Why Can’t I Find Wisconsin Lake Property Close to Home?

May 7th, 2008

 

Dear Farmer Smith,

 

 

How come it’s so hard to find a large lake that I can run my boat on that’s not way up north?

 

Thanks in advance, Will Waterski

 

Dear Will,

 

It’s been good while since I sat in that little one room schoolhouse that I went to, but let me pull out some basic arithmetic on you.  80% of Wisconsin’s lakes are in the northern part of the state; and, of Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes, 13,000 are less than fifty surface acres, therefore no-wake lakes.  If I divide the numerator of boatable lakes by the denominator of southern Wisconsin lakes that leaves you with only about 400 lakes that are “not way up north”.

 

But, you’d better act fast, there’re well over three million people in Chicago and Milwaukee alone, and more than a couple of’em are also looking for lake property

 

See you on the lake, Farmer Smith

 

Slain Illinois Cougar Came from Wisconsin

May 2nd, 2008

There have long been unsubstantiated rumors of cougar sightings in Wisconsin, ’bar talk’ as the grapevine is know in these parts, but now it is a proven fact.  Sadly, our only cougar crossed the border into Illinois where he met his demise.  Too bad he didn’t take a left at McHenry and head up north.

Here’s a link to the article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-cougarautopsy,0,4441738.story

Here’s an interesting take on the ‘cougar-cide’: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=746216

And, for some real good info about cougars in Wisconsin browse around the excellent WI DNR site: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/mammals/cougar/index.htm

If and when you get up this way we can’t promise you’ll witness your own cougar sighting, but we’ll give you a good shot at seeing eagles, deer, porcupines, otters, muskrat . . .

Wisconsin Cougar

Sad News: ‘Chicken Dance’ King Dies

May 2nd, 2008

If you’ve ever experienced a classic Wisconsin wedding you’ve either witnessed or participated in a polka known as the ‘Chicken Dance’.  While this dance is often seen in other parts of the country, the Chicken Dance is a mandatory ritual of getting hitched in Wisconsin.

If you ever get invited to a wedding in Wisconsin here’s how it goes: Read the rest of this entry »

Land Values Jump 11% to 22% Across Upper Midwest

April 2nd, 2008

March 4, 2008 by Mike Walsten, www.agweb.com

Land values roared 22% to 30% across South Dakota in 2007, according to the most recent quarterly survey of agricultural bankers in the state. That eye-blinking surge leads the pack of breath-taking gains reported across the upper Midwest for 2007 by the Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis and Chicago. The Fed banks survey ag bankers each quarter, asking them a host of questions concerning ag loans, credit conditions and land values. The most recent survey covers the period ending December 31, 2007.

Values surged 16% across northern Illinois, northern Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, the region served by the Chicago Fed bank. Lenders responding to the survey noted values rose by 6% in the fourth quarter alone. Leading the Chicago district was Iowa, with bankers there saying values jumped 18% in 2007 and 6% during the fourth quarter. Indiana bankers said values rose 16% while Illinois and Michigan bankers reported a 15% gain in 2007. Wisconsin posted the smallest increase at 11%.

Values exploded 16% to 20% across Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and northwesten Wisconsin, the region served by the Minneapolis Fed bank. The bank says values rose the greatest in South Dakota (up 22% for dryland and 30% for ranchland) and the slowest in Montana, up 5% and 3% respectively.

Read article in it’s original format here:

http://www.agweb.com/Blogs/BlogPost.aspx?PID=89b7b4f0-ae27-4b83-b21c-4e3e44790aec

Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Recreation Facts

March 14th, 2008

Just for fun, here are some interesting recreation facts about Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers.

Northeast Wisconsin Lakes Recreation

Wisconsin Fish & Fishing

  • Wisconsin lakes and rivers are habitat to 159 fish species in 27 families.

  • 145 of these species are native to the state; 14 are introduced non-native species.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why can’t I find a few acres sitting all alone?

March 6th, 2008

Dear Farmer Smith,

I want just a few acres surrounded by national forest.  How do I find property like this?

Thanks, I.M. Urban

Dear I.M.,

Yup, a few acres surrounded by national forest would be nice; no neighbors, no roads, no electric, no telephone, none of this newfangled internet.  But, unless a few acres means a more expensive 40 acres, 80 acres, or more, it’s not gonna happen.

One hundred and fifty years ago when the first government surveyors came through these parts they weren’t in the habit of cornering off a little bitty five acre tract for some guy that hadn’t even been born yet.  Those early surveyors used compasses and chains to section off square miles, 640 acres.  People could buy, or homestead, 40 and 80 acre and larger tracts; sixteen forties in a square mile.

If you’re used to living in the city a few neighbors ain’t gonna bother you.  Heck, you can all share the cost of running in a road and some power for the missus’ blow dryer.

See ya up north, Farmer Smith

Farmer Smith

Albino Moose Sighting

March 2nd, 2008

These photos of an extremely rare sighting of not one but TWO albino moose were taken just north of Wisconsin’s border with the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

 Albino Moose North Wisconsin

More photos . . . Read the rest of this entry »

Presidential Election 2008 & Fishing in Wisconsin

February 26th, 2008

It’s often been said that one shouldn’t mix politics and real estate.  I couldn’t agree more.  However, there’s an issue that both parties can agree on: ‘Fishing in Wisconsin is fun.’  Here’s a look back on some of the former Presidents of the United States that have sought a break from the rigors of the office and found respite on the waters of northern Wisconsin: Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower.

 Grover Cleveland Fishing

  • GROVER CLEVELAND

Read the rest of this entry »

Good Ol’ Fashioned Wisconsin Winter

February 23rd, 2008

It’s been a long, snowy winter in Northeast Wisconsin, even for us Wisconsinites that have lived here all our lives.

Wisconsin Snowbank

But somehow or other we’ll get through. . .

Read the rest of this entry »

Why can’t I find some cheap land to buy from some farmer?

February 19th, 2008

Dear Farmer Smith,

Why can’t I find some cheap land to buy from some farmer?

Sincerely, Buck Hunter

Dear Buck,

I can’t tell you how many times people have asked me about buying some of my land, and for cheap.  First of all, this land has been in my family for years and I’m kind of partial to it.  And, the land is where I make a little money to pay the bills for the fuel, the seed, equipment and taxes.  If I’m lucky I have a little bit left over to buy something nice for the missus.  If I sell a little piece to you I still have the same overhead with less land to make money on.

Besides, why in the world would you want to build your up north getaway in the same open field where I run my tractors and equipment before dawn and often into the night?  Wait until you get a whiff of the manure spreader in action!

Good hunting, Farmer Smith

Farmer Smith