More heavy rain was expected Friday night through early Sunday, which should trigger a massive rush of fresh “kings” into the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers.

Anglers jigging off the river mouths or using spawn and spoons off the piers and in early stages of the larger harbors had been finding occasional success, but things should pick up in the harbors and upstream holes now that water levels are getting a needed boost.

Walleyes, smallmouth bass, pike and perch are drawing anglers to the bay tributaries and Green Bay reefs and flats, and September is a solid time to target panfish, ‘eyes, bass and pike on inland lakes, too.

On the hunting scene, pick your favorite and get after it. There’s deer, grouse, squirrel, rabbits and wild turkey, or bear if you were lucky enough to earn a tag this year.

The youth waterfowl hunt is this weekend. It’s a chance for adult-chaperoned kids ages 15 and under to hunt ducks prior to the regular season opener. Geese are also fair game.

All youths must be accompanied by an adult. Most do it one-on-one, but an adult can chaperone two youths if at least one of them is age 12-15 and hunter education-certified. The mentor can’t hunt ducks, but may hunt geese if properly licensed.

Youths don’t need a license or stamp to hunt ducks and geese during the two days, but must be registered in the free Harvest Information Program.

See all the hunting options available and find a link to rules and regulations at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt.

Hunt and Fish Day

Saturday, Sept. 26, is National Hunting and Fishing Day, a day created to celebrate the hunters, anglers and target shooters that combine to provide millions annually to every state fish and wildlife agency in the country.

Between license fees and excise taxes alone, the sporting community of men, women and youths provides more than $3 billion each year to fish, wildlife and habitat conservation in the United States. That’s roughly 60-80% of total funding for most fish and wildlife agencies.

Every year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources collects more than $75 million directly from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, stamps and permits.

The DNR also received nearly $37 million this year in fish and wildlife restoration funding from federal excise taxes collected on fishing tackle, firearms, ammunition and bows, as well as taxes on motorboat and small-engine fuels. The money is distributed back to the states through grants based on land area and the number of licensed hunters and anglers.

The federal funds don’t just benefit hunters and anglers. The money is also used for public access, habitat management, education and target shooting facilities.

Back to next weekend’s special day. Want a shot at one of 20 Bass Pro Shop gift cards ranging in value from $50 to $500? Get entered by taking an online pledge (https://nhfday.org/pledge/) promising to introduce someone to fishing, hunting or shooting sports. Then submit a selfie, group photo or action shot of you enjoying the outdoors.

New U.S. #1 buck

A whitetail buck taken in November, 1991, has surpassed Wisconsin’s famous Jordan Buck as the highest-scoring typical whitetail deer ever killed in the United States.

Sam Aiuppa was on a pheasant hunting trip to LaSalle County, Illinois, and swapped his birdshot for slugs later in the day to try deer hunting.

The 13-point buck he shot featured a 6x5 typical frame and two abnormal/non-typical points, including a large drop tine. The gross score was 224 7/8, and the net typical was 207 7/8, surpassing the legendary 1914 Burnett County Jordan Buck — a perfect 5x5 — by 1 6/8 inches.

After bringing his trophy home, Aiuppa mounted the antlers on a plaque and stored them in his basement. They remained there for 32 years until an electrician noticed their extraordinary dimensions, most notably eye-guards more than a foot long.

Antler collector James Martin later acquired the rack and had it measured. It now ranks second worldwide behind Milo Hanson’s 213 5/8-inch world record.

Thanks to a generous donation, the Club has waived its $40 entry fee. This removes a key financial barrier to submission.

Grand opening

The grand opening of the Luxemburg Sportsman’s Club’s new 10-station, fully-automated sporting clays course is Sept. 19, with shooting from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be food, drinks, raffles and live music from 7-11 p.m.

All shooters can buy clays at member prices all day. For more info, check out the club’s Facebook page, call (920) 845-5510 or email luxsportsclub@gmail.com.