ROGER'S OUTDOOR NEWS

World-Class Wildfowl Wood Sculptures with Gary Eigenberger

Two Rivers, WI- Listen to and meet world champion wildfowl artist in wood, Gary Eigenberger, on Tuesday, February 7^th, 6:00-7:30PM.

Gary will discuss the intricate art form, his beginnings and accomplishments, and show a PowerPoint presentation of recent pieces he has created. He will also have some of his one-of-a-kind carvings on display.

Gary won the "Best in World" title four times and 16,1st place Best of Show in the Masters at the Ward World Competition in Maryland. He is featured in many national arts and collecting magazines throughout the United States and his work can be found in various private and corporate collections, galleries, and exhibits.

Registration appreciated by calling Woodland Dunes Nature Center at 920-793-4007.

Roger's Outdoor Notes

OUTDOOR NEWS:   Well, this past Saturday up at NWTC the 2017 Northeast Wisconsin Woodland Owners Conference was held. This was my fourth or fifth time attending the conference and trust me, if you even have 10 acres of woods, you can really get a lot of nice ideas how to manage it.  There is plenty of handouts and people from the DNR, Forest managers, and Paper Mills and Loggers available to talk to about your property. There is one person who I really like to listen to and that is Linda Williams who does a program called FOREST HEALTH UPDATE. She talked about the Spruce Budworm Outbreak in the state, Lecanium Scale control, Columbian Timber Beetle, Gypsy Moth, Beech Bark Disease, Heterobasidion Root Disease, Oak Wilt and how to control it, and the one that is effecting all of us today is the Emerald Ash Borer. Lots of discussion of Woodlot Ash Management.  If anyone reading this is interested in these issues and want more, contact Linda at the following:  Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov. There was also a Panel for Assistance to Woodland Owners. There was a Master Logger/Forester, DNR and a large Paper Mill official. It was very interesting to see how to manage your woods and how to get more out of it. One of the other topics they talked about was: Cougars, Bears and Wolves.  Cougars are in Wis. and every one reported is investigated to make sure it’s not a house cat. Do not laugh, some reports did turn out to be a house cat, a huge one at that. Most of the cougars are males looking to mate with a female and they travel large distances to find one. Most of the cougars are coming from the Dakotas. Bears are numbering near 28,850 in the state this year. They are going to be issuing close to 11,500 permits in 2017. Once again, they like to wonder around and look for new areas to live. That’s why we see some in our county once in a while.  WOLVES, back in the 1800 there were between 3 to 5 thousand wolves in the state, mainly northern Wisconsin, Upper U P and Minn. In the 1960’s there was very few wolves left in this state. During the 1970’s and 80’s the population of wolves started to grow. There was only 25 packs than.  Now in the State of Wis. we have 222 packs of wolves with between 866 to 897 wolves. The DNR is using tracking collars on some of the wolves and one wolf was tagged in Northern Wis, traveled to the Upper U P, for a while then headed south towards Beloit, WI, and turned around to settle in the Tomah area where he is living now. A pack of wolves will need an area from 20 miles to 120 miles in diameter.  So next year watch for the ads for the conference or this blog site and you will really enjoy the time you spend there listening and learning about how to improve your woodlot. It runs all morning long from 9am till about 12:30pm.

Roger's Outdoor Notes

FISHING NEWS:   The Manitowoc County Lakes Assn. spends a lot of time working on our county lakes for the public to enjoy. This Fall the group place a new aeration system into the Weyer's Lake. They are hoping that with the aeration the lake will support larger and healthier fish, as well as contribute to an increase in water clarity. They along with the Manitowoc Unit of the County Fish & Game want everyone to be aware of the diffusers, as they will accelerate the annual loss of ice at their locations. It has been reported that the throw-ring which was installed at the lake has been removed. This is a piece of Safety equipment that is used in case some would fall through the ice. They are asking that those who might have taken it realize that they jeopardize the lives of area fishermen and please re-install it. Also, the MCLA is asking if anyone who has been using Weyer's Lake over the past few years to observe any changes in the water quality and fishery conditions due to the presence of the aerator. You may send a jot note through the MCLA web site at,  http://www.manitowoccountylakesassociation.org, or e-mail your observations directly to mcla@lakefield.net.

Roger's Outdoor Notes

OUTDOOR NEWS:   The Manitowoc County Fish & Game Protective Assn. Directors met for their monthly meeting on Jan 25^th and held their election of officers for 2017. President is Geoff Wolf,  Vice-President is Dan Dufeck, Treasurer is Marilee Stueck, and Secretary is Elmer Schill.  These officers all work their butts off to help all sportsmen and women in Manitowoc County. Next time you see them, say Thank You for all their hard work. Do Not forget about all the other directors from all the clubs who also work very hard through the year to make the outdoors a better place for all of us. We need younger members to get involved in the local clubs to some day take the place of these county directors, as many of them have been on as directors for about 10 to 40 years already. We really need some new blood on the board, because many of us can’t live forever. Please go to the Fish & Game web site and look at which club you would like to join. www.mantyfg@org.  You will find a section that shows all the local units in the county. Please look it up.

NRA-ILA DAILY ALERT  for Jan. 26, 2017:  KANSAS: Senate Committee could soon vote on Legislation to REPEAL Self-Defense Law.  The Kansas Senate is holding a hearing on Senate Bill 53.  WASHINGTON: House committee to hear Restrictive Anti-Gun Legislation next week.  ARIZONA:  More public meetings scheduled on draft Target Shooting Plan for Sonoran Desert National Monument.  NEW MEXICO:  Senate committee to hear SB 48. NRA Opposed Legislation Criminalizing Private Firearm Transfers.  CONGRESS:  As part of an effort to roll back Obama-era regulations, Congress is expected to take up legislation as early as next week that would prevent the government from declaring some Social Security recipients unfit to own guns after they’ve been deemed mentally incapable of managing their financial affairs. LAWMAKERS:  Lawmaker to kill U.S. rule on guns next week. Congressional Republicans are set to overturn a slew of Obama-era regulations next week. NRA hails Republican attempt to overturn Obama-era ‘gun grab’.  Now here is something worth laughing about, AUSTRALIA bestows official honor on Gun Control Zealot. For the past 30 years Rebecca Peters has been at the forefront of gun law reform, both here and overseas. She helped build the National Coalition for Gun Control which worked with John Howard to reform the firearm law after the Port Arthur massacre. Just like must of the top stories I have written here, are mainly done by Democrats refusing to protect the Second Amendment.   NRA AIRING TV Ad for Sen. Jeff Sessions, ‘Will get criminals off Streets.’  We need an Attorney General who supports Police,  not Black Lives Matter. FINALLY: PETA folds circus, is now setting their sights on HUNTING.  In my eyes, PETA states for People Eating Tasty Animals. Right?   

Rogers Outdoor Notes

FISHING NEWS:  Well, the snowfall improves some outdoor winter recreation, but snowmobile trail and ice conditions remain marginal.  I will say this, I do not want anyone to go out onto any ice unless you are 100% sure it’s safe. Fox River is wide open at many points and the Bay of Green Bay is having a lot of water traffic this year. The ice breaker and ships were out in force this past week to get the last of the ships into Sturgeon Bay before ice breaking concludes for the year. Until we start having some very low temperatures even I won’t be walking out on any lake or the Bay. Of course, I’m a heavy person and it won’t take a lot to drop through the ice. Make sure you have all your safety equipment with you to protect you or help others. I’m not even going to tell you what the DNR report is due to the fact it was last weekend catches and look how much ice has broken up since then. Then there is the Fishing Derby for the Mishicot Sportsman Club and I sure hope and pray some fishermen come in with fish to win the derby. The clubhouse will be open Friday night and Saturday and Sunday all day. Your support will be greatly appreciated. PLEASE BE SAFE IF GOING OUT ON ANY ICE. 

Roger's Outdoor Notes

FISHING NEWS:   The Manitowoc County Lakes Assn. spends a lot of time working on our county lakes for the public to enjoy. This Fall the group place a new aeration system into the Weyer’s Lake. They are hoping that with the aeration the lake will support larger and healthier fish, as well as contribute to an increase in water clarity. They along with the Manitowoc Unit of the County Fish & Game want everyone to be aware of the diffusers, as they will accelerate the annual loss of ice at their locations. It has been reported that the throw-ring which was installed at the lake has been removed. This is a piece of Safety equipment that is used in case some would fall through the ice. They are asking that those who might have taken it realize that they jeopardize the lives of area fishermen and please re-install it. Also, the MCLA is asking if anyone who has been using Weyer’s Lake over the past few years to observe any changes in the water quality and fishery conditions due to the presence of the aerator. You may send a jot note through the MCLA web site at,  www.manitowoccountylakesassociation.org, or e-mail your observations directly to mcla@lakefield.net. 

Roger's Outdoor Notes

OUTDOOR NEWS:     The Feb. meeting of the Manitowoc Unit of the Manitowoc County Fish & Game will be held on Thursday Feb. 2^nd at Lincoln Park Cabin #1. This is the regular monthly meeting and it starts at 7 pm sharp. There is generally a brief speaker or presentation and then the business meeting of the club. A lunch and refreshments follow this. Hope to see all of you there, and remember that the membership to this club is only $5.00 a year. What a deal, you can’t even buy a meal anywhere for $5.00 like a burger, fries, and drink. So how about it, a membership for $5.00?  See you there.

The Mishicot Sportsman Club will be meeting on Wednesday Feb. 1^st at their Jambo Creek Clubhouse starting at 8pm. A short meeting will be held and lunch and refreshments are available to all who attend. They will most lightly be talking about the Ice Fishing Derby held the weekend of Jan. 28-29 and who were the winners. Hope to see all of you there.