Whitetails Unlimited is to deer as Pheasants Forever is to ringnecks. Whitetails is a national, nonprofit, conservation organization with members in all 50 states. The organization works with local chapters in addressing local, state and national issues involving white-tailed deer and their habitat.
The WTU package is complete with youth programs, extensive information about the habits and habitat of white-tailed deer and numerous opportunities for local sports enthusiasts to get involved with a worthwhile organization.
For the over-the-top deer hunting devotee, the Whitetails Unlimited Web site is perhaps the most authoritative and complete encyclopedia of information on the vocal, chemical and visual communications of whitetails. With the annual rut under way, now is a great time to check it out.
I had the pleasure of observing an anxious two-year-old buck chasing a doe at twilight earlier this week. Darkness was closing in when a rustling sound caught my attention along the fence line just north of the river.
The doe popped out 20 yards away, leading her suitor into a soybean field and then back across the property line into the tall grass of the wetland. Whitetails calls this a "buck run" as the rutting buck travels quickly with neck extended, head low, mouth open and tail trailing straight behind.
True to form, this guy skips the bounding action typically associated with whitetails and moves on the run. I hear him grunting and try getting his attention. He's stopped by an aggressive grunt, looks up momentarily, then continues on his mission.
He's no shooter, unless the species would be better off by taking this buck with his oddly shaped five-point rack out of the gene pool. The choice point has already passed, however, and the pair soon disappear into the privacy of their roomy CRP bedroom.
Whitetail rutting behavior is fascinating to observe and this moment in time made for a pleasant late afternoon hunt - all the more rewarding as the boys are home for a four-day weekend bow hunt. This encounter will be one more episode that makes for fine, late night conversation in the bunkhouse.
WTU Chapter to hold banquet
Area deer hunting enthusiasts will enjoy similar conviviality at the South Central Wisconsin Whitetails Unlimited banquet coming up soon. The chapter will host its annual fundraising event on Friday, Nov. 6 at Peppercorn Banquets in Monroe.
This special event will feature a two-meat buffet, auction and prizes with a wide array of products such as firearms, outfitter packages, hunting and outdoor related equipment, artwork and collectibles only available at WTU events.
South Central Wisconsin Whitetails claims approximately 150 members and focuses much of its attention on youth programs, according to chapter President Norman Whitehead. In the recent past, the group has allocated funds to the Boy Scouts, Hunter Education and 4-H shooting sports as well as contributing to area food pantries. "Groups looking for funding should give us a call," Whitehead said.
The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $49 each, $35 for a spouse or $30 for youth 15 and under. Contact Whitehead at 325-7584 or WTU National Headquarters at 800-274-5471 to order tickets or for more information. There will be no ticket sales at the door.
Unfortunately, I'll miss the banquet. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress has called a meeting of its executive council at Stevens Point that day to discuss the season structure for next year's deer hunt. At issue is the proposal to extend the regular nine-day gun season to 16 days as an alternative to Earn-a-Buck.
To most observers, it's a foregone conclusion that the season will be lengthened, but the question is whether it will come before the current Saturday-before-Thanksgiving opener or at the end. There are other changes being bantered about as well, such as various options for special antlerless-only and muzzleloader hunts.
Also part of the discussion is the possible elimination of EAB within the CWD Management Zone. Let me know if you have any thoughts on these matters before Nov. 6.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer and can be reached at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
The WTU package is complete with youth programs, extensive information about the habits and habitat of white-tailed deer and numerous opportunities for local sports enthusiasts to get involved with a worthwhile organization.
For the over-the-top deer hunting devotee, the Whitetails Unlimited Web site is perhaps the most authoritative and complete encyclopedia of information on the vocal, chemical and visual communications of whitetails. With the annual rut under way, now is a great time to check it out.
I had the pleasure of observing an anxious two-year-old buck chasing a doe at twilight earlier this week. Darkness was closing in when a rustling sound caught my attention along the fence line just north of the river.
The doe popped out 20 yards away, leading her suitor into a soybean field and then back across the property line into the tall grass of the wetland. Whitetails calls this a "buck run" as the rutting buck travels quickly with neck extended, head low, mouth open and tail trailing straight behind.
True to form, this guy skips the bounding action typically associated with whitetails and moves on the run. I hear him grunting and try getting his attention. He's stopped by an aggressive grunt, looks up momentarily, then continues on his mission.
He's no shooter, unless the species would be better off by taking this buck with his oddly shaped five-point rack out of the gene pool. The choice point has already passed, however, and the pair soon disappear into the privacy of their roomy CRP bedroom.
Whitetail rutting behavior is fascinating to observe and this moment in time made for a pleasant late afternoon hunt - all the more rewarding as the boys are home for a four-day weekend bow hunt. This encounter will be one more episode that makes for fine, late night conversation in the bunkhouse.
WTU Chapter to hold banquet
Area deer hunting enthusiasts will enjoy similar conviviality at the South Central Wisconsin Whitetails Unlimited banquet coming up soon. The chapter will host its annual fundraising event on Friday, Nov. 6 at Peppercorn Banquets in Monroe.
This special event will feature a two-meat buffet, auction and prizes with a wide array of products such as firearms, outfitter packages, hunting and outdoor related equipment, artwork and collectibles only available at WTU events.
South Central Wisconsin Whitetails claims approximately 150 members and focuses much of its attention on youth programs, according to chapter President Norman Whitehead. In the recent past, the group has allocated funds to the Boy Scouts, Hunter Education and 4-H shooting sports as well as contributing to area food pantries. "Groups looking for funding should give us a call," Whitehead said.
The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $49 each, $35 for a spouse or $30 for youth 15 and under. Contact Whitehead at 325-7584 or WTU National Headquarters at 800-274-5471 to order tickets or for more information. There will be no ticket sales at the door.
Unfortunately, I'll miss the banquet. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress has called a meeting of its executive council at Stevens Point that day to discuss the season structure for next year's deer hunt. At issue is the proposal to extend the regular nine-day gun season to 16 days as an alternative to Earn-a-Buck.
To most observers, it's a foregone conclusion that the season will be lengthened, but the question is whether it will come before the current Saturday-before-Thanksgiving opener or at the end. There are other changes being bantered about as well, such as various options for special antlerless-only and muzzleloader hunts.
Also part of the discussion is the possible elimination of EAB within the CWD Management Zone. Let me know if you have any thoughts on these matters before Nov. 6.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer and can be reached at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
