The best time of the year for bow and crossbow hunters is upon us, but if you drive through deer country or run an insurance agency during the rut, you may not be smiling.

The rut is simply the whitetail deer’s mating season. While there are actually a couple times when bucks chase does in heat, the primary rut in our area starts around Nov. 1 and continues for a week or two. There is a secondary rut in December.

They were there three years ago as freshmen, and they’ll be back as seniors.

Gillett’s Bradyn Wendorff and Bonduel’s Mariah Wondra are heading back to the WIAA State Cross Country Championships after placing third and first in their respective races at a Division 3 sectional Oct. 25 in Rosholt.

Two area football teams picked up road wins over higher seeds in the first round of the WIAA state football playoffs.

Pulaski handed Milton a 23-20 loss Oct. 24 in a Division 2 matchup in Milton, while Wittenberg-Birnamwood headed to Brookfield and returned home with a 42-12 Division 5 win over Brookfield Academy.

A long drive to a sectional meet turned out to be worthwhile for a pair of area cross country teams and an individual runner.

Kewaunee handed the Bonduel football team its only Packerland Conference loss of the season.

Nearly two months after that 14-7 defeat, the Bears are getting another crack at the Storm.

Bonduel opened the WIAA state playoffs Oct. 24 with a 49-21 win over St. Mary Catholic in a Level 1 matchup of Division 6 teams.

Kewaunee, a No. 1 seed, also opened the playoffs with a win, as the Storm beat Marathon 36-6.

The Red Raiders shut out Ashwaubenon 3-0 on Oct. 23 to advance to the Division 1 regional championship game at No. 3 seed West De Pere on Oct. 25.

Pulaski, seeded No. 6, beat Ashwaubenon, seeded 11th.

Bonduel 3, Oconto 0

The No. 7 seeded Bears upset No. 2 Oconto 3-0 in the regional semifinal. Bonduel will play No. 3 Peshtigo for the regional title Oct. 25.