Lions, Turkeys, and Bears . . .Oh My!

Twenty five years ago the sound of a wild turkey gobbling, echoed through the hills of Southwest Wisconsin for the first time since the late 1800’s. A small flock of turkeys were trapped in Missouri and traded for a number of Wisconsin Grouse. Those few birds thrived and now there are thousands of these amazing birds in the hills and valleys of the area.

Fifteen years ago the UPS man came into my Sport Shop and told me he’d seen a cougar crossing the road near Castle Rock Church in Grant County. Later I talked to a Grant County Sheriff, a Doctor and a friend who’d also seen a cougar in the same general area.

A few years ago a black bear denned in Iowa County and was tagged and then followed as it traveled back to the north where it was shot during bear season. Last week a 300 pound black bear was hit by a vehicle in Richland County and killed.

What’s the point? The point is that this part of Wisconsin has some remote valleys, steep hills and deep woods that can support wildlife that is not suppose to be here. The Wisconsin River and its sloughs and the many streams in the area contain every species of fish found in Wisconsin with the exception of salmon. The river bottoms and hills support hundreds of species of birds and waterfowl. We live in a wonderful area and every time you go around a corner you have the potential to say….”Wow, look at that!” How lucky we are to live in this amazing place!

Dan Bomkamp - Author & Host of "How's Fishing"

http://www.southwest-wisconsin-real-estate.com/