2010 Wisconsin Deer Gun Harvest

The Wisconsin gun deer season has come to a close. I hope you had a successful hunt. Whether you got your deer or not, I'm sure you would agree being in the great outdoors is a great time.

I happen to get lucky again. Our party hunts the same place it has for 35 years now. We used to harvest several deer every year, but times have changed. We are lucky to see a few deer, let alone get one. But it is the time with brothers, and friends that keeps us going back to the same place every year.

I heard what I thought was a deer breaking ice by the Rat River, so I grunted, with my new bone collector flextone call. He must have heard because within, 5 minutes he was coming right to my tree. He stopped at 15 yards, and looked around. I aimed, pulled the trigger, and Click. So, I cocked again, aimed, pulled the trigger and Click. The buck started putting scent on a limb above him, but got a little nervous and walked under the canopy of pine branches below me. I cracked the barrel, reloaded another 30:06 Remington into the TC Encore.

But, by then, I spooked him with the rattle of shells in my pocket, or he got wind of me. He jumped and started getting out of Dodge the same direction he came from. I snapped the barrel down and got a look through the scope to pick a spot I might get a shot. He entered, and I pulled.

He crossed in front of me out of sight. I thought I heard him crash a few seconds later. But, I couldn't convince myself of going and checking for several hours. I didn't want to spook a poorly hit deer. Fortunately, my shot was true and I did hear him crash after going 35 yards.

I was sure glad we got him. Only one other deer was seen on opening day.

I continued to hunt during the week at several other properties. It sure is difficult hunting the public land in Northern Wisconsin. The forests and swamps all seem to run together. It gets harder to find food sources, when there isn't enough habitat, from lack of logging. The deer could be feeding on browse just about anywhere.

Hope your hunt was good.
God Bless
Outdoorwiz--

Big Elk down

Recently my twin brother, Bart, returned home from a hunting trip to Wyoming. He was traveling with members of his church, and going for elk with the bow for the first time. I didn't know too much about trip except that they would be traveling some of the way on horseback.

I heard this was a very tough hunt, but it all paid off.

He was able to take a great bull, app. 350" Pope & Young Elk. How about that for your first time.

I know the killed another smaller six by six, and had some encounters with a grizzly bear in camp. So, congrats to brother. and I look forward to whitetail hunting very soon.

Thank God for such great experiences.

Getting the hunting itch?

I know I missed opening duck season, haven't been grouse or archery hunting for whitetails yet. But, something is in the air. The leave really started falling today. I love that smell.
I will be getting the bow out soon. I will be throwing the shotgun in the truck. Football still is taking up most of my free time. So, when that winds done, we'll get hot and heavy for some venison.

Door County Weekend

In Algoma, Wi trying to get on the big lake to fish for some Salmon. Weather not cooperative today. May try to catch some on the river right after the rain. They say that may be the way to go.
Also, Golf challenge has been laid down. Steak dinner on the line.
Watch for results.

4th and Final Day for the Gobbler

4th Day

Another great morning in the woods, chasing the Toms. Got in extra early this am, after patterning several Toms. Got setup and called and had a gobbler respond several times. Never was able to get him to come in. Within a half hour he completely stopped responding.

So, on to another spot. Pulled off the road to locate and had 2 gobblers, one was very close. We quickly set up a few yards into the woods, but I believe we were busted by a hen again. I heard her after several calls, and the toms went the other way.

We tried to relocate and cut them off but to no avail. Well, this was like a broken record this week with the toms being all henned up. So, we called it a day.

Couldn't hunt on day 5. It was way too windy anyhow.

All in all we had a great time in the woods and saw many animals, including a lot of responding toms. Just no luck with getting them to come in. There is always next year. I may stay away from the middle season.

Outdoorwiz

2010 Turkey Season

What an awesome start to the Wisconsin Turkey hunting season.

Day 1

Perfect weather. Started out cool and very light winds. The sounds of the woods was just awesome.

Only one hen was seen by myself and professional guide and caller TI. However, we saw a host of other animals in the wild of Northern Wisconsin. To name a few, we saw: Deer, Bear, Fox, Grouse, Ducks, Porcupines, Morning Doves and heard a whole lot more.

We didn't see or even hear a Tom the first morning. By noon, we headed back to town and headed to work. Tomorrow's another day.

Day 2

Another great day to be up at 4:30 am and heading to the woods, not caring about my scent. Just being able to jump into some camo and head to the woods was quite pleasing. We traveled around to some favorite sites, and previous soundings of gobblers.

Our first stop produced a gobble and we were off. We parked and walked a few hundred yards into the toms domain. We set-up and started calling. Soon we realized we had two different birds talking. They didn't get any closer, so we moved again. 3 times we moved in on the birds. Some sexy hen must have been leading them away from her competition.

We got to a clearing and couldn't risk chasing, so we began to call. The Toms were only 100 yards away, but we couldn't get them to materialize. They were content to talk to us for 2 hours that morning. But, they wouldn't come to our call.

Day 3

For a day that was supposed to be windy and rainy, it was warm and overcast. Not much wind either.

We went back to get after the same toms again. This time we circled and cut them off, if they were going to do the same as yesterday. We made one small mistake, we assumed we had to get close right away. We jumped off the roadway and traveled through the woods after getting close. However, the birds were on the move very fast, right to us. So, fast a hen busted us as we set up.

We were able to call and get the gobbler settled down, but he wasn't coming after the danger yelps.

Well, ever day has gotten better. If I can muster another early morning, we'll try again tomorrow.

Safe hunting!

Awesome Day in Wisconsin

We enter that time of year when outdoor activities will soon begin to change, just like the weather. It is a great sunshiney day here and it make the attitudes an outlooks so much better, you can't believe it.
Why does the sun make such a big difference with the way I look at things? Can't I convince my mind that the sun is shining everyday, and that should make me feel the same every day.
Can't I make the choice every day, to be
thankful for a great God, world, and all the outdoors has to offer and be joyful and happy?
Sure I can, and so can you!!!!
We still have a lot of snow in NE Wisconsin, but the temps are climbing every day. Avg temp now is 31 degrees. Days are getting longer and March Madness is almost here.
I enjoy March and all the basketball that it brings, with the hopes for the golf season to right around the corner.
Ice fishing will be exciting in the weeks to come, but shacks will have to be hauled off the lakes in a few short weeks.
Hope your spring is around the corner! What ever outdoor activity you are looking forward too. But, enjoy the ones you have right now. Make that Choice, I am.
--Outdoorwiz