Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report
Edited by Paul Holtan
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921
(608) 267-7517
Fax: (608) 264-6293
E-mail: paul.holtan@dnr.state.wi.us
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/or/WDNR Outdoor Report as of December 1, 2011Hunters harvested a preliminary total of 226,260 deer during the 2011 nine-day gun deer season, based on calls to around 600-plus deer registration stations across Wisconsin. That total is up 3.6 percent from 2010. At the same time, hunters posted the third all around safest season on record, with no fatalities for the second year in a row and only the third time on record. The nine-day harvest numbers are preliminary do not include harvest from the archery seasonor other special hunts.
There are still days to hunt in 2011. The muzzleloader hunt is already underway through Dec. 7 for hunters holding unused gun buck and antlerless deer tags. The archery season remains open through Jan. 8. There is also a statewide antlerless deer hunt Dec. 8-11, but is only open in regular units to hunters with valid antlerless deer tags for the unit in which they are hunting. Regular unit antlerless tags are still available for many units at $12 each. In herd control units, hunters can purchase as many $2 antlerless tags as they wish. There is also a Holiday Hunt in the CWD zones in south central Wisconsin that starts Dec. 24 and lasts until Jan. 8.
Now that the nine-day gun deer season has wrapped up, the last of the 2011 pheasant stocking on public hunting grounds will take place, giving late season bird hunters an opportunity to rustle up some pheasants for the next few weeks when hunting pressure is traditionally low.
The southern and Mississippi River duck zones remain open through Dec. 4 and there continued to be reports this week of northern diver ducks moving through the state. As most water bodies are just beginning to have a thin skim of ice around the edges in the morning, waterfowl generally remain scattered and have not concentrated as much on large bodies of open water as they do in most years.
Some smaller ponds and lakes in the north have begun to freeze over and skim ice is forming along the shores of larger lakes, even down through southern Wisconsin, but it has been breaking up throughout the day. With the closing of the musky season Nov. 30, fishing pressure has really dropped off in the Northwoods, though there have still been reports of some walleye anglers out. Some anglers have also been fishing channels off the Winnebago system for panfish, with some nice crappies reported along with some smaller bluegills.
An inch to nearly 3 inches of snow fell across northern Wisconsin Wednesday night to Thursday morning, but there continues to not be enough snow in most locations yet for skiing or snowmobiling. Most snowmobile clubs are reporting that trails have been cleared and will be ready when sufficient snow arrives. Similarly, most state park and forests report crews have been very active in the last week clearing ski trails so they will be ready to be groomed.
As northern lakes start to freeze up, trumpeter swans have begun congregating along the Mississippi River. And reports continue to come in from across the state of snowy owls showing up at many locations, with biologists estimating there could be hundreds of snowy owls in Wisconsin at this time.
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A three-minute audio version of this report can be heard by calling (608) 266 2277.
A new report is put on the line each week.
Statewide Birding Report
Reports of snowy owls continue to come in left and right. Recent sightings include four birds at the La Crosse airport, and others in Iowa, Chippewa, Clark, Vernon and Green Lake counties. Biologists estimate there could be as many as hundreds of snowy owls in Wisconsin at this time.
DNR Northern Region
Superior DNR Service Center area
Brule River State Forest - The regular gun deer season may be over but that doesn't mean that hunters have to pack up the blaze orange yet. For those who are still have valid carcass tags the hunt can continue on a bit longer. The muzzleloader deer season will continue through Dec. 7. Leftover gun deer tags can be used during this season. The Antlerless deer only hunt will take place Dec. 8 - 11. Unit specific antlerless tags can be used during this season or if hunting in a herd control unit, the antlerless deer carcass tag for herd control units may be used. Archery hunters are reminded that they must wear blaze orange during the muzzleloader and antlerless deer only seasons. Due to the warm weather during the gun deer season and human activity, hunters were seeing several black bears looking to get a last moment meal before hibernation. Raccoons were reported to be active also. As of Dec. 1, there is minimal snow on the ground. There is still not enough snow to begin grooming ski trails yet. The cooler overnight temperatures are helping to create a layer of thin layer of ice across the lakes. Keep in mind that the ice is not yet safe for ice fishing. The date of the fall public meeting for the Brule River State Forest is Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. at the Ranger Station. The meeting will be held upstairs in the conference room. For those who are looking for a nice walk (and don't mind a brisk one) now is a great time to check out the Lake Superior shoreline. Crowds will not be a problem this time of year and the extra winter clothing should certainly keep sunburns at bay.
Spooner DNR Service Center area
Polk County - The majority of hunters in Southern Polk County have indicated they were unhappy with the number of deer seen during the 2011 gun deer hunting season. Unknown if weather conditions or deer herd numbers are causing the low number of deer seen by hunters. Hunters on public hunting lands have stated there is increased hunting pressure compared to previous years.
DNR Northeastern Region
Peshtigo DNR Service Center area
Oconto County - Opening weekend snow in Northern Oconto County has melted. Folks who were thinking about trying to get out ice fishing should refrain from doing so. Frozen over lakes in Northern Oconto County are very thin and will likely open up again by the weekend. Many small bucks were being harvested. Hunting pressure was low during the week but increased Friday. Christmas trees may be harvested from the National Forest with a $5 permit from the US. Forest Service. To obtain one, stop by their office at 15085 State Highway 32, Lakewood, WI 54149. Their phone number is 715-276-6333.
Governor Thompson State Park - Blaze orange was all over the park this week, as the nine day deer gun season was underway. Several nice deer were harvested in the park. Enough snow was received last week that the roads had to be sanded for the first time this winter season. State Park stickers for next year go on sale Thursday Dec. 1, they will be available in the park office.
Peshtigo River State Forest - More snow was received last week at the state forest, the headquarters had to be sanded due to traffic from hunters. The nine day deer gun season has come to an end and it was successful for many of the hunters. Preparations for cross-country ski season are underway, making sure equipment is ready to go for the first heavy snow.
Sturgeon Bay DNR Service Center area
Peninsula State Park - Hiking and biking trails are open and in overall good condition. The boat launch at Nicolet Bay is open, but the piers have been removed for the season. Tennison Bay campground is open year-round for camping. Pit toilets and fresh water is available
Potawatomi State Park - All hiking and biking trails are open and in overall good condition. Snowmobile trails have been signed. Cross-country ski trails have been cleared. We're ready for snow. The park is quiet this week after the 9-day gun hunt ended on November 27. Launch piers have been pulled at Sawyer Harbor. Hikers have returned to the park after last week's hunt. With the leaves off the trees, there are good views of wildlife and scenery. Turkeys are moving in the park, especially near the open fields.
Wautoma DNR Service Center area
Hartman Creek State Park ? The campground is closed for the season. All biking and horse trails closed Nov. 24 and will reopen again in the spring. All cross country ski trails and snowshoe trails currently have no snow so remain open for hiking at this time. The park's main picnic areas, Allen Lake and Hartman Lake, remain open through out the year. The park will hold its annual candlelight ski on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. For further information about current conditions at Hartman Creek please call 715-258-2372.
Oshkosh DNR Service Center area
Calumet County - With the traditional deer season behind us, some gun deer hunters in Calumet County are taking advantage of the traditional muzzleloader season. With the cold weather set to arrive later this week, deer hunters are keeping their fingers crossed for some tracking snow and hopefully some ice to make the marshes more accessible. Trappers in the area are catching a good number of otter on the various creeks and streams. Some diver ducks are still frequenting Lake Winnebago giving die-hard waterfowl hunters some last minute targets before the lake freezes.
Winnebago County - With the gun deer season wrapped up hunters will again turn there attention to fishing activity in anticipation for the ice. Some anglers have been completing the open season fishing opportunity within Winnebago County by fishing channels off the Winnebago System. Anglers have been picking up panfish including crappies and bluegills. Most were using plastics or worms. Some of the crappies have been really nice fish while the bluegills have been running on the smaller side. If a person can deal with the cold weather prior to the ice it is a good time to fish channels for some panfish.
DNR Southeast Region
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Pike Lake Unit - All trails are open to hikers and in good condition. A re-route of the Ice Age Trail between Powder Hill Rd. and County Highway CC was recently completed. That portion of the Ice Age Trail no longer follows the same route as brown/blue trails, eliminating the winter conflict with the groomed ski trail. Cross-country ski trail grooming this winter will be the same as last winter. The trails between Powder Hill Rd. and County Highway CC will be groomed and tracked for cross-country skiing. Only cross country skiers will be allowed on those trails when the trails are snow covered (Ice Age Trail excluded). All other trails will be open to multiple uses and will not be groomed.The campground and all campground facilities are closed for the season.
Kohler-Andrae State Park - A pair of bald eagles has been seen flying in the area. Visitors are also reporting a snowy owl along the shoreline. The park will be open to deer gun hunting (muzzleloader only) through Dec. 7. The park will also be open for the late archery season through Jan. 8. Only holders of an unfilled 2011 Park Access Permit for Deer Management Unit 77E may hunt in the park. The open hunting area includes state land west of the Black River except for state land south of Old Park Road. The Black River Trail system and the fishing pond area are open to hunters the entire hunting season. Recreational users should wear blaze orange while using these areas. The no hunting areas include all state land east of the Black River. This includes the main recreational areas within the park, the Kohler Dunes State Natural Area, the family campground, and all picnic areas.
DNR South Central Region
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway - Colder weather is setting in on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, but recreation opportunities are still available. A few motivated anglers were still casting with some success in the area of Pecks Landing and some of the sloughs in the Spring Green and Lone Rock areas. All trails are in good shape and open for use. Hikers on the trails of the Blackhawk Unit just south of Sauk City / Prairie du Sac are likely to see wildlife preparing for winter, and most open fields along the Riverway are host to flocks of migrating sandhill cranes each morning. This is an excellent time of year to enjoy the Highway 60 Scenic Byway which travels the length of the Riverway along the north bank of the Wisconsin River. With panoramic vistas of the river and surrounding landscapes open, now is a chance to get a clear view of the river and its scenic valley. With the close of the gun deer season please remember to pack out all waste with you when you leave. Garbage and carcass dumping are traditional problems seen during the gun deer season. Please help us to protect and enhance this beautiful resource.
Dodgeville DNR Service Center area
Grant County - Most of the Wisconsin River backwaters are locked up with ice, and presumably the waterfowl have moved south or out to bigger open water. Trumpeter swans are really showing up along the Mississippi River. This is the last week of pheasant releases on stocked DNR properties. Bottomland forests are alive with woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, brown creepers and tufted titmouse. Squirrels have been active on calm days.
Horicon DNR Service Center area
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Two snowy owls have been seen in the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.
Fitchburg DNR Service Center area
Columbia County - This week last year, area ponds and lakes were almost completely iced over except where fed by springs. This concentrated ducks in huge flocks. That is not the case this year, as most water bodies are just beginning to have a thin skim of ice around the edges in the morning. Wood duck numbers finally seem to be dwindling in the area, but geese are still in the area with some mallard flocks being spotted too. Duck hunting is open through Dec. 4 while goose season extends to Dec. 14. This week marks the last week that Columbia County wildlife areas will be stocked with game farm raised pheasants. However, with low hunting pressure at this time of year, hunters should be able to rustle up some pheasants for the next few weeks. Many area hunters seemed pleased with last week's deer gun season. Registration stations registered just over 4,000 deer during the nine-day gun season. There is a slight possibility that a prescribed burn will occur on Friday at Rocky Run Fishery Area, just off of Hwy 22.
Jefferson County - An injured snowy owl was picked up in the city of Watertown and relayed to a local rehabilitator. It could not fly and was extremely thin. The bird was found by a passing motorist as it hopped across the street. Pheasant stocking has resumed after the nine-day gun deer season so hunters are still taking advantage of this opportunity. Duck numbers have increased slightly over the last couple days with rainy, colder weather setting in. Some die-hard waterfowl hunters are still getting out on the marshes and rivers. Water levels have risen significantly over the past weekend. Snowmobiles are being pulled out of storage sheds in anticipation of the coming winter months. Snowmobile safety classes are currently ongoing. Check the DNR website for class dates and locations.
DNR West Central Region
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
A snowy owl was observed in the Viroqua area this week. Snowy owls are rare winter visitors to southwestern Wisconsin but are more regular winter visitors to northern, central, and even southeastern Wisconsin. These distinctly marked, large white owls nest on the ground in the circumpolar Arctic tundra. Some years many snowy owls visit Wisconsin, but other years experience almost no snowy owls. There is no permanent population of snowy owls in Wisconsin. Harsh winter weather in Canada or a scarcity of lemmings, which is a staple snowy owl prey, may cause large-scale southerly migrations. The majority of these visitors will migrate northward again in March. Keep a watch out for these magnificent owls!
Black River Falls DNR Service Center area
Some nice bucks were shot in Adams County this year. The deer numbers seem to be about the same as last year, which was way down from the year before that. But this year, the bucks that are being harvested are much bigger (bodies and antlers). Many more people road hunting this year as well. No snow and only light rain fell on Saturday afternoon, which was the only less than perfect day as far as weather goes this deer season. It has been beautiful in the weather department in Adams County.
Black River State Forest - ATV trails are closed for the season. Trails will re-open for winter use on Dec. 15 if the ground is sufficiently frozen. UTVs are not allowed on the trail during winter. New this year, Jackson County Parks and Forests will be grooming all of the state forest snowmobile and winter ATV trails. This will create several efficiencies for both government entities. A variance to the property's master plan has been approved to allow the creation of a snowshoe trail at the Overmeyer Hills. The new snowshoe trail will leave from the Smrekar warming cabin and make a one mile loop through the woods. The trail will not be ready for use until the winter of 2012-13. In the mean time the state forest offers several places where one can snowshoe on a marked trail. This includes the nature trails at Castle Mound and Pigeon Creek, and the five mile trail that connects Pigeon Creek to Smrekar Road. East Fork Campground will close for the season on Dec. 1. For a portion of 2012, Castle Mound Campground will be closed due to the construction of a new office/visitor station.
Wisconsin Rapids DNR Service Center area
Buckhorn State Park - The park and wildlife areas are open for the late bow season. Muzzeloader deer is only allowed in the Yellow River Wildlife Area or 1,200 acres of Buckhorn State Park north of G and north of 31st Street.
Roche-A-Cri State Park ? The main gate is now closed and parking is available in the winter lot on Czech Ave. Hunting is not allowed in Roche-A-Cri State Park.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT STATE PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Check with the park or forest of your choice for additional activities and special events not listed. Most events are free of charge; park admission sticker required unless otherwise noted. Events and times subject to change.
Friday, December 2, 2011
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Now That the Days are Colder Nature Storytime. Bundle up, it's cold outside. Join us as we discover what the animals do to survive the cold days of winter. This hour of nature fun awaits three to six year olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Winter Stroll for Families. Put on an extra layer of clothes and head outside to see how plants and animals are surviving the cold. After we check out the active mammals and birds, we?ll look for green plants under snow and insects hibernating under bark. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
? Heritage Hill State Park, Green Bay, (920) 448-5150 -A Heritage Hill Christmas. Experience the magic of Heritage Hill transformed into a holiday wonderland. Celebrate the season in a breathtaking setting by trying historic dancing, toy making, and holiday baking on the farm. Relive Christmas Pasts as you visit with St. Nick. Enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride as music of the season fills the park and warms the hearts of guests of all ages. Heritage Hill is managed by the Heritage Hill Foundation and different admission fees apply.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Holiday Greenery. Put some ?green? in your holidays as you learn to create beautiful evergreen sprays or swags using natural materials. All materials provided. Pre-register and pre-pay. Fee is $10 plus State Park Admission Sticker. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Visitor Center. You may only register for one session. 8:30-10 a.m. OR 10:30 a.m. - Noon.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - An Evening with Nature. Program information to be determined. Ice Age Visitor Center (located off Hwy 67 half mile west of Dundee). 7-8:30 p.m.
