Outdoors - Pierce County Journal

The fisher is an animal I have to admire and respect greatly. It fears nothing and spreads its scent around food caches to ward off other predators.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Surf & turf for the fisher

Two weeks ago, I told you about the archery buck I bagged. One week ago, I told you about the fisher that kept feeding off the deer carcass that I purposely left in the woods for the … more

By Dave Beck | 1/11/24

These are the visitors that enjoyed dining on my deer carcass. The fisher made it known he is the king of the predators.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Dining on the trail cam

Last week was about the archery buck I harvested and that’s where we pick up with today’s story. I loaded the buck up and went to a corner of the woods where no hunting takes place … more

By Dave Beck | 1/3/24

Ellsworth resident Randy Brickner and his 8-year-old grandson Matthew Gaard with the 9-point buck he shot with a crossbow.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: 'Twas the night...

I have an early present for you in the form of the best deer hunting story ever. It’s about Randy Brickner of Ellsworth and his 8-year-old grandson Matthew Gaard who are hunting … more

By Dave Beck | 12/20/23

Tuesday, Dec. 6 Gov. Tony Evers signed into law legislation that Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond), along with Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva) and Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) introduced to help the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls reclaim its former status as a premier trout fishing destination.

Legislation to help Kinnickinnic River becomes law

MADISON – Tuesday, Dec. 6 Gov. Tony Evers signed into law legislation that Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond), along with Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva) and Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River … more

12/13/23

A vintage picture of Great Grandpa Jake, second from the right, as he oversees another hunt on the farm near Hudson, Wis.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: ‘Did you have fun?’ Great grandpa’s list

By now the deer seasons are almost over except for the holiday hunt. Several years ago, Big River Rich shared with me how Great Grandpa Jake would gauge his deer hunting season. I am now able … more

By Dave Beck | 12/13/23

Typing my column while muzzleloader deer hunting in the Big River valley is becoming tradition.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Hunting and writing

Last year during the black powder muzzleloader season I wrote a column while deer hunting. Specifically, I was in Big River Rich’s deer hunting stand and to be honest, it’s much nicer and … more

By Dave Beck | 12/7/23

The first shout out of the 2023 Wisconsin Deer Gun Season went to Journal summer intern Andrew Harrington of Ellsworth. Congrats Andrew for being the first one on the board and also for your first buck, an eight-pointer.

PHOTO GALLERY: Pierce County deer harvest shoutouts

Outdoor columnist Dave Beck grants shout outs on his “Outdoor Tales & Trails with Dave Beck” Facebook page to those who submit their game harvest photos to him. Send them to … more

11/30/23

A simple pleasure: drinking a cup of coffee in the woods.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Opening Day

Finally it’s time for my opening day deer hunting report. Travel, editorial schedules, printing deadlines and of course hunting all factored into the delay. Better late than never … more

By Dave Beck | 11/30/23

Prescott School District is looking into selling this 14.6-acre parcel, which Coulee River Trails would like to include in its extensive trail planning. CRT is asking the district to reconsider.

Coulee River Trails group urges school district not to sell land

The Prescott School District received bids earlier this month on a 14.6-acre parcel of land that school officials say is unusable by the school district. However, organizers of the Coulee River … more

By John McLoone | 11/30/23

This legendary buck has made alleged appearances from El Paso to Grange Hall, but no one can seem to track him down.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: A great legend: Fact or fiction

There really isn’t anything to talk about other than deer hunting. To the die hard nine-day warriors, this is the Super Bowl of the outdoor hunting season. It’s the perfect time to tell … more

By Dave Beck | 11/22/23

It's almost time for the plows to hit Pierce County roads.

Pierce County winter maintenance FAQ 2023

Editor’s note: As the inevitable snowstorms of winter draw near, Pierce County Highway Department staff answer frequently asked questions about winter roads in Pierce. Why is … more

By Chad Johnson, Highway Commissioner Travis Hartung, Patrol Superintendent | 11/22/23

I’m taking a survey on my Facebook page. Make sure to cast your vote on which buck you’d prefer to harvest.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Definition of a trophy buck

Welcome to the 2023 Deer Gun Season. Today's topic: Bucks and more bucks. It will be an abbreviated version of OTT because I’m packing up to go hunting. In just a few … more

By Dave Beck | 11/16/23

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The superior buck

It’s archery crunch time and I haven’t said much about it, until now. If history holds true, we are in the middle of the white-tailed deer rut, a/k/a breeding season. In other … more

By Dave Beck | 11/9/23

Results of statewide PFAS sampling in private wells now available

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Friday announced the results of a study conducted to understand the extent of per- and polyfluoroalkyl … more

11/9/23

This map shows the location of Pine Coulee, a 76-acre parcel of land near the Mississippi River that Coulee River Trails and Landmark Conservancy are working on purchasing for preservation goals.

Progress from Coulee River Trails this season

PRESCOTT – It’s been a busy work season for Coulee River Trails partners and volunteers. In April, City of Prescott personnel began making the corridor for the green trail at Magee … more

11/2/23

Outdoor Tales & Trails: I miss musky fishing

It’s the heart of the fall hunting season but I need to take a break from that to tell you about my last musky fishing outing of the year. Well, I really hope that it’s not the last … more

By Dave Beck | 11/2/23

When sighting your firearm, always wear eye and ear protection and make sure others around you have theirs on before shooting.

Sight-in targets, help offered by RFSC

RIVER FALLS – Area hunters are invited to visit the River Falls Sportsmen's Club range in coming weeks to zero-in scopes and refamiliarize with their weapons ahead of Wisconsin's gun deer … more

10/26/23

I hunted for woodcock and grouse with my high school friend Dave and his Small Munsterlander bird dog, Falco, near Moose Junction, Wis.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Woodcocks win again

he walls of my friend Dave’s cabin are lined with notes about past hunts. There are so many things to do when fall rolls around. There are just not enough hours in the day, days in … more

By Dave Beck | 10/26/23

Free deer carcass disposal site offered in RF

The River Falls Sportsman's Club, the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources and City of River Falls are offering deer hunters a safe, local solution for disposal of butchered animal remains during … more

10/26/23

It is important to place and maintain tree stands carefully as you prepare for this upcoming hunting season.

Avoid ash trees when placing deer stands

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cautions hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees this deer hunting season as they start scouting properties. Most ash trees … more

10/26/23