Fins, fur and feathers

Great day fishing

I fished below the Red Wing Dam for a story for next week's outdoors column. About a dozen boats, everyone catching fish, but mostly little sauger. I got a 19-inch walleye and Wayne Odell of Rochester, who I was with, caught a fish of a lifetime. You'll have to read about it next week, but the fish had a really long snout.

Also, Hooch Hanson of Rochester (he's the guy with the wild mustache at Gander Mountain) said he caught a 29-inch and four-pound walleye on the back channel early. But that was all, as if that wasn't enough. He fished with a Sonar below the dam after that and caught a lot of fish, just like everyone else.

Neat walleye fishing site

I came across this on the Web today. It's a neat site with all kinds of walleye-fishing terms defined.

Take a look: http://www.walleyestrike.com/glossary-of-walleye-fishing-terms-and-slang/

Some interesting numbers

The sale of state duck stamps rose 10.2 percent so far this year, compared to 2008. The DNR says 88,102 have been sold so far compared with 79,927 in 2008. That was a drop from 85,489 in 2007 and a huge drop from the 101,792 of 2006.

With two extra days for 3A deer hunting, the number of 3A licenses sold rose 5.3 percent from 21,492 to 22,625 this year.

The deer harvest for does is down 14 percent statewide and 2 percent for bucks. The DNR said that was to be expected with a smaller deer herd.

Big buck

I was bowhunting in the strong south winds Thursday and the deer were moving more than last weekend. With my tricky lower back, I have to get out of my chair perched over a trail and walked around, trying to sneak up on two bedded down does (it doesn't work). I also saw some really big rubs, or what I assumed were rubs but they were on trees I could barely get both hands around.

As I came back from walk about, I came over a rise and saw what was making those rubs - it was huge. Wide spread, tall tines, a brute. It saw me and ran away, going within 20 feet of my chair.

But just seeing it was a thrill. I'm happy to take does for the meat and to lower the deer population. But seeing that big one made the whole day a thrill. Such animals add mystery and mystique to that land. Just knowing it's around, or might be around, makes you want to sit quieter and longer because maybe it will come closer for a better look. I don't know if I'd shoot. I'm not a trophy hunter, I'd rather leave them for those who really want the big racks or better yet, for some kid's first buck. Get one like that and you're a hunter for the rest of your life.

I'll probably hunt that land on 3B and am still debating in my heart and mind if I would take that buck. I'm just not sure.

But just seeing it for a few seconds was such a jolt.

John Weiss

Waterfowl confusion

Here's a conundrum:

The Fish & Wildlife Service reports a massive waterfowl migration down the Upper Miss and this area has been named one of the top 15 (Twitter was wrong, it's 15) places to hunt waterfowl.

But where are they?

Reports from some very diehard hunters is that the birds just aren't around. They have been out a lot and just aren't seeing birds. It appears most birds are staying in the refuges. Plus those strong south winds yesterday really stink for getting more duck down here.

If anyone can figure out what's happening, let me know. But it's not looking good.

John Weiss

Red Wing fishing

The parking lot at Bay Point Marina in Red Wing was overflowing with trucks and SUVs toting boat trailers today as anglers took advantage of the great weather to fish. The word about fishing is mixed.

Wayne Tongen, a manager at Four Seasons sporting goods in Red Wing, said it's been good because fishing is usually good this time of year below the lock and dam. Anglers are mainly using jig and minnow, plastics and blade baits.

But DNR CO Tyler Quandt said fishing was really hot last week but it's slowing down.

Either way, anglers are going to go out as long as they can. And then they will head out from Everts Resort that is closer to the dam.

Interesting story about a lovestruck, and now dead, deer

From Lee Newspapers.

VIROQUA, Wis. - A love-struck buck ran out of luck a week ago. The seven-point buck was killed when it rammed a 640-pound concrete statue of an elk in the backyard of Mark and Carol Brye's home in rural Viroqua.

Bucks often fight during the breeding season, commonly called "the rut." Dominant bucks defend breeding territories and female deer by sparring with subordinate bucks. Antler battles sometimes result in the death of one or both deer, but usually end with the biggest buck winning and the smaller buck high-tailing it out the area.

Mark Brye, of Viroqua was still laughing about the suicidal buck he found near his elk statue last week.

Brye said his morning ritual is to arise early and look out at the life-like statue about 40 yards from his home.

"Our son and daughter gave it to us for Christmas four years ago because we like to hunt elk,"

Brye said. "The elk is a nice thing to see every morning. It looks pretty cool, especially on a foggy morning."

Brye said he knew exactly what happened when he saw the statue tipped over. Although they were about the same height, the statue weighed at least three times more than the 180-pound deer.

He didn't realize the buck lay dead a short distance away.

"I could tell the buck poked the statue a couple of times by the chipped paint on it," Brye said, adding that the buck eventually rammed it like a mountain goat.

The buck apparently staggered about 20 feet and fell.

Brye claimed the buck with a tag from the Vernon County conservation warden. He laughed at the warden's tag note: "lawn ornament fight - lost."

Brye said the deer shattered its skull. The antlers were still on its head but were dangling.

"The statue is OK, but the antlers broke off when it tipped over," Brye said.

Brye, 58, is considering removing the antlers from the unlucky buck and gluing them on the elk statue as a remembrance of the strange but true story.

The deer is butchered and in Brye's freezer. The elk remains on its side. "I can't tip it back up until I get a whole bunch of guys to help me," he said.

Good story about waterfowl hunting safety

From John Weiss

Here's an interesting reminder from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. I like that part about wearing lifejackets. When I started duck hunting 30+ years ago, we only had those floating cushions that would have been pretty worthless if the boat swamped.

But I have to wonder about the recommendation about not wearing waders or hipboots in the boat. How do you put on klunky waders if you're not going to even go onto land or when you're on land at the blind but it's cold, wet and snowy or icy? It's just not practical. Those things are hard enough to put on in a dry house let alone in the blind.

Anyone have any ideas about this?

Here's the story

Frankfort, Ky. - In addition to decoys, shotguns, dogs, hot coffee and calls, waterfowl hunters need to pack the one thing that could save their lives for opening day later this month: their lifejackets.

"The lack of floatation devices is still one of the most common law violations among waterfowl hunters and the most common cause of duck hunter deaths," said Sgt. John Anderson, boating education coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard show more duck hunters die every year from cold water shock, hypothermia and drowning than from accidents involving firearms.

A waterfowl hunting accident on Kentucky Lake last January illustrates these statistics. Three young duck hunters died after their 14-foot johnboat swamped - a fourth hunter managed to survive. The victims were not wearing life jackets. They loaded the boat with shotguns, decoys and a dog, in addition to the weight of four hunters.

Kentucky law requires a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for every person in the boat. There must be one U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device (like a throw cushion) onboard for boats 16 feet or longer. Everyone onboard must possess a life jacket of proper size and type.

Manufacturers produce camouflage life jackets made with the waterfowl hunter in mind. "They have mesh in the upper body that allows you to shoulder a gun," Andersonsaid. "That way, you don't have to take off the vest when you shoot and it will also help to keep you warm when those cold winter winds come blowing across the water."

A life jacket doesn't do much good stuffed into a decoy sack if an accident occurs.

"You just don't have time," Anderson said. "Trying to put on a life jacket during a boating accident would be like trying to buckle a seat belt during a car crash."

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife discourages hunters from wearing hip boots or waders in the boat. Hunters drowned while trying to take their waders off after falling into the water or their boat sunk or capsized.

"Falling into deep water releases any air trapped in the boots and can have the effect of binding the victim's feet together so they can't kick or stay afloat," Anderson said. "However, if you do suddenly enter the water, by pulling your knees up to your chest, air trapped in the hip boots or waders can act as a flotation device in an emergency."

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife recommends the following safety tips for waterfowl hunters:

* Wear a life jacket to and from the blind.
* Don't overload the boat; make two trips if necessary.
* Don't wear hip boots and waders in the boat.
* Stay near shore and avoid crossing large open water areas, especially during bad weather.
* Let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back; tell someone to call authorities if you don't return on schedule.
* If the boat capsizes or swamps, stay with your boat - even when filled with water, it will provide flotation and is more likely to be seen by potential rescuers.
* It is a good idea to bring your cell phone along in a waterproof, resealable bag to call for help if you get into trouble. You can use the phone without removing it from the bag.

DEER HUNTING STATS

Here's some statistics from DNR  about deer hunting in Minnesota:

Deer: The animal
• Adult female white-tailed deer weigh about 145 lbs., males 170 lbs.
- the average weight of  
 female and male humans.
•The biggest white-tailed deer ever recorded was a 500-pound
Minnesota buck.
• A whitetail’s home range is about one square mile.
• Minnesota’s deer population is about 1 million deer. Texas is No.
1 with 4.7 million deer

Deer: Hunting
• Last year, 38 percent of Minnesota firearm hunters successfully
harvested a deer. About 43
 percent were antlered bucks.
• 70 percent of Minnesota’s firearms deer harvest typically occurs
during the first three or four
 days of the season.
• The average hunter spends five days afield during Minnesota’s
firearms deer season.
• Last year’s total deer harvest was 222,000, the eighth highest on
record. 2003 was the record
 (290,525).
• License options allow hunters to buy individual licenses for all the seasons now give hunters  more choices in where and when they can hunt deer, and hunters can take as many as five  deer in many parts of the state.
• Minnesota has averaged deer harvested 254,000 deer over the last five years. Wisconsin is
 No. 1 with an average harvest over 450,000.
• The largest typical whitetail buck ever taken in Minnesota had a Boone & Crockett score of
 202; shot by John Breen in 1918 near Funkley.
• Minnesota’s No. 1 non-typical whitetail buck had 43 points; shot by 17-year-old Mitch Vakoch  
 in 1974. A deer recently taken on the Camp Ripley archery hunt may exceed the record.

Deer: Licenses
• In total, 832,860 deer hunting licenses and permits (all types) were sold in 2008.
• 98 percent of deer licenses are sold to Minnesota residents.
* The DNR information center remained open two hours later on the day
before last year’s deer  opener to answer more than 2,000 telephone inquiries, most of them
related to the firearms  opener.

Deer: Economics  (from DNR and Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies using data from the 2006 national survey on fishing, hunting and wildlife-associated recreation)
• 475,000 deer hunters in Minnesota
• Retail sales -$263 million
 • Overall economic impact - $455 million
• Salaries, Wages, Business owner income - $151 million
• State and local tax revenue - $33 million
• Number of directly supported jobs - 5,100
• Economic impact is greatest in Greater Minnesota

Fun DU Web page

 Do you want to get reports from duck hunters about the fall migration? Go to the DU page and click on a duck in the area you're interested in.