Grouse Hollow Journal for December 7, 2016 by Greg Koelker

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 7, 2016 by Greg Koelker

On the last day of the 2016 Wisconsin Gun Deer Season, I took it easy.  I strolled up the Grouse Hollow path.  A shy sun was sending rays through the cedars and birch tops, warming the chilly morning air.  I stopped to try and photograph a ruffed grouse who didn’t seem to notice me.  There forest floor made no sound to speak of, due to the damp conditions I guess.  Near the top of the path, I saw a large deer soundlessly flash across the path 50 yards up the hill.  I pulled up and held my sight on the spot in case another followed.  None did.  I sat down on a rock to try and listen.  I was daydreaming when I turned my head and there was a black faced coyote maybe 10 feet away, as shocked as I was.  By the time I got it in my scope, old Wily slipped into the deep ditch and vaporized.  I did not see another deer on my long walk before lunch.  I decided to sit the final hours of the Big One until dark in the Oak Stand.  There were Boone and Crockett trophy red and gray squirrels working the woods all around all afternoon, blue jays, crows, chickadees, tit mouse, sparrows, and grouse in evideces all about as I wiled away the final hours of the big one.  On to the muzzle loader hunt.

In our visit last time, I said this week would be my annual gift giving guide for those stumped by finding gifts for outdoors types.  Here you go: first - give a gift certificate to your nimrod’s favorite emporium of outdoor paraphenalia.  You can’t go wrong with this one, (except they may take it to the next level with a credit card.)  Everyone in the household might benefit from an electric knife sharpener $40 or so.  I saw a portable ice maker in the Sportsman’s Guide catalog for $162.  That could come in handy for cocktails after the hunt or for icing down sore muscles while in camp or say for tailgating.  I think some fleece lined hunting pants or jeans would be pretty nice.  One could wear them fishing or while working outside all winter long - $35.  Scent lock thermal underwear isn’t cheap, but it lasts a long time and really helps keep one warmer - $130 plus.  If you have a mud room, a pair of slip on duck boots $50 or lined crocs $40 would be nice for a quick out to the garage or kennel or shop or trip to the store.  A Scrusher, boot brush might keep some mud out of the mud room $20.  I think they make the Scrusher in Vernon County too.  Electric boot dryers are not cheap at $40 and up, but they can be used by the whole family to dry boots and gloves and hats.  If you have deer hunters in the house, a trail camera and/or a trail camera card reader would be a pretty nice gift $40 to $150.  I wear my Ghillie Suit for turkey and archery deer hunting $80.  Get a size larger to accomodate warm clothers under it.  A receiver hitch cargo carrier for the SUV or pickup adds room for coolers and deer carcasses or vacation trips, and more that is closer to the ground and easier to load and keeps blood and mud and such outside your vehicle - $50.  We just got a Ford F150 and it is much higher than the Ranger so I can see that a Tailgate Ladder might be nice $45.  (I actually put a short step ladder in mine, so . . . )  This one may seem a tad crazy, but the Rambo Fat tire Battery Powered Pedal Mountain Bike coming in at around $2600.00 could be a great gift for your hunter who needs to get into the deep woods or mountains and carry carry gear and game.  If you have archers on your list, a life-sized deer decoy or target might enhance the hunt. $125-$150.  A jet sled $66 makes moving items like tagged deer or firewood easier - even without snow.  Another handy moving tool might be a Roll-About Deer Cart - $63.  I enjoy my zero gravity chair; I call it my Jag Lake chair - $72.  A subscription to the Wisconsin Outdoor News - $26 or Deer and Deer Hunting - $19.99 or any other outdoor magazine might be good.  I like the quality and idea of Duluth Trading Company clothing for a special gift; a long-tailed flannel shirt helps keep one’s backside covered and warmer - $80.  Some insulated boot blankets might be good if your nimrod spends a lot of time in a tree stand or ice shack - $60.  A good safety harness for tree stand hunting will show you care $50-$100 at the upper end.  A camo gear bag or shoulder bag for carrying water, food, ropes, etc. is a useful and reasonably priced gift at $30 or so.  An automatice Co2 powered life preserver adds to the likelihood that your fisherperson will wear it while on the water $100 or so.  If your fisherperson has lots of rods and gear, a hard case for it might be good - $50.  Tired of the arguing about what that fish or buck weighed?  You can get an electric scale for about $20 for fish or a Moultrie big game scale for $25. A good thermos, good cooler, insulated coffee mug, and warm socks will also be welcome gifts.  I’ll add that LL Bean may be pricey but the stuff is quality and is guaranteed for life.  Our experience has been that they just have you return the damaged or defective item and send you a new one.  Eddie Bauer also has a lifetime guarantee.  Land’s End has quality outdoor clothing and it is a Wisconsin company.  You might craft a personal gift card good for hunting and fishing licenses as they come up during the year.  Finally, don’t buy hats, gloves, hunting coats, vests, boots, puppies, firearms, archery equipment, trucks, atvs, or any stuff that the giftee should have some input on size, brand, breed, etc. UNLESS, you have specific directions.  I think these items are reasonably priced, useful, and fun gifts - except for the the Rambo Power Bike but it would be useful and fun too.

Would be pring turkey hunters and bear hunters, remenber December 10 is the permit application dealine for both.  The Wisconsin DNR says that there were only three non-fatal shooting accidents early on in the season.  The accidents are too bad, but after a tough year last year, this is pretty good.

Until next time, get out - El and I and Scout picked out and cut a Christmas tree up in our Christmas tree plot on Saturday.  We chose a tall spruce that had beem mangled by a randy buck or two in the early fall.  Back at the ranch we still had to trim off a foot or more to make it work in our living room.  The whole place smells of evergreen.  Enjoy.