MADISON, WI (WDNR) Reports from across Wisconsin indicate that white-tailed deer are now actively in the rut, or their mating season, across the state. Scrapes and rub lines, which white-tail bucks make to mark breeding territory, are now very common. Peak rutting activity should be expected for one to two weeks. This is also the time when vehicle-deer crashes are at their peak, as bucks will actively be pursuing does and will become much less wary. During the rut it is common for deer to be active throughout the day, but peak activity is usually near dawn and dusk, so this is the time when drivers should be especially on the look out for deer suddenly moving across roads.

Fall color is now past peak across most of the state, except for a handful of counties mostly in south central Wisconsin that are still reporting peak colors on the Department of Tourism Fall Color Report (exit DNR).

The open-water fishing season is quickly winding down. Fishing pressure has really dropped off with the colder weather and falling water temperatures. For the first time in weeks, musky fishing could only be termed fair in the north, and walleye success has generally continued to be slow. Anglers have been having success catching small saugers and walleyes below area dams on the Mississippi River.

Along Lake Michigan, unfavorable weather made for a poor fishing week, with few anglers out in boats or fishing harbors and piers this because of rain and wind. Some activity ius still being found in tributaries, with chinook still being reported in some rivers, however, the quality of the salmon has been declining rapidly. Some success continued to be reported on the West Twin, Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers. Chinook, brown trout and steelhead were reported on the Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Root rivers and Oak Creek.\

Waterfowl migrations are going on strong. Waterfowl numbers beginning to peak along the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge, with 250,000-plus canvasback and thousands of tundra swans reported migrating through the area this week. Buffleheads, mergansers, redheads, and ruddy ducks can be seen rafting up along Lake Michigan.

With most of the leaves now down, grouse hunters have been finding birds much easier to see, but a lot of standing corn continues to provide cover for pheasants and deer.

Most state parks and forests are now reporting that water systems for campground showers and flush toilets have been shut down for the season. Some campgrounds only open for summer have closed, but most parks and forests continue to have campsites open with more primitive facilities for those hearty campers who still enjoy getting out in for fall and winter camping. Check the Wisconsin State Park pages [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/findapark.html] of the DNR Web site for more information.