12 15

DECEMBER 2015
$4.00
Woods-N-Water News
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication
Decembers...
BUCKS
Hubbard Lake...
STATE RECORD
SMALLMOUTH
Hunting...
BUCKS IN THE JUNK

Late Season
And Early Ice...
WALLEYES
How Do You Handle...
BUCK FEVER?
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By Tom Campbell...Field Notes
Deer stories!
or some unexplainable reason, deer hunting

stories seemly have a paranormal supernatural
- addictive life of their own. Really, how many
deer stories have you heard in your lifetime?
How many have you told? Hundreds? Thousands?
In my situation it may be close to millions! But yet,
I cant wait to hear the next one and I cant wait to
share it. So, did you get your deer yet?
Here are a couple good deer stories for you:
A MICHIGAN TROPHY
Justin Copes father started him hunting real
young and at the age of 12, Justin took his first deer.
This season marks his 16th magical year in a bowstand. He feels fortunate and blessed to harvest some
nice Michigan whitetails, but nothing like the experience on October 22. According to Justin it was a
typical work day, trimming trees, annoyed he and his
buddy Travis weren't in their stands.
Justin had been passing on the smaller bucks for
the past few years and hes been utilizing the information mostly through trail cameras and being very
selective on when and where to hunt. At this particular location he had made a mock scrape a couple
weeks back, right on the inside edge of a bedding area
and with a north-northeast wind it proved to be a very
lethal combination. He uses buck urine in his scrapes,
set-up with a licking branch 5-foot high. Some people
laugh when he tells them he learned so much about
deer hunting from Drury Outdoors TV and videos.
Panicking to get to in his stand with decent light
left, Justin decided not to take a scent free shower,
instead he used all the Dead Downwind lotion and
spray he had, knowing he had a good wind and flawless entry to his stand.
The sun was bright, at his back as he nestled into
a dropping white oak. He decided to make a soft
buck grunt, just maybe enough to entice something
out of the thicket. As the sun went behind the trees
and the wind calmed he could hear some rustling
inside the thicket, within range but still couldn't get a
visual. With legal light fading fast he watched what
he thought was one of his 8-points stepping up to the
scrape he could only see his G2s and body with a
slightly quartering to. He put the pin right above his
shoulder to avoid hitting the opposite shoulder and
SEASONS
Now - Dec. 31 - Michigan Pure Hunt Application period

Now - Nov. 14 Ruffed grouse season
Now - March 1 Squirrel; Fox and Gray season
Now - Nov. 14 Fall turkey season (permit needed)
Now - March 31 Cottontail/Snowshoe season
Now-Dec. 13 -- Muskie-Lake St. Clair & St. Clair/Detroit Rivers
Now-Dec. 31 Large/Smallmouth bass catch-and-keep
on all waters, including Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, St.
Clair and Detroit Rivers.
Now - Nov. 14 Archery deer season
Nov. 15 - 30 Regular firearm deer season.
Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 Archery deer season
Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 Pheasant season parts of Zone 3
Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 Ruffed grouse season
Dec. 4 - 13 Muzzleloading deer season Zone 1 and Zone 2
Dec. 4 - 20 Muzzleloading deer season Zone 3
Dec. 21 - Jan. 1, 2016 Late Antlerless Firearm
MJC
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3001 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, MI 48073
586-791-4600
248-589-2480
lodging. At impact the deer make two bounds into the

thicket and dead silence. After waiting 30 minutes and
now dark he cautiously got down and found his arrow.
It was coated with a light red blood with no smell. He
saw a small patch of white hair two yards from his
arrow and Justin knew, when in doubt back out. He
even tip-toed away from the impact.
Justin called up his buddy Travis and after talking
it over they decided to leave the deer and check before work. At 6 am Justin picked up Travis with high
hopes. Hed been working on a true Michigan trophy
for nearly three years. As they were walking up to the
spot of impact he showed him what he had found the
evening before.
In Justins words, Both of us equipped with lights
the search began with good lung blood for 40 yards
it was a quick recovery. The moment I walked up on
that deer, it was priceless. I pulled his rack from the
thick hawthorn brush I was in just sheer shock. Both
brow tines split with a mainframe 10 he is definitely
my biggest bow buck to date. It field-dressed at
205-pounds and green scored 147 1/8 non typical.
Thanks to the support of my wife and kids!"
FIRST BUCK
Derek Salagan of Clinton Twp. hunting St. Clair
Co. took his first deer! Heres his story: After my
third year of hunting, and many hours spent in a tree,
I managed to shoot my first deer and it happened to
be a 10-point. Pretty crazy, this monster was my first.
I stood up when a doe and him came into the field
and waited an hour before he followed her into range.
With about 10 minutes left of light, I knew I had to
take my shot. The buck, unofficial score is 150.5.
Email us your outdoors story and photos to
wnw@pageone-inc.comn
Justin Cope - 10-point
Derek Salagan - 10-point
DNR launches Keep the U.P. CWD Free! campaign

The MDNR has launched a
public information and education
campaign to try to keep chronic
wasting disease from reaching the
Upper Peninsula. Discovered earlier this year in free-ranging deer
in the Lower Peninsula, CWD
affects the central nervous system
and is fatal to white-tailed deer,
mule deer, elk and moose. There
is no known treatment.
DNR officials are concerned
CWD could be brought into the
U.P. by those hunting in other
states.
From billboards and bumper
stickers to an informational fact
sheet and television and radio
broadcasts, the DNR is working to inform the public about
preventing CWD from occurring
in the U.P.
This is an insidious disease
and its going to take partnership
by all people concerned hunters, DNR and other folks to
make sure that not only do we
not get it, but if we ever do get it,
that we dont spread this disease
across the peninsula, said Terry
Minzey, DNR U.P. regional wildlife supervisor in Ishpeming. It
can have long-term ramifications
on our deer herd. While it may
not impact us, it will certainly
have impacts on our grandchildren.
In May 2015, a free-ranging
white-tailed deer in Ingham
Countys Meridian Township tested positive for CWD. A second

CWD case a 2-year-old male
wild deer was detected in July.
In August, CWD was found in a
5-year-old doe. All three of those
deer were located within a mile of
each other.
Subsequent genetic testing
showed all three infected deer
were from the same family. The
DNR and Michigan Department
of Agriculture and Rural Development set up a nine-township
Core Area and a three county
Management Zone around the
area of the infected deer, placing
various restrictions in effect.
Since then, more than 1,500
deer have been tested with no
further cases of CWD discovered.
Chronic wasting disease is a
devastating disease and fatal, not
only for the individual deer that
contracts it, but also its devastating for a deer herd, said Ashley
Autenrieth, DNR deer program
biologist in Gaylord. That is why
we are working so hard in southern Michigan right now to determine whether or not the disease
has been established there. And
if so, we will work just as hard to
attempt to eradicate the disease.
Hunting generates more
than $2.3 billion annually for
Michigans economy. A healthy
deer population is critical to the
states economy. Last year in the
U.P., more than 84,000 hunters

harvested a total of 25,961 deer,
including 19,431 antlered bucks.
Confirmed cases of CWD
have been found in 23 states and
two Canadian provinces. Hunters hunting in those areas could
bring CWD back with them to
the U.P., unless importation rules
are followed.
Wisconsin officials have confirmed CWD cases just 75 miles
from Menominee and 115 miles
from Ironwood.
The DNR has erected billboards near the Michigan-Wisconsin border at Menominee,
Norway and Ironwood, urging
hunters who hunt out of state to
know the facts about CWD and
know the rules.
To keep CWD from reaching
the U.P., hunters need to educate
themselves and they need to help
educate others, said John Pepin,
DNR deputy public information
officer in Marquette. There are
restrictions on bringing deer back
to the U.P. from infected states
and provinces, and dangers for
the U.P. deer herd if these rules
are not followed.
The DNR has a great deal of
educational information about
CWD, including a fact sheet
specific to the U.P. and information for taxidermists on the states
Emerging Diseases Issues website
at www.michigan.gov/cwd.
Fishing
El Nino
Mark Sak
page 45
HUNTING
COVER STORY
December Bucks
Kenny Darwin page 10
Rare Piebald Trophy
Jerry Lambert page 13
Why you haven't
reached 100 % stealth
Adam Lewis page 16
Our nose can improve
deer hunting success
Tom Lounsbury page 24
BUCKS IN THE JUNK
Stuck in a "Rut"
Lane Walker page 40
BUCK FEVER!
October Lull...
My Brow Tine Buck
John Eberhart page 54
Choosing your
hunting knife
Bill Kendy page 63
Bear Forum to assess

future bear management
page 77
Wetland Wonders Challenge
page 79
ICE FISHING
CLASS
Back To
School
Roger
Beukema
page 46
PERSPECTIVE
Michgian Meanders:
September - November
Tom Huggler page 14
A discussion
of fish
sensory
perception
Robert Dock
Stupp
page 60
Hunting Guides...
GONE WILD
The Late
Season
Walleye
Bite
Old School-New School

Lures for
fall bass
Dave Mull
page 62
Mark Romanack ...page 20
Ice Fishing...
TIME TO GO
EXTREME
Mark Martin
page 70
Florida fishing for visitors

George Rowe page 66
Guest Column...
Kill a Big Buck on
your hunting property
John Bischoff page 68
Spy Baits...
a specialized trend
Buck Mallory page 88
October 1 Bears
Richard P. Smith page 90
FEATURE
FISHING
STATE RECORD
SMALLMOUTH BASS!
Dave Rose page 8
FIRST ICE
Getting the edge
on walleye
Mark Romanack page 30
November
Saginaw Bay Smallies
Randy Jorgensen page 32
An equestrian
adventure in populous
Oakland County
Jonathan Schechter
page 42
New gear for
Christmas and beyond
Tom Carney page 51
Dog Training...
Blinking, Bumping, Busting
Len Jenkins page 56
DECEMBER 2015
$4.00
Woods-N-Water News
TIGER MUSKIE
Bill Ziegler page 34
COVER
PHOTO
By Kenny Darwin
Decembers...
BUCKS
Charter fishing in Florida

Capt. Fred Davis page 67
NEXT BITE...
When Santa
calls you answer
Parsons/Kavajecz page 72
Sporting Collectibles...
Fishing for photographs
Terry McBurney page 82
DNR seeks denned

bears in northern LP
page 12
The
Frankenmuth
Fish Passage Project
Tom Lounsbury page 36
DNR Director
honored
page 69
TRAIL CAM PHOTOS

page 86
Michigan Parks
accepting applications
for campground hosts
page 69
Platte River
State Fish Hatchery
page 92
Good Neighbor
Authority Agreement
page 76
Bucket list antelope hunt

Jeff Pendergraff page 94
OUTDOOR NEWS
September born fawn;
SURVIVAL UNLIKELY
Darryl Quidort page 26

MOKI
Len McDougall page 64
Dear Fish Diary...
When Swans Attack!
Ron St. Germain page 80
All women, all novice
pheasant hunt
Tricia Auten page 85
OPINIONS
Wow! My views on the
youth hunt have changed
page 76
Wolves impact
UP bear hunt
Is outdoor television
killing hunting?
Lane Walker page 77
GUNS/AMMO
GUN CHAT:
Surplus Browning HP
Lee Arten page 57
Black Powder
Shooting Sports...
"Will you take us too?"
Dennis Neely page 58
DEPARTMENTS . . .
Trophy Pages. . . . . . 74-75 Classifieds . . . . . . 97-98
Letters-Op-Ed . . . . . 76-79 Real Estate . . . . . . 98-105
Hubbard Lake...
STATE RECORD
SMALLMOUTH
Hunting...
BUCKS IN THE JUNK

Late Season
And Early Ice...
WALLEYES
How Do You Handle...
BUCK FEVER?
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www.facebook.com/woodsnwaternews
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Smallie From Hubbard Lake

Breaks 109-Year Record...
STATE
RECORD
By David A. Rose
reg Gasicels goal while fishing a bass

tournament on Alcona Countys 8,850acre Hubbard Lake last month? The
same as all fishing the derby that day: To
land many of the largest bass possible.
But when his partner, Scott Somerfield,
scooped up one of only two fish the duo took that
day, they realized straightaway the mammoth
24.5-inch-long smallmouth bass was likely to be
the largest recorded in the state of Michigan.
And sure enough, after being inspected by
a Michigan Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) fisheries biologist the next evening, it was
confirmed Gasicels 9-pound 5-ounce smallie had
squeaked past the 109-year-old record by just over
one ounce.
Kathrin Schrouder of the DNRs Bay City office was the biologist that inspected the fish.
The fish was just massive, says Schrouder.
It was short, stout, and its tail was just so thick.
Im getting asked how old a bass of this caliber
would be. Its hard to say. Even aging the fish by
scale-sampling it would not be real accurate. Be-
Greg Gasicels new state record smallmouth bass caught on Hubbard Lake
hit his bait so hard it shook his upper body. The fish tipped the scales at 9
pounds-5 ounces and measured 24.5 inches. Greg Gasicels photos
sides that, it would ruin the mounting

of this fish, which the angler intends
on doing.
Had the certified scales at the
Bass Anglers of the Sunrise Side

tournament shown the behemoth
smallmouth bass not to be a state-record catch, Gasicel had full intentions
of releasing it back into Hubbard

Lake.
So, what stood out most about
the catch for Gasicel on that cold and
blustery October 18, 2015, day? The
strike and battle.
I know what a bite feels like,
says Gasicel. But this fish hit so
hard it actually shook my upper body.
After several minutes of fighting it, I
tightened drag, but still couldnt turn
it. Scott thought I had possibly foulhooked a carp. Then I loosened the
drag and half the line emptied from
the spool. We still werent sure what I
had hooked.
After many minutes more, the
duo chased down the fish. And thats
when Gasicel finally started making
headway.
The fish nearly to the boat, Gasicel heard his partner holler, Holy
cow! And then it was in the net.
The first thing Scott said after
that was, You just caught the next

state record, Gasicel adds. The
twosome went silent after once the
fish was in the livewell. It was an
eerie silence. I mean, we had talked
all day prior to that, you know, just
catching up. I guess we were in
shock.
All the Rhodes, Michigan resident is willing to give up about the
bait and technique is that the fish ate
a green-colored twister-tail grub that
was being fished over a deep-water
flat.
Scott and I used to fish some
tournaments together, said Gasicel.
We thought we knew how to fish.
Come to find out, we didnt. We got
our butts kicked those first few years.
Gasicels smallmouth bass beat
out W.F. Shoemakers 9-pounds
4-ouncer, which was 27.25 inches in
length and landed over a century ago
in nearby Long Lake in 1906.n
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The Best Deer Hunting Month Ever...By Kenny Darwin
COVER STORY...
DECEMBER
BUCKS
10
There are still mature bucks roaming Michigans countryside and chasing a brute can be productive as
winter beckons, nights grow longer and megabucks go on a feeding spree. Kenny Darwin photos
igh winds and swirling tornadoes of

snow highlighted my December hunt as
I slipped into the big buck bedding area
in search of a monster buck nicknamed
Thor. The monster deer got its nickname because it is a mythical beast, the
kind of buck you never see on stand but
you know he is alive because occasionally his image would show on my Stealth cam. I
chased him for years but could never get a shot as
his huge ghostly figure melted into underbrush. Id
guess his weight over 300 pounds because he had
an unbelievable massive body like a Greek God.
This brute was at least 6 years old when I decided
to stalk him in the thick brush. I got kissin close
because the soft snow concealed my footsteps and
howling wind put the brute in lockdown. I got
inside 12 yards and caught the monster curled in a
tight circle in his bed. I readied the Horton crossbow but could not get a shot because brush blocked
the path of the powerful bolt. Thats when he got
on to me, stood up and took a glimpse of my human
form standing less than 15 yards away and he blew
and ran the opposite direction.
I followed him in the scope and eventually put
down the crossbow and snapped shots with my
camera. Then, to my left I detected movement
and out of the corner of my eye I could see antlers.
They were tall, white looking against the thick
alders and pine boughs as I slowly reached for the
crossbow and shouldered the weapon. The second big buck had no idea I was kissin close as he
watched Thor bounce into the forest. When the big
10-point finally noticed me and stared my direction it was too late. I touched the sensitive trigger
and heard the thwack as the Spitfire open on impact
broadhead sliced through skin and bone. The adult
buck charged through the brush snapping twigs like
a runaway freight train then collapsed into a pile
making a large puff of snow when his big body hit
the dirt.
But there is more to this story then me simply
shooting a big buck. Timing was critical to success and of course I knew exactly where the bucks
were bedded and used the nasty swirling winds to
conceal my stealthy approach. I knew there were
no other human intruders to alert them. Perhaps the
biggest advantage of December hunting is bucks are very

predictable, somewhat easy to pattern.
Dont get me wrong, I love chasing bucks during
the glory days of October and November when weather
is mild and bucks are chasing does. However, once the
guns of autumn announce hunting season the bucks go
into defensive mode and spotting a shooter is a big problem in Michigan. Once gun season ends and the woods
become quiet again deer begin using traditional travel
routes and quickly establish a feeding pattern. The trick
to hunting success hinges on cold weather; how well you
scout, identify buck movements and take stand to intercept hungry critters.
Cold weather, snow and freezing temperatures can
be the key to success. If December weather is mild,
bucks will remain in a nocturnal pattern and they spend
daylight hours tucked into a thick swamp resting. However, howling winds and below freezing temperatures
will cause them to head for feeding locations during
broad daylight. Southern Michigan deer begin moving
to agricultural fields when the sun touches the horizon
and temperatures plummet. Most are headed to stubble
corn fields, but if bedding areas are found near alfalfa or
beans, look for bucks to be munching on the food sources
close to cover. The same holds true for food plots, bait
piles or ridges covered with acorns and you can expect to
see deer as daylight makes the transition into darkness.
The trick is to locate a big buck hideout and intercept
bucks enroute to the dinner table. In southern Michigan
small tracts of land near sanctuaries can be the key to
scoring on a wallhanger. Look for metro bucks to take
refuge in airports, city parks, condo developments, golf
clubs, cemeteries and more.
It is a good idea to talk with UPS drivers, night shift
police; people who drive a lot at night to locate a big
buck near your home. Once you locate a hot spot get
permission to hunt and begin by setting out food under
the watchful eye of trail cameras. The idea is to avoid
hunting until you are certain a big boy lives in the area.
Once you have a buck pinpointed I recommend you use
bait to bring him out from hiding. My choice is shelled
corn mixed with Kaytee nut and fruit bird food during
December and I like to replenish baiting locations during
lunch break when bucks are bedded. The trick is to condition a particular shooter, get him hooked on your chow
and teach him to visit your stand location during broad
daylight. Sure you have to talk to plenty of folks and
knock on a lot of doors to gain access to productive buck
properties. Again, after rifle deer season your chances of
getting permission soar.
December is when you want to remain comfortable while on stand and you need to wear insulated
boots, heavy coat with hood, gloves and warm stocking
hat. Make certain you use hand or toe warmers to keep
circulation in the extremities sharp enough to help you
draw a bow or steady a gun. Smart hunters set up next to
food sources that draw deer. You will discover the best
spots for deer hunting are not far from corn fields, acorns
or inner-city backyard feeders. Food plots can draw deer
for miles during December and bait will be gobbled at
lightning speed when the weather turns cold. Avoid being
detected by deer when you exit your stand after dark.
Some hunters use permanent blinds, pop-up blinds or
simply hug a tree. The most productive hunting strategy
is to go airborne and skinny up a tree and take stand.
Variables in terrain make it difficult to estimate the best
height for a stand. Most hunters prefer a height of around
18 feet, a respectable height for good visibility and added
advantage to avoid a deers sense of smell. Regardless
of height, select a background that breaks up your human outline. Select a tree with few overhanging limbs to
block your shot or trim branches so you have a

nice clean shot. The trick to buck success hinges on finding the deer first and the tree second.
Try to place stands downwind from travel routes
and make certain to use products that eliminate
human odors.
Smart buck hunters seek out travel corridors,
funnels or bottlenecks where deer walk past
stands in easy range. Place your stand to the
side of the activity and adapt to deer behavior.
Smart hunters move to exact locations where
deer are active. Never overlook the power of
food sources in December and take stand close
to the dinner table. When hunting over food
try to exit your stand at night without spooking
deer.
Monster bucks always have a honey hole
where they can hide from humans, predators
and linger until the last light of day. My hottest buck magnet is a huge swamp that is filled
with head-high cattails. Big bucks love cattail
sloughs, thick alders, tall grass, pine forests,
standing corn and swampy low lands too wet for
humans. Bucks feel secure in marshes and sleep
in the junk all day and reserve feeding forays
for night when they raid local neighborhoods,
fields or food plot sources. Savvy hunters place
stands at the edge of prime buck cover.
Years ago I learned to play the wind and
never take stand if your scent is blowing into
a likely buck lair. Search to find the preferred
trails bucks like to use and try to set up crosswind from bedding areas. Most wise old bucks
do not like to walk downwind and prefer to
move upwind or crosswind. Its kind of risky
business to set up stands with only a 20 degree
wind advantage but big deer like to move
with the wind slightly in their favor. This
means if the wind shifts or is swirling you
need to back out of there before your big boy
is alerted.
Im a stalking fool and love to spot and
sneak up on waterfowl, coyote, turkeys and
especially deer. Come December I modify my
tactic and slip into bedding areas that I know
hold big bucks. Sometimes I get kissin close

and zap them in their bed. Other times I push
him out to my buddies who are waiting on
stand. December is a perfect month for stalking
deer, snow covers your footsteps and you stay
warm as you slip through the underbrush. This
is an excellent opportunity to get on the ground
and scout your hunting property, evaluate deer
sign like rubs, scrapes, beds, runways and get
a better look at primary bedding locations. If I
know where a particular buck is hiding Ill wait
until conditions are ideal and make my move. I
love slipping into a big bucks bedroom under
the cover of fog, drizzle, high winds that hide
my approach or when snow is falling. For this
brand of hunting move slow as molasses, avoid
herky jerky movements and use complete camouflage to conceal your human outline.
Once in a while Ill use rattling to stir bucks
in deep woods hideouts. Grunts can bring them
running if you sound like a buck on a hot does
trail. In southern Michigan bucks continue with
breeding chores through December. But I truly
love to paint my face to look like oak tree bark,
cover hands with camo gloves, put on camo
boots, bibs, jacket with hood and slip into a big
bucks bedroom when conditions work to my
advantage. This tactic is deadly but requires
advanced woodsmanship skills and a willingness to slip through the underbrush like a cheetah on the prowl. Sometimes you catch them
dozing and the kill comes fast and easy. Other
times close encounters with mature bucks come
swiftly to an end because they see, smell or hear
you and dash for safety before you can get off
an accurate shot.
What about you? Are you ready to get outdoors and organize a deer drive? Do you have
a dandy buck pinpointed and are you on stand
when bucks come dancin at sunset? December
is a great month for deer hunting in Michigan.
Dont miss the opportunity to go afield soon! I
guarantee the woods will be all yours and when
you down that big trophy you will agree that
December is the best.n
Author recommends buck

hunting in December when
deer are zeroing-in on food
sources.
11
Old Doe Produces Late Fawns...
September born fawn;

SURVIVAL UNLIKELY
hen you see a late born

fawn that still has spots
during late fall or winter, its often difficult
to figure out what was
responsible
for such a late birth. In many
cases, does that are bred for
the first time produce late
born fawns because they
may not reach puberty until
January, February or March.
An early or severe winter
may also result in late born
fawns as can hormonal problems and injuries
among does.
I do know what
is responsible, however, for the most
recent case that I observed of a fawn
that was born much later than normal.
Apparently as does get old, there is a
greater tendency of them having late
born fawns, too. By old, I mean ages
that few does reach such as 15 or 16.
An old doe that is in that age bracket
and lives at Marquettes Presque
Isle Park gave birth to fawns during
August of 2014. This year, she didnt
have a fawn until September.
The fawns born during August last
year did not survive and the chances
of survival of the September fawn are
not much better, unless the upcoming winter proves to be mild. The late
born fawns summer coat wont be
warm enough to protect it from cold
weather. The small deer wont develop a fall coat of hair until December,
if it lives that long.
The late born fawns small size
and coloration also make it more
vulnerable to predators. In the presence of deep snow, the small fawn
would have more difficulty escaping
predators than one born during June,
which is when most Michigan fawns
are born.
The gestation period for whitetails
is seven months; so most does are
bred during November. The doe that
gave birth to the fawn in September
had to have been bred in February.
The year before, she conceived during
January.
One other doe that is the same age
as the whitetail that gave birth during
September also had a fawn later than
normal this year. She dropped a fawn
during July. During her prime, that
doe usually gave birth to fawns during
late May.
Since last winter was easy on
whitetails in the park and deer had
access to a bumper crop of acorns, the

weather would not have played much
of a role, if any, in contributing to the
birth of fawns later than normal for
either doe.
The fawn born during July has a much better
chance of survival than
the one that began life two
months later since it was
only a month later than normal. In fact, the July fawn
is doing well. It grew its fall
coat during October.
Since Ive been monitoring Presque Isles
deer herd for many
years, I know the
reproductive history and fawn-rearing
success of both of the parks oldest
does. The doe that gave birth to the
fawn during September this year, for
example, has not done well in terms
of fawning rearing success. Prior to
2015, she only managed to give birth
to fawns that survived during 2005
and 2006.
She had twins both years, consisting of one fawn of each sex. The
bucks dispersed from the park as
adults. Both of her daughters remain
alive and reside in the park. They are
9 and 10 1/2 years old.
Although the doe that gave birth
to twins during 2005 and 2006 is
normally pregnant, she has not given
birth to a fawn that has survived since
2006. Coyotes have probably claimed
some of the fawns that the doe gave
birth to, but others that she had after
rough winters may have been two
small to survive when they were born.
Stillbirths are common after severe
winters in the UP and thats why fawn
production is often low after severe
winters. Due to nutritional stress
caused by long, cold winters, fawns
usually dont develop normally.
That does 9 -year-old daughter is even less productive than her
mother. She has not produced a single
fawn that has survived during her
entire life. She is usually pregnant, but
none of the fawns she has given birth
to, including two during 2015, have
survived. Some does that have male
twins, as this one did, sometimes end
up with too much male hormones,
and that may be what happened in her
case.
Hormonal problems may inhibit
this particular does ability to produce
milk for her fawns when she has them,
reducing their chances of surviving.
By Richard P. Smith
12
The Author has been monitoring Presque Isles deer herd for many years,
and knows the reproductive history and fawn-rearing success of both of the
parks oldest does. Here is the oldest park doe with her Sept. born fawn.
When she had her fawns this year, for
example, her udder did not seem to
be as full with milk as other does that
had given birth. Hormonal problems
may have also prevented her from becoming pregnant some years. During
2013, I saw this particular doe bred

on December 4 and then again on
December 31. Im sure she was
probably bred during November,
too, but she did not become
pregnant.n
DNR seeks denned bears in

northern Lower Peninsula
The MDNR is looking for denned

bear locations in the northern Lower
Peninsula, and is asking those who
come across a denned black bear during their hunting, trapping or other
outdoor adventures to let the DNR
know. Additional black bears, to be
fitted with radio collars, are needed
for an ongoing bear research project.
Information gathered from bears
assists in managing the black bear
population, said Mark Boersen, DNR
wildlife biologist at the Roscommon
Customer Service Center. Currently,
we have four female bears being
monitored from both air and ground
using radio-tracking equipment.
After a denned bear is located,
DNR biologists will determine if the
animal is a good candidate for radiocollaring. Bears that are selected will be sedated by a wildlife biologist and
fitted with a radio-tracking collar and ear tags. Hair samples will be taken
for DNA analysis, and a small, nonfunctional tooth will be collected to determine the bears age. Upon completion of the short procedure, biologists
will carefully return the bear to its den, where it will spend the remainder
of the winter months.
People who encounter bear dens are asked to record the location,
with a GPS unit if possible, and contact Mark Boersen at 989-275-5151
or boersenm@michigan.gov to provide specific location information. The
DNR reminds everyone that it is illegal to disturb a bear den or disturb,
harm or molest a bear in its den.
Learn more about radio telemetry and other wildlife research projects
by visiting mi.gov/wildlife and clicking on Wild Science.
Rare Trophy Piebald Buck

A
s many of you will recall,
southern Michigan was hit with
record high temperatures during
the first week of November.
Several days exceeded 70 degrees,
including November 3. Even though
these temperatures are far from ideal,
history tells us that the Chase Phase of
the Rut occurs during this time period,
so like thousands of other like-minded
bowhunters, 20 year-old Jake Mohnketook the day off of work and went
hunting.
Jake said it was a very
quiet afternoon with virtually
no wind. He walked to his
stand in a very slow and deliberate manner in an effort to
minimize the noise of walking
on the dry leaves. Mohnke
says, Even though I took my
time walking to my
stand, I was sweating
by the time I got to my
tree.
After climbing into his treestand,
Jake immediately knocked an arrow
and while doing so he heard a noise
coming from behind him. Initially, he
couldnt see anything so he dismissed
it and figured it was just squirrels. You
know those pesky critters that sound
off false alarms and sound like deer
walking in woods.
Jake then finished his pre-hunt
ritual by texting his girlfriend, letting
her know that he had made it safely
into his treestand. When he completed
this task, he once again heard leaf
rustling coming from behind his tree
so he turned to look and saw the white
parts of a piebald deer. Piebald is a
rare genetic variation that affects less
than one percent of the whitetail deer
population. Often times piebalds look
similar to pinto horses with splotches
of white mixed with brown or can even
be mostly white with small areas of
brown.
Eventually Jake saw antlers, big
antlers! According to Jake, Thats
when the shakes set in. I got a case
of buck fever. The buck was only 30

yards away. He just stood there and
looked in my direction. I think he
heard me walk in and thought that I
was another deer. After a couple of
minutes I saw a doe standing 20 yards
behind the buck. I thought that I was
going to lose my chance and that
the buck would go after the doe but
instead he started walking closer. He
would take two to three steps and stop,
look around and then take another two
to three steps. I found a small
opening out in front of him
and prepared to shoot him
if and when he entered the
opening. He eventually did,
and was standing broadside
at 20 yards. I took the shot
and hit him right behind the
shoulder. I could tell that
the shot was good so
I called my dad and
girlfriend. I ended
up waiting another
30 minutes in the tree and then went
to check the area where the deer was
standing when I shot. I found blood
and backed on out.
Jakes dad, Jim Mohnke
joined him to help trail the deer.
Jakes shot went through both lungs
and the buck only went 30 yards.
Not only did Jake take a rare piebald
deer, its also a good sized buck
that has some pretty impressive
headgear. The rack has 11 points,
good mass, a longest tine measurement
of 9 inches and it a 17 inch
inside-spread.
Jake shot the whitetail buck in
Ottawa County on public land that borders the Grand River. Mohnke knew
that there was a piebald in the area
because he saw one during the spring
turkey season but he had no idea that
it would carry an 11-point rack. Mill
Creek Taxidermy in Rockford, is going
to do a full body mount of this rare
trophy.
Congratulations Jake on shooting a
literal buck of a lifetime!n
By Jerry Lambert
13
Michigan Meanders: September through November

Saturday, November 28, 1981 - North English, Iowa - A No-Name Tavern
Dear Wife,
Three days of Iowa pheasant hunting are over, and Im sorry I missed your Thanksgiving dinner, again. The
lightning storm that chased us from the field that day had me wondering if God was trying to tell me I should be
home and not here.
But we shot limits today, and I like to think we are forgiven. I say we because our teen-aged son can claim
some of the fat, corn-fed ringnecks that are coming home in our cooler.
Coming home. Gene just left for his home in Madison; the foam is still drying in his beer glass. Larry left for
Waterloo an hour ago although his drive is the shortest. Joe and I have 600 miles to go, and, yes, we should be
on the road, too. But hes playing a solitary game of pool while I write this letter and finish my beer.
Joe can drive the truck, for a couple hours anyway, while I nap.
You wouldnt recognize itthe truck, that is. Now an Iowa mud-brown, its in sorry shape. So are we and
our dead-tired dogs. My right shoulder is gratefully sore and my legs ache from slogging through what the
farmers here call Iowa gumbo. Im about out of money, but weve eaten and the truck is full of gas. One more
tank should see us home.
And Im ready to come home. Its been a long bird-hunting season, a good season. Put-take pheasants at
Caro and Lapeer way back in August. Those grouse-hunting weekends in Benzie County, October and November duck-hunting trips to Saginaw Bay, local pheasants and woodcock after work when I was usually late for
supper.
Im writing this to say thank you. Thanks for being a no-hassles, understanding wife. Although you dont
hunt, you understand the fire in my belly. You give me room. You welcome me back with a smile and a hug, no
matter where Ive been or how long Ive been gone. Im a lucky man.
Thanks for carrying me. I know who does evening chores while Im traipsing through pheasant roosting covers. I remember who shoveled ear corn onto the conveyor after hours under the mercury light. I know who splits weekend stove wood, fixes the short in the cattle fence, herds loose hogs into
their pens, stacks the mail by my covered typewriter, takes phone messages, grades those grammar tests from my classes, and puts up storm windows.
I know who patiently listens when Im upset over a crippled bird that got away, a hard-mouthed retrieve, a ranging setter that bumped birds.
The batch of chocolate chip cookies you slid under my arm as you kissed me goodbye lasted nearly to Chicago. And the knee brace you thoughtfully packed? Unlike last year, I didnt need it. But Gene did when he pulled a muscle after kicking a hefty gob of mud from his boot. He said to tell you thanks, too.
September through November is a crazy time of year, especially for a bird hunter. I guess this letter is also an apology. Sorry for kicking you awake at night while
I walk through grouse coverts in my sleep. Sorry for all the empty shotshells, pheasant feathers and muddy boots stranded in the kitchen. Sorry the grass didnt get
cut nor the leaves raked.
Sorry for boring you about our yellow Labs first retrieve. With what I swear was a grin, she brought back that ringneck after I made an impossible shot. I think you
were trying to tell me your car was leaking anti-freeze.
Sure, fill the glass one more time. Its a 12-hour run to home anyway and once we start, we wont stop. Besides, Joe has started another game of pool.
Dear wife, you should have been here today, a perfect day to end the season. I wish you could have walked those sun-washed pheasant sloughs with me, smelled
the osage orange, and listened to the clicking ragweed as the dogs worked out another bird.
I wish you could have seen Jake, Larrys hard-charging pointer, lean as a racehorse, doing what he was bred to do. Or Briar, Genes black Lab running down a
cripple after my bum shot.
I wish you could have seen Joes shy smile at being congratulated on his first-ever rooster after many misses. You should have watched him blow into the brightcolored back feathers and then smooth them down before tucking away the bird in his hunting vest. You, too, would have felt proud when he said, You know, Dad, I
like to hunt and Im glad I shot this bird but I didnt have to.
Wish you could have felt the satisfying weight tugging at shoulders from a two-year-old ringneck with spurs like golf tees. Or tasted that warm cherry pie, ice cream
dripping down the sides, a gift from a farm wife whose husband let us hunt their land.
When I put on clean pajamas at the motel our first night out, I found your note in the shirt pocket. Knowing how badly I hoped to find quail out here, too, you must
have looked hard for the card with the flushing bobwhite on the cover. Inside, you wrote:
14

The hunters wife

warm, safe, snug

at home.

The hunter

cold, laughing, red-cheeked
gone.

Bonds stretching

across the miles,

knowing love awaits

his hunters smile.
You have put a smile, many smiles, on my face during this best-of-all hunting seasons. Thank you. I owe you plenty.
Now the party crowd is wandering in to this no-name tavern in North English, Iowa. Joe has finished his pool game and is running his finger over the states in the
Rand McNally mapbook.
Interstate 80 east through the rolling hills of Iowas hog country. Across the black earth of Illinois farmland. Around Lake Michigan through the factory belt to
Gary. Then Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and the smaller towns to home.
September through November is three months. Ive been gone, more or less, for three months. Now Im coming home.n
By Tom Huggler
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Deer Hunting 2015...Sound Advice -- Part 3
Why you havent reached 100% stealth
magine if you will, a world

without sound, without the
ability to hear, anything. Now
also imagine you are a railroad
worker. Your job is on the tracks,
making sure they are in working
order, pounding down loose spikes,
noting loose ties. You also do this on
an active railroad line with the train
schedule unknown to you, and a train
could come at any time. Normally
you would be able to hear and see
trains approaching and get to safety in
time. Trains are noisy, they blow their
horn, clank the tracks, this should be
easy rightbut without hearing, this
job would be exceptionally dangerous. A train could literally sneak up
on you.
As hunters, were the train, and
the deer is the railroad worker. How
dangerously stealthy, how successful
could we be if we could eliminate the
deers ability to hear? Its just a fact
that we all make noise coming and going from our stands, and while hanging stands (science is showing a lot
more than we think). These noises,
big or small, create hunting pressure, and add to our noise footprint
that drastically decreases our chance
of success. In my last two articles
I shared four keys to help hunters
get past a deers ears, and never be
heard again. If you missed them, you
really need to check them out at our
website soundbarrierhunting.com. In
this article, I will continue to reveal
how to potentially reach 100 percent
stealth for the first time, and take your
hunting success to a whole new level
by getting past a whitetails lynchpin
defense of hearing.
Sound Concealment Rule #5

Less Is Best
16
Lets think about it for a minute,

things make noise, not us... usually.
Your bow, the leaves, those twigs you
step on, the water you slosh through,
the stand you clang your bow against
all make noise. Avoiding proximity of
contacting these things will automatically eliminate your chance of making
noise at all. Its kind of like youre on
a diet. If you only buy healthy things
to stock your fridge with, and then a
moment of weakness strikes and you
crave that sugary treat, you cant help
but eat healthy. Theres no other option. Its the same in hunting.
Here are some examples, although
there are many more. First, you must
plan the least intrusive route no matter
what the cost! Ask yourself, When
planning a route to my stand, what
will give me the least chance to make
noise? Avoid that brush, or get out
your saw and clear it early in the sum-
To have success season after season, one must consistently get past a deers keen senses.. Author photos
mer if possible so you cant contact it.
Clear a path of debris early in the year
to eliminate extra twigs and branches
so you cant contact them. Eliminate
all possibilities. Mow a path and
sweep away leaves a couple times a
year if possible so you can walk right
to the base of your stand.
If possible, choose the
path of grass and dirt instead
of the dry crisp leaves even
if you have to walk much
further. Walk in the dirt field
the long way around, not the
shortcut through the woods.
Remember, if a deer detects
you it wont matter that you
got to your stand ten
minutes earlier. Use
that ditch, even if wet,
knowing the banks will absorb much
of the noise you make as well as keep
you out of sight. If the most direct
route to the stand involves muck, the
kind that your boot makes the dreaded
suction of death noise, avoid it all
together so you cant make that annoying, hunt-busting sound.
Bottom line is think ahead of time,
plan ahead of time, resist the temptation of the shortest path, and map out
a path based on one criterion: what
will make the least noise? If you are

hunting in a more mobile situation,
you still need to survey your surroundings as you go. Use a pair of
clippers to systematically remove all
branches and thorns that may contact
you. Remember our previous tip
to GO SLOW and burrow
silently, one step at a time, to
your hunting location.
I recall a time hunting
on state land where I had
discovered an untouched,
thick brushy area ripe with
fresh buck sign. Anticipation
was high, and I couldnt wait
to get into this area quickly
with my climber and
ambush that unsuspecting buck leaving
all those big, wrist-size rubs. Part of
the walk was a two track, which was
perfect for a silent entry, but a large
part at the end was weaving through
brush and knee high scrub. As I
waded through this mess, every part
of me cringed. Branches and scrub
scraped my pants, and an occasional
ting from contact with my aluminum
climber echoed through the woods.
With every one, my heart sank, as I
knew this was becoming an exercise
By Adam Lewis
in futility. I saw nothing that night, or

the other few times I hunted that spot,
but I did learn a great lesson from my
big mistake. Careful planning would
have found a better approach, a quieter approach, or realistically I should
have resisted hunting there regardless
of the sign. Remember folks, when it
comes to intrusive noise, less is best!

Silence All Equipment
So we just learned things make

noise, but if you cant completely
avoid noisy contact, alter the material
that does.
Several years ago I was living in
Nashville pursuing a singing/songwriting career. As often as I could I
would grab my 6-string and hit the
writers rounds around town showcasing my newest creation. I had
some success, and did showcase at
the famous Bluebird Cafe (for nonsongwriting buffs out there, a milestone task), but eventually wound up
back in Michigan. I bring this up not
to brag, but to bring a discussion point
close to home. Playing the guitar
100% stealth page 18
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17
100% stealth:
from page 16
would be pretty impossible without

one key thing... the sounding board.
Physics tells us that vibrations cause
sound, in this case vibrating guitar
strings. By themselves they are
barely audible, but when the hollow
body is forced to vibrate with the
strings, more wood and air vibrate,
viola- loudness!
Your hunting equipment is no
different. Much of it, stands, climbing sticks, trail cameras, are all hollow and therefore natural sounding
boards. They were basically, Im sure
unintentionally, made to be loud. You
must silence them, or get rid of them!
Lets be honest, if that clangedy old
stand alerts deer to your new hunting spot, it wont matter that it got
you 25 feet off the ground safely, you
still wont see a thing! For hollow
tube aluminum and steel stands, and
climbing sticks, trying filling them
with spray foam. Its light and will
eliminate some, but not all the vibrating hollow body. For other things,
like tree steps, try covering them
with something to mute vibrations
caused by inevitable contact. Use
camo duct tape on steps, weave some
para-chord around them, or have your
grandmother crochet some covers if
you have to! Point is you need to

take inventory of your equipment
and potential noise sources. Literally
go through it, write down potential
noise sources, DONT ignore it, and
take action to silence it! Youll be
amazed how much little things are the
big things that take you toward the
next level as a hunter, so take it from
me and silence all equipment!

Eliminate Unnatural Sounds
Last year I had the chance to film

a friends son during the Michigan
youth season in late September. The
deer are pretty much still in their
summer patterns and on relatively
low alert, making it easier for a less
than stealthy nine-year-old to take an
animal. Three of us made our way
into the blind as quietly as possible,
which my friend set up just 20 yards
from a pile of carrots. Before we
knew it, a nice doe was headed in for
a meal, and excitement in the blind
grew... a little too much. With all of
us jammed tightly inside, my friends
son tried to raise the gun and get adjusted, I shifted to get the best angle
of video, and my friend tried to place
the shooting stick for his son. With
Open Since 1987
all this movement, predictably someones foot hit the five gallon bucket
that was a seat (yes I know, silence
all equipment). Clunk it went, and
not surprisingly a snort soon followed
with a white flag disappearing into
the foliage.
Disappointing for sure, but lesson
learned...I hope.
If theres one sound you do not
want to make in the woods, at all
costs, its an unnatural one. Not trying to throw my friend under the bus,
weve all used the old bucket as a
seat right? Lets be real here though.
If a branch breaks in the woods, you,
deer, other creatures that heard it are
alerted. However, you dont necessarily know if it just fell from a tree,
was caused by a harmless animal, or
is another human or predator. However, when you hear metal clanging,
a cell phone going off, or a plastic
clunk, you KNOW what it is, and so
do deer! So, by all means, if youre
going to mess up (not promoting), at
least let it be something natural, like
a branch. Eliminate chances for that
one telltale clue that will scream in a
deers ears, get outta here quick and
dont come back! Metal on metal
(wedding rings, bows, stands, steps,
ratchets, climbing sticks, etc.) must
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be thought about and avoided.

Plastic clunking or scraping is
very unnatural. Things like a quiver
snapping into place, or snapping a
trail cam door closed can spell the
end. So, when you buy products, take
a look at these things. Is the material deadened, hollow, and unnatural?
What about the clasp, snaps, buttons,
or different way it attaches? It should
factor into your buying decisions as
much as anything. Also, when choosing building materials for that homemade blind, or things to equip that
blind with (like a 5 gallon bucket),
think about what noises will be made
by accidental contact, and do your
best to choose materials to minimize
this. If youre like me, that happens
at the worst possible time. Think
about this and go to extra lengths to
eliminate unnatural sounds!
Ive just scratched the surface
here, as there is so much more vital
information on this topic to share that
can truly take your hunting to a new
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19
Fine Tuning For...
The
Late
Season
Walleye
Fourth Quarter Fishing:
The End of November And
The Beginning of December...
By Mark Romanack
n Michigan and Ohio the fourth quarter of walleye fishing plays out in the last couple weeks of
November and the first 10 days of December.
Beyond that point boat launches start to ice up
and open water fun for another year is all but
history.
Late in the open water season its the weather
that dictates fishing success. On those days the wind
is calm to lightly variable, slow trolling for walleye
can be amazingly productive. The key to dialing in
these fourth quarter fish is understanding how to
dial down the action on popular crankbaits.
Crankbait Action Matters
20
Among anglers who troll late in the season,

most will agree that a rather small selection of
crankbaits produce the most bites. Among this
short list of crankbaits are legendary lures like the
Reef Runner 800 series, Storm Deep Jr. ThunderStick and the Rapala Deep Husky Jerk series. Call
them the big three of walleye trolling crankbaits,
each of these lures feature proven fish catching actions that seem to excel when the water is cool both
during the spring and fall of the year.
My experience with these baits suggests they
fish best when the water temperature is from about
45 to 55 degrees. Because these lures are all lipped
divers they generate a rather lively action. At the
water temperature ranges outlined above that lively
action does a marvelous job of triggering strikes
Caught by the author, literally a couple days before Lake Erie froze in 2014, catching mega walleye like
this one requires an intimate knowledge of crankbaits and how to get the most from them.
from walleye.
I get the most from these baits by slightly
speeding up or slowing down my trolling speed to
achieve subtle, but important differences in lure
action. At trolling speeds ranging from 1.7 to 2.1
MPH the trolling action on these plugs is rather
lively. By simply slowing down to 1.6 to 1.2 MPH
each of these lures takes on a whole new and much
more subtle wobble.

Often subtle changes in trolling speed as minute
as 1/10th of a MPH can make the difference in both
action and the number of bites. Making speed adjustments this refined is a job for an auto-pilot style
electric motor. Gasoline kicker motors, especially
The late season walleye bite page 22
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The late season

walleye bite:
from page 20
four stroke models, struggle to hold a consistent
idle speed at slow speeds and in cold water fishing
conditions.
The MotorGuide Xi5 is the new kid on the
block when it comes to auto-pilot electric motors.
Available in 12, 24 and 36-volt models, the 24 and
36-volt models featuring the 60-inch shaft are the
best choices for deep V open water trolling boats.
Ultra-Slow Trolling Baits
When water temperatures start to approach that

threshold of 45 degrees, its time to add into the
trolling mix a few other crankbaits that have even
more subtle actions than the big three of walleye
trolling already mentioned. The crankbaits that
have the most subdued action are stickbaits or what
a lot of anglers refer to as jerk baits. Not all of
these baits are proven walleye slayers, but the list
of stickbaits that produce walleye routinely in cold
water is much longer than many anglers realize.
Noteworthy baits in the stickbait category
include the Smithwick Rattlin Rogue and Perfect
10, Rapala Husky Jerk 12 and 14, Rapala Original
Floating 13 and 18 Minnow, the Yo-Zuri Crystal
Minnow and Pins Minnow Floating series, Reef
Runner RipStick 700 series, Bandit Walleye Shallow, Storm Original ThunderStick AJ and Salmo
Sting 12.
All of these lures have their days on the water
and are well worth investing in for late season trolling chores. Because these lures are shallow diving
by their very design, they are best fished in combination with in-line weights, Tadpole Divers and
lead core fishing lines.
Getting To Depth
22
Stickbaits have that magical top to bottom rolling action that seems to trigger strikes from cold
water walleye better than just any other lure. The
problem with these baits is they dive so shallow,
they need a little help in reaching the depths fall
walleye are often found favoring.
Three proven methods can be used to get shallow diving lures to depth with the most common
being in-line weights like the famous Off Shore
Tackle Snap-Weights now called the Pro Weight
System. What makes Snap-Weights so popular is they can be clipped on the line at any point
between the lure and the rod tip. Separating the
weight from the bait allows the lure to run naturally and the weight to increase the running depth
without spooking fish.
A typical set up is to let out the lure 50 feet and
then to clip on the Snap-Weight followed by another 50 foot of line. Commonly referred to as the
50/50 rigging method this trolling set up is largely
accepted by veteran anglers and works nicely to
get shallow diving lures to deeper depths. Depth is
increased by adding increasingly larger size SnapWeights to the line, making it easy to stagger lures
in the water column simply by using an assortment
of Snap-Weight sizes.
A second and also popular option for reaching depth with stickbaits is incorporating sinking
Late in the season patterning stud walleye like this one caught by Jake Romanack often boils down to
getting the most action from select crankbaits. Mark Romanack phtoos
lead core line. A normal lead core rig consists of a
50-foot leader of fluorocarbon line married to three
to five colors of 18 to 27-pound test lead core line
and finally 100 to 150 yards of monofilament or
braided line backing.
Commonly referred to as segmented lead
core this set up allows the angler to deploy his
lure and all the lead core line on the reel. A planer
board is placed on the backing line and the whole
set up runout to the side of the boat. Using segmented lead core its possible to set two or three
lines per side of the boat, spreading out lures both
horizontally and vertically in the water column.
Lead core is highly speed sensitive and even
minor changes in trolling speed can make a huge
difference in how deep the lures will fish. For cold
water walleye trolling with lead core the most productive speeds tend to be 1.7-1.2 mph.
A third and equally noteworthy option for getting shallow diving lures to depth are the Tadpole
Divers also produced by Off Shore Tackle. Tadpole Divers were originally designed to be used as
in-line weights rigged about six feet in front of a
trailing lure. A growing number of anglers are setting up their Tadpole Divers to fish more like SnapWeights by placing an OR14 Planer Board Release
on the tow arm of the Tadpole and an OR16 SnapWeight Clip on the back of the Tadpole.
This rigging allows the angler to deploy the
stickbait on a longer 25 to 50-foot lead behind the
boat, then to attach the Tadpole to the line. A line
counter reel is normally employed in this rigging
option and the reel zeroed out when the Tadpole is
placed on the line. This allows the angler to monitor the amount of trolling lead from the Tadpole to
the rod tip, making it easy to dial in specific depths.
The chief advantage of using Tadpole Divers is
they reach greater depths with shorter trolling leads
than either lead core line or in-line trolling weights.
Colors And Scent
Late in the season when trolling speeds are ultra-slow, its even more important to be concerned
with details like lure color and lure scent. Because

at slow trolling speeds walleye have the luxury of
scrutinizing bait longer before making the decision
to strike or not, its an advantage to have a wider
selection of color choices to experiment with. Custom painted baits are rapidly gaining in popularity
across the Great Lakes and its safe to say that on
places like Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie, custom
painted bait rule.
Darrell Wood of Hi Tech Custom Painted Baits
(www.hitechcustompaintedbaitsllc.net) is one of
the most innovative custom lure painters in the
region. An avid walleye fisherman himself,
Darrell spends copious amounts of time designing and refining color patterns for all the popular
crankbaits.
In addition to choosing custom painted baits,
a growing number of anglers are using various
fishing scents that add a scent stream in the
water. Some anglers believe that adding scent
attracts fish and others feel it masks unnatural
odors on their lures. Either way, adding fish scent
is a good idea for slow speed, cold water trolling
conditions.
Lots of fish scents are on the market. The jury
is still out on which of these products produce best,
but its a safe bet that using scents made with natural fish forages is a home run. Pro-Cure (www.procure.com) is a leader in producing fishing scents
made with natural forage fish like smelt, alewives,
etc. The Pro-Cure Super Gel products stick great to
crankbaits and are made from super concentrated
formulas. A two-ounce bottle will last the average
angler an entire season.
Summing It Up
The fourth quarter of walleye fishing

produces some of the biggest walleye of the
year. Fishing is a game best played by putting
the odds of success in your favor. The odds of
catching a Master Angler or Fish Ohio class
walleye in late November and early December
is one safe bet.n
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Making Sense Of Deer Scents -- The Musky Odor Of A Buck In Rut Is Very Distinct...
Our nose can improve deer hunting success
robably the most overlooked

sense of humans as predators
is the sense of smell. Yet we
move through a world filled
with odors, many of which
can even jog the memory of
past events. The odor of freshly baked
pumpkin pie and roasted turkey for
instance puts me in mind of Thanksgiving every time. The combined odor
of Hoppes gun solvent and freshly
brewed coffee reminds me of deer
camp.
Military snipers are a key example
of tuning in all their senses, including
that of smell, to locate their opponents. When in the field, snipers avoid
using scented soaps, body lotions, and
deodorants that could give their position away. It is something that works
for hunting deer as well. Although
deer dont use soaps and lotions, they
do emit an odor, especially during the
rut. I discovered this odor many years
ago when I was a state meat inspector and ventured into the cooler of
a meat processing facility that was
jam-packed with whitetail bucks taken
during the mid-November firearms
season, a key timeframe for the white-
tail rut. The musky odor, although

very distinct in that cooler, it wasnt
unpleasant at all, and I branded it into
my olfactory memory bank.
When still-hunting for deer, I
always use the wind to my favor not
only to avoid detection by the deer,
but also in order to pick up a hint of
their odor (female deer emit
their unique odor as well that
is only slightly different from
the bucks). The human nose
certainly doesnt possess the
truly acute scenting capabilities of a deer, but Ive
learned from personal experience that when I pick up a
whiff of a rutting buck on the
wind, it has just been
in the near vicinity,
or is still there, and
generally pretty close. This has helped
me bag my share of deer, or helped
others to bag theirs.
An example of this is the first buck
my son Joshua bagged at age 14 (hes
a lawyer now, so this was awhile ago).
He and I were approaching a woodlot
with the wind in our favor, and we
were quietly working our way through
chest high weeds when I picked up the

sudden and strong odor of a rutting
buck. Josh was directly behind me
when I stopped abruptly and held my
arm in the position signaling for him
to freeze. I then used hand signals
to let Joshua know that I smelled a
buck and motioned for him to move
quietly ahead to my right,
and be at the ready with his
shotgun. Joshua banked right
and took about three careful
steps when the buck leaped
up from its bed in the weeds
only 15 yards away, and
Joshua fired, dropping the
fork-horn on the spot.
Joshua would forever
more remember the
tangible scent of a
rutting buck. I had
previously described it to him, but it is
one of those odors that no doubt will
require a hands on experience to get
a complete grasp of it.
Just a few seasons later I had
Joshua move to a position on a
fencerow while I circled around
and worked my way through some
tall CRP grass cover in which I had
By Tom Lounsbury
Rob Shalvis
stnllc2012@gmail.com
Shalvis Taxidermy North

ARMADA
3rd Generation
FULL TIME Taxidermist
with 38 Years Experience

(over 6000+ Whitetail Mounts)
24
discovered plenty of buck sign while

pheasant hunting a couple of weeks
earlier. I would have continued on
past a bedded buck had not the quartering crosswind brought his scent to
me. The odor was sudden and intense,
and I abruptly turned back to my left
and did a slow, stop and go figure-8
through the chest-high grass. That
was more than the buck could cope
with and he suddenly exploded up and
headed full tilt toward my son. Joshua
shot the large 8-pointer when it passed
by at 5 yards and it went only another
20 yards before dropping dead.
Over the years I have taught all
three of my sons how to identify the
distinct odor of a rutting buck (actually Ive noticed bucks begin to emit a
stronger odor when they rub the velvet
off their antlers and go into the pre-rut
phase), and this was done through
actual experiences shared in the field.
They all have learned to go on full
alert when their noses tell them that a
buck is in the near vicinity.
While the odor can be discerned at
anytime during the rut, I have found
damp weather tends to enhance it, at
least for my nose anyway (and it is a
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The author has learned to trust his nose while deer hunting.
Tom picked up the odor of this opening morning Thumb 10-point in
heavy cover and called him in to 15 yards. However the authors
granddaughter, McKenna Lounsbury, 12 could care less right now
what deer smell like. She took her 5-point during the youth hunt.
and I personally like the challenge of
doing so, even if I complain at times
(this year, quite frequently so) about
switching wind directions when Im
in the middle of things. Such is a
natural part of this pastime I dearly
enjoy, and anxiously wait for each
year.
By the same token I have friends
that are very experienced (and successful) deer hunters who swear by
using the scent-proof suits and/or
scent blocking sprays. It is something
that clearly works for them and Im
certainly not going to debate their
successful moments afield. It just
isnt my cup a tea, and to do it correctly requires more dedicated effort
and expense than Im willing to put
forth on each outing.
However, like the snipers, I
dont use my favorite aftershave or
scented soap and deodorant during
deer season either (yes I do bathe, but
I use unscented soap including H.S.
unscented shampoo and unscented
antiperspirant). It never hurts to have
an edge, if possible.
One scent I use and have seen
work is that made from urine collected from actual female deer in
estrous. There seems to be some
debate as to the pheromone content of
such lures, but Ive actually witnessed
bucks reacting positively to them. It is

one of those items that in my opinion,
doesnt hurt to try, and I will use it
according to the timeframe of the rut.
For instance, I wont use rut-related
deer calls either, until near the Halloween timeframe, when bucks are
clearly going out of pre-rut and into
the rut phase and feeling a bit frisky. I
use deer-urine scents as a lure suspended from a tree branch and wafted
into the air a set direction according
the wind, and I have also created a
scent trail by dragging a deer-urine
soaked rag behind me on a cord, and
have seen it work with bucks clearly

following it. When using deer scents
in this manner, I sometimes employ a
deer decoy as well.
Just like the deer uses its nose to
scent out possible danger and other
facts of life, Ill also be using my
nose to possibly alert me to presence
of my quarry. Maybe it will, maybe it
wont. For a fact I dont rule out my
sense of smell in aiding me on occasions.
It is a relationship between prey
and predator that has been going on
since the beginning of time.n
reason why you see deer licking

their nostrils when suspicious to
help scent matters better). I know
my adrenaline kicks in just as
quickly as a visual of the buck,
when I pick up the scent.
One hunting technique I often
employ when I detect the distinct
musky odor of a buck is to hold tight
and use doe bleats and/or buck grunts
with a call to lure the buck into view
for a possible shot. The odds are more
times than not on the side of the deer
if you try to stalk in on him without
knowing his exact location, so if
possible I get the deer to move to me
or wait him out. Sometimes it works,
sometimes it doesnt, but it is a sheer
thrill whichever way it goes.
Today there are all kinds of gadgets and gizmos to help hunters bag
their deer. Some certainly work, and
others are in my mind a bit questionable. However I think they are all
fine if they give a hunter using them
confidence, which in turn can often
be the key to success.
Covering up or blocking the human scent in order to fool the deers
nose is often a highly popular item.
Personally I dont wear scent-proof
clothing and I have a devout respect
for a whitetails nose. Im old school
in that I believe in hunting the wind,
25
HUNTING GUIDES
GONE WILD
ost of the guided hunting

trips that I have experienced have been from
well-run camps with professional guides that really knew their business.
Competent guides were EMT trained,
carried satellite phones, even GPS
locators. Good guides have taught
me things, introduced me to hunting
methods I hadnt used before, and
became good friends of mine. Some
guides, however, are remembered for
other reasons. It seems that the best
stories told around the campfire are
about those other hunting guides.
Ive run into some of those as well.
I once won an outdoor
writers contest and received
a free guided elk hunt as the
prize. My brother-in-law,
Wayne, decided to accompany me on the hunt. Both
of us worked out hard that
summer to be in good physical shape for a high mountain
bowhunt. Arriving at
the old ranch house,
which served as camp,
we met the three other
hunters and our guide, Bim Barvis.
(Not his real name of course.) That
evening Bim set up a spotting scope
and we watched as a herd of elk
filtered down the mountain, passing through a couple of breaks in a
rim-rock wall. Tomorrow morning
before daylight Ill station you guys
above those holes in the rock wall and
youll shoot your elk as they go back
up the mountain, Bim explained. It
was a great plan.
Now, I should explain that Bim
stood about 5 feet 5 inches tall in
his high-heeled cowboy boots. As it

turned out he had, shall we say, little
man problems. He felt that he had to
be first, best, and loudest at all times
and that he was tough enough to prove
it. He was an old school cowboy.
The next morning we started going
straight up that mountain an hour before any hint of daylight. Bim led the
way at a grueling pace. Wayne and I,
being young and in good shape, stuck
with him as best we could. Huffing, puffing, and sweating profusely,
we nearly bumped into him when he
suddenly stopped and turned around
to see how far behind all his hunters
were. Although the other three were
lost in the darkness below us,
he was shocked to see us still
with him. He immediately
spun around and literally ran
up the mountain, his short
legs churning like the wheels
of an old locomotive. When
we reached the top, Bim was
there waiting for us. Come
on, he growled in his
deep guides voice.
You guys get the best
spots.
So thats how he sorts out his
hunters, we laughed. Wayne dropped
off at one of the holes in the wall. I
stuck with Bim and later that morning
he bugled a bull elk right in for me.
My shot was only 17 paces. Wayne
got a nice 5x5 bull with him the very
next morning. His shot was even
closer than mine. Bim could call elk!
While we hunters relaxed in the
sunshine on the ranch house porch
that afternoon, the guys were complaining about Bims rough treatment
of his clients. Then, a car stopped on
By Darryl Quidort
Danger zone! The boys in the back of Deuces big jetboat are giving the vic-
26 tory roll sign.
Darryl brings his bears into camp. The famous, Alberta Dropping Bear, is on
the back. Author photos
the road out front. A man in a huge
cowboy hat rolled the window down
and shouted profanity at us. Suddenly, the screen door banged open
and Bim hit the ground running. He
raced to the car and before the driver
could react, Bim reached in with both
hands, grabbed him by the front of his
shirt, and jerked him up tight inside
the car window. Bim yelled profanity
in his face as the driver tried unsuccessfully to punch him with the one
fist that he could get out the window.
Then Bim pushed the man away and
jumped back as the car slung gravel in
its escape.
Blankety-blank guide from the
next property, Bim growled as he
walked back to the house. We stared,
wide eyed and with our mouths hanging open.
What was he so mad about?
someone asked.
Well, awhile back his rig was
parked too close to my guide area,
Bim explained. When he got back
to his truck it had a flat tire. He tried
to blame it on me. After a pause he
added, Flat was on the downhill side
too. Bim couldnt hide his grin.
We expected the County Sheriff
to show up soon to cuff Bim and haul
him away.
But, no, just another day in the life
of an old cowboy.
For all his shortcomings of hotheadedness and lack of people skills,
Bim was a good hunter and a good
guide. One by one, he guided all five
of the bow hunters in camp that week
to take a bull elk. That is quite an accomplishment. The last fellow wasnt
even a good hunter but was actually
forced into success by public ridicule
from Bim.
I could relate more Bim stories but
Ill move on to Guy. (Again not his
real name.) Youre required to have
a guide to hunt moose in Canada. It
might be said that we brought this
situation on ourselves because, not
having much money, my buddy, John,

and I didnt choose a real moose guide
but went with a recommendation of
a friend of a friend of a cousin that
knew a guide. When we met our
contact person in Canada he said,
Well pick up your licenses at the
Fish and Game office, then Ill take
you out to meet my partner who will
be guiding you.
Well, our licenses werent at the
F&G office, but a couple hours of
phone calls, record searching, name
calling and shouting got us some kind
of licenses. When we got out of there
our contact person was mad! Follow me! were his only words as he
sped away in his truck. Even though
we drove faster than was safe on the
dirt roads, we couldnt keep his dust
in sight. We lost him. Slowing down
we drove on, wondering what to do.
It seemed that we were abandoned
by our contact person with no guide
and questionable hunting licenses in
our pockets. Just then, I spotted his
truck parked at an old house trailer.
We could hear the cussing inside
even before we pulled into the yard.
Apparently the partnership had just
dissolved. Our contact came out and
drove off without a word, abandoning
us to our guide, Guy.
Guy explained that the moose
were stupid around there and that
we would have no problem shooting
a couple of them as he served stale
coffee from a very dirty coffee pot. In
fact the whole corner of the kitchen
was stained from spilled coffee from
the perpetual coffee pot. Mrs. Guy
came home and mentioned that she
had been freezing left over pancakes
for us. Just get what you want from
the freezer in the morning and nuke
them for breakfast. (In that filthy
microwave over there? We wondered.)
Mrs. Guy was not an early riser.
Guy had a couple of errands to at-
Hunting guides gone wild page 28
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Hunting guides gone wild:

from page 26
tend to the next day so we jumped in
his old truck and went to check on the
progress at his backwoods sawmill
and to collect fees at his sorry looking
campground. When are we going
hunting? we asked.
We are hunting, Guy explained. Well see one along the
road somewhere and you fellas can
get out and shoot it.
Isnt it illegal to shoot moose
near a road? we queried. No answer
came. We wanted to get out in the
bush to hunt them, we explained.
Oh we will, Guy replied. I
have to cruise a section of timber for
the sawmill tomorrow. Im sure its
full of stupid moose and you guys are
welcome to hunt them while I work.
We might even see one from the truck
on the way up there.
After three days of road hunting,
running errands, cruising timber and
not seeing any stupid moose, John
asked me, Have you noticed that
Mrs. Guy is still wearing the same
clothes she had on when we got
here?
I cant drink any more of that
rot-gut coffee, I answered.
I cant eat another freezer
burned pancake left over from last
summer either, he mumbled.
Load up the truck, were outta
here!
Believe me, there is more to the
Guy story, but Ill move on to Deuce.
Outfitter, Deuce Dakenzie, (Nope,
not his real name either) ran a big
bear camp in Northern Canada. He
owned a large jet boat to transport his
hunters up the river about 50 miles
to his comfortable camp. Deuce felt
empowered when at the wheel of the
powerful jet boat. He had perfected
a move he called the victory roll.
While at full speed hed cut the jets
and throw the boat into a sideways
slide. When the boat had quickly slid
out of control for 180 degrees, Deuce
would pour on the jets and speed
back the way he came. Any women
on board would scream and the men
would put a white-knuckle grip on
anything within reach while Deuce
laughed gleefully through the whole
crazy maneuver. This was done on a
winding river, mind you, not out on
an open lake.
While in bear camp, Deuce would
jet up river each afternoon stopping to
drop off hunters at bait stations every
few miles. Then he would go fishing.
After dark he returned downstream,
picking up his hunters and their
bears if anyone had been successful.
On the night I got my bear we also
picked up another successful bear
hunter. Speeding, full throttle, back
down river in the dark, Deuce yelled,

A two bear night! as we approached
camp. Then he threw the boat into
a spectacular victory rollin pitch
darkness. This time it was the men
who screamed as the demon at the
wheel laughed uncontrollably.
In that bear camp there was a
camp helper, Ill call Mike, who had a
special gift. It was said that he never,
ever forgot a persons name or phone
number. Mike could recite poetry,
from memory, all day long. He could
also make up poetry, spontaneously,
about anything and everything. His
vocabulary was amazing and his
mental capacity was awesome.
I shot a second bear (legally) on
that trip with my video camera rolling. Unfortunately, the video doesnt
show very much respect for bear or
bear hunting. Ive never shown it
to anyone except that night in camp.
My arrow flew true but, instead of
running off, the bear immediately
climbed up a nearby tree, bawling
all the way. Then, with a terrible
growl, he came crashing down among
broken branches and hit the ground,
stone dead, exactly where I shot
him. On viewing the video that night
the Canadians howled with laughter. They loved it! Show it again,
they cried. When I finally refused to
show it anymore, Mike immediately
responded with poetry. To everyones enjoyment he went on and on
in rhyme about the bear. Later, Mike
handed me a sheet of paper. I wrote
it down for you, he laughed. The
Famous Alberta Dropping Bear. I
still have that poem, carefully hand
printed on both sides of the sheet of
paper.
Yeah, the best stories come
from experiences with those other
hunting guides; the ones that drive
old pickups too fast, talk too loud,
drink too much, and fight too often.
Whether they be old cowboys from
the west or old woodsmen from the
north, they are the ones who leave
a lasting impression. I dont know
what ever became of Bim Barvis but
last I knew he was burning his candle
at both ends. I suppose he burned out
early. Deuce soon left the guiding
business. Sadly, I later learned that
Mike had died from suicide. I wonder. Will we ever understand how the
human mind can be so free, uninhibited, and creative, yet be unable to
deal with life? I wonder if some of
that same mysterious thread doesnt
run through the lives of many of the
other hunting guides. They are
always on the edge of an adventure
and seem to be living freewhile
avoiding life.n
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Early in the winter the author spends the majority of

his time targeting walleye with high action lure types
including swimming/jigging baits and also flutter style
jigging spoons like this Little Bay de Noc Do Jigger spoon.
Getting the edge on walleye
The winter walleye fishing opportunities in Michigan are amazingly good, from in-land treasures
to the Great Lakes and connecting waterways, the list is long By Mark Romanack
I
30
ts amazing to me how cooperative walleye can be when fishing

on first ice. Its like that initial
covering of ice puts the fear of
God into walleye that seemingly realize the easy pickings of
spring, summer and fall are over.
Walleye bite great on first ice, but
before you can catch them you have to
find them. Fishing late into the fall has
helped me predict the whereabouts of
walleye on first ice. The same places
walleye frequent in late fall are going
to hold fish on first ice. As the winter
progresses and forage fish become
harder and harder to find, the same
holds true for walleye.
If there is a moral in this
discussion its how important it is
to get out on first ice when walleye
are going to be vastly easier to find
and catch. Waiting until the ice is
thick enough to support a pick-up
truck is a big mistake when it
comes to winter walleye angling.
has gained in popularity rapidly over

the years. The original Jigging Rapala
started this trend towards aggressive
ice fishing tactics. Today, every major
manufacturer of ice fishing lures has a
A number of popular walleye
product similar to the Jigging Rapala.
fishing presentations will take fish
All of these lures hang horizontal
consistently on first ice. I break these in the water and are designed to dart
presentations down into three catego- to the side when jigged and when
ries including high action jigging/
allowed to sink on a slack line these
swimming lures, moderate action
baits circle and glide to a resting posijigging spoons and subtle action lead tion. The swimming motion of these
head jigs.
lures makes them especially deadly on
Because walleye are typically very active fish.
active on first ice, the jigging/swimIf this category of ice fishing lures
ming and jigging spoon categories
has a shortcoming its the small hooks
tend to be among the best producing
that typically come factory installed
options. Both of these lure groups will on them. The first thing I do after
put fish on the ice and tweaking these purchasing jigging/swimming lures is
baits is often the difference in getting to replace the bottom treble hook with
a few bites or limiting out.
a hook one size larger. Many anglers
also use red or other brightly colored
hooks to add enticement.
This category of ice fishing baits
After adding a larger hook to these
Breaking Down
The Presentations
Jigging/Swimming Lures
lures, the next step is tipping the bottom treble hook with the head or tail
of a fresh minnow. I hook the minnow
right up through the top of the head
and then pinch off the bait about a half
inch behind the head.
Some anglers argue that tipping
these baits reduces their natural action, but Ive always found the added
attraction of scent and taste puts more
fish on the ice than fishing these lures
clean.
A sub-category of the jigging/
swimming lures includes baits that are
designed to dart and swim, but also
to sink slower. The Salmo Chubby
Darter and Lindy Darter are two baits
that fit squarely into this category.
These baits have action similar
to the Jigging Rapala, but they are
lighter and sink slower. When walleye
are very aggressive it doesnt seem to
matter if a rapidly or slower sinking
swimming lure is used. The difference
After safe ice is formed, its important to get out on the ice
when walleye are going to be vastly easier to find and catch
tampering with these lures.
Jigging Spoons
Jigging spoons like swimming/

jigging lures come in different designs that impact on how fast they
sink. Slab-style spoons like the Luhr
Jensen Crippled Herring, Bay de Noc
Swedish Pimple, Northland Forage

Minnow and Acme Kastmaster sink
very quickly and tend to function best
on actively feeding fish.
Wider and slower sinking spoons
like the Bay de Noc Do Jigger, VMC
Tingler and the Slender Spoon by
Custom Jigs and Spins sink slower
and on average tend to produce on
a wider number of days than slab
spoons.
Changing out the factory hooks is
a common practice on jigging/swimming lures, but doing so on jigging
spoons is tricky business. The slower
sinking rate and wobble/fluttering
action these spoons possess can be
quickly destroyed by adding a hook
thats too large and heavy.
Changing out a bronze hook
for one thats red is about all I can
recommend when it comes to customizing slow sinking spoons.
Lead Head Jigs
Jake Romanack took this eating sized walleye by working a Salmo Chubby
Darter. High action lures like this the Jigging Rapala and the Shiver Minnow
are good bets for active early winter walleye.
The most subtle category of

winter jigging lures are the lead head
jigs. Any lead head jig can be used
to target winter walleye, but I prefer
a stand-up style of head anytime Im
fishing vertical. With a stand-up head
the minnow or soft plastic grub is
positioned facing up off the bottom
when the jig is at rest on bottom. This
puts the jig in position to hook fish
in the roof of the mouth should they
suck the jig off bottom.
With round head and other jig
head designs its a game of Russian
roulette as to where the hook ends up
when a fish sucks it up off the bottom.
Since stand-up jigs cost only pennies
more than ordinary jig designs, it
makes sense to use stand-up jigs for
ice fishing and other vertical jigging
applications.
Old school ice fishermen
wouldnt dream of fishing a lead
head jig without a lively minnow.
These days, anglers are split in their
opinions about using live bait or soft
plastics for winter walleye.
My opinion falls in the middle
and its a rare day youll catch me on
the ice without both minnows and
soft plastics on hand. I typically start
out with live minnows and if the bite
is good, switch over to using soft
plastic to maximize the time a lure
spends in the water.
The soft plastics that work
the best for winter walleye are
those which are scent and flavor
enhanced. Some of the popular
choices include Berkley Gulp,
PowerBait, Rapalas Trigger X,
Northland Tackles Impulse and
Yum Baits. The softer these baits
feel to the touch, the more likely
they are going to produce walleye on

the ice.
After Market Scents
A growing number of anglers

are reporting that using after-market
scent products is improving their
catch rate. Some claim that the scents
they use actually attract fish and
stimulate them to bite. Others are of
the opinion that adding scent products
masks human and other unnatural
odors on fishing gear.
Either way its abundantly obvious that a majority of anglers are using scent products despite what they
might be reporting to their friends and
fishing buddies! My two cents in this
discussion is that using fishing scent
is certainly less important than finding locations that routinely support
fish. However, once fish are located
its often the little details that make
or break a fishing trip. Using natural
scents that are made from forage fish
and crustaceans that walleye feed on
regularly can certainly do no harm
and in some cases might be putting a
few more fish on the ice.
Pro-Cure is a brand of fishing
scents based on the west coast that is
starting to penetrate the Great Lakes
markets. This company got its start
producing curing products for preserving eggs, cut bait, shrimp, etc.
More recently they have expanded
into a lineup of fish attracting scents
that are made from herring, alewife,
smelt, crayfish and other natural forages that walleye routinely feed on.
Pro-Cure scents are highly concentrated, sticky so they stay on lures
for the maximum amount of time and
they also include UV attractors that
help enhance the visibility of fishing lures. A two-ounce bottom will
last the average angler a full season.
For more information on these scent
products check out www.pro-cure.
com.
Final Words
The winter walleye fishing opportunities in Michigan are amazingly good. From in-land treasures
like Houghton, Muskegon, Long and
Hubbard Lakes to reservoirs like Holloway and Hardy Dam Pond, the list
of winter walleye fishing destinations
is long. It would also be remiss not to
mention the Great Lakes and Connecting Waterway fisheries including
Saginaw Bay, Munuscong Bay, Little
Bay de Noc, Lake St. Clair and Lake
Erie.
All of these fisheries and more
are prime locations for hitting the
ice early in search of red hot walleye
fishing action.n
becomes noticeable on those days

when the fish arent biting all that
well and the slower sinking lures rule.
Ironically, tipping the Chubby
Darter or Lindy Darter with a minnow or minnow head isnt a good
practice. The swimming action of
these baits is easily destroyed by
31
November Saginaw Bay smallies

Mother Nature smiles on anglers and delivers a magnificent day on the water one more time
32
he first week of November I should

be in my treestand hoping to catch a
cruising whitetail buck in one of my
shooting lanes. I should be cleaning
and preparing my gun shack for
opening day. I should be unpacking
the woollies for an early November 15 morning
hunt.
I was doing nothing of the sort, truth was I was
peeled down to a short sleeve shirt casting tubes at
big ole bronzebacks in Saginaw Bay with friends.
A magnificent, blue sky, 70 degree day. Only in
Michigan could such a scene unfold.
Longtime friend, Alex Lengemann, an avid
smallmouth fisherman called me earlier in the day,
I dont care what you are doing...stop right now...
get in your truck and drive up here for an incredible
afternoon of fishing!
Were crushin em! he shouted.
It was one of those rare warm November days,
why waste it sitting in some office? I told myself.
Shedding all guilt, I explained to all at the office
I was off on a story, one that must be told, Youll
have to finish the day without me!
As I rushed out the door, I heard someone say,
Hes goin fishing!
By 2 pm I was in Bay Port, listening to the
mornings stories from Alex and his fishing pal,
Jeremy Alcodray, as we left the launch for Saginaw
Bay.
The two are no strangers to the waters around
Bay Port. Alex has been fishing primarily smallmouth for just shy of a decade. Bay Port and Caseville are his home ports, he has many little hidey
holes for smallmouth all over the Bay.
On this day, a bonus day from Mother Nature
the catch was as good as any angler could hope for.
Each spot produced fish, big fish upwards of six
pounds and three others five pounds plus. In total
the two enthusiastic fishermen had boated well over
a dozen each.
Like so many times before, once I arrive to do
a story, any story, the winds die, a front moves in
and or the fish simply decide to swim to Canadian
waters. Its about then I hear those familiar words,
Boy, wish you could have been here this morning,
the fishing was unlike anything I have ever experienced.
Well, it wasnt quite that bad, we did boat another ten fish, but we had to work hard for them.
Alex, his brothers, Bill and Jack, all share a
passion for fishing, specifically smallmouth fishing.
And as Im told a family dinner discussion on politics can quickly turn to a debate over crankbaits vs.
tubes without a moments notice, leaving the rest of
the family shaking their heads.

Jeremy is a friend and he is
also fanatical about smallmouth
fishing.

Fishing, as you know, is
high-tech these days. Alexs
bass boat is geared to the max,
fish finders, water temperature
gauges, water depth, GPS, and
other assorted gadgets. He has
By Randy Jorgensen
Alex Lengemann and Jeremy Alcodray with four very large smallmouth.
a great time.
Alex fishes the natural rock formations, manmade structures, points of islands and the edge of
weed lines.
I like fishing Lake St. Clair, Erie and select inland lakes, but I think this portion of Saginaw Bay
holds just as many fish, Alex tells me.
In the years Ive been fishing here we have had
several 50 fish days. Its just a tremendous area, a
tremendous fishery, he continued.
Alex went to explain to me he likes the area
because there is so much structure, little islands
and rock formations that make great habitat for big
smallmouth.
And if Mother Nature allows, Alex will fish
right up to Thanksgiving in the Bay. While others
are out putting on deer drives, Alex and his brothers
are still rounding up smallies I can safely bet.
With the 109-year-old state record being broke
for smallmouth Alex and Jeremy both congratulate Greg Gasicel for a tremendous fish (be sure to
see his story on page 8 in this issue). But neither
thought it would be anywhere near another 100
years before that record is broken.
Smallmouth fishermen have gotten pretty
good, the methods and technology, the fishery itself
and sheer number of smallmouth fishermen today
makes the current record in jeopardy, its just a matter of time, Jeremy tells me.
Jeremy understands this because he caught one
he feels may have been close to eight pounds last
Alex lifts a 5-lb. smallmouth from the
year. Scrolling through his phone he showed me a
water on a November day. Author photos picture of a monster smallmouth, one that very well
could have weighed in the 8-pound range.
Pointing to Alex he said, He always tells me I
a rod for most any kind of situation, for flipping
should weigh them, but Im doing it now.
tubes, slow retrieves with a drop-shots or high
speed crank baits. They all have a place and they all Michigan is such a great state and has such
great habitat for smallmouth there has to be another
have a spot.
On this day, Alex and Jeremy had most of their big guy swimming around out there somewhere,
success on casting tubes. They sped from location
Alex says.
It was one of those days, Mother Nature smiled
to location in no time.
I love the fall run, the fish are bigger and action on sportsman and gave us one more day to rememis incredible, Alex tells me. I knew you would be ber the joys of summer and our special, world class
impressed with the fishery here in the bay and have Michigan fishery.n
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A Naturally Occurring Hybrid...
TIGER
MUSKIE
tiger muskie is a hybrid between a muskie

and northern pike. Unlike some other popular hybrids like splake (hybrid lake trout/
brook trout) or white bass/striped bass
hybrids, the tigers do consistently occur
naturally in waters where both muskie and
pike abound. Tiger muskie were formerly propagated and stocked in Michigan prior to 1991. This
program was discontinued in favor of propagating
and stocking true muskie. One of the motives for
stocking tiger muskie had been to have a game fish
that could potentially attain trophy size but would
be easier for anglers to catch.
It is not uncommon for barred color patterned
muskie to be misidentified as a tiger muskie. Tiger
muskies have an irregular barred pattern of stripes
and large dots although they have more rounded
fins (similar to the pike) and tail lobes. As the diagram shows, a tiger muskie takes on coloration and
characteristics of both parents. This is why
muskie fishing regulations and minimum
size limits also apply to tiger muskie. If
tiger muskie had a smaller minimum size
limit a significant number of barred color
pattern muskie could be prematurely removed from the fishery. True muskies have
pointed lobes on their tail and green spots,
their bars are solid green/olive on a white
background.
An extensive Canadian fisheries
study showed that tiger muskie generally grows faster than pure muskie.
Other studies in Wisconsin confirmed both faster
growth rates and greater vulnerability to angling
for the tiger muskie. Propagation of tiger muskie
is easier than pure muskie, but, unfortunately the
survival rate of stocked tigers in Michigan lakes
was poor. In an effort to evaluate tiger muskie
versus pure muskie for my Crystal Falls DNR managed waters, I contacted many Michigan fisheries
biologists during the later part of Michigans tiger
muskie program. After contacting most of the fisheries biologists with experience with tiger muskie
stocking I could only find a couple of Michigan
lakes where the tiger muskie program was considered to be a success.
In the late 1980s, I also contacted several
fisheries biologists for Wisconsin and Minnesota
DNRs that had an overall knowledge of their
states tiger muskie program. Neither Wisconsin
nor Minnesota DNR representatives were very
impressed with their overall tiger muskie stocking
Benji Wood from the Boundary Waters Muskie Club with a nice UP tiger muskie.
programs. The Wisconsin representative said we
call them hybrid pike and said they limit the tiger
muskie stocking to waters near large southern urban
areas where fishing pressure is heavy and
muskie spawning habitat was inadequate.
The Minnesota biologist said they used
tiger muskie in the same type of situation
that Wisconsin DNR was using them. Due
to limited pure muskie fingerling availability, Lansing fisheries administrators were
providing only tiger muskie fingerlings to
UP fisheries managers in the late 1980s.
That was exactly opposite situation of how
neighboring lake states used their tiger
muskie.
Despite the fact that Michigan
dropped their tiger muskie stocking program, in
fisheries surveys in waters that contained good
populations of both muskie and pike we routinely
found small numbers of natural tigers. A good
example of a large lake with both esocids (pike and
muskie) would be Lac Vieux Desert in Gogebic
County. The state record tiger muskie was caught
at Lac Vieux Desert in 1919. This Michigan state
record fish was 54 inches in length and 51 pounds.
There are a number of lakes and reservoirs in the
UP with viable natural populations of muskie and
pike. Based on our DNR fisheries surveys it appeared there would be about one to three percent of
the overall esocid population that would be naturally occurring tiger muskie.
To qualify as a Michigan Master Angler Fish
muskie or tiger muskie must be either 42 inches
or 20 pounds. Review of the UP Master Angler
Reports since 1995 reveals a scatter of quality-sized
tiger muskie throughout the UP. Multiple master
By Bill Ziegler
34
angler muskies were reported from Lake Michigamme (3) in Marquette County and Indian Lake
(2) from Schoolcraft County. Other UP waters producing Master Angler Award sized tigers include:
Lac Vieux Desert Gogebic, Rolland Houghton,
Craig Baraga, Chicagon Iron and the Tahquamenon River in Luce County.
Muskie and tiger muskie are capable of attaining trophy size, although under normal forage
conditions it takes them a long time to attain that
size. Research in Wisconsin found that most of their
trophy muskie were 15 years old, or greater. Michigan DNR has always had a modest muskie rearing
program that can only produce a limited amount of
muskie fingerlings statewide. As a result, Michigan
DNR Fisheries placed a statewide 42-inch minimum size limit on muskie to protect valuable brood
stock and let the muskie attain a quality size. Wisconsin DNR has typically had varied inland muskie
size limits regulations, although in recent years they
are moving toward similar quality size limits.
There is considerable misunderstanding and
misconceptions about muskie/tiger muskies typical foods and impacts on lakes fisheries populations. Minnesota DNR just published an extensive
study where they followed fish populations on over
40 lakes after muskie were introduced into them.
The research indicated no significant decrease in
game fish or panfish populations. They did find
that sucker populations declined and yellow perch
populations increased following the introduction of
muskie.
Extensive muskie forage studies reveal that
the overwhelming choice is soft rayed fish that are
often larger than other game fish species target. The
muskie food studies show that adult muskie typi-
It is not uncommon for barred color patterned muskie to be misidentified as a tiger muskie. Tiger muskies have an irregular barred pattern of stripes and
large dots although they have more rounded fins (similar to the pike) and tail lobes. A tiger muskie takes on coloration and characteristics of both parents.
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cally eat suckers, redhorse, cisco and

whitefish. Juvenile muskie target minnows and juveniles of the same soft
rayed species listed above. Muskie
are opportunistic predators. On a rare
occasion when they are very actively
feeding, they have been known to
strike at a struggling game fish, being
reeled in by an angler. This behavior
is often widely reported and leads to
the misconception that they eat more
of these game fish than is actually the
case. Fortunately, in this area many
of the muskie waters have an ample
supply of suckers, the favored forage.
In the last few years the DNR has
dropped the management practice of
sucker population thinning. The only
effective way to control sucker populations is with predation by muskie or
northern pike (pike are less effective
than the larger muskie). Muskie/tiger
muskies are known to be able to eat
a forage fish that is about 1/5 to
their own size although many suckers
attain a size where they are too big to
be eaten by northern pike.
There are several good angling
methods for muskie, but many
anglers use live suckers from 12 to
20 inches in length as their primary
method. Most area bait shops carry
muskie-sized suckers for anglers. The
suckers are fished under a large bobber on a live bait harness rig. Casting
typical muskie lures on a second rod
can still be effective and can help
pass the time between muskie hits.
Trolling large minnow/sucker imitator lures is very effective although
it is generally used more in the late
spring and summer.
Many muskie anglers catch and
release their fish, even the fish that
have attained legal size. If you have
any intention to keep a tiger muskie/
muskie you must first obtain a free
muskie tag from your license agent
(see page 16 and 18 of the Michigan
Fishing Guide). There is a yearly
possession limit of one muskie/tiger
muskie per year to protect this trophy
fishery. Tiger muskie are not common
enough in Michigan waters to specifically target them, although you fish
for them the same way you would
for pure muskie. If you should be
lucky enough to catch one it is a real
bonus.n
35
The Impossible Made Possible On The Cass River...
The Frankenmuth Fish Passage
uesday, October 27, 2015 was

a very important day for a lot
of folks. It was Ribbon Cutting day for the Frankenmuth
Fish Passage Project. Daring
young folks from the Frankenmuth Community Youth Advisory
Committee had literally stretched a
wide blue ribbon across the river, and
had a big pair of ceremonial scissors
ready to do the job. The countdown
was Frankenmuth style, in German,
and that worked for me!
I have very strong ties to the Cass
River and anything that affects its
future is extremely important me,
because it is nearly in my backyard,
and has been for most of my life (and
I owe it deeply for some great childhood memories). Ive gotten the impression over the years, that as most
Michigan rivers go, the Cass River
has often been considered a bit of a
Rodney Dangerfield (unjustifiably
referred to with no respect) in the eyes
of many, but for those of us who know
it well, the Cass River offers a lot and
it has the obvious potential to provide
plenty more.
An organization that realizes this
is the Cass River Greenway and since
their beginning not that many years
ago, they have made great strides in
not only in putting a spotlight on the
value of the river, but also
in improving and promoting
its quality both environmentally and recreationally. The
group has been very instrumental in developing canoe/
kayak launching sites for
better accessibility at several
locations on the river, and
they perform annual
cleanups on set
stretches (this entails bringing out countless tires, all
kinds of garbage and even an engine
block or two, believe it or not). They
also have been working with all the
municipalities located along the Cass
River towards monitoring better water
quality, and to me their impact is quite
obvious.
I first met Bob Zeilinger and Joe
Toth of the Cass River Greenway
a couple of years ago on the banks
of the Cass River, right next to the
Frankenmuth Dam, and it was then I
learned there had been and were still
talks in progress about fixing, improving, or completely redoing the dam.
The idea that caught my attention was
the one that would allow fish to migrate upstream, something that certain
fish species havent been able to do

since the Frankenmuth Dam was first
built in 1850.
The Frankenmuth Dam was first
constructed of timber (which was
readily available and close at hand
then), and then eventually
concrete, and would undergo various repairs over
the years. It was discovered
along the way that the dam
had actually become a part
of the river system itself and
supported Frankenmuths
south bank and the Main
Street bridge abutments. It also provided the necessary
water depth upstream for local and
commercial boating as well as maintaining the river profile that we recognize today. There was little doubt at
all as to its importance to the City of
Frankenmuth, and a whole bunch of
folks.
A short-term fix on the dam would
have cost an estimated $350,000,
but short fixes are just that and in no
time at all you are looking at having
to step in again, and invest more, and
then more again. Frankenmuth (very
wisely in my opinion) decided to go
much farther and create a permanent
fix that would improve the recreational aspects of their community (fishing,
canoeing, kayaking and boating) and
also improve the environment by al-
By Tom Lounsbury
lowing a readily available passage for

a variety of fish species through the
area that have been denied wonderful
spawning habitat (about 73 miles) for
more than 165 years.
The estimated cost of the project
was 3.5 million dollars and the City of
Frankenmuth knew that it would have
to reach out and collaborate with a
bunch of folks including various state
and federal government agencies to
get it all successfully accomplished.
What really helped, due to the recognized water quality and environmental
importance of the Frankenmuth Fish
Passage Project, was that the region
attracted national funding of approximately $2.4 million and multiple other
funding sources would participate as
well.
Right in the middle of all this was
Sheila Stamiris, Frankenmuths Director of the Downtown Authority. It was
her goal to get everyone involved to
collaborate and make what appeared
to be impossible, actually happen.
And happen it did, beginning with a
partnership with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, followed by multiple
approvals from agencies such as the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Agency, MDNR
and MDEQ. This was obviously no
small undertaking of getting everyone
on board to hold hands and make it all
possible. But all did so for the better
good.
The Frankenmuth Fish Project
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36
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The Frankenmuth Fish Passage is technically a Fishway that is a stone ramp topped with stone weirs developed for
non-jumping fish species. The weirs form 30-foot wide pools and fish can use these for a resting zone, or continue on
their way upstream. Tom Lounsbury photos
to discontinue that journey before,
because of the Frankenmuth Dam and
its very non-negotiable high banks.
Now I can continue on, a BucketList sort of thing). I want to
paddle all the way to Saginaw
some day!
I must admit that rapids affair is
sort of appealing to me, despite getting long in the tooth. No doubt experienced kayakers are going to give it
a whirl, head on. They seem to get all
the credit in this fast water environment these days and admittedly and
justifiably so, as they are great and
very maneuverable watercraft for that
challenging atmosphere. But Im not
into kayaks. Im into canoes, something that the Cass River has witnessed paddling its current for eons,
and I know how to wield a paddle in
a constructive manner, and have been
at it quite awhile.
Yep, Ill be checking it all over
at high water next spring. The Frankenmuth Fish Passage is truly a

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is unique in that it follows a bend

in the river and required a tremendous amount of limestone rocks and
literal boulders to be trucked in from
quarries in Alpena and Bay Port.
It is truthfully an amazing sight on
completion to behold.
In reality it is no fish ladder
most folks might automatically assume it is for jumping fish species
like salmon and trout. Warm water
fish species such as walleyes (a key
species for this effort) do not do any
jumping, they just swim into the current to get to important places, and
hopefully those places dont make it
all that difficult either.
The Frankenmuth Fish Passage
is technically a Fishway that is a
stone ramp topped with stone weirs
developed for non-jumping fish species. The weirs form 30-foot wide
pools and fish can use these for a
resting zone, or continue on their way
upstream. The real key to these weirs
is to disrupt the water current and to
slow its velocity down at key spots,
to allow migrating fish ready access.
The Frankenmuth Fish Passage also
takes care of upstream water levels
as well as protecting the south bank
at high water levels. It is a perfect
example of what can be accomplished
when dedicated folks get together,
talk it over and make it all happen.
A bonus to all this is the visible
rapids flowing between the weirs and
on down the river. Taken into consideration are the kayaks and canoes that
will need to continue on downstream,
and now there is an easy portage trail
that is available. (Ive canoed down
the Cass River several times over
the years and from all the upstream
branches too, and I have always had
37
BUCKS JUNK
I
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H
E
Vacate open fields and clearings and head for the junk; swamps, thick alders, briars, tall grass
provide concealment that smart old bucks require for survival... By Kenny Darwin
38
t was a foggy overcast day

when I slipped into the
thick alders and tall grass in
search of a massive Michigan
10-point that had enough webbing to be part moose. The
big slob was showing regularly on my
Stealth trail camera but after archery
and gun season he would not come
out during daylight. I sweetened the
pie with some fresh goodies from my
friends at the MSU plant experimental
station; nothing brings big bucks like
homegrown apples, carrots, potatoes,
beets and more. The brute would grab
the chow and run for the cover of the
thick brush. He lived in the junk.
The wet weather concealed my
approach as I slowly slithered through
the tangled mess. Suddenly to my left
I caught movement as the trophy licked
his back and the huge polish tines
waved at me. My heart skipped a beat
as I slowly shouldered the Ultimate
Muzzleloader; put the Burris Fullfield
E1 lighted cross hair on his neck and
squeezed the trigger! For a second
I thought I missed the shot at a huge
mature buck at less than 15-yards. I
fumbled for Triple 7 pellets, Sabot and
bullet as I rammed the load. Then, I
saw a patch of white and realized the
pig was down. I let out a war hoop that
the neighbors could hear and sat down
to admire my prize buck. He was big,
dark, pig-faced with whitish tines and
main beams thick as a mans wrist. For
four years I hunted the beast, spent
thousands on bait, lived in treestands
and ground blinds, and followed his big
moose-like tracks in the snow. Now he
was mine.
At one point I was so frustrated
because I knew where he was living
but it was simply too thick to hunt. I
felt like taking stand downwind and
setting the thick brush on fire. Instead
I admired the huge scrapes, sign post
rubs year after year and I eventually,
reluctantly entered the domain of the
beast. At times I was tied up in briars,
couldnt move. Good luck getting a
shot. Other times I was low-crawling

through the junk. One thing is certain;
there were a number of well used deer
trails covered with huge tracks from the
300-pound monster. Without a doubt it
became impressively clear that this big
buck loved junk. Im talking the brand
of thick cover that no man in his right
mind would consider entering. Thats
where he set up shop, survived several
deer seasons and grew an impressive
rack.
Come to think of it most big bucks
have a hiding location. Ill never
forget the 200-plus giant I chased
while hunting with my son Zach in the
Shiawassee National Refuge. His rack
was big as a rockin chair, had points
going everywhere and a drop tine the
size of a gun stock. He charged Zach
by blasting through thick cattails and
when my boy raised his gun for a shot
the giant buck did a quick turn, lowered his massive rack and bulldozed
through the marsh the opposite direction. You could hear him a mile away,
he sounded like a Cape Buffalo gone
berserk. You could see bits of his absolutely monumental rack and the tops of
the thick cattails wiggling but he never
gave us a shot. I spent the rest of the
afternoon sloshing in the cattails that
were 10 feet tall, following monster
tracks in the muck but never saw the
unbelievable buck again.
Most Michigan buck hunters are
keen about setting up stands near thick
brush and junk. Cedar swamps are
hotspots in the Upper Peninsula and
northern counties. Cattails are home
for countless bucks that learn how
to disappear in the slop and junk and
remain hidden from hunters. The list
of hiding locations for bucks is a long
one but one characteristic is critical for
trophy deer, they love it thick.
Hey, I get a kick out of southern
Michigan bucks that vacate local wood
lots and trees because archers are in
the area. Instead they head for the
protection of standing cornfields and
seek the comfort of the thick plants,
grassy ditches or marshes. Come night

they return to the hardwoods to dine
on acorns but quickly run for the cover
of standing corn as pre-dawn archers
stumble for tree stands.
Truth is, if you are looking for a
buck it is a good idea to vacate open
fields and clearings and head for the
junk. Swamps, thick alders, briars,
tall grass and more provide the brand
of concealment that smart old bucks
require for survival. Heavy cover
draws whitetails like a magnet. Once
they find the safe heaven they spend
more time in the impenetrable junk.
Wise old monarchs have hiding locations where they hunker down and they
know no human will go there. They
sit tight, bed down, sometimes in plain
sight of hunters, automobiles, planes,
trains and they know how to remain
hidden until darkness arrives. Once the
coast is clear they get up, roam freely
but are certain to be back in the junk
come daylight. Sure, during rut they
go bonkers and can be seen dancing
on golf courses or open fields. Once
breeding chores are finished wise old
bucks slip back into their lair, bed down
and remain hidden from humans.
Hunting the junk is seldom easy.
Some hunters blaze trails using
bulldozer equipment or they clear cut
strips so they can see into the junk. But
hunting thick cover requires patience
and determination that eventually will
get you a glimpse of a monster. The
limited visibility means you simply see
fewer deer but hunting the junk can pay
big dividends. Deer are simply drawn
to thick cover, especially as gun season
opens.
Set up over junk and you quickly
discover the challenges. One drawback
is seeing the entire animal. Most encounters only give you a glimpse of the
critter, bits and pieces. You learn how
to ready your weapon and pick a hole
ahead of where the buck is moving and
getting off a shot. This aint like those
kills on the Outdoor Channel where
they wait until the target is 100 percent
stationary, broadside. If you play in the

junk you learn how to thread the needle
making shots and you also learn to pass
on shots that are not lethal.
Part of the challenge is you need
a path of some kind so you can get in
and out without disturbing game. Most
hunters make walking trails through the
junk in late summer or during winter
when season ends. Dont be limited by
a tree stand. Some excellent ground
blind opportunities exist for those in
thick brush. Some hunters only sparingly hunt the junk. They get in and
out and leave the area for several days
before returning. This was the case
with a Jackson County monarch that
loved the junk. I had him nailed down
in a large bog full of bulrushes, cranberry bushes and cattails. I made a trail
to my inner-junk stand during summer.
But the big boy never showed until after gun season. I was slipping into the
stand with crossbow when I heard him
stand up at about 30 yards. Through
the scope he was massive but I could
not get a bolt through the brush. Thats
when the wind swirled around and he
got my scent and dashed through the
tangled mess like a moose in the tundra. He only ran about 30 yards, and
then stopped, stood motionless for over
30 minutes.
I thought maybe the trophy buck
did not have me pinned down or maybe
he was crippled from gun season. So,
I wiggled through the brush and when
I got close enough to see brown hair
he blasted through the thicket, rattling
the brush with his wide rack. To make
a long story short the smart old buck
played cat and mouse with me, coaxed
me to follow, then he would make noise
like a crippled old horse. Eventually I
was jumping from one pad to another,
trying to keep water from pouring over
the top of my 14 boots. But I soon
got soaked with freezing cold water. I
broke off from the hunt because I could
no longer feel my frozen feet. Back at
the truck I stripped off my socks and it
took almost 30 minutes for feeling to
return in my extremities. No, I never
got a shot. Yes, the smart old buck took
me for a fool, made me get wet and I
only saw bits and pieces of his huge
rack. It is my opinion he was luring
me into the swamp, knowing full well
I could not get a shot. The lesson I
learned is smart bucks know how to use
junk to their advantage to stay alive and
avoid hunters.
Hunting the junk requires patience,
attention to detail, confidence deer are
present and ability to make fast decisions when deer come kissin close.
Further, once you enter the domain of
a big buck, get into the kill zone,
experience the big advantages of
getting down and dirty for buck kills;
it will change the way you hunt for
the rest of your life. One thing is certain, once you get the adrenalin
rush from having a big buck up close,
in your face, you will learn to love
hunting the thick brush, slop, and
junk.n
39
Its All About Deer Hunting Locations...By Lane Walker
Stuck in a RUT
THE RUT
here are is no sweeter word on

earth to bowhunters. Its the
time of year that is the most
anticipated and most action
packed for hunters. The only
sad thing about the rut is that
eventually it comes to end. I have had
more big buck encounters during the
rut than any other time hunting. Deer
are on the move and bucks tend to
be more vulnerable following their
passion for love instead of using their
instincts for safety.
Hunters use a variety of calls and
strategies during the rut to bring a
whitetail into range. While these tools
are an important part of tagging a
rutting buck, dont underestimate the
importance of your stand selection.
Sitting in the right location could
be your best strategy during the rut.
Find a Funnel
There is a time restraint on hunting the rut, so some hunters opt to

spend as much time in their stand
as possible. For those hunters that
40
are prepared to sit all day, sitting in

a wooded funnel area could be best.
Look for a natural funnel that connects a food source with a bedding
area. The key to hunting the rut is
finding the does. Bucks will spend
a lot of their time cruising, scentchecking for estrous does. Does will
still look for a safe food source before
bedding down during the day.
After sunrise, deer typically move
from open fields back to their bedding
areas and the safety of the woods.
The quickest, most effective way
to find a natural funnel is to use topographic maps. Try to find areas that
deer have to cross and avoid the big
open areas in the hard woods. Look
for ridges, water or any other type of
natural boundary that will create a
funnel for deer.
These funnels can serve as a great
all day sit and provide non-stop action
for hunters looking to take the rut to
the extreme with an all-day sit. These
During the rut, bucks like to cut the corners looking for estrous does. Innatural deep wood funnels provide
stead of looking for safety, bucks will take the fastest route to find love, try a great opportunity for a rut-crazed
setting up on the inside corner of a food source.
buck.
Water can be a great natural boundary creating pinch points and trails for
deer. Use water sources to funnel deer to your stand. Author photos
travel routes. Areas with water can
serve as good boundaries that create
natural deer funnels.
Hunt the Edge
Bucks love to travel between

fields and hedgerows checking food
sources looking for love. Instead of

taking the smartest route, they look
for quickest during the rut. Since
woodlots and farm fields arent
always shaped in a perfect square
or rectangle. Many fields are odd
shaped, some are L or C shaped.
Bucks that are rutting are on a mission and they are looking for the fastest route to save time and distance.
By sitting a stand in the inside corner,
it helps eliminate stand guessing on
a large food source. Sometimes deer
can be unpredictable and change their
feeding patterns. By putting a stand
in the inside corner it will eliminate
guessing on a travel route and provide
a pinch point for a lovelorn buck.
The inside corner of a field could be
a great stand location hunters have
been looking for during the rut.
Anything can happen make sure
youre in the right location to fill your
tag. Taking advantage of an isolated
swamp island or moving your stand
to the inside corner of a field could be
just the ambush strategy hunters need
to fill their tag this rut.
These subtle hunting spots could
become your favorite stands during
the rut.n
Water can be a great asset to hunters when used correctly. Swamps or

low land areas of water provide great
funnels for wandering bucks. Look
for crossing spots, land bridges and
places where there is a sudden rise in
elevation and muck. Some of these
will pave the way to small isolated
islands, which are great sanctuaries. These places can be unique, and
bucks will gravitate towards these
areas during daylight hours because it
provides good cover and a quick exit.
Bucks during the pre-rut are looking for cover over convenience, this
role changes during the rut. The pace
is more hurried and bucks are trying
to capitalize on the small time frame
when does are in estrous. Bucks will
cross these high spots and wetland
bridges much more during the rut,
hoping to save time and energy. A
good way to find these natural low
spots or land bridges is by using satellite photos. Look for pinch points
that force deer around the water to
low crossing areas.
Keep in mind that a hard October
rain can change water levels in local
swamps. Make sure you pre-scout
looking for different axis points and
41
The Boardwalks Are Shared By Hikers, Cyclists And Bow Hunters...
An equestrian adventure
in populous Oakland County
akland County Parks (DestinationOakland.com) strives

to maximize the value of its
land for all county residents
and visitors. One way they
accomplish this goal
is by promoting multi-user
groups whenever possible,
an admirable goal in a highly
developed county. An excellent example of this concept
was the 3rd Annual Camp &
Ride event held last month at
Addison Oaks County Park
during the 4th
weekend of October. Addison
Oaks is one of the 13 parks managed
by Oakland Parks, a progressive parks
agency with many extras of interest
to sportsmen and women, including
special designation catch and release
fishing in one of their parks, managed
deer hunts in several of the parks and
equestrian camping this special weekend at Addison Oaks.
The 7,000 acre park system

has 70 miles of trails with almost
18 miles of those trails equestrianfriendly. Addison Oaks has 9.4 miles
of well-maintained equestrian trails
that pass through meadows,
wind through woodlands,
climb over glacial moraines
and cross boardwalks that
saddle up against spectacular wetlands and connect to
Cranberry Lake Park, a
nearby park managed by
Oakland Township Parks.
The 18 miles of
Oakland County
Park equestrian
trails is an impressive number for a
park system so near urban population
centers especially when considering
the State of Michigan has only 590
miles of designated equestrian trails
including the Shore-to-Shore Riding
Trail that begins at Lake Michigan in
Empire on the west side of the state
and ends at Lake Huron near Oscoda
By Jonathan Schechter
on the eastern side.

Equestrian camping is not usually permitted in the Oakland County
Parks system, but from Thursday
afternoon until Sunday at noon,
horses, horse trailers and very happy
equestrian campers ruled the roost
thanks to the tireless efforts of the
Addison Oaks Trail Riders, a local
friends group that works with the
parks on issues of trail-connectivity
and supports the parks efforts with
boots on the ground action. This action included scooping the tell-tale
deposits left on park boardwalks by
passing horses. The boardwalks are
shared by hikers and cyclists and even
bow hunters heading to their favorite
areas at Addison Oaks East. The trail
riders recognized and acted on the fact
that other user groups may not appreciate messy manure encounters on the
wooden boardwalk.
The trail riders were not all local
residents. A few of the trail riders
even travelled from Glennie, 170
Roger Burkowski visits Addison Oaks

County Park with Kybir, his five-yearold Proyor Mountain Mustang.
Jonathan Schechter photos
miles away in the Huron National
Forest to ride the trails and perhaps
most notably, enjoy the three nights
of campfire camaraderie with other
riders. And one of those others, was
Roger Burkowski, a tall gentleman
that walked the walk and talked the
talk of a true cowboy. He drew attention not just from his well-worn western attire and handcrafted saddle but
from his high-spirited horse, Kybir, a
five-year-old Pryor Mountain Mus-
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tang born in the wilds of Wyoming

and acquired through the Bureau of
Land Management adoption process.
It was their first time at Addison Oaks
and Burkowski said, I heard about
the trails and the great bunch of good
people and so I came. Kybir was
in a word, stunning, especially when
framed by the golden leaves of sugar
maples and fiery-orange of sassafras. The Pryor Mountain Mustang
is considered to be a genetically
unique sub-strain of Mustang and
are believed to have descended from
the original Colonial Spanish Horses
brought to the continent by the Spanish. The Pryor Mountains Wild Horse
Range, Kybirs birthplace, is a refuge
for this significant herd of free-roaming Mustangs, feral horses colloquially called wild horses in the Pryor
Mountains of Montana and Wyoming.
The weekend presented a matrix
of pleasurable pursuits and showcased the parks trails and amenities
that included small rental cabins. For
this event portable corrals were set
up by some of the riders who stayed
in the cabins presenting startling
sights and sounds for park visitors
not accustomed to seeing horses in
the park beyond the mounted division
of the Oakland County Sheriffs Of-
fice that patrol the park. May I see

your horse? was a commonly heard,
excitedly squealed phrase from young
children in the park with their families. For most of the equestrians, the
big draw was trail riding, and those
trail rides provided views of Sandhill
Cranes gathering for migration and
deer at the woodlands edge. About
a dozen of the riders even enjoyed a
friendly game of horse soccer while
others put their horses through an
obstacle course set up by the Addison
Oaks Trail Riders.
Sharon Greene, the former Executive Director of Public Relations for
Oakland Countys Highland Equestrian Conservancy is an outspoken
woman with strong land conservation
ethics and equine interests. When
asked about the equestrian trails created by Oakland County Parks she
did not hesitate with her comment,
Horses and horse pastures are the
last line of defense against sprawl.
Once small farms are pushed out,
development takes over and the green
spaces that we cherish are lost, she
added. But we are blessed here in
Oakland County to have county park
management that understands how
to protect and conserve natural areas
and Oakland County Parks incor-
porates awesome trails for all user

groups to appreciate beauty right in
our own backyards. Libby Dwyer
is an active member of the Addison
Oaks Trail Riders. She said, After
being involved in trail-building with
other government entities for almost
30 years my experience with Oakland
County Parks is an example of how
successful a partnership between special interest users and parks should
be.
Weather was fickle at times, but
six hours of drizzle and one downburst did little to dampen spirits. On
the last evening I sat under the full
moon with Holly resident Brenda
Lemming and her friends at their
campfire circle overlooking Buhl
Lake as her Appaloosa seemed to
look on from the shadows. Her
words sum up the event with honest perfection. The Addison Oaks
Camp and Ride is not just camping
and riding, it is a chance to reconnect
with nature alongside people who
love what you love. You dont meet
people every day that go camping
with their horses so bringing so many
together in one place is inspiring.
The trails, trees, lakes, sounds, colors
and miles of trails cannot be described, they have to be experienced.
Brenda Lemming of Holly, rides Denver, her Appaloosa along the equestrian trail of Addison Oaks County
Park a part of the 3rd Annual Camp &
Ride event held last month.
I look forward to this experience
every year and treasure the memories
I carry with me.
Jonathan Schechter is naturalist/
paramedic/outdoor writer in Oakland County, Michigan and an active
member of the Wilderness Medical
Society. Email: oaknature@aol.comn
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43
D & R Sports Center Two-day Ice

Fishing Show features national
champion ice fishing professionals
44
D&R Sports Center is hosting a free two-day weekend Ice Fishing

Show Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, at D&R Sports Center in
Kalamazoo.
Throughout the day, both Saturday and Sunday, renowned ice fishing pros will give free seminars to share
their experience, tips and tricks for successful ice fishing. This informative twoday event devoted entirely to the sport
of ice fishing with hands-on displays,
demonstrations and free seminars where
"nothing is held back" for beginners as
well as seasoned anglers.
Presenting free seminars at this
years D&R Ice Fishing Show will be pro
ice-fishing anglersChas Thompson and
members of the MI Ice Guys plus Bill
Ferris.
Chas Thompson, a captain of MI
Ice Guys, is a renowned competitive ice
angler whose group will present Ice
Fishing and Beyond! This seminar
Chas Thompson
provides insights into modern ice fishing techniques as practiced by successful
tournament fishermen. Thompson will discuss the latest equipment, gadgets and common sense items to get you on and off the ice with a limit of
fish in record time.
Thompson, when not ice fishing, is a computer scientist turned commercial brewer. He and the MI Ice Guys will tie things together with science, creativity and the keys to the internet. For new fishermen, as well as
those frustrated by not catching fish, his methods and tricks, consistently
catch more fish. Plus, he will share the experience he gained from his
time in Finland with the USA Ice Team
competing in the world championships
this past winter.
Bill Ferris has lived in the Ionia area
for most of his life. He is an avid hunter
and tournament bass fisherman but his
real passion is ice fishing! His workshop
is Turn the Heat up on Your Ice Fishing!
Ferris has been ice fishing for
bluegills, crappie, perch and walleye for
many years with great success. You'll
find it hard to name a public lake here in
Michigan that Bill hasn't fished. He will
talk to you about techniques that will
help you catch more fish for the pan.
He will cover equipment, such as rods,
reels, jigs, baits and the ins and outs on
using electronics. From the beginner to
Bill Ferris
the expert, you will definitely learn something from these seminars.
Randy Van Dam, owner of D&R Sports Center, says, The introduction of modern technology into the sport of ice fishing, from high-tech
battery powered drills, underwater cameras, sensitive fish finders that
can track the movement of small ice lures, carbon-fiber rods and coldweather performance clothing, has added a whole new dimension to this
winter sport. This isnt your grandfathers world of ice fishing with an ice
spud and a cork bobber! At this years power-packed show, youll not only
see the latest innovations but also learn from the pros how to use them.
In addition to free seminars throughout the day, D&R Sports Ice
Fishing Show will host manufacturers representatives for more than
twenty-five leading ice fishing tackle and equipment companies. These
representatives from the industry leaders will be on hand to meet anglers
and show their latest product innovations.
The entire two-day event, which will take place in D&Rs expanded
showroom, is free to the public with plenty of free parkingSaturday 9
am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. For information and schedule,
go to www.dandarsports.com or call D&R Sports Center at 372-2277 toll
free (800) 992-1520. D&R Sports Center is located on 8178 W. Main (M43) in Kalamazoo--three miles west of US 131 (exit 38B).
Fishing El Nino?
in the boat longer. We
can get to those big beautiful walleyes
in the Saginaw or on Lake Erie. The
down side is as winter progresses we
have had several of these weather
patterns totally end ice fishing in most
areas in the state. One year we were
stuck with 2 to 3 inches of ice with
many days when temps were above
freezing. It just wasnt safe. With
the explosion in ice fishing products
increasing interests in hard water
angling again, it could not only affect
many retailer sales of product but keep
anglers at home.
Who could really benefit from a
strong El Nino? Steelheaders could
have a tremendous season. Many wellknown steelhead rivers could see many
additional weeks of fishing as these
rivers tend to stay open for much of
the colder months. Shelf ice forming
on the rivers edge or floating rafts of
ice is what usually limits anglers from
accessing Michigan chrome as the days
get longer in mid-winter. The Pere
Marquette, the Manistee and Muskegon
rivers could be in store for the best
fishing in many years and with the sporadic salmon fishing we experienced
this fall the communities in that region
could sure use the support from a fantastic steelhead season. The numbers
of steelhead in Michigan rivers and
streams remain high and they continue
to show up in great physical condition.
Ive certainly added it to my to do
list this winter.
The biggest issue we face however
is...will the meteorologist be correct
this year?
Ive learned to never count on a
forecast too much as the best-laid plans
are usually screwed up by the weatherman. Mother Nature could take a left
turn and the whole thing is off and we
could be back to ice fishing. But if
youre like me youll hedge your bet
and make sure the boat can be pulled
out of the pole barn easily, the fly rod
and waders are ready to rock and the
ice gear is all in order. After all we
live in Michigan. Hope youre
holiday season is safe and
6893
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region. Early in
By Mark Sak Lakes
winter it could help us fish
nglers in Michigan can tell

you all about
El Nino weather patterns.
An El Nino weather pattern
usually does not bring warm
70 degree weather in January to the
Great Lakes Region. What it usually
does however is create the freeze-thaw
scenario that really makes both fishing
out of the boat and ice fishing difficult.
So what are we in for this winter?
Weather professionals are calling for one of the most significant El
Nino patterns on record. This weather
pattern tends to shift the trade winds
around the world and usually means
warmer weather for the Great Lakes
region. It was named El Nino which
means the boy child because the
pattern was identified by scientist as
setting up in December around Christmas. The last significant El Nino
took place in Michigan in 1997 and
I remember it well as I was fishing
on the Saginaw River in my boat on
January 4 and the temp was close to
60 degrees. I remember the wind on
that day but the river was very fishable.
In normal years I usually fish through
November in the boat with most trips
ending on Lake Erie on Thanksgiving
weekend. But boating usually gets
tough after that point and much more
dangerous. Temperatures steadily drop
from the cold nights so even under the
best circumstances 40 degree water
temps and the breeze zipping across
that 40 degree water makes it very cold
and damp.
The fishing however can be hot. I
have fished walleyes from New York
to North Dakota and the biggest fish
I ever caught was a 12 pounder taken
out of the Saginaw River while skim
ice was forming on the river. It was so
cold that the launch ramp would freeze
as boats were launched and trailers
leaked water down the concrete as they
were pulled out. We would bring a pail
of sand with us to dump on the ramp to
make sure the truck didnt slide into the
river. It is by far a great time to be on
that system as the river is loaded with
big walleyes.
So back to what El Nino has done
to winter fishing in the past in the Great
45
If You Are Looking To Increase Your Ice Fishing Success Maybe Its Time To Go...
BACK TO SCHOOL
ou may think December is

too early to begin thinking
of the New Year and making
those resolutions that has
become popular. But looking a little forward never
hurts. Its good planning, shows an
interest in improving oneself and allows each of us to take a chance in our
lives we might not otherwise try. Im
thinking of Mark Martins Ice Fishing
Vacation Schools. Hes been offering
three outings in different areas of the
state for several years.
Why a resolution? Perhaps ice
fishing is on your bucket list or maybe
youve thought about fishing in one
of these schools in past years. Well,
before you know it, 2016 will be here
and schools will have come and gone.
Get your foot in the door early, book a
spot so you wont be shut out and start
getting your equipment ready.
Common questions that come up
on these outings usually concerns
tackle. Do you need a leader and if
so, how long and what kind of line?
Circle T
Ranch
Located in beautiful
Northwest Michigan in Buckley,
just South of Traverse City
LI NO
REQ CENSE
UIR
ED
Come and experience a little

bit of Northern Michigan
46
(231)
499-0246
VISIT US AT:
www.circletranch-michigan.com
OR EMAIL US AT:
circletranch-haines@hotmail.com
Should you tie directly to your line or

use a snap lock? How do you prevent
line twist, and other questions such as different ways
to fish, coaxing fish in the
water column to follow your
bait up toward the hole and
what kind of clothing should
you wear?
As cold weather sets in to
begin making ice, thoughts
of ice fishing arent far away
for cold weather
anglers. Beginning
ice anglers as well as
those that have been ice fishing most
of their lives look for better ways to
be successful. And like other sports,
ice fishing sees its share of improvements in equipment, tackle and
technology, annually. To help you stay
up with changes and give you more
options to help make you successful,
Mark Martin began hosting Ice Fishing Vacation Schools about 25 years
ago.
Those first schools were on Little
Bay de Noc near Escanaba in Michigans Upper Peninsula. Martin, from
Twin Lakes, Michigan, is known as
the original champion of the Professional Walleye Tour (PWT). Hes
continued to fish competitively, author
books and videos, and host several
schools-on the ice or open waterthroughout the year. This past year
he was inducted into the Freshwater

Fishing Hall of Fame.
Ive fished as part of
Marks pro staff twice on
Lake Cadillac, Spanky
Meeuwes, a fishing guide
from Buelah said. Meeuwes
was given his nickname in
navy boot camp at Great
Lakes, Illinois. This boatswains mate kept hollering
for Spanky. I wondered who
he was looking for.
It turned out that was
his name for me,
Meeuwes said.
Steve Knaisel, owner of Pilgrim
Village Bait shop and motel in Cadillac, introduced Meeuwes to Martins
ice schools. Steve told me, you need
to do this, and he was right. I brought
some techniques that I use along to
share and learned some more during
the school. These are very informational trips. Students are taught
techniques they didnt know prior to
coming to the school.
Since the beginning of these ice
schools, yearly improvements have
been made along the way to try to
anticipate how best to serve the participants. Because Martin has a vast
following and is well known for his
fishing abilities-through the ice and on
open water-I think many people look
toward limiting out or catching a big
By Roger Beukema
fish. Ive fished in these schools since

they began about 25 years ago. On
many trips I havent had so much as a
hit and often cant get the skunk out of
the bucket!
Weather and ice conditions play a
big part on any fishing trip. If theres
a change in the air you can bet those
piscatorial wonders under the ice
will be reacting in some way to the
changes. Martin would like to see
everyone with a limit but hes realistic
too. People should expect to learn
all of the steps necessary leading up
to catching fish. That includes how to
rig rods differently, which line works
best, what baits you should have with
you and how to handle your tackle
once you get a fish on, he said.
Once the school is over and you
come back home you should have
a better understanding as to what
works better and how to fish. Youll
understand the feel of your lure on the
bottom and the difference in that from
the bite of a fish.
Before you hit the ice, Martin and
his staff introduce themselves. Each
staffer speaks briefly on an aspect of
fishing. At the end of these presentations and still in the classroom, students are shown how to rig their rods
and tie on baits. Tackle is gone over
and if need be, a trip to a tackle shop
is arranged for those last minute items
you may not have.
Fishing with Mark Martin isnt a guarantee youll catch walleye. Here Martin
admires a nice slab crappie that took the tiny jig. Roger Beukema photo
because it was a last minute decision
to go to Cadillac. Ive heard from
other people that have gone (to ice
schools) and they really liked them
and found them to be beneficial.
Tips from Mark Martin
I use my fully insulated Otter

tent, cutting the cold to about half
as much as the non-insulated shacks
were getting.
There are different thoughts
about fishing line. Some like Berkleys six-pound Fire Line and others
prefer Nano line. With either line,
you should have a good ball bearing
swivel at the end with a six-pound

leader.
I can feel the way the line is
working with Fireline. That doesnt
mean there wont be fish caught on
Nano,
I always tie jigs directly to the
main line without any kind of snap. A
snap hinders the way the jig falls.
For people with no electronics,
ice fishing is a different matter. Youll
need to punch at least 10 holes. That
will keep you occupied and warm
you up too.
Dont take the ice out of the
holes right away, as it will help insu-
LASTS UP TO 5 DAYS RAIN OR SHINE!

No messy liquids
Reactivates with moisture
Apply Scent up to 10 away Biodegradable
String dissipates in minutes
www.awayhunting.com
888.289.2929
late those holes making them easier

to clean out when you are ready to
move.
The key to fishing these holes is
pounding the bottom relentlessly with
rattle type lures or jigs. Bring them
up a foot then pound them again.
Youll be calling fish in from long
distances to see what the disturbance
is.
Rod selection. Try to bring a
medium-to-medium light rod. I
use the same action rod for open
water fishing. I depend on my rod
to be my drag. That way when I set
the hook I know my rod is
fully loaded up.
Protect your snow machine by
not parking into the wind because it
sucks the life out of batteries.
Tip for ice shack users. Bring a
collapsible shovel along so you can
throw snow around the bottom of the
shanty to block any hole the wind can
get through.
For more information on Martins
schools, visit fishingvacationschool.
com.
You can email Roger Beukema at
dutchbeuk12@gmail.com.n
SZEKELYS
PHEASANT
FARM
Located just
East of
Saginaw on
Portsmouth Rd.
Thousands of Ringneck
and Black Pheasants
For Sale at Farm Prices!
For more information call:
SAM SZEKELY
(989) 753-8744
Once on the ice, the school stays

fairly close together. Martin and his
staff make the rounds from shack to
shack helping cut holes, set up shanties, rig rods, demonstrate proper fishing technique and constantly answer
questions about electronics.
Regardless of the day or lack of
a catch, participants will be asked to
share their daily experience following the evening meal. Its interesting
to listen to each angler talk about his
or her day. A couple will mention
they have tried all the methods they
have been shown, changed locations,
marked fish and still didnt catch
anything. Then along comes someone
who may say, I no sooner got the
hole cleaned out and sent my lure
down when I got a hit.
Ortonville resident Tim Elwart received his trip courtesy of his wife as
a birthday gift. I had always wanted
to ice fish on Saginaw Bay, he said.
A few years ago, the bay never froze
so my trip was exchanged for one going to Cadillac.
Elwart said he also was interested
in fishing Lakes Mitchell and Cadillac so the change wasnt too disappointing. Weather conditions over Cadillac way that year were bad. It was
bitter cold. We were lucky if it got up
to zero. Fishing was a slow go. We
didnt do very well. I went there hoping for walleye but only a few were
caught by others in the class. There
were a few things I came away with
that I thought were good. It may be
47
Buck
Fever!
A form of hysteria in which your cerebrum shuts down and you are
left somewhat paralyzed and unable to carry out physical skills...
uddenly, out of the fog

a monster buck headed
straight at me and he was
in easy archery range.
Snowflakes danced in
the air as I could feel
my pulse explode, my fingers got a
tingling sensation, I felt slightly dizzy
and it was difficult to breath.
Damn it, control yourself,
I coached myself but it was
too late and the spectacle
of the booner buck slipping
through the snow at close
range gave me a surge of
adrenalin that sent my body
into a state of shock. I struggled to keep my
senses and noticed
the bruiser came
to a stop less than 20 yards away and
he was staring my direction. Before I
could get the Stealth crossbow to my
shoulder he quickly bolted, switched
directions and all I could see in the
scope was his huge white tail waving
bye, bye.
You would think after chasing
bucks with telephoto, archery gear,
muzzleloader and guns that I could
control my feelings when the moment
of truth arrived. However, truth is Ive
always gone ballistic when big brutes
get kissin close and that is certainly
the case with countless Michigan deer
hunters.
Ill never forget a trip to Elk Lake
when I followed a hunter down a
two-track trail headed to a large cedar
swamp. From the tangled mess came
a dandy 8-point that stood broadside
in the trail. The hunter ahead of me

shouldered his rifle. I thought for
certain I would see him slam the buck
standing statue-like less than 50 yards
away. But there was no shot and I
could see the hunter fumbling with his
action, he looked like he was racking
a new round into the chamber. Still no
shot! Thats when the buck
dashed out of sight into the
cedars.
I walked up to the hunter
who was shaking like a leaf
in a blizzard. He asked, Did
ya see that big buck? Did I
hit him? I told the hunter
he didnt shoot and at his feet
in the snow were
his 30-06 shells he
racked in and out
of the chamber without touching the
trigger. Man, this guy was suffering
from a bad case of buck fever.
What is buck fever and how do we
get it? Most importantly, how can we
avoid it?
Put simply, buck fever is a form of
hysteria in which your cerebrum shuts
down and you are left somewhat paralyzed and unable to carry out physical
skills like shooting. The process is
relatively simple, you see game and
your system goes nuts, dumps major
amounts of adrenalin into your body
and your nerves hit the roof. Some
folks handle the excitement with no
problems while others are incapacitated and do silly things like forget
to take off the safety, jerk the trigger
and more. However, some hunters
refer to the exhilarating experience as
By Kenny Darwin
48
a rush, and they crave the high that

increased adrenalin provides.
I must admit Im an adrenalin
junkie and crave the increased pulse
and nervousness that comes with seeing big bucks. The larger the rack the
more my body goes bonkers. Im convinced my body is pre-programmed
by evolution to be the ultimate predator. Im hard wired for buck fever and
must control my instinct to jump out
of a tree and stab critters with a knife.
Im a killer, no doubt and bottom line
I have learned how to control buck
fever when my heart rate is up. My
system amps up every time a buck
comes into view. But the difference
between excitement while holding
a camera and over-excitement when
carrying a gun or bow is profound.
My system simply goes nuts when
deep inside I know Im about to kill.
Thats when my pulse instantaneously
quickens, my senses become acute
and I have to work to keep the sight in
the kill zone.
In a way I hope the same is true
for you. Getting excited is what deer
hunting is really all about. Just dont
get those epic shakes, uncontrollable
emotions and muff the shot. Incapacitating buck fever can cause jumpy
gun, blurred vision, and heart attack
or cause you to jerk the trigger and
miss the target. Most people at one
time or another suffer from varying
degrees of buck fever. In minor cases
it is simply increased pulse, pounding
of the chest and shortness of breath.
In extreme cases, it has been known to
cause heart attack, loss of motor skills,
blurred vision and cause hunters to

see bucks when only doe are present.
At any rate it has an impact on your
shooting.
Kenny Shear, past President of the
Saginaw Bay Walleye club, was hunting the Shiawassee National Refuge
when an excited hunter with buck
fever mistook him for a booner buck.
Kenny was headed to his stand when
he heard a thwack and suddenly felt
pain in his hand holding a flashlight.
The archer thought Kenny was a buck,
drew back his bow, shot at Kenny
and the broadhead sliced through his
hand, bounced off the flashlight and
narrowly missed his body. Now, thats
buck fever when you think a hunter is
a deer!
OK how can you control buck fever? Some shooters exercise prior to
shooting and learn how to get accurate
shots when their heart is pounding.
Mental conditioning for hunting is just
as important as physical conditioning when preparing for deer season.
In some cases you need to prepare
your mind for success. If you really
dont think you will get a deer, your
nervous system will go haywire when
one shows up. The trick is to practice
several times on controlling your
nerves when a deer is approaching.
We all get nervous when deer come
close but each time you get a chance,
concentrate on maintaining your
cool when deer are in range. Try to
visualize what it is like to have a big
rack coming close, learn to estimate
Buck Fever page 50
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Buck Fever:
from page 48
distance, control your movement
while aiming and see yourself making
a perfect shot. Keep at this drill until
it becomes automatic and it will set
the tone for when the event occurs in
real life.
Concentrate on breathing when
bucks come into view. It sounds
weird, but hunters often quit breathing under tense situations. Breathe
deeply, fresh oxygen will clear your
head and calm your nerves. Learn
how to control our nerves, take your
time and dont rush the shot. The
trick is to force yourself to slow
down, relax, be a calculated shooter,
while your body and nerves are trying
to force the shot. When that big buck
is in range you will be so ecstatic,
mind will be racing but learn to pick
a spot in the kill zone and squeeze
the trigger like you have practiced all
year.
Deciding when to shoulder your
gun or crossbow or when to draw is
an overlooked art in hunting. But if
you practice, develop a routine and
have the basics down and draw or
flip off the safety when he does not

detect you, shooting becomes easier.
Develop a pre-shot routine so when
the moment of truth arrives you
can execute. The trick is to be fully
prepared, reduce the adrenalin rush
when you are surprised by an oncoming buck. Actually buck fever is a
form of stress and there are several
things you should do to reduce the
stress associated with hunting. If you
are prepared you have fewer things to
worry about and provide a feeling of
control. Better understanding of your
hunting equipment can reduce worry.
The trick is to become intimate with
your gear, know every aspect of your
treestand, clothing, deer scents and
more. Handle your weapon enough
that it becomes part of your heart
and soul, hold it, shoot it, and learn
how to use it and every idiosyncrasy
regarding its use. At every chance go
outdoors, get on stand, every experience you have with wildlife will
reduce heightened anxiety when Mr.
Big arrives. It is wise to practice often but real hunting opportunities are
Running deer can catch you off-guard and cause buck fever that creates
blurred vision, uncontrollable shaking, poor coordination and inaccurate shot
placement. Kenny Darwin photo
invaluable. Spend time afield during
the off-season hunting rabbit, squirrel, coyote and hone hunting skills.
You may or may not get buck
fever. The trouble is unless you have
a booner slipping close, in your face,
you really never know if your excitement will go out of control. I believe
that there is an increased chance of
buck fever if any hunter is surprised
by a buck of a lifetime with enormous
rack and bull-like colossal body.

Hey, this old whitetail chasin fool
is constantly reminding to take your
time, slow your pulse and breath, pick
a spot and squeeze the trigger. But
ya know what? I still get the jitters
when a monster buck steps
into the camera viewfinder or a
big brute gets kissin close and Im
carrying muzzleloader, gun or
archery gear.n
Superior Game Ranch

Route 3 Box 163 Cornell, MI 49818
Manufacturer of Fine Northern Hardwoods
Firewood by the Semi-Load
50
Incredible U.P. of Michigan

Hunting Opportunities
Over 4,200 acres of private farmland
in south Marquette County
Michigan, (2,000 acres) fully
guided bow and firearm hunts in
hunting preserve for: Elk,
Large Russian Boar
Whitetail Deer, Buffalo, Wild
Hunts Available!
Boar, Red Stag & Fallow Deer.
Buyers of Standing Timber

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Contact one of our buyers today

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(616) 634-1522 or (989) 544-9342
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Lodging available for

groups of up to 12 people.
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Call
or
for more information and reservations.

www.superiorgameranch.com
New gear for Christmas and beyond
L.L.Bean
Big-Game WINDSTOPPER Soft-Shell
Clothing Jacket/Vest/Pants
Three-layer Gore WINDSTOPPER fabric
Complete wind protection
Exterior shell treated to shed
snow, rain and to dry quickly
Quiet, stretch fabric
Designed for cooler temps
around 25-50 degrees
This clothing is slightly fitted
think archery season when bulky
clothes get in the way and you want
something that keeps you warm but
doesnt dangle. The soft shell material would get snagged in thick grouse
cover, so you probably wouldnt want
to use it for that. However, I found
these items to be ideal for open field,
cool, windy conditions such as for
pheasant hunting: light enough to
prevent overheating while the hunter
walks but resistant enough to thwart
the stiff winds when hes on blocking duty. The clothing was perfect
for 18-degree, very windy days in
Illinois. And in South Dakota, where
there was no wind and temperatures
hung around in the low 30s, the clothing was warm enough that I could
go without the vest and still be quite
warm. A great niche collection of
apparel.
Uplander Pro Hybrid Hunting Shirt

Great for warm or early season
conditions
Great stretch, unimpeded gun
mount and the ultimate in comfort
Additional fabric properties:
breathable, no snag, wicking capabilities, tear-resistance, and polygenic
anti-odor treatment
This is probably the toughest-built
lightweight shirt Ive ever found. The

material out of which it is built is 96
percent nylon and 4 percent spandex.
Bean calls this material briar resistant, but based on my field tests, I
call it thornapple proof.
Uplander Pro Hunting Tee,

Long-Sleeve Crewneck
Made of breathable, snagproof

fabric
Knit offers slight stretch for
maximum comfort
Antimicrobial treatment
reduces odor
Slightly Fitted: Relaxed
through the chest and sleeves
with a slightly slimmer waist
Made with a lightweight,
snagproof fabric, this upland
hunting shirt can be worn as
a base layer on colder
days or by itself when
the inevitable fall heat
wave hits. Fabrics moisture-wicking,
silky-soft microknit sheds briars and
wont pill. Shape-retaining blend
offers slight stretch for freedom
of movement. The fabric features
Polygiene Odor Control Technology
that inhibits the growth of bacteria
and fungi, keeping this shirt fresh and
odor free. As far as briar proof goes,
I literally ran my arm up and down the
branch of a thornapple tree attempting
to get snagged: No go. The slightly
fitted sleeves take a little getting used
to, but other than that, this has become
my go-to shirt for warm weather bird
hunting.
(www.llbean.com, 800-441-5713)
little less so. This is a hefty knife with

backbone and some weight to it. The
beautiful animal scenes carved into
the handle make this a fine souvenir or
gift. The dark image on the light bone
background delivers the feeling of an
old-timey piece of scrimshaw. Nine
different scenes are available, including ruffed grouse (shown), pheasant,
quail, dove (two), duck (two), turkey
and white-tailed deer.
(www.wrcase.com, 800-5236350)
compartment is good for boots, dirty

clothes, sleep togs and overnight gear;
I also used it to keep hunting duds
separate from other, clean clothes.
(www.duluthpack.com, 800-7774439)
Gerber
Vital Pocket Folder
Overall length: 6.9 inches

Blade length: 2.8 inches
Weight: 1.3 ounces
Blade style: replaceable 420HC
#60 razor
Duluth Pack
Handle material: rubber overBoot Duffel (Item T-800) mold
With its new Vital line of tools
18-ounce canvas confor outdoor lovers, Gerber has crestruction
ated products that are bold to behold,
Water resistant lining
inside bottom zippered com- functional and reasonably priced. The
pocket folder is one of them.
partment
This knifes weight and blade
Adjustable cotton
style are the two features that iniweb shoulder strap
Guaranteed for life tially captured our attention. It makes
This immediately became my bag virtually no dent in the total load one
carries, a feature that also might make
of choice for brief junkets or as the
it appealing to hikers and backpackovernight/two to three-day fill bag
ers. The replaceable blade is as sharp
while leaving the larger supply
duffel in my vehicle on road trips. Its as a scalpel, great for filleting breasts
or slicing meat with precision. Obvislightly larger than a standard rolling carry-on, but it smushes better for
New gear page 52
those tight squeezes. The basement
By Tom Carney
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.

Sportsman Classic Folding Knife
Clip and spey blades

Smooth, natural bone handle
Blades of Tru-Sharp surgical
steel
4 1/8 inches, closed
4 oz.
The Sportsman Classic is a new
version of Cases popular Trapper
style knife. The clip blade is razor
sharp right out of the box; the spey, a
he best times of the year seem

to be first when we get a view
of all the neat, new stuff that
is available for sportsmen and
women and second when we
get a chance to use all the new
gear weve gotten. Here are the best
of what I found that is new for 2015.
51
New Gear:
from page 51
ously, with its fine lines, thin blade

and light weight, this knife is not
made for cutting through bone. A
fixed blade version is also available,
but instead of a full scabbard it has a
small blade cover; for safetys sake, I
prefer the folder. Includes six replacement blades.
(www.gerbergear.com, 800-9506161)
LED LENSER USA
Ive been looking for high-quality

rechargeable flashlights with USB
plugs for charging in late model vehicles. I tried out five models of these
lights, marketed by Leatherman Tool,
all of which served my purposes.
They all emit super light for their
respective sizes. The only negative I
have to report: The directions arent
clearly written. Here are two models
for your consideration.
M7RX Flashlight
6.14 inches long

600 lumens
Maximum lighting distance: 235
meters
The M7RX has a little more mass
than a slimline flashlight that holds
two AAA batteries. Its got a charging holder that can be attached to a
wall or set strategically in a vehicles
console to keep the light in charging
Great
Gift
For
The
s!
day
i
l
o
H
Top-lt to rt: Bean Jacket, Bean Crew Shirt, Duluth Boot Duffel, Led Lenser SEO 7R, Mud River Wine Tote. Bottom; Upland
Pro Hybrid Hunting Shirt, Case & Sons Cutlery Co. Sportsman Classic Folding Knife, Led Lenser Flashlight, Gerber
Vital Pocket Folder, Tenzing Upland Bird Vest.
position. Its very strong light helped
me to find items that tried to hide in
my vehicle or lodge rooms.
SEO 7R Headlamp
3.28 ounces
220 lumens
Maximum light distance: 130
meters
Strobe mode
This lamp is an essential tool for

hands-free dog feeding or deburring,
bird cleaning, map reading, luggage
transporting I discovered so many
uses for this headlamp I was surprised
I hadnt traveled with one before.
This model is slightly more comfortable to wear for reading in bed than
the models with the battery packs on
the rear of the strap.
(www.ledlenserusa.com, 800650-1245)
Mud River Dog Products

Wine Tote
Nylon poly pique shell

Leather accents
Padded nylon interior
Holds up to four bottles of wine
or other spirits
Shoulder strap
I didnt realize how handy this
bag would be until I had one in my
hands to test out. About the size of
a shoulder or messenger bag, lookswise the tote fits right in with ones
luggage. No more worrying about
rolling up wine or spirits bottles in
some clothes, sticking them in boots
or packing them carefully in the
vehicle so nothing will bump them.
Whether traveling to bird camp, heading to the cabin or even dashing over
to my sisters house for dinner, this
bag transports beverages in style
plus it gets lots of compliments. Nice
product!
(www.mudriverdogproducts.com,
800-550-2698)
Tenzing
Upland Bird Vest (TZ BV15)
Hunter orange pullover

Large wrap-around bird-carrying compartment
Two load lifter straps to keep
weight up and tight
Holds 2- or 3-liter hydration
pack
14 shot shell loops
Finally, a vest/pack with enough
adjustment points to make it comfortable to wear while carrying a water
supply afield. No more stealing from
the dogs bottle. Game bag is easy
to reach from either side. Enough
pockets for camera, first aid supplies,
lunch, rain jacket or sweater, even an
extra pair of socks.
(www.tenzingoutdoors.com, 800226-9868)n
52
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MADE
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HUNTS
176-185 SCI..................$6500
186-215........ call for pricing
World Class
Whitetails
Trophy Whitetail Deer
Hunting Lodge & Preserve
800-756-5459
www.worldclasswhitetails.com
Take I-75 N to Exit 313 (M-27 North)

Take M-27 N to US-23 in Cheboygan
Take US-23 East 19 Miles To Property On Right
UP
S
T
N
U
H
Y
H
TROP
OVE
B
A
&
0
0
2
TO
A 5,000 square foot lodge located in the heart of Michigans Northern

Lower Peninsula. We are proud to offer some of the best whitetail
deer in the country. Our herd consists of several bucks that gross
over the 200 mark, with a few that net over 200 typical! For hunters
we offer hunt-of-a-lifetime
opportunities. Our hunts are in a heavily forested area, located along
Lake Huron with Canada just across the lake to the north east.
53
OCTOBER LULL BROW TINE BUCK
54
By John Eberhart
or hunting in
heavily hunted
areas I write a lot
about leaving your best rut phase
locations totally alone during the
October lull which is typically the
middle 20 days of October. I also
always mention that if you see
daytime mature buck activity during the lull in
the form of them actually chasing does that you
should immediately go for it and hunt your rut
locations in that vicinity for a day or two as there
may be an early estrous doe in the area.
Well, that exact scenario just happened to me
on the evening of October 18. I capitalized on the
October lull mishap. This event took place on a
knock-on-doors for free permission property in
central Michigan.
At a secondary location the morning before
I saw a wide racked buck chasing a doe and her
twin female fawns through open timber which is
rare in itself. He chased them for several minutes
and although quite a distance away, it looked as if
their chasing routes would have passed by one of
my rut-phase scrape area set-ups a couple times.
Cold weather always spurs activity and likely
had a lot to do with this earlier than the norm
activity, heavy consequential hunting pressure
HCHP) areas anyway as later that week it turned
cold and the exterior temperature in my mini-van
read 28 degrees while driving to go hunting early
Saturday morning.
Back to the chase; during the chase it was obvious the doe was not in heat because her fawns
were still with her, the testosterone driven buck
however was more than ready and was being
extremely vulnerable because of it. After several
minutes of chasing, the buck just stopped in the
timber and then casually walked back into a tall
marshy area as if on a morning stroll.
This secondary location is located along a
timber tree-line of red oaks (no white oaks in the
area) that are dropping acorns. Theres a 15-yard
wide buffer of tall weeds that separate the timber
line from a 40-acre standing cornfield in front
of me. About 60-yards behind me is approximately four acres of low mucky ground with
dense head-height stick-tight weeds and a narrow
creek running through it. The foliage canopy of
the mature timber that totally surrounds the low
ground doesnt allow much sun to pass through
and therefore has minimal to no security cover
understudy.
Running along the outstretched branches of
the tree line and through the weed buffer dividing it from the corn is a well-traveled runway and
every branch that hung low enough to be utilized
as a licking branch, had an active scrape below it
on Saturday morning.
This location is a perfect example of a secondary location for
hunting during the October Lull because whether
morning or evening hunting, it is easily accessed
and exited without fear of spooking deer and it
in no way interferes with my rut phase locations
deeper in the timber that border the marshy area
of stick-tights.
I so wanted to hunt Saturday evening but my
employers son was getting married in Cadillac
and unfortunately on this particular occasion,
there are other more important and pressing obligations in life than hunting. At least thats what I
kept telling myself.
My wife and I got home Sunday around noon
and I did a few honey-do chores and headed out
around 3 pm. While walking through the weed
buffer it was obvious that none of the scrapes had
been worked the previous evening, night, or that
morning because the leaves were rapidly falling
due to the hard frost and there were many leaves
in every scrape.
Initially I was mildly depressed because four
of the scrapes were within shooting distance
of my tree and had become inactive. But I also
know that when a mature buck is in chasing
mode, he will temporarily abandon working his
scrapes as he is preoccupied.
Once comfortably perched in my sling I put
on a Rivers West-Cold Canyon vest as a layer
garment beneath my Scent Lok Vortex jacket (I
cant say enough good things about the Scent
Loks windproof Vortex suit).
Most stories give a wind direction because
most hunters play the wind, but as Ive stated
hundreds of times over the past 15 or so years, I
have 100% total confidence in my scent control
regiment since learning how to properly care for
and use Scent Lok clothing along with clean rubber boots and a scent free backpack. I pay absolutely no attention to wind direction so in short
I have no clue which way the wind was blowing
but can guarantee at some point the doe and or
buck was downwind of me.
A couple fawns followed by their mother
came out of the corn and into the timber and ate
acorns for a while before moving off to the east.
About 15 minutes later the buck from the morning before came out of the stick-tight weed marsh
and headed through the open timber in the same
direction. I was shocked that a buck of this size
residing in a heavy consequential hunting pressure area would be moving during broad daylight
through such open timber, but he did so the previous morning and this evening.
After about 20 minutes of watching squirrels
bury acorns, the doe and fawns that had earlier
The author, John Eberhart is an accomplished hunter that specializes in bow hunting in heavy consequential hunting pressure areas and this was not only his 27th 10-point, it was also his 27th CBM recordbook buck and they
have come from 10 different counties!
passed through were running hard towards me

through the open timber. They looked as if they
were going into the tall stick-weeds which were
slightly out of my capable shooting range, but
just before entering them the doe turned 90 degrees and ran right under me and into the standing corn and the fawns came partway with her
but stopped in the open timber.
As she ran by I heard grunting and turned to
see the buck, with nose to ground, about 80 yards
behind and following her same course. Within
several seconds he swung by the marsh, turned
my direction, paid no attention to the fawns and
stopped in the treeline a mere 6 yards from the
base of my tree. As he was rapidly approaching
his width and tall brow tines were hard to take
my eyes off.
He was standing motionless directly to my
right and Im right-handed. I didnt have time to
move around the tree in my sling so I lifted my
bow over the lead strap in front of me and twisted hard to my right for the shot. I practice this
awkward shot just for these very rare occasions.
He was quartering hard away from me staring
through the weed buffer and into the corn, but
seemingly not wanting to go into it.
I settled the pin on my Mathews Conquest
bow well behind his shoulder and a bit high to
hopefully angle the arrow down and forward
into his vitals. My Maxima Red arrow flew
true (didnt have far to go) and entered where
I aimed. I didnt get a pass-through and with it
sticking up out of his side, he wheeled and ran
back to the east through the open timber and out
of sight. Strangely, both fawns ran and followed
closely behind him which is something Id never
seen before.
As usual I questioned myself on a couple
things the buck did. Why did the buck stop at the
treeline instead of following the female into the
corn and why after he was shot didnt he run into
the marsh which is where he had been bedded all
day?
He knew the doe wasnt in heat and with
the width of his rack didnt want to chase her
as she went perpendicular to the corn rows. No
doubt he would have to work extra hard to plow
through the tight corn rows as his rack wouldve
caught up in the standing corn. Had she been in
estrous, no question hed have plowed down the
entire field if necessary.
The only reason I could think of him staying in the open timber was he didnt want to run
through the deep muck in the tall stick-tights
marsh. There are areas in the marsh where when
I step, my foot sinks beyond the height of my
knee high rubber boots.
Anyway, after several minutes the fawns came
back and one of them kept looking back into the

timber towards a specific location as if she left
something behind or kept expecting to see something happen there. I took that as a positive sign
of where he may be lying.
Probably the best lesson Ive ever taught myself after shooting a deer is that if I think I may
have only hit one lung or the liver, or anything
questionable, is that I wait at least four hours
before blood trailing the deer. With the arrow
entering so high and without an exit wound, I
knew there wouldnt be much if any blood as
the body cavity would have to nearly fill up with
blood before exiting out the high wound channel.
I decided to take my chances of coyotes finding
him, and waited until the next morning to
search.
Not knowing if anyone else was hunting on
the property, I waited until 10 am, picked up the
property owner and took up the search. I had
watched the buck run until out of sight so knew
the direction to look. We never found a drop of
blood while searching towards where I last saw
him but when we got to where I last saw him we
could see him all sprawled out in the open timber
about 50 yards in front of us. He had only traveled about 150 yards and upon inspection had
10 points, very tall brow tines, very short G-2s
and 3s, long main beams, and at least a 20-inch
inside spread.
This was my 27th 10-point buck and thats
something Im really proud of. While gutting
him I discovered the arrow had cut the top of
his stomach and passed through his liver
and one lung before stopping against his
brisket.
While rare in HCHP areas, sometimes during the lull a mature buck will mess up and move
during daylight hours and this was one of those
rare occasions.
Last year I got a fabulous recipe from a
farmers wife on how to make corned venison
and made it twice last fall. It was so awesome
that other than the loins I cut the entire deer up
into large chunks to corn. Its better than the
corned beef you get in the store.
John Eberhart is an accomplished hunter
that specializes in bow hunting in heavy consequential hunting pressure areas and this was not
only his 27th 10-point, it was also his 27th CBM
recordbook buck and they have come from 10
different counties. John produced a 3-volume
instructional DVD series titled Bowhunting
Pressured Whitetails and co-authored the books,
Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails, Precision
Bowhunting, and Bowhunting Whitetails The
Eberhart Way. They are available at: www.deerjohn.netn
A perfect example of a secondary location for the October lull whether hunting morning or evening: It is easily
accessed and exited without spooking deer and it in no way interferes with your rut phase stand locations...
55
OCTOBER LULL BROW TINE BUCK
54
By John Eberhart
or hunting in
heavily hunted
areas I write a lot
about leaving your best rut phase
locations totally alone during the
October lull which is typically the
middle 20 days of October. I also
always mention that if you see
daytime mature buck activity during the lull in
the form of them actually chasing does that you
should immediately go for it and hunt your rut
locations in that vicinity for a day or two as there
may be an early estrous doe in the area.
Well, that exact scenario just happened to me
on the evening of October 18. I capitalized on the
October lull mishap. This event took place on a
knock-on-doors for free permission property in
central Michigan.
At a secondary location the morning before
I saw a wide racked buck chasing a doe and her
twin female fawns through open timber which is
rare in itself. He chased them for several minutes
and although quite a distance away, it looked as if
their chasing routes would have passed by one of
my rut-phase scrape area set-ups a couple times.
Cold weather always spurs activity and likely
had a lot to do with this earlier than the norm
activity, heavy consequential hunting pressure
HCHP) areas anyway as later that week it turned
cold and the exterior temperature in my mini-van
read 28 degrees while driving to go hunting early
Saturday morning.
Back to the chase; during the chase it was obvious the doe was not in heat because her fawns
were still with her, the testosterone driven buck
however was more than ready and was being
extremely vulnerable because of it. After several
minutes of chasing, the buck just stopped in the
timber and then casually walked back into a tall
marshy area as if on a morning stroll.
This secondary location is located along a
timber tree-line of red oaks (no white oaks in the
area) that are dropping acorns. Theres a 15-yard
wide buffer of tall weeds that separate the timber
line from a 40-acre standing cornfield in front
of me. About 60-yards behind me is approximately four acres of low mucky ground with
dense head-height stick-tight weeds and a narrow
creek running through it. The foliage canopy of
the mature timber that totally surrounds the low
ground doesnt allow much sun to pass through
and therefore has minimal to no security cover
understudy.
Running along the outstretched branches of
the tree line and through the weed buffer dividing it from the corn is a well-traveled runway and
every branch that hung low enough to be utilized
as a licking branch, had an active scrape below it
on Saturday morning.
This location is a perfect example of a secondary location for
hunting during the October Lull because whether
morning or evening hunting, it is easily accessed
and exited without fear of spooking deer and it
in no way interferes with my rut phase locations
deeper in the timber that border the marshy area
of stick-tights.
I so wanted to hunt Saturday evening but my
employers son was getting married in Cadillac
and unfortunately on this particular occasion,
there are other more important and pressing obligations in life than hunting. At least thats what I
kept telling myself.
My wife and I got home Sunday around noon
and I did a few honey-do chores and headed out
around 3 pm. While walking through the weed
buffer it was obvious that none of the scrapes had
been worked the previous evening, night, or that
morning because the leaves were rapidly falling
due to the hard frost and there were many leaves
in every scrape.
Initially I was mildly depressed because four
of the scrapes were within shooting distance
of my tree and had become inactive. But I also
know that when a mature buck is in chasing
mode, he will temporarily abandon working his
scrapes as he is preoccupied.
Once comfortably perched in my sling I put
on a Rivers West-Cold Canyon vest as a layer
garment beneath my Scent Lok Vortex jacket (I
cant say enough good things about the Scent
Loks windproof Vortex suit).
Most stories give a wind direction because
most hunters play the wind, but as Ive stated
hundreds of times over the past 15 or so years, I
have 100% total confidence in my scent control
regiment since learning how to properly care for
and use Scent Lok clothing along with clean rubber boots and a scent free backpack. I pay absolutely no attention to wind direction so in short
I have no clue which way the wind was blowing
but can guarantee at some point the doe and or
buck was downwind of me.
A couple fawns followed by their mother
came out of the corn and into the timber and ate
acorns for a while before moving off to the east.
About 15 minutes later the buck from the morning before came out of the stick-tight weed marsh
and headed through the open timber in the same
direction. I was shocked that a buck of this size
residing in a heavy consequential hunting pressure area would be moving during broad daylight
through such open timber, but he did so the previous morning and this evening.
After about 20 minutes of watching squirrels
bury acorns, the doe and fawns that had earlier
The author, John Eberhart is an accomplished hunter that specializes in bow hunting in heavy consequential hunting pressure areas and this was not only his 27th 10-point, it was also his 27th CBM recordbook buck and they
have come from 10 different counties!
passed through were running hard towards me

through the open timber. They looked as if they
were going into the tall stick-weeds which were
slightly out of my capable shooting range, but
just before entering them the doe turned 90 degrees and ran right under me and into the standing corn and the fawns came partway with her
but stopped in the open timber.
As she ran by I heard grunting and turned to
see the buck, with nose to ground, about 80 yards
behind and following her same course. Within
several seconds he swung by the marsh, turned
my direction, paid no attention to the fawns and
stopped in the treeline a mere 6 yards from the
base of my tree. As he was rapidly approaching
his width and tall brow tines were hard to take
my eyes off.
He was standing motionless directly to my
right and Im right-handed. I didnt have time to
move around the tree in my sling so I lifted my
bow over the lead strap in front of me and twisted hard to my right for the shot. I practice this
awkward shot just for these very rare occasions.
He was quartering hard away from me staring
through the weed buffer and into the corn, but
seemingly not wanting to go into it.
I settled the pin on my Mathews Conquest
bow well behind his shoulder and a bit high to
hopefully angle the arrow down and forward
into his vitals. My Maxima Red arrow flew
true (didnt have far to go) and entered where
I aimed. I didnt get a pass-through and with it
sticking up out of his side, he wheeled and ran
back to the east through the open timber and out
of sight. Strangely, both fawns ran and followed
closely behind him which is something Id never
seen before.
As usual I questioned myself on a couple
things the buck did. Why did the buck stop at the
treeline instead of following the female into the
corn and why after he was shot didnt he run into
the marsh which is where he had been bedded all
day?
He knew the doe wasnt in heat and with
the width of his rack didnt want to chase her
as she went perpendicular to the corn rows. No
doubt he would have to work extra hard to plow
through the tight corn rows as his rack wouldve
caught up in the standing corn. Had she been in
estrous, no question hed have plowed down the
entire field if necessary.
The only reason I could think of him staying in the open timber was he didnt want to run
through the deep muck in the tall stick-tights
marsh. There are areas in the marsh where when
I step, my foot sinks beyond the height of my
knee high rubber boots.
Anyway, after several minutes the fawns came
back and one of them kept looking back into the

timber towards a specific location as if she left
something behind or kept expecting to see something happen there. I took that as a positive sign
of where he may be lying.
Probably the best lesson Ive ever taught myself after shooting a deer is that if I think I may
have only hit one lung or the liver, or anything
questionable, is that I wait at least four hours
before blood trailing the deer. With the arrow
entering so high and without an exit wound, I
knew there wouldnt be much if any blood as
the body cavity would have to nearly fill up with
blood before exiting out the high wound channel.
I decided to take my chances of coyotes finding
him, and waited until the next morning to
search.
Not knowing if anyone else was hunting on
the property, I waited until 10 am, picked up the
property owner and took up the search. I had
watched the buck run until out of sight so knew
the direction to look. We never found a drop of
blood while searching towards where I last saw
him but when we got to where I last saw him we
could see him all sprawled out in the open timber
about 50 yards in front of us. He had only traveled about 150 yards and upon inspection had
10 points, very tall brow tines, very short G-2s
and 3s, long main beams, and at least a 20-inch
inside spread.
This was my 27th 10-point buck and thats
something Im really proud of. While gutting
him I discovered the arrow had cut the top of
his stomach and passed through his liver
and one lung before stopping against his
brisket.
While rare in HCHP areas, sometimes during the lull a mature buck will mess up and move
during daylight hours and this was one of those
rare occasions.
Last year I got a fabulous recipe from a
farmers wife on how to make corned venison
and made it twice last fall. It was so awesome
that other than the loins I cut the entire deer up
into large chunks to corn. Its better than the
corned beef you get in the store.
John Eberhart is an accomplished hunter
that specializes in bow hunting in heavy consequential hunting pressure areas and this was not
only his 27th 10-point, it was also his 27th CBM
recordbook buck and they have come from 10
different counties. John produced a 3-volume
instructional DVD series titled Bowhunting
Pressured Whitetails and co-authored the books,
Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails, Precision
Bowhunting, and Bowhunting Whitetails The
Eberhart Way. They are available at: www.deerjohn.netn
A perfect example of a secondary location for the October lull whether hunting morning or evening: It is easily
accessed and exited without spooking deer and it in no way interferes with your rut phase stand locations...
55
Training Tips That Can Help Train Your Bird-Shy Dog...By Len Jenkins
Blinking, Bumping, Busting
here are three behaviors that

must be addressed in ground
covering and bird contact.
The first; blinking is deliberate bird avoidance. Usually
hunting dogs love bird contact
and relish the pursuit of birds. Some
dogs (very rarely) practice bird avoidance. Now, there has to be a logical
explanation about why this happens
but the hunter may never figure out
what it is. For instance, perhaps the
dog had been spurred by a wounded
rooster pheasant. Another possibility
is that the dog got beat up by a female
goose trying to protect her clutch of
goslings. The maternal instinct could
be so strong that the goose will stop
at nothing in defense of her young
and could prove to be very powerful
against a hapless dog who she perceived to be a danger.
If your dog is bird-shy and blinks,
you might rectify this problem by putting him in a situation of dominance
against a gentle bird such as a pigeon.
You could swing the bird in front of
your dog in a fishing net or on a wing
strap. You can also bolden your dog
around birds by making him sleep
with the pigeon. Just keep the pigeon
in a mesh potato or citrus bag and

make your dog stay with the bird in
his dog house or in a metal crate. Just
be patient with your dog. Until hes
cured of bird shyness, he could still
be a nice pet. Perhaps you could teach
him to perform tricks, for which you
give him lavish praise. Eventually the
desire to hunt will be restored.
Bumping is a correctable fault,
provided your dog has a good nose,
likes to point or flush (depending on
whether hes a pointing or flushing
dog), and wants to please. Bumping
occurs when your dog inadvertently
waltzes into birds which flush wild,
surprising both the dog and the hunter.
There are a number of things you
can do to correct this problem: You
can make the dog keep his head high,
ensuring that he will more effectively
smell birds. If he works with a low
head, trailing the ground like a hound,
he wont wind birds. Get his head
high and help him keep it there by using your spike force collar.
You can always make sure youre
working into the wind. If you cross
a field with the wind to your back or
obliquely at either side, theres a good
chance youll bump every bird in the
The authors
dog does not
bolt, she does
not blink,
always working the scent
cone. She does
not bust in on
the bird as
she patiently
waits for the
gunner to be
in position to
make the shot.
field as your quartering dog runs right

up on them, never smelling any. Work
into the wind if you want your bird
dog to find birds.
You can go back to basics and
insist on steady points a good distance from the bird. Insist on steady
points in practice in which your dog
holds point. If yours is a flushing dog,
review his discipline so he doesnt
run foolishly around the field without
using his nose. You can tell when hes
making game by the merry tail and
animation. If a flushing bird surprises
your dog, hes loafing, not working
the birds as he should. Review your
early training lessons with your flush-
Licensed Shooting Preserve

Mayville, MI
(989) 843-6576
Dogs with Guides Available
Open 7 Days A Week
Fields With Excellent Cover &
Safety Fields In Between
Birds Released After You Arrive
No Gun Or Membership Fees
Clubhouse
Bird Cleaning
Morning And Afternoon
Hunts
Extra Birds Shot are Free
Gift Certificates Available
Located 17 Miles North of Lapeer
www.jankspheasantfarm.com
ing dog. A good gun dog doesnt lollygag; he works.

You can slow your dog down if
he overruns birds because hes too
fast. Practice with him by going back
to planted pigeons. Let him see that
hell find birds if he keeps his head
high while working methodically at a
moderate pace. If your dog likes birds,
we can easily correct him if he starts
bumping his birds. Hell just have to
learn to be more careful. With guidance from you, hell learn this and
also find out that care and precision
pay off in terms of plenty of bird action, a station preferable to accidental
flushes.
Busting is charging wildly into a
bird regardless of whether the hunter
is prepared to make the shot. Usually
this vice is when a dog bolts and he
just busts into birds while in a frenzy.
Such a dog is a self-hunter.
This over exuberant behavior
can be modified if you go back to a
training regimen involving the spiked
force collar and check cord. Just slow
your dog down and help him savor the
pleasure in every successful bird find.
Until he really learns this, let him drag
the check cord so that he remembers
that he is under your control. After
all, you and your dog are hunting as
a team. It is not an individual sport.
Now, if your dog rushes in to bust a
bird, do not reward him by shooting
the bird!n
SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS
56
GET YOUR
DEER & TURKEY
OFFICIALLY SCORED!
Go To:
www.buckfax.com
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan P.O. Box 307 Owosso, Michigan 48867 Phone (517) 679-6226
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan is a non-profit organization that measures and maintains records on trophy class Whitetail Deer,
Black Bear, Elk and Turkeys, taken by fair chase in the state of Michigan. We use the Boone and Crockett method to score all three
big game species. Visit our web site to learn more and get connected to the latest in Michigan hunting. www.Buckfax.com
Living Up To The Standard Of Other Surplus handguns...
Gun Chat: Surplus Browning Hi-Power
here were four surplus Browning Hi Power pistols in the

used gun case. I asked the
guy behind the counter to get
them all out. Id been thinking
about another BHP for a while
but the prices had put me
off. The surplus guns were
blued and had quite a bit of
holster wear. The price was
reasonable and it didnt take
me long to put the best pistol
on layaway. A month later, I
picked it up.
Some of the guns had
lanyard rings at the bottom of
the left grip. I liked the
idea of that but the pistol
without one was in better
shape. It also had the best trigger, the
smoothest action, and the strongest
springs. I forgot to check it at the
store but the barrel turned out to be
shiny, free of pitting, and to have good
rifling. It appeared these, like many
surplus guns, the BHPs had been carried more than they were fired.
I didnt mind the blue wear. My
plan for the gun was to shoot it for a
while then use it as the base for a custom BHP. In my bowling pin shooting
days custom BHPs made by Cylinder
& Slide from Nebraska really got my
attention. Cylinder & Slide still makes
custom 1911s and Hi Powers, among
other things. The wait time would
give me time to round up the cash.
At home, I took the pistol apart.
The rails were worn a bit as were
the locking recesses in the slide. The
breech face showed wear too. None of
the wear was excessive and the main
spring didnt appear to be shortened
or weakened by use. I didnt like the
feel of the worn flat plastic grip panels
so changed them for a pair of wraparound grips with finger grooves on
the front strap. The wraparound grips
came off a gun that needs repair. The
flat panels went on that gun without
any problems.
The BHP is marked Fabrique

Nationale DArmes De Guerre-Herstal-Belgique and Brownings Patent
Depose on the left of the slide. The serial number is on the right of the slide,
on the barrel, and on the frame. When
the slide is closed the three
serials stacked right above
one another. That indicates
attention to detail, and that
the original barrel may still
be with the gun.
Once I had the gun apart
I cleaned off the oil, and a
little fouling, and re-lubed
it with FP-10, a cleaner and
lube Ive used for years.
I put it back together and
was ready to take it out
to shoot. Rain and wind kept me from
going for a while. I finally made a
short trip the afternoon of October 15.
Before going I gathered up five
BHP mags and tried them in the
surplus gun. They were from several
manufacturers but all fit into the gun
and locked up. BHP mags were made
by so many companies, for so long,
that everyone seems to have figured
out how to make them function correctly.
Shooting in a small sandpit, I
found all of the magazines worked
fine. So did the one that came with the
gun. It looks tired and worn but the
springs are good. Thats more important than looks for making a pistol
work.
I stapled two targets to a cardboard box and stood the box against
one side of the pit. The targets had
two white circles three and three
quarter inches across on a light gray
background. The day was sunny and
the circles showed up well.
I shot standing, two-handed, from
five yards. The ammo used first was
Federal full metal jacket (FMJ). Its
packaged in a plain white box marked
Range And Target.
Shooting was as quick as I could
By Lee Arten
get a sight picture. Five

rounds were fired from
each magazine. I was,
testing the magazines more
than the ammo. All the
mags worked and I only
missed the circles when I
shot one-handed, or lefthanded.
Afterward I loaded the
magazine that came with
This BHP has blue
the gun with a mixture of
wear but works
FMJs made by Remington, fine. Surplus
PerFecta (made in Italy)
handguns are often
and Winchester Target/
a good value for the
Range ammo. The 12
price.
round group on the new
Bullseye-type target was
left of the center but only
Civilian Marksmanship Program.)
two rounds dropped out of the black.
That gun that got me into Bullseye
Along with the one-handed shoot- and pin shooting. Another surplus
ing I fired a few rounds after drawing gun was a four-inch Smith & Wesson
from a GALCO holster. I failed to get M28. It was a police trade in that had
been a duty gun in a Colorado city.
the stock safety completely off once,
but that was my fault. (A larger safety Ive carried it in the woods and shot
steel plates with it. Its one of the most
is one of the custom touches planned
accurate .357s Ive used.
for the gun.)
The new-to-me Browning HiMy first .45 was a military surPower seems to be living up to the
plus 1911. The owner before me had
standard set by my other surplus
bought it from the old Department
handguns.n
of Civilian Marksmanship (now the
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57
Caught up in the spirit of the

moment, Richard Miller guided the
palm chisel and began explaining
the steps for making a tight fitting inlet for a ramrod pipe. Wild
Rivertree photos
when grandpa suggested purchasing her a doll, even though it was her
birthday.
In the weeks that followed, Kayas
name popped up on numerous occasions. Being a competitive black
powder shooter, the girls grandmother possessed a keen interest in 18thcentury history; the dolls time period
and Native American lineage seemed
a natural choice.
On rare occasions grandfather
knows best. After all, grandmother
needed a sample doll to fit the handsewn clothes that she hoped to complete by Christmas. The unexpected
package met with childlike glee. After
touring her new home, Kaya stood on
the coffee table in the center of the
living room.
Shes been standing for three
days, grandma said as she fluffed a
pillow and unfolded a small blanket.
Shes tired and needs to lie down
When it came time to pack for
the NMLRA National Shoot, Kayas
meager wardrobe ended up on miniature hangers, hung from the handle of
a dark-green, hand-woven maple basket. On his final walk-around before
pulling out, grandpa discovered Kaya
standing beside her clothes in a prominent place in the back seat. Kayas
going to Friendship, shes never been,
you know, his wife said with a loving
smile and mischievous brown eyes.
South of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the
enthusiastic grandmother began listing all the places she was going to
Shes an American Girl Doll. Kaya gun building on the halls back porch take Kaya and what she wanted her
o you mind if Kaya
during the spring and fall shoots, held to see. Then, after a long silence, she
is Native American, depicting a girl
watches?
at the associations home grounds in
from 1764. This is her first trip to
said, Weve talked about taking the
Sure she can
Friendship. We are giving her a grand Friendship, Indiana. With his OptiVi- grandkids down to Friendship. This is
watch, Richard
sor back in place, Miller gripped the no different except we wont have to
Miller said, acknowl- tour, taking pictures along the way.
gouge with his left hand and conShell have her own photo album to
worry about special menus, scheduledging the womans
centrated on cutting in the opposite
share with our grandchildren. And
ing naps and potty-breaks
voice, but without looking up. Intent
direction. I didnt think Id get to
a visit to Friendship isnt
A few miles beyond Greenfield,
on guiding the small gouge
inletting the ramrod pipes this week,
complete without visiting
Indiana, the discussion focused on
in the curly-maple stocks
Gunmakers Hall and watch- but I never thought Id be talking to a the logistics of taking grandchildren
ramrod channel, the graydoll, either.
ing you work on the back
to a national shoot, preparing them
haired craftsman peered
The thought of photographing a
porch.
to safely participate in the sub-junior
through his battered OptiViLets move these chis- doll at the various venues and attracmatches (11 years of age and under)
sor as a tiny, cream-colored
tions at the NMLRAs National Cham- and the additional time and attention
els and files out of the way,
curl spiraled from the razorand she can stand right here pionship Shoot seemed quite foolish
such an undertaking might demand.
sharp blade. This morning
on the bench and get a close at first, perhaps even embarrassing for One of the major concerns was inIm finishing the forward
grown adults. But in todays world,
look, Miller said as
cluding both the boys and the girls,
inlet for a brass ramrod
he pushed a beat-up ply- introducing the next generation to
but first and foremost, was sparking
pipe. This Lancasterwood drawer filled with the shooting sports, black powder or
a desire to participate on the part of
style rifle will have two
ramrod pipes, or thimbles as they are assorted tools back and rearranged his modern, requires a dash of creativity, each youngster.
a pinch of whimsy and a cupful of deAt that point the tongue-in-cheek
sometimes called, and an entry pipe in scrapers.
termination on the part of both parents tomfoolery evolved into the notion of
Were here to educate, ponthe forestock.
and grandparents.
tificate and stimulate a love for the
using Kaya as a means of introducCan she see okay? Miller
Earlier in the summer, the granding the grandchildren to the NMLRA
asked as he pushed up the magnifiers American longrifle, young lady,
mother treated her three granddaugh- and the unique experience the black
Richard Miller said after Kaya,
gray hood with his left hand. After
dressed in a teal-blue pow-wow dress ters with a trip to the American Girl powder shooting community sums up
a startled blink, the gunsmiths blue
Store in Chicago, Illinois. Four broth- in one word, Friendship. The idea
eyes offered a telltale twinkle and his ornamented with orange and red ribers and the respective parents tagged
bons, took her place in the space he
of creating a photo album chronicling
pursed lips hinted at a smile. Thats
along, and all got caught up in the
cleared.
different. So this is Kaya? Miller
Kayas adventures quickly turned into
Richard Miller is committee chair- weekends excitement. A years worth a written list.
asked as he glanced at the eighteenof saving proved sufficient for a doll,
man for the National Muzzle Loadinch dolls dark brown eyes, then at
After setting up camp, Kaya
one outfit and a few accessories for
ing Rifle Associations Gunmakers
the smiling brunette that held it.
ventured to the main grounds and
each of the girls. But grandma balked happened upon Richard Miller workYes, this is Kaya, the lady said. Hall and demonstrates 18th-century
Will you take us, too?
Black Powder Shooting Sports - Encouraging the Next Generation...
D
By Dennis Neely
58
Judy Morgan tried several strands of authentic

glass beads before settling on the Chevron necklace. The adults embraced the doll as a creative
means for introducing children to the black
powder shooting sports.
but didnt utter a word.
At the Max Vickery Primitive
Range, Kaya stood in the target window of the two-story log blockhouse.
The range officer, Chuck Ziegler,
turned around, grinned and said, I
see you brought your American Girl
doll to Friendship.
A hundred yards east, in the Curly
Gostomski Primitive Campground,
Bruce Bokori stroked his beard, but
failed to stifle a grin. This is a Coureur de Bois tent, he said, painted in
a Native American style. Its 41 years
old, made by Bill and Lila Walter, and
always pitched in the same place.
Twilight found Kaya leaning
against a white column on the front
porch of the Rand House, which sits
on a slight hill and overlooks the
Walter Cline Range. The clop, clop,
clop of the horse taxi crossing the
bridge over Laughery Creek marked
the last livery of the day and the end
of her visit.
A week later, a granddaughter
brought Elizabeth Grace to play
with Kaya. Kaya went to Friendship, her grandmother said. Would
you like to see her pictures? The pair
sat side-by-side holding their dolls as
they leafed through the photos.
Two grandsons remained a
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respectable distance way, but craned

their necks to catch a subtle glimpse.
The oldest turned to his grandfather
and asked, Do you have more pictures of Friendship? When you take
sister, will you take us, too?
Make a special effort to introduce
the next generation to the black pow-
der shooting sports, be safe and may

God bless you.n
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Gunmakers Hall she inspected the
raffle rifles, shot bags, powder horn,
knife and the hand-sewn, Civil-Warstyle quilt Nancy Thelen donated. She
wanted a picture with the quilt, or so
grandmother said.
The next stop was the Kenockee
Tradin Post, across the drive and
to the west end of Shotgun Avenue
on Commercial Row. Judy Morgan
laughed, then spoke to Kaya as she
helped her try on strings of glass
beads. Morgan gave her a necklace of
Chevron beads as a memento of her
first visit to Friendship.
Around the corner, grandma and
her charge stopped at the blacksmith
shop. Kaya posed beside an ornate
wrought-iron candle stand forged by
John Cummins. On Rifle Row, Kaya
discovered a pint-sized field cannon
at the Deer Creek booth, but grandma
ignored Kayas plea to buy the artillery piece.
Sitting on one of the green
benches on the clubhouse porch,
Kaya watched the last afternoon relay
on the offhand line. A couple in the
back row ate moose-tracks ice cream.
The lady in braids chatted about her
scores for the Womens Rifle Championship Aggregate. Kaya listened,
Order online: www.ferrariandsons.com 59
Before First Ice ... By Robert Dock Stupp
A discussion of fish sensory perception
y the end of November in

Michigans Upper Peninsula,
I usually have at least a doe
in the freezer. My wife and I
love the taste of venison. But
come December my thoughts
turn to ice fishing. If you live somewhere in the ice belt, it gets in your
blood. Then, thankfully, winter is no
longer a time to get through but a
season to embrace the winter wonderland. And, yes, a time for contemplation.
Seems to me that sitting over a
hole in my ice shack exacerbates my
concentration on the here and now so
that the angling game becomes an art
of paying attention to details.
But, first, lets examine our fishy
friends; fish aint rocket scientists!
Before we drill any holes, lets look
at some surprising piscatorial sensory
perceptions that all fish use as survival
tools. However, and this is important,
do not think of our Michigan fish
species in terms of our own senses of
sight, hearing, taste, and especially,
The author caught two whitefish long before they drilled any holes.
smell.
Ask yourself which of your senses is most important to you and, generally, you would probably choose vision.
Now, the next time you are talking
to a walleye or a crappie (its called
shack happy and in a little Clam
shack all alone well), ask your
favorite fish which one of its senses is
most important and it will generally
chose the unbelievable and intricately
sophisticated, Vibration-Detection
System.
Deprive a fish of vision and it
will probably survive quite well; take
away the vibration-detection system
and its Adios!
The Lateral Line and

Good Vibrations
Are fish attracted to and then

excited enough to chase and eat your
offering? Do fish hone in on vibrations (jigs with live bait or vibrating
plastics, spoons and blade baits that
wobble and bang bottom) because

they feel good? You bet! And heres
why.
We all have heard about the lateral
line in a bass, for example. The basss
lateral line is also in plain sight, running just below the top of a basss
back. It runs from the head all the way
to the tail. The lateral line canal with
its receptors and sensory cells can do
amazing things: a bass can as easily
detect a divers fin kicking in the water as he can detect and locate the
tail wagging of a small shad minnow,
or a school of minnows.
Tests have shown that fish also
have an innate ability to differentiate size and species. It is based upon
two factors: what they hear or,
something we describe as feel, or
as Doug Stange of In-Fisherman fame
said about live or artificial baits: if a
fish swims behind a jig and paddletail, for example, and if it feels good
-- the fish will eat it.
I believe that word feel also includes how you skillfully deliver your
delivery system or your presentation
and technique (fast or slow retrieve
pause etc.), to all the combinations of all the fishs sensory perceptions. Can our skills pass the test -- so
that vibration or sound, smell, sight,
including color, size and shape, and
taste feel good or right to the fish?
Put this question in your tackle
box before you hit the ice or soft
water:
Will my target fish eat this bait?
Lets look at a fishs sensory perception.
Smell
Fish may not be smart like your

dog or parakeet but lets consider this:
even the finest trained hunting dog
would have difficulty equaling the
performance of a game fish. Another
thought to ponder: game fish operate
in what fish biologists call threshold
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detection levels. Compared to the best

human nose, fish operate in thresholds of molecular concentration of
.000000001, which is equivalent to
1 drop of a chemical in an Olympicsized swimming pool. Yikes!
Or, put another way, fish have
roughly one million times greater
sensitivity than the best human nose!
Before we even drill a hole are we
proactive about negative smells like
your gas auger? What about using
positive smell tracks like WD40?
Gulp!? Hey! Its all in the game and
games and puzzles are fun. Right?
Here are some tips to help you
catch a most-remarkable species the
not-so lowly fish:
TIP ONE
Avoid Human Odors-It Can Make
Or Break An Ice Fishing Outing
Do not underestimate a fishs

smelling capacity or its sight, hearing
or vibration detection system. Use
taste and feel to your advantage.
Attract and trigger!
From a negative viewpoint, the
human hand is a deal killer; the King
of the Dealer Makers says so. But,
take the time to wash or clean your
hands. Add tobacco and youve got
double trouble.
A good friend of mine and fine angler, Keith Snowman Generotzke,
told me a long time ago about several
walleye fishing trips he took with his
wife, Sherry. She was catching most
of the walleyes, while jigging right
next to him. Same minnows same
jigs.
Now wouldnt that just frost your
butt? Continuing, she put Oil of Olay
on her hands he didnt. He played
with the boat motor (or snowmobile).
She didnt, but Sherry also didnt
know that Oil of Olay contains,
among other things, natural turtle oil.
Or did she?
Snowman didnt use that stuff but
he did buy special soap that contained
some natural fishy stuff. Today he
is very conscience of all odors and
smells, including the positive scent
trails, like scented baits, while fish-
ing. All is well in the Generotzke

household!
We all can learn from our mistakes. For ice fishing this year: the
gas auger is out; the new electric one
is in. And I also actually mash minnows just like Play Dough! So the
kid in me is still in!
TIP TWO
Attract/Trigger With
Scents, Sight, Sound, and Taste
Use your knowledge and respect

the fishs senses. Heres where experience and skill come in. I would lean
to the subtle side of attracting a fishs
senses; go slow and jig and pause, use
smaller jigs and shorter movements
then, if no takers, make the necessary changes when the mood of the
fish changes. Stimulate the lateral line
and all the fishs senses. Use baits that
flash, vibrate and taste good.
The taste test begins, for example,
as a crappie or a big bull bluegill
enters your hole. Watch as they blow
out or expel a lure in less than half a
second. Are the fish neutral or negative or positive biters? Might have to
speed up that lure. Go bigger. Or a
buddy yells: use one of Dave Genzs,
Clam smaller jigs that drop-kick
one!
On the negative aspect of noise,
well, sound travels faster underwater
than air; ice fishermen beware it
travels even faster in winters colder,
denser water. Be quiet!
But, alas, on the positive side of
things, work the sound factor to your
advantage and use lures that shake,
rattle, and pound that dance floor. An
old timer told me, once you know
where you are on the lake, drill all
your holes at the same time right
away. Dont slam skimmers and
buckets and stuff. Amuse your pals
and tip-toe on the ice. There we are
tippy-toeing along - like a gorilla on
ice skates!
panfish can be lots of fun, especially

with a group of guys or on a family
outing. But before drilling holes, consult maps and local knowledge.
Try lures that give off flash and
vibration and that are large enough to
attract bigger fish. Fish at low light,
fish on cloudy days, if possible, and
during times of stable weather.
Avoid big crowds of people whenever possible; keep your stomping
around to a minimum.
Finally, have a select, organized
tackle box all set up with lures for
walleye, pike, and panfish. Take
advantage of your experience and
knowledge of the extraordinary sensory perceptions of fish. Try products
like Berkley Gulp! and Power Baits.
Try different styles and sizes of Trigger X or other scented plastic baits.
TIP FOUR
Knowledge Is Power
Musing, as I often do in my ice

shack, I can now say that you can
teach an old dog new tricks. I know a
tiny, little bit more about the reasons
why some anglers consistently catch
more fish than others. OK, to a very
small extent, lets throw in a little
luck, but the secrets of underwater
smell tracks and how to control them
may well prove to be the single most
This nice bluegill was caught on a

familiar U.P. lake near Crystal Falls.
important tool added to a fishermans
arsenal.
Fishing is a game of elimination
and learning about the fish. Wow! Its
not about me; its about the fish!
Robert Dock Stupp, who lives
with his wife, Susy, in the U.P. of
Michigan (Iron River). He fishes
more than a grown man should! Some
of the material in this article was
taken from the book: The Scientific
Angler by Paul C. Johnson (1984
Charles Scribners Sons New
York).n
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Old School-New School...
LURES FOR FALL BASS
bout 20 years ago, a really

good bass fisherman from
Indiana named Greg Mangus
showed me his technique for
scooting a twin-tail Yamamoto Hula Grub across shallow flats on Michigan lakesand the
method caught a lot of bass.
Rigging the salty grubs on a 3/16oz. jighead (Greg insisted
the lead head jig had to be
3/16-ounces for the area
Eagle Lake over by Edwardsburg we fished) hed cast as
far as he could downwind, let
the grub settle close to bottom, and, with a bit of slack
in his line, pump his 7-foot
spinning rod quickly
towards him so that the
slack would slap tight, and
the grub would scoot, then fall, and
scoot again. If he felt any weight, hed
reel fast to load up the rod and stick
the hook home into the basss maw
or reel in a clump of weeds.
Greg also was picky about the rod
he used, and although I bought a duplicate way back when, it seems to have
disappeared from my bass-fishing arsenal and I dont recall the model num-
ber. I do recall it as a fairly expensive

G. Loomis model, 7 feet long, with a
medium sort of parabolic action.
A couple of weeks ago a new
product announcement showed up in
my email for a BTB SkimmerZ Jig
from Z-Man Fishing Products. It was a
flat, 1/4-ounce jig designed for inshore
saltwater anglers pursuing speckled
sea trout. All I could think of
was how much this jig would
look like a slightly smaller
Yamamoto double-tail grub,
made of the nearly indestructible Elaztech plastic from
which Z-Man molds its soft
lures. So I requested a sample
of the SkimmerZs as well as
some different colors of
the companys BatwingZ,
which is a crayfish imitator with out-sized, flapping claws. I
reasoned that although the SkimmerZ
comes to make it a fluffy hula skirt,
then add the BatwingZ, Id have an
updated spider grub that would work
very much like the old-school Yamamotos.
When I got the samples from ZMan, not only did the result look good
in the clear waters of Gun Lake near
Hastings last Saturday, but the lure
caught the big bass in a kayak tournament there. I won enough cash to fill
the tank of my small SUV. And when a
modified Silver Buddy I threw caught
a second, smaller bass a little later
amidst the steady rain of a miserably
windy afternoon, I had enough inch-
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Turning the skirt around on a Z-Man SkimmerZ jighead makes this salt water
lure more effective for fresh water bass and the modified Silver Buddies.
es in the catch-photo-release contest
to win the tournament. This information is not to brag, but to show both of
these lures can catch bass when cruddy
weather turns these gamefish finicky.
In all, of the 22 boats fishing this
tournament (many manned by really good anglers from as far away
as Windsor, Ontario) just seven of
us caught a fish, and only two of the
seven caught two fish, and I was lucky
enough to be one of them.
As it would happen, Greg Mangus
also taught me about effectively fishing Silver Buddies, one of the original
blade bait lure brands. These blades
consist of a lead body molded on a flat
piece of metal. As you pull the lure toward you, it vibrates quite aggressively. You can put out a lot of vibration
while moving the lure just a foot or
two, which apparently puts this flashy,
pulsing lure in a non-aggressive fishs
strike zone to get it to bite. In fact, as
the water gets colder during this period
heading towards ice cover, the slower
you move a blade bait, the better. Just
barely lifting the lure and feeling the
thup-thup-thup of the Silver Buddy
moving ever so slightly, at times, is the
ticket to a tussle with a bass.
Of course Greg insisted that
modifications to a Silver Buddy made

it much more effective. Last week, I
found four -ounce Buddies at D&R
Sports in Kalamazoo and bought them
all, along with one -ouncer. For me,
the -ouncers always seemed to be
more productive. To bring them up
to Greg Mangus spec, I removed the
stock hooks, which were attached by
cutting the trebles eyelets, twisting
open a gap, putting the hook on the
lure and then twisting the gap closed
again. For Mangus approval, No.
6-size Gamakatsu Round Bend Trebles
replaced these stock hooks; I attached
the hooks to the bait with small split
rings.
As a result, the bait has a perceptibly stronger vibration because the
hooks swing more freely.
Im not sure all that rigmarole is
necessary, but I do know the modification works, and not just for bass.
On Lake Erie reefs during the spring
walleye spawn in late March and early
April, a Silver Buddy can flat out-fish
other presentations by a wide margin.
The success on Gun Lake has me
geeked to do more late-season bass
fishing. You can bet that both a SkimmerZ Jig and a Silver Buddy will see a
lot of time in the water.n
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To
Your
Land?
H
unters obviously
Knives. There is a certain
need to pack along
balance and momentum in
the appropriate
using a knife and a properly
knife but, with so many options weighted knife is an asset and lightest
out there, how does one choose? isnt always the best.
I personally like a knife that fits my
hand and gives me the chance to choke
There are two different types of
up on the blade, says Buck.
knives; folding and fixed blade and each
have its own benefits and disadvantages.
Knife blades come in a number of
Many folding knives are locking
blades which eliminate the knife opening shapes and sizes, each tailored to a specific need. In the hunting platform, there
or closing on your hand when in use.
are two shapes that work for most of the
They are convenient to carry either in a
basic tasks of field dressing and skinning
sheath or pocket. They are more difficult to clean than fixed blade knives and game.
can break if they are used in heavy duty
Clip Point - The clip point blade
scenarios. Folders are safer to carry
is concavely ground to a crescent tip
when walking as they wont cut you if
(slight upward sweep) which makes the
you take a hard fall where depending on tip thinner and sharper. It is best suited
the sheath, could happen with a fixed
to general purpose use, detail work, cutblade knife.
ting in tight places and for creating holes
Fixed blade knives, especially full
(like for a belt). It is not as durable as
tang knives, are designed for heavier
a drop point since it has a thinner blade
duty because the blade tang extends
and tip which can break.
through the handle. Partial tang fixed
Drop Point - The drop point is a
blades are not as sturdy as full tang and
heavier bodied knife with a thicker point
may break in half while chopping or
and is suited for heavier work. The top
hard use. They are easy to clean, fit in a of the blade drops down towards the tip
sheath and are bulkier than folders.
resulting in a thicker tip and reduces the
possibility of puncturing during field
dressing. It is a versatile knife but not as
Bone, antler and wood handles are
good for fine tasks as a clip point.
warm to hold, strong and classy looking.
For game prep and skinning the
Composite or rubber handles are rugged best blade shape is a drop point, says
and provide a good gripping surface.
Buck. Clip points are more effective
It is critical to make sure that the
slicers, however in skinning, that is not
knife feels comfortable in your hand.
what you want.
Handle shape is all about ergoA large blade isnt necessary for
nomic, comfort and flexibility of a
small game or deer size animals. A
grip, says C.J. Buck, president of Buck blade between 2 to 4 inches is all you
By Bill Kendy
Knife Types
Blade Shape and Size
The Buck Vanguard offers a 4 inch drop point blade, a contoured handle,
safety guard and weighs in at only 6.3 ounces.
resistant to abrasion, wear and corrosion.
Because of the Chromium component, it
holds a good edge, sharpens easily and
wont stain from high acid foods and
fruits.
S30V was designed to be used for
There are three main considerations
in choosing knife blade steel; edge reten- knives and contains carbon, Chromium,
tion, ductility (flexibility and the ability Molybdenum and Vanadium. It is very
tough with good hardness, retains an
to bend without breaking) and corroedge, is flexible and resists corrosion.
sion resistance are the main factors to
The down side is it is difficult to sharpconsider.
en.
When it comes to knife blades you
can get carbon steel or stainless. Carbon steel is strong, can be sharpened
Last but not least, you need to figure
relatively easy, keeps an edge but can
rust easily. Stainless steel, depending on out what you are going to carry whatever type of knife you decide on. Look
the hardness of steel, will lose an edge
quicker but is not as corrosive as carbon for a belt sheath that is comfortable and
flexible, is durable and allows you easy
steel.
access.
As a rule of thumb, the harder the
steel the better the blade will hold an
edge. It will also be more brittle which
Take a larger drop point for the
means it is more likely to break if it is
tougher tasks and a smaller folding clip
hard hit or in rough use.
point for detail work. It wont take up
There are a ton of different types of
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63
Moki
Sometimes youve gotta do the hard stuff. I pulled
the bill of my ball cap low over my eyes...
he sky was clear and sunny,

but to me it seemed as gray
and dark as any that Id ever
seen. Beside me, my wife
was silent, wrestling her own
demons, but I knew that it was
the iron strength that shed
acquired from decades as
a paramedic that held back
her tears. At times like
this, it was clear that she
possessed greater spiritual
strength than me, but I did
not envy her the path that
had made her so stalwart.
As we pulled into the
parking lot, in Petoskey, she looked at
me and said, Im
not going in with you.
I nodded. Her decision was entirely
understandable; had it been mine to
make, I might have chosen the same
option.
But sometimes youve gotta do the
hard stuff. I pulled the bill of my ball
cap low over my eyes, and hooked my
thumbs into the suspenders of my bib
overalls to keep my hands from trembling. Then I strode as purposely as I

could toward the door. As I reached
for the handle, I felt as though my
knees might collapse.
Inside, a sad-faced receptionist,
who obviously knew why I
was there, pointed me toward
a door marked Personnel Only.
Another assistant escorted
me back to a cold, sparselyappointed room, where my
veterinarian waited on the
opposite side of a stainless
steel elevator table. I shook
the hand he extended, but
no pleasantries passed
between us. The task at
hand was solemn, not
suited to social amenities.
Moki was in a holding kennel at
one side of the room. She perked up
at the sight of me, but her demeanor
was one of utter exhaustion. When
the lab results had come in yesterday,
a wave of despair had washed over me
like icy water as I read how a malignant tumor had formed on my baby
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was, Moki backed off when I told her

to, and I was able to free the trapped
rodent with a minimum of danger to
either of us. It was uninjured and it
had stopped. Ive never subscribed

to the philosophy that a man must
remain stoic in times of grief, and my
tears flowed freely as we zipped my
friend into a body bag, and loaded her
into our truck for the hundred-mile
trip home.
I buried Moki just before Christmas. It was the earliest winter wed
seen in at least a decade, and I burned
away my heartache digging through
2 feet of hard-frozen snow before digging her grave four feet into the frigid
earth.
I have another dog, because I
need the superior senses of a dog
when Im in the woods (I live surrounded by Lake Superior State Forest). She looks a lot like Moki, and,
if anything, shes more affectionate.
But shes not Moki. There will never
be another Moki.n
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girls heart.
We helped Moki onto the table,
where she laid down tiredly, and the
vet stepped on a pedal to raise the
platform to waist-level. I held her
big furry head to my chest and kissed
her on the nose. I remembered all
the wonderful days, nights, and miles
that wed spent together in state and
national forests. Moki had been the
mascot of many a survival class for
many years - sometimes I think her
company was the high point of the
course for some of my clients.
Wed also spent a lot of trail time
together, just her and I. There had
been that especially warm night in
March, when wed backpacked seven
miles to a remote campsite on the
Betsy River, west of where it emptied
into Lake Superiors Whitefish Bay.
Wed gotten a late start, and large
fields of unmelted snow in the deepest woods made the going slower than
my normal 3.5 miles per hour hiking
pace.
Night comes early in the forest,
and we trekked the last few miles in
darkness. I donned my LED headlamp, but avoided turning it on to
preserve my night-vision. Wed just
crossed an especially vast area of
ankle-deep slush, when I suddenly
realized that Id passed the trail Id
wanted to turn onto. Frustrated and
sweaty, with a chill that kept pace
with the falling temperature, I decided to drop my heavy backpack, and
scout the area. When I located the
trail, Id come back for it.
Id just unbuckled the waist belt
when I heard a querulous woof!
from Moki in the darkness. I clicked
on my headlamp and shined it on
where she stood, at the top of a knoll,
looking at me as if Id suddenly gone
senile. Wed been here more than a
hundred times previously, so it probably boggled her mind that Id missed
the trail to one of her favorite places.
But her nose and her other senses
hadnt missed it; that was one of the
reasons Ive always preferred to have
a dog with me in the woods.
Then there was the time that a
large beaver got caught in a poachers
leg-hold trap. The beaver was a
large one, strong enough to drag the
weight of the drowning set ashore.
But it wasnt going to go any further
than that, Moki made sure. I awoke
at about 2:30 a.m. to the sounds of a
fierce battle taking place on the river
bank, just a few yards from my bivvy
shelter. It was a classic rude awakening.
Being the obedient (unusual for
a pedigreed Siberian) companion she
swam off. I found two more traps

- actually, Moki found one, but I
stepped on the spring at precisely the
same time that she stepped onto the
trigger, and its jaws caused little more
than a superficial injury to her leg.
And now she lay in my arms,
faced an opponent that she couldnt
beat. Doctor Larry Koehler had been
my veterinarian for 15 years, and my
wifes for twice that long. I trusted his
judgment absolutely. And I trusted
the look in my best friends eyes, the
dark ethos that I saw reflected there
told me that Dr. Koehlers assessment
was beyond dispute.
Mokis forepaw had already been
shaved, and she snuggled into me as
Dr. Koehler inserted the needle. She
heaved a final breath, and I didnt
need him to tell me, listening with his
stethoscope, that her majestic heart
65
Every winter, tens of thousands of Michiganders flee the snow...
Florida: Fishing, for visitors
very winter, tens of thousands of

Michiganders flee the snow and
head to sunny Florida. If they
dont take along some fishing
tackle and/or their fishing boat, they may be
missing out on some of the best
fishing on the planet.
I lived in Florida, in Dade
County, for 17 mango seasons
and fished at every opportunity. I took my Coast Guard
exam in Miami and did some
weekend guiding for bonefish,
on the east side, and for snook
and tarpon on the west
coast. The fishing is
superior, whether you
choose fresh water, salt water or the
brackish mix.
are the bass that were planted in lakes

in Mexico. If your hearts desire is to
catch a ten-pound largemouth, go to
Lake Okeechobee, impale a big shiner
on a hook, below a float and
fling it out near cover. Central
Florida is the place for bass
fishing.
There are fewer lakes but
many creeks and rivers in the
northern part of the state and
virtually no lakes in south
Florida. The southern part of
the state has canals, however,
and they lace the ground in
Dade, Broward and
Palm Beach counties.
They are full of bass,
brim, rough fish such as gar and bowfin
and a few exotics, including peacock
bass. Some of the canals are difficult
to access and there are very few situations in which one could launch a boat
from a trailer. This is a good situation
for a canoe, a kayak or a small john
boat that can be carried on a car top or
in a pickup truck. Many a pleasant day
has been spent in a South Florida canal,
drifting along in a small boat, taking
By George Rowe
Fresh Water
While many of the fresh water

species are available in Florida, the
state is best known for bass. BIG bass.
The Florida bass are so much bigger
than the normal largemouth that they
are regarded as a separate species, for
record-keeping purposes; and these
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turns with a buddy handling the paddle.

We would switch places every ten bass,
catching them on a flyrod popper and
releasing all of them.
Salt Water
While Florida may be best known

for off-shore trolling for big fish, most
visitors settle for something smaller,
closer to terra firma and less costly.
There are lots of places, on both coasts,
where one can fish off a pier, a dock, a
bridge or the beach. I can remember a
couple of small water canals that could
be fished on foot and several of them
produced snook. I can even remember
catching ten-pound grouper on a plug
cast into a canal beside a major highway. Most of the fishing for pedestrians
is for mangrove snappers, grunts, sea
trout or a variety of other smaller fish.
Some of the very best fishing, for
those with a boat or a guide, is in Everglades Park, on the lower west coast
of Florida. This is the Chokoluskee/
Flamingo area. This is a vast area of
rivers, creeks and lagoons and it is vital
that one goes into it with a chart and a
compass. After you get in there a few
miles, it all looks the same and one can
get lost readily. These waters are rich
with tarpon, snook, sea trout, redfish
and mangrove snappers. As with salt
water fishing everywhere, it is important to fish the right tides and one will
avoid the slack water of either high or
low tide. For back-county fishing, my
favorite situation was always a rising
tide at dawn.
Since I left Florida, there have been
a number of changes in the fishing laws.
For instance, a license is now required
to fish salt water and there are now seasons, size limits and bag limits for many
salt water species.
The upper Keys are another great
spot for anglers with small boats. If
your boat has a shallow draft, you can
fish for bonefish between Miami and
Key Largo and expect to see quite a few
Flyrod anglers will love the bass action on the South Florida canals.
fish on a rising tide. I have chased bonefish all over the keys, all over the Bahamas and in Mexican waters and have
seen more big bonefish in Biscayne Bay
than in any other place. Ten-pounders
are fairly common but they are not easy
to fool.
The cuts around the upper keys are
good places to cast a plug or fly for
big snappers, snook and tarpon. While
doing that, you are sure to catch some
barracuda, ladyfish, jacks and other
less desirable fish. In late winter, the
mangrove snappers will move in to
spawn and anglers are often amazed
to discover that these fish grow to well
over ten pounds and they pull like
crazed oxen. Mutton snappers are also
caught in these waters. While they may
be larger than the mangroves, they dont
fight nearly as well.
Another great fishing opportunity
for Florida visitors is the winter migration of mackerel and bluefish into the
bays in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Palm
Beach area. You can do this comfortably with a 14-foot outboard. Chumming is the key and this fishing is best
done with the tide is running nicely, to
extend the chum line. You can expect
to catch some trash fish on your shrimp
offering (which you can use for cut bait)
but the prize is the Spanish mackerel.
Smallish bluefish are often in the same
catch. Both of these fish are quite oily
and not good fried but they are great
smoked. The mackerel run from three to
ten pounds and are great fighters.
You can take your pick on Florida
fishing but whether you choose salt
water or fresh, you will probably not be
disappointed.n
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Rough ocean waters differ a great deal from those on the great lakes...
Charter fishing in Florida

cost. If you are unsure of the number
of people in your party and dont wish
to risk losing a deposit, you may want
to wait until you get to your destination to book.
Once your group is assembled, meet boats at the
charter docks. Talk to anglers
who have returned from a trip
and take note of the catches
displayed. Once the fish are
cleaned and the boats are
being washed down by the
mate, the captains will usually be happy to chat with
you.
Something
to keep in mind,
rough seas on ocean waters differ a
great deal from those on the great
lakes. Considering this thought, ask
perhaps the most important question.
What will happen if the weather is
unsettled? Some captains will answer, If its fishable we go. If it is
truly un-fishable, will your deposit be
returned? This question could lead
to an a few different answers. Some
captains have a back-country boat
that they use to fish the shallow,
calmer waters of nearby bays. They
may offer to take you out on it if
there are only two of you.
When chartering for backcountry, captains prefer to take only
one or two passengers because the
action takes place in shallow waters
and their vessels are designed to
navigate those waters. They also
catch live bait and that is tricky with
more than two others aboard. If
your group includes several anglers,
some captains have more than one
small boat. They also may have
other captains they book for and
could still accommodate you. They
understand you have come a long
way to get out fishing and will try to
work with your circumstances.
By Capt. Fred Davis
SPORTMAN'S AUCTION
Saturday, January 2nd, 2016
COLDWATER, MICHIGAN
Selling over 400 firearms to include modern, antique,

military, blackpowder and more at public auction.
Also selling hunting/fishing related items.
For more information go to www.BelcherAuction.com
Another option could be that a

captain offers to apply your deposit
to their next available opening which
leads to a dilemma. What if they have
no openings before your vacation
ends? These questions and perhaps
more need to be considered when
planning to go on a charter fishing trip
while vacationing.
Charter fishing in Floridas many
offshore locations and the florida keys
produces big fish; trophy sails, marlin,
swordfish, shark, tuna, mahi, and
many others. Fishing the flats in the
backcountry also produces trophies;
Bonefish, Tarpon, Snook, Grouper.
You have read the magazines, seen the
photos and heard exciting tales.
Some of the fish have seasons of
catch and limits you need to be aware
of. Many are great eating but be sure
to inquire about keeping them because
some captains sell their catches. Most
large fish are considered catch and
release and you may have an opportunity for photos but not always.
Mounts are not made from the actual
fish but from photos that a skilled
A Goliath Florida grouper!

taxidermist recreates of your catch.
Backcountry fishing can be one of
the most exciting fishing experiences
you will ever have. I recommend a
whole day charter to fully enjoy the
experience. Last March I told Woods
readers about a trip I sent my kids on.
Just image catching a big shark or a
rare, seldom seen, five- foot sawfish in
shallow water on light tackle.n
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ecause I know many of the

Woods-N-Water News readers are really missing fishing
on water they dont have to
cut a hole in, here is some
good advice. When
you are planning your winter
vacation, dont rush into the
unknown. If getting out on
the water for a fishing charter
is included in your plans its
best to begin shopping well in
advance of your trip. Waiting until you arrive at your
destination may leave you
standing on shore.
Florida is one
of the most popular
states to enjoy a charter fishing excursion, especially when it comes to
those of us from the Great Lakes area.
I am well acquainted with the area and
its charter opportunities after spending the past 25 years wintering in the
Florida Keys.
If you receive a recommendation
from a friend or relative, it is likely
they had a successful outing. You too
may enjoy a good experience but keep
in mind not every fishing trip is guaranteed to be successful. There are lots
of variable conditions that play a part.
When planning ahead and questioning a captain, inquire about the
size of the boat, how many people is
most comfortable for a good trip and
the cost. Ask if the price includes;
beverages, bait and tackle and any
other items. What amount of deposit
is required and is it refundable? Inquire if a portion of your deposit will
be retained if you have to cancel.
If you are arranging a group charter, you may want to ask all those going to invest in the deposit. Another
inquiry to make of the captain is; if
its a group trip will the captain add
walk-ons if your whole group doesnt
show up? This would help cover the
67
Kill a
on your hunting property
Big bucks get big by being smart - they do not grow old by walking in front
of one of your blinds that has been there for the last three generations...
Guest Column
By John Bischoff
n Michigan, hunting camps are

a big deal, often they stay in the
same family for many generations. Along with the regular traditions like drinking and a good
game of euchre some other things
never change. I am talking about
blind locations.
More often than not hunting blinds
are kept in the same spot since the
day they were built. Year after year
hunters stumble out before daylight
to that same spot every November
15th like clockwork. Deer notice this,
and if you spend some time scouting
you will notice that many times deer
trails have adapted to go around these
blinds.
Big bucks get big by being smart.
They do not grow to be three or four
years old by walking in front of one
of your blinds that has been there for
the last three generations. They notice
these blinds and plan their travel according to the wind direction and your
blinds location.
That is why I have had good success by changing up the locations I
hunt. On the camp I am lucky enough
to hunt on I have this ability. I know
where every blind is on that property
The author with a couple of his trophy bucks taken by changing locations.
and what blinds get hunted regularly.
I plan my stand sites accordingly. I do chances that the other hunters have
have moved to in order to avoid them.
not sit in areas that would affect any
but instead I sit in areas that the deer
The first time I did this I ended up
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with a nice 10-point. The second time

was a nice 8 and the third was a chunk
of an 8-point. Where I shot these
bucks was in areas that no one had
hunted in years and all of these bucks
would have zigzagged their way
through the property without anyone
ever knowing they existed.
I also skip the bait out in front of
my stand. This is a way to keep the
deer on their normal feeding patterns
during daylight hours. Watching my
trail cameras over the years I have
noticed that baiting seems to trigger
nocturnal activity.
Wind direction is also huge. Large
mature deer will move with the wind
on their side, so setting up with the
wind in your face is not always going
to be the best set up. If you can find
that spot where the buck will have the
wind in his favor and you still have a
small kill zone before you get winded,
you are in the money. Make a plan for
different wind directions and stick to
it. If it is not right for where you want
to hunt, change where you are hunting!
Scent control is vital. I am the
guy that is up showering in scent free
soap and getting naked in the freezing
November temps to change outside.
This is especially important trying to
play the wind the way I do and also
because the other hunters that come
out smelling like bacon and eggs at
daybreak will push deer right to you.
If you dont have a shower at camp
you might not have this option and
really have to focus on your access
routes to keep your scent out of the
big bucks core area.
Patience young grasshopper.
Sitting in a treestand or blind all day
does not require some sort of Jedi
mind control, although it might help.
You just have to have the mindset
when you go out in the morning that
you are not coming back until dark. I
always bring a couple books and lots
of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
if I know I will be out all day. Opening day I always sit all day and more
times than not I see deer all day. With
other hunters coming in and out of
the woods at different times of the
day, deer will get spooked off of other
properties and hopefully right into
your shooting lane.
If your season starts off slow dont
throw in the towel. I know how discouraging it can be after a few days of
not seeing deer but persistence often
pays off. Dont get lazy with scent
control or stand location just because
you have lost all hope. If youre not
seeing any bucks dont be afraid
to move your stand location again.
Remember it only takes one second
to change a bad season into a great
season.n
DNR director honored for Michigan parks accepting applications for 2016 campground hosts
promoting, protecting,
sustaining Michigans
forest products industry
positions. Hosts must provide their own camping equipment.

Applicants are screened and interviewed by park staff, and
selection is based on familiarity with the state park system,
camping experience, special skills, availability and knowledge
of the area. Selected campground hosts will attend training
June 1-2, 2016, at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center
in Roscommon, Michigan.
For more information about the DNRs Campground Host
Program (including how to apply and expected duties), visit
www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers or contact Miguel Rodriguez at rodriguezm2@michigan.gov or 517-284-6127.
Inside Michigans Great Outdoors subscribers are always
the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park
events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.
gov/dnr to subscribe now.
Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you
access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.
gov/recreationpassport.
ED'S NEW DVD
ULTIMATE
CORN-BASED
DEER KILL PLOTS
Takes you to a new concept of deer attraction.
Deer will freely enter your kill plot during daylight due
to the security and endless variety of forage deer prefer
ORDER
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COPY
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Send Check or Money Order

Made Out to:
Edward Spinazzola
815 Sleeth Rd.
Commerce, MI 48382
New DVD ~ $25 includes shipping

Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone #
ULTIMATE LAND MANAGEMENT FORAGE & COVER SEED FOR MICHIGAN PLOTS
Tony Lapratt and associate Chris Pierson
with new associate Ed Spinazzola
WEBSITE -- tonysulm.com
ULTIMATE DEER FOOD PLOTS

BOOK & DVD
ORDER YOUR
COPY TODAY
Send Check or Money Order
Made Out to:
Book $25
DVD $20
Includes
Check the Following:
DEER ATTRACTION
then mail to:
Deer Attraction
815 Sleeth Rd.
Commerce, MI 48382
Book @ $25 each
DVD @ $20 each
Name
Phone #
OR CALL ED AT 586-784-8090 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Seed
Cost
# Bags
(6lbs)
$25
Michigan's Ultimate Blend

(6lbs)
$35
Wildlife Cover and

Forage Blend (6lbs)
$50
Shipping and handling

Lower Peninsula Michigan
$11.00 first bag $7.00

each additional bag
Shipping and handling

Upper Peninsula and the
rest of the Continental US
$12.00 first bag $8.00

each additional bag
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REMIT BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Ed Spinazzola 24150 31 Mile Road, Ray Twp, MI 48096

WEBSITE: deerattraction.com
Address
State
Zip
Total
Michigan Brassica Blend
Name
Address
City
The Brassica Blend provides both summer feed and winter forage. The Ultimate Blend is
an excellent mix that includes both annual and perennials. The Wildlife Cover and Forage Blend
is designed to keep deer on your property by providing them a bedding area and food in close
proximity. Go to deerattraction.com for a full list of ingredients and detailed planting instructions.
City
Phone #
State
Zip
ichigan Department of
Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh recently
received the Michigan
Forest Products Councils
annual Tuebor Award
for his work promoting the continued
growth of Michigans forest products
industry.
Id like to thank the Michigan
Forest Products Council for this honor
and for their continued partnership
with the DNR, Creagh said. The
positive relationship between the state
and the industry is a solid foundation for sustainably managing public
and private forest lands, creating jobs
and supporting Michigans regional
economies.
In recognizing Creagh, the Michigan Forest Products Council cited the
DNR directors:
Efforts to help reach record timber production.
Role as a key adviser for the
Governors 2013 Forest Products
Summit and a support member on the
DNRs Timber Advisory Council.
Efforts to recognize and respond
to forest industry opportunities.
Boots-on-the-ground approach in
solving industry challenges.
Director Creagh has been, and
continues to be, a leader for Michigan, said Michigan Forest Products
Council chairman, Ron Salisbury.
Over the past four years, he has an
accomplished record as a public servant, particularly his successful effort
to help continue the progress the forest products industry has made since
the Governors first Forest Products
Summit in 2013.
Creagh received the award at
the Governors 2015 Forest Products Summit, held in East Lansing,
Michigan. The event brought together
150 representatives from industry,
government, the financial sector and
academia to continue actions started
at the Governors 2013 Forest Products Summit to encourage growth of
wood-using industries in the state.
The Tuebor Award recognizes significant accomplishments in business
and natural resource policy. Recognition focuses on leadership in support
of well-managed forests that are vital
to Michigans quality of life, environment and economy.
The states forest products industry contributes $17.8 billion per year
to Michigans economy and supports
87,000 jobs.
For more information about the
DNRs work promoting and growing Michigans forest products
industry, visit www.michigan.gov/
forestproducts.n
During the warmer summer and fall months, hundreds

of volunteers spend time camping for free at Michigan state
parks and state forest campgrounds in exchange for their
service as campground hosts. The Department of Natural Resources now is accepting 2016 campground host applications,
with opportunities available from April through late October.
Campground hosts must be able to answer questions about
the park, plan campground activities and perform light maintenance duties. Hosts are responsible for 30 hours of service
per week (including weekends and holidays), with a minimum
commitment of four consecutive weeks.
What we really enjoy about hosting is all of the people
that we have met over the year," said campground hosts Mary
Lou and Bill Brininstool. "Camping is a lot of fun and a nature
experience for the whole family to enjoy and get to make
memories.
Individuals and/or teams (such as husband and wife) at
least 18 years of age are eligible to apply for campground host
69
Ice-Fishing...By Mark Martin
Time to Go
EXTREME
f youre like me, when it comes

to ice fishing, youve got the
techniques youre going to use
for your day all pre-planned well
before even stepping foot on the
lake. And this is a good thing.
Largely, having your rigs pre-tied
onto ice rods and tip-ups ahead of
time is a great strategy. As soon as
you bore a hole and bait up, youre
able to immediately drop an offering
down to the most active fish in the
area. You know, the ones that stuck
around while all the chaos of razorsharp blades slicing ice overhead took
place.
But what if you find those inquisitive fish below your feet are not as
aggressive as you had hoped? Do you
have the means with you to switch to
extremes to conjure up strikes?
Read on, youll see what I mean.
walleyes than anyone else in the

group.
In short, the word spread. Most
every student that was willing to
switch baits from what they had
rigged prior to hitting the ice were
the ones who caught the majority of
fish. It was a lesson learned by all in
going to extremes; those willing to
try something out of the norm. And in
this case, bigger and more aggressive
was better.
In short: Ignore your cold fingers
and frigid attitude and be willing to
try different rigs throughout the day
until you figure out the bite. Youll
catch more fish in the long run.
Rod ends
Right off the bat, no matter when

I go out on the ice, I have my usual
baits tied on before even leaving the
house.
When jigging, Ill first use a small,
flashy Northland spoon or minnowIt was during an Ice-Fishing
School/Vacation many years ago, put shaped Rapala Jigging Rap or Shad
on by fellow fishing pros and myself, lure. I clip them onto the smallest
Berkley Cross-Lok snap (not snapthat we found employing an aggresswivel), which Ill tie to the end of
sive approach with larger-than-thenorm lures on Lake Hurons Saginaw a 1-1/2-foot 8-pound-test Berkley
100% Fluorocarbon leader. I attached
Bay would be what triggered strikes
that leader to a Berkley Ball-Bearing
when all else failed.
Overall, there were plenty of wall- Swivel, which is knotted to the end
of my mainline of 10-pound-test
eyes swimming underneath us. We
knew this because we were able to see Berkley FireLine; all spooled onto an
the fish moving in and out of the area ABU Garcia spinning reel. All this is
coupled with a medium-action ice rod.
on our Lowrance sonars.
And hooking on a lively minnow
But the foul weather front at the
time had the walleye in a funk. Instead or Berkley PowerBait to their hook is
a must for added scent.
of whacking my favorite go-to lures,
the fish would literally stare at them
for a moment and then swam off. We
were positive this was their response
On my tip-ups, however, Ill
as we watched them firsthand via the
search the interior of my Plano minscreen of my MarCum underwater
now bucket for the most energetic
camera.
minnow, and then nip it just under the
After several fish had watched
dorsal fin (being careful not to nick its
then ignored our lures, one of the
spine) to a size-8 light-wire Bleeding
studentsheeding what he had
Baitfish Finish (red) Daiichi treble
learned during the in-room portion
hook. The trebles tied onto a 3-footof the schoolattached the largest
long 8-pound-test Berkley fluorocarNorthland spoon he had with him to
bon leader. Above that, about 1-1/2
his line. Then he nose-nipped a whole feet, a small split shot is pinched on.
shiner onto the hook rather than the
Both these jigging and tip-up
smaller chunks of minnow we were
rigs are simple to employ, and both
using beforehand. And then he started catch the majority of walleyes I land
rip-jigging the rig.
through the ice.
Not every fish that came into view
would strike his menagerie of metalnipped minnow. But a few did. And it
But there are times when these
was this angler, willing to switch out
popular rigs wont get bit. And then
his rig after realizing what he thought I must resort to extremes and change
might catch fish that didnt, who went over to either an extra-large lure and
from being skunked to catching a fish bait with an aggressive approach, or,
here and there all throughout the day. go light and finesse fish with tiny lures
And he ended up catching more
and baits.
We Got Aggressive
Tip-ups
70
Think Extreme
Mark Martin, holds a walleye caught during an Ice-Fishing Vacation/School after going to extremes and switching out baits despite cold fingers. David A. Rose photo
Some of my favorite larger-thannormal lures? Size-7 and -9 (2-3/4 and And dont expect any arm-jarring
strike when using such minute baits.
3-1/2 inch) Rapala Jigging Raps and
Often, walleyes will move in and,
3/8-ounce Northland Fire-Eye Minwith one dainty flare of their gills,
nows and Rattlin Buck-Shot Rattle
suck in water and your offering and
Spoons.
then just sit there. Watch that rod tip
When tipping these oversized
lures, Ill go with a whole minnow or intently, and set the hook with any odd
a 4-inch Berkley Gulp! Minnow. Both movement.
Some of my favorite lightweight
add scent and extra flash, as well bulk
lures for lethargic eyes are size-2 and
up the presentation.
-3 Rapala Jigging Raps. For ultra-light
When jigging these lures and I
dont see anything on the screen of my presentations, try Northlands size-8
Lowrance, Ill lift my rod tip up about and -10 Bros Bloodworms, Slug
a foot, then let them flutter downward Bugs and Scud Bugs, all imitating
different species of aquatic insects
on a slack line. Once fish are spotwalleye eat.
ted underneath me, however, Ill just
Finesse fishing requires different
vibrate my rods tip while lifting and
dropping the bait. If the fish leave, Ill equipment than when youre fishing
bulky jigs. Youll want to go light, but
then drop the bait to the lakes floor
not as ultra-light as you would when
and pound the bottom with the lure.
fishing panfish as a three-pound wallThis, more often than not, gets the
fishs attention and theyll turn and hit eye could rip your gear to shreds.
When jigging tiny baits, I drop
the bait once I lift the lure backup.
down to a light-action graphite rod
Whack fish on!
and use 4- to 6-pound-test Berkley
Trilene Micro Ice monofilament, or,
There are times when the extreme 4-pound-test Berkley FireLine with
opposite approach catches more fish,
a fluorocarbon leader tied directly to
however. And instead of huge lures,
each other with a uni-to-uni knot.
tiny baits are sometimes called for.
There are many styles of little
lures to choose from for finessing
This winter, when the walleye
walleye through the ice. Sometimes
(or any fish for that matter) arent
the smallest Rapala Jigging Raps and cooperating, it might be time to go to
Northland spoons, tipped with a small extremes. Either tie on a larger lure
shiners or a 1-inch Berkley Gulp!
and jig with gusto, or attach a little
Minnow, are just the ticket. Somelure and finesse the day away. You
times even slighter baits like tiny tear wont know which one to turn to till
dropslike what youd use for panyou try them both. Either way, going
fishtipped with wax worms, wigto extremes can save your day.
glers (mayfly nymphs) and Berkley
No matter what, always have
Gulp! Waxies and Maggots are best.
every offering with you.
When the fish are in such a slugMark Martin is a professional
gish mood, you need to watch your
walleye tournament angler and insonars screen intently, and make sure structor with the Ice-Fishing School/
to get your offering in front of the
Vacation series. Check out his website
fishs face as soon as they come into
at www.markmartins.net or fishview as they are not going to go out of ing vacationschool.com for more
their way to eat.
information.n
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71
When Santa Calls,
YOU ANSWER!
By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz
oday was a day we will

never forget at The Next Bite
Headquarters. We were barely
through our first pot of coffee
when we received an urgent
call from the North Pole. Santa wanted to know if we could help
him choose the perfect gifts for some
of the fishermen who had written him.
Well, of course we were willing to
offer suggestions! Only a fool would
say no to Santa.
Within moments, a sleigh came to
whisk us away. The North Pole was
just like we had imagined as kids.
Reindeer were playing, elves were
busy working and everything just
seemed magical.
We sat down at a table in Santas
workshop, where an elf brought us
a stack of letters. The first one was
from Bill in Michigan. Dear Santa, I

like to troll for walleyes, but I have a
challenge. Whenever I use large crank
baits or weights 3 oz. or larger with
spinners, my planer boards seem to
drag. Can you bring me something
that will help in these situations?
This was a no-brainer. We instructed the elves to wrap a set of the
new Offshore Tackle OR-37 SST Pro
Mag Planer Boards. These boards are
larger than the other planer boards
in the OST family and are designed
to pull more weight out to the side
than any other board on the market
today. Not only will these boards help
Bill while walleye fishing, they are
designed to pull generous amounts of
lead core, copper and weighted balls
while salmon and trout fishing. They
also work flawlessly while trolling
JT Custom Dead Stick Rods are species specific. Each rod is very different
with the exact features needed to effectively dead stick these species.
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989-826-8300 or toll free 888-988-7463
tions to choose from, the elves are

sure to find a pair that will meet the
style requirements of Larrys friends.
As we were getting ready to
leave, the big man in red appeared.
He thanked us for our assistance and
then asked for one more favor. It
turns out that Santa is a fisherman.
During the off-season I spend a lot
of time ice fishing, but my holes are
always icing over. Im also not as
young as I used to be and years of
landing in fireplaces have taken a toll
on my knees. It is hard for me to get
down on the ice to pull a fish up hand
over hand. What would you fellas
suggest?
We told Santa he should check
out the Hot Box from JT Outdoor
Products. This heated aluminum box
keeps holes open up to 20 degrees
below zero! When paired up with the
new 36 JT Outdoors custom dead
stick, Santa will be able to fight the
walleyes standing up. This high-grade
fiberglass dead stick has an integral
Nitinol (an alloy blend of nickel and
titanium) spring bobber that is virtually indestructible and kink resistant.
When the fish grabs the bait, the
spring bobber and rod loads the fish.
When the fish begin to feel this tension, it reacts by trying to swim
away, which in turn puts further
load on the rod. As a result, the fish
end up setting the hook themselves!
The length and long bend of the rod
will give Santa plenty of time to
make his way to the hole and land
the fish!
With our work at the North Pole
complete, we said our goodbyes and
boarded a sleigh that took us back
to our office. As we sat at our desks,
sipping our coffee from the second

pot of the day, we were content in
knowing that there will be several
happy anglers on Christmas receiving

presents that will help get them The
Next Bite.n
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The next letter was from Sandy.
Dear Santa, I love going fishing and
putting patterns together by matching my lures to the forage. One of
my favorite baits is the #7 Berkley
Flicker Minnow that hit the stores last
year. You wouldnt believe the fish
Ive caught on these! Is there any way
your elves could make this bait in
other sizes?
Your wish is our command! The
elves at Berkley have been working
hard to bring two new sizes to the
market! The Flicker Minnow is now
available in #5 and #11! We think she
will be especially excited to see the
#5, as there is no other bait quite like
it!
Jim was looking to spice up his
fishing by learning something new.
Dear Santa, All my friends have
started jigging ice-fishing lures for
walleyes year-round. Id like to give
it a try this summer. Can you bring
me some new baits?
Sure can Jim! We sent the elves
off to fill his stocking with Moonshine Shiver Minnows. This horizontal jigging minnow has a unique
action unlike any others, swinging
off to the side on the up-stroke and
smoothly gliding back down nose
first during the free-fall.
While they come in several sizes,
we instructed the elves to select our
go-to summertime sizes of #2s and
#3s. Jim will want to find fish relating
to structure to use this technique. The
cadence he uses will be the key to his
success. He will want to sweep the
rod up three feet, almost to the point
of snapping it up. This makes the
lure dart to one side. He will then
want to immediately drop the rod tip
to give it slack and let the bait glide
as he reels in the slack line. Then, he
will want to repeat the cadence. Most
bites will come on the drop when
there is slack in the line, so as he
goes to make his next pull, if he feels
weight he will want to set the hook
hard!
Larry was looking for some good
eyewear. Dear Santa, Id like to ask
you to bring me a new pair of polarized sunglasses. I kind of sat on my
old pair last summer and the duct tape
holding them together isnt very stylish. Not that the fish care about style,
but I take quite a bit of ribbing from
my buddies about it. I know you have
to work within a budget, so if you
could find a pair that is high quality,
but wont break the bank, Id be very
grateful.
Larry was in luck! The Strike
King S11 sunglasses, which cost less
than fifty dollars, would be perfect for
him. Not only will these sunglasses
dramatically improve his ability to
see into the water, but they also have
a hydrophobic coating that repels
dust, oil and water. The coating also
prevents water spots, making the
lenses easier to clean. With 20 different lens and frame color combina-
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73
TROPHY PAGES
Jake Williams, 14 took this

nice 7-pt. hunting Huron
Co. with his muzzleloader
during the youth hunt.
Mallory Quinn, 8 took her

first buck this 8-pt. during
the youth hunt with a
crossbow.
Jeffrey Jenich Jr of New Baltimore

took first buck hunting with his Dad
in Alcona Co. this very nice 8-pt.
taken with a crossbow.
Jessica
Sczepanski
of Midland
harvested
this awesome 4-pt.
with her
Darton
bow, Jessicas first
deer with a
bow!
74
Sharon Breen of Grand Rapids, a 76-year-old

grandmother took this 200-pound bear on
Sept. 25 near Cadillac.
Dennis Bzowka took this monster 400-pound Alaskan Caribou hunting late August this
year.
Kerri Chase, 13 of Fowlerville took her first

Kaitlynn Demers, 10 of
deer ever, hunting the Rockwood took her first
youth hunt.
buck using her crossbow.
Riley
Roberts
took
his first
buck,
a 6-pt.,
during the
youth
hunt this
year at
age 7!
lt-rt: Daniel McDonell, 12 of Bay City
took his first buck
this 6-pt. Cousin Victor Schoenherr, 14
of Auburn took a record book 10-pt. and
his sister Anna Marie
(top) 12 took her first
buck an 8-pt. and
cousin Erin Sheridan,
16 of Midland took
her first buck a 7-pt.
All were hunting
Southern Roscommon Co. during the
youth hunt.
Julia and Johnny Mocny of Shelby Twp. had a

great youth hunt on the family's property near
Millersburg. Both took their first bucks along with
their happy dad!
Linkin
LaPaugh,
7 of Olivet
took his first
buck, a 7-pt.
hunting
Calhoun
Co. with a
crossbow
on Oct. 11.
Jeremiah
Schram,
10 was
excited
to bag
his first
partridges
with his
sweet 16
during
small
game
hunt in
October.
2015 Youth Hunt-Walkerville Family Mart held their 12th annual Youth
Hunt this year with 15 deer; 3 does, 12 bucks. First Place Doe and Buck
each won a trail cam. All participants received prizes valued from $40
to $50. Local processors donated free processing as an additional prize.
(Richardsons, Ives, Keesler and Binkley). Participants pictured in no particular order: Daniel P.,Nicholas O.,Wyatt M., Hunter W., Erik S., Logan
Z., Owen O., Raime N., James M., Delaney H., Chainey S., Lane M.. Not
pictured: Darren C., Jade N., and Amber N.
Jim Trainor
of Bellevue
took this big
8-point with
his bow on
Oct. 14 in
Eaton Co.
TROPHY PAGES
Anna Thede, 14 took this

nice buck Saturday of the
youth hunt.
Courtney
Collar, 13
took this
nice 9 pt.
buck hunting in Kent
Co.
Nathan
Gaedcke,
11 of
Emmett,
dropped his
first deer
during the
youth hunt.
He bagged
this beautiful 8-pt on
his grandparents
Macomb
Co. farm.
Youth Hunter Kobe Seller, 13,

bagged his first deer and it was
a dandy, 22 wide, with 7
brow tines. Kobe was hunting
with his dad in Lapeer Co.
Foster
Conrad,
14 took his
first deer,
a tall 9-pt.
at 100
yards in
Newaygo
Co. during
the youth
hunt.
S'eamus McPhail, 12
took his first deer, an
8-pt. during the youth
hunt.
Brooklynn
Laskowski,
8 from
Kalkaska,
with her
first buck.
The first of
many in
her young
hunting
career.
Heather Allor,
14, took her
first deer, a
7-pt. during
the youth
hunt with
a crossbow
hunting in
Macomb Co.
Hunter Johnson, 11 of Shepherd got this dandy 8-pt.

buck while hunting with his
dad opening morning of the
youth hunt. It dressed out at
188 lbs.
Zoey
Chamberlain, 11 from
Cheboygan
took this 6- pt.
while hunting
with her dad
in Cheboygan
Co. with one
shot from her
custom made
30-30 her dad
fitted for her.
Ellery Daymon, 11, of Grand

Rapids took her first buck, a
nice 4-pt. with her dad near
Paris during the youth hunt.
Andrew Burau, 12 first muskie

caught on Lake St. Clair in August,
48" 28 lbs. And his first doe taken
in Wexford Co. with a crossbow
on Oct. 2
Brendan
Feenstra,
16, of Kalamazoo
took this
5-pt. buck
with his
crossbow
near
Bellevue
on Oct.
17.
Alex Fox,
14 took this
8-pt. during
the youth
hunt in Iosco
Co. hunting
for the first
time with his
Grandpa Joe
on the family property
with his new
Ruger 243
American
that he got
for his birthday.
Hunter
Haase
took this
big beautiful buck
during the
youth hunt
with her
muzzleloader in
St. Clair Co.
75
Hot Topics, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Wow! My views on the Youth Hunt have changed!

Guest Column...
By Isaac Pratt, Proud Father!
76
t is again October and another

hunting season is upon us. As I
sit in my treestand waiting for the
buck of a lifetime, I reflect back
to Sept 19, the youth hunt, and
remind myself, I already had the best
day of deer season ever.
Not long ago I dreaded the words,
Youth Season and Mentored Youth
Hunt. Why would the DNR let
hunters in the woods a week before
archery opener? The deer are scared,
educated and worst of all the big
bucks will be gone. Growing up, I
never had the chance to hunt early, so
why have the rules changed? It was
pure selfishness! I did not have children of my own to share the magical
experience with.
I still hear hunters murmuring the
same words I once used too as hunting season approaches. Why are
these kids getting special treatment?
They should learn like we had to!
There will be no deer left! And the
best of all, I didnt get to do that
when I was a youth.
How do we change these opinions? My antidote would be, take
your eight-year-old to the woods and
share his reaction after he takes his
first buck. I promise you one thing;
you will look at the youth season in a
whole different light, as soon as you
wipe the tears from your eyes.
My son Kylan who turned eight
this year actually shot his first deer
last year, a big doe. I dont think I
have ever been so excited to see a
doe hit the ground in my life. He
shoots a youth crossbow because I
shell shocked him trying to get him
to shoot a shot gun at too early in
life. Lesson learned as a father and
a hunter! This year his goal was to
take a buck.
We have a great spot we hunt and
had our ground blind set up early
this year. We had many trail camera pictures of bucks throughout the
summer. When youth season came
we were ready to go. It wasnt long
before we saw a nice six point and
a spike headed our way. We needed
them to get within 20 yards for Kylan
to make a good clean shot. As the
six-pointer came into range Kylan
was ready to shoot, but, he was too
nervous and said, Dad I cant pull
the trigger I am too nervous. Buck
fever, what an awesome experience!
As the six-point passed the spike
was moving into range. Kylan looked
at me and said, Dad I am ready I
can take him. As he aimed his
crossbow and pulled the trigger I
could see the arrow hit right behind
the shoulder. At that point all of my
past deer hunts and trophies on the
wall were just a blur. My son had

arrowed his first buck. It may have
been the best moment I have ever had
in the woods. There was clapping,
hugging, jumping, basically complete
overwhelming emotion that you can
only get from the hunting experience.
It is just something that you cannot

explain in words.
We busted out of the blind and
knew the buck would not make it
far. We found the deer less than 100
yards from where it had disappeared
and when we got our hands on him
there was more hugging, clapping
and emotion all over. It was not
the biggest buck in the woods and

it didnt score, but for us it was an
awesome trophy and we left with the
biggest and best memories any father
and son could ask for. So, if you are
on the fence about Youth Hunting
or Mentored Youth Hunt, try it; you
may be surprised and have one of the
best hunts ever!n
Good Neighbor Authority Agreement
I
Kylan Pratt, 8-years-old, with his first buck!
n a move that will boost collaborative management of Michigans

forest lands, the U.S. Forest Service
today signed a Good Neighbor
Authority (GNA) master agreement with the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources (DNR).
The completed master agreement
between the Hiawatha, Ottawa and
Huron-Manistee National Forests in
Michigan and the DNR is among the
first signed Good Neighbor Authority
agreements in the country.
The master agreement is a broad

pact allowing the state to supplement the work being done by Forest
Service staff on the national forests.
Supplemental project agreements will
be signed by each forest in the coming
weeks to more specifically identify the
nature of the work to be completed in
the first year of the master agreement.
Good Neighbor Authority projects
will expand our capacity to achieve
Good Neighbor Agreement page 78
Wolves impact UP bear hunt
ll Jeff Behnke from Richmond has to show for his

bear hunting efforts in the
UPs Iron County during
2015 are some bones and a
hind foot. Thats all he was
able to find after shooting a bruin with
his Excalibur Crossbow during October. Hes sure that wolves ate the bear,
including its skull, most of the bruins
bones and three of its feet.
Behnke owns a cabin along the
Michigamme River
in Mastadon Township near Crystal
Falls that he hunts
out of. While bowhunting for deer
during 2014 out of
his cabin, he saw
a number of bears.
By Richard P. Smith
So he applied for a 2015 bear license
for the third hunt starting September
25 in his area and was successful in
the drawing. That set the stage for him
to bowhunt with his crossbow for deer
and bear at the same time.
Jeff started baiting during September and his scouting camera captured
photos of two different bears on his
bait. During October, he made three
trips to the UP to try to arrow a bear.
He was finally successful in shooting a bruin he estimated would weigh
between 250 and 300 pounds on the
The authors trail

cam photo shows
a 300 lb. bear at a
bait as a wolf approaches. Wolves
do visit bear baits
to eat bait they
can get at. And
they also take
advantage of bear
baits to ambush
cubs and yearlings,
when they can.
evening of October 20.

Behnke said he has taken three
bears previously with a rifle, all of
which weighed around 250 pounds,
so he knows what a bear of that size
looks like. A lighted nock on his arrow
made it possible for him to recover
his arrow after he shot the bear, and
it was covered with blood, so he was
confident of making a good hit. Since
it was almost dark, he decided to wait
until morning to recover his bear.
Rain that fell overnight washed
away the blood trail, however. Jeff
enlisted the help of some friends to
look for the dead bear on Wednesday,
including a hunter with hounds, but
they were not able to find anything.
While looking for the arrowed bear,
they heard wolves howling in the area.
Jeff resumed the search for his

bear on Thursday, October 22, and he
stumbled across all that was left of a
bruin 100 feet from his blind.
There was black hair all over the
place and there was a foot attached to
a hip bone, Behnke said. It was a
hind foot with the back pad remaining.
Jeff actually found two hind leg
bones (femurs) that were attached to
the pelvis. One of the hind leg bones
still had the foot attached. The foot
had been chewed off of the end of the
opposite leg bone.
Since the remains were in the
direction Jeffs bear ran when he shot
it, he originally thought they were
all that was left of the bear he shot.
Wolves impact up bear hunt page 78
My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Is outdoor television killing hunting?
By Lane Walker
tributing to building an unrealistic hunting experience.
This year outdoor television affected me.
Hunting is a year-round, 365-day-a-year experience for me. In the offseason, I am getting ready
for next year and I enjoy watching hunting shows.
But this year something was different.
When the season started, I wasnt as excited as
I usually get. For some reason, that excitement, that
passion that drives me to climb a tree wasnt there.
Why?
All those hours of watching huge bucks on TV
had numbed me for what success in the woods
would be. I wasnt excited because I knew in my
heart I probably wasnt going to see a 4.5 year old
giant.
I knew I could sit all day, every second of every
single day, and the chances were still slim that a
Boone and Crockett buck would ever walk out in
front of me.
I had become over stimulated with all the big
buck shows on television.
The first two weeks of bow season went by
before I even entered my stand.
I climbed my ladder stand and sat down. I ex-
haled a deep breath and watched the cold, October

air roll out.
The world went quiet; I had forgotten how
spiritual hunting was.
I had time to clear my head, time to think, time
to enjoy everything around me. I had forgotten
about all the other parts of deer hunting that make
it so special.
Each passing second renewed my love for bow
hunting. I didnt need to see a monster buck to
make hunting enjoyable. Being there, sitting twenty
feet in an old elm tree was way better than sitting
on my couch watching other people shoot giant
whitetails.
I know this isnt just a hunting issue.
The other day I tried explaining to my daughters that when I was a kid, Saturday morning was
pretty much the only day to watch cartoons. I
remember getting excited during the week then
getting up early on Saturday mornings to watch
cartoons.
Now cartoons are on 24/7 and there are a bunch
of channels for kids to watch.
I miss that Saturday morning excitement.
I am afraid the same thing is happening to hunters.
Dont get me wrong, this isnt a jealous rant. If
chasing giants is your thing, have at it, just enjoy
the experience.
I think this season I am just going to enjoy my
right to hunt. I might even shoot a mounter, but if
I dont, I am going to be proud to be an outdoorsman.
Find your favorite shows and enjoy them,
just never let them take the enjoyment from
hunting.
Life in the Fast Lane is a monthly column written by award-winning author and outdoor writer
Lane Walker. Walker has a passion for the outdoors
and sharing his thoughts with Woods-N-Water
News readers.n
DNR Bear Forum to assess future black bear management
The MDNR will hold a public meeting of the states

Bear Forum next month in St. Ignace to begin discussions on possible future bear hunting regulation
changes. The meeting is 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at
the Little Bear East Arena, located at 275 Marquette
St., in St. Ignace.
Members of the DNR Bear Forum include 17 individuals who represent various sportsmens clubs, the
U.S. Forest Service, the agricultural community and
nonaffiliated bear hunters throughout Michigan.
The purpose of the meeting is to enable DNR staff
to engage with a wide range of bear hunting groups
and other interested outdoor enthusiasts.
DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason explained the importance of the session.
The next regulation cycle will be in 2017, Mason
said. It is imperative that we begin this engagement
process now, so that we have enough time to consider
possible regulation changes and to vet them through
our Bear Forum members and various DNR staff,
prior to making a recommendation to the NRC.
The DNR Wildlife Divisions most recent estimate
of Michigans bear population is approximately 11,000
animals, not including cubs.
There have been varying opinions on bear
numbers and management in Michigan, Mason said.
Some user groups feel we do not have enough bears
and others believe we have far too many.
Kevin Swanson, a DNR wildlife management

specialist in Marquette, said it is the DNRs challenge
to embrace those differences of opinion and to assess
its population estimate and numerous other scientific
indicators in preparation for the next bear regulation
cycle.
The statewide bear harvest peaked in 2006 when
nearly 2,500 bears were harvested.
But in an effort to grow the population, due to
various population concerns and robust habitat capabilities in the Upper and northern Lower peninsulas,
that harvest has been reduced in recent years to about
1,500 animals, Swanson said.
At the meeting, DNR Wildlife Division staff will
provide an overview of long-term harvest statistics,
population estimates and trend indicators for each
bear management unit, while considering future
license quotas and desired harvest.
Several additional topics will be discussed, including joint DNR and Mississippi State University
research on bear predation of white-tailed deer fawns
in low and moderate snowfall zones of the Upper
Peninsula.
The public is encouraged to attend the Bear Forum
session. DNR staff will be available after the meeting to
discuss bear management with attendees.
For more information on Michigan black bears and
bear hunting, visit www.michigan.gov/bear.
he huge buck stood broadside at twenty

yards. I wasnt sure, but if I had to guess
the buck would score at least 160 inches.
I think I am going to wait, that buck is
only 4.5 years old. I am looking for a more
mature buck.
I watched with my jaw hanging open as the big
brute walked out of my life forever.
In that moment, I didnt know what to say. I
was officially sick of deer of hunting.
Make no mistake, I am 100% behind every
hunter making their own choice on what to pull the
release or trigger on. Every year, I try to shoot the
biggest buck I can, but in my heart the trophy is
always in being able to hunt. Having the God-given
right to climb a tree and enjoy an autumn in the
great state of Michigan.
I sat and stared in disbelief before walking over
to turn off the television. I was officially frustrated
with most modern hunting shows.
Is this really hunting? I thought to myself. Is
this reality for me?
Then a bigger question crept into my mind.
Is outdoor television killing hunting?
The crazy thing is when I am not hunting, I
love to watch it. I grew up watching Michigan Out
of Doors, Dan and Guy Fitzgerald, Fred and Greg
Abbas and Roger Raglin. Back then besides watching PBS on Thursday night, there was no such
thing as outdoor television. I remember buying
VHS tapes of bow hunting action and loving every
second.
Before I go on, let me clear something up. I
am a huge fan of some great outdoor television
shows. My DVR is set to record shows that I love
to watch. Maximum Outdoors T.V., The Rush and
North American Whitetail are some of my favorites.
I still love watching Jimmy Gretzinger every
Thursday night on Michigan Out of Doors.
There are other awesome people and great
shows doing amazing things for hunters.
But the abundance and focus of some of the
shows have me worried for future hunters.
What are we teaching the next generation of
stewards that must face the anti-hunters?
Who is going to carry torch and be proponents
against a politically correct culture that criticizes
and tries to destroy hunting.
What are we learning by watching some of
these hunting shows?
What would the pioneers of the sport say about
our hunting culture in this generation?
I wonder what the great Fred Bear would say,
standing with his Borsalino hat and red plaid shirt,
if he viewed our modern version of outdoor television?
For Bear, the pioneer of filming hunts, drew on
the passion and ethics of the sport. The hunt was in
the journey, not the destination.
Maybe Bear foreshadowed what could corrupt
a sport he loved so much, maybe he knew that only
hunters themselves could destroy it.
Bear said, If youre not working to preserve
hunting, then you are working to destroy it. He
also was quoted as saying, A hunt based only on
trophies taken falls short of what the ultimate goal
should be.
Hunters are stewards; sportsmen and women
who share a common passion for the outdoors. I
think some of our modern hunting shows are con-
77
Hot Topics, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...

Good Neighbor Authority Agrement...from page 76
forest management outcomes described
in the forests 2006 Land and Resource
Management Plans, said U.S. Forest Service Eastern Regional Forester
Kathleen Atkinson. Im excited to
have a new tool that allows us to work
together in unprecedented ways into the
future.
The 2014 Farm Bill authorized
Good Neighbor Authority for the U.S.
Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of
Land Management. Good Neighbor
Authority allows the Forest Service to
enter into agreements or contracts with
states that enable the states to perform forest, rangeland and watershed
restoration services on national forest
system lands.
This authority is a significant way
for the Forest Service to partner with
state agencies to make improvements to
the land, benefiting local communities
and their economies with the timber
receipts generated from Good Neighbor
Authority, Atkinson said.
Bill ONeill, Michigans state
forester and chief of the DNR Forest
Resources Division, agreed.
By working together, were better

poised to meet the goals and objectives outlined by Governor Snyder
at the 2013 Forest Products Summit,
which will help increase the industrys
economic impact on state and regional
economies from $14 billion to $20
billion, he said. This partnership will
allow for more timber sales, which
means more work for local loggers and
other forest products companies and
great news for the states economy.
Additionally, this agreement
continues to foster a positive collaborative relationship with the U.S. Forest
Service to address land management
on a landscape basis. We very much
appreciate the willingness of our
federal partners to undertake this pilot
program in Michigan. This program is
a tribute to the leadership of the U.S.
Forest Service to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of forest management.
This partnership will maintain and
create healthy forest conditions as
called for in the national forests forest
plans, while providing additional wood
Wolves impact up bear hunt...from page 76
After showing the foot to a number

of people, however, they commented
that the foot was too small to be from
78
the bear he shot. Most people who saw

the foot commented that it was from a
cub, not an adult bear like the one Jeff
fiber to Michigans vital forest products

industry. A portion of the receipts from
the timber sales will reimburse the
state for its costs to do the work, with
remaining funds available to conduct
additional restoration activities on the
forest.
The Good Neighbor Authority provides the opportunity to work
across jurisdictional boundaries and
sustainably manage forest lands in a
mixed-ownership setting. It leverages
state resources to increase capacity to
accomplish work on national forest
system lands. It also helps strengthen
federal and state partnerships.
We are fortunate to have the
Michigan DNR and its employees
ready and willing to assist us in achieving important conservation goals on
national forests, in addition to the
important work they already do on
state-managed, county and private
lands, Atkinson said. I am looking
forward to working even more closely
with the DNR on a variety of conservation projects.
To learn more about Michigans
state forest management and planning,
visit www.michigan.gov/forestry.
The U.S. Forest Service is an

agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with a mission of sustaining the
health, diversity and productivity of the
nations forests and grasslands to meet
the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Services Eastern Region includes 20 states in the Midwest
and East, stretching from Maine, to
Maryland, to Missouri, to Minnesota.
There are 17 national forests and one
national tallgrass prairie in the Eastern
Region. For more information, visit
www.fs.usda.gov/R9.
The U.S. Forest Service manages 193
million acres of public land, provides
assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry
research organization in the world. Public
lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy
each year through visitor spending alone.
Those same lands provide 20 percent of
the nations clean water supply, a value
estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The
agency has either a direct or indirect
role in stewardship of about 80 percent
of the 850 million forested acres within
the U.S., of which 100 million acres are
urban forests where most Americans live.
For more information, visit
www.fs.usda.gov/.n
shot.
That led Behnke to the conclusion
that wolves ambushed the young bear
that came to his bait. He also suspects
that wolves ate the bear he shot, and
thats why efforts to locate it were unsuccessful. Wolves probably use baits
placed by hunters, for both bear and
deer, to ambush prey more often than
hunters realize.
There have been reports of deer
killed by wolves in the vicinity of
baits. At least one bear hunter has
seen a wolf try to catch a small bear
attracted to a bait, but the bear was
able to climb a tree to escape the wolf.
There are bound to be times when
wolves are successful in killing cubs
and/or yearling bears at baits.
Behnke is concerned that wolves
are negatively impacting both bear and
deer populations in the UP and would
like something done to reduce their
numbers. He said hes seeing fewer
deer in Iron County than he used to.
Severe winters have played a major
Jeff Behnke with the remains of a bear he found

by his bait that had been eaten by wolves,
role in the reduction of UP deer, but
the abundance of predators, including
wolves, have certainly been a factor,
too.
Jeff said he would like hunters to
sign a petition to promote the opening
of a wolf hunting season. Before that
is possible, however, wolves have to
be removed from the endangered species list. Federal legislation has been
drafted that would accomplish that.
Passage of that legislation would open
the door for a future wolf hunt.n
y
ilitart
M
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10 scoun
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Hot Topics, Letters, My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...
Darwins deer dragging story--helpful

Dear Woods-N-Water News:
After reading Kenny Darwins
article; Getting a buck out doesnt
have to be a drag, about using a
Shappell sled to haul deer out, I immediately ordered one in camouflage
and the size that he recommended.
Being a local Michigan manufacturer,
it arrived within a matter of days. I

was not disappointed: Its extremely
tough, sturdy and deep.
I recently hauled a deer some
distance to my vehicle (over leaves,
grass and similar debris) and it was
easy. Therell hardly be any effort
required over snow. Note that they
also sell a snow-camouflage version.
Prior to the purchase, I used a flimsy

shallow plastic orange sled designed
for children with mixed results. Deer
and equipment kept falling off it. That
will not be a problem with my new
sled.
Incidentally, I sprayed the underside of the sled with ArmorAll
Protectant and that simple act seemed
to decrease the friction factor tenfold.

To keep it more slippery, apply the
ArmorAll periodically after use.
Best results seem to occur if the plastic is warm or at room temperature
before spraying. Thanks for
the information.
Rick Casey
Paw Paw, MI
Disagree with Buoy 10 story--I love fishing in Michigan

Dear Woods-N-Water News:
I am a new subscriber to your
magazine and just received my second issue. I read the article by Tricia
Auten and thought it was well written. Then I went to Buoy 10 piece and
didnt agree with everything. I will
try and respond in a respectable way.
First off the Pacific Northwest is
a very different fishery. I dont know

for sure but I dont think there is any
natural reproduction in Michigan.
The fishermen in Washington/Oregon
and Alaska follow the rules set forth
by their DNR just as we do in Michigan. Why attack Michigan fishermen? When a man kicks his dog do
you blame the dog? Most Michigan
Wetland Wonders Challenge

The DNR reminds hunters that theres
still time to enter the Consumers Energysponsored Wetland Wonders Challenge
this waterfowl season. The contest began
Oct. 10 and runs until Jan. 31, 2016.
Michigans Wetland Wonders include
the seven premier managed waterfowl
hunt areas in the state: Fennville Farm
Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife
Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats
State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island
(St. Clair County), Muskegon County
Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County),
Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area
(Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State
Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties)
and Shiawassee River State Game Area
(Saginaw County).
These areas provide exceptional
waterfowl hunting opportunities throughout the hunting season. Managed duck
hunting runs through Dec. 6 at most of the
managed waterfowl hunt areas; however,
the Fennville Farm Unit and Muskegon
Wastewater Facility have managed goose
hunting opportunities even later. Canada
goose hunting at the Fennville Farm Unit

runs through Jan. 30, 2016, and Muskegon
Wastewater Facilitys season runs until
Nov. 14 and then opens again Dec. 1-22.
When hunters register at any of the
managed waterfowl hunt areas, they will
receive an individual commemorative
duck leg band for that area and a validation on their Wetland Wonders Challenge
punch card (available at all managed
waterfowl hunt areas). To be entered,
participants must hunt at three of the seven
southern Michigan Wetland Wonders and
submit a punch-card entry form. Hunters
who hunt at more than three areas will
receive an additional contest entry for
each additional punch. Those who hunt all
seven automatically will win a prize.
With Consumers Energys generous
support, weve been able to put together an
exceptional prize package, so get out there
and get your punches, said Barb Avers,
DNR waterfowl specialist. Theres still
plenty of opportunity to enjoy Michigans
waterfowl hunting.
Seven lucky hunters will be chosen
to win ultimate waterfowl hunting prize
fishermen are good people who may

not agree with the rules but know that
everyone has to abide by them.
I retired to Michigan in 06 and
its been a great experience. Is it
a bad thing to catch what the law
allows and put them in a bloody
cooler? If you dont like what the law
dictates then work toward change,
dont attack the fishermen who abide

by them.
If this sportsman is so embarrassed by Michigan maybe he should
get a ticket back to Portlandone
way. As for me I love it here and plan
to spend the rest of my days fishing
here.
Jerry Myers
packages valued at $1,500. Contest partner

MUCC will select winners Feb. 15, 2016.
For more information on the managed
waterfowl hunt areas (including locations,
drawing times, dates, and rules and regulations) and the Wetland Wonders Challenge
contest (including terms and conditions),
visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.
The Wetland Wonders Challenge is

part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy,
a 10-year, cooperative partnership to
restore, conserve and celebrate Michigans
waterfowl, wetland and waterfowl hunting
community. The initiative is a call to action to honor yesterday, engage today and
build for tomorrow.n
AuGres, MI
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Dear Fish Diary...What Is The True Meaning Of The Song, 12-Days of Christmas?
h yes, its the most wonderful

time of the year. The time of
year when my least favorite
Christmas song gets stuck in
my head and just plain wont
leave. That would be the
Twelve Days of Christmas. It doesnt
matter which version I hear, or who
sings it, the end result is always the
same. I cover my ears and hope it just
goes away. But it doesnt. In fact, I am
reluctantly humming it now as I write.
Perhaps it was a swan encounter while fishing one afternoon that
makes me cringe when the song
begins. I know soon it will talk about
seven-swans a-swimming, and thats
when bad memories start to happen.
But deeper than that, I believe this
whole issue started with my childhood. First, the song gets you all
excited when youre a kid thinking
there is actually going to be twelve
days of Christmas, when the cold
reality is, there isnt. When you are
forced to sing this song in class, you
start to wonder about these people.
Who wants two turtle doves or three

French hens for Christmas unless
they are on a platter with butter? Im
not even sure you can legally eat four
calling birds. Six geese a laying might
be okay if youre planning to
make an omelet, but as a kid,
Im not even cooking yet.
Eight maids a milking?
Really?
The only gift that would
have really gotten me excited
on this list would have been
the twelve drummers drumming but my mom
would have never
gone for that. In my
adult hood, the nine ladies dancing do
sound a bit intriguing. Still, this song,
even though I know it is supposed to
be spiritual in meaning, does not leave
me with the Christmas spirit.
So about that swan encounter I was
referring to. Sometimes the strangest
things happen when youre fishing.
Not too long after the reintroduction
of the Trumpeter Swans back to Mich-
igan, I happen to be fishing a remote

Upper Peninsula flooding. I knew
about these swans because I follow
this sort of thing. They were extinct
from Michigan and reintroduced into
the Seney National Wildlife
Refuge. As I stepped through
waist-high grass trying to
put a sneak on a brook trout
hole, I was surprised to see a
mother Trumpeter swan with
four tiny cygnets at the base
of the shoreline. I was surprised to have walked right
up on their nest.
Because the
swans were still so
rare, I decided to put my fishing rod
down and get back to my truck and
grab my camera. In the world of wildlife photography these opportunities
dont come around too often. I was
glad to see I did not disturb them upon
my return and quickly began to burn
some slide film. Yeah, we shot film
back then. As I crept closer to the nest
mom decided to take her little ones
By Ron St. Germain
out into flooding, so I hid in the tall

grass to wait them out for some closer
shots.
As I sat motionless for about 10
minutes, I began hearing a strange
hissing sound coming from my left.
It was getting closer and soon my
curiosity caused me to rise up to see
what it was that was coming my way.
The tall grass was parting like a scene
from Jurassic Park. You know the
part where the raptors attack and start
picking off the hikers one-by-one?
That is what I was seeing, but soon,
standing in front of me, was a very
large and unhappy male Trumpeter
Swan, hissing like a lethal snake,
weaving its neck around like a sea
serpent from some fictional movie. I
decided to start backing off, one light
step at a time, but never taking my eye
off of this seemingly crazed bird.
But the more I backed off, the
more aggressive Psycho Swan became. Soon the wings came out and
inevitably we were nearly standing
face-to-face. What to do? This is an
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extremely endangered bird, my first

instincts to kick it quickly passed. I
lunged toward it to try and scare it
and it didnt budge. The faceoff continued and became more intense by
the second. Thats when it happened,
a moment that will scar me forever.
A moment that makes my skin crawl
any time I hear the Twelve Days of
Christmas song, especially the part
about seven swans a-swimming. With
the lightning quickness of a ninja
warrior, a beak was forcefully lodged
into my private part. You know the
part. Its the part that when impacted
you get suddenly weak and dizzy. The
impact to that particular part causes
you to go from a bass to soprano and
drop you to your knees. Now on my
knees, this enormous swan is taller
than me.
My second instinct to just grab it
and choke it came to pass, as again,
this is a highly endangered species.
But now, Im feeling like I could possibly be facing extinction. And to a
swan?
I have been face-to-face with grizzly bears, treed by a bull elk, whisked
by a hefty moose, yet here I lay, faceto-face with ninja swan. Just as I was
ready to have a physical altercation
with him, he suddenly backed off and
began walking toward the shoreline,
The author has been face-to-face with grizzly bears, treed by a bull elk, whisked by a hefty moose, yet a ninja Trumpeter swan had him in pain on his knees. MDNR photo
leaving me gasping for air and glad

I didnt have to put a whooping on
an almost extinct bird. Thats when
I noticed how incredibly stinky and
nasty a swans nest is. How did this
bird ever become a symbol of elegance? Obviously whoever deemed it
so never saw how it actually lives. It
is without a doubt the most awful and
smelly nest dwelling I have ever seen.
Who could raise their children this
way? Only an angry swan I guess.
Although I was humbled on this
adventurous fishing trip, I have
never felt the same about swans, and

the meaning of the Twelve days of
Christmas was lost. But the reality is,
there is only one day of Christmas,
so heres hoping yours is the best yet.
And when you see one of those large
angry swans, you can thank me for
holding it together and allowing their
comeback into our great state a little
easier.
Have a funny fishing story to share?
I Need Your Fishing Stories
Send a short description of your
best or worst fishing day, or worst

fishing-related adventure to me. You
dont have to write the entire story,
just a brief outline of what happened.
If it has some humor to it Ill be getting in touch with you and well work
on the completed story together. Fishing isnt always fun you know.
Woods-N-Water News columnist
Ron St. Germain can be reached by
calling (517) 626-2814, e-mailing
DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the
authors online photo gallery at DaPhotoDude.com.n
Grand Rapids, MI 616-538-5000

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81
Spor ting Collectibles...
Fishing for
A number of years ago,

I started looking for
19th and early 20th
century fishing photographs to go along
with my collection of
fishing-themed postcards. I featured
the postcards in an article entitled
Fishing for Postcards which ran in
the December 2014 issue of WoodsN-Water News. The first old fishing
photograph I came across was a nicely
matted sepia toned image of a wading
trout fisherman. I discovered it at an
antique show after digging through a
pile of old photos. Since then I have
found others at antique shops, fishing
tackle shows, fishing auctions, and,
a small ornamental lacquered case that

would hold either one photo or two
photos mounted opposite each other.
Daguerreotype photography
spread quickly across the U.S. after
news of the discovery appeared in
newspapers in February 1839. A thriving market for daguerreotype portraits
soon emerged with itinerant photographers traveling from town to town.
Then portrait studios opened in the
larger cities where the public could
have portraits taken of themselves or
loved ones at an affordable cost.
Daguerreotypes remained popular
in the U.S. for about twenty years
until the Ambrotype process was
developed - a method of producing an
A mornings catch on a Michigan lake, circa 1910.

of course, on the Internet. Most of the Modern photography began in France
auctions were regional ones, but I also when artist and chemist Louis Dafollow national online aucguerre along with Joseph
tions such as Langs semiNipce developed the
annual fishing auctions (see
daguerreotype process and inwww.langsauctions.com) or
troduced worldwide in 1839.
Morphy Auctions (see www.
Daguerreotype photos were
morphyauctions.com). Good
produced on a sheet of highly
friends have also been kind
polished silver-plated copper
enough to bring me photos to
that was treated with fumes
see and scan.
making the surface sensitive
Vintage fishto light. After exing photographs
posure in a camera,
that I have seen do
the image was made
not quite go back
visible by fuming it
to the beginning of photography in
with mercury vapor. Next, the image
the U.S., but close to it. The earliest
was fixed on the silver-copper sheet
photo pictured in this months article
after treating it with a liquid chemical
is a studio tintype that dates to the
and then rinsed and dried. However,
1860s or 1870s showing a man and
the surface image was extremely
a woman posed in front of a painted
delicate and could be scratched or
rural scene. She is holding a fly rod
tarnished easily, so the finished metal
and he is seated behind a wicker trout plate was covered with glass and then
creel. Both are dressed in their Sunday sealed with strips of coated paper. The
best clothes.
protected image was finally placed in
By Terry McBurney
An early tintype taken of a man seated

behind a wicker trout creel and a woman
holding a fly rod. Courtesy of Tom Penniston
82
I caught him on a Shakespeare fluted spinner

circa 1910. Courtesy of Langs Auctions, Inc
Roughing it in style in a vintage convertible - a cabinet card from the early 1920s.
My favorite photo showing two anglers and their

dog with a nice stringer of fish. Courtesy of
Dennis Wolfe, see more of his photos at his online
store stores.ebay.com/Sporting-Nostalgia
A studio portrait of two well dressed anglers

and their gear. Cabinet card courtesy of Langs
Auctions, Inc
Spor ting Collectibles...
Photographs
Four happy anglers on holiday - circa 1930. Sporting Goods Dealer
A happy nephew with his Uncle George and a pretty nice catch.
A big sturgeon caught by Jno Lixey of East

Tawas. Courtesy of Andy Wagel
gave it a slightly glossy finish after
drying. It was then treated to make it
light sensitive and then dried again.
The paper was later mounted in a
frame, placed in direct contact with
a glass negative and then exposed to
light until the desired level of exposure was attained. It was then placed
in a chemical bath, which set the
photos exposure. At first, the popular
size for albumen prints were small
portraits called carde de viste. The
popular photos were mounted on
heavier cardboard, which measured 2
-inches by 4-inches, the same size
as visiting cards that were popular
during that era and were commonly
left when making a visit to someones
home. They soon became extremely
popular and were collected and traded
Fishing photos next page
A photo dated Sept. 3, 1906 and inscribed, I learned while at Detroit that Gertrude is quite a
fisherman. Courtesy of Langs Auctions, Inc
A cabinet card of two anglers and an 18-pound

pickerelbut caught by Mrs. Allen Pratt according to the inscription on the back!
image on a sheet of glass. However,
tintypes quickly replaced Ambrotype
photos because they were faster to
develop, easier to use, and significantly less expensive for the public
to buy. They were also much sturdier
than Daguerreotype and Ambrotype
photos because the tintype image was
produced on a thin piece of lacquercoated iron sheeting (there was no
tin used), which did not need to be
protected in a frame or case. Initially,
tintype photos were taken in formal
studios, but they quickly moved outdoors where photographers could set
up shop at local fairs taking portraits,
developing them quickly and then
within minutes handing the finished
photo to his client.
Tintypes saw their widest use during the 1860s and 1870s for portraits
and were popular during the Civil
A stereoscopic view of three anglers fishing for smallmouth bass. A 3D photo taken by T.W. Ingersoll
of St. Paul, Minnesota as part of a series copyrighted between 1903-1905.
War because they could easily be
specially treated paper from a photocarried by a soldier and were inexgraphic negative. At first, the paper
pensive. Starting in the mid-1860s,
was made from 100 percent cotton
their popularity began to slip with the and then treated with a mixture of
development of albumen prints on
egg white (albumen) and salt, which
83
Fishing photographs:
from page 83
between family and friends.
Soon, larger cabinet cards
became the new standard growing
in popularity over the smaller carte
de viste photos and were used for
both portraits and landscape photos.
These larger albumen prints were
large enough to be easily seen from
across a room where they were often
displayed on a cabinet. They were
often mounted on cardboard printed
with extensive decorations and copy
on the reverse side promoting the
photography studio.
This all started to change in 1884
when George Eastman developed
film, which replaced the photographic
plates that the photographer had to
lug around. The revolution continued
when Eastman sold the first Kodak
camera in 1888 and went into high
gear with the introduction of the
simple-to-use and affordable Kodak
Brownie box camera in 1901. Now,
the public could carry a camera with
them taking black and white photos at
home or wherever they travelled.
Here are some of my favorite
vintage photographs - an early tintype, black and white and sepia-toned

images, an albumen print, a turn-ofthe-century color Stereoscopic photo,
cabinet photos and a number of
photographs mostly likely taken with
a Kodak Brownie box camera. I hope
that seeing them will perhaps get you
to start collecting vintage photos.
I would like to thank Debbie and
John Ganung of Langs Auctions,
Inc. for allowing me to use a number
of the photographs from past Langs
auctions. Thanks also to Tom Penniston, Greg Woodland, Andy Wagel,
Carol and Steve Elve, and Dennis
Wolfe for allowing me to include
their photos in this months article.
(You can visit Dennis Wolfes online
store for hundreds of great vintage
photos - http://stores.ebay.com/Sporting-Nostalgia).
Feel free to contact me at antiquefishing@comcast.net with your
fishing-related questions. Photographs are important in helping me
with identification and giving me an
idea of the condition of the item.n
A dapper angler with two very nice brown

trout. Courtesy of Langs Auctions, Inc
An Albumen print of a young trout fisherman.
A photo entitled Fishing from the Breakwater, Ludington. Courtesy of Carol Elve
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The back of the photo above promoting the Grove Hotel located just mile northwest of the
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ALL WOMEN, ALL NOVICE PHEASANT HUNT
t was a perfect October morning,

the air was crisp and the sun was
shining. So why wouldnt 28 novice female hunters flock to a bird
hunting preserve and try their hand
in taking down a few birds? Well if
that thought isnt enough, how about
making that first time pheasant hunt
FREE!
Thanks to Warren from Pheasants
Forever Chapter 467, who pushed and
pushed to make this possible. Pheasants Forever Chapter 467 supplied
four birds per hunter, ammo, handlers
and their dogs to give an experience
that is sure to get any outdoor enthusiast hooked on pheasant hunting.
Pretty Hunter sweetened the day with
a nice blaze orange hat to keep them
By Tricia Auten
safe and looking good. The amazing

people involved didnt stop there. All
of the participants were fed with some
amazing pheasant dishes, cookies and
given some very genuine hospitality graciously by Joyce Patton, Arty
Graham and many more.
The day started with some safety
courses, being that most all were
novices that was probably a good
idea! And the hunting groups were
off, the variety of ages ranged from
some young 20-year-olds topping out
in the mid-50s. There were groups of
friends, mother-in-law and daughterin-law combos, aunts and nieces. The
experience of hunting together is one
that forms a bond like no other. Most
all women came back with some
birds, some didnt, those that let the

birds live still came back with stories
to share and smiles to be seen.
Thanks again to Warren and
Pheasants Forever Chapter 467,
Jim Graham of Woodland Acres
Bird Hunting Preserve, all the
dogs and their trainers, and Pretty
Hunter for making this experience
happen.
There will be another Free All
Women Pheasant Hunt in the spring
of 2016, please contact me for more
information. And remember when we
women share our love for the outdoors; it will live on in generations to
come!n
ARCHERY AND OUTDOORS
1442 Torrey Road

Fenton, MI 48430
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Season Save Money,
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On The Latest Gear
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These lady pheasant hunters found out firsthand how the experience of hunting together forms bonds like no other. Author photos
85
Reader Trail Cam Photos

Send your Reader Trail-Cam Photos to:
wnw@pageone-inc.com
Ed Steinmetz captured this unique trail cam photo

of a hawk flying right in for a closer look. Thanks
for sharing such an incredible shot, Ed!
Jackie Peace
caught this
great trail
cam of a pair
of eagles on
her trail cam
near Curran.
And below
Jackie also
sent us this
photo of a
squirrel leaping past her
camera.
Thanks, very
interesting.
Jake Hessler
found a family
of five raccoons
on his trail cam.
And he wondered what was
creating all the
problems at his
hunting spot.
Kraig Staples sent us a few pictures from his trail

cam near Millersburg, he captured the nice bull elk
(above) and (below) mama black bear who was
followed by her twin cubs.
86
Mike and
Gali
Golembiewski
of Clay Twp.
captured
these photos
on their trail
cam near
their cabin in
Beaverton.
Turkey by
day and owls
by night.
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87
Unless youre the Luke

Skywalker of baitcasters,
its best to fish pricey,
snag-attracting spy baits
well away from heavy
cover and rocks.
Spy Baits a Specialized Trend

And They Make A Great Christmas Gift Idea...By Buck Mallory
88
s this years open water season wound down, one of the

hottest lure types for guys
catching smallmouth and
some largemouth on Lake
St. Clair was a spy bait.
In clear water conditions with
moderately pressured basssuch as
Lake St. Clair for example when wind
has not whipped it into cloudiness
these baits sometimes can out-fish all
others.
Now, you look at one of these
things and the first thought you have
is that it must be a surface lure with
those little propellers on the nose and
tail. It looks like that Crippled Minnow or Nip-Ididee your grandfather
or great grandfather used to use. But
looks are deceiving. These lures sink.
So you think that you must have to
learn how to walk the dog with it,
twitching or ripping it so that it zips
back and forth like a darting bait fish.
Wrong again. Believe it or not, you
reel this thing really slowly, and its
design causes it to rock side to side,
basically like a rowboat does if you
sit in the middle and sway back and
forth. This coupled with the flash of
the small propellers to show predator
fish an action theyve never seen in
any other type of lure, and apparently
its an action that they find hard to
resist. These lures are fish catchers.
Youd think a lure like this might
suspend (at least I did when I first saw
it in the package) but thats wrong,
too. They sink really quickly. The
design also causes the bait to rock as
it falls through the water column, and
strikes often occur as the lure sinks.
In a way, these are throwback
count-down lures, like the Countdown Rapala Minnow, or the old
Heddon Sonic (another one that probably was in Grandpas metal tackle
box). The idea is to cast out, count it

down to the level the fish are hanging
and then retrieve them so they stay at
that level. That makes them useful for
schooling bass that are suspending up
off bottom and away from structure.
These lures arent cheap, starting at
around $12 for the least expensive and
quickly going to more than $15 and
more for different styles and brands.
And without a lip, the little treble
hooks latch on to wood and rocks
immediately. So, unless youre the
Luke Skywalker of bait-cast experts
and can use The Force for incredibly accurate casts, you dont want to
be throwing them close to cover or
retrieving them too close to bottom.
In a place like St. Clair, you can
throw them close to weed beds, count
them down half-way to bottom (5 to
7 feet is half-way down in most parts
of Lake St. Clair) and then start your
slow retrieve. Its kind of like slowrolling a spinnerbaityou want it to
stay down there and not angle upwards to the boat.
Now heres something that will
blow your mind. In Japan, where the
bait originated, the experts say you
need to throw it on super light line
like 4 and 5-pound fluorocarbon to
keep the water resistance against the
line from bringing the lure up towards
the surface too soon. If you dont
think there are some tense moments
when you hook a big fish on a 15-dollar lure on 4-pound test, then you
must be one of those guys who lights
his cigars with hundred-dollar bills.
Or maybe you make nitroglycerin for
a living. Anyway, I have had success
throwing them on a baitcast outfit
spooled with 6-pound fluorocarbon
line. Some guys prefer to use braided
line and a light fluorocarbon leader,
and thats fine if you really, really trust
the knot you use to tie your leader to

the braid. I just dont like the idea of
a short, minimally stretchy, 6-pound
leader thats supposed to be able to
withstand the pressure from the really
big fish that this bait can hook into.
A tussle with a big one will ask your
knot to handle a whole lot of stress.
Also, check your line for nicks
that might happen in the course of
landing a fisha nick can cost you
$15 in short order. I re-tie the bait on
money on the line and in a situation

where a spy bait is likely to catch a lot
of fish, I might roll the dice and throw
it even in a lake thats infested with
pike.
So whats that situation?
If I go along a breakline or over
a hump in a clear water lake and see
a bunch of fish suspended off of it or
around it, Im likely to try a crankbait, first. If I catch one or two and
they turn off, or even if I dont catch
any, then the spy bait comes out. If
that doesnt work, I might move on
and come back awhile later after the
fish have had a chance to settle down
and throw the spy bait first. I kind of
think that the spy bait sneaks into the
strike zone and gets a reaction strike
because it comes by a bass looking
like a stunned or slightly wounded
baitfish; in other words, an easy meal.
And bass usually like an easy meal.
Although most things Ive seen
written about the spy bait suggest
that a slow, steady retrieve is the only
way to get a bass to bite it, Ive also
had success getting it into the strike
zone area, or where I believe the bass
are hanging and yo-yo-ing itjust
lifting my rod, lowering it to let it sink
while reeling up the slack. Or I just
kill the retrieve for a second or two.
That sudden fall definitely triggers
strikes sometimes.
As this is a December issue, you
might want to leave this page open in
Neither a surface lure, nor a jerk bait, Spy Baits such as these Lucky Craft
Pointer 95 (top) and Pointer 80 are count down hardbodies designed to
sneak into a basss stroke zone with a slow, steady retrieve.
my line every few fish, or after catching a big one. I just dont want the
knot to fail.
And heres a tip: If youre fishing
in a lake with lots of northern pike,
throw something else. I havent tried
it, but I am pretty sure a wire leader
will mess with the action and get
you fewer bass bites. And the subtle,
rocking action is something those snot
rockets cant resist. Of course, with
a location such as next to the bathroom sink where your significant

other is likely to see it. If youve
used oneand paid around $15
for ityou know youre going to
want some more. If youve never
used one, youre going to want to
add a few to the arsenal. Let your
better half know a few of them
would make excellent Christmas
presents!n
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89
A Trio Of UP Hunters Score...By Richard P. Smith
OCTOBER 1 BEARS
M
ost Michigan hunters
associate October 1 with
opening day of bow deer
season, but for a trio of
hunters hunting together
out of Lac La Belle
Lodge in Keweenaw County during
2015, that date is when they all filled
their bear tags. So early October can
also be good for hunting the states
second most popular big game animal.
I was one of those three hunters
who scored on black bears during the
first day of October. The other two
were Doug Esman from Kingsley and
Kent Megill from Suttons Bay. We
had bear hunted at the same time out
of the lodge a couple of years earlier.
Plans fell into place to do it again during 2015.
We were all successful in drawing bear licenses for the third hunt in
the Baraga Bear Management Unit
(BMU), which started on September 25. The odds of obtaining a bear
license for the third hunt in all of
the UPs six major BMUs are much
higher than the first two hunts because
theres less competition and there are

more tags available for that hunt than
the first two because success rates are
lowest. For hunters who know what
they are doing, the chances of filling a
bear tag during the third hunt are still
good.
Nonetheless, a number of factors
stacked the odds against us when our
hunt started. A warm front brought
higher than normal temperatures
to the UP by September 25. When
daytime temperatures are high, that
reduces movements of bears until
after dark. There was also a full moon,
which can have the same effect. There
was also a bumper crop of acorns that
had been knocked to the ground by
strong winds before our hunt started.
Whenever natural foods like acorns
are abundant, bears tend to utilize that
food source and spend less time at
baits.
As if those factors werent bad
enough, I did something else that
tipped the odds against me seeing
a bear even further. I didnt replenish the bait at the spot I planned on
Enjoy
Upland Bird Hunting
August 15April 30
The author with his first crossbow Michigan black bear.

hunting for several days prior to the
25th. I put a bucket of bait consisting of granola and cherries at the spot
on the 22nd. There were a number of
bears visiting that bait, including an
adult male that I guessed would weigh
around 300 pounds.
That was the bear I hoped to bag
with my TenPoint Crossbow. I had
never taken a bruin with a crossbow
before, so I planned on changing
that. The biggest bear had been at the
bait every day, based on photos from
my Moultrie Scouting Camera, but

normally after dark. My thinking was
that by not putting bait at the location
for several days, it might increase the
chances of the big one coming in during legal shooting hours.
That isnt what happened. By not
rebaiting for several days, the bears
that had been going there simply spent
all of their time eating acorns. I didnt
see a single bear on the evening of
September 25. Neither did Doug and
he had baited the spot he hunted prior
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Upland Bird Hunting
August 15April 30
90
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(Left) Kent Megill with his 250-pound sow and Doug Esman begins skinning his
male bear. Photos provided
prepared for a shot. All bears look
bigger in low light, and I knew that,
but I was so convinced that the bear
that was coming was the big one,
based on direction of approach and its
behavior, that I was ready to take it
when it gave me a shot.
Typical of a big male, it scattered
the logs covering the bait when it got
there. The bear fed angling toward
me at first. I waited until he turned
broadside then sent an arrow toward
his left shoulder. I was in for a surprise when I recovered my bear later.
It wasnt the big one after all. It was
one of the smaller males that were
visiting the bait.
Although the bear wasnt the one
I was after, I was still satisfied to
fill my tag with a crossbow. I later
learned what was responsible for the
bears noisy approach to the bait. My
brother Bruce was hunting grouse
nearby and he told me he jumped
a bear on a logging road heading
toward the bait I was hunting about
20 minutes before I heard and saw the
bruin.
We were in for a bigger surprise
when we got back to the lodge and
found out Doug and Kent had also
both filled their tags. Doug shot
an average size male with his .444
caliber rifle at 6:30 after passing up
a smaller one. Fifteen minutes later,

Kent pulled the trigger of his .45/70
on the adult female. She proved to be
the biggest of the three bears, weighing in at about 250 pounds in the
round.
We were busy until the early
morning hours dealing with the fruits
of our labor. After that experience, it
was clear that October 1 isnt simply
a good time to bowhunt for whitetails
in Michigan. Its also a great day to
fill bear tags.n
HU
OLA
V
A
CI
his treestand and had a male ruffed

grouse drumming on a log near his
stand. Kent saw the same female he
had previously and passed her up
again.
The next day, I saw a beautiful
200-pound male well before dark.
That bear was tempting, but I let him
go. The cooler weather seemed to
make bears more active and I thought
there was a chance of seeing the bigger male before dark.
October 1 was Kents last day
to hunt. After spending two days at
another bait without seeing anything,
he returned to the spot where he had
passed up the adult female. Since
he and his family love bear meat, he
planned on shooting the sow, if he
saw her again. After failing to see any
more bears since the small one, Doug
moved to a third bait in an effort to
increase his chances of seeing more
action.
Temperatures were the coldest
they had been since our hunt started.
I returned to the same bait I had
been hunting, optimistic that colder
weather might get the big bear on his
feet earlier than normal. Even though
I wore long johns, I was feeling chilly
as the end of the day neared.
During the last minutes of daylight, I heard a bear coming from
my left and thats when adult males
tend to move. All of the trail camera photos I had of the big bear as
it approached the bait, showed him
coming from the left. The other bears
I saw had come from the right. The
other bears had also come in silently.
This one was making lots of noise,
breaking branches with every step.
He was making no secret of his presence. I had heard other adult males
make noisy approaches to baits like
that before.
So before I even saw the bear, I
had myself convinced it was the big
one. As soon as I heard branches
breaking, I grabbed my crossbow and
NTING PRE
SER
VE
to opening day. The heat, moon and

acorns were probably enough to keep
bears away from baits that day and
the next. Most of the bears at least.
Doug and I didnt see any bears
on the 26th either. The 26th was the
first day Kent could hunt. He saw an
adult female well before dark that he
could have shot at the bait he decided
to hunt. The camera at that bait had
captured photos of an adult male
weighing more than 300 pounds besides the adult female, so Kent passed
on the sow, hoping for a chance at the
bigger male.
Day three of our hunt was the
same for Doug and I no bears seen.
Kent saw the adult female again on
two different occasions. When she
returned the second time, Kent got
excited, thinking it might be the adult
male. After looking at the bear carefully with binoculars, however, he
identified the bruin as the same one
he had seen earlier. She had distinct
brown eyebrows.
Some bear hunters who hunt over
bait arent aware that the same bear
can return to a bait multiple times
during a morning or evening. Ive
seen the same bear return to a bait
three and four times over a period of
a couple of hours. For this reason,
its important for hunters to look for
identifying features of individual
bears, so they can be identified when
seen again.
By day four, the weather was
cooler, and that made a difference. I
returned to the same bait I had been
hunting and saw a pair of yearlings
that I think were siblings. The male
came in first about 5:30 p.m. A female that I think was his sister came
in at 6:50, with the male tagging
along behind her.
Doug changed his luck by moving
to a new spot. He also saw a yearling that he passed up about an hour
before dark. Besides the small bear,
Doug was visited by a pine marten in
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Special Cases & Bags
91
Platte River State Fish Hatchery
A big part of states success with coho salmon
ome years back, when Michigans Chinook

salmon program was in its greatest glory,
some anglers suggested the Department
of Natural Resources abandon raising the
smaller, less spectacular coho salmon and
put more emphasis on the kings. The DNR
demurred, preferring a multispecies approach.
It appears to have been a wise strategy; Chinook
salmon populations are down significantly, largely
because of stocking cuts necessitated by a diminishing alewife population in Lake Michigan.
Chinooks depend almost entirely on alewives
for their diet. Cohos are more adaptable. As a result,
the coho population remains strong. It helped fill
out the catch this past summer, as there were fewer
Chinooks available to anglers.
Now, the DNR stocks nearly as many coho
salmon as Chinooks. A decade ago, it was a quarter
as many.
None of this was lost with the DNR crew this
fall as they took coho eggs at Platte River State Fish
Hatchery near Honor.
This is the birthplace of Michigan salmon,
the only coho salmon facility we have, said Aaron
Switzer, the supervisor for all three of the northern
Lower Peninsulas fish hatcheries. This is where
we put them when they first came here, this is
where we get the best returns, and this is the best
place for a rearing facility.
The Platte River hatchery is perfect for salmon
rearing, Switzer said. The water doesnt get too
warm. It does get cold in the winter weve got to
heat the water in winter but we get good growth
and we can predict when a lot of the intensive fishculture work will take place.
There are two weirs on the Platte River the
lower weir controls how many fish are allowed
upstream to the upper weir, located at the hatchery. The hatchery operates under an unusual set
of circumstances; the number of fish allowed to
make their way up to the hatchery is controlled by a
consent judgement between the DNR and the Platte
Lake Improvement Association, which is downstream from the hatchery.
When the fish hit the upper weir, they slide off
to the side into a holding area where theyll stay

until egg take begins. The fish from the holding
area are herded into an area immediately below
the hatchery entrance, where theyre collected in a
cage, sedated with carbon dioxide to facilitate handling, and raised to a table. Theyre dispatched with
pneumatic devices and bathed in an iodine solution
to kill any external bacteria.
The females are opened up and the eggs are
placed in a container. The carcass is inspected for
anything unusual, such as water in the body cavity
or nodules or discoloration of internal organs, and
eggs are discarded if the workers detect any problems with the fish.
Meanwhile, males are stripped of their milt into
cups, and their carcasses are inspected. Again, if
anything appears amiss, the milt is discarded.
When the milt is added to the eggs milt from
one male is mixed with eggs from one female
fertilization is almost instantaneous.
We only leave them like that for about 60 seconds, said Switzer. We dump that water off, and
add a solution of Erythromycin (an antibiotic) and
thiamine (vitamin B1). The vitamin B1 prevents
A fisheries worker removes eggs from a coho

salmon. MDNR photos
Fisheries worker Bob Eggleston transfers fertil-
92 ized eggs to a tray in the incubator room.
early mortality syndrome.

The eggs are water-hardened in 5-gallon buckets for an hour, and then moved indoors where
theyre placed in incubator trays.
Eggs will eye-up when the eyes of a developing fish are visible in about 30 days. The eggs
are shocked; theyre dumped at some height from
the trays through a funnel into 5-gallon buckets.
Any dead or nonviable eggs will crack. The next
day, theyre put in a salt solution. Dead eggs float.
We can scoop them out and discard them,
Switzer said. Its really a slick process for getting
through millions of eggs in a couple of days.
The viable eggs, which have been returned to
trays, will hatch in 30 days. The hatchlings will
absorb their egg sacs and learn to swim over the
next 30 days, when theyre transferred into indoor
tanks. They remain in the tanks until summer, when
theyre moved to outdoor raceways where theyll
remain until the following spring.
All they do is grow out there, Switzer said.
A cage full of coho salmon is lifted onto a table for

egg-take at the Platte River State Fish Hatchery.
The fish we spawn in the fall of 2015 will not be
planted until April of 2017.
The DNR took approximately 2.8 million coho
eggs to produce the 1.45 million fish for stocking.
It wasnt without its challenges this year; egg-take
didnt begin until later than usual this fall because
the females werent ripe on schedule.
Coho were late this year and were not sure
why, said Paul Stowe, the hatchery manager. I
dont know if its a function of water temperature,
either in Lake Michigan or the Platter River. It
seems strange; a lot of what controls the spawning
timing is photo period and that didnt change. But
there are secondary factors that dictate when these
fish are actually ready.
Apparently those secondary factors are in place
elsewhere, as Michigan isnt the only Great Lakes
state behind on coho egg-take this year.
We got a request from Wisconsin for eggs
earlier this fall because they said they werent
seeing any fish at their egg-take site, Stowe said.
But then I got a note just the other day saying that
that water flow in the stream at one of their eggtake weirs had increased and they were starting to
see some more fish, and they thought they may be
okay.
The hatcherys first stab at egg-take, in midOctober, was slowed by mechanical difficulties and
too many not-yet-mature fish. By the end of the
month, however, the problems were ironed out and
egg-take went swimmingly. Once Michigans quota
was met, the crew at Platte River collected additional eggs for the Indiana and Illinois departments
of natural resources which depend on eggs from
Michigan coho for their hatchery programs and
the Wisconsin DNR, if they are needed. The Platte
River hatchery crew will keep the eggs until eye-up,
and then distribute them evenly if it can meet the
full requests of the various states.
Their programs are important to the Lake
Michigan fishery, Switzer said.
For more information on Michigan fish hatcheries, visit www.michigan.gov/hatcheries.n
Prepared By the MDNR
Phone (586) 296-2360

Fax (586) 264-8307
STORE HOURS:
Mon. - Fri: 10am-7pm;
Sat: 10am-4pm; Closed Sunday
Michi-GUN
Available at:
Layaways Welcome
31516 Harper Avenue

St. Clair Shores, MI 48082
93
Wyoming Offers Hunting Opportunities...By Jeff Pendergraff
Bucket list antelope hunt
94
ne of the few animals that I had not taken

was an antelope. I was hoping to fulfill
this bucket list dream this year in Kaycee
Wyoming. I had hunted previously in
Lusk, Wyoming 15-years-ago. At that time
two friends and I hunted a ranch where you
pay a trespass fee to hunt. Bad choice on our part
because the ranch was over hunted and had very
few antelope or mule deer.
My friend, Charley Sant Angelo, has been
hunting in Kaycee Wyoming for over 30 years and
invited me to come along and hopefully harvest
my first antelope. In those 30-plus years Charley
has become good friends with several ranchers in
the Kaycee area, providing Charley some excellent
hunting over the years. Charley has also guided for
an outfitter in the area which has also enabled him
to learn the area in great detail.
After arriving and unpacking we headed out to a
ranch that we had permission to hunt on. During the
ride we saw lots of antelope along the way, which
increased my anticipation of scratching off at least
one animal off my bucket list this year.
Once at the ranch it didnt take long before we
spotted a very nice buck. After getting set up I figured it was about 200-yards, but shot over its back.
I should have used my range finder, because I was
wrong guessing the distance!
It was a long ride back to the ranch. I vowed
not to make the same mistake the next time. I got
my range finder out of my bag since it wasnt doing
me any good packed away. I should have had it
with me. With all the hunting I have done, I should
have known better. I was informed by Charley that
its difficult to tell the distance in areas in the west
because of the terrain with all of the rolling hills. I
wouldnt disagree with that opinion.
Day two I headed back to the same ranch with
Charlie and David Taylor. David is a rancher friend
of Charley and he obtained permission for us to
hunt this ranch. We started seeing a few does here
and there. We saw another great antelope buck in
the same area. He was with several does and about
200 yards away. While getting set-up the buck
became nervous and started to move off. He was
following the does and after about 50 yards stopped
to look back which was a big mistake for him. He
only ran about 50-yards and fell.
It was very gratifying to shoot such a great
antelope. I was equally grateful for being able to
harvest an animal that I have had on my bucket list
for some time. But, I was also relieved that I was
able to redeem myself after yesterdays miss. After
receiving congratulations from Charley and David,
I validated my tag, cleaned my buck and we loaded
it into the back of our truck.
David had a buck and doe antelope tag burning
a hole in his pocket, so we began looking for more
antelope. After trying several attempts to get close
enough to a couple of different herds for a shot, we
decided to head back for lunch. Not far from where
I shot my buck we saw a bigger buck keeping a
very close eye on several does. He probably should
have paid closer attention to us rather than the does.
David didnt waste any time and dropped the buck.
It was a great morning, in about two hours we
harvested two great antelope bucks. The temperature was in the mid-seventies and we headed back
to the ranch to process both bucks.
Day three Charley and I decided to try to call in

some coyotes. Over the years Charlie has shot many
coyotes in his 30 years of hunting in Wyoming. The
west is over run with coyotes. Wyoming, like many
other western states have predator control people
whose full-time job is to keep the number of predators down.
I talked to one such person who works out of
Kaycee, Wyoming. He told me that last year he
killed over 200 coyotes and two bears. Most of the
coyotes were trapped. The coyotes can kill a lot
of cow calves and sheep. Cows and sheep are big
business in the west. They also at times have bears,
wolves and Mountain Lions preying on sheep and
cattle.
Just to show you how important cattle and
sheep are in Wyoming, they have a term they use
called open range. Now, I have heard this term
before on western cowboy movies. But I never truly
understood what it meant until this trip.
As we were driving down a paved road, much
to my surprise I saw a herd of cattle being driven
down the road. They were taking up much of the
road at times and they have the right-of-way. You
hit one and you are at fault and will have to pay the
rancher for the value of the animal you hit. Sometimes they are being driven by cowboys on horseback, or on ATVs. So, if you see the sign that reads
open range keep an eye out.
I also saw them driving a herd of sheep right
through the town of Kaycee with cowboys on
horseback. Quite the event to see!
Charley and I didnt have any luck that morning
calling coyotes. It was very windy, but we did see a
beautiful fox.
On day four we decided to try calling in coyotes
again. Again, the wind played a major role in our
calling. After a long sit, we packed up and headed
back to the truck. Once we crested the hill, here
comes a big male coyote running to the call. He
spotted us and never slowed down, probably still
running.
Our last day in Wyoming we headed to a different ranch to hunt prairie dogs. They are like the
ground hogs we have here in Michigan, but much
smaller. They are called prairie dogs because of
their sound, which sounds like a dogs bark. They
are burrowing rodents, a type of ground squirrel,
native to grasslands in North America.
They have prairie dog towns throughout Wyoming. A town is nothing but an area where you can
find dozens of mounds in the ground that the prairie
dogs dig, which becomes their home. They are
herbivorous, though they eat some insects. They
live at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to10,000-feet.
They are important prey species to the black-footed
ferret, swift fox, golden eagle, badger and other
birds of prey.
You are often doing some long distance shooting when youre hunting them. As we drove
through the ranch they were everywhere. The wind
was blowing close to 30-miles per hour. It was a
cross wind, which made our ability to hit them very
difficult at times. As soon as they saw our vehicle
they would start running for their holes. Thus,
sometimes we were shooting longer than we wanted
to. On the way into the ranch we were running
about 30% success on our shots. On the way back
we were shooting into the wind and our success rate
The author with his bucket list antelope.

jumped to about 80%. In all we took over 30 dogs
and I went through two boxes of shells.
Prairie dogs cause a lot of damage for ranchers.
If a cow or sheep steps into their hole they could injure themselves and most likely will die from those
injuries or have to be put down.
Wyoming is a state that you must apply for a
license to hunt. You can apply on line at www.wgfd.
wyo.gov. There are two different deadline dates to
apply, depending on what animals you wish to apply for. Antelope is January 1-May 31. Sometimes,
there are leftover tags depending on which unit you
wish to hunt.
Wyoming has very strict laws on trespassing.
You dont have to post your land; you as a hunter
have the responsibility to know where you can
hunt. There is a lot of Bureau Of Land Management
(BLM) land in Wyoming. It is federal land that is
leased to ranchers to let their livestock graze on. If
you can get to it by a public road, you can hunt it.
There is also School Section Land thats not
posted either. School Section Land is land set aside
for the public schools in the county its located in.
The schools are allowed to lease it out to ranchers
and keep the proceeds. Again, if you can access it
by a county road you can hunt it.
BLM and School Section Lands are often very
large tracts of land with good game located on it.
There are maps showing BLM and School Section
Lands, but it isnt posted. There are apps for GPS
units you can buy which will show the boundaries
of most BLM and School Section Land. You can
also camp on BLM or School Section Land for free.
There are walk-in areas to hunt in Wyoming.
There are also lots of outfitters in Wyoming to
choose from as well as ranchers that will lease their
ranch to you. They might be hard to locate since
most have the same hunters coming back year after
year.
I was lucky enough to be able to hunt on some
private ranches. After spending several days hunting in Wyoming I am convinced that I could harvest
an antelope on my own on either BLM or School
Section Land.
Wyoming has plenty of historic sites. Kaycee
is located in Johnson County, home to Fort Reno.
I was able to visit the site where it did stand in
the 1800s and I visited the museum in Kaycee,
which was full of the history that has taken place in
Johnson County, including the battles between the
Calvary and local Indian Tribes, and the Johnson
County Wars, a battle over land.
Author is Jeff Pendergraff, retired Captain with
the DNR Law Enforcement Division.n
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Misc.
For Sale
Fishing
GUIDED TRIPS TO ISLE

ROYALE NATIONAL PARK
By ferry or float plane. Camping,
backpacking, canoeing, hiking.
Photograph Moose! All inclusive.
Total Wilderness Adventure. Senior
trips also. Call 231-564-1631. M-123
................................................
If you need help, say aloud
JESUS PLEASE HELP ME!
M-11-2
................................................
A TEMPUR-PEDIC MEMORY
FOAM MATTRESS SET.
Clean. Never used. As seen on TV.
Cost $1700. Sell for $695. 989-8322401. M-4-14-TFN
................................................
AN
AMISH
LOG
HEADBOARD AND QUEEN
pillowtop mattress set. New. Sell all
for $275. 989-923-1278.
M-4-14-TFN
................................................
AMISH LOG BEDS, ANY

SIZE $199. 5 drawer log chest
$199. Good quality. Lowest prices in
Michigan. 989-839-4846. M-4-14TFN
................................................
LOG BUNK BEDS. $495. Amish
lodge furniture. Call Dan 989-8321866. M-4-14-TFN
................................................
GENTLY
ROLLING
14
WOODED ACRES in Hastings 2
track to a partial clearing perked for
building or just to hunt. 702-4671932. FS-12-1
................................................
ICE SAWS, COMPLETE

LINE OF SPEARS &
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DECOYS,
Mickey Mouse and Bunny
boots, Pike Busters - the battery powered decoy system.
www.dream-outdoors.com 269330-6422. F-12-3
FOR SALE: LOG CABIN

LOGS, red pine, all sizes, delivered to your site. Call for prices 231-250-1817. FS-11-2
Services
LET ME HELP YOU FIND
YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY UP NORTH! Not limited to,
but specializing in Charlevoix, Emmet
and Antrim Counties. Call 231-3500928. S-12-3
................................................
Subscribe Today!
(810) 724-0254
Wanted
TIMBER: Buying all types of timber, 5 acres or more, top price paid.
Cash in advance. Improve wildlife
habitat. Patco Forest Products, 989539-7588 after 6 p.m.
W-7-12/15
................................................
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ICEHOUSE/SLEEPER
SHANTY RENTALS on Little
Bay De Noc. Placed in proven walleye locations. Trophy walleye are
frequently taken. Icefishing equipment for rent. Visit www.adventureoutmi.com or call 906-241-5687 for
more details. F-12-1
................................................
CANADIAN
FISHING
TRIP. Want to go fishing?
Book early and save. One of
Ontario's best multiple fish
lakes, fish for Walleye, Northern, Small Mouth, Lake Trout,
Perch and other fish. Well
spaced out log & framed cabins, boats have electric start 15
hp Yamaha 4 stroke motors,
depth finders and swivel seats.
$399 U.S. funds if booked before March with a group of 4 or
more (2 people per boat) www.
northernwalleyelodge.com or
toll free 1-877-434-2440. F11-TFN
Hunting
TROPHY ELK HUNT: Private
ranch, elk management area. Sec.
36 Bay County. Cabin. 70% success.
phone nights 989-846-6228 H-9-4
................................................
ELK HUNT: Northern Mich. We
have ten club permits. Cows or Bulls.
Crop damage area. Ranch phone
989-846-6228. DNR inspects heads.
H-9-4
................................................
DEER HUNT, SAGANING
CLUB. Bucks $100 point. Private
cabin, lots of game, high success
rate, no deer, no pay. Call 989-8466228. H-9-4
................................................
NORTHERN
ONTARIO
BEAR HUNTS: Booking now for
fall of 2016. Includes comfortable
cabin, boat and motor, baited stands.
Very experienced guides. High success rate. 3 hours from the Soo.
References on request. $960 U.S.
705-869-3272 www.texasandsons.
com H-10-12-15
................................................
Food Plots
STUMP GRINDING Free Estimates, Insured. Serving Central
Michigan areas. Available seven
days. Call or text Chris 989-2441785. FP-12-1
................................................
Hunting Lease
Hunting
BUFFALO HUNTS $1,800.
RUSSIAN
HOG
$550.
STOKER HOG $395. RAMS
$500. BOOK NOW! Free hog
roast with 10 or more hunters. Free
tour. Trophy Ranch, Inc., Ubly, MI
989-658-8634 www.trophyranch.com
H-12-2
................................................
HUNT TROPHY BUCKS and
DOES any three days with rifle
December 15th to January 3rd on
one of my thousands of acres of private farms in west Tennessee near
the Kentucky border. Only one group
of hunters per farm. Pop up blinds
will be on all farms. Farms are large
and have been under hunted for
years and have severe crop damage
this year. Call 270-498-3374 for information and trail camera photos from
the farms. H-11-2
................................................
TUSCOLA COUNTY
ELLINGTON TWP. 18.43
acres, all wooded. Main road
1256.92 feet frontage farm
land in back. Over 4,000 acres
of adjoining state land across
road. Turkey, deer and upland
game abound. Asking $60,000.
Call 989-670-2628 or 989-5531198. H-10-3
ELK HUNT: Northern Mich. No
game, No pay. Have ten permits
$150 per point. Private ranch. 989846-6228. Call nights. DNR inspects
kills. H-9-4
................................................
FIVE PARCELS FOR LEASE

in Hale, MI. 80 acres each. Excellent
hunting, abundant wildlife. Call: 231238-4178 HL-10-3
................................................
Real Estate
MONTCALM COUNTY, Central
Michigan. 38 wooded acres with hundreds of acres of state land adjacent.
Immaculate secluded 3 bedroom, 2
bath ranch home. Many amenities.
Great fishing and 30 minutes from
progressive college town & casino.
The Pine River is near. A must see!!
$299,000. Call Diana at Faust Real
Estate, LLC 517-270-3646. RE-121
................................................
UPDATED NORTHERN
MICHIGAN HOME in the
heart of prime hunting and fishing. New kitchen, great room, 2
baths, 2 possible 3 bedrooms,
large garage for storage, large
city parcel. Nearby lake access.
$104,999.
231-825-8252.
RE-12-1
40 ACRES, 3 Buildings, Small
Pond, 2 wells, Cedar Swamp, Lots of
Deer & Bear,70% Wooded, Avery
Twp. Montmorency County, $60,000,
Just Land Sales, 586-419-6716,
JustLandSales.com 12-1
................................................
ONAWAY AREA: 160 acres
hunting property, mostly cedar $1200
per acre. Call Larry at 989-733-4152.
RE-12-1
................................................
Real Estate
AN
ABSOLUTELY
IMMACULATE
HOME
THAT IS TRULY TURNKEY! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath
ranch has been meticulously
cared for over the last 11 years
of ownership with many updates
made to the home. Just some of
the updates include a new roof
in May of 2015, new appliances
this year, new flooring in family
room and utility room, new
water heater in 2014, generator
system in 2014, new windows
throughout nearly the whole
home in 2014, new carpet in
2015, new well just 8 years ago,
and much more! Back deck
overlooking 2 acres which
backs up to a blueberry field for
added privacy. 2.5 car garage
and a new 12'x16' shed. There
is nearby access to sandy
beach along Lake Huron that is
a short car/bike ride away, along
with bike trails and close proximity to Tawas City and East
Tawas! This place is ready to
go! Call John Stanley at (989)
876-8171 for a tour today!
RE-10-3
92 PRODUCTIVE ACRES just
north of Jackson. 63+ acres tillable,
the remainder wooded with the
Grand River running through. Great
for farming, recreational bldg. site or
development. Endless possibilities!
Land has been in the same family for
many years. Minutes from US-127,
1-94, M-106, M-50, 4-5 min. from
downtown Jackson. $478,400. Call
Dan at Faust Real Estate, LLC 517260-3068. RE-12-1
................................................
139 ACRES, Amazing Large
Piece. With an X-Large Pond for
Fishing 90% Wooded - Irregular
Shaped Kimball Twp. - St. Clair
County $278,000, Just Land Sales,
586-419-6716 facebook.com/justlandsales 12-1
................................................
280 ACRES,
DEER
CAMP, MUST SELL:
Marquette Co., Gwinn, cabin
and storage shed on unique
property, old bog with ridges
and islands. Mostly conifers,
birch and poplar. A portion of
property was logged. New
growth has started. Many elevated blinds. Good deer, 4 bear
have been taken off the property. A nice bear was taken off the
property this past season.
Escanaba River runs next door
with many good fishing lakes
nearby. Asking $220,000.00
810-798-3414. RE-11-2
20 BEAUTIFUL ACRES
between Hillman and Atlanta,
Michigan. Elk capitol. Heavily wooded clearing with 35 ft mobile scamper. Has well water, electricity, propane gas, secluded but close to
roads and conveniences. Great
retreat for hunters or family $47,500.
Call Helen 248-210-6414. Randy
989-255-2169 Real Estate One.
RE-12-1
Misc.
97
Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section

Real Estate
Real Estate
Dogs
HUNTERS - E. of Atlanta, fully

remodeled 3 bedrooms with garage,
shed, 6 acres, springfed pond. Near
1000s of acres of state land. $82,900.
989-837-1934. RE-12-1
................................................
53 ACRES, Variety, Farmland,
Hard Woods, Meadow Grasses, &
River/Creek, 624 x 2615 irregular, N.
Branch Twp., Lapeer County,
$140,000, Just Land Sales, 586-4196716, facebook.com/justlandsales
12-1
................................................
134 ACRES Farmland, Woods,
3 Cabins, 30 x 50 Pole barn, 2640 x
2219- 40% Wooded, MusseyTwp
St Clair County $419,000, Just Land
Sales, 586-419-6716, JustLandSales.
com 12-1
................................................
HUNTING LAND: 7476 Crescent
Beach Rd., Caseville, Michigan
48725 Over 178 contiguous acres!
This property lends itself to multiple
uses, the vast majority is mature
woods. 68.45 acres was used as a
golf course with the right vision this
will grow into a perfect hunters
dream. Situated on Crescent Beach
road with a great amount of road
frontage this large parcel is close to
Caseville and all that it offers. Call
Casey A Bruce 989-430-7542
Osentoski Realty Port Austin.
RE-12-1
................................................
GREAT 10 ACRE HUNT
CAMP. 2 Elevated Blinds in Place.
330 x 1324, 50% Wooded. LynnTwp
St Clair County $43,000 Just Land
Sales, 586-419-6716, JustLandSales.
com 12-1
................................................
65+/- ACRES mostly wooded.
Three elevated deer blinds, creek
and trails run throughout the property. Prime recreation and hunting
property. M-24, Caro, MI 989-7371480. RE-11-2
................................................
MINNICK RD., BAD AXE MI

ATTENTION SPORTSMEN!!
This 80 acre parcel has a great
amount of potential! It has a 1 bedroom cabin with electricity sitting in
the middle of it. This would make a
great parcel to hunt for those white
tail. It also could be cleared and
turned into farm land. It has a great
amount of potential to the right person. Call Casey for more info 989430-7542. RE-12-1
................................................
16.79 ACRES Tree-Lined
Farmland, with 2 Road Fronts, 641x
1181 with 192 on Vandyke,
Evergreen Twp Sanilac County
$62,500, Just Land Sales, 586-4196716 facebook.com/justlandsales
12-1
................................................
40
SQUARE
WOODED
ACRES, Excellent Hunting, a
Creek & 2 Rd. Frontages 1320 x
1320 90% Wooded. Burnside Twp,
Lapeer County, $119,000, Just Land
Sales, 586-419-6716 facebook.com/
justlandsales 12-1
................................................
SOUTHERN BIRD DOG

TRAINING. We will return to
our bird rich grounds in Selma,
Alabama for the 37th year,
leaving at Thanksgiving. We
will hunt/train on the Al Britton
Plantation (8000 acres) Tara
Hill Plantation (2500 acres) Allison Plantation Hill (2000 acres)
and Swift Plantation (1500
acres. Birds are shot daily and
your dog will be a "brag" dog by
spring. Only $500 per month
(includes everything). Make arrangements with Hall of Fame
trainer David Grubb now. We
will train all breeds. 248-8601009. D-11-2
BIRD DOG TRAINING: by
world record holder and hall of famer
David Grubb. Only trainer in history
to win all 5 gun dog championships.
(did it twice) Dog training book for
sale and stud service. (248) 3911446. D-7-TFN-15
................................................
GERMAN SHORTHAIR
POINTER PUPS: Males
and females available. Excellent hunting dogs and superb
family pets. Close working dogs
with strong point and retrieve
instincts. Reasonably priced for
the sporting family. Money back
guarantee. Eulenhof Kennels,
Gladwin, MI.
http://www.eulenhof.com
989-426-4884 D-11-2
Dogs
AKC ENGLISH LAB
PUPPIES: Light yellow and
chocolate available for Christmas. Home-raised - both parents on site $600. Beautiful
large puppies. Call 734-2162952 for more info. D-12-1
THANKSGIVING
TIME
LLEWELLIN SETTER PUPS:
F.D.S.B. registered, gorgeous, 1
male, 1 female, Bondhu bloodline.
Point at 9 weeks, check us out at
www.gouldgundogs.com or phone
Tara at 989-550-8595. D-12-1
................................................
RYMAN TYPE ENGLISH

SETTERS a mother and
son. Original kennel bloodlines,
BeCoverly. Boondocks Kennels, Kalamazoo Area. Andy
269-567-8279. D-11-2
email: wnw@pageone-inc.com website: www.woods-n-waternews.com
Heres your
98
guide to success!
It is estimated that 10% of all the

fishermen catch 90% of the fish.
Regardless of which group you fall into
. . . theres a sure way to up your odds
. . . simply try new fishing waters. Fish
where few fishermen ever fish.
Michigan is loaded with great fishing
waters . . . many of them over-looked.
From the AuSable River to all of the
Great Lakes tributaries to the Pere
Marquette River . . . thousands of miles
of streams, lakes and rivers are now
easy-to-locate on one map.
Professor Higbees Stream Map of
Michigan is the first and only highly
detailed map of its kind. This new 4
foot by 4 foot color map shows virtually
all for the 35,000 miles of Michigan
streams & lakes on both peninsulas.
Thats almost two times the earths circumference!
STREAMMAPOFMICHIGAN
is
available either rolled or folded. And, in
heavy gauge clear lamination, write-onwipe-off surface with brass eyelettes
for easy hanging, rolled only.
NAME
ADDRESS
CITYSTATEZIP
Check/Money Order Visa/Mastercard
Card# Exp. DateSignature
Mail To: Woods-N-Water News

P.O. Box 278 Imlay City, MI 48444 (810) 724-0254
ROLLED $26.00
FOLDED $26.00
LAMINATED $46.00
Ta x
& P o s t a g e
I n c l u d e d
78 Acres with Home!

Approximately 23 acres
of woods, 55 tillable
acres, & pond this
makes great hunting
property! Two Barns,
established blueberries,
asparagus, & fruit trees!
Gorgeous home built
2008 with over 2,700 sq. ft & large kitchen open to
dining room & family room with cathedral knotty
pine ceiling, & slider to deck with pergola. Main
level master bedroom suite with oval whirlpool
tub, walk-in shower & closet. Main floor laundry.
Att. 3 car garage. Full basement with daylight/
egress windows & high ceiling. No worries here
about losing power with a whole house generator & save lots of money on fuel with an outdoor
wood furnace that supplements the forced air
furnace & water heater! Frontage on two roads.
Priced BELOW recent appraisal at $479,900
Call Morgan Beilfuss at
989-277-7860!
98-105
VACANT LAND AND

528 N State St., Caro, MI
HOMES WITH ACREAGE
TUSCOLA COUNTY
Caro: 6.97 +/- acres recreational/hunting land,
$33,000. 038-15-0144
Caro: 3 BD home, pole barn, pond on 10 +/acres, $95,900. 154-15-0023
Caro: 2 Homes on 40 +/- acres, some tillable, 2
road frontages, $135,000. 154-14-0034
Caro: 1 BD, 2 BA chalet home on 26 +/- acres,
new 30 X 40 pole barn with 220 am service and
cement. $144,900. 038-15-0148
Caro: 2 BD, 1 BA cabin on 58.71 +/- acres land,
3 out buildings, 6 electric hookups for RVs/
Campers, 4 hunting shacks with food plots, buck
pole, groomed trails, stocked pond. $189,900
154-15-0039
Caro: Custom 3 BD home, pole barn on 10 +/acres, Cass River waterfront with private boat
launch. $199,999 038-15-0115
Cass City: 10 +/- acres, hunting or building,
$49,900. 038-15-0131
Cass City: 2 BD ranch home, 6 +/- acres hobby
farm, orchard, $119,900 038-15-0072
Deford: 10 +/- acres, hunting or building,
$49,900. 038-15-0149
Deford: 34 +/- acres hunting land, 95% wooded,
White Creek borders south boundary. To be
surveyed. $108,800 038-15-0143
Deford: 70 +/- acres, 90% wooded, trails cut
thru-out, across road from 1,300 State land.
$210,000 038-15-0137
Deford: 4 BD home on 39 +/- acres, 80%
wooded, mature trees, pool, fenced yard, large
pole barn. $233,000 038-15-0136
Gagetown: 12.5+/- acres, hunting or building,
$37,500. 123-15-0047
Kingston: 10 +/- acres, creek/drain runs thru
$43,900. 154-15-0036
Kingston: 36.8 +/- acres, 17 +/- acres tillable,
rest recreational/hunting. $114,900 038-150142
Kingston: 4 BD bi-level home, lots of update, 4.6 +/- acres set up for horses, orchard.
$124,900 038-15-0081
Kingston: 40 +/- acres, square, just 1 mile off

M-46. $124,900 038-15-0102
Mayville: 80 +/- acres, mostly wooded, superior
building site, part of MI Qualified Forest Program $240,000. 038-15-0082
Millington: 3 BD custom walk-out ranch on
all-sports Murphy Lake, 100 of lake frontage,
beautiful! $359,900. 038-15-0092
Unionville: 4 BD updated home on 12 +/acres, about 8 tillable, $157,500. 123-15-0044
Vassar: 50 +/- acres, 75% wooded, great build
site. $180,000 038-15-0039
HURON COUNTY
Caseville: 4 BD raised ranch beach house,

Lake Huron waterfront, 97 of sugar sand beach.
$324,900 038-15-0046
SANILAC COUNTY
Croswell: Gorgeous remodeled 4 BD farmhouse, chefs kitchen, on 40 +/- acre horse farm.
$324,900 123-15-0029
Decker: 3 BD custom home, secluded, Cass
River frontage on 20 +/- acres $179,000. 12315-0040
Deckerville: 120 +/- acres, 100% wooded, borders State land. $360,000. 123-13-0064
Marlette: 100 +/- acre farm with older home and
outbuildings, most acreage fenced. $330,000.
038-14-0121
Sandusky: Custom 3 BD brick ranch, with
custom inground pool/wet bar/hot tub. $179,900
123-15-0033
Sandusky: 3 BD home on 8.48 +/- acres, pond,
private, $254,000 763-15-0009
Ubly: 80 +/- acres on corner, 2 road frontages,
pond & stream. $210,000. 763-14-0030
Ubly: 3 BD home on 10 +/- acres, 70% wooded,
pond, orchard, $114,900 123-14-0041
OTHER COUNTIES
Bois Blanc Island: Just next door to Mackinaw
Island own your own island retreat! 2 BD cabin
on Lake Huron, incredible views $149,900. 03815-0002
Visit www.Osentoski.net
Caro - (989) 673-7777 Cass City - (989) 872-4377 Kingston - (989) 683-8888 Sandusky - (810) 648-4138
231-652-7000
- or -
231-250-8200
WE NEED LISTINGS 40+ ACRES AND LARGER

NG
PRIVATE 12 ACRE LAKE

40 ACRES MECOSTA COUNTY
349,000
Allegan County, 71+/- Acres. Good Trail

System, Excellent Deer & Turkey Hunting
$99,900
NG
I
ND
E
P
40 Acres
5,000 sq ft
Home,
Private Lake
Clare County, 155 Acres Rolling

Hardwoods, Pond, Trails
$209,000
NG
I
ND
E
P
Genesee & Shiawassee County, 140

Acres, Half Agricultural Land, 1,300
sq ft Lodge, 24x40 Pole Barn
$475,000
I
ND
E
P
Arenac County, 146 Acres Rifle River &

Saginaw Bay Access, Tri-Level House
$399,999
LD
SO
Isabella County, 156 Acres,

3000 feet on Chippewa River
$590,000
Jackson County, 26 Acres 40x120

Commercial Building, I-94 Frontage
$275,000
NG
I
ND
E
P
Jackson County, 43 Acres

I-94 & M-99 Exit, Tillable
$299,000
Jackson County, 53.5+/- Acres 2,000 ft. Jackson County, 60 Acres 2Bed, 2Bath
House, 2 Stall Garage, 40 Ac Tillable
Grand River Frontage, Trail System
$275,000
$212,000
NG
L
SO
Mecosta Co 28 ac 1320
Chippewa River, Nice Cabin
$165,900
Mecosta County, 120 Acres, 60 Ac Tillable, 60 Ac Wooded, Excellent Hunting

$299,000
$199,000
Missaukee County, 200 Acres

Cabin, Pond, 8 Enclosed Blinds
$329,000
Newaygo County, 40 Acres Mobile Home,

Enclosed Blinds, Trail System, QDM
$89,000
Presque Isle County, 395 Acres $276,500

or can be purchased in split, 195 Acres
$137,000 or 200 Acres $140,000
Schoolcraft County,
2282 Acres Fox River Frontage
$570,500
Shiawassee Co, 137+/- Acres,

3,000 ft. Shiawassee River, 70
Acres Tillable, Great Hunting
$340,000
Jackson County, 162 Acres CRP Program, 6 Elevated Lake Co, 5 Acres, 1,200 ft. Middle Branch Lake Co, 330 Acres, Rustic Cabin, Food
Pere Marquette River, Rustic Cabin
Plots, Good Trails, Spring Fed Creek
Blinds, 115 Ac. Tillable, Pond, Big Buck Country
$68,000
$399,000
$599,000
Jackson County, 119 Acres, Little Montague Lake

Frontage, 40+/- Tillable, Excellent Wildlife Habitat
$315,900
Midland co 80 ac Pond,
25 ac Tillable, Nice House
$349,900
Missaukee Co, 40 Acres, Good

Missaukee Co, 40 Acres
Trail System, Excellent Hunting 3 Bedroom Cabin, Food Plots
$67,900
$112,900
Newaygo County, 129+/- Acres, 2,000 ft

Muskegon River Frontage, Trail System,
1/2 Mile County Road Frontage
$299,000
Osceola Co, 94+/- Acres, 1,000 ft.

All Sports Goose Lake, Older Farm
House, Excellent Hunting
$335,000
Otsego County, 160 Acres Private

15 Ac Lake, 6,000 sq. ft. House
$1,749,000
Missaukee County, 75 Acres Pond, Creek,

Guest Cabin & 2 Bedroom House
WildLifeRealty.com
www.
I
ND
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P
99
100
WEST BRANCH
M-33/M-55 OFFICE
1953 S. M-33
West Branch, MI 48661
HALE
OFFICE
ALE
S
R
O
3160 North M-65

Hale, MI48739
10 miles north of I-75 exit 202
Local: 989-345-2662
Toll Free: 800-535-6520
WEST BRANCH
LOOP OFFICE
ALE
S
R
O
2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,

West Branch, MI 48661
Gateway to Huron National Forest
www.CAHANES.com
Local: 989-728-2540
Toll Free: 800-495-2540
1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212
www.CAHANES.com
Local: 989-345-0315
Toll Free: 866-345-0315
NICE YEAR ROUND HOMES!!!

1801833
1802608
1803086
1805625
BEAUTIFUL
ACROSS
FROM HARDWOOD LAKE!!
3.93 ACRES
ON CANAL!!
ACROSS
FROM STATE
LAND!!
1807233
SPACIOUS
HOME & 2
ACRES!!
VIEW OF LAKE!!
Nice 3-bdrm, 1.5 ba ranch! Two

garages, deck, covered porch,
large pond stocked with bluegills
& not far from town.
Well-maintained 4-bdrm chalet

across from lake has large rooms,
loft area, wrap-around deck, 30x40
barn-style garage & boat dock!!
Well-maintained 3-bdrm, 1.5 ba

Saltbox, full basement, wood
floors, AC, appliances, shed, deck
and some furnishings!!
Well-maintained 4-bdrm home, large

kitchen, FP, master suite, sliding
doors to nice deck, blacktop drive and
heated garage!
3-bdrm, 1.5 ba ranch Modular, 10

WOODED ACRES, full basement,
garage, covered front porch & nice
deck & fantastic views!!
$94,900
$96,000
$99,900
$99,900
$107,000
1804013
1804400
UPDATED
HOME ON
OVER AN
ACRE!!
Spacious 2-bdrm, 2 ba home w/some
updates, wood stove, office/den, full
bsmt, garage & pole bldg!!
$114,900
1598 FEET
OF LIVING
SPACE!!
1799930
1808082
1807023
GORGEOUS
VIEWS ALL
AROUND!!
FRONTING ALL
SPORTS LAKE!!
ACROSS
THE ROAD FROM
LOON LAKE!!
Very nice 3-bdrm Chalet w/frontage on no wake lake, wood

stove, bath on both floors, garage & mostly furnished!!
Mature trees surround nice 3-bdrm,

2 ba home on 13 ACRES, deck,
covered porch, large garage & lots
of privacy!!
$115,000
$116,000
3-bdrm, 1.5 ba home Forest Lk, full walkout bsmt, deck, garage, paved driveway &
tons of great subd amenities!!
Great recreational area, spacious 3-bdrm,

2 ba, garage w/finished upstairs & 30x24
workshop, deck & nice views!!
$119,900
$124,900
1794766
1805328
1802657
1800447
1807867
GORGEOUS
COUNTRY
SETTING!! !
MOVE-IN
CONDITION!!
13 ACRES!!
FANTASTIC
LOCATION!!
OVER A HALF
ACRE ON
LAKE!!
OVER 40 ACRES, large 3-bdrm, Michigan

bsmt, covered back porch, fantastic views
& Johnson Creek runs thru prop!
2 ACRES with immaculate 3-bdrm,

1.7 ba, AC, open floor plan, master
suite, kitchen pantry & island, large
garage, porch & deck!!
Nice 2-bdrm home with 285 feet of water frontage

on TRANQUIL LAKE, 2 garages, wood stove, appliances, some furnishings, lkside deck & more!
21 ACRES, gorgeous setting, 3-bdrm

ranch-style, trails, side and front decks,
RV hookups pole barn style garage &
beautiful views!!
Beautiful custom built 3-bdrm Chalet,

150 of water frontage, open floor plan,
AC, apppliances, beach, deck & dock!!
$138,000
$139,000
$142,900
$144,900
$164,900
1803104
1804694
1795962
1798150
1801737
AT END OF
ROAD FOR
PRIVACY!!
SMALL CLEARING
FOR YOUR
HUNT CAMP!!
10 WOODED ACRES
POPULAR
LAKE
OGEMAW!!
BEAUTIFUL
RIVERFRONT!!
JUST
OVER 10
ACRES!!
3-dbrm, 2 bath, lots of updates,

beautiful country setting, 2.88
ACRES, deck & patio, pond,
garage & pole bldg!!
40 ACRE HORSE FARM!! Rolling prop

perfect for horses, 80x12 outbldg, riding
areana, stalls, track room, alley way, 2
bdrm, full bsmt & more!!
Over 1400 square feet, 3-bdrm,

baths on both floors, fantastic lake
views, outside shower & so MANY
other great amenities!!
Custom built 3-bdrm Cape Cod, exception amenities, outstanding views

inside & out, 8.8 ACRES, deck, heated garage, HAS IT ALL!!
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!! 10 ACRES & water

frontage, spacious 4-bdrm, FP, custom cabinets, pole bldg & garage & workshop, porch,
deck & much more!!
$219,900
$260,000
$264,900
$289,900
$387,500
1807457
1796906
1794795
1799811
1776325
2 BEDROOM
GETAWAY!!
STATE LAND ON
2 SIDES!!
BACKS
TO STATE
LAND!!
BACKS TO
FEDERAL
LAND!!
OVER 1400
ON RIFLE
RIVER!!
Cozy home, storage shed, paved

road, land contract terms, close to
Huron National Forest for hunting &
lots of trails!!
Easy access to snowmobile and ORV

trails, 2.5 ACRES, mostly wooded & rolling, metal shed, gravel pad for motor
home & year town!!
5 acres, well-maintained 3-bdrm,

garage, wood stove, deck, shed,
beautiful views and you can walk to
lake for fishing & swimming!!
7.24 ACRES, 3-bdrm, 2 bath ranch-style,

two garages, FP, heated sunroom, porch,
spectacular views and trails to Federal
land!!
Gorgeous rolling 80 ACRES, FP, seclusion,

pond, lots of trails, beautiful views with fishing,
swimming and canoeing at your doorstep!!
$25,000
$19,500
$82,500
$134,900
$219,900
1803070
1803706
1803058
1805656
1805254
GREAT
RECREATIONAL
AREA!!
NOT FAR FROM

TRAILS!!
FANTASTIC
LOCATION!!
18 ACRES!!
FANTASTIC
RECREATIONAL
AREA!!
Beautiful Houghton Lake is just down the road

from this 3-bdrm mobile on two lots and very
close to tons of great trails!!
Access to Little Long Lake and 3-bdrm, 1.5

ba home, updated over last 5 yrs, FP, upstairs balcony, deck and storage shed!!
SEMI-SECLUDED SETTING!! 3-bdrm home on

an ACRE, lots of windows, gas FP, oversized
garage w/carport, deck, covered porch, fruit
trees & more!!
ADJACENT TO STATE LAND for great

trails, cute 2-bdrm cabin, great rustic spot,
wired for generator, in great rec area for fantastic winter sports!!
AN ACRE of property and spacious 3-bdrm

home, wood stove, maple cabinets, 30x24
garage, deck & partly fenced yard!!
$24,900
$43,500
$49,900
$69,900
$57,900
FOR MORE LISTINGS

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
WWW.CAHANES.COM
CLOSE TO ORV AND SNOWMOBILE TRAILS FOR WINTER FUN!!!
101
Bringing people and places together since 1945
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!
statewiderealestate.net
Houghton
Marquette
Curtis
Manistique
Escanaba
Powers
Menominee
Marinette
Newberry
Fife Lake
Onaway
Hawks
Hillman
Alpena
Atlanta
Harrisville
Mio
Oscoda
Skidway Lake
Clare
Almont
Linden
Howell
Contact Your Nearest State Wide Real

Estate Office To Buy or Sell In Michigan
ALPENA
1100 W. Chisholm, 49707
email: alpswre@speednetllc.com
989-356-2142 Fax: 989-356-2144
HAWKS
8383 Hwy. 451, 49743
email: rita8383@yahoo.com
989-734-4846
ALMONT
844 Van Dyke Road
lafrancesharon@yahoo.com
810-798-8591 Fax: 810-798-8079
HILLMAN
14938 State Street, P.O. Box 98, 49746
email: statewidehillman@yahoo.com
989-742-4523 800-228-7856
Fax: 989-742-3931
CLARE
308 E. 5th Street, 48617
email: statewideclare@voyager.net
989-386-3396 Fax: 989-386-3800
HOUGHTON
500 Shelden Ave., 49931
email: dick@statewideofhoughton.com
906-482-6955 800-676-6323
Fax: 906-482-7699
CURTIS/NEWBERRY
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net
906-586-9606 Fax: 906-586-9607
ESCANABA
2209 Ludington Street, 49829
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net
906-786-1308 800-900-0777
Fax: 906-786-1388
102
FIFE LAKE
127 State Street, P.O. Box 190, 49633
email: swfife@charterinternet.com
231-879-4471 Fax: 231-879-4362
HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833
HOWELL/LINDEN
1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
email: statewid@earthlink.net
517-546-9060 800-531-4449
Fax: 517-546-9148
IRON MOUNTAIN - KINGSFORD
112 S. Carpenter Ave., Kingsford, 49802
906-828-9079
MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com
MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 Fax: 715-732-1107
MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
906-228-9312 Fax: 906-228-8069
MENOMINEE
3631 10th Street, 49858
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
906-863-9905
Fax: 906-863-7935
MIO
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647
email: info@statewidemio.com
989-826-3292
Fax: 989-826-2108
North West
Realty
www.cbnwr.com
Acreage. Hunting or Weekend getaway.
Great location offering county road frontage, public land across the road, all
wooded and land contract terms. This is a
great spot for all recreational sports,
hunting, fishing, ORV riding, snowmobiles and just quiet afternoons sitting
around the bonfire. Dont forget the low
down land contract terms.
MLS 15057012
$10,900
Quad Riders, Snowmobile Riders, and
Hunters: This Parcel offers great access to
the trails, border state land, all wooded,
driveways in with camping spots ready to
go and Low Down Land Contract terms.
Sitting on the corner of Merrillville and
12th St. MLS 15024202
$12,900
Baldwin River Acreage! 5.6 Acres with
over 1100 Frontage on this great fishing
river! Property is all wooded with large
trees. There is a ridge which offers different building sites and a great river bank
to walk along. Land Contract available.
MLS 15057165
$32,900
This Quiet river front Parcel offers 155 of
Private Frontage, Great fishing, and hunting out the door. Property is Approx 2.4
Acres, All wooded, Utilities available, and
walking distance to Federal Land. Land
Contract terms Available with $3,000 down,
$300 a month, 8% interest, 5yr Balloon.
MLS 12056963
$34,900
Great Hunting Area. 29.5 Acres bordering 1000s of acres of Federal Land. Property was practically logged in 2009 and
has mixed trees. Power is a ways away,
but keeps the area nice and OFF THE
GRID!! Land Contract terms are possible.
MLS 14067019
$44,900
Hunters! This IS IT! 20 Wooded beautiful
acres with a 1996 Camper with a roof
over,well,septic,electric for AND set up
with water and power for 2 other campers. Deluxe Deer Blind included! Truly a
nice set up for family fun!
MLS 15056631
$49,900
ONAWAY
M-33 & M-68,
P.O. Box 478, 49765
email: bigdan@frontier.com
989-733-6522
Fax: 989-733-2427
Baldwin Riverfront. Offering a very nice

12X56 mobile home sitting on over 100 of
prime riverfront. Home has newer furnace and central air, shingled roof over
the home, 14X32 garage with wood heat,
1.5 acres of nicely wooded property and
access to state land. This is a rare chance
to own such a beautiful setting on this
great fishing river.MLS 15057906 $49,900
OSCODA
335 South State St., 48750
email: lakehuronsw@chartermi.net
989-739-2050
Fax: 989-739-2280
Peaceful seclusion on the Pere Marquette

River with 138ft of frontage. This is a 3
Bedroom, 1 Bathroom cottage with a lot
of charm! Bring your fishing rods and
experience the magnificent great up
north. MLS 15019417
$99,999
POWERS
W3776 US2 & 41, 49874
906-497-4190
Fax: 906-497-5328
holly@statewiderealestate.net
Pere Marquette River Year Around

Home on the little South Branch. 20 Plus
Acres with over 1100 Ft. of Prime level
frontage. Well maintained 3Bedroom
Chalet offering a large living room, full
loft, 2-car garage, woodstove, with inside
finished in tongue and groove cedar pine.
Secluded and beautifully wooded.
MLS 15003168
$275,000
SKIDWAY LAKE
2228 Greenwood Rd.,
Prescott, 48756
email: atlas@m33access.com
989-873-3601
Fax: 989-873-6914
Lake County Michigan

231-745-4646
Baldwin, MI 49304
getalot@cbnwr.com
HUNT IN YOUR BACK YARD

WITHOUT LEAVING OAKLAND COUNTY!
Exquisite 4 bedroom home

on 5 acres of woods surrounded by woods! Seller
has trails cut for off road
vehicles and seller currently
hunts the property.
Quality home with first floor
master suite, upstairs guest
suite and Jack and Jill bedrooms. Finished walk out
with wet bar and rec room.
Private Oxford setting near
the Polly Ann Trail.
A deal at $450,000.
Video coming to YouTube soon.
www.JackieHawleyRealtor.com for listing videos.
Offices Serving Lower &

Upper Michigan
IG RIVER
PROPERTIES
61 ACRES ON NORTH LAKE 1829 W 68TH STREET BALDWIN

This is a well wooded 61 acre waterfront acreage with a 24 x 40 garage
already in place. The original home was lost in a fire so there is already
electric, well and septic in place. This property would be great as a home
site or as a hunting property with fishing on your frontage on North Lake.
A tree stand tower is already in place. This is a beautiful property with
nearly 1000 of North Lake shoreline. $129,000 (VID)
LITTLE MANISTEE RIVER 9629 N KINGS POINTE HWY IRONS
This year around home or cottage has 137 feet of frontage on the Little
Manistee River which is one of the areas famous trout streams. The
house features some knotty pine interior, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths including
the large master suite with double closets, master bath with his and her
separate vanities. The fieldstone fireplace is a central focal point to the
living room, dining room and great sitting room overlooking the river.
There is 900+/- sq. feet of multi-level extensive decking on the riverside
for ideal outdoor entertaining. The 2 car garage has lots of room for
vehicles and a work bench. $117,900 (BAR)
LOG CABIN ON 19.75+/- ACRES 2510 N PEACOCK ROAD WELLSTON
This 20 x 23 rustic, log cabin sets on 19.75 acres adjoining 100s of acres
of Federal property. The cabin has a kitchenette, sitting area with a wood
stove and a full loft with room for several beds. The exterior has a steel
roof, a large porch across the front of the cabin and your own concrete
barbeque grill. The stainless steel 4 well is 128 deep. There is a septic
and drain field. The 24 x 40 pole barn has a steel roof and a cement
floor. A 10 x 12 shed great for yard tools and an outhouse sets next to
the barn. $95,900 (MEA)
HOME ON 30+/- ACRES 11490 M- 37 IRONS This newer 1000 +
Square foot home or cottage in need of some minor finishing touches is
situated on 30 +/- wooded acres bordered by 494 acres of USA Land.
Oversized master bedroom with large closet and on suite. There is
another full bath off the open living room for your guests and a full unfinished basement to finish to your liking. The newer breezeway offers extra
space to kick off your boots and leads to the attached 2 car garage. Trails
throughout the property with a shed (perfect deer blind). $89,900 (STA)
40+/- ACRES FOREST SERVICE ROAD 7317 VAN ROAD WELLSTON
Wooded 40 acres touching USA on two sides and only of a mile from the
Pine River! The perfect hunting spot in the Wellston area is now available
in time for you to set yourself up for this years hunting season. Accessible
via a two track off 48 Mile Rd and Hoxeyville Rd. it is remote and private.
No one will hear you scream for joy when you bag that big buck except for
your hunting buddy. Theres a survey and aerial available. $65,000 (TUT)
13.6 ACRES ON RIMKUS CREEK SAUBLE LAKE ROAD IRONS Beautifully wooded 13.6 acre parcel with well/septic and electric on
Rimkus Creek with over 1000 frontage. The property consists of hardwoods and pines. There are two separate camper hook-ups with
water,septic and electric plugins. What a great place for that new cabin/
home or to bring your camper for great family fun. Sauble Lake #2 is
across the road but there is no access from the property to the lake
except through the creek. $55,900 (POR)
Hunters Call for our Acreage Parcels

5963 W. 10-1/2 Mile Rd. Irons, Michigan
231-266-8288 877-88-NORTH
www.BigRiverVentures.com Info@BigRiverVentures.com
Ask for . . . JERRY T. FORSBERG

C.L.U. ASSOCIATE BROKER
Great hunting lodge in Wellston, MI
Lake frontage, miles of manicured

trails. 40-acre corn field right in the
center. Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl.
Upland game, Swamp and
Hardwoods, 200-yd Shooting Range,
mostly high ground.
Bunkhouse that can sleep 8 and
large Pole Barn to store all the toys.
15 miles North of I-94. Battle Creek
area. $995,000
Call Ron Burris 269-209-1770 or
Dan Labrecque 331-210-6627
Farwell - 79 A great hunting property w/clean,

well maintained 2 BR cabin & pole barn. Located on paved road. Great recreation area.
REDUCED $155,000.
SOLD
Lake George Waterfront - 3 bdr. 2 bath, Great

Lake view! $155,000.
Harrison - 2 bdr cabin with most personal included. Sharp. $45,000
Osceola Co., 15 Acres - Well Wooded. $27,000

Lake - $565,000! 255 acres, prime piece of recreational/agricultural property. Includes 2 homes and
many barns/outbuildings. Doc & Tom Creek runs
through the property. Also has a fishing pond. Many
possible uses. Great Hunting Property.
Osceola Co., Orient Township. 295 acres for
deer, ducks, partridge and woodcocks. Good road
frontage. New survey. Several blinds included.
$377,000
7630 John r. Ct, Lake - Large home on 9 lots, 3
car garage, great for recreation. $145,900
WOW CHECK THIS OUT! DISCOUNTED PRICES!
ALL OFFERS WELCOME!!!
CANADIAN WATERFRONT AND

RECREATIONAL PROPERTY.
CLOSE TO SAULT STE. MARIE,
MICHIGAN BORDER
*LAND CONTRACTS
AVAILABLE O.A.C.*
BEAR
GOOSE
DUCK
MOOSE
WOLF
SEASONS
ARE OPEN!
WHITETAIL SEASON
OPENS NOVEMBER 2
OTHER PROPERTIES AVAILABLE,

CONTACT US FOR DETAILS!
ALL PROPERTIES ARE IN

TROPHY DEER & BEAR AREA
WITH GREAT FISHING!!!
LAJAMBE
ENTERPRISESINC.
715 Finns Bay Road
Echo Bay, Ontario CAN
POS 1C0
TELEPHONE:
(705) 248-9663
FAX:
(705) 248-1110
CONTACT:
Frank Lajambe
EMAIL:
flajambe@lajambe.com
WEBSITE:
www.lajambe.com
*Prices subject to change.
Other Properties
Available Upon Request.
Don't Be Shy, Make An Offer.
All Properties Must Be Sold!
LOOKING FOR OFFERS!!!
NO GUIDE OR OUTFITTER
REQUIRED IF YOU BUY
PROPERTY IN ONTARIO!
WATERFALLS PROPERTY: 160 acre parcel 45 min from

International Bridge. Waterfalls & Brook Trout River running
across property. Rugged, well treed, hunting, and recreational
property with government land on 2 sides. Only 1 mile off a year
round maintained road. This won't be on the market for long so
act now. Dont delay, asking $64,900.00 as is or make an
offer.
EXECUTIVE WATER FRONT HOME ON LAKE HURON FOR
SALE: This four bedroom home is situated less than 30 miles
from the US/Canadian border in a private country setting, in a
quiet bay. The lot is 200x750. Lots on either side also available.
This property has unequaled sunsets facing southwest with
deep water for pleasure craft boating on Lake Huron in the North
Channel. $699,900.00.
PRINCE PROPERTY: 287 acres of hardwood and softwood
forest with a creek flowing thru. Year-round access. Existing
windmill generates approx. $5,500/yr. Deer, Bear, and small
game on property. Located 30 minutes from the International
Bridge. $94,900
LAKE SUPERIOR WATERFRONT: Executive home with separate Guest Home and Garage. $429,900
MACDONALD PROPERTY: 759 acres with hunting camp,
25 miles east of Sault St. Marie Ontario, property is gated, isolated and wooded, with a four bedroom, two-story pole barn.
20-acre lake and 2 streams. Great Bear Hunting! Two Deer
plots! Five deeds, no guide required, underpriced at $274,000.
($361 per acre) Terms available, excellent buy!
400 ACRES OF ROLLING HARD-AND SOFTWOOD HILLS:
Large beaver pond and creek runs thru property, next to above
property if more acreage is required. Property is great for bear
hunting, white tail and grouse. Four miles off year-round maintained road. $124,900
EXCLUSIVE LAKE HURON WATERFRONT & WATER-VIEW
ESTATE LOTS LOCATED IN THESSALON, ONTARIO 50
MILES EAST OF SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO ON
HIGHWAY 17 EAST: Lighthouse Point serviced with hydro,
telephone, sewer, water, gas, cable on paved street. Airport,
marina and hospital in area. No time limit for building.
Waterfront lots 100 478 frontage, waterview lots 80 frontage.
Prices from $15,900.00 and up.
REILLY NORTH PROPERTY: 80 acre parcel with beaver
pond, hardwood and softwood mixed forestland 30 minutes
from International Bridge. Priced to sell at $19,900.00 or $250
per acre.
TWO 10 ACRE SAND BEACH LOTS (these lots have it all):
60 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie each lot has 300 frontage on
Bright Lake near highway 17 East (lake area approx. 24 square
miles), year round access with power to property. This inland
lake has perch, bass, walleye and northern pike. Priced to sell
at $99,900.00 (lot #2) and $109,900.00 (lot #3).
REILLY SOUTH PROPERTY: 80 acre parcel with beaver
pond, hardwood and softwood mixed forestland 30 minutes
from International Bridge. Priced to sell at $14,900.00 or
$186 per acre.
WATERFRONT LOTS: Two Waterfront Lots on Lake Huron's
North Channel 141' X 600' $99,900.00 and 150' X 600'
$109,900.00, year round access, deep water for boating and
fishing, 25 minutes east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Financing
available. (705) 248-2002
Michigan Wildlife
Habitat
RECREATIONAL PROPERTY
300 Acres of SW
Office: 989-386-2631
308 E. 5th Street Clare, MI 48617
Exciting - 62 A parcel w/6000 river frontage on

Muskegon River. Hunt, camp and canoe. You can
do some great things on this beautiful piece of property. L/C terms available. Great Price - $149,900!
11518 W 48 1/2 Road
Schaub Team - Roger Schaub

(231) 883-4644
Roger@SchaubTeam.com
OF CLARE
This 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is situated on 102 acres and surrounded by State and
Federal lands. The home features a custom hickory kitchen, granite countertops,
stainless appliances, tongue & groove pine cathedral ceilings and hardwood floors
in the living room, 2 fireplaces, 10x60 covered
porch, fenced-in garden, a 30x24 pole barn with
covered patio and 20x24 addition added to pole
barn with 10' slider door. The land is a mixture
of hardwoods with a good amount of oak trees
and two tillable fields. Premium deer hunting
property with six deer blinds.
Offered at: $385,000 with 102 acres
or $295,000 with 40 acres
103
LOG CABIN & 177 ACRES!
80 ACRES ON THE UPPER

MANISTEE RIVER!
TARGET REAL ESTATE SPECIALIZES IN

WATERFRONT HOMES AND HUNTING PARCELS
WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS
1854 Davison Rd., East Tawas
Gorgeous property! Small stream meanders through

to Loon Lake on State land to the south! Dense
evergreens for the deer, soft woods for bird hunting.
Ideal up north getaway for the family! Rustic log
cabin, open floor plan, large 12 x 321 ft that sleeps
several! Huge log beams, brick fireplace, bath and
modern conveniences! Covered porch for lazy
evenings! Includes two-car garage for RV and
hunting equipment storage!
MLS: #1807148
$399,900
Rare opportunity for a large parcel on the Manistee

River. Property is heavily wooded with over
approximately 1300 of frontage. Borders State land
to the south fronts on Cameron Bridge Road. Trail
throughout property, deer blinds, small shed used
as a rustic cabin - high and dry ground, low ground
along the river. County maintained road, utilities
available. Great hunting cabin or getaway building
site! Dont miss this unusual parcel!!
MLS: #1805777
$329,900
CABIN & 3.5 ACRES ON

THE MANISTEE RIVER!
LITTLE DEVIL CREEK &

MANISTEE RIVER FRONTAGE!
3.6 acres with approximately 1000 feet of frontage

on the Big Manistee River - property is slightly rolling
and elevated for great views upriver toward Smithville
Landing! 1-2 BR, 1BA, no close neighbors and plenty
of room to build an outbuilding! Watch the Big
Manistee River meander by - wonderful
maintenance free cottage,nicely updated inside very
cozy! Furnishings negotiable, could be turn key!
Property size and frontage estimated.
5.9 acres, 200ft. on the river and Little Devil Creek

meandering through the yard! Gentle steps down to
the river along side a rustic outbuilding for accessible
wading in the river or launching your kayaks! Includes
a riverside deck overlooking a small island. Adorable
knotty pine cottage, stone fireplace with insert, 3BR,
1BA, a huge family room with woodstove and a
screened porch for relaxing after a long day of fishing! Pole barn for storing all those toys!
MLS: #1801507
$159,900
KALKASKA
MLS: #1795826
$154,900
(231) 620-0160
7981 N. Alvin, Oscoda
Wonderful log sided 2095 sq. 3 bdrm 2 bth home located on over 288
Tawas 160 acre hunting camp in East Tawas for sale. Food
plots, ponds and Kunze Creek are found here. QDM practiced acres of prime hunting land. Oak, Maple, Cedar and Aspen are some
here, turnkey camp with lots of Mature Cedar.
of the tree types. Several food plots and fruit trees are found here.
MLS#1806925
Listed at $279,000.00
MLS#1801740
Listed at $695,000.00
0 South Barlow, Mikado - Square 40 bordering public land to the east, great hunting with three
box blinds on the parcel. 40% low ground, lots of deer sign. MLS#1799955 Listed at $49,900.00
Poorfarm Rd., Greenbush - 45 acres surrounded by private land, Mixed Hardwoods cover most of the
property with some low areas. MLS#1799569 Listed at $59,900.00
3889 S. Barlow, Mikado - 61 acres mile off the road, this parcel has a great trail system, ridges covered in hardwoods with tags for cover. Ag land borders North line. MLS#1806759 Listed at $89,900.00
0 Power line, Whittemore - 120 acres of prime hunting land minutes from East Tawas, Oaks and Pine cover
much of the parcel. Good past hunting history, call today for details! MLS#1778247 Listed at $195,000.00
MORE PARCELS ARE AVAILABLE . . .

CALL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS
866-496-4400
TARGET REAL
ESTATE COMPANY
701 W. Bay Street, East Tawas, MI 48730
Office (989)362-4400 Cell (989)370-2152

info@TargetRealEstate.com
www.TargetRealEstate.com
REMAX Bayshore Properties, Ltd.

303 N Cedar, Kalkaska
GOLF COURSE FOR SALE

OSENTOSKI
REAL ESTATE - PORT AUSTIN/CASEVILLE WITH RESTAURANT AND/OR BAR
7521 Port Austin Rd.
Caseville, Michigan 48725
Use your smart phone and a QR Code

Reader App to see all of our listings
795 N 1st St
P.O. Box 499
Harrison MI 48625
989-539-2261
And
229 Lake George Ave
Lake George, MI 48633
989-588-6171
CLARE COUNTY, MICHIGAN

WHERE THE NORTH BEGINS...
Open 7 Days * Established in 1953
4160 Dan Drive 1 bed bungalow close
to state land snowmobile trails and
ORV access. Rural up north area
$28,000
For Photos Text P529619 To 85377
This 9 Hole Golf Course with a Class C Liquor License and Restaurant
is being offered for sale. Additional property can be purchased allowing
the expansion into an 18 hole course. The possibilities are endless with
this property. The Thumb is currently experiencing a great amount of new
development between festivals, rising lake levels, and a new Marina.
Over 178 Contiguous Acres!

This property lends itself to multiple uses, the vast majority is mature woods.
68.45 acres was used as a golf course with the right vision this will grow into
a perfect hunters dream. Situated on Crescent Beach road with a
great amount of road frontage this large parcel is close to Caseville and all that it offers.
This property can be bought
just as the golf course
with restaurant/clubhouse
(72.45 acres) for $674,000
or just the vacant land (178+
acres) for $699,000 or as a
whole for $1,049,000.
104 Call Casey A Bruce (989) 430-7542
www.harrison-realty.com
www.buyhr.co
E-mail: office@harrison-realty.com
286 Second 3 bedroom home or make 76 A Clare Avenue Great location for 4277 Oakley Handyman special on 2
a split duplex in the City of Harrison
commercial venture. Property is
lots near town w/ natural gas. Once
with all the amenities. Fenced yard excavated and ready for your project.
remodeled, it would make a great
$39,000
High exposure $475,000
cabin/home/rental. $8,000
For Photos Text P848607 To 85377 For photos Text: T305193 To: 85377 For photos Text: P765366 To: 85377
5700 N Clare Avenue Great location

Lot 36 Lakeview Views of Little
2105 Springwood Drive A rare find.
Long Lake on paved road NG
10.87 acres on Springwood Lake.
for commercial venture. This property
has been excavated and is ready for
available, just outside of the city
Now seasonal home, but could be
your project. $250,000
limits. 82x192x77x199ft $2,000
converted to year round $95,900
For photos Text: T305194 To: 85377 For photos Text: T101297 To: 85377 For photos Text P642177 to 85377
2735 Timberlane Exceptionally

303 Robert 155x200 ft vacant lot.
100-02 Grant Avenue 1 acre corner
maintained and manicured home with Close to 1000's of Acres of State Land lot near Budd Lake boat launch, clear
pool and pole barn on 1.72 aces 3bed
and build a home with lake views.
and Trail Heads $3,900
2 ba beauty $109,000
$13,800
For photos Text: T101153 To: 85377
For Photos Text P258269 to 85377
For photos Text P765372 to 85377
Land and Lakes Real Estate Co.

"Serving the NorthCentral Upper Peninsula"
Phone: (906) 387-5100

www.landandlakesrealestate.com
Land And Lakes Real Estate Is Proud To Announce Our Exclusive Partnership With LANDLEADER
11281 CoRd 440/42nd Rd., Wetmore, MI 49895. RC-165/1089526
This recreational cabin is very functional, warm and effective protection from the elements. The
roof, windows, wiring and deck are new. There is a wonderful, traditional sauna and a "pleasant"
outhouse. The cabin is located on a year round road so you can access it even if snow comes
before the hunting season! This is the last property in line to have electricity. It is located on the
perimeter of a picturesque 13 +/- acre bog that serves as a highway and playground for wildlife
and doubles as a shooting range to sight in your rifles. Most of the remaining acres are high and
dry and well-managed. The poplar and aspen have been cut and the pine and red maple thinned
to increase the health of those remaining. The forest is beautiful, with trails, food plots, hunting
blinds and wildlife. Priced at $59,900
TBD E. Falls River Dr., LAnse, MI. VW-233/1087912
This 1.4 acre parcel runs 400 feet along the Falls River and
includes the Water Falls. It is located at the end of a paved, year
round road with all the utilities (city water, sewer, cable, natural
gas) available at the road. The wooded acreage provides seclusion and privacy with multiple building sites possible. Land
Contract terms are available. Priced at $74,999.
14930 33rd Rd (CoRd 442) on Jug Lake. Wetmore, MI 49895. WH-215/1081810
INSTANT EQUITY! Priced below a recent appraisal!
This spacious & comfortable 3BD, 2BA modular home was built in 2001and located on private
Jug Lake. Surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest land, this 10 acre parcel is
peaceful. The home has never been lived in & is used only sparingly in the summers. It features
a detached, heated 4 seasons room, a one car detached garage, a hot tub &wrap-around deck.
Fish from your own dock or just enjoy the peace & quiet of the area.
Price REDUCED to $ 119,900!
14454 N Crooked Lake Rd, Seney, MI. WH-228 / 1088305
Charming, partial log cabin with over 500' of year round frontage on Ross Lake! Ross Lake
is 196 acres and has great fishing for Largemouth Bass, Pike and Bluegill. The property
includes nearly 5 acres of thickly wooded forest, huge white pines, spruce and hemlock, large
front and side decks within just a few feet of the shore with a slightly elevated view. There is
a point well with hand pump, garage with storage area, wood shed and a "Finnish one holer"
for a bathroom. Large windows inside the cabin provide great views of the lake and the surrounding forest. The boat launch is just down the road and your private dock is waiting to be
installed at the bottom of the short flight of stairs to the water. What a great place to get away and enjoy the wonders of the U.P.! Price $132,000
E4414 St Hwy M-28, AuTrain, MI 49806. WH-229 / 1089491
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8359 MOWATT RD.
S!
Over 37 acres of
Pure Heaven in Lapeer
County awaits you if you are
a hunter or just the nature
lover. Lots of wildlife.
Go fishing or just take a
walk along the lake or pond! Home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a full basement just
waiting to be finished off. North Branch schools. $189,000
5333 SNOVER RD.

Unique three level home on
10+ awesome acres in
Tuscola County with two
pole barns for massive
amounts of storage. Driveway wraps around the house
to the walk out area of the kitchen, bath and family room. Spiral stairs lead up to
the main floor with a very large living room and master bedroom with master bath.
Excellent hunting area! $134,900
2855 WHITE CREEK RD.

Your new home is private
and secluded on 41.5 acres
in Tuscola County, 60%
wooded. Newly remodeled
2,112 sq ft ranch home,
32x52 pole barn, all new Anderson windows. Beautiful
new kitchen with quality cabinetry and granite countertops, great for entertaining!
All stainless steel appliances are included. Abundance of wildlife on this property!
Woods, clearings, trails this property has it all! $259,900
This stunning A-Frame is more than just a pretty face. It contains a well-designed and carefully-built 3 floor home,
bright with large windows and warm with T&G walls, log beams & bannisters, a wood-burning fireplace. The main
floor has an open concept, the MBR suite occupies the middle floor. The second BD fills the 3rd floor & has a deck
filled with sunshine, overlooking the forest below. Decks surround 3 sides of the main floor, the large rear deck flows
onto a curved boardwalk which leads to 145 of glorious Lake Superior frontage and another lovely deck at the waters
edge. This is such a comfortable home, inside and out! Priced at $289,900
105
DAN DAN
LOG CABIN
FURNITURE
THEMATTRESSMAN.COM
WHOLESALE TO THE PUBLIC
Queen Log Bed $19999
Queen Size Log Headboard
CHECK
US OUT
ON THE
WEB!
7500
5 Drawer Chest Only

$
199
4 Drawer Chest
$
189
2 Drawer Night Stand

$
149
Finished Cedar Log Bed
ONLY
29999
BUNK BEDS Solid Wood Complete with Mattresses $29999

Rocker Recliners
From
19999
Rustic End Tables
106
from
14999
Log
Futons
39999
MORE SIZES,
SOLID WOOD,
AMERICAN MADE!
Mini
Cabins
starting at
1999
99
N
A
CALL
ANYTIME
(989)-832-1866
D
N
DA
Mattress
Not Included
THEMATTRESSMAN.COM 802 ASHMAN ST., MIDLAND
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SALE
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$3,499
Prices on in stock inventory

only. Plus tax, title and freight.
Pricing includes all rebates.
Yamaha 50 hp
Yamaha 60 hp

was $7,495
NOW
ONLY...

was $7,995
NOW
ONLY...
$6,695
$7,195
Yamaha 70 hp

was $8,495
NOW
ONLY...
$7,695
Visit us at www.freeway-sports.com for a complete listing of boats!
FULL SERVICE PARTS & ACCESSORIES

Service Department Indoor & Outdoor Storage
(810) 629-2291
Exit 84 on US-23
FLINT
EXIT 84
59
FREEWAY
SPORTS CENTER
FENTON
23
3241 Thompson Rd.

Fenton, MI 48430
Hours:
Mon.-Fri. 9am - 6pm
Sat. 9am - 5pm
Closed Sunday's
PONTIAC
96
ANN ARBOR
DETROIT
SPORTS
CENTER
w w w. f r e e w a y - s p o r t s . c o m
sales@freeway-sports.com
STORE HOURS:
Mon. - Fri: 10am-7pm;
Sat: 10am-4pm; Closed Sunday
Fax (586) 264-8307
Phone (586) 296-2360
31516 Harper Avenue

St. Clair Shores, MI 48082
Layaways Welcome
Michi-GUN
Available at:
Ultra-reliable Inertia Driven system

ComforTech recoil reduction system
Unparalleled versatility
Left hand configurations
Crio barrel and choke tubes
Performance shop models
shotgun is the original 3-1/2-inch semi-automatic

shotgun. The SBE II sets the standard for semi-auto
styling, versatility, and performance.
Super
Black
Eagle II

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DECEMBER 2015

BUCKS IN THE JUNK

How Do You Handle...

www.woods-n-waternews.com Like us on facebook

CLOSE-OUTS ON ALL REMAINING

2016 BOATS ARRIVING WEEKLY

Open 6 Days: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm;

STOP BY TODAY FOR INCREDIBLE OFFERS AND

STOP BY TODAY FOR INCREDIBLE5605

CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER Open 6 Days: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm;

CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER

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CHAPMAN'S SPORTS CENTER

DECEMBER 2015 - WNW NEWS

By Tom Campbell...Field Notes

or some unexplainable reason, deer hunting

DECEMBER 2015 - WNW NEWS

Now - Dec. 31 - Michigan Pure Hunt Application period

lodging. At impact the deer make two bounds into the

Justin Cope - 10-point

Derek Salagan - 10-point

DNR launches Keep the U.P. CWD Free! campaign

Countys Meridian Township tested positive for CWD. A second

U.P., more than 84,000 hunters

DECEMBER 2015 - WNW NEWS

Bear Forum to assess

Old School-New School

Mark Romanack ...page 20

Florida fishing for visitors

DECEMBER 2015 - WNW NEWS

Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication

Charter fishing in Florida

DNR seeks denned

TRAIL CAM PHOTOS

Bucket list antelope hunt

Darryl Quidort page 26

BUCKS IN THE JUNK

How Do You Handle...

www.woods-n-waternews.com Like us on facebook

MOR ARCHERY EXCLUSIVE OFFER

Its time to shift

OCTANE 5-ARROW QUIVER

DRAW LENGTH 25- 30.5

In-Stock Bows Only, No Special Orders. While Supplies Last!

In redefining compact crossbowds, the

BRING IN THIS AD AND GET

47979 Van Dyke Shelby Twp., MI 48317

While Supplies Last!

SKB Hunter Series Bow case with a shaped abs

MICHIGAN HUNTING &

Store Hours: Monday - Friday 10am- 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

RANDYS HUNTING CENTER LOCATION INSIDE MOR ARCHERY

Model 870 Express Combo 12 Gauge with

The leading premium

A FREE MOR ARCHERY

YOUR CROSSBOW HEADQUART ERS !

Model M&P 15 Sport 5.56mm

Ultimate Slam Shotgun / Muzzleloader Scope 3-9x40mm SABR

Glock Model 43 9mm Single Stack 3.39

Ken Orion Chive Folding Knife

Premier Accu-Tip Bonded

Ruger Precision Bolt Action Rifle