Verrückter Deutscher Campingplatz

Small Company - Free Pizza

2012-02-10T10:37:00.001-06:00

One of the side benefits of working in a small company is it is pretty much like family. A big family - but a family nevertheless.

There aren't any secrets to be kept and everyone looks out for one another.

The other benefit is pizza.

The senior partner ordered pizza from Rosati's for lunch today. Pepperoni and sausage, pepperoni and mushroom, veggie and chicken Alfredo.

I'll eat my PB&J sammich tomorrow.

Trail Blazer

2012-02-03T16:21:00.003-06:00

The latest edition of my favorite publication - Wisconsin Outdoor News - had an article that caught my eye.

Hunter Safety Certification Hits 1 Million

The Wisconsin hunter safety program originated in 1967 in Dunn County. In 1985 the course was required for hunters born after 1972. Last year, 25,019 people completed a hunter safety class, and that number pushed the total number of hunter safety graduates past the 1 million mark.

I graduated from the program in 1968. Looking at my license I can see I was number 8665.

Learn more about the program here.

Great Sausage Making

2012-01-27T06:01:00.018-06:00

Purchased a commercial meat grinder/sausage stuffer on sale from Cabela's this month.

Finished this terrific book last weekend (highly recommended by a reader) and have started a list of supplies and ingredients to ramp-up into sausage making mode before too long.

This is what the critics have to say about Rytek Kutas' - Great Sausage Recipes and Meat Curing.

The most comprehensive book available on sausage making and meat curing and has sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide. It is easily understood, contains a wide variety of recipes, and is very effective in helping solve common problems. It is written by a man who learned the art of sausage making and meat curing at a very young age and who made a living smoking and curing meats.

Stay tuned...

Talking Dog

2012-01-25T06:07:00.007-06:00

In keeping with the dog theme a guy is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: Talking Dog For Sale

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

'You talk?' he asks.

'Yep,' the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says 'So, what's your story?'

The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA.

In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.'

'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running...

But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.'

'I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired.'

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

'Ten dollars,' the guy says.

'Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?'

'Because he's a Bullshitter . He's never been out of the yard'

Stoned Dog

2012-01-24T06:01:00.004-06:00

Yep. My dog is a stoner.

Anybody remember someone from college that had that look? And maybe a lampshade around their head?

Behind the pooch's lampshade her right forearm is stabilized with four rings and eight pins. Fingers crossed to get the alignment correct as she heals.

In the interim she's taking some canine hallucinogenics to alleviate the discomfort.

wow - cool - click on the image to enlarge dude

Chesapeake

2012-01-16T06:02:00.005-06:00

Back to the day job this past week - but not before I tackled one of my favorite novels written by one of my favorite authors.

Chesapeake - by James Michener

I got hooked on Michener as a teenager when I read The Bridges of Toko-ri and Tales of the South Pacific.

This story chronicles the lives and stories of four families over the course of 300 years along the eastern shore of the Chesapeake.

Great fiction and gripping history - even if you've read it a half-dozen times.

Michener is an artiste.

Signage

2012-01-15T06:08:00.002-06:00

This sign has been posted prominently upon the entrances of the building where my day job is located.

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This facility participates in the "no guns/weapons allowed" security program.

We respectfully ask that you remove any weapons before entering for the safety of all customers and our employees.

Thank you.

Girlfrend

2012-01-14T06:01:00.001-06:00

The thing about Labs is you cannot keep them out of the water.

Girlfriend and Sister have been frustrated lately with all of the usual puddles and waterholes frozen-over and inaccessible to their need to drink au naturale.

Girlfriend did manage to bust through the thin ice the creek. Water is still flowing underneath.

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Gemini

2012-01-13T06:04:00.000-06:00

A pair of buck twins have been visiting - always a matched pair.

If you look carefully their head is shaped like a flat top - girl deer have a dome-shaped skull structure. This appearance is a result of boy deer having antler nubs inside where their ears are located.

They are certainly a healthy-looking pair. They haven't missed a meal lately. Maybe these fellas will grow into a pair of trophy bucks some day?

Hard to say. For sure they won't be traveling together when they reach sexual maturity.

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Solitary Doe

2012-01-12T06:08:00.000-06:00

Nothing edible on the ground - at least that I put there.

Maybe she's just giving something the sniff...

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Young Buck

2012-01-11T06:03:00.000-06:00

Plenty of pictures of this buck have been taken this year - from velvet to the present.

Got some crappy pictures (not worthy of publishing) of the buck(s) with the large rack and the wide spread.

Like I said - it's a hot spot...

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Lost Headgear?

2012-01-10T06:09:00.001-06:00

This is a large-bodied deer with a dark tree bark stain on the forehead from rubbing.

I think that this is a buck that has already shed his antlers.

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Hot Spot

2012-01-09T06:03:00.000-06:00

Locating a camera here has been a terrific idea. There is an active scrape (where male whitetails like to pee on themselves and leave their calling card) and a licking branch and a heavily trafficked trail.

The same thing happened last year - including the active scrape.

In any event this is a hot spot with plenty of deer visiting. Big bucks, little bucks, does and fawns.

The preorbital, or lacrymal gland, is a small pocket located in front of the deer's eyes. At most times the pocket is closed. However it is under muscular control. Rutting bucks may open this gland when signaling their aggressive intents to other bucks. Female deer will open this gland when they are tending their fawns.

Here is a buck (far right) rubbing his preorbital glands on the licking branch...

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Finis!

2012-01-08T06:03:00.001-06:00

Ventured-out yesterday afternoon for the last bow hunt of the season (which closes at sunset today).

I packed my gear on the ATV and drove down to the campsite and hobbled-in with my cane to set-up.

I had a primo location nestled in a clump of red cedar so I was out of the wind. Nice and comfy on Braumeister's folding chair. Speaking of wind - it was in my favor.

I had a nice view of the active scrape location that has turned-out to be quite a hot spot for deer pictures.

Settled-in, it occurred to me that if I actually shot a deer the adjacent trail camera was perfectly situated to catch all the action digitally. Alas, it was not to happen. I had a nice quiet sit - alone with my thoughts. As the sun set and the shadows lengthened and darkness fell I walked back to the four wheeler under the light of a rising moon.

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No hip pain. Getting back in my groove. Life is good.

Deer By Day

2012-01-06T06:08:00.008-06:00

Some nice daylight shots - including some deer the morning the girls and I retrieved the memory cards from the trail camera...

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Deer By Day and Deer By Night

2012-01-05T05:04:00.006-06:00

Same camera, same day, same deer...

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Nocturnal Deer

2012-01-04T06:02:00.001-06:00

Recent night shots...

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Antler Kings

2012-01-03T06:03:00.001-06:00

More of those deer.

Here are some dandy-looking bucks. Sure hope that the fella in the last picture has been visiting the ladies and spreading his genes about the neighborhood.

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Curious Does

2012-01-02T06:04:00.008-06:00

Check this out...

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Thirteen Moons

2012-01-01T11:30:00.001-06:00

Probably one of the best books I read in 2011. Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier.

Set in the early Eastern Cherokee Nation Homeland near the junction of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee this work of fiction takes place in an historical setting.

Will Cooper narrates his own life story as an orphan exiled as an indentured proprietor of a remote trading post set among the Cherokee people. His story takes you through a life of adventure - love won, prosperity, a rise to lawyer and Senator, to colonel, to chief, to love and fortune lost. Figures like Crockett, Calhoun and Andrew Jackson are woven throughout.

If you're to die tomorrow, do you spend the time praising Creation or cursing God?

A riveting tale that was hard to put down.

Learn more about it here.

Smile for the Trail Camera

2012-01-01T06:03:00.009-06:00

Things have been rather quiet here at The Platz and the deer are still hanging around and moving about.

Judging from the evidence captured by the two trail cameras the bucks are still moving about after dark - does and fawns too. The only daylight pictures have been of antlerless deer.

Happy New Year!

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Back In The Saddle

2011-12-31T16:00:00.001-06:00

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Eighteen days since the hip replacement and I've been making steady progress.

Today - the ladies and I fired-up the four-wheeler and ventured forth for a romp. Me riding with Sister and Girlfriend tearing along.

With my trusty crutch we swapped the memory cards from the trail cameras so there'll be some selected pictures to follow.

Feels terrific to be back outdoors...

South of Broad

2011-12-26T11:33:00.001-06:00

I've been feeling pretty darn good. My physical therapist says I'm in the top decile of recovering hip replacement patients she's had an opportunity to work with.

So when I'm not doing my exercises or puttering in the kitchen I'm reading everything in sight.

One of the recent blissful pleasures has been the opportunity to read two daily newspapers over coffee each morning. Pure decadence.

Finished this book last night.

South of Broad - by Pat Conroy

Set in Charleston, South Carolina, between 1969 and 1990 the story tracks a group of friends, their adventures, loves and battles.

If you like stories from the south mixed with Catholicism, segregation, sex, intrigue, murder most foul and a surprised ending - you'll enjoy this book.

Learn more about it here.

Frohe Weihnachten

2011-12-25T11:51:00.000-06:00

From our house to yours...

The Ghost Map

2011-12-20T06:01:00.004-06:00

Take a couple million people crammed into a something on the order of ten square miles.

During the hot summer of 1854 London was literally wallowing in its own shit.

It had become the perfect breeding ground for a disease that nobody understood or has a cure for. And it lead to one of the most horrific epidemics since the plague.

This is a story about how this event changes science and urban sanitation forever.

Learn more about it here.

Whitetail

2011-12-19T06:06:00.000-06:00

Another solitary deer.

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The next time I have an opportunity to post any deer pictures we should have snow on the ground.

That's all for now. See you soon...

Tatooed!

2011-12-18T06:05:00.001-06:00

Been back home following my hip replacement in the big city. Shortly afterward the Frau pointed out that I had a number of autographs on my right leg.

Seems everyone had to sign-off and be in agreement that this was the correct limb before anyone begins dislocating and hacking-way at it.

I happen to think that it is good policy.

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Holiday Parody

2011-12-17T06:07:00.002-06:00

In keeping with the holiday cheer...

A Strange Aparition

2011-12-16T06:01:00.001-06:00

I'm not a drama queen but this does creep me out.

A ghostly light captured in the woods beyond the deer trail.

Spirits?

A UFO?

Alien visitation?

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Busy Spot

2011-12-15T06:07:00.000-06:00

The location of this trail camera has furnished plenty of evidence that this is a busy and well-traveled deer trail. Amazing...

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Nocturnal Hunter

2011-12-14T06:06:00.008-06:00

For a refreshing change of pace I caught a series of pictures of an owl.

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Judging from the scale of the head of the deer in the picture from yesterday's post and the position of the bird behind the licking branch my best guess is that this is a Great Horned Owl. I know we don't have Barred Owls as I never hear their distinctive call. We do have Screech Owls - but they're much smaller raptors. That leaves - Bubo virginianus.

This bird is sometimes called the Flying Tiger as it is fearless. It is one of the few animals that will kill porcupines and skunks.

A Couple of Deer

2011-12-13T06:05:00.002-06:00

A one and a one-and-a-half year-old buck and a thoroughly startled doe. The photo with the buck was taken by a camera positioned next to an active rub. The buck is checking out another male whitetail's licking branch.

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Blogging About The Blog

2011-12-12T06:00:00.001-06:00

By the time you read this I will be at the hospital being prepped for a new hip. Ordinarily I wouldn't be looking forward to a major surgical procedure but I'm being optimistic about a pain-free, new year and getting my life back. I will be partially bionic.

Following my discharge I've got a couple weeks of in-home therapy before I get to wear my dancing shoes again.

Anyway, I've got some additional trail camera shots to post this week - but after that the blog will go on a short hiatus.

Busy Night

2011-12-11T06:05:00.001-06:00

Wednesday, November 30th was a hopping morning for the whitetails. This isn't all of the pictures - just a few of the better ones...

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Big Buck

2011-12-10T06:01:00.001-06:00

This guy is still coming around the usual spot...

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More From the Trail Camera

2011-12-09T06:04:00.002-06:00

Sister and I went out yesterday to fetch the memory cards from the trail cameras. You'd think that post hunting season the deer would be few and far-between.

Not so...

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Braumeister, Big Tim and New Guy are coming up tonight for some late season deer hunting.

Yippie-kai-yay

2011-12-08T06:04:00.014-06:00

For pure escapism you cannot beat a good tale from the wild west.

I've been curled-up by the fire with this.

Classic Cowboy Stories - 18 Extraordinary Tales From the Old West

With authors like Theodore Roosevelt, Owen Wister, Zane Grey, Frederic Remington and O. Henry - what's not to like.

Git along little dogie...

Pole Dancing

2011-12-07T06:05:00.000-06:00

Ordinarily I would not post anything involving pole dancing - but this girl can dance!

Wild from Wyoming...

Sticker Shock

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here's an eclectic mix of bumper stickers. If you think about the logic of it - its a good way to patch-over the rust and dents on this pick-up truck.

Funny thing though. The rear tag is Wisconsin while tag on the front bumper was from Wyoming...

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West Point Tree Farm

2011-12-04T06:07:00.005-06:00

Perhaps the most unusual Tree Farm in the U.S, is the West Point Tree Farm, located on the banks of the Hudson River in New York on the campus of the historic military academy founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is unusual because its 12,736 acres are the only federal land certified as part of the American Tree Farm System. The one-of-a-kind designation was granted by ATFS in 1987 and resulted from West point's long-standing commitment to sustainable forestry. that commitment began when the Academy hired its first forester - Gifford Pinchot - in 1903.

Pinchot, a pioneer in forest management and the father of the U.S. National Forest Service, developed the first management plan for West Point's forestlands. This is still reflected in West Point's Integrated natural Resource Management Plan for the 21st century. The plan focuses on maintaining ecosystem viability, protecting ecosystem integrity, protecting and enhancing biological communities, and protecting the forests from unacceptable damage and degradation - all while serving as a setting for rigorous military training.

Learn more about the West Point Tree Farm here.

Source - American Tree Farm System

Tatooed!

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

After returning from the hospital following my hip replacement the Frau pointed-out that I also return with a number of tatoos on my right leg.

Seems everyone's got to sign-off on the job and be in total agreement that they have the correct limb before anybody weild a saw to it.

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Titan Dies - Weight Lifted

2011-11-30T06:02:00.024-06:00

Alekseyev, Vasily - 1942 to 2011

Passed away on Friday in Badenhausen, Germany.

Winner of the Olympic Gold in the 1972 Munich and 1976 Montreal Games - Alekseyev was unbeaten from 1970 to 1978. He holds eight consecutive world championships.

Alekseyev was the first man to lift 500 pounds and more than 600 kilos (1,323 pounds) in three lifts.

As a young man coming of age in the 1970s it's a sad day to see this weight lifting titan pass into history.

RIP Big Guy...

Demand for Alcohol

2011-11-28T06:09:00.000-06:00

The year-round population on the peninsula is slightly less that 28,000 people. The village of Egg Harbor has 201 permanent residents. It's a small place.

Egg harbor also has 21 licensed liquor establishments. That means there is one location to slake your thirst for every nine residents. Egg Harbor has more liquor licenses per capita than any other community in Wisconsin.

I don't want you to get the impression that there is a drinking problem in this tiny burg. Probably has more to do with the annual invasion of flatlanders.

Learn more here.

Die Hard Deer Camp

2011-11-27T06:06:00.000-06:00

Last day of deer camp for this hunter. Found this interview on the web. This is a hard core deer camp...

More Antlers

2011-11-26T06:06:00.002-06:00

Here are some additional selected photos of the local buck population...

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Antlers Anyone?

2011-11-25T06:02:00.002-06:00

The other day Sister and I finally got around to fetching the memory cards from the trail cameras.

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Yotes! Yow!

2011-11-24T22:21:00.001-06:00

Took the dogs out tonight to do their business and Sister, Little Buddy and Girlfriend got all worked-up over the yipping and howling to the south.

Coyotes!

As near as I can figure they were located immediately south at the edge of the hay field bordering a large woodlot. A half mile distant.

It's been a number of years since we've had yotes howling around here like this.

Probably because there's all sorts of gut piles and the occasional unrecovered deer on the landscape.

I suppose coyotes have a reason to be thankful today too. If I was one I'd probably howl too...

Yummy Burger

2011-11-24T06:10:00.002-06:00

Picked-up 30 pounds of ground venison from the local butcher.

I dropped a big box of scraps-off on Monday and asked that they grind it into burger and ad 10% pork to the mix.

Packed in handy one pound+ bags and frozen.

I have a vision of tacos, chili and more in the coming year.

If you're in the area be sure to make a sttop at Marchants for some awesome fresh and smoked meats. http://www.marchantsfoods.com/

Opening Day With a DNR Warden

2011-11-23T06:08:00.005-06:00

Here's a short clip from Wisconsin's WDNR...

Curious Bear

2011-11-22T13:16:00.000-06:00

Here's a bowhunter's solution to a curious bear...

Veterans Recognition

2011-11-21T06:01:00.001-06:00

Finally got around to off-loading some photos and video from my iPhone. This is a nice shot of the card trick that the crowd participated-in at the Packer/Viking game last Monday night.

Very cool.

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Deer Camp

2011-11-20T06:06:00.001-06:00

All the unloaded firearms are stacked lovingly
on the rack by the back door of the garage.

By the grilling supplies.

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High Cost of Healthcare

2011-11-19T06:15:00.001-06:00

In the past 25 years the daily cost of an average midwest hospital stay increased 1,366% or 11.3% per year.

Over the same period inflation rose 101% or 2.8% per year.

What gives?

Source: Department of Labor

Deer Camp

2011-11-18T10:00:00.009-06:00

I don't want you to get the impression that I'm superstitious or anything but I never begin my gun deer camp without a healthy dose of the Cowboy Junkies...

If you're hunting this weekend - shoot straight and be safe!

Downtime

2011-11-17T06:00:00.004-06:00

When we're off chasing ringnecks in Spink County, SD one of our favorite times of day happens to be kicking-back and enjoying some downtime at Randi's Refuge.

Located in a a barn it has all of the comforts of - well - a barn. Except that it is appointed with over stuffed furniture, a fully stocked fridge and bar. It's a combination dog kennel, pheasant-cleaning station and man cave.

Back in Dolan at our rented house it's pate, sardines, head cheese, toast points and the Packer game...

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Smoke Signal

2011-11-16T06:01:00.005-06:00

Returning from our pheasant hunting road trip Braumeister and I spied this giant cloud of smoke near Baraboo, WI.

We watched it loom larger as we approached and speculated on what was the cause.

Barn fire? Plane crash? Forest fire?

When we finally arrived at the spot there was a prescribed burn being conducted in what appeared to be a wildlife area to the east of the highway.

Looked all over for a news item with details and found nothing.

Solve the Mystery

2011-11-15T06:08:00.002-06:00

On Interstate 90 crossing Minnesota you are going to see plenty of these road signs situated on the north and south sides of the four lane highway.

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What will you find on the reverse side of the larger signs like the one above?

Peninsula Ringnecks

2011-11-14T06:02:00.002-06:00

I was cleaning shotguns yesterday late afternoon when the Frau said - There's a couple of rooster pheasants by the rain garden pond.

Go figure. Guns disassembled. Parts everywhere.

I called Girlfriend to the backdoor and cracked it open. She spotted the birds immediately, flushed them and sent them cackling.

The pooch is still recovering but she hasn't lost any interest in ringnecks...
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Turn of The Digit

2011-11-13T06:02:00.003-06:00

The odometer on the 4-wheeler turned over to 1000 miles yesterday.

It's hard to believe that you can put 1000 miles on an ATV on an 80 acre property in only seven+ years or so.

That's like driving your balloon-wheeled vehicle from the peninsula to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

That's a lot of errands and deer hauled to the shed.

The Big Zephyr

2011-11-12T06:07:00.012-06:00

Just back from chasing ringnecks in South Dakota. 1300 miles of road trip and not a single kayak sighting!

We saw a lot of these though. They're everywhere!

They're supposed to be good for slowing climate change. Nevertheless, they were not turning. Not a single kilowatt of current was being generated by the hundreds and hundreds of wind turbines we drove past. Braumeister pointed out that this was because their blades were feathered.

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I think I've figured it out.

Check out this news item...

In The Know: Coal Lobby Warns Wind Farms May Blow Earth Off Orbit

Gone Hunting

2011-11-02T06:03:00.003-05:00

Be back next week.

Maybe...

Sparring

2011-11-01T06:06:00.002-05:00

Smokey Joe captured these bucks sparring one frosty morning last weekend.

Shot some video too.

Very cool.

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Bow Hunting

2011-10-31T06:01:00.002-05:00

Smokey Joe and Braumeister spent a weekend at The Platz to do some hunting.

Saw plenty deer.

Nothing hanging yet.

Caught On Camera

2011-10-29T06:05:00.001-05:00

The girls and I were out swapping memory cards on the trail cameras a couple of weeks ago. By the time you are reading this we'll be doing it again. Even though it's beautiful hiking weather the dang hip has forced me to use the four wheeler.

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More Deer

2011-10-28T06:01:00.000-05:00

Amazing.

Put the trail cameras out, move them around from time-to-time. Replace the memory cards every couple of weeks or so.

In the intervening time there will be hundreds of pictures taken.

No bait - no nothing.

I might want to start puting some scents out to see what happens.

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Demographic Shifts

2011-10-27T06:01:00.000-05:00

Seniors now comprise 23 percent of the peninsula's population (give or take).

According to Jeff Sachse, labor force analyst for Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development the trend will be for this to climb to 33 percent by 2010. Aging baby boomers are staying and younger people are leaving.

Additionally, the peninsula has the highest concentration of wealth of any non-metropolitan county in the state.

Per capita income of $40,124 is behind only Dane, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Not bad for a relatively sparse population of 28,000 residents.

Learn more about it here.

Nobody Here But Us Turkeys

2011-10-26T06:09:00.000-05:00

While the Frau and I haven' been seeing many turkeys in person the local flock seems to be in mighty good shape going into the fall and winter.

Here's bachelor flock.

Until spring breeding begins males tend to move in their own group.

Females have their brood flocks.

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Mama and the Twins

2011-10-25T06:09:00.003-05:00

The picture on the left appears to be a doe with twin fawns.

However, if you look closely of the two fawns one is larger than the other.

I wonder what the explanation might be?

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Scouting

2011-10-24T06:03:00.002-05:00

With all of the deer movement along this trail the dogs and I moved this bow blind to a spot where a patient hunter might just be able to arrow a deer.

We'll let it set for a spell and give the critters sometime to get used to it.

Deer Trail

2011-10-23T06:07:00.010-05:00

Deer moving along the trail. Same camera - two pictures taken four minutes apart. Same deer?

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Man vs. Mouse

2011-10-22T06:05:00.002-05:00

The other day Lawyer commented upon how nice the machine shed smelled. It smells of dryer sheets.

In my continuing battle with the mice that infest my boat every winter I'm trying out an idea I heard from someone else.

I scattered some very pungent dryer sheets all throughout the boat along with some mouse traps for good measure.

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I'm told that mice don't like the smell and will not take up residence in a vessel filled with them.

The Frau thinks they're simply going to use them to build elaborate nests.

We'll see.

For sure I'll have the best smelling boat on the water.

Young Buck

2011-10-21T06:03:00.002-05:00

Two and a half year old buck I figure.

First time I've seen this guy?

The rut should be kicking-in soon and more males will be dispersing.

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Smile For TheTrail Camera

2011-10-20T06:09:00.001-05:00

Plenty deer stopping to have their picture taken.

Is there something about the infrared flash that has caught the attention of this doe and fawn?

I wonder.

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Coy Doe

2011-10-19T06:08:00.001-05:00

Little Miss elusive...

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Fall Color

2011-10-18T06:05:00.001-05:00

The recent wind storm did a pretty good job of knocking many of the leaves from the trees just about when the colors were looking good.

Here's a large splotch of orange in the woodlot to the north that persists.

The tamaracks should be turning their beautiful fall gold soon.

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Trail Blazing

2011-10-17T06:04:00.001-05:00

Lawyer was up to the farm this past weekend to help repair the deer stands that were damaged in the recent wind storms.

One stand is totaled and is in need of replacement. That can wait until next year.

We also had to clear the fallen trees that blocked the trails.

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Wisconsin's Deer Trustee

2011-10-16T06:08:00.000-05:00

I heard recently that Governor Walker appointed a Deer Trustee. It is actually been some time in coming. I hear the Trustee is going to take the politics out of the woods and put the deer back in.

Deer are not distributed uniformly over Wisconsin's landscape and in farmland country we have too many deer.

It's a complicated issue for sure. I hope the Trustee is smart enough to not take a one-size-fits-all approach to deer management.

Dog Duty

2011-10-15T06:07:00.005-05:00

Yesterday the blonde dog manifested a nice case of diarrhea.

Blech.

As near as we can figure she dined upon something very rotten and disgusting in the woods.

This is the way life goes with hunting dogs.

So last night I made a batch of the universal cure for Labrador retriever diarrhea.

Chow made from boiled rice mixed with boiled chicken. Chopped and diced. Seriously, we keep the ingredients on-hand.

Oddly enough - the dogs love this stuff. More than their kibble.

I wonder if they plan their episodes of stomach upset?

Nah...

Whitail Snobbery

2011-10-14T06:01:00.004-05:00

This is a whitetail snob.

Turning her head-up at the rest of us

Rainbow Deluxe

2011-10-13T06:08:00.000-05:00

Very cool rainbow display.

It's not often you get a complete rainbow with a doubler.

Fair Weather Fans

2011-10-12T06:04:00.003-05:00

The kids were at the Packer game the other night and I received an email with some pix.

They pointed out a curious phenomena.

The Georgia Dome has a "Defend the Dome" theme.

It was pure hell in there for the first half - Atlanta fans talking smack.

Until the start of the second half when The Pack stuck to their game plan and began to dominate their foe.

The the end of the 3rd quarter their fans started to leave in droves.

The Packer fans were quick to ask - why aren't you staying to defend the dome.

Trail Maintenance

2011-10-11T06:09:00.001-05:00

The Frau was quite grateful of last month's ritual mowing of about 3+ miles of trails.

I would agree that it is easier to take Girlfriend and Sister on their morning walks and not have to stumble through wet or frosty tall stuff.

If you have been paying attention to the trail camera pictures the critters also like nicely groomed trails.

It's like a freeway after all.

Weekend Grilling Results

2011-10-10T06:09:00.006-05:00

How about those Brewers and Packers!? (Badgers had the weekend off).

The Frau and I have been performing fall chores today and I grilled chicken wings for the Brewers game (buffalo sauce and teriyaki) followed by seared venison kabobs (teriyaki-style), medium rare, over a brown rice pilaf.

Excellent half-time fare.

Garden onions and peppers used throughout - including the pilaf. Pimentos from a small jar in the pilaf.

Nobody Here But Us Turkeys

2011-10-09T06:09:00.002-05:00

The resident turkeys have certainly been discreet lately.

Sure, I see them crossing the road when I go to town. And I hear them making a terrific racket when they fly up to their roost a sundown when I am bow hunting. But the big field across the road that has been planted in freshly greening hay is devoid of birds.

What gives?

The trail camera doesn't lie.

There are turkeys about - they're just being shy.

Caught some nice shots of a bachelor group of gobblers sashaying through and a boss hen with her brood flock...

Consider the Potato

2011-10-08T06:10:00.000-05:00

Consider the humble potato.

It doesn't take much to grow a pile of potatoes. A bag of seed potatoes from Fleet Farm might set you back a few bucks - but two rows of carefully-tended spuds will yield about three bushels of bakers.

These are Kennebec potatoes. The Red Pontiacs and Yukon Golds have already been harvesed.

Redundancy Redux

2011-10-07T06:04:00.004-05:00

Same deer as yesterday's post.

Only he's lost his velvet in the intervening couple of weeks.

Redundancy

2011-10-06T06:05:00.009-05:00

Same buck visiting this camera two days in a row.

A word to the wise for this young male whitetail. Establishing predictable patterns may lead to a premature loss of life.

What I cannot figure out is why these deer focus on the camera if there is no visible flash?

How To Make Pickled Red Cabbage

2011-10-05T06:05:00.000-05:00

Start with a about four large, garden red cabbages. Peel-away the outer leaves, slice in-half and cut-out the core. Chop cabbage into coarse slices.

Layer chopped cabbage into a stone crock and sprinkle with kosher salt. Alternate cabbage, salt, cabbage, salt. Repeat until you reach the top of the crock.

Install the lid, fill the moat with water and allow your cabbage to set overnight.

The following day, remove the cabbage from the crock and allow it to drain in the sink. Do not rinse.

While your cabbage is draining prepare the brine.

Combine equal parts of red wine and apple cider vinegar with about four cups of dark brown sugar. Throw some whole mustard seed into the pot. Cut the toe-end from an old sweat sock, fill with a bottle of pickling spice, tie it-off with kitchen string and toss it into the pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for about five minutes. Remove from heat, fetch the spice sock from the pot and set-aside. This was a big batch so we doubled the vinegar you see in the picture.

Pack pint jars very tightly with the cabbage leaving a half-inch of head space. Top-off with the brine, add lids and rings and process in the canner for 20 minutes.

Udderly Breakfast

2011-10-04T06:01:00.001-05:00

It's been awhile since I posted any trail cam pictures.

Yesterday's morning walk allowed an opportunity to fetch the memory cards from the cameras and see what we got.

How about a couple of does and a fawn grabbing some breakfast.

The End of the Line

2011-10-03T06:03:00.003-05:00

For the tomatoes anyway.

We had a hard frost Saturday night - but not before Japh picked enough tomatoes to make another couple of gallons of salsa and can more for tomato juice.

Guy's Weekend

2011-10-02T18:40:00.001-05:00

I've been hanging with my brother-in-law for the weekend.

The dogs - Girlfriend, Sister and Gilligan are hanging out with us too.

We've gotten some nice walks in. A little hunting. Some fishing too. On top of that we put-up a big pile of pickled red cabbage, another couple of gallons of kick-ass salsa and reveled in the Badgers, Packers and Brewers.

One more thing. We dined like kings. For instance last night's grilled venison steaks, baked garden potatoes and sautéed red cabbage.

Kayak Season

2011-09-30T06:13:00.000-05:00

I won't be long before the lakes and bay freezes and the kayak season ends.

Of course - these kayaks might only be window-dressing.

You know.

For show...

Uber Auto

2011-09-29T06:08:00.000-05:00

Found on what make of auto?

A Volkswagen of course...

Another Awesome Peninsula Sunset

2011-09-28T06:03:00.000-05:00

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Wide Load

2011-09-27T06:09:00.000-05:00

Not just a wide load - but a tall load too.

This is a section of the tower that will support a wind turbine assembly.

It is freakn' huge!

I see these things running down the highway all the time.

My guess is that this was manufactured at Broadwind's Manitowoc facility.

It's a good thing it's not a kayak.

Fall Flowers

2011-09-26T06:01:00.000-05:00

Bottle Gentian - Gentiana adrewsii.

Also known as the closed gentian due to the closed flowers. Nevertheless, bumblebees will force themselves into the flower by means of pushing-apart the petals.

This is found in our flood plain.

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Fall Cranes

2011-09-25T06:06:00.003-05:00

I went out for about three hours of bowhunting before nightfall yesterday. The rains had finally ceased.

Saw one spike buck. Never drew my bow.

The cranes were making a racket. Flock after flock flying overhead.

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Friday Fish Fry

2011-09-24T06:09:00.013-05:00

The Frau and I have been making a ritual of cleaning out the freezers in preparation for the fall hunting season.

Which means plenty of fresh water fish on Fridays. Last weekend it was walleye and garden pommes frites. Slaw too.

I recently went to Bed Bath and Beyond and purchased for myself a mandoline. No - not a musical instrument - but a vegetable slicer. I don't mind wielding a big Chicago Cutlery chef knife for chopping and dicing - but when you want the perfect slice (or fry) there's nothing like an OXO Mandoline.

Here's what you do.

Soak a double pair of thawed - giant - crappie fillets in an egg wash.

Then you run a double handful of washed and scrubbed garden Yukon Golds (skin-on) thru your mandoline. Soak the perfectly uniform frites in salt water for a spell. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil and sprinkle generously with Emeril's Original Essence.

Spread the frites on a cookie sheet and place in a 400 degree oven.

Toss a half-cup of flour with white pepper and season salt. Dredge your crappie fillets in the flour and seasoning mixture. Save the egg wash as you are not finished yet.

Dump some Panko bread crumbs in a bowl. Dip your floured/seasoned fillets in the egg wash and toss them with the Panko crumbs until coated. Place on a platter in the fridge to set.

Check your oven to see how the frites are doing. As they begin to brown give them a toss with a spatula.

Heat some canola oil in a fry pan When very hot gently place your fish fillets in the pan.

Turn once when golden brown.

Serve-up the crappie and frites with a cup of Pierre's sweet corn nibblets from the freezer.

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Garnish with fresh lemon and tartar sauce.

I recommend a white wine or a hoppy Pilsner as an accompaniment.

Yum!

More Sunshine

2011-09-23T06:04:00.004-05:00

Been stoking the wood burner during the evenings.

With fall in the air you cannot have enough sunflower shots to remind you of the warm sunny days of summer.

Bird food on the stalk...

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A Taxing Issue

2011-09-22T06:07:00.000-05:00

Americans filed 140.5 million 1040s in 2009. Of those returns - 81.9 million Americans (58%) paid taxes totalling $866 billion.

58.6 million of those tax returns (42%) paid no tax. More than two-fifth of America's tax-filers paid nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Source: Internal Revenue Service