Outdoors - Pierce County Journal

Severe flooding along the Mississippi River has prompted City of Cottage Grove officials to close the bridge and causeway leading to Lower Grey Cloud Island.

Severe river flooding leads to bridge and causeway closure in Cottage Grove

Due to recent heavy rainfall and rising river levels, the City of Cottage Grove has announced the closure of the bridge and causeway to Lower Grey Cloud Island to ensure public safety. This closure … more

6/28/24

When my Grandpa Wally died, my brother and I bought his entire lure collection at auction and split it down the middle.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Trout fishing novice or expert?

I’m still waiting for the water to warm up and for the muskies to get more active but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been fishing. I’ve been on a trout fishing binge, that … more

By Dave Beck | 6/27/24

Winners of the Prescott Community Club’s 27th annual Kids Free Fishing Contest, which took place June 1.

2024 Prescott Community Club fishing contest is success!

PRESCOTT – Fun was had by all at the 27 th annual Prescott Community Club's Kids Free Fishing Contest on Saturday, June 1. The young anglers and their friends came early for the best fishing … more

6/26/24

I am an official Wisconsin Certified Trapper and I couldn’t be prouder.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Officially a trapper

I know that we are in the heart of the fishing season and I should be telling you all about the fish that I have been catching, or at least trying to catch, but I am interrupting it to make a MAJOR … more

By Dave Beck | 6/20/24

Dawson Sotona, age 5, Spring Valley, was one of the youth winner’s at the Eau Galler Rush River Sportsman’s Club’s 48th annual trout fishing contest May 4. The fish weighed 1.65 pounds and was 16 inches long.

Eau Galle Rush River Sportsman’s Club: 48 years of trout contests

It was a beautiful day on May 4, 2024 for the opening day trout fishing contest at the Ellsworth Rod & Gun Clubhouse. It rained all day. Without the nice warm place to go into, it would have been … more

By Lin Linder | 6/12/24

An engineering technician from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) stands on the rim of a sinkhole in Pierce County.

Pierce County Land Conservation Department developing sinkhole map

ELLSWORTH - Sinkholes develop when the ground collapses into cracks and caverns that have formed below the ground surface. Formation of sinkholes is common in western Wisconsin because of the readily … more

6/12/24

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Reverse Father’s Day

My daughter Mattie and I have had many outdoor adventures, from fishing to hunting to ‘shrooming to shed hunting. They are memories I will never forget. Happy Father’s Day! I … more

By Dave Beck | 6/12/24

New name, same mission: Hope for Creation changing name to Hope for Earth

RIVER FALLS – Hope for Creation, a sustainability-focused organization based in River Falls, has changed its name to Hope for Earth. The organization’s mission to create a … more

6/5/24

Pheasant Backs, Ramps and Watercress are delicious items you can forage in a Wisconsin woods or stream this time of year. Add some variety to your kitchen!

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Forage Month comes to a close

I know that the calendar has flipped to June but because the musky season opener interrupted Forage Month I need to back up the truck and close out that topic. I have written about morel mushrooms, … more

By Dave Beck | 6/5/24

Water rushing under a bridge over Lost Creek at 450th Avenue.

GALLERY: Stormy weather brings high water levels and rushing rivers

A string of storms Tuesday, May 21 dumped several inches of rain on Pierce County, leaving area rivers and streams overflowing their banks. more

5/29/24

Outdoor Tales & Trails: A musky fisherman at heart

It’s supposed to be the last week of Forage Month but it is going to be pre-empted by the musky fishing season opener which started on Saturday. If I had to limit myself to one outdoor … more

By Dave Beck | 5/29/24

Wild asparagus can be found along roadsides and fields, where it loves to be warmed by the direct sun.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: An ‘atta boy’ for asparagus

Welcome to Forage Month, Week 3. This week’s special guest? Let’s give a huge PCJ/OTT shout out to (drum roll) … asparagus! It’s the second most popular … more

By Dave Beck | 5/22/24

Tis the season for Wisconsin’s springtime gold, morel mushrooms. Don’t give your spot away to other hunters.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The 411 on morels

Outdoor Tales and Trails Spring Forage Month continues. This week’s special guest? Clap your hands together and give a shout out for Wisconsin’s springtime gold: the morel … more

By Dave Beck | 5/15/24

Fiddleheads grown on the forest floor and taste like a cross between asparagus, broccoli, spinach and green beans. Their harvest window is tight; they are delicious when sauteed in butter or olive oil.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: Fiddlehead hunting

Another season has slipped in just like a gentle rain. Actually, the rain has a lot to do with the new season: Spring forage season. My last round of intel, a fancy way to say that I … more

By Dave Beck | 5/8/24

CWD has been found in a Pierce County deer, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

DNR confirms CWD in wild deer in Pierce County

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms the first positive test result for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer in Pierce County. The deer was sick … more

5/8/24

If you find a fawn lying still and quiet, leave it alone, even if it appears sick or injured. Leave the area and do not go near the spot again.

Keep wildlife wild: Know what to do if you find a fawn

MADISON – Spring is baby animal season in Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public to leave fawns alone while they’re out exploring the … more

5/1/24

My first day out turkey hunting, I realized I had forgotten my turkey shotgun.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: The three jakes

It’s a great time of year: The weather worm has finally turned and best of all, spring turkey hunting is here! I had pretty good action on each hunt, except for the very first day which … more

By Dave Beck | 5/1/24

Outdoor Tales & Trails: A rookie mistake

It’s turkey hunting eve for me and I’m getting my gear ready in the hopes that the weather forecast is wrong. It’s supposed to rain, and not just a little, but a … more

By Dave Beck | 4/24/24

St. Croix Valley Foundation launches environmental grants

St. Croix Valley Foundation’s (SCVF) brand new Environmental Grants will support environmental education and the promotion, protection, and restoration of the natural resources and character of … more

4/24/24

While walking in the woods after the last snowfall, I came upon clues that a bird of prey had gotten its dinner.

Outdoor Tales & Trails: A scene in the snow

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I don’t have to add a single letter for this one. That being said, less is sometimes more and that’s why this week I am going to come in under … more

By Dave Beck | 4/17/24