Ice fishing is getting better and anglers from across the state report good catches of bluegill, crappie, walleye and northern pike. Anglers in the southeast are catching steelhead on the Root River and brown trout were biting in the Milwaukee harbor during the recent mild weather. Those hunters who have braved the recent cold weather are enjoying a good late season pheasant and archery deer hunting. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling is good in the Brule, Park Falls, and Eau Claire areas with those areas receiving 6 to 10 inches of new snow. Conditions are either variable or trails remain closed in other areas and travelers should call ahead for local trail reports.
Many areas report they are ready to begin grooming as soon as a little more snow falls.
Vole populations are high in the Crawford County area and the availability of this food source has brought many hawks and kestrels to the area. These birds of prey can be seen hunting in or near grassy fields. Winter birds are grouping at feeders and wild turkeys can be seen in large flocks on southern hillsides in Richland County. The stem can be cut, split, dried and used as kindling in the fireplace. Next spring, if you have access to a chipper, the tree can be chipped and used as mulch in your yard or garden.