It's Out There!

DNR Big Game Ecologist Kevin Wallenfang and Pro Ice Angler Jim Kusuda

On this weeks show

Looking back at the 2013 Deer Gun Season with DNR Big Game Ecologist Kevin Wallenfang.

A Wisconsin native hailing from Green Lake, Wallenfang holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and has worked in professional wildlife management for over 20 years. He is currently Wisconsin’s Regional Wildlife Biologist for Pheasants Forever and also spent several years as a biologist and initiative director for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He is not a newcomer to DNR as he previously held the position of assistant big game ecologist before his stints with Pheasants Forever and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“Everyone knows deer management is a real hot-button issue in Wisconsin,” said Wallenfang.
“But that just shows how important it is to our state, both for individuals as hunters and to our economy. I’ve really hated to see the loss of some of the passion that some deer hunters have had in Wisconsin in recent years because of issues like CWD. I’m hoping that together, with the help of hunters and the various groups out there, that we can bring back the excitement and traditions that is missing for some people.”

Also on this weeks show

We will be talking ice fishing techniques, and the outlook for this years ice fishing season with Pro Ice Angler Jim Kusuda.

Jim Kusuda “Mendota Jim” from Madison, WI works the Yahara chain of lakes: Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa.

Contact Info: jim.kusuda@naifc.com

Hobbies: Playing snare drum, Scaring away deer with a bow

Favorite Athlete(s): The Packers!

Favorite Food(s): Pizza with sausage and fresh mushrooms

Favorite Rod/Reel: Rods: I’ve been pretty lucky with Jason Mitchell panfish, meatstick and walleye.

Reels: Shimano Symetre 2500 rear drag with forked handle for deepwater perch. Tica cetus seems decent for panfish combos.

Longrod for specific situations.

Favorite Bait: grubs

Favorite Type of Fishing: ice jigging

Best Fishing Memory as a Child:

Having my dad take me shore fishing after he got home from work. He continued to use a level wind with a steel rod, red and white bobber and heavy fold the ears sinker on dacron line with a snelled hook. I moved quickly to spincast and then a Mitchell 300. He would tell me that if he ever got a big fish on, he would, “Cut the line!” Later when I was in my thirties he confided in me that he often wasn’t using any bait.

Best Fishing Moment:

Fishing from shore when I was about 12 and reeling in a fish after my bobber with a half crawler was down. The water was really clear there and I saw a big, shiny rainbow trout swimming fast, directly in front of me to the right. I thought, “Man, I sure would like to catch something like that!” then I realized that my 8 lb line was sagging behind him and that was the fish that I had on! The line broke as we netted him up and my Dad’s friend woke me up on the way home to enter it in the Capital Times annual fishing contest at a bait store. It won for the month in it’s category, then the year and I got to take my Dad to the free banquet where we got to see the local legends of fishing in Madison. It was my first time having bacon wrapped filet mignon and I got a gift certificate to a sporting goods store. 5 lbs 2 oz. 24 1/2 inches long. And now the worst: The evening that I caught the rainbow, my two older sisters burned it in the oven while incidentally making it before supper. It meant nothing to them. I was mad. That’s it.

About Me: I am a Wisconsin DNR Angler Ed Instructor.