It seems like we’ve been bowfishing for the invasive carp a long time now – even though to many in the outdoor world bowfishing is a seemingly new and trendy sport.
For those of us that are river rats – it’s not a sport.
It’s a war. Continue reading “The Carp War – Fighting Invasive Carp One Arrow At A Time”
Kids and archery; I don’t have an interview this week so in this short episode we’ll be talking about a topic that’s raised its head in my world lately.
Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 047 – Introducing Your Young Child to the Sport of Archery”
Last weekend was boy’s weekend and that meant fishing! So we woke up early had a great breakfast of Apple Jacks for the boys and coffee for me. Loaded up all our gear and headed to my hunting partners farm where we have a great stretch of river to fish. After a short walk down the bank path, the boys talking a mile a minute about who’s going to catch the most and biggest, we hit our first spot to try. Continue reading “School of Fishing is in Session – Taking the Kids Fishing”
Recently I arrived home from work to a parcel full of soft plastic baits from Fishing Baitz. There was a mix of colours from watermelon, red flak, June bug to salt n pepper just to name a few. The first package consisted of 6“ Bass worms and the second package 6“ Pro Series Lizards. Both packages are extremely well package which is important to any soft plastic fisherman, no one likes leaking oils sliming up and bleeding through into their other baits. These baits are poured extremely well; there is no extra flashing anywhere on the bodies or tails. Even colour mixing and transition from body to tail. Great glitter and shine throughout. The Pro Series Lizards have long action legs none of which rip off easily and supply extreme action in the water. Continue reading “Gear Review: Fishing Baitz – Bass Worms & Pro Series Lizards”
It seems as if it was 100 years ago when I had to ask myself that very important question. What do I really need to start bow hunting? I hope that with writing this article, I do not lose any future sponsorship. I am not out to knock any companies out there, just helping the person new to our game. Well, if you decide to take in some of the fine outdoors programming, on one of the numerous channels dedicated to the outdoors sports, here would be what you would conclude to need. Continue reading “What Do You REALLY Need To Start Bowhunting”
There’s gold lurking in the late summer forest and woodlands; and it’s in the form of fabulous flushes of chanterelle mushrooms. These gorgeous golden treats flush and flourish best during the warm wet days of late summer.
Chanterelles, often called chanties, go hand in hand with squirrel season in many areas. Many a squirrel hunter has returned home not only with a nice bundle of bushy tails for the roaster, but also a bag of these bright yellow, delicate mushrooms that complement the wild game that’s available this time of year. Mother Nature does a great job of providing us with just the right mushroom for whatever game or fish is being harvested at that particular time, and chanterelles are no exception. Not only do chanterelles pair well with eggs, fish, chicken, and pork; they are equally well suited to doves, squirrel, and early season teal. Their delicate flavor however, is often overpowered by darker, heavier, red meats. Continue reading “Chanterelle Mushrooms: Gold on the Forest Floor”
The dog days of summer can be long and boring especially when it’s 100+ degrees outside! For me this means prep time for the upcoming seasons. Goose, dove and duck all open in September so prep can be as simple as practicing your calling. I have my calls in my car all season long and practice a little every day in the parking lot at work at lunch time or breaks. This is a good time to also repair, touch up paint, check weights and tie new lines onto decoys. Continue reading “Pre-season Waterfowl Thoughts”
Hello outdoors world! Welcome back for the next installment of “The Willes Way”! Thank you for stopping by and giving it a read. In this blog, I will be talking about one of my all time favorite summer past times.
Imagine this. The sun sets as you sit on the shores of a 48 acre lake in the forest of northern Wisconsin. The sky is a stunning shade of red and the water is like glass, providing a perfect canvas for the reflection of the sky and trees. As the light dwindles more and more, you realize that you can no longer see in the water, and all the bluegill that where seemingly stack up in the water in front of you, now seem to be in hiding. The sky goes black. You fire up your flashlight that you have in you front pocket and shine it in the direction of the water. And then you see it! This large menacing creature slowly pulls itself along the sand bottom in search of its next meal. The call rings out to the others in camp and everyone comes running to see it. “TURTLE!” The shouts are heard by all in the vicinity. Now comes the time of reckoning. What do you do? Do you watch it? Do you try and catch it? The choice is all yours of course. So what are you going to do?
Continue reading “How to Catch Snapping Turtles in Wisconsin”
Carbon Fiber. A miracle material that’s used in everything from supercars to arrows. And until recently, only three companies (Hoyt, Win and Win, and CarbonTech) had bows made from carbon fiber.
Until now.
Bowtech recently introduced a new bow to the masses that has had some mild interest. Called the “Black Knight”, the bow has a 31” Axle to Axle, 330 FPS IBO speed, and an amazing 3.2 pounds mass weight.
Continue reading “Gear Review: 2013 Bowtech Carbon Black Knight”
Hunting doves is not as popular as say, hunting deer. But anytime you can be out in the woods is time well managed. Doves are hunted in 40 states, with Michigan being the only Midwestern state to not have an established dove season. Approximately 41 million doves are harvested annually across the nation.
The population of the mourning dove in the continental US is estimated at around 350 million, making it one of the most plentiful birds in North America. Continue reading “Dove Hunting 101”
It’s mid summer, and a few of us are enjoying summertime activities such as fishing, Picnics, beach going, etc. Some of us have already put in “springtime” food plots, and are prepping for the “fall plots.” Mineral sites established, Trail cameras set (and checked). Continue reading “When Does the “Hunt” begin?”
In this episode we’ll talk to Jodie and Brandon Carter of Reel Shot Outdoors about hunting Red Stag in New Zealand and how they’re taking their next season to the next level. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 045 – Bowhunting New Zealand with Reel Shot Outdoors”
It seems like forever since I first started working with Nikon. My first experience with the company was in 2009 at an archery event where I first fell in love with the Monarch binocular series.
Hunting in the Midwest, I didn’t always need such a powerful, not to mention heavy set of binoculars. For the mist part, I hunt in wooded tracts of land, many times with visibility only up to about 50 yards.
Continue reading “Gear Review: Nikon Travelite 9×25 Binoculars”
Wow so many rumours floating around this week, who doesn’t like a good juicy rumour? At first I thought no way this one could be true, so I scrambled for my smart phone to see the newly released Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations for Ontario. As the pdf starts to load the first thing you notice is the “Important Updates” to the regulations, interesting. Updates I think, this is looking good and there it is “Introduction of a Mourning Dove Hunting Season” for the Central and Southern Districts of Ontario. Continue reading “Ontario Introduces Mourning Dove Season”
Hello outdoors world!! Welcome back to the 2nd installment of “The Willes Way” blog. For My first actual blog, not including my little intro, I decided to go with something near and dear to my heart. Some of Wisconsin’s most deep rooted outdoors traditions. Since my life seems to be one outdoors tradition after another, I am going to run through some of the traditions that I have been privileged to witness over my years spent hunting and fishing this fine state. And hopefully, this will help you all know of where I came from and learned what I know.
I LOVE to talk about a lot of these subjects and have been known to go on for hours talking about them to people that have never heard of, or had the chance to experience. So if I get a little wordy, feel free to reach your virtual arm through you computer screen and slap me across the head and say “GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!” 🙂 I could probably write a book on this subject, but I will avoid going too long. Besides if I spilled ALL the beans I wouldn’t have any beans for later! OK, OK, I will get on with it. Since there are so many, lets just start at the beginning of the year.
Continue reading “Wisconsin’s Deep Rooted Traditions and Outdoor Cultures”
Pepperfish Keys – Gulf of Mexico
COORDINATES XY: 29.5241245314, -83.3737724004
I arrived at my launch point, a small bridge located on a road aptly named, “Unknown Road” at the upswing of the tide. My fishing buddies, having arrived ahead of me, were busy capturing bait and, in general, preparing for the short kayak trip via Cow Creek to the Gulf and Pepperfish Keys.
This was my first trip to Pepperfish. Many of my fellow fishing enthusiasts had spoken favorably of the location and had touted its prolific trout population. On more than one occasion, I heard the statement “The trout practically jump in the boat, Fay!” Well, we shall see…. Continue reading “Pepper Fish Keys – Finding Trout on the Super Highway”
The inspiration for this blog came to me this morning as I was putting the house hold recycling containers out to the road side for the bi-weekly collection truck. We all hear the message of “Do your part to preserve the environment for the future”. Well this lesson seems to be strong in the youth of today, but seems to slip past the more mature. Nothing is sadder to see, than a group on a passing boat throwing garbage overboard, or packages and wrappers from empty bait containers scattered along a great shore fishing bank. Are we too lazy to carry out what we packed in? After all you brought it out, used its contents, thus it should be easier to take back home?
Continue reading “Walk In, Trash Out – The Canadian Outdoorsman”
Fall is my favorite season; it’s all about hunting, my birthday, great fishing and HalloIen. Winter, which comes in at a very close second, is ice fishing, sturgeon spearing and winter cabins. Spring is third and is all about turkey time and spawning time.
While summer is technically my least favorite, this season tends to generate some of the best memories. To me summer is all about fishing and camping. Campfires, smores, lakes, brats, relaxing, rivers, visiting etc.
I have truly grown to love my tent. For the last few years I’d thought about buying a camper but to be honest with you, since I am only comfortable pulling one or the other behind my truck; I’ve decided a fishing boat is the way to go. I’d be happier tent camping in one of the amazing parks here in Wisconsin and trailering the boat behind in hopes of finding that perfect fishing lake or that perfect sunbathing sandbar.
Continue reading “Worm Stealers, Fishing the Backwater Lakes of the Mississippi River”
In this episode we’ll be talking about a CarrieZ Wild Ones blogging casting call, we’ll chat with the WI Lt. Governor about the upcoming free fishing weekend coordinated by the WI DNR and then I’ll share a rant I couldn’t help but write about Memorial Day Facebook Status Updates.
Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 044 – WI Free Fishing Weekend”
In this episode we’ll have an interview recorded before I left for SD with Lee Harstad from the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce and Nort Johnson from the Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Assn who will tell me what I should expect from the upcoming trip. Then we’ll get the low down from various participants on what actually happened…..
Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 043 – South Dakota Merriams AGLOW Mega Media Cast and Blast”
I’m in South Dakota chasing Merriams so in this episode we’ll be talking to Jerry Wilson owner of Wilson Game Calls about the different types of turkey calls. And that is all…. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 042 – Types of Turkey Calls”
For whatever reason the week leading up to my first turkey period was incredibly stressful. Trying to get everything done that needed to get done so we could leave from work on Thursday without wondering what I forgot to do seemed like an impossibility. The woods were calling me and I felt so unorganized and anxious.
Finally at about 11:30 pm on Wednesday I was able to get to sleep. One thing after another seemed to go wrong. And the cherry on top? My husband noticed while we were loading up that my truck was leaking radiator fluid. Continue reading “Wisconsin Turkey Zone 1 – Thursday”
In this episode we’ll be talking about the launch of my second podcast – The Business Side to the Outdoor Industry, Duck Dynasty’s season finale, and then we’ll talk to Alex Sokolik about hunting Africa with a bow. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 41 – Bowhunting Africa”
A while back, we told you about the re-opening of Oregon’s Deschutes River to migrating fish for the first time in 40 years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was a partner in the engineering of a unique 273-foot underwater tower and fish collection station at the Round Butte Dam, which allows fish to migrate to and from the Pacific Ocean.
Now that they are able to get past all three dams in central Oregon, the numbers of Chinook salmon, steelhead, and kokanee (landlocked sockeye salmon) taking advantage of the new system is growing.
Continue reading “Salmon Complete Circle of Life In Oregon’s Deschutes River”
In this episode we’ll be talking with Kip Adams about the Michigan antler restriction proposal and the pros and cons of antler restrictions across the board. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 037 – Antler Restrictions Quarterly QDMA Report”
In this episode we’ll talk about Cabela’s Ladies Day Out, your last chance to get in on the March Facebook Sweepstakes and then we’ll be talking to Gary Cornum of Easton Archery and We’ll be talking about the more technical side to hunting arrows.
In this episode we’ll be talking about the different sub species found in North America and across the globe, how mule deer and whitetail are actually separate cervid species, some fun deer facts and then I’m going to give you my three most favorite venison recipes.
Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 035 – Deer Species and Sub-Species”
I’ve been wrapped up with the Women on Winnebago media event this past weekend, so this episode is going to be a little more off the cuff. We’re going to talk to Lindsay Thomas from the Quality Deer Management Association and we’re talking deer antlers. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 032 – Deer and Their Antlers”
Serving as the base hub for the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, Fond du Lac undoubtedly offers the outdoorsman a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
Last fall the Fond du Lac Area Visitor’s Bureau rebranded itself, and has been making headlines in the outdoor industry. Due to the efforts of the handful of employees at the Visitor’s Bureau, it has become a hotspot for the outdoor communicator looking for the next great story.
Continue reading “Fond du Lac Area Visitor’s Bureau Welcomes the Outdoor Industry with Open Arms”
The Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Season kicks off tomorrow and anglers are giddy in anticipation of the ultimate cold weather hunt.
Wisconsin Sturgeon Spearing is a tradition handed down or attracting new spearers dating back eighty years.
Continue reading “Sturgeon Spearing Season Kicks Off With a Celebration of This Prehistoric Fish”
In this special edition of the Wild World of CarrieZ Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Podcast we’ll hear from Jack and Brett of the Bowdudes Podcast who will tell us about their experience at the Archery Trade Association Convention in Louisville, KY. And you’ll hear from outdoor writer Kristen Monroe who’s going to tell us all about the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV, a bit about Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 031 – 2013 ATA and SHOT Show 2013”
by Bob Jensen
Hard to believe, but it’s already time to start thinking about end of the season ice-fishing. In the southern stretches of the ice-fishing zone, the end of the season bite will start soon: In fact it has probably already started. In the northern regions the season can extend to early April, even mid-April in extreme seasons. Wherever you fish through the ice, there are several good reasons to get in on this late season ice-fishing. First, why should you get in on this late season ice-fishing action? Probably the best reason is that the bite can be really, really good-and the weather can be a whole lot more comfortable than in the dead of winter.
There are times when the wind is calm and the sun is shining and it’s a warm day. You’ll be out there in a long underwear top and a hooded sweatshirt, jeans and bibs: That’s all you need to keep comfortable.
Walleye and pike season closes to ice-fishing in some states, but you can still catch perch, crappies, bluegills, and the like. Continue reading “Late Season Ice Fishing”
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a fresh idea in vacation destinations. The DNR is seeking volunteers to spend a week or two between March 1 and Dec. 20 acting as lighthouse keepers for the Tawas Point Lighthouse during the 2013 lighthouse keeper season. The lighthouse is located on the grounds of Tawas Point State Park along the shores of Lake Huron in East Tawas. Continue reading “New Vacation Idea – Live In A Michigan Lighthouse For a Week”
In this episode we’ll be talking about a fish called Wahoos and the Playboy Playmate that fishes for them, Becoming an Outdoor Woman in Michigan and then we’ll have an interview with Jeff Kelm of Hardwater Angler.com and we are going talk some serious ice fishing.
This week’s Guest Spot is written by Steve Johnson contributor to the Fishing Wire.
Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 029 – Ice Fishing Techniques”
When the subject of hunting in Wisconsin first came up on Facebook, it was in a very joking manner. This gal from Florida who I’d never met before and I started bantering back and forth about her hunting here in Wisconsin with me this year. Continue reading “Destination Review: Bear Valley Vista, Spring Green, Wisconsin”
When fish are low in the water column, smart ice anglers know that bottom pounding and bottom scrounging are “go-to” presentations. Truly successful ice fishermen, however, know when to pound, when to scrounge, and when to combine the two to catch more walleyes, perch, bluegills and other gamefish. Here’s how to determine the best presentation every time.
The flasher is beginning to show fish, but they’re just not committing. Jon Thelen brings his bait up out of the hole, shifts the knot position on the jig eye and drops his it back to the bottom, but employs a decidedly different presentation than he used to draw in the fish. It doesn’t take long for him to convince one of the walleyes to bite.
Like most veteran ice anglers, Thelen spends quite a bit of time with an ice jig or spoon close to the bottom. Much of the fish’s food lives on the bottom, so fish of various sorts spend much of their time in the same neighborhood. Thelen is quick to point out, however, that not all bottom presentations are created equal, and it’s always important to consider what you’re trying to accomplish. Continue reading “Two Best Ice Fishing Presentations – Bottom Pounding and Bottom Scrounging”
In this episode we’ll be talking about the CT shooting, a Christmas hiatus, and how you can be a part of the New Years eve episode.
This week’s Guest Spot is Kip Adams Certified Wildlife Biologist and Director of Education and Outreach for the Quality Deer Management Association.
#HuntFishTravel 024 – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Fall Turkey Hunting But Were Afraid To Ask
In this episode the only thing we’ll be talking about is chasing turkeys in the fall with Realtree editors Will Brantley (now of Outdoor Life) and Steve Hickoff. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 024 – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Fall Turkey Hunting But Were Afraid To Ask”
In this episode we’ll discuss
Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 023 – How to Age a Whitetail Deer”
My hunting buddy and I scouted this area months before, it looks a bit different in the fall without any leaves as when it did in the summer, all lush and green.
We part ways at o dark thirty and I make my way along a logging road to the spot I’d picked out.
I’ve been sitting for hours. There is still a lot of afternoons left but I’m hungry and it’s well past lunchtime.
A few hours after first light I’d decided to sit a bit further upwind. I’d left my spot and made my way deeper into the woods. Taking note of landmarks as I’d forgotten my compass in the truck. Continue reading “Outdoor Survival – a Rule of Threes”
In this episode we’ll be talking about, Scent Lok and Frivolous lawsuits, a Wisconsin hunter’s near miss with his contender for the world record buck, a ton of October contests where you can win over a thousand dollars’ worth of giveaways and we’ll talk to Britney Starr about heading to the #1 mentioned dream hunt destination in the world. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 017 – Hunting Africa”
When I received the invitation to participate in the Sporting Clays Classic at Milford Hills Hunt Club to benefit the Boy Scouts of America, I was pretty excited.
I’d never really participated in a shooting clays event before and was eager to give it a shot.
I picked up a co-worker from a Park N Ride, we arrived at Milford Hills promptly at 11am. We registered with the volunteers and waited for the rest of our team to get there.
My employer’s benefit administrator was a Star Sponsor and Benefit Services Group had graciously extended the invitation to us. Putting a face to an email address was great and Melanie and I were very e
xcited to have been included.
Milford Hills Hunt Club was where “Campfire Segment” I was in for the Deer Hunt 2011 with Dan Small was filmed. That was a fun experience and seeing the huge stone fireplace dominating the main hall brought back memories. Continue reading “Sporting Clays Classic at Milford Hills Hunt Club to Benefit the Boy Scouts of America”
In this episode we’ll be talking about a clothing line by the son of the famous Glock founder, an ICast debut, and some seriously awesome maritime GPS software.
We’ll discuss SHOT Show kicking ass and taking names and this week’s Guest Spot is written by Fred Mastison, President of Force Options. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 009 – Outdoor Tradeshows”
I came across the website some time ago, I was intrigued by this company that offered several handy camping and outdoor products.
A few weekends ago I had the chance to use one of the new Outgo Coolmax Sleep Sack and Sleeping Bag Liners. It certainly came in handy when the temps dipped a bit below what I find comfortable.
I am always on the lookout for products that will enhance my camping, fishing or hunting experience. After all, who actually likes to be uncomfortable when sleeping in a tent in Wisconsin? Continue reading “Gear Review: Coolmax Sleep Sack”
Whether it’s trout or bass you’re chasing, here are a few tips to make your freshwater wading experience a better one.
1. Plan your route.
2. Consider if wading is necessary. Wading alerts your presence to fish – would bank fishing be possible?
3. Keep your balance. If you lean into the current and suddenly lose your balance the
Continue reading “Wading 101 – 7 Tips For Safe Wading”
For almost a year now I’ve been working with the Fond du Lac Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to highlight what a great area that is. It’s close to home, they have wonderful trout streams and great hunting availability.
When Carrie Stollenwerk offered to connect me with Loren Voss aka The Turkey Commander; I jumped at the chance!
Loren is quite the firecracker, we communicated for two weeks and settled on Saturday May 12 to see if we couldn’t bag me another turkey.
This photo blog is a photo supplement to ZONE 1 SPRING TURKEY HUNT PART 1 – DEAD BIRD WALKING – 2012 TURKEY #1
and
ZONE 1 SPRING TURKEY HUNT PART 2 – DEAD BIRD WALKING – 2012 TURKEY #1
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This very first podcast, episode 1 of the Wild World of CarrieZ is a brief overview of why I started the Wild World of CarrieZ podcast (re-branded to HuntFishTravel), a bit of background and what you can expect from the show going forward. Continue reading “#HuntFishTravel 001 – An Introduction to the HuntFishTravel”
For most of us, the word sturgeon conjures up images of great plated bottom feeders, ancient and slow moving they seem to be a cross between a catfish and a dinosaur. Their nickname is “living fossil” and were almost wiped out in the 19th century, fishermen slaughtered them by the thousands, considering them a nuisance when they tore the nets with their sharp bony plates.
A sturgeon can live for more than 100 years and grown to 10 feet long, many weigh more than 100 pounds. Continue reading “Sturgeon Spearing aka Dinosaur Wrangling in Wisconsin”
Once I got past my twenties, the years of hitting a nightclub, dropping $200, and not waking up for 2 days were a thing of the past.
I started looking for new and exciting ways to ring in the New Year. Beer and shots of Jaegermeister were replaced by a more refined palette of champagne and usually some sort of at home grilled seafood combo.
We are in bed by 1 am and I’m not completely useless the next day. Continue reading “A Wisconsin Hike on New Years Day”
