Living
Al Brown | Tracking the Seasons
The year that was
There are just a few hours remaining in 2009 before historians close their books on the year that was.
Among other noteworthy scribblings recorded will be the running battle between hunters and the Department of Natural Resources over how to manage Wisconsin's whitetail deer herd and how to estimate pre-hunt herd size.
Both are subjects of much conjecture, as is the hodgepodge of mini special interest deer seasons.
In the end, whether hunting or fishing, and the seasons are over, the only thing we really have left is our memories.
For me, getting up each morning, warmed with a hug from my wife and able to look out the window to watch the birds at the feeders makes for great idle-time memories.
So do the recollections from the fields and lakes.
Among my favorites from this year is the morning I was turkey calling for my friend Frank Slayton of Oconomowoc.
From inside Frank's two-man tent, which was set up at the edge of a hayfield that offered him a good view down a tractor trail leading up from the woods, we waited silently, save for an occasional seductive hen yelp on my box call.
But no gobbles.
Unable to see down the trail from where I was sitting in the tent, I settled for watching Frank's eyes and trigger finger.
"If you see a gobbler, bring the gun up but keep the safety on 'til you're ready to shoot," I told him.
Suddenly, Frank raised his shotgun and whispered, "It's a big tom.
He's in full strut, about 50 yards out and coming."
"Don't shoot until he reaches the 25 yard marker," I reminded.
Suddenly there was the roar of the gun and I asked "Is he down?" followed by "Is the safety on?"
"Yes" and "yes" were Frank's responses, followed by a series of spontaneous wild hugs, high fives and picture taking.
Whether it's muskie fishing with Dan Busch on Pewaukee Lake, bass fishing with Eric Catlin on Lake Waubesa, picking strawberries from our garden with my wife, Anne, watching the grandkids learn to shoot a .22-caliber rifle off our back porch or tagging an eight-point buck taken with the crossbow after three years of trying, regardless of the happening or the occasion after the fact, the only things left to savor are the memories.
Happy New Year!
- A taste of hunting
- Observing the characteristics of a snowless winter
- Absent snowfall meant thin harvest in 2011
- Wolves getting expanded role in wildlife picture
- New rules allow opportunity to appreciate wild game
- How new concealed carry law affects hunters
- Now's the time to hone weapon of choice
- Overlapping seasons create color conundrum
- Hunting calendar is upon us
- Weary anglers getting their chance
- Passing down knowledge of the hunt
- Appreciating the gifts of Mother Nature
- Ticks replace mosquitoes as concern
- Tag, you're it: hunting seasons approaching
- Fundraiser gives bird hunters a taste of what's ahead
- Rock River's banks a hotbed for local fishermen
- Fishing a great Father's Day opportunity
- With the stroke of a pen
- Grape jelly fills the belly
- Getting out on the water pays off
E-mail Newsletter
Top stories from the Lake Country area. Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings.
Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter
Get the Newsletter!
1.jpg)
Lake Country residents share their views on news, happenings and current events.
LivingLakeCountry.com features more than a dozen community bloggers - a group of volunteer conversation leaders who are up on the latest topics and never short on an opinion. Just a few are pictured here. Check out the rest and see what they have to say!
View All Blogs
Discussion Guidelines
Do you want to become a Community Blogger? LivingLakeCountry.com welcomes your thoughts and opinions. Contact us for more information:
I want to blog
Posted Wednesday, Feb. 10 |
|
News or Feature Story of the Week by Jim Stevens: Where do Lake Country's richest live?
Sports Story of the Week by JR Radcliffe: Indians hit the stretch running |
MORE: See full gallery
SUBMIT: Post Your Photos now
Do you have news or an event that you would like to share with the community? Whether it's a community organization, a business, a local school, or a notable neighbor, we'd love to hear about it!!
- Relay For Life of Lake Country Kickoff-Monday, February 13th
- Oconomowoc Newcomers & Neighbors Monthly Mingle Tues Feb. 14
- UW-Waukesha Continuing Education Classes Offered the week of February 12-18, 2012
- The Rock River Patriots Welcome G. Edward Griffin To Wisconsin
- Master Composter Training Workshop Offiered
- Sussex-Menomonee Falls-Pewaukee Relay For Life Kickoff Event Sunday, February 19th 3:00 PM
- Open House at St. John's Lutheran Mukwonago
- Anti-Bullying assembly
- Summerstage "Break-A-Leg Gala"
- Pancakes at the House
MORE: See the rest of Your Stories
SUBMIT: Post Your Story now
