By Kevin Naze
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – Outdoor lovers can swap stories and check out the latest equipment and trophy big game and fish mounts at a trio of trade shows in the area.
There are more than a dozen major shows in the state this winter, including the WBAY RV and Camping Show Jan. 27-30 at the Resch Expo Center.
Get the details by CLICKING HERE.
The Green Bay Boat Show is at the Resch Feb. 4-6, and later in the month, Feb. 25-27, the Wisconsin State Hunting Expo and Safari Club Hunter Expo team up to pack the Expo Center.
Get more information at newisci.org/hunters_expo.html and wisconsinstatehuntingexpo.com, respectively.
Sturgeon spearing
If you purchased your license last fall, nobody needs to tell you that “opening day” of one of Wisconsin’s greatest winter traditions is Feb. 12.
That’s when the 2022 sturgeon spearing season on the Winnebago system opens.
Hundreds of applicants were drawn for a tag for the upriver lakes, while thousands of others will be limited to Winnebago itself.
The season runs a maximum of 16 days or until any one of the harvest caps is met.
Again this year, registration stations will be operated as drive-thru only due to ongoing COVID-19 issues.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for spearers to submit photos that tell a story.
You can share yours by CLICKING HERE.
Photos can be spearers with their catch, cutting in, shanty life, scenic views observed during the season or anything else that captures the spearing tradition.
County deer plans
While some area counties are still wrapping up an extended bow and crossbow hunt (through Jan. 31), early planning is already underway for this fall’s hunts.
County Deer Advisory Councils (CDAC) are setting up dates for late March for preliminary season structure recommendations.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 issues, DNR Deer Program Specialist Jeff Pritzl said the meetings will be virtual (Zoom or phone) for the third straight year.
By mid-March, the Deer Metrics System will be updated with current data for review before the first CDAC meeting.
Preliminary county recommendations must be made by April 1.
The public can provide feedback for a week in mid-April before the final CDAC meetings in late April or early May.
Anyone interested in learning more about the county councils can visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt/cdac.
Wild turkey leftovers
If you want a fourth-period leftover spring wild turkey bonus permit for Zone 2, you’ll need to be quick on the trigger – or lucky – to snag one when they go on sale March 22 at 10 a.m.
Only 23 leftovers are available for Period D.
The odds are better at landing a fifth- or sixth-period tag.
More than 7,700 bonus tags are available for Period E and more than 8,100 for Period F.
The limit is one per customer.
Any remaining after that will go on sale March 26 at 10 a.m., with a limit of one per day until sold out.
The first seven-day hunt period runs April 20-26; the last, May 25-31.
This year’s youth hunt is April 16-17.
Free bird webinar
Birding enthusiasts can join experts to brush up on bird identification, unlock the mystery of bird songs and practice counting birds no matter how large the flock or busy the feeder with a free online webinar at 1 p.m. Feb. 16.
The event precedes the 25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) Feb. 18-21, an opportunity to join thousands of people around the world in checking out what you can see in a 15-minute look out the window.
Data can be entered with your computer or by using the Merlin Bird ID or eBird Mobile apps.
To learn more, CLICK HERE.
Weekly water levels
As of Jan. 21, Lake Michigan was 39 inches higher than the record monthly low set in 2013 and 28 inches below the monthly high, set in 2020.
Lake levels dropped 20 inches in the past 12 months, including 5 inches since Dec. 21.
Overall, water levels are still 10 inches above the 100-year monthly average.
Sports editor’s note: To read another In the Outdoors column by Kevin Naze, CLICK HERE.