Originally Posted By rfb45colt:
I'm halfway between Eagle River & Nicolet Natl Forest to the east of town.

Originally Posted By illini52:

Small world.  I miss Twelve Pines pizza.

Originally Posted By DirtyDirk:



the forest maturing does the same thing.

I have been grouse hunting mostly west (along old B as an example) of Land O' Lakes since the early '70's, not nearly as much clear cuts as there used to be. Many of the areas we used to hunt are too over grown and hold no birds.

no birds = no deer

Originally Posted By rfb45colt:


LOL... so the deer moved from one "mature" forest (Nicolet) to another mature forest (Township  of Washington) where I live? There's no immature forest here. No clear cuts for deer browse. When trees get cut down it's to make room for another home to be built. But the deer are still here in numbers never seen before. Forest maturing does do it, no arguments, but it's more of a gradual thing that occurs over time. It doesn't happen in just a few years. Deer numbers in Nicolet fell of the charts in 3-4 short years, and at the same time, they exploded just 3 miles away in semi-populated areas. A maturing forest cannot explain the suddeness of it, as both have matured equally. if anything, the natl forest has had more cutting than the private lands adjacent to it. The only explanation is deer went from one area to another one close by... en masse. Why? Maturity of forest and weather were indentical in both areas. People do still feed them, but it's been illegal here for a few years, and the local warden is very aggressive at enforcing the ban, so feeding is way down. Cost of feed has risen too. The only common denominator is wolves are there, but not here, and deer are not stupid.  

Logging is ongoing in Nicolet where we hunt right now. Has been for several years. Grouse numbers have been very good for quite a few years in a row. I keep waiting for the crash to the down cycle, but it's way overdue. I bump birds almost every bear baiting trip... saw 2 juveniles just this morning, and there were probably more in that flock as they likely haven't dispersed yet. Cover was thick, but 2 flew right across the road in front of my Jeep when they jumped up.

Vilas County Forestry has done extensive logging west of Eagle River and in the Conover area for the past 15- 20 years. They manage it for wildlife very well. Areas that get overgrown in time are replaced by other areas being freshly logged. They try to keep a certain percentage of cutting, and allowing forests reaching maturity. They deal with far less politics (tree huggers) locally than in state, and especially, federal levels. There too, bird numbers are as high as I've ever seen them. I heard a lot of drumming while turkey hunting there this spring.


edit to add: I had a safe opening job just yesterday west on B, out by Bents Camp. Saw a nice bear on the way there, it was crossing B near Black Oak Lake. Saw 2 grouse on the way back home. Those were adult birds, right near Hwy S.

Originally Posted By 9divdoc:


Heck you were near Bent's could have bought you breakfast at the Pine Cone in LOL

Next time you out on S let me know...show you the lake lot and the old estate it's on...

Think you nailed it on the deer refugee status into human habitation...for now wolves do not like being too close to humans...that is changing like it does with all animals...

Food and shelter from predators is the ultimate re-enforcer for behavior.

And as they yard up in large herds their likelihood of transmitting disease to each other increases
and the very thing the DNR goes after us mortals for encouraging by feeding birds in winter...

We will be spending a lot of time out in that area after labor day...got 7 acres to clear and helping the new neighbors clearing theirs as well...be interesting to see how many deer show up...vs wolves...

Did come on a kill site few days ago just off of the Tower Lake,White Spruce and 9 Web intersect.

Originally Posted By rfb45colt:


Yeah I also miss the broasted chicken dinners they had when Les Kadlec owned it. But, the pizza isn't gone, it just moved down the highway a half mile west to The Heid Out. Same recipe, same makers, new location.

Originally Posted By rfb45colt:


Have you ever been to Bent's Camp restaurant & bar? Best Bloody Marys around, and the food was fantastic last time I ate there (but it has been quite a few years). It was one of my favorite "pit stops" while trail riding on my snowmobile (which I quit doing about 15 years ago). The walls & ceiling are covered in birch bark. I do believe it's the original wall paper, and it was built in about 1896. Pretty cool looking...but if that place ever caught on fire, I'd probably see the flames from Eagle River.

Originally Posted By illini52:

  Place we stay at is on Voyageur Lake.  

Originally Posted By rfb45colt:


And the 'small world' just got way smaller...

Originally Posted By illini52:

Good to know, thanks!   Place we stay at is on Voyageur Lake.  Just looked up the Heid Out.  I remember when it was some Italian place, Michaels I think.

Originally Posted By illini52:
Family place is on south side of the lake.  Been going up for almost 35 years and seen a lot of places come and go, which seems to be northwoods standard.   I'm still mad that the Trading Post on Main St. is gone.  Bought a lot of slingshots and cap guns there during the early 90s .  Plus the fish tank in the wall and the naked lady pens in the window were always entertaining.