Amber Fogeltanz was deer hunting on opening day near her home in the Menchalville area.

The day was starting to wind down when she saw a large buck coming into range.

The deer stopped behind some trees and stood there for several minutes.

Amber waited for the buck to make his move, and when he stepped clear, she squeezed off the shot.

She made a perfect heart shot with her Blackout AR15 rifle chambered in .300. It was lights out, as the big buck hit the ground and never moved.

That was when the work started, but she had plenty of family members to help her get the buck out of the woods.

The buck weighed in at 190 pounds and had 15 points with a 20-inch inside spread.

It had been seven years since Amber shot her last buck, but the wait was worth it when she got this great trophy.

Read last week’s column:Christmas at Sinawa is Dec. 7-8, bear season results & more Manitowoc outdoors news

Deer season accompanied by biting wind

Last week as I was sitting in my deer stand waiting for the elusive white tail to show up, I was listening to the 10 to 20 mph winds blowing through the treetops.

The wind was biting at my left side, so I reached up to pull my stocking cap down a little tighter before sticking my hands back into the hand warmer tube.

Even the squirrels weren’t out doing their normal chattering.

About that time, a flock of Canada geese flew by honking all the way. I thought, if I had that capability of flight, I would head south to much warmer climates.

OK, back to reality, as I am now hoping the muzzleloader season will treat us a bit kinder than this.

Fish & Game meets Dec. 11

Manitowoc Unit of Fish & Game’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Manitowoc Gun Club.

The speaker will be Isaack Hacket, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources marine warden. He will be updating the club on enforcement issues and coverage in the area. There will also be time for questions and discussions.

The group will also discuss the recent deer season and their experiences.

December marks the election of officers and directors for the club. Candidates can be nominated from the floor at the meeting. Terms are one year and help to guide the business and activities of the organization.

A brief presentation of the Mantyfg.com website that will launch in January will also be part of the meeting. The website will feature a totally new look, more visuals and better content for accessing area resources.

Check out Lights in Lincoln Park

Lights in Lincoln Park is here! Now in its 13th year, the light show continues to grow and promises to be better than ever.

The show has become a holiday tradition for families in Manitowoc and the surrounding area, with many visiting the show several times each year.

With more than 90 light displays winding through 1 mile of wooded park road, this is an attraction that can’t be missed.

The light show features a variety of wildlife displays, including aquatic and avian creatures, along with animals native to North America and Africa.

There are also drive-through light arches and several other spectacular lighting effects.

Lights in Lincoln Park begins at the fieldhouse on Lincoln Boulevard just off Waldo Boulevard. The dates of the main drive-thru event are every night Dec. 12-29. Hours are 5-8 p.m. and admission is a donation of $5 per vehicle.

All funds generated by this event help the Lincoln Park Zoological Society in its mission to make improvements at the zoo and enhance the quality of life for the animals.

Be sure to take part in some of the special events throughout the course of the light show:

• Family Fun Walk: Enjoy the light show on foot for a truly unique experience. This is a great way to take in all the sights at your own pace as you make your way through serene Lincoln Park from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 30. Admission is a donation of $5 per adult or $10 per family.
• Santa Nights: Visit Santa in Cabin 1 every Friday before Christmas. Enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate. Take your camera and take photos of your little ones sharing Christmas wishes with Santa Dec. 13 and 20. Free to all.

Holiday events:Manitowoc holiday events guide: Lights in Lincoln Park, Breakfast at the North Pole & more

Squirrels & Cones focus of next Raising a Wild Child

Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve in Two Rivers will present Raising a Wild Child: Squirrels & Cones from 10:45 a.m. to noon Dec. 12.

Members are $2 per child and non-members are $3 per child. The Raising a Wild Child series is geared toward ages 2-5 and includes nature hikes, play and guided activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For this event, dress for the weather as a majority of the program takes place outdoors.

Registration is required by the Monday before the session and space is limited. To register, email Jess at [email protected] or call 920-793-4007.

Reminder: Christmas at Sinawa is Dec. 7

The 33rd annual Christmas at Sinawa is from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per carload, which includes all activities. Food, drinks and raffle tickets will be for sale.

Wander through 14 decorated cabins along candlelit trails. Warm up around roaring bonfires, take a wagon ride through the woods, visit with Santa, and enjoy dinner and snacks in the warm lodge.

Camp Sinawa is at 9113 Sinawa Road, 4 miles south of Valders. Visit campsinawa.com for the complete calendar of events.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.