Hayward Lakes Sherry
11-29-2011, 04:07 PM
November 28, 2011
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Deer hunters in the north woods enjoyed nearly ideal conditions for their 2011 nine-day hunt, and early reports indicate registrations in the Hayward area are very similar to last year. With more deer seasons in progress this week, forecasts are predicting mostly stable weather.
For the nine-day gun deer season, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, and Hillman’s Store, and Hayward Bait) registered 1,242 deer, including 665 antlerless and 577 bucks. Bowhunters who, beginning this year, can bowhunt during gun deer season, registered one antlerless deer and two bucks. Dennis at Shooting Star Archery says he registered some nice deer and a good number of “first bucks” for hunters, but he saw very few “big” bucks during this gun season.
Although the regular gun deer season ended Sunday, additional seasons continue across northern Wisconsin, including the ten-day muzzleloader season November 28 through December 7; four-day antlerless season December 5-11; and archery deer season through January 8, 2012. Remember: Blaze orange requirements are in place for all hunters during any open gun deer season.
Deer Management Unit 13 is open for the antlerless-only season Dec. 5-11, but hunters must have a Unit 13-specific antlerless tag. As of Monday afternoon, there were more than 2,600 remaining antlerless tags. Permits cost $12 for residents, $20 for nonresidents, and $5 for 10-11 year olds. Herd control tags are NOT valid in Unit 13. Hunters hunting herd control units can use the antlerless tag included with their license and buy additional tags for $2 each.
For any questions concerning licenses, requirements, availability of permits, or other aspects of deer regulations, visit the DNR website or call toll-free (1-888-936-7463) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Donations to the Venison Donation Program are behind previous years and there is considerable demand for the ground venison. It costs nothing to donate a deer to the program – only the hunter’s time to register the deer and drop it off at the processor. (Call ahead for business hours and to verify the processor has space available for your deer.) Once the deer is processed, volunteers distribute the packaged venison to local food pantries. There is a list of processors on the DNR website.
December 10 is the application deadline for hunters interested in spring turkey hunting or applying for a bear permit. You can purchase the $3 (each) applications at DNR service centers, authorized license agents, through the Online Licensing Center, or by calling toll-free 1-877-945-4236. The DNR will reject forms not filled out correctly and/or not postmarked by the Dec. 10 deadline.
The number of available turkey permits will probably be the same as last spring; however, the DNR does not establish permit levels until after the close of fall turkey season. The DNR holds the spring turkey permit drawing in late January or early February. Permits remaining after the drawing go on sale in late March. The 2012 spring turkey season runs April 11 through May 22, and (new in 2012) consists of six, seven-day periods. The Spring Turkey Youth Hunt is April 7-8.
The harvest permit level for bear season has not been set. The Natural Resources Board will consider the proposed quotas and harvest permit numbers at its meeting in January. The DNR holds the drawing in early February and notifies winners by mail. Currently, applicants need four to nine preference points (depending on zone) to draw a bear harvest permit. Hunters can check their preference point status through the Online Licensing Center, Customer Service & Licensing (1-888-936-7463), or at DNR service center. The 2012 bear season runs September 5 through October 9. Hunters who hunt over bait go first in all management zones in 2012.
“There is some ice in lake bays, but fishing activity was been very quiet in the past week,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “That is, with the exception of a couple of frustrated deer hunters who gave up on deer hunting and instead bought bait and went fishing. Most deer hunters reported very little success finding bigger bucks, and many resorted to spikes and forks. Some hunters also reported seeing a cougar and, not far from the store, a bunch of wolves.”
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, for all practical purposes, open water fishing season has ended in the north woods.
“Musky season closes Wednesday November 30, but very few anglers are out trying their luck. Many of the medium-size lakes, up to 500 acres, had developed some skim ice, but it went away with the wind and milder weather. A few of smaller lakes still have a thin layer of ice, but not near thick enough for any kind of ice fishing.”
Walleye fishing is actually quite good for those anglers who are willing to deal with what most consider less-than-ideal weather conditions for fishing. Pick up some walleye suckers or fatheads and try the rivers or lakes, along the remaining weed beds, and near any bogs.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 27: Regular gun deer season closed.
Nov. 28: Seasons Opened: Muzzleloader deer; Fall turkey (zones 1-5).
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 8-11: Antlerless-only firearms hunt statewide (see regs for open DMUs).
Dec. 9: Canada goose season closes in north exterior zones.
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Spring turkey; bear.
Dec. 26: Season Opens: Period 2 bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.
Hayward Lakes Area Outdoor Report
Steve Suman
Deer hunters in the north woods enjoyed nearly ideal conditions for their 2011 nine-day hunt, and early reports indicate registrations in the Hayward area are very similar to last year. With more deer seasons in progress this week, forecasts are predicting mostly stable weather.
For the nine-day gun deer season, Hayward area registration stations (Shooting Star, and Hillman’s Store, and Hayward Bait) registered 1,242 deer, including 665 antlerless and 577 bucks. Bowhunters who, beginning this year, can bowhunt during gun deer season, registered one antlerless deer and two bucks. Dennis at Shooting Star Archery says he registered some nice deer and a good number of “first bucks” for hunters, but he saw very few “big” bucks during this gun season.
Although the regular gun deer season ended Sunday, additional seasons continue across northern Wisconsin, including the ten-day muzzleloader season November 28 through December 7; four-day antlerless season December 5-11; and archery deer season through January 8, 2012. Remember: Blaze orange requirements are in place for all hunters during any open gun deer season.
Deer Management Unit 13 is open for the antlerless-only season Dec. 5-11, but hunters must have a Unit 13-specific antlerless tag. As of Monday afternoon, there were more than 2,600 remaining antlerless tags. Permits cost $12 for residents, $20 for nonresidents, and $5 for 10-11 year olds. Herd control tags are NOT valid in Unit 13. Hunters hunting herd control units can use the antlerless tag included with their license and buy additional tags for $2 each.
For any questions concerning licenses, requirements, availability of permits, or other aspects of deer regulations, visit the DNR website or call toll-free (1-888-936-7463) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Donations to the Venison Donation Program are behind previous years and there is considerable demand for the ground venison. It costs nothing to donate a deer to the program – only the hunter’s time to register the deer and drop it off at the processor. (Call ahead for business hours and to verify the processor has space available for your deer.) Once the deer is processed, volunteers distribute the packaged venison to local food pantries. There is a list of processors on the DNR website.
December 10 is the application deadline for hunters interested in spring turkey hunting or applying for a bear permit. You can purchase the $3 (each) applications at DNR service centers, authorized license agents, through the Online Licensing Center, or by calling toll-free 1-877-945-4236. The DNR will reject forms not filled out correctly and/or not postmarked by the Dec. 10 deadline.
The number of available turkey permits will probably be the same as last spring; however, the DNR does not establish permit levels until after the close of fall turkey season. The DNR holds the spring turkey permit drawing in late January or early February. Permits remaining after the drawing go on sale in late March. The 2012 spring turkey season runs April 11 through May 22, and (new in 2012) consists of six, seven-day periods. The Spring Turkey Youth Hunt is April 7-8.
The harvest permit level for bear season has not been set. The Natural Resources Board will consider the proposed quotas and harvest permit numbers at its meeting in January. The DNR holds the drawing in early February and notifies winners by mail. Currently, applicants need four to nine preference points (depending on zone) to draw a bear harvest permit. Hunters can check their preference point status through the Online Licensing Center, Customer Service & Licensing (1-888-936-7463), or at DNR service center. The 2012 bear season runs September 5 through October 9. Hunters who hunt over bait go first in all management zones in 2012.
“There is some ice in lake bays, but fishing activity was been very quiet in the past week,” says Pat at Happy Hooker. “That is, with the exception of a couple of frustrated deer hunters who gave up on deer hunting and instead bought bait and went fishing. Most deer hunters reported very little success finding bigger bucks, and many resorted to spikes and forks. Some hunters also reported seeing a cougar and, not far from the store, a bunch of wolves.”
According to DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, for all practical purposes, open water fishing season has ended in the north woods.
“Musky season closes Wednesday November 30, but very few anglers are out trying their luck. Many of the medium-size lakes, up to 500 acres, had developed some skim ice, but it went away with the wind and milder weather. A few of smaller lakes still have a thin layer of ice, but not near thick enough for any kind of ice fishing.”
Walleye fishing is actually quite good for those anglers who are willing to deal with what most consider less-than-ideal weather conditions for fishing. Pick up some walleye suckers or fatheads and try the rivers or lakes, along the remaining weed beds, and near any bogs.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 27: Regular gun deer season closed.
Nov. 28: Seasons Opened: Muzzleloader deer; Fall turkey (zones 1-5).
Nov. 30: Seasons Close: Muskellunge; Turtle.
Dec. 1: Lake Superior lake trout season opens.
Dec. 7: Muzzleloader deer season closes.
Dec. 8-11: Antlerless-only firearms hunt statewide (see regs for open DMUs).
Dec. 9: Canada goose season closes in north exterior zones.
Dec. 10: Application deadline: Spring turkey; bear.
Dec. 26: Season Opens: Period 2 bobcat hunting/trapping north of Hwy. 64.
Dec. 31: Seasons Close: Pheasant; Fall turkey; Hungarian partridge; Bobcat; Fisher; Frog.
For more information on area events and activities, visit the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau website, view its Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-724-2992.