Last weekend’s blistering heat was enough to lower expectations and participation in the two major hunt seasons that opened; deer archery and grouse. With temps near 90 most would be hunters took the weekend off; better days are yet to come and both seasons run long enough that to miss the first few days is not a catastrophe.

This weekend things should be better as cooler weather sets the stage to a more realistic level than a week ago. Granted, leaf cover is still thick and bird hunting will be limited by that simple fact. Woodcock season starts up this weekend but they, along with grouse, will be difficult to see in the thickness. Give it a few weeks and times will be better.

Archers will have a better opportunity as stand hunters can clear shooting lanes and thus be better prepared for a shot. Deer numbers are decent and hunt conditions should be more welcoming this weekend.

The bottom line to all this is that the heat of last weekend will dissipate this week and better hunt conditions will prevail.

Water temperatures are above average and fishing is slow for the most part.  Cooler temperatures will spur better fishing action for the big two: Walleyes and muskies.  For now they are both in deeper water but should begin to disperse more in the shorter days and cooler water to come. We did have several reports of very good panfish action with bluegills and perch leading the charge. The sharp cold front forecast for mid week will slow things down but fishing should be better for the weekend.

We hope we’ve seen the last of the summer heat and that last weekend was the last hurrah of a too-hot summer with 90 degrees far too common and 80s having become the new norm for this summer. Cooler weather is on the way and with it better conditions for fall hunt and fish seasons.

The Outdoor Report is provided by the staff at Mel’s Trading Post, downtown Rhinelander.