2025 WI opening day

Went to Killsnake Wildlife Area yesterday morning with BIL.....got there early, what an absolute zoo of pheasant hunters.....yuck. The northern Kettle area has not been much better.
 
wingsnfins said:
Went to Killsnake Wildlife Area yesterday morning with BIL.....got there early, what an absolute zoo of pheasant hunters.....yuck. The northern Kettle area has not been much better.
Click to expand...
I only have about an hour after work on the weekdays to hunt before daylight savings and this has been my experience as well. 5 trucks at least in every parking lot no matter where you go.
 
Yup, that is what my BIL said about this past week getting out after work as well. Yesterday morning was my 1st outing.....my dog had ACL surgery Tuesday, so I didn't sneak out with BIL until yesterday morning.
Poor birds don't stand a chance. Add to that the guys that follow the trucks and those that know specifically what, where and when the releases are.....
WI DNR needs to do better. Develop better habitat with our Pheasant Stamp money. Vary up releases. Rotate open/closed properties to give the birds a chance. I've seen hunters watch the birds fly out of the truck and go right to their landing spot, shoot them.
 
wingsnfins said:
Yup, that is what my BIL said about this past week getting out after work as well. Yesterday morning was my 1st outing.....my dog had ACL surgery Tuesday, so I didn't sneak out with BIL until yesterday morning.
Poor birds don't stand a chance. Add to that the guys that follow the trucks and those that know specifically what, where and when the releases are.....
WI DNR needs to do better. Develop better habitat with our Pheasant Stamp money. Vary up releases. Rotate open/closed properties to give the birds a chance. I've seen hunters watch the birds fly out of the truck and go right to their landing spot, shoot them.
Click to expand...

I'll be honest, I wish they would release at night. Speaking of habitat, I went to one of the Storrs Lake properties and that cover was 4 feet over my head. You can't swing a shotgun in that nor can you even see a bird getting up. I also wish they would do a control burn on some of these places.
 
Awesome you are seeing that cover, but yes a nice mix would be good......burns, some shelter belts to keep the hawks off them and some year round food source. I have seen several properties in FDL Co that do not get stocked by DNR but by local clubs have sustainable populations.....seeing hens with clutches, roosters through winter, etc.
I think it's possible, but it takes the right managers at the state level. Unfortunately, deer sell. I've had conversations with a few biologists through the years. One in particular told me they weren't managing one of the best waterfowl satellite marshes from Horicon for waterfowl or hunting.....good waterfowl habitat, like good pheasant habitat is beneficial to alot of species!
Oh well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top