WISCONSIN

Life in Wisconsin

BY: Matt Karr

This book is dedicated to my grandpa because he has been with me for all of the hunting and fishing experiences.

Table of Contents

1. Snowmobiling in Wisconsin

2. Snowboarding in Wisconsin

3. Ice fishing in Wisconsin

4. Wisconsin State Parks

5. Deer Hunting in Wisconsin

6. Turkey Hunting in Wisconsin

7. Summer Fishing in Wisconsin

8. Beware of the Tick (poem)

9. Canoeing in Wisconsin

10. Pheasant Hunting in Wisconsin

Snowmobiling in Wisconsin

The feeling you get when shredding the fresh, fluffy snow makes you never want to back home. Recently we bought two Polaris snowmobiles and all I want to do is go snowmobiling weekends, snow days and after school. Given where I live, which is by Lake Neshonoc, I have access to the lake and the trails leading off the lake which lead to every trail in West Salem and surrounding area.

Even though snowmobiling is really fun, I have to keep in mind that speeding/hitting jumps/drifting is all dangerous. I have to take precautions when riding with others because accidents are very common and I don’t want my actions leading to death for me or my friends.

Safety is key when driving on public trails when you may cross paths with animals, fallen limbs and other obstacles, and even fellow snowmobilers. Always signal with your fingers how many people are behind you. If there are none, use a fist. While doing this make sure you have a firm grip on the steering. Always be prepared when snowmobiling. Wisconsin lakes do seem nice, but ice does crack. Always carry a tow rope in you need it to pull out a friend’s sled from the lake.

Snowmobiling is one of my favorite pastimes in the winter. I am proud to be a safe and responsible driver.

Snowboarding in Wisconsin

Snowboarding is like flying through the air on a magic carpet. I especially enjoy the cold, wintery breeze and the light downfall of fresh, fluffy, white snow through the air, settling on the hills of Mt. La Crosse. Snowboarding is a sport where it’s not about anybody but yourself. You have all the time you want to practice what you need to improve on. For example, I enjoy hitting jumps, grinding rails, and racing/bombing hills with my friends.

Not everyone can snowboard. It requires balance, fast reflexes, flexibility, coordination and overall skill. One may soon discover trying to snowboard for the first time is quiet a challenge. Most have started with a plastic, flexible snowboard from Walmart. Using a stiff, metal-edged, locked-in binding snowboard at Mt. La Crosse is quite different. You no longer have the ability to jump off the snowboard into a pile of fluffy snow in your backyard. You now have to maneuver around people and take the pain of a harsh wipeout on the hard, groomed slopes of Mt. La Crosse.

If you want to try snowboarding, be sure to get a lesson, which Mt. La Crosse provides. Start on the smaller hills such as the bunny hill or Apple Bottom. As you improve, you can start shredding on more advanced hills such as Mileway, Midway, Spotlight and Thunderation. Then you will find great excitement and respect for the sport of snowboarding.

Ice fishing in Wisconsin

Ice fishing is a peaceful activity that requires great patience and preparation. One must always be equipped with bait such as wax worms, chubs, minnows, and jig heads. A jigging pole will be used to fish and a auger or spud will be needed for breaking the ice. Ice fishing is mostly sitting and watching a bobber, tip of a pole or tightness of the line so you must pay attention to your pole and the water in order to catch fish.

I catch a variety of different fish on Lake Neshonoc such as white bass, large mouth bass, small mouth bass, northern pike, crappie, trout, catfish, carp and the occasional tiger musky. The most exciting fish to catch is the northern pike because its a tug of war with Hulk Hogan reeling it in. When you are lucky enough to catch a fish, you can bring it home and eat a fish dinner. I like to dip my fish in raw eggs, cover them with flour and deep fry them in vegetable oil on a hot pan. I like to enjoy them for lunch and put leftovers away in the freezer for the family.

One may not always catch a fish when ice fishing. To me, this makes me more determined to come out again. Also, you can take the time to sit back and think about life. The best part of fishing for me is coming home with a stringer full of fish strapped over my back and the pride that I caught them by myself.

Wisconsin’s State Parks

Wisconsin provides many state parks for campers to explore the extraordinary wildlife, lakes and woods. I have been to many state parks, including Perrot State Park Trempealeau, WI; Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls, WI; Wyalusing State Park in Eau Claire, WI; Devil’s Lake State Park and Mirror Lake State Park in Baraboo, WI. My favorite state park is Devil’s Lake. What I like most about it is its huge rock structures that are used for hiking by many people. I also like its crystal, clear, huge lake. The reason it is called Devil’s Lake is because the water is so deep.

While hiking in Devil’s Lake, I enjoy seeing countless wildlife. I often see squirrels jumping from rock to rock like skipping stones. Deer playfully, prance through the woods flashing their white, fluffy tails when running the opposite direction of people. I hear birds chirping in the distance as walk the rocky trails. When reaching the top, I like to look down and see the rest of the forest and the large lake in which small figures swim like a flooded ant hole.

I recommend visiting Wisconsin State Parks because you will find peace in the outdoors and a great adventure while hiking, canoeing, fishing, looking for firewood, and camping. Be sure to pack clothes for unexpected weather, a first aid kit, a tent or camper and bug spray. During summer nights mosquitos are fiercely abundant and will eat you alive unless you douse yourself in many layers of bug spray.

Deer Hunting in Wisconsin

As I sit in the stand waiting for the deer to come out from the trees, I must be ready for a anything. A quick reaction is key, but it must be well-executed, quite, and stealthy. For now I sit and wait. All I can think of is when will that deer come? Where will it come from? I must be focused.

It is cold, and quite. There is not much action until that one deer comes. Adrenaline pumps throughout my body as i focus in on the deer. I pull up my 30 out 6 bolt-action hunting rifle, and look through the scope. The deer is in my sight, I remove the safety, which makes a clicking noise. The deer jerks its head as it stares straight at me. I squeeze the trigger which sends a bullet coasting through air striking the deer directly in the heart. The deer is down and kicking. I have sunk the shot, hunt was a success.

I wait until the deer stops kicking. I unload my rifle besides on bullet in the chamber in case of the sight of another deer. I look at my deer and a rush of sadness flows through my body, but I soon snap back and realize this is necessary. The government says so them selfs the deer are over populated. Hunting is Wisconsin is a good way to slowly bring the population down. Hunting in Wisconsin is very common and also one of my favorite past times.

Turkey Hunting in Wisconsin

Treading through the woods, like a predator after its prey, I spot the turkey frolicking in the woods with his fellow mates. I must wait for him to give me a good opportunity for a good shot. After a couple minutes of spectating I take the next step-the kill. I ask my self ,do I have the shot, and I did. I raise my gun and aim for the turkey. I pull the trigger sending a jolt through my body as the bullet soars through the air entering through the turkeys feathery outer layer. This is the shot that allows me to bring this fine specimen home.

The turkey is big, and plump. I am still shaking of excitement of my first kill, as I look at the turkey laying on the ground. I attempt to pick it up, but it is much too heavy and ask my grandpa for assistance. He throws the turkey over his shoulder like a continental soldier. We toss the floppy, warm, lifeless turkey into the trunk of the car and we start our trek home.

We pull into the garage, and drag the turkey onto the tarp. We then begin the cleaning process. We cut the birds skin at the front of the breast, and slice our way towards the rest of the meat. This will soon be removed and fed to the rest of the family for a big feast. This is turkey hunting in Wisconsin, one of my favorite past times.

Summer Fishing in Wisconsin

Fish in Wisconsin

Are mercury levels high?

If so, do not eat!

Beware of the Tick

There once was a boy named Nick.

He had a brother named Rick.

They went to the woods hiking with a stick.

Until they came across the deadly tick.They swung with the stick, but the tick was too quick.

For it passed up Nick, and took a bite at Rick.

Rick looked at the tick and started to pickety-pick.

It wouldn’t come loose so he gave it flickety-flick.

Months went by, and Rick became sick.

He went to the doctor really quick.

The doctor typed in the computer clickety-click-click.

She said, “Rick that tick has made you sick.”

“We need to get you on medicine very, very quick.”

Rick took the medicine and was no longer sick.

And he told all his friends that..”when in the woods, never swing at a tick.”

Canoeing in Wisconsin

Pushing the canoe off the rough sand into the smooth water

Stepping into the canoe as it sways back and forth in the water

Rowing slowly downstream, hearing the swish of the oar gently pushing the water

Hearing the waves crash on the rocks below

Watching the nose of the canoe dip downward

Feeling the rush of excitement as you hit the bottom

This is canoeing in Wisconsin

Pheasant Hunting in Wisconsin

Pheasant Hunting in Wisconsin is one thing that I like to do, but I don’t have the chance to go to a place where pheasants roam free in the wild. In Wisconsin we have pheasant farms. At a pheasant farm in Wisconsin what one would do is, the workers will simply plant as many pheasants as you buy about an hour before you come. When you do go out, it is as realistic as it can get.

When I go hunting I am usually with my dad, but always with my trusted dog, Scout. She is a chocolate lab and hunting dog that will go and fetch your bird no matter where it lands when shot. It would be very hard if one went out without a dog, so I highly recommend that you have a dog when you go out. One will also need a shotgun of any sort. I use a Remington 870 Express 12-gauge, pump-action, shotgun.

I am a big fan of Pheasant hunting, and I would love to someday go out to North Dakota and go wild Pheasant hunting, but for now Wisconsin is where I will be. If you do want to go pheasant hunting I do highly suggest going to one of the many pheasant farms in Wisconsin. I myself recommend Badger Land Pheasant Farm because it has good employees, and is a well-run facility. Pheasant hunting is one of my favorite past times, and I am sure you would enjoy it too. It may take time but it really is fun.