Sportsman’s Guide 2017-18
FALL/WINTER
Inside Get ready for the hunt Spotlight on archery Encourage youth hunting
A PUBLICATION OF
Southern Lakes Newspapers
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sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
LARGEST SELECTION of
FILE PHOTO Sportsman’s Guide
Deer bow season is underway and runs until Jan. 7, 2018. The Wisconsin nine-day gun deer hunt will be Nov. 18 to 26. Special hunts, such as the Youth Deer Hunt and Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt, are scheduled for Oct. 7 and 8, and Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, 2018 respectively.
re you ready for the hunt? Do you have all your gear set? Site picked out? Because it’s time to make those travel plans for the deep woods and Wisconsin’s annual deer hunt. Or are you a duck hunter? Is your blind up yet? Are your decoys strung? In this edition of the Sportsman’s Guide you’ll find information and tips on hunting everything from waterfowl to white tailed deer. To help with your planning, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has hunting and trapping information on its website at www. dnr.wi.gov. In the 2017 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast, hunters, trappers and wildlife enthusiasts will find information on upcoming season structures, deer research and wildlife populations, regional hunting outlooks, wildlife rules and regulation changes. A number of different hunting seasons get underway throughout September and the DNR says now is the ideal time to start planning learn to hunt events, according to the state’s hunting and shooting sports coordinator. While hunters are planning their own outings, they can also think about planning Learn to Hunts events,” Keith Warnke of DNR said. “There’s still time to get applications in.” An often-overlooked benefit of Learn to Hunt events, and hunting in general, is the food harvested. From tender small game like rabbits and squirrels to flavorful gamebirds and hearty big game like deer, hunting puts lean, naturally raised protein on the table. “Hunters get exercise when they participate,” Warnke said. “On top of that, the food just can’t be beat.” Deer, waterfowl and spring turkey Learn to Hunts are traditional favorites, Warnke says, adding a very popular, economical choice is the pheasant. Kelly Maguire, Poynette Game Farm director, agrees. “Remember, if you’re hosting a Learn to Hunt pheasant, sponsors can get free pheasants from the DNR game farm for the event,” Maguire said. She said the State Game Farm in Poynette supplies two birds per participant, up to 50 birds per event. The newly renovated facility produces an impressive 75,000 pheasants a year for release on public hunting grounds. “It’s a great deal and helps our partners put on fantastic events,” Maguire said. She reminds those planning pheasant hunting events to submit completed, signed Learn to Hunt applications in order to get their pheasants. For more information on all your Learn to Hunt needs, search the DNR website for keyword “LTH.” So, set your sights and get ready for the hunt.
FALL/WINTER 2017-18
Sportsman’s Guide FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES:
call (262) 725-7701 ext. 134 or email vicki@southernlakesnewspapers.com
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Editor...............................................Tracy Ouellette Editorial Assistant...............................Sharon Soch Creative/Production Director............Sue Z. Lange Special Sections Advertising.....Vicki Vanderwerff
sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
Set your sights, the hunt is on! A
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Special seasons just for kids to enjoy Youth hunting events give hunters ages 10 to 15 the opportunity to hunt and gain valuable experience without competing against adult hunters. Special seasons for a variety of species allow only youngsters to hunt during these days under the supervision of their mentor. For wild turkey, white-tailed deer and waterfowl, one weekend each year (prior to the normal hunting season), has been set aside for persons 10-15 years of age (resident and non-resident) to gain experience. All youth hunters need to have successfully completed a Hunter Education Program (unless participating in the Hunting Mentorship Program), hold all required permits and tags and be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian 18 years of age or older. The adult may not accompany more than two youth hunters.
FYouth deer hunt
Youth hunters may hunt deer with a gun in all deer management units except state park and non-quota units. A gun deer hunting license is required if hunting with a firearm. The bag limit is one buck per Gun Buck Deer Carcass Tag plus additional antlerless deer
per Antlerless Deer Carcass Tag valid for the deer management unit the youth hunter will be hunting. Youth hunters who possess an archer or crossbow license may continue to hunt with a bow or crossbow during the archery/ crossbow season, which runs concurrent with the youth gun deer hunt.
FYouth waterfowl hunt
All license and stamp requirements are waived for eligible youth duck hunters on these two days. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources expects the duck bag limit to be same as the regular season. Harvest Information Program registration is required of all youth hunters and to harvest a Canada goose, the youth must possess a Canada goose harvest permit for the zone he/ she is hunting in.
FYouth hunt weekends
A spring turkey license, stamp and valid carcass tag is required. Youths can hunt regardless of what time period their permit is issued for, but may only hunt in the turkey management zone designated on their permit.
White-tail Deer 2017 Seasons Bow Sept. 16 to Jan. 7, 2018 Metro Sub-units Sept. 16 to Jan. 31 Gun Nov. 18 to 26 Hunters with disabilities Oct. 7 to 15 Muzzleloader Nov. 27 to Dec. 6 Youth Deer Hunt Oct. 7 and 8 Statewide Antlerless Hunt Dec. 7 to 10 Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, 2018 Bag limit is one male or bearded turkey in total during this two-day youth hunt. See additional youth hunt rules and regulations at www.dnr.wi.gov. All other hunting regulations apply to youth hunts.
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sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
it’s SHOP the Pig,
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Straight shooters
TRACY OUELLETTE Sportsman’s Guide
Bob Estes, of Muskego, aims his crossbow in a practice shoot at BKIII Archery’s indoor range, Wind Lake. The range is open during the shop’s normal business hours.
AREA ARCHERY SHOP IS A FAMILY AFFAIR By Tracy Ouellette
TRACY OUELLETTE Sportsman’s Guide
Bob Miller, of BKIII Archery in Wind Lake, works on a bow that was brought in for service. Miller is the shop’s repair and archery expert.
For nearly a decade, BKIII Archery in Wind Lake has been helping new and experienced archers equip themselves with the right products and knowledge for their needs. Owner, Kim Miller of Muskego, said she opened the business for her husband, Bob. “He used to work at Sportsman’s Warehouse in New Berlin. He worked on bows there and when they closed and he had nowhere to go, people were saying, “Why not open your own shop,’” she said. So, that’s what they did. “We started in our garage and then we moved into the basement of the (Wind Lake) mall,” she recalled. It wasn’t long before they moved the business upstairs at the mall, where it thrived for six years. In 2014, they moved to their own building on the other side of Highway 36 at 7627 S. Wind Lake Road. The new location allowed them more space and the ability to offer a 30-yard indoor shooting range. Bob Miller is still the “bow expert” Kim
sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
EDITOR
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lines include Mathews, Elite, Mission and Hoyt and he can tell you about all of them.” She said the shop also has several “staff shooters” who are able to answer questions and help customers with what they need, from stringing bows to expert advice. The shop offers shooting leagues in winter, spring, summer and fall. The fall leagues begin in October and their Facebook page has the most updated information on the leagues, Mike Miller said. “We have youth instruction and adult leagues,” he said. “The youngest I’ve had was 4 years old, but I’ve turned away older kids who weren’t ready. “They have to be able to follow simple instructions and handle the weight of the bow. If they can do that, I will let them shoot.” Mike Miller said one of his goals is to get more youth involved in the sport. “We’re hopefully piquing their interest,” he said. “That’s what the leagues are for. Getting them set up and watching them take it to the next
level is pretty rewarding in the end.” The shop will be hosting its first competition in December, Mike Miller said. They’ve partnered a regional organization in Southeast Wisconsin to put on the tournament. “We also have our annual vintage shoot. People bring in their older equipment and we have fun with that. It’s more for adults,” Mike Miller said. Business is brisk this time of year for the company, as bow hunting season opens Saturday and the Miller brothers are in the shop ready to help all the archers get ready for the hunt. “We’re here all day,” Mike Miller said. “Bob’s always around if you need something repaired and we’re always available for anything else you need.” BKIII Archery is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit www. bk3archery.com or call (262) 8950141. For up-to-date information on leagues, find the shop on Facebook.
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sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
Miller said. He’s the one customers go to for repairs and advice. “He’s so knowledgeable,” Kim Miller said. “Bob’s the tech guy. The guys will come in here to have him work on a bow and they always have questions for him. He’s so good at that.” “It’s just something I enjoy,” Bob Miller said. “I always have.” Mike Miller, Bob’s brother also works at the shop and runs the multiple leagues they offer throughout the year. “We’re both sportsmen,” Bob Miller said. “We know how to get a beginner going and what they need. We also know how to equip an expert and what might be a step up for them. We’re not Walmart, where you just pick something off the shelf. People need someone who knows what they’re doing to get the most out of the sport.” The shop offers multiple lines of bows, accessories, arrows and anything else an archer needs. “Mike’s the seller,” Kim Miller said. “He knows so much about what we have here in the shop. Our bow
Archery goes beyond bow hunting for most By Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER
There is more to archery than hunting deer, according to the Archery Trade Association, which notes a majority of participants shoot a crossbow for sport. Additionally, the 2016 ATA report indicated archery has grown, with survey results showing a 20 percent increase from 2012 until 2015. With the increase, about 23.8 million Americans participate in an archery activity, the report revealed. Archery manager Gerry Muenzer of Reineman’s True Value in Burlington has seen a growing demand, most notably before bow hunting season but remaining throughout the year. Muenzer said the store often restocks multiple times at peak seasons and will special order items at customer request. “You can enjoy archery without hunting. Hunting is just another marvelous aspect of it, but just shooting an arrow is a pretty popular thing too,” Muenzer said. The 2016 ATA survey corroborated with Meunzer’s statement, showing 76 percent of archers shoot casually or for fun, followed by 35 percent in bow hunting. American residents surveyed were able to choose more than one option. Regardless, whether someone is new to archery, or looking for an upgrade, Reineman’s has
something to offer. Muenzer said the store has crossbows, compound bows and recurve bows. For the advanced deer hunter, a compound bow is ideal, he said. “The most popular thing in deer hunting is the compound bow. We also sell crossbows,” he said. The crossbow, he said, is the most common among customers new to archery, citing ease of use, “Crossbows take the minimum amount of practice. If you wanted to go hunting, and didn’t know anything about it, possibly a crossbow might be the way to go.” While the bow is just one aspect, the arrow is another, and comes in a variety of materials. Muenzer, who states carbon arrows are the most common, said they are reusable and costeffective. “They are very cost-efficient and reusable, unless you break one, and that typically does not happen,” said Muenzer, reporting missed targets are the common cause of breakage. “If you miss and hit a rock in the ground, it is probably going to be a problem, but most of the time, all you got to do is find (it).” The key component to cutting the risk of breaking an arrow is continuous practice, using either a foam or bag target, both of which are sold at Reineman’s. As people head to bow hunt, others look to continue a hobby
JASON ARNDT Sportsman’s Guide
Reineman’s True Value in Burlington offers an assortment of archery supplies, including crossbows, compound bows and recurve bows, to suit an archer’s needs.
they started as a child, the ATA survey states. The 2016 survey reported 79 percent of archery hobbyists had their first experience with the activity when they were younger than
18 years old, with a median age of 13 years old. For those who sought archery for bow hunting, the age was much higher, indicating 60 percent experienced hunting as kids.
By Vicky Wedig STAFF WRITER
Tony Permanian has been outfitting hunters on both sides of the state line for more than two decades. Permanian, a hunter himself, opened Arrowsmiths at 2566 Highway 120 in Lake Geneva about 22 years ago across from the Showboat movie theater. This time of year – with goose hunting opened two weeks ago and bow deer season opening Saturday – Permanian says he is “pulling-his-hair-out” busy. He said gun, ammunition and bow sales are high.
“Everything’s happening right now,” he said. He said people come from a 45-minute radius – a customer base nearly equally split between Wisconsin and Illinois – for all their turkey-, goose-, waterfowl- and deer-hunting needs. “We’re getting them all ready,” he said. Permanian makes custom bows strings and does custom fletching – installing flights at the ends of bows. “Guys come from pretty far away to get strings made for their bows,” he said. He said hunters prefer custom-made flights and strings to standard factory-
made equipment. Arrowsmiths boasts a 2,200-squarefoot gun shop and deals firearms including the high-end family of guns made by Benelli. Permanian said the expense of the Benelli guns including the Franchi, Stoeger and Uberti brands typically excludes the mom-and-pop sporting goods shops from selling them. He said the brands are typically found at larger retailers like Cabela’s that don’t provide the customer service that Arrowsmiths does. Arrowheads provides “great customer service instead of the runaround,” he said.
sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
Customer service, custom bows bring drive Arrowsmiths
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Because of a change in state legislation a few years ago, hunters can now purchase a bow or crossbow license and can add the privilege to hunt with both for a small additional fee.
FILE PHOTO Sportsman’s Guide
he archery and crossbow deer season opened Sept. 16 and runs through Jan. 7, 2018. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise and 20 minutes after sunset. A change in Wisconsin within the past few years was the legislation of crossbows for all hunters and the creation of the crossbow license. Hunters can now purchase a bow or crossbow license but can add the privilege to hunt with both for a small
crossbows
additional fee. Restrictions regarding bows, arrows and crossbows, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, include the following: • Crossbows, and bow and arrows may be used by any person hunting under the authority of a gun deer license during any firearm (gun deer or muzzleloader seasons, for example) deer season. When hunting under the authority of an archer license, only bows are allowed. When hunting under the authority of a crossbow license, only a crossbow is allowed; • Bows must have a draw weight of 30 pounds or greater, and metal broadheads must be at least 7/8 of
an inch wide and kept sharp. Stone arrow heads may be used; • Crossbows must have a minimum draw of 100 pounds, a working safety and use at least 14-inch long bolts or arrows equipped with broadheads as described above; • Bows equipped with a drawlock mechanism that is capable of holding the bow at full draw without the aid of a hunter are considered crossbows. These are exempt from the 100-pound requirement but must meet the 30-pound minimum draw weight; • It is illegal to possess any poison, drug or explosive-tipped arrow while hunting.
See CROSSBOWS, Page 14
sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
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Four of the five hunting regions saw an increase in the turkey brood production over last year’s levels. The southeast region was the only area to see a decrease of about 33 percent.
Broods showing improvement
FILE PHOTO Sportsman’s Guide
Game birds should have been in good condition going into the spring breeding season due to a mild winter this year. This, combined with an early spring green-up, led to better game bird breeding and nesting conditions than previous years. Average temperatures and above average precipitation during the months June through August resulted in varied weather impacts across the state for brood production. While Wisconsin’s game birds showed increased brood production from the previous year, most areas were still below their long-term mean for brood production. “Brood production surveys for these species were conducted by DNR employees during the months of June, July and August as they went about their normal work duties,” said Brian Dhuey, DNR wildlife survey coordinator. “These data are still preliminary and may change,” added Dhuey, “But they can be used as an index to production and help in the forecast of fall hunting prospects.” Game brood observations indicate birds are generally making a comeback. Temperatures during the spring brood-rearing period were average and precipitation was
above normal for much of the summer brood rearing season. Although Wisconsin’s winter had below normal snowfall and above average temperatures, the lack of heavy snow cover may have led to an early spring green up, early June weather is the most critical for turkey, pheasant and grouse broods as this is when recently-hatched chicks are most susceptible to hypothermia if they get wet. Most of the summer was wet, but didn’t seem to negatively impact brood survival as drastically as it had in 2016.
Ruffed grouse
Statewide, ruffed grouse broods seen per observer hour were up 18 percent compared to 2016, but still 44 percent below the long term mean. Ruffed grouse production was up in two of the three regions that compose the primary range for ruffed grouse, central (13.7 percent), northern (16.5 percent), and southwestern (-38.0 percent) part of Wisconsin. Ruffed grouse brood size fell from 4.0 in 2016 to 3.6 young per brood in 2017. “Spring breeding grouse numbers were up in
sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
Game bird brood production increased in 2017 from 2016, but levels still below long-term means
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FILE PHOTO Sportsman’s Guide
2017, and brood production in the primary ruffed grouse range showed an increase from last year, but still remained below the long term mean. Ruffed grouse are currently coming out of their cyclic low, an increase in breeding grouse and brood production shows the expected increase which will build to a cyclic high in a few years,” Dhuey said. “While some areas of the primary ruffed grouse range will be better than others, it appears that ruffed grouse numbers should be at least similar or better than last year.” Ruffed grouse season is open in the primary portion of their range, Zone A. For more information regarding ruffed grouse management in Wisconsin, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, keywords “ruffed grouse.”
Pheasant
The number of pheasant broods seen per observer-hour was up 8.8 percent in 2017 compared to last year. Pheasant broods per
er, game brood observations indicate birds are generally making a comeback.
observer-hour while higher than last year, were 59.4 percent below their long-term mean. Pheasant brood production was a mixed bag with a large increase in the primary (82.4 percent) pheasant range but a decrease in the secondary (-52.3 percent) pheasant range from the 2016 levels. Pheasant brood size was unchanged, with an average of 4.7 young per brood in both 2016 and 2017. “While pheasant breeding and brood production numbers have rebounded a bit from 2016 levels, overall breeding numbers have been declining for several years and pheasant numbers are down from the highs of the 1990s,” said Dhuey. “Overall pheasant numbers are likely impacted by declining grassland habitat due to losses in Conservation Reserve Program grassland acres throughout the pheasant range.” Pheasant season opens statewide Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. For more information regarding pheasant management in Wisconsin, search keyword “pheasant.”
Turkey
“Wild turkeys also saw an increase in brood production, with a statewide increase of 47.8 percent in the number of broods seen per observer-hour over last year’s level. Four of the five turkey regions saw increases, northeast (28.2 percent), northern (88.7 percent), southcentral (16.9 percent), and western (25.2 percent), only the southeast saw a decrease (-33.4 percent). The size of those broods did show a decrease though, from 4.5 in 2016 to 4.1 this summer,” Dhuey said. “Turkeys, like the other two game bird species, saw increases from the previous year, but were below their long-term mean in broods per observer hour.” The fall turkey season is open statewide. Fall turkey permits have been issued via U.S. Mail, and leftover tags are currently available as of press time. For more information regarding wild turkey management in Wisconsin, search for keywords “wild turkey management.”
sportsman’s guide • fall/winter 2017-18
While the numbers are up for the ruffled grouse, turkey and pheasant broods, they are still below the long-team mean. Howev-
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(Continued from page 9)
License types available for deer hunting include the following: archer or crossbow license – both of which allow hunting only with a bow, or crossbow, respectively, and gun deer license – which allows use of a legal firearm, bow or crossbow during a firearm season only. Tags included with each deer license are: a buck carcass tag (weapon-specific for bow/crossbow or gun; Farmland Zone 2 antlerless carcass tag, non weapon-specific. The state is divided into two Forest zones and two Farmland zones. Farmland Zone 2 includes about two-thirds of the state other than Central and Northern forest zones and several Metro sub-units in largely populated areas.
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Bonus antlerless carcass tags are also available and are sold at the rate of one per hunter per day until sold out. Back tags were eliminated last year and this year, paper tags are still being used. Hunters may print them at home or have them printed where they purchase it because all of the transactions are now done online. Hunters must still carry the tag and attach it to an unattended deer. They must register the deer by 5 p.m. on the day after it’s harvested. When purchasing a license, proof of hunter education is required for those born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, unless they’re participating in the hunting mentorship program or have completed military basic training. Wisconsin residents must have maintained a permanent residence in the state for 30 consecutive days immediately before purchasing a license. Non-residents that are 10 to 17 years old and have a parent that is a Wisconsin resident may purchase resident licenses. Licenses and carcass tags can be purchased online at gowild. wi.gov, at a license agent or at a DNR service center. There are numerous license agents in the area. Visit dnr.wi.gov and under “Licenses & Regulations click on “Sales locations” under “Licenses.” DNR service centers in the area include: 2514 Morse St., Janesville or call (608) 743-4800; 9531 Rayne Rd., Suite 4, Sturtevant or call (262) 884-2300; 141 NW Barstow, Room 180, Waukesha or call (262) 574-2100
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Waterfowl hunters As Wisconsin’s goose and duck seasons get underway, the Department of Natural Resources is asking for help from the state’s dedicated hunters to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. “Healthy wetlands and waterways support strong waterfowl populations,” said Paul Samerdyke, a DNR wildlife biologist stationed at the Horicon Marsh. “We know that Wisconsin waterfowl hunters are committed to conservation, and they’ve been solid partners in restoring and improving wetland habitats. We don’t want these efforts to be diminished by the spread of damaging aquatic invaders.” As part of this effort DNR staff – primarily deputy conservation wardens called Water Guards – and conservation partners will be in the field on opening day, in both the northern and southern hunting zones, visiting with hunters and talking about steps everyone can take to protect waterfowl populations and the habitats they depend on. A key part of the message: “Just a few minutes of preventative action can protect your hunting tradition for generations to
can help stop spread of aquatic invasive species
come.” In addition to standard boating gear, waterfowl hunters often use decoys, dogs, waders and push poles that may contain water, debris and mud where invasive species such as zebra mussels, faucet snails and starry stonewort can hide. Use of nonnative vegetation such as phragmites to help conceal blinds or boats can also lead to the inadvertent spread of species that clog waterways and crowd out beneficial plants that provide food and shelter for ducks and geese. Other types of aquatic invasive species may serve as hosts for parasites or bacteria that can kill waterfowl. As a result, DNR urges hunters to clean equipment as well as boats and check dogs’ coats before leaving a hunting location. To help share the message and provide tips for cleanup DNR staff and partners will visit with hunters at key locations. On Sept. 23, opening day for the Northern Zone, teams was in Mead Wildlife Area. On Sept. 30, opening day for the Southern and Mississippi Zones, teams will be at access points along the Green Bay shoreline and in the Horicon Marsh as
well as in southeast Wisconsin and along the Mississippi River. To help protect waterfowl habitat and populations, hunters must take these simple steps before launching into and leaving a waterbody: • Inspect waders, boats, trailers, motors and hunting equipment, including boots, blinds and dogs. • Remove all plants, animals and mud; • Drain all water from decoys, boats, motors, livewells and other hunting equipment; and • Never move plants or live fish away from a water body. DNR staff also appreciates hunters’ knowledge and experience in familiar hunting areas and encourages reporting new aquatic invasive species. Early detection is crucial to reducing or eliminating the harm from damaging species. For more information on Wisconsin’s invasive species rule and what hunters, anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts can do to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, visit DNR.wi.gov and search “Aquatic Invasive Species.”
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