BACK UP AND RUNNING 12-9-09 FYI from Gary

gengberg December 9th, 2009

   The huge snow storm which blasted parts of Wisconsin with up to 23 inches of snow had me down for awhile, but I should be posting this afternoon. We have the first cold blast of the coming this afternoon and tonight with winds blowing 30 to 40 mph. This will cause near blizzard conditions in much of the state.

It took two hours to dig out my bird feeding areas and feeders. This time of the year, I go thru over 100 pounds of feed a week.Cardinal Winter Small Right now, feeding on the ground and at the feeders are cardinals, buejays, doves, juncos, titmise, wrens, sparrows, finches, and woodpeckers (Downey, Hairy, Red-Headed.) If you feed birds now is the time to help them out and keep your feeders full because they will learn to depend upon you. The temperatures are going to be below zero with the blowing winds.

Ice fishing is starting at Whalen’s Grade on Lake Wisconsin and the Cherokee Marsh north of Madison. I know many of you can’t wait to get on the ice, BUT PLEASE BE CAREFUL!! I know that the fishing is good, but going through the ice and doing something stupid isn’t worth any fish. Wait a while, till there is at least 3 or 4 inches of good ice. The fish will be in the same location as they were before freeze-up. I’m still hoping to get out in a boat a day or two on the Madison Chain for the new late season muskie seasonMuskie Gary Small with waters south of Highway 10 open till the end of the month.

There is a antlerless deer season coming December 10th thru the 14th. I don’t think that many hunters will be out especially with the snow and cold which will hurt access in many areas. Then, there is a Holiday Hunt and late bow season. It’s a good thing that the 16-day season proposed by the DNR was dropped before going to the Natural Resources Board.

Walleyes and saugers have been biting well below the dam with jigs and minnow (big ones) being the ticket. The fish will bite below the Prairie Dam most of the winter if you can keep your guides open. Muskies open still the end of the month. Use and Quick Set rig and big sucker. Let all muskies go!

The eagles are coming back. The new storm will bring eagles to the open water dam areas. Eagel Water SmallThe eagle count by the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council was 58 last Sunday with most eagles at the Lone Rock roost. The weather should push them towward Sauk City.

The last pheasant release on Public Hunting Grounds will be this week. The roosteers should really stand out against the snow-white background. My new Lab, Katie, who’s only 5 months old, is doing great with pheasants.Wally Rocky Bo Small I don’t hunt anymore, but my friends are always ready to take her out. They don’t care if I go as long as Katie does! I get a good walk and Katie gets some valuable training. These dogs are fantastic, they have so much that is just bred in them and you must put them in position to do their “thing.” Katie amazes me everyday, she’s still a puppy but she knows what she is supposed to do when taken to the field.  (Photo of my great Lab, Bo, who passed last December)

Stay warm and I’ll be trying to give you some good posts. Winter in Wisconsin, what fun!! 

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