Grouse Hollow Journal for May 18, 2017 by Greg Koelker

Grouse Hollow Journal for May 18, 2017 by Greg Koelker

This last weekend Ellen and I were in Oshkosh visiting our friends Pat and Lana Kolbe (and Brynley and Ryan) and I attended the better part of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Convention.  We had a great lasagna dinner with the Kolbe’s on Thursday night and got to spend some time getting to know their little ones.  On Friday, the Kolbe’s were off to work, so at their suggestion, El and I had breakfast at the Delta Diner.  Good stuff.

After breakfast, I registered at the convention at the Oshkosh Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center just in time to take my seat with the Vernon County contingent of Jason Weis and Sam White.  After a roll call of counties and the presentation of colors by the DNR Color Guard and singing of the national anthem by warden Clark Delzer, we recognized memorial resolutions for congress members who passed in the last year including one for long-time congress member from Westby, Fred Constalie.  The group was welcomed by first year WCC chairman Larry Bonde.  Oshkosh Mayor Steve Kummins also welcomed us and shared some Oshkosh history and highlights.  We were heard from the leadership of the Wisconsin Department of Resources. Assistant DNR Secretary Kurt Thiede shared information about the last year and future plans including the R3 plan on recruit, retain, and reconnect with sportsmen.  Thiede said the Learn to Hunt program has had about a 40% success rate on retaining new fishermen and hunters and trappers.   WCC Bear

Committee Chair Mike Rogers introduced this year’s  Learn To Hunt Bear Tag recipient.  Governor Walker addressed the group.  Chairman Bonde lead the assembly through a sometimes raucous discussion and voting on this year’s WCC Advisory Questions. Eric Lobner of DNR Wildlife spoke about his ambitious list of Wildlife plans and initiatives, not the least the R3-Recruitment and Retention and Reactivation of hunters and fishermen and shooters.  We went through the DNR Spring Hearing results, Wildlife Program updates, a Fisheries Program update, Law Enforcement Program update, a Recreational Opportunities analysis, a DNR Parks and Recreation update, a Forestry Program update, a Science Services Program update, Proposed Code of Procedure Changes, Angler Education, Years of Service Awards for Delegates, some of the rule suggestions that citizens voted on on April 10 and before, what’s new in Fish and Wildlife in Wisconsin, and news from the Natural Resources Board.  

As far as I am concerned there was good news and there was bad news.  The Good was that Bill Howe of Crawford County was inducted into the Conservation Congress Hall of Fame.  Bill is the longest serving congress member at this time at 60 years.  Bill knows more about the congress and the river and the outdoors than most of the rest of us combined.  I am proud to know him.  The bad news is twofold in that no one, including Scott Walker mentioned any movement on the onerous railroad trespass law.  The other bad news is, for some reason the WCC Board pulled question 51 off the discussion table.  Question 51 is in regards to allowing online voting on the spring hearing questions.  As far as I and many other congress members I talked to are concerned, the Conservation Congress may as well pack up its tent and go home if online voting on the spring hearing questions become DNR policy.  According to one long-time Grant County congress member, some in the legislature have wanted to be rid of the Conservation Congress since the 80’s.  Online voting may just accomplish removing the up to now relatively powerful citizens advisory group.  

The Kolbe’s took us out for an Oshkosh Fish Fry on Friday night at TJ’s Harbor Restaurant.  We got a table on the patio with Lake Winnebago in the background; one of Pat’s former student’s was our waiter.  The old fashions were excellent and the fried cheese curds were hot and seasoned to perfection and served with ranch dressing.  Pat and I had fried perch and waffle fries.  El had a rotisserie chicken wrap with veggies and basil aioli while  Lana had a Po’ Boy Shrimp wrap.  Anyway, it was great.  Afterward we took a walk along the pier.   

El and I went fishing with Pat on Lake Winnebago on Saturday.   We had a nice boat ride on the big water jigging crawlers here and there.  We had lots of hits, but only Pat caught a fish.  

On the way home, El and I stopped to look at flowers and bedding plants at Coon Valley and Chaseburg.  

Until next time, get out - on Sunday morning, we rolled down the river to Cassville to see my mom.  El and I put up the bird feeder I made for Mom and then we feasted on brunch at J&J’s Sandbar.  Good stuff.  We came home to Grouse Hollow to celebrate Mother’s Day by mowing lawn followed by drinks with Scout on the porch.  Oh yeah, I was mowing on the tractor and listening to the Brewers and Mets.  I turned off my headset when Milwaukee fell behind 7-1.  Duh.  Milwaukee won. 11- 9!  How bout dem Brewers?  My plan is to be heading out into the turkey woods in the morning - maybe.  Enjoy.