Kevin Naze photographed this magnificent Door County deer at dusk in late July, and by now his velvet-covered antlers will have reached full growth. The cover will dry out and shed over the next few weeks, but males can hasten removal by rubbing their antlers against trees and brush.
There is still time for beginners to start
by KEVIN NAZE [email protected]
Wisconsin hunters who like their fast food on the wild side can start their frequent flier search on September 1: the opening day of the first seasons for geese, teal and mourning doves.
Migratory birds attract a small percentage of the state’s roughly 800,000 hunters, but a much larger group of venison lovers have been scouting all summer in anticipation of archery and crossbow deer opening on September, 17th. on Jan. 8 in Door County and Jan. 31 in Kewaunee County, where the County Deer Advisory Council opted for the extended hunt. The Door County Council initially recommended it, but then changed its vote during the last spring meeting.
September 17 is also the opening day for the wild turkey, gray squirrel and fox, North Zone cottontail and Zone A ruffed grouse seasons, and Waterfowl Hunting Weekend for youth is September 17 and 18.
Early teal season lasts nine days, and early goose season — and its generous five-bird daily bag designed to push back booming populations of locally raised geese — lasts 15 days. The regular goose hunt begins on September 16. There’s a daily bag of three birds for the most part, but a bag of five birds will return for the South Zone Christmas hunt December 18-January 3.
The junior gun deer hunt is October 8-9 this year, followed a week later by pheasants, partridges and Southern Cottontails on October 15 at 9 am.
Other opening events on Oct. 15 include the Grouse Hunt in Zone B, the Open Water Duck Zone, and the Fox, Bobcat (by permit), and Raccoon hunt (for residents). Non-resident raccoon hunt opens Oct. 29. Coyote hunting is open year-round.
Those lucky enough to get black bear permits can start on September 7. Meanwhile, the North Zone duck season runs from September 24 to November 22, and the South Zone is split from October 1 to 9 and October 15 to December 1. Four.
This year’s regular gun deer hunt is scheduled for November 19-27, followed by the muzzle-loading deer season (and extended gun hunt in the Metro Zone, where permitted) on November 28. to December 7. 8-11 statewide and in limited areas (including Door and Kewaunee counties) from December 24 to January 1.
Many nuisance species can be shot throughout the year, including starlings, English (house) sparrows, opossums, skunks, groundhogs and porcupines. Landowners and family members can also hunt or trap rabbits, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, groundhogs, beavers, and coyotes on their property year-round.
learn to hunt
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting the second of several hunting educational webinars on August 31 at 7 pm for members of the public who are new to or curious about hunting. This new series is made available through a partnership with Becoming an Outdoorswoman, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Pheasants Forever.
Guest speakers will share their experiences getting started in hunting and discuss common challenges faced by those new to hunting, fishing or trapping. Wednesday’s webinar, “Wanna Go Hunting: What Can We Hunt?”, will cover a wide variety of hunting opportunities and the basic equipment needed to get started.
Bob Nack, supervisor of the DNR’s Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation Team, said Wisconsin is home to many species of wildlife that provide a sustainable source of food, fur and feathers.
“The regulated management of these species ensures that their populations will continue to thrive well into the future,” said Nack.
Tune in to the webinar at youtube.com/watch?v=WdejnOkO9ec, or watch a recording on YouTube anytime using the same link.
Learn more online
Adults and youth who have not completed hunter or trapper education can still hunt or trap through the DNR’s Mentored Hunting and Trapping Programs. Additionally, youth under the age of 16 may trap without a license when supervised by a licensed trapper.
Youth ages 11 and under, first-time hunters, and those who have not hunted in the previous 10 years are eligible to purchase hunting licenses at a reduced price. Resident hunters who recruit three novice hunters, trappers, or anglers are also eligible for reduced rates.
There is a wealth of information available at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt. From there, you can find links for details on guided hunting, hunter education and safety skills classes, purchasing licenses, and regulations.
Storage meeting Tuesday
The latest state and federal Lake Michigan fisheries research will be shared, and public input on salmon and trout stocking will be taken, during a meeting on August 30, 6-9 pm, at Lakeshore Technical’s Centennial Hall West. College in Cleveland, located between Manitowoc and Sheboygan east of I-43.
Anyone can attend in person or online via Zoom. Learn more, including a link to register in advance, at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/lakemichigan/LakeMichiganSalmonandTroutMeetings.html.
Weekly water levels
As of August 19, Lake Michigan water levels were down two inches over the past month, nine inches over the past year, and 26 inches from the monthly record set in 2020. Lake levels were still 39 inches above the low. monthly record set in 1964, and seven inches above the 100-year average.