Wisconsin Outdoor Report

Preliminary registration numbers from Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season show an increase in statewide harvest. Overall, preliminary figures show that 211,430 deer were registered during the nine-day gun deer hunt, compared to 197,733 in 2017. The nine-day gun deer season continues to show hunting as a safe recreational activity, as the season ended with three hunting incidents and no hunting-related fatalities, which DNR law enforcement staff say is the safest season on record.

There is now a statewide muzzleloader deer hunt going on through Dec. 5 and there is a statewide antlerless only hunt that runs from Dec. 6 to 9.

Ice anglers have begun to venture out on lakes in far northern Wisconsin,
like these anglers fishing this week on Big Arbor Vitae.
But safety recreation specialists say no ice should ever be considered safe
and to check ice conditions before you go out and
while moving around on the ice.Photo credit: DNR

Ice is forming on lakes across the state but state recreational safety wardens are reminding people that no ice is safe and that early season ice conditions vary greatly from waterbody to waterbody.

Ice levels in the far north have reached 3 to 4 inches and ice anglers have begun to venture out. Trout Lake in Vilas County froze over this week but not with thick enough ice to support anglers yet. Search the DNR website for “ice safety” for tips on staying safe on the ice.

There seems to be a good strong population of bobcat this year in the Flambeau River State Forest. Their prey: snowshoe hares, cottontail rabbits and rodents are also well populated. Most puddle ducks are long gone, but some open water areas still have diving ducks using them. Lots of geese around yet through southern and central Wisconsin – it takes not only cold, but snow to cover up their food sources before they leave. Rough-legged hawks are now more frequently seen hunting Horicon Marsh. Thousands of sandhill cranes are still being seen in a single farm field around the marsh. The lack of snow and late harvest has provided an ample food supply for them late in the season.

Bird feeder watchers are reporting many of the standard species now, like woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and goldfinches, in addition to a few specialties such as pine siskins statewide, evening grosbeaks up north, and the occasional common redpoll. See a conservation biologist’s Top Ten tips for winter bird feeding to discover some secrets to success this winter on the DNR website.

Spring is a long way off, but don’t forget the spring turkey and 2019 bear application is due by December 10.

Green Bay rea residents can join Wisconsin State Parks for an evening of outdoor fun at “Meet the Rangers.” Get the inside scoop on Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation opportunities from the folks who make it happen. The fun runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4 at Titletown Park in Green Bay.