DSORe eNews Vol.9 Issue S948

VOL: 9 ISSUE: 948 - 29 November 2014

• Opening weekend deer season report from around the state • Firearm and scope selection for coyote hunting •Jeff’s camp tagged four deer on opening weekend • Dan listens to the Packers beat the Vikings while waiting for deer that never showed

Results for POLL S947

Should DNR wardens be spending more time enforcing conservation laws and writing citations, rather than in programs like hunter recruitment and community involvement? Comments [3]

So? What do YOU think... will there be ???

DSORe POLL S948 Will Wisconsin produce a typical buck to top Jim Jordan’s 1914 state and former world record?

Nothing in U.S. matches the tale – or the rack – of the Jordan Buck In the Nov. 15, 2014 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Outdoors Editor Paul Smith recounts the story of Jim Jordan’s hunt for the buck that still ranks as the largest typical whitetail ever taken in the U.S. Read More Here ... The Question: "Will Wisconsin produce a typical buck to top Jim Jordan’s 1914 state and former world record?" WHAT do YOU think of this? VOTE YOUR OPINION

NEXT WEEK: Results for POLL S948

When you LEAVE a COMMENT & YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS, you are entered into the drawing - for a ZipVac portable vacuum sealer starter kit, complete with a rechargeable pump, a hand-operated pump and reusable, resealable storage bags.

JEFF SCHINKTEN President of Whitetails Unlimitd, reports on his opening-weekend hunt and talks about the work of Whitetails Unlimited, the largest nation-wide deer conservation organization TRENT MARSH Brand development and communications manager for Hawke Sport Optics talks about predator hunting and scope selection for low-light conditions FRED NICKEL Director of parks, recreation and trails for Adams County tells the sad tale of his opening-weekend deer hunt and announces Adams County snowmobile trails will open Dec. 15 MADISON OUTDOORS REPORT - Heard exclusively on FM 100.5 ESPN, ESPNWISCONSIN.COM AND PODCASTS: SPONSORED by Pappas Trading Post DUFFY KOPF Jiffy, Nebulus and Pure Fishing pro-staffer reports some ice fishing action in area marshes, but the Madison lakes are still open Segment sponsor: Pappas Trading Post

Dan Small Outdoors Radio -- EVENTS CALENDAR • FISHING CONTESTS: Find them ALL online: @ American Fishing Contests • RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY BANQUETS & EVENTS: ONLINE INFO: • MILFORD HILLS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS: ONLINE INFO • WISCONSIN FNRA Banquets: ONLINE INFO • JSOnline: OUTDOORS - w/ Paul Smith - Activities & Events: ONLINE INFO

Wisconsine Deer Hunt 2014 was a hit on all cyclinders...! photo c. WNDR ©2014 Opening weekend of Wisconsin's annual nine-day deer season exemplified safe hunting, with hunters of all ages hitting the woods and creating new memories MADISON - Excitement was high throughout the state Saturday and Sunday, and 90,281 deer were registered in Wisconsin during the opening weekend of the nine-day deer season. This number is based on preliminary call-in numbers collected from registration stations by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff. Hunters saw a variety of conditions on Saturday, ranging from what many described as ideal, with snow cover and comfortable temperatures, to fog and rain. Many hunters who headed into the woods Sunday experienced fog and precipitation across a large portion of the state, and many wildlife managers and wardens in the field described Sunday as being very quiet. Of 90,281 deer registered over the weekend, nearly 1,500 were registered by those who were selected to participate in the pilot program for an electronic registration system that will be available to all hunters in 2015. As expected, the statewide deer kill is down most significantly in the far northern counties. "As we communicated throughout the past year, many factors influence deer numbers in the north that include severe winters, comparatively more large predators than in years past, land ownership patterns, and habitat issues to name a few," said DNR big game ecologist Kevin Wallenfang. "We are attempting to increase deer numbers in the north, so many counties have a buck-only season framework this year which is intended to allow herd growth." A breakdown of opening weekend registrations by DNR region and county is available at the WDNR website, enter the keyword deer. Enthusiasm for hunting remains high The department's license sales office reported 589,830 gun deer licenses sold by midnight, Nov. 21, prior to the start of the season Saturday. Deer license and tag sales will continue through the hunting seasons. Approximately 22,000 new hunters have purchased licenses to deer hunt for the first time, or for the first time in 10 years. Female deer hunters have continued to increase in number, and accounted for 35 percent of resident First Time Gun Deer licenses and 36 percent of resident First Time Junior Gun Deer licenses. "It is exciting to see all the female hunters so far this year," said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. "We're also seeing a large number of younger hunters and first-time hunters overall - traditions are being passed down and it is great to see such strong participation." In the days leading up to the nine-day season opener, the DNR call center set a record for calls handled, and provided excellent customer service to a number of hunters. On Friday, Nov. 21, the call center fielded 4,734 customer contacts, and From Nov. 1 through opening day, over 33,000 total calls were received. Hunters throughout Wisconsin have done an excellent job of learning new rules and regulations. Hunters are encouraged to call toll free 1-888-WDNR-INFo (888-936-7463) with any questions. The line is staffed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week. Injury report There were no hunting-related incidents recorded during the first two days of this year's nine-day gun deer hunt. This year marks the second time in the last 10 years that there were no hunting incidents investigated during opening weekend of the deer gun season. Chief Conservation Warden Todd Schaller credits the good news to safety-conscience hunters and dedicated hunter safety instructors. "Wisconsin is dedicated to providing hunters a safe and enjoyable gun-deer season which starts with education," Schaller said. "There are thousands of hunter safety instructors who give their expertise to others of all ages who participate in this tradition and hunters who follow the safety points taught (TABK) - and another safe opening weekend reflects this key educational aspect." For more information regarding hunter education and tips for safe hunting in Wisconsin, search the WDNR website keywords safety tips. Read more here: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big game ecologist - (608) 261-7589 Jon King, DNR Conservation Warden - (608) 575-2294 Sawyer Briel, DNR communications - (608) 261-0751

Cold push brings snowy owls south - opportunity to see - observe and enjoy - please use discretion, care and respect photo c. WDNR ©2014 Snowy owls get early start in Wisconsin On Nov. 22, 2014, Outdoors Editor Paul Smith wrote in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Several strong cold fronts in November helped deliver a wintry landscape to Wisconsin earlier than many would have liked. If you're looking for a positive, here's one: the new whiteness isn't just snow. At least 31 snowy owls have been recorded in Wisconsin this month, according to Ryan Brady, research scientist with the Department of Natural Resources and bird monitoring coordinator for the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative. READ MORE HERE ... FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Brady - (715) 685-2933

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