Doug Williams, at DW Sports Center in Portage, and a farmer, too said that if a person lost something, hunting related while afield, now is a good time to find it by tracing a path to a tree stand or stump,
“Sure the bare ground makes it easier for trout fishers to get around,” said Bret Schultz, a trout sage from Black Earth, Wisconsin. “Cloudy days and stable, not weather switches, are beneficial. Wind is a killer. I hate it.”
Shed antler hunting, appreciating evergreen ground vegetation, and general hiking to see what is out-and-about are easier now, too. Birds continue to come to feeders due to lack of leftover natural food, and liquid water helps.
There are negatives to this less-than-ideal-snow winter that we’re in, according to Williams. “We need snow for moisture and to protect perennials, like alfalfa. Farmers are scratching their heads as to what to do.”
Taking advantage of what we have works, but not so much for snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
Photographers find close-ups, skies, color patches of watercress, polypodium ferns, and yes even garlic mustard provide opportunities. Structure and texture are helpful subjects to include. Ice anglers with tan vegetation backdrops make appealing photographs and can even take advantage of dark colored clothing.
Anglers themselves can better see weak spots in the ice, foot-tripping cracks, and ice bulges show more clearly.
Fishing in general, whether it be bluegills through the ice and trout from flowing spring-fed streams often go through a frustrating period about now.
“Trout fishing often lags at this time of the year,” Schultz said. “It’s those major switches in the weather. Stable weather will turn it around. Low water flow is a major problem in some streams and has been since October when the season closed.”
On a positive note, Schultz said the fish caught and released are fat and sassy, 14-17 inches long, and not a lot of little fish.
“March will provide better days,” he said. “That’s when I’ll be out almost every day. But none of the negatives will keep me from being out there, even now.”
Wild turkeys and turkey hunters seem to be anticipating the coming of greater activity, but Chris Kirby of Quaker Boy Game Call in New York State said turkey gobbling, displaying and fighting are normal but not as intense as a bit later.
Williams reported a gobbler and hen mating, yes in February. Egg development may not be ready to accept sperm yet because those cells generally live inside a hen turkey or pheasant less than a week.
Don’t look for much new and different in the line of calls and techniques coming from major call companies. Hunters could take advantage of reviewing and improving the basics with standard calls as a check to make sure those tried and true methods are fresh and followed.
It’s early to check on returning and stay-here birds such as robins, bluebirds, and flickers and some winter wonderers like gray and snowy owls. Again, the lack of snow can enhance observations.
Fishing and hunting license renewal is not that far away, either. Sunny days may bring a maple or boxelder or even a walnut sapcicles from a broken or cut limb.
Squirrel and rabbit seasons remain open. Walking in a woods is prime without slipping and sliding. Birds calling, red-tailed hawks and bald eagle courtship are common.
Eagle nest observers have begun their sit, watch, and record duties. Coyotes are running in pairs, particularly in open fields early in the day.
About all meteorologists are giving us is hope and hints of snow in the future.
Kelly Maguire, at the DNR game farm near Poynette, Wisconsin, said all is a-go for egg production by the breeder flocks, indoor and outdoor. It’ll be about six weeks before egg collection begins but the indoor layer hens are already getting a different diet in preparation, she said.
While avian influenza is a concern, Maguire is set up with biosecurity measures and has made contact with agencies in preparation if something more serious happening.
Contact Jerry Davis, a freelance writer, at sivadjam@mhtc.net or 608.924.1112.
