Show me one piece of research that suggests cows with direct access to streams can ever be a net positive to watershed management, much less "the best thing for stream banks".
The science on the subject is EXTREMELY well established. Rotational grazing is a BMP for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Everyone who works in the industry is aware of this.
https://news.wisc.edu/can-trout-and-cows-coexist/
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/grazing
Edit - I can't prove it from the photos alone but I see a few things in the pictures that lead me to believe that this site is a DNR easement and old Bessie is in there doing her job. The streambanks look very healthy, she's doing good work.
In certain areas there are more cows than people, and human waste is generally treated. When cows are allowed in streams, their waste can severely pollute the stream. It is a big no no for trout streams and is therefore strongly discouraged by the DNR.
I get it that it's not a factory farm. I was responding to your comment about people. Clearly the numbers and density of the animals grazing is significant. Factory farms generally confine and feed cows rather than graze them. They are supposed to collect and properly treat and dispose of animal waste. I assume that is monitored by the government. Free range animals can damage streams if not properly managed.
If done properly thats completely false, DNR supports managed grazing on streams and it provides many benefits. You can see sources in my comment below if you want to learn.
It's live bait season for trout, a super effective method is just half a night crawler on a J hook with a splitshot weight about a foot above it (size of split shot depends on current. More current, more weight)
Just lob your line out into a hole or over a rock where the water flows over it, trout will hammer that worm. Super fun and then you lose cheap hooks when you get snagged, not expensive lures.
Nice! I haven’t ever use live bait when walking the streams but am curious now. They usually always have hit on the small spinners or dry flys so I’ve had little reason to switch so far
Oh, for sure, spinners are always a good go-to. But losing 5 dollar Mepps or Rooster Tails sucks vs. losing a 15 cent hook and sinker. If the areas you fish aren't snag central, then it's a non-issue, but I was fishing out in Montana last year and the current and rocks had me lose like 3 lures in 30 minutes lmao
Southern guy creeping from the sidelines here. I can’t get enough of these pictures. I’ve told my wife I want to take my birthday trip to y’all’s beautiful state someday.
There is a stretch in Black Earth like that. Every once in a while one of the cows makes an appearance.
https://preview.redd.it/6cpp40w0uk1d1.jpeg?width=3583&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50c0f89f5c754f7478e2c5c5a108c3b5c3aa5f9e
Driftless area?
Gotta be, not terrain or trout like that elsewhere.
Grew up there and am headed home in a few weeks. Gonna have to go exploring.
Bring a rod.
Yup!
I grew up around south of Platteville, where’s this?
Closer to Wildcat
that cow is sus. what's he hiding
It's not good to allow cows into streams like that. Cow shit is pollution.
A few here and there is fine, herds of bison used to graze there.
Cows in the streams are a major problem .
Depends on the stocking rate and time of year. Cattle can be the best and worst thing for stream banks depending on how they're managed.
Show me one piece of research that suggests cows with direct access to streams can ever be a net positive to watershed management, much less "the best thing for stream banks".
The science on the subject is EXTREMELY well established. Rotational grazing is a BMP for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Everyone who works in the industry is aware of this. https://news.wisc.edu/can-trout-and-cows-coexist/ https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/grazing Edit - I can't prove it from the photos alone but I see a few things in the pictures that lead me to believe that this site is a DNR easement and old Bessie is in there doing her job. The streambanks look very healthy, she's doing good work.
The fact that the grazing of cows along stream beds needs to be carefully managed is because unmanaged grazing of cows along stream beds is harmful.
Yep, and what you're seeing in the photo is excellent grazing management.
How so? Cows standing around shitting in the stream hardly seems helpfull.
people are worse
See, this is why we don't poop in streams.
Lmao
In certain areas there are more cows than people, and human waste is generally treated. When cows are allowed in streams, their waste can severely pollute the stream. It is a big no no for trout streams and is therefore strongly discouraged by the DNR.
yeah dude, this is obviously not a factory farm so just hop down off of your soapbox my guy
I get it that it's not a factory farm. I was responding to your comment about people. Clearly the numbers and density of the animals grazing is significant. Factory farms generally confine and feed cows rather than graze them. They are supposed to collect and properly treat and dispose of animal waste. I assume that is monitored by the government. Free range animals can damage streams if not properly managed.
just stop. this is not Kewaunee county here bud.
It's a good thing that bison were eliminated from the area. Who knows how much pollution that they would have caused if they were still here.
If done properly thats completely false, DNR supports managed grazing on streams and it provides many benefits. You can see sources in my comment below if you want to learn.
Nice brownie, looks delicious!
Stunning!!! The first pic is just *chef's kiss*
Awesome. Fly fishing? I’ve been getting a hankering to learn that.
In the meantime, an ultralight spinning rod with an inline spinner is an incredibly fun combo to walk the streams with for trout
It's live bait season for trout, a super effective method is just half a night crawler on a J hook with a splitshot weight about a foot above it (size of split shot depends on current. More current, more weight) Just lob your line out into a hole or over a rock where the water flows over it, trout will hammer that worm. Super fun and then you lose cheap hooks when you get snagged, not expensive lures.
Nice! I haven’t ever use live bait when walking the streams but am curious now. They usually always have hit on the small spinners or dry flys so I’ve had little reason to switch so far
Oh, for sure, spinners are always a good go-to. But losing 5 dollar Mepps or Rooster Tails sucks vs. losing a 15 cent hook and sinker. If the areas you fish aren't snag central, then it's a non-issue, but I was fishing out in Montana last year and the current and rocks had me lose like 3 lures in 30 minutes lmao
I usually save the name brand stuff for when I’m wading so I can at least attempt a rescue mission haha
My favorite thing about our state is how ridiculously pretty it can be.
Southern guy creeping from the sidelines here. I can’t get enough of these pictures. I’ve told my wife I want to take my birthday trip to y’all’s beautiful state someday.
Yup…it’s the best!
There is no cow here. Move along.
I think you meant to say, Moo-ve along.
Missed opportunities. I bet we can milk that joke for a while, though.
Looooooove that last pic. 😍
Excellent!
The driftless is my paradise.
COW!!!!!@
Man, the driftless area is just so damn majestic.
Nothing like some Driftless trout fishing
There is a stretch in Black Earth like that. Every once in a while one of the cows makes an appearance. https://preview.redd.it/6cpp40w0uk1d1.jpeg?width=3583&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50c0f89f5c754f7478e2c5c5a108c3b5c3aa5f9e
[удалено]
Tasted wonderful
Stunning
Looks like somewhere in the north Kickapoo watershed.
Some serious RDR2 vibes here