Badger Deer Camp - Badger Sportsman Magazine

Sportsman 

Badger 

M A G A Z I N E 

Deer Camp 

Tradition that 

spans generations 

Packers’ Frank Zombo 

A Boy & His Trail Cameras 

Final installment of the series 

by Zachary Runge 

A sportsman rekindles his 

love of the outdoors 

by Pete Dougherty 

PRSRT STD 

AUTO 

PAID 

PERMIT NO. 272 

STEVENS POINT, WI 

NOVEMBER 2011 

$3.80

P recision ports 

4717 STATE ROAD 44, OSHKOSH 

TUE-FRI 9-6, SAT 9-4 

www.ps-o.us 

SWhere technology meets the great outdoors 

OVER 30 YEARS OF QUALITY SERVICE 

WE OFFER 

WISCONSIN 

CONCEAL 

& CARRY 

CLASSES 

We provide high quality firearms for hunting, shooting sports, and recreation. 

Precision Sports is a Class III dealer and Manufacturer selling Silencers, 

Machines Guns, Short Barrel Rifles, Short Barrel Shotguns and AOW’s. And as a 

manufacturer, we can build custom long range rifles, AOW’s, SBR’s and SBS’s. 

We can show you how to legally purchase a Silencer. 

NEW & USED SALES 

PADDLES SCUBA GEAR 

CANOES 

CLASS III 

SNOW SHOES 

SNOW 

SHOES FOR 

SALE AND 

RENTAL 

FIREARMS 

KAYAKS




FEATURES 

Deer 

Camp 

Quiz 

pg. 28 

16 Frank Zombo – 

Packers’ Zombo finds hunting a big hit- 

Pete Dougherty 

20 Looking Back – 

When Deer Hunting took over Wisconsin- 

Mike Yurk 

24 Deer Camp – Sandstone Deer Camp- 

Kate Erbach 

29 Special Feature – 

Badger Sportsmen in Deer Camp- Joe Jankowski 

32 Earn a Buck – Hunting with my girls- 

Michael A. Eierman 

34 Trail Cameras Part 3 – 

Zachary Runge 

40 Winter Sports – Making Winter 

Memories- Rick Schmitz 

COMMUNITY PROFILE 

26 Crivitz Area – An overview of the area 

6 10 

14 46 52 

DEPARTMENTS 

Random Thoughts 4 Comments from our publisher 

Not So Totally Bland–O 6 

Tony Blando’s irreverant look at the outdoor world 

Beyond the Water 10 Lake-Link - Delavan Lake 

On the Line 14 Falling for River Walleyes - 

Gary Parsons & Keith Kavajecz 

Marsh Menace 44 Phragmites - Lawanda Jungwirth 

Badger Bigshots 46 Showcasing your trophies 

Howlin’ at the Moon 52 

The outdoor sportsman – another view 

In Our Next Issue 57 

Submissions 58 

BADGER SPORTSMAN is published by Badger Sportsman LLC. 

Subscription price is $29 for one year. 

POSTMASTER: send address changes to: 

Badger Sportsman, P.O. Box 1186, Oshkosh, WI 54903-1186. 

Bulk-rate postage paid at Oshkosh, WI. 

Reproduction of any contents of BADGER SPORTSMAN without express 

written permission of its publishers is strictly forbidden. The appearance 

of any advertisement or product information does not constitute 

endorsement of any product or service by BADGER SPORTSMAN. 

Copyright 2011. 

NOVEMBER 2011 ❘ Badger Sportsman ❘ badgersportsman.com ❘ 3

RANDOM THOUGHTS 

Our illustrious publisher, Art is more than a bit ADD so 

our job was to put his thoughts into a semblance of clarity; his 

thoughts, being so random came to us like this: 

“ 

Your time is limited, so 

don’t waste it living someone 

else’s life. Don’t be trapped 

by dogma – which is living 

with the results of other 

people’s thinking. Don’t let 

the noise of others’ opinions 

drown out your own inner 

voice. And most important, 

have the courage to follow 

your heart and intuition. 

They somehow already 

know what you truly want 

to become. Everything else is 

secondary. 

” ~ Steve Jobs 1955-2011 

“ 

A wise man, recognizing 

that the world is but an 

illusion, does not act as if 

it is real, so (therefore) he 

escapes suffering. 

” 

Buddha 

“ 

To be wronged does 

nothing unless you continue 

to remember it. 

” Ben Franklin 

Peace, Art 

How to contact us: 

Advertising: advertising@badgersportsman.com 

General information, Letters to the editor, event listings: info@badgersportsman.com 

Story ideas, written stories: stories@badgersportsman.com 

Images for Badger Bigshots or Howlin’ at the Moon: graphics@badgersportsman.com 

Subscriptions: subscribe@badgersportsman.com 

Publisher Art Dumke 

IT Consultant Craig Burnett 

Sales Manager Todd Reuss 

Sales Coordinator Andy Kriz 

Director of Marketing Tracy Goggans 

Legal Advisor Jason Hirschberg 

Real Estate Development Paul Jonas 

Property & Construction Manager Bob Walter 

Subscriptions Traci Pommerening 

Creative Director Kate Erbach 

4 ❘ Badger Sportsman ❘ badgersportsman.com ❘ NOVEMBER 2011

LAND FOR SALE 

BUY SOME LAND 

BUILD YOUR DREAM! 

30 YEARS, 7.000% LOAN 

$5,595 MONTHLY 

4 Buddy Plan $1,399 

PICKETT, WI 

217 acres of hunting land located in 

Pickett, Wisconsin, just west of Oshkosh. 

Intensive management efforts coordinated with 

the State of Wisconsin through the Glacial Habitat 

Restoration program, have yielded 140 acres 

of diverse prarie and 60 acres of wetlands. 

Several scrapes and a planned water control 

structure further enhance the property’s ability 

to attract and hold deer, pheasant and ducks. 17 

acres, including a 10 acre building site, have been 

withheld from the state programs, allowing the 

owner the opportunity to build a dream home in 

the middle of this hunting paradise. Property 

currently generates $13,200 per year from the, 

rented out, barn and farmhouse. 

Property Specifications 

Acreage: 217 

Asking Price: $849,000 ($3,912.44/acre) 

Location: Pickett, WI with Angle Road Access 

Zoning: Agricultural 

Permanent Structures: Farmhouse, barn, 

garage and silos 

Septic/Water/Electric: Yes 

Navigable Water Frontage: None 

Hunting: Deer, pheasant, duck and turkey 

Tree Species: Oak, minimal timber value 

Soil Type: Loam 

Tree Species: Very few trees 

State/Federal Managment Plan: 200 acres in the 

Glacial Habitat Restoration Program 

(only 17 acres can be farmed) 

Map provided by Point North Mapping 

NO CREDIT? NO PROBLEM! 

FOR MORE INFO: WWW.WISCONSINHUNTINGPROPERTY.COM 920.230. FISH (3474)

NOT SO TOTALLY BLAND–O 

Tony Blando is a retired soldier who has yet to figure out what he will do when he 

grows up. He is a native of West Allis, WI but has hunted and fished throughout America 

while serving in the United States Army. He has never caught a 30 inch walleye or harvested 

a Pope and Younger. His primary goal is to bag the one-pointer he saw last year 

because, “When people ask me what the spread is I can say 1,575,118,108.6296 inches. 

Tony lives with his very understanding wife and three daughters in Oshkosh, WI where 

he continues to hunt and fish whenever he can sneak outside. 

Last Blood 

By Tony Blando 

Sam, Ali and Mary Blando after the hunt. 

I 

would bet a month’s salary the majority of Wisconsinites 

would say autumn is their favorite season. 

For some it’s the brilliance of the changing flora, for 

others the cacophony of sounds from migrating fauna. 

For some it’s the bounty of the harvest and others the 

refreshing chill of mid September evenings. For me it’s the 

anticipation of the whitetail deer archery season. 

In autumn I spend most of my waking hours and all 

three brain cells ruminating over past hunts. Sure, I’ve 

harvested deer while hunting alone, but those hunts are 

rarely recalled. My most memorable hunts involve loved 

ones – usually my father Sam and my brothers Bill, Joe, 

and Dan. Now they often include my daughters Katie, 

Ali and Mary. 

We were fortunate to grow up in a safe, loving home. 

Our parents, Sam and Maureen, worked hard to pass 

on a strong value system and solid work ethic to their 

six children. These were precious gifts that seem to be 

withheld from many kids today. 


NOT SO TOTALLY BLAND-O 

Whenever you get a pack of males together there will 

naturally evolve a chain of command. 

Mom and Dad also passed on a love of the outdoors 

through countless camping, hunting, and fishing trips. 

We could have done without the seven hour country 

drives in the un-air conditioned station wagon looking 

for roadside asparagus but I wouldn’t trade any of the 

other outings. 

My dad and brothers and I hunted and fished together 

almost every weekend. Dad would tell us what to pack, 

what time we were leaving, what to wear, what time to get 

up, the weather report, wind direction, where to place our 

stands, etc., etc., etc. 

Whenever you get a pack of males together there will 

naturally evolve a chain of command. Dad was clearly 

in charge of everything but delegated many of the tasks 

to me as I was the eldest son. I would in-turn delegate 

to Bill, Bill would delegate to Joe and Joe would finally 

delegate to Dan who was lowest in the chain. 

This exercise was most evident while tracking an 

arrowed deer. Dad was always in the lead and when he’d 

find a spot of blood he’d turn to me and say, “Stay at last 

blood.” I would turn to Bill and say, “Stay here.” He 

would turn to Joe and Joe would turn to Dan. I always 

felt sorry for Dan as he spent many hours alone in the 

dark woods while the rest of us tramped off in search of 

the next spot of blood, track, or hopefully the underbelly 

of an expired whitetail. 

It’s funny how things evolve in the circle of life. 

Recently my Dad and I, along with my daughters Ali 

and Mary, spent a few days bow hunting on our property 

near Neshkoro, WI. 

Before each hunt we traditionally gather around a large 

map in an old chicken coop we rebuilt into a “cabin” to 

discuss stand locations. It was here that I realized I was 

not only telling Ali and Mary what to wear, what to pack, 

what time we were leaving the coop, wind direction, etc., 

etc., etc. I was also telling Dad; and this was a major shift 

in the chain of command. 

We hunted hard for a few days but saw very few deer. 

Tony Blando with his 7 point buck. 

The final morning of the hunt was a cold one. Inside 

the chicken coop the temperature read 44 degrees – 

outside it was 26. Ali and Mary decided to sleep in so it 

would just be Dad and I on stand. 

When I was young Dad would pray that I would get a 

deer. I now pray for him. As my buddy Art says, “None 

of us are getting out of here alive.” We don’t know how 

many hunts we are allotted but odds are I have more 

ahead of me than Dad does. 

After setting up that morning I looked to the heavens 

and said, “Please God, put a nice buck in front of Dad 

this morning.” God must have misunderstood me as I 

was mumbling through my frozen mouth. 

As my buddy Art says, 

“ None of us are getting out of here alive. ” 


NOT SO TOTALLY BLAND–O 

Two hours later after a short rattling sequence I heard 

the sound of a whitetail ambling through fallen autumn 

leaves. Soon thereafter I spied a large bodied deer sporting 

not so large antlers. 

The buck slowly wandered within range and eventually 

offered one of those tough, quartering away, standing still 

10 yard shots. I released the arrow and after the telltale 

“twok” and the deer’s subsequent mad dash I looked up 

and said, “You are an awesome God!” 

I sat for another hour and then hurriedly returned to 

the chicken coop. Along the way I texted Ali and Mary so 

by the time I arrived they had already informed Grandpa 

who had returned as well. 

When we returned to my stand Dad asked where the 

buck was standing when I shot. I said, “I can do one 

better, I’ll take you to last blood.” 

We went to last blood and I said to my Dad, “Stay 

here.” At first he dutifully stayed but then turned to Ali 

and said, “Stay here.” You’ve probably already guessed 

but Ali turned to Mary and said, “Stay here.” 

The hit was a good one so we quickly found more and 

more blood. Each time I asked Dad to move up and each 

time he asked Ali to do the same. Ali would always turn 

to Mary and the rest of us would begin moving ahead in 

the direction we thought the deer had travelled. 

We had only travelled sixty yards when I rounded a 

bend to see the white under belly of an expired buck. 

Although not a “Pope and Younger,” this buck did serve 

as an exciting rally point and bridge between three 

generations of bow hunters. 

Emotionally this was one of the best hunts I’ve 

experienced. It’s hard to describe the euphoric feeling I 

felt when I realized the unique opportunity I had to not 

only teach my own children to hunt, but to also assist my 

dad so he can experience the hunt as long as possible. 

It’s hard to describe the 

euphoric feeling I felt 

when I realized the unique 

opportunity I had to 

not only teach my own 

children to hunt, but to 

also assist my dad so he 

can experience the hunt 

as long as possible. 

Dad’s greatest gift to me was an introduction to the 

outdoors. I’m not sure when we shifted from Dad taking 

the lead to me taking the lead. I just know it happened 

and I’m thankful it did. 

My gift to my daughters is a pledge to share the outdoors 

with them until they are old enough to enjoy it without 

my help. 

I hope that one day they include me with their children 

and that they tell me what to wear, what to pack, what 

time to leave the coop, wind direction, where to place my 

stand etc., etc. 

I also hope they give me the opportunity to stand at 

“last blood.” 

Subscribe to Badger Sportsman Magazine 

1 Year at a rate of $ 29/2 Years for $ 49/3 Years for $ 69 




Subscribe me for: ❏ 1 year ❏ 2 years ❏ 3 years 

Your Name:________________________________________________ 

Address:__________________________________________________ 

City: __________________________ State:__________ Zip:_______ 

Payment enclosed: ❏ Check ❏ Money Order 

Mail with payment to: 

Badger Sportsman, P.O. Box 1186, Oshkosh, WI 54903-1186 


E-Mail: 

info@northernwisconsinhuntingland.com 

Permanent, heated deer stands keep you warm and dry 

during bow and gun season. 40’ wide shooting lanes are 

planted with high protein food plot crops to promote strong, 

healthy deer and antler growth. Most parcels include 

additional food plots. Each stand has a minimum of 3 

shooting lanes up to 400 yards long each, which allow you 

to see the deer you normally wouldn’t. Abundant wildlife 

including huge bucks, turkeys, grouse, bobcats and bear 

make these 

properties their home 

because of the yearround 

food sources. 

Loretta/Draper Area - 80 Acres 

Cabin, Shed & Hunting Land For Sale 

Price Reduced from $290,000 to $259,000 

80 acre parcel with year-round cabin and shed. On quiet, dead end road. 

Adjacent to 1,000’s of acres of public land and ATV/snowmobile trails in 

Sawyer County, southeast of Hayward. 

Permanent, heated deer stands keep you warm and dry during bow and 

gun season. 40’ wide shooting lanes planted with high protein food plot 

crops to promote strong, healthy deer and antler growth. Abundant wildlife 

including huge bucks, turkeys, grouse, bobcats and bear make this property 

their home because of the year-round food sources. 

Loretta/Draper Area - 187 Acres 

Price Reduced from $467,500 to $398,000 

187 acres of Quality Hunting Land For Sale. This property includes 5 

permanent, heated deer stands for gun and bow hunting. Each stand has a 

minimum of three 40’ wide shooting lanes up to 400 yards long planted with 

high protein food plot crops to promote strong, healthy deer and antler growth. 

This parcel includes 2 additional food plots, one is approximately 5 acres and 

the other is approximately 3 acres. Abundant wildlife including huge bucks, 

turkeys, grouse, bobcats and bear. 

Near 1,000’s of acres of public land and adjacent 

to the Tuscobia ATV/snowmobile trail in Sawyer 

County, southeast of Hayward. 

www.northernwisconsinhuntingland.com

BEYOND THE WATER WITH 

Have access to more than 2,700 upper Midwest lake maps like this one with a Lake-Link Membership. 

Get GPS coordinates, customize your personal favorites, print and so much more. 

For further information go to: http://www.lake-link.com/memberinfo/. 

Destination: 

Delavan Lake 

Fishing doesn’t get 

any better than this! 

by Dave Duwe 

For decades, Delavan Lake in Walworth County 

Wisconsin has been one of the best fisheries in the 

state. Delavan Lake is roughly a 2000 acre lake with 

a maximum depth of 56 feet. The bottom is composed 

equally of muck, sand and rock. This is an awesome fishery 

due to the rebirth of the lake in 1989. The comprehensive 

rehabilitation project created the fantastic fishery we have 

today. 

Beginning in the 1940s water quality on the lake was on 

the decline and worsened until the rehab project of 1989. 

The fishery changed from one of walleye and northern 

pike to a carp and bigmouth buffalo haven. The declining 

water quality was attributed to excessive phosphorous from 

sediment from agricultural fields and ever expanding urban 

areas. In the mid 1980s the lake community rallied to 

support a comprehensive rehabilitation project. The most 


important aspect of the rehab project was to eliminate the 

phosphorous laden sediment. This was accomplished by 

dredging and an alum treatment to the bottom of the lake 

to lock up the bottom phosphorous. The project was a 

huge success and this cleanup effort made the lake, once 

again, a great fishery with an emphasis on water quality. 

Delavan Lake has become a fishing destination for all 

seasons. 

BEYOND THE WATER 

Jeff Wolters with a Delavan Lake bluegill. 

Nate Duwe with a first ice pike. 

First ice means pike. Northern pike can be found on the 

shallow weedy bays on the west end of the lake and near 

Lake Lawn Lodge Resort. During early ice, the weeds 

in the shallow bays will still be alive. This provides food, 

shelter and oxygen for small fish. These small fish are the 

food source for the hungry pike. The basic presentation 

is simple “tip-ups”. I use the Arctic Fisherman (Beaver 

Dam) spooled with 30-50 lb. Dacron fishing line. With 

Delavan’s clear water, I use a monofilament leader. I like 

#20 Silver Thread with a #8 treble hook. I will position 

the bait one foot above the weed growth. For bait, you 

can try suckers and golden shiners. Dead bait, like smelt 

can also be productive, but it requires a different leader 

set- up. My personal preference is for golden shiners. I 

hook the shiner by the dorsal fin; it seems to make them 

swim harder and attract more fish. There is a special 

regulation on northern pike - one fish over 32” long. 

There are a lot of big fish in Delavan Lake. 

Winter’s most sought after fish is Delavan Lake’s claim to 

fame - big bluegills. Like the northern pike they also can 

be found on the west end bays and also by the Lake Lawn 

Lodge Resort near North Shore Drive. The shallow water 

has everything that bluegill require - food and cover from 

predators. I concentrate in 3-5 feet of water. My poles 

are spooled with 1 lb. test. I attach a small ice jig - like 

Lindy’s new Toad or the Genz bug. The preferred bait is 

wax worms or spikes. When I arrive at the area I intend 

to fish, I will drill anywhere from two to fifteen holes - to 

move to and from (hole hopping). I tend to only fish a 

hole 2 or 3 minutes. If I don’t catch anything, it’s time to 

move on to the next. It seems that the gills consistently bite 

the first time the bait goes down the hole - if they are there. 

Last, but certainly most important, make sure you are 

aware of ice conditions before venturing out onto the ice. 

During the ice season, access can be a problem. The 

best access is in the Community Park on the east end of 

the lake. 

As the ice departs, the pan fishing becomes the quarry of 

all anglers until opening day - which is the first Saturday 

in May. With the warming waters, crappies and bluegills 

will move in the shallows. As a rule, the fish will be in 

3 to 4 feet of water. The best locations to look for them 

are near the outlet dam, Viewcrest, Highland Channel 

and the boat launch channel. The technique of choice 

is a bobber with a small ice jig, tipped with a wax worm 

or a red worm, for the bluegills. Early spring is always a 

great time to catch crappies on Delavan Lake. The best 

approach is small plastic tails tipped on a 1/32 or 1/48 

oz. jig. The average size of the fish is 9-13 inches. The 

crappies are in similar locations to the bluegills. 

As summer arrives, so do the vacationers and the 

pleasure boaters. Due to its proximity to Chicago and 


BEYOND THE WATER 

A deepwater bluegill caught by Nate Duwe 

Milwaukee, Delavan Lake can be one of the busiest lakes 

in Wisconsin. As the spawning ends and the water gets 

warm, most fish will head to the depths for safety, food 

and comfortable cooler water. Two main factors come 

into play when targeting deep water game fish like walleye, 

largemouth bass and northern pike - weed lines with rock 

and thermoclines. Game fish love a deep weed edge in 

summertime so they can ambush their prey. I target steep 

drop-offs with heavy weed growth. The most productive 

weed lines are close to the deep water, typically those 

adjacent to the main lake basin. When targeting deep 

water fish, watch for their tendency to school up near the 

thermocline. The fun part in fishing Delavan Lake, in the 

summer, is that when you find a school where you catch 

one, you have the opportunity to catch several more. The 

two best methods are Lindy rigging or drop-shot rigging. 

Favorite baits are medium suckers or nightcrawlers while 

Lindy rigging. For drop-shotting, a sure bet is a 4 inch 

Yum Houdini worm in watermelon red flake color. The 

best locations are in 16-18 ft. of water near Willow Point, 

Browns Channel or by the Village Supper Club. 

During the summer months, the bigger bluegills pull 

out of the shallow weeds and also associate with the deep 

weed lines. The best approach is as simple as a leaf worm, 

on single hook, fishing straight beneath the boat. 

As fall arrives, it’s back to school and trophy time on Delavan 

Lake. The big northern pike and walleyes become very 

active. In fall, night time is the right time for the aggressively 

feeding walleye. The best locations are main lake points like 

Willow Point, Browns Channel and the Village Point. The 

main presentation is jerk baits - like Rapalas Husky jerks 

12 ❘ Badger Sportsman ❘ badgersportsman.com ❘ NOVEMBER 2011 

Dave Duwe’s young client with his 

first Delavan Lake walleye. 

or Bandit lures “300 

series” crank-baits. 

Perch or pearl colors 

are a personal favorite. 

Work a depth anywhere 

from 12 to 20 feet on the weed line. 

Author Dave Duwe with an October 

northern pike. 

The biggest pike of the year are caught post turnover. 

The bait of choice are large suckers. I rig the suckers either 

with a Lindy rig or on a Thill Big Fish slip bobber. Work 

the weed lines associated with large weed flats. The key 

depth to work is 15-17 feet of water. Delavan is loaded 

with big pike - my personal best is 41 inches caught in late 

October. 

Delavan is a fishing destination for all seasons. If you 

haven’t made a trip you need to plan one. The public boat 

launch is located in the Town of Delavan’s Community 

Park and has ample parking. Whether it’s big bluegills or 

monster pike - Delavan Lake is a tremendous fishery! 

About the author: Dave Duwe has owned and operated 

Dave Duwe’s Guide service for nearly 20 years. Dave is a 

featured speaker at fishing clubs and sports shows throughout 

Wisconsin and Illinois. Multi-species fishing is Dave’s 

specialty. Novices to professional fishermen are welcome in 

Dave’s boat. Dave can be reached at www.fishdelavanlake. 

com or 608-883-2050. 

Dave’ is a pro-staff member of Lake-Link.com. His 

information can be found at: http://www.lake-link.com/ 

anglers/guides/guidepage.cfm?GuideID=106.

22 | BADGER SPORTSMAN | BADGERSPORTSMAN.COM | NOVEMBER 2010

ON THE LINE 

Falling for 

River 

Walleyes 

Now that we are 

approaching the later stages 

of the season, rivers may 

be a good bet to find some 

great walleye fishing. 

by Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz 

Keith Kavajecz with a Walleye 

Where do you typically begin your walleye 

fishing season every year? If you’re like most 

of us, it’s on a river. The walleyes are there 

to spawn and the bite is predictable. Now that we are 

approaching the later stages of the season, that river may 

again be a good bet to find some great walleye fishing. 

Look at it this way … the walleyes don’t just show up 

in those river spots in the spring. They actually begin 

that migration in the fall. That means your best favorite 

“spring” walleye river is loading up right now with hungry, 

aggressive fish. On top of that, those packs of boats that 

you competed against for fishing holes last spring are 

gone (most of those guys are either hunting or at home 

watching football). So face it; if you’re not heading back to 

your favorite walleye river in the fall, you’re likely missing 

out on some fabulous fishing! 

Pinpointing walleye location in rivers during this time 

of year is tied very closely to water levels. High water 

levels and heavy current will put fish in much different 

locales than low, slow running water. Luckily, in most 

cases, even water levels can be predictable. While there 

are exceptions, typically rivers will be at their lowest levels 

as autumn begins. Then once the calendar edges closer 

to winter, variables such as lake draw-downs, increased 

power generation for hydro-electric facilities, rain and in 

some cases even snowfall will raise river levels and increase 

current flow. 

Let’s cover the various places to find walleyes during the 

low water periods along with the basic presentations that 

have served us well over the years. 

The fish are moving into the river now … not setting 

up in any one place … they’re on the prowl … feeding 

and then moving on. You need to intercept them in those 

spots where their migration route offers good feeding 


opportunities. Key in on the channel edges - places where 

the channel changes. These are the spots that walleyes 

will use as “rest stops” and feeding stations. Incoming 

creeks will form a delta, or a hump, where it contacts the 

main channel. Wing dams are always going to attract 

fish. Outside bends in the channel, create wash-outs and 

eddies, and are also good areas to hold walleyes. 

Presentations that are used for low water and slow 

current need to match the particular area and situation 

where you are targeting walleyes. Smaller, more isolated 

spots … like the hole on an outside bend, or the wash out 

area of a wing dam, are prime spots for vertical jigging. 

Normally you’re dealing with fairly light current and 

moderate depths … ten to twenty feet being the average 

… so keep your jig selection in the 1/8 to 3/8 ounce 

range. Jigging action can be a bit more aggressive than 

you used in the spring, but it often makes a big difference, 

in the number of bites you’ll get, if you get in the habit 

of leaving your jig rest on the bottom a little longer than 

you normally do. We can’t say precisely why that is, but 

experience has taught us that walleyes in these situations 

like to suck the bait off the bottom. This is where using 

the right style jig can pay huge dividends too. Opting for 

a semi-stand-up style jig, like the Bass Pro Shops XPS 

Walleye Angler jig or the Fin-tech Nuckle Ball jig, will 

position the bait angling slightly off bottom, making it an 

easy target to get slurped up. 

Walleyes, this time of year, are looking to fill their 

bellies, so it also helps if you offer them something that 

would be considered more of a “Hungry-Man Meal” 

than an appetizer. Bulking up your jig offering, either 

by using larger-than-average sized minnows (four to five 

inchers are good), or by adding a plastic body such as a 

four inch Berkley GULP! Minnow or a four inch Berkley 

PowerBait Ripple Shad will add the size and attraction to 

get these fall walleyes’ attention. 

There are ways to contact walleyes not set up on classic 

holding spots too … those fish that are in transition … 

moving up stream along the river channel edge on their 

way to wintering holes. Pulling crankbaits along the 

channel structure can boat good numbers of fish this time 

of year. However, it’s one thing to talk about trolling a 

river channel edge and quite another to do it effectively. 

The key is depth control. Keeping your lure near the 

bottom is critical. The problem lies in the fact that it’s 

tough to know where on the channel break the fish will 

be. Some may be cruising along the bottom of the break 

ON THE LINE 

… some closer to the top of the break. Trying to cover all 

the depths simultaneously takes a specialized technique 

… Contour Trolling with lead core line. 

Lead core works especially well in this situation because 

it is no-stretch, allowing you to feel the vibration of the 

bait, know when it’s ticking bottom, and tell when you’ve 

picked up debris (by when the crank stops vibrating) so 

you can reel it in and clear the lure. Lead core is also 

perfect for covering various depths because it’s “speed 

sensitive”, meaning that once you let a set amount of 

line out, you can control the depth it runs … speed up 

and water resistance against the bulky line will cause it to 

rise … slow down and the weighted line is pulled deeper. 

You get good results with this tactic, rigging it with about 

a twenty foot leader of ten pound test Berkley FireLine 

(also no-stretch, adding to the sensitivity of the set-up), 

and using smaller sized crankbaits. The smaller lures tend 

to deflect off snags better, and “follow” the lead core well 

… reacting quicker to depth changes as you move up and 

down the break. 

You may occasionally run into a situation where 

the river’s current is virtually non-existent, so much so 

that it’s more like fishing a lake than a river. We’ve run 

into this a couple of times over the years. With a lack 

of current, walleyes can be tough to pattern, but a 

methodical approach of covering water can yield some 

great results. Our tactic of choice in this situation is Jig 

Trolling. For those not familiar with the technique, Jig 

Trolling is basically slowly moving along the channel edge 

with the bow mount trolling motor, and working a 3/8 

to 1/2 ounce jig trailed at about a forty five degree angle 

from the rod tip. You’ll cover a bit more ground than 

trying to vertical jig, but it’s a more finesse presentation 

than trolling cranks. 

Fall of the year can be a tough time for anglers … not 

because the fishing is tough … the fishing is typically 

at a peak this time of year. The tough part comes in all 

the options we have this time of year. Sure, there is good 

fishing to be had on your favorite walleye lake, but don’t 

forget about the rivers. That’s where you’ll often find us 

this time of year … because we’ve learned what a lot of 

walleyes already know … when fall comes, it pays to head 

back to the river. 

Editor's Note: If you have questions or comments on this or 

other articles of ours you may have read, contact us through 

our website at www.thenextbite.com. 


Packers’ 

finds hunting 

a big hit 

by Pete Dougherty 

Finding the sportsman in the sports man 


Frank Zombo grew up a suburban kid, just outside 

Detroit, and never had hunted until his senior year 

of college. 

One of his teammates, on Central Michigan’s football 

team, took him deer hunting early that fall and his first 

time out he killed a nine-point buck. 

“I was pretty much hooked,” Zombo said. “After that I 

was trying to hunt whenever I had a chance.” 

Incredibly, that was only two years ago. Much has 

happened to Zombo since: a 12-2 season and top-25 

ranking for little Central Michigan in that senior year of 

college; making the Green Bay Packers’ roster as undrafted 

rookie last year; and getting a sack in the Packers’ Super 

Bowl win over Pittsburgh last February. 

PACKIN’ IT IN 

Frank Zombo 

Age: 24 

Ht, Wt: 6-3, 254 

Position: Outside linebacker 

Number: 58 

During that time, he’s also become an ardent hunter, 

and in that way landing with the Packers has been perfect. 

He describes Green Bay as a bigger version of his college 

town of Mount Pleasant, MI, (population 26,733) – a 

city surrounded by great hunting land. 

With his love of the outdoors life, Zombo has been 

right at home since making the Packers’ roster last year 

and usually spends at least part of his days-off, during 

the football season, deer or duck hunting. The Packers’ 

players generally are off Monday in the late afternoons 

plus their mandatory day-off Tuesday, though even then 

they come in for at least a few hours to begin studying the 

next opponent. 

Either way, Zombo usually squeezes in an hour or two, 

in the early evening, sitting in a deer stand. It’s usually in 

Little Suamico, where he hunts the land of a neighbor 

family, the Sefciks, that’s befriended him. 

Zombo sometimes takes a small laptop computer to 

one of the blinds, where he alternates watching game 

video and surveying the landscape. The last time he 

went out, he was going to show one of the Sefcik’s sons, 

Connor, who plays on a local high school freshman team, 

how NFL players watch videotape. But Connor couldn’t 

Zombo in his college days at Central Michigan in 2009. 

make it that evening because he had late practice. 

“Had my computer up, had my feet up, just watching 

game film,” Zombo said, “and then every once in a while 

I’ll look out. I saw three deer (that) night, two bucks and 

one doe. The doe came out when it was light outside, I 

could have shot (but didn’t). The bucks didn’t come out 

until it was dark, I could barely see. I could see antlers but 

couldn’t count points, and I wouldn’t have been able to 

get a good shot as it was after hunting hours.” 

When he isn’t in the Sefcik’s corn fields, Zombo might 

take an afternoon drive up to Lena or over to Kewaunee 

for duck hunting with Paul Sefcik, Conner’s uncle. 

“It’s peaceful, it’s relaxing to me, just sitting out there 

and seeing different animals,” Zombo said. “Every once 

in a while a squirrel or raccoon pops out, or a coyote runs 

through. It’s not just the killing part, it’s being outside. 

I’d much rather sit out in a field and watch ducks fly over 

than sit and watch TV and kill time that way. It’s just 

“ 

I’d much rather sit out in a field and watch ducks fly over 

than sit and watch TV and kill time that way. 

” 


PACKIN’ IT IN 

relaxing. And it’s fun, like with ducks, putting out decoys 

and actually tricking them. I just think it’s pretty cool.” 

Zombo keeps his bow skills sharp on a deer decoy in 

his back yard. When he gets home from work or is bored, 

he’ll step outside and take maybe 10 shots from 20 yards 

or 40 yards. Occasionally a teammate, sometimes fellow 

outside linebacker Clay Matthews, sometimes practicesquad 

quarterback Graham Harrell, will come by for some 

target work. 

Last year Zombo also was in a trap-shooting league at the 

Brown County Sportsmen’s Club with former teammate 

Nick McDonald. His first time out, Zombo hit only 8 of 

25 shots. 

“I was devastated,” he said. “The second time I went out 

I shot 25-for-25. Got a patch, got my name in the paper. 

So I’m actually a pretty good shot.” 

“ 

But when you’re about to 

shoot a deer, or even when 

ducks are circling over your 

head, your heart’s definitely 

racing. That’s a cool feeling 

just to have your heart 

going, you’re excited. A 

great feeling. 

” 

Zombo joked that when his football career is finished, 

he’ll probably work at Gander Mountain because he 

spends so much free time there as it is. He might not stay 

in Green Bay because he wants to live close to his family 

in Michigan, but it’s safe to say he’ll have more free time 

for his greatest passion outside football. Where else can he 

get a thrill that’s anything close to sacking a quarterback? 

“Getting a sack is probably the coolest feeling in the 

world, just having the whole crowd around you cheering,” 

he said. “But when you’re about to shoot a deer, or even 

when ducks are circling over your head, your heart’s 

definitely racing. That’s a cool feeling just to have your 

heart going, you’re excited. A great feeling.” 

Best moment in sports other than the NFL: “In 

college at Central Michigan, that senior year, being there 

five years with the coaches and guys I grew up with, we 

were top-25 my senior year and went 12-2- that was just 

fun being with my buddies.” 

Zombo in his college days at Central Michigan in 2009. 

Other top moment in sports was getting to the state 

football championship with Stevenson High School in 

Sterling Heights, MI.: “We were blown out in state title 

game, a guy that’s now one of my best friends from college 

(i.e. receiver Bryan Anderson) was on other team. I had 

to hear about that for four years that he’d always have one 

more ring than me. So when I got the Super Bowl ring I 

called him up and said, ‘Now we’ve got the same amount 

of rings. And guess what I’ve got?” 

On the similarities between football and hunting: 

“Experience. Football is a lot of experience and seeing 

things over and over. Hunting is the same way. I had a deer 

last year come up on my blind, and I made the smallest 

sound with my boot on my deer stand and it spooked it 

and it jetted away from me. I won’t do that again. Same 

thing with football. you make mistakes in your early years 

of football, then you master them.” 

Pete Dougherty grew up in Madison, went to college at 

Wisconsin and the University of Missouri, and has been 

working for the Green Bay Press-Gazette since 1987 and 

covering the Packers since 1993. 


OSHKOSH 

Oshkosh 

ROTARY Rotary 

SOUTHWEST 

Southwest 

Corporate Sponsor: 

www.fleetfarm.com

LOOKING BACK 

When Deer Hunting 

Took Over Wisconsin 

By Mike Yurk 

Deer hunting lit up Wisconsin. You could feel 

the excitement no matter where you were as 

the deer hunting season approached. It made 

men into boys again and sometimes boys into men. It 

was talked about in cafes, bars, barber shops, at the gas 

station, in school rooms and around the family dinner 

table as the bright sunny days of October began to slide 

into the cold winds and first snows of November. 

There was once a time that deer hunting dominated life 

in Wisconsin. In the last half of the month of November 

it was the only thing of significance throughout the state. 

It took over the whole state. Whether you hunted or not, 

it seemed to affect everyone in one way or another. 

This happened predominately in the 1950s and ‘60s. 

Deer hunting was considerably different, then what it 

is today. First of all, there was little or no bow hunting. 

Therefore, when you talked about deer hunting you were 

talking about the gun season only. 

It was during this time that the traditional nine day 

gun season became the institution that we now know. 

However, for one year in 1958 a sixteen-day gun season 

was allowed and was the longest gun season on record 

since 1916. 

Thanksgiving and Traditions 

But for most of us, that remember those days, the 

Wisconsin deer hunting season began at daybreak on the 

Saturday before Thanksgiving and ended at dusk on the 

Sunday after Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving holiday 

became a part of the legacy of the Wisconsin deer hunting 

season. To this day, I and many people from those days, 

both hunters and non-hunters, always associate deer 

hunting with Thanksgiving. Many a family in Wisconsin 

would adjust their Thanksgiving Day celebrations around 

the deer hunting season or deer hunters would arrange 

their hunting trips around Thanksgiving. 

When my grandfather went deer hunting he would leave 

on the Thursday or Friday morning before the hunting 

season started but would quit on Wednesday in time to 

be at our house, the next day, for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Other families would bring the traditional turkey dinner 

to the deer camps on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving 

and deer hunting would forever be an integral part of 

each other for many Wisconsin families. 

It was during and after World War II that many of the 

traditions we associated with deer hunting began. Tags 

with the deer hunting license number was first required 


in 1942. I can remember always feeling excited when 

I slipped my license into the plastic sleeve with the big 

safety pin attached to the back of my deer hunting jacket. 

Although it has been years since I last deer hunted; I still 

have my bright orange license holder with the big pin. In 

1945 the wearing of red clothing was required. For many, 

in the 1950s and ‘60s, the red and black checkered wool 

Mackinaw jacket became a symbol of the deer hunting 

season. In 1951 orange hunting clothing was allowed 

under the “red clothing law”. In 1953 deer hunters were 

required to register their deer at checking stations. Sports 

shops, gas stations and bars, throughout the northland, 

became registration stations. 

The stations became 

places of great excitement 

as hunters showed up 

with their deer in trunks 

of cars, in trailers, or tied 

to the fenders, hoods or 

roofs of their cars. There 

was always a story to be 

told. Some bragging was 

always allowed. Then there was the shy 

kid who shot his first deer and he was marked by the deer 

blood smeared on his cheeks. The blood on the cheeks 

was part of the rite of manhood for a first time successful 

deer hunter. 

Metals tags were issued to hunters for tagging their deer. 

I still occasionally see some of them that have survived the 

years and I think I have one or two somewhere in the 

basement yet. 

Bucks Only 

Deer hunting was for “buck-only” then. In 1957 

Wisconsin allowed the first party-permit. As I remember 

it, if you had a group with five deer hunting licenses, then 

you could apply for an additional permit that allowed 

your group to shoot a doe. In those days some hunters 

bought licenses for their wives to quality for the partydoe-permit 

if their group wasn‘t large enough. Regardless 

of how bad a season might be, at least the party-permit 

put some meat in the freezer. But there was always that 

feeling that real men shot only bucks. 

Everyone wanted the big buck but deer hunting in the 

1950s and ‘60s was as much about putting meat in the 

freezer as it was the big antler spread on the wall. Many 

of the people that deer hunted in those days had survived 

LOOKING BACK 

the Great Depression and deer hunting was a good way 

to fill the freezer. Hunting exclusively for trophies was not 

in vogue then. Of course, no one would pass up a shot at 

a big buck but the little spike buck put meat on the table 

and that was ok. 

Also in the 1950s and ‘60s hunters did not use stands. 

In fact they were not legal in those days. Everyone hunted 

from the ground. Some hunters had a favorite tree stump 

they sat on, or a tree they leaned their back on, while over 

looking a deer trail. 

Tracking Snow 

One of the hottest topics of discussion in the days 

leading into Saturday morning’s opening of the season 

was whether there would be tracking snow. This was 

important in those days and even the television stations 

would track the snow so that deer hunters would be 

informed. It is tough to imagine that television stations 

today would do that. 

Regardless, if you believe in global warming or not, it 

seemed that we had a lot colder weather back in the 1950s 

and ‘60s. Seldom did we not have snow for the opening 

of the deer season or at least a good snow storm sometime 

during the week of deer hunting. I remember one of my 

first deer hunting seasons, in the late ‘60s, when we had 

a major blizzard on opening day. It was a slippery and 

harrowing ride back to our cabin that night. 

It could always 

be expected to be 

cold. One year my 

grandfather’s party 

shot a small buck. 

It was suppose to 

get real cold that 

night so he laid 

the deer out like it was 

standing up. The next morning it was frozen solid 

and he stood the deer up like it was just standing there 

and took a photograph of my cousin standing behind it 

holding its tail. If you had not known that the deer was 

dead you certainly could not tell it from the photo. 

Going North 

Deer hunting in the 1950s and ‘60s was a sport for the 

northwoods. It conjured up visions of gray, bare hardwood 

trees and bright green pine trees with snow drifts. Everyone 

went north because that was where the deer were. No 


LOOKING BACK 

one hunted for deer around cornfields or the small little 

spots of woods in the southern half of the state. Today the 

southern counties have some of the best deer hunting and 

the northern counties seems to be declining a bit. But in 

the 1950s and ‘60s everyone went north. The northwoods, 

with its snow, were all a part of the adventure. 

Part of the adventure was just getting there. By the 

Thursday, before the season, you could see the lines of cars 

making their way north. It added to the expectation and 

excitement. You had a tendency on those days to have a 

little sympathy for those hunters that could not get out of 

work until Friday afternoon and had to travel north later 

in the day. One of the main roads north was Highway 41. 

The bridge across Lake Butte des Morts at Oshkosh was 

a choke point on the route north and there were stories 

of slowly moving bumper-to-bumper traffic jams that 

backed up cars almost to Fond du Lac. In those days the 

radio kept hunters informed as to what to expect and what 

the wait time was. Traffic was heavy on Highway 41 all 

day long but the traffic jams seemed to be at their worst 

late in the afternoon. By dark there was a steady stream of 

cars with headlights stabbing into the darkness, pointing 

north, as they slowly crept along until they finally got over 

the bridge. It was always a relief to get through there and 

for many of them the rest of the trip was a breeze. 

Deer Camps 

Deer camps seemed always to be rustic in those days 

of the 1950s and ‘60s. Many people referred to them as 

simply “the shack” and that wasn’t an understatement. 

They were hastily built sometime after the war - many 

times with scrap lumber and tar paper. Amenities were 

few. Outhouses were common. You hated to be the first 

one to get up in the morning because you had to dance 

around in the cold to get the wood stove going. 

Many of these shacks had only one purpose and that 

was for deer hunting. It was seldom ever used for anything 

else, any other time during the year. My wife’s uncle had 

a deer hunting camp up north that everyone called “The 

Shack”. It wasn’t much and he was one of several guys that 

owned it and originally built it. It was only used during 

the deer season and remained deserted the rest of the year. 

A lot of people in those days couldn’t afford shacks or 

weren’t invited to shacks - so they camped. I am not sure 

that many people today camp out, but back in the 1950s 

and into the ‘60s, it was still common to live in a tent 

during the deer season. My grandfather and his group 

camped out. I am not sure where they got the tents but 

they were the big wall tents that were most often used. 

Others used old military tents leftover from the war and 

bought at army surplus stores. 

He told the story of one of his first deer seasons when he 

was getting the tent ready before the season. He had cut 

a hole through the roof of the tent for the stove pipe and 

his mother, who would have been my great-grandmother, 

was telling him that she didn’t think that would work and 

they were going to burn it down. My grandfather assured 

her that all would be well. One day the group had left the 

camp for a day of hunting and when they returned later 

in the afternoon they found the tent in a smoldering ruin. 

It had burnt to the ground. I guess that no matter how 

old you get it pays to listen to your mother. 

Even then, as it still is today, the deer camp was much 

about the experience as it was about killing a deer. 

Families and friends gathered. Cousins, you never saw all 

year long, you would see during the deer season. 

For some men it was the only time they got away with 

the guys. There were card games, some liquor was drank, 

language was frank. Guys who wouldn’t utter a curse 

work at home could become fluent in swearing at the 

deer camp because they were just with the guys. Stories 

were told, past big bucks bragged about and missed shots 

were recalled. Normally, you remembered someone else’s 

missed shot rather then your own. 

Not everyone came to hunt. There would be the old 

uncle or grandfather that no longer hunted but he would 

not want to miss the excitement or companionship of the 

camp. He would be the guy that got up early to make 

breakfast and get everyone out in the woods and then go 


ack to bed for a nap. He put on the chili or stew later in 

the afternoon so that it was ready when everyone emerged 

from the woods as it began to get dark. The dinner of 

venison liver and onions, from the first deer that were 

killed, was always a high point of the camp. Then there 

were the card games in the evenings. Cribbage, sheepshead 

and poker matches would go on for hours. 

School, Christmas Trees and Sausage 

The spirit and excitement of deer hunting permeated 

the state. Everyone took an interest in the deer hunting 

season. Even if you didn’t hunt you could not miss it. 

You always knew someone who did hunt and it was the 

neighborly thing to take an interest in how they did. If 

they had been successful they might give you a deer roast 

or a stick of deer sausage and no one would ever turn that 

down. There weren’t many vegetarians in those days or 

people squeamish about eating wild game. 

It was normal for kids who hunted to be excused from 

school for the deer season. No teacher or principal ever 

complained about a kid being gone for the deer season. 

After Thanksgiving it was normal for teachers to ask the 

kids how they did deer hunting. One kid in my junior high 

school became something of a hero because he shot a bear 

during the deer hunting season. In the days of my youth 

a black bear was considered a bonus and didn’t require 

anything more than just the big game license. There may 

be some schools in the northern part of the state that excuse 

kids for the deer season but that doesn’t seem to happen as 

often as it once did across the state. 

As you would be driving around during the deer season 

everyone in the car would get excited to see a car driving 

with a deer tied to the fenders, roof or hood. Even people 

LOOKING BACK 

who had no real interest in hunting found it to be exciting 

in those days and it would be worth pointing out to the kids 

in the back seat. People would gather around successful 

hunters when they stopped at the service stations and 

would ask how the hunting was. For many hunters in the 

1950s and ‘60s, they would cut their Christmas tree while 

they were up north deer hunting, so it wasn’t uncommon 

to see cars driving south at the end of season with a pine 

tree attached to the roof. If they had a very good season 

they had both a buck and a Christmas tree tied to the car. 

After the hunt the deer were butchered in garages and 

basements. Butchering the deer was part of the ritual of 

deer hunting. Sausage was made. For many hunters in 

those days having a meat grinder was just as important as 

having a deer rifle. I remember my grandfather making 

two kinds of sausage. One was a summer sausage type 

and the other was a sausage that was fried in a pan. It has 

been almost a half century since I last tasted those venison 

sausages, but I can still remember how good they were. 

The Memories Are Still There 

A lot of those memories are now recorded in old black 

and white photographs, corners turning up, stored in 

boxes in the attic or closet along with the old red checkered 

Mackinaw and the metal deer tags. Much has changed 

since those days. The equipment and clothing have gotten 

better. There are special scent reducing soaps that hunters 

use today that no one ever thought of back in the middle 

of the 20th century. Trail cameras help with scouting 

today and we have elevated hunting stands. 

Some of us that remember those days of the 1950s and 

‘60s no longer deer hunt. We are now maybe the old uncle 

or grandpa that no longer cares to shoot a deer but come 

back to the deer camp each season to still be a part of the 

excitement and to enjoy the companionship and the card 

games. We now make the early morning breakfast and get 

all the younger hunters out into the woods. Then we go 

back to take a nap. We still have the memories of seasons 

past when deer hunting took over the state and I am glad 

that we have them. 

Mike Yurk has been writing about the outdoors for over forty 

years and has been published in numerous local and regional 

outdoor publications since then. He has also published seven 

books dealing with the world of hunting and fishing. He lives 

in northwestern Wisconsin where he has found some of the 

best bass fishing in the country. 


DEER CAMP 

John Maves, left, sporting the deer camp hat. 

Right,Carl Maves. 

Sandstone 

Stock Farm 

Deer Camp 

A decades old tradition 

keeps on...and on 

by Kate Erbach 

One of the stone columns at the front of the 

drive, Uncle Carl’s house in the background - 

home of deer camp. 

Head west out of Crivitz, Wisconsin and you will 

eventually find yourself at Sandstone Stock Farm. This 

is the place of my youth, my fondest memories and the 

location of my favorite place on earth. As I pass through the stone 

columns that guard the drive I am instantly transported back to 

a time where I remember ducking my head down so I wouldn’t 

touch the electrical wires that were strung across the drive as we 

passed under sitting atop the loaded hay wagon. 

It is the home of my uncles, John and Carl Maves. Men of the 

land. Men who also have spent decades hunting and fishing in the 

Crivitz area and wherever else they thought a good sporting time 

was to be had. In the evenings you could sit out on the porch of 

the “big” house and watch all the deer activity across the road. 

Venturing out from the woods to graze the fields I’m sure they 

could have been an easy shot, but just knowing they were there and 

available come hunting season was enough for my uncles and the 

friends and family that would join them in the annual Deer Camp 

gathering. 

Ahhh...Deer Camp, two words that spark glee in grown men, 

give high school boys a reason to get out of school and strike fear 

and loathing in wives and girlfriends. A tradition that includes 

beer swilling, drinking games, loud laughter, dirty jokes...oh, and 


hunting. Hopefully lots of hunting. This is the reason for 

it. To gather with your friends and family in the pursuit 

of that ONE deer, the BIG one, the deer that legends 

are made of. But of course, some years the pickin’s aren’t 

so good. The stories told of the ONE that got away will 

encourage camp attendees to venture out year after year 

for the same goal. 

Sandstone Camp began in the late ‘60s early ‘70s. No 

one remembers the exact date as guys just seemed to 

come and go at will, never any rhyme or reason as to who 

would show up at any given deer camp. 

Original members of Sandstone Camp were Stuart 

Swanson, Andy Neumann, Bill Neumann (Andy’s 

father), Jerry Verhaagh, Marshall Kostuch, Tom Melezen, 

Peter Swanson (Stuart’s son), Roger Hardy (Stuart’s sonin-law), 

Mark Melicke (Stuart’s son-in-law), John Maves 

and Carl Maves. 

Over the couch in the living room at deer camp resides 

a blown up photo of my cousin, Connie Maves. Forever 

known as the Potato Princess, daughter of the Potato 

Queen, my Aunt Cassie Maves and Uncle John. The 

original photo was held by the members who were forever 

teasing Connie that they would have it blown up and 

displayed. One year they made good on their promise and 

had the couch sized poster framed and a plaque attached 

proclaiming Connie’s title. She became the groups living 

mascot and sometime cook. Loved by all and held in 

dearest regard as a member of the deer camp “family”. It 

is the camaraderie of the members and the bonding that 

makes deer camps so special. Everything in good fun with 

some hunting thrown in. 

Every year before deer camp begins, the “Windsock 

Mascot” is hung outside the door. The windsock, a recreation 

of a deer hunter, 

was from a Leinenkugel 

beer display at the 

local Piggly Wiggly. 

On a beer run, Stuart 

Swanson along with his 

wife and her girlfriend 

decided that it needed 

to come back to camp 

with them. Stuart’s 

wife’s girlfriend was 

Stuart Swanson, dressed 

to “kill” and showing off his 

reward. 

DEER CAMP 

The Potato Princess, in her regalia, 

with sunglasses to avoid being recognized. 

quite adamant, offered a few dollars and off they went 

with the prize in hand. 

Stuart, a 40+ years attendee, first met Marshall Kostuch 

in school. Marshall, known as the “Wabeno Flash” 

introduced Stuart to deer camp in the late 60’s. He’s been 

going ever since. 

Tom Melezen, known 

affectionately as “Bananas”, 

was often the brunt of 

practical jokes. One year, 

the other fellows found a 

dead deer in the woods. 

Long dead deer. They told 

Tom that they had gotten a 

deer but were unable to find 

it. Tom headed out in the 

direction they told him that 

he could probably find the 

deer. Stomping around in 

the wooded area, Tom yelled 

out, “I found it!” The other 

guys rushed out to see and had a good laugh at Tom’s 

expense for finding the bloated, dead deer. 

Tom also talked about the deer that got by him because 

it was blinded by the brass shell casings from all the shots 

taken trying to bag it. Tom had the last laugh anyway. He 

bagged a 19-1/2” spread deer. He said it had horns longer 

than his gun. It’s true, bigger is better. 

Kate Erbach does production and layout for Badger 

Sportsman. She misses the farm. 


CRIVITZ AREA 

community 

Peshtigo River 

Crivitz is located in Marinette County 

in northeast Wisconsin, close to many 

resources that offer unique recreational 

opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. Known as 

the “Gateway to the North”, the Crivitz area includes 

the beautiful Peshtigo River, Peshtigo River State 

Forest, Lake Noquebay and soon to be Governor 

Thompson State Park. Located in south-central 

Marinette County, a short 55 miles north of Green 

Bay, Crivitz is the hub of the area tourism industry. 

Crivitz was founded in 1883 by a forward thinking 

businessman named Fredrick J. Bartels and named 

after his hometown of Crivitz, Germany. 

This region has long been a popular destination 

for northwoods vacationers as well as hunters and 

fishermen. The waters in this area offer many unique 

and diverse activities. The area has whitewater 

rafting and kayaking on the upper stretch of the 

Peshtigo River, the best in the Midwest. There are 

also a record number of waterfalls in Marinette 

County, and many are easily accessible for viewing. 

Fishing is also a major area activity. The biggest 

On the shores of Lake Noquebay 

attraction to the area would be the great fishing 

on High Falls and Caldron Falls Flowages, with 

everything from small pan fish to trophy size 

muskies. In addition, there are countless smaller 

lakes, rivers and streams offering a full range of 

fishing experiences. There is a fly fishing area on 

the Peshtigo River, just south of Johnson Falls, and 

Marinette County has more Class A trout streams 

than anywhere else in the state of Wisconsin. In 

the winter, ice fishing is enjoyed by many, with a 

number of popular fishing derbies on local lakes 

throughout the season. 

The lands in this area are special too. There are 

many acres of Marinette County Forest land open 

to the public as well as 22 County Parks. Most parks 

offering swimming, boating and picnicking and six 

of them offer camping as well. The newest additions 

to the area are the Peshtigo River State Forest and 

the Governor Thompson State Park. These areas 

offer a variety of hiking, biking and cross country 

ski trails available for your use. Thousands of acres of 

public hunting grounds attract growing numbers of 


hunters each year. Whether you hunt with rifle, shotgun 

or bow, you owe it to yourself to spend at least one season 

of hunting in the Crivitz area. 

Fishing 

There are many fishing options when you visit the 

Crivitz, Wisconsin area. There are hundreds of small lakes 

in the area that will keep the bass, pan fish, and northern 

pike coming back year after year. There are also hundreds 

of miles of pristine trout streams in Marinette County, 

the most Class A miles of any county in the state. 

There are also hundreds 

of miles of pristine trout 

streams in Marinette County, 

the most Class A miles of any 

county in the state. 

The shining gem of the region is the Wild Shores Area, 

including Caldron Falls Flowage, High Falls Flowage, 

Johnson Falls, the Sandstone Flowage, and the Potato 

Rapids Flowages. This twenty mile long stretch of forests, 

lakes and river is surrounded by almost 10,000 acres of 

undeveloped wild lands, much of which makes up the 

new Peshtigo River State Forest. 

There is something for everyone, with healthy trout, 

bass, pan fish, and northern pike populations, and 

Caldron Falls and High Falls Flowages are Class A muskie 

waters. Both Caldron Falls and High Falls have published 

maps available to guide you to the best spots and help 

you navigate. There are 14 public boat launches along the 

flowages to provide easy access. 

There are many other local lakes that are popular with 

the sport fishermen, including Lake Noquebay, just a few 

miles northeast of Crivitz. 

Whitewater Rafting 

The Crivitz area offers exciting whitewater rafting 

adventure on the incredible Peshtigo River, just thirty 

minutes northwest of town. The Roaring Rapids section 

of the Peshtigo River is the longest stretch of continuous 

whitewater in the region. This is the place for some of the 

most outstanding whitewater action. 

From mild to wild . . . the Peshtigo is a river of many 

faces, appealing to almost anyone’s ability level. People of 

all ages, from countries around the world, have discovered 

CRIVITZ AREA 

the thrill, excitement and natural beauty of the Peshtigo 

River. 

In spring and early summer, melt water and rainstorms 

swell the river’s flow enough to thrill even the hardcore 

adrenaline seekers. Flows ranging from 300 to 3,000 

cubic feet per second (cfs) and beyond can turn the Class 

II Rapids into Class III-IV wild water. 

Local outfitters that offer whitewater rafting on the 

Peshtigo River are dedicated to offering solid instruction, 

professional guides, and the latest in safety equipment. 

Waterfall Tour 

Marinette County 

has a unique geological 

structure and diversity 

of gradient that 

has created many 

magnificent waterfalls. 

There are dozens 

of larger falls and 

hundreds of smaller 

ones throughout the 

area. 

There is a formal 

tour of about a dozen 

major waterfalls that is 

open to the public. Accessibility varies from being able to 

see Twelve Foot Falls from the parking lot, to a short hike 

into Eighteen Foot Falls. 

Sources: www.VillageofCrivitz.com and 

www.crivitzrecreation.com 


DEER CAMP QUIZ 

Know your hunting buddies? Have them take this quiz; 

find out who you’re really hunting with. 

1. When trailing a wounded deer, it’s very helpful to have a GPS 

because: 

A. It’s the perfect size and weight to throw at the wolves that undoubtedly 

are also trailing your deer. 

B. If it has the proper mapping, it will show you the shortest direction 

to drag your deer. 

C. Unless you live your life with a motto of: “I’m not lost, I’m just 

in between where I was and where I’m going to be”, it could come in 

handy to make it back to camp sometime before the next deer season. 

2. Reason to shower and do everything possible to eliminate 

your human odor is: 

A. You will get much better service from the wait staff when you go 

out to dinner if you don’t stink. 

B. You will have much better luck having your wife let you back into 

the house when you get back. 

C. It greatly increases your chances of being successful in the 

woods. 

3. The most successful hunters always: 

A. Have the biggest bait pile. 

B. Hunt after hours. 

C. Try harder than everyone else. 

4. When shooting a deer with a lead bullet, studies have shown 

that the bullet breaks into tiny pieces and can be extremely unhealthy. 

This can be prevented by: 

A. Using copper bullets. 

B. Shooting the deer through the guts because you’re not going to 

eat him anyways. 

C. This isn’t a problem for you, because you never hit what you’re 

aiming at. 

5. When hunting in cold weather it’s extremely important to dress 

in layers because: 

A. If you get out to the strip club it will take longer for you to ruin 

your reputation. 

B. You can bring home a much larger laundry pile to your wife/ 

girlfriend to wash, thereby increasing her self- worth and confidence in 

her value-adding abilities. 

C. It’s much easier to regulate your body temperature, reducing 

sweating and body odor. 

6. It’s not a good idea to put C’ Mere Deer or other deer attractant 

directly on you or in your stand because: 

A. It’s better to put it some distance away from your stand, that way 

they aren’t looking directly at you. 

B. With the amount of wolves running around, you are sure to 

become a Scoobie Snack for at least one of them. 

C. You really don’t want to become some big buck named Bubba’s 

bitch. 

7. A lot of hunters hope and pray for a lot of fresh snow on opening 

day because: 

A. It’s fun to throw snow balls at trespassers. 

B. It’s much easier to see deer movement and track deer in the snow. 

C. Cushions your landing when you fall out of your deer stand. 

8. When hunting from an elevated stand, it’s critical to tie yourself 

in because: 

A. If you freeze to death, it’s easier for your buddies to find you if 

you are still perched in a tree. 

B. To prevent serious injury or death. 

C. It’s not so much the falling, it’s the sudden stop at the end. 

9. Statistics have shown that you are most likely to be shot by 

another member of your hunting party because: 

A. Most likely at least one member of your group was using unsafe 

hunting practices. 

B. You were most likely cheating at cards the night before. 

C. You were caught flirting with her husband/boyfriend. 

10. You should not allow loaded guns into your hunting camp 

because: 

A. It’s unsafe. 

B. It’s bad luck. 

C. It’s entirely too tempting to shoot a deer that comes to your 

feeder under the yard light. 

11. It’s a good idea to take a roll of toilet paper with you because: 

A. It is very embarrassing to get caught using your sock. 

B. Under the right circumstances, you can sell it for a small fortune 

to a friend in need. 

C. A square of TP works great to mark the last blood as you track a 

deer along the blood trail. 

12. Most hunters think the DNR Deer Hunting Regulations book is: 

A. Too long. 

B. Too short. 

C. Don’t know what it is. 

13. Drinking and driving during deer hunting season: 

A. One of Wisconsin’s greatest traditions. 

B. Makes hunting for road kill much more fun. 

C. Still a crime, and a fantastic way to wreck your deer season and/ 

or possibly ruin your life. 


DEER CAMP 

Badger Sportsmen in Deer Camp! 

by Joe Jankowski 

If you are reading this magazine I am guessing that you are well aware of the hunting traditions 

that we hold on tightly to in Wisconsin. The gun-hunting opener is not the only one but 

it is certainly “one” of the most cherished. 

For many of us the third weekend of November is sacrosanct. The planning begins during 

the previous years weekend and carries throughout the entire year. Every detail is talked 

about from deer stand selections to food items to, you got it...beverage selection. Bottom line 

is that we hunters have a knack for doing it right! 

Art and I talked and thought it 

would be fun and interesting to 

research some deer camps that 

we knew of throughout the State. 

Not only will it be cool to hear 

about other traditions but we 

thought it would be an easy way 

to cherry-pick some ideas from 

others while we do what we 

hunters do best…brag about our 

own deer camps. 

I’ve asked eight fellow deer 

slayers to answer a few standard 

questions about their camp and 

then offered them the opportunity 

to brag a bit and tell us all 

what they feel is great about their 

own camp and why. Now some 

of you out there may be thinking, 

“Hey Joe, your experimental 

design lacks scientific integrity.” 

You are correct but to you I say 

The Idea 

“SO WHAT?” Hunting traditions 

in good ol’ Wisconsin are about 

family, friends, fun and oh yeah, 

HUNTING! 

If seeing this and reading this 

doesn’t get your blood pumping 

I don’t know what will. As I 

sit and write this article I am in 

awe. I’ve been going through all 

the submissions from so many of 

you hunters and what I realize is 

that while we all lead lives that 

differ so much, HUNTING and 

our Wisconsin tradition brings us 

all together. We revel in spending 

time with friends and family, we 

rejoice at all the stories and BS 

thrown about camp and we cherish 

our traditions! 

I invite all of you to send me 

your DEER CAMP TRADITION. 

I hope to feature deer camps 

throughout the year…man I love 

this stuff! 

Safe hunting and remember- 

SHOOT STRAIGHT! 

Joe Jankowski primarily hunts in 

southwest Wisconsin. 

Age: 43 Married: 21 yrs to Kristi 

Two children: 15 and 13. 

An avid whitetail hunter since I 

was old enough to hunt, I used to tag 

along with my oldest brother Wally 

and sit on the ground at the base of his 

tree while he bow hunted. We never 

saw much but I learned that within 

seconds a slow day may become the 

most memorable day ever. 

I try to relay the energy and 

anticipation of each hunting adventure 

and share with the readers how 

exhilarating nature can be. 

The Info 

n What is the name of your hunting camp? 

n How many members or participants? 

n Do you cook your own food in camp or do you 

go out? Give an example of one of your meals? 

n How would you classify your accommodations 

and why? Rugged/Motel 6/Ritz 

n What is the very best part of your hunting 

camp tradition? 

n Please supply a picture of your hunting group 

with names. 

n Send an email to info@badgersportsman.com, 

please include “Deer Camp” in the subject line. 

Chances are you’ll see your camp featured in a 

future issue. 


SHOW AND TELL 

It’s only fair that I get to do a little bragging on this topic. Our deer campers are all very proud of their traditions. 

For my brothers and I we’ve been sharing this “holiday” for at least twenty years, the last ten years we’ve been gathering 

at Bear Valley Lodge. On some years we get commemorative items made - such as hats, shirts and camoflage boxers. 

From Joe Jankowski 

Janko Deer Camp (creative huh?) Maybe this 

year we’ll try to improve upon that. 

How many members or participants? Our 

numbers fluctuate from 10 to 18. 

Do you cook your own food in camp or do you 

go out? Give me an example of one of your meals? 

On the Friday prior to opening day we typically put 

on a fish fry. My brother Ron is the fryer and usually 

takes control of the logistics. From there it becomes 

a potluck with things such as ribs, salads and slaws, 

beans and the like - and of course bread. 

What is the very best part of your hunting camp 

tradition? The best part about our camp is that we 

are all together sharing the excitement and joy of 

hunting. For us I think it’s about family, fun and 

good friends. 

Deer Camp Opener 2010 

Left to right: Front row: Joe Jankowski, Jake Jankowski, Tom 

Jankowski 

Back row: Joe Meffert, Randy Meffert, Josh Jankowski, Mike 

Jankowski, Ron Jankowski; Wally Jankowski, Henry Jankowski, 

Oscar Statz, Tyler Jankowski 

From Joe Suttner 

The Dells Spur Camp 

How many members or participants? Three 

brothers. 



Most of the meals are at the camp. We will go to 

town occasionally. We enjoy cocktail hour and share 

the day’s hunting events. The meals are usually pretty 

diverse; whole chickens or steaks on the grill, ham 

and scalloped potatoes, marinated venison, prime rib, 

you name it. 

How would you classify your accommodations 

and why? Rugged/Motel 6/Ritz The cabin is pretty 

rustic. We don’t have indoor plumbing or electricity, 

but it is very comfortable. Hardwood floors, cedar 

walls and ceilings, wood burning stove. The bedroom 

has one-queen size bunk and 2-single bunk beds. We 

can’t seem to get the lice out of one of the beds ever 

since Joe Jankowski spent a couple of nights there. 


tradition? Just getting away from everything and 

enjoying nature. Shooting a big buck is a bonus. 

Tom Werner and Joe Suttner enjoy 

the pleasures of deer camp.

From Rick Martin 

Holcombe Hilton 

Front Row: Keith Martin, Dan Kanara, Rick Martin in his deer 

camp blue, Reed Martin, Bill Aye. 

Back Row: Larry Keip, Rand Martin 

How many members or participants? 10 

participants now, always growing as kids come of age 

with 2 more still "cooking". 



We go out on Thursday night before "scouting and 

chopping wood day" Friday. Then Friday usually 

homemade lasagne and goodies from wives. Saturday 

is backstraps and tenderloins! 

How would you classify your accommodations 

and why? Rugged/Motel 6/Ritz Motel 6-type 

accomodations at our 4-room cabin with loft. 


tradition? Best tradition is telling kids they have to 

drink a cup of their 1st deer's blood. And we show 

them the old pewter cup that's supposedly been used 

for generations. 

Chris Martin and his trophy… 

previously displayed in the Badger Sportsman. 

Joe Suttner with one of the northwoods monarchs. 

Bruce Armstrong, John Ver Bockel, Bill Dumke, Dick Ehlke, Ron Nichols, 

Dave O’Shasky, Mark Reichel

EARN A BUCK 

Hunting 

with 

my girls 

A father passes along 

hunting traditions to 

his next generation 

by Michael A. Eierman 

The 2004 Wisconsin deer hunting season 

introduced a new concept to our hunting: Earna-Buck. 

Wisconsin’s deer herd was not being 

properly culled so new rules were put in place that 

dictated that a hunter MUST register an antlerless deer 

before being able to legally harvest a buck. Our hunting 

camp was not overly concerned with this. We were more 

than willing to shoot does…they taste as good as bucks. 

Plus, we’d been practicing Quality Deer Management 

and generally needed to shoot does for meat because big 

bucks are not guaranteed. While I agree with the EAB 

rules, they can be frustrating. The first couple of weeks 

of bow season passed without a chance at a doe. Then 

one evening I took my 10 year old daughter Lindsey 

hunting and we got to watch four shooter bucks sparring 

in front of us for 45 minutes. Several times I had shot 

opportunities but without having killed a doe, all I could 

do was watch. 

A couple of more weeks passed with no shot 

opportunities when it came time for Kid’s Weekend. 

Once or twice a season, all the guys in our camp bring 

their children. The kids range from 1 to 11 and there are 

about 10 of them so it makes for a fun, hectic weekend. 

I wanted to take my girls (Lindsey, age 10 and Kyra, age 

7) hunting before they got so involved with their cousins 

and friends that they wouldn’t want to leave camp, so 

we went up early to hunt Friday evening before the crew 

arrived. 

I planned to hunt the Turkey Field blind with the girls. 

This blind is 20 yards off a logging road on the edge 

of a one acre field we planted with clover the previous 

spring. The clover was doing its job and deer and turkey 

frequently stopped by for a bite to eat. But I really wanted 

to use it for the ease of access and ability to hold all three 

of us. We were all settled in an hour and a half before 

close. The first hour passed eating snacks and whispering 

but not seeing anything. Probably not a big surprise. 

Kyra, my youngest daughter, was close to her limit and 

was wiggling and moving about. The situation didn’t 

look like the probability of success was very high. I had 

to relieve myself, so I told the girls that I was going to go 

up to the logging road to take care of my business. I said 

they could play but when I got back we would all sit very 

still for the “best” hunting of the day. They agreed. 

I left the blind and relieved myself. I just turned back 

toward the blind and there was Lindsey. 


“Daddy, there’s a deer in the field!” 

She was very excited. We started to 

sneak back to the blind when she 

pointed out the deer, about 40 yards 

west of the blind, feeding in the field. 

Then I saw Kyra. She was standing 

like a little statue in the field, in front 

of the blind facing the deer. Oh boy, 

now what? I knew the doe would 

not come any closer with Kyra in 

the field. However, the wind was 

blowing in my favor. 

“Lindsey, sneak back to the blind 

and whisper to Kyra to not move. 

I’m going to stalk this deer.” 

Between the logging road and the 

field are about 10 yards of little pine 

trees. I went back to the road and 

edged west until I was even with the 

doe and then began moving toward 

the field. I got to where I wanted to 

be when the doe spotted me. She 

didn’t know what I was so she started 

toward me. I froze. She got to about 

20 yards and then started feeding 

again. I couldn’t move. Suddenly 

she turned toward Kyra and stared 

intently. She was now broadside so 

I drew and fired. The shot looked 

good but as she sprinted away across 

the field I saw my arrow hanging 

from her side with what looked like 

only a couple inches of penetration. 

Damn! Then I saw blood streaming 

from the opposite side and I knew 

I got her. She disappeared into the 

pines on the opposite side of the 

field. I stepped into the field and the 

girls were running toward me. 

“Daddy,” Lindsey said excitedly, 

“I saw the blood! We got her!” 

“Yes we did.” We all hugged and 

jumped around. “I didn’t bring my 

knife or a rope to drag her so we 

should go to the truck and get them 

and then we’ll track the deer.” 

On the way to the truck Lindsey 

told me her story. She was watching 

me and the deer and saw the deer 

“Daddy,” Lindsey 

said excitedly, 

“I saw the blood! 

We got her!” 

move toward me. When it started 

feeding facing me she knew I 

couldn’t shoot so she whispered 

to Kyra, “Move!” Kyra wiggled 

around. When the deer turned she 

whispered, “Stop.” Then she saw 

me shoot, saw the blood and came 

running. 

We got the equipment and headed 

back to trail the doe. It was getting 

dark so while I figured she didn’t go 

far I wanted to make sure we were 

going in the right direction. Also, 

Lindsey likes tracking and I wanted 

her to get more experience doing it. 

We tracked her across the field and 

into the pines. About 10 yards in we 

lost the trail. Lindsey and I were on 

our hands and knees searching for 

blood while Kyra was just bouncing 

around us. I was getting concerned, 

“Where could she have gone?” Then 

Kyra said, “Hey daddy, there’s a dead 

deer over there!” “That’s her, good 

job Kyra!” The doe had taken a hard 

right and was laying 20 yards from 

us. 

As I field dressed her, Lindsey 

pulled out the various organs with a 

stick and told Kyra what they were. 

When we got back to camp the 

girls couldn’t stop talking and went 

running to each vehicle as it arrived 

“WE GOT A DEER! WE GOT A 

DEER!” 

What a great way to Earn a Buck! 

Michael A. Eierman holds a Ph.D. 

and is the Information Systems 

Department Chair at the College of 

Business Administration-University of 

Wisconsin Oshkosh. 

EARN A BUCK 


TRAIL CAMERA FANATIC 

Shoot the Same 

Deer Twice 

Part Three 

by Zachary Philip Runge 

My Goal 

It takes serious time and knowledge to shoot a mature deer, let alone on 

a consistent basis. One might get lucky every now and then, but as the 

saying goes 90 percent of mature whitetails are harvested by 10 percent of 

the hunters. Since I was twelve, I dreamed of being in that 10 percent! 

Trail cameras allow hunters to monitor their stand location continuously. 

A daytime picture of a shooter buck is an actual opportunity to harvest! If 

you don’t have any pictures of bucks moving during the day, at a particular 

stand; why would you sit there? Do you really think the day you decide to 

hunt, will be the first time a big buck is going to get up early? 

When I set up my trail camera for whitetail deer, I always have one 

common goal: to catch a mature “shooter” buck moving during legal 

hunting hours. The majority of whitetail movement occurs at night, under 

the safety of darkness. Trail cameras have allowed hunters to see this first 

hand. It’s exciting to see all those big bucks moving, but you can’t sit from 

midnight to four in the morning, when most of the bucks are moving. 



My First Big Buck 

The moment after the smoke clears or you pull the 

trigger or you release an arrow on a trophy whitetail is 

precious and should be savored. I can still remember the 

feeling like it was yesterday. I saw him for two seconds, 

then dropped him in his tracks! He did not feel a thing; 

true respect, no pain, no suffering. 

Immediately after the shot, I pulled my bolt back and 

slid another shell into the chamber of my trusty deer 

rifle. I looked through my scope, to confirm that he 

wasn’t going to magically vanish. Next, I turned to my 

bait, the two does, that I had been watching for the last 

hour. Resting my crosshairs on the larger of the two does 

I squeezed off my second shot of the season. A mature 

buck and doe each lay in different shooting lanes, each 

100 yards from me. 

A feeling of true self came upon me, as I found myself 

alone in the middle of the forest. That day I was the only 

hunter on the property. It was the day after Thanksgiving. 

I walked up to my buck (still ready to see it vanish right 

before my eyes) and sat down with him. I admired the 

beautiful creature, giving my respects (to whomever it 

is) for providing me with this food and allowing me to 

harvest this trophy. 

What a moment in my life. I was shouting praises as 

I proudly ran to my car. Don’t want to admit how fast I 

drove back my cabin. Dad knew, before I said a word… 

I was so excited! Harvesting my first buck with a rifle, 

though not as intimate as a bow and arrow, was a true 

milestone in my journey as a hunter. The experience of 

completing a personal goal, for me, shooting a big buck 

was a priceless memory that I will cherish for the rest of 

my life! 

My hunting partner, my dad, has been hunting up 

north, in the big woods of the Chequamagon National 

Forest since he was a boy. He was never able to harvest 

a mature whitetail buck in those years, however times 

have changed. I’ve heard the stories about back in the 

day when a hunter would be happy just to find a deer 

track, let alone harvest a big buck. Wisconsin… well 3 

years ago had the largest deer population ever recorded. 

Food plots used to be considered as an extreme habitat 

improvement. Food plots are now common practice 

among landowners. 



A feeling of true self came upon 

me, as I found myself alone in the 

middle of the forest. 

My Uncle Ron set my story into motion, he included my dad (age 

14) on his trips up north to deer camp. My dad hunted public forest 

for over 25 years, I admire the fact that he didn’t quit, for him it isn’t 

shooting a big buck, it’s the experience. I wanted to shoot the class of 

bucks that I had seen the celebrities take down on my hunting shows. 

We purchased our first “hunting land” about six years ago. My dad 

has taken three very respectable whitetails off of the property! He had 

hunted public land for 25 years and did not have any deer on our walls. 

We have harvested the local buck-pool winner, the last five out of six 

years, from the property since! We have had to work hard to achieve 

this though. First we created a quality deer management plan. Then 

we added three and five-acre food plots for a primary food source. We 

built eight heated stands, all with 200-500 yard shooting lanes, that 

interconnect the entire property. It took at least four years to make 

these improvements. We started out with chainsaws but ended up 

hiring a local excavator to create the miles of shooting lanes and food 

plots. We built the stands and planted the food plots ourselves. Our 

blood and sweat and hours of hard labor are part of this land. Now 

Lake & Pond Services 

Professional Services Include: 

• Pond Management Consulting 

• Pond Design and Construction Coordination 

• Treating Weeds & Algae 

• Custom Aeration Systems & Fountains 

• Fish Stocking & Aquatic Plantings 

• Products for the Do-It-Yourself Pond Owner 

877-309-8408 

www.casonassociates.com 


with a sense of completion we have moved our efforts 

to a new parcel of land. (Sad to admit, this parcel is 

currently for sale) I may be biased, but I think this is 

truly a prime and rare parcel of hunting property. Five 

hunters, ages 16-60 have harvested their first big buck 

off of this land and I have the trail camera pictures to 

prove it. 

Hunting is how and where you spend your fun time - 

your me time. Each hunter’s journey is different. Out of 

respect for every hunters preferences, I’d like to leave you 

with these thoughts regarding trail cameras. Continuous 

scouting is the biggest benefit trail cameras offer. For me, 

trail cameras got me hooked on hunting and sparked a 

fire inside of me. I know there are fellow hunters who 

have experienced the same. What more could you ask 

for, from a product, than to get new hunters interested 

and excited about “our” sport?” 

Remember two things: 

You love the outdoors & leave only your footprints… 


Zachary Philip Runge 

Born and raised in Fond du Lac, WI. 

Played hockey (goalie) for most of my 

life. 

Been fishing (Mickey Mouse pole) since 

I could stand. 

Sat with my dad in the deer stand since 

I was 10 (didn’t bring a firearm till I was 

12). 

I have a cabin on the Chippewa Flowage (near 

Hayward, WI). 

I shot my first deer (6pt, in velvet) and black bear with 

my bow, when I was fourteen years old. 

I have had the fortune of experiencing: Canada fishing 

trips, prairie dog hunting/shooting trips, South Dakota 

pheasant hunting trips, deep sea fishing charters. 

Love my family! I am the oldest sibling. I have one 

younger brother attending school at UW-Madison and 

two younger sisters both at Fondy High School. My dad is 

a retired engineer and my mom just got her masters degree 

in counseling. 

Namaste, 

Zachary Runge 

For more information about the hunting parcel for sale: check out our ad on page 9 or visit us at 

NorthernWisconsinHuntingLand.com 


From the Outdoors 

to the Kitchen 

WKRS-AM 1220 

From 10am till noon 

www.wkrs.com 

For all your outdoor news and events 

Radio hosts Chris Bates and Mary Kay 

take an inside look into the Outdoor 

industry, with great guests like 

“HOF Doug Buffone, 3 Time former UFC 

Champion Tim Sylvia, Former St. Louis 

Blue Brett Hull, the local outdoor scene 

and have a whole lot of laughs. 

From the Outdoors to the Kitchen’s 

New Panfish Seasoning 

P. Dickey’s is now proud to offer a unique 

seasoning blend made just for panfish or any 

other freshwater fish. Brought to you by the 

popular radio show “From the Outdoors to the 

Kitchen” hosted by Chris Bates and Mary Kay 

www.pdickeys.com 


LAND FOR SALE 

REASONS TO 

BUY THIS LAND 

Guys who own hunting land 

will always have plenty of 

friends. 

Property MIGHT contain 

oil and gold. 

The trees MAY be strong 

enough to support a stand. 

You love hunting and this 

land could be yours with 

NO MONEY DOWN! 


260 ACRES OF PRIME BIG-BUCK 

Year ‘round Recreational Land 

in NEILLSVILLE, WISCONSIN 

The property is flat with wetlands in the 

center, surrounded by woodlands and open 

terrain. Portions of the property and 

adjacent areas are planted with corn. 

Property includes a gravel quarry, providing 

excellent ATV terrain. With a little 

work, one could create an amazing terrain 

course. Property can be sub-divided and 

sold in parcels as small as 40 acres. 


Acreage: 260 

Asking Price: $450,000 MAKE AN OFFER! 

Location: Clark county 

Address: 26th Street, Neillsville, WI 54456 

Road Frontage: Deeded access off 26th 

Street, Chickadee Rd. and Reeswood Ave. 

Utilities: Electric in road on Chickadee Rd. 

and Reeswood Ave. 

Navigable Water Frontage: Small creek 

Hunting: Whitetail, grouse and turkey 

Soil Type: Sand 

Tree Species: Dogwood and some oak 

SELLER FINANCING AVAILABLE 


WINTER SPORTS 

Making Winter Memories 

Close to Home 

The Big Snow Country Experience 

by Rick Schmitz 

What are the ingredients of a great ski weekend? 

Immediately images of mountains, luxurious 

condos, tons of snow, hot chocolate, and après 

ski nightlife come to mind. As airline prices continue to 

increase and lift ticket prices approach $100 per day at 

many western resorts, the great ski vacation may not seem 

economically attainable for many Midwesterners. But 

there is hope. There are great resorts in the Midwest that 

can offer all these key ingredients and more - at a fraction 

of the cost. 

Located in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 

Blackjack Resort features nearly 500 feet of vertical drop, 

trailside lodging, 200 inches of average annual snowfall, 

great night life, and tons of skiing and snowboarding 

fun. Just a short drive from anywhere in the Midwest, 

Blackjack offers the perfect setting for classic ski vacations 

for about the quarter of the price of heading out west. 

But if you really take a closer look at your favorite 

winter memories, you quickly begin to realize that while 

the setting is important, the trips you remember the 

best will always be those great experiences with friends 

and family. Blackjack offers some of the best skiing and 

boarding in the Midwest, but there’s more to it than that. 

Blackjack offers an experience. It offers a getaway for less 

than a tank of gas. 

When you get about 20 miles from Blackjack you 

enter a different world—they call it Big Snow Country. 

No matter how much snow is on the ground in the rest 

of the Midwest, you quickly find yourself in a winter 

wonderland with snow banks taller than your car. You 

find small towns with cozy houses and see smoke gently 

rising from snow covered roofs. If you come at the right 

time of year, there’s so much snow, you may not be able 

to see in many first floor windows. 


WINTER SPORTS 

Today is going to be a perfect day. 

You stop at a store or gas station to pick up some supplies 

for your extended weekend stay. You immediately notice 

there’s something different about the people here…a 

certain warmth and friendliness you can’t quite put your 

finger on, but one that you realize is necessary to survive 

in this remote, snowy place. 

You head to Blackjack, and as you approach you see the 

large ski lodge set in front of large open ski runs towering 

behind it. You drive part of the way up the hill and find 

your trailside condo. You start a fire, and turn in for your 

busy day of skiing and boarding tomorrow. 

You wake up early…too excited to sleep. You look 

out the patio doors to the ski slope to find your deck 

is buried under 14” of fresh lake effect powder that 

has fallen overnight. You simply can’t wait to get out 

there. Unfortunately, the lifts don’t open until 9am. You 

prepare breakfast for your entire group. Friends and 

family are occupying the condo units right next to yours, 

conveniently in the same building. 

As everyone finishes their hearty breakfast, you hear the 

hum of the groomer pass by your condo laying perfect 

soft corduroy behind it. Today is going to be a perfect 

day. Clean up later. The mad scramble is on for everyone 

to get their gear on. Some of your group drives down to 

the lodge to rent equipment and sign up for lessons. The 

rest make first tracks down to the lodge to purchase your 

weekend lift pass. 

What follows is the best day of skiing of your life. 

It’s not just the great conditions, but you are having a 

blast skiing with friends and family—joking, laughing, 

playing, acting like a kid yourself. 

The complete family and friend vacation. 

By the time the day is through, you’re tired and happy. 

You find yourself in the bar enjoying a beer with your 

friends. The kids are playing video games and you’re 

laughing as you retell the funniest moments of the day. 

There’s live music and the fun continues until dinner 

time. 

After a great dinner in town, your whole group relaxes 


WINTER SPORTS 

...you are having a blast skiing with friends and family— 

joking, laughing, playing, acting like a kid yourself. 

back in the condos. Some hit the hot tub, some play 

games at the kitchen table, while others simply relax by 

the crackling fire. You smile, and think to yourself…this 

is just day one. 

The next two days continue on like the first. There’s 

tons of laughing and fun in the snow and lots of lasting 

memories created. Unfortunately, it’s time to head home. 

As you begin your drive home with a car filled with your 

sleeping family, you realize you’re somewhat exhausted 

yourself. It’s been a full and action-packed weekend. Yet 

somehow you are rejuvenated. You are physically tired 

yet mentally energized. Maybe it’s the cool winter air you 

breathed in all weekend, maybe it’s all the exercise you 

got, maybe it’s the closer bond you developed with your 

family and friends, but one thing is clear—you feel great. 

You smile again and give yourself a mental pat on the 

back. You’ve succeeded. You’ve created lasting memories 

with your family and friends that no one will soon forget. 

Rick Schmitz is the co-owner and general manager of 

Blackjack Ski Resort. He grew up skiing in the UP and 

has been in the ski industry for 6 years as owner of Nordic 

Mountain in Mt. Morris. 

Check out the special offer for 

Badger Sportsman subscribers from 

Blackjack Ski Resort 

on the back cover. 


“Drop Your Game 

Not Your Gear” 

Bino 

Organizers 

Accessories 

Harness 

Lanyard 

Systems 

www.ezaccessgear.com.

MARSH MENACE 

phragmites 

A New Menace 

in the Marsh 

A new biological bully 

taking over the marshland 

By Lawanda Jungwirth 

You thought purple loosestrife was bad? There’s a 

new biological bully taking over the marshland: 

meet phragmites. 

This gargantuan grass is so invasive that it’s rolled over 

other marsh invaders such as loosestrife, reed canary grass 

and non-native cattails like a steamroller. 

You’ve seen phragmites. It’s a big sturdy grass, up to 20 

feet tall, with long strappy leaves and feathery plumes. Kind 

of looks like a cornfield that has been planted too close 

together. If you haven’t seen it in the marsh, you’ve seen 

it in ditches along major highways throughout Wisconsin. 

Now it’s colonized wetlands, especially in the eastern half of 

the state. 


What can you do if you have 

phragmites on your property but 

aren’t “lucky” enough to live in 

the area covered by the DNR 

grant? There are several methods 

of control, especially if the 

stand is small. 

•Try frequent mowing so the 

plants don’t get a chance to photosynthesize 

and send nutrition 

down to the roots. Eventually 

they will die. 

•Cover the plants with thick 

black plastic weighted down 

with rocks. The plastic has to 

MARSH MENACE 

be heavy enough so the phragmites 

shoots can’t lift up or poke 

through the plastic. The plastic 

will need to be in place for at 

least a year to kill the plants. 

•Roots can be excavated to a 

depth of at least one foot. This is 

very labor intensive and excavated 

roots must be buried at 

least four feet deep or sent to 

the landfill. 

•Burning is successful only 

when used in combination with a 

chemical herbicide. Herbicide application 

in fall followed by burning 

in spring seems to work best. 

•Chemical herbicides labeled 

for use in aquatic areas such as 

Rodeo and Habitat can be applied. 

Round-up is NOT labeled 

for aquatic use, so don’t even 

think about using it. An area is 

considered aquatic if it is below 

the ordinary high water mark. A 

DNR permit is needed to apply 

chemicals if the area is wet at the 

time of treatment. It is considered 

wet if your socks would get 

damp if you stood there without 

shoes. 

Homeowners along Lake Michigan from Sheboygan to 

Door County have lost their lake views. Duck hunters 

find it impossible to push their skiffs into the dense 

growth to hide their boats from the ducks. Fishermen 

in inland lakes can’t get their boats away from their docks 

– if they can even find their docks – to get out to their 

favorite fishing spots. 

Along with the inconvenience to humans, stands of 

phragmites become so dense that diverse natural wetland 

plant communities are entirely crowded out. These 

invaders do not provide the food and shelter for fish, 

insects and wildlife that native plants like wild rice, 

bulrush, pickerel-weed and arrowhead do. 

Phragmites is extremely flammable in fall, causing 

a danger of wildfires in marshy areas. The tall, densely 

growing plants make it nearly impossible to fight any fire 

that starts. A carelessly discarded cigarette or spark from 

a passing car could be disastrous. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has 

received nearly $806,000 in grants through the Great 

Lakes Restoration Initiative to pay for herbicide spraying 

on 3,600 acres along 118 miles of Lake Michigan 

shoreline. The DNR sprays from helicopters where the 

grass is impenetrable. Where there is access, they use 

boom or backpack sprayers and the bundle, cut and treat 

method (more about that later.) 

The bundle, cut and treat method is best for small 

stands and is best done in late summer or early fall before 

the stems turn brown. Get some sisal twine, which will 

degrade in a year or so, and cut it into 14-inch lengths. 

Gather a handful of neighboring green phragmites canes 

and tie them firmly with the twine at waist high or lower. 

Cut the bundle with a sharp hedge shears just above the 

twine and immediately spray or paint the “stumps” with 

herbicide. Apply just enough to moisten the fresh cut 

edges. 

The cut vegetation can be left where it falls, except if 

there’s a chance it could float away. Then it should be 

collected and placed in clear garbage bags and sent to the 

landfill. If you think your garbage collector will balk at 

picking it up, label the bags “Invasive plants approved by 

the DNR for landfilling.” 

If that all sounds like too much work, if you have a large 

stand or if the whole shoreline of your lake is infested, 

get neighboring property owners together and contact a 

certified pesticide applicator. 

About 90% of the phragmites will be killed with the 

first herbicide application, so follow-up is needed one 

year later to get the stragglers. 

A small stand of phragmites will soon be a large one, 

so we need to beat this bully back before it takes over our 

part of the world. 

Lawanda Jungwirth grew up in Omro, Wisconsin and 

now lives in the Town of Clayton in Winnebago County with 

her husband, Ron. She has been a UW-Extension Master 

Gardener since 1994 and has written a gardening column 

for the Oshkosh Northwestern since 2000. She is interested 

in environmental issues, organic gardening, control of 

invasive plants, natural health, quilting and hiking. You 

may contact her at ljungwirth@new.rr.com or through her 

website: http://garden.iam4pack.com 


BADGER BIGSHOTS 

Showcasing your trophies from Wisconsin woods and lakes 

To submit your Big Shot or Big Catch, send an email 

to graphics@badgersportsman.com, attach your image 

(no camera phone images please) and include your 

name, the size of your Big Shot or Big Catch, and a few 

paragraphs about your story. You may also submit by 

mail to Badger Sportsman - Bigshots, P.O. Box 1186, 

Oshkosh, WI 54903-1186. 

Drake Merten 

10, son of Matt ‘The Meatmaker’ 

Merten. 

Clayton Brenner 

Age 11 

Clayton shot this 8 point buck while 

hunting with his dad near Chilton. This is 

his first deer with the bow. 

It was an evening hunt and the buck 

came in eating acorns. Clayton had to 

draw twice and made a steady, wellplaced 

shot. 

Sept. 24, 2011 



Todd Reuss 

Caught on a trail 

cam. 

Aaron Westhuis 

Buck was 18 points, 20 inch 

spread, 4 ½ year old buck. 

Fond du Lac County on County M 

North of Waupun. 

Scott Sullivan (Scooter) 

Antlers found on an Iowa farm last 

spring. They have a whole garage full of 

giant antlers. 



Tyler Schroeder 

His first buck shot during 

his first youth hunt. 

8 point 

This past week I had the opportunity to take my 

son Tyler on his first youth hunt. We hunt in Vernon 

County and went out on Friday night to set up 

a ground blind for Ty on Saturday. 

The really cool thing about this hunt, was not 

only did Tyler shoot his first buck (8pt.), we had 

three generations in that blind to witness this 

event at 7:45 am. My dad (60) mentored me (36) 

when I was twelve now I was mentoring my son 

(10). 

Being able to share in this moment was truely 

priceless and couldn’t make me more proud as 

a dad and my father more proud as a father and 

grandfather. Some photos from the memorable 

day. 

Thanks, Ryan Schroeder 

Waukesha Wisconsin 



Josh Toll 

of Winneconne shot his first bear up at 

Clarks Northern Lights Resorts - Ontario. 

Bear was 155 pounds dressed. 

Lance Sweeting 

Buck, 8 pointer 16 inch spread shot 

in Waushara county. 

Nick Burns 

10, son of Pat Burns 

Darrel Grey, John Carlson 

Wounded Warrior Darrel Grey (Vietnam, 5th 

Special Forces) and local fishing guide John Carlson 

(Phillips, WI) net a Northwoods brute during a 

Wounded Warriors in Action (WWIA) event. 



Ryan Hasse and his son, 

Gauge 

Ryan was home on leave from the army, 

just in time for opening day. 

Greg Lasko 

Here's a picture of Greg's buck he got 

with his bow on October 12, 2011. A ten 

pointer, 220+ lbs., 18 1/2" spread, shot 

behind his house. Shot behind his house in 

Monroe County, near Melvina. 



Jason Cox 

My husband, who just finished serving in the U.S. Navy for 4 years, came home and shot a 

nice buck. Last night, October 23rd, at 6:15 I was in a tree stand about 40 yards away from my 

husband. I had a huge buck walk out and watched him walk about 35 yards away from me making 

scrape after scrape towards my husband. I couldn't shoot him for trees and willows in the 

way, but as soon as he disappeared I crossed my fingers that my husband would shoot him. Then 

I heard the thwack of his arrow and the deer ran about 60 yards in front of me and died. When 

we pursued it we found something bigger than either of us or my father thought we saw. We 

found a 14 point buck with a 23 inch inside spread. Dodge county, Ashippun, WI. 

Ryan Sorensen 

37” Musky 

Caught on September 3 on Teal Lake 

in Hayward, WI. 

Kyle Sorensen 

45” Musky 

Caught on September 4 on Teal Lake 

in Hayward, WI. 


HOWLIN’ AT THE MOON 

Slightly off-kilter journeys into the outdoorsman’s mind 

Rocky, you can read 

and re-read the entire 55 

pages of that #$%*&@ 

deer hunters regulation 

manual and you are 

going to get the 

same $#%&#*&# 

results! 

Father, 

I concur...(I hope 

when I grow up to be 

a lawyer I can create 

something this 

complicated!) 

Why TV ratings are 

better in Mexico than 

the Middle East... 



While creating women, God promised men that good and 

obedient wives would be found in all corners of the world... 

And then He made the earth round. 

Old Man And The Beaver 

An 86-year-old man went to his doctor for his 

quarterly check-up... The doctor asked him 

how he was feeling, and the 86-year-old said, 

“Things are great and I’ve never felt better.” 

I now have a 20 year-old bride who is pregnant 

with my child. 

“So what do you think about that Doc?” 

The doctor considered his question for a 

minute and then began to tell a story. 

“I have an older friend , much like you, who is 

an avid hunter and never misses a season. One 

day he was setting off to go hunting. In a bit 

of a hurry , he picked up his gun, forgetting his 

shells.” 

A former Sergeant, having served his time with the 

Marine Corps, took a new job as a school teacher, but 

just before the school year started he injured his back. 

He was required to wear a plaster cast around the 

upper part of his body. Fortunately, the cast fit under 

his shirt and wasn’t noticeable. On the first day of 

class, he found himself assigned to the toughest 

students in the school. 

The smart-aleck punks, having already heard the 

new teacher was a former marine, were leery of him 

and decided to see how tough he really was - before 

trying any pranks. 

Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, the 

new teacher opened the window wide and sat down 

at his desk when a strong breeze made his necktie 

flap, he picked up a stapler and promptly stapled the 

tie to his chest. 

“As he neared a lake , he came across a very 

large male beaver sitting at the water’s edge. 

He realized he’d left his shells at home and so 

he couldn’t shoot the magnificent creature.” 

“Out of habit he raised his gun , aimed it at the 

animal as if it were loaded and went ‘bang, 

bang’.” 

“Miraculously , two shots rang out and the 

beaver fell over dead.” 

“Now, what do you think of that ?” asked the 

doctor. 

The 86-year-old said, “Logic would strongly 

suggest that somebody else pumped a couple 

of rounds into that beaver.” 

The doctor replied, “My point exactly.” 

Dead silence.... 

He had no trouble with discipline that year. 



Two Wisconsin hunters take their annual 

moose hunting trip to Canada. They are flown 

into the middle of the wilderness by plane and 

picked up a week later for the trip home. 

When the pilot of the plane sees that the two 

hunters want to load four moose on the plane, 

he protests, saying, “There’s no way this plane 

will hold that much weight, you can only take 

two moose.” But the hunters insist, saying, 

“That is the same type of plane that flew us 

out of here last year and we loaded four moose 

onto it last year.” 

The pilot tried to argue, but the hunters were 

so insistent that they had had this much weight 

the year before, that he finally relented and the 

four moose were loaded onto the plane. 

Just a short time after take off, however, the 

load got to be too much and the plane crashed 

into the wilderness. 

After the pilot and two hunters climbed 

from the wreckage, one hunter asks, “Do you 

have any idea where we are?”, the other hunter 

replies, “Yeah, I think we’re near the same place 

we crashed last year.” 

From the “Only in Wisconsin” file 

Three friends married women from different parts of the 

country. 

The first man married a woman from Tennessee. He told 

her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It 

took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home 

to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away. 

The second man married a woman from Indiana. He 

gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, 

dishes and the cooking. The first day he didn’t see any 

results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third 

day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done and 

there was a huge dinner on the table. 

mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for 

every meal. He said the first day he didn’t see anything, 

the second day he didn’t see anything but by the third day, 

some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a 

little out of his left eye, and his arm was healed enough that 

he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher. 

The third man married a girl from Wisconsin. He 

ordered her to keep the house clean, dishes washed, lawn 

He still has some difficulty when he pees. 



Senior Love... 

I was in my back yard trying to 

launch a kite. I threw the kite up in the 

air, the wind would catch it for a few 

seconds, then it would come crashing 

back down to earth. I tried this a few 

more times with no success. 

All the while, my wife Nancy is 

Yesterday morning was 

opening day of bow and 

arrow season for deer. 

As I approached my deer 

stand, I decided to go 

home and mow 

grass instead. 

watching from the kitchen window, 

muttering to herself how men need to 

be told how to do everything. 

She opened the window and yelled to 

me, “You need a piece of tail.” 

I turned with a confused look on my 

face and said, ‘“Make up your mind. 

Last night, you told me to go fly a kite.” 

Why do elk have 

such long antlers? 

HOW I LEARNED TO MIND MY OWN BUSINESS: 

I was walking past the mental hospital the other day, all the patients 

were shouting, “13...13...13.” 

The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a little gap in the 

planks, so I looked through to see what was going on. 

Some idiot poked me in the eye with a stick. 

I heard them all shouting, “14...14...14.” 

Archer’s Quest .............................................................. 57 

Battle on Bago ............................................................... 19 

Blackjack Ski Resort ..................................................... 60 

Cason ............................................................................ 36 

EZ Access ..................................................................... 43 

Go Hunting .................................................................... 42 

Jim Ward’s Whitetail Academy ...................................... 33 

Lake-Link ................................................................. 42, 57 

Neillsville Hunting Land ................................................. 39 

ADVERTISERS INDEX 

Northern Wisconsin Hunting Land .................................. 9 

Oshkosh Trophy............................................................ 37 

Outdoors to the Kitchen ................................................ 38 

Pickett Hunting Land ....................................................... 5 

Point North Mapping ..................................................... 59 

Precision Sports .............................................................. 2 

Rac-em-Bac .................................................................. 38 

Richland Center Hunting Land ...................................... 56 

Service Oil ..................................................................... 13 


LAND FOR SALE 

BUY SOME LAND 

WITH YOUR BUDDIES 

74 ACRES - $2,000 DOWN 

4 - $168.00 PER PERSON 

3 - $224.00 PER PERSON 

2 - $336.00 PER PERSON 

1 - $672.00 PER MONTH 

NO CREDIT? NO PROBLEM! 

74 Acres of hunting land located just north 

of Richland Center in southwest Wisconsin. 

Managed under the Wetland Reserve Program 

(WRP), the owner has created 

potholes, berms and water retention structures 

throughout the property, which are 

used extensively by DEER, DUCKS and 

TURKEY. In addition, the western border 

of the property is comprised of over 300 feet 

of frontage on the Pine River, a Class II 

trout stream as classified by the WDNR. 

Although there is no building site, there is 

an easily accessible spot to park a camper. 

Priced at $1,554 per acre, this property 

represents an opportunity to purchase a 

truly unique parcel “below market” price. 


Acreage: 74 

Asking Price: $115,000 PRICE REDUCED! 

Location: Richland Center, Wisconsin 

Access: Highway D and Woodstock Drive 

Zoning: Agricultural 

Utilities: Natural Gas and Electric on 

Highway D and Woodstock Drive 

Sewer/Water: None 

Navigable Water Frontage: 300’ on the 

Pine River 

Hunting: Deer, duck and turkey 

Tree Species: Very few trees 



IN OUR NEXT ISSUE 

Coming next issue: 

PICTURE REQUEST! 

Badger Sportsman is looking for images of YOUR Ice Fishing hut! Does your hut put all the 

others to shame, or do you stick out like a sore thumb? Tell us about your fishing hut. Send 

an email your digital images (no camera phone images, please) and a paragraph or two 

about your home-away-from-home to graphics@badgersportsman.com. 

Opening Ice Fishing 

Ice Boating 

MORE Deer Camps 

Cross Country Skiing 

Learn what makes Lake-Link.com one of the most popular fishing Web sites in 

the country. Read Lake-Link’s new story each issue. 

To advertise with Badger Sportsman, send an email to advertising@badgersportsman.com. 

A sales representative will contact you. 

Want to write for Badger Sportsman? Send an email to stories@badgersportsman.com. 


SUBMISSIONS 

Classified ads at a low, competitive price! 


One issue: $10.00 

Two issues: $18.00 

Three issues: $25.00 

Go to www.BadgerSportsman.com and click on 

the Classifieds tab to enter your ad information. 

Classified Advertising Guidelines 

Your advertisement will start with the next issue that has 

not yet gone to press. 

Classified ads must be prepaid. After you complete the form, 

you will be taken to Paypal - our payment processor - where 

you may securely pay via credit card. 

Provide information about what you are selling, (dimensions, 

age, condition, etc.) the price of the item, and how you can be 

contacted by interested parties. 

Online ad submissions only accept text, and your ad must 

not exceed 250 characters, including spaces. 

Badger Sportsman Magazine reserves the right to refuse any 

classified ad. 

Bigshots 

To submit your Big Shot or Big Catch, send an email 

to graphics@badgersportsman.com, attach your image (no 

camera phone images please) and include your name, the 

size of your Big Shot or Big Catch, and a few paragraphs 

about your story. 

You may also submit by mail to: 

Badger Sportsman - Bigshots 

P.O. Box 1186 

Oshkosh, WI 54903-1186 

Your Bigshot will appear in the next available issue of 

Badger Sportsman! 

Ask us about placing a business card ad. Email: advertising@badgersportsman.com for more information. 

Subscribe to Badger Sportsman Magazine 

1 Year at a rate of $29 

2 Years for $49, 3 Years for $69 

Badger Sportsman 

is better than ever, 

with exciting, in-depth 

features and great 

columns every month! 

Makes a great gift 

for the Badger Sportsman in 

your home or office! 

Email us at: 

Subscribe@Badgersportsman.com 




Subscribe me for: o 1 year o 2 years 

Your Name:______________________________________________________ 

Address:_________________________________________________________ 

City: __________________________ State:__________ Zip:______________ 

Payment enclosed: o Check o Money Order 




:: Latitude: 46° 05’ 54” N :: Longitude: 91° 26’ 24” W :: 

Custom Mapping 

For The Land Owner, Sportsmen, 

And Recreational User 

Point North Inc. is a Land Surveying and Mapping 

Company located in the State of Wisconsin. Our primary 

goal is to provide clients with a complete map of their 

property, allowing them to fully use, enjoy and better 

understand their investment. 

Point North has been mapping in since 1992, working 

with government agencies and private landowners with 

acreages from 40 to 160,000 acres. We are currently 

expanding our geographic boundaries to all who are 

interested, including Canada and Mexico. Check out our 

Pro Hunting clients below. 

Point North was molded around a land surveyor’s 

perspective of accuracy, intensity, and excessive data 

collection. We understand the importance of an accurate 

base map, data integration, and that one second of 

Latitude or Longitude can equal 70 feet and 100 feet of 

error respectively. This ensures that any Mapping, Land 

Surveying, and GPS data produced by Point North will be 

of the highest level of accuracy available for that project 

area. All waypoints and featured data collected by Point 

North will be listed showing a precision of one tenth of a 

second (.1”) to ensure the best available coordinate for the 

user. 

We customize each map and tailor it to the client’s needs. 

By understanding the importance of communicating and 

the importance of planning and revising, we ensure that 

our product fully satisfies the present and future land-use 

purposes. 

Point North Inc. :: PO Box 446 :: Hayward, WI 54843 :: 715-699-6817 

Todd Goold :: info@pointnorthland.com 

:: www.pointnorthland.com ::

DON’T MISS THIS 

SPECIAL OFFER!!! 

BLACKJACK 

SEASON PASS 

FOR ONLY 

$119 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WITH THE PURCHASE OF A 

1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO: 

 

 

 

 

GREAT 

GIFT IDEA! 

HURRY, OFFER 

EXPIRES 11/24/2011! 

SUBSCRIBE ME: 

1 Year for $15 

SUBSCRIPTION BONUS SPECIAL 

Blackjack Season Pass $119 

Your Name: 

Address: 

City: State: Zip: 

Payment enclosed: Check Money Order 



Email us at Subscribe@Badgersportsman.com

Badger Deer Camp - Badger Sportsman Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?