Local Column River Currents 11-24-08

River Currents    In case you didn’t know and missed the influx of blaze orange being worn by many individuals the last few days, Saturday, November 22 was the opening of one of Wisconsin’s most cherished traditions, the gun deer season. All weekend, I worked at Sauk City’s Wilderness Fish and Game store registering deer. Local registration numbers were; Saturday, November 22, 137 antlerless deer (does) and 77 bucks for 214 deer and Sunday, November 23, 114 antlerless deer and 60 bucks for 174 deer. The weekend totals were; 388 deer with 251 antlerless and 137 bucks registered.

The Wisconsin deer season is not quite like it was years ago when schools closed and hunters would trek to northern Wisconsin for the nine-day season and set up a deer camp. Those days are long gone for most hunters with friends and family drifting away, some going to the “Big Lake” in the sky, others moving away, and the growing families of the hunters occupying one’s time to name a few reasons why deer hunting has changed from the 1970’s and earlier. But, despite these changes deer hunting is still one of the most popular outdoor activities in the state with at least 650,000 licenses being sold this year.
One of the best things that I get to see is the number of young hunters both girls and boys who have taken their hunter safety course and are now out hunting with their parents, grandparents, or siblings. I happened to venture out to the Lochner Farm just outside of Spring Green where three generations still get together the opening weekend to hunt, play cards, eat, and tell stories. They all stay in a converted barn room where they sleep, eat, and like I said tell stories. This is one of the great parts of the deer hunting tradition; getting together and laughing at stories that many may have heard before, but still are worth telling again. So much of deer hunting is not about the game (though this may be changing), but about the family and friend bonding and the great camaraderie that the opening of deer hunting brings every fall to so many Wisconsinites. Times are changing, but deer hunting will always be a cherished and hallowed tradition in the Badger state. I hope to do a story on the Lochner Deer Camp in the near future.
I talked with many hunters who registered deer and those that I talked with were very enthusiastic about deer hunting and this season in particular. There still are a few rumblings about CWD, the Earn-A-Buck requirement, and the DNR. But, no matter what the state does it’s impossible to please everyone and Wisconsin does a lot for the sportsmen and women. The chronic wasting disease finding was a “monkey wrench” which no one expected and caused a few hunters to quit hunting, but overall it is a non-issue these days among most hunters.
Hunters couldn’t have asked for a nicer weekend with cool temperatures, little wind, and no precipitation. Monday morning I woke to a nice snow cover which will help hunters hunting this week if it doesn’t melt in the next few days. Deer hunters always like snow for tracking and seeing fresh tracks lets you know that deer are in your area.
DNR Secretary Matt Frank stopped by Saturday to check on the registration and talk to hunters as they came in with their deer. Personally, I think that Frank is doing a good job and I like to see him out in the field talking to hunters and asking them questions and their opinions on the hunt. Hunters like to see the people who are responsible for making so many of the decisions that affect their outdoor activities face to face instead of being in an office.
The deer herd in Wisconsin is still somewhere between 1.5 and 1.7 million deer. Despite the liberal hunting regulations and a tough winter, the deer herd is maintaining its large numbers. There’s another antlerless deer season coming in December, more bow hunting, and the rest of this 9 day season left for hunters. I haven’t seen the state numbers yet, but hopefully the numbers will be the same or more in the never-ending battle to reduce deer numbers.
Many hunters this year are hunting for food with the tough economy. I heard many hunters saying that they hoped to harvest another deer or two for their personal use or for friends that don’t hunt. One of the best observations of mine was that many hunters were shooting an extra deer for donation to the area food pantries which are being besieged by people for venison. This is another example of hunters trying to help those less fortunate in any way that they can. A local group, Target Hunger, is a community-action group that last year got hunters, butchers, and food pantries together to donate 700 deer to the needy. This year, the group hopes to be able to have 2000 deer for the food pantries. If you’re a hunter this is a great way to help your community, those in need, and give hunters the good name that they deserve! If you can this is a way to continue hunting and doing community service for your fellow man.
Target Hunger is also having a drawing for some great prizes if you donate a deer to the group. The Grand Prizes are; ½ day fishing for 4 people on Lake Michigan with We’ll Sea Charters, a 6-pheasant hunt at Rush Creek Hunting Club, a shoulder mount deer by Mike Richards Taxidermy, and a tree stand from Gander Mountain in Baraboo. The group is also doing a T-shirt sale to raise money to support the program. The shirts are $12.00 for short sleeve and $17.00 for long-sleeve shirts. The shirts are available at Belmont Meats, Lodi Sausage and Meat Market in Lodi, and Dick’s Meat Market in Mt. Horeb.
Local locations where deer can be dropped off for donation are; Lodi Sausage and Meat Market in Lodi, D and G Custom Meat Processing in Poynette, Black Earth Meats in Black Earth, Dick’s Meats in Mt. Horeb, Fred’s Village Market in Waunakee, Viking Express 11 in Baraboo, and Stracka Meats in Plain. I’d call these meat processors before stopping by with your deer for any special requirements and store hours. Patronize these businesses because they are helping make this program, Target Hunger, exist and help so many needy people. The DNR used to fund this program, but hey no longer can afford the funding. Locally, Wayne Whitemarsh at the Wilderness Fish and Game store has been spear-heading the local effort. He may be reached at the store or by calling him at (608)-643-2433. Thanks Wayne!
Keep hunting and donating!! And BE SAFE. www.garyengbergoutdoors.com