WJFW-TV Rhinelander: Gov. Walker Hits the Woods, Reflects on Year
PRESQUE ISLE - Wisconsin residents weren't the only ones eager to take to the woods for the opening of gun season.
Governor Scott Walker enjoys the time-honored tradition of spending opening weekend of gun season in the Northwoods. But his hunting habit didn't begin quite as traditionally as other hunters.
"I didn't hunt as a kid. My dad and grandpa didn't hunt, so I picked it up later in life, but some good friends; part of it is just enjoying time with them," says Gov. Walker.
The Governor says the peace and tranquility is what keeps him coming back to the Northwoods.
"For me, obviously with a bit of a busy life normally at the capitol, it's kind of nice to just be up here and be in touch with God's great earth," says Gov. Walker.
As the year comes to a close it's that tranquility that helps Governor Walker reflect on how eventful the year's been in Wisconsin politics.
"Wisconsin faced both an economic and a fiscal crisis; big budget deficit; huge challenges having lost almost 150,000 jobs the last three years. And so I said we couldn't wait, we couldn't defer the problem," says Gov. Walker.
The Governor says making long-term reforms and balancing the budget were the biggest accomplishments of his year...but he also says there were things he could have done better.
"For us I kind of came in like a small business owner and tried to fix things right away. I probably should have spent some more time explaining it in greater detail. If I had it to do over again I'd probably spend more time doing that," says Gov. Walker.
But for now Governor Walker is keeping his eyes on the woods, hoping to land a deer.
"I love being outdoors quite a bit. It's just kind of fun getting outside and on a Sunday, it's your own little cathedral out here," says Gov. Walker.
As for next year, the Governor says they've done a lot, but they still have a long way to go.
Governor Walker also says he's looking forward to the Deer Trustee's report due in spring, so hunters can continue to have an enjoyable hunt that's become so much a part of Wisconsin's heritage.
