The rut is in full swing and bow-deer hunters are not only smiling but beginning to take some large bucks.

The deer mating season began in earnest last weekend. Bucks are chasing does day and night. While bow hunters usually find their best success during early morning or late afternoon hours, they are getting shooting opportunities throughout day.

Duck hunters, on the other hand, are finding mixed success.

Waterfowl hunting has been spotty with some hunters having moderate to good success and others having little or no success. There are substantial numbers of geese and puddle ducks holding in Wisconsin and Minnesota. More diving ducks are arriving on Mississippi River pools each day, including canvasbacks.

Pheasant hunters are struggling to find birds, even though pheasants are being stocked on larger Wisconsin state properties. Hunters are complaining that most pheasants fly straight into standing corn when flushed.

Fishing success also continues to be up and down, depending upon the wind.

Scott Gartner, at Bob's Bait and Tackle on French Island, said the fishing is good for certain species.

"Walleye and sauger fishing has still been good, plus the crappie and bass action has remained pretty steady," he said Tuesday. "Look for bass in their wintering holes. Use jerk baits or swim baits to catch larger fish."

Crappies are being caught on minnows as well as jigs and plastics, according to Gartner. He said walleyes are hitting on many different rigs, although a jig with a minnow is still the top seller.

"However, don't forget about river rigs, One Eye Jacks, blade baits or jigging Rapalas," Gartner said. "Fish near heavy current, but in slack water near eddies."

Northern pike action remains decent. Spinner baits have been the most effective, according to Gartner. He also reported perch being caught around boat docks and near deeper water.

Fishing is even better farther down river, according to Mark Clements, at Clements Fishing Barge in Genoa.

"Fishing was great last weekend, Clements said on Monday. "Yesterday, I actually had some fishermen tell me they got tired catching fish. What is up with that? How can you ever get tired catching fish?"

Clements said lots of sauger and many keeper-sized walleyes were taken.

"Weeds haven't been as big a problem and it's been very easy to fish," he said. "Many walleyes and sauger were coming in on minnows. Hair jigs and floaters are still working well, too. With this higher water for fall, fishing should be tremendous all month."

Meanwhile, winter birds continue to arrive in the Coulee Region, including white-throated and white-crowned sparrows and juncos.

Karen Perry, at Wild Birds Unlimited in La Crosse said she saw her first red-breasted nuthatch. She has also watched purple finches which can be confused or mistaken with house finches.

"Some identification tips are the female purple finches stand out from the female house finch by virtue of a bold white stripe over each eye and another pair of white stripes running back from the mouth like muttonchops whiskers," Perry said. "She is as stunning looking as a female rose-breasted grosbeak."

Perry said the male purple finch is not purple, but a beautiful raspberry red, and unlike house finches, the color varies throughout their bodies.

"My newest addition and becoming my favorite feeder in my yard is a wonderful tray window feeder," she said. "Coming to it daily are cardinals, chickadees, titmice, blue jays, white-breasted nuthatches, goldfinches, house finches and an occasional white-throated sparrow. It's fun to watch them up close. The grandchildren love it, and it's a nice way to teach them about birds."

.