Leader INTER-COUNTY
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 SECTION C
Follow the Leader
HUNTING GUIDE
© 2010 Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association
A dream buck, no doubt, but this 21-pointer doesn't have much to worry about during the 2010 gun deer season, or any deer hunting season for that matter. This one is living out his years inside a fence at a game farm in Northwest Wisconsin. – Photo by John Reed
I N S I D E B uc k of a li fet im e 2 ••• D e e r r e gi st r a t io n s ta t i ons 2 ••• D NR remi nds h unt ers t o c ons i der ven is on don ati on s 3 ••• M e n t o r e d H u n t i n g L a w c on t i n u e s t o g r o w i n s ec o n d ye a r 3 ••• 2010 deer gu n season hu nt er rem in ders 3 •••
Wisc onsi n's n ine-d ay reg ula r gun deer season op ens Nov . 20 ••• Ot t ers c has e d eer too • •• Deer res earc h p rojec ts s e e k to sh e d l igh t o n pr edat or im pac t on deer her d •••
4 5
6
Hun ters wi th d is abi li ti es have su cc e ss f ul de e r h unt 7 ••• Lo ca l ma n s e e s s ucc e s sf u l hun t i n Af ric a 8 ••• Ov e r $8 , 00 0 in fi ne s f or Pol k Co unt y p oach ers 9 ••• La r s en b a gs 5 0 th c o n se c ut iv e bow bu ck 10 •••
De e r -s e a s on fo r e ca s t ••• Hu nt ers ti met able ••• Fou r basic rul es o f f irea rm s afet y ••• Up dat e on i nvest in g i n Wis c ons i n whi tet ai ls ••• W h a t' s ne w in 20 1 0 ? •••
11 12 12 13 13
PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER – HUNTING GUIDE – NOVEMBER 17, 2010
Buck of a lifetime
It’s like seeing a loon while ice fishing in mid-January or finding $1 million in the walls of an old house for the vast majority of those looking for a trophy white-tailed deer. Marty Very few hunters will Seeger ever see a truly giant white-tailed buck except on the covers The of popular hunting Bottom and magazines behind high fences. Line This type of deer comes around once in a lifetime, and are considered Holy Grail for trophy white-tailed deer hunters. And even though many hunters aren’t after a trophy, they’d be lying if they told you a huge buck hadn’t made a pass through their brain – at least once – while they slept. “Think about how many times you get a big buck on camera and spend the season dreaming about him, only to never even get close to getting him. Well, this time, that dream finally came true,” said longtime friend Neil Bygd, while admiring a nearly 200-inch whitetail Monday afternoon. He’d arrowed the buck on Halloween, and found him late Monday, Nov. 1, morning. Neil and a select few knew about the buck since he captured it on trail camera pictures over the summer, and from that moment on the deer polluted his mind with excitement and gave those of us that knew about it a sense of jealousy, but a serious sense of willingness to offer any advice we could on how to get him. Since August, when the first trail photos emerged and into late October, the wary buck moved only after dusk and well before dawn, showing up at mineral licks and various stand locations at or around midnight near the property Neil owns in northern Dunn County. While other area landowners knew about the buck, very few talked about seeing the deer or even that it existed at
Dear Wisconsin hunter,
Welcome to the 2010 hunting season! Hunting not only enables you to do something you love, it also strengthens Wisconsin’s great conservation legacy. To pass on that legacy, consider taking advantage of the new mentored hunter program to teach somebody to hunt who’s never hunted before. This program, initiated in 2009, has already been a great success, as thousands of people were introduced to hunting for the first time. Herds in many deer management units are near established deer population goals. Deer population goals and management objectives consider all of the positive values of deer and their
Shooting a buck that grosses nearly 200 inches is a rare and nearly impossible feat for most hunters, but dreams can come true. This 15-pointer was taken by Neil Bygd on Halloween. – Photo by Marty Seeger
One of the first of many trail photos of the 16-pointer, which turned into a 15-pointer after breaking one of its many tines off in battle just a week before Neil Bygd harvested his trophy. – Photo courtesy of Neil Bygd
all. There were several other deer in the area that anyone would consider a trophy as well, yet Neil had in mind that he’d only hunt this one particular buck, and nothing else. Eventually, after a few more trail pictures, we came to the conclusion that Neil possessed the shed antlers from
the same buck. Last spring I had written a column about the find, and neither of us could believe it was the same deer. In one year it had nearly doubled in size. When bow hunting opened in September, Neil hunted smart, played the wind, limited his movement on certain
impacts on habitat, other animals and people, and also include long-term sustainable hunting opportunities. For 2010, herd growth is the primary objective for 18 deer management units in northern Wisconsin (see pages 28 and 29 in the Wisconsin Hunting Regulation booklet) with buck-only regulations for most gun and archery hunters in these units. Your time in the woods is valuable; not only to us but also in helping keep an eye on the herd and other Wisconsin wildlife. 2009 was the first year for an online deer hunter survey, where hunters were able to directly report their observations of deer and other wildlife. Over 20,000 hunter reports were received! This online reporting system
is in direct response to hunter requests wanting to be involved in tracking Wisconsin’s deer herds. It will take several years of data to create reliable indixes. Thanks to you we’re off to a great start. No matter where you hunt in Wisconsin, we want to hear from you. Please visit our Wisconsin DNR Web site (dnr.wi.gov) and your online deer report by searching for the “Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey.” 2010 also marks the first year of the most ambitious deer research projects ever attempted in Wisconsin. These projects will be completed through a partnership between the DNR, the University of Wisconsin, and a whole host of deer and wildlife conservation organizations across our state. The research will
areas of the property and continued to check trail cam photos to try and pinpoint a pattern. As late October approached, the buck began moving closer and closer to daylight hours, and legal shooting light, but it wasn’t until Oct. 31, after several hours on the stand during the right hunting conditions, and only after electing to let several other large bucks walk by, the giant finally presented itself. Neil spent much of Sunday with family, celebrating his daughter Lauren’s first birthday. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to hunt that evening, but went anyway, and at around 5 p.m., while taking a little nap, he heard crashing in the woods to the south. After just a few loud grunts, the buck came crashing toward the center of a picked bean field. “Actually, I was really calm,” Neil said, knowing that this would be his only shot. “I remember saying to myself, ‘make it count,’” he said, and he released the arrow. While the first shot on the buck was fatal, a group of five people spent a good portion of Sunday night tracking the deer before making the decision to back out and look for the deer the next morning. Neil and his father-in-law eventually tracked and located the buck late Monday morning. It was a long, grueling job getting the deer the following day, but persistence paid off in the end. After doing a rough score on the deer on Monday evening using official score sheets from the Pope and Young Club, the buck grosses 195 inches. Unfortunately, a tine had been broken off the buck’s left main beam between Oct. 2628, most likely while sparring with another buck. The broken tine would have measured 10 or more inches, judging by trail camera photos, and probably would have pushed the deer over 200 inches. “I don’t care,” Neil said. “I’ll probably never shoot another one like this again.” While most of us, will never have this kind of success, it's nice to know that bucks like these continue to exist, and it certainly gives the average hunters, that simply love to hunt, the hope or dream of someday shooting the buck of a lifetime. examine buck mortality and fawn predation rates and increase our understanding of the state’s most popular game species. If you want to learn more about this historic effort or are interested in helping, please visit our “Investing in Wisconsin Whitetails” Web page for more information. Thank you. Don’t forget to make safety your first priority and have an enjoyable hunt. Jason Fleener Assistant big game biologist
– taken from the 2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations
Burnett and Polk counties deer registration stations
BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES – Deer registration stations for 2010 in Burnett and Polk counties are:
Hertel Hwy. 70 Liquor, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily.
Danbury The Log Cabin, Sunday - Thursday 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Trade Lake Trade Lake Valley Store, opening weekend 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; all days following 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Burnett County A&H A & H Country Market, open daily 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Grantsburg Crex Meadows (DNR Station), opening Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Holiday Store, 4:30 a.m. - midnight daily.
Siren Big Mike’s Sport Shop, Sunday - Thursday 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Backwoods Beer & Bait, Monday – Sunday - 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Webb Lake The Main Store, daily 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Webster Connor’s Marathon Service Station, daily 7 a.m. - 7 p.m..
Polk County Amery Lucky’s Sport Shop, daily 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., open Thanksgiving.
Balsam Lake Pap’s General Store, daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Thanksgiving 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Clam Falls Clam Falls Tavern, opening weekend 9 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Thanksgiving Day 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Clayton Lake Magnor Store, daily 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thanksgiving 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cushing Stop-a-Sec, daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Thanksgiving, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
East Farmington Petro-Plus, daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Thanksgiving 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Frederic Great Northern Outdoors, Monday Saturday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. 4 p.m., Thanksgiving 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Milltown Northbound Sports and Liquor, Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Thanksgiving Day 8 a.m. noon.
St. Croix Falls St. Croix Outdoors, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., closed Thanksgiving; Jorgas Food Mart, daily 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., open Thanksgiving. – from the DNR
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - PAGE 3
Mentored Hunting Law continues to grow in second year
MADISON – With the fall hunting seasons in full swing, now is the time hunters can help secure the future of their tradition and introduce someone to hunting by taking advantage of Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law. “Mentored hunting is a great way for families to involve their kids in family gatherings and in Wisconsin’s greatest hunting tradition. Participation continues to grow especially among 10- and 11year-olds with gun deer license sales in this age group up 26 percent over this date last year,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “Wisconsin hunters can be proud of the rapid growth and spotless safety record of our mentored youth hunt — and of their own personal effort to grow the next generation of Wisconsin hunters and conservationists.” Kids with a mentored hunting license and a mentor can participate in the special youth hunts for deer, waterfowl and turkey. These special hunts take place the weekend before the general hunting seasons open for popular species, allowing youths the opportunity to hunt under
generally milder weather and with the complete with attention of their adult mentor. In 2009, the first year of the program, more than 12,000 new hunters participated under the mentored hunting program. Ten thousand of these hunters were kids age 10 or 11, who also are entitled to purchase the various types of hunting licenses at a reduced rate of $7. Key to the Mentored Hunting Law are safety provisions and a focus on a one mentored hunter to one mentor pairing. Only one firearm or bow is allowed between the two, and the new hunter must be within arm’s reach of the mentor at all times. Mentors may not hunt if it is a designated youth hunt weekend but may hunt if they have the appropriate license during a regular season. The pair still may only carry one bow or firearm between them and must remain within arm’s reach at all times. All normal hunting rules are in effect in regard to open seasons, firearm restrictions and bag limits. Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law provides an opportunity to experience
hunting under carefully controlled conditions designed to provide a safe experience. If the hunting bug bites, the new hunter can dig in and complete a hunter education safety course, allowing them to hunt on their own starting at age 14.
After the mentored hunt People born after Jan. 1, 1973, must complete a hunter education course before they can hunt on their own. Courses are often in high demand, and this can present a scheduling barrier to getting started in hunting especially for some busy families. The mentored hunt allows anyone over 10 years of age to experience hunting with a trusted mentor who is already a licensed hunter until the time they can complete a hunter education course.
Requirements for mentors To serve as a mentor, a person must be at least 18 years old, have a hunting license and be a hunter education course graduate or have completed basic training with U.S. Armed Forces, if born on or after Jan. 1, 1973. The mentor and the
mentored hunter must be within arm’s reach at all times and may only carry one gun or one bow between them. The mentor, if not the youth’s parent or legal guardian, must also have the permission of the youth’s parent or legal guardian to accompany the youth. “Mentored hunting has proven to be a safe and rewarding experience for both the new hunter and the mentor,” said Todd Schaller, conservation warden and chief of the Department of Natural Resources recreational safety programs. “The smiles on the faces of the kids who have watched and listened to the hunting stories told by their older brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and parents and who now have a hunting story of their own are priceless. It is an important first step to becoming a responsible hunter and conservationist at a time when kids are very impressionable and are beginning to get a feel for the activities they will pursue as adults.” For more information contact Todd Schaller at 608-267-2774. – from the DNR
2010 deer gun season hunter reminders
SPOONER – The following reminders will help ensure all hunters and nonhunters have a safe and enjoyable 2010 deer gun season: Carcass disposal – Tossing animal carcasses on state or other public lands is littering and subject to fines. Hunters should get rid of deer carcasses either far off-road on private lands (with landowner permission) or through their local garbage disposal company. Shooting/hunting on roads can be a deadly practice - Road hunting leads to trespass and safety problems and reflects poorly on the majority of hunters who hunt ethically and responsibly. Vehicles, people, homes and other buildings concentrate near roads mak-
ing an accident more likely to happen from a rifle shot. Knowing your target and what is beyond is more critical when a road is nearby. To be legal, hunters must be at least 50 feet from the center of the roadway. A public road is any road shown on an official Department of Transportation County Highway map. Maps showing county highways may be obtained at DOT offices. Another important aspect of hunting concerns the ethical pursuit of game. Unless the hunter is physically handicapped and unable to get into the field, hunting is an activity that must be done in the woods, marshes and fields. Timber theft - Each year public and
private landowners discover the loss of firewood or Christmas trees after the deer gun season. County and federal property owners provide permits to cut firewood and Christmas trees. The permits cost only a few dollars and can be picked up at most county forest administrator offices and forest service stations. Written permission to remove timber for firewood or Christmas trees should be obtained from the private landowner. Timber theft carries a hefty fine. Hunting from moving vehicles Hunting from any moving vehicle is against the law, unsafe and is an unethical way to hunt. Each year conservation wardens cite hunters for having
uncased and loaded guns on their allterrain vehicle, snowmobile or fourwheel-drive truck. A loaded gun in a vehicle is an accident waiting to happen. Play it safe and maintain the integrity of the sport by unloading and casing any firearm before a vehicle is under way. Baiting - Each hunter may hunt with two gallons of bait. If you need the full explanation of the baiting laws, read the deer regulations handbook. There are some counties that baiting is prohibited. Marathon County is one of these. – from the Wisconsin DNR
DNR reminds hunters to consider venison donations
MADISON – The Wisconsin Venison Donation Program and its affiliates, Hunt for the Hungry and Target Hunger along with more than 140 participating meat processors, are ready to accept and distribute extra venison donated by hunters. A list of participating meat processors is available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site. In this, the program’s 11th year, there are participating meat processors in 65 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. In 10 years, hunters have donated more than 73,000 deer providing 3.3 million pounds of venison to food pantries across the state. The Burnett County Land and Water Conservation Department and the Polk County Land and Water Resources Department are excited to announce again this year that they will be involved in the Wisconsin Deer Donation Program for 2010. Hunters may donate any legally harvested deer by following these simple steps:
1. Field dress and register the deer at a WI DNR registration station prior to donating. 2. Contact a participating Processor to assure their hours of operation and to verify they have space available at any of these following Processors:
Participating processors in Polk and Burnett Counties Van Meter’s Meats, 715-472-2141, 407 S. Main Street, Luck Swank’s Meats, 715-483-3386, Hwys 8 and CTH Y, St. Croix Falls Amery Meat Market, 715-268-7515, 116 Central St, Amery Lock & Load, 715-488-2931, 21125 E. River Road, Grantsburg 3. The entire deer must be donated to receive free processing (head & antlers may be kept for mounting purposes). 4. Donors must sign a log sheet provided by the processor indicating their desire to donate the deer. Once the deer has been donated it is then processed into ground venison and given to participating Food Pantries
New fifirrewood rule
STATEWIDE – Firewood brought onto state-managed lands must not come from more than 25 miles away. Details can be found online at:
dnr.wi.gov/invasives/firewood/ or by phone at 877-303-WOOD (9663). – taken from the 2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations
Have a safe, rewarding and enjoyable deer hunting season.
located throughout Burnett & Polk Counties. (Local listing of pantries available). A statewide listing of processors is available on the Wisconsin DNR website at www.dnr.wi.gov This program has been overwhelmingly successful in providing meat on the table to many less fortunate families right here in our local communities. We are very thankful to the Hunters, the Processors and the Wisconsin DNR for
making this program happen over the last 11 years. This program is funded by the Wisconsin DNR’s Wildlife Damage Abatement & Claims Program and Hunter Donations. Questions regarding this program may be referred to Cindy Blonk with the Burnett County Land and Water Conservation Department at 715-349-2186. submitted
Field dressing a deer in easy steps
STATEWIDE – The following are 10 easy steps to field dress a deer, according to an outdoor editor of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: • Lay animal on its back, head uphill. • Pinch animal’s belly skin with thumb and index finger. Lift skin and insert knife, sharp side up. While holding belly skin up with two fingers, work knife forward to brisket. Here you have a choice. Stop at brisket or continue cutting to throat, breaking brisket with your heavy-duty knife as you go. If you must drag the deer a long distance, you might opt to keep chest cavity closed and clean. • Skin out penis and urinary tract, working back toward anus, careful not to cut organs. • Laying penis and urinary tract to side, move to rear of animal and insert knife alongside anus completely circling it until loose. (If a friend is helping, have him hold rear legs up and apart). • Cut muscle between rear legs,
down to “H” bone, which connects rear legs at bottom, for easier disposal of entrails. If you don’t have proper equipment, splitting of H-bone isn’t necessary. • Moving forward again, cut and skin out diaphragm, which is the taut skin separating chest from abdomen. • Then, with one arm, reach deep into chest cavity toward throat and cut esophagus as far up throat as possible. Grab and pull esophagus downward, toward abdomen. Upper entrails will follow. • Turning animal to one side, continue pulling. Intestines will follow. If Hbone has been broken, rectum will pull out with intestines. If H-bone has not been broken, rectum must be pulled forward toward intestines before disposal. • Retrieve heart and liver, if desired. • Deer has now been field dressed. Turn it over to allow blood to drain. Wipe inside with rag. - submitted
PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER – HUNTING GUIDE – NOVEMBER 17, 2010
Wisconsin's nine-day regular gun deer season open Nov. 20
MADISON – Wisconsin’s regular nine-day gun deer hunting season opens Saturday, Nov. 20, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 28. State wildlife officials say that while herd control has been the primary statewide focus over the last decade – and remains so in areas of the state this year – herd growth is actually the primary objective throughout much of northeast Wisconsin for 2010. Following a review of population goals that included extensive public input and legislative review, deer population goals were increased in 43 units this year. The end results are season structures and permit levels that will be aimed toward a more conservative antlerless harvest, according to Keith Warnke, deer and bear ecologist with the Department of Natural Resources. As a result, this year nearly half of the state’s deer management units are under a regular season structure, and 19
of those units – primarily in far northeastern Wisconsin – are under a buckonly season structure. In regular units hunters may only shoot an antlered deer with their regular license, unless they purchase an additional unit-specific antlerless permit if they are available for that unit. Roughly the other half of DMUs remain under a herd-control structure because the population of those units is estimated to be 20 percent or more over established population goals. In herd control units, hunters may shoot an antlered deer with their deer hunting license and may shoot an antlerless deer with the free herd-control antlerless permit that comes with their license in any herd control unit. There are 22 units in southern Wisconsin in the chronic wasting disease management zone that will again have unlimited Earn-A-Buck regulations intended to meet deer population goals
and disease management objectives. In these units, a hunter must first shoot an antlerless deer during a 2010 open season such as the archery deer or October antlerless seasons or have an unused 2009-2010 buck harvest authorization sticker to shoot an antlered deer. In 2009, more than 635,000 licensed hunters registered a statewide harvest of approximately 330,000 deer. This fell well short of Wisconsin’s previous fiveyear annual harvest average of 492,000 deer. Several contributing factors resulted in a reduced harvest, but a reduced deer population and a reduction in antlerless harvest are thought to have played the biggest roles. A reduced annual harvest is also a sign that deer populations across the state are nearing management goals. “The elimination of Earn-A-Buck outside of the CWD management zone last year also allowed all hunters to take bucks and pass on antlerless deer.
Hunters who will be hunting in former Earn-A-Buck units may notice an increase in the number of antlerless deer and fewer mature bucks this year,” Warnke said. Regardless of statewide or DMU level deer populations and expectations, Warnke says that deer abundance on a single property or local level often does not reflect deer population trends on the larger scale. Preseason scouting and discussions with local neighbors will give hunters a better expectation of the hunt in their local hunting area. “Autumn is beautiful and fleeting. For hunters, this is the best time of year. For many, the preparations for hunting – setting up stands, scouting for promising trees, looking for deer sign, practicing marksmanship – are a big part of enjoying the season.” – from the DNR Web site
New Web page tracks deer research projects
STATEWIDE – Staying on top of developments and progress in Wisconsin’s $2 million investment in deer research is only a mouse-click away at a new “White-tailed deer research projects” page on the Department of Natural Resources Web site. On this page you can register for updates, using the link on the right side of the page. When the White-tailed Deer Research Projects page is updated, subscribers will receive an e-mail alerting them to new information posted on the page. The project page will keep subscribers
up to date on four research efforts designed to improve the accuracy of estimating Wisconsin’s deer population and gain a better understanding of population trends. The projects were requested by hunters and a scientific review panel of North American wildlife experts. Volunteers are already stepping up to help with the work. The Marshfield chapter of Whitetails Unlimited has already constructed approximately 50 box-style deer traps. The traps will be used to tag and/or collar deer as part of
the predation study. By early fall, DNR expects that members of the pipe fitters and sheet metal workers unions of the AFL-CIO will be gearing up to build a second type of deer trap, one that requires some metalfabrication skills as part of the AFLCIO’s Boots on the Ground program. Boots on the Ground is an effort to link skilled labor with needed conservation projects. Researchers from the DNR, the UWMadison Department of Wildlife Ecology, UW’s Applied Population Laborato-
ry and the UW-Stevens Point are all involved in parts of the research. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Whitetails Unlimited are also involved in the effort. Additional volunteers are needed to participate in deer capture, placing radio collars on captured deer and monitoring survival status and seasonal movements of collared deer. For more information contact Christopher Jacques, DNR research scientist, 608-221-6358. – from the DNR Web site
Regional deer season forecast for the Northern region
by Mike Zeckmeister STATEWIDE – Overall, this last Wisconsin winter was classified as a mild winter, with a few exceptions, and was a good one from the white-tailed deer perspective. We had a fair amount of cold days, but the really deep snowfalls were lacking. The DNR quota recommendations reflect these conditions. The mild winter and zero quotas in many of the eastern units will allow rebuilding of the herd in these areas. In those few units with severe winters (deer management units 2, 3, 4, 6) herd growth rates were adjusted accordingly and quota recommendations were lowered in these units due to winter. We also had a very mild and early spring. This was due to warm winter temperatures and generally shallow frost levels and not much snow. This
allowed for an early green-up which is absolutely critical for deer coming off the winter. This past spring was almost a complete opposite of the 2007-08 spring that was considered detrimental for deer because spring green-up occurred late.
Status of the herd
We are seeing the results of the reduced recruitment from the 2007-09 spring in a smaller 2-year-old age class. The 2010 age class will be an entirely different story. Many fawns were born earlier in spring this year. These fawns are really getting a head start to get ready for the next winter. This will help with overwinter survival and future production. This will give a real boost in DMUs where we are rebuilding the herd. It also gives us caution to make
Blaze orange the color for the season with a reason
SPOONER – Blaze orange clothing in the outdoors demands attention. For safety’s sake outdoor enthusiasts who recreate in the fall should have blaze orange jackets, vests or hats in their apparel closet. During certain hunting situations, like October and December antlerless gun deer hunts or the gun deer season, all hunters including archery and smallgame hunters are required to wear blaze orange. Over the years the Wisconsin gun deer hunter has been conditioned to look for this color, and any other colors moving through the brush are suspect game. “Even though the No. 1 rule of hunting is know your target, each year we have hunters wearing dirty blaze orange, or half camouflage blaze orange or nonorange clothing that are shot
because they are mistaken for game,” said Conservation Warden Dave Zebro. Anyone afield during our gun deer hunts, including loggers, hikers, waterfowl hunters, and others should wear blaze orange, he said. Wearing at least 50-percent blaze orange above the waist, including a hat, has been law since 1980. The color was chosen following field tests that proved blaze orange was seen best in all light and brush conditions. “While archery and small-game hunters must wear blaze orange during the deer hunts,” Zebro said, “we urge all outdoor users going afield during those times to wear the color to ensure a safe outing.” And, he added, dirty and soiled blaze orange should be washed to retain its bright, observable color. – from the Wisconsin DNR
sure the herd does not exceed the natural carrying capacity of the land in many other DMUs in the north. This is why we have a real mix of season structures and antlerless deer quotas in northern Wisconsin for the 2010 deer season.
2010 season
There are 15 DMUs in the Northern Region where the gun quota recommendation will be zero. This recommendation was formed based on input we received in the March herd status meetings. In many of these zero-quota DMUs, we could have had a small quota that would still allow herd growth. However, those in attendance at these meetings supported a zero quota. Zero-quota units in NOR included DMUs 7, 13, 28, 29A, 29B, 34-39, 4244 and 52. There are 24 DMUs that have a range of quotas from 100 to 2,600. Based on long-term harvest history, we can trim the antlerless portion of the herd with a traditional season structure in these DMUs. There are seven DMUs that will be in the herd control season structure,
DMUs 1M, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 21. This season recommendation will allow increased downward pressure on the herd, especially considering the mild winter and early spring where we should see increased recruitment. The traditional bucks plus quota season structure would not exert sufficient pressure in these units based on past unit history. In addition, many of these DMUs are productive units where they have the potential for rapid population increase. This may be easier said than done, but gun deer hunters who had an unpleasant experience during the nine-day gun season need to look forward, not backward. We had many factors that contributed to not seeing deer during the 2009 season. In some parts of the north it is apparent that deer were simply not there in numbers we were all accustomed to. Hopefully we will have more normal hunting conditions ahead of us. Our quota and season recommendations combined with really good spring recruitment will only give us all much to look forward to.
Reporting a hunting incident
MADISON – Any person involved in an incident in which a person is injured by a projectile fired from a firearm, or an arrow fired from a bow or crossbow while hunting or trapping must first render necessary assistance and then immediately report the incident to the local warden, sheriff or police. In addition, every person involved in a hunting accident must render a written report to the DNR within 10 days. Wisconsin law requires a person who, while hunting any wild animal or bird, discharges a firearm or arrow, and injures or kills another person, to do the following:
1. Provide his/her name and address to the other person, 2. Render assistance to the other person, 3. Obtain immediate medical or hospital care, and 4. Report the accident without delay to law enforcement officials. 5. In addition, every person involved in a hunting accident must render a written report to the DNR within 10 days. Failure to comply with the above requirements is punishable by a penalty up to $5,000 or imprisonment not more than one year, or both. – from the DNR Web site
Otters chase deer too
White oak leaves occasionally nicked the side of my head on another November day in the deer stand. Most of trees were vacant of any foliage yet the northwest wind seemed poised to Marty knock any remaining Seeger leaves to the forest floor. The breeze was considerably bitter The compared to the day before, when temperaBottom tures were in the mid30s in the morning and Line mid-40s throughout the afternoon. Friday, Nov. 5, featured temps in the low 20s, and it had already been a horrible start to the morning. A deer alerted the entire area on my
way to the stand with a series of snorts that could be heard for miles. Leaves swooshing with every step didn’t help either, but I reluctantly pressed on, hoping I hadn’t ruined the morning hunt. Only an hour passed before the chill started settling through nearly 10 layers of hunting clothes, but a shot of warmth rushed in as the sun glared over the horizon, and a doe filtered through the prickly ash just 30 yards from my tree. In the faint distance, a series of grunts could be heard but I couldn’t yet see the buck that had an obvious interest in the doe. As short, low grunts grew near I caught the first glimpse of his heavy, chocolate-colored rack where frost had settled throughout the night. It seemed to glisten like a halo off the sunlight, and appeared dreamlike as he held his nose tight to the ground. I drew my bow, hoping for an opening, but in less than a minute, he was gone for good. Not even my imitation grunts, bleats or snort wheezes could turn him back, but the experience made the hunt a success
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - PAGE 5
overall. On the evening before I had a similar experience with another nice buck that sported an unmistakable pearly white rack, an 18-inch spread and at least 9 points. He caught me off guard and snuck in behind me. Several attempts to stop him were unsuccessful, yet on a last try he gave me a broadside shot at under 30 yards. After settling my sight on the target, I let an arrow fly and ticked a tree limb slightly smaller than a No. 2 pencil, and it sent the arrow far to the right. The buck continued on as if nothing happened. Over the course of about four days and several hours on stand, countless deer were observed including smaller bucks, does, fawns and other wildlife. One evening, a barred owl perched less than 50 yards from my tree and caused panic with the area squirrel population, and at one point appeared to have me on his menu. I waved my arms quickly and eventually sent him to another area to hunt. Normally, a barred owl wouldn’t
The lowdown on lead
STATEWIDE – Discovery of tiny fragments of lead in hunter-harvested venison has turned up the volume on discussions in hunting, wildlife-health and human-health circles over alternatives to lead ammo and safer venison processing. Lead shot is already banned for waterfowl hunting and is banned for dove hunting on state-owned lands in Wisconsin. While no evidence documents human lead poisoning from venison consumption, health officials agree that the risk is not low enough to ignore. Lead’s effect on wildlife is well documented. A study in Wisconsin of mortality in trumpeter swans (1991-2007) found that 36 of 143, about 25 percent, of swan deaths were due to lead poisoning. A similar study of bald eagle
mortality (2000-2007) found that 91 of 583, almost 16 percent, of bald eagle deaths were attributed to lead exposure. Furthermore, a noticeable increase in the percentage of bald eagle fatalities attributed to lead toxicity began in October and peaked in December. This pattern overlaps with the hunting seasons in Wisconsin, suggesting lead ammunition could be a major source of lead exposure in eagles. There are many alternatives to lead ammo these days, say wildlife officials. In addition, hunters can take extra precautions in butchering their venison, which may reduce their family’s exposure to lead at the dinner table. - from the DNR Web site
Hunters reminded to submit nominations for Ethical Hunter Award
EAU CLAIRE – With the traditional gun deer hunt fast approaching, and bow hunters already out in force, conservation wardens are asking folks to keep the 14th-annual Wisconsin Ethical Hunter Award in mind. Nominations will be open through Dec. 15 this year. The award presents an opportunity to acknowledge the admirable qualities hunters bring to the field each autumn. Typically, the award celebrates selfless behavior, whether that means helping a stranger in trouble or making private lands available to new or disadvantaged hunters. If something a hunter does impresses you, please consider a nomination. The following are requirements to be
Be We Will rdays, Satu Closed ber 20 & Novem ber 27 Novem
eligible to receive the Ethical Hunter Award: The nominee must be a licensed Wisconsin hunter. The ethical hunting act must have taken place in Wisconsin during the 2010 calendar year. Written nominations should contain the name, address and telephone number of the witness or witnesses to the behavior that lead to the nomination. Written nominations should be sent to Warden Supervisor Steve Dewald at the Department of Natural Resources, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601 before Wednesday, Dec. 15, a deadline that is earlier than previous years. – from the DNR Web site
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concern me but on at least two occasions in the past, owls have swooped down in failed attempts to grab the stocking cap off my head. I wasn’t in the mood to repeat the experience again. Every opportunity spent afield lends something new, but some experiences can leave a bow hunter bewildered. On one of my first outings last week a doe and two fawns made their way by my tree, acting nervous and occasionally looking back on their trail. In my mind, a buck was hot on their trail and my heart started to pound from the suspense. But to my surprise, it turned out to be an otter. Curiously, it continued to follow the deer until they were all out of sight. While it was probably a territorial dispute or merely a coincidence, it was still quite weird, and I’ll likely never experience it again. For a bow hunter though, it’s just another day in the deer stand.
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PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - NOVEMBER 17, 2010
STATEWIDE – Every time you pick up a firearm, you pick up a responsibility. Safe storage of your firearms is also your responsibility. The rules of home firearms safety are few in number and easy to follow. It is extremely important that these rules be strictly obeyed. Equally important is the development of the proper attitude toward firearms. An attitude of respect and seriousness should always be encouraged and maintained when dealing with guns. In the beginning, this may require a conscious effort, but as time passes it becomes automatic and safety becomes instinctive. • Unload all firearms before taking them into the home. Simple reason dictates that firearms should be loaded only when in the field or on the range. At all others times, during travel and especially in the home, they should be kept unloaded.
Firearm safety in your home • Never handle or show guns without first carefully checking to be sure they are unloaded. Open the action and keep it open until the gun is again ready for storage. Never assume that a firearm is unloaded, even if it was checked only a few minutes earlier. And don’t trust the safety to compensate for unsafe gun handling. Like all mechanical devices, safeties can malfunction, and in any case, they are only intended to supplement human care and intelligence. Among experienced gun handlers there is a kind of ritual that is repeated whenever a firearm is shown or examined. The person picking up the gun opens the action and checks to make sure it is not loaded. When the gun is handed over to the second person, he goes through the entire procedure again. This is not an insult to the original handler. In fact, most shooting veterans take it as a sign of gun savvy and
competence, because there is just no way to be overcautious about firearms safety. • Long arms, such as rifles and shotguns, should be stowed securely in racks or cabinets, preferably locked. Handguns should be stored in a locked cabinet or drawer. Locked storage is particularly important if there are children in the home. Standing a shotgun in the closet corner or keeping a pistol in the desk does not do the job. If the proper storage facilities are not available, trigger locks should be purchased. Different types are available for use on all kinds of guns, including revolvers and pistols, and they prevent even a fully loaded gun from being fired. On the practical side, guns should be stored in a reasonably dry environment but away from exposure to heat. Dampness causes rust and heat can bake the wood of stocks and grips to the point of
cracking or splitting. • All ammunition should be kept under lock and in a location separate from firearms for complete safety. Again, this is especially important if there are children in the home. An extra measure of safety can be had by storing ammunition in another room or on a different floor level. The objective is to create a situation in which conscious effort is required to bring firearms and ammunition together. Obviously the keys to all storage areas must be kept away from children. • When handling firearms, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Avoid horseplay at all times – guns are not toys and they must be handled with respect. Common sense must be used in choosing the safest direction to point the muzzle. “Down” is not always the safest direction and neither is “up.” – from the DNR Web site
Top 10 most asked gun deer season questions
SPOONER– Wisconsin’s deer gun hunt is one of the most exciting times of the year for many residents, but it is important for everyone to follow the rules and regulations for gun deer season so that everyone stays safe in the woods. Here are some answers to the 10 more frequently asked questions: 1. Can I tag an anterless deer with the herd control tag I received with my
deer hunting license? The herd control/ CWD tag received with your license is valid only in herd control or CWD deer management units. Many units in the north this year are not herd control units but instead are regular units. Hunters who want to harvest an antlerless deer in a regular unit must purchase a bonus tag. Keep in mind that not all units have bonus tags and others have only a limited number
Deer research projects seek to shed light on predator impact on deer herd
MADISON – Progress continues on new deer research projects designed to answer questions important to hunters and managers of Wisconsin’s whitetailed deer herd. “Many hunters are concerned with our deer population model accuracy and the impacts of predators,” said Keith Warnke, big game ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “In response to those concerns, the department is investing a record amount of its resources into this research.” While an audit by international wildlife experts found the department's deer population modeling system to be sound and one of the best in the country, Warnke said challenges remain that have led to the new research projects. Buck survival and predators Two projects set to get under way this winter will look at the causes of death in bucks and fawns including the roles of predators, weather and hunters. Hunter harvest is the largest cause of death for bucks. Biologists refer to the portion of bucks killed by hunters each year as the buck recovery rate. Over the course of five years, deer will be captured, tagged and monitored to determine their cause of death whether it is due to hunters or natural causes such as wolves, bears, coyotes, bobcats, weather and accidents. The buck recovery rate is a key component of accurate deer population estimates.
Predators “The distribution and abundance of predators on Wisconsin's landscape has changed over time,” says Warnke. “From the time a doe is impregnated to the time the fall hunting season begins, a number of fawns are lost every year to various causes before and after birth including weather, food availability and nutrition, disease, predation and accidents.” This study will measure the role of predation on recruitment which is the number of deer added to the population each year by fawns surviving into the fall. Researchers will gather data on doe pregnancy rates and litter sizes and fawn survival and causes of mortality
from birth to the hunting season. “We will also attempt to identify the specific predators of fawns, mainly wolves, bears, bobcats and coyotes, and measure the impact predation has on recruitment,” Warnke said. Little is known, Warnke acknowledged, about the impact of coyote and bobcat predation on deer in Wisconsin. Similar research is under way in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the two states are sharing results.
Partners needed to get the job done Researchers, with the help of volunteers, will place deer traps in Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Price, Shawano, Waupaca and Outagamie counties at the close of the deer hunting seasons. Captured deer will be fitted with radio collars and ear tags. In the spring, fawns born to monitored does also will be fitted with radio-telemetry collars. In addition to the DNR scientists, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Wildlife Ecology, UW Applied Population Laboratory and the University of WisconsinStevens Point are involved along with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Safari Club International, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and Whitetails Unlimited. These groups will be looking for help from the state’s deer hunters. Warnke said this is an opportunity for hunters to assist biologists in gathering information on deer numbers in the state. “We are encouraging all hunters and anyone else who is interested to volunteer to help on these projects,” said Warnke. Hunters can check the White-tailed Deer Research Projects page of the DNR Web site and follow the "Sign up today" link to complete the volunteer form. Or they can contact a local wildlife biologist. DNR wildlife officials are committed to continually improving the quality of the state’s deer management program. “Hunters play a critical role in this process,” Warnke said, “and as the agency moves forward with its ambitious research programs, hunter involvement will be more important than ever.” - from the DNR Web site
available. Check the regulations for the area and unit you are hunting in as some northern deer management units are buck only this year.
2. Can I hunt the day before deer season? No! Hunting is not allowed on the Friday preceding the gun deer season, except for waterfowl hunting. A landowner and the family members may sight in firearms on the Friday before the 9-day deer gun season on their private property. This law does not allow them to hunt, but only to sight in firearms. Firearms may also be sighted in at an established range during this period. 3. Can I take my child hunting without a gun or license? Yes. He or she can tag along to observe the hunt. We recommend anyone in the woods wear blaze orange.
4. What handguns are legal for deer hunting? Deer may be hunted with handguns loaded with center-fire cartridges of .22 caliber or larger that have a minimum barrel length of 5-1/2 inches measured from the muzzle to the firing pin with the action closed.
5. What are the casing requirements for firearms? The rule is as follows: “Enclosed in a carrying case” for firearms means completely contained in a gun case expressly made for that purpose which is fully enclosed by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied or otherwise fastened, with no portion of the firearm exposed. No person may place, possess or transport a firearm, bow or crossbow in or on a vehicle, unless the firearm is unloaded and encased or unless the bow or crossbow is unstrung or is enclosed in a carrying case. A vehicle includes ATVs and snowmobiles. 6. Can someone else transport my deer after it’s legally tagged and registered? Yes. Any person may transport a lawfully taken deer if it is properly tagged and registered, whether they possess a hunting license or not.
7. Once I have killed a deer, can I continue to hunt? Any member of a group gun-deer hunting party may kill a deer for another member of the party with a firearm if both of the following conditions exist: A. At the time and place of the kill, the person who kills the deer is in contact with the person for whom the deer is killed. Contact means visual or voice contact without the aid of any mechanical or electronic amplifying device other than a hearing aid. B. The person for whom the deer is killed possesses a current, unused deer carcass tag that is authorized for use on the deer killed. The person killing the deer may not leave the deer unattended until after it is tagged. 8. Can I hunt small game during the deer season? Yes, if the season is open, and with the exception of waterfowl hunting, if 50 percent of the person’s outer clothing above the waist is blaze orange.
9. Can I use a light to shine wild animals? Persons may not use or possess with intent to use a light for shining any wild animal while hunting or in possession of a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow. Further, between Sept. 15 and Dec. 31, during the hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., you may not use any light for shining wild animals.
10. What do I do if I lose my hunter education certificate? Wisconsin law requires that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1973, must have successfully completed a hunter education course before he or she purchases any hunting license. This certificate must be presented when a license is purchased. If lost, a duplicate can be obtained by going in person or applying through the mail to a Department of Natural Resources license sales office. The current fee is $2.75. For answers to additional questions, consult the Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet – available at businesses where licenses are sold, county clerk offices, and all Department of Natural Resources offices. – from the Wisconsin DNR
Finding public land open to hunting
STATEWIDE – The DNR Web site provides detailed maps showing public lands in your area. Go to dnr.wi.gov and click on the hunting link. On the left side of the screen under “Hunting Opportunities” click on “Wildlife Recreation Lands” to find a state wildlife area near you that is open to hunting. – from the DNR Web site
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - PAGE 7
Hunters with disabilities have successful deer hunt
Terry Hanson of Amery took this nice buck while hunting near Grantsburg during the deer hunt for disabled hunters, held from Oct. 2 through Oct. 10. Only qualified hunters with disabled hunting permits are allowed to hunt on sponsored disabled gun deer hunt properties. – Photos submitted
Rodney Brust harvested a pair of Mike Bussewitz shot this spike does during the deer hunt held for buck near St. Croix Falls while hunters with disabilities. being guided by Brad Thyesle.
Dennis Niday took this nice doe while hunting during the hunt for disabled hunters in October.
Lynn Kruger holds a 10-pointer he took with guide Scott Hansen.
Kenneth Walsh shot this buck while hunting on land owned by Ed Dittbrenner near McKinley. He was assisted by guides Al Briese of Luck and Dave Hraychuck of Balsam Lake.
Locked bucks create a scene on Hwy. 70
Both bucks die despite effort to save huge 10-pointer
by Marty Seeger Leader staff writer SIREN – Nature isn’t very forgiving, and proved so Friday morning, Oct. 15, when a truck driver traveling along Hwy. 70 spotted two large bucks locked at the antlers on the side of the road near Siren National Golf Course. The driver stopped in at Lee’s Sports in Siren to tell his story, and it wasn’t long before a decentsized crowd assembled along the road to witness the spectacle. An ambulance and fire truck returning from an early-morning fire also stopped, and a wildlife technician was eventually called in to help. While the 12point buck had already been dead for some time, the larger 10-point buck was very much alive, and continued to try and break free, at one point pushing the smaller buck with ease toward the road. The buck pushed his way back into the woods, where the technician approached with a saw to free the bucks. “When the buck was totally exhausted he was able to saw an antler off the dead buck, which caused the antlers to untangle,” said Bonnie Tjader of Siren, who was one of many witnesses at the scene. Tjader also videoed part of the event, which can be seen at www.youtube.com, under the title “Buck Fight Locked Horns.” Once free, the 10-point buck remained bedded and unable to move. Witnesses eventually left the scene and, despite the effort to free the live 10-point buck from the other deer, it was found dead the following day. Conservation Warden Chris Spaight responded shortly after the DNR wildlife technician cut the antlers but there wasn’t much anyone else could do. It was the first time he’d ever responded to an incident such as this, but he has heard of other incidences like this in the state. Unfortunately, Spaight returned the following Sunday to check on the welfare of the deer, only to find its head missing. “This person did not have the right to go on someone else’s property, and take something that didn’t
These two large bucks were found locked together on Friday morning, Oct. 15. The 12-point buck was already dead and being dragged by the larger 10-point buck, who was trying to break loose. – Photo by Bonnie Tjader belong to them,” Spaight said, hoping anyone with According to conservation Warden Jesse Ashton, it knowledge of the theft would come forward. is legal to harvest a buck that has locked antlers with It’s not entirely uncommon for bucks to become another deer, but if both deer had still been alive that entangled during this time of year. The mating season would have been a different story. is just starting to get under way, and bucks will be “If both bucks would have been still alive, he would fighting regularly to win their mate. A similar incident have needed to have someone come over with a valid occurred on Nov. 10, 2007, when Unity student Luke archery buck tag to kill the other buck,” Ashton said Nelson stumbled upon two large bucks locked at the during the 2007 interview. antlers, apparently for quite some time. One buck had In order to keep both bucks, the DNR issued Nelson died, while the other was still alive, and Nelson ended a tag for the other deer. up shooting the one buck.
PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - NOVEMBER 17, 2010
Local sees successful hunt in Africa
Editors note: Bill Bosak is a native of Frederic whose family has lived in the area for over 100 years. This is the second trip he’s taken to Africa over the years. The story was told by Bosak, and written by his sister Avis Turner
Over fifty years ago as a 12-year-old farm boy, I used to lie in my bed reading adventures of hunting big game in Africa. As I read, I dreamed of following in the footsteps of Jack O’Connor, my favorite Outdoor Life editor and hunting for elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo, lions, and leopards—the Big Five— dangerous game. Dreaming of such adventures made me even more excited about my first deer-hunting trip. My excitement for this trip was mingled with apprehension about deer fever and my fear continued even as I ventured out in the cold and dark on that Wisconsin morning to hunt for deer. Little did I know that 50 years later I would have some of those same emotions as I traveled to Africa to hunt for one of the Big Five. Unfortunately, my trip to Africa in 2009 was disappointing. The area where I hunted was heavily poached and there was very little game to be seen. There were a few impalas and some Cape buffalo that wandered out into the park but the only other animals that I saw were some baboons, warthogs, bush pigs, and kudu. Since the game was so limited, I was told that if I saw a kudu that I should shoot it since it would be the only one that I would see. As a result, I was happy to get a kudu but I left without the Cape buffalo—one of the Big Five—that was my real goal. Since trips to Africa are not only lengthy but expensive, I really didn’t consider taking another trip there. However, due to my disappointment in 2009 and my concerns about being physically unable to go on such a trip in the future, I made plans for a return trip the next year. Planning for my second trip to Africa actually began in January 2010 when I went to the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nev. I went there to meet Scott Guthrie, the professional hunter who I hunted with the previous year, and make arrangements to hunt with him in August. Following the meeting with Guthrie, and as I prepared for this second trip to Africa, I had different concerns than I did the previous year. In my longdreamed-of trip in 2009, I was concerned about the numerous connections that I would have to make to get to my destination and I worried about getting my rifle through customs. However, my real dilemma at that time was about what kind of weapon I needed to take for hunting the Big Five. Back in 1968, I had built my first custom rifle, a 338 Winchester Magnum. Although such a weapon is powerful for hunting North American white-tailed
Bill Bosak and several of his South African guides with some of the trophies Bosak shot. – Photos submitted
deer in Wisconsin, I wondered whether or not it was powerful enough for big game in Africa. After doing some research, I finally realized that although the 338 Winchester Magnum is powerful enough for a Cape buffalo, it is actually more suitable for hunting moose or elk. Also through my research and by talking to Guthrie, I discovered that the game regulations in Zimbabwe make a 338 illegal for use in hunting any of the Big Five in that country. So instead, I selected a 416 Rigby caliber rifle—Jack O’Connor’s choice also. With the rifle issue having been resolved the first time around, the worries that I encountered on my second trip were different. In fact, I found that prior to departing for Africa, I experienced some of the same apprehensions that I had experienced on my first deerhunting trip as a boy in Wisconsin. Consequently, the night before leaving on my second trip to Africa was a sleepless one. I was apprehensive about a number of things but I realized that my main concern was whether or not there would be enough game to hunt. After all, this was an expensive trip and I wanted to come away from it with a better outcome than my first trip and with the satisfaction that my dream was fulfilled. The journey to Zimbabwe is lengthy and somewhat complicated because there are a number of connections that have to be made. So my actual journey started on July 31 when I traveled from Minneapolis to Chicago and then on to Dulles in Washington, D.C. From there I flew 18 hours to Johannesburg, South Africa, with a stop midway for refueling and a crew change in Senegal. The plane on this flight was hot and stuffy which made it the longest 18 hours of my life! When I finally did arrive in Johannes-
Bill Bosak poses next to a waterbuck he shot while hunting in South Africa.
burg, I was somewhat amused and thrilled to see a sign that read “South Africa, Home of the Big Five.” My first thought was that this is something like promoting the Big Ten Conference in Wisconsin! Although it was nice to be in South Africa, my journey was not yet finished. I still had to get to Zimbabwe! Eventually I did make it to Bulawayo and because the air terminal is unfinished there, I met Guthrie at a Quonset building to check my rifle and ammunition through customs. From there Guthrie took me to his residence outside the city. As we traveled to his home, Guthrie told me that he had not always been a professional hunter. Instead he had started out being a farmer but when his property was obtained by the state he had turned to guiding hunters in their search for big game. Once at Guthrie’s home, we enjoyed an evening meal and a night’s rest before proceeding on to the hunt! Before leaving we picked up our two trackers, Langcious and Zuwande. We also picked up a third person, Siedie, the pickup driver who would respond to our radio calls and follow our directions as to where we could be picked up after walking through the bush. These three also would work at cutting brush and trees along the trails, since Guthrie did not like the brush up against his truck while traveling. The hunting area that Guthrie selected was close to the border with South Africa. I had some misgivings about the area that he selected since it is actually a
fenced-in area. I wondered whether this was going to be like shooting domestic animals or shooting fish in a barrel. However, nothing could be further from the truth. It turned out that the area consisted of thousands of acres. The animals were completely free-roaming and wild but managed and cared for by private owners. The animals were provided with ground-level water tanks where water was pumped in for them to drink. Without this water, much of this game would not exist. In addition, there were armed men patrolling on foot watching for poachers. These men were mainly concerned about the rhinos which are heavily demanded because their horns are used in the far east as an aphrodisiac. Because of these managed fenced-in areas, I saw many animals that I had never planned on hunting. My fear that there would be few animals to hunt, like on my first trip, was completely dispelled. The game was plentiful. I saw impalas, Cape buffalo, kudu, baboons, warthogs, bush pigs, blue wildebeest, oryx, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, honey badgers, steenboks, duikers, jackals, otters, Cape clawless otter, vultures, sables, leopards, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. Giraffes were particularly plentiful since they are considered to be poor trophies. Consequently, no one wants to shoot them. Guthrie told me a story about a hunter who actually did want to shoot a giraffe once. However, they found it hard to sneak up on a giraffe because of their size and so the hunter was unable to get the giraffe that he wanted. Although the game was plentiful, my first day of hunting there was nonproductive. Despite locating Dagga Boys, we were unable to get a shot at one. Dagga Boys (Mud Bulls) are the old Cape buffalo bulls. These Dagga Boys have been expelled from the herd by the younger bulls and they most often travel in groups of two, three or four. They usually have routines of when they eat, drink and rest. Typically the Dagga Boys eat and drink from late afternoon to early morning. Then, at midday, they usually lay in dense brush and thorn bushes. On the second day we were able to find bulls that were still feeding. When we got up to them, I was offered a shot but it missed because of a 1-inch diameter mopane bush that my bullet hit instead. So we continued our search. Traveling along a trail in our truck, we looked for large fresh tracks. We continued to follow the tracks and hoped that we would find their eating and drinking spot. See Africa hunt, page 9
One of the most dangerous game animals in Africa is the Cape buffalo, which Frederic native Bill Bosak took on his trip to South Africa.
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - PAGE 9
Over $8,000 in fines for Polk County poachers Hunting, fishing and trapping license revocations total 21 years
by Marty Seeger Leader staff writer POLK COUNTY – A DNR poaching investigation that came to light in October of 2008 was finalized in Polk County Circuit Court. During the spring of 2008, wardens Jesse Ashton, Chris Spaight and Dave Zebro began an investigation on husband and wife Gerald D., 63, and Robin L. Denver, 53, of Cumberland, and uncovered several wildlife violations in the process. Violations that took place over a three-year span near the Indian Creek area of Lorain Township, resulted in a total of $8,434.60 in fines for the Denver’s, and a revocation of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in Wisconsin, and the 34 other states currently part of the Wildlife Violator Compact. Gerald received 12 years of revocation and Robin received nine. Wardens also confiscated a 30-30 rifle, .22-mag rifle, three sets of deer antlers and a bear skull found on the property. “In my recollection, in Polk County, it’s the longest revocation and highest amount of fines assessed,” said Ashton. Gerald faced a nine-count criminal complaint that included shooting an endangered species (wolf), hunting deer during the closed season, hunting deer by aid of an artificial light and possession of an untagged deer. Several of the violations were read aloud in court but were dismissed according to Ashton. “All counts that were dismissed in this case were read in, [court] which means they’re taking responsibility for
The 10-point buck above is one of several animals poached in a span of three years. Along with detailed journal entries, Gerald Denver also wrote in detail on the back of this plaque on how this 10-pointer was killed. – Photos courtesy of the DNR them, but they can’t be tried again and tagged using an agricultural crop damthey’re not going to face additional age tag. Another fine of $2,138 was monetary penalties,” Ashton said. issued for hunting with the aid of an At least three of the counts resulted in artificial light over bait on Nov. 17, 2006, fines of $2,138, including the shooting of on the night before the gun-deer opener, an antlerless deer at night on Oct. 11, and the third $2,138 fine was for a 102006, from the Denver’s house over a point buck that was shot over bait at lighted bait pile. The deer was then night.
Africa hunt/from page 8
Once we found the spot, our plan was to come back later in the day when they would be eating and less wary. This strategy turned out to be very successful for us since I got my Cape buffalo and what a Cape buffalo it turned out to be! Not only was I amazed at his size but Guthrie said it was the largest that he had taken in the past 10 years. A large Cape buffalo has a spread of about 40 inches but this one had a spread of almost 45 inches— a very good trophy! Although I got my Cape buffalo which was my main goal, I wasn’t done yet! Over the next few days I got other animals, as well. One of the animals was an impala. The impala that I shot was poorly hit, however, and we had to track it until the light ran out that day. The next morning the trackers followed the track again and found that a lion was also after it. We continued tracking it for some time through high grass and
Bill Bosak’s professional hunter, Scott Guthrie (far left), along with other members with his guide service in South Africa.
One of the cabins that Bill Bosak stayed in while hunting in South Africa. – Photos submitted
brush until we found the animal dead and half-eaten by the lion. In addition to the Cape buffalo and impala, I also got an average-size kudu and a large waterbuck. The waterbuck measured over 30 inches. This was a good-size waterbuck since the average spread for a waterbuck is about 25 inches. The meat from this game was the property of the landowner. Some of the meat from the animals was provided for our meals while we were in camp and the rest was available for the landowner to sell. The remainder of the animal, the hide, head and horns, become the property of the hunter, which is part of the fee that the hunter has to pay. The process of having the animal skinned, dried and mounted takes several months. In fact, after 14 months, the taxidermist in Zimbabwe has yet to ship
During the investigation, game wardens uncovered a journal that Gerald Denver used to document the illegal activity. In the handwritten journal he wrote of the size of the animal, time, where the animal was shot and the type of rifle used. Several of the deer were shot out of one of the home’s bedroom windows. Other animals were also illegally taken over the bait piles, including bear. Five citations were issued for shooting five bears out of season, but were dismissed. Ashton said the bears were baited in another area not far from the Denvers home. They used fish entrails for bait, and at night Gerald shot them while Robin held a spotlight. Robin faced four criminal counts involving two counts of hunting deer during the closed season and two counts of illegal shining deer or bear. All four counts were dismissed but read aloud in court. She was still fined a total of $1,177 for being party to the crime. In a separate incident in Barron County, Robin also faced a charge for illegally shooting a bear in its den during the rifle season on Nov. 25, 2005. The case was dismissed by prosecutor’s motion on Monday, Oct. 11. DNR law enforcement looks at cases like these as stolen opportunities from law-abiding sportsmen, women and citizens who enjoy the state’s natural resources. Anonymous tips from citizens were a crucial part of the investigation. “It was made possible by community information, good work by all the wardens involved. Prosecutor Dan Steffen and Judge Molly GaleWyrick did a great job in prosecuting this case, and sending a message to people that if you’re going to do this stuff you’re going to face some severe penalties,” Ashton said.
the kudu from my 2009 hunt. The hunting process is very tiring and at the end of the day we would be picked up by our driver and driven back to camp. At the camp, I had a spacious cabin with two double beds. The bathroom contained both a shower and a bathtub with hot water heated by wood and fed by gravity to our rooms in the evening. Our food was prepared by a professional cook and the meat was cooked perfectly and was extremely tender. My clothes were collected each day and washed, folded, and returned. After a long day in the bush, I enjoyed being waited on by a staff who was there to get us things to make us comfortable. On the remaining days in Africa we saw other interesting things, as well. For instance, we saw a leopard dragging an impala that it had caught. While hunting, we also encountered two researchers working with the leopard population. We had seen one of their live traps—a simple steel-frame box with a gate on one end and a cable and trigger on the other. You would never find a red fox stupid enough to enter a box like this that was covered with human scent. However, they had good success with this trap catching leopards and other smaller animals that smelled the free meal inside. This adventure has ended but it will be something that I will never forget! It was an experience that I had dreamed of for over 50 years! Even if I am unable to ever go back to hunt in Africa again my dreams have been fulfilled. As I told my sister, “I have done everything that I had ever hoped to do there!”
PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - NOVEMBER 17, 2010
Larsen bags 50th consecutive bow buck
Shows no signs of hanging it up at 78
by Marty Seeger Leader staff writer LUCK – Change is a part of life and Roger Larsen of Luck has seen his fair share of changes over the years, especially in the world of bow hunting. Whether it’s the tactics he’s used, the equipment or changes to the environment, Larsen has adapted by way of necessity. But one thing hasn’t changed for Larsen as he’s been able to take a buck in each of his 50 archery seasons. Larsen arrowed his 50th consecutive buck during the Wisconsin archery season near his home in Luck on on a Saturday evening, Sept. 25, at about 6:30 p.m., taking a unique 8-point buck while using his crossbow. The other 49 deer have also come from near his home, no farther away than Frederic or Milltown. “My boy is evidently going to have it mounted, I don’t know … I wouldn’t have!” said Larsen, with a long laugh. He admits that he’s never gone after the big bucks, but wouldn’t hesitate on a big one if given the opportunity. Larsen isn’t a boastful hunter, yet his wife thought differently as this reporter entered the driveway on a recent Monday for a second visit in the past four years. “Will I need to buy more thread to sew the buttons back on his shirt?” Loretta joked, as Larsen stood on his front porch, laughing. In 2006 the Leader ran a story on Larsen’s 46th buck in a row, which was an 8-point and Larsen’s largest buck ever. Since then, nothing seems to have changed, yet the 78-year-old wasn’t sure he’d hit No. 50 when he found out he’d need surgery on the carotid artery in Roger Larsen of Luck holds the unique-looking 8his neck, which had significant blockage. Although he pointer he shot in late September, marking his 50th and his family knew surgery was imminent, the consecutive archery buck. – Photos by Marty surgery came after shooting his 50th buck. Seeger “I had to get it shot and get it done, because I didn’t know how long I’d be laid up and be able to hunt,” newer compound bows and has shot numerous deer Larsen said. Loretta added, “Then we were going to get some with each. The last compound bow he purchased was more outside work done before he had surgery but, a Ben Pearson Spoiler but, not all that long ago, Larsen needless to say, we had a deer to take care of and get had to resort to using a crossbow. “If I could pull my bow I’d still be hunting with it, in the freezer first but we got it done.” Like the 49 bucks before it, Larsen’s deer have but I can’t,” Larsen said, and added that baiting has always gone straight to the freezer, and venison is the helped him increase his chances since he can’t hunt reason he started bow hunting in the first place. He from a tree stand anymore. Many of his more recent credits his brother for first introducing him to bow bucks have been taken from a shooting house within hunting and was drawn to it by the thought of getting walking distance from his home. There’s no doubt that hunting is still a challenge for an extra tag and another deer for the freezer. He pracLarsen, yet there were many lean years when just seeticed many hours with a Reynolds aluminum longbow he borrowed from his brother and eventually shot a 6- ing a buck was difficult. “There were years when we had the big snow … point buck with it in 1960. He’s owned several bows since then, including a 45-pound recurve made by God, boy I’ll tell ya, bow hunting was really tough for Bear Archery, which he claims to have taken more about two or three years, and I really had to hunt,” he recalled. deer with than any other bow he’s owned. Yet, through every season, Larsen has managed to It wasn’t until the 1980s that Larsen tried out the
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take a buck with archery equipment through deer herds thick or thin. This year he considers the deer herd to be quite thin and isn’t in favor of the herd-control season coming this weekend. He’s already spent a good amount of time observing the deer in his area and the buck he shot in September is the first he’d seen. But even with a mild disgust for the shortage of deer, Larsen will continue to hit the woods during the archery season. He was even out last Sunday in his shooting house, not to hunt, but to enjoy the wildlife. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Bow hunting to me is way beyond rifle hunting. You get to sit there and wait and you see so much wildlife, I mean you get to see everything.” Larsen will also hope to hit the woods during the rifle season. He has another surgery planned but is hopeful it can wait until after the nine-day season. And whatever change may come his way before now and next fall, you can bet that he’ll be visiting his shooting house again for a chance at archery buck No. 51.
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Statewide outlook Following a review of population goals that included extensive public input and legislative review, deer population goals were increased in 43 units this year. The end results are season structures and permit levels that will be aimed toward a more conservative antlerless harvest. The elimination of Earn-A-Buck outside of the CWD management zone last year also allowed all hunters to take bucks and pass on antlerless deer. Hunters who will be hunting in former EarnA-Buck units may notice an increase in the number of antlerless deer and fewer mature bucks this year. Areas in the state hit hard by winter in 2007-2009 and 2008-2009 may experience a depression in the number of deer in the 2- to 3-year-old age class this year. Old Man Winter lessened its grip throughout most of the state this year, which resulted in increased winter survival rates and birth rates. In many areas, hunters may notice more does with twin fawns this fall. Snowmelt also occurred earlier this year than normal, resulting in earlier green-up and good lactation. While these observations are promising, it should be kept in mind that local fawn recruitment into the fall population is variable, as they may be impacted by local predator populations and other sources of mortality and that the combination of conservative antlerless harvest opportunities in regular units along with no Earn-A-Buck outside of CWD zones may result in a harvest below the 10-year average. Regardless of statewide or DMU-level deer populations and expectations, hunters are reminded that deer abundance on the property or local level often does not reflect deer population trends on the larger scale. Preseason scouting and discussions with neighbors will give hunters a better expectation of the hunt in their hunting area.
Hunters Code of Ethics
STATEWIDE – Positive hunter behavior and ethics will preserve the future of hunting and will help ensure continued opportunities and places to hunt. Ethics cover behavior related to issues such as respect, responsibility and fairness which cannot always be addressed with laws. Responsible and ethical hunters should always:
1. Respect landowners
• Always know where you are hunting and gain permission before entering private lands. Know how to use a map, compass or GPS unit when needed. • Be courteous, follow the landowner’s rules and treat their property with respect.
2. Respect other hunters
• Don’t interfere or disrupt the hunt of another.
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STATEWIDE – Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must present their Wisconsin Hunter Education certificate (or proof of a hunter safety course recognized by the department from another state, province or country), previous year’s Wisconsin hunting license, or proof of successful completion of basic training in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard to purchase any hunting license. A certificate of successful completion of a bow hunter education course can
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3. Respect nonhunters
• Understand that not everyone supports hunting. While everyone is entitled to their own view, positive hunting behavior will not turn someone who is neutral into someone who is opposed.
4. Respect wildlife and other natural resources
• Follow all hunting laws and report violations observed to your local warden. • Assist or support landowners and the DNR with wildlife habitat projects. – from the DNR Web site
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Stakeholder interaction A lot has happened over the last year in the deer management world. In 2009, two stakeholder advisory panels prepared recommendations to the Natural Resources Board and the DNR. The first group’s objective was to review the state’s deer management unit posthunt population goals and boundaries. After considering public feedback, the panel recommended increasing deer population goals in 12 DMUs and reducing goals in three. After Natural Resources Board approval, legislative committees requested additional changes to goals. As a result, the department suggested goal increases to 43 DMUs and decreases to two DMUs, which were subsequently approved. A number of units with deer-population goal increases will be affected this year with a change in season structure and a reduced antlerless harvest quota. Higher goals and increasingly conservative antlerless harvest strategies will initially result in fewer deer harvested in those units. Another stakeholder panel met to seek alternatives to Earn-A-Buck regulations for deer management units that are substantially above population goals at the request of the Legislature and Natural Resources Board. The panel provided three alternative packages with varying hunting regulations and season dates intended to increase antlerless harvest in units where it is needed. The primary component to these packages was a 16-day gun-deer season in November. After an online comment process and public hearings, it was clear how variable the opinions were across the state and how passionate Wisconsin deer hunters are about their hobby. At that time, preliminary harvest results were in from the 2009 hunting season, which suggested deer populations were nearing goals across much of the state. This led to the DNR dropping the EAB alternative proposals. Gratitude is extended to all of those who provided input during the comment period. – from the DNR Web site
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STATEWIDE – In the months leading up to the 2010 deer season, hunters across the state will anxiously wait for their favorite time of year. Time spent honing shooting skills, readying equipment and scouting the land for deer signs are enjoyable and can pay off when the season opens. Bonds with family and friends strengthen during the deer season as old traditions continue and new ones begin. And of course, everyone is wondering what the season will bring. The 2009 deer season ended with a statewide registered harvest of approximately 330,000 deer. This would be a remarkable harvest by the standards of many states, but fell short of some hunters expectations based on Wisconsin’s previous five-year annual harvest average of 492,000 deer. Several factors likely contributed to the lower harvest. A reduced deer population and a reduction in antlerless harvest (no Earn-A-Buck outside CWD units, fewer herd control units, lower permit levels) are thought to have played the biggest roles. Current deer populations vary throughout the state. The 2010 hunting season will be outlined by roughly half of the deer management units in a herd-control season structure where deer population estimates are currently 20 percent or more above population goals. The other half of the DMUs are going to be in a regular unit season structure where deer populations are currently near or below established goals. Twenty-two DMUs in southern Wisconsin make up the CWD management zone, which will again have unlimited EarnA-Buck regulations intended to meet deer population goals and disease management objectives. While herd control has been the primary statewide focus over the last decade, herd growth is actually the primary objective throughout much of northeast Wisconsin for 2010. Herd growth in a DMU is achieved if the total deer harvest plus all other mortality is less than the total number of fawns recruited into the fall population. The strategy for herd growth is to have a very small antlerless harvest quota or a bucks-only hunt. In DMUs where the posthunt population was more than 20 percent below the population goal from the previous winter, a decision for a zero antlerless quota (bucks only hunting) would be influenced by local public input and the local biologist. In 2010, 19 DMUs in the northern forest will have buck-only hunting during the archery and gun deer seasons. Some exceptions may apply to qualified members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are home on furlough or leave, Class A and C disabled permit hunters, first-time hunter education graduates and agricultural damage permits. The Dec. 9-12 antlerlessonly hunt will still be held statewide, however, in the 19 units where zero antlerless tags are available, only
Deer-season forecast
PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - NOVEMBER 17, 2010
Watch your clocks!
• Times listed are one-half hour before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset. • Firearm hunting prohibited on Nov. 19. • Calculating hunting hours: Determine your location in either the Northern or Southern Area and add the minutes shown in the zone in which you are hunting to the opening and closing times listed in the
Northern Area Hunting Hours table. • Night hunting: Coyote, fox, raccoon or unprotected species may be hunted without hunting hour restrictions except: 1. During the bow deer season when hunting hours listed in the the regulation book apply to bow hunting all species. 2. During the regular gun deer season from Nov. 20 - Nov. 28 in nonmetro units when normal hunting hours apply to hunting all species. • Caution: Consult your migratory bird regulations pamphlet for migratory bird hunting hours including woodcock, crows, doves, snipe and rails.
Chart (R) is the 2010 northern hunting hours for Zone A.
Four basic rules of fifirrearm safety
direction means it is not pointed at yourself or anyone else. A safety mechanism can fail, but usually it’s the person who fails to engage it. Keeping your gun pointed in a safe direction means no one gets hurt if the firearm discharges.” Planning your fall hunting trip also means having your gear in proper working order. Firearms should be cleaned and closely inspected for any signs of mechanical wear that could result in a problem in the field. Firearms aren't the only items that need to be checked well in advance of a hunting trip. Clothing and other equipment should also be inspected for signs of wear and tear. Anything that might cause you to compromise safety should be repaired, discarded or replaced. Blaze orange clothing that has faded over time, a jacket that doesn't fit right or a scope that isn't adjusted correctly can compromise your safety and the safety of others. Have a safe and enjoyable hunt. – from the DNR Web site
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STATEWIDE – As you join thousands of hunters heading into the woods, fields and marshes during the fall hunting seasons, Wisconsin DNR safety experts remind you to review and think about firearm safety each and every time you head out. Essential to any responsible hunting trip is an ironclad adherence to the four basic rules of firearm safety that can be easily remembered using the TAB-K formula. The rules are summarized as TABK: T - Treat every firearm as if it is loaded. A - Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction. B - Be certain of your target and what lies beyond. K - Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until ready to shoot. Based on hunting-incident statistics, about half of the firearm injuries that happen during the nine-day gun deer season are self-inflicted. “Clearly, the people who fall into this group aren’t following the ‘A’ in T-A-B-K,” according to the DNR. “Keeping your muzzle pointed in a safe
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - PAGE 13
Hunting is safer – as long as you don't shoot yourself
Hunter safety administrator statistics tell the story
MADISON – Wisconsin statistics show hunting is safe and getting safer, but the rate of unintentional self-inflicted injuries is on the rise. Hunter Education Administrator Tim Lawhern has witnessed both subtle and significant changes in his 22-year Department of Natural Resources career. And changes have been both good and annoying. “We have had great success in educating hunters to be safe – and with that comes success in the hunt,” Lawhern said
When Lawhern was named head of the hunter education program in 1994, there were 60 hunting incidents for all seasons combined – 55 injuries and 5 fatalities. The incident rate was 7.6 when compared with incidents per 100,000 hunters. In 1966, the year before hunter education programs began in the state, the incident rate for all hunting seasons was 43.5. Last year, there were 18 hunting incidents – 17 injuries and one fatality – translating into an incident rate of 4.19. For the gun-deer hunting season, the incident rate in 2009 was 1.26 for eight incidents. “These statistics show us that our Hunter Education Program is working.
And it shows us our volunteer instructors are doing a good job training hunters to be safe, knowledgeable and responsible,” Lawhern said. The flip side of the equation is the number of hunters shooting themselves. “It used to be self-inflicted injuries amounted to roughly 20 to 25 percent of the total number of hunting incidents,” Lawhern said. “Today that number is 40 to 50 percent each year.” Lawhern says it is not uncommon for a hunter to say the gun went off on its own. “In nearly all of these cases, the gun has not been the problem. It has been handler error,” Lawhern said. “If the hunter takes care to do two things, these
types of incidents will decline. “One is to never point a loaded gun in your direction or in the direction of anyone else. It must be pointed in a safe direction,” Lawhern said. “And, do not put your finger in the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot at your target. “Just doing those two things would wipe out self-inflicted injuries and cut by half the total number of hunting incidents,” he said. “Most of the self-inflicted injuries are just smart hunters momentarily turning stupid. So stay smart and safe this hunting season.” – from the Wisconsin DNR
Update on investing in Wisconsin whitetails
What’s up with research?
STATEWIDE – In February 2010 the Department of Natural Resources announced that it was directing roughly $2 million in one-time Pittman-Robertson funds toward white-tailed deer research. Descriptions of the research projects, including how you can get involved, are available on the DNR Web site. The primary objective of the effort is to fully implement the recommendations of the 2006 audit of the sex-age-kill population model and gain a better understanding of causes of fawn and buck mortality, including the roles of predators, habitat and weather. Additional projects will examine aerial deer survey techniques and hunter recruitment and retention.
So, what’s been happening since last February? Buck mortality, fawn mortality and recruitment These studies will capture, radio-collar and ear-tag bucks and does. In addition, adult does will be fitted with vaginal-implant transmitters that will signal when a doe gives birth so her fawns can be captured and radio collared. All radio-collared deer will be followed and studied for causes of mortality, including predators, environmental conditions and hunters. Also: • Two study areas have been selected; one in the northern forest including parts of Sawyer, Price, Rusk and Ashland counties and one in the eastern farmland in parts of Outagamie, Waupaca, Shawano, Oconto and Brown counties. •Wisconsin Conservation Congress is
moving forward rapidly, contacting landowners in the study areas seeking permission for access and cooperation in the research efforts. • Over 160 volunteers have signed up to participate in fieldwork. • A research Web site has been developed. • Roughly 50 box traps have been built by Whitetails Unlimited out of Marshfield. •AFL-CIO members are finalizing plans to build about 100 netted-cage traps.
Distance sampling This study is looking at other ways to sample deer populations that could be used as a check against the department’s POP2 estimation method which is used in Earn-A-Buck deer management units. The technique involves flying survey lines in fixedwing aircraft and recording deer sightings from the air. The following has been done: • Survey lines were flown during the winter of 2009-10. • Scientists are looking at the aerial counts and are at work developing adjustments to the technique for Wisconsin terrain and ground cover.
building materials. • If you are a landowner in a study area, allow traps to be placed on your property and access to the traps for monitoring. • Transporting, placing, setting up and monitoring traps. • Participate in processing deer captured through winter helicopter netgunning and ground-trapping efforts. • At a trap site, participate in weighing, sampling blood, aging, ear tagging and collaring deer. • Locating newborn fawns for weighing, ear tagging, sexing and collaring. • Locating deer when collars give off mortality signals and determining cause of death.
Wildlife Violator Compact
STATEWIDE – The State of Wisconsin is a participating member of the Wildlife Violator Compact. The Wildlife Violator Compact is an agreement between participating states that prohibits a person whose hunting, fishing or trapping privileges are suspended in a participating state from obtaining licenses or permits, or participating in those activities in all participating states. • If your hunting, trapping or fishing privileges are suspended or revoked for a fish- or wildlife-related violation by any of the member states after April 15, 2008, you may not engage in those activities in Wisconsin or purchase any license, permit or tag that authorizes those activities in Wisconsin during the period of the revocation or suspension.
Do you want to be a volunteer? Over 160 individuals have signed on as volunteer field workers for the buck mortality, predation and fawn recruitment studies. More will be needed as these studies will run for three to five years. So what does a volunteer do? Here are a few tasks and services you could be asked to perform: • Help build deer traps. • Raise or donate funds for trap-
Poachers Hotline: 1-800-TIP-WDNR STATEWIDE – There are a number of rule and regulation changes this year that may be of interest to hunters. Changes will be printed in the “What’s New in 2010” section of the 2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations booklet. Most notable changes include: • The archery antlerless carcass tag is no longer valid in all units statewide. Instead, the tag will be valid only in units with an established antlerless quota. See the 2010 Deer Season Structure Map to find regular-buck-only units where this tag is not valid. • There is no longer a three-day waiting period to use archery licenses purchased during the open archery season. • The use of rifles for firearm deer hunting is now legal: south of Hwy. 170 in Dunn County, west of Hwy. J in the southwest corner of Shawano County and in the Waupaca County portion of Hartman Creek State Park. See the firearms restrictions map in the 2010
Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations. Hunters are also encouraged to check with local authorities to see if there are any firearm restrictions different than the state’s. • A hunting season during the nineday firearm deer season has been established at both Whitefish Dunes State Park and Potawatomi State Park. • To facilitate removal from the field, hunters may divide a deer into no more than five parts (e.g. four quarters plus the head attached to the spinal column and rib cage). • Nonresidents 65 years and older may use a crossbow during any archery deer season without a special permit authorizing its use. • Magnifying scopes will be permitted on muzzleloaders during the designated 10-day statewide muzzleloader deer season, Nov. 29 – Dec. 8. - from the DNR Web site
525282 2a,d 2DH
What's new in 2010?
If this interests you, the department can use your help. At a minimum, you should be prepared to provide a full day’s work; most of the time you’ll be paired with a department or university researcher. In each study area scientists estimate it will take at least four to five days of helicopter net gunning and 10 weeks of ground trapping each winter to capture and tag (radio collars, ear tags) enough deer to accomplish research goals. “This is boots-on-the ground, handson deer research,” says DNR deer researcher Chris Jacques, “and we’ll likely be cold and dirty and tired at the end of the day, but it’s a real contribution to our knowledge of deer in Wisconsin.”
• If a person is cited for a wildlife violation in this state and fails to pay or appear in court, Wisconsin will revoke all that person’s hunting, fishing and trapping privileges and will communicate that information to that person’s home state and other participating states. The participating states include: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. – from the DNR Web site
THE BOTTLE SHOP Large Selection Of Wines For Thanksgiving!
100 Main Street, Luck, WI
DEER HUNTING SPECIALS! ,N 15 S ,N 21
715-472-2007 MONDAY
OVEMBER
KORBEL BRANDY
1.75 Ltr.
18
$
24-Pk. Cans
$
Week Week of of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving
OVEMBER
SVEDKA VODKA
LEINENKUGELS & LEINENKUGELS LIGHT
1279 10% OFF WINE
TO UNDAY
59 OLD MILWAUKEE 30-Pk. Cans
$
1299
1.75 Ltr.
1649
$
10% OFF OFF 2399* 10% CASES CASES OF OF BACARDI RUM
BUSCH OR BUSCH LIGHT 30-Pk. Cans
15
$
49
1.75 Ltr.
$
*While Supplies Last
LIQUOR LIQUOR Mix or Match
PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - NOVEMBER 17, 2010
Poachers hotline number: 1-800-TIPWDNR
715-349-5755 Saturday, November 20 LIVE MUSIC BY
MONKEY MONKEY FUNKERS! FUNKERS! 10 P.M. - 2 A.M. 2 FOR 1s 9-10 P.M.
28851 Kilkare Road Danbury, WI 54830
POOL HOURS
Monday - Friday........................Lap Swim ............................................Water Exercise Saturday.....................................Lap Swim ....................................................Open Swim Sunday........................................Lap Swim ....................................................Open Swim
MONDAY NIGHT NIGHT MONDAY FOOTBALL SPECIAL SPECIAL FOOTBALL 2 FOR 1 On All Pizzas* *Dine In Only
$
• Dump Trailers • PJ Car Haulers • PJ Utility Trailers • PJ Deckovers • PJ Skid Steer Trailers • Attachments & More
DJ ENTERTAINMENT DJ ENTERTAINMENT
Monday - Thursday..........................4 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday..............................................4 p.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday........................................11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sunday...........................................11 a.m. - 10 p.m. *Please note above are minimum bar hours.
DINING ROOM HOURS:
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
All PJ Trailers Powder Coated
Every Fri. & Sat. Night
Monday - Thurday............................4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
715-349-2400
3 Pk.
$
44
oots Pack B 99 From
$
35 !
WE BUY DE E R ! H I DES
Join Us
Open Sun. - Thurs. 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday Open ‘til 9 p.m.
HUNTING FOR SOME DEALS? MAKE TRACKS TO BIG MIKE’S! Large Selection of American-Made Knives
LOADS OF AMMO!
Simmon’s Compac Binoculart s $
A WHOLE WALL OF SCENTS, GRUNTS AND BLEAT CALLS! Hang-on and Ladder Stands ATTRACTANTS BY: ACORN RAGE, SWAMP DONKEY, C’MERE DEER, DEER COCAINE, STUMP LIQUOR, TROPHY ROCK & MORE
After The Hunt:
Yellow Yellow Lake Lake Golf Golf Course Course On County Rd. U 1 mile West Of Hwy. 35 between Danbury & Webster
715-866-7107
HAN D & FOOT WAR M E RS
All Dads
24136 State Hwy. 35, Siren, Wis.
Join us for a Traditional
THANKSGIVING DAY BUFFET Thursday, November 25
Serving starts at 11 a.m. Dining Room will close at 6 p.m. Bar will remain open
NOW BOOKING HOLIDAY PARTIES Call for reservations, 715-349-2954.
Join Us For The
Green Bay vs. Minnesota Game Sunday, November 21
Serving breakfast every day of hunting season! 9 a.m., including Thanksgiving Day. Join Us For
DJ/KARAOKE
Wed., Nov. 24 & Every Sat. Night Lake Country Riders Snowmobile Club
MEAT RAFFLE Every Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Golf Course
Co. Rd. U
OPEN DAILY AT 8 A.M.
ow Yell ke La
Webster
Sunday…Wonderland Meat Raffle 4 p.m. Also… kitchen open till 7 p.m. with Served with baked potato, salad and Texas toast.
Broasted Chicken & Meat Loaf Dinner. Join us SUNDAY, NOV. 21, for the
GREEN BAY/MINNESOTA GAME Deer Hunting Drawings Join us at 8 p.m. Nightly for our
Serving Breakfast Every Day During Hunting Season starting at 8 a.m.
Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day Day Kitchen Open till noon serving breakfast. Bar Open all day
525347 2-3a, 2DH
CLIP & SAVE
CLIP & SAVE
Serving Breakfast Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m.
CLIP & SAVE
715-349-2954
*
Danbury
Burgers..............................................................................................$1.75 Cheeseburgers............................................................................$2.00 plus 50¢ Taps starting at noon Tuesday Chicken Wings All-you-can-eat.......................................$8.00 Roast Beef Dinner....................................................................$6.99 Wednesday Italian Night - Lasagna & Spaghetti and Meatballs Thursday Mexican Night - Including: Tacos, Quesadillas & Taco Salad Friday Night All-you-can-eat Fish Fry - 5 - 9 p.m....................................$8.50 Saturday Night All-you-can-eat Steak Fry - 5 - 9 p.m..........................$12.75 Monday
3
Dining Room Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
STATEWIDE – Wisconsin landowners appreciate those people who ask permission to hunt and say thanks afterward. This builds important landowner-hunter trust. Remember, entering private lands without permission is illegal and creates a negative image for all hunters. – from the DNR Web site
10th Hole at
$ 99 OF 12 Pk. SES WE S WE ARE AR E A A WIS. WI S. DNR D N R BIG B I G GAME GAM E A P M CO REGISTRATION R EG I STRATI O N STATION. STATI O N.
OPEN 7 A WEEDAYS K
VOYAGER VILLAGE
Ask fifirrst and say thanks
CLIP & SAVE
PISTO SHOTG ULN, & R IFLE CASES
525383 2a,DH
525449 2a,b 2DH
BOXER, 36 Pk...........................................................$1199 KEYSTONE LIGHT, 6 Pk., 16 oz....................$329 ES PABST, 6 Pk., 16 Oz......................................................$427 15 STYL
Thanksgiving Day! Watch For Details
www.voyagervillage.com • 715-259-3910 WHO HAS MORE FUN THAN US?
15 99
Blaze Orange Jackets, Hats and Gloves
DAILY SPECIALS:
Pasta Night Soup & Sandwich $1.50 Burger Night Wing Ding Night Fish Fry & Prime Rib, Plus Our Full Menu Prime Rib, Plus Our Full Menu Breakfast 9 a.m. - Noon, Broasted Chicken 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Plus Our Full Menu
HAPPY HOURS:
Located on Hwy. 70 by Clam Lake Narrows 4 miles east of Siren, Hwy. 70
ge Rivers ESdticks Climbing 99
Have a safe and successful hunting season.
Friday.................................................5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday............................................5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday.................9 a.m. - Noon and 5 p.m. - p.m.
525614 2DH
* With Beverage Purchase
525451 2a, 2DH
NEW LEGENDS BAR & GRILLE HOURS:
SEE US FOR… • PJ Classic Goosenecks
5.50* All-you-can-eat Walleye Fish Fry..................... 13.00 $ Our Famous Barbecue Ribs.......1/2 Order ........ 8.00 $ Full Order. . . . . 10.00 Add a 1/4 Chicken for only $3.00 $
Thursday All-you-can-eat Chicken Wings......................... Friday Saturday
Legends Bar And Grille Is Open Every Day
14075 State Rd. 70 Grantsburg, WI • 715-463-2100 www.trailer-city.com
Plus 50¢ Domestic Taps During The Game Tankful Tuesdays - 2 For 1s - 9 p.m. - 10 p.m. Wacky Wednesday - Ladies Night $1 Off All Bar Rail And Domestic Beer - 10 p.m. - Midnight
9 - 10 a.m. 10 - 11:30 a.m. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 - 7 p.m. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 - 5 p.m.
Hwy. 35
Hwy. 35 & Main Street, Siren, Wis.
525556 2a,b,DH
KRIS’ PHEASANT INN & SPORTS BAR
Good Luck Deer Hunters
THE TAP
Suzy Q’s
OPEN AT 9 EVERA.M. OF HU Y DAY SEASNTING ON!
Snowshoe Tavern
Cushing, WI • 715-648-5223
You don’t have to go far to get a great meal. HAPPY HOUR: MON. - FRI. 10 A.M. - NOON & 5 P.M. - 6 P.M.
SERVING BREAKFAST ALL DAY, EVERY DAY
525394 2a,d 2DH
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - HUNTING GUIDE - PAGE 15
Main Street, Webster
Kitchen Open Daily: 11 a.m. to midnight
ALSO SERVING OUR FULL MENU
DEER OPENER SPECIAL
KARAOKE APPRECIATION CONTEST
Sat., Nov. 20
Prime Rib Dinner - Served 6 p.m. ‘til gone Good Luck Hunters!
This contest is for anyone who likes to sing. Everyone who sings will have a chance of winning! • Qualify Fridays, Nov, 12, 19 & 26 THE • Get an entry ticket just for singing 3 tickets each night TAP • Get up towinners receive a $25 Gift Certificate Main St. •• Weekly $300 in cash & prizes awarded on Nov. 26 Webster • Must be present to win any prize 866-9950 • Only one prize per person on Nov. 26 Tell your friends and family about this great contest. Whether you are a star or not, you have a chance! See complete rules at bar. 525395 2a 2DH
HUGE DEER WIDOWS PARTY Wed., Nov. 24
Drinks - Dancing - Fun
Friday, Nov. 19.................................................KARAOKE Saturday, Nov. 20 WEAR YOUR ORANGE AND GET $2 OFF YOUR BREAKFAST Hunters Food & Drink Specials Daily
Sunday, Nov. 21
YELLOW RIVER SALOON & EATERY
1 mile north of Webster • 715-866-7473
Open 7 Days A Week • Serving Lunch & Dinner
Open at 11 a.m. Mon. - Fri. & 10 a.m. Sat. & Sun.
Mon...........................................................25¢ WINGS 4 - 10 p.m. Tues......$2 12” PIZZA W/BEVERAGE PURCHASE 4 - 10 p.m. Wed..................................................BUCK BURGERS 4 - 10 p.m. Thurs..................................ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT RIBS $9.95 Fri..................................................WALLEYE FISH FRY $10.95 Sat...............................................................PRIME RIB 5 - 10 p.m. MONDAY NIGHT, 7 P.M.
TEXAS HOLD’EM
PLUS 25¢ WINGS, 4-10 P.M.
SPORTSMEN’S CLUB
MEAT RAFFLE FRIDAY, 5 P.M.
Join Us Sunday, Nov. 21, For The
GREEN BAY/ MINNESOTA GAME
FREE Ta cos During The Game FREE Tap Beer Or $1 Off Any Drink With 525397 Green Bay Touchdowns! 2a 2DH
GREEN BAY vs. MINNESOTA BORDER BATTLE Live Broadcast - Red Rock 105.7
Drink Specials • Half-Price Appetizers & Food Specials During The Game Wear Your Colors For Drink Specials, Prizes & Drawings!
THANKSGIVING DAY BUFFET, Thurs., Nov. 25, Starting At 11 a.m. JOIN US TUESDAYS FOR BARGO
6:30 p.m. • Free to Patrons • Win Meat - Door Prizes & Up To $500 Cash
DREAMERS DREAMERS
525427 2a 2DH
WEBSTER LIONESS MEAT RAFFLE EVERY FRIDAY 6:30 P.M. (Formerly St. Croix Grille) 710 State Rd. 70, Grantsburg • 715-463-3055
THE W EBB LAKE CABARET in beautiful downtown Webb Lake
715-259-7780
Attention Hunters!
5 BIG NIGHTS!
Live at the Cabaret
525557 2a,DH
Friday, November 19 thru Tuesday, November 23.
525283 2c,d,e 2DH
EXOTIC DANCERS
Fishbowl Bar
Attention Wisconsin Deer Hunters!!!
Attention Wisconsin Deer Hunters!!! Located 2 miles north of Danbury, Wis. on Hwy. 35.
715-866-4354
27924 Yellow Lake Rd.
Webster, Wis.
~ LUNCH SERVED DAILY ~ Serving Breakfast Saturdays & Sundays, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
~ EVENING SPECIALS ~
Mon. All-You-Can-Eat Soft- or Hard-Shell Tacos........$7.25 Tues. 12 Lg. Butterfly Shrimp w/fries & coleslaw, $ Incl. reg. beer or rail drink (served Noon till gone). . . . . . 7.25 BBQ Pork Ribs. choice of potato & soup or salad. . .$8.95 Wed. All-You-Can-Eat Chicken......................................$8.95 Thurs. Serving Starts At Noon All-You-Can-Eat Chicken Wings & Fries, $ Incl. reg. beer or rail drink........................................... 7.50 Fri. All -You-Can-Eat North Atlantic Cod...............$10.50 Sat. Specials (Starting At 1 p.m.) Mexican Platter.....................................................$10.95 Sun. Serving Our Chicken Picnic Special Starting at 1 p.m.
HAPPY HOUR: SUNDAY THRU FRIDAY 4 - 6 P.M. - 75¢ OFF
Yellow Lakes & Rivers Assoc. Meat Raffle Every Saturday, 3-5 p.m.
525396 2a 2DH
7
Monday, November 22, Hearty Dinner Night, 5-9 p.m. Hot Turkey, Hot Beef or Hot $ 99 Pork Sandwiches, served with mashed potatoes & gravy.............. Tuesday, November 23 Save The Deer Population! 2-For-1 Hamburgers, served 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesday, November 24 Mexican Night.................12 Entrees $9.99 & Under & a FREE Margarita Thursday, November 25..............................................Closed Thanksgiving Day Also serving food Friday, Saturday & Sunday featuring our full menu. We have the best beer & off-sale prices in Burnett County.
Wi-Fi Now Available
525332 2DH
PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER – HUNTING GUIDE – NOVEMBER 17, 2010
Frederic teachers tag out on some nice bucks
Frederic Schools special education Frederic business education teacher Susie Zeiler proudly hoists up Ryan Pagenkopf harvested teacher the buck she shot with a bow recentthis 9-point Canadian whitetail. ly.
525621 2DH
Kelly Hopkins, Frederic Middle and High School English teacher, took a 201 pound 10-point buck. She is pictured with her 3-year-old son, Lane.
525215 2a,c,d 2DH