BUCKS-DUCKS-GROUSE or MUSKIES and WALLEYES

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When September rolls around each year, the Northwoods turns into a sportsman's paradise. The days become shorter, cooler, and the forests turn red, orange, or yellow. It seems all the critters know that winter is fast approaching.

In particular, the fish start to gorge themselves, well aware the winter food supply is significantly less than the abundance of the forage found in the spring and summer days. The Musky and Walleye bite picks up considerably in early September and continues to improve right up through freeze up. Although the fingers and toes will get colder, the action really heats up as the feeding intensifies throughout the fall. Fishing techniques need to also be adjusted as mid-season tactics just won't cut it.

If you can get out of the sack early, or don't mind getting in after dark, you can mix a little duck hunting in with your fishing. The first couple of weeks of duck season can produce some fine shooting, morning and evening, for the local Mallards or Woodies. Later on in the season, some of our bigger lakes offer some neat Diver hunts. Most of the Divers will be Scaup, but Buffle Heads and Golden Eyes are common. If you can handle the long day, early and late day ducks and midday fishing, just might be your ticket.

If time permits you might just take a day or two and try grouse hunting. With the Nicolet and Chequamegon National Forests just minutes away with hundreds of acres of public lands, much closed to vehicle access, one can spend considerable time reflecting on the wild country that used to be. Should you be fortunate enough to bag a couple grouse, among the many you will flush, or see a bear or a deer, consider this a bonus to just being here.

Another fall option is deer hunting. Our Bow season opens in mid-September and runs through the month of December. We have a rifle and muzzle loader season of almost three weeks, so you might consider a deer hunt along with a fishing outing. Wisconsin, according to the DNR estimates, has some 1.7 million deer on its turf. With liberal bag limits, we can harvest far more than any family can reasonably consume.

Again, like morning and evening duck hunting, Wisconsin's deer hunting morning and evening is then at its best. However, should you be here during the pre-rut or rut, you can expect activity throughout the entire day. Midday fishing along with early and late day hunting can be outstanding. The only concern I have about the fall is, it is to short and there are just to many things to do. Keep shooting and Casting.

LaMont

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