Gary Engberg Outdoors

gengberg November 26th, 2007

  This past weekend was the last weekend of the “traditional” nine-day deer gun season. The deer gun season is open in the Herd Reduction Zone (HRZ) and the Disease Eradication Zone (DEZ) until December 9^th. Landowners with permits may harvest deer until March 31^st, 2008. Bow hunting in all areas of the state, except the DEZ and HRZ areas are open till January 6^th, 2008 and in the two before mentioned zones till January 31^st. Sometimes, I need someone to help me figure out the different seasons and zones. So, if you’re having problems understanding the rules and regulations then you aren’t the only one!

Personally, I didn’t hunt deer during the gun season. I helped register and age deer at Wilderness Fish and Game during the nine-day season which allowed me to talk to many hunters and see many deer from Sauk, Dane, and Columbia Counties. Overall, most if not all deer that I saw came from the DEZ and HRZ areas where the DNR wants deer numbers significantly reduced. As I mentioned in last weeks column, the number of deer registered opening weekend was over 500 deer which was an increase from the 422 deer registered opening weekend in 2006. This past week and weekend, there were almost another 275 deer registered for a nine-day total of a little less than 800 deer. This is an increase from 2006 and when all the totals are in I’ll give you the numbers.

Opening weekend, the DNR reported that 171,584 deer were shot with 70,021 bucks and 101,563 does harvested throughout the state. In 2006, 167,573 deer were harvested. The kill numbers are increasing, but not at the rate that the state needs to get to the over-winter goal of 700,000 deer. Some of the top-producing counties on opening weekend included; Waupaca (7021), Clark (5442), Marathon (5412), Trempealeau (5350), Jackson (5172), Polk (4672), Sauk (4612), and Vernon Counties (4147). Columbia County reported 3740 deer harvested opening weekend and Dane County had 1189 deer harvested the first weekend. Sauk County was in the top-ten counties statewide with Columbia County close behind the top producing deer counties.

Thus far, there have 2 fatalities from gun accidents and according to Tim Lawhern, the DNR Hunter Safety Administrator, the number of fatalities has dropped to 4 deaths per 100,000 hunters which shows how much safer we hunt and the success of Hunter Education Classes.

The muzzleloader season opens November 27^th and runs through December 6^th statewide. There also is a statewide muzzleloader season from December 6^th thru December 9^th for antlerless deer. According to DNR deer ecologist, Keith Warnke, the muzzleloader season continues to grow. In 2006, 10,233 deer were harvested compared to the 8,567 registered in 2005. The first special muzzleloader season was held in 1991 with 200 deer registered, so one can see the increase in this type of deer hunting.

I heard many comments from hunters that I talked with and some of the common complaints and talk centered around returning to the traditional nine-day season, the number of deer seen (from seeing few to seeing more than ever), and how few hunters were seen in some areas. Hunters were also disappointed that they couldn’t easily donate deer and how the EAB or Earn-A-Buck areas were disliked. Again, I saw many children hunting and harvesting deer for the first time! Keep introducing the young to the outdoors. I keep repeating this, but if hunting is to continue this must be done.

This season, there were a number of feral pigs or hogs shot in the area. There have always been numerous “wild pigs” in Crawford and Vernon Counties, but now they seem to coming to this area. I was told that a domesticated pig reverts to the wild strain after two generations. These animals are a threat to all plants and vegetation, so it’s necessary to shoot and eliminate these animals. All you need is a small game license and the season is open year-round. This is another hunting opportunity and the meat tastes great.

There’s a few weeks left in the goose and duck seasons in our area and hunters hunting the Wisconsin River are having success. There are now many geese that stay here year-round plus the river attracts many migrating geese as they head south. Many of the ponds and potholes are freezing up, but the river will stay open through the season’s end. I’m starting to see more migrating ducks as they pass through our waters while heading south.

There should still be a release or two of stocked birds before the end of pheasant season December 31^st, so if you’re looking for birds now is a good time to hunt with not much competition. This is also a great time to scout for wild birds in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands. Try heading south toward Dane, Green, Rock, and Lafayette Counties for native birds on private lands.

Fishing continues to be good for the hardy angler with Lake Wisconsin and the areas below the dams at Wisconsin Dells and Prairie du Sac being good. Walleyes and saugers are biting near the Ferry and Tipperary areas on both jigs/plastics, jigs/minnows, and blade baits like Sonars and Zips. Keep moving slowly using your bow-mount trolling motor till you contact fish. Trolling lead-core line and Reef Runners is another good option this time of year.

The Madison lakes are also producing muskies on Lakes Monona and Wabesa and the season is open till November 30^th. Don’t forget that panfish are biting near the dams.

Remember to purchase and apply for your Spring Turkey permit before December 10^th. Be safe and keep enjoying the outdoors.

• Fishing , Conservation , Hunting , Pheasant , Waterfowl , Deer , My Local Column , River Currents , Eagles , Wisconsin River , Birds , Bow Hunting , Sauger