1800’s reduced the whitetail relying on their natural camou- population to an all-time low of flage and nearly scentless condi- about 500,000 in the U.S. In 1900, tion to escape predators. the Lacy Act – the first federal  There are 38 subspecies of white- wildlife law – was enacted tail (odocoileus virginianus) in prohibiting the interstate traf- North, Central and South America. ficking of venison and other wild Sixteen of these species are found game, and the whitetail population in the United States and Canada. rebounded fairly quickly. Subspecies are distinguished by  In 1908, 41 states established their geographic location, body size, own departments of conservation, coloration, antler growth, and furthering the protection and physiological, biochemical, and management of deer in the United behavioral differences. States.  The whitetail is the official state  Although they are not completely mammal in Wisconsin, Arkansas, nocturnal, whitetails, especially Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, mature bucks, are very active at 22 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Favorite Venison Recipes

From Field To Table Fare MISSY’S EASY VENISON STEW 2 pounds venison stew meat DARLA’S MARINATED VENISON 6 peeled potatoes 1 pound venison cubes 6 large carrots 1 bottle beer VENISON STEW IN A PUMPKIN 1 medium onion 1/2 cup soy sauce Salt and pepper 1 10 to 20 pound pumpkin Dash of Worcestershire Dash of paprika 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1 packet onion soup mix 3 pounds cubed venison 2 cloves garlic Pinch of cloves 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil 2 onions 4-5 carrots Combine all the ingredients and pour Brown the venison in pan or skillet and then place in a slow cooker. Cut the vegetables into Enough water to cover stew 2 bay leaves 6 potatoes over the venison cubes. Marinate in a bit size pieces and add to slow cooker. Sprinkle onion soup mix over the top and salt and Juice of 1/2 lemon Salt and pepper 3 stalks of celery closed container overnight in refriger- pepper to taste. Cover with water and cook for 5 hours on low heat. Thicken gravy with ator. String venison cubes on wooden flour if necessary. – Missy Wiener, Ashland County, Wis. Cut the top off the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and clean the inside, place on a skewers and grill until done. – Darla cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour until just tender. Use a skillet to Waite, Mercer, Wis. brown the venison in oil; add water to cover meat; add garlic, onions and seasonings; cover and simmer over very low heat until tender. Add the chopped vegetables and continue to simmer for 20 – 30 minutes until vegetables are tender. If needed, thicken the stew with MIKE’S VENISON TENDERLOINS MONICA’S STEAK DIANE flour. Pour the stew into the pumpkin, cover with the pumpkin top and bake at 350 2 venison tenderloins 1/2 large onion, sliced 2 cans cream of chicken soup degrees for about 30 minutes. – Caryn Rieb, Ashland County, Wis. Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper 2 bay leaves 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1/4 cup olive oil 2 cups dry red wine (divided) 1 package Lipton Onion Soup mix 2 garlic gloves, minced Salt and pepper to taste 2 pounds venison

DAVID’S VENISON MARINADE Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees; roll tenderloins in salt and pepper; heat ? cup olive oil in Brown the venison – cubes, steak strips sauté pan or skillet on high heat and then sear tenderloins 1 to 2 minutes per side. Add 1 or slices – in a pan and place in a crock 2 pounds venison steaks or chops 3/4 cup orange juice cup of wine and simmer over high heat until the alcohol cooks off. Add garlic, onion and bay pot with the above mixed ingredients. You cut into 1 inch cubes 1/4 cup lemon juice leaves. Place the pan in oven and cook 10 to 15 minutes depending on how well done can add mushrooms and onions to taste, 1 medium chopped onion 3/4 cup olive oil you want the tenderloins. Remove pan from oven and set tenderloins aside on a cutting if desired. The gravy can be thinned with 1 clove minced garlic 3 teaspoons soy sauce board to rest. Add the remaining wine to pan (remove the bay leaves) and bring to a boil. beef broth to the desired texture. Cook Stir with a wooden spoon, making sure to loosen any bits of onion and garlic from the on low heat throughout the day. The Blend all the ingredients and marinate the venison for 6 or more hours in the refrig- bottom of the pan. Simmer on medium heat until liquid reduces and a nice sauce develops. longer you cook, the more tender the erator. Skewer venison cubes and grill on low heat. Baste with marinade and sprinkle Slice tenderloins into ? medallions and pour sauce over the top or serve the sauce meat. Serve over rice, noodles, or pota- on the side. – Mike Brecke, Door County, Wis.. toes. – Monica Bigo, Ashland, Wis. with garlic salt while grilling. – David George, Town of Morse, Wis. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 23 Weather Or Not Mother Nature Biggest Factor In Cumulative Deer Harvest Numbers

By Debbie Munson Badini down into the 20s, Warnke said — and snow is on the ground to aid with THE 2007 RIFLE DEER tracking, hunters can expect harvest ith a surprise cold snap leaving a SEASON DATES ARE numbers to meet, if not exceed, last year’s AS FOLLOWS Wdusting of snow on the ground opening weekend tally of nearly 170,000 in northern Wisconsin, the 2007 archery deer. Regular Gun — Nov. 17-25 deer season opened September 15 with “Yeah, if those are the [weather] Late Gun (CWD units) — Nov. 17-Dec. 9 reports of success from across the state. conditions opening day, with an esti- “So far, so good,” said Department mated 1.8 million deer in the state, you Muzzleloader — Nov. 26-Dec. 5 of Natural Resources deer ecologist can be guaranteed a good gun season,” Statewide antlerless — Dec. 6-9 Keith Warnke, adding that harvest tags he said enthusiastically. were being filled at a “brisk pace” But with no way to guarantee the during the first few weeks of the season, will be recovering from the confusion right weather conditions, Warnke of the rut and transitioning from their despite temperatures that rose back into stressed that the only reliable way for the 80s after the initial cold weather. fall feeding patterns to their winter hunters to fill their tags is to put time ones -- which vary depending on “People are out there hunting at into scouting or developing good typical numbers and we have had region throughout the state. The only Debbie Munson Badini contacts near where they hunt. way to discover where the deer are higher than normal [harvest reports] “The major predictor of success is especially in the Earn-A-Buck units,” transitioning to, Warnke said, is to talked to are raring to go…and I am, too.” scouting, not having Keith Warnke tell spend the time scouting. Warnke said. “That first weekend was you that there are millions of deer in nice and cold, resulting in good deer THE BIG BUT And if all else fails and scouting the state,” he explained with a chuckle. regularly before the season is not a movement. After that, hunting was But whether or not good harvest “The key is to be out there to see what probably limited somewhat by the possibility, the best medicine is to get numbers during the first few weeks of has changed with deer behavior and up to deer camp on Friday and take a warm weather and the tremendous bow hunting translates to success for movement since you were last out, crop of mosquitoes we got after the long walk through the woods, hunters during November’s nine-day because once the rut happens, the deer observing sign, food sources and where heavy rains. Those mosquitoes were rifle season will again depend on some are in a major transitional time and probably the only atypical thing about the deer are moving, he advised. help from Mother Nature. everything gets screwed up.” Or, hunters can save their time and the season so far besides the snow.” “Given a consistent season struc- Though Warnke said he personally THE BEST MEDICINE simply rely on the Farmers’ Almanac to ture...typically if there is a high early guide their opening day strategies. hasn’t been out in the deer stand yet, he For example, one of the worst archery harvest, there will be a strong “I had somebody predicting that has been spending a good amount of things hunters can do is expect that deer gun season,” Warnke explained. “But it’s going to be an early rut this year, time in the woods pulling double duty will be working the same travel routes there is one great caveat with that, because their sheep were already in grouse hunting and scouting. From and heading to the same feeding areas in because the rifle season is just way too heat,” Warnke said, laughing. “So, you what he has seen, he said he is looking November as they did during the early short and it’s totally influenced by the can take that for what it’s worth.” forward to a promising rifle season. weather. If we have terrible weather archery season, Warnke said, adding that “When I have been out scouting in during the opening weekend, the gun “where they were in September and central Wisconsin, deer sign has been kill is going to suffer. That’s the big but.” October is probably not where they are Debbie Munson Badini is a writer and really heavy even in areas where deer Meaning, if the weather on the gun going to be in November.” photographer based in Marquette, Mich. density isn’t usually that high, and it opener is cold enough to encourage deer While acorns may have been the Contact her at debbie.munson.badini@ appears that the fawn crop was really movement during the day — at least big draw in October, in November deer gmail.com. strong,” he said. “The hunters I have Ghost, Man Or Hoax? What’s on your night camera?

By Dick Ellis After Foss emphatically camera that triggers on infrared denied playing with the photo, I heat motion. I can walk by the waited one day and thinking his camera 100 times and it will take a fter covering a bear hunting hoax was on me, attempted to flush very clear photo of me. Whatever it Astory in Lake Superior my friend out. “Mike,” I wrote, “I is, you can see through it. And I wilderness country near Washburn, have a connection with a national will swear on my father’s grave I received a cuddeback photo from television network. They want to that I never touched it.” Guide Mike Foss; an eerie night interview you but they need to If you are the ghost man, give us image of what seems to be a man evaluate the photo and camera a call. On second thought, call Mike. walking through the forest passed first.” If you’re not, what’s on your night Foss’s bait pile. But, to some, you “I’m ready for them,” he said. camera? We want to see the good, the can see through this image. “Spooky heh? That is a no-flash bad…and the Caspers. 24 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Cubs Corner Young Deer Hunters Need Comfort And Fun

By Tom Carpenter makes me sound like an old coot, but Take them scouting. Make the young creepers and downy woodpeckers I’m not quite (yet). There is just a hunter a part of the preparation and plan- working the woods. Make the hunt about different reality today. Kids are ning. Get out for a small game hunt on the something more than killing a deer. hen I think back to my first different — not better or worse, just land you’ll be deer hunting. Look for Be a coach. Young hunters need W Wisconsin deer hunts, a full different — and we have to take a little whitetail trails and whitetail. Show the guidance. Be there for those high-pressure generation ago now, it is in some ways more care when easing them into a young hunter the stand you’ll be using. moments when a deer appears and a shot a wonder that I came back for more. pursuit as demanding as deer hunting. Better yet, have them help choose the site. is imminent. A few soft whispers won’t Part of my persistence can surely The key is very simple and Plan secondary strategies together. hurt anything and will help everything as be attributed to sheer Bohemian straightforward: In every aspect of the Make the hunt about them. Consider the young hunter prepares to shoot. cussedness. Armed with a single-shot hunt, consider and plan for the comfort leaving your own rifle or shotgun at Misses are okay! Never judge or 12-guage and the burning desire to level of the young hunter and the fun home or camp. Concentrate on the young berate a miss. Misses just happen. shoot a deer, I probably would have they will be having. If you make deci- hunter. Be there with them, helping them There will be other opportunities. hiked from Lafayette County to sions around this base, you have an through the questions they will have. Assure the young hunter that missing Superior and back if it meant putting excellent chance of hooking that young- You’ve shot a lot of deer of your own, and is part of the game, and that learning my tag on a whitetail. ster as a hunting partner for life. That will have plenty more chances. from a muffed shot is a necessary step The first year, it rained. And rained. should be your bottom line. Hunt for short periods. Most adults toward their first (or next) deer. And rained. And we sat out there for With that goal in mind, here are have a hard time sitting still … imagine Involve them in the success. Good, almost all of it. Each day at noon we’d ten smart ideas to implement as you how hard it is for a kid of 12, 14 or 16! solid kills are actually more likely than drive into the laundromat in Belmont, take that young sportsperson along for Plan your day around short sits of a a miss. Young hunters are patient and peel almost everything off, throw the the hunt. couple hours at the days’ most produc- excellent shooters. Have that young drenched clothes in a dryer, watch the Practice shooting. Kids take the tive times (early morning, around noon, hunter approach their kill with you at small-town world go by outside until responsibility of making a clean kill and late afternoon). Take relaxing their side. Treat the moment with rever- everything was dry, then go out and seriously. So get the out to the range a breaks in between, in town or at camp. ence, respect and happiness all rolled brave the elements again. After three few times and build their shooting Eat and drink plenty. Food and drink into one. Let the novice do the field days (who can remember the three-day confidence. Focus on the easy 25- to 50- go a long way toward any young hunter’s dressing, or at least participate. season in southern Wisconsin?), even I and possibly 75-yard shots that are the enjoyment. Don’t feed them garbage! Deer or not, celebrate the hunt. was happy to be done. bread-and-butter of Wisconsin white- Granola bars, fruit, cheese, jerky, a sand- Base the success of any hunt on time The next year, another Wisconsin tail shooting. Don’t worry about long- wich, juice … they’re all so much better spent together as family (or friends), weather personality showed up: Bone- range pokes. than high-sugar candy and pop. A and not dead deer. numbing November cold. A big fat zero Spend on quality clothes and thermos of hot chocolate also does The simplicity of taking a young on opening morning, and not much footwear that fit. Proper gear pays for wonders for the attitude of a young hunter hunter deer hunting bears repeating: more on the following two. My discount itself in comfort, warmth and attitude. on stand, in a blind or taking a break. Make sure they’re comfortable and store boots cracked in bitter air, but I With so many miracle fabrics available Enjoy, and laugh. Take joy in the having fun. And if you need any further definitely preferred the cold to the rain. today, along with excellent boots, parade of nature you’re certain to see. reason to sacrifice a little and do it right, Somehow, I don’t think many of there’s no reason to skimp and let a Geese or sandhill cranes migrating over- think about this: Consider it in an invest- today’s kids would have gotten young hunter suffer. Pay special atten- head. Squirrels playing. Weasels hunting. ment in who might or might not be taking through it, or wanted to go again. That tion to good gloves and handwarmers. Mixed flocks of chickadees, nuthatches, you hunting when you’re old. Badger Birds The Black-Capped Chickadee

By Tom Carpenter hunter has had a lonely day brightened Attract nesting chickadees with a by a visit from a gang of chickadees. small nest box offering a 1-1/8-inch-diam- Listen for buzzing chicka-dee-dee- eter hole. The birds will furnish bark ew birds are as familiar or beloved dee calls as a feeding flock works pieces, plant down, moss, fur and feathers F as the black-capped chickadee. A through the trees and bushes. In late to make a cushiony home inside for eggs tiny and handsome package of feath- winter and spring, listen for the high- and nestlings. Hang the box in autumn so ered energy, chickadees grace wood- low fee-bee call the birds make as they it’s available for investigation all winter, lands, thickets, field edges, yards and establish nesting territories. and immediate spring occupancy. gardens year-round. “Understated yet Feed chickadees black-oil Did you know that to conserve classy” describes the chickadee’s feath- sunflower seed. Any type of seed precious energy, a chickadee’s heart- ered finery — black bib and cap framing feeder will do! beat and metabolism slow almost to a bright white cheeks, and a steely-gray Save the fat trimmings from any standstill on frigid winter nights back blending into delicate buff-and- deer you butcher, put it in a suet cage cream underparts. Chickadee acrobatics and hang from a tree limb or feeder Native son Tom Carpenter watches birds are fun to watch as the birds flit, cling, pole arm. Chickadees love eating “the across the country, and writes about the swing, hang and contort to glean real thing” and will go crazy for it. insects, larvae and seeds. Many a deer Terrill Knaack's sketch of a chickadee avian world for many publications. On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 25 A Blue Christmas Unexpected Gift Makes Another Memory

By Dick Ellis On the eve of the Eve of air nearby (not necessarily pushed by Christmas, the gift arrived. There was man or dog). But a cold wind worked on no UPS or US Postal Service truck Blue and he worked into it like ometimes the biggest gifts come in delivery. No COD. No wrapping. Just yesterday. Scent turned him wild, and the smallest packages, or they’re not S the same old, small package: 48 for one afternoon, time could not hinder wrapped at all. I knew that 15 years ago, pounds, tan fur, blue eyes, who himself an old dog who knew where that smell when a blue-eyed starving puppy for so many seasons had been money in would lead. Over four hours, one walked out of a Milwaukee alley on a the bank in the Wisconsin tall grass— rooster fell, then another, then another cold December morning to take a place delivery guaranteed. on frantic chases from 50 to 200 yards next to me in a thousand pheasant fields. A south wind hit Blue in our yard lasting from five to 15 minutes. Blue was I knew that 13 years ago, when the doctor as we walked again in front of a 14th strong, stable, in charge. We were simply handed me a tiny bundle of girl that at six Christmas and his nose turned to work the caboose on his engine; our shotgun pounds, 11 ounces still weighed more it. His Dingo stalk had a purpose to it reports simply his reward. than any other responsibility one new again; no doubt, a mingling of some I knocked a fourth rooster down father had ever carried before. wild scent on the wind and a dose of that fell into a brush-shrouded fence- Sometimes the gift is so unexpected; morning aspirin, and his eyes worked line and was gone. Unacceptable it’s also the best. Blue, the tan-haired cross the woodline. His nose led him to those numbers of hit but unrecovered game of perhaps husky and lab has earned the trees and he used the breezes until we would be the only factor that could family nickname “Dingo” in the field both saw the stray cat scamper that ever make me consider not hunting. because of his appearance and his fast Blue knew was there, unseen from 50 Many a long tailed wild rooster have With Blue, that has never been a evolution to tenacious hunter. In 2005, wild yards. Blue turned to me, tail slowly fallen to the instincts and desire of a problem. This was a runner, and 30 roosters were still no match for this savvy wagging, head cocked and then blue-eyed mongrel saved from the big minutes later, Blue still had the scent predator with his tremendous nose and no- whined the familiar whine of the dog city by an outdoor writer. but no rooster. He pressed the chase surrender attitude that would press even hoping this day was a day to hunt. hundreds of yards before locking up in the most determined ground-bound I called my brother John Ellis of to the Rock County farm, to hunt wild his bizarre mongrel point over what we runner to take eventual flight in front of the Muskego and told him that I needed to roosters that have taken hold in southern knew was the bird. It was over. scatterguns. Blue in ‘06 had surrendered play a hunch. We needed to go to Wisconsin since the state planted proper At home that evening, there were considerably to age and injury. Wisconsin’s wild pheasant country and cover for nesting and protection from dues to pay for a four hour gift. I heard Two ACL injuries and surgeries I did not care if it was Grant County, or predation and planted wild strains of Blue pacing the wooden floor in the over three years takes its toll. Last fall, Green, or Lafayette, or Rock or pheasants to prime the pump many wee hours, the pain of his old body not we had settled into a routine of visiting Jefferson or to the north and east of us years ago. We hunt the property like allowing him to lie down or sleep. I the fields where Blue had excelled for toward Winnebago. We’ve played them other properties scattered across joined him, and a little more food and well more than a decade simply to walk all successfully behind Blue. Wisconsin but we leave Kay a Christmas another aspirin helped. He cried together. The few wild pheasants that We ended up on a Rock County gift of appreciation. Last year, we trav- initially as my hands worked over the did flush under Blue’s nose were also paradise. When Blue wasn’t yet one eled back several times, just to spend bones of his back and legs, robbed of under the best of circumstances; scent year old and neither Blue nor I were time together in the field and to see Kay. muscle now by time and atrophy. But found outside standing corn or on the white-muzzled or gray-haired, we had In 2006, unlike all of the other he leaned into me and let me know it edge of the soybeans. There was still the pulled into a farmyard after driving years, Blue and I never took a wild bird was also just what the doctor ordered. occasional “birdie” behavior on scent aimlessly seeking permission to hunt from the tall grass. Time eventually When Soldier Blue could lie down, but balance was a problem in the heavy despite the orange “No Hunting” signs ends all great runs. That’s okay. I was he would sleep the next day away. I brush. There was no fanatical rush of a that should have already given us our wanting for nothing. went back to bed myself with the dog frenzied on the smell of pheasant answer. There we met Kay, a widow On this eve of the Eve of Christmas, Dingo in another world, dreaming the that might last for 10 minutes and 200 with grown children who welcomed Blue started slow. Ninety minutes of dreams of the hunting dog. yards until the rooster at last tried the Blue and I, two blue-eyed mongrels. work showed us a lone rooster flushing “Thanks for the gift, Blue,” I said. skies as a last chance for escape. We travel back usually once a year far ahead and a hen which took to the “It was just what I wanted.” 26 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors A Hat Trick Guide, Artist, Television Host Captures Wisconsin’s Outdoors

By Terry Bitz where he received a number of awards. cially his penciling reveals what sets his Upon graduation, he attended outdoor art work apart from many Viterbo College in La Crosse, WI, where others. It’s the attention to details. im Tostrud wears quite a few hats he went on to earn a BA in Teaching Any person who has spent time J when it comes to his love for the and a BA in Business. looking at various outdoor art can testify outdoors. Tostrud did some teaching for a time that often times a bird or especially a deer Many in Kenosha County know and also worked as an illustrator before just doesn’t look “right.” Tostrud spends a “JT” from his Wildlife Visions TV show moving back to Kenosha and taking a job lot of time working to make sure the that has run on the Time Warner Cable working in construction during the animals dimensions are in proper propor- access channel for six years. He is also a summer. During the winter months he tion so that they look like the real thing. well known local fishing guide, skilled would attend outdoor shows where he A recently completed penciled work hunter and occasional writer. would sell his art. It was at these shows of a wild turkey his son shot showed What may not be apparent to many that he made a name for himself with his extreme details down to the leaves and is that this Kenosha resident is also an black and white artwork. underbrush that the bird was standing accomplished artist, especially one that A couple of years ago, Tostrud quit in. Such details mean that Tostrud now focuses on capturing animals and his stable construction job to focus spends anywhere from 50 to 100 hours to fish in their natural habitat. He is as likely completely on his art, guiding and finish a penciled drawing; whereas a to be armed with a notepad for sketching various media work. painting may take him 20 hours. when on a hunt as he is a firearm or bow. One of the first things he did after “Pencil work is my favorite. “I am a great observer of what God quitting that job was to take on the task of A Jim Tostrud original hangs on his Kenosha However, people don’t realize how has given us,” said Tostrud. heading up a team to paint a huge mural studio wall next to the impressive results of much time it takes,” said Tostrud. His love for art was fostered at a in the new children’s auditorium at his two hunting trips. People may not realize how much young age as artistic talent clearly runs church, Kenosha First Assembly of God. time it takes to produce good penciled in his family. At more than 250 feet long and over 20 and photography mixed in with a art, but they can certainly appreciate “When I was a kid, both my uncle feet high, the mural was a big project that number of fish and game mounts. the results. and brother were really good artists required months of work. The timing of Though he does sell his art to indi- Contact Jim Tostrud at 262-496- and I wanted to be as good as them,” his transition out of construction was viduals, his work is also used and 5178 for more information on his art or said Tostrud. “I credit my mom though fortuitous in that he would not have been featured in a variety of places from maga- guiding service. His website is for me being an artist. She hung large able to tackle such a large project if he zine covers and beer cans to adorning www.wildlifevisions.net. pieces of paper up on my bedroom wall was still working at his previous job. clothing lines from outdoor companies. and let me draw on it.” A visit to Tostrud’s studio where Tostrud’s outdoor work has earned Terry Bitz is a freelance writer who resides With the foundation being laid in he also edits his TV show revealed an him recognition from various places in Pleasant Prairie, WI. He can be the home environment, his artistic skills artist who has been prolific over the including being twice named National contacted at [email protected]. His website further developed while attending years with penciled works, paintings Artist of the Year by Whitetails Bradford High School in Kenosha Unlimited. One look at his work espe- is www.outdoorconvergence.com. Game Warden Decoys The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

By Duane Harpster decoys extensively in my career, espe- address unethical hunting across away, only to return, leave and return cially deer decoys. In Boulder Junction, Wisconsin and greatly reduce viola- again. Finally, the wardens contacted shooting deer from roads on both tions. him, intending to inform him that it lthough game wardens have used private and public property was a While working decoys, wardens was not a real deer. Before they could Adecoys for many years, they only serious problem, so we used deer were treated to a front row seat as say a word, he told them there was an came “out of the closet” in the early decoys to successfully address the situ- people either did the right or wrong injured deer on private property. He 1980’s. The use of decoys allows ation. I utilized a “summer” red-coated thing. There are enough decoy stories was glad to see the wardens, he said, wardens to control the scene of viola- deer to work summer deer shining, and to fill a book. Here are several to because they might be able to find the tions and address serious violation to address numerous complaints of demonstrate the good, the bad and the landowner and put the animal out of its problems. Decoying works very well to illegal hunting by tribal members in ugly behavior of humans. misery. He had not been able to locate combat shooting from the road, or early September. I was also fortunate to the landowner. vehicle complaints which often involve know Dan Cardinal, a long time Special THE GOOD trespassing on private land. These Warden in Vilas County, who modified When some hunter observed a THE ENTERTAINING “road hunting” violations give hunters my decoys so their heads and tails decoy placed in the lying down posi- When a couple spotted the decoy a black eye with the public and can moved. I believe Dan was the first tion, the wardens watched as he got out and took numerous photos before cause landowners to refuse ethical person in Wisconsin to make a remote- of his truck, stood on the road and leaving, unaware that it wasn’t a real hunters access to these private lands. operated deer decoy. His efforts looked at the “deer” while whistling I used grouse, pheasant and deer enabled wardens to successfully and clapping his hands. He then drove Continued on page 26 On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 27 The Big Lie Buyer Beware When Purchasing Wisconsin Lake Property By Pat Clark reservoirs. It’s not right to call these or an environmental group, no one relates to the creatures and botany that “lakes” when the same name identifies the has had the courage to do battle occupied these dammed up areas. real Lakes (Lake Geneva or Green Lake). in court over this ongoing These creations for the most are f you are thinking of buying a home Think of the uniformed folks fraud. Certainly the locals, those listed on State and Ifor retirement or just for a weekend coming with their hard earned money who tend to be ecologi- Federal endangered and getaway on a Wisconsin lake, think to buy a home “up north” only to find cally ignorant, actually threatened species lists. again. There’s a decades old lie you out that what they bought wasn’t really think the big lie is justi- Restore them to their better become familiar with; some what they thought. These unfortunate fiable. We need to original intent and you “lakes” in Wisconsin are really not lakes. people have and will continue to fall protect our property have a lesson in ethics Now the local realtor isn’t going to victim to the big lie. values. In other for the world. inform you of this (they need a commis- These dammed up rivers and words, when it’s If you already live sion). Most “locals” don’t want you to creeks were doomed from their begin- time to sell our on one of these man know either (misery loves company). ning in the mid and late 1800’s. Most property on this made black eyes, and Here are some recent comments by dams were put in to support the young fake lake, we need are content with your my new neighbors who moved to industrial machines of Wisconsin. Now the big lie to help fake lake, you cannot Wisconsin to retire on Beaver Dam “lake.” that the machines are gone to the recy- us sell our home to be called a sportsman What is the blue and white garbage in the cling heap or have moved to China, the the next suckers or the much-abused water? Why can’t I catch anything but “millpond lakes” are recreational who think this is a title of conservationist. bullheads and carp? Why is there such a “lakes.” The areas that are impounded real lake. The A sportsman only high turnover in home sales sold around by the dams were, for the most part, a Department of allows fair chase, under here? Nobody told us that this “lake” is river channel and a riverine wetland Natural Resources fair conditions and is just a dammed up river. How can they ecosystem (a marsh). In other words, won’t inform anyone done under real environ- call this a lake, when it really isn’t a lake? the property you might purchase sits either. They need the ments. If you’re content, These victims of the big lie happen adjacent to a marsh with too much revenues from the for example, filling the to be recent new property owners on water on it. The bottom of the marsh boating and fishing freezer with hatchery raised Beaver Dam “lake” in Dodge County, that sits in front of you is marsh bottom crowd. They’re not really fish, you’ve lost your soul. If which isn’t really a lake, by the way. It’s (muck). What is wrong with a marsh interested in ecology, but only you lie about staring out the the cash flow that the big lie window at the blue-green algae provides. water watching carp jump, you’re What is on the horizon for the “big already ecologically dead. If you watch “Whether it’s an honest politician, an angry homebuyer lie?” People are becoming educated the rain fill your basement, because of or an environmental group, no one has had the courage about our man-made disasters. the dam down river, then curse the Lord Environmental issues are finally getting above for His flood, you're blind and to do battle in court over this ongoing fraud...” the world’s attention. Wetlands are ignorant. becoming accepted as necessary func- When President Reagan stood at tions of nature. If you want clean water, the Berlin Wall and proclaimed “Mr. bottom? Nothing. Other than God clean air, more wildlife, more hunting, Gorbochov tear down this wall,” a dammed up creek with 6,500 acres of made it a marsh bottom. That muck and a simple way to fight global freedom smiled upon the world and it wetlands under water. If you are bottom will give you some guarantees; warming, draining these sewers and was the start of great things in Eastern thinking of purchasing your dream it will have huge summer algae replacing them with vegetation to absorb Europe. “Mr. Doyle, tear down these getaway on the following artificial blooms, limited success at sustaining a pollutants like CO2 is a natural start. dams.” It will be the start of great “lakes,” think real hard again: Beaver fishery, is subject to flooding basements Another argument for fixing these things in our own back yards. Dam “lake”, “lake” Puckaway, “lake” in the event of heavy rain, and smell. problems is pure ethics. If you’re reli- Koshkonong, Petenwell “lake”, Castle What is truly surprising about the gious or not, we created these dammed Pat Clark is author of “Observation from Rock “lake”, or “lake” Sinissippi. big lie concerning “lakes” is that no one up nightmares, not nature or God. We a Wisconsin Prairie.” To order the book go These dammed up, man-made disas- has ever challenged it. Whether it’s an are not God. If you believe we are then to www.author house.com. ters are really impoundments, flowages or honest politician, an angry homebuyer we’ve got bigger problems. Ethics also

Game Warden Decoys... (Continued from page 25) deer, I asked the warden working the had just watched a television program THE UGLY There are strong opinions about the remote why he hadn’t contacted the about warden decoys and they do After a decoy was placed off of a use of decoys, both pro and con. What I couple to send them on their way. move on. The passenger though, county highway on private land at believe with certainty is that the judi- “They were enjoying it so much,” he readied his bow and again stated his night during the deer gun season, a cious use of decoys in Wisconsin has said. “I just couldn’t disillusion them.” intention to shoot the real deer. The vehicle with a father and his two, adult reduced illegal and unethical hunting driver surrendered the argument but violations that give hunters a black eye. THE BAD sons shined and then shot the decoy drove on to leave the shooter standing twice before fleeing to hide their And that… is a good thing! When two bow-hunters spotted a in the road. The violator then drew and blacked-out van behind a home under decoy and the driver stated his belief shot twice before being apprehended. construction. All three had been that it was a decoy, the passenger Duane Harpster is a retired Wisconsin When the wardens stopped the driver, involved previously in numerous fish refused to believe that the moving deer Conservation Warden. he asked if he really had to go back for and game violations. wasn’t real. The driver insisted that he his buddy. 28 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors When Santa Packed A BB Gun Joy Settled Over The Gatewood Gang

By Dick Ellis into the holding tube for an ultra-fast, wire trying to figure out what all the place again in seconds. With the lone fully-loaded piece. The lone drawback crying was about. exception of the time Chucky Albrecht to the endloader was that for each ounce It was summer before I was offi- got caught in the barb wire. There was he year 2005 made the eighteenth of ammo BBs, the tube also took on a cially caught and charged, parentally nothing pristine about that noise. T consecutive week of Christmas half-ounce of genuine fifth-grade gob. speaking, with irresponsible use of a BB In fact, there was a six-hour rumor Eve that my little sister had called and Beaner Andersen once had his whole gun. Sam was our mutt, a half-spaniel, moving around after that that the cops asked, “Did you watch, ‘A Christmas loading tube freeze solid on a cold half-golden lab saved from the had caught Chucky and tortured him like Story’?” It seems that missing the tale February morning. Hog Hansen, on a Humane Society on an Easter morning the natives on one of the Saturday after- of Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB gun is colder February morning, once had his and a natural ally in the pheasant and noon Tarzan movies. The rumor was a mortal sin parallel to being absent tongue stick inside the little loading tube. rabbit woods. To reach the woods, the only dispelled when Chucky showed up without leave during a showing of “It’s In fact, most of it was still there when he neighborhood kids needed to pull back for game three of the triple-header. A Wonderful Life.” panicked and pulled it off when he saw the cyclone fence bordering the ceme- Anyway, after a day in the woods So, for the eighteenth consecutive Rick Miller coming with the boiling water. tery, let the dogs under, jump the fence, chasing rabbits Sam would inevitably Christmas Eve, when I answered, “No, Which, in turn sparked a whole and move quickly through the fresh bolt for his own romp in the neighbor- I haven’t seen ‘A Christmas Story’ yet,” new debate over what might be better, graves to our stomping grounds. hood after I pulled the fence back out I thought I heard the last straw settle and less expensive on Fisher’s Pond for We had watched this newest and he squeezed back under. “Sam onto the camel’s back in Patty’s living bluegills…waxies or a piece section of cemetery, behind Stop! Sam Stop!” I yelled, to no avail. room 30 miles to the west. She was on of tongue. The last I the veil of progress, There was only one logical thing to my porch a few hours later, a brand remember of take away our do in a 10-year old’s mind. I sent a tiny new tape of Ralphie and the Red Ryder that great snake- copper ball out of the end of the Spittin BB Gun in her hands. debate, Image and into Sam’s rear end. The “Here,” Patty said. “No excuses. Mike trouble was, my house was the first Watch this. This reminds me of my four house adjacent to the cemetery and my brothers when I was growing up at Dad was a self-employed engineer Christmas time.” working at home. His office window Uh-oh. This couldn’t be good. Patty’s was at the very spot on the house Christmas memories? I remembered too- where Sam spun and shrieked as the vividly duct-taping my father’s black BB found its mark with a bee-like sting. boots over the fireplace from the chimney Dad’s face pressed against the flue in a dark living room on a Christmas window as he looked at Sam, then Eve long ago, then screaming bloody looked at me. His voice took on the same murder to my five-year old sister that tone he had just after he had discovered Santa was stuck. Patty ended up prema- his boots hanging from the Chimney flue ture gray and I ended up posterior red on two years earlier and seen Patty’s white a Christmas Eve in 1966. And that was the face. “Did you shoot that dog?” he asked. year I was rewarded for being good. I looked at the Spttin Image in my hands. So with some apprehension of just I looked at Sam. I felt the sweat begin to what kind of memories Patty was bead. This was trouble, but I knew a man speaking of, I watched Ralphie work was only as good as his word. the screen to get his Red Ryder. In the “Noooo Waaaaayyyyy!” I process I was flooded with memories of Martino catching responded. how hard we who made up the was trying to fields, our Now, grounded for life may seem Gatewood (subdivision) Gang worked figure out how to sandlot diamonds, a bit harsh. But more logical thinking the real world to get our Daisy B.B. get a bunch of second and football fields until should have told me that the Daisy guns, our bows and arrows, or sling graders to put their tongues on the the land was rendered useless. Oh, we 1894 Spittin Image BB gun wasn’t that shots in the sixties and early seventies. Orchard Lane playground flagpole. hung on as long as we could. For important. Despite years of honing our After months of wearing out the Sears Anyway, my Dad handed me the example, “Herbert Brown, 1900-1966” skills as hunters there was only a few catalogue in front of my parents, my Spittin Image and then gave me the talk. was second base for four years before critters actually taken by the Gatewood personal efforts were rewarded in 1968 I was to use the airgun outside of the his wife complained when Rex Libel’s Gang. Mike Prusinski’s rabbit, Steve with the 1894 Winchester spittin image, neighborhood only, not a difficult task near-perfect hook slide took out the Ellis and Jeff Eckman brought home a lever action model Daisy BB Gun. since our neighborhood was surrounded flowers on the headstone and left a 17- pheasant, and the Leet boys occasion- The 1894 was a side-loading gem by fields, woods and ponds. And, I was inch cleat scratch over “Herbert.” ally had a bullfrog or a duck tied up in that needed to be fed slowly with copper never to point it at anyone or any living And we got almost commando- their garage as prisoner. But I did miss ammo BB by BB, but it looked really cool. thing. That was my promise, Dad like at evacuating our ball field when it. It was a harsh lesson learned, the Eventually, the owner learned to jam the reminding me as I left the house that a the cops could be seen moving through highest of dues. receiver open with a single BB and dump man was only as good as his word. the old part of the cemetery toward the There was also a moral to this story. the rest of the box in, finally retrieving the I spent 30 minutes keeping the new to break up a good-ole Saturday If you have a son, from eight to 13 years jammed BB again after loading. Joe promise. 30 minutes trying to hit the double-header. From 30 hollering kids old, punish him. At least three times a Cartwright had nothing on us. red-wing black bird on the wire. 30 in the Gatewood Gang jumping the week. Even if you don’t know what he The end-loading BB gun, on the minutes trying to resuscitate the bird. fence with bats, balls, gloves and bases did. All you have to say is, “You know other hand, didn’t look as cool but the 30 minutes crying and vowing never to (except 2nd base, which was Herbert exactly what you did young man….” savvy sixties-kid could pack his cheeks do that again. And 30 minutes trying to and which we always left behind out of And do you know what? full of BBs like a woodchuck, and then hit the sparrow that had settled on the respect) the cemetery became a pristine He will. empty his whole mouth full of ammo On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 29 Settin’ Sun? Hunting, Fishing May Not Be On Horizon

By Bill Thornley sportsmen, wild places were increasingly elderly man staring longingly at the reading books and watching TV…. lost to development and the wildlife that hills may be a glimpse of our future if ….You have to live it. lived there had disappeared. Parking lots trends continue as they are going today. And families are changing. The he elderly man stared longingly and subdivisions sprang up where Recent figures from the U.S. Fish image of father and son walking down T out at the hills he had wandered, whitetails had once rubbed the velvet and Wildlife Service show the number the old hunting trail is growing faint as deer rifle in hand, during his younger from their antlers. Shopping centers of hunters 16 and older declined by 10 millions of families are now headed by days. He had years earlier put away his replaced wetlands were geese had once percent between 1996 and 2006, drop- single parents. I was introduced to rifle and his blaze orange clothing. His hunting by my father, who had been legs would no longer allow him to walk introduced to hunting by his father. But the hills, not that it would matter much what happens when Dad isn’t there if they were stronger. “Without the funds generated by hunting, and Mom doesn’t have interest in Nobody was walking the hills the agencies that protected and managed hunting or time to devote to it? anymore. Nobody was building tree It is hunters who have traditionally stands, following the sounds of hounds natural resources also disappeared...” been most willing to give their dollars hot on a bear trail or spending autumn for wildlife conservation. If the animal evenings with a faithful old dog in a rights movement ever succeeded in duck blind. Those days were over. nested, and autumn skies grew quiet. ping from 14 million to about 12.5 doing away with hunting, who would He tried to think back, to pinpoint Without the funds generated by hunting, million. The drop was largest in New step forward to make up for the loss of just when hunting had died, but he the agencies that protected and managed England, the Rocky Mountains and the billions and billions of dollars used by really couldn’t. The sport had just grad- natural resources also disappeared, as Pacific states, which lost 400,000 state and federal governments to propa- ually faded away, the victim of declining did the numerous sportsmen’s clubs and hunters during that time span. gate wildlife and protect habitat -- participation and increasing pressures organizations that had worked so hard We are losing our connection to dollars now generated by sales of from the anti-hunting community that, for generations to keep wild places wild. field and forest. We are losing our hunting licenses, firearms, ammunition although in the minority, was extremely Fiction? Perhaps not. Saturday, common heritage and the knowledge and various hunting equipment? well-funded and aggressive in its Sept. 22 marked Hunting and Fishing and respect for wilderness that most Hunters are not alone in the trend mission to kill hunting. Day in America. Yet for sportsmen concrete dwellers can never appreciate. Without the efforts and dollars of everywhere, the news is not good. The You cannot know wilderness by Continued on page 30 30 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors

Settin Sun?... (Continued from page 29) of declining numbers. Recent figures digital camera. But what is beyond the We have read about how most to end hunting. And to stereotype all from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pretty picture? What do the majority of wildlife agencies are already operating on hunters as drunks filled with bloodlust indicate that the number of Americans these people, often just passing through a shoestring budget, how programs bene- is equally foolish. But it is the guy who who fish has dropped 15 percent, from from an urban area, understand of fiting wildlife and habitat are being forced poaches 12 deer and has beer cans 35.2 million in 1996 to 30 million in 2006. wildlife behavior? Do they know if to be cut, how there are not enough falling out of his pickup truck who The decline of sportsmen and numbers are up or down? Do they wardens in the field. What happens if makes the evening news, not the local sportswomen coincides with a 13 know if habitat is healthy and plentiful, hunting and fishing license fees dry up? Ducks Unlimited chapter that works percent increase in “wildlife watching” or in decline? I would bet that most As America becomes more urban, hard to purchase habitat so mallards in the past 10 years. Nothing wrong hunters do. We live it. We study it year- and more and more concrete covers and pintails can continue to nest. with wildlife watching. round and discuss it while leaning on once-grassy hills, the environment grows The majority of sportsmen I know In Northern Wisconsin most of us our neighbor’s tractor tire as we tip our less and less friendly toward sportsmen. are themselves all for animal rights. enjoy it every day. But it is what the stats cups of morning coffee. In this area the hunting tradition is still They and I believe wildlife should be don’t say that should concern us. While When animal rights activists strong. We are comfortable with guns, treated with respect. When we step into wildlife watchers spend about 45 billion gather in Madison each fall to protest and our kids are learning about hunting wild lands, we are filled with a sense of dollars annually, hunters and anglers the start of deer season, they seem not only from family members, but also sacred awe in the presence of all that is spend about 75 billion dollars, much of oblivious to how much gas their own through hunter education programs. around us. When we do harvest an which goes back to both game and non- SUVs and buses are using and how Groups like People for the Ethical animal, we thank God for the opportu- game species. If sportsmen went away, their own sprawling homes are Treatment of Animals (PETA) claim nity to do so. We condemn those who who would make up the difference? pushing wildlife out of prime habitat. hunting is a cruel blood sport. But to cut corners, cheat and treat wildlife less Such activities as wildlife photog- We see it in our own back yards as most people in these parts, hunting is a than respectfully. And if we never even raphy and bird watching have increased expensive homes crop up in former farm lifestyle that families and friends fire a shot, we are thankful for the in number of participants from approxi- fields and wild lands are chopped into continue to share. Yet even here in the opportunity to have hunted. mately 63 million in 1996 to more than 71 two-acre lots. Trails once walked by old- Northwest we are feeling the squeeze It is our job to be devoted enough, million last year. Again, this is great. I timers who spent hours getting away as hunting land becomes harder and to care enough about the sporting have made a semi-career out of wildlife from the nearest roads are now rutted by harder to find. Many of the old-timers lifestyle we love, to make sure those photography. But despite the devotion of the tires of ATVs whizzing up and down. are putting away their guns and the old opportunities continue to be available many, I would bet that most wildlife Land access -- or lack of it -- is an hunting camps are disappearing. Will to the next generation. watchers fall into the “drive-by” category. increasing concern as “No Trespassing” the next generation fill the void? They see a bear, deer, elk or eagle signs crop up on favorite hunting acres To paint everybody who does not Bill Thornley is an outdoor writer from near the side of the road and stop just and fishing holes of our youth. hunt and fish with a broad brush is, of Spooner. long enough to click a picture with a The world is getting smaller. course, ridiculous. They are not all out On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 31 On Wisconsin Outdoors Board of Directors

Dear Hunter Daily, How do you go about getting permission to hunt? - Bobby Mitchell, West Bend

Dear Bobby, Those who gives us permission to hunt are the sportsmen's most valuable asset. No matter if you own the finest firearms, bows and arrows or other equipment, you simply can't hunt without permission. The permission givers, hence, must be wined and dined and offered gifts of appreciation in exchange for that precious right to hunt. And after your wife does say yes, you can focus on the landowner. Hunter Daily

Dear Conibear Smith, Have you seen many changes in Wisconsin trapping over the years? - Theodore Sellers, Superior, WI Dear Teddy To answer your question....what was your question? Oh....the biggest change outside of Muskrat Mike's long underwear change in ‘42 after a five year run in the long reds was probably that the traps today are made to dispatch the critter immediately. In yesteryear, it was more like whapping than trapping. We'd wait behind a tree and whap, let's say a wolverine, on the head over a bait pile. If he didn't go down, you could be in trouble. Which reminds me, why did they draw this durn cane in my Conibear Smith character? I don't have any legs."

Dear Rex Rodsalotta, The steelhead migration is only a few months away. Any advice? - Paul Keddell, Sturgeon Bay

Dear Paul, It depends on what steelhead migration you refer to. Is it the steelhead, as in Ganaraska, Chambers Creek and Skamania strains that run up our tributaries on their spawning runs, to the delight of flyfishermen up and down the Great Lake? If so, I have found great spring fishing in the shadow of Miller Park on the Menomonee with both spawn sacs and white and black flys and on the Root in Racine. Or is it the steel- head, as in Chicago Bears Fan strain, who run up our highways on their eating runs, to the dismay of people and cows up and down our Great State? If so, a No-pest strip strung from Dubuque to Kenosha currently being debated in Madison, just may be your answer. Rex Rodsalotta 32 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Up to six lines for $25 - Mail Check or Money Order with your ad to OWO, 20240 W. Rustic Ridge Drive, New Berlin, WI 53146

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By Terrill Knaack are allowed to dissolve into an expanding water body, the result can only be a hypereutrophic disaster. here is a small lake in southern This is unfortunately the reality for T Wisconsin not far from where I many Wisconsin lakes. We all hope- write. It is almost 300 acres. My wife fully know that wetlands are nutrient and I like to take the canoe there at traps that are the key to water quality. different times of year. It has a depth of Imagine dumping such huge loads of six feet. The water in mid summer is nutrients into a lake. crystal clear. Varieties of submerged Lastly, why the cross roads? The vegetation change beneath the boat as lake where I live once had a bed of we glide along, each having a unique native Potamegeton Pectinatis [Sago] form. Largemouth suspended over and other submergents that stretched their nests seem like large moving for a mile near my house, when the shadows while overhead black terns lake was in better shape. All bird life, hover and dive with uncanny skill. Our waterfowl and gamefish benefited. eyes search for streaks of blue as the Today that same zone is a monotype of rattle of Kingfishers is heard from two the exotic invasive Potamegeton crispis. directions. Low over the water is the There is hardly a wisp of sago to be constant undulating flight of dragon- found. Apparently the crispis is gath- flies. We wonder why we forgot our "November Wind" by Terrill Knaack ering phosphorus to itself and releasing book again that could help us identify it when it massively dies off in mid different species. conflict. Some lie almost completely submergents [Sago, Wild Celery, June. How resilient are our lakes? Wisconsin is blessed with shallow wasted. A few are actually being Coontail] are adapted to and even Surely certain shoreline plant commu- lakes. Some are really large prairie restored by hard-working people that dependent on natural hydrological nities such as sedge meadow may be potholes, others are part of large really care about them. cycles for their perpetuation. The last restorable, but at what cost? Look riverine systems. The one thing that As a veteran of hundreds of lake thing we would really want is to totally around Wisconsin. Shallow lakes are they all share is that they are meetings, presentations, and a couple stabilize water levels on these lakes. abundant. Unfortunately most are surrounded by and managed by a DNR citizen advisory committee The absence of natural variation degraded. Some lie wasted or are culture that is almost totally at a loss to processes, and having for decades tried equates to stagnation and eventually hypereutrophic to the point that either understand or appreciate them. to initiate an educational dialogue that extreme biological degradation. coming up with management that a Even after 150 years of history we are could increase understanding, there are Restoration often requires mimicking majority of local people can agree upon still strangers in a strange land. What is all but impossible. could be the meaning of these lakes? If The Lake Koshkonong Wetlands we could find enough spare millions of Association has done a great job dollars lying around, wouldn’t we “In a culture increasingly detached from nature, through its website in engaging any want to dredge them or build higher where little education in ecology is offered, our lack of one who cares about the Lake in an dams to raise the water levels and enhanced education, research and make them into something more suit- appreciation for this part of Wisconsin’s great natural planning process. I recently heard able to our tastes? heritage is somewhat understandable...” that organization, which is highly A large expanse of open water diverse, labeled dismissively as the stretches in front of me as I write. I am “duck club”. only yards away from the original In a culture increasingly detached 1840’s survey transect that crossed a several basic popular questions that an extreme drought like event. Without from nature, where little education in wet prairie into a sedge meadow. A keep resurfacing that we need to vegetation, invertebrates and fish ecology is offered, our lack of apprecia- small stream was easily crossed. The consider. Why would we want to populations suffer. Without vegetation, tion for this part of Wisconsin’s great area abounded with numerous springs consider solving problems in a shallow bottom strata become unstable. natural heritage is somewhat under- and sloughs of wild rice that sustained lake by drawing it down or lowering its Nutrients [excess nitrogen and phos- standable. Perhaps we need to consider the indigenous culture. Except for itin- water level? If the lake has a mucky phorus] saturate the water column that the real meaning of these lakes is in erant remnants, these cultures had bottom isn’t the water quality going to producing massive blue green algae the diversity of life they support. The mostly been eliminated by that time. be bad no matter what we do? If the growths. A healthy shallow lake in more we learn about their plants, Huge changes were about to take place. lake is highly eutrophic, or even hyper- contrast is an incredible high energy birdlife, fish, mammals and invertebrates The natural watersheds of Wisconsin eutrophic, isn’t that the result of prob- system, biologically productive beyond the more beauty we will see. When we were dramatically altered after our lems in the watershed that we can just belief with clear water and great biodi- see healthy shallow lakes as beautiful, statehood and perhaps for very good blame on non point source pollution? versity. we will see them as essential for our own reasons. We needed sources of energy And lastly if I’ve invested hundreds of Healthy submergent aquatic vege- well being and begin to care. and transportation. We built dams for thousands of dollars in my lake prop- tation is the hallmark of these lakes. water power and locks. With the erty and a lily pad or bull rush appears When shallow lakes lose their Terrill Knaack has been painting Wisconsin advent of the steam shovel we tried to on my shoreline won’t my investment natural vegetation and become landscapes and wildlife for 30 years. He is erase some lakes to make room for be a loss? extremely biologically degraded, or also a photographer and a perpetual more agriculture. Every plant native to our shallow as has often been the case when observer of Wisconsin's natural history. Today most of our shallow lakes in lakes; emergents, [Arrowhead, hundred or thousands of acres of To learn more about his work, see southern Wisconsin are in bad shape or waterlily, bull rushes for example.] sedge meadow and wild hay marsh threatened. Most are embattled in www. terrillknaack.com 34 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors Product 6-Pack Great Gear For The Woods, Fields And Waterways

By JJ Reich, Copyright © 2007 a wall inside my house. It truly is a super easy and leaves no messy pots or VORTEX DIAMONDBACK unique and handsome way to show off pans to clean up. You simply add the wild 8X42 BINOCULARS a trophy rack for years to come. game meat, some vegetables and water to For $250, these binoculars feature a ere’s the rundown on four the bag and cook the entire bag in the www.do-alloutdoors.com durable, quiet coating, and boasts a H hunting and fishing products oven for three hours. Both meals tasted (800) 252-9247 waterproof design which uses tight O- that you may find useful in the woods, great! My friends and family agreed. fields and waterways. We did. ring sealing locks. The advanced roof www.gamegourmet.com DO-ALL OUTDOORS’ IRON THE GAME GOURMET (800) 237-7583 BUCK ANTLER MOUNT COOKING SYSTEMS For $35.00, this antler mount is designed For $7.00, these packets provide just LACROSSE FOOTWEAR’S by an iron sculpture artist and allows ALPHA ICEMAN you to display your antlers with style in the right blend of just a few minutes. Just put your sawed- herbs and spices to For $154.00, these 10-inch, cold-weather off antlers between the two brushed- make venison deli- boots feature a soft-shell rubber bottom prism optical design incorporates high- steel plates and cious. They also that is 100 percent waterproof and light- density BaK-4 glass makes for excellent tighten the include a conven- weight. The leather, clarity. They are available in green or screws. ient oven cooking stretch nylon and coyote brown. The Iron bag to ensure that neoprene mate- Vortex is building a name in the Buck Antler the meat is moist rials that industry because they truly do offer a Mount and tender. Several make high-end product at an affordable price. turned an old convenient recipes up the Personally, I am awed by the perform- 8-point rack that are available, including packets for steaks, rest of ance, quality, and clarity of the optics. was hanging in roasts, stews, soups, duck, geese and the boot My uncle Joe also owns a pair and he my garage into a upland game. provide flexible never stops talking about how much he work of art that is I used this system twice. The nifty comfort; and the removable, thick wool- likes them. It’s sickening, really. now on display on oven cooking bag makes cooking a roast felt liner makes these boots ultra warm. www.vortexoptics.com These boots are so comfortable it feels like I am wearing big, warm slip- (800) 426-0048 pers! Don’t get me wrong, these boots are durable and tough; but the comfort BIGFOOT GEAR BAG and fit from the soft-rubber, bottom shell Starting at $50, this huge gear bag is and the stretch nylon is second to none. made of strong denier polyester and www.lacrossefootwear.com zips close and straps up tight. The bag (800) 671-2668 is available in several big sizes and has a variety of padded carrying handles, heavy-duty cinch straps, water- DURASAFE’S TRAILER repelling zipper seal with various tie- GUARDIAN down and storage options. For $51.00, this lock helps prevent acci- This huge gear bag makes storing dental decoupling and also locks a trailer and transporting bulky and odd- to the tow vehicle. It’s available in single and dual arm models and fits most 2-1/2 inch and 3- inch ball mounts. The Trailer Guardian is easy to install, strong and effective.

shaped fishing, hunting and camping gear simple – just stuff, zip, and cinch together. And when not in use, works Every year I great as a ground tarp. I like to use haul my boat to mine when hauling a bulky ground Canada for a blind, chair, seat cushion clothing and week-long fishing trip. other archery gear into the woods. Knowing that my trailer is www.bigfootbag.com secure while hauling my boat on long (877) 883-0200 trips is very comforting. www.durasafe-usa.com JJ Reich is Field Test Coordinator for “North (866) 544-5615 American Hunter” and “North American Fisherman”Magazines and the author of the Kampp Tales hunting books for children. (www.kampptales.com). On Wisconsin Outdoors November/December 2007 35 36 November/December 2007 On Wisconsin Outdoors