Author Topic: Greetings From Northern Wisconsin (Read 26811 times)

stickbow95 · « **on:** December 26, 2013, 08:59:19 pm »

Howdy all!

I am exploring beekeeping for the first time. In other words, I have no idea where to begin besides knowing that in order to keep bees one needs um, well bees, and a place for them to live and do their thing...

My interest in beekeeping originally began from the need for a source of honey to supply my mead making habit. (Not too many good honey sources here in Northern WI).
Upon further reading and research I am finding that I am becoming interested in beekeeping as more than just a source of honey. It just seems like an excellent pursuit of something that can be both beneficial and rewarding.

So, since I am the type of person that tries to educate myself to the best of my ability before I jump into something, I signed up here and am looking forward to learning all that I can.

Thanks everyone.

Ben

Finally Home · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2013, 09:09:40 pm »

Welcome Ben,
First year myself and this is by far the best hobby I've ever had. From what I've seen here you'll learn all you need from this group.
Enjoy yourself

riverbee · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2013, 09:10:24 pm »

greetings ben and WELCOME!!!! another wisconnie beek, yay!!!!

like fin said......enjoy!!!!

Perry · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2013, 09:15:14 pm »

Hi Ben, and Welcome!
This is the place to hang out and learn. This is actually a great time of year to get started. Read, ask questions, watch youtube videos, ask more questions, hang out here, ask more questions. LOL
We like helping here, it helps others that may be too shy to ask, and keeps the rest of us on our toes.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2013, 09:22:07 pm »

Welcome Ben!!
Beekeeping confused me at first.. so MANY different people doing things...... DIFFERENTLY!! Listening to Mrs River (AKA SQUIRT) wont lead you wrong since shes in your neck of the woods!! Feel free to post your questions!! Now is Beekeeping Downtime.. we all need something to talk about to keep from going crazy or PEEKING when its this cold!!!

G3farms · « **Reply #5 on:** December 26, 2013, 09:41:05 pm »

Welcome to the forum Ben!

Good place here to learn a thing or three.
Winter is a good time for reading and putting hives and frames together.

Have you got a scource for getting bees yet? now is the time for that also.

apisbees · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2013, 03:47:32 am »

Welcome Ben I hate to be the one to break it to you but as you make more mead and discover how the honey from different flower sources can effect the taste of the mead You will be tracking down and buying even more honey's from different areas for your mead making. But good luck with your Mead and getting started with bees.

Slowmodem · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2013, 09:36:03 am »

Welcome and enjoy your stay!

Find Beekeeping For Dummies and read it. It explains the basics in easy-to-understand terms and you'll have a good feel for what you're getting in to.

Good Luck!

Riverrat · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2013, 11:36:07 am »

welcome aboard

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2013, 04:23:30 pm »

Welcome Ben. Like Perry said, it's a great time of year to get started. It's also great to put the horse before the cart. In other words, use the next few months reading, reading, reading. Learn what you can now. You might consider joining a local bee club, if available. That way you can meet some local beekeeps and can call on them if you have questions or problems. I really enjoy the acquaintances I have met through my local bee club.

Crofter · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2013, 06:02:30 pm »

Welcome Ben; Your username Stickbow? are you an archer?

I got into beekeeping probably to compete with and help my son with his venture into beekeeping. It is an intersting, challenging, satisfying, frustrating pastime. Lots of dull moments though to contemplate! Like wintertime!
You will find a bunch of unemployed beekeeps hanging around so it is a good time to ask questions and get your sense of direction to Your beekeeping trip.

blueblood · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2013, 10:44:28 pm »

Welcome Ben! You will soon realize that you have picked a forum with hundreds of years of experience combined. Nice folks here and we all patiently help each other. Ask away, study this winter and jump right in and build some hives, get ready for 2014!

lazy shooter · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2013, 09:01:20 am »

Welcome to the forum Ben. This is a good source of information. I have been to other beekeeping forums, and this is by far the nicest bunch of knowledgeable beekeepers that I have seen.

There are some real successful beekeepers in Wisconsin, i.e., RiverBee. Ask away and ye shall receive. Again, welcome to the forum.

stickbow95 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2013, 09:50:27 am »

Thanks for all the encouraging word.

As for my username Crofter, I have been a bowhunter for some time. I hung up the compound and started shooting a longbow about twelve years ago.

Slowmodem, I took your advice and read Beekeeping For Dummies. Now I'm more excited to get started. My kids are loving the idea as well

Thanks again everyone.

Slowmodem · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2013, 10:15:00 am »

Quote from: stickbow95 on December 30, 2013, 09:50:27 am

Thanks for all the encouraging word.

As for my username Crofter, I have been a bowhunter for some time. I hung up the compound and started shooting a longbow about twelve years ago.

Slowmodem, I took your advice and read Beekeeping For Dummies. Now I'm more excited to get started. My kids are loving the idea as well

Thanks again everyone.

That's great! Of course, there are tons of books on the subject. And many of the bee equipment vendors have education and/or video sections. Here's one example:

http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Resources/Resources.asp

kebee · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2013, 07:36:42 am »

Welcome Ben, this is a great place to get the info on beekeeping, lots of years here and you can learn a lot, know I have.

Ken

BoilerJim · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2013, 10:45:24 am »

Welcome to forum, Ben !

kebee · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2013, 05:22:25 pm »

welcome Ben, can learn a lot here on the forum, just ask the question you need answer.

Ken

stickbow95 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 14, 2014, 05:20:47 pm »

Well, I should see two packages of Carniolan bees around the beginning of May.

I will begin building the hives in the next week or so.

I'm excited...

riverbee · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2014, 09:56:52 pm »

congrats stickbow! better get busy building those hives!!! keep us posted!