Canyon Park Cabin

Canyon Park might be considered “trophy ground” for hunting whitetail deer. It’s ideal for the whitetail, cool clear water running through the canyon with it’s ample cover. On top, farmers fields and neighbors yards to feed on. It’s about perfect for whitetails.

Over the years we have begun to understand a little about the deer herd, mostly by observation. We have had encounters many times with many different deer. There are that many! We are in the CWD zone (none from Canyon Park have tested positive) and happen to think that there are just to many deer for the overall environmental health of Canyon Park. But that’s a different post.

We totally support the idea of the Traditional Deer Season in Wisconsin. We also support the “earn-a-buck” (or at least, work for two deer) idea and utilize it with hunting here. Herd reduction is a primary objective. 

The hunting experiences have been great. I don’t really hunt much but the first time I ever went I was face to face with a perfect ten pointer. He definately knew more about what was going on than I did. Last year two buck were mounted from the property; a 14 point and a ten pointer, just because it was that nice. A couple of years ago, Mitch on his first hunt, shot a seven year old doe (good genetics and ample cover). And other stories, too.

We’ve also come face to face. I’ll never forget this one; my son-in-law Jude’s first visit from New Orleans. We go for a hike around the loop and stop at Four Oaks Point (right next to my hunting spot), there were maybe six people on top of the rock. Kodi, the dog, took off down the trail. Next thing I know I hear something coming up the other side and a really nice ten pointer busts through the saplings and is standing on the rock with us!

And Jude says, “That’s pretty cool”.    

Thanksgiving is booked but the weekends on either side of the holiday are available. If your interested in a comfortable, exciting and challenging hunt let us know.  

I was going to post a bit entitled………… Summer’s Over!

Well, it really is now. A couple of weeks ago, the swampy area in the canyon began to transform. The symplocarpus foetidus (skunk cabbage) begins to wilt and the change is very noticeable. It’s the obvious sign of the fall season.

It’s remarkable because the skunk cabbages are also the first thing you notice in springtime. Initially, they are the first major growth in the park, they are giant and very green. In the spring they are vibrant and just jump out at you. It’s a good thing to see but not so great to smell, they aren’t called skunk cabbages for nothin’. They have a bit of an “off” odor and is only overpowering if you are right in the growing area.

So, summer is over and there are many changes about to take place. And it’s all good. The cool, crisp fall evenings when a campfire isn’t just needed but welcomed. The blue sky days when a couple of clouds float by and the giant white pines make a daytime silhouette. The need to make firewood (we know for sure that it will get even cooler!) for the comfort and security that it will provide. Even the fall rains are welcome, it can be so cold and miserable that all you can do is sit by the fireplace and rest.

Fall is probably the “best” season, it’s the weather and changing colors. Winter the most beautiful because you can see the entire canyon from one vantage point. And then it’s spring, again.

We love to stay out by the campfire until late and watch the stars and planets spin overhead. The skies are very dark and the Milky Way seems so close that you could jump up and touch it.

The view of the horizon in all directions is limited, but we don’t miss much. We’ve seen comets and meteor showers, spectacular northern lights displays, and satellites are easily spotted zipping along overhead.
All of this can be seen with the naked eye, and a good pair of binoculars is the next step tool for beginners and kids. You don’t need a fancy telescope to be an astronomer!

A book that will help you learn the names of the constellations, planets and stars is an essential tool. The internet is a great resource to find out where and when to find objects in the sky. Each new find will lead you on to more discoveries.

After you learn to find your way around, and how to spot interesting objects with your binoculars, the next step is a small telescope. With our inexpensive small telescope, we have observed the Moon, the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, Mars, stars and planets.

The Iowa County Astronomers website is an excellent local resource on Dark Skies and viewing conditions in our area.

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine April 2000 lists many Wisconsin astronomy resources

and The Madison Astronomical Society has a page of links that will keep any novice or expert Astronomer busy for hours!