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Mornin' to everyone wondering where ‘da heck have you guys been??? Sorry neighbor, Co-founder Kevin got married (congrats!) and Forrest was elk hunting. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

This week’s weekly:

• Duck hunter shoots and kills wolf after being surrounded 🐺 

• Fall colors peaking in north, close in central/southern WI 🍂 

• Volunteers needed to save stranded mussels from drought 🦪 

• Hunting dates to be aware of 📆 

Duck hunter shoots and kills wolf after being surrounded—LINK

It’s a duck, it’s a plane, it’s a… wolf!?

A Wisconsin duck hunter, Chase Melton, shot and killed a gray wolf on Sept. 21 while hunting in Oneida County near St. Germain.

Melton, 19, claimed the wolf came within 10 yards of his blind, forcing him to defend himself and two younger hunters, aged 13 and 14.

“I probably could have touched it with my hand, that was extremely scary,” Melton said. Witnesses confirmed a pack of five wolves had surrounded their blind, barking and growling. Another four wolves were reported to be close by.

The boys say the wolves would not leave after clapping, breaking sticks, and yelling at them, forcing Melton to shoot one with his 12-gauge, killing it immediately.

Apparently, the dead wolf was later dragged off by another wolf who came and grabbed his dead comrade by the neck.

Currently there are around 1,000 wolves in Wisconsin.

Fall colors peaking up north—LINK

After a dry, hot September, the Fall colors have finally arrived, with northern WI seeing peak colors at the moment in places like Boulder Junction, Chippewa County, Langlade County, Tomahawk, Ashland, Bayfield, Birchwood, Cable Area, Conover, Florence County, Forest County, etc.

Others are close behind: Door County, 85%; Menomonie, 80%; Eau Claire, 70%; Green Bay, 65%; Eagle River, 60%.

Central WI is also close behind, with help from a few frosty nights that are exploding the reds, yellows, and purples.

Be sure to get out and enjoy the colors before the white stuff starts flying! See the Fall Color Report posted by Travel Wisconsin for more info.

Volunteers needed to save stranded mussels from drought—LINK

The DNR and Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW, sweet name) are calling for volunteers to help rescue stranded freshwater mussels during droughts.

The 2023 drought left thousands of mussels stranded on Wisconsin River shores, threatening many species.

“They are such incredible organisms that they are filtering massive amounts of water in the ecosystem,” says Ellen Voss of the River Alliance of Wisconsin. Each mussel can filter up to 10 gallons a day, making them vital to water quality.

With half of Wisconsin’s 50 mussel species endangered, conservation biologist Lisie Kitchel emphasizes their importance for biodiversity.

“You need the diversity of mussels to keep the diversity of fish,” Kitchel explains. Volunteers can join FLOW’s Mussel Rescue Group to respond when future droughts strike.

“Every time we talk about it... the volunteer numbers are up,” Voss adds, increasing the chance to save more mussels.

Hunting dates to be aware of—LINK

Whether you’re hungry for some bobcat burgers or some pheasant pie, the DNR has all the October hunting and trapping dates listed for ya to keep your freezer full (legally).

Oct. 19

• Bobcat (Period 1, hunting and trapping)

• Bobwhite quail (opens at 9 a.m.)

• Cottontail rabbit (Southern Zone)

• Coyote (trapping only)

• Fisher (trapping only)

• Fox (hunting and trapping)

• Hungarian partridge (opens at 9 a.m., closed in Clark, Marathon and Taylor counties)

• Mink (Northern Zone, trapping only)

• Muskrat (Northern Zone, trapping only)

• Pheasant (opens at 9 a.m.)

• Raccoon (Resident, hunting and trapping)

• Ruffed grouse (Zone B)

Oct. 26

• Mink (Central Zone, trapping only)

• Muskrat (Central Zone, trapping only)

Per the folks at the DNR:

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must have a hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license unless hunting under the Mentored Hunting Law.

All first-time trappers must complete an approved trapper education course unless trapping under the youth supervised option, mentored trapping program or other exemptions.

Experienced trappers teach this comprehensive course that covers basic trapping skills, including legal methods, regulations, safety and ethics.

Now forward this email to friend, and get out ‘der!

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