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OCTOBER 2016

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Woods-n-Water News
Michigans Premier Outdoor Publication

Chemical
Communication of

WHITETAILS

FALL EYES

and Perch, Pike, Browns...

Get Ready and Be Prepared For...

BUCK-TOBER
Branch Prancers Ducks and Geese Super Fishing Lines
Dont Waste October Fall Toms Heavenly Hoppers
Soft Tails Rules For Transporting Harvested Deer
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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

2017 BOATS ARRIVING WEEKLY

By Tom Campbell

New smallmouth
bass state record

Outdoor Weekend - Success

A quick thank you to everyone involved in the 30th Woods-N-Water News


Outdoor Weekend, the event was a huge success. Our vendors, speakers, sponsors, groups, clubs and entertainment were all fantastic. As too was help from
our local community, the police and fire departments, the Eastern Michigan State
Fairgrounds, family and friends that all pitched in. The success of the Woods-NWater News Outdoor Weekend has never been measured in numbers, but rather
in the satisfaction of our vendors and our attendees, and it appears we succeeded.
This was a true celebration of our outdoor heritage! Be sure to mark your calendar for next years show, September 8-10, 2017.

Robert Bruce Kraemer of Treasure Island, Florida, recently set a new state-record catch for smallmouth bass with a fish he caught Sunday, Sept. 11, on Indian River in Cheboygan County.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

SEASONS

Open All Year Pike and walleye season on Lower


Peninsula Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair & St. Clair &
Detroit Rivers
Open All Year Catch-and-immediate-release bass
season on all Michigan waters open to fishing
Now-Dec. 31 Pure Michigan Hunt application
Now-Dec. 15 Muskie season on Lake St. Clair, St.
Clair River and Detroit River. (additional rules and
regulations apply)
Now-March 15 Pike and walleye season on Lower
Peninsula inland waters
Now-March 15 Pike and walleye season on Upper
Peninsula Great Lakes, inland waters & St. Marys
River
Now-Dec. 31 Catch and keep bass season on all
Michigan waters except; Lake St. Clair, and Detroit
and St. Clair Rivers
Now-Dec. 31 Catch-and-keep season for largemouth and smallmouth bass on Lake St. Clair, St.
Clair River and Detroit River.
Now-Sept. 30 Crow season
Now-Sept 30 Canada goose season North and
Middle Zones
Sept. 1-Sept 25 Canada goose season South
Now-Oct. 26 Bear hunting -- various BMUs and
hunt dates
Now-Nov. 14 Ruffed grouse season statewide
Now 15-Mar. 1 Squirrel - Fox and Gray (black
phase included) season statewide
Now - Nov. 14 Fall turkey season
Now - March 31 Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe
hare season statewide
Sept. 17-18 Early antlerless firearm
Sept. 17-18 Liberty Hunt; veterans with disabilities
and individuals with disabilities who qualify and
youth ages 16 and younger
Sept. 24 - Nov. 7 Woodcock season statewide
Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 Archery season statewide
Oct. 1 - Jan. 31 Raccoon hunting statewide
Oct. 13-16 Independence Hunt:
Oct-15 - March 1 Fox hunting season statewide
(red and gray)

MJC
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MACOMB

OAKLAND

19744 15 Mile Rd
Clinton Twp. 48035

3001 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, MI 48073

586-791-4600

248-589-2480

The following is from a MDNR press


release:
Michigans existing state record for
smallmouth bass was broken Sunday,
Sept. 11 by Robert Bruce Kraemer of
Treasure Island, Florida.
A longtime angler with a cottage
in Indian River, Cheboygan County,
Kraemer said hes been fishing Michigan waters since 1965, but this is his
first state-record catch. Using night
crawlers for bait, Kraemer landed a
9.98-pound, 23.10-inch smallmouth
bass while out on the Indian River.
I usually spend June through the
end of September up here at the cottage, Kraemer said. Ive got some
great fish stories and some nice fish,
but nothing like this.
The record was verified by Tim
Cwalinski, a Michigan Department of
Natural Resources fisheries biologist in
Gaylord.
The previous state record for
smallmouth bass was set in October
2015 when Greg Gasiciel of Rhodes,
Michigan, landed a 9.33-pound, 24.50inch fish from Hubbard Lake in Alcona
County.
Prior to Gasiciels catch, the smallmouth bass state record had stood since
1906. That fish was a 9.25-pound,
27.25-inch fish from Long Lake in
Cheboygan County.
In just the last four years, anglers
have caught a total of 16 state-record
fish, a remarkable number of big fish
in a relatively short time, said Jim
Dexter, chief of the DNR Fisheries
Division. This is just more evidence
that Michigan is home to a healthy,
robust fishery a resource and sporting opportunity that continues to draw

Suspect deer for CWD


identified in Ingham County
Hunters in DMU 333 reminded of the requirement
to have harvested deer from the area checked...
Since May 2015, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
has been actively conducting surveillance for chronic wasting disease
(CWD). To date, more than 6,000 deer have been tested since the first
positive was found, with seven cases of CWD confirmed.
However, a 3.5-year-old buck taken recently in Meridian Township
is likely to be the eighth positive and the first discovered since March of
this year. The sample is currently being tested by the U.S. Department
of Agricultures National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa,
to finalize confirmation.
The suspect deer was taken as part of the DNRs CWD management
program through targeted sharpshooting, which actively removes deer
that are more likely to be affected with the disease in and around areas
where previously identified CWD-positive animals had been detected.
This latest suspect positive reinforces the notion that the disease is
still occurring in Meridian Township and perhaps elsewhere, said Chad
Stewart, DNR deer specialist. We are counting on hunters to bring
their deer in for testing so we have a better understanding about the
scope of the disease.
Due to positive deer also detected in DeWitt and Watertown townships, the Core CWD Area has been expanded to now include 17 townships. This area, which is referred to as Deer Management Unit (DMU)
333, consists of Lansing, Meridian, Williamstown, Delhi, Alaiedon and
Wheatfield townships in Ingham County; DeWitt, Bath, Watertown,
Eagle, Westphalia, Riley, Olive and Victor townships in Clinton County;
Woodhull Township in Shiawassee County; and Oneida and Delta townships in Eaton County. Hunters harvesting deer in these townships are
required to submit the deer head for testing during business hours or
check-station hours within 72 hours of harvest.
The CWD Management Zone also has expanded; it now includes
Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia and Shiawassee counties. The expanded
Management Zone has been renamed DMU 419. The price for an antlerless license in this zone has been decreased 40 percent to encourage
hunters to harvest more deer and voluntarily have them checked.
There will be five check stations accepting deer for CWD testing
within DMU 333. These check stations will be operating seven days a
week (excluding major holidays). A complete map of check stations,
including locations and hours of operation, is available at mi.gov/cwd.
Deer feeding and baiting is prohibited throughout the Core CWD
Area and CWD Management Zone.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer,
mule deer, elk and moose. It is caused by the transmission of infectious,
self-multiplying proteins (prions) contained in saliva and other body
fluids of infected animals. Susceptible animals can acquire CWD by
direct exposure to these fluids, from environments contaminated with
these fluids or the carcass of a diseased animal.
Some chronically CWD-infected animals will display abnormal
behaviors, progressive weight loss and physical debilitation; however,
deer can be infected for many years without showing internal or external symptoms. There is no cure; once a deer is infected with CWD, it
will die.
To date, there is no evidence that CWD presents any risk to noncervids, including humans, either through contact with an infected animal or from handling venison. However, as a precaution, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans
or domestic animals.
Anyone interested in learning more about how Michigan is managing CWD can view the new 2015-2016 Michigan Chronic Wasting
Disease Management and Surveillance Report. Additionally, the DNR
is holding a Facebook Live event Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. EDT to answer
questions about CWD, CWD management and the impacts the disease
could have on the future of Michigans deer. Follow the Michigan
DNRs Facebook page for more details.
people from all over.
Kraemer, the new smallmouth bass
state record-holder, agreed.
I keep coming back to Michigan
for a lot of reasons, he said. The
weather, the clear, cold water, good
fishing its just nice up here.
Michigan fishing state records are

recognized by weight only. To qualify


for a state record, fish must exceed the
current listed state-record weight and
identification must be verified by a
DNR fisheries biologist.
For more information on fishing in
Michigan, including other state-record
catches, visit michigan.gov/fishing.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

HUNTING
Ducks and Geese

Mark Romanack page 8

COVER STORY
Get ready for
BUCK-TOBER

Kenny Darwin page 12

Perseverance
is his #1 tool!

Randy Jorgensen page 18

Don't waste
OCTOBER

Outsmarting
'Branch Prancers'

Kenny Darwin page 66

Upland October

John Ozoga page 84

Be a better
Crossbow hunter

John Eberhart..page 40

Whitetail chemical
communication

Michael Veine page 94

Darryl Quidort page 26

Guest Column
Gino's Buck

FISHING

Betty Sodders..page 111

page 109

FEATURE

Another BIG BUCK


for this 15-year-old!
Fred Abbas page 36

Make a GEMS
stop this fall
page 38

From the
Bird-Camp Chronicles:
Jerry Dennis page 48

Hungry
October bucks!

Jerry Lambert page 51

FALL TOMS

Next Bite...
Artificial Soft Tails

Gary Parsons/Keith Kavajecz


page 46

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Cover Photo
By Robert Peltz
Story page 12

Dave Mull page 90

Jeff Pendergraff page 14

No bighead or silver
carp detected in
Michigan waters
page 15

Weather can trigger


wildlife diseases

DTE and DNR fund


tree-planting projects

MDNR page 20

page 34

With fly rod in hand,


a second chance

MDNR CO recruits
sought for 2017

Tom Carney page 54

page 39

Barriers in trout
streams can stop
spawning runs...

Dear Fish Diary...


Resident saves lake
from potential disaster

Fall's overlooked
shallow lunkers

Bill Ziegler page 60

Ron St. Germain page 72

More than 33 million


fish stocked

Trust Fund's
Top 10 List
page 64

PERSPECTIVE

Numerous trail
improvements in L.P.

DNR honors Susan


Lackey of Chelsea

A look into EHD


in Michigan

Michigan Meanders...
Coming Home

Buck Mallory page 58

page 63

Holland, Michigan
A fishing smorgasbord
John Bergsma page 70

SUPER LINES
Dos and Don'ts

Mark Romanack page 74

016

$4.00

Woods-n-Water News

Kenny Darwin page 52

COVER PHOTO

Rick Fowler page 82

Illegal importation of
deer from states and
provinces with CWD

"67-57-47-37
Hook-Muskie-Hike"

George Rowe page 44

50 years of angling
proves Michigan &
Ohio can get along!

Heavenly Hoppers

Kids learn to enjoy


fishing at their own pace

FALL 'EYES
and perch, pike, browns

Capt. Fred Davis page 62

OUTDOOR NEWS

Dominic Turcott page 77

The slow down


lowdown for last
open-water

Mark Martin page 16

Boaters can help


support national security

Patterns for success

Patrick Bevier page 78

Robert Dock Stupp


page 23

Q&A
with a
Coyote
Expert

Jonathan Schechter
page 56

Public
Land
Strategies

Mark Sak page 76

Opportunities for
small game hunting

page 33

Protecting
Michigan Waters

page 68

Tom Lounsbury page 87

The Coast
Guard Auxiliary

Richard P. Smith page 100

2016 Southern
Michigan Buck Forecast
Kenny Darwin page 101

Letter...MDNR and
deer management
page 100

Trophy deer
management...
Michigan's future?

Ed Spinazzola page 106

GUNS/AMMO
Gun Chat...
Northfield Museum
Lee Arten page 50

Black Powder Hunting...


Adding a Mystery Bird
Dennis Neely page 80

DEPARTMENTS . . .

Sporting Collectibles
STRIKING GOLD

Trophy Page. . . . . . . . 99 Classifieds . . . . 115-116


Letters/Op-Ed . . . 100-103 Real Estate . . . . . 117-129

WHITETAILS

FALL EYES

and Perch, Pike, Browns...

Get Ready and Be Prepared For...

BUCK-TOBER

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

Tom Huggler page 49

U.P. moose
population increasing?

Roger Beukema page 92

Terry McBurney page 104


Chemical
Communication of

page 47

OPINIONS

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C IS C O

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10 D E E R H U N T IN G
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EARLY TEAL...HONKERS and WATERFOW


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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

NAME

If a hunting scene like this doesnt get your


heart pumping, check your pulse and call a doctor...

DUCKS GEESE
and

They just keep getting smarter!

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

T
8

he one thing I know for sure about waterfowl hunting is the birds arent getting
any dumber. Over the years Ive watched
some amazing technologies come to market aimed at helping duck and
goose hunters be more successful in the field.
A few years ago when spinning wing
motion decoys hit the market I was one
of the first media guys to get my hands
on these duck gadgets. I took my media
sample to Saskatchewan to hunt ducks
in the picked grain fields of the prairie
pothole region.
To say that spinning wing decoys worked would be an understatement. I remember commenting to my wife and
hunting partner Mari at the time that some states are
going to outlaw the use of spinning wing decoys
because they are too effective. In fact, some states
have outlawed the use of spinning wing decoys, but
ironically it hasnt been state legislation that has

softened the use of spinning wing decoys.


Avid hunters like myself have gradually come
to the conclusion that spinning wing decoys work,
but only to a degree. Early in the season or on nonpressured birds spinning wing decoys are
amazingly effective at attracting distant
waterfowl. Once these birds have experienced the spinning death up close and
personal a time or two, these products are
far less effective.
In places where hunting pressure is
exceptionally high like managed hunting
areas, I personally feel using a spinning
wing decoy is the kiss of death
and I dont mean to the birds. A
few years ago I had an unique
experience at the Fish Point Managed Waterfowl
Area in Michigans thumb.
I didnt arrive in time for the morning draw, so
I climbed up on the nature tower that overlooks the
refuge and some of the more popular hunting zones.
From that vantage point I could see half a dozen

By Mark Romanack

hunting parties with most using spinning wing decoys. As the birds came out of the refuge I could see
them lock onto the spinners immediately. Unfortunately the story doesnt end as well. Once those
birds got within 80 yards or so of hunting groups
using spinning wing decoys, those birds would start
to circle and eventually get nervous and leave.
I watched this distressing situation occur over
and over again. Im now of the opinion that spinners do a good job of attracting birds from a distance, but they are not always the best way to close
birds into shotgun range.

Intermediate Use

Not long after I witnessed birds shying away


from spinning wing decoys at Fish Point Wildlife
Area, I invested in remote controls that allow me
to turn my spinners on and off as desired and also
to set them up to run continuous or to run intermittently.

Smarter ducks and geese page 10

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

NOW

M7 will be turning heads


in the field as well as
the 3D Range with an
amazing draw cycle.
Deadly accurate and
vibration free. Without a
doubt, a killing machine!

Smarter ducks and geese


from page 8
Equipped with this gear I have the option of
running the spinners continuous when targeting
non-pressured birds. I can also just as easily turn
the spinners off when birds are locked on and approaching. Turning off the spinners and using calling to coax birds those final yards to the decoys has
proven to be a successful strategy.
It would not be accurate to say I close every
bird that approaches. However, using the spinners
to attract birds from a distance and then turning
them off when birds get close works more times
than not.

Multiple Spinners

If one spinner is good, then using two, three or


more must be that much better? The answer here
is both a resounding yes and no depending on how
much pressure the birds are seeing. Even in the
wilds and low hunting density of Saskatchewan
waterfowl are getting enough hunting pressure that
they dont always react positively to spinning wing
decoys.
Ive found that using multiple spinners is a
good strategy early in the morning when light levels are low enough that birds cant scrutinize your
decoy set up. I spread out my spinners throughout
the decoys so as to attract birds from as many directions as possible.
The first few groups of birds that lock onto my
set up typically work very well even with multiple
spinners running continuously. Eventually the light
levels get to a point that birds start to get stale on
the set up. When I notice the first birds starting to
get cautious, I start using the spinners only when
the birds are at a distance and turn them off when
the birds lock on for that first pass.

no need to set them a considerable distance upwind


in the decoy spread. The spinners are in turn placed
a little upwind in the pocket so incoming birds
arent getting too good a look at these obviously
less natural looking decoys.

A Better Hide

In addition to mixing spinners and more subtle


motion decoys, Im convinced that having a good
hide is critical to decoying waterfowl. The advent
of the layout style blind has revolutionized field
hunting, but many hunters still make the mistake of
not grassing their layout blinds adequately.
My rule of thumb is simple.... I dont want any
of the canvas material to show when field hunting. I
start by putting a layer of commercial grass such as
Killer Weed on my blinds to give a base of cover.
These grass products come in several different
colors and it helps to mix it up using two or three
different colors.
Grass products can be zip tied to the stubble
straps on the blind or stands of this grass can be
tied in place using a simple overhand knot. The
second step is to finish grassing the blinds using
natural material that matches the environment
perfectly.
When hunting in corn I use corn stubble, when
hunting in wheat I use wheat stubble, etc., to match
the habitat as closely as possible. Getting lazy and
not re-thatching blinds when moving from one
field type to another is a common mistake made by
waterfowl hunters.
To gather enough stubble I carry a couple lawn
rakes in my decoy trailer and collect the necessary thatch out away from where I plan to set my
decoys. Raking up thatch among or near the decoys
creates a stale looking rig that birds will spot and
avoid well before they get into shotgun range.
A couple more important points when hunting
in fields from layout blinds is to store all personal

gear inside the blind. I often see guys leaving their


gun cases and shooting bags outside the blind.
Leaving gear outside the blind is a rookie mistake
and an almost guarantee that birds wont close.
Its also mandatory to have everyone using a
layout blind wear a face mask or make-up to cut
face glare. White faces poking out of a layout blind
will bust birds as fast as sitting up and waving your
arms!
For water hunts Ive been using the MoMarsh
Invisi-Chair blinds for two seasons. Essentially a
blind built over a lawn chair, the Invisi-Chair blinds
are comfortable and more importantly they can be
thatched to provide complete overhead concealment. Again, its important to thatch using natural
materials so these blinds blend in perfectly.
Most of the time when hunting over water birds
come in high and have a good overhead view of
the decoys and blinds. These marsh chairs have
adjustable legs and duck feet so they sit nicely
on uneven and soft ground. When the birds are in
range, its a simple step to flip back the blind top
and enjoy a full range of shooting.
Compared to layout blinds that force the hunter
to shoot from a sitting position, these marsh chairs
offer the option of shooting sitting down or you can
stand and shoot.
MoMarsh also makes a an adjustable blind
ideal for retrievers that sets up above the water. The
dog is perfectly hidden from above and waits out
birds while staying high and dry.

Summing It Up

Waterfowl hunters have some amazing new


products and technologies that dramatically help
fool both ducks and geese into decoying. Using
these products with an eye towards caution and
realism is the best way to fool birds no matter how
wary they might be.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

More Subtle Motion

10

The motion that spinning wing decoys provide


is useful at getting the attention of distant birds.
Unfortunately, the closer those birds get the more
fake spinners start to look. The answer is to incorporate motion decoys that are more subtle in the
amount and type of motion they provide.
Many years ago I started using a product called
the Duck Magnet which is a Tyvek winged decoy
with a plastic head. The decoy sits atop a piece of
conduit and with a little wind the decoy swings and
the wings flap a little.
This concept has been improved upon dramatically over the years. Products like the Deadly
Decoy, the Sillo Socks Flapping Flyer and the
Ure-A-Duck are noteworthy products. The Deadly
Decoy and Sillo Socks are Tyvek products that
have motion with very little wind. The Ure-A-Duck
is a foam full body decoy with mylar wings that
flap in the slightest breeze.
The Ure-A-Duck mounts to a short length of
1/4 inch steel rod which in turn is placed into a
length of 1/2 inch conduit pounded into the ground.
This set up allows the decoy to bounce and spin
with the wind creating the amazing illusion of a
mallard about to pitch down into the decoys.
I find all of these more subtle motion style
decoys to be useful in closing birds. Certainly these
subtle motion deeks wont pull birds as far as spinners, but when used in combination with spinners,
the ability to pull birds and still close them is a
deadly one-two punch.
I set out two or three of these subtle motion decoys in the pocket where I want incoming birds to
land. Because these deeks are very realistic there is

Layout blinds are an awesome option for field hunting, but its critical to thatch the blinds using
natural material from the hunting area. In this case were hunting in a pea field in western Saskatchewan. Getting lazy and not re-thatching blinds when moving from field type to field type is a
rookie mistake that will cost you birds. Mark Romanack photos

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11

Cover Story -- Get Ready For...

BUCK-TOBER

rchery deer season is just around


the corner and soon you will
be in your stand waiting for a
shot. For many the October first
opener signals the beginning of
buck season and when the bucks
get rockin hordes of Michigan
archers refer to the season as
Buck-tober. After a long wait
they are fired up about the opportunity to finally go
afield in search of a dandy buck. But what about
you, are you fully prepared for the upcoming season? Here are some tips to make your 2016 Bucktober hunt a success.
Begin by getting out your archery gear and
taking practice shots. This is the ideal opportunity to check cables, strings, scope
mounts and make certain your archery
gear is ready for opening day.
Got broadheads? Is it time to replace
the silencers, cables, fletching on arrows and much more. How sturdy is your
treestand, is it time for a new one? Do ya
need a safety cable, binoculars, rainwear,
rubber boots, face cream or mask? Some
hunters are going bonkers
over Ozonics Scent Eliminator
Devices and action cameras
are all the rage for those interested in filming hunts. Is it time to upgrade from the
old faded camouflage clothing to new clothing or
footwear?
Michigan has a good mast crop this fall and you
can expect excellent opening day hunting if you set
up over acorns. The trick is to scout early, locate
oak trees covered with mast crop and find a location
where acorns cover the ground. Before you hang
your stand place a trail camera over likely deer hot
spots. If the camera captures no images of bucks
move it to another acorn grove and check it in a few
days. The idea is to use modern electronic trail cameras to capture images of bucks.

Savvy hunters use several scouting cameras


to locate deer and identify travel corridors. There
are several quality scouting cameras available and
my choice is the Stealth Cam which is easy to set
up, compact, photos are tagged with time, date and
moon phase and they take beautiful images. Most
sell for around $100 but I like the Stealth Cam
G45NG 14MP Trail Camera with video capability.
Dont overlook Cuddeback with second speed
and 20 megapixels or Cabelas Outfitter, Browning,
Bushnell and many more. The idea is to set up cameras and record images of bucks prior to deciding
where to hang your tree stand. Let the cameras do
the scouting for you without walking through your
deer hunting territory and stinking up the area and
blowing bucks over to the neighbors. Once
you have dandy bucks recorded make a
hit list and decide which bucks are ranked
at the top and which are shooters and how
many you prefer to pass.
You can put a trail camera just about
any place. Likely spots that draw bucks
include over mock scrapes, overlooking mineral licks, under apple trees, near
water sources, looking over food crops
and more. Todays archers use
electronics to locate, identify
and categorize bucks. In some
cases finding a surprise buck
that you did not know was in your hunting area can
ignite a flame under you that will get you organized
for Buck-tober very fast. Just seeing antlers can
provide the adrenalin rush to get you motivated.
Just when I thought there were no more bucks
in my hunting area a huge, wide 10-point shows.
What a shock to see his 20-inch wide spread with
tall brow tines that come together and form a
perfect diamond shape when he is looking directly
at you. One glimpse of the big buck got me fired
up. That night I had trouble sleeping because my
mind drifted to the sight of the huge deer. By noon
the next day I had all my archery gear in order and

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Kenny Darwin

12

I was shooting hell out of the bulls eye. Next, I


set out scouting cameras and began nightly tours
in an effort to get a glimpse of the beautiful rack. I
immediately got serious about preparing for hunting season and gathering intelligence about the boss
buck.
One of my favorite tricks is to sweeten the pie
by placing food close to sensitive scouting cameras. Not just any food but I gather fresh apples and
toss them in the area. Close to the apples I place a
homemade tube feeder filled with a special mix of
corn, deer pellets, sunflower seeds, bird seeds and
Kaydees bird mix that has a strong cherry odor.
Sometimes I use a few drops of cherry extract along
with food. Bucks go nuts over apples and the smell
of fresh cherries draws them for miles. The idea
is to get images of the bucks and gather reference
photos of deer in the area. In southern Michigan this
tactic is deadly under oak trees, along fields, corn
field edges, travel routes, watering holes and alfalfa
fields where bucks stage at night prior to rutting.
The idea is to inventory deer on your hunting grounds. Scouting with modern cameras will
provide visual images of animals where you are
hunting. You get a good idea how many doe and
fawn, young bucks and big bucks are available for
hunting. Modern cameras also capture images of
raccoon, coyote, bear and other animals in addition
to trespassers. Once you determine where a shooter
is located you hang a tree stand overlooking the hot
spot. Most savvy archers hang several stands so
they have hunting opportunities regardless of wind
direction. I hate hunting more than 25 feet off the
ground and most of my stands are not that high, although sometimes you have to get elevated to avoid
detection.
By hanging several stands you can switch locations depending on wind direction or when you
want to hunt a fresh location. Smart hunters dont
use the same sight over and over until deer stop
showing because they know they are being hunted.
Smart old bucks are experts at patterning hunters

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

days shorten and the bucks go bonkers. For many,


and avoiding locations that are hunted. Use a stand
Im a bit of a buck hunting junkie and learned
October switches to Buck-tober as heavy racked
only once or twice per week, although poundat a young age how to score on adult deer with
deer come out of the swamps, brush, standing corn
ing rain and cold weather can reduce human odor
impressive headgear. Now that Im a retired archer
and roam the countryside in search of a mate. Look
in areas you frequent. North American Whitetail
Ive turned into a complete bone collector. To me
for buck activity to increase in your area starting
interviewed successful buck hunters and discovered deer hunting is all about the rack, the bigger the
October 20 and the hunting will simply get better
that most trophy deer fall victim to hunters using
better and I go all out to scout year round, categountil gun opener.
a stand for the first time. Fact is the more human
rize bucks with photos and Im after critters come
Hey, guess Im saying have fun and enjoy
scent or human intrusion in a particular area the
October 24/7. But I must admit that October has
the opener but when the bucks get rockin in late
more deer detect your presence and avoid the loca- been a bit of a disappointment when it comes to
October spend more time on stand. The transition
tion.
harvesting trophy bucks. So, I dont take the openfrom October to Buck-tober is easy to identify by
Climber stands are a great way to slip into a
ing weekend too seriously and spend more time
the drastic increase in rubs, scrapes and buck sightbucks core area. Often you will spot a buck that
foolin around than on stand. But then the season
ings. As buck activity soars you will see them more
constantly is in a particular location, often slightly
quickly changes, days become shorter, crops are
out of range from your existing stand. By using
harvested, geese migrate and leaves begin to fall as frequently as they are moving more often, constantly licking their lips, fleming or scent checking
a climber you can quickly get down and move at
warm weather gives way to frosty mornings. Long
lightning speed, slip into the hot locations and amago I discovered that Michigan bucks increase their to see if does are receptive, and chasing does. This
bush unsuspecting whitetails. Arrowing a big buck
activity as late October arrives. All of a sudden pre- provides a narrow window of opportunity to score
often hinges on your mobility, ability to identify
rutting bucks go bonkers and soon chasing leads to on a buck of a lifetime as buck activity kicks into
travel routes, bedding sites, core areas and move
full blown tending as the rut swings into high gear. high gear. Many times peak activity follows a midwhere bucks live.
If I had to pick the best day in October to arrow October lull when bucks seem to disappear. But
the dead days of the month are quickly replaced by
October is a fantastic month for deer hunting.
a buck it would be Halloween, especially if the
buck activity that is impressive.
The woods are beautiful with brightly colored
moon is full. Actually what happens is the shortWhat about you? Do you have your gear ready
leaves that are fast changing color and falling to the ening of days, less sunlight impacts the pituitary
for the hunt? Do you understand white-tailed deer
forest floor. The odor of Michigans great outdoors
gland of deer and they become sexually active.
and their habits good enough to get quality scoutin fall is another appealing attribute that sharpens
Now you are talkin buck hunting time and you
ing camera photos? Do you understand the mating
your senses and brings out your hunter instincts.
greatly increase sightings and hunting success if
ritual of deer and are you shifting hunts to take
October is highlighted by rapidly changing weather you concentrate efforts in late October. You see
advantage of increased activity in late Buck-tober?
from warm sunny days to overcast skies, cold
the beautiful leaves and sunny weather of early
I hope so!n
rain and frosty mornings when bucks get frisky as
October give way to cold weather, leaves falling,
testosterone levels soar. What actually happens is
late October is highlighted with drastically changing weather from hot to cold with plenty of frost
and rain and daylight shortens. As daylight diminishes the amount of sunlight that passes through a
white-tailed deers eye diminishes which causes the
pituitary and pineal glands to kick out rut hormones
triggering does to go into heat and bucks go absolutely crazy. This is an ideal time to be on stand.
Most Michigan hunters join family and friends
for the October opener, which falls on a Saturday
this year. There are many rituals associated with
opening day. There will be campfires lighting the
skies the Friday night prior to opener as men clad
in camo celebrate Buck-tober. Many will share
hunting stories, fondle new hunting gear, discuss
hunting strategies, talk about bucks and antler size
and prepare for the hunt. Others will dance around
the fire, drink and and war hoop at the stars.
For many October is the beginning of hunting
season. They celebrate by dining on wild game,
fish or fowl, most eat venison steaks fried golden
brown in sweet onions. Smart hunters hit the rack
early and are fixing breakfast long before daylight.
Come dawn they are on stand, waiting to see their
first deer of the new hunting season.
With fond memories I recall opening day with
several Michigan Outdoor Writers including Fred
Trost, one time Michigan Outdoors TV Producer.
Fred needed a place to hunt and I set him in a stand
overlooking a rye field. Come daylight Fred used
a wooden longbow to put a Fred Bear two blade
broadhead through a spike buck but he got so excited he could not track the animal. While Fred was
the greatest at keeping an eye on how the DNR is
ripping off sportsmen he lacked hunting and fishing
skills. We slowly followed the blood trail through
a thick cedar swamp and eventually stumbled on
the dandy prize. It was Freds first buck and he
celebrated by frying back straps in real butter seasoned with garlic for everyone in camp. The meat
from the young deer was delicious and that night
we all congratulated Fred and a roaring campfire at
October is the month when shor tening days and diminished sunlight cause testosterone levels to
our camp lit up the northern Michigan sky as if to
soar in bucks and they travel far and wide in search of a receptive mate.
announce our hunting success.

13

Illegal impor tation of


deer from states and
provinces with CWD

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

14

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DEALER AT TENPOINTCROSSBOWS.COM

By Jeff Pendergraff

s the fall is approaching


and thousands of Michigans hunters are leaving
the state to hunt in other
states with the hopes of
landing a monster whitetail, mule deer, moose or elk.
Beware if that state or province has
had a deer, moose or elk test positive for chronic wasting disease you
cant bring it back into Michigan
without fully deboning the meat
from the carcass, antlers attached to
a skull cap must be cleaned of all
brain and muscle tissue along with
hides and upper canine teeth or you
can bring back a finished taxidermy
mount.
The following states and provinces have been detected with CWD
and therefore must not be brought
into Michigan without the above
steps being taken; Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
new York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah,
Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the provinces of
Alberta and Saskatchewan, have all
had animals that have tested positive.
This law has been in effect
for several years and some hunters have ignored it and there hasnt
been a big effort toward enforcing
it until Michigan had a deer that
tested positive for CWD.
The MDNR announced in May,
2015 that a CWD deer had been
found for the first time in a freeranging whitetail deer in Ingham
County. Since then there have been
several more deer that has tested
positive. A total of 5000 whitetail
deer have been tested and seven
have tested positive.
Core CWD Area- DMU 333
consists of Lansing, Meridian, Williamstown, Delhi, Alaiedon, and
Wheatfield townships in Ingham
County: Dewitt, Bath, Watertown,
Eagle, Westphalia, Riley, Olive and
Victor townships in Clinton County.
Woodhull Township in Shiawassee County: and Oneida and Delta
townships in Eaton County.
There is no feeding and baiting
of deer, unlimited antlerless deer licenses are available and discounted
40 percent for both residents and
non-residents. The early and late
antlerless season is open in those
above mentioned areas.
If a deer is taken within DMU
333 and will be stored or processed
within DMU 333, the hunter must
present the head or entire carcass
at a mandatory DNR check station
within 72 business hours of harvest.
If a deer is taken within DMU
333 and will be stored or processed
outside of DMU 333, the hunter
first must present the entire carcass

and submit the head at a mandatory


DNR check station within 72 business hours of harvest.
Road-kill deer can be picked
up with a salvage tag, the deer
head must be submitted for testing
according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. More
information can be found in the
DNRs 2016 Hunting and Trapping
Guide. Or visit mi.gov/cwd for
more information.
There is no treatment for animals once infected with CWD; it is
fatal to the animal in all cases.
The current scientific evidence suggests that CWD may be
transmitted both directly through
animal-to-animal contact, as well as
indirectly through a contaminated
environment.
Previous studies have shown
that CWD prions exist in the
saliva, urine, blood and feces of
infected cervids, according to the
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources.
Additionally, a study by the
University of Wisconsin suggests
that the CWD prions can remain
indefinitely in certain types of soil
and binding to soil dramatically increases the infectiousness of CWD
prions.
There is no evidence that CWD
presents any risk to non-cervids,
including humans, either through
contact with an infected animal or
from handling venison. To be on the
safe side all hunters should wear
plastic gloves when processing an
animal.
Last fall Conservation Officers
targeted hunters who were bringing
deer into the state from other states
without first deboning the meat
from the carcass, or the antlers or
cleaning all brain and muscle tissue
from the hide, upper canine teeth
or by having a finished taxidermy
mount.
There were six seizures of
harvested deer, five from the state
of Illinois and one from Wisconsin. Five Michigan residents were
charged with the illegal transportation of deer into Michigan. The
fines are up to $500 and up to 90
days in jail.
After spending all that money
on an out-of-state hunt and the
chance of fines and jail time, plus
the loss of the trophy it only makes
sense to follow the rules. You also
have the possibility of bringing
an infected CWD deer back into
Michigan.
Those deer were tested and then
incinerated at the DNR Wildlife
Disease Laboratory in East Lansing.
Author is Jeff Pendergraff, retired Captain from the Department
of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.n

No bighead or
silver carp detected
Michigans waters of the Great Lakes...

Results from eDNA testing conducted


by the USFWS and its partner agencies
throughout the Great Lakes basin can be
viewed at: www.fws.gov/midwest/fisheries/eDNA.html.
For more information on invasive carp,
visit Michigan.gov/invasives.n

Michigans Great Lakes waters continue


to be invasive carp free, as evidenced by
continual eDNA sampling that occurs on the
states major river systems. MDNR photo

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

he Michigan Department of
Natural Resources announced last
month that so far in 2016, no bighead and silver carp environmental DNA (eDNA) has been found
in Michigan waters.
The eDNA surveillance programa
collaborative effort between the Great
Lakes states and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS)samples high priority locations for the
presence of bighead and silver carp
genetic material.
Since 2013, the DNR has partnered with the USFWS to implement
a portion of the eDNA surveillance
program in major tributaries to all
the Great Lakes except Lake Superior, because it has been deemed
very low-risk for introduction. This
year, more than 2,445 samples will
be collected, bringing the total from
the last three years to approximately
7,200 water samples collected and
analyzed. The majority of samples
are taken from Lake Michigan tributaries such as the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Grand and Muskegon rivers.
Of the 2016 samples collected
and analyzed, The DNR is still waiting for results from the third and
final round of sampling in the St. Joseph, Grand, Kalamazoo, Muskegon,
Macatawa, Galien and Black rivers.
The final results are expected soon,
but all other samples analyzed have
come back negative at this point.
Along with our participation
in the eDNA surveillance program,
we continue to be diligent with early
detection efforts, such as conducting
fish population surveys, increasing awareness among anglers, and
maintaining an invasive carps reporting website for anglers to share any
suspicious catches or observations
that occur during their outings, said
Seth Herbst, the Fisheries Divisions
aquatic invasive species coordinator.
During the course of these sampling efforts, a single eDNA sample
tested positive for silver carp genetic
material in the Kalamazoo River in
2014. Based on further testing and
work on the river, it was unlikely
that the single detection out of 1,850
samples in 2014 was associated with
a live fish.
A more likely explanation for
that positive sample was a contamination source, such as visiting boaters or anglers from an area where
silver carp is already established,
said Nick Popoff, manager of the
DNRs Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs.

15

The slow down


lowdown for
last open-water

so this time of year


By Mark Martin Not
when forage is truly

o much is
printed about
fishing first
ice this time of year that I
just had to write about the
opposite end of the spectrum. That is, fishing this seasons last
open water. And this is a great time to
fish for walleyes as anglers have the
waterways to themselves, and, like the
bite of first ice, the few days before a
lake freezes can be some of the best
fishing er, catching of the year.
Best of all, the fish are positioned
so that you can catch em by boat or
while wading from shore.
But if you try casting the last open
water of the year, youll have to totally forgo your memories and fishing
techniques from when the water was
warmer and employ new tactics. No,
the baits and lures wont change, but
how you fish them will.
Youll need to fish ultra-slow, no
matter what.

a full-size meal. As a
friend of mine says about the Rapala
Original Minnow, If you caught a
7-inch perch, what would you do?
Youd throw it back and call it bait.
Nough said
But a Rapala Original Minnow
needs to be moving to keep it in the
strike zone; even though the lure
doesnt need to be reeled in fast to get
it to dive; at time this speed may be
too fast if the walleyes are in a lethargic mood; especially at night. This is
when I reach into my Plano tackle tote
for a Rapala Husky Jerk. Husky Jerks
are suspending lures that dont even
have to be moving to get hit. Well,
Kind of
Again using the larger-size size-14
Husky Jerk, which is 5-1/2 inches,
Ill cast, reel in a couple feet of line
quickly so as to get the lure to dive
a few feet and then, keeping the line
taut, let the lure sit motionless for
several seconds before twitching it.
So why fish so slowly?
At night, I may let the lure sit still for
It all boils down to the basics of
nearly a minute before giving a jerk.
freshwater fish biology: These species
And this time of year, even the
are cold-blooded creatures and their
twitches I give the lure are subtle. I
body temperature will be the same as dont snap the rod like when bass fishthe environment they swim in, And
ing in spring, rather, just lightly twitch
this time of year, the waters near
the rod tip in about a foot, and then
freezing and so, too, the bodies of the reel in the slack.
fish. Perhaps its not that fish dont
When fishing ether Rapala Origiwant to chase down bait, but more
nals or Husky Jerks, I like to use a
they physically cannot.
7-foot medium-action Fenwick spinIn perspective, however, is the
ning rod and a matching ABU Garcia
forage, which is also cold-blooded
spinning reel, spooled with 10-poundand cannot skitter away from danger
test Berkley FireLine. FireLine is
quickly, as well. Fish a lure or bait too the perfect line for casting stickbaits,
fast this time of year and it is wrong in especially suspending lures, as the
so many ways. In short: Fishing at a
line does not stretch, and, you can feel
creep is a must.
every strike. Youll even know when a
swirl and miss has occurred.
And this time of year, strikes can
One of the first things you may
be very subtle. Also, I attach the lure
take note of is that artificial lures
to the line via a small Berkley Crossdont have much action when fished
Lok snap, rather than snap-swivel, as
slowly. In my years of experience of
too much hardware will impede this
fishing open water this time of year,
type of lures action.
that doesnt seem to matter.
Take, for example, when I cast
a size-18 Rapala Original Minnow
In the days before ice up, more so
in shallow water (3 to 7 feet deep). I
as appending cold fronts are moving
reel the lure in so slowly; so much so in, it may take a vertical, dead-still
that it literally doesnt wiggle much
presentation with live bait to get wallat all; the lip just allows it to dive to
eyes to hit. If this is the case, nothing
just a few feet under the surface and
works better than a live shiner or chub
it comes in as steady as a vibrating
suspended just off bottom via a slip
stick. (This is not, by the way, how bobber.
they got their name stickbaits!)
The slip-bobber rigs about a noThe size-18 Original Minnow, at
brainer of a rig as any can be. I tie
seven inches long, imitates young-of- them up with a size-8 Daiichi Bleedthe-year fishes such as yellow perch,
ing Bait (red in color) Octopus Wide
as well full-grown shiners and chubs. hook, with split-shot pinch on about
Some may say the lures too large.
16 inches above the hook. This allows

At A Creep

Steady As She Goes

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

The Stand Off

16

Wrapped in cold-weather attire, the author, Mark Mar tin, holds a nice
walleye caught just before the lake froze up. Mark Mar tin photo
the minnow to swim freely and tantalize walleyes.
On the float end, I use Northlands
largest weighted Lite-Bite Slip Bobber (a 1-incher) and add just enough
split shots so that the line flows freely
through the slip bobber, even in icecold air temperatures. I also make
sure to get the weight just right so
that the float just barely stays above
water line. It may take a little doing,
but youll want to keep adjusting the
weight amounts to make sure theres
enough heaviness so that the float
stays above the surface, yet is easily
pulled under when a bite occurs.
The equipment I prefer for float
fishing is a 7-1/2- to 8-1/2 foot spinning rod and matching reel, spooled
with 8-pound-test Berkley Trilene
XL (extra limp). I then connected a
3-foot-long leader of 6-pound-test
Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon line by
a Berkley Ball Bearing Swivel. The
softness of XL as well the smaller di-

ameter of the light-weight test allows


the line to flow through the slip bobber easily, even when the air temperatures are below freezing.

Gestalt

Looking to catch walleye before


your favorite lake freezes up? Remember the low down about slowing
down. Reel in floating body baits at a
creep; give a light twitch to suspending body baits; create a standoff with
a slip bobber and minnow. All these
techniques will work wonders till
that last cast when you hear your lure
go tink as it bounces off the lakes
surface.
Mark Martin is a touring walleye
tournament pro, professional angler
and instructor with the Ice-Fishing
Vacation/School who lives in Michigans Southwest Lower Peninsula.
For more information, check out his
website at markmartins.net, as well
icefishingvacationschool.com.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

17

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18 THAT CAN MAKE YOUR VISION BECOME A REALITY!

Perseverance
is his #1 tool!

Weaver once sat for 31


straight days on stand, from
daylight to dark, for just
one shot opportunity

t was the third day of my hunt


before I finally saw one. A big ol
southern Illinois buck, that is. And
he certainly was worth the wait,
every last moment of it.
Right there not much more than
60 yards away from me stood one of
those legendary Illinois bucks. One
of the biggest bucks I had ever seen
in the wild.
He walked up out of a river bottom, his head held high, sporting a
massive polished rack. My breathing
quickened, my heart thumped, my
hands shook, my knees trembled.
Buck fever, of course.
I grunted to him, but he never
broke stride and never looked my
direction and never came close
enough to consider releasing an
arrow.
A real shooter, was about to
stroll out of my life as fast as he
entered it. And like that, and just that
fast, his rump vanished into the
treeline.

I grunted again, and once again.
But by now darkness had taken over.
Hed have to wait for another day.

most important.
Pay special attention to those two
areas, theyd
instruct.
Most in camp
were Michigan
born and bred
hunters. We all
know how proud
we are of our
hunting heritage.
But, Illinois is a
legendary and
popular destination spot for Michigan archers. Joe
gets the majority of his hunters from
Michigan, as well as his guides.
This isnt quite like hunting
Michigan deer though!
Now dont get me wrong,
Michigan has some great bucks and
outstanding hunting, we all know
that. Pope and Young bucks can be
and are bagged in Michigan, but the
odds are not the same as in southern
Illinois. They are allowed to mature
and feast on farm crops from mineral
rich land and have a genetic pool of
giant bucks.
Back In Camp...
There was one hunter from
It happens so fast, spot the
Vermont and another from Virginia.
buck, size him up, and prepare for a
All dedicated whitetail hunters. This
shot, or pass. All this in a matter of
was, after all, a place where bucks
seconds. It left me talking to myself, are bucks, a place where a Pope &
Should I have taken him? Nah, he
Young buck is unquestionably in the
wasnt 140. Or was he?
offering.
How do I know for sure, if he is Most of us were not used to tak140 or better? I asked Joe, our outing such a close look, I can tell you it
fitter from Illinois which I hunted
was hard to pass on some of those
with a few years ago.
bucks, and in Michigan, well,
When you see a 140 plus deer,
fletchins would have been flyin. But
youll know, Joe chuckled.
this was a trophy hunt, and making
It takes some experience to field sure the buck in front of you was in
the 140 class was your overall objecjudge a bucks rack on the hoof.
tive. Still, I had never seen so many
Experience myself and others in
camp didnt have. But experience we bucks ranging in class size from 110
to 130.
were getting. Its not like you can
whistle them back in for a closer look Joe has nearly 10,000 acres availif youre not certain.
able to his clients. All prime whitetail
The guides and the outfitter spent habitat in Greene County Illinois.
a great deal of time with us explainThe neighboring county to the west is
ing the difference between a 130 and the famed Pike County, known as
140 buck. Look for tine length, ant- one of the very best whitetail hunting
ler mass, and spread, they told us, as areas in the world.
they held up 125 and then 140 class
Hes # 1...
racks.
Mike Weaver, the archer from
Mass and main beam length are Virginia had little trouble field judg-

By Randy
Jorgensen

for my hunters. Its the opportunity


at a trophy of a lifetime hunters pay
for. And as you can see, the big
bucks are here, the question is, will
the hunter be in stand when the buck
comes by? says Joe.

day out. We call him Ironside


because he sits on stand all day, I
think Mike would be the first one to
tell you that, Joe went on to say.
Ill tell you how persistent he is
and how patient he is, he once sat in
stand, daylight to dark for 31 straight
days before he took the buck he was
looking for! That is perseverance,
Joe stated.

In Conclusion...

Sitting In Stand...
During the course of my hunt, I

saw three deer in the 140 plus category, two nearing the 150 class. I
was not fortunate enough to get a
shot. I had five or six bucks inside
twenty-yards of the stand, during my
five day hunt. And I believe a
shooter within range but moving
through the thickest of cover and not
presenting me with a killing shot.
Most of the stands Joe and his
guides set were 25 foot. Joe believes
the high stands are essential to keeping the scent from the bucks sensitive nose. He also encourages the
hunters to do everything in their
power to be as scent-free as possible,
showering with scent-free soap
before each hunt.
We want to limit as much
human exposure to these deer as we
can. Once they turn nocturnal we are
done. So even the smallest of details
must not be overlooked, comments
Joe.
Understand these are free rang-

Mike Weaver of Virginia has more


bucks listed in the Pope & Young
record book than anyone.
ing wild deer. They are more mature
than most deer we hunt in Michigan
so they are a few years smarter and
wiser. Success is far from a guarantee, you have to work very hard.
And under the best of conditions, 25
percent success rate is about all you
can ask when it comes to archery.
Joe also feels you can increase your
odds if you sit in stand all day.
We pride ourselves in putting
hunters in front of trophy deer. I
strive for 100 percent opportunity

It is one thing to see big bucks,


its another to get into range of big
bucks and its an altogether different
beast to make the killing shot.
Once the shot is made, Joe and
his guides will do everything in their
power to track the buck. One of the
hunters recovered his buck because
Joe and the guides did not give up.
They were relentless in tracking his
buck for a great distance, and over a
extended period, when most would
have given up hope, Joe pushed a
little harder.
I have never considered myself a
trophy hunter. Which is most likely
the reason I have never taken a true
trophy whitetail. Although, perhaps
Ive reached a stage in my hunting
where challenging the monarchs of
the woods is far more appealing to
me.
And although I didnt score on
one of those monsters, I feel the hunt
was a success. I learned a lot, saw a
lot of deer and came home with a
strong desire to go back! I also
gained whitetail knowledge I can use
and have used ever since here in
Michigan.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

ing the bucks. In fact, I showed him


a picture I had taken from 200 yards
of a nice buck. He studied it for a
couple minutes and said, Hed
score in the upper 140s.
Mike at the time had over thirty
years experience hunting and studying whitetail deer. Hes the real deal.
Mike has more Pope and Young
bucks in the record books than anyone else in North America. He is #1
on the all-time list, with nearly 50,
ahh, make that 50 because he shot
another Pope and Young buck the
day after I left and may have more
today.
Mike has gained quite a reputation throughout the hunting industry
as someone who knows how to put
monster bucks in front of his arrow.
In 1991 he became the first bow
hunter to take three Pope and Young
record deer in one week, and in 1992
he became the first bow hunter to
take five Pope and Young record
book bucks in one year. Mikes six
largest scoring deer made the prestigious 900 club, that is an average
150 P&Y score.
Mike knows a lot about deer,
how to field judge them, how to hunt
them, call them, scout them and just
about anything else you can think of,
but there is one thing Mike does better than anyone else. When he
hunts, his number one tool is his
perseverance, Joe told me.
Mike hunts all day, day in and

19

Weather can trigger wildlife diseases

any of us humans truly


enjoy the hot, dry weather of a warm Michigan
summer. For some wildlife, however, the prolonged heat and droughtlike conditions can spell trouble.
Given this summers hot and dry
weather in many parts of the state,
staff at the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources Wildlife Disease
Laboratory in Lansing has been looking at wildlife diseases affecting deer
and waterfowl. While continuing to
work hard to determine the extent of
chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
Michigans free-ranging deer herd,
laboratory staff has been anticipating
epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD)
and Type C and Type E botulism.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease
impacts white-tailed deer, while C and
E types of botulism affect waterfowl.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Michigan and EHD

20

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is


a sometimes-fatal disease that occurs
in wild ruminant mammalsthose
Michigan Depar tment of Natural Resources wildlife pathologist Tom
animals with more than one stomach
Cooley examines a deer for signs of disease. MDNR photos
compartment that swallow food and
loss of over 12,000 deer across 30
recovery occurs.
then retrieve it to continue chewingincluding white-tailed deer. The Michigan counties, where the disease
was confirmed by the disease labora- Comparison of Two Deer Diseases
disease is transmitted by a type of
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease
tory.
biting fly called a midge. There is no
is commonly confused with chronic
No cases of the disease were dievidence that humans can contract
agnosed in Michigan in wasting disease, which also occurs
the EHD virus. Infection
in white-tailed deer, along with other
2014 or 2015.
does not always result in
members of the Cervidae family,
Due to the prodisease. Signs of illness
including elk and moose.
longed,
dry,
hot
weather
shown by infected ani Unlike EHD, CWD is not asthis year, we would
mals are highly variable
sociated with weather conditions and
not be surprised to see
and range from none at
EHD emerge, said Tom transmission of CWD can occur yearall to extensive internal
round.
Cooley, DNR wildlife
bleeding and edema (fluid

Chronic wasting disease is a
biologist and patholoaccumulation) within the
neurological
(brain and nervous sysgist. Mortality numbers
deer.
tem)
disease
that
belongs to a family
depend on the strain of
Illness can come on
of
diseases
known
as transmissible
the
virus,
and
how
widesuddenly and severely
spongiform encephalopathies (TSE)
spread the disease is
and can linger for weeks
or prion diseases. The disease attacks
die-offs usually occur
or months in a low-grade
the brains of infected animals and
within one watershed
state. In severe forms
produces small lesions that result in
area. If multiple waof the disease, deer lose
Chad Stewart
death. CWD is always fatal. Contersheds are involved,
their appetite and fear
MDNR
Deer
Specialist
versely, EHD is not always fatal and
the total mortality is
of humans, grow prois transmitted by a midge.
higher.
gressively weaker and
Chronic wasting disease is spread

There
is
no
known
effective
salivate excessively, finally becoming
treatment for, or control of, epizootic through animal-to-animal contact, as
unconscious. Because of high fever
well as indirectly, through a contamihemorrhagic disease. EHD has been
and dehydration, infected deer often
nated environment. Previous studies
seek water to cool themselves off and exhibited for decades in many areas
have shown that CWD prions exist in
of the United States, especially the
to drink. Diseased deer are therefore
the saliva, urine, blood, and feces of
often found sick or dead along, or in, southeast, including Texas, and the
Great Plains. It has occurred less com- infected deer, and can remain indefibodies of water.
nitely in certain types of soil.
Deer deaths from EHD in Michi- monly in the Great Lakes and New
EHD cannot be spread through
England
states.
gan have occurred sporadically since
animal-to-animal contact or through a
Since the 2012 outbreak in
2006. Prior to 2006, EHD outbreaks
contaminated environment.
Michigan, DNR staff and collaborain Michigan occurred in 1955 and
1974. In these episodes, the estimated tors at Michigan State University have To date, there is no evidence that
chronic wasting disease presents any
mortality varied from 50 to 1,000 deer been conducting research to assess
risk to non-cervids, including humans,
per year in the isolated affected areas. the extent and impact of white-tailed
deer losses in those affected areas, and either through contact with an infected
In 2012, the largest white-tailed deer
animal or from handling venison.
measuring how fast deer population
die-off occurred with an estimated

However, as a precaution, the U.S.


Centers for Disease Control and the
World Health Organization recommend that infected animals not be
consumed as food by either humans or
domestic animals.
In the summer of 2015, CWD
was discovered in free-ranging deer
in Michigan. Since then, over 5,600
deer have been tested for the disease
with seven CWD-positive individuals
found.
Individual deer testing positive
for CWD have been found in Meridian Township in Ingham County,
Dewitt Township in Clinton County
and in Watertown Township, also in
Clinton County, said Chad Stewart,
DNR deer specialist.
The DNR encourages hunters to
submit deer heads for testing in the
upcoming deer hunting seasons. Test
results help the DNR determine the
extent of the disease, and hunter harvest also helps prevent the spread of
CWD by thinning the deer population
in affected areas.
Hunter support is vital in helping the DNR to combat this difficult
disease.
The deer hunting seasons are
our single best opportunity to collect
sufficient samples to understand the
extent of this invariably fatal disease,
Stewart said.
For extensive information about
CWD, visit the DNRs website.

Type C and Type E botulism


Botulism is a condition brought
on by ingesting a naturally occurring
toxin produced by Clostridium bacteria found in the bottom sediments of
water bodies. Outbreaks of botulism
can occur during periods of hot weather when water temperatures become
elevated and water levels decrease.
In Michigan, both types C and E
botulism are generally reported annually.
In 1941, Type C botulism was first
identified in Lake Erie marshes near
Monroe, while Type E botulism was
first diagnosed in Lake Michigan in
1963 and involved the shoreline from
the Indiana border north to Leelanau
County.
Outbreaks have continued to occur in ducks and shorebirds whenever
conditions are favorable, with many
reports of the disease along both
coasts of the Lower Peninsula and on
many inland lakes.
Typically, Type E occurs in
fish-eating (diving) birds in the open
waters of the Great Lakes, while Type
C botulism occurs in dabbling (non-

Weather and diseases page 22

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Dryden, MI 48428
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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

www.rosybrosinc.com

21

Weather and diseases:


from page 20
diving) ducks in shallow water.
Within the last two months, the
DNR has diagnosed Type C botulism
in wild waterfowl at several locations
in Wayne and Oakland counties, and
along the East Arm of Grand Traverse
Bay in Grand Traverse County.
This isnt rare, Cooley said.

Michigan Depar tment of Natural


Resources Wildlife Disease Laboratory technician Julie Melotti takes
tissue samples from deer to test
them for chronic wasting disease.

Fortunately, Type C botulism is


not an immediate risk to humans,
although pets, including dogs, could
acquire the toxin if they were to eat a
dead bird. When near the water, its
best to keep your dog on a leash.

Providing Assistance
Property owners, hunters, anglers
or others who discover dead deer or
waterfowl should report the animal
online at the DNRs Diseased Wildlife Reporting webpage or call the
closest DNR customer service center.
Citizen reports really help us
to ascertain the scope of diseased
wildlife throughout the state, so we
appreciate any and all feedback about
wildlife diseases, Cooley said.
For deer that have died from
epizootic hemorrhagic disease, it is
acceptable to allow natural decomposition to dispose of the deer. This
will not spread the disease or cause
other disease outbreaks, as EHD can
only be spread by the bite of a midge.
Property owners are responsible for
the proper disposal of deer carcasses
they want removed from their land.
Carcasses can be buried at a sufficient
depth so that body parts are not show-

Deer that are exposed to the EHD virus, but do not die from the illness,
may show growth interruptions on the hooves and sometimes peeling of
hoof walls.
ing, or disposed of in landfills that
accept household solid waste.
Once botulism has been confirmed at a site, additional waterfowl
that are found dead should be reported and then disposed of.
Its important for us to stop
the cycle of botulism once it starts,
Cooley said. Any dead birds that are
on the shoreline need to be picked up
and disposed of properly. We dont
want other animals feeding on the
carcasses.
When handling dead wildlife, the
use of rubber gloves is recommended.

Dead birds should be double bagged


and disposed of in normal garbage
pickup destined for a landfill, or buried deeply enough that they cant be
easily dug up.
In addition, food should not be
placed out for waterfowl or other
birds in these areas where dead birds
have been found. Congregating birds
in areas where botulism has been
located may cause more birds to pick
up the bacteria and become sick.
For more information about botulism or EHD, see the Michigan DNR
Wildlife Disease Manual.n

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6757-47-37
Hook-Muskie-Hike
6757-47-37
Muskie-Go Long-Hike!
ep! I still get the yipees
and hollers when the NFL
season starts. Frosty mornings and football games and
hungry muskies become the
predominant thoughts on
my Fishbrain mind.
Its an October Sunday! We muskie
fish in the morning only and get home
in time for the game. Whether you
are a Detroit Lion fan or a Green Bay
Packer fan, autumn is an exciting time
of year. Michigans stunning autumn
coloramas are the backdrops for
touchdowns and muskie strikes.
The numbers in the title? Well,
they are water temperatures. Any
resemblance to the signal calling by
Aaron Rogers or Mathew Stafford is
purely coincidental.
The temps correspond to the four
periods we will be discussing for the
fall muskie season. By keeping an
eye on weather conditions during the
months of September, October, and
into November and paying close attention to the changing water conditions on your favorite muskie lakes
and rivers, you will become a better,
more successful muskie angler.

Predictability

Why do some muskie fishermen


catch more muskies in the fall and all
year, really? Well, here it is, folks!
Preparation and observation of weather patterns and water temperature.
Earlier in my muskie fishing career, I thought, The predictability of
muskie fishing is the fact that muskies
are unpredictable. Now, however, I
beg to differ with myself. By using
water temps somewhat like a compass, an angler will know where and
how he should be fishing. And, even
though muskies, especially female
muskies, have no way of knowing it,
their instinct tells them they need to
feed. The females, of course, need to
maintain and nourish their eggs to get
through winter.

67 Degrees Equals
The Fall Transition Period
The fall transition starts when the
water temperature drops to 67-degrees. This is an average temp and a
range from 69 to 56- degrees should
be monitored. Dont worry. The
muskies will tell you. Just be on the

water!
A muskies autumn clock starts a
migration towards shallow locations
in 6-feet of water or less. It is my
favorite time for muskie hunting because all the muskies in a given body
of water seem to sense that turnover
is just around the corner. Its binge
time, folks, and fresh, big muskies
will be arriving every day.
So, make hay while the sun
shines, all you muskie hunters, and be
aware of the first cold front and cooler
evenings; youll probably be able to
predict that muskies will drop out of
shallow water and search for cooler,
more comfortable conditions.
Yes, also make a mental note that
an anglers nemesis turnover -- is
lurking in the shadows and, unfortunately, turnover may happen several
times a year a real bummer for esox
Masquinongy anglers.

Lures For This Period

Big bucktails like Cowgirls with


double mag, ten-inch blades that really flash, like a night in Las Vegas.
Add the super vibration factor of these
spinning blades and youve got yourself good vibrations. (Remember
that song?) And armed with a generous, sparkly flashabou skirt, you are
now throwing one of the most successful muskie baits of all time.
I have discussed spinnerbaits quite
extensively so you know how dominate they can be. Ruff Tackle Deep 10
Rad Dog, Shumway Funky Chicken
Spinnerbait, and Lindy MAG are all
big fish baits.
Surface baits, to me, included
ReefHogs Phantoms, weighted
Suicks, and Poes Giant Jackpot Topwater baits like Topraiders and River
2 Sea 190 Whopper Plopper rule.

This 47-inch muskie was caught with water temperature at or near


47-degrees. The number 47 is indeed my lucky number. I was alone,
netted it and three friendly, walleye fishermen took this photo for me.

to do a little trolling to cover lots of


water. Another option would be to
soak a sucker with a quick-set rig like
a Smity quick-set rig (best that I have
used).
It is definitely time to really work
your crankbaits. Work them hard and
get them to give the illusion of an erNow we have a real challenge.
ratic, wounded baitfish. Also, use any
Patience is a must in these condibait that you can crank down and then
tions. Muskies will be seen in the
let rise slooowly. Bam Muskie on!
6- to 15-fot range. Actual turnover is
Use a variety of baits until the
now happening; the warmer surface
muskies tell you what they want. Use
drops while the colder bottom water
rises and we have, well, cloudy, messy Bulldawgs and other plastic baits,
especially paddle tails.
water conditions. We will see weeds
Finally, this tough time should
dying and the fishing, well, it sucks!
make you very aware and go lake
For a while.
hoppin. As I have discussed many
Youll be in a wee bit of a quandary of what to do so you might want times, the smaller lakes will turn over

57-Degrees-Fall Nemesis
Actual Turnover

first so hit the bigger lakes first. When


the bigger lakes turn over, go back to
the smaller ones.
One thing we do in the U.P. area
is to fish larger river system like
the Brule River and the Paint Pond
systems. The water is coffee-stained
and muskies are less wary. I have
seen muskies hit my chartreuse-black
dotted SwimWhizz, miss it and come
back again and whack it. Even more
interesting is how determined or
crazy, I dont know which how river
muskies will strike my sucker rig, get
loose, and whack it again. You gotta
love that! We usually hook em good
the second time.

Fall muskies page 24

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Robert Dock Stupp

23

Fall muskies :
from page 23
During this fall turnover period of
around 57-degrees, a smart choice is
to downsize your lures to 7 or 8-inches or smaller. On Big Lake Of The
Woods, for example, I came back to
the dock with a total of five muskies
in one hectic morning. Next day, the
while camp downsized. My 8-inch
ReefHog was scarred to the max.

47-Magical Degrees
Fall Trophy Time

I always have used one number


like 47 degrees, even though I know
that a range of temperature like 45 to
52 degrees would probably be more
accurate, if I could remember it. Let
me just say that 47 degrees is my
lucky number and I have caught more
fall 47-inch muskies than most of my
Yooper pals. Just sayin! Watch for
#47!
Yep, first muskies are shallow in
the fall, then many of them move out
to deeper transitional areas and, lo
and behold, in they come once again.
What a game of cat and mouse we
anglers have. And ouch! It hurts to

think too much!


Around 47-degrees, my experience tells me that not only do
muskies feed with reckless abandon,
but they are also in an energy conservation process. They are well aware
of nearby baitfish schools and whitefish and ciscos (because they focus on
fish with a high fatty content with
protein) and suckers (your pet one
on a leash). It has been a theory of
mine that trophy muskies, if given
a choice, would rather eat a bigger
fish than spend useless time chasing
smaller fish in schools. Its the energy
conserving thing again. And that, my
friends, leads me to the next subject.
In these colder conditions with
muskies being in this energy conserving mode, it is logical to sloooow
down your reel retrieve. Not that my
adrenalin is sky high or my metabolism has got me two inches off
the boat floor, but I actually have a
tendency to reel my baits like a madman. I have to remind myself to slow
down.

37-Degrees
Deeper Yet
Slow And Methodical

Muskies will be deep in most


lakes so when I spot them on my

The authors favorite lures for the fall.


locator, I drop a sucker or troll
over them. However, I know of two
river systems where I can catch them
shallow, like 6 to 10 feet. Sooner
or later Ill catch a big 47-incher. I
knew it!
Watch for hard bottom/soft bottom areas on your locator as these areas become travel routes. Dress warm
and fish only a few good spots a day.
Troll and cast to keep warm and nail
one. Be methodical and cast your

Rob Shalvis

lures towards your soaking sucker.


If you run into ciscos, fish the
heck out of the area.
Most of all have fun and watch
those water temps; muskies are
predictable in the fall. I use a chart
and check. I hear it 67-57-47-37Muskie-Go Long-Hike! Ooops! The
game starts in 30-minutes. Lets mark
this spot and get some lunchmeat.
I guess our muskie crew is pretty
predictable too!n

STNLLC2012@GMAIL.COM

Shalvis Taxidermy North


ARMADA
3rd Generation
FULL TIME Taxidermist

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

with 38 Years Experience


(over 6000+ Whitetail Mounts)

24

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Dont waste

OCTOBER

As fall approached last year,


I reminded myself Dont
waste October. For a hunter
there is no other month with
the unlimited possibilities of
October. Oh how I wish it
lasted longer, but the magic
lasts only 31 days...

etween Septembers heat and


mosquitoes and
Novembers cold,
dark days, lies the
wonderful month
of October. In
October, the stifling summer
heat is gone, yet winters
bone chilling temperatures
havent arrived yet. It starts
with green forests
turning to bright red
and yellow, then to

gold and bronze. It ends with bare


tree branches and maybe a light tracking snow. The earthy smell of damp,
fallen leaves seems intoxicating. At
daylight, the fallen leaves might be
covered with the first frost, but by
afternoon the sun might be shining
from a crystal clear, blue sky to warm
the world.
During October whitetail bucks
go from being buddies traveling in
bachelor groups, to rivals, who pin
back their ears and glare at their old
friends. Its bowhunting season. Im
a bowhunter; have been for years. For
me traditional bowhunting
is a year-round thing. I love
the history of it and the old
school skills and woodsmanship needed to be proficient
with simple archery equipment. I enjoy the regular
practice sessions which
are needed to develop the
strength and hand-eye
coordination for consistent shooting with a

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Darryl Quidort

The results of a sunny afternoon spent in the hardwoods with a small

26 bore flintlock rifle. Author photos

The author got this little buck with a handmade longbow and wooden
arrow in early October.
longbow or recurve bow. I especially
love bowhunting during those golden
days of October.
Im not a trophy hunter. Oh sure,
I like big bucks, and Ive taken a few,
but since I make and hunt with much
of my own archery gear, and I love the
taste of venison, well, Im just a bowhunter. I count any buck taken with
my simple gear as a trophy.
Bow hunting is not easy though.
Last fall Id been on several hunts
without seeing a deer within range or
without even seeing a deer. Then, as
the sun rose one October morning,
two whitetail bucks were making their
way along a deer trail that passed 15
paces in front of the big maple tree my
stand was in. I turned my feet on the
stand, raised my handmade bamboo
backed Osage longbow, and silently
watched and waited. The deer were
taking their own sweet time as they
fed along, relaxed yet alert. Then, for
no reason that I could see, the bigger
of the two bucks turned 90 degrees
and walked straight away from me,
feeding as he went. The smaller buck
stood and watched him leave before
continuing on toward me. Just as he
was nearing my proficient shooting
distance, he veered off the trail on
an angle that would take him behind
me, and downwind of me. Before
he could catch my scent, I twisted
to my left and pulled the bow to full
draw. The solid anchor at the corner
of my mouth was as familiar as an
old friend. I knew the shot was good
as soon as I let the arrow go. The
cedar shaft sailed cleanly through his
ribs and the hand sharpened Zwicky
broadhead did its job well. Two or
three crashes into the thicket behind
me were all I heard. I knew he was
down for good. I quietly sat down,
pulled a small thermos from my pack,
and poured myself a cup of coffee. It

felt good to sit there and enjoy a half


hour of Octobers beautiful morning
sunshine. After giving the buck time
for a dignified death, I climbed down
to take care of my venison.
As much as I love bowhunting,
however, there have been years where
I developed tunnel vision. I put too
much emphasis on bowhunting and
before I realized it, October was gone.
I had been in a self-imposed rut and
had missed some of the magic. I
missed walking the open woods and
fields, bird hunting like I did as a kid.
I missed the joy an accurate squirrel
rifle can bring to a sunny afternoon
spent in the hardwoods. I had put too
much time into getting that one good
shot that ends a successful deer hunt
and missed the continuing action and
successes of small game hunting. I
vowed not to miss October again. I
was going to do all of the above.
My grandson, Chance, and I went
pheasant hunting one day in early October. With the shortage of wild birds
now-a-days about the only place to
work a bird dog is at a pheasant hunting preserve. Although the weather
was too warm, our old Chocolate Lab,
Hershey, showed a lot of heart and
did a great job for us. Chance was
shooting his Browning 12 gauge and,
just for fun, I carried my grandfathers
ancient 10 gauge double barrel. I had
carefully hand loaded the brass shell
casings with black powder and #6
shot. The pheasants at Janks Pheasant Farm are good runners and strong
flyers. I remember that first rooster
cackling as he got airborne into a clear
blue sky. The old 10 gauge let out a
bellow and a great cloud of smoke.
The rooster folded in mid-air. Hershey grabbed the bird as soon as it hit
the ground, then dropped it, looked at

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Dont waste October:


from page 26

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

me, and refused to retrieve it. Dumb


dog never retrieved a bird all day.
(Grin) But he did flush eight pheasants out of the thick cover for us, and
we got six of them. That was a great
day of good dog work, good shooting, and good companions; granddad
and grandson.
I hadnt hunted for grouse in
years, but I made an effort to get out
a few times last fall. I walked some
state ground, where I used to hunt,
carrying a 16 gauge single shot that
my dad bought for me when I was a
kid. The gun was used when I got it
and the initials CH and year 1935 are
wood burned under the forearm. I
dont know who CH was or how he
did with it but Ive taken a truckload
of small game with that old hammer
gun. My first time out there were still
leaves on the trees and low brush,
making visibility poor. I flushed
a grouse right away. Didnt see it
though, too many leaves. Same for

28

the next one. And the next. In three


hours of busting brush I flushed eight
grouse, but only caught a glimpse of a
couple of them. The birds would run
ahead of me and fly out from behind
brush where I couldnt see them. I
saw the next one as it ran for the far
side of an alder clump to make its
escape. I blasted it just before it got
airborne. (Grins again) Yea, I know,
purists would shame me for shooting
a Roughed Grouse on the ground, but
I just laughed. That was too much
fun to feel ashamed. I did claim
some honest grouse on other hunts,
but that first one still makes me smile.
October is the best month for
squirrel hunting. Between acorns
dropping and corn available from
harvested cornfields it seems squirrels everywhere are busy gathering
a winters supply of food. Many are
active on the ground where shots can
safely be taken with a small bore rifle.
For the past few years my favorite

squirrel rifle has been a little .40


caliber flintlock. My Southern style
rifle has a 42 inch octagon barrel and
weighs in at about 8 pounds. From a
rest it will put several patched round
balls through one ragged hole in a 25
yard target. That type of accuracy is
needed to make consistent head shots
on squirrels. The .40 caliber can
ruin some meat with body shots, and
squirrel meat is delicious. I do hate
to skin the little buggers though, they
have tough skin.
I like squirrel hunting because
Im actively hunting, ghosting quietly
through the woods, keeping in the
shadows, and using trees for cover.
When a squirrel is spotted, foraging on the ground, I start my stalk.
Most shots are taken offhand at fairly
close range. I aim for the eye, but
sometimes I miss and hit em in the
head. (Smiley face goes here) Actually a squirrel head is a challenging
target and Ive missed my share of
shots.
There are a lot of black squirrels
in my area and they are a challenge to
hunt. It seems they never sit still, like
a fox squirrel, but are always moving
through the woods. Last fall I found

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stalking from tree to tree trying to
catch up to the busy animals. More
than once I closed to within good
shooting range only to have them
quickly move off without giving me a
good shot opportunity. Using a flintlock rifle gives me only one chance
for a shot, so I try to make it count. I
managed to make several good stalks
though, and ended up taking two
black squirrels with only three shots.
I consider that a very successful hunt.
To me, squirrel hunting is more about
the hunting than the killing of a lot of
squirrels anyway.
The pages of my memory are
filled with past hunts enjoyed during the wonderful month of October.
Some were successful in taking game.
Others, where no game was taken,
were enjoyable in many other ways.
This fall, I plan to get out and enjoy
it to the fullest because before I know
it another October will be gone, and
it will be a full year before it comes
around again.
Dont waste October.n

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29

The Year

Part I...By Adam Lewis

would look like as they stepped into


one of my shooting lanes. A few hunts
in, however, my excitement turned
to disappointment, with these two
bucks being no-shows. They were
only appearing late at night, even in a
relatively isolated hay field. Maybe it
wasnt as isolated and un-pressured as
I thought?
I had worked tirelessly for three
years calling and knocking on hundreds of doors, only to get a handful
of yesses. This was a great property
and I had worked to build my relationship with the landowners (helping
clean the house, rake the yard, mowTrail cameras were showing 3-4
ing, fixing clocks, sitting and chewnice shooters that looked like Goliaths ing the fat about Ohio and Michigan
in velvet to my Michigan eyes. Id
football). They were a very nice older
grown up on Michigan-sized bucks,
couple sitting on 100 acres, who just
but had been hunting Ohio for about 4 wanted to see other people enjoy and
years now and still hadnt grown used use their land. They even insisted I
to seeing bucks over 120 inches on
stay in their finished basement includa regular basis. I was glad I still got
ing a kitchen, several beds, a shower,
excited by them, and hadnt been cal- and that I play euchre with them at
loused by TV shows or snobby views night. This truly was the jackpot you
of some hunting circles. However, I
read about, but with one exception:
will admit that the split brow buck fre- they were nice to everybody.
quenting the mineral lick and another
How many others had been scouttall rack buck with two kickers were
ing and clearing shooting lanes this
high on my hit list.
summer?
th
I didnt know, but the opener did
end
successfully as I took a nice doe
Finally the day came and I made
on
another
property, and was able to
the five hour drive across the statetest
a
new
hunting
product and film
line for opening weekend, all the
it
all
at
the
same
time.
Check box - a
while envisioning what those bucks
his was going to be the year.
Id learned valuable lessons the last two seasons, by
missing my biggest buck ever
(due to thinking I could guess
yardage in an open field accurately), and then by arrowing a nice
ten-point last year. These encounters
had helped me figure out the Ohio
property I was hunting, and how big
bucks used it. Yes, this was shaping
up to be the year of my largest buck
ever, I just knew it, or at least thought
I did.
th

August 17

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

September 25 - Trip 1

The author finally laid his eyes on the ghost buck, but not the way he
had hoped. Author photos
good start to the season. Before leaving I hung several trail cameras at the
100 acre piece, on travel corridors I
knew bucks would start cruising in
late October, which would be my next
visit. I now set my sights on notching
my buck tag with an Ohio bruiser.
th

October 30 - Trip 2

I checked a trail camera on a main


two track that connected to the neighbors property and got the answer to
my question from the last trip. Multiple pictures of four-wheelers, squirrel
hunters, and a guy on a gator revealed
pressure from neighbors and people I
didnt even know about. My private
piece of heaven was looking more like
a public land playground. Scrapes and
rubs I had seen showing up like crazy
at this time years prior, were few and
far between, as well. This would take
some work. I scoured the 100 acres
of hills, briars, and mature woods to
see where most the activity was, and
found the hub: a bench on the twotrack half way up a brushy hillside,
and partway between a hay field and a
bedding area off the property. Several
big scrapes were getting hit every
night, by what looked by several
bucks, and there was one very big
track sunk deep into the dirt. Quickly,
I found a tree and brushed it out for
a stand. By the time I left that short
weekend, I had only seen a couple
small bucks, but had captured several
blurry trail cam pictures (due to rainy,
steamy nights) of what looked like the
big-hoofed buck, what I named the
ghost buck.
th

November 6 - Trip 3, 9 p.m.

Just two days before the authors planned rut hunt, the ghost buck

30 makes a daylight appearance at his stand.

This is what I had waited all year


for. Id taken three days off work just
for one long weekend of what I hoped
would be the peak activity of the rut.
Everything was in place, and with the
ghost bucks pattern established the
previous week, it was a prime time to
catch him in daylight possibly tailing
a doe or checking those scrapes. I got

in late Friday night and checked into


my hotel (the landowners house).
They said a couple other out of state
hunters had been there during the
week, but they would be leaving the
next day. Hopefully Id have the place
all to myself the rest of the long weekend, and hopefully theyd be the best
few days hunting of my entire year!
th

November 7 - 4 a.m.

Morning came early, but I didnt


care as I prepped for the full day out.
I decided to go to a different stand
in the morning, on a ridge crossing
where does come from the bottom
fields and head up to a knob bedding
area. The year before I had shot my
ten point following a doe doing just
that, and hoped to find that same luck
again.

6:45 a.m.

As the first light crept in, I heard


it behind me. Crunching in the leaves,
and then a flashlight, headed right
toward me. Great, a neighbor or one
of the out of state hunters were moving in on me. I watched as they came
closer and closer, wondering if they
were coming to my stand, which was
one of the community stands on the
property. About 100 yards behind me
I saw him cut into the briars and head
down into the valley about 60 yards.
Perfect, another guy was within 150
yards of me! Well maybe he wasnt
that close, maybe he headed down
the steep thick valley further. Wishful
thinking.

7:45 a.m.

The sound of rattling antlers and


aggressive grunting jarred me to attention, as I realized the other hunter
hadnt moved down the valley very
far. Disappointing to say the least
and I had hoped to have the property
to myself, not someone in my back
pocket. For some, this wouldve been

The Year page 32

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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31

The Year
from page 30
enough to get down and change spots
or quit for the morning. I had faith in
the spot enough though to think one
might show up or be drawn to the
black rack musical going on behind
me. I decided to hang tight, and was
glad I did.

8 a.m.

Something caught my eye down


the hill to my left and behind me.
One deer, then another deer, and lots
of antler! A doe was heading right
toward me on a trot, followed by a
mass of antler, more than I had ever
seen in the woods. This was happening fast, and with a camera (I
self-film) theres never enough time
it seems. In excitement, and haste,
I quickly swung my camera arm
around and grabbed my bow. The doe
and her parade, now at least one more
buck visible, stopped abruptly as the
doe looked my way. Had she seen
me? I noticed earlier another hunter
had been using the stand (leaving a
scent wick in a nearby tree).
Had he educated this doe to the
stand location earlier in the week?
She stared alertly in my direction and I froze as the buck circled
and wandered back down the hill. I
could see his rack from the back. It
was wide, well beyond his ears, very
heavy, and had at least 8 tall thick
tines. A shooter for sure. This was the
kind of deer I had waited and prepared for all year. The doe just had to

lead him up here where she wanted


to go, but she just stood staring as the
procession of several bucks milled
around waiting for her next move.
For what seemed like hours the
two of us had a staring contest over
the 80 yards that separated us. Had
I fooled her senses enough that her
initial instinct to come over the hill in
front of my stand would win? I found
out the answer quickly. In a moment
of dismay, mine, she changed course
and began to move across the ridge
50 yards behind me followed quickly
by the bucks. This was not good.
Could a grunt get the buck to veer my
way enough for a shot? In desperation
I grunted, then grunted again, and
then grunted like some sort of mutant
buck from Mars. Nothing, he acted as
if he did not hear it. The doe picked
up speed and so did the bucks. I dont
recall, but Im sure I whimpered a bit
from pain and disbelief in that moment. So close, and the worse thing
was, they were headed right down the
valley toward the other hunter.
As the entourage of deer quickly
moved down the valley and out of
sight, I waited, and listened. Then I
heard it. A voice of some sort, then a
twang and dull whack. This had
just gone from bad to worse. Without another hunter right behind me,
there would have been a chance that
doe would have led the buck by me
later in the day, or maybe tomorrow.
But Id been around long enough to
know the sound of an arrow hitting
the semi-hollow body of a deer. My
heart sank, and I felt sick. I sputtered
for a while and talked into my camera

trying to convey the incredible circumstances that had just played out.
What a morning, so close, the biggest
buck of my life, and I had potentially screwed it up. If that wasnt
bad enough, I had front row seat to
witnessing that buck shot by another
hunter. What a way to start out the
rut!

11 a.m.

After some deliberation, I gathered my wits, and headed down the


tree. I had not heard any commotion
after the shot as I expected, or a four
wheeler come from the neighbors or
anything really. Maybe he had missed
the buck, or hit a tree, or the ground.
My hopes began to rise a bit, and I
still had my best spot to hunt, the spot
where the big ghost buck was showing up, that is, if he was still alive.

11:20 a.m.

The trail camera on the big


scrapes showed very good sign. A big
buck, probably the ghost buck, had
been there in the daylight two days
prior. The scrapes were still active,
and if I put in a little time, maybe
even just one sit, it would pay off. I
quietly set up my stand in the tree I
had prepared the week before, and
it was midday by the time I headed
back to the hotel to wash off the
sweat and stink (it had warmed up a
bit), shoot my bow, and head back out
for the first evening rut hunt.

12 p.m.

As I walked down the hill I kept


wondering about the other hunter,
and if he got the big buck or not.
I knew there was more than one

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shooter around, and felt excitement


start rising again, like going up the
second hill on a roller coaster. Little
did I know, I was about to drop off
the second hill, and this one was taller
than the first. As I snaked my way
out the trail toward the house, I saw a
truck parked up on the two-track, and
then my eyes fixed on the bed of the
truck. Punch in the gut number two.
A large, white rack stuck high above
the side of the truck. Guess they got
him. He was a perfect, heavy, wide
ten point, probably 140 inches, with
a lot of mass. No one was around,
so I observed the fine buck for a few
minutes, feeling conflicted. I knew I
should be happy for the other guys,
and did as much as a man can, but as
I looked in awe at the buck I couldnt
help but feel a slight bit jealous and
frustrated. Could this day get any
worse? I shouldnt have asked that,
because it was just then that punch
in the gut 3 hit. This buck looked
familiar. Could it be? I pulled out the
recent trail camera photos and compared. This buck looked a lot like the
ghost buck, an awful lot!

1 p.m.

I didnt want to believe it, but as


I got ready for the afternoon hunt I
went through the grieving process
and got to the acceptance stage.
The only buck I had tabs on, that I
had worked for weeks to set up on
was dead. On top of that, this was the
buck I thought had been headed right
toward me, and the doe he followed
had led him just out of range. He also
was shot within observing distance of
me just to rub a little salt in my fresh
wounds, and this was only the first afternoon of the first day! As I finished
getting ready, I noticed two guys
walking up the drive. These must be
the guys who got the buck. I figured
Id congratulate them, get the killer
story, and then head out. I guess it
would be therapeutic to talk about it.
Hows it going? I said as the
two guys got closer. I received a
response I did not expect. Oh not
great, shot a big buck this morning and couldnt find him. Tracked
him two miles and ran out of blood.
Looked like a heart shot, so I dont
know what happened. I was surprised, and mentioned the big ten
point in the back of their truck. Turns
out, the other hunter shot that buck
the night before, only a couple hundred yards from my stand where the
ghost buck was on camera. This day
was just getting worse, not only did
my target buck get shot, but now a
different shooter in the area was probably laid up dead somewhere a couple
miles away. The year of my biggest
buck ever, the trip I looked forward to
all year, was coming unraveled right
before me, and what could I do?
To be continued...next month.n

GINOS BUCK
Guest Column By Tim Adams

would like to share a story that


dates back to 2010. The year
would have May being our first
trip to deer camp in Dickinson
County in Michigans Upper Peninsula. We have been blessed to
own a piece of Gods Country in our
family for over 50 years. What would
seem to start like a normal year would
end with memories unlike any other.
Mid-Julys trip to camp would
start to show bucks developing antler,
my wife Amee has taken pleasure in
attaching names to bucks that were
visible on our property. Earlier in the
summer we invited lifelong friends
Daniel Wojciechowski and his 83 year
old father Gino, to hunt this years
rifle season! One buck that appeared
that July was named Ginos Buck,
we judged the 8-point at 3 years old,
a nice buck for our area. When telling
Gino and showing him trail camera
pictures of the deer he seemed quite
proud that the deer was named after
him.
Ginos Buck seemed to be at
home on our property as we continued
to get photos of him all summer, but as
hunters know come October/November patterns change where bucks leave
there summer core area in search of
does, sometimes many miles away. We
hoped that would not be the case as we
had a very good doe population and up
to that point Ginos Buck was boss.
When bow season arrived Oct. first
Ginos Buck showed himself on a
food plot at 22 yards. I was the only
bowhunter to hunt the property that
year and had made the decision that
Ginos Buck would be off limits if
he appeared. I could only hope that the
buck would remain and perhaps one
of our guests and maybe even Gino
might get a chance. When thinking
which blind I would designate for
Gino which might give him a chance
to see or perhaps harvest this buck was
very difficult (as the buck was photo
throughout the property. Since Gino
was shooting a 35 cal. (short range
rifle) the Piggy Back Blind (later renamed Ginos blind) was chosen.
Sunday Nov. 14th with everyone in
camp spirits were high, NFL football
Lions vs. Green Bay. I have always
been a Packer fan and boy did that rub
Gino the wrong way.
Timmy you were born and raised
in Detroit. How can you be a cheese
head? I remember Gino teasing.
My wife (not being a big football
fan) was in the kitchen and called
out, Guys, there are a couple of does
coming into the apple orchard. We all
ran to the picture window and realized something was chasing them and
there he was in broad daylight, Ginos
Buck 35 yards from camp. That buck
put on a show for the next 10 minutes
chasing does in the apple orchard,
around the house, I mean this buck had

it bad.
Gino had at least got to see the
buck, which really lit a fire in his soul.
His son Danny said Hes just like you
Gino, always flirting with the girls!
We all had a good laugh.
Later that day asking my wife to
take Gino for a walk, with the rest of

Ginos Buck page 34

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ADDRESS
CITYSTATEZIP

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Card #Exp. Date
Send to:
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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Gino
Wojciechowski
with his
son Danny
and Ginos
Buck!

33

Guest Column...Ginos Buck:

DTE Energy Foundation and DNR


partner to fund tree-planting projects

from page 33

the hunters in camp we all decided that


for the first two days if he appeared
we would all let Ginos Buck walk.
Some might say big mistake as we
all know how bucks can completely
disappear. This was a chance we were
willing to take and everyone agreed
even though 90 percent of bucks taken
on our property usually come the first
two to three days.
November 15 at 3:45 a.m. thinking I would have to stir everyone out
of bed, Gino was at the kitchen table
fully dressed, coffee in hand, saying
he didnt get much sleep and that he
had been up for 45 minutes.
After settling into my blind an
hour before light I hoped our 83 year
old man, with perhaps the last chance
he has to be in camp would have a
chance to harvest Ginos Buck or
any other buck! I had told Gino even
though we practice buck management, he could shoot any legal buck
he wanted. Boy did I get an earful,
8-points or better! he barked back,
Those are the rules! About 10 a.m.
I called Gino to check how everything
was going.
Six does, two bucks, a small
six and a spiker came through. He
replied.
I asked if he wanted to go back
to camp as I would come get him. He
came back with a quick No way! You
can come get me after dark. I was

pleased he was seeing deer.


A shot rang out 1:15 p.m. My son
T.J. called asking if I shot. Another call
clicked in from Gino, Timmy I shot
one - I shot one. Big buck - big buck!
I tried to slow him down to get
him to explain the shot to me, he
explained it all happened so fast, came
out of nowhere. I gathered my gear
and headed his way. I only could hope
Gino had put out a good shot as we
slowly approached the area. There
was Gino pointing where the deer
had rolled down the hill and it was
GINOS BUCK! I stood there and
could hardly believe what happened,
a buck we named after an 83 year old
man in July was now harvested by that
same man.
I cannot even begin to explain deer
camp that night, Gino was King!
With over 45 years in deer camp
I can honestly say 2010 was a year
my wife and I will never forget, due
to Ginos presence and sad to say
Ginos Buck would be his last as
Gino passed away Aug 12, 2016 at 89
years of age, he was loved and will be
missed by many. Gino, a God fearing
man, lived a very simple life; it was
family first. At age 49 he lost his wife
and raised six children on Detroits
east side where he lived until his
death. I can only say the Wojo family
was truly blessed to have a wonderful
father like Gino.n

$71,750 Awarded To Communities Across Michigan...

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and DTE Energy


Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, recently donated
$71,750 to 27 organizations throughout Michigan to plant trees to beautify parks and other public spaces, clean the air, serve as a canopy, and
provide habitat to wildlife.
This marks the 20th year of the DTE Energy Foundation partnership
with the DNR, which has resulted in more than 40,000 trees and seedlings being planted in 490 Michigan communities.
The benefits of healthy trees in communities have never been more
clear and important, said Kevin Sayers, DNR Urban Forestry program
coordinator. Through our ongoing partnership with the DTE Energy
Foundation, we are able to help raise awareness about the multiple benefits that trees provide while also ensuring that trees are planted in the
right place with respect to utilities.
Faye Nelson, vice president of DTE Energy and board chair and president of the DTE Energy Foundation, added that the tree-planting grants
are part of a long-term initiative to partner with communities, schools
and nonprofits on programs to take care of the environment.
The DTE Energy Foundation has always believed it is our responsibility to sustain and protect Michigan's legacy from its cultural institutions to its beautiful natural environment and to help build its future,
Nelson said. As good environmental stewards, we are proud to support
the 2016 tree-planting program and partner with the DNR to invest in
the future of our state by ensuring these spaces are enjoyed for generations to come.
Grants awarded under this program will be used to help purchase
trees of various species and sizes to be planted this fall and next spring.
For more information, contact Kevin Sayers at 517-284-5898, or visit
the program website at www.mi.gov/ucf. For additional information
about the DTE Energy Foundation, please contact Randi Berris at 313235-5555.

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

35

Another

BIG
BUCK
for this

15-year-old!
By Fred Abbas

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

lyssa isnt just any 15 year


old girl when it comes to
deer hunting experience;
she is my granddaughter
and has been tagging along
with her family hunting
ever since she could walk. In fact, her
dad Greg and I often referred to her
as The human sponge, in reference
to her desire to learn everything we
knew about deer hunting, and she
learned well.
Last year I wrote an article for
Woods-N-Waters News about a
compromise I made with my three
grandchildren who had a desire to
deer hunt, two of them wanted us to
allow them to carry their smart phones
on the hunt. Truth is, there were a few
big problems that Greg and I had to
overcome. For instance, none had the
strength yet to pull a bow with the
poundage needed for an ethical kill,

36

Alyssa Abbas with a beautiful buck she arrowed last fall hunting with her dad.

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plus they claimed that they could sit


still in a treestand, even with their
smart phones, we rather doubted that.
The solution was to buy each a 5x5
Shadow Hunter Crossbow blind, and
put crossbows in each of their hands.
This would give them the safety we
worried about, while giving them the
independence all teenagers believe
they should have. Now they could
text, play their games, and hunt, all
without missing a beat.
In time, as they grow older and
acquire more experience and skill they
then can choose the style of hunting
that best suits them. All three had
shot deer that year from their Shadow
Hunter blinds, a proud moment for
all of us. We hunt in three Southern
Michigan counties, and on several
different leases. We asked each of
our young hunters if they were happy
with their blinds location, or if any of
them wanted to change blind locations, or even to hunt on a different
farm. Two of the younger ones elected
to hunt their same blind locations.
Alyssa, with four beautiful racked
bucks under her belt elected to try a
different stand site, which wasnt a
bad idea since we all felt that the deer

Right from the beginning of the hunt


Alyssa passed on smaller bucks while
waiting for the rut to start. Greg and I
marveled at Alyssas resolve to hold
out for a big buck even though she
had extremely limited time to hunt
because of school, school sports and
her horse competitions. Alyssa was
passing on bucks that my other grandchildren wished would come by them
and probably most hunters as well.
The rut was nearing and the chase
phase was in full swing. Alyssa had
sprayed She Heat on several deer
runs and mock scrapes to hopefully
stop a buck in shooting range. A lone
doe walked up to one of the scrapes
putting her nose right in it for about
a minute seemingly mesmerized by
it, her tail twitching rapidly back and
forth. Of course that got Greg and
Alyssas full attention when all of a
sudden Alyssa spotted the big buck
coming out of the funnel, and he was
making a beeline straight for the doe.
But before anyone could react the
buck chased the doe completely out
of sight. Crestfallen, Alyssa turning
to her Dad could only say, wow,
when miraculously the doe, after
having made a full circle, came back
returning to the same spot with the
big buck not too far behind her, then
amazingly the doe simply bedded
down right next to the mock scrape?
The big buck realizing she wasnt
quite ready to stand for him began to
bide his time by going from scrape

The authors granddaughter works a scrape near her blind.


to scrape. This time Alyssa had her
crossbow out the window and was
ready. Greg, not wanting to take any
chances, whispered to Alyssa to shoot
as soon as he stopped the buck inbetween the scrapes. When the buck
came into range Greg grunted to stop
him. The buck immediately stopped
perfectly broadside. At the shot both
Greg and Alyssa could see that the
buck wouldnt go very far.
I was on a different farm several
miles away when Greg sent me a text,
Alyssa shot a big buck. I wasted no

time in getting over there. I actually


bumped into the blood trail, which
lead me directly to a very proud
father, congratulating a very excited
daughter with her beautiful buck. A
wonderful proud scene that would be
etched in my memory forever.
For more information: A-Way
Hunting Products, (989) 435-3879,
www.awayhunting.com. Whitetail
Institute, (800) 688-3030, www.
whitetailinstitute.com. Summit Outdoors, LLC, (888) 446-4868, www.
shadowhunterblinds.com.n

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

were starting to change their travel


patterns in her area and that it would
be beneficial in the long run to let
things cool down. Occasionally when
deer no longer feel secure traveling in
certain areas, for whatever reasons.
We all studied the plat maps,
aerial photographs and Topographical maps of the farm seeking reasons
why a buck would want to travel in
certain areas. With the plat maps we
wanted to see the exact farms boundary lines, the aerial photographs will
show us probable bedding areas, food
plots, funnels, changes in elevations
and the structure of the land, and how
the big bucks are most apt to utilize
these structures to their advantage
in their travels. After the three of
us discussed different options and
suggestions, it would ultimately be
Alyssas final decision to choose the
blinds precise location. As it turned
out her choice was outstanding. The
blind would be situated where a beautiful highly active funnel plays out
to disperse the deer in many directions, thus giving the deer freedom
of choice without fear of ambush,
further, behind her chosen blinds
location is a ridge with several high
producing acorn white oak trees, and
above the ridge is a two-acre food
plot planted with the Whitetail Institutes Chicory Plus, thus re-funneling
the deer without their knowledge.
Alyssa had actually chosen the absolutely most productive spot on the
whole farm. Not only did this spot
allow the deer unobstructed travels
to their nearby bedding areas, it gave
them freedom of unobstructed movement to a variety of constant food
sources as well, but wisely and most
importantly, Alyssa, weather knowingly, or not, this site would use the
funnel to its fullest potential.
The vast majority of experienced
deer hunters, and I mean professional
hunters as well, would have chosen a
pinch point somewhere in the funnel
to hunt. This is a highly successful
tactic on a guided hunt, but rather
counterproductive for the longevity of
its usefulness on your own farm. That
probably would have worked for a
year or two on big bucks, but at some
point the word would eventually get
out, as we felt it did at Alyssas last
stand site. I asked Alyssa why she
had chosen this particular spot. Her
response because the deer have
everything they need here.
This is the very reason why all of
our hunts are done at key interception points, rather than hunting over
the source that drew the deer to a
certain location initially. We placed
her new blind on a platform 8 foot
high exactly where she wanted it.

37

A new hunting adventure...

Make a GEMS
stop this fall!

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

38

his fall, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to try upland
bird hunting at one, or several,
GEMS (Grouse Enhanced
Management Sites) which
offer a chance to explore a new type
of hunt or a new location. Each of the
17 GEMS has miles of hunter walking trails, developed from old logging
roads, that wind through thousands of
acres of great habitat.
Northern Michigan and the Upper
Peninsula have some of the best grouse
and woodcock habitat, said DNR
upland bird biologist Al Stewart. In
Michigan, we have 10 million acres of
public hunting land the size of Massachusetts and New Jersey combined.
Driving directions; individual maps
showing hunter walking trails, timber
stand information and parking areas;
information about businesses that give
great discounts to hunters, and other
details about all 17 GEMS locations
are available at mi.gov/gems.
If youre a new hunter, GEMS
give you a place to focus, but if youre
a seasoned hunter, GEMS are a great
way to try a new spot, said Stewart.
Two GEMS will host preseason
celebrations this fall:

Friday, Sept. 9, at 9:30 a.m.
at the Bill Rollo Memorial GEMS
(formerly known as South Marquette).
For questions about this event, call
906-228-6561.

Saturday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m.
at the Mark Knee Memorial GEMS
(formerly known as Evart). For questions about this event, call 231-7759727.
GEMS started in 2014 as an opportunity for a unique hunting experience
that provides destination points for
traveling hunters and a way to connect
small communities with hunters and
supply young aspen forests vital to
grouse and woodcock. GEMS showcase the fantastic habitat Michigan
maintains through accelerated timber
harvest.
The hunter walking trails within
a GEMS location are great for someone with mobility challenges or
youth, said Stewart. You can put one
hunter in the woods off the trail, while
another hunter walks along the trail.
Its really a confidence booster to be
able to hunt near a trail if you are new
to the sport.
A base license is required to hunt
small game in Michigan. For those
who plan to hunt woodcock, a free
Woodcock Stamp is required, which
includes the HIP endorsement. Grouse
season is open statewide Sept. 15 to
Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 to Jan. 1. Woodcock season opens the Saturday nearest

Sept. 22 and extends 45 days. This


year, woodcock season runs Sept. 24 to
Nov. 7.
Visit mi.gov/gems for more information, or take the adventure further
by using Mi-HUNT to explore all
public lands open to hunting.n

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MDNR Conservation Officer


recruits sought for 2017 academy

Recruits spent time learning conservation law, including how to identify various features of game fish common to Michigan waters.
DNR conservation officers
serve a distinct role in Michigans
law enforcement community,
Wicklund said. They are certified police officers with the authority to enforce all Michigans
laws.
Conservation officers have
unique training in a wide variety
of areas related to the protection
of Michigans citizens and natural
resources. This includes extensive
training in game, fish, and trapping enforcement and recreational
safety and enforcement.
They also receive extensive
training in firearms, precision
and off-road driving and survival
tactics.
Conservation officers also
serve the public in life-saving
capacities, including ice-rescue,
search and rescue and first-aid.
Often, and especially in rural
communities, they are the first to
respond to an emergency.
For more information on the
application process and how to
apply to the conservation officer
academy, contact Sgt. John Meka
at mekaj@michigan.gov or 517284-6499. To learn more about
the conservation officer hiring
process, visit www.michigan.gov/
conservationofficers and click on

the link below the Hiring Process subheading.


Learn more about the academy by reading the 2016 Conservation Officer Academy blogs for
Recruit School No. 7. Visit www.
michigan.gov/conservationofficers and click on Conservation
Officer Academy under the Hiring Process subheading to read
about each week of training, view
training photos and watch videos
of recruits persevering.
Subscribe to the conservation
officer academy blog, also posted
on the Michigan DNR Facebook
page, which follows these new
officers during their challenges
and accomplishments throughout field-training and beyond.
Intermittent posts continue past
graduation.
Michigan conservation
officers are fully commissioned
state peace officers who
provide natural resources
protection, ensure recreational
safety and protect citizens by
providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving
operations in the communities
they serve. Learn more about
Michigan conservation officers at www.michigan.gov/
conservationofficers.n

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

he MDNR Law Enforcement Division is actively


seeking recruits for its next
conservation officer academy, which begins July 16, 2017,
at the Michigan State Police
Training Academy in Dimondale.
The DNR, an equal opportunity employer, is seeking a
diverse applicant pool, including
military veterans, said Sgt. Jason
Wicklund, recruit school commander.
Certain criteria apply. All
recruit applicants must:
Be able to lawfully possess
a firearm in Michigan.
Be a United States citizen.
Be at least 21 years of age
before graduation from the academy.
Become a resident of the
state of Michigan by completion of the Probationary Training
Program.
Possess a valid Michigan
drivers license.
Possess a satisfactory driving record.
Possess a clean criminal
record absent of any felony convictions.
Submit to a thorough background investigation measuring
the applicants suitability for law
enforcement work.
Be able to pass the
MCOLES physical fitness test
To apply, complete the online
application. When submitting an
application, download and complete the Job Fit Questionnaire
and Location Preference Sheet
found in the Additional Requirements and Information section
of the Description tab. Attach
completed Job Fit Questionnaire,
Location Preference Sheet, cover
letter and resume to the application. Applicants not completing
and submitting all requested materials will be screened from the
process. The State of Michigan
is an equal opportunity employer
and does not discriminate on the
basis of race, gender, religion,
age, disability or other factors
prohibited by law.
Recruits are classified as State
of Michigan employees during
the academy and receive pay for
their training. The 22-week academy culminates in graduation
and is then followed by an additional 20 weeks of field training
throughout the state while paired
with experienced conservation
officers.
At the completion of training, the new officers are assigned
to one of the states 83 counties
where they will work and live.

39

Public Land
STRATEGIES
Bowhunting...By John Eberhart

Something that receives very little


print or TV and video footage for
the amount of hunters that do it, is
hunting on public land...

unters with private land options


rarely gravitate to hunting open
to hunting public lands simply
because no matter how much
hunting pressure private parcels
in a given area receive, nearby
public lands will typically receive much
more and be far more difficult to hunt
successfully.
In Michigan however and even in
our heaviest populated areas, there are
public land gems that can provide somewhat consistent opportunities at mature
bucks for hunters willing to work above
and beyond their competition.
The open to hunting public lands
Im referring to are those where any
licensed hunter can go at any time
and hunt within the parameters of our
general state laws. These public lands
are not to be confused with State and
Federal duck or goose preserves and
vacation parks where hunting is allowed
by some form of controlled allocation
or permitting basis in order to keep the
herd in check. Public lands with special
stipulations oftentimes offer better hunting than private lands.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Public Land Reality

40

The principal difficulty with open to


hunting public land is that every person
hunting there has the same right to be
there as you do. Theres no such thing
as your spot! Encroachment is not only
normal, its to be expected if you hunt in
a normal fashion.
When lots of hunters target every
antlered buck and many target any deer,
including button bucks, you have heavy
consequential hunting pressure, or hchp
for short, and statistically theres no
state where its more evident than on our
Michigan public lands.
Public lands located near areas with
large general populations definitely have
it the worst from a shear hunter density
standpoint due to lack of local private
access and limited public land. Because
of the nature of uncontrolled hchp, deer
residing in such areas are far more in
sync with their survival instincts than
their brethren on private lands.
We do not have exclusivity on the
desire to survive and in hchp areas deer
either learn quickly how to evade hunters or they suffer consequences by get-

ting wounded or killed, its that simple.


To be somewhat consistent at taking
mature bucks from heavily hunted
public lands you have to outsmart the
deer and outsmart and outwork the other
hunters. To me, its the ultimate test of
ones hunting abilities.
Think about it, public land hunters
have to deal with immense competition,
they have zero control, theyre oftentimes hunting areas with few if any 3
year old or older bucks, the deer are
extremely conditioned to avoiding hunters, theres no guarantee other hunters
wont hunt near or in their set-ups when
theyre not there, expensive stands must
always be removed to keep them from
being stolen, hunting apparatuss must
strap-on because nothing can puncture
the tree, trimming branches or cut shooting lanes is illegal, marking entry and
exit routes allows other hunters to find
your location and set up on top of you,
and during firearms season some public
lands are flat out dangerous to be on.
Then of course theres squirrel and
upland bird hunting that is totally out of
a bowhunters control and typically any
nearby gunfire will stifle the daytime
movements of mature deer.
Motion cameras and signposts often
prove mature bucks exist on public
lands even though theyre rarely seen
during daylight.
Now heres the absolute beauty of
bowhunting public land for those willing to do the work. When you combine
hchp with the survival instincts of
whitetails, a natural by-product occurs.
The most sought after deer are pushed
into difficult to access areas where few
if any hunters are willing to go. This
dramatically reduces the areas a mature
buck may move or transition through
during daylight hours and dramatically
increases the amount of land you can
immediately discard for scouting and
hunting on.
My background for writing about
hunting Michigans public land is that
Ive exclusively hunted public lands
and knock-on-doors for free permission
properties for 52 bow seasons and have
hunted 18 different chunks of public
land in Michigan, as well as public
lands in Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa. In
fact, Ive never owned, leased, paid a
dime to hunt anywhere in my life, or
hunted over a food plot, mineral lick, or
bait.
Statistically, Michigan is the most
heavily bowhunted state in the country
and I have 27 bow killed bucks listed in
Michigans record book and have taken

The author has taken five mature bucks within 80 yards of major highways!
18 P&Y class bucks on 19 out of state
hunts during Michigans gun season.

Proper Scouting Strategies

Scouting and preparing locations in


remote areas should begin as soon as
your season ends and can continue until
spring green-up as the visual sign such
as runways, droppings, hubs of activity,
scrapes, utilized licking branches, and
rubs from the past season remain identifiable. During this period you can scout
to your hearts content because spooking
deer has no effect on their movement
habits next season.
Typical prolonged pre-season scouting intrusions in hchp areas are definitely not advised as they will either push
mature deer elsewhere or stifle their
daytime movements.
Many hunters replicate the generic
hunting practices seen on TV shows,
videos and in print media such as hunting; perimeters of short crop fields, in
exposed areas, in open timber with no
understudy, in easily accessed areas,
and performing a list of fake tactics,
and while these practices work in the
micro-managed and lightly hunted areas
they hunt, they rarely if ever work on
hchp public lands. The difficult hunting
conditions surrounding heavily hunted
public lands are exactly why media
personalities dont hunt them and cant
intelligently talk about it.
When competing against many
hunters with similar generic styles
of hunting, you should never expect
better results unless you think youre
just luckier. To remove luck from the
equation you must scout, prepare locations, and hunt in a manner outside the
mainstream.
A rule I rarely waver on when scouting public ground is no matter how good
the signposts, runways, or a location
looks, if its easily accessed, I will rarely
prepare it as a hunting location because
other hunters will also access these
areas during their pre-season scouting
ventures nearly guaranteeing that any
mature bucks activity at them, will take
place during the security of darkness,
negating it as a productive daytime loca-

tion.
Now is when personal desire,
dedication, and work ethic come into
play. I scout for locations in areas where
my access will require either; using hip
boots, waders, canoe, boat, or crawling
on my hands and knees through brush.
You must think to yourself, if all
the hunters in the area were trying to
kill me, what area would I gravitate to
where I might possibly feel secure moving in, or transitioning through, during
daylight hours. In hchp areas, it must be
considered that bluntly.
Use Internet aerial photos to help
locate; isolated islands in swamps and
marshes, areas across streams, rivers, or
lakes that have no other access, or openings surrounded by large areas of bedding brush. Quite often these areas are
unidentifiable while on foot, but once
found on maps you can take the necessary gear to access them for further
investigation.
Once in a remote area search for the
best destination areas or convergence
points the area offers. Deer that had
been pushed into these areas will have
found the best available food sources
and there should be enough visual sign
to acknowledge it during post season.
In order of importance look for old
apple trees, white oaks, red oaks, or
whatever food bearing trees your part of
the country is noted for. If during season
any of the trees bear food, deer will feed
at them before leaving the secure area to
feed elsewhere after dark.
While food sources are a mainstay
focus for normal scouting and hunting
practices, theyre not a must have when
scouting remote areas where survival
instincts trump food. After dark a deer
can easily travel a mile in 10 minutes to
feed elsewhere.
If fruit or mast trees exist and you
prepared locations at them, a just prior
to season speed-tour of them will be required to see if the trees bear food. This
tour needs to be done during midday
while utilizing your best scent control
regiment and if possible do it during a

Public land strategies 42

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Public land strategies:


from page 40
rainy or windy day as either will aid in
masking your noise and dissipating any
residual odor.
If the trees bear food and there is
fresh sign, hunt a couple times during
the first few days of season and then
leave the entire area alone until the rut
phases when more deer will have been
driven into the area and the peak in testosterone levels will likely have mature
bucks moving during daylight hours in
search of estrous does.
In small remote areas your rut
phase hunting plan should be to only
hunt when you can commit to all-day
hunts otherwise youd spook deer with
evening entries or with morning exits.
Also in these secure areas a buck could
at any time of day wander by with or in
search of an estrus doe. In fact, midday
between the hours of 11 a.m and 3 p.m.
will likely be your best opportunity
times in such areas.

Its imperative on morning hunts to


be on stand and quiet at least an hour
and a half prior to daybreak so you
dont spook any deer with your entry.
Its also advised to limit hunts in these
types of locations to three or four per
season.
On many occasions, after scouting
public lands Ive immediately abandoned them because they simply didnt
have areas remote enough to weed out
other hunters due to difficult access. I
dont hunt, just to say Im hunting and
if that were the case Id hang in my saddle from a telephone pole in my yard.
On the extreme opposite side of
the difficult to access areas is finding locations extremely close to roads
if the right types of security cover
and conditions exist. If the property
borders a well-traveled road or major
highway that hunters wont be walking
down, and in areas where theres dense

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Use Internet aerial photos to help locate isolated islands in swamps and
marshes, areas across streams, rivers, or lakes that have no other access, or openings surrounded by large areas of bedding brush.
enough security cover to block a visual
from the road, scout the first hundred
yards along it.
Ive taken five mature bucks within
80 yards of major highways, one on a
morning hunt, three during midday, and
one on an evening hunt.
While I rarely hunt below 25 feet
high on public land in Michigan, there
are times when ground blinds were
necessary and they were in remote locations where other hunters finding them
were not a huge concern. Ground blinds
should be as natural looking as possible
by using existing deadfalls and natural debris and totally clear the ground
within them to bare dirt. They will need
a little cleaning up during season, but it
will be minimal.
TV and video hunters can get away
with using pop-up blinds in the micromanaged areas they hunt but on public
lands you dont have that luxury and
theyre definitely not advised as they
stick out like sore thumbs and will get
picked.

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Hunting Tactics
On hchp public lands, dont use dePlatform 24"x28"
coys as mature does will usually spook
2 MAN GUN & CROSSBOW BLIND Attaches to trees 6" - 26" in diameter from them and loudly stomp and snort,
and mature bucks will rarely commit to

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

42

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coming in close enough to them for a


shot opportunity.
Some tactics can produce success
if performed; in the right places, at the
right times of day, at the proper volume,
and infrequently.
Subtle sparring sequences (not aggressive with big antlers like on TV)
can draw in mature bucks during the
first few days of season when bucks
are jostling for dominance pecking
order or during any of the rut phases
when bucks are fighting for breeding
rights.
Cold calling with doe bleats and an
occasional grunt can also work but they
must be subtle enough that if a buck
is bedded within hearing distance and
doesnt respond, it wont alarm him to

the point that if he does get up during


daylight, he may move in your direction
out of previous curiosity.
Make sure any noise tactics are performed in areas where theres adequate
perimeter security cover, otherwise
bucks will hang up out of range because
theres no visual to commit coming in
to.
When the rut phases arrive and
testosterone levels peak, mature bucks
will move some during daylight hours.
You must keep in mind however that
other hunters have pressured the outlying property and frequently performed
faulty tactics, making responses to your
tactics far less likely. Allow your location perform on the merits you chose it
for.
Typical public land hunter timing
creates a situation where deer often
become conditioned to heavier evening
pressure, with a major influx of pressure on weekends. If your schedule allows it, adjust your hunting to Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays when
theres less hunter activity and a better
chance of daytime movements.
The grand beauty of learning to
hunt public ground successfully is
that after a few years youll be able to
go anywhere, at any time, under any
conditions, and be successful because
youll have learned how to be detail
oriented and to deal with hunter competition.
John Eberhart is an accomplished
bow-hunter that specializes in heavy
consequential hunting pressure areas
with 27 bow killed bucks listed in
CBMs record book from 19 different
properties in 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.deer-john.
netn

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43

FALL'EYES

And perch, pike, browns & rainbows too...

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

ust about the time it gets


to be a bit uncomfortable
to be out in a boat on open
water, the walleye fishing in Northern Michigan
gets really good. For some
reason, minnows and small
fish and perhaps other food items are
concentrated at the mouth of rivers and streams that run into major
inland lakes in the fall. The fisheries
biologists think this phenomenon is
temperature-related and it is definitely
food-related. Perhaps, at this time, the
rivers and streams bring some microscopic food into the lakes, attracting
the small fish, which, in turn attract
the predator fish.
This feeding frenzy generally
starts in mid-September and it lasts,
apparently, until the lakes freeze over
in December. We have enjoyed this
fishing as early as the first two weeks
of September and as late as the end of
November, when we had to wear icefishing clothing, knock ice out of the

44

guides on the fishing rods and sometimes break a thin skim of ice with the
bow of the boat.
The fall frenzy includes predators of all types and sizes. The lowly
yellow perch is one of the predators
that feed on the minnows and fry and
they gather first. The smaller perch
generally are in rather shallow water
and that may range from just three or
four feet to ten or twelve feet. Unlike
the larger perch, the smaller yellowbellies are often in sizable schools.
While the small perch are preying
on the minnows and fry, they also
become prey for the larger predators.
The larger perch may feed right along
beside the big predators, the pike, the
walleyes and the trout.

Finding The Fish

The walleyes are usually in fairly


shallow water but deeper than the
perch. In most lakes, one might look
for them to be in ten to twelve feet of
water at the peak of the fall fishing.

Fall walleyes are usually in great condition and often larger than the
average summer fish from the same lake. Author photo
The way you find them is to look for
the schools of bait fish. The bait fish
may be attracted to a wide variety of
bottom features and cover.
If bottom weeds or breaks in the
depth or any other features of the
bottom are rare, the fish can really
get concentrated in a relatively small
area. Seasoned fall walleye anglers
often just drift around, checking here
and there for concentrations of bait
or predators. If a fish is caught, that
spot is marked by tossing out a marker
buoy or storing a way-point into the

GPS. If there is much wind, it might


be appropriate to put the anchor down
and try to remain in that area.
In this wonderful fall season, it is
sometimes possible to catch a limit
of walleyes in one very small area.
Trolling plugs is another good way to
locate fish and some anglers like to
troll until they catch a fish, then mark
the spot, go to casting plugs or other
lures. One can also catch these fish
on live-bait and drifting along with a
lively minnow or leech under a slipbobber is a good way to catch them.

Bonus Fish

While the main target in this


fishing is walleyes, any predator fish
in that particular lake can be caught
during this feeding frenzy. In Burt
Lake, for instance, those fishing the
fall walleye bonanza often catch nice
northern pike and some trout as well.
In this and similar lakes, (Walloon
Lake would be a good example) there
are often good populations of both

brown and rainbow trout. While


these fish are seldom caught in the
summer, simply because anglers dont
work the deep water where they must
live, the trout find the cooler water
of the fall very comfortable and, of
course, they cant resist that wonderful feeding opportunity. Other lakes
in the area, including such waters as
Torch Lake, Elk Lake, Crystal Lake
and Lake Bellaire, all have good trout
populations and they should respond
to this fall phenomenon.
While walleye are fun to catch,
they are not great fighters and it is
immediately obvious when that lure
cast out there for a walleye attracts
an eight-pound rainbow trout instead.
These acrobatic fish will jump and
dash around and under the boat and
just generally fight like crazy until
they can finally be subdued. Perch
are also caught in this fishing and
the perch will be at their maximum
summer size and not yet full of eggs.
Burt Lake, for instance, often gives
up perch in the foot-long range in the
fall and winter.
The walleyes caught in the fall are
generally larger than the usual summer catch. If, for instance, a favorite
lake usually produces walleyes in the

A fine bonus for the fall walleye anglers is often a big rainbow or brown
trout. This rainbow was caught on Bur t Lake.
14 to 16-inch range, expect to catch
fish a couple of inches longer in the
fall. The fish are probably at their
maximum weight for the year and in
terrific shape. The very largest fish
are invariably females so we release
the fish over 20 inches. Those 16 to
18 inch fish are better eating and we
hate to kill a female already heavy

with eggs.
The fall walleye fishing is clearly
just another reason to enjoy one of the
finest times of the year, in Northern
Michigan. It can be a difficult choice,
when the grouse and woodcock are
flushing, the deer woods are calling
to the string and stick set and ducks,
geese and turkeys are all in season.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Some anglers also cast leadhead


jigs, tipping them with a plastic skirt
and a small minnow. This lure will
take both perch and walleye and anything else that eats minnows. Casting
a jig and minnow calls for a light but
sensitive rod, one that will permit the
angler to feel that little tap that occurs
when the fish takes. The best line
combination will be braided line with
a fluorocarbon leader perhaps six feet
long. Line as light as six pound test
can be used for this fishing, providing good feel and good range. An
eighth ounce will be about right for
most conditions, tipped with a one
and one-half inch plastic skirt and a
small minnow. This rig will be best
for fishing water from six to fourteen
feet in depth.

45

Next BiteThe New Normal For Walleye Fishing...By Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz

Ar tificial Soft Tails

hey say that there is a time


and a place for everything.
This saying definitely holds
true when it comes to fishing.
There are some days where
the best course of action is to
present a walleye with live bait, but
time and time again, in fact most of
the time, we have found the fish often

prefer Berkley Gulp over live minnows and worms.


The preference of Gulp makes
life easier for us. To start, a bag of
Gulp crawlers costs about the same
as a dozen live crawlers. While a
live worm may only last for one or
two bites, Gulp crawlers can last for
several bites.

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It isnt just convenience that makes Parsons and Kavajecz choose


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46

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Gulp is hassle free compared to


live bait also. Gone is the balancing
act of keeping worms readily available in the boat, but out of the sun.
Gone is the dirt all over the boat from
picking worms out of the container, or
even worse, spilling the container.
Then there is the maintenance
of the worms between fishing trips.
Keeping the bedding moist, but not
too moist. Picking out dead ones, and
catching escapees in the refrigerator when you forget to put the lid on
tight! Resealing the bag of Gulp is
definitely easier!
It isnt just convenience that
makes us choose Gulp over live bait.
We choose it because it works! One of
the great things about Gulp is that the
bait is flexible and provides natural

action when the lure moves. It also


feels soft in the mouth of the fish,
allowing the walleye to hold on to the
bait long enough for you to detect the
bite and set the hook.
There are several techniques that
are excellent for using Gulp, and one
technique that really shines is Slow
Death. This method involves threading a half of a night crawler on a
specially bent long shank hook, that
when pulled behind a bottom bouncer
or similar weighting system, gives the
bait an enticing spinning action. This
method is often used where conventional live bait rigging is too slow, but
spinner rigs arent getting the attention of the fish.
The Gulp Killer Crawler is designed to be used in place of a live

DNR honors Susan Lackey of Chelsea


with Partners in Conservation Award

would with live bait, typically 1/4 or


3/8 ounce. This gives you the ability
to get the action you need to get the
tail to work the way you want it to.
The PowerBait 4 Pro Shad is
similar to the Ripple Shad with great
tail action for vibration. The wider
profile body makes the bait attractive
to larger fish, or just better imitates a
shad population.
The PowerBait 3 Pro Jig Worm
doesnt have a lot of vibration in the
tail, but the combination of limberness and a flattened bottom of the
tail give it a great flipping action.
This flipping displaces water, which
the fish can sense. Plus, the tail is
always moving no matter what part of
the jigging action you are in. The jig
worm works well for casting, but really shines when a vertical presentation is necessary. It is also durable, so
it stays on the hook and gives second
chance bites.
The PowerBait Rib Worm is
often used on rivers for jigging. The
curly tail gives a subtle vibration and
moves with the slightest rod movement and undulates in current. While
this bait was made for river use, it is a
great alternative when casting anywhere.
The Rib Worm is usually used on
a 1/16 to 1/8 ounce jig, and pitched
into current seams and eddies. In high
water, its not unusual to see anglers
pitching them into timber or similar
flooded cover along the shore. They
can also be fished along the river bottom on heavier jigs.
Remember, the key to catching
walleyes on artificial baits is choosing the bait that is best for the body
of water you are fishing and the mood
the fish are in. By stocking your boat
with some packages of Berkley Gulp
and PowerBait you will be ready to
get your Next Bite!n

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crawler. The hollow design allows


it to spin easily on a Mustad Slow
Death or Super Death Hook (model
33863NP-BN).
The 3 Gulp Fry spins a little
faster and wider. It is absolutely deadly when paired with a Super Death
Hook. For a wider, lazier spin, try the
Gulp 4 and again the hook of choice
would be the Super Death Hook. We
think this bait is great at mimicking a
minnow, especially if you use a color
like Watermelon Pearl.
When it comes to jigging, the
Gulp 3 Minnow is a staple. We
move down to the 2.5 inch size for
smaller fish and move up to a 4 Gulp
Minnow when we are around bigger
fish, like those found in Green Bay.
The Gulp 5 Leech and Gulp 3 Fry
are also excellent choices.
If we are running spinners on
structure, a 4 Gulp Crawler or 6
Gulp Nightcrawler will work well.
But, is there a better artificial
than Gulp? As we said before, there
is a time and a place for everything.
In some cases, Berkley PowerBait is
what triggers the bite.
PowerBait is more durable than
Gulp, which allows it to be fished
more quickly. It is also slightly stiffer,
so the tails throw off more action.
Like Gulp, PowerBait feels soft in
the mouth of the fish and has a good
scent to keep the fish holding on once
they bite.
The PowerBait 3 Ripple Shad
is now the top selling soft bait for
walleyes because it catches fish! The
ribs in the tail give it great action.
You can feel the vibration when you
jig/retrieve on a no-stretch line like
Berkley NanoFil. Even when slowly
gliding through the water it has a
swimming action.
When working this lure, you will
want to use a heavier jig than you

The MDNR presented Chelsea resident


Susan Lackey with a Partners in Conservation Award during their Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.
Lackey recently retired as executive director of the Ann Arbor-based Legacy Land
Conservancy.
During his presentation of the award,
DNR Parks and Recreation Division Chief
Ron Olson described Lackey as positive, creative, relentless and visionary." Olson recognized the conservancys advocacy for the new Watkins
Lake State Park and County Preserve as well as the groups aid in procuring
additional acreage for the Waterloo and Pinckney state recreation areas.
Lackey, who said the 45-year-old Legacy Land Conservancy was
founded to preserve watersheds, natural areas and farmlands in
Washtenaw and Jackson counties, praised the DNR as great partners.
She said she was glad to accept the award on behalf of the agencys board
and staff.
Theres nothing that would happen without the whole organization,
Lackey said. By doing what we do by knowing people and keeping
things on the front burner we can get a whole lot more accomplished
than we all can alone.
The Legacy Land Conservancy played an important role in coordinating the purchase of 717 acres of land in Jackson County, which when
combined with 405 acres of contiguous land owned by the Washtenaw
County Parks and Recreation Commission, became Michigans 103rd
state park and the first state park in Michigan to be jointly managed with
a county recreation agency.
The 1,122 acre Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve is an
excellent waterfowl refuge and birding destination that offers hiking, bird
watching, upland hunting, mountain biking and many other outdoor
recreation activities. The park joins other state parks and recreation areas
in Washtenaw and Jackson counties, including Waterloo and Pinckney
recreation areas.

47

Steve Tracey photo

From the Bird-Camp Chronicles: That time it rained

ome of us thought we should


hunt anyway. Life is short,
and so is bird season. Why
waste a day?

But mature heads prevailed. They prevail more and
more often, these days. And it really
did look hopelessunrelenting, roofthrummingand one of those all-day
glooms was settling into the corners of
the lodge. Even the dogs thought so.
They lay curled on their rugs in front
of the fireplace, pretending to sleep.
Dave said, If you dont like the
weather, wait five minutes. Mark
Twain said that.
Ron said, I thought he said, It
aint the heat. Its the humidity.
We made another pot of coffee.
Whipped up a second breakfast, too.
Eggs over easy, venison sausage, slabs
of homemade bread so thick we had
to hammer them into the toaster. Sat
elbow-to-elbow at the long table and
went at it. Pass the salt, pass the hot
sauce. Pass the sausage before I die
of heartbreak. Discussed memorable
breakfasts of the past. Lumberjack
and French country. Blueberry pancakes. Somebody mentioned Steves

mountain-high apple pie served with a


wedge of aged cheddar, and everybody
got dreamy.
Cleared the table. Did the
dishes. Moved to the living room. Tom C. sat in the
recliner by the fireplace and
removed burrs from his dogs
coats, placing them in a heap
on the arm of his chair as he
worked. Norris wandered
over, paused to discuss the
mysterious magnetism
that draws burs to dogs,
and walked off with a
fist-sized nest of them clinging to his
sleeve.
Cleaned our guns.
Oiled our boots.
The two Toms spread maps on the
pool table and circled clear-cuts for
tomorrow.
Made lunch. Leftover lasagna and
a tossed salad. Sat elbow-to-elbow
at the table and tucked in. Pass the
parmesan. Pass the garlic bread. Discussed memorable lunches of the past.
Went to our separate corners and
read. Harrison, McGuane, McCarthy,
Proulx. The strange novels of that

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Japanese guy who puts monkeys in every book. The memoirs of that chainsmoking Norwegian whose struggles
are so mundane theyre
somehow riveting.
Napped.

Cleaned our guns.

Opened a box of
Rita treats and congratulated
Randy for marrying her.

Discussed plans for
dinner.
Got the cards out.
Solitaire. Cribbage.
Euchre. Tried getting a
poker game going but Jim said he was
sick of cards. Said cards are the ignorant persons substitute for conversation.
Dan said, Okay, Jim. What do
you want to talk about?
I dont know, what do you want
to talk about.
Silence.
Deal the goddamned cards!
Tim cracked the bottle of Pappy
Van Winkle he had saved since Christmas. Everybody had a taste. Everybody had another taste.
Discussed the meaning of the term

By Jerry Dennis

postmodern as it applies to literature, music, and the visual arts. Made


poor progress. Hank proposed we
never mention it again.
Told stories. The morning at
Witbeck Rapids with a foot of snow
on the ground and flight birds everywhere. The day we discovered Triple
Limit. The day we discovered The
Place Between Two Rivers. The night
at Horseshoe Lake when we were
awakened by the screams of an axmurderer but it was only Norris having
nightmares.
Had another taste of Winkle. Doc
cracked a bottle of single-malt so we
could see how it compared.
Some of us sat on deck chairs under the porch roof and smoked cigars.
Some of us went to the kitchen
to help Steve. Tonight was chicken
piccata with lemon-and-caper sauce,
chicken liver pate with figs and walnuts, wild mushroom soup, blueberry
cobbler.
Tom H. raised his glass and said,
Heres to good friends, good books,
and Steves amazing dinners.
About three of us shouted at once,
Mark Twain said that!n

Michigan MeandersComing Home


Home is where when you
have to go there, they
have to take you in.
Robert Frost

tickles her neck while looking out the


side window, consumed in his own
thoughts. There is little to say now
between the long silences. You think
about those grouse in the trunk and
how you will prepare them for dinner tomorrow, or rather, tonight. You
wonder if your young son will want to
hunt with you when he is
older and whether or not
he will own a gun legally
and if there will be grouse
left to shoot.

Nighttime on the
expressway when drivers
travel in packs. Youre in
such a cluster now. In the
rearview mirror you watch
a car coming up fast
and recognize it as a
State Police cruiser.
Your speedometer shows 72; the
cruiser roars by doing 80 to 85, and
the little school of cars scatters like
baitfish before a shark.
Midland rolls by and you see
smokestack spewings from the Dow
plants etched against a moonlit sky
like the erector sets you built as a kid.
Then Freeland and Auburn and Bay
City where you merge onto I-75 and
head for Flint. A long dialogue seems
to have tired out your buddy, mouth
open, sleeping again while crashed
against the door. There are some
things you want to say but hold off.
He goes in an hour before you do and
its already an hour past midnight.

You wonder when you can go


again and whether the next trip will
be as good as this one. Zilwaukee.
The Saginaw River wrinkling along
far below the bridge. The old steering
gear plant appears on the left; the city
lights of Saginaw blaze on the skyline.
The job will go down better now
thanks to this good-grouse weekend.
Bridgeport coming up, and the mercury farm lights wink at your passing. You hope the loved ones at home
missed you as much as you missed
them.
Birch Run, Clio, Mt. Morrisin
order and on schedule. Flint, 9 miles.
Coming home.n

L A HU
O
AV

NTING PRE
SER

CI

By Tom Huggler

VE

friend is dreaming the same events.


Youve gone alone before and would
have done so this time but are secretly
glad he was with you to see the blazing woods, to taste the October crispness, to smell the gunpowder.
Arriving at the bridge, you pay the
toll and wheel across. You think about
the workers who died building
this remarkable span 60 years
f you know the outdoors and
travel north to enjoy it, you know ago as the lights of Mackinaw
City draw you into the Lower
what it feels like on the drive
Peninsula. Your smartphone
home. Take, for example, that
grouse-hunting trip with a buddy says 9:15 and your mind begins
to wander as thoughts of home
to the U.P. last October. On
and work and past trips slip in
Sunday evening you lay your cased
shotguns in the trunk next to the three and out. The alien sound of rubber on gravel prompts a sickly
grouse and pair of woodcock. Headfeeling in the bowels and
lights pierce the darkening woods as
you turn the truck around and head for you lurch your way back
onto the pavement.
the Big Mac Bridge and home.
Indian River looms ahead, white
Your friend pours you the last
letters on a green sign, and you shoot
of the Thermos bottle coffee, now
up the exit for gas and a change of
lukewarm, and youre glad for the
flannel shirt with autumns chill com- drivers. Then you keep your friend
company for a few moments until
ing on. Raider, your pals setter, lies
in a weary heap of white between the you, too, slide into sleep. A long time
later and you ask what time it is and
two of you and is soon fast asleep.
Conversation lacks the excitement of are surprised to learn it is 11:15 and
the day before when you drove above you are passing Clare.
You know you snore? the friend
the bridge and begins to match the
monotonous drone of tires on freeway says.
concrete. Before long your friends
Thats what the wife says.
head begins to bob; you switch on the Now its my turn to go to la-la
radio, low so as not to wake him.
land.
With the change of drivers, Raider
Its been a banner weekend, and
awakens, switches ends and throws
you replay every bird and every shot
her head onto your friends lap. He
in your mind and wonder if your

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THE THUMPER FEATHERWEIGHT

49

Gun Chat: Northfield Museum


But the outlaws made a
critical mistake. They
underestimated the fortitude
and ingenuity of the
townspeople of Northfield.
Northfield Historical
Society Museum...

t was a warm afternoon in Northfield, Minnesota on September


7, 1876. The James Gang had
been scared off from a bank in
Mankato, MN, because a crowd
was gathered around it. So they
rode to The First National Bank in
Northfield, their second choice. The
gang had eight members and was led
by Frank and Jesse James and Cole
and Bob Younger.
Five men stayed outside to keep
control of the street, while Bob
Younger, Frank James and Samuel
Wells (using the alias Charlie Pitts)
entered the bank. They jumped the
counter into the cage and announced

a robbery. Four minutes later they left


the bank with $27. Frank James had
failed to open a cash drawer that held
$5,000. Joseph Lee Heywood, temporary teller, risked his life to keep the
gang out of the safe. He claimed first
that he was not the teller (the usual
one was on vacation), then told the
robbers that the safe in the Detroit
Safe Co., vault had a timelock. True,
but the lock had only recently been
installed and wasnt working. Heywood then fought a
robber inside the vault. He
was hit in the head with a
revolver, and knocked down.
He stood up as the robbers
exited. One of their last acts
in the bank was to shoot and
kill him. Meanwhile, another
bank employee escaped out
the back of the bank. He
was shot in the arm as he
ran and went to a doctors
office for treatment.
The James gang had done many
bank and train robberies before
Northfield. Gang members had been
rebels and guerillas with Quantrill and

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50

Bill Anderson in the Civil War. They


thought things would go smoothly
in the bank, and expected no trouble
outside. But the citizens of Northfield
chose to fight! The trouble outside
started when J.S. Allen, hardware
store proprietor, tried to visit the bank.
He was threatened by a gang member
guarding the door and turned away.
He yelled, Theyre robbing the
bank! There was no bank insurance
then. If a bank was robbed
the money was gone. People
were willing to fight to keep
that from happening.

Henry Wheeler was
one of the first to respond.
Wheeler was on a break from
medical school at the University Of Michigan. He went
looking for a weapon and
found a single-shot Smith
carbine at the Dampier
hotel across the street. He
took it up to a second floor window in
the hotel and loaded it.
Smiths had been used by Union
cavalry and artillery units during the
Civil War and then were sold as surplus. They were a transitional weapon
using black powder, and a percussion
cap, contained in a rubber or paper
cartridge. Wheeler had paper cartridges. The hotel owner Edward Dampier
had been a Lieutenant in Company F
of Hatchs Minnesota Cavalry. The
Smith might have been the weapon
he carried during the war. Dampier
brought Wheeler more cartridges during the fight.
Although Wheeler missed his first
shot, his second shot took gang member Clell Miller, who had fired a pistol
at Wheeler, out of his saddle, killing
him. Wheeler also shot Bob Younger
in the right elbow as he exited the
bank. Between the shots Wheeler
dropped and broke one of the paper
cartridges.
At about the same time, A.R.
Manning, used a Remington Rolling
Block in .45-70 to kill an outlaws
horse, wound Cole Younger, and kill
gang member Bill Chadwell. Another man threw rocks at the gang.
(I havent found information on how
accurate the rock throwing was.)
The raid was over in seven minutes. Joseph Heywood and Nicholas
Gustafson, a Swedish immigrant, were
killed. Three of the gang were dead,
others were wounded, and they had
lost a horse to Mannings rifle fire.
The gangs retreat from Northfield was plagued by rain and posses.
When the Youngers were run to earth
at Hanska Slough, near La Salle, there
was another gun battle. Cole Younger
was shot several times. (When captured he had 11 wounds.) Charlie Pitts

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was killed, and Bob Younger was shot


in the chest. Jim Younger was wounded as well.
Perhaps having seen enough of
the wrath of the Norwegians, Swedes
and Danes who had settled in Minnesota, the Youngers were model prisoners in Stillwater State Prison. Bob
died of tuberculosis there in 1899.
Cole and Jim were both paroled after
serving 25 years.
I first visited the Northfield Historical Society Museum 18 years ago.
There have been changes in exhibits
and the tour since. This year the museum was loaned the Smith Carbine
used by Henry Wheeler in the fight at
the bank. I found the carbine interesting, partly because I almost bought a
replica Smith carbine many years ago.
Also because it proves that a good guy
with a gun can stop a bad guy.
Some of the gang members guns,
holsters, a set of spurs, and a saddle
were also displayed. It was easier to
get a good look, and photos of the
guns and leather gear this time. I noticed that Cole Younger had a
union army officers belt buckle on
his belt. There must be a story there,
but Im not sure anyone knows it any
longer.
Youngers belt looked like the
best made. The rest looked tired and
dont appear to have been well made
to start with. A saddle used by a gang
member looks like it was built with
better leather and more attention to
detail than the gangs holsters. The
assortment of guns the outlaws carried
was interesting too.
One was as a .44 Caliber Model
3 made by Smith & Wesson in 1874.
Charlie Pitts may have used this gun
during the raid and the fights with the
posses chasing the gang afterward.
(The museum labels it a Black
Russian. I dont think that is
correct.)
Another was a Colt .36 caliber
percussion revolver made in 1851. It
was taken from one of the Youngers.
A Moore .32 rimfire revolver made in
1860 was taken from Cole Younger.
The Moore surprised me. The larger
guns were recognized fighting guns
and were of heavier caliber and more
substantial construction. The Moore
may have been a second gun.
The tour at the Northfield museum was well done and informative
as were the posters and photo displays. I took a lot of information for
this article from them and thank the
Northfield Historical Society Museum
for making the information so easily
accessible. I enjoyed my visits to the
museum and will probably go there
again next time Im passing through
southern Minnesota.n

Hungry October bucks!


what it was designed to do. The deer
died a quick death and now I was the
one taking pictures and texting my
brother for assistance.
I thought that I had shot an
8-point but during recovery I discovered that the buck had broken off one
of its brow tines, so I had shot a big
bodied 7-point. The key factor on this
hunt was once again identifying the
preferred food source. Fresh fallen
acorns located near a popular watering
hole. I hunted a very similar set-up
in 2013, and shot a tall 10-point buck
right before last light on the
October 20. By observing
what brought prior success,
I was able to repeat it on another property just two years
later.

After hearing about
my good morning, my brother Joe chose to hunt a stand
located in an oak tree with
freshly falling acorns.
He was hunting a
staging area that deer
would visit before going to a standing
bean field. Sure enough, a good looking 8-pointer came in to feed on the
tasty treats lying all around his stand.
A well placed arrow brought about a
quick death and Joe and I had a rare
archery double; two good bucks on
the same day. The key factor for Joes
hunt was once again hunting the preferred food source within his hunting
area.
We tagged three bucks on three
different properties within the first
two and half weeks of the season
by hunting preferred food sources.
I know, Im starting to sound like a
broken record but its true. I believe
that bucks eat voraciously during this
time period to build up the strength
and endurance thats needed to sustain
them through the rutting period.
Now, I repeatedly mentioned
food as being the key to success but
there are many other factors that were
consistent with all three hunts. We
only hunted these stands when the
wind would allow. We map out our
entrance and exit routes to minimize
our disruption of deer movement.
We establish sanctuaries so that these
bucks have safe zones allowing them
to remain unpressured on the properties in which we hunt.
Quite frankly, October is a great
time to be afield. Sometimes deer
remain in predictable summer habits
and can actually be patterned. If you
are a bowhunter who waits every year
for either the temperatures to cool
down or for the rut to heat up then
you may be missing some of the best
opportunities of the year at finding
bucks on their feet during the daylight
hours!n

By Jerry Lambert

2016 Johnstons Meat Company.qxp_Layout 1 5/18/16 10:14 AM Page 1

The Lamber t
Brothers had great
success hunting
early food sources.
Top-left to right; Jeff
with a 10-point, Joe
with an 8-point and
(bottom-left) the
author Jerry with his
7-point.

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

erched fifteen feet in the air,


Jeff Lambert had a clear view
of the small green soybean
field. It was October 3, 2015.
Many of the neighboring
properties had soybeans but
their leaves had already turned yellow. The field that Jeff watched over
was planted later in the spring and it
was now attracting a high number of
bucks.
In addition to the beans, a row
of apple trees lined the border of the
field. To further enhance the set-up,
Jeff and I had brush hogged
a lane which made for a nice
travel corridor for deer scent
checking the field and eating
apples before going off to
bed in the morning.
Shortly after sunrise,
a wide antlered buck came
into view. Jeff drew back his
bow and placed his site pin
over the bucks vitals.
He recognized the
7-pointer and was debating on shooting it when he saw an
even bigger antlered buck following
close behind the 7-point. Jeffs plans
changed!
A few minutes later, Jeff was
standing over a big 10-point buck. He
promptly took a couple of pictures
with his phone and messaged me, I
got the big one. Shortly thereafter,
I met up with Jeff, took pictures and
helped him load the heavyweight into
the back of his truck.
Jeff and I both had active trail
cameras on the property throughout
August and September and neither of
us got a picture of the 10-point. He
may or may not of been there prior
to the season but the combination of
fresh apples and green soybean leafs
brought him there in early October.
The key factor for Jeffs success was
hunting a preferred food source. In
this case, a green soybean field and
fresh fallen apples.
Almost two weeks later, I was
hunting a stand on the edge of an oak
grove where acorns were falling at a
steady pace. A pond was located about
seventy-five yards behind me.
Shortly after light, I saw a good
sized deer walking towards the pond.
I could see that he had a rack and
while looking through my binoculars,
I quickly counted three points standing on at least one of the antler beams.
For a reason that is still unknown to
me, the buck took off running in my
direction. I quickly dropped by binoculars, grabbed my bow and drew.
The buck came trotting down a lane
and was twenty yards from my stand
when I grunted and stopped the buck.
At that point, I triggered my release
and sent a deadly broadhead to do

51

By Kenny Darwin

Fall gobblers are difficult to


hunt, always wary, always
looking for predators and often
travel in bachelor groups with
lookouts constantly on guard...

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

52

Some gobblers spend all their time in wooded areas and seldom venture into open areas or
fields. They feed on mast crops, berries, plants, insects and plant buds and are difficult to scout.

bachelor groups with lookouts constantly on guard.


t was the third and final time the boss gobbler
Stalking them is difficult, calling can be a waste
slipped through the forest on his way to nearby of time because fall birds dont come running like
agricultural fields. I was hunting whitetails but spring love sick toms.
the huge bird got my attention and I moved
Every fall turkey hunter knows the way a fall
from my treestand and set up near a fallen
hunt is supposed to unfold. With some stealthy
tree. The trunk provided an ideal seat and the
scouting you roost a bird the night before you hunt.
branches concealed my outline.
Come dawn, you are set-up 100 yards from the big
Out of nowhere the big gobbler popped up and
bird, just as he gobbles from the tree tops.
he was already in crossYou make some
bow range but I waited
wake-up yelps with a
until he slipped kissin
slate call, and he gobbles
close and when he walked
back. Now, you set down
along the fallen tree I
the call and grip your
shouldered the crossbow,
shotgun and wait. The
gave him an alarm putt
thunder of wings hitting
and when he stopped I
branches starts your heart
centered the Scorpion
pounding as your tom
scope on his huge chest
dives down to the frost
and fired. For an instant
covered opening in the
he stood tall as the Emforest. He stands erect,
pire State building but the
looking for the birds that
solid hit knocked him on
seduced him from his
his tail feathers and he
roost. You try to calm
waddled through the thick
your pounding heart, as
leaves then toppled on
the tom walks your direchis nose. He was an adult
tion. At 30 yards you snap
gobbler with 11-inch
off the safety and the roar
beard, long pointed spurs
of the scattergun signals
and weighed just over 20
he is down.
pounds. This bird was
This is how dream
an excellent example of
hunts play out. However,
a thrilling gobbler hunt
fall toms can be very
made possible by scoutdifficult to call and they
ing. I learned his travel
frequently disappear
route, knew what time he Author with beautiful fall gobbler that he saw while until the spring breeding
deer hunting. After learning the big birds daily
passed my blind on the
travel pattern he left his tree stand and set up on a season when they seem to
way to food and I amshow out of nowhere. Big
fallen tree and ambushed the big gobbler.
bushed the trophy at kistoms are tough to locate
sin close range with archery gear. Most fall hunts
and very difficult to hunt when the woods is brilare a different story and when it comes to outsmart- liantly aglow with beautiful colored leaves. They
ing a boss gobbler in fall you better be prepared for simply become reclusive, difficult to approach, ever
the ultimate hunting challenge.
alert, constantly watching for predators. Some big
Fall gobblers are difficult to hunt, always wary, ole birds simply disappear after spring breeding
always looking for predators and often travel in
and it takes advanced woodsmanship to locate them

during fall.
Michigans turkey population is growing quickly,
especially in southern counties where mild winters and agricultural grain crops help support local
flocks. Southern Michigan dairy farmers love to
have hunters on their property to trim booming
flocks that gather in great numbers in winter fields
spread with manure. Hot spots are often highlighted
by large flocks of turkeys, several poults and hen
families, along with some adult gobbler groups.
The most popular fall hunting strategy is to locate a flock, bust into them by running and waving
your arms, scattering birds, helter-skelter in every
direction. Then, after you catch your breath, sit
down and begin calling. This strategy is deadly on
young turkeys that are eager to rejoin family members. The typical kee-kee-run gathering call is used
to bring birds into easy shooting range. Most will
return in less than one hour. The tactic works very
well, provided you do a good job of scattering the
flock. If birds run together, maybe flop their wings
to fly a short distance to join the group, the strategy
has failed. The trick is to take the flock by surprise,
charge into the center, force birds to fly every
direction by mimicking the speedy attack of a wild
animal. Do this and you are in business because in
a few minutes birds will return to the location of the
attack, in search of other turkeys. Set out a decoy
and they will often come running to join their new
friend.
Fall hunts are fun for kids. It gives them an
opportunity to locate birds, run after the flock like
a turkey crazed nut, which is a perfect strategy
to scatter flocks. Then, kids learn how to set-up,
use camouflage to conceal positions and exercise
patience while waiting for birds to return. This style
of hunting is an ideal opportunity to teach a kid or
a friend how to call turkeys. If they blow an opportunity to shoot a turkey, it is no big deal, soon other
birds will be returning to the set up location.
But if you want to fill your tag on an old gobbler, a different approach is required. One deadly
tactic is to locate a field adult birds use. Most
turkeys have a daily routine, learn it and get along
their path and you can count on taking braggin

toms. The trick is to spot birds and learn their


schedule without them seeing you. Sounds simple,
but this requires advanced woodsmanship, patience
and a good understanding of turkeys and their
habits.
My favorite method is to road hunt for toms
using telephoto camera. Once I spot adult toms in a
field, I get permission from the landowner to hunt.
Next, Im set up in the area the exact time the following day. I try to arrive at least an hour early and
move to the open field with extreme caution. It is a
good idea to avoid marching across the open, stick
to ditches, fence rows or surrounding woodlands
to conceal your approach. Taking an adult tom
turkey during fall requires the same skills needed
to score on a big buck. Learn how to approach,
hunt and leave an area without disturbing wildlife
and you have the skills needed to consistently bag
adult toms. It might take several outings before you
Acorns draw turkeys from long distances and they tend to spend a lot of time scratching soil,
score but once that huge tom is hanging over your
eating nuts and making resting pods in the thick fall leaves. When white oaks are dropping
shoulder, the prize is worth all the effort.
Turkeys love feeding in open fields. They enjoy acorns look for every gobbler in the section to be hanging around the tasty mast crop.
eating beans, alfalfa and corn. Truth is Ive taken
waterfowlers corn camouflage, complete with face
of the woods and started my direction. In the shadmore toms in cut or stubble cornfields than any oth- mask. I entered the field in the afternoon, laid flat
ows of the woodlot I made out the form of a large
er. Turkeys flock to harvested corn, searching for
in a corn stubble field where I saw the huge gobbler black object. It was the big tom I was hunting. He
golden nuggets to help them sustain the upcoming
three days earlier. I laid flat in the center of a corn
stood on the edge of the woods surveying the open
winter cold. Adult birds have been known to mirow, gathered stalks and covered my feet, legs and
field. Even with live hens and honking geese in the
most my body. The smell of the rich earth filled
grate several miles to locate a cornfield that meets
field he moved slowly from the cover as though
my senses. For an instant I closed my eyes and
their needs. Keep in mind that not all cornfields
he knew danger was near. The hens fed across the
thoughts of freshly plowed dirt entered my mind.
are alike. Some have been picked clean by modern
field and soon two were pecking corn less than 20
farm equipment that seldom misses an ear or drops Farmers, like no other humans, love the sweet
yards from me. I felt my pulse quicken as the large
smell of turned soil in spring. I thought about years tom sauntered my direction, he stopped frequently
a kernel. Other pickers will constantly drop grain
past when I toiled to turn the earth, how the smell
or completely miss entire ears. Much like deer,
to stand tip-toed, head held high, ever alert, looking
turkeys flock into fields during fall that can provide was refreshing, and a reward for a hard days work. for danger.
Old time farmers would feel the soil, smell it, hold
At one point he puffed his feathers, fanned his
enough food to last the upcoming winter and into
it in the palm of their hand and let the granules sift
tail and took the stance of a spring breeding turkey.
spring; then they disperse to breeding areas.
through their fingers to determine if it was suitable
It took the old boy a long time to feed my direction;
Most savvy turkey slayers set up along feeding
for raising crops.
finally he stood less than 30 yards from my makefields and call birds into range.
This soil, the ground around me, had the smell
shift blind on the ground. After several minutes I
Appropriate camouflage is required and hunters
and feel of typical rich southern Michigan agrislowly raised the gun when his head was down, the
soon learn in order to fool the keen eyesight of an
Tru-Glo bead rested on his red head and the roar of
adult tom you must cover your feet, hand, face and cultural areas. To me, it smelled like it could grow
corn with ears a foot long. The type of soil that
my Benelli put the big tom in the dirt. Frightened
entire body. Several camo patterns will get the job
produces good agricultural yield, big bucks and
by the blast, an unsuspecting hen almost ran over
done, the idea is to conceal your human outline,
trophy turkeys with beards draggin in the ink black me as I rose from the ground like a corn clad monhide your form, and make it difficult for critters to
soil. My head rested against a clump of dirt as I
ster from a scene in Michael Jacksons Thriller.
see you. You will know when your camouflage is
dreamed of happy hunts, relaxed in the afternoon
My point is this: dont be afraid to be creative
working properly, if not, birds will come to attensun
and
soon
fell
asleep.
I
awoke
to
the
sound
of
when
hunting fall turkeys. You can use a variety of
tion and run the opposite direction like a roadrunCanada geese circling the field. They landed in the
calls, decoys and set up positions to fool turkeys,
ner with his tail feathers on fire.
very center, about 200 yards from my comfortable
experiment, and most importantly.enjoy the
With fond memories I recall a big boy that I
blind. Minutes later three hen turkeys popped out
beautiful scenery and have fun.n
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Bulk &
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53

Casting for Recovery

With fly rod in hand, a second chance


For the first time, Im
sitting with someone
who can finish my
sentences. She knows
where Ive been. I dont
have to tell her.

hats how a participant summed


up her experience
at a Casting for
Recovery (CfR)
retreat. Fourteen
new participants experienced the same phenomenon during a late-August
retreat at Barothy
Lodge along the
banks of the Pere
Marquette River in Walhalla,
Michigan.
Participants are breast cancer
survivors, any age, any stage,
said CfR National Program Direc-

tor Peggy Stevinson. Participants


have ranged in age from 24 to
90 years old and come from all
socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. They are selected randomly by computer from a pool
of applicants. So no one knows
anyone else when they arrive for
the two-and-a-half-day retreat, she
added.
CfR, a national group comprised of 1,600 volunteers
now in its 20th year,
has established a pretty
straight forward mission:
To enhance the quality of
life of women with breast
cancer through a unique
program that combines
breast cancer education
and peer support with the
therapeutic sport of
fly fishing.
CfR maintains the
inclusion of fly fishing with a support group retreat is important for
several reasons. On a physical
level, the gentle, rhythmic motion

By Tom Carney

On the Pere Marquette River, Casting for Recovery fly fishing instructor
Jen Ripple guides a par ticipant during the fishing por tion of the retreat.
of fly casting is similar to exercises often prescribed after surgery or radiation to promote soft
tissue stretching. On an emotional
level, women are given the opportunity to experience a new activity
in a safe environment amongst a
supportive group of peers. The
retreats provide resources to help
address quality of life issues after
a breast cancer diagnosis, and a
new outletfly fishingas a reprieve from the every day stresses
and challenges of their cancer.
According to Michigans CfR Program Coordinator Sandy Thomley, the retreats are meaningful in

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Contact us today to find


what Keeper is right for you!

54

another way.
Weve found that 72% of
participants had never sought out
support groups. They say, I didnt
know I needed this.
Once in attendance, they find
themselves sitting with people
who can finish their sentences,
some of whom become lifelong
friends. They learn they are not
alone in their experiences.
They become bonded. Completely bonded, said Stevinson.
Within a couple of hours,
they are saying things they
havent said to anybody, Thomley said.

her from the start to the finish.


When it was over, I had to find
something positive to continue
working on.
In short, she wasnt done giving. She has been with CfR since
2011.
Thomley, also a fly fisher,
will be a two-year breast cancer
survivor in November of this
year. She hadnt realized how
much her illness had affected her
husband. He, also is a fly fisher,
had heard of CfR and suggested it
to her.
I started the therapy for
him, she said. At the time,
Michigan did not have an active
program. With my background as
a fly fisher, in event planning and
working with nonprofit organizations it all just seemed natural
for her to get more deeply involved with the group.
The recent event at Barothy
was the first in seven years for
the Michigan chapter.
Stevinson lauded Thomleys
efforts, averring, It will happen
annually.
She goes on to explain even
deeper reasons for fly fishing being at the core of CfRs work.
Cancer survivors will often
use the term chemo brain to
describe thinking and memory
problems that can occur after cancer treatment.
During and after chemotherapy patients can have difficulty
learning and focusing, she said.
They become daft almost and
with less brain function. During
the CfR retreats, though, once
they catch the fish they are happy
because they have proven to
themselves they can learn something.
Thomley added, Thats a big
part of the emotional impact of

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At the Casting for Recovery Michigan Retreat at Barothy Lodge near


Walhalla, Lead Fly Fishing instructor Ann Miller conducts the session,
What Fish Eat. Sandy Thomley Casting for Recovery photos
the retreat because they are learning to take their lives back.
The fishing that takes place
during the retreats is strictly catch
and release.
Its more than just for
ecological or environmental
reasons, Stevinson said.
Its a metaphor.

Often when a retreat participant releases a fish shell cry.


Stevinson explains, Theyll
say I got a second chance at life.
And I am giving this fish a second chance.
For more information, to
donate or volunteer:
www.castingforrecovery.orgn

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One cancer survivor spoke


of her journey from diagnosis
through treatment: Sometimes
you have no one to talk about
things to because you just cant
bear to talk about them with your
family. Thus the importance of
the bonding session the first
afternoon and evening of the retreat.
The focus of each retreat is on
wellness, empowerment, and opportunity. The Saturday sessions
begin indoors with social support,
a psychological counselorwho
is also available for private sessions throughout the weekend
and, of course, fly fishing instruction. Sundays are for half-day fly
fishing excursions, and at least
four instructors trained specifically for CfR attend each retreat.
Its important to note,
said Stevinson, for participants
the retreat is completely
free. Usually once shes diagnosed, a patient has a lot of
expenses, medical and otherwise.
Anyone can come to these
retreats, no matter their financial
status.
Added Thomley, There is
no strain on participants. All you
have to do is to get yourself there.
Everything else is taken care of:
food, lodging, all of the organizing. All of the fly fishing equipment is provided. You can step
out of your comfort zone and just
be with us.
Stevinson and Thomley took
different routes to their leadership
roles in CfR.
Stevinson has been fly fishing for over 11 years. She did not
have the disease but is probably
the closest thing to being a survivor.
My sisters diagnosis had a
profound effect on me. I was with

55

Protecting Michigan Waters: The Nature


Conservancy, and matters of the hear t
Its all about you! Like to
catch really big fish? Hunt
waterfowl? Paddle the Great
Lakes? Drink clean water?
Keep reading...

The Nature Conservancy understands water quality is a matter of


human heart and that undeniable fact
is echoed in their mission statement
Conserving the lands and waters on
which all life depends. The Conservancy shares their mission through
outreach that emphasizes personal
involvement, Every acre we prohe care of rivers is
tect, every river mile restored, every
not a question of
species brought back from the brink,
rivers, but of the hu- begins with you.
man heart, Shozo
The Nature Conservancy is the
Tanaka. Tanaka was leading conservation organization
a Japanese social
working to protect ecoactivist who died in 1913 and
logically important lands and
was considered to be Japans
waters for nature and people
first conservation. His words
around the world, and back
hold true today, for it takes
here at home. To date they
more than legislation and law
have protected more than
enforcement to improve the
119 million acres of land and
quality of our rivers, streams,
thousands of miles of rivers
wetlands and bays, and the
worldwide and operate more
rest of the Great Lakes for
than 100 marine conservation
fishing, and all
projects globforms of outdoor
ally. Projects
recreation. It
are ongoing in
takes all of us. Our actions make a
69 countries as they address threats
difference.
to conservation involving climate

By Jonathan Schechter

Healthy waters make a difference. Author with a Lake Michigan king


salmon. Jonathan Schechter photos
change, fresh water, oceans, and conservation lands.
Their work is not rooted in silly
politically motived sound-bites, but
is spawned by solid science as they
purse non-confrontational, pragmatic
solutions to conservation challenges.

Grand Traverse Bay

989.884.1243
www.fortressblinds.com
fortressblinds@gmail.com

Some of their Michigan actions


draw media attention as did the improving of spawning habitat in August
of 2015 when 450 tons of rocks were
lowered into Grand Traverse Bay to
improve spawning habitat for native
fish. That project was a collaboration
between The Nature Conservancy,
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources and Central Michigan University, and it restored a key limestone
reef near Elk Rapids. The reef is part
of a complex that is the only place in
Lake Michigan where three important
native fish specieslake herring,

lake whitefish and lake troutare all


known to spawn. And it just wasnt
any rock that was used, research and
public input played a role. The rocks
were selected from local sources
based on their size and shape to match
the original reef as closely as possible to encourage fish to use them for
spawning.

A Kayak Connection

A lesser known, less glamorous,


project continues in the Saginaw
Bay watershed, a project I all but
stumbled, or should I say paddled
into with an invitation. The day will
come when a kayaker will slip their
craft into the meandering waters of
the Shiawassee River at tiny roadside
WaterWorks Park in Holly, and then
paddle all the way from that launch
site in northwestern Oakland County
to Saginaw Bay, 110 miles away, and
then perhaps on into Lake Huron.

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Its a 110 mile journey from


the quiet waters of the
Shiawassee River in Oakland
County, to the Saginaw Bay.

Saginaw Bay
Farmlands & Wetlands

I was in Bay City as a guest of


the Nature Conservancy (http://www.
nature.org) and warmly welcomed
aboard the Schooner Appledore to
partake in an educational endeavor,
the Saginaw Bay Sail for the Agriculture Community. Some history is
in order first, and to better understand
the need for conservation and farming practices that reduce sediment
and excess nutrient in our rivers and
wetlands we turn to the Michigan
Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
They explain, The Saginaw Bay

watershed is the largest in the State


of Michigan, spanning 5.5 million
acres and 22 counties. The ecological health of Saginaw Bay and its
tributaries is critically important to
not only Lake Huron, but the entire
Great Lakes Ecosystem, supporting
a diversity of fish, migratory birds
and other wildlife. It has the largest
concentration of coastal wetlands in
the Lake Huron Basin. With agriculture use covering 45 percent of the
watersheds land area, it is crucial we
understand how to properly manage
this land to balance agronomic and
environmental needs. Want to know
more? Visit www.nature.org/saginawbay for details on the bay, on-going
projects, and implications for all of
Michigan.
For the next three hours on-board
professionals, including speakers
representing local agriculture, economic development and recreational
fisheries discussed the benefits of
agricultural conservation for regional
environment integrity. One of the
participants was Ben Wickerham,
the Saginaw Bay Conservation Innovation Assistant with The Nature
Conservancy. We chatted as we sailed
past urban areas, old docks, waterfowl and riverside wetlands.
I asked, How do I excite Oakland County residents with the health
of the Saginaw Bay?
His response has implications for
everyone with an appreciation of our
waters, The purpose of the Agricultural Bay Sail was to re-connect
growers and land managers from the
around the Saginaw Bay watershed
to the incredible resource of Saginaw
Bay. When you live and work 100
miles away, its easy to lose sight of
the important connection between local rivers and streams and the receiving waters of the bay.
Wickerman went on to explain,
For instance, one of our top priority
focus areas in the Saginaw Bay Watershed is the Shiawassee River Wa-

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tershed, due to its major influence on


the Saginaw River. To help improve
water quality and thus the health of
the fish community in the Shiawassee
River, Saginaw River and the Bay itself, we are targeting outreach toward
agricultural landscapes and audiences
in the Shiawassee River Watershed.
We hope events like the Bay Sail will
help bolster the adoption of conservation practices in places like the
upper Shiawassee River watershed in
Oakland County.
We sailed past a mountain of
quarried rocks not far from downtown Bay City just as our voyage of

the Schooner Appledore was coming to an end. An adult Bald Eagle


perched majestically on the top of
those rocks, a reminder that what is
good for the health of rivers, farmlands and wildlife is good for all of
us, from the quiet headwaters of the
Shiawassee River that flow from
the protected wetlands of Oakland
County, to the shipping channels of
the busy Saginaw River and all of our
Great Lakes.
Jonathan Schechter is naturalist/writer in Oakland County, and
sometimes catches big fish. E: mail:
oaknature@aol.comn

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The colorful interpretive sign at the


launch site for the Shiawassee River
Heritage Water Trail entices paddlers
with that dream.
Paddlers may want to know the
Shiawassee River Heritage Water
Trail presents a seven mile natureembracing Oakland County section
that takes paddlers from Holly to
Fenton through woodlands, meadows, and farmlands, near Great Blue
Herons stalking their prey, around
sunning turtles and over very small
rapids. And paddlers also have the
pulse-raising excitement of slipping
over a small beaver dam and passing
through large culverts that go under
an active railway.
This multi-agency story for
Woods-N-Water News was spawned
by a project of The Nature Conservancy, really started at Bay City, and
was a reminder to me that we do in
Oakland County (my home base) has
a significant role in the water quality
of the Saginaw Bay, and everywhere.
And although a functioning water
trail from Oakland County to Bay
City is still just a dream, dreams,
coupled with research, science and
dedicated people are catalysts for reality, and some who hold that dream,
and have concerns on water quality,
gathered in Bay City in August. I was
one.

57

Non-traditional bass places...By Buck Mallory

Falls overlooked
shallow lunkers
Ever catch a bass
from under a pier in
a snowstorm?

most of the season. And thats in shallow ambush points where they can
inhale a steady supply of food.
Food, namely minnows, frogs,
young bluegill and crayfish, stays
shallow well into the fall and the
y mentor, fishing tutor
big ol smart bassat least a lot of
and best friend Larry
themstay up there as long as that
Mallory (also my dad)
food lingers.
did it to win a late Octo- While I am constantly trying to
ber tournament several
educate myself on catching bass
years ago, fishing a jig
both shallow and deep to become as
around and under Michigan boat
versatile as possible, fishing for those
docks. In fact, he caught a 5-fish limit shallow fish around different cover
that went 22 poundspretty good for is what really gets the juices flowsouthern Michigan any time of the
ing. Skipping a jig up under a dock
year.
and feeling that bite or seeing my line
Yup, big bass stay shallow as late streak away in a new direction really
in the year as they can. While the
gets my ticker ticking. So does chuckmainstream knowledge of bass fishing ing a big surface lure and having a
and bass behavior says to target bass
bucket-mouth inhale it. Ricocheting
out on the deeper breaks and green
a shallow-running square-bill crankweeds when the days grow shorter,
bait off of structure and having bass
lots of big bass get overlooked in
grab it is awesome, as is watching a
places theyve been residing through
flashy spinnerbait streaking below the

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theres not enough water for them to


hang out. The bass will be in depressions scooped out under piers and
around trees hanging in the water. On
an unfamiliar lakeor even a familiar
one where you havent tried fishing
way up shallow its key to cover a
lot of water looking for these spots.
A great lure for probing these
areas is a swim jig, which you can
pitch up shallow without making a big

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surface suddenly go sideways when a


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Lets start by defining shallow as
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that are still green and healthy, all the
way up to 6 inches of water. Now, I
dont mean that big old bass are laying on their sides in that half-foot of
water depth. But you can often find
big bass in areas where it looks like

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splash. You also can skip a 1/2-ounce


swim jig up where piers meet the
shore, then turn around and swim
it through a weed bed on the other
side of the boat. Swim jigs are darn
versatile. I like rigging them with a
swimbait trailera Swing Impact
Fat 3.8 from Keitech is my favorite
and one of the most expensive (of
course).Theyre soft and usually not
good for more than a couple of fish.
Less expensive, firmer swimbaits
can get the job done, too. Swim jigs
with a swim bait look like a bite-size
panfish, and can get a lot of bites in
shallow water.
In areas where the water is at least a
couple feet deep, a square-bill crankbait such as a Strike King KVD 1.5
provides a great way to cover a lot of
water around structure and get some
reaction bites from bass as you crank
it through their strike zones. Squarebills are great for bouncing off pier
posts, wood and rocks without getting hung up. I like burning them
on 12-pound fluorocarbon. Many
crankbait manufacturers test their
cranks for optimum performance with
12-pound line, so using it often delivers the hardbodys best action.
When vegetation starts glomming onto a crankbaits hooks, a
quick switch to a spinnerbait lets you
spend a lot less time picking weeds
off of treble hooks. A half-ounce
Strike King Burner with willow leaf
blades works great. Fish spinnerbaits
fast and just far enough below the
surface where you can see it. They
work because good old old-school
spinnerbaits have fallen out of favor
with the majority of bass anglers, so
bass dont see a whole lot of them
anymore. Chatter baits are the new
spinnerbait for lots of bass anglers,
and they work, too. But bass see a lot
of chatter baits these days, so spinnerbaits often catch just as many if not
more. Painted blades seem to work in
real clear water while flashier metallic blades work great in dingier water.
Surface lures such as poppers
and chuggers also are efficient for
covering a lot of shallow water with

long casts and a fairly fast popping


retrieve. Here, you might want to
switch to monofilament, which floats,
while fluorocarbon sinks. Some guys
like to tie braid straight to the lure as
braid floats, too. Poppers, such as the
Rapala X-Rap Pop, work best when
there isnt a lot of wind making the
water choppy.
A surface lure that is on a solid
upward trend is the River2Sea Whopper Plopper. At about $17 a crack,
not a whole lot of guys are using
these beasts, which is good for you
since lots of bass across the Midwest
havent seen these intriguing lures
yet. Designed by Larry Dahlberg,
host of The Hunt for Big Fish television show, these lures are about the
simplest to use of all surface lures.
Theyre kind of torpedo-shaped, like
a Zara Spook, but they have a tail
section that whirls and plops as you
retrieve it. And a steady retrieve is all
you need to do. The key to success
with these is determining the speed
and resulting plopping sound that the
fish want. Vary the retrieve until you
can hear the definitive plop, plop,
plop of the tail section scooping up
water and slapping the surface as it
revolves around again. Bass looking up at it hit it with authority. I fish
these expensive lures on 30-pound
braided line tied directly to the eyelet.
It gurgles along over the bass and creates enough commotion that the fish
dont seem to notice the solid braided
line coming off the lures nose. Plus,
I dont want to break off a lure that
costs $17!
The Whopper Plopper is a great
lure when the fall winds stir up the
surface. The big Whopper Plopper
comes through waves while creating
plenty of noise. Its also a nice heavy
lure that you can cast a country mile
to cover water. Another reason to use
braided line: It ensures a good hookset at a distance.
As for key areas when youre fishing shallow in the fall, look for anything that provides an ambush point.
This can be as obvious as a fallen tree
or a pier, or as subtle as the shadow

Your lure selection need not be extensive when targeting shallow fall
bass. Swim jigs, square-lip crankbaits, a double-willow leaf spinnerbait,
a popper and the Whopper Plopper will have you well covered.
of a house stretching across the water.
Bass, big bass, claim these sorts of
spots as their own so they dont have
to move far for a meal.
So this fall, look shallow first.
Work the shoreline, docks and other
shallow structure with a variety of
approaches. If the water has gotten
cold causing the crayfish and frogs to
burrow and hibernate, and the baitfish
have moved to deep water, after it

gets cold, the crawfish and frogs


burrow in for a winter nap and baitfish move to deeper waterswitch
to deeper tactics such as throwing
deep cranks or speedily working the
breakline with a heavy jig. But if
you see a lot of bait and other life
in the skinny water, keep on
casting until you start hitting fish.
If bait is there, bass will be there,
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59

Barriers in trout streams can stop spawning runs


and critical movement to cold water summer refuge

ypically, headwaters provide


the ground water springs that
create trout streams. Many
larger trout mainstreams are
heavily dependent on headwater spring activity and
tributary trout streams to provide good
spawning habitat that allows successful natural reproduction, especially for
brook trout.
Brook trout require ground water
percolating up through clean gravel
for their spawning to be successful.
Unfortunately, trout are not as capable
of passing upstream barriers as their
relatives, the salmon. One very common barrier to upstream trout movement in Michigan is poorly installed
culverts. Any angler, land manager,
or fish biologist driving around a trout
watershed can count great numbers
of stream road crossings; the majority
that employ culverts.
Upstream trout passage to cold
water refuge is also critical, especially on more marginal trout waters.
If stream water temperatures rise
above 70 F it can be fatal to brook
trout. As trout streams warm in hot
and droughty summers trout need to
move toward headwater spring areas
or cold water tributaries to survive.
This major annual trout upstream
movement was well documented by
research biologists on the Ford River
and Escanaba River watersheds in the Navy submarine
Extreme Low Frequency
(ELF) Antenna research project in the Central UP in the
1980s. Brook trout moved
long distances upstream
to coldwater tributaries to
survive lethal water temperatures that developed in
the Ford and Escanaba
River mainstream. Barriers to trout movement in
those two river systems would be fatal
to brook trout populations that live in
those stream systems.
Culverts are often used by road
commissions, land managers, and land

Two large perched culver ts on lower Golden Creek which is a critical spawning and coldwater tributary to the
Iron Countys Paint River. These barriers to trout passage were removed by the US Forest Service allowing
brook trout to pass upstream to spawning habitat.
owners for convenience and expense.
A bridge offers the best fish passage
for trout due to the natural bottom
that provides current breaks and lower
flow velocity. A properly sized bottomless box culvert provides
the next best fish passage at
road crossings. If a typical
culvert is used it must be
large enough to handle peak
flows and also be deeply
recessed into the sediment to
allow gravel and sediment to
provide a more natural flow
regime to allow trout to pass
up stream.
The worst possible
stream crossing is a
perched culvert (attached photos).
A fish would have to jump to enter the
downstream end of this culvert and
then make its way with high velocity over the steel corrugation which

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Bill Ziegler

60

A 13 inch brook trout sampled during a trout population survey on the


Fence River where considerable trout habitat restoration work occurred
during the two decades.

is normally impossible. There are


numerous examples of perched culverts around the Western U P where
I managed trout for the DNR during
my career. Many other culverts are
undersized and block trout with flow
velocity or placement that is too much
for trout to swim upstream through
them.
Erich Ziegler, Crystal Falls Forest
Park science teacher, conducted a
stream crossing inventory and study
of the entire Fence River watershed in
Iron County as part of his Master Thesis at Michigan Tech University. The
Fence River with portions rated as a
Michigan Blue Ribbon Trout Stream
has been an outstanding trout stream
although it has declined in recent
years. Several factors have contributed to this decline including aggressive logging in the entire watershed,
excessive beaver impact on some
tributaries, and road crossing barriers
fragmenting the watershed.
Ziegler inventoried 31 stream road
crossings on the Fence River and its
18 tributaries. Ziegler stated in his
summary assessment of the 31 crossings in the Fence River watershed,
32% (10 were deemed to be impassible to trout. In addition, 19% (6) were
determined to be marginal for trout
passage. This means less than half
(49 %) of the stream crossings were
found to be passable to trout.
Most trout watersheds in Michigan
would have a much higher number
of road stream crossings than this
remote Fence River system. These
culvert barriers fragment the trout

habitat of the stream and greatly limit


its potential to maintain a productive
brook trout fishery. Unfortunately,
water temperature conditions in the
Fence River have deteriorated over
time and movement for summer cold
water refuge and spawning is critical.
These limitations on trout movement
contribute to the Fence Rivers trout
population being at a current level
lower than its historical trout population or its current potential.
Golden Creek, a tributary to
the North Branch of the Paint and
Schwartz Creek, a tributary to the
West Branch of the Escanaba River
in Dickinson County had perched
culverts near their confluence with
the larger trout stream. The bad road
crossings blocked off trout movement
to over ten miles of top quality trout
water on the Golden and 15 miles
of top quality trout habitat on the
Schwartz Creek. Working cooperatively with local DNR Foresters we
got them to replace several inadequate
culverts at a DNR Road stream crossing the Fence River tributary Smith
Creek. This bad crossing had washed
out several times at considerable cost
to DNR. The DNR replaced this
culvert crossing with a small bridge
making almost six miles of cold
ground water rich habitat available to
Fence River trout that can utilize it for
spawning and cold water refuge.
Maintaining the States trout
steam resources is a very high priority.
Citizens, road commissions, and land
managers can help maintain connectivity and access of trout to critical

habitat in streams by making proper


stream crossings when the need
arises. Area DNR fisheries biologists, DEQ officials, or Natural Resource Conservation Service staff can
help people who need to construct
stream crossings properly design trout
friendly crossings. Properly placed
stream crossings in addition to passing trout are also much less likely to
wash out saving future expense.
Leading experts in the US are
confident in predicting that many

miles of water that support trout will


decline with climate change. During
my 35 year fisheries career (mostly
in the U P) our surveys measured
a decline in some of the UPs best
known stream reaches that support
trout. As some streams become
more marginal for supporting trout,
stream trout movement to survivable
water temperatures and spawning
habitat become even more critical.
By taking a little more time planning
stream crossing one major barrier to

Erich Ziegler - Science Teacher at Crystal Falls Forest Park Schools


conducting a study of a road crossing trout passage of the Fence River
Watershed and Upper West Branch Escanaba River.

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Two poorly installed perched culver ts blocking upstream trout movement in the UP.

ery. A strongly natural reproducing


trout steam can produce better trout
populations than any level of stocking. If we protect or enhance these
fragile streams habitat and water
quality we can enjoy good trout fishing for many decades to come.n

maintaining good trout habitat can be


avoided.
We are fortunate enough in
northern Michigan to have a number
of streams where if we protect quality
trout habitat trout natural reproduction can maintain a quality trout fish-

61

Boaters can help support national security

e are still dealing with the


September 11th terrorist
attacks It changed many
things in our country,
including boating. It
changed how you go boating, your responsibilities and the need to
prepare for what you may encounter on
the water.
Can you answer the following questions affirmatively?
1) Do you understand all the functions of your electronics such as your
GPS and are you confident you can operate them under every circumstance?
2) Do you carry charts and know
how to use them?
3) Do you know the Rules of the
Road and understand how they apply
to you?
4) Do you know FCC marine radio
requirements and how to operate your
radio to meet them?
5) Have you performed every task

possible to prepare your vessel to avoid


requiring assistance?
Because Coast Guard
vessels have been re-assigned
to more important missions,
routine patrols had to be set
back. Recreational boating
search and rescue efforts
were placed lower on the list
of Coast Guard missions. It
is therefore of utmost importance pleasure boaters be
better prepared.
The Coast Guard
has always had the
duty to just as
their name implies,
Guard Our Coast. Since 9/11 this duty
has intensified and many tasks have been
added to an already understaffed and often over-worked agency. In some areas,
the new assignments include escorting
commercial vessels, especially those carrying passengers or hazardous materials.

Boat Smart...
By Capt. Fred Davis

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Church Tackle Co.

WE DIDNT INVENT THE PLANER BOARD, WE JUST PERFECTED IT!

Mini Lock-Jaw

Locking Arm
easy to open & close

Adjustment Screw

An all new type of planer!

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

rch Tackle Co.


Chu

62

Easy to attach and remove.


Great for trolling in congested areas and more effective contour trolling along
drop offs contour lines, reef edges and weed lines in rivers, lakes or the ocean.
Effective for all species. Run more lines out the back of the boat by staggering
the Stern Planers. Run any distance from the boat yet maintain desired depth.

The Revelator
A Proven
Tournament Winner!

Hole for drop weights


or other applications

Pad

Part# 30610 (14 x 4 1/4 x 7/8)

(7 long, weighs about 1.5 oz)

Line Protector inside


keeps line from making
contact with screw

Locator holes for


attaching to side-planers

2 3/4 Long
3/4 Wide

WE DIDNT INVENT CLIPS,


WE HAVE PERFECTED THEM!

Mini Lock-Jaw Original Lock-Jaw


The TX-44 is the first and the only in line planer to pull the large Divers, Lead Core,
Weighs 17 grams & 2 3/4 long
Weighs only 11 grams
Wire or Copper Lines and Heavy Weights. The size of the TX-44 makes it harder for
3/4 wide
1 7/8 long, wide
fish to pull the board under, however it is still easy to retrieve. The Vise Clip comes
standard with the TX-44; especially designed for lead core & copper, makes
30#test
30#test
accidental release almost impossible.
monofilament
TX-44 is now also available in a Tournament power pro
Series which comes with a Lock-Jaw Clip,
Stainless Steel Rear Pin and E-Z Store for
easy tow-arm removal. Part# 60630

A one-stop shop for planer boards


7 different styles & ALL MADE IN THE USA

Two sizes, 8 or 5 3/4 with many color combinations.


The unique fish like body design, 3D Eyes and flashy
WTP tape make it appear as a feeding fish. Offset fins
make each rotation different from the other and also
give the fly, spoon or cut-bait head more of a darting
action. 2 attachment holes on the fins deliver a wider
range of actions to choose from. Rotates 360 degrees.
Works great with the cut-bait heads like the Shock Wave
and with any lure, live or cut bait.
No fish can resist the Revelator

Lock-Jaw

Release
Prevention

TX-44 Super Planer

TX-007 Stern Planer & TX-005 Mini Stern Planer

Locking Arm
easy to open & close

Adjustment
Screw

Release
This clip may be mini but when it comes to holding power its second Hole for drop weights
Prevention
or other applications
only to its big brother, the original Lock-Jaw! Holds mono, super
braids, power pro, lead core or copper lines without damaging the line!
The Mini Lock-Jaw fits The Walleye Board, TX-44, TX-22, TX-12 & TX-6
Replaceable
1 7/8 Long
planer boards, but we recommend the full size Lock-Jaw for the TX-44.
Pad
1/2 Wide
The Mini Lock-Jaw is designed to fit other side planers, drop weights and
Locator holes for
works for many other applications.
attaching
to side-planers
Part# 40620, 2pk Color - yellow Replacement Pads part# 40701 6/pk

(10 1/4 long, weighs about 3 oz)

Coast Guard stations throughout the


nation have also become our waterfront
watchdogs of power plants,
water intakes and bridges.
They are carefully guarding
our countrys water borders. If
you cruise waters that separate
borders of our country, you may
have felt the impact of their
surveillance. When performing
their coastal patrols, the Coast
Guard is assisted by other federal agencies such as;
customs, DEA and FBI.
One of the ways
you can help is to alter
the way you operate
your vessel. Power plant warm water runoffs draw fish but you need to
avoid these areas. Do not linger around
bridges to watch traffic pass overhead
and always be prepared to respond to
Coast Guard inquiries.
The best way to know what the
Coast Guard may need is to properly
monitor your marine radio. Should the
Captain of the port determine a need to
close it, they will make an announcement via VHF. If the Coast Guard is
involved in escorting a ship with passengers or hazardous material, they will
notify any vessels in the area regarding a
restricted zone.
You could be miles offshore and be
hailed by a Coast Guard vessel escorting a ship. The purpose of hailing may
be to advise you of a required course
change to avoid a restricted area they
have established or it could be an inquiry
regarding your course and identity.
A boater approaching a ship on a
lake or river may not be able to recognize what the large vessels activities are.
They also will not know if the vessel is

The Shock Wave - Shock Wave cut-bait holder rotates for

better fish catching action. Three adjustment holes make it easy to


adjust leader length by simply pulling the line in or out. Available in
light green, white, red, glow and chrome color body with assorted tape
colors to choose from.

No need for toothpicks!

For light to heavy


applications.

For heavy to extremely


heavy appications

Holds
10# plus!!

10#

10#

The hinged cover snaps shut easily then


the spike penetrates cut bait to keep it in place!

Please check with your local tackle shop first, if they dont carry our products visit us at www.churchtackle.com to view all
of our great American made fishing gear, or call us at 269-934-8528 to request a catalog.

10#

Author watches as a coast guard


cutter bears down on his vessel
while he was ocean fishing.
carrying passengers or a possible hazardous cargo. If you venture near, no matter
what your activity may be, you will get
the attention of the Coast Guard if they
are escorting. They will hail on VHF
marine radio, channel 16 or 9 and advise
you stay clear and announce a specific
distance. If you are not monitoring a
hailing channel, you could find yourself
in the sights of a manned machine gun
on the coast guard vessels deck.
Coast Guard activities will likely
change as conditions warrant. Public
notices will be provided on the Coast
Guards Notice to Mariners broadcast.
The announcement of an upcoming
broadcast will be on VHF channel 16
and 9. As you monitor the broadcast on
those channels, you will be advised to
switch to channel 22 to receive updates
for your area.
One Coast Guard representative I
spoke with advised, Recreational boaters can really help us by being our additional eyes. He explained they can be
an important asset by simply watching
what is going on out on the water and
notifying their local Coast Guard station
of any unusual activity. Examples of
reportable actions are persons taking
photos around water intakes, bridges,
and power plants and in and about commercial harbors.
Any activity you believe to be
questionable should be reported. Let the
Coast Guard decide what action should
be taken. If you wish to pass along
information just hail Security, Security,
U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16. You
will be asked to switch to a working
channel when they respond. It is not
advisable that you investigate on your
own, let the pros handle it.
Each of us in the boating community
can help and it is vital we do so. Our
vessels, of all types and size, must be
in the best operating condition possible
before entering a waterway and of equal
importance, all operators should have as
much boating knowledge as possible. It
is easily obtained through Coast Guard
Auxiliary and Power Squadron classes.
Lets all assist the Coast Guard in carrying out their duties of protecting our
nations waterways and coastlines.n

Plenty Of Angling Opportunities...Prepared By MDNR

More than 33 million fish stocked

HORNS &
SKULLS

SPECIALIZING

IN QUALITY
Antler, Horn &
Skull Mounts

Jeff Cochran
Dryden, Michigan
J.cochran61@yahoo.com
www.hornsnskulls.com

810-441-7057

together to produce the species, strain


and size of fish needed by fisheries
managers. These fish must then be delivered at a specific time and location
for stocking to ensure their success.
Each hatchery stocked the following fish this spring:
Marquette State Fish Hatchery (near Marquette) stocked 624,695
yearling lake trout, brook trout and
splake (a hybrid of lake trout and
brook trout) that in total weighed
67,476 pounds. This hatchery stocked
a total of 113 inland and Great Lakes
sites.
Thompson State Fish Hatchery
(near Manistique) stocked 1,045,079
fish that included yearling steelhead
and spring fingerling Chinook salmon.
These fish weighed 118,826 pounds
in total. This hatchery stocked 68 sites
(the majority located on the Great
Lakes).
Oden State Fish Hatchery (near
Petoskey) stocked 626,317 yearling
brown trout and rainbow trout that in
total weighed 102,273 pounds. This
hatchery stocked 182 inland and Great
Lakes sites.
Harrietta State Fish Hatchery
(in Harrietta) stocked 1,122,827 yearling brown trout and rainbow trout that
in total weighed 98,089 pounds. This
hatchery stocked 275 sites (the majority located inland).
Platte River State Fish Hatchery (near Honor) stocked 2,550,355
fish that included yearling Atlantic
salmon and coho salmon and spring
fingerling Chinook salmon that in
total weighed 168,246 pounds. This
hatchery stocked 19 sites (the majority
located on the Great Lakes).
Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery
(near Kalamazoo) stocked 986,089 fish
that included yearling steelhead and
spring fingerling Chinook salmon that
in total weighed 124,113 pounds. This
hatchery stocked 54 sites (the majority
located on the Great Lakes).
A cooperative teaching hatchery at Lake Superior State University
(in Sault Saint Marie) stocked 36,790
Atlantic salmon weighing 4,847
pounds into the St. Marys River.
Included in this years total of fish
stocked were walleye spring fingerlings and fry to the tune of 26 million.
These fish are reared in ponds by the

eye and muskellunge rearing targets.


Fish stocking is a critical activity
of the DNR. These efforts help pump
between $2.4 and $4.2 billion into the
states economy through the sportfishing industry and associated businesses.
As a frame of reference, 2015 stocking
efforts totaled nearly 25 million fish.
Fish are reared in Michigans state
fish hatcheries anywhere from one
month to one and a half years before
they are stocked.
It should be noted that some
hatcheries will provide fish for a few
additional stockings to be made this
DNR and tribal partners with extensive fall consisting of brook trout, Atlantic
support provided by local sportsmens salmon, lake sturgeon and muskelorganizations. These fish were stocked lunge. The lake sturgeon will come
at 55 inland lakes and rivers and two
from the DNRs other cooperative
Great Lakes.
hatchery in Tower that is operated with
We had an exceptionally good
Michigan State University.
year for walleye production. Hatch
The DNR always welcomes
and early survival was fantastic, which visitors to its state fish hatcheries
resulted in many more fry than we can and interpretative centers to witness
rear to fingerling size, said Eisch.
first-hand the fish-rearing process and
Fortunately, a newly funded project
to learn about Michigans remarkable
included in the 2017 budget should
waters. For more information, visit
allow us to put in additional rearing
Michigan.gov/hatcheries.
ponds at Thompson State Fish Hatch The DNR maintains a public
ery. Expansion of Michigans coolwa- database of fish stocking records which
ter program would get us even closer
can be reviewed at michigandnr.com/
to being able to reach all of our wallfishstock.n

Visit our booth at the


30th Annual Woods-N-Water
Outdoor Weekend
Help Manage Your Land
Help You Hunt Your Land
Help You Harvest Your Land
Contact Scott for land consultations at 734-717-1862

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

he MDNR announced the


final totals from its spring and
summer fish-stocking efforts.
The DNRs Fisheries Division
stocked a total of 33,308,068
fish that weighed more than
343 tons and consisted of nine different species and one hybrid.
To complete this task, it took more
than 400 stocking trips to more than
750 stocking sites, with travel totaling more than 105,000 miles over the
course of 2,624 hours using 17 specialized stocking trucks.
We experienced outstanding
spring and summer stocking seasons
that will bring significant benefits
and fishing opportunities to Michigan
anglers, said DNR Fish Production
Manager Ed Eisch. With the hard
work and dedication of our staff, fish
were reared and delivered to stocking
sites in excellent condition. The numbers produced and stocked were right
on target for almost all areas.
The number and type of fish
stocked throughout the year varies by
hatchery, as each locations ability to
rear fish varies because of the source
and temperature of the rearing water.
In Michigan there are six state and
two cooperative hatcheries that work

63

Trust Funds Top 10 List


deemed especially noteworthy:
The First: It took a couple of years
for the Trust Fund to get rolling. St.
Johns Marsh was acquired in January
1979 with a grant of just less than $1
million. The DNR purchased around
ichigans Natural Re837 acres of marshland in St. Clair
sources Trust Fund
County, which is now part of the St.
celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Birthed Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, which
in controversy, the Trust includes the managed waterfowl area
on Harsens Island.
Fund was created after
The Biggest: The Kamehameha
the discovery of oil in the Pigeon
Schools
Land Project involved
River Country State Forest in the
purchasing
the development rights
Lower Peninsula.
to
some
248,000
acres of wild land
While Michigans oil and gas
stretching
across
seven Upper Peninindustry was pushing for opening
sula
counties.
The
land includes more
the area to mineral extraction, many
than 300 lakes, almost 200 miles of
conservationists were insistent that
trout streams and 52,000 acres of wetthe Pigeon River Country never be
lands. The land will remain open to
developed. The compromise reached
public access for hunting and fishing.
allowed oil development to proceed,
but the royalties from mineral extrac- The project involved a series of grants
from 2003 to 2007 totaling more than
tion would accrue to the Trust Fund,
which would be used for conservation $10 million. Though the property is
open to timbering, the agreements
and recreation.
guarantee large swatches of forest will
Since its inception in 1976, the
not be fragmented.
Trust Fund has bankrolled more than
The Most Remote: North Fox Is2,000 projects buying land and land
land, which is equidistant from Leland
rights or developing outdoor recreand Charlevoix, roughly 25 miles offational projects. The fund is adminshore in Lake Michigan, was acquired
istered by the Michigan Department
with a $2 million grant in December
of Natural Resources. More than $1
billion has been granted to local units 2000. The 836-acre island, part of
Leelanau County, includes 5.2 miles
of government and the DNR for purof shoreline and is home to a variety
chases or projects in all 83 Michigan
of threatened plant species.
counties.

The Most Urban: Is there any place
As preparations continue for
in
Michigan
that is more urban that
events to commemorate the anniverDetroit?
The
Trust Fund has had a masary of the Trust Fund, DNR staffers
jor
impact
here
on one of Americas
have been revisiting Trust Fund projlargest
metropolitan
areas, paying
ects, noting many of the most extraordinary grants issued over the course of special attention to the citys riverfront. Some $40 million in grants has
nearly four decades.
While they are all unique, here are helped purchase and develop Milliken
10 Trust Fund projects that have been State Park and Harbor, the Detroit

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

64

The raft and trout at the Big Spring at Palms Book State Park in Schoolcraft County. MDNR photos

Riverwalk and the Outdoor Adventure


Center. Additional acquisitions are
pending.
The Most Unique: There is nowhere
like Palms Book State Park, the site
of Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring)
north of Thompson in Schoolcraft
County. The 200-foot-wide, 40-footdeep natural spring gushes 10,000
gallons per minute of spring water
through fissures in the underlying
limestone. A $150,000 Trust Fund
grant in March 2000 was used to build
a manually propelled raft that allows
visitors to cross the spring and view
the ever-changing bottom with its
ancient lime-encrusted fallen trees and
the cruising trout that inhabit the cold,
gin-clear water.
The Most Universally Accessible:
The award-winning Ocqueoc Falls
Trailhead and Scenic Overlook
Improvement in Presque Isle County
was designed to allow everyone to get
down to the water at one of only two
known waterfalls in the Lower Peninsula. The just-less-than $500,000
grant paid for construction and some
of the engineering, which, after
consultation with access advocacy
groups, provides barrier-free parking,
toilets and a pathway.
The Most Controversial: Not everyone is always on board with Trust
Fund projects, and the work done at
Walloon Lake (Charlevoix and Emmet counties) was perhaps the most
controversial. There was hostility
expressed from some when 75 percent
of slightly more than $2 million was
appropriated for a 3.5-acre access site
Gov. Rick Snyder, left, takes a photo while he kayaks toward the mouth
on the lake in 2006. More controversy
of the Two-Hear ted River in nor thern Luce County in August 2015. The erupted later when 59 percent of the
Kamehameha Schools Land Project involved several counties across the $833,300 cost to establish a boat
launch, pavilion and deck, beach and
Upper Peninsula, including lands along the Two-Hear ted River.

volleyball court was allocated. The


end result, however, is a fine example
of what the Trust Fund is all about.
The Northernmost: Hunters Point
Park, a park operated by Grant Township in Copper Harbor, first received
a grant for $562,900 in 2004 for the
acquisition of 9.4 acres, including
4,800 feet of Lake Superior shoreline.
A subsequent $47,100 grant in 2006
was used to fund parking, signage, a
restroom and other amenities. Dual
grants of $720,000 in 2007 and 2008
added another 12 acres, including
830 feet of Lake Superior shoreline
and 1,900 feet of frontage in Copper
Harbor.
The Southernmost: In 2001, the
city of Morencia skip and a jump
from the Ohio state line in Lenawee
Countyreceived a grant to expand
its existing Wakefield Park, with
the Trust Fund picking up almost
$87,000 of the $101,000 total bill for
the purchase of 19.35 acres. The park
provides green space for passive recreation such as to walking the dog or
strolling casually along Bean Creek.
The Most Recent: Trust Fund grants
are issued annually at one time, so
in any given year, numerous awards
are made, but the most recent to be
completed is the acquisition of Clark
Lambros Beach Park by the city of
Marquette in Marquette County. The
Trust Fund bankrolled 74 percent of
the $1.1 million project. The seller, in
turn, donated the proceeds to the city
to pay for the municipalitys match, as
well as the development of rest rooms,
parking lots and landscaping at the
park situated along the Lake Superior
shoreline.
Get more information on the
Natural Resources Trust Fund.n

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65

Outsmarting
n September 15th
squirrel season opened
and Michigan small
game hunters can look
forward to an outstanding season because
the squirrel population seems to be
booming statewide. While they can
be located in every state game area
and throughout private land savvy
hunters look for concentrations near
food sources. The trick is to find oak
trees loaded with acorns.
It makes little difference
which oak you select, red
oak or white oak as long as
you find nuts on the ground
below them.
White oaks tend to be
a major squirrel magnet
in southern Michigan and
their fruit become ripe in
late August and they drop
acorns throughout September. Savvy hunters
slip through the forest
in search of acorns
and once they find nuts covering
the ground they set up and wait for
critters to show. The telltale sign of
half eaten acorns and shells found at
the base of trees is a clear indication
squirrel are in the area.
Some use squirrel calls to attract
branch prancers. One strategy is to
use a mouth call that makes a series of
high pitched sounds and chatter which
resembles a young squirrel being attacked by a predator. The calls resemble a rabbit in distress, but sounds
more squirrel-like and adults respond
by charging the sound. Another strategy is to make squirrel chatter then go
silent and search the limbs overhead
in search of curious squirrels. Make
certain to look where limbs join the
main trunk and offer critters an ideal
hiding location. Squirrels love to hug
branches, put their belly against the
limb and lay flat on their belly but frequently you can locate them because a
bit of their busy tail is protruding from
the bark.
Fall squirrel hunting gives Michigan sportsmen a golden opportunity
to get outdoors, scout for wild critters
and spend time with family or friends.
Michigan has booming squirrel populations and they are readily available
in every county. Fall is a special time
of year when leaves change their

colors, bucks shed velvet and Canada


geese fill the skies. Most hunters seek
larger fox squirrels but Michigan
holds impressive numbers of black
and gray squirrels.
Smart hunters use a variety of
methods to fool branch prancers.
Distress calling brings them running
to identify the commotion and loud
sounds. Walking cautiously on woodland trails with a gun in the crook of
your arm is the ideal tactic for scouting. Spotting and stalking
requires woodsmanship
skills and taking stand and
waiting requires plenty of
patience. The most popular
hunting strategy is probably taking stand or hiding
and using a call to get the
attention of wary squirrels.
Some hunters like to slip
through the beautiful forest
on a fall day and find a
likely hide, sit down,
relax, let the forest
quiet back down and
make sounds on a squirrel call. They
begin by walking hardwood ridges,
along trails or dirt roads in search of
acorns and the telltale signs that squirrels are feeding in the area.
Broken nuts at the base of oak
trees are sign squirrels are nearby.
Often they scatter leaves and disturb
the forest floor around food sources
as the scratch through leaves in search
of fallen nuts. The idea is to locate
a feeding area. Next, set up in the
kitchen and wait for squirrels to arrive
for dinner.
Sometimes you can identify hotspots by the sound of acorns
dropping to the ground from high
branches. Often the nuts bounce off
tree branches or the trunk and they
make a loud noise that resembles a kid
tossing rocks in the woods. Acorns
which cover the ground in September
offer food that drives squirrels crazy.
White acorns will bring squirrels from
long distances and concentrate them
in relatively small areas. Find an oak
ridge or large tree dropping acorns
and you can count on some fast-paced
hunting action.
One popular tactic is to set up in a
likely location and wait for squirrels
to arrive. This tactic requires patience
because squirrels do not always show
up on cue. Try to locate a natural hide

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Kenny Darwin

66

Squirrel like to hide in leaves, behind tree trunks, hug branches and
curl into tree branch crooks. They can be difficult to spot in September
when leaves are thick. Kenny Darwin photos

game.
Dont make the mistake of sitting
under one acorn tree all day. Scout
several acorn tree locations and after
harvesting a squirrel or two move to
a new location. In a four hour hunt
period Ill work three to five different locations. The idea is to switch
locations after you have spooked
squirrels where you are hunting. By
scouting new turf and locating new
acorn sources you will up your odds
for seeing more squirrels.
When you move through the forest go slow as molasses in winter with
finger on the safety and gun ready
to shoot. The idea is to silently slip
through the woods and sneak up on
unsuspecting squirrels. This requires
agility, stamina and a willingness
to move slowly and not make loud
noises like breaking branches. This is
a deadly tactic when leaves are wet
from dew, fog or recent rain. Again,
camo is important to cover your
human outline. The trick is to blend
in with the environment and use a
stealthy approach, slow and easy with
plenty of stops mixed in. This type
of hunting is exciting, gives you a
constant new look at the forest and
time flies as you cover new ground.
The trick is to move slow as a snail,
stop every five seconds and scan

Sitting next to a tree or in a folding chair is a deadly squirrel tactic. Savvy hunters conceal their outline with camouflage and they try to blend in
with the environment and take stand or sit down on fallen trees, logs, or
uprooted trees or other natural cover.

Rimfire scoped rifles are ideal squirrel medicine. Some hunters prefer a
powerful pellet gun that provides reliable accuracy, killing power and is
relatively silent when discharged.
the trees, keep body movement to a
minimum and cover ground without
making sound. Still-hunting squirrels
requires the same skills as stalking
turkey or deer, only you can do it all
day long in many parts of Michigan
without the hassle of dealing with
other hunters.
Once you see squirrels use a
nearby tree to block your stealthy approach and use the trunk as a gun rest
for accurate shots. Hunting squirrels
gives you an opportunity to practice
woodsmanship skills but the proof in
the pudding rolls down to your shooting skills. Smart hunters try to hit targets in the head to avoid ruining tasty
flesh. But head shots require a steady
rest, accurate rifle and you need to
know how to touch off a pin point
accurate shot. The trick is to catch the
squirrel not moving, put the sights
on his head or neck area, hold your
breath and slowly squeeze the trigger
with your fingertip. Rookie squirrel
hunters take running shots and waste
plenty of ammo.
Squirrel game hunting is an ideal
way to introduce youth to Michigans
great outdoors. Unlike deer hunting
where you must remain quiet and not
move, you can relax during squirrel outings, talk, have fun and teach
youth about the many gifts of nature.
Teach a kid how to sneak up on a
bushy tail and you can count on getting his hunter instinct juices flowing.
Teach them how to stop, look and
listen for wild birds and animals and
they will discover how to see more
wildlife. Harvesting small game is
an excellent training exercise for
youth. This gives you an opportunity
to show kids how to field dress wild
game and share a respect and appreciation for the harvest as a means of
providing food for the skillet.
There is a growing army of hunters who use tactical methods for
spotting and stalking squirrels. Some
use Gillie suits, others are covered in

face cream and sport new high power


pellet guns. The biggest advantage
of shooting a powerful pellet gun is
you harvest game without blowing
the critter into pieces and the shot is
so silent that it does not disturb other
targets in the immediate area. Most
use scoped pellet rifles that can hit
a squirrel in the head with ease like
shooting a .22 caliber rifle. Other
gunners prefer a 20 gauge or .410
shotguns in September when leaves
are green and the forest canopy is
thick. Dont overlook the shooting
fun that squirrel hunting provides
for those toting rimfire rifles. Small
caliber guns are fun to shoot, deadly
accurate; ammo is cheap, has no
abrasive recoil and are ideal weapons
for youth.
It is a good idea to remove the
skin while the animal is still warm
and pliable. Start by cutting across
the back at the tail, separating the
tail from the back bone and stripping
back enough skin so you can stand on
the tail and peel the body away from
the skin. It takes 5 seconds to pull the
skin off like taking off a glove. Next
bend over a branch head high and
drape the critter upside down by his
hind legs and cut the entire length of
his abdomen. Pull out the guts. Next,
trim out the bean-shaped bile sack
found on the right hip along with hind
leg scent glands and two scent glands
found under the arm pit that look like
small peas. Carry a plastic bag to
carry cleaned critters. Thats it!
In many ways, squirrel hunting
is an overlooked sport by Michigan
hunters, a last frontier where you can
go afield and cover ground without
encountering other hunters. It is a
golden opportunity to enjoy Michigans great outdoors and the many
gifts of nature. Chasing branch prancers is a great way to sharpen your
hunting skills for the upcoming deer
season.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

or stand location that conceals your


outline. Fallen trees, brush piles, logs,
hedge rows, overturned tree trunks
often provide a perfect hide and a
comfortable seat. Some hunters use
a call to attract squirrels by making
barks, or chatter sounds. At times,
you have to wait a long time before
they show. Other times, they seem to
come from everywhere as squirrels
immediately start scampering across
the forest floor or jumping from tree
to tree.
Waiting for squirrels is a relaxing
sport and the key to success depends
on your ability to remain motionless
for extended periods of time. Keep in
mind that squirrel can easily detect
movement and you must keep head,
leg and gun movement to a minimum.
Back in the day I would simply rest
against a tree trunk but in my old age
I prefer the comfort of my folding
camouflaged seat.
It is a good idea to be fully camouflaged and many hunters wear the
same vest, face mask and camo outfit
used turkey hunting. A face mask will
up your odds because it conceals your
white face which appears like a white
flag to the watchful eye of a wary
squirrel. Camo will break-up your
human outline, conceal body movements and up your odds at seeing

67

Off-road riders see numerous trail


network improvements in L.P.
DNR working to maintain trails, bridges and other features of ORV trail system

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

hose planning to ride the


Lower Peninsulas extensive
network of off-road vehicle
trails may want to pack a
lunch, dinner and maybe a
tent.
The northern Lower Peninsula
has nearly 3,425 miles of ORV trails,
said Emily Meyerson, DNR trail coordinator for the region.
For decades, the DNR and local
trail groups have worked together to
establish and strengthen the Lower
Peninsulas ORV trail system. In
recent months, more than a dozen
projects have been completed or are
under way to help restore and maintain trails, bridges, trailheads and
other features. This work was funded,
in part, by ORV license fees.
The mix of off-road riding opportunities in the Lower Peninsula
includes 1,160 miles of all-terrain
vehicle (50-inch) trails, 1,588 miles of
designated ORV routes, 1,285 miles
of motorcycle trails and 391 miles of
Michigan Cross Country Cycle Trail,
which represents a combination of
trail types.
In addition to these trails, Michigan has more than 1,300 miles of
all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle and
designated ORV routes in the Upper
Peninsula.
Meyerson said that given the
Lower Peninsulas sprawling trails
network, license fee revenue is being
used to help keep the system in good
shape.
The focus has been primarily on
maintenance and restoration, rather

68

than strictly increasing miles of trail,


Meyerson said.
In Oceana County, four of the 15
projects or purchases have taken place
at Silver Lake State Parkone of the
premier attractions for Michigan ORV
riders. In addition to repairing dunes,
a parking lot and upgrading components of the parks reservation system,
a John Deere Gator XUV 825i was
purchased.
The vehicle will allow additional
access and faster response to emergency situations and maintenance
needs for the park.
Each year, over 500,000 vehicles
travel through the parks ORV area,
which requires daily maintenance,
and this vehicle will provide access,
Meyerson said. Additionally, the
Gator will provide transportation to
check for full parking areas. This machine is also essential in maintaining
good financial security as it provides
easier access to booths where revenue
is collected.
From bridge design work in
Lake and Missaukee counties and
trailhead improvements in Kalkaska
County, washout and damage repairs
in Wexford and Osceola counties to
trail grading across three counties,
these projects are helping to restore
and maintain the Lower Peninsulas
important ORV trail system.
In addition, there are 220 miles of
ORV trails in the Cadillac District of
the northern Lower Peninsula, located
on lands managed by the U.S. Forest
Services Huron-Manistee National
Forest. Some of the recent ORV im-

Work is taking place in this photo to construct a deck over a watery


area in the Lower Peninsula.

An all-terrain vehicle trail skir ts a recent logging operation in the Ogemaw Hills Trail network. MDNR photos
provements occurred on these federal
lands.
Beyond the restoration and
maintenance projects, some new ORV
routes have been built in the Lower
Peninsula totaling 103 miles.
These new miles include the
Indian Garden ORV Route and
Trailhead, which winds for 38 miles
in Emmet County, the West Higgins
Lake ORV route, which stretches 36
miles through portions of Crawford,
Missaukee and Kalkaska counties and
the Old State House Trail and Route,
which includes 4 miles in Iosco
County.
There have also been various
route connections constructed along
the St. Helen ORV route totaling 21
miles in Roscommon and Ogemaw
counties. Billie Fancisco is the manager of Charlies Country Corner, a
Marathon Gas travel center located
just off the West Higgins ORV route
in Crawford County. She said the
ORV trail is extremely helpful in
benefitting local businesses in the
area, including the travel center and a
Super 8 motel situated nearby.
We get lots of people here off of
those ORV trails, Francisco said.
These new trails improvement
projects have arrived as ORV license
and trail permit sales continue to
climb in Michigan. The number of
ORV licenses purchased in the state
climbed from 188,141 in 2007 to
206,755 in 2012. In 2014, with fee
increases in place, riders purchased
196,695 ORV licenses and 127,740
trail permits. The following year,

those figures jumped to 207,957


licenses and 146,376 trail permits purchased. License and trail permit sales
for this year are on a pace to surpass
2015.
Over the past few years, ORV
access to trails has been provided for
campers at five Michigan State Parks,
including Clear Lake State Park in
Montmorency County in the Lower
Peninsula. Dave Dekett, DNR unit
manager at Clear Lake State Park,
said since the land use order was
adopted to accommodate access for
ORV riders, the park at Clear Lake
has become more popular.
The park has as added a new
ORV parking lot near the entrance for
users who would like to just ride for
the day and be able to enjoy the great
outdoors, Dekett said. This growing
(trail) system and increase in popularity has brought others from around the
state to come up north.
Dekett said the Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan is an ORV
group that has its annual Rites of
Spring event at Clear Lakes State
Park.
This is a non-competitive event
for all ages and many families have
enjoyed using the ORV trails and
camping out, creating those lifelong
memories, Dekett said. There are
many miles of trails that are accessible
to area businesses and other campgrounds in the surrounding area.
This makes a great opportunity
for individuals and families who
would like to enjoy the outdoors and
explore new areas, and take in the

A dune restoration project at Silver Lake State Park in Oceana County was among more than a dozen Lower
Michigan off-road vehicle-related improvements recently funded through license fees.
1,450 miles of trails and grades 2,100
miles, with work in both of Michigans peninsulas.
Were the ones that originally
got the trails on the ground, Shuler
said. Weve been around since 1968.
Were across the state.
As the popularity of off-road
vehicles increases, so do the needs for
trails and maintenance.
Wed always like to see more
trails and more maintenance and

upkeep of what we do have, Shuler


said. More money is needed for
bridge repair or replacement across
the state.
License fee revenue will
continue to be allocated for projects
benefitting the ORV trails network
throughout the state, including the
Lower Peninsulas extensive riding
opportunities. These improvements
will be aimed at renovating and
maintaining the ORV trails system

now in place, as well as additional


route development, further boosting
Michigans growing reputation as the
Trails State.
Check out more details on the
15 Lower Peninsula ORV projects or
purchases and get more information
on Michigans ORV trails network at
www.michigan.gov/dnr.n

Prepared By The MDNR

LIMITED OPENINGS FOR TROPHY HUNTS!

NOW TAKING DEPOSITS FOR FALL 2016


OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

beautiful scenery and observe the


wildlife.
The additional state parks allowing camps access to trails via ORVs
are all located in the Upper Peninsula. They include Bewabic State
Park in Iron County, Baraga State
Park in Baraga County, Twin Lakes
State Park in Houghton County and
Muskallonge Lake State Park in Luce
County.
Several groups throughout the
northern Lower Peninsula and the rest
of Michigan are working in concert
with the DNR to improve opportunities for ORV riders and area businesses dependent on the sport. The Cycle
Conservation Club is among them.
This group has worked on several of the deck projects in lowland
areas, said Todd Neiss, a DNR recreation specialist at the Cadillac office.
The work is critical to ensuring
users stay on the trail and not create
impact to the environment by creating
ruts and creating a new trail around a
water hole, damaging vegetation.
Lewis Shuler, executive director
of the club, said the group maintains

69

HOLLAND
MICHIGAN

A Fishing Smorgasbord!

o I know what youre thinking, with all the great fishing that fall brings, why
Holland? Let me give you a
whole bundle of reasons. I
have grown up and spent my
whole life and career just a stones
throw from this great community and
let me tell you Holland is as diverse a
fishery as the western shore
of Michigan offers. Its September so lets start our tour
with the fall bite.
Fall in Holland is a fantastic time to fish. King salmon and coho will begin to
stage in shallower water just
offshore 1-3 miles. These
fish are setting up for
the annual fall run
and they are plentiful.
The salmon bite is a
presentation mixed
bag with J-plugs and
spoons dominating
most angler spreads.
The ever popular meat-rig and
flies are also good choices at this
point. Steelhead action is very good
in September offshore. The steelhead

are predictable and easy to catch when


located. Scum lines and temperature
breaks are the best bets for these aggressive fish. They are very susceptible to baits run high in the column
usually the upper 30 feet.
I like clear or natural looking
cranks or spoons. The perch are making a slow but steady return around
the Holland area. The fall
is the best time to get them
closer to the mouth of Lake
Macatawa. Captain Don
Alofs from Tangled Mess
Charters has been targeting
them in September for some
time and tells me the old
standby two hook perch rig
fished on the bottom
with minnows is still
the best. If you like
walleye fishing at
night, then Lake Macatawa is a great fall
choice. Anglers slow
troll large shallow
diving stick-baits in and around the
pier head and channel with excellent
success. The fall bite usually last well
into October or until you cant stand

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By John Bergsma
Host Great Lakes
Fishermans Digest

Captain Don with a Holland perch, which are making a slow but steady
return around the Holland area. The fall is the best time to get them
closer to the mouth of Lake Macatawa.
the cold.
Spring in Holland brings some of
the best eating fish close to the harbor.
I love ice out on the great lakes as it
allows me to catch two of the best eating fish on the planet. Late March and

Lake trout have become a staple in many Great Lakes por t towns and Holland is no exception and the taste

70 is improving dramatically as their diet shifts.

April brings the brown trout onto the


sand just off the beaches. I love this
type of fishing as it most resembles
walleye trolling.
What do you need?
A few trolling rods and reels, a
few Offshore trolling boards and a
good splash of stick baits. Basically
you are in shallow water and are trolling along looking for the fish much
the same way you would look for
walleye on a shoreline. My personal
favorite colors are clown or orange
and gold. I started using Strike King
jerk baits and they work great as well.
The coho are crazy in the spring as
well. About the time the brown bite
tapers off the coho bite is on, usually
mid-April thru May. Understand that
these fish are not the biggest fish of
the season but as for eating there is
nothing close to a spring coho in the
three to five pound class for table fare.
They are abundant and will take
anything properly presented. I like
small dodgers and spoons, flies or
meat rigs run off my Traxstech downriggers. I will sometimes put my rigger in the jig mode to cover a wider
depth and get more strikes. Obviously
the other presentation method is the
Dipsy Diver either on braid or wire. A
good spread of high lines, a Dipsy and
downriggers on a calm cool spring
morning is like therapy after a long

cold winter.
Summer in Holland is hard to
beat. Not only is the fishing great
with kings and lake trout around all
summer long but the scenery and
atmosphere is all Great Lakes Port
Town I love fishing along and seeing
the activity of the beach and people
just out enjoying summer fun. The
downtown shopping is crazy good
and as for food and drinks, Holland
holds its own with any town in the
region.
But back to fishing. June July
and August has a solid progression
of great fishing. June gives excellent
catches of coho, lake trout and steelhead. July starts the return of the ever
moving king salmon and they stay
around until the fall run.
Lakers are probably the easiest
fish to catch and the taste is improving dramatically as their diet shifts
from the oily alewife to the meatier
goby! Thats right the trout really are
tasting better all the time. The best
two presentations I can offer for lakers is skipping my Dipsy off the bottom or bumping the downrigger balls
off the bottom. In booth presentations
I like running a small attractor and
either spoons, Spin & Glos

or peanuts (a wobbling Spin & Glo)


1.8-2.2 seems to be the speed lakers
like, just pay attention to the currents
as one trolling direction may produce
way better than another. I use the Fish
Hawk trolling devise which takes all
the guesswork out of the equation.
This unit not only measures speed
at the ball but is great for finding the
temperature breaks deep in the water
column.
Summary: Holland is many
things, a college town with a great
vibe. A fantastic destination for a
weekend of food, fun and fishing.
Whether its business or pleasure
the Hayworth Conference Center
or Residence Inn have the rooms
and the downtown district offers
all you could ask for. From Tulip time
to the Windmill Island Gardens, Holland is a fishing and more
destination!
John Bergsma is the host of Great
Lakes Fishermans Digest television
show and is honored to bring you
these monthly Destination Features
Check out his website:
www.fishermansdigest.com for more
destination information.n

The author with a Holland area spring coho.

a
m
s
g
r
e
B
n
Joh

with your host

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Visit our website and find out about . . .


Destinations Fishing Reports
Our Show Cooks Corner

71

St. Clair Shores...Lake St. Clair

Resident used
Facebook to help
save lake from
potential disaster
Dear Fish Diary:

mer months and into the busy Labor


Day holiday. Too much trash? No,
too much human waste overflowing into the water. Notably, Lake St.
ith the fall colors upon
Clair, known by many as the sixth
us, I should
Great Lake, is experiencing a masbe enjoying the beauty
sive overflow issue and
of the dynamic
high levels of E-coli. A St.
woodlands.
Clair Shores resident, Mark
However, I
just cant seem to get past
Gutow, took to Facebook and
the trash. It started a couple
started his own rant. His rant
weeks ago with a photo sent
is much bigger than mine,
to me by a friend. The photo
currently, the Facebook page
was of a walleye that had
named Save Lake St. Clair
grown into a plastic cup,
has over 13,000 believers.
somehow this fish survived a
Through the social media
short period of time
network, they are
until it was eventufinally making progally caught.
ress to what has been
This began a Facebook rant. You
a serious problem for nearly ten years
know about those, right? Its where
and overlooked by municipal leaders.
you air your concerns out on social
Sound familiar?
media to see who agrees with you
I have to ask myself, as 8.18 biland who doesnt. Kind of a social
lion gallons of raw sewage has overmedia debate where you dont have to flowed into Lake St. Clair since 2012,
actually look anyone in the eye. You
as the popular beaches have been
raise your voice by using CAPITOL
closed nearly 400 times since 2008, as
LETTERS when youre really excited many have worked hard to establish
or passionate about something. I dont the lake as a world class fishery and
do it often, but trash is suddenly bug- the lake is responsible for the drinking
ging me a lot. And so are certain
water for 40% of Michigans populapeoples attitude about trash and other tion, where would Lake St. Clair be
environmental issues.
right now without Facebook and a
With my rant aired, in came phofew citizens sick and tired of seeing
tos of birds dying because of peoples neglect of this sanctuary.
discarded gum, or tied up and dying
People like Mark are labeled
while fighting to free themselves from as environmentalists, like its a bad
fishing line or plastic can holders. A
thing. Are there people who arent
recent trip to Warren Dunes put me
environmentalists? If youre not an
over the edge. Here, in a pristine dune environmentalist does that mean you
area along Lake Michigan, was trash
like eating contaminated food, licking
flying everywhere. Trails riddled with lead popsicles, drinking E-coli and
unreturnable cans from out of state
letting your kids swim in their own
visitors whose states dont have a
waste?
simple 10-cent deposit. Plastic bags
If thats the case, why not just turn
floating with the summer breeze
your own toilet into your own drinkseemingly migrating with the watering fountain and quit flushing it into
fowl. I dont understand, your trash is our lake. Maybe that is the offer we
heavier when you bring it in so why
should make to our leaders who refuse
cant you haul it out?
to address the serious health issues.
Then it was brought to my atWhy does it take private citizens like
tention that several popular beaches
Mark to put the pressure on until they
were being closed through the sumdo the right thing? What kind of world

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Ron St. Germain

72

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Landsat satellite photo, showing Lake Saint Clair (center), as well as St.
Clair River connecting it with Lake Huron and the Detroit River connecting it to Lake Erie.
an environmentalist. Perhaps the fact
that I dont like drinking waste makes
me an environmentalist.
Go make yourself a Facebook
page if you havent already. Once
you have, Like the Woods-n-Water
News page, Like this column, then
go Like Marks page to Save Lake
St. Clair. Then, lets save the world
through Facebook. Well rally together to show our leaders we arent a
bunch of drones walking around willing to suck raw sewage from a drain
pipe while our tax dollars are being
misappropriated.
We arent fond of being told we
dont have the funds to fix a problem
that is critical to our basic needs of
SURVIVAL. We certainly wont accept having our basic survival needs
neglected and serious health issues
overlooked. We have a voice. You
dont even have to push the Like
button, I already know you Like
that and agree. And thank you Mark,
and your 13,000 plus visitors for being environmentalists and hopefully
an inspiration to many more to Funny
fish stories wanted:
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.
Contact - Woods-n-Water News
columnist Ron St. Germain by calling
(517) 626-2814, e-mailing DaPhotoDude@aol.com. Visit the authors
Facebook page www.Facebook/BearwaveBooksn

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hazardous to operate. Never carry passengers on any ATV not specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. All adult model Call Am
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vehicles (SxS): Read the BRP side-by-side Operators Guide and watch the Safety DVD before driving. Fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times.
Operator must be at least 16 years old. Passenger must be at least 11 years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seated against the
backrest. ATVs and SxS are for off-road use only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. For your safety reason, the operator and passenger must wear a helmet, eye protection and other protective clothing. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs dont mix. Never engage
in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

would be living in without people like


Mark, and Facebook? Would be living at all? Why is it so hard to get our
leadership to take care of the most
basic means of our survival, food,
water and air? If they would just do
that, we wouldnt have to label people
like Mark as environmentalists and
make it sound as if they are some
kind of terrorist. They could simply
get the label doing the right thingamentalists.
Despite what some people think,
Facebook isnt just a place for bad
people and senseless rants. Its not
just a place where everyone shows
a photo of what theyre eating every
second of the day. Its forum isnt
where some irrational person throws
their friends under the buss every
chance they get. Its not all about
people complaining about their
jobs, trying to sell you junk or
cyber bullying. Its not just a billboard for senseless quotes everyone
wishes they were living by but probably arent.
Facebook is simply what you
make it to be. In Marks case, and
his over 13,000 followers, it became
a place to gather voices on a united
front. An important front I might
add. And from what Im reading, it
is making a difference with not only
people who should have been taking
care of this issue in the first place, but
major industrial corporations changing the way they do things in respect
to the environment.
Now that I have liked Marks
Facebook page, maybe that makes
me an environmentalist. Or maybe
the fact that I carried out a bag of
trash from Warren Dunes makes me

73

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

74

odern super lines have made a


big splash in the world of sport
fishing. Technically speaking
anglers can choose from products
that are created either by tightly
braiding fibers or pressure fusing
fibers together to form fishing
lines. Both true braids and fused
lines are very similar in the handling and performance characteristics they provide. For the purpose
of this article well simply lump both fused and
braided lines into one super line category.
Super lines were once used primarily for trolling with large diving planers. Currently these lines
are available in sizes ranging from six to 80 pound
test! Truth is, super lines are an excellent choice for
a host of fishing situations ranging from ultra light
casting applications to extra heavy duty trolling
chores.
Anglers flock to super line because of the near
zero stretch these products offer. Super lines also do
not break down from UV light which means a reel
spooled with these low stretch lines can typically be
used without concern for up to three times as long
as monofilament or co-polymer fishing lines.
The biggest knock against the super lines is
they are very expensive compared to traditional
lines. Because super lines are expensive, the logical approach is not to fill the entire reel spool, but
instead to simply top dress reels with a satisfactory
amount of super line. This process is best achieved
by loading the reel partially with monofilament line
and then adding an appropriate amount of
super line depending on the application.
The trick here of course is knowing
how much super line to load onto the reel
and also how much monofilament backing
is required for reels to perform properly. In
the case of line counter style trolling reels,
its critical that once the top dressing of
super line is added, the reel spool is full to
capacity. Under or over filling a line counter reel will prevent these trolling tools
from accurately monitoring lead lengths.
It takes a little trial
and error to determine
how much monofilament backing to load onto the
different sizes and types of popular fishing reels.
Once this magic number is achieved, write down
the amount of backing and also top dressing line on
a sticker and place that sticker on the reel spool for

Super lines are essential for presentations like ver tical jigging for walleye. Because super lines
are expensive the author loads a backing of monofilament on his reels and then top dresses with
about 50 to 75 yards of 10# test Maxima Braid 8. Mark Romanack photos
future reference.

Line Winding

The absolute best way to put fishing


line on a reel is to use a commercial line
winding machine. Most fishing tackle
dealers offer their customers the service
of winding line onto their reels. Using the
line winder makes it easier to determine
exactly how much backing and top dressing line to use because the machine keeps
track of exactly how much line is being
spooled. In short, the line
winding machine takes
the guess work out of this
process.
Also, the line winding machine puts line on the
spool evenly and under the ideal amount of pressure
to insure line plays off the reel perfectly every time.
A final consideration is that using the line winding
services of a fishing tackle dealer enables a fisher-

By Mark Romanack

man to only pay for the line he or she is using. Buying filler or bulk spools of line and loading it yourself costs more because there is often waste line left
on the spool youre paying for, but not using.
Depending on the fishing presentation at hand,
the following suggestions will help insure anglers are setting up their reels with the just right
amount of backing and top dress fishing lines.

Vertical Jigging

For vertical jigging applications, 50 to 75 yards


of super line is plenty. I recommend using 6, 8 or
10 pound test for vertical jigging. Larger line sizes
are simply too difficult to break should the jig snag
bottom. Vertical jigging with too heavy a super line
can lead to broken rods and reels.

Jig Casting

When casting jigs on super line the reel will


need to be top dressed with a little more line. Spooling 75 to 100 yards of super line on top of a base

of monofilament line helps to insure that the super


line will flow off the reel spool smoothly and casting distance will be maximized. For most jig casting situations 8 or 10 pound test is ideal.

Crankbait Trolling

Because of the thin diameter of super lines,


trollers can expect their crankbaits to dive deeper.
Certainly getting crankbaits to their maximum diving depth is a huge advantage. For most crankbait
trolling applications a 10 pound test super line is
the ideal choice and top dressing reels with 100 to
150 yards of super line works best.

Diving Planers

When fishing larger diving planers super lines


are the best possible option. The thin diameter allows these devices to reach maximum depths with
minimal lead lengths. Also, the low stretch characteristics of super line insures good hook up ratios
even when trolling with long lead lengths.
Most anglers favor 40 or 50 pound test super
lines for trolling big diving planers. Top dressing
reels with about 200 yards of super line is ideal for
trolling with diving planers.

Lead Core Lines

Heavy Duty
Casting Chores

For every rule in fishing there are exceptions


to that rule. When casting larger diameter super
lines for pike, musky or other larger species, most
anglers will find it necessary to fill the entire reel
spool with super line. Larger super braids including 50, 65 and 80 pound test are large enough in
diameter that it doesnt take more than about 150 to
200 yards to fill up a typical baitcasting reel.
Because pike and musky anglers are often
throwing very large lures that can be casted an exceptionally long distance, line capacity is a critical
issue. The last thing an angler wants is to make a
long cast, hook a monster fish and not have enough
line on the reel to adequately fight and land that
fish.

Ultra Thin Line Issues

The smaller sizes of super lines are so thin in

Super lines are very useful for Great Lakes trout and salmon trolling chores. The diver rod
pictured here is loaded with 40# test Braid 8. Many anglers also use super line as backing for
their lead core set ups.
diameter they create a whole different problem.
Because super lines are softer and have less body
than monofilaments, a reel spooled with super line
may generate a situation where the line bites into
itself on the spool when casting and fighting fish.
This prevents the reel drag system from functioning
properly and line slipping off the spool as intended
while fighting fish.
To combat this situation load super lines onto
reels using as much pressure as possible. Grabbing
the line using a leather glove and applying pressure
while loading the line is a good way to insure super
lines load onto the reel firmly and evenly.

Terminating Super
Lines To Leader Material

In some instances it is okay to tie super lines


directly to the fishing lure. However, there are
other fishing situations that favor adding a leader of
fluorocarbon or monofilament to reels spooled with
super line.
The Double Uni Knot is a simple to tie and
strong knot designed for attaching braided and
fused super lines to leader material. To learn how to
tie this line visit the web page www.animatedknots.
com for an illustrated view of this and many other
popular fishing knots.
When tying lures directly to super line the common Palomar knot is an excellent choice and easy
to tie.

When Super Line


Doesnt Make Sense

A few fishing presentations just arent user


friendly to super lines. A noteworthy example

is float fishing with slip bobbers. The line stops


needed for fishing slip floats simply dont function
very well on super lines. Monofilament, co-polymer lines and fluorocarbon lines are the best choice
for float fishing.
Downrigger trolling is another presentation that
cries out for monofilament and fluorocarbon lines.
The reason is that most downrigger line releases
are engineered to function with monofilament line,
not super line.
Bottom bouncer and spinner fishing is a third
common presentation that doesnt work so well
with super line. The natural stretch of monofilament is needed to prevent fish from detecting the
angler before he or she has time to set the hook.
The low stretch characteristics of super lines make
fishing a bottom bouncer and spinner a dicy situation that tends to favor the fish, instead of the
fisherman.
Casting crankbaits for bass or walleye is yet
another fishing situation that favors monofilament
and fluorocarbon lines. Low stretch super lines
speed up the reaction time of anglers, causing them
to literally pull lures away from striking fish. The
same is true when fishing top water baits for bass
and pike.

Summing It Up

Super lines are not without their issues, but


when used properly the properties these lines bring
to the table make them exceptional products for a
host of fishing presentations. Understanding how
to get the most from these products will not only
put more fish in the boat, it will help anglers save a
few bucks in the process.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

The latest generation of lead core lines are being created using super fibers. Traditionally these
lines were created with nylon braids which are
much larger in diameter per break strength than
super lines.
Because lead core achieves depth based on the
amount of line out, the diameter of the line and also
the weight of the lead wire incapsulated in the braid
coating, its important to note that super line lead
core lines fish deeper across the spectrum.
The real question is how much deeper do super
line lead cores fish than traditional nylon lead core
lines? Most of the manufacturers of super line lead
cores are claiming their products fish up to 30%
deeper. That may be a little bit of an exaggeration,
but the folks from Precision Trolling Data have
confirmed that super line lead cores indeed fish as
much as 20% deeper on average compared to nylon
lead core.

75

Upland October

or many upland hunters, one


of the best smells a human can
come across in the fall season
is a frosted cornfield that has
now turned brown with leaves
drooping towards the ground.
When the sun warms the dried stalks it
leaves a special imprint in the olfactory
portion of our memory that never fades.
The brilliant colors of maple trees
quickly turning bright red are matched
only by the brilliant colors on rooster
pheasants we chase this time of year.
It is a special time. It has always been
difficult for me to hear folks say that
pheasant hunting is a thing of the past
in Michigan. It is almost similar to me
to say we wont have any more Maples
turning red in the state.
Upland hunters are a special group.
We work very hard for very few birds in
the bag even when we have an extremely successful season. But it is the experience, the camaraderie of those like
us and the special relationship we have
with our canine companions that drive
us. A good dog following his instinct is
pure poetry in motion and Ive choked
up more than once watching my dog
understand why he is there as he flushes
a big rooster and retrieves it to hand. It
is a very special moment when all of the
hard work pays off.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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76

By Mark Sak

ant cover. I utilize my county plat book


which identifies property owners and
when I find suitable areas I approach
Hunters in the Dakotas are spoiled
the landowner humbly and with a bag
like the walleye anglers in Michigan.
of walleye fillets. Even if the landowner
There are many days in the western
states when 100-plus birds will flush in declines I always thank them and tell
front of hunters. The reality is Michigan them to enjoy the walleye. But I have
has some nice pockets of birds but rare- gained several very nice spots through
the years doing this. State land also
ly these days will we ever see a flush
of more than 10 birds at once. Pheasant plays a huge roll in my yearly plans. I
hunting in Michigan now takes prepara- usually will hit the birdy part of a few
tion. Here are some ideas I use to have a state game areas during week days
when Im able to sneak away. Dont
productive pheasant season.
ever think there are no birds on state
As you may have read in last
land. Those areas are part of the few
months article, I do build my own
places that actually have large enough
habitat. It was a lot of work but it was
a labor of love. Like most folks, I dont tracts to provide quality nesting and
cover. Hopefully the Michigan Pheashave a lot of property to work with but
I do have a few birds. I can come home ant Restoration Initiative will continue
from work and be in the field hunting in to restore many more state game areas
around our state. It will make a huge
10 minutes. I continue to build my areas of switch grass each year by winter impact.
Preserves still provide a very imseeding in February. I broadcast seed
over the snow. Switch grass has a very
portant service to todays wild pheasant
tough seed coat and by April it has soft- hunters. I usually utilize several preened and settled into the dirt. Every year serves in the thumb to help both my dog
my two switch grass parcels get a little
Cooper and myself get into bird hunting
thicker. I have also planted hundreds of shape. He is still a pup and Im an old
White Spruce trees that serve as wind
dog so we need a little practice before
breaks and cover from those frigid win- we can be expected to pin an old wily
ter winds and hungry red-tailed hawks. rooster. Plus, preserve birds are tasty
My second step is scouting other
treats. The cover is outstanding and
areas that look to have suitable pheasalthough not the same as wild birds, it is

a very worthy practice field.


If you would like to get back into
bird hunting and are looking for a group
to join, consider joining a Pheasants
Forever or Quail Forever chapter in
your area. They are great down to earth
folks who love watching those retrieves
as much as anyone and there are plenty
of club hunts to practice on. For more
information on chapters in your area go
to www.Pheasantsforever.org. I hope
you have a wonderful fall season.n

www.huntin-it.com
517.617.6786
huntin.it.info@gmail.com
9851 W. Territorial Rd.
Montgomery, MI 49225

The Stump!
Hunting Blinds sets
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Hide & Seek WalleyeBy Dominic Fish-On Turcott

Patterns for success

SPORTMAN'S
AUCTION

baits or working jigs along the bottom


works very well. Drift fishing, with
a bottom bouncer or lindy rig has
proven to be successful as well over
the test of time. As the morning bite
begins to slowly dwindle down as the
sun gets higher, moving deeper, even
a couple of feet difference, can be a
hot ticket to finding active day time
feeders.
Remember, because this is taking
place later in the year, baitfish are going to be on the larger side of things.
When picking a crankbait or a jigging
presentation, dont be afraid to throw
anything that might be deemed as too
big. Crankbaits that are trolled, on the
other hand, can be on the larger side
as well. Keep in mind that walleye
will be competing and searching for
the most food to be consumed with
as little effort as possible. An enticing
action from a larger lure, often times,
makes for a more efficient meal. It is
common to jig twister tails or imitation minnows, that are 4 or longer.
Blade baits, jigging spoons, or swimming jigs, that are commonly found in
the ice fishermans tackle box, work
very well in deeper situations. If you
ever find yourself to be vertical jigging in deeper water or if the fish are
short striking, a stinger hook might
be needed. Think of it as an insurance
policy! In case the fish misses the
hook, there is a backup!
Nighttime trolling is something
that is not put to proper use during the
transition time of the season. Pulling
body baits or spoons with an erratic
retrieve is also very effective along
drop offs and weed lines. Sometimes
in fishing, you have to present something that the fish arent accustom to.
Glow in the dark or ultra violet paintjobs can make the difference when
calling in fish in low light conditions.
Be ready for anything when fishing at
night. More often than not, the largest
fish are taken during the late evening
hours. Later on, once the aquatic foli-

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While jigging might be his favorite way to catch late-summer and early autumn walleye,
the author knows that trolling mudflats and drop offs can also be super effective!
age starts to die off and after water
temperatures drop, these fish begin to
move, also. But where?
When the vegetation is no longer
alive it cannot give off oxygen or be a
host to plankton that is needed. Baitfish must be on the move to keep up
with their needs to stay alive. Whatever is available structure for baitfish
to hang out at can range from a wide
variety of locations. Drop offs, points,
reefs, and stumps, are all prime time
examples of indicators that can provide this cover. Think of this time as
the middle ground for migrating walleye. They start off deep, and progress
into more shallow water. Because of
the mid-depth applications that can be
engaged in, live bait rigs or jigs work
the best, because of the efficiency to
cover water.
Leaches, night crawlers, or
minnows, shine brightly, when used
under a float. This presentation allows
bait to be drifted above and around
cover, where walleye can be waiting to ambush their prey. A no-snag
lindy rig, leading up to a floating
jig head, tipped with your choice of
live bait, has been known to also be
very effective when making contact
with structure is important in order to
trigger a strike. If color and action is

something that is wanted to be played


with, pitching light jigs can be an easy
method to put fish in the boat. Lighter
weighing jigs create an ultra-fine
finesse action, that can drive feeding fish bananas. An important detail
to remember is to only alter the jig
weight and size, but keep the same
minnow imitation. The larger bait will
have more free flowing action when
the jig is slowly moving. Hold tight
and be ready for a subtle slurp!
When it comes to using the proper
equipment for the tasks at hand, lowstretch and sensitive line is important.
Braided line or fluorocarbon are both
the most versatile in early autumn
walleye fishing scenarios. Both types
of line possess characteristics where
a solid hookset can be assured, and a
positive bite detection, even if it is the
smallest of all strikes.
Before your decision is made to
hang up the fishing equipment, for the
remainder of the year, ask yourself,
am I missing something important?
Chances are, yes! Some of the best
walleye fishing to enjoy occurs during
this transition between summer and
autumn feeding patterns, as fish movement becomes very active. Hopefully,
a trip to remember for a lifetime, is in
the near future!n

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

ere we are, once again. The


unofficial end of summer
and beginning of autumn.
September is a favorite time
of year to many folks across
our great state, especially for
the outdoor enthusiast. The air begins
to feel more comfortable with the
cooling temperatures that this time
of the year bears to go along with the
seasonal changes. This is when excitement and anxiety is present with all of
the outdoor activities to partake in.
Far too common is it found that
a vast majority of outdoorsmen and
women put away the fishing gear in
lieu for the trusty firearm or bow that
is needed for deer hunting. This is
done, often times forgetting about one
of the best fishing opportunities of
the year. The transition from summer
and into autumn is a prime time of the
season for targeting walleye that are
on the move. It is something special
to look forward to, once the craft has
been mastered. Whether using live
bait, trolling, casting, or jigging, be
sure to hit the water this season, with
hopes to having a potential outing of a
lifetime.
A location to start fishing is found
easier than it has to be. The key to
finding pods of migrating walleye
is to pattern their movement with
correlating water temperatures. The
search for active feeding fish may take
some time, but will eventually lead
to powerhouse success. At the ending
of summer, fish will still be holding
deep, but will begin their journey to
fall feeding grounds shortly. Spots
to look out for are deeper mudflats,
trenches, or pockets. There is no
magic number to pinpoint depths, but
these often times are or near the deepest part of the body of water.
It is very important to keep and
make contact with the bottom, when
walleye are still holding deep. To
catch these brutes that are still hanging tight, trolling deep-diving crank-

77

Heavenly Hoppers
The trout of a lifetime-or
simple tranquility; Whatever
might be your goal. These
rivers will convince you, with
nary a doubt; Its running water
that possesses the soul...
Ode for the Michigan Angler
Patrick Bevier

cause they are incredibly effective and


maybe because theyre big enough for
these older eyes to tie on and see on
the waterare grasshopper imitations. Two deadly hopper patterns that
are readily available are the Daves
Hopper from the Fly Shack (www.
flyshack.com) and the classic Joes
Hopper pattern from many retailers
including the Fishing Fly Box (www.
fishingflybox.com).
I have had my best luck for larger
brown and rainbow trout on northern
Michigan waters using hopper patf youre fly fishing on any of
terns in sizes 8-12. Systems
the 51,000 miles of
that have been particularly
Michigan rivers this late
productive are wade able
summer/early fall season
stretches of the Jordan,
youd be wise to look to
Black, Au Sable, Pere Marterra as opposed to aqua
quette, and Sturgeon. Using
for what the trout are feeding
a hopper/dropper combinaon. With all but a smattering
tion increases your chances
of mayfly hatches long in
of eliciting strikes. The Fly
the books the dry fly enthuShack description of how
siast should turn to
to use their Daves
terrestrial insects
Hopper the most efgrasshoppers, crickfectively says, This
ets, beetles, ants, and
may
be
one
of
the
best hopper patterns
otherswhen attempting to match the
to
hit
the
water.
In
mid to late sumhatch.
mer,
fish
one
of
these
with a nymph
My personal favoritemaybe bedropper. Even if there is a hatch going

By Patrick Bevier

An imitation grasshopperand the real thingcan be a deadly pattern


late summer/early autumn. Author photos
on, you can try using a hopper/dropper combination but with a dry fly as
the dropper. You may be surprised at
how many fish will go for the hopper
instead of an exact imitation of the
hatch.
During this late season you may
also find fish in all areas of a stream
including near the center on the warmer autumn days. You may not need to
only hit the stream at dawn and dusk
either as those balmier fall days may
cause the fish move to more open
areas to warm themselves and feed.

If youre the type of angler who


likes to spend time at the vise, there
are many good videos for typing
hopper imitations. Ive found those
at www.intheriffle.com and some on
YouTube (titled Joes Hopper Fly
Tying Instructions) to be particularly
helpful.
I understand that many an outdoorsperson is gearing up for the
hunting seasons that will begin before
too long. But, dont forget theres also
good hunting for our piscatorial pals
on hopper imitations this season!n

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

79

Traditional Black Powder Hunting By Dennis Neely

Adding a Mystery Bird

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

80

oose wings swished overhead. A graying eastern


horizon ushered along
nights last gasp. A single,
going-away ke-honkhonk pierced the meadows
sequestered silence. Dew
drops splattered from calf-deep prairie
grass. Buffalo-hide moccasins halted
behind a scaly-barked wild cherry
trunk that smelled of musty fungus.
Four paces, a hesitant pause, then
four more footfalls brought the returned captive to the red oak tree that
possessed neither bark nor branches.
A tangle of purple raspberry switches,
entwined autumn olive twigs and
a solitary Rose of Sharon wrapped
about the oaks north side. A bearsized hole led to the lairs inner sanctum, cleared away some days before,
in the Year of our Lord, 1796.
With the Northwest guns muzzle
propped against the oak, a single
branch, held firm with both hands,
raked away the incidental duff. A
rolled wool blanket, bound with a
leather portage collar, eased into the
fresh-plowed earthen nest, a tad to
the north of the dead hulks eastside.
Smoothbore in hand, hunched and
half kneeling, the linen-and-wool-clad
woodsman crawled within the flimsy
fortress and sat on the blanket roll.
The dead oak tangle jutted out
at a sharp bend in the wagon trail
that skirted the meadows northwest
boundary. On that warm, early November morn, the thorny nest offered
more of an observation pointa longer, more restful hesitation in a wild
turkey still-huntthan an ambuscade.
But in the minutes that followed that
intent changed.
Ark, arkark, ark, ark, ark. A
raspy old hen yelped from high in the
majestic oaks that overlooked the big
swamp. The fowl called once, then
went silent. When yellow spears darted from the eastern tree line, the old
matron hollered again, Ark, ark
ark, ark, ark, ark, ark, ark, but this
time from the ground, up the hill from
the roost and closer to the meadow.
Ark, ark, ark, ark. A younger
bird, well to the east, answered. Two
other turkeys responded, each in a different location on the wooded hillside
that dropped off from the meadows
north edge.
Msko-waagoshs fingers dug in
the open-topped buckskin shot bag.
The flat end of a single turkey wing
bone touched his lips. Two crisp, kisslike draws on the hollow bone added
a mystery bird to the flock, Arrkk,
arrkk.
A blue jay swooped to a large

was not an option, but praying was.


A clean kill, or a clean miss. Your
will, O Lord, my alter ego whispered
through open lips
Traditional black powder hunting
blends three elements: the outdoor
traditions of a bygone era based on
historical fact, an arm that uses black
powder as a propellant and fair-chase
hunting. Throughout any woodland
excursion, those elements change in
importance. Sometimes re-creating a
sentence or two from an 18th-century
hunters journal takes precedence, and
other times understanding and mastering a Northwest trade guns care and
feeding rule the moment. And there
are times when all three elements
come together in harmony.
By choice, traditional woodsmen
accept the technology of their chosen
time periodany improvements in
hunting methodology, arms or accoutrements that happened tomorrow simply do not exist today. The
ruffled linen shirt, wool breechcloth,
silk-ribbon-bound leggins, smoothbored flintlock and turkey wing bone
were high-tech for a humble hunter
sitting beside a meadow not far from
the headwaters of the River Raisin in
early November of 1796.
Abiding by such limitations does
not preclude a forest tenant from
improving his or her skills with those
available resources. To the contrary,
the restrictions associated with a
specific station in life, geographical
location and point in time represent
a place of beginning for the living
historian driven by a universal question: What was it really like to live,
hunt and survive in the Old Northwest
Territory in the 1790s?
In hindsight, choosing to respond to the old hens assembly call
with two clucks was the key act that
brought a succulent wild turkey to the
family dinner table. Knowing when
Years of experience in the wilderness classroom dictated the right time to
to shoulder the Northwest gun and
shoulder the Nor thwest trade gun and take a quick, calculated shot. The old
take the shot was important, too, but
hen putted as the muzzle moved out then up. Wild River tree photos
enticing the old hen started the chain
of events.
cedar tree. A crimson cardinal uttered traced lazy circles on the jaw screw of
Archeological digs date the single
a low, Tu-Tu-Tu-Tu. None of the
the smoothbores hammer, awaiting
wing bone to centuries before my
turkeys spoke. The returned white
the command to unleash the swarm of beloved 1790-era. Thus carrying the
captive, Msko-waagosh, schooled by death messengers packed tight in the
wing bone, or combinations consistent
the Ojibwe hunters of his youth, sat
trade guns breech.
with the historical record, is what tramotionless, dividing his glances bePerhaps a dozen minutes later,
ditional hunters call period-correct.
tween the gentle knoll and the wagon a gray-skinned head bobbed in the
Although tucking a wing bone
trail, all the while expecting a stern
meadows dewy grass. Another
call in ones shot pouch is considcall from the dominant hen.
popped up, then another. Walking fast, ered proper, knowing when and/
Heartbeats dragged on. The
single-file, snaking side-to-side along or how to use any accoutrement is
woodsmans left leg pulled up. The
the doe path that angled up and over
a different matter. Once identified
back of his left hand rested on the
the tiny knoll, the column advanced.
and researched, experimentation in
legs dark-blue wool leggin; that
Bronze bodies grew in number. The
the wilderness classroom converts
hands fingers gripped the Northwest
Northwest guns English flint clicked such artifacts into useful, sometimes
guns forestock. His right thumb
to attention. Shouldering the trade gun invaluable tools.

My historical personas have killed


a fair number of wild turkeys in both
the spring and fall hunting seasons;
I have never taken a gobbler or hen
with a modern shotgun. Regardless
of season, half the birds answered a
wing bone call and half were ambushed as a result of studying their
travel habits.
A few years ago I realized that
many of the called-in birds came to
the two cluck call. Now I dont speak
fluent wild turkey, and I dont profess
to be an expert at turkey discourse.
I would be hard pressed to put a
modern name to the tonal sequences.
I copy what I hear in the wild and
observe the results of my feeble
attempts. Based on those careful
observations, two clucks command
attention, or so it appears.
Traditional black powder hunters
relish the challenge of limiting their

simple pursuits to the high-tech


resources of a bygone era. Resurrecting the old ways offers unbelievable
exhilaration and personal satisfaction,
especially when two clucks bring
a flock of wild turkeys straight-on
through dewy grass
The old hen led the charging wild
turkeys, all with heads up and eyes
slashing away at my fragile fortress.
At fifteen paces the matriarchs haste
changed to caution. She veered east
about six turkey paces, weighing each
step. The birds kept coming, but none
ventured closer than the old hen.
My eyes evaluated the limited
openings in the raspberry switches
and autumn olive branches. The trailing birds bunched up, head behind
head behind head. Shouldering the
Northwest gun and taking a quick
shot was simply not possible, the risk
of killing more than one turkey too

Msko-waagosh crawled from beneath the raspberry switches, then loped


around the tangle as a few bewildered young turkeys tried to make sense of
the commotion.
great. The flock flowed east, adding
distance.
When all seemed lost, a redheaded jake took several long strides
to the west, separating from the flock
and walking into a clear opening in
the forts tangled wall of twigs and
switches. The jake turned its head to
the north. The trade gun slammed to
its rightful place. The old hen putted.
Two or three young turkeys took
wing. The turtle sight found the lone
turkeys eye.
Kla-whoosh-BOOM!

A few bewildered young turkeys


watched as Msko-waagosh, the Red
Fox, crawled from the thorny lair;
most flew. Eighteen paces distant,
the returned captive knelt over the
downed fowl, saying a prayer of
thanksgiving.
Give traditional black powder
hunting a try, be safe and may God
bless you.
Dennis Neely maintains a web
site devoted to traditional hunting at
www.traditionalblackpowderhunting.
com.n

Leaving the meadow behind, Msko-waagosh, mentored in his youth by Ojibwe


hunters, pondered the mornings events. With luck, times elusive threshold
lurked well beyond the wooded hillside.

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Michigan State Muzzle Loading Association State Shoots

81

50 years of angling camaraderie


proves Michigan & Ohio can get along!

y first trip onto Pennsylvania soil became reality


in the spring of 2013
when I was invited as a
rookie to the SALMON CREEK TROUT
CLUB annual rendezvous held near
Marienville as a guest of my brotherin-law. Of the forty plus members,
only twelve reside in Michigan and
most of those around the Ann Arbor/
Detroit area. Yet, here I was, a Northern Michigander exiting Highway
80 onto the Route 66 ramp toward
Marienville Pennsylvania. I was at
once stunned by the many rolling hills
which soon transitioned into flat lands
and then transitioned again into acres
of hardwoods dotted by numerous
advertisements for bait, tackle, boat
rentals, and tackle that greeted our entrance into Forest County and Marienville itself. This, I thought to myself,
could be something special. This is
neutral ground, where Michiganders
and Ohioans meet with the sole purpose of fishing, not for bragging rights

We then proceeded to
By Rick Fowler nearby
Toms Run where

on the gridiron.
The first stop
after checking into our
motel was along the banks of Maple
Creek. Since there were three of us
we decided to go thirds on this mile
stretch. I was relegated to the downriver section. The shallow, gravelly
bottom was interspersed with many
jagged boulders and blow-downs
which gave the browns and rainbows
plenty of hiding spaces. Walking
slowly and casting a Fox spinning
bait periodically towards the deeper
pools around the streams many bends
produced no results until a pool
loomed ahead covered in shade by
towering fir trees. It seemed like every
cast in this eddy was at least causing
some ruckus. In the next 10 minutes I
landed two browns and one rainbow.
As I let the last of my fish slip back
into the cool water I couldnt help but
be awed by the beauty of such creatures and marvel at their strength upon
discovering that they were hooked
and tried to run away.

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the fish didnt cooperate


but the rivers edge scenery and the
languid deep pools made the short trek
very inviting. Coons Creek was our
next destination. This area is where
three creeks converge and form a big
hole with numerous trees overhanging
the area with shade. We actually saw
the fish teasing us in their protective
realm but only a few were enticed to
bite.
With a new day looming we opted
to try our luck at Spring Creek and
Wolf Creek. Equipped with Super
Duper lures, red worms and more
small spinners we attacked the Spring
and Wolf Creeks with vigor. This
resulted in a few brookies and two
larger browns. Again at these two
locales the key was enticing the fish
to attack by bringing them out of their
hiding places from under sunken logs
and nearby bank riffs.
Indeed the Spring Creek watershed looked the most promising and
remote. Further walking found Big
Run (a small continuously fed tributary to Spring Creek) rated as one of
the least known, but best producers of
natural spawning brook trout. Its cold
running waters and proximity to the
Clarion River make it easy for large
female brook trout to migrate from
the Clarion up one half mile of Spring
Creek, and then up into Big Run for
spawning.
The fishing has indeed been fabulous in the subsequent four years since
my induction into the Salmon Creek
fold. What is even more fabulous is
the history behind this easy-going
band of anglers. Fifty years ago
(1967), five lawyers at the Cleveland
patent law firm of Fay, Sharpe and
Mullholland decided to go on a spring

retreat. Their plan was to venture


on a three day fishing trip in canoes
from Grayling, Michigan down the
infamous Ausable River to the dam
at Mio, Michigan (roughly 50 miles).
They did indeed fish, but also camped
under the canoes and cooked on open
fires. This initial trek would develop
into an annual trip. The sojourn expanded rapidly over the years with
friends, other lawyers, law clerks and
relatives invited along. For five years
the trip alternated between going west
from Grayling on the Manistee River
and then down the Ausable, but the
fishing worsened with the finding of
lamprey which were decimating the
trout. To offset the eels Michigans
Department of Natural Resources resorted to a massive killing of the eels.
However, the process also decimated
the trout population.
A decision was then made to move
the camp to more productive waters.
Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania was closer than Grayling to
Cleveland, had decent trout fishing
and canoe liveries. Accordingly, the
trip was moved to the Tionesta River.
The switch was made and the date
was permanently agreed to be set so
the Sunday before Mothers Day each
year would be the last day of the trip.
Camping and fishing from the canoes
lasted a couple of years in Pennsylvania, and then the club size grew
even more and they began using their
vehicles to get to base camp sites.
The two locales eventually chosen for
camps were on the Tionesta and on
Salmon Creek.
All was well in the ensuing years
until 1983, when three days after the
trip had ended, a tornado ripped thru
the Tionesta Valley, blowing down
all of the trees on both sides of the
surrounding mountains. The blow

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Buckeyes, Spar tans and Wolverines shared the waters of the Salmon Creek and other nearby rivers and creeks.

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Clarion River make it easy for large


female brook trout to migrate from
the Clarion River, up 1/2 mile of
Spring Creek, and then up into Big
Run for spawning.
Needless to say, just past the
Spring Creek Bridge off of Rural
Route 130 that marks the entrance
into game lands, the current location
was found. With assurance from the
established oil company who owned
the adjacent lands that this area was
indeed available to camp on, and
public access available near a primitive campsite, in 1985 the new home
of the Salmon Creek Trout Club was
established.
What is truly amazing about this
group of anglers with so many diverse
backgrounds is the caring attitude
they display, not only for the fish they
pursue, but for the area itself. I have
witnessed the area where nearly 40
anglers gather for dinner in the wild
one night and the next day their presence is barely visible. Though there
is often some good-natured kidding
around the fire about the prowess of
University of Michigan, Michigan
State and Ohio State football teams,
the conversation inevitably reverts
back to fishing for trout.
Izaak Walton, the father of fly
fishing once wrote, God never did
make a more calm, quiet, innocent
recreation than angling. The Salmon
Creek Trout Club would have to agree.
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down went all through the inland up


to the campsite on Salmon Creek.
When they returned in 1984, the area
had been devastated. Plus, because of
all of the downed timber still on the
ground, the Forest Service instituted
a complete fire ban for the entire
area. They still camped at the Salmon
Creek site for that year, but were unable to have any campfires unless it
was in an enclosed container.
It was then that two initial members decided to spend some time
looking for a possible new campsite.
They scoured topo, and forest county
maps looking for a place with high
elevations, decent access, close to
camp fishing opportunities, and a
place where we could have campfires
without any problems.
The campfire came first and it was
easy. Adjacent Elk County had no
fire ban. So, Elk County it was. Then
then looked at fishing opportunities
by searching the game commission
archives for natural spawning trout
streams in Elk County and found
three such rated streams. Combined
with topo maps, they narrowed it
down by what areas looked interesting ... and by far, the Spring Creek
watershed looked the most promising and remote. Further investigation
found Big Run (a small continuously
spring fed tributary to Spring Creek)
that was also rated as one of the least
known, but best producers of natural spawning brook trout). Its cold
running waters and proximity to the

83

The Biology and My Thoughts...By John Ozoga

Whitetail chemical communication...


pheromones and estrus detection

he popular hunting literature is filled with


wildly exaggerated claims regarding the
attractive powers of certain deer lures.
Estrous urine lures, in particular, are advertised as being packed full of hormones
and pheromones, reputed to be irresistible to the buck-in-rut.
Just what is a so-called pheromone? And what
do the scientists have to say about this intriguing
subject, referred to as chemical communication,
employed by white-tailed deer during the rut?

Communicative Odors

According to Georgia-based researchers, Larry


Marchinton and Karl Miller, the communicative
odors produced by deer may include secretions
from certain skin glands, urine, vaginal secretions
and probably, saliva. Feces also serve as a means
of odor communication in some mammals, and
probably do in whitetails too, but this has not been
documented.
Seven types of skin glands have been identified in whitetails that likely play some role in
scent communication. These include the forehead,
preorbital and nasal glands located on the head; the
tarsal, metatarsal and interdigital glands on the legs,
and the preputial gland on the bucks penis sheath.

Pheromones

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

According to Miller, Chemical signals that


relay information among animals are called
pheromones. This term was originally coined to
describe chemical sex attractants in insects, but
has since been expanded to include any chemical
produced by one individual that transfers information to another member of the same species; some
researchers reserve pheromones for insects and
use chemical signals when referring to mammals.
Whatever the terminology, notes Miller, these
signals include releaser pheromones, which evoke
an immediate behavioral response; priming pheromones, which result in a physiological response;
and informer pheromones, which relay information
but generally do not result in a behavioral or physiological response.

84

The buck will not only


sniff the does urine, he
will taste it, oftentimes
performing a lip-curl, or
flehmen. In doing so,
he holds his neck and
chin upward at about a
45-degree angle, opens
his mouth slightly, curls
his upper lip, and closes
his nostrils.

is the opening of the vomeronasal organ, which apparently is employed to analyze deer urine. In this
Odor Detection
case, the buck will not only sniff the does urine,
There are two avenues by which the buck can
he will taste it, oftentimes performing a lip-curl, or
receive chemical signals deposited in doe urine:
flehmen. In doing so, he holds his neck and chin
One pathway is through the nose and main olfactory system, the other is by way of what is referred upward at about a 45-degree angle, opens his mouth
slightly, curls his upper lip, and closes his nostrils.
to as the vomeronasal organ. It appears that these
This pumps some urine into the vomeronasal organ
two systems serve different behavioral and physifor analysis.
ological functions.
However, chemical signals obtained through
Odor detection through the main olfactory system
the
vomeronasal
organ do not follow nerve pathis accomplished by receiving airborne chemicals
ways
to
the
same
parts of brain as those that
through the nose. Nerve fibers located in the olfacenter
through
the
nose. Instead, Miller and
tory epithelium of the nose carry the sensation of
Marchinton
emphasize
nerves from the vomerosmell along the olfactory nerve to olfactory lobe of
nasal
organ
travel
through
the accessory olfactory
the brain. The odor information is then transmitted
system,
in
which
nerves
are
connected via a single
to various parts of the brain and processed. Logisynapse
in
the
accessory
olfactory
bulb to a part
cally, then, if the chemical signals included releaser
of
the
brain
called
the
amygdala,
which
in turn has
pheromones that signal a does estrus condition, the
direct
connections
to
the
hypothalamus.
This is
process would evoke a mating pursuit response by
important,
since
the
hypothalamus
is
the
part of the
the buck.
brain that controls the reproductive physiology of
the deer through the production of hormones.
The Vomeronasal
In other words, priming pheromones received
The vomeronasal serves an entirely different
from the does urine likely pass through the vomfunction. Examining the roof of a deers mouth,
eronasal system and have a direct effect upon the
one will see a small opening near the center. This

bucks reproductive physiology, but probably do


not evoke an immediate behavioral response as in
the case of releaser pheromones. This essentially
suggests that the buck does not use the flehmen
response to determine if a doe is in estrus.
Another major difference between the nose and
vomeronasal systems, as pointed out by Miller
and Marchinton ...is that the main olfactory (nose)
system appears to be used to analyze smaller, more
volatile, airborne molecules and the vomeronasal
system to analyze larger, less volatile molecules
that are in solution in so.ne liquid, such as urine.
Marchinton and Miller propose that the vomeronasal system is used to determine whether the doe is
approaching estrus, whereas bucks use their nose to
detect volatile chemical compounds indicating that
a doe is in estrus.
If so, then both bucks and does employ the
vomeronasal system to ensure reproductive synchrony. Females likely receive the all-important
priming pheromones from glandular secretions and
urine deposited by bucks at their rubs and scrapes,
whereas bucks receive the critical messages through

Whitetail communication page 86

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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85

Whitetail
Communication:
from page 84
analysis of doe urine, after inducing
them to urinate by employing their
ritualized mating approach. Bucks
detect a does estrus condition by
inhaling fumes containing releaser
pheromones. But those special odors
do not come directly from the does
urine

Estrus Detection
During preliminary trials conducted at the University of Georgia,
researchers tested the response of
deer to urine collected directly from
the bladders of does known to be in
estrus with that of non-estrus urine,
buck urine, and several control solutions, including saltwater.
Their experimental design consisted of using automatic aerosol dispersers to release test material about
every 15 minutes into circular areas
of lightly tilled soil about three feet in
diameter -- resembling a buck scrape.
Then they tallied the number of deer

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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86

Since bucks seem to be able


to detect a does approaching
estrus at least several hours, if
not days, before she will accept
copulation, the experienced buck
will generally follow behind the
doe at a reasonable distance
until she is receptive.
tracks at each site, after 24, 48, and
72 hours, to see if deer were more

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readily attracted to any of the test


solutions.
Results of their study revealed
that deer visited about onefourth of
the test sites each day, but the investigators could detect no preference
for any of the solutions used. That is,
deer came to the saltwater just about
as readily as they did to the bona fide
doe-in-heat urine.
They concluded, therefore, that
urine collected directly from the
bladder of estrus does did not contain
those potent releaser pheromones as
most deer biologists would have
predicted.
In a series of rather involved
trials with penned deer, bucks were
introduced to does artificially treated
with estrus urine, non-estrus urine,
estrus vaginal secretions, and water.
Although individual responses varied,
bucks devoted significantly more
attention to does treated with estrus
vaginal secretions.
These experiments produced
rather convincing evidence that it is
not the urinary tract but the female
reproductive tract and associated
vaginal secretions during the time
of estrus that are the primary source
of pheromones that serve as sexual
attractants. Given that the releaser
pheromones signaling a does estrus
condition are in her vaginal secretions, the doe therefore does not
necessarily have to urinate in order to
signal a buck she is receptive. All that
is necessary is that the buck be able
to approach the doe close enough to
smell her urogential area.
During most of the year, female
whitetails show a strong avoidance

for adult males; does rarely let male


approach closely until they are nearing estrus. Aside from very subtle
posturing differences associated with
estrus, researchers have been unable to identify any special re-estrus
visual warning given by the female
to the male that indicates her ensuing
willingness to breed. Nor is there any
evidence that she vocalizes to announce her estrus condition.
Interestingly, however, research
evidence indicates that a doe becomes
very active before estrus if a buck is
not in close attendance. Naturally,
such behavior would increase her
chances of finding a mate if one was
not close at hand.
Once the buck can approach a
doe close enough to smell and lick
her urogenital area and tarsal glands,
he has some hint that she is at least
approaching a receptive stage. Since
bucks seem to be able to detect a
does approaching estrus at least several hours, if not days, before she will
accept copulation, the experienced
buck will generally follow behind
the doe at a reasonable distance until
she is receptive. Sometimes, several
bucks may follow along in single
file, the most dominant being first in
line.

Conclusions
Remember, certain glandular
secretions, such as estrus related vaginal secretions are highly volatile and
dont last very long once deposited in
the environment. Hence, the question
is: Can these magical ingredients be
locked-up in a bottle? Personally, I
dont think so.n

A look into EHD in Michigan


Epizootic Hemorrhagic
Disease (EHD) was first
identified in 1955 when
several hundred whitetail
deer succumbed to it in both
Michigan and New Jersey...

carrying the disease the onset can be


quite sudden, with the deer showing
signs of the illness in only a week
after exposure. The deer will lose its
appetite and even its fear of humans
and will usually seek out and lie in
bodies of water in an attempt to cool
off due to a high fever. A majority of
the dead deer due to EHD are found in
wetland associated areas.
Although EHD is very similar to
rior to this there had
another virus called Blue
been recorded deer
Tongue, it is antigenetically
die-offs in North
different. As its name imAmerica since 1890
plies, EHD causes extensive
that could possibly
hemorrhaging that involves
be attributed to
different tissues, body organs
EHD, but this is unknown.
and the intestinal tract, and
EHD is an acute and infeconce a deer shows the signs
tious viral disease that can
of the illness it can go down
cause a high mortality
and die in only 8
rate which in turn can
to 36 hours. Some
create a significant
deer do recover from
impact on the deer population in a
the virus, and if so they have devellocality, and there is no effective treat- oped antibodies which will readily
ment or control for it.
resist EHD for the remainder of its
The common vector for EHD is
Wildlife disease researcher Sonja Christensen taking a reading of deer obthe midge (Culicoides biting fly) and
when deer are bitten by small midges
EHD in Michigan page 88 served during a distance sampling survey in the Thumbs Cass River area.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Tom Lounsbury

87

EHD in Michigan:
from page 87
life. However there must be a continual exposure to EHD in order for
a particular deer herd to develop any
extensive immunity to it (an example
is the southeastern U.S. that has experienced a continual EHD situation).
Since 1955, Michigan has experienced sporadic EHD outbreaks in
1974, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,
2012 and 2013. Typically this only
entailed 30 to 400 dead deer during
each outbreak in localized areas with
the exception of 2012 when nearly
15000 deer died in 30 (Lower Peninsula) counties. I have a friend who
owns property along a river in that
affected area and he can remember
finding a large number of dead deer in
2012 and the deer herd in his area has
yet to fully recover. There were no
confirmed cases of EHD in Michigan
during 2014 and 2015.
EHD is apparently a seasonal
occurrence that only happens in late
summer and early fall (AugustOctober) that ends when the first frosts kill
the midges. What seems to assist the
spread of EHD is when there is a hot
and dry summer, such as was the case
with 2012 and this sort of atmosphere
(as well as associated wetland areas)

seems to be the midges cup of tea,


as it tends to create an abundance
of midges. What concerns me is the
fact that this summer is very similar
to 2012 in being hot and dry for an
extended period. However Im seeing
far less midges this summer than I did
during my frequent outings in 2012,
but that is far from being a clinical
observation and Im certainly not
making any assumptions.
The fortunate side to all of this
is that EHD is not transmissible to
humans and EHD affected venison
is actually edible (although I highly
doubt Id want to dine on venison
from a deer that had visible internal
hemorrhaging from unknown causes).
I first met Sonja Christensen last
summer when she contacted me and
let me know about her EHD research
project. Sonja is working on her PHD
and is working with the Boone &
Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center
within the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife which also works
closely with the MDNR. I wouldnt
describe Sonja as being a typical
PHD candidate because she already
has impressive credentials. Hailing
originally from Minnesota she did

Wildlife disease researcher Sonja Christensen (left) and volunteer Ron


Sting of Caro (right) getting ready to head out on a distance sampling
survey of deer in the Thumbs Cass River area.
her Undergrad at Minnesota State,
and then received a Masters Degree
in Wildlife Science at Penn State
(during which she live-trapped deer
for research). From there she went
on to be the Deer Specialist for the
state of Massachusetts for four years.
After deciding to pursue her PHD,
she found herself on an elk research

project in Montana for two years followed by going to MSU to do wildlife disease research. She is presently
doing an outstanding job collecting
important research data in regards to
EHD in Michigan.
To better understand the dynamics
of deer populations recovering from
EHD, Sonja is comparing the affected

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watery (especially a wetland) situation you should immediately notify


the DNR (the Bay City DNR Office
phone number is 989-684-9141 and if
on the weekend call the RAP number
that is 800-292-7800) or send Sonja
an email (if its ever me, Ill do both).
This is a deer that needs to be tested
and the public enjoying the outdoors
during various pastimes are the very
important eyes in this regard.
I certainly appreciate and applaud

Sonja Christensens efforts in


researching EHD
and its effects
to the Michigan
deer herd. There
was a time when I
thought EHD was
a very rare occurrence in Michigan,
but the times are
changing.n

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Maple River area with the unaffected


Cass River area. We have a lot more
deer here in the Thumb today than
the Maple River area as well as the
dynamics are much different. Deer
densities are usually more abundant
along river corridors as is the case
near the Cass River but it is just the
opposite situation these days near the
Maple River with a recovering deer
population due to the effects of EHD.
One survey technique is called
distance sampling where teams of
(volunteer) observers head out a couple hours before sunset on set routes
to count and record deer numbers
(including the number of bucks and
does as well how many fawns). Tools
(which are provided) for the survey
are binoculars, range finder, GPS and
a simple but effective apparatus made
with a ruler and protractor to figure in
the angle at which deer are viewed.
Everything goes onto a chart to be
figured out later. I can tell you for a
fact that if you enjoy driving around
on a summer evening and watching
and glassing deer it is a whole bunch
of fun being a volunteer for this
survey. (Sonja will truly appreciate
anyone who wishes to volunteer for
one evening a week next summer).
The other survey technique is
blood samples that are collected from
deer harvested by hunters during the
various fall hunting seasons. Deer
hunters who volunteer to do this
receive sampling kits that have latex
gloves and a plastic vial for collecting
blood, which can be easily done when
field dressing the deer. There is even a
small form and a pencil in the kit for
the hunters name, date and location
of the kill and sex of the deer. I did
this last fall with all the deer taken by
my family and there is really nothing
difficult about it. There is a drop box
at the Cass City DNR Field Office
and the samples are picked up regularly to test for any EHD antibodies.
Thus far, there have not been any
blood samples from the Cass River
area in the Thumb that tested positive
for EHD antibodies. However there
was one positive sample from the
Maple River area last fall. It was from
a four and half year old buck that had
been alive in 2012 and had gotten
EHD but recovered.
Sonja is looking for Thumb area
deer hunters this fall who will volunteer to collect blood samples from
their kills and the kits are readily
available upon request (her contact
info is chris625@msu.edu).
The late summer timeframe until
the first October frost arrives is when
EHD can rear its ugly head. If you see
a deer that might be a possible EHD
suspect (such as a live one totally
unafraid of you and looking ill), or
one that is laying dead or dying in a

Comins, Mi (989) 848-2100 or (989) 848-5946 Fax: (989) 848-7252 89

Owen Colegrove trails along behind his dad, Joe, who is bringing his 6-year-old son into fishing slowly, making sure Owen is
comfor table and having fun first, catching fish a distant second.

Kids learn to enjoy fishing at their own pace


Sometimes you have to
nurture the spark of
desire a kid has for
fishing. Sometimes you
need to stand by with a
loaded fire extinguisher...

A
OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

week ago yesterday, I fished


with some kayak friends on
a chain of five lakes fed by
Rice Creek near Springport
in east-central, Michigan. It
was an informal gathering
put together by buddy Joe Colegrove,
followed by a cookout at Joes house
in Eaton Rapids.
While Joe towed his 6-year-old
son, Owen, seated in a small kayak
tethered behind his own pedalpowered Hobie, another new fishing

90

friend, Zachary Landers paddled his


Wilderness kayak and watched over
daughter, Kiera, 11, Kaleb, 9, each
in separate pedal-powered Hobies.
Robert Tayler and his 15-year-old,
Alex cast soft plastic lures nearby.
Jeremy Crowe and his fiancee Shannon Williams fished while Jeremys
young son Fisher paddled
around visiting with the
other kids. Everyone fished
from the little plastic boats
under a brilliant blue sky,
chatting and socializing on
the water.
Fishing was overall
pretty tough although this
is a good handful of
lakes for catching bass,
the target species of the
day. What struck this
writer as I pedaled my kayak around
taking pictures and chatting, was the
different degrees of fishing interest
among the youngsters and what the

parents did to bolster that interest.


Zacharys daughter Kiera had two
spinning combos in her kayak and had
already caught one of the bigger bass
of the day. As I watched, both she and
her day hooked up simultaneously and
they carefully unhooked and released
their fish.

Kiera has been fishing
since she was 5, and has
developed skills as well
as a passion for the sport.
In the first Kayak Anglers
Tournament Series Midwest event this year, she
won the Social Division,
and her total inches in the
catch-photo-release
event bested 26 of the
30-some anglers in
the Pro Division. That
earned her an extra $260 from Jeff
Sherwood of Summit Sports, one of
the tournaments sponsors. Before the
contest began. Sherwood said hed
donate $10 for every pro who Kiera
beat to her college fund.
To be honest I think (Sherwood)
just saw her as a cute girl who wanted
to fish with her dad, Zach told me
later.
Fact is, Kiera is wild about fishing, and has been since she caught
her first fish when she was 5. Her dad
guides her to YouTube videos, magazine articles and books about bass
fishing, and she eagerly consumes
them.
Theres days I have to drag her
off the water, Zachary said. If we
are not doing anything on any given
day its lets go kayak fishing. If its
not from a kayak its from shore.
He noted that although he has focused on teaching Kiera how to catch
bass, she wants to catch catfish and
carp, and has done research on her

By Dave Mull

Kiera Landers and her dad Zach unhook a pair of largemouth the caught at
the same time. Kiera is an enthusiastic angler, already a tournament winner,
who Zach says, sometimes needs to be dragged off the water.

own on how to do that.


Perhaps at the other end of the
spectrum is Joe Colgroves son,
Owen. Wearing similar broadbrimmed hats in their tethered kayaks,
(calling to mind Me and Mini Me
from the Austin Powers movies) Joe
is bringing his son along slowly, having had him out fishing from a kayak
just four times in the last two years.
Saturday was the longest time on the
water, about four hours.
The trick is to have him watch
other kids having fun doing it, says
Joe.
Creature comforts are important,
too.
I make sure he has water and a
snack, that hes not being eaten alive
by bugs and is protected from the sun.
I make sure that the experience
he has a fun one and that he knows its
not all about catching fish.
And while Owen hasnt caught a
fish yet, Joe patiently instructs him on
what he has to do for success.
I tell him where to cast and tell
him that we cant be changing lures
every ten seconds, Joe said. I try
to catch fish in front of him so that
excites him to trying catch fish.
Each kid advances at their own
pace, I try to help Owen at his pace,
Joe said.
Zachary offered advice to parents
getting their kids into fishing.
Focus on having fun and bonding, Zach said. This whole tournament winning thing was a fluke. We
entered just to have a memorable
daddy-daughter moment. It turned
into an amazing blessing for everyone
but that wasnt the intent. Focus on
the experience, the failures, the success and just enjoy it.
Sound advice for anyone who
wants to develop a young fisherman.n

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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91

The Coast Guard Auxiliary

hances are when you are on


the water and spot a Coast
Guard coming your way, its
and oh-oh moment. Do we
have enough life jackets,
where is the fire extinguisher
and signaling device, and so it goes,
kind of a mental check on the equipment you should have on board.
The Coast Guard could be approaching to let you know about an
existing condition-submerged log,
buoy not operational, etc.) to inform
you of the potential danger. Anyone
that has attended an outdoor show,
launched a boat at public boat ramps
or attended local functions at conservation clubs, have no doubt seen
people wearing powder blue shirts and
darker blue trousers, the uniform of
the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
In addition to providing educational information for boaters, the
Auxiliary performs vessel inspections
to educate boaters about the need and
use of safety equipment. Members
may be seen on-the-water patrolling
in their own boats, looking for safety
issues. They also work to keep spectators out of the way during the start of

the Port Huron-Mackinac race.


We also work at fireworks, keeping people away from staging areas,
public education officer and 28-year
Auxiliary member Dave Peterson
said. Peterson has experience with
the auxiliary in public education,
representing Oakland County Flotilla,
2018.
We are big into aids
to navigation making sure
buoys are lit and are numbered correctly, Peterson
said. We do what the Coast
Guard does. We even have
people that are certified
cooks.
You could go
around the world as a
member of the Auxiliary working with
the Coast Guard. Theres a list of over
100 skills we can use, he said.
A program near and dear to the
Auxiliary and Coast Guard is the importance of wearing a PFD (personal
floatation device).
We plan on having members on Cass
Lake observing boaters to determine
the usage of PFDs, watching from the

boat ramp and on the water, Peterson


said.
Our flotilla is blessed with
professionals and self-motivators.
Its the people we have that make our
work interesting and enjoyable to do,
Peterson said.
Longtime DNR conservation officer and recreation division
law enforcement Sergeant Al
Bavarskas sees the wearing
of PFD becoming more common.
The trend has been
increasing slighting for wearing PFDs possibly due to
the new inflatable devices. I
see more and more
people wearing
them, Bavarskas
said. However, there
are still a lot of fatalities on the water. Bavarskas has seen his share of
accidents and fatalities over a 30-plus
year career with the DNR.
One reason for the lack of use
might be a comfort issue. In 90-degree weather, who wants to have
something around their neck? The
new PFDs are self-inflating, come in

By Roger Beukema

different patterns and colors and styles


and look really great.
There are types that go around
the waist. Others hang from the neck
with a web belt that goes around the
waist not like the collared ones that go
around your neck, Bavarskas said.
Two types of inflatables are available. Self-inflating and auto inflating.
If a person is unconscious and falls
overboard the auto inflatable inflates
when coming in contact with water,
righting the person.
If people fall in that care conscious they pull a cord on the PFD
causing it to inflate, Bavarskas said.
More people are buying and wearing
these PFDs.
But alcohol, controlled substances and prescription medications are
still a problem. The sun and waves are
factors that contribute to the overall
effect of drugs and alcohol, he said.
Throughout the year the DNR
holds boating seminars. Our largest
is at the Detroit Boat Show. This year
we had 100 people attend. Persons
boating after June 30, 1996 are
required to take the course and get a
certificate and be certified on basic

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OUT OF
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AS SEEN ON

boating laws.
The course is available on-line
at www.boated.com. According to
Bavarskas and the Michigan Boating
Laws, children under six are required
to wear a PFD.
Coast Guard Auxiliary member
Michael Miski is asking flotillas that
are doing paddle craft inspections to
comment on what they are observing.
Miski is the districts vessel exam
person (VE). He handles supplies
and coordinates for Michigan, Ohio
and Minnesota Coast Guard Districts, along with everything that goes
into Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota
supplies decals during vessel exam
passing, everything that goes into
program training and safety,
What can we do to educate and
make the paddle craft community
including kayakers, canoeists, and
paddleboard people safer, Miski
wrote.
I personally launched from
Eagle Bay near Port Austin and
counted 38 kayakers with just 17
wearing PFDs.
I also stood on a bridge that
goes out into the bay and could look
down into vessels. Most kayakers did
not have PFDs on or in their boats,

Miski wrote.
When it comes to safety afloat,
education may be part of the problem
but so is advertising.
TV commercials where canoeists, kayakers and paddle boarders
are shown on the water having a fun
time dont show these people wearing
PFDs.
When they see these ads, the
public may think its ok to do as they
see on television, he said.
Another function of the Auxiliary
is to recognize people for their contributions throughout the year, promoting water safety through a Community Appreciation Night meeting.
The event was to provide
recognition to those individuals that
have provided special support to the
Auxiliarys mission, which includes,
promoting and improving Recreational Boating Safety, providing trained
crews and facilities to augment the
Coast Guard and enhance safety and
security of our ports, waterways, and
coastal regions and to support Coast
Guard operational, administrative,
and logistical Requirements, Flotilla
member W. Jay Combs said.
Email the author at dutchbeuk12@gmail.com.n

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MICHIGAN
SQUIRREL
OUT OF
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DOORS

93

Be a
better W
O
B
S
S
O
CR
HUNTER

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

94

By Michael Veine

spoke to the manager of one of Michigans


largest archery pro shops and he told me that
crossbows now outsell compounds bows in
their store by a margin of over three to one.
There is no denying that crossbow use in
Michigan is exploding and for good reasons.
They are deadly weapons that have many advantages over traditional archery and compound bows.
Statistics have shown that hunters that use crossbows enjoy a slightly higher success rate compared
to archery equipment users. Savvy hunters though
that learn to maximize the crossbow advantage can
really see their success rates skyrocket way beyond
the average. Read on for some tips on how to become a better crossbow hunter and consistently fill
some tags in the process.
For the first time last year, I laid down my bow
and hunted the entire archery deer season with a
crossbow. The main reason for me making the
change had little to do with hunting. During the
early 80s I lived in Las Vegas and while there I
got into tournament arm wrestling rather seriously.
When I train for arm wrestling my arms get pretty
big and I found that I could not shoot a compound
bow accurately while competing in that demanding
power sport. While I lived out west I didnt do any
bowhunting for two years as a result or arm wrestling bulk. In 1985 though, I moved back to my
home state of Michigan and I missed bowhunting
badly by then and made the decision to give up arm
wrestling so I could pursue my passion of bowhunting again. Over the next decades I really didnt
give arm wrestling much thought, until Michigan
legalized the use of crossbows during the general
archery deer season. Last winter I decided to go
to a local arm wrestling practice in Flint where I
pulled against about a dozen of some of Michigans
best arm wrestlers, some of which are national
champions. I was encouraged by the fact that I did
not embarrass myself and I then started training seriously for some future tournaments to see if I still
had it. Like I anticipated, when I got my bow out
for some spring shooting, my bulked up arms would
not bend enough at the elbow to allow accurate
shooting, so I joined the majority and decided to
use a crossbow for deer hunting.
I bought an Excalibur Matrix with all the bells
and whistles and in my first shooting session I
was able to consistently hit a dot at 60 yards off a
rest. I practiced with that crossbow all spring and
summer shooting both right and left handed, from
ground positions and from elevated angles. I had
been shooting a compound bow since the mid-70s

This fine buck was taken by the author, a right-hander, shooting his crossbow left-handed, which
is a huge plus for crossbow users who practice such shots.
and have competed in many archery tournaments
and killed dozens of archery deer and other big
game animals, so my efficiency with a bow was
way above average. By the time fall rolled around
I was more than ready to take to the woods with the
new weapon and was shooting the crossbow way
better than I have ever seen anybody ever do with a
compound bow. It was that hard practice that really
helped me to achieve success afield too.
I mainly hunt for deer in the U.P. these days.
My hunting area there has seen a drastic decline
in deer numbers over the years and it has gotten to
the point that the odds of shooting a decent buck
there are pretty low. I hunted hard last fall all and
had yet to see a shooter buck until Oct. 29 when I
was hunting public property in the same tree where
I had arrowed a nice buck the year before in early
Nov. I was on an all-day hunt and hadnt seen a
single deer when I glimpsed a deer moving at a trot
from left to right about 100 yards in front of me. It
was getting dark, so I couldnt tell if it was a buck
or a doe, but my impression of the deer was that it
had a big body, but it seemed to be heading away
from me, so I didnt get too excited.
Five minutes later though I glimpsed movement to my right and seconds later I identified a
deer about to enter my shooting lane. I was hunting from a Goidos Web, sling style treestand, so
I quickly and silently pivoted into a left handed
shooting position (Im right handed) and leveled
the crossbow scope on the fast moving deer. I
could see it was a good sized buck, but I could not
count the points to make sure he had at least three
antler points on one side as per the U.P. combo

license regulations, so I used the crossbows scope


to count the points and quickly confirmed him as a
legal deer. I had pre-ranged the trail he was on so
I mouth grunted to halt him mid-shooting lane, and
the instant he stopped I squeezed the trigger sending a bolt on its way.
At the shot the buck bucked dashed away low to
the ground and in a few seconds all was silent and
I was hanging there in my Goidos Web wondering what had happened. I could not see the bolt in
flight because it was a bit too shadowy and moving
at 380 fps, those blazing bolts are hard to see even
in the best of conditions. I waited about 30 minutes
and then climbed down to check things out. There
was a pile of hair on the ground where the buck had
been standing when I shot, but there was no bolt. I
quickly picked up a heavy blood trail though and
found him close by piled up in a heap where he had
expired from a double lung, complete pass-through.
That buck dressed out at 184 pounds and was as
fat as Oprah right before she bought into Weight
Watchers. He wore a basket sized; seven point rack
and I later had him aged by the DNR at 3-1/2 years
old.
If I had been hunting with a compound bow, I
likely would never have taken the shot at that deer.
I would have had needed to glass him first to count
the points and by then he would have been through
the shooting lane and long gone before I could
have stopped him for a shot. Besides, with the deer
passing me on my right, I would have also needed
to pivot all the way around for a shot, which there

Be a better crossbow hunter page 96

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95

Be a better crossbow hunter:


from page 94
simply was no time for.
I had practiced taking quick shots
over and over with that crossbow
all summer long and had also practiced those shots left handed too, so
taking that 25 yard shot was actually
super easy. At 25 yards, shooting a
crossbow bolt at 380 fps leaves little
guesswork with that shot still lining
up on the top, shortest range crosshair. Using a crossbow with that
much power though allows the use
of large, expandable broadheads like
the NAP, Spitfire XXX, which slices
a huge hole through vitals and result
in very short, heavy blood trails and
easy recoveries all in a super accurate projectile. The only downside
was that I lost the bolt as it had gone
completely through the deer and
then buried past the fletching into the
ground.
After killing that buck, I didnt
get back to my U.P. hunting area until
11/4 and hadnt seen any shooter
bucks until 11/8 when I decided
to hunt a small, Imperial Whitetail

Clover food plot on my property.


Even though the weatherman had
only predicted light winds that day,
never the less it was gusting to over
25 mph and the balsam tree I was
perch 25 up in was swaying back and
forth like crazy. I had been sitting in
that stand all morning with no deer
sightings, but at about noon, a big,
eight pointer appeared in the food
plot as if it were beamed there by the
Enterprise. In 2014 I had a similar
experience in that same stand where a
nice buck came in, but because it was
so windy and I couldnt hold the sight
pin steady enough for a shot; I had
to pass him up. This time though,
armed with a crossbow, I just rested
the crossbow with my elbows on my
knees while keeping my aim trained
on him. After a while, the wind let
up for a second and I touched off a
shot. In the bright sunshine I could
see the bolt strike home and the buck
bounded over a funneling barricade
behind him and scampered off.
That buck only went about

50 yards before going down and


when I walked up on him he had no
ground shrinkage at all. His rack
was 18 wide and he dressed out at
180 pounds and had less fat on him
than an anorexic. I havent gotten
him aged yet, but he was certainly
older than the other buck I shot last
year based on his teeth. Both of the
bucks I shot with a crossbow last year
would have been passed up with my
compound bow, which is what I call
a super-advantage and without the
crossbow benefit, my freezer would
have likely had much less venison
gracing it.
One of the biggest problems that I
see with crossbow hunters is a lack of
practice. Just because they can shoot
their crossbow half way decent, most
hunters are satisfied with that mediocre level of accuracy and never really
ring out their true capability. I am
amazed to even see hunting shows on
TV where the pro hunter is using
a crossbow and they fumble around
with the weapon with an obvious lack
of familiarity with the weapon or skill

in shooting it. I would be surprised if


even half the crossbow hunters could
operate their weapons without hesitation shooting it either right or left
handed with equal and consistently
pin point accuracy at close, medium
and long ranges. Most crossbows
have scopes that have crosshairs or
dots for various ranges. One should
be intimately familiar with exactly
which aiming reference to use at any
given distance out to their maximum
range.
One of the biggest advantages of
a crossbow over a compound bow
is better accuracy in the hands of
an average shooter. One of the best
ways to achieve superior accuracy
with a crossbow is by using a rest
while shooting. If you are shooting
out of a ground blind, then a telescoping, monopod is an awesome tool to
use as a rest. Even better yet is to rest
the crossbow on a built in shooting
rest from a permanent blind, but you
have to really watch out for limb
clearances though. From a hang on
treestand, I like to shoot from a sitting

The author shot this wide racked buck last year with his Excalibur crossbow.

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That scope also collects light very


well in low light conditions making it
ideal for deer hunting.
Crossbow bolts are nowhere near
as fast as the speed of sound. Even
though most modern crossbows fire
bolts at much higher velocities than a
compound bow flings arrows, hunters need to keep in mind that deer
can and will duck from the noise of
the weapon going off. The deer are
simply reacting to the sound of the
shot and ducking down in preparation for springing away and often the
bolt will strike high or even miss the
deer completely. This phenomenon
is amplified the further a deer is from
the shooter and from what Ive heard,
crossbows are a lot noisier than compound bows, so as a result they are
probably going to spook more deer
at the shot. At ranges of less than 25
yards, the deer is simply too close to
the oncoming bolt to duck the shot.
Further than that though, hunters need to really use some common
sense to avoid misses, or worse yet,
wounding losses. If a deer is relaxed
when the shot is taken, then the reaction, if any, will be minimal, so for
those shots I aim dead on. If they are
alert though, then it may be wise to
aim a bit low to compensate for the
oncoming duck. For an alert deer,
with a level shot, I like to aim a few
inches lower than normal. Taking a
whack at a moving deer with a crossbow is a low percentage shot and not
an ethical choice.
A lot of hunters, me included, use
a mouth grunt to stop a deer before
taking a shot. If you are going to
mouth stop a deer, then be ready
to shoot very quickly after grunting, which will minimize the deers
reaction to the shot. If a deer is
mouth-grunt-stopped for longer than
a couple seconds, where they get a
chance to stare in your direction, then
the reaction to the shot will be severe
and nearly instantaneous and will
need to be compensated for to avoid
disaster.n

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Tom Drake killed this nice deer with a crossbow. He had to pass that
buck up the night before he shot it because his cheap scope was
ineffective in low light. For tunately, the next day, the buck came back
in earlier and he was able to make a clean kill.

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

position if possible and use my knees


to brace my elbows for a solid rest.
From a ladder stand or a climbing
stand equipped with a rail, shooters
can carry out pin point accuracy from
that rest.
One aspect of archery that also
carries over to crossbows is erratic
broadhead flight. Never assume that
your broadheads will fly the same as
your target tips. Broadheads must be
tested. I have a bag target that I use
for most of my target practice, but I
also have a broadhead target that I use
to make sure things are impacting the
same with my Spitfires. Crossbows
are notorious for shooting fixed blade
broadheads off the mark, which is
why most savvy crossbow shooters
opt for mechanical heads. Because
crossbows are so powerful, penetration loss form a mechanical head is
really not an issue, so choose a head
with a wide cutting swath for maximum blood-letting.
Crossbows come with all sorts of
sighting options. Do yourself a favor
and buy a quality scope that will
operate optimally in very low light
conditions. With some of the sights
on the market, it seems that those
manufactures have forgotten that
a lot of shots are taken early in the
morning or late in the evening. My
Father-in-Law had a red dot sight on
his crossbow that was utterly useless
in even slightly low light conditions.
He would have to leave his stand
typically a full 20 minutes before the
end of legal shooting time because he
could no longer see though his crappy
scope. If you buy a crossbow that
comes with a substandard sight, then
fortunately there are a lot of quality
scopes available. Zeiss, Excalibur,
Ten Point and Nikon all make some
good quality crossbow scopes and
I highly recommend the one I have
which is a Excalibur Tact-Zone model
where you dial in the speed of the
bow as an adjustment on the scope
and it then compensates for bolt drop
in 10 yard increments out to 60 yards.

97

VOLUNTEER for WILDLIFE


with
UPCOMING PROJECTS

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

August 7: Grayling State Forest


Pruning apple trees to promote soft mast food
sources for game .

98

Volunteer to improve public land


wildlife habitat with
Michigan United Conservation
Clubs! Through hunter, trapper
and angler-funded wildlife
habitat grants from the
Michigan Department of
Natural Resources, MUCC
organizes multiple wildlife
habitat volunteer workdays on
public hunting land throughout
Michigan. Sign up for one of our
upcoming projects at
ww.mucc.org/ontheground!

August 13: Barry State Game Area


Cutting black locust trees to open forest canopy
and build brush piles for small game.
August 27: Shingleton State Forest
Planting trees and shrubs in the Garden Grade
Grouse Enhanced Management System for
upland birds.
September 2016: Allegan State Game Area
Removing fencing and building brush piles for
small game.
September 2016: Gourdneck State Game Area
Building brush piles for small game.
Fall 2016: Traverse City State Forest
Building brush piles and planting trees

Learn more at www.mucc.org

TROPHY PAGE

Jordan Mester, 12-years-old of Cass City


caught this fish by himself jigging in
Manistee.

Matt Brejcha, a fishing guide from Big


Rapids, caught this snapping turtle in
the waters of the Pere Marquette River
while he was wading through the river
and casting in the hopes for salmon. It
weighed over 40 pounds.

Send us your
trophy pictures!
Woods-N-Water News email: wnw@pageone-inc.com

Doug Patridge caught his trophy fish in August


trolling out of the port of South Haven. It was
38 inches long, 24 inch girth and 25 pounds.

Ryan
McDonell,
11 from
Bay City
caught
this big
king
salmon at
Manistee.
It weighed
20.8
pounds.

Shawna Meyer of Jenison shot this 185


pound black bear in White River Ontario on opening day from a ground
blind after sitting only four hours.

Subscribe Today
and Enjoy

Trevor Patridge caught this


big lake trout in South Haven. It was 35 inches long
and 18 pounds.

Brothers
Max (lt)
and Jack
Radzville of
Livingston
County each
caught 4
pound bass
on the same
day on different lakes
in Livingston County.

Michigans
Best Outdoor
Newspaper
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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Noah Kuenker, 11
took his first turkey in
April while hunting
with his grandpa.

Jerry Cubr of Byron caught a


37 inch, 20 pound lake trout on
Lake Superior while fishing with
his family and Kimar's Charters
of Shelter Bay.

99

My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...

UP moose population increasing?

Could moose on the UP mainland be


increasing again after a downward
trend for a couple of years?

f the number of road killed


animals recorded in the region during recent years is any
indication, they may be. After
two years of reduced collisions
between moose and vehicles on
UP roads, the tally was back up to
double digits during 2015, according to DNR wildlife researcher Dean
Beyer. He reported that there were six
moose/vehicle collisions during 2013
and only three in 2014. The tally was
back up to 10 for 2015.
The number of moose struck by
vehicles on the mainland was the
highest during 2011 and
2012 when 14 and 16 were
hit respectively. Thirteen
of the 16 moose that were
struck during 2012 were
killed, according to Beyer.
Of the 14 struck during 2011,
only one walked away.
Aerial surveys conducted
every other year
in the western UP
to try to estimate
the number of moose present in that
part of the region showed that there
was a decline in the herd between
2013 and 2015. The population was
estimated to contain 451 moose after
aerial counts during the first months
of 2013. By the winter of 2015, the
estimate had dropped to 323.
There is a possibility that the
mainland moose herd did not decline
significantly between 2013 and 2015,
however, in spite of the different
estimates, according to a report on the

2015 estimate.
The confidence limits of the two
estimates (2013 and 2015) overlap, so
we cannot say with statistical confidence that the population decreased,
the report stated. We did observe a
decline in the proportion of calves in
the population, suggesting a population decline may have occurred. In
the last survey, we had 42 calves/100
cows, the lowest we have recorded.
Beyer reported that 57 calves
were counted per 100 cows during
2013 survey flights. He said the number of calves per 100 cows during
2011 was 56.
In terms of confidence limits,
the 2015 estimate was actually 323
moose plus or minus 60. In other
words, there could have been between 263 to 383 moose
present in the west UP based
on aerial survey results. The
2013 estimate was 451 plus
or minus 108. So there were
between 343 and 559 moose
present then.
The fact that three out of
the 10 moose collisions that
occurred on UP roads during 2015 involved
calves may indicate
there was better
calf production and survival after the
2015 survey was completed. Calves
that were seen with cows during the
first months of 2015 would have been
born during 2014. No moose calves
were involved in UP crashes during
2013 or 2014. During 2012, another
year with good calf production, three
calves ended up as road kill like
2015.
All three calves struck by vehicles
on UP roads during 2015 were killed

By Richard P. Smtih

A young bull moose about to cross Highway 41 and M-28 just west of Marquette. A
state police officer has traffic in the westbound lane stopped, so the moose wont be
struck. Richard P. Smith photo
in Marquette County, one each during
June, August and September. The sex
of the calves was not recorded. One
of the 10 moose, an adult female that
was hit by a vehicle in Chippewa
County during June of 2015 walked
away from the scene of the accident.
The other nine were killed.
Two adult females were killed
in the east UP, one each in Luce and
Chippewa Counties. Yearling male
moose were struck and killed in
Baraga and Dickinson Counties during May and June respectively. The
sex and age of two moose killed on
Marquette and Baraga County roads
during April and May respectively
were not recorded.
Moose sightings by motorists
were up significantly in the west UP
so far during 2016. For the first time
ever, the DNR issued safety warnings to drivers who were part of
moose jams that developed when they
stopped along highways to watch

and/or photograph moose that they


saw. The DNR issued a news release
on June 7 stating that moose had been
seen along several highways including US 41, M-95 and M-28.
In many cases, motorists
stopping along the highway to take
pictures of these moose have created
traffic hazards and unsafe conditions
for pedestrians, said DNR conservation officer Mark Leadman. These
dangerous actions could cause serious
injuries and fatalities.
Conservation officers and
police observed motorists opening
doors into traffic, stopping in traffic
lanes, making illegal U-turns,
not slowing down in areas
congested with parked vehicles
and pedestrians. Pedestrians have
also walked or run across traffic
lanes with vehicles present or
stood focused on moose, not
paying attention to passing traffic
close behind them.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

The MDNR and our deer management

100

Here is my letter to Mr. Russ Mason, Wildlife Chief, MDNR and all
concerned Michigan Sportspersons...
I hope this letter is more successful than those of yesteryear that you
have created a file for...
1) Its rather disappointing listening to the bow hunters cry about
X-bows being used in their, archery season. X-bows are part of the
archery family. They were flinging
sticks 700+ years before powder ever
pushed a bullet down a rifle -barrel. So guys, get over it! Most of
you compound bow hunters are too
young to remember the objections of
the traditional bow hunters decades
ago when compounds hit the market.
The truth of it is, some compound
bow hunters dont want to share any

of their 45 private days in the


woods, 93 allowable archery days in
all vs. only 45 days for firearm hunters, all of which is shared with the
bow hunters. Plus, the bow hunters
get the peak rut and if they say thats
not true, then lets shut down ALL
deer hunting from Oct. 25 Nov. 12
and theyll be crying crocodile tears.
2) The DNR keeps talking about
getting youths involved in hunting, be
a mentor, show them the ropes. Im
all for it, but the Indian would say
DNR speak with forked tongue!
With turkey hunting for example,
non-resident youths are allowed
to purchase a turkey license at the
resident price (equaling an 83%
discount), but the resident youth pays
full price. All Sr. and youth licenses

should be 50 percent of the regular


price, which would greatly simplify
things. A non-resident youth license
should be 50 percent of the full nonresident cost. The Michigan turkey
season, for whatever reason, always
opens on a Monday. If this continues, why not have a youth hunt the
Saturday and Sunday before the first
opening Monday and allow youths
first shot regardless of their hunt
period?
3) We, or I should say the DNR/
NRC should break away from the
traditional Nov. 15 opener for the
regular deer season and change it
to the second Saturday in Nov., the
earliest would be Nov. 7 and the latest
Nov. 14 and still continuing through
Nov. 30th. We once had black ring

dial phones, all cars had manual


transmissions, the only bows were
long and recurve, etc. So lets can the
ole traditional B.S. businesses can
use the additional revenue that hunters generally generate (motels, restaurants, gas station, sporting goods,
processors, etc.). Also, a Saturday
opener would allow more hunters to
participate on opening day. Again the
youths, no school, and the employees
of weekday businesses that cant let
their personnel off work. This all adds
up to more licenses sold, more money
and thats what its all about, right?
4) If the DNR/NRC really had
the intestinal fortitude to do whats
right, they would reduce the annual

MDNR and deer management page 102

My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...

2016 Southern Michigan Buck Forecast

couldnt believe my eyes. Standing less than a mile from the


2015 Okemos CWD (Chronic
Wasting Disease) outbreak epicenter was a huge 10-point buck
scoring in the high 160s flanked
by a mule-looking, fat bellied 8-point
with massive rack scoring around
150. The duo danced in a field along
with 19 other deer and I counted
11 bucks total. Some were yearling
spikes, some had small 4 to 8 point
basket-shaped antlers and there were
several 2 and 3 very healthy year olds
with substantial racks. But it was the
big bruisers that caught my attention.
It is always nice to locate a big buck
photo subject close to home. By
summers end after intensely scouting throughout southern Michigan
I discovered 10 shooters bucks not
far from my central Michigan home
and another 20 shooters in adjoining
counties. All I can say is, Welcome
back big bucks!, because it
has been years since I have
scouted so many large adult
bucks in southern Michigan.
With all the bad news
regarding disease, stumbling deer numbers and poor
hunting, many Michigan
outdoorsmen are skeptical
about the future
of deer hunting
in the Wolverine
State. But my scouting missions this
year proved to be outstanding and my
recommendation would be to take a
hard look at hunting opportunities in
Michigans agricultural southern belt.
According to records maintained by
Commemorative Bucks of Michigan,
Zone 3 has provided the majority of
record Michigan bucks scoring over
140 in 2013, 2014 and 2015. This is
because southern deer are managed
and protected by private land owners
and allowed to grow to full potential. Savvy sportsmen ignore DNR
practices that call for unrestricted
killing of bucks and wise deer managers limit harvest. In addition southern
deer avoid harsh winters, have fewer
predators to deal with and an abundance of nutritious food. Many conservationists grow food plots to feed
animals year round and keep the herd

healthy and disease free. Because of


increased big buck sightings I predict
2016 will see an increase in trophy
buck kill, once again in Zone 3.
Deer can only grow large antlers
if they are mature deer. Studies have
found that most bucks have impressive racks at 3 years of age. If a
deer makes it to be 4 years old his
antlers are downright huge. Keep in
mind that whitetail breeders seldom
harvest bucks until they reach their
full antler growth potential which is
at 5 years of age. Unfortunately
64% of bucks harvested in Michigan
are yearlings. They provide great
back-straps but antler size leaves a
lot to be desired. If you want bigger
bucks the trick is to let young deer
walk, allow them to become fully
mature and they simply grow large
antlers. If your goal is to harvest deer
simply for meat why not shoot a doe?
Now, the good news is based on
my scouting intelligence, there is a
much higher percentage of adult 4
year old bucks available this year
than previous years and I predict
some exciting buck hunting this coming fall. One scouting trip with friend
Brian Smith from Lansing produced
25 bucks, 3 shooters and several
120-140 class dandy deer. Long
time hunting pal Scott Goldammer,
Okemos resident, was with me when
we saw 11 bucks in a single
herd, one was a 160s class
monster 10 point, and two
others were big 140s size
adult bucks with large bodies
and awesome racks. If your
goal is to harvest a mature
buck this fall, listen up.
If you are bored
with seeing only
small yearling
bucks I suggest you
concentrate efforts in southern Michigan, in most cases far from state land
managed by the DNR. Seek private
property in southern counties below a
line between Bay City and Grand Haven that offer the best opportunity for
mature deer with impressive antlers.
In fact, the past few years the highest
scoring bucks entered in CBM (Commemorative Bucks of Michigan) have
come from extreme southern counties in Zone 3. Statistically, southern
Michigan produces impressive whitetails on privately owned lands. Odds
are even better this fall. Heres why.
It appears the buck population
in southern Michigan is recovering
fast from EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease) from 2010-2012
outbreaks which eliminated big bucks
and devastated buck numbers. This
year there appears to be plenty of 4

By Kenny Darwin

The author is predicting an outstanding fall deer hunting season because there are
more adult bucks in the growing herd still recovering from disease and over-harvest.
year old adult bucks in the population and surprisingly some older deer
are also present in the herd. I predict
an increase of trophy bucks entered
in the farm belt. Big bucks in some
southern counties seem to be resistant
to EHD and I saw some old timers
roaming fields in Van Buren, Allegan,
Cass and Berrien counties and the
potential for a booner is high. This
year hunters can expect to see larger
bucks throughout southern Michigan
in areas where they simply have not
been available because of disease.
The DNR is drastically trying
to get permission from private land
owners to shoot deer at night in an
effort to quill CWD (Chronic Wasting
Disease) but they are having limited
success. Fact is culling the herd has
no impact on controlling CWD and
only 12% of the whitetail population
carries the DNA genetics that allow
animals to become infected. I see
little impact on southern Michigans
deer population due to CWD and
view the hysteria surrounding the
disease as a scape goat scare tactic to
provide the DNR with federal funding. Scientific studies from other
states have proven slaughtering of
deer herds by federal sharpshooters
is ineffective and inconclusive at
controlling CWD. Hey, what part of
killing bucks today can lead to better
buck hunting tomorrow simply does
not make sense?
It is my opinion Michigans
DNR needs to concentrate on properly managing the deer herd, control
over-sale of deer licenses, provide
food sources during stressful winter

months and better protect and enhance the buck population. Based
on studies Ive reviewed regarding
CWD, there is no way to stop the
spread of the disease and Michigans
DNR should simply let the disease
take its natural course, not invest
time and monies to further eradicate
localized populations. Just look at
Wisconsin, over 50% of the counties
have recorded CWD and the Badger
State was voted tops in the Midwest
for trophy bucks in 2015 and the herd
is growing rapidly. Wisconsin has cut
back on doe licenses and only issues
a single buck tag as a management
tool to buffer for disease mortality.
Believe me, using Federal sharpshooters with night vision assault
rifles to kill off localized herds, bucks
first, is a far cry from an effective
solution to CWD. The practice promotes poaching on a grandiose scale
and the practice should be banned
statewide. Do you realize over 4,000
deer had their heads whacked off
for CWD testing and the backstraps
and valuable venison was incinerated? What happened to the Sportsmen against Hunger program created
to salvage fresh venison to feed the
needy? It is my opinion Michigans
DNR needs to send federal whitetail
assassins packin!
Meanwhile there are bucks
aplenty in southern Michigan and the
outlook is bright for a splendid fall
2016 deer hunting season. If I had to
pick the hottest counties for a dandy
buck my top 10 choices would be

My deer forecast page 103

OCOTBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

The results from a 35 day


quest to locate Michigan
trophy bucks in several
counties brings outstanding
results and some
downright bad news...

101

My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...


MDNR and deer management: from page 100
buck harvest back to one buck per
year and sell individual licenses for
each season, archery, regular firearm,
muzzleloader. If a hunter did not get
his/her buck in archery season, they
could buy a firearm license, if stil no
buck, they could buy a muzzleloader
license. But only one buck per year!
A hunter could still harvest a doe for
the freezer in any of these seasons
with the appropriate license. How
about a handgun season the last week
(10 days) of Dec. under individual license of course, so the firearm hunter
can try one last time for that buck.
After all, its all about that all mighty
dollar? More moola!
5) Weve had this rule for many
years now and in the 2015 Michigan
Hunting & Trapping Digest it appears at the top of page 35, Tagging
Option for Antlerless Deer Hunters.
Its a tongue twister but states in the
late antlerless season if a deer hunter
has an unused doe tag, which allows
them to legally be hunting deer with a
firearm and is carrying around one or
even two unused buck tags (just burning a hole in their pocket) and finds a
button buck, they can harvest it and
place an unused buck tag on that fawn
(future buck). How stupid is that? For
all you readers, understand, it would
be possible for a hunter to leave the

woods with three button bucks. This


is Michigans deer management at its
best!
Now in 2016 it has changed and
in the Antlerless Deer Digest and
the new Tagging Option for Antlerless Deer Hunters found at the top
of page 22, says those unused buck
tags cannot be used in the early/late
antlerless seasons. Even though this
is an improvement over the past many
years, its not good enough. Its still
legal in the other seasons and any
time the DNR allows an unused buck
tag to be placed on a button buck they
are promoting the increased harvest
of fawn bucks. And that still demonstrates the ineptness of the MDNR to
properly manage our deer herd. And
by the way, a hunter can still drag
three or more button bucks from the
woods in one hunt if they have the
proper licenses/unused tags.
6) Sometimes Mr. Mason I feel
sorry for you and its all the fault of
the Michigan sportsmen/voters for
ever passing that law many years ago,
long before you were brought to our
state, creating the NRC and this so
called scientific game management.
The NRC should be nothing more
than the Governors watch dog, it
would not take seven people for that,
and let the departments of the DNR

do the job we as tax payers are paying them to do. As it is, it seems that
NRC approval is required for everything the DNR does. The legal size of
a fish, the daily bag limits of game,
the creation of special seasons, etc.
and I seriously doubt that any of them
have a degree in wildlife management. When we spoke on phone (3040 min), soon after you settled into
your new job, I hung the phone up
and said to myself, This guys gonna
be good for Michigan, but I have
since realized its kind of hard to do
the job with both hands tied behind
your back.
Ive given you a few suggestions
that would increase revenue to the
DNR, sure there would be the complainers, there always is, but they
wont stop hunting like they would
have a couple seasons ago had the
single deer license been increased
from $15 to $45 in one year as was
rumored. Whos running this show
anyway, those of you who are taking
our tax dollars in wages, many having
multiple degrees hanging on the wall,
or those complainers? Oh, and lets
not forget the NRC.
If all of my suggestions should
fall on deaf ears and blind eyes, then
at the very least consider an earna-buck program for the harvest of a
second buck based on and specific to
DMUs. DMU is supposed to mean

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102

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Deer Management Unit, than for


the sake of all Michigan sportsmen,
please start doing it!
I believe that many of my suggestions are good for the management
of our deer herd and the salvation
of a long standing hunting heritage.
But then who am I. Im the guy who
started a program in the four counties
corners area of Van Buren, Kalamazoo, St. Joe and Cass around the same
time QDMA went national, 1990.
The program was directed towards
getting our local deer herds buck/doe
ratio back to some kind of normality
by harvesting some does and protecting the yearling bucks so they could
reach adult hood. I bought my first
Michigan deer license in 1960 and
have missed only three years since
due to overseas assignment in the
USAF. In my early years of deer
hunting it was Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas for the big whitetail
states. Now Michigan is not even in
the top 10 states for quality whitetails, but something called Suburbia
USA is in there for big bucks.
Ive set back for too long and
listened to all the bickering within
the deer hunting realm and watched
deer management, deer hunting, and
hunter numbers in this great state decline. I dont know how many more
DNR letters Ive got in me due to age
and a terminal cancer, but it sure feels
good this time getting years of holding back off my chest.
As a final note, Michigan sportsmen should be sticking together to
expand hunting opportunities for
themselves and our youths rather than
arguing amongst ourselves, which
only allows the anti-hunters a chance
to wedge in. When they see a break in
our ranks they just grin and relish the
opportunity to take advantage of it.
Russ if any of my suggestions
require legislation, then let me know
and Ill get on it.
An avid Michigan deer hunter,
conservationist and local herd manager. Successful, fun and safe hunting
to all!

Rex E. Copenhaver
Marcellus, MI

My Thoughts, My Views, My Opinions...


My deer forecast: from page 101

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racked whitetails that seemed to come


from out of the blue.
But dont get me wrong there
are vast areas in southern Michigan
where disease and hunter over-harvest
has destroyed buck numbers. I can
show you several areas where local
yahoos hell bent on killing deer have
crippled deer populations and bucks
are rare. Try to avoid locations with
low deer density, scout and locate
solid deer herds, get permission to
hunt and relocate where big bucks are
in the vicinity. Based on my scouting results this year Id say there is
one large shooter buck for every 8-25
bucks. Keep in mind that adult deer
often run together, find one big deer
and there can easily be two or three in
specific locations.
Can you tell Im excited about the
upcoming 2016 deer seasons? It has
been too many years since this old
photographer/buck slayer has seen
so many shooter bucks. In early July
I found one bean field that held 21
deer, 11 bucks total and 3 were shooters with the largest a 160s 10-point.
August produced the most shooter
bucks Ive seen in several years, six
10-pointers in the 150-160 range and
an awesome 12-point that is a 180
monster. Lord, this 12-point
has mass as thick as a baseball bat,
tines 17-inches long and probably
23 inches wide inside spread. I
certainly hope Mr. Ball Bat buck
stumbles past my new stand come
archery season!
Oh, one passing thought regarding deer in southern Michigan, fawn
recruitment was excellent this spring.

If your goal is to successfully fill your buck tag this year perhaps you need to concentrate
hunting efforts in southern Michigan buck-rich counties. Kenny Darwin photos
should see more deer this year comThere seems to be an abundance of
pared to 2015. Fawn recruitment is
twin fawns. The only down side
way up and hunters should see more
is many were born in late May and
early June and their size is a bit small. small deer but there are also solid
buck numbers to keep hunters on
Some rather large fawns somehow
stand for long hours waiting for
managed to survive the cold, snow,
a big bruiser. I anticipate a larger
rainy 2016 spring weather, didnt die
deer harvest this year with some
from pneumonia and are normal size
very impressive megabucks in the
and in robust physical condition.
mix.n
Southern Michigan deer hunters

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OCOTBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Washtenaw, Jackson, Allegan, Cass,


Oakland, Branch, Eaton, Tuscola,
Livingston and Ingham.
Three variables contribute to
making a big rack: age, genetics and
nutrition. Southern Michigan has
outstanding genetics and thanks to
wise management from private land
owners deer are protected and allowed to mature. Did I mention ideal
habitat, mild winters, fewer predators and private deer managers who
dont blast every little spike buck in
the county? Well, southern Michigan
has it all including great genetics. In
Zone 3, a 3 year old buck can grow
massive headgear. Just take a peek at
the Jacob Rizkaliah 174 3/8
Washtenaw County monster. Did
you see the 18-point nontypical
that grossed 205 2/8 taken by Chris
Evenhouse from Three Rivers who
practices voluntary antler restrictions
on his hunting turf? His reward for
passing on small bucks was a trophy
of a lifetime from southern Michigan.
Keep in mind that antler growth
in 2016 was accelerated by a very
mild winter, little snow, above normal temperatures and deer were not
stressed by winter weather. With the
lack of snow they could roam oak
ridges and munch on leftover acorns
during the day and visit food plots
or agricultural grain fields at night to
dine on corn, soy beans, rye, winter
wheat and more. Grasses flourished
early this spring and jump-started
bucks to grow racks earlier. In many
cases the key to large antler growth
hinges on how well bucks refuel after
the rut and their ability to beef up on
food sources rich with important minerals, vitamins and nutrients needed
to create massive boney crowns.
When spring turned to late July 98%
of antler growth was finished as deer
gobbled succulent soy bean flower
tops, corn tassel and silk and lush
green food sources high in protein,
calcium, phosphate and a variety of
minerals to promote antler growth.
Come August Michigans southern
counties were crawling with large

103

Sporting Collectibles -- Finding Old Tackle Treasures...

Striking Gold

than one hundred years old from


the way it was made and the type of
hardware mounted on it. I knew I
needed help identifying what I had,
so I took it to wood fishing rod expert
and historian, Mike Simcik, of Spring
Lake for his expertise.
Fishing rods from the late nineteenth century were made from a
variety of different woods. Lancewood, a native American tree, was the
most common wood used as it was
lighter and less expensive. Greenheart,
imported from South America, was
also used as it was more pliant than
lancewood, but harder and heavier.
Bethabara, imported from both Cenever knowing
what I will find tral and South America, was another
excellent wood that was used to build
makes what I
fishing rods.
do so much fun.
Its wood was very dark, close
Here are two
grained and strong and resilient. Split
recent tackle
Calcutta bamboo was the most poputreasures, at least to me, that I hope
lar material for just about any kind of
will be of interest to my readers.
fishing, but Calcutta cane was also the
This first item came out of a
most expensive wood to use.
Muskegon basement where I
If the angler could afford it,
was going through old tackle.
his choice was a Calcutta
There were quite a few tackle
bamboo rod. If his wallet
boxes, lots of reels, and a
was lacking funds, then he
myriad of used fiberglass
was best advised to get a
rods of all kinds.
good lancewood, greenheart
or bethabara rod saving at
Almost all of it was
least half in comparison.
newer tackle with very little
It turned out that the
older gear showing itself. I
Muskegon trolldid uncover an
ing rod was made
old wood trollfrom bethabara
ing rod back in
wood and built for Bullard & Gorma corner that looked out of the ordiley, a Chicago hardware wholesaler
nary, and I ended up taking it home
and retailer, by the Thomas H. Chubb
that day. It was a round wooden rod
Company of Post Mills, Vermont.
made out of something other than split The hardware wholesaler was origibamboo. The nickel silver butt cap
nally founded in 1859 as the Kellogg,
was inscribed Bullard & Gormley,
Johnson and Bliss Company and went
Chicago.
through a number of partners and
I could tell that it was old, more
name changes through the years re-

I never know what I will


discover when I am out looking
for old fishing tackle in the field.
Every so often I come across
something unusual at a flea
market, an auction, or going
through an old tackle box that
a Woods-n-Water News reader
has carried into a show
for me to appraise...

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

By Terry McBurney

104

The rod had all nickel silver par ts made by Chubb a butt cap engraved
Bullard & Gormley, Chicago, reel seat, winding check, reinforced ferrules, agate stripper guide, trumpet line guides and a stirrup tip.

The Bullard & Gormley 8 -ft. 3-pc. trolling rod was made in the late
1890s by the Thomas H. Chubb Company, the largest fishing rod maker
in the United States at that time. Author photos
building after the Great Chicago Fire
in 1871, as well as a second disastrous
fire in 1889, both fires completely gutting the companys buildings and inventory. In 1890, the companys name
was again changed, this time to Bliss,
Bullard, and Gormley, and four years
later in 1894 the companys name was
shortened to Bullard and Gormley.
The company was best known as
a major hardware distributor, but they
also carried an impressive selection of
sporting goods. They made an aggressive move into more fishing tackle
in 1905 when they purchased the
downtown Chicago retailer, James L.
Van Uxem, and their expanded 1906
catalog reflected this change. The
company carried an impressive list
of brand name products of the day as
well as highlighting their own Bullard and Gormley branded items.
The trolling rod was built for
Bullard and Gormley by the Thomas
H. Chubb Company, the largest rod

factory in the United States during the


late 1800s. The company was founded
in 1869 by Chubb after he had moved
from Galveston, Texas because of
health reasons. Like many others in
the Galveston area, he had contracted
yellow fever during 1867, and at the
advice of his doctor traveled to New
England seeking cooler temperatures
and cleaner air to speed his recovery. Chubb and a partner purchased
a linseed oil factory powered by the
Ompompanoosuc River in the small
village of Post Mills, Vermont and
soon changed the factory into a rake
and shovel handle manufacturer.
Local history credits a trip to
Boston where Chubb supposedly
found inferior hand-made fishing rods
in the local stores. He returned to Post
Mills convinced that he could make
better machine-made fishing rods in
his factory. With a few changes, he
converted the machinery and stopped
producing rake and shovel handles
and started producing fishing rods
from ash, lancewood, and bamboo.
Misfortune plagued the Chubb
plant almost from the onset. First,
a flood in 1869 destroyed the many
mills in the village including Chubbs
newly converted rod factory. He
quickly rebuilt the business and soon
was up and running, this time employing more than fifty workers. Six
years later, a fire burned the factory
destroying most of the machinery.
Chubb again rebuilt this time a more
modern three-story factory designed
to fit the companys specific needs.
The company not only built fishing
rods and fishing reels but specialized in designing and making all the
metal parts needed to make them. He

fly reels in the annual Shakespeare


catalog. This all changed when they
introduced The New Shakespeare
Automatic Reel in their 1923 catalog
debuting two automatics, model
90668 which held 30 yards of fly line
and model 91688 which held 50 yards
of fly line. They added the larger
model 94688 in 1924 which held 80
yards of line.
The Shakespeare engineers did
their best and designed great reels
that improved on the competitions.
The new Shakespeare automatics
featured beautifully finished lightweight aluminum bodies, a powerful
main spring made from the highest
quality spring steel, a conveniently
located spring release button, and a
brake lever with instant response. The
Shakespeare automatics were wellmade reels and anglers responded
with strong sales from their first introduction.
Shakespeares first three automatic fly reels were what were called
horizontal automatics. These reels
were mounted flat under the fly rod
handle. The company added vertical models, which mounted vertically under the handle. Later, they added
chrome line guards to a number of
them, different colors to others, anodized finishes to the most expensive,
and some had folding retriever levers.
But they all worked pretty much
the same. The reels spring could
be wound up by either turning the
knurled spring cover or by stripping
off fly line. Line was retrieved by
fingering the lever causing the spring
to turn the spool and winding the fly
line onto the spool. It was not fancy
but the reels worked well.
Sometime in the late 1960s a
Shakespeare engineer had the bright
idea to add a device onto the side of
the reel that would also be powered
by the springs action. The device
would move back and forth and
distribute the line evenly back onto

An 1883 Thomas Chubb full page ad


the spool. Level winds were used on
almost all freshwater casting reels,
most spinning reels and some push
button spincast reels why not on a
fly reel?
So, the Shakespeare 1838 level
wind automatic fly reel was born. The
reels level wind chrome bars moved
back and forth about -inch each
way, which moved the line up and
down as it was rewound. The level
wind device worked, but few anglers
bought the reel because the regular
Shakespeare automatics worked
just fine without it, and it added a
couple of bucks to the retail. Thus,
the Shakespeare 1838 reel became a
footnote in Shakespeares history and
a very rare reel today.
Automatic fly reels were very
popular with fly fisherman for many
years all the way through the 1940s
and 1950s. Many of them were still

Left: This rare Shakespeare 1838 Automatic Fly Reel featured a level wind and was manufactured in 1968. Right:
Spring driven, the level wind bars would move up and down distributing the fly line more evenly as it was retrieved.

from the American Angler magazine.


selling during the 1960s, but sales
slowed as fishermen more and more
switched to lighter single action fly
reels. I know I did. Shakespeare,
Pflueger, Martin, Perrine, South Bend
(made by Shakespeare), HorrocksIbbotson, Heddon, Garcia Mitchell,
True Temper and Bronson all manufactured automatic fly reels. Today,
I have been able to find just two still
being made one a Pflueger and the
other a Martin.
But there are thousands of old
automatic reels out there stored away
in basements, garages or in old tackle
boxes. These reels were well-made,
so most of them still work well, and
are bargains that can purchased for as
little as $5!
Thanks to Mike Simcik for his
help with the Bullard and Gormley
trolling rod and to Ed Bourgeois for
his help with the Shakespeare fly reel.
I would also like to thank Dr. Todd
Larson for his invaluable Fishing
for History blog (see http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/). His amazing
fishing tackle blog has a wealth of
information for the fishing tackle collector. I would like to acknowledge
Dr. Todd Larsons article The Bullard & Gormley Co. from the January
2010 issue of ORCAs (Old Reel Collectors Association) The Reel News
and the Thetford, Vermont Historical
Society for their article Thomas
Chubbs Fish Rod Factory.
Feel free to contact the author
at antiquefishing@comcast.net with
your questions. Photographs are
important, so please send them. They
help me with identification and give
me an idea of the condition of the
item.n

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

patented his designs and built the


machinery to efficiently make them.
Chubb was soon supplying quality
components - reel seats, ferrules, line
guides and tips at cheaper prices to
most of the fishing rod manufacturers
in the United States.
The Muskegon-found trolling rod
has all nickel silver parts butt cap,
winding check, Chubbs patented reel
seat, Chubbs patented reinforced
ferrules, an agate stripper guide,
trumpet line guides and a stirrup tip.
Interestingly, nickel silver is an alloy
that contains copper, nickel and zinc
but no silver! I asked Mike Simcik
to rebuild this 8 -ft. 3-piece trolling rod and the beautifully restored
rod will be part of my Show-andTell tackle display at future sporting goods shows starting at the 44th
Annual Novi Outdoorama in February 2017 and the 72nd Annual Grand
Rapids Ultimate Sports Show in
March 2017. Stop by and take a look
at this remarkable fishing rod.
The second item this month is a
Shakespeare automatic fly reel that
normally would be considered common, because Shakespeare made tens
of thousands of them over the years.
Shakespeare produced them under the
Shakespeare brand name, the Kalamazoo Tackle Company logo, under
the South Bend banner, for Sears and
quite a few other companies. The
Shakespeare 1838 Level Wind Automatic Reel pictured came from retired
fishing reel repair expert, Ed Bourgeois of Kalamazoo who originally
was given the reel by a Shakespeare
executive. What made this one reel
special was that it was built with an
unusual feature. It had a level wind
and no other automatic fly reel ever
made had one!
Automatic fly reels have been
around for well over one hundred
years. Shakespeare wholesaled several between 1913 and the early 1920s
selling Martin and Kelso automatic

105

Trophy deer managementMichigans future?

attended a two day meeting,


Deer Rendezvous hosted by the
MUCC, MDNR and QDMA state
chapter mid July 2016 which was
held at Jays Sporting Goods in
Clare. Anna Mitterling, co-op
coordinator representing MUCC was
the moderator. It was well attended
primarily by officers of the many
QDMA branches in Michigan. Subject
matter covered many deer management areas with attendees urged by
Anna to offer suggestions. This was
serious stuff which covered ideas
to encourage more involvement of
hunters and non-hunters in the proper
management of wildlife and their
habitat, the health of our deer herd,
ideas to insure the future of hunting
and much more.

One Doe For Every Buck

all deer. Expectation that almost all


adult does to be bred during their first
estrus and with more habitat and forage available you can count on more
and healthier fawns born per doe. In
addition to fewer fetus abortions and
fawn abandonment by not
so healthy does. We are not
there to observe this phenomenon, but be assured this
happens. The secret to great
deer management is to have
a maximum of fawns born
per doe and survive to adulthood. This created condition
in theory eliminates
the disappointing ups
and downs of our deer
herd numbers and sex ratios that we
too often experience. If everything
is working right with all adult does
producing an average of 1.5 surviving fawns to six months of age and 25
percent of female fawns giving birth
to a fawn, one can expect to darn near
double the deer herd yearly.

acre enclosed George Reserve under the support of the University of


Michigan accomplished exactly the
above. Professor McCoullogh covered
many aspects of deer management and
usually went to extremes of habitat
and population conditions
for true data. He showed that
it is possible to double the
deer population yearly after
removing the right number
of deer, their sex and age in
the fall but only if the space.
Population- density and
adequate nutritious forage were in balance.
McCoullogh showed
that removing just one
leg of this formula produced adverse
results.
The doubling of the herd was the
low number of deer after the hunting
season compared to the large number
in early fall. There needs to be many
deer of both sexes taken during the
hunting season yearly to maintain
adequate and nutritious forage for the
remaining deer. The plan is to have
the same number of deer yearly before
the hunt and half that number after the
hunt.
We can look at the above as an
extreme form of deer and habitat

By Ed Spinazzola

I want to address one subject


discussed by a MDNR Wildlife Biologist. The subject was adult deer
sex kill ratio, also known as the,
buck to doe kill ratio. The bioloSex Ratio To Double
gist suggested that there are many
areas in Michigan that should have
Deer Population Yearly
a kill ratio of one buck per one doe,
This can happen and has hapwhich would improve the overall
pened in controlled conditions within
health of the herd. This would result
an enclosure. In the 1970s and 1980s
in less deer but more winter forage for Professor McCoullogh of the 1,100

management for our state. Having


a kill ratio of one buck to one doe
yearly would be one leg of the plan
and should produce within five years
a live adult buck to doe sex ratio of
1:1.2, one buck to 1.2 does. Due to the
harsh winters and lack of winter habitat in the UP it is suggested by experts
that the live sex ratio should be one
buck for every three does. Taking two
bucks per doe will create a 1:3 buck to
doe sex ratio. Much of our habitat in
the upper half of the lower is suspect
and again experts suggest an adult sex
ratio of one buck to two does. Taking
1.6 bucks per doe will create an adult
sex ratio of 1:2.
Now the lower half is a different
story. There are areas including fringe
areas in the upper half that have some
promise but I doubt one buck to one
doe sex kill ratio, thats trophy deer
management and that is exactly what
most enclosed deer hunting operations
choose. Some take two bucks per doe
and that works for even more action,
but expect more fine bucks being lost
to antler battles. For the better areas
of the lower half, again the experts
suggest an adult sex ratio of one buck
to 1.5 does. Taking 1.4 bucks per doe
will create an adult sex ratio of 1:1.5
The above noted adult deer sex

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106

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kill ratios and resultant live adult


buck to doe sex ratios are close to
what one can expect. Due to a natural
higher male mortality rate, there is
never an even opposite resultant live
adult deer buck to doe sex ratio. Example, a sex kill ratio of two bucks to
one doe will not result in a live deer
sex ratio of one buck to two does. It
will be much closer to one buck to
three does.

optimum success there would need


to be a change in our timber stand
management, which now would be
addressing successful fawn recruitment. Example, There would be more
summer timber clear cuts to encourage a more diverse growth of shrubs
and brush, which would be available
for wildlife for decades instead of a
few years of forage and cover from a
winter clear cut.

If we were to incorporate the


suggestion of taking one buck per one
doe in DNR suggested areas there
would need to be a serious habitat
program offering prime security,
cover and forage for the bumper fawn
crops yearly. These secure prime
cover and forage fawning areas are
not now sufficient. There would need
to be a large scale state and private
land fawning habitat program under
the direction of our MDNR. Without a serious and secure fawning
area program to insure a large and
healthy fawn recruitment to at least
six months of age the whole program would fail and we would end
up with a much smaller deer herd,
with increased predator presence. For

This is very confusing. I have


attended many sessions of public appearances of MDNR representatives
in addition to personal meetings with
the MDNR Big Game Specialists.
Going back to the 1960s to the presMaintaining a more natural sex ratio requires intense mandatory habitat
ent our MDNR has told us only one
improvement on both state and private land. Kenny Darwin photo
story, again and again that their goal
was a live buck to doe sex ratio of
would be mandatory to address
and survival of fawns. I dont
one buck to three does and they have
the habitat both state and private
have an ounce of professional
claimed that is exactly what the sex
to maintain hoped for increased
training in deer or habitat manageratio was. When our QDMA Branch
fawn recruitment. I believe their
ment and I suspect many of you
petitioned for an experimental antler
goal is simply overall less deer not
are in the same boat. Do you see
restriction for five years in Clare
an improved deer herd. And that is
what I see?
County in 1998 we were told that this exactly what will happen, less deer
Keep the fun in hunting!
would change the sex ratio to more
if both adult sexes are taken big
Ed Spinazzola is an associate of
bucks and thus increase the mortaltime without addressing the need
Tony LaPratts Ultimate Land Manity of bucks due to fighting. Do they
of a successful replacement of the
agement. For more information www.
understand the difficulty of maintain- taken adult deer. They must be retonysulm.com or www.deerattraction.
ing a more natural sex ratio and that it placed yearly with a high recruitment com or call 586-784-8090.n

Summation.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Habitat Changes For


Increased Fawn Recruitment

107

Readers Choice Trail Cam Contest

from page ??

Visit our website (www.woods-n-waternews.com) to vote for your favorite trail cam photo each
month. The photo with the most votes will receive a Woods-N-Water News mock Cover featuring
their photo. Once we have twelve monthly winners from our website, well ask you to choose the
Grand Prize winner which will get a new Stealth Cam.
Send your photos to: wnw@pageone-inc.com (please submit in jpeg format)
www.woods-n-waternews.com

Derek
Sarratore
captured this
trail cam photo of a bobcat
near Brethren
on August 7.

A magnificent Upper Peninsula


giant. Greg Vadasz has 10 years of
creating habitat on this property in
effort to see bucks like this!

A Millersburg area fawn was


no match for this coyote submitted by Dean Schluckbier.

Amy
Dewitt
submitted this
photo
of a doe
and her
twins
nursing.

Lauren Trainor of Bellevue in Eaton County captured this rare occurrence of a red-tailed hawk that
came in for a landing.

An
awesome
Oakland
County
buck Larry
Piotrowski
of Troy has
nicknamed
Bright Eyes.

John Siegel
sent a trail
cam photo of
this split-ear
doe five years
ago and shes
back this
year with a
fawn!

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Larry McNutt of Coldwater


caught a bachelor group on Kraig Staples with more Millersburg
area black bears.
his trail cam.

108

Opportunities for
small game hunting
by reporting their results. Cooperator
forms can be found on the DNR website at mi.gov/hunting (select Upland
Game Birds and then Ruffed Grouse).

Woodcock

Season: Sept. 24 to Nov. 7 statewide. The daily bag limit is three with
a possession limit of six.
Outlook: Michigan is the numberone woodcock harvest state in the
nation. This fall, hunters can expect
Rabbits
about the same results they had last
Season: Cottontail rabbits and
year. Found in all parts of Michigan,
varying (or snowshoe) hare can be
woodcock are migratory, and although
hunted from Sept. 15 to March 31,
their population densities are higher
2017, statewide. The daily bag limit is in the northern two-thirds of the state,
five in combination with a possession
they often can be found in good
limit of 10.
numbers in southern Michigan later in
Outlook: Cottontail populations
the season as the birds head south. All
are good throughout their range over
woodcock hunters must obtain a free
much of the state. Concentrate on thick woodcock stamp in addition to a valid
cover, such as briar patches and brush
base license; the endorsement stamp is
piles, often near agricultural fields.
available at all license agents or online
Snowshoe hare populations are down
at E-License.
from historic levels. Look for earlySharp-Tailed Grouse
successional forests (such as aspen
Season: Oct. 10-31 in the eastern
stands) and low-lying conifer swamps Upper Peninsula, east of M-129 and
with blow-downs and brush piles in the east of I-75 north of M-48. The limit is
northern two-thirds of the state.
two daily, with four in possession; six
Squirrels
per season.
Season: Sept. 15 to March 1, 2017.
Outlook: Sharptails use grasslands
The daily bag limit is five per day with and associated shrubby habitat; think
10 in possession.
pheasant habitat. Often found in small
Outlook: Both fox and gray squir- flocks and sometimes difficult to aprel populations are at moderate to high proach, sharptails often require relalevels across much of the state. Areas
tively long-range shooting compared
that had good mast production last year to ruffed grouse. Sharptail hunters are
are a good bet, as are wood lots adjoin- required to have a (free) sharp-tailed
ing corn fields.
grouse endorsement on their hunting
licenses.
Ruffed Grouse
Season: Sept. 15-Nov. 14 and Dec.
Pheasants
1-Jan. 1, 2017, statewide. The bag limit
Season: Oct. 10-31 in the Upper
is five per day/10 in possession in the
Peninsula in Menominee County and
northern two-thirds of the state (Zones portions of Iron, Marquette, Dickinson
1 and 2), and three per day/six in posand Delta counties, Oct. 20-Nov. 14 in
session in Zone 3 (southern Michigan). the Lower Peninsula; and Dec. 1-Jan.
Outlook: Grouse populations are 1, 2017 in selected areas of Zone 3
cyclical, typically rising and falling
(southern Michigan). The limit is two
over a 10-year period, and indications
cocks daily, with four in possession.
are that we are beginning the upward
Outlook: Pheasant habitat is being
trend of the cycle. Spring drumming
highlighted in the state by a strong
counts in 2014 and 2015 were up.
team of partners through the MichiHunters are expected to see about the
gan Pheasant Restoration Initiative.
same or slightly more birds this year
Pheasant populations have been in
than in 2015, said Al Stewart, DNR
decline for a number of years, primarupland game bird specialist.
ily because of changes in agricultural
Young to moderate-aged aspen
practices and/or urban sprawl. Typicalstands about 6 to 15 years of age
ly, the best habitat is on private lands
with a thick understory of witch hazel
that have been managed for pheasants,
or dogwood are prime grouse habitat.
especially those that are enrolled in
Food sources are important, but wild
farm set-aside programs, and many
fruit and berry production should be
southern Michigan public lands are
very good this year due to good spring being intensely managed for pheasants
rains. Grouse are most numerous in the too. Generally speaking, hunters who
Upper Peninsula and northern Lower
enjoyed success last year should find
Peninsula, but hunters may find local
similar hunting conditions in the same
populations in areas with good habitat areas. The best counties for pheasant
in southern Michigan as well. Grouse
hunting are in south-central to midand woodcock hunters are asked to as- Michigan and into the Thumb, though
sist the DNR in monitoring populations locally abundant populations can be

found almost anywhere. Look for warmseason grasses, especially on idled farm
fields. Late-season hunters can have success in cattail and shrub lands adjoining
picked agricultural fields.

expect similar results in 2016.


Dont forget that a base hunting
license entitles hunters to hunt rabbit, hare, squirrel (fox and gray, black
phase included), pheasant, ruffed
grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, woodQuail
Season: Oct. 20-Nov. 14. Quail can chuck, woodcock (HIP endorsement
required), quail, crow, coyote (apbe hunted only in Branch, Calhoun,
Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hill- plies to Michigan residents only) and
waterfowl (with a federal waterfowl
sdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson,
stamp and Michigan waterfowl hunting
Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston,
license, if 16 years of age or older) durMacomb, Monroe, Montcalm, Oaking the open season for each species.
land, Saginaw, St. Clair, St. Joseph,
The 2016 Hunting and Trapping
Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, WashtDigest has more information on small
enaw and Wayne counties. The bag
game species seasons dates and regulalimit is five per day/10 in possession.
tions.
Outlook: Back-to-back harsh
For more information on
winters and ice storms have signifiMichigan
hunting opportunities,
cantly lowered quail populations. Quail
visit mi.gov/hunting.n
hunters that had success last year can

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OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

everal small game seasons


opened in mid-September,
the Department of Natural
Resources offers a glimpse
into some of the small game
hunting opportunities Michigan has to offer.
A base license, which allows
hunters to hunt small game, can be
purchased online at E-License or anywhere licenses are sold.

109

Keeler Society inducts Ira Thumma


I

ve known this years Keeler Society inductee for many years,


Randy MacInnes said as he began listing the recipients qualifications.
He concluded his introduction by saying,
I first met him when we were members
at the Pine River Long Riflemen. The
Spirit of Roy Keeler Society inductee is
Ira Thumma.
The crowd began a thunderous standing ovation as a stunned Ira Thumma got
to his feet and walked to the front of the
meeting hall at the Columbiaville Sportsman Club (5124 Klam Road, Columbiaville, Michigan), the host club for the
Michigan State Muzzle Loading Associations 2016 State Championship Shoot.
I havent been this happy since
a helicopter lifted us out of Chu Lai,
Thumma said, referring to his military
service in South Vietnam. Pa was a
mentor to me. I wouldnt be where I am
today if it wasnt for Pa Keeler.
Roy Pa Keeler was born in 1917 in
the small Michigan community of Eaton
Rapids. During the Great Depression,
Keeler left school to help raise his eight
brothers; he was 10 years old at the time.
He was not the oldest, but his brothers
respected his depth of understanding
and depended on his leadership; for that
reason, they all called him Pa. Keeler
lived his entire life in Eaton Rapids,
along with his wife, Thelma, who he
always called Ma.

Over the years, Roy Keeler became


a respected competitor at the state and
national levels, attending shoots throughout Michigan and at the National Muzzle
Loading Rifle Association, headquartered
in Friendship, Indiana. Keeler loved
flintlocks and the accuracy of the heavy
bench rifles. At its inception in 1995,
Pa Keeler was the first person inducted
into the NMLRAs Black Powder Hall of
Fame.
He owned and operated Keelers
Trading Post, and when he wasnt on the
firing line his gun shop on wheels was
open, selling needed supplies to the other
competitors. Black powder enthusiasts sought out Keelers sage shooting
advice and historical knowledge. For 25
years he penned Pas Powder Horn, a
popular column in the Michigan United
Conservation Clubs publication, Michigan Out-of-Doors.
After Roy Keelers death in 1998, the
MSMLA established the Spirit of Roy
Keeler Society to honor Keelers many
contributions to the black powder shooting sports. Shooters throughout Michigan nominate individuals who display
the values Keeler lived by: sportsmanship, friendship and a deep devotion to
preserving Americas rich muzzleloading
traditions. Current Keeler Society members make the final selection, honoring
one Michigan resident each year. The
choice is difficult, the candidates all
worthy.

When Randy mentioned Pine River,


I looked at my wife, Sue, because Randy
and I were the only ones in the room
associated with Pine River, Thumma
later said. It was real nice that Sue was
there, too. I still dont believe it, but its
sinking in.
Its probably the best trophy Ive
had the privilege to have for a year. The
trophy sits on the buffet in the dining
room. You come in our home and everybody can see it. My grandson, Nick, who
Ive been teaching to shoot bench rifles
said, Great grandpa! Good going! He
was very happy.
I got back from Nam, but couldnt
shoot modern bench rifles anymore.
Every time a rifle cracked Id hit the
ground. But the muzzleloaders didnt
bother me that way. Pa walked me out
of Vietnam in a lot of ways. He encouraged me to continue shooting, to always
improve, and that helped me leave Nam
behind.
Pa is one of my heroes. He taught
me a lot. I told him I was going to give
up flintlock shooting. He said, Dont
give it up. One day theyll know you are
around.
I still have some sketches and
drawings from Pas gun room. Im not a
Xerox machine, but I looked at his guns
and took something here and something
there. I like to keep with the spirit of the
old time makers when I build a rifle.
I shot some offhand, then my natu-

Award winner, Ira Thumma


ral gravitation was to cross-sticks and
on to bench rest. Once I got into bench
rest shooting there was no return. I have
a couple of rifles, and I shoot light bench
(14-pound maximum gun weight). The
only percussion I own is a slug gun, but
thats a horse of a different color. Everything I shoot is flint, and my wife is a
flintlock shooter, too, Thumma said.
One day I was having a problem
with the fit of my bench gun, David Maddox, the past president of the
MSMLA said. Ira kind of looked things
over and said a few things that I wasnt
listening to, and he disappeared. Here he
comes back with a rasp, some files and
sandpaper and we fixed it on the spot.
Thats the kind of guy he is. And thats
the type of friend Roy Keeler was, too.

Submitted by the members of the


Spirit of Roy Keeler Society

We specialize in . . .

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

WHITENED SKULLS
EUROPEAN MOUNTS SKULL ART
SKELETON ARTICULATION BIRD MOUNTING

110

We use Dermestid Beetles to clean the skulls.


No Boiling.
Camo dipping available.
We can do any legally harvested game, from mice to bull elk.
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Conversation with a coyote


guide, hunter, trapper and author

Bring the hunt to the coyote...

medicine wolf, American jackal, Indian


fox, song dog or yodeler; coyotes deve known coyote on a personal
serve our utmost respect.
basis for some years now and I
Recently, Outdoor Writers Assostrongly feel there is always some- ciation of America (OWAA) member,
thing new to learn about and from Michael Huff, sent me a copy of his
this versatile predator.
new book titled; UnderstandThe Latin term for coyote is
ing Coyotes: The Comprecanis latrana meaning barking dog.
hensive Guide for Hunters,
Coyote language consists of a variety
Photographers and Wildlife
of yips, yaps and barks plus a creObservers. I learned about
scendo of howls. Many a night I have Huffs vast coyote knowledge
smiled as I lay abed listening to coyote when I reviewed his book and
music. No wonder at times they are
decided to present his coyote
called yodelers.
hunting advice to Woods-NCoyotes cope well with approachWater News readers. Thus
ing civilization; all 83 counties in our
a conversation with
home state of Michigan, harbor a coy- Pennsylvania outfitote population. While wolves require
ter, Mike Huff, came
wilderness privacy; coyotes simply
about.
make the best of any situation. The
Q) Were you an active outdoor
creature is extremely adaptable and
person from early on as to hunting,
appears to possess an uncanny sensitiv- trapping, fishing, etc.? What pursuits
ity or sixth sense to its life, livelihood, did you like best?
health or welfare. In spite of being
A) I spent much of my early life
shot, trapped, poisoned and bountied
heading out by myself to a nearby trout
for generations, coyotes continue to
stream with fishing rod and worms in
procreate successfully keeping their
hand. When I was eleven. I started to
species flourishing.
archery hunt deer. Although it took me
In any event, whether you call coy- probably a dozen years until I harvestote by its formal name, canis latrana
ed a deer with my bow, never did I tire
or prefer to use bush wolf, plains wolf, of taking every opportunity to hunt.

My father and his friend were my hunting team back in the 70s and years later
his friend commented how impressed
he was with my seemingly lack of fear
being dropped off in the dark premorning hours and sitting until sunrise
to begin my hunt. I do not
remember either of them ever
sitting with me back then, it
was just me alone for hours
until they returned. From the
time I left to the time they
returned, I was completely
content and loving nature
with bow in hand.
Q) Mike, you are a guide
in Pennsylvania
specializing in coyote
hunting. Briefly tell us
about your guide service.
A) Through a lot of passion and
dedication, I have over 100 very productive properties on which I guide my
clients for fox and coyote. Basically,
I offer hunts only or a combination
training seminar followed by a hunt. I
recently retired as special education
teacher after 20 years and now my full
time gig is writing, guiding in the fall
and winter, and providing training in
long range shooting in the spring and
summer. Having been a teacher, I re-

By Betty Sodders

ally enjoy downloading everything I


know about how to successfully hunt
predators into my clients brains. Nothing makes me happier than when a client sends me photos after our training
and hunt of their own predator harvests
from using the skills and knowledge I
provided to them. Guiding has been
very successful with over 80% of my
clients rebooking second hunts.
Q) Lets talk coyotes! They are
uncanny creatures, the more they are
pursued, the more they seem to reproduce.
A)Michigan has coyotes in all 83
counties, both urban and metro areas;
however, back in a day, say late 1800s
they were absent from Ontonagon
County located in the west end of the
UP Keweenaw Peninsula. But at that
particular time, wolves were the Alpha
predator. Now weve come full circle
with Ontonagon County having more
wolves than any other single county in
the United States!
Q) Is it true that a wolf will kill
a coyote? Describe the wolf/coyote
relationship. I understand scientists of
today believe the northeastern coyote
holds eastern gray wolf DNA. Is this

Coyote expert page 112

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(989) 269-GUNS www.randyshuntingcenter.com 111

Coyote Expert:
from page 111

correct?
A) Yes, wolves absolutely kill coyotes the same as coyotes kill fox. Killings occur most often to protest a food
resource. Both wolves and coyotes
do not want any competition in their
territory eating their prey. Studies
in Yellowstone have shown predation
becomes very high when there is a
deceased large prey animal such as a
bison or deer in the territory which is
fed upon for successive days. Interestingly, coyotes infrequently consume
fox they kill. They are killing them to
remove competition for food resource,
not so much as a source of food.
It is interesting to note that coyotes
can actually run faster than a wolf on
flat ground. However, when snow is
deep the coyotes speed is hindered by
it having shorter legs than the wolf,
Q) Most of our readers recognize
coyotes but actually know little about
its niche in the wild. Tell us about its
habits...life as a predator...population
numbers in your state compared to
Michigan.
A) Wow, population estimates;
who really knows? I certainly do not.
I view the accuracy of state estimates
very skeptically. A few years ago,
the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported coyotes in the state had

stabilized, all the areas they would go


had been complete. While I respect
wildlife biologists immensely as well
as the great job the game commission
does managing wildlife, I would be
unable to come up with an accurate
estimate myself. However, I do feel
very confident that coyotes have not
stabilized in Pennsylvania, the population has rapidly expanded in number
in my area of the state in the past three
years. Places where I guided folks
for fox hunting for years and never
had any coyotes are now becoming
increasingly populated with coyotes.
Several of my clients who booked fox
hunts this year ended up shooting a
coyote along with fox.
Some data I have received puts
Pennsylvania with a somewhat higher
population of coyotes than Michigan.
I have no idea if this is accurate; but
if so, may be due to the presence of
wolves in Michigan and their absence
in Pennsylvania. I have never hunted
predators in Michigan, but given the
chance, I would do so in a heartbeat!
Q) Briefly discuss mating between coyotes. Do they ever mate
with domestic dogs?
A) Nature has designed the estrous
window of female coyotes so that pups
are dropped when food and weather
conditions are conducive to survival.
Depending on latitude, mating usually
occurs between January and March.
Gestation is approximately sixty days,
which translates into pups born dur-

ing spring or early summer. Where I


currently reside, most pups are born in
late March.
The alpha male and alpha female
coyotes are the only animals in a given
pack that mate. Coyotes are primarily
monogamous animals. The alpha pair
usually remains together as a breeding pair for successive years, even
if mating has been unsuccessful in a
particular year.
Female coyotes are biologically
capable of mating as early as ten
months of age; however, they rarely
breed before their second winter.
There are some circumstances that
may lead to females breeding at
younger ages. This may occur in
coyote populations experiencing high
levels of annual mortality. I have been
advised that a coyote will mate with
a domestic dog under certain circumstances.
Food availability plays a significant role in the regulation of breeding. During times when food sources
are scarce, fewer coyotes will breed
and smaller litters of pups will be
produced. Also, with fewer calories
available for pup development, failed
pregnancies and smaller litter sizes
may result.
The physical act of mating begins
approximately a week before ovulation. Mating continues for approximately seven to ten days after ovulation. This is the only time during the
year in which the female coyote will

mate with the male. Surprisingly,


male coyotes are also only fertile for
only a specific time each year.
During the annual ovulation period, the female is very receptive and
will elicit mating. During this time
the male sniffs and licks the females
vaginal area to assess her reproductive
status. The pair also engages in various acts of courtship.
The alpha male and female coyote
mate several times each day. Research
on captive coyotes has shown the
highest frequency of mating actually
occurs on the exact day of ovulation.
Amazingly, the nose of the coyote
appears to pinpoint the day ovulation
occurs.
During the physical mating process, when the penis enters into the
vagina, the bulbus glanndis gland
significantly swells. Biologists refer
to this swelling as the copulatory tie.
Simultaneously, muscles inside the vagina also tighten. These two responses
create the lock between the breeding pair, preventing the penis from
withdrawal. In addition muscles in the
vagina contract back and forth to assist
in achieving ejaculation of sperm into
the uterus. This copulatory tie during
mating lasts from approximately five
to forty-five minutes.
Beta female coyotes in a family
group ovulate and can be successfully fertilized. However, social order
amongst coyotes is rigid, even when
it comes to reproduction. The alpha

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male will not breed with other fertile


females in the group. In essence, this
is the work of Mother Nature ensuring
pup survival. Limiting the offspring
ensures adequate food is available,
which in turn increases the viability of
the pups.
Q) Hunting, coyote calling and
trapping are all forms of coyote
population control. Which method or
methods do you prefer?
A) Although I have dabbled in
cable restraint trapping and have
experienced very good results teaching clients in New Jersey how to
effectively cable restraint trap coyotes,
I am a predator hunter. Having said
this, I feel trapping is often much more
effective than hunting from a purely
harvest ratio standpoint, if trappers
are allowed enough time to trap when
weather conditions are conducive. In
my opinion, if a state wants to put a
dent in the coyote population, trapping
is the best tool. This is particularly
true in the case of wooded states like
Michigan and Pennsylvania where
coyotes can be difficult to hunt in such
conditions.
Q) When it comes to hunting
coyotes, do you prefer to bring the
coyote to you or would you rather go
to where the coyote lives (home territory...core ground?)
A) Well, you cannot kill a coyote
where they do not frequent so I feel
the way to be successful hunting coy-

otes is to go where they are and then


call them into you. Unfortunately,
in states with a significant amount of
wooded cover, it can be very difficult
convincing a coyote to enter a field or
clearing, even when night hunting.
Q) Is it true that wolves take over
a territory such as Michigans Ontonagon County, where once the wolves
dominated, coyotes departed?
A) I am uncertain about the
situation with wolves and coyotes.
However, I can tell you that in areas
where I concentrate on coyote hunting for my clients, fox exist at much
lower population densities than areas
in which coyotes are not present. As
such, it seems plausible. However,
coyotes are complex in that some
spend their entire life roaming and
never establishing a territory. In this
case, it would seem very plausible that
the occasional coyote would traverse
through Ontonagon County, Michigan,
and similar areas.
Q) What type of gun do you use
when hunting coyotes?
A) Well, I do not get to hunt much
until my clients are done for the
season. I would not feel right hunting
even one area that people are paying
me to guide them to hunt coyotes. As
such, March is usually when I get to
hunt myself. However, most of my
clients use my equipment at their
option which is all included in the
hunt. Without hesitation, I provide

Coyotes use all their senses but their smell is the one they trust the
most and rely upon more than any other.
equipment at their option which is all
included in the hunt.
Without any hesitation, I provide
them with a .243 Win. I have spent
too many a night looking for coyotes
hit with smaller calibers. The .243
Win. and similar calibers are flat
shooting and anchor most coyotes on
the spot. However, I had a client on a
fox hunt using a .7 WSM rimfire I provided on a hunt anchor a coyote at 180
yards last year. They are very tough
critters with an unbelievable will to
survive...bring enough gun as the say-

ing goes. I have also hunted coyote in


New Jersey with an Ar-15.223 which
is nice for follow up shots without
losing sight picture in the scope from
working the bolt should a second shot
be needed. However, it is illegal to
hunt with a semi-automatic rifle in
Pennsylvania.
Q) What do you do with coyote
hides; tan them yourself, make fur
hats, or sell fur to buyer?

Coyote expert page 114

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Coyote Expert:
from page 113

A) When I harvested a lot of predators, I would sell them to the North


American Fur Auction. These days I
do not hunt much myself so I mostly
give the hides to others who either sell
them or have hides tanned or used for
mounts. Heck, fur is one of the few
products we actually export to China!
Q) Is reading sign and stand placement important to this sport?
A) I invest many hours in scouting
in late summer and early fall. Sign is
important but even more important is
when farmers or land owners comment
they are hearing or seeing coyotes on a
somewhat regular basis.
Stand or set placement as I call it
is huge, huge, huge. It is a very complex topic with many considerations
from wind, terrain features, noise,
elevation and many others. My next
book will discuss it in great depth.
Most likely I will publish it in 2017 or
2018 and it will solely focus on how to
harvest coyotes through hunting.
Q) Do you ever hire out to rid
problem coyotes on private lands?
A) Generally, I do this for free
when asked. However, I have been
hired by deer hunting enthusiasts to
assist them develop and implement
a comprehensive plan of trapping

and hunting to mitigate fawn losses


due to coyote predation. I enjoy this
work very much and have received
very good feedback. Much of this is
because someone who contacts me for
this type of assistance is very committed to following through on the plan.
Q) Would you share a coyote
hunting tip or two with our readers?
I know many hunters who are interested in hunting or calling coyotes but
do not know how to go about getting
started.
A) Wow, I could (actually I am)
write an entire book in this regard
based on being out there a significant
portion of the year helping others hunt
them. My biggest tip may surprise
many folks but it was the largest single
item that increased my own success,
get into your set quietly. Hunt when
the ground is wet, contains fresh snow,
or find a quiet approach. My best
friends are my 20 year old L. L. Bean
Maine Hunting Boots as they are the
quietest footwear I have found. Next
comes the wind, if coyotes get downwind of you or your tracks into you set
before you get them in your scope, the
hunt is over! Finally, do not overcall.
You do not need a $500 electronic call
to kill coyotes. I sell a $25 call in my
e-store, www.masterpredatorhunting.
com, the Dinner Bell that has been
the end of many coyotes. Electronic
callers are very good when used in

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moderation but avoid overcalling to


coyotes.
Q) Have you ever had a narrow
escape from a woods related incident?
A) Well, yes once about three years
ago. It was March and I was hunting
by myself as I usually do when I hunt.
I walked out onto a swamp and ended
up breaking though the ice down to
my privates. Stupid mistake and one
I hope others do not make no matter
how perfect the spot or set up.
Q) What was the largest coyote
youve taken? Briefly explain why
sizes of coyotes appear to vary from
south to north; west to east?
A) I have never taken a coyote
over 40 pound. Plenty of coyotes
are harvested all round me up to ten
pounds heavier. However, nearly
every coyote I have harvested has
been between 32 and 38 pounds. Females are usually around 32 pounds;
males 38 pounds. I do not always
weigh them so perhaps I have taken
one in the low 40 range. Males are
on average 10% heavier than female
coyotes. Generally the largest coyotes
on earth exist between New Jersey and
Pennsylvania along the east up into
Canada. Such coyotes are almost 1/3
larger than Western coyotes because of
their mixed wolf DNA. Just another
reason why I prefer a larger .243 Win,
for coyote hunting in Pennsylvania.
Q) Do you basically night hunt for
coyotes?
A) Yes, 99 percent of my hunting
for coyotes for my clients is done at
night from sunset until typically 2:00
or 3:00 am. When I was younger, I
hunted until sunrise at times. I will
guide during the daylight but I try to
talk my clients into night due to the
increased success potential.
Q) What are the coyotes most important senses; vision, hearing, smell?
Why? I have been told, the bigger the
nose the better. True or False?
A) Well, actually it is the longer
the nose/snout the better. This is why
wind is largely ignored hunting for
bobcats but is very significant for
canine predators. Coyotes use all their
senses but their smell is the one they
trust the most and rely upon more
than any other. To you and I, seeing is
believing. To the coyote, smelling is
believing.
Q) Why did you decide to write
a book about coyotes? What can a
hunter, trapper, coyote caller learn
from you book?
A) Well, in truth, I am completely
obsessed with learning everything, and
I mean everything, about the coyote.
They have my respect more than any
other animal walking the earth. I
have read every book, research study,
I could find, thousands of pages of
detailed reading and study. I have
spoken to many of the leading wildlife
biologists specializing in coyote. I
have spent countless hours year after
year chasing them with camera and the
rifles in my clients hands, from Montana in the west to New Jersey in the
east. However, despite my best efforts
to learn all I can about them, if I live
to be 100 years old, I feel that I will

Michael Huff is completely obsessed with learning everything


about the coyote. They have his
respect more than any other
animal walking the ear th.
still never match wits with a coyote.
Perhaps that is a part of why I am so
obsessed with the coyote!
Q) Is there anything we have not
covered that you may wish to comment on?
A) I want to let folks know not
to be disappointed or think they are
poor coyote hunters if they do not kill
a coyote or see a coyote often Many
times, they did call in a coyote but it
was downwind outside of their sight.
Also, I donate some of my book
proceeds to organizations that feed
American citizens in need. It is not
much but I feel if we all do a little
something as hunters and wildlife
observers, it goes a long way to showing non-hunters who we really are as
people, not how we are portrayed by
the media, as well as helping to make
our country a better place. If you get
the chance, introduce youth to the outdoors in pleasant small doses. There
is nothing more important than being
the best parents and adults we can be
to ensure future generations continue
to enjoy the outdoors.
Q) What led you to become a
writer?
A) When I was a beginning hunter
back in the 1970s, my father would
purchase me a subscription to Pennsylvania Game News magazine as part
of my hunting license. This magazine is produced by the Pennsylvania
Game Commission. It has stories
about peoples hunts, conservation
officer stories, habitat happenings,
and general articles of non-game species. I remember the magazine taking
me away to a very happy place as I
immersed myself in the stories as if it
was I in them. Without a doubt it was
that early life experience that planted
firmly the seed which bloomed into a
writing career. l Good things happen
when kids read books and magazines.
Understanding Coyotes by
Michael Huff; website: understanding coyotes@gmail.com.
ISBN-13-1517164713 and ISBN10-1517164710.n

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NOVEMBER, 2016 CLASSIFIED DEADLINE OCTOBER 3, 2016


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BOX MY CLASSIFIED - $5 Extra

VACATION HOME NEWLY


OPENED FOR HUNTING on
47 Acres surrounded by private property. Home sleeps 18. Stream runs
through middle of property and field.
See home listing at VRBO.com
#721492 $1000/night 3 night minimum. Abundant wildlife. 4 Blinds, 1
tree stand. Call 269-447-9572.
H-10-2
................................................
2016 MICHIGAN BEAR
HUNTS: Newberry/Gwinn.
Just outside of Seney Wlidlife
Refuge. High success rate.
32 years. State and Federal licensed and experienced. Guaranteed active baits. 6 nights, 5
day hunt includes lodging and
meals. Start at $750. Bow and
rifle deer hunts. $125 per day.
906-439-5242. www.buckspportinglodge.com. H-5-6
HUNT BIG RAMS - $550.00,
STOKER HOGS - $395.00.
Hunt deer, buffalo, long horns and
more. 160 Acres all woods. Butcher
shop and lodge. Trophy Ranch
Ubly, Michigan. 989-658-8634 www.
trophyranch.com H-10-3
................................................
HUNTING CAMP BOW AND
RIFLE OPENINGS. Bowhunting
$500.00 per week. Rifle $850.00 per
week. Alpena County. Contact John
at 248-765-2485. H-10-2
................................................
TROPHY BULL ELK
HUNTS available at The
Valhalla Lodge in Lupton, MI!
Come hunt the Rocky Mountain
elk during the rut and enjoy the
experience of a life time. Your
hunt takes place on over 750
acres of rolling hardwoods,
creek bottoms and vast green
meadows. Bring a guest to
share in this moment of your all
inclusive 3.5 day World Class
Hunt! Contact Anthony Best
810-223-4587 H-8-3
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
................................................

ALCONA
COUNTY/
HUBBARD LAKE, MI.
5 day Bow Camp, 5 day Rifle
Camp, 5 day Black Powder
Camp, 5 day Lake House (with
family). Bear and Turkey Hunt.
$2,000 for all 20 days or Modify
plan to suit your needs. COUPLES WELCOME. 260 acre
Camp and Lake House with
30 heated, carpeted blinds and
10 food plots. CALL FOR DETAILS 586-260-0719. H-9-2

ELK HUNTS IN LAPEER CO,


three 6x6 bulls left. One day hunts
with guaranteed opportunity $3500
deposit required. Call 810-793-2302.
H-9-2
................................................
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
................................................
DEVILS CREEK HUNTING LODGE, in YOOPER
country, UPPER PENINSULA
of Michigan still has availability for semi-guided whitetail
archery, muzzle loader and rifle
hunts in 2016. Hunts include
overnight
accommodations,
continental breakfast and dinner meals. Hunt on a private
free range 400-acre parcel in
beautiful and bountiful Menominee County. Call 906-241-9653
or 313-410-2204 or visit our
website www.whitetailhuntingdeerlodge.com. See our display ad. H-8-4
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
................................................
ARCHERY AND FIREARM
HUNTS available in big buck country of South Central Ohio. Your semiguided deer hunt will take place on
over 6500 private acres in Pike,
Jackson and Scioto Counties. We
only take a limited number of hunters,
allowing for little to no pressure on
your hunting ground, ensuring high
success rates. Please call Anthony
Best 810-223-4587 heartlandhuntingconsultants.com H-8-3
................................................

BEAR GUIDE Merv 5 day


hunt in 98 sq miles. Room and
board $1500 US mervrinta@
gmail.com See website www.
bearguidemerv.com H-8-8
TROPHY ELK HUNT: Private
ranch, elk management area. Sec.
36 Bay County. Cabin. 70% success.
phone nights 989-846-6228 H-9-4
................................................

RESORTS/RENT
MODERN CABIN FOR RENT
ON BEAR CREEK, sleeps 5. Full
kitchen, AC, Satellite TV, BBQ, 10
Minutes from Manistee River and
supplies. Now booking for Salmon
season. 231-590-1136. RR-9-6
................................................
TRAILS END RESORT
on Big Manistique Lake, Curtis,
MI. Hunting, fishing, sightseeing. 2 bedroom modern housekeeping cabin. Boats, motors
and pontoon rentals. 906-5863515. RR-9-3

SEASONAL-ONLY CAMPING
Private, gated paradise on Big
Manistee River offers large, wooded
sites, full hook-ups, easy access to
Lake Michigan beaches. Long season. Gorgeous newly built sites!
Coho Bend - 231-723-7321 www.
cohobend.com R/R-4-7
................................................

HUNTING LEASE
LIMITED TROPHY HUNTS
AVAILABLE ON LEASE
PROPERTY 477 ACRES.
Guided management buck and doe
hunts. thegrandviewranch.com 989732-2978 HL-10-1
................................................
PRIVATE GATED LAND
FOR LEASE IN DELTA
COUNTY in U.P. for all hunting seasons. Call 906-7861767. HL-10-3
OVER 600 ACRES FOR
LEASE in western Lake County.
Excellent deer hunting. Will split, part
of a much larger private tract.
Includes mature timber, open areas,
stream frontage and poplar cut
overs. $15 per acre. Call (248) 5597744. HL-10-2
................................................

More Classifieds
Next Page

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

BOATS

115

Woods-N-WaterNews Classified Section


SUPERIOR
BEAR
HUNTING PROPERTY
FOR LEASE. Located 3
miles behind a locked gate in
Alcona County, just south of
Hubbard Lake. Includes 3 bedroom cabin and 230 acres of
private property. $1,200.00 for 4
nights. 248-496-8350. HL-101

REAL ESTATE
65 ACRES IN S. BOARDMAN!
3 bedroom/2bath solid built home.
Everything outdoors has to offer!
Hunters dream! Hardwoods, pond,
and 3000 ft on the Albright Creek.
$180,000. Laura Grezner, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Kalkaska 231-6240020 Laura.grezner@cbgreatlakes.
com RE-10-1
................................................
ALL
SPORTSMAN'S
PARADISE! 1400 sq ft year
round house with attached two
car garage near Cadillac in
Wexford County on 20 acres
surrounded by the Manistee
National Forest which holds
plenty of deer, turkey and black
bear. World class fishing,
canoeing, horseback riding,
bicycling, skiing & snowmobiling
just minutes away from your
driveway! This house has too
many updates to list in add.
$109,000. For much more info
and showing appointments, call
248-421-4950. RE-9-4
AFFORDABLE & ADORABLE UP NORTH HUNTING,
ATV & snowmobile retreat! Newer
cottage with a warm knotty pine interior, electricity, and heat. Sleeps 8.
Minimal upkeep & low taxes! Located
at the southern end of Elk Country
and near Rush & Grass Lake. State
land all around. No plumbing to winterize, no lawn to mow, just come and
enjoy. $45,000. Susan Hintz, d3
dwellings & development, 231-2620070. RE-10-2
................................................

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

41 BEAUTIFUL WOODED ACRES, big buck area.


Plenty of deer and turkey.
$159,000. Also, 52 beautiful
wooded acres, cabin with 2 bedroom, 2 bath, and central air.
$275,000. Both in Coshocton,
OH Pike Township near
Frazesburg. Hurry wont last
long! Call Don 248-563-9085.
RE-10-1

116

269 FOOT FRONTAGE ON


BEAUTIFUL
LAKE
ST.
HELEN,
ROSCOMMON
COUNTY. 725 on south side and
640 on north side. Comes with riparian rights, 24X36 pole barn, w/elewell-heat-septic-hot water. Zoned
commercial land contract available.
Located at 9400 Monroe Rd. Call
989-387-0504. RE-10-2
................................................

REAL ESTATE
134 ACRES Capac Area, is
Leased for Farming, the Other is
Deer country. Huge Sanctuary, Lots
of Ambush Funnels 2640 x 221940% Wooded MusseyTwp St Clair
County $419,000 Just Land Sales
586-419-6716 facebook.com/justlandsales RE-10-1
................................................
THUMB AREA WELL
ESTABLISHED PARTY
STORE, consisting of a fresh
meat counter, beer, wine, liquor,
grocery and lottery sales. This
business shows a good bottom
line. Includes an 8,615 sq ft
building in well maintained condition, with some rental income.
The sale includes real estate,
business, equipment, name and
goodwill. This business has
been built on quality products
and shows pride of ownership.
Contact Roger Hood, J. McLeod
Realty Inc. 989-553-4218.
RE-10-1
60 ACRES. Newer 3 bdrm. home.
3.5 baths, 1.5 story. In-law quarters,
2 car attached garage, separate
detached garage, awesome 1,066
sqft bldg. with many possibilities. 49
acres
wooded. In Northeastern
Lenawee County MI. RARE
OPPORTUNITY! E-Z commute to
Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit. Call
Diana at Faust Real Estate, LLC 517270-3646. RE-10-1
................................................
280 AC. AND CABIN:
Ontonagon, MI. All wooded,
great hunting, food plots area
and blinds. Must sell. $180,000
will consider land contract.
Contact Bill 616-799-0530.
RE-9-2
15.68 ACRES, Pine-filled Front,
Sits High, Over-looking a Wildlife
Bog. 50% Wooded 518 x 1332
Goodland Twp Lapeer County
$64,000 Just Land Sales 586-4196716 facebook.com/justlandsales
RE-10-1
................................................
MANCELONA: 4.85 rolling wooded remote acres, very private. Short
drive to State Land, Torch Lake,
Jordan River. Trail road access.
Includes electric hook up, driveway
and shady camping
spot.
$22,900, $1,000 down,
$275/
mo., 11% Land Contract. www.northernlandco.com Northern Land
Company 1-231-258-5100. RE-101
................................................
HUNTING CAMP/HOME
ON 40 ACRES in South
Central UP property near farm
croplands. Very good deer hunting, fish the stream, or take a
sauna. View all specific details
and contact information on the
web...MLS #1093012.
RE-10-1

................................................

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

DOGS

FOR SALE BY OWNER


IN TUSCOLA COUNTY
A BEAUTIFUL TWO
BEDROOM
COZY
COUNTRY CABIN ON 9
ACRES of beautiful land partially wooded and it is just perfect for that special individual or
couple looking for that quiet,
and peacefullness of the great
outdoors. This peaceful secluded area is on a quiet dead end
road. This country cozy cabin is
move-in ready. Cabin is all
newly finished one main floor
two bedroom one full bath it only
needs inside personalized
touches. This beautiful land has
an abundance of all different
types of wildlife. This land is
surrounded by hundreds of
acres of remote state land that
is rarely hunted. Cabin is
located a short walking distance from the Cass River
where there is great fishing any
time of the year. This property
is
within
minutes
to
Frankenmuth for great family
entertainment and amusement
fun all throughout the year.
Serious
inquires
only.
Call Joseph 989-996-1344.
RE-10-1

50 ACRES OF HUNTING
LAND IN PRESQUE ISLE
COUNTY. 12 X 36 cabin, LP lights,
wood heat, excellent deer and bear
hunting. Bordered by all private land.
$77,500.00. Call 989-239-8729.
RE-10-1
................................................
17.48 ACRES, Good Hunting
With 100% Woods. Backs up to
Farmland. Paved Rd. 1322 x 739
Irregular Ellington Twp Tuscola
County $59,950 Just Land Sales
586-419-6716 facebook.com/justlandsales. RE-10-1
................................................

CABIN WITH 40 ACRES FOR


SALE, $69,900. Cabin is 16x28
with a 4 foot porch and 20 foot loft
inside. Located west of Paradise,
MI. Amish built, has well with water
storage tank, indoor bathroom, wired
for electricity. Powered by generator.
Very well insulated 2 x 12 rafters,
16 inch centers, side walls 2x6, 16
inch centers, propane heat, fully furnished. Outbuildings include generator shed and storage shed. Snowmobile Trail 452 runs through property.
Close to light houses and Lake Superior. Off grid. 616-914-4079 ask for
Paul. RE-8-3
................................................

SOUTHERN BIRD DOG


TRAINING: Taking reservations
now for our 33rd year in Selma,
Alabama. Leave here Thanksgiving
and return April 1st. Over 10,000
acres to train on with lots of wild
birds. Birds shot daily and you will
have a top dog by Spring. All dogs
personally trained by me. We take all
breeds - labs too. $500 per month for
trip (eveything included) Call now
David Grubb (bird dog Hall of Famer)
248-860-1009. D-10-3
................................................

FURNISHED CEDAR LOG


CABIN within 16X24 garage. 1 mile
east of Ralph MI, on CR 426 and
Fillis Rd - all weather road. 2 bedroom, full bath, septic, propane gas
furnace, deep well. Excellent hunting,
farm on 2 sides state land on 1
side. Large timber, must see to
appreciate. (517) 403-6632. RE-10-1
................................................
40
SQUARE
WOODED
ACRES, Excellent Hunting, a
Creek & 2 Rd. Frontages 1320 x
1320 90% Wooded Burnside Twp,
Lapeer County $102,000 Just Land
Sales 586-419-6716 facebook.com/
justlandsales RE-10-1
................................................
160 ACRES JUST 2 HRS
NORTH OF DETROIT
ANN ARBOR AREA & 10
MINS OFF I-75 BAY/GLADWIN
COUNTY PRIME HUNTING
LAND 100% VIRGIN WOODS
START YOUR OWN HUNTING
CLUB $250,000 CALL 989-6593373 OR bsjjj@tds.net
RE-9-1
BUYING OR SELLING?
Farms, vacant land or recreational
parcels throughout Michigan. Call
Doug Beasley at Faust Real Estate,
LLC 517-260-2939. Please let me
know the pricing when you can.
RE-10-1
................................................
20 ACRES NEAR ATLANTA,
MI - 35 ft. trailer with electric and
water. $41,000 open to offers. Call
Helen 248-210-6414. Randy 989255-2169. RE-10-1
................................................
ONAWAY AREA: 160 acres
hunting property, mostly cedar $1000
per acre. Call Larry at 989-733-4152.
RE-10-1

CLARE COUNTY 40
wooded acres, 700 ft. on Cedar
River. 2 bedroom, attached
garage, plus hunters cabin. 3
barns, orchard, grapes.
$155,000 motivated seller.
GLADWIN COUNTY
460 ft frontage on Tittabawassee
River. 4.5 wooded acres, state
land across street. Surveyed.
$69,900 possible terms.
Diane Anderson, broker. Real
Estate One 989-240-8120.
RE-10-2
FOR SALE: 10 AC. Hunting land
in Gladwin County. Stocked pond,
trailer, outhouse on property. 2-3
deer was taken every year. $35,000.
Tel: 336-329-9042. RE-9-3
................................................
40 ACRES FOR SALE: Sandusky MI. Sanilac County, Watertown
Township, Section 12. Less than 1/4
of a mile from the Sandusky State
Game Area on a private road. 20
acres farm land, drain tiled, tillable
and currently leased with possible
lease continuation. 20 acres woods
excellent hunting, amazing deer and
turkey hunting yearly. Leased land
provides the monies for taxes on
this parcel. For information call: 810335-6735, shown by appointment
RE-9-2
................................................
52 ACRES IN CALHOUN
COUNTY, SOUTHERN
CENTRAL MICHIGAN.
75% wooded with fishing ponds.
Great deer, turkey and duck
hunting. $149,900. Call 269979-1125. RE-10-1
10 ACRES CLARE COUNTY.
330 ft frontage on Lake Station Ave
just a 1/4 mile North of M-115. 100%
wooded. Excellent deer, turkey and
squirrel hunting. Property across the
street was hunted November 15,
2015 by the Michigan Outdoors
Crew. See their hunt at https://www.
michiganoutofdoorstv.com/shows.
cfm?VideoID=382. Dont miss this
one. $25,000.00. State Land 1/4 mile
down the road for your ORVs or
hunting. 989 424-9520. RE-9-2
................................................
HUNTERS PARADISE - A
MUST SEE! 6085 MORIN, SANILAC
COUNTY, 57 ACRES, 2 PONDS, 3
BEDROOMS & 2 LOFT STYLE-1 1/2
BATH. Call 586-707-0370.
RE-8-4
................................................

DOGS
NORTH
D A K O TA
PHEASANTS: making our annual
2 week trip - where your dog will see
more birds in a day then a whole
season in Michigan. Only $300 for
the trip. Leave October 20th. David
Grubb 248-860-1009. D-10-2
................................................
CHESAPEAKE STARTED FEMALE 1 year old,
UKC registered, obedience
trained and excellent pedigree.
$1200.00 call 810-650-4711.
D-10-1

www.woods-n-waternews.com

HUNTING LEASE

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-10-2

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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

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

ADDRESS

117

$379,900
MLS 31292234

This property is set up for the hunter in the


family. Come and look at this unique 3 bedroom, 2000
square foot home on 37 acres. This home is a concrete
dome home, which is underground protection. The
south end of home is opened to the beautiful stocked
120x200 pond, with many young 15 to 20 year old
Blue Spruce and Pine trees planted. Also property
is 90% wooded and a hunters haven with Deer and
Turkey. There is a hunting Copula on top of home. Has
a large 4 car attached garage and Pole barn.

Ted E. Roskey
Cell: 810-434-2769
tedroskey@kw.com

586-453-7963 (Cell)
reymarbockart@yahoo.com
586-752-0600 (Office)
586-752-5517 (Fax)

Marietta Bockart

Keller Williams
Port Huron Business Center

71050 Van Dyke


Romeo, MI 48065

WHERE GOLD IS SOLD

Your local Realtor!


Let me help you find your home, whether
your a first time buyer, or just downsizing, or
relocating! I am just a phone call away. If you
have questions about how the market is today
or another real estate related questions,
please feel free to contact me at:

1850 Wellman Line Yale MI, 48097

118-129

Set your sights!


Own a piece of Michigans great outdoors.
GreenStone offers land financing on
unlimited acreage with terms up to 30 years.
To learn more, contact a lending expert
at one of our 36 offices today!

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

800-444-3276

118

www.greenstonefcs.com

IG RIVER

PROPERTIES

40 ACRES 8832 N. JOHNSON ROAD IRONS This year around home is located on 40
acres of land. There is a mixture of hardwood and open land. The 2215 square foot home
features 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 7x12 walk in closet in the master bedroom. The kitchen
has lots of oak cupboards and a pass through bar to the open living room and dining area.
The laundry room and entry area leads out to one of the covered decks. The other deck on
the front of the house offers great views of the Westerly sky so you can watch the beautiful
sunsets and meticulous landscaped yard. Both decks are treks for easy year around
maintenance. Some of the utilities have been updated over the years including the water
heater, furnace, central air, and bladder on the well. There are 5 outbuildings 24x40
workshop/garage with a bath, furnace, wood stove, dry walled and insulated; 30x52 pole
barn; 16x20 garage; 10x20 lien too; and a 10x10 shed. So much to list you must see this
property! $259,900 (EDM)
NEW LISTING - LITTLE MANISTEE RIVER 10100 N. RIVER ROAD IRONS Perfect
up North cabin or year around home on the banks of the Little Manistee River. There is
2.93 acres of land with 350+/- frontage on the river. The cabin features 1 bedroom on the
main floor and 1 upstairs with a couple sleeping covers to tuck the kids into, 1 bath, a living
room with a wood stove to keep you toasty on those chilly nights, kitchen with oak cupboards, a breakfast bar and dining area. Large entry way and laundry room. The family
room has two full walls of sliders so not to obstruct your view from most rooms in the
cabin. It is finished with knotty pine inside and has cathedral ceilings for a nice open
feeling. You can sit on the large wrap around deck and enjoy the great out of doors. There
is a 26x28 detached garage with a workbench and wood stove in it. Great stretch of the
river for fishing, Salmon, Steelhead or the mighty Browns that travel the waters. Kayak or
canoe right from your house!! You can also ride to the ORV trails or hunt the Federal Land
that is just down the road!! Adjoining 1.83 Acres with 100 frontage available for $40,000!
$219,000 (WIE)
LITTLE MANISTEE RIVER CABIN 8524 N MAC ROAD IRONS 223 feet of frontage
on this fantastic stretch of the Little Manistee River. Two bedroom, one bath cabin with
updated knotty pine interior and renovated kitchen offers an open floor plan and custom
cabinetry. Lots of windows overlook this prime river frontage and nicely wooded lot.
Updated bathroom with on demand hot water. Cabin is heated by a free standing LP unit
similar look as a wood stove for a nice cozy feel. Deck on the river side for outdoor space.
Storage Shed and covered porch area. River frontage is level at the waters edge for easy
access for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. $139,900 (SCH) NEW PRICE!
10 ACRES - 7290 N. JAMES ROAD IRONS This 10 acre parcel is across from USA land
is perfect for privacy and hunting. The home features 1 story, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and
another upstairs room intended for a future second bath. There is utility room with enough
room for a washer and dryer. The kitchen and living room have high ceilings with an open
floor plan. The propane wall heater and wood stove keep the whole house perfectly heated. There is a large screened in porch with plenty of room for large family gatherings. An
8x12 shed for storing outside equipment gives you extra storage space. Close to the
snowmobile and ORV trails, Little Manistee River, and 100s of acres of USA and State land.
$109,900 (DeB)

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

231-652-7000
- or -

231-250-8200

WE NEED LISTINGS 40+ ACRES AND LARGER


783+/- ACRES,
IOSCO
COUNTY
1 Mile Frontage Tawas
Lake, Kunze River
Crosses Property, 5
Bedroom Log Lodge, 3 $
Miles from East Tawas

1,250,000

1,800,000

80 ACRES,
BARRY
COUNTY

7,100 sq ft 5
Bedroom, 6 Bath
Home, Horse Stable,
3,000 ft Dake Lake,
Excellent Hunting
D

L
SO

Alcona County, 240 Acres,


House, Barns, Pond, Stream, Food Plots

Alpena County, 316+/- Acres, Good Trails


Lodge sleeps 10, Professionally Managed Forest

$499,900

$439,000

Branch County, 43+/- Acres, Big Bucks,


Calhoun County, 70+/- Acres
Cold Creek Crosses Property, Nice Woods House, Pole Barn, Pond, River, Elevated Blind
$136,500
$299,000

Delta County, 39.6 Acres


1,000+ ft Frontage Lake Michigan
$79,000

Iosco County, 52.51 Acres


Food Plots, Trail System, Elevated
Blinds, Pond & Shed
$89,000

Jackson Co, 47 Acres,


2000 ft. Grand River Frontage,
2 bedroom Home, Pole Barn
$244,900

NG

I
ND
E
P

Jackson County, 54+/- Acres, 2,000 ft


Kalkaska County, 10 Acres
Grand River Frontage, Trail System Adjacent Public Land, Cabin & Pole Barn
$179,900
$79,000

Newaygo County, 5+/- Acres


557 ft White River Frontage, 1/2
Open, 1/2 Wooded
$41,000

Newaygo County, 36+/- Acres


Farm Land, M-37 Frontage, 1000s of
acres Public Land 1/2 mile Away
$50,400

Kalkaska County, 40 Acres


Good Trails, Adjacent to State Land
$49,000

Kalkaska County, 40 Acres, Cabin, Barn, Lake Co, 5 Acres, 1,200 ft. Middle Branch Mason County, 35+/- Acres, Farm Land
on 2 Sides, Heavy Bedding Cover
Trout Pond, Excellent Hunting
Pere Marquette River, Rustic Cabin
$125,000
$49,500
$52,500

Newaygo County, 40 Acres


Newaygo County, 80 Acres
Newaygo County, 80 Acres
Trout Stream, Log Cabin, Garage, Rolling Hardwoods, Great Hunting, Rustic Cabin, Pond, Nice Woods,
Excellent Hunting
2 Bedroom Mobile
Good Trail System
$199,000
$160,000
$129,000

Missaukee County, 80 Acres


Pond, Professionally Managed
Forest, Food Plots
$129,500

Newaygo Co, 99 Acres,


Planted Pines, Great Cover,
County Road Frontage
$198,000

Newaygo County, 125 Acres, Three


spring fed lakes, Excellent Deer,
Turkey and Waterfowl hunting
$375,000

Presque Isle Co, 63+/- Ac


Carp Creek, Food Plots, Hunting Blinds
$72,450

Schoolcraft County, 554+/- Acres


Raw undeveloped hunting land.
$163,430

NG

Newaygo County, 160 Acres


Frontage on 9 Mile Rd & Cottonwood Rd,
Adjacent to National Forest
$400,000

Newaygo County, 240 Acres


Adjacent to State Land, Good Trail
System Food Plots,
High Deer Population
$299,000

Oceana County, 100+/- Acres


Remote Property, Nice Forest,
Good Deer Population
$150,000

Osceola Co, 94+/- Acres, 650 ft.


All Sports Goose Lake, Older Farm Presque Isle County, 47+/- Acres, 2 Bedroom
House, Excellent Hunting.
House, Pole Barn, Excellent Hunting
Seller will devide.
$99,000
$335,000

WildLifeRealty.com

www.

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

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ND
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119

VACANT LAND - FOR SALE -

MARION 1811617 20A, located on


Osceola/ Missaukee county line. Wooded,
seasonal trail to the parcel. Great hunting
area! $38,500.

CADILLAC 1810083 37+A, 350 on 90


acre Long Lake!! State land on 2 sides!!
Wooded, rolling, private! Deer, turkeys, bunnies, more! PRICED TO SELL!!! $89,900.

MANTON 1793426 32A, adjoins state


land, between Cadillac & Manton. Build,
play, or develop! PRICED TO SELL NOW!
$49,900.

MARION 1796301 40A, good farm land


(currently has hay), 32A tillable. Small pond!
$99,900. (ALSO available, 75A across the
road, if you want info on this, give us a call!)

FALMOUTH 1795539 40+A, awesome


hunting, nearly totally wooded, square parcel, nice mix of pines and hardwoods, level.
Build, play, GREAT PRICE! $64,900.

LEROY 1818476 59+A, Big Beaver Creek


runs through it! Pines, hardwoods, fields
(small farm area or food plots!), & meadows!
Build! Play! Hunt! (near 1000s A of state
land & White Pine Trl.). $109,900.

LEROY 1817355 Near acre...awesome,


RARE, lot on pretty, 370 acre Rose Lake! All
sports (fish, swim, ski, boat, or just enjoy the
breathtaking sunset lake view!) 70
Frontage! $79,900.

MARION 1796311 75A, good farm land,


58A tillable, small creek on back of property.
Good hunting! $172,500. (ALSO, 40 acres
available across the road, call for more info).

MARION 1804938 48A, wooded with


Muskegon River winding through it! State
land close by. The deer love the swampy
areas, so GOOD hunting! Possible building
sites. $84,900.

MARION 1795977 80A with small cabin,


great up-north getaway! Excellent hunting,
nicely wooded mix, small pond, flowing
well, electric RV hook-ups, wildlife galore!
$176,000.

PETER NEMISH, Associate Broker

(231) 920-8424

2721 Sunnyside Drive Cadillac, MI 49601

nemish@coldwellbanker.com

VACANT LAND
1320 ft X 3960 ft.
Call Sharon @ 810-441-6002 or 810-798-8591
121 ACRES IN FREMONT TOWNSHIP, WEST OF
CROSWELL, EAST OF M-19 ON BURNS LINE
RD AT THE NW CORNER OF BROWN RD.

$3,800 an acre
FOR ALL YOUR REAL
ESTATE NEEDS CALL

Sharon LaFrance
810-441-6002
Im not #1, you are.

MAINSTREET
844 Van Dyke ALMONT

Jefferson Rd, Morley


Whether you are "HUNTING" for the perfect property to Develop or are an outdoor
enthusiasts this is it! Looking for 80 Acres? OR 74 Acres? OR 68 Acres? How about 222 +/Acres? Buy it all or buy the parcel(s) which suits your needs best. Wooded acreage w/rolling
terrain, wetlands & open meadows perfect for hunting or DEVELOPMENT. For the last
60 years Seller has used the property for Hunting and camping only. Approximately 1/2
ownership of large pond, several smaller ponds, and creeks. Located near and/or at the
Intersection of Expressway 131 and Exit 125 (Morley). Currently 3 separate parcel Tax ID's.
Willow Ave, Bitely
10 +/- beautiful wooded acres (Hardwoods mainly), near the Little South
Branch of the Pere Marquette River and Pettibone Lake. The property
has a clearing near the road that would make a great building site or just
continue to use it for hunting. The hunting is great here as the parcel is
surrounded by large parcels of land, beautiful farm & 160 Acres directly to
West. Electric and telephone available at the road.

Roxanne McIntyre
Cell: 231.349.1110
Office: 231.796.1125
roxanne@fivestarrox.com
FiveStarRox.com

+/- 160 Acres in Newaygo MI


& +/- 146 Acres with Sawmill in Harrietta, MI
Offered by LASTBIDrealestate.com
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

Bid on Tuesday, October 18th

989-588-6171

CLARE COUNTY, MICHIGAN


WHERE THE NORTH BEGINS...
Open 7 Days * Established in 1953
nhn 40A Harrison Avenue 40 Acres
+/- mostly sq except for private road
to access. Butts state land mixture of
trees $68,500
For photos text P849103 to 85377

www.harrison-realty.com
www.buyhr.co
E-mail: office@harrison-realty.com

160 Acres in Newaygo, MI - Selling as 3 parcels:


E 48th St, Newaygo, MI 40 Acre Parcel
7005 E 52nd St, Newaygo, MI 79.92 Acre Parcel
Cypress Ave & 52nd St, Newaygo, MI 40 Acre Parcel

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

5770
Long
Lake
Dr Adjoins 11090 Cedar 1440 sf 2 BD,1.5 bath 4305 Haskell Lk Rd Adjoins State
Stateland 40 wooded acres older 2 bd home has room for everyone. 24x28 land.. fenced square 40 acres, trails,
mobile,slab, 4 inch well, septic, paved garage plus a 35x95 polebarn all on small camper, garage, mix of trees,
road, near Long Lake. $69,900
10.46 acres $78,800
hand pump, camp site $89,900
For Photos Text P664632 to 85377
For Photos Text P664623 To 85377
For Photos Text T101239 To 85377

120

11361 Clam River Wow, what a find. nhn Stockwell Hunting property with 6439 Clare Ave 64 acre established
3 bdrm 2 bath home on 4.4 acres with building and camping site. Low and hunt camp with mature cedars, creek
over 300' on the Clam River and a high land with mix of trees and open bed, & planting areas. 24x60 pole
for food plots $159,000
park like setting. $139,900
barn, 2 BD farm house $170,000
For Photos Text P478881 To 85377 For Photos Text T630589 to 85377
For Photos Text P805616 To 85377

146 Acres in Harrietta, MI- Selling as 3 parcels:


South 5 Rd, Haarrietta, MI 10 Acre parcel next to sawmill
3454 South 5 Rd, Harrietta, MI Sawmill and 17.77 Acres
West 32nd Rd, Harrietta, MI 119 Acre Parcel
For more info and to bid, please visit
LASTBIDrealestate.com or call Jordan (616) 460-8936

3190 Ashard 27 Acres, 2800' US-127


1441 Cook Avenue A hunting 6195 22 1/2 Road Hunting Camp
frtg, 2160sf office, showroom, kit/bath
woodsy paradise: 1400sf, 2 Bd +loft, Awaits. All set with rustic cabins and
+ 2970sf warehouse w/16' door,2
covered porch on 80A backs to state natural food plots. 192 acres with
wells & septics $175,000
land. New roof & furnace. $179,900 seclusion. $350,000
For photos Text P274474 to 85377
For photos Text P721264 to 85377 For Photos Text P729876 To 85377
7

HUNTING LAND FOR SALE


$1.7
BILLION
& 490,000
ACRES
sold in the
last 5 years

BRANDON CROPSEY
Broker, Land Specialist
Michigan

(269) 816-3010

CHUCK KEEFER

Agent, Land Specialist


Central Michigan

(989) 600-4112

JAKE EHLINGER

Agent, Land Specialist


Southeast Michigan

(517) 937-2118

SHAD WOODRUFF

Agent, Land Specialist


West Central Michigan

(989) 330-4032

SHAWN KELLEY

Agent, Land Specialist


Southeast Michigan

(586) 292-1812

TONY HANSEN

Agent, Land Specialist


Central Michigan

(269) 420-9510

w hi t e ta il pr ope rt ie s . com
Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC | dba Whitetail Properties | In the State of Nebraska DBA Whitetail Trophy Properties Real Estate LLC. | Dan Perez, Broker - LIC in IL, IA, KS, KY,
MO, NE, OK | Jeff Evans, Broker - LIC in AR, CO, GA, IL, MN, TN, WI | John Boyken, Broker - LIC in IN | Kirk Gilbert, Broker - LIC in OH | Johnny Ball, Broker - LIC in AR | Bob Powers,
Broker - LIC in TN | Brandon Cropsey, Broker - LIC in MI | Chris Wakefield, Broker - LIC in TN | Sybil Stewart, Broker - LIC in AL, MS, LA | Joey Bellington, Broker - LIC in TX

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

CONTACT AN AGENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUYING AND


SELLING HUNTING, FARMLAND AND TIMBERLAND

121

VACANT LAND AND


528 N State St., Caro, MI

TARGET REAL ESTATE SPECIALIZES IN


WATERFRONT HOMES AND HUNTING PARCELS
WE REPRESENT BUYERS AND SELLERS

HOMES WITH ACREAGE

9.66 +/- Acres, Section 29, Indianfields Township, Caro, $31,000. Code: 038-160039 Call Evan Osentoski: 989-551-6600

HALE

10 +/- Acres, Section 10, Wells Township, Caro, well/septic/electric installed, near
State land. $57,900 Code: 038-16-0004. Call Carmen Stevens: 989-550-4913

40 partly wooded acres with 2


bdrm/2 bath home. 1200sf plus
770sf unfinished bsmt. Newer furnace and water heater, heat w/propane or wood, 2 car garage, 24x42
pole barn, garden shed.
MLS#1814524
Listed at $199,900

3 parcels, 10 +/- acres each, Section 4, Koylton Township. One has water feature.
About $35,900 each. Call for details: Gloria Walker 810-278-6950
12 +/- Acres, Section 20, Wells Township, Caro, Parcel A, $50,900. Code: 15416-0012. Call Corey Michalski: 989-551-1920
15 +/- Acres, Section 33, Wells Township, Caro, $45,000. Code: 038-16-0020 Call
Evan Osentoski: 989-551-6600
35 +/- Acres, Section 9, Kingston Township, near Deford, 10 +/- acres wooded, 19
+/- tillable. Groomed trails, deer blinds, pond,2 pole barns. $202,000 Code: 154-160023 Call Roger Pohlod: 989-683-8888
Section 13, Wells Township, near Deford. Large wooded tracks of land are getting
harder to find. This is the perfect place to build your dream home or a hunting camp
*Beautiful 70-Acres of hardwood bliss with trails cut throughout. *Directly across from
over 1300-Acres of State Land! **ALL Mineral Rights Included! $196,000 Code: 03815-0137 Call Steve Joy: 810-358-2444
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS! Section 28, Elmwood Township. 80 +/- acres has 41
+/- tillable acres, rest is wooded. If youre only interested in one of the above you
can lease the other part of the property out to help make your payments. $420,000
Code: 123-16-0012 Call Marty Osentoski: 989-550-3400

AU GRES-$49,000, 21 acres of hunting land in agricultural area. Property is wooded with tall grasses
and good cover; lots of deer in the area. MLS#1809814
GREENBUSH - REDUCED TO $44,900, Nice square 40 acre parcel joining Federal and State land.
This area has proven to hold quality bucks over the past years, QDM is practiced here. MLS#1799955
GREENBUSH - $54,900, 45 acres of hunting land off the beaten path. This rolling parcel is heavily
wooded with hardwoods and evergreens. Call today. MLS#1799569
MIKADO - $79,900, 61 acres of prime hunting land. Joins State land and agricultural land. Trails thru-out
the heavily wooded parcel with hardwoods and Tag Alders, and openings for food plots. MLS#1806759
AU GRES - $149,000, 71 acres of hunting land surrounded by other camps. Areas of thick swamp
with some ridges and road frontage with power. Lots of deer and turkey in this location. MLS#1809806
WHITTEMORE-$195,000, 120 acre hunting parcel. Diverse terrain with red oak, white oak, and red
pine. Numerous areas for food plots. Deer, turkey, partridge and other game are plentiful. MLS#1778247

*80 Wooded Acres of Prime Hunting Land. Section 18 Dayton Township, Tuscola County. Land is part of the Michigan Qualified Forest Program that slashes
your property taxes! Also a Quality Deer Management property. Land is ready to be
forested again and also can be a Superior Building Site opportunity. $240,000 Code:
038-15-0082. Call Steve Joy: 810-358-2444
OVER THE RIVER and thru the woods: 85 +/- acres. Not only does the Cass River
run through the property there is also a cabin with garage, 30 x 48 shed, fruit trees
and food plots. $259,000 Code: 123-16-0041 Call Marty Osentoski: 989-550-3400
80 acres hunting farm, near Port Hope. Pond, food plots, surrounded by ag farms.
$440,000, will consider offers

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

Caro - (989) 673-7777 Cass City - (989) 872-4377 Kingston - (989) 683-8888 Sandusky - (810) 648-4138

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

THOUSANDS OF
ACRES AVAILABLE
FROM $11,000 TO $575,000

122

2 Bdrm, 1 bth Gooseneck Lk cabin. All sports.


Swim, boat, hunt, fish, ATV. Wetmore

2 Bdrm camp. 40 Acres. 24x30 Pole bldg. Built


2000. Adjoins State land. Rock.

2 Bdrm Camp. 40 Acres. Elec, well, mobile home.


Very good hunting. Watson.

$74,900 1095436

$99,000 1096936

$49,000 1095123

2 Bdrm, 1 bth A-Frame. Lake front Chalet,


great fishing and boating. Manistique.

80 Acres. Hunting property with camp. Great


room and fireplace. Arnold.

1 Bdrm, 0.5 Bth cabin. Rustic log cabin on 40


acres. Shower and Sauna house. Snowmobile/ATV
trails. Hunting. Perfect get-away! Northland.

$150,000 1096438

$99,900 1095253

$82,000 1096094

3 Bdrm, 3 bth home. 100 on Whitefish River.


Two car gar, deck, shed. Rapid River.

2 Bdrm, 1 bth cottage. 2 Cottages on Escanaba


River. Bathroom - yes indoor plumbing!! Cornell.

2/3 Bdrm, 2 bth home-camp. 120 Acres. 26


Acre lake with fish. Great home too! Daggett.

$135,000 1093061

$68,000 1096718

$249,000 1095255

2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. 288 Acres. Well. Septic.


Owned since 1969. LaBranch.

2 Bdrm, 1 bth camp. Clean, hunting ready. Adjoins


Federal. Lanes, field and shed. Rapid River.

2 Bdrm 1 Bth Ranch on Escanaba River. Cottage with


Garage. The River is Wide & has Rapids. Cornell.

$259,000 1095661

$79,000 1095884

$89,000 1094924

www.TrophyClassRealEstate.com
THINKING OF SELLING OR BUYING?

CALL US FIRST!!

877-843-0910

THE LAND
EXPERTS
YOU CAN
TRUST

100 Acres Ready for Hunting Season


Rare Offering!
Wooded, food plots,
trails, elevated blinds
throughout and
bunkhouse.

100 +/- Acres with newer Pole Barn


Good mix of woods and
open land, pond, well
in place, pole barn with
concrete floor, water and
power. Possible Land
Contract!

OSCEOLA
COUNTY
$249,900

MUSKEGON
COUNTY
$209,000

80 Untouched Recreational Acres

Main Branch,
Electric onsite,
improved drive/
gate, good gravel
to hold salmon/
steelhead runs.

Rustic cabin in Big


Island Wilderness
Area, near Klondike
Lake. Cabin has
water, LP gas lights,
wood stove.

MASON
COUNTY

UP DELTA
COUNTY

$149,000

$169,000

80 Acres on Big Creek, 5 Bedroom Home


Gated, wooded,
remote! Fish and
Hunt on a
spectacular
sporting property.

OSCODA
COUNTY

40 acres with 90 on Manistee Lake


Historically a rec.
business, 4 unit motel,
putter golf, restaurant,
art studio/cabin.
Acreage has thick cover,
pine, hardwoods.

KALKASKA
COUNTY

$189,000

$179,000

26 Acres has a 7 Acre Island on Turtle Lake

135 Acres, Wooded, Good Deer Cover and Home

Unique recreational
property to camp, hunt
and fish with Ag property
near by. Private Lake/
no public access.

Turn-key 2 br/2 bath


mobile, fireplace,
borders USA land. PM
River steps away.

MASON
COUNTY

CALHOUN
COUNTY

$219,000

$65,000
GRAND HAVEN

233 WASHINGTON, SUITE 202


GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417
(877) 843-0910

TRAVERSE CITY

4249 US 31 S
TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49685
(231) 233-3575

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

5 Acres on Pere Marquette River

123

REAL ESTATE & PERSONAL PROPERTY


Home & Outbuildings, 65 Acres farm ground & woods
Jasper Twp. Midland County
Undersigned, Ron & Gloria VanderVlucht will offer for sale the following real estate and will sell personal
property at public auction located at 5130 W. Redstone Rd. ST. LOUIS, MICHIGAN. Or 5 miles north of St.
Louis on State Rd./Midland County Line Rd. to Redstone Rd. Turn east 1 miles to sale site. Or 4 miles
east of Shepherd, Mi. on Blanchard Rd. to Midland/Isabella County line Rd. Turn south 3 miles to Redstone
Rd. Turn east 1 miles to sale site. Watch for auction sale direction signs. Midland County.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 *10:00 AM*


(Real Estate sold on site at 12:00 Noon)

PARCEL #1

PARCEL #2

*40 ACRES w/ home & outbuildings


*25 Acres manicured wooded property
*Approx. 32 tillable acres, productive soils
*Hardwoods throughout. Ditch on 2 sides
*Small woodlot at back of farm
*Miles of trails throughout the property
*System tiled w/ plastic at 3 rod spacing
*Middle of woods has wood hunting cabin
*very nice 2-story home w/ 4 beds, 2 full baths
25x25 w/ 14x16 add on. Completed finished
*Gorgeous oak flooring & oak trim throughout
w/ plank flooring & wood interior. Loft bedroom
*New 1st floor bathroom * Oak stair case
wood stove & wired for generator, Asphalt roof.
*Vinyl windows & siding * Circuit Breakers
*Also is 16x30 primitive 2 story granary building
*Nice dining room w/ bay window & French doors
*Gorgeous hunting property or building site
*Full length covered front porch
*Deeded easement access across Parcel #1
*Full, mostly finished basement w/ poured cement walls
Section #29
*1st floor laundry room * Attached 1 car garage
Jasper Twp
*2007 F/A furnace *Wood burning furnace is primary heat
Midland
County
*Large, newer water heater, supply tank & pump
*Water softener & water filtration system
PARCEL #3
*28x40 pole barn w/ 3 car garage
*40x100 vinyl sided barn w/ cement & power Combination of Parcels 1&2 together.
*28x48 vinyl sided barn w/ cement & power Entire 65 acres with house & all buildings.

Experience & Expertise We will Work for You


OPENING DOORS TO THE AMERICAN DREAM!!
MLS #16022456 - $79,000 Partially wooded recreational property in Mecosta County. Would make
great building site for up north retreat.
MLS #15062294 - $137,500 - NEW PRICE This 30 acre property is an excellent deer hunting property, and also has a 12 foot deep fishing pond with hybrid bluegills and bass! Also features a new 30x48
Pole barn, high ceilings, doors on two sides, concrete floor, and electric, would make a great workshop!
Large 1996 doublewide in good condition, lots of room in it, fireplace in family room. Pellet stove in LR
heats the entire house. Backup heat is propane forced air, but no propane tank on property.
MLS #16035873 - $97,900 38 Partially Wooded Acres and would make a great building site. Small
Game or Deer Hunting with a Rifle or Bow!!!
MLS #16039165 - $165,000 Trophy Bucks Galore!!! Two very nice stocked ponds & trails throughout
property. Would make for great small game hunting. Some mature trees ideal for tree stands.
MLS #16021546 - $79,900 Well Cared for older single wide mobile with additional living space added
on making this a 1320 sq. ft. home. This home includes 20 Wooded Acres with a small creek flowing
through the back of property. There is a 24X50 Pole Barn and workshop and a 12X16 storage shed to
store your lawn equipment!
MLS #16017181 $36,900 Ideal Building Site within a short distance to Lake Isabella. Site has already
been partially cleared and is ready for your dream home. Owner is motivated so dont be afraid to offer
any reasonable offer.
MLS #15051838 - $230,000 4 Bedroom-3 Full Bath Ranch Home on 14+ Acres. Master Suite includes
a Ceramic Tile Dual-Head Shower and a Walk-In Closet with a commanding view of the rolling property.
Custom Designed Kitchen with an open floor plan to dining room and living room and hardwood floors
throughout most of the main floor. Full Finished Walk Out Basement with a Large 16X48 Rec/Family
Room and a Guest Bedroom and Full Bathroom.

Proud member of two multiple listings services. Non-Franchised-locally owned & managed. NO ADMIN/MAINTENANCE FEES!!!!!

120 E. Main, Edmore MI 48829


www.eaglerealtymi.com

888.967.4140
Visit www.PavlikLLC.com for full sale bill, maps, aerial & information

Heritage
House
RealtyPC

Exclusive Marketing Agents for Northeast


Michigan Properties

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Personalized Service is the Difference

124

Located in the Heart of the Huron National Forest, on the


Shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the AuSable River

70+ Acres Camp Country


This first
time offering
includes exquisite hunting,
several out buildings, one
with a classy bar, shooting
range, modern chalet with
furnishings, 3 bedrooms, 1
bath, trail system, food plots,
Flynn Valley Road $279,000

1166 Chris Road, Barton


City, Ranch home, attached
garage, dead end road
seclusion and privacy. two
bedroom fireplace, sunroom
appliances and furnishings.
Includes MUD Lake with
tons of wildlife and great
views. ONLY $69,900

6396 N F-41, Spruce . 3


bedroom,
1.5
bath,
ranch with full unfinished
basement. Move in ready
home, nice setting on large
lot. Fireplace in living room
and in den. Located half
between
Harrisville
and
Alpena. ONLY $82,500

4125 W. Pine St, Glennie,


Budget friendly Northern
Michigan property comes
fully furnished and sellers
are
VERY
motivated!
Updated room additions,
roof, and LP high efficiency
furnace. 2 car Garage.
Priced to sell at $28,500

991 N Verner Dr, Barton


City - View of Jewel Lake, 3
bedrooms 2 baths with over
2.5 acre site. Appliances
stay, finished garage and
this one comes with a Home
Warranty. REDUCED with
a super price of only
$100,000

Seller Financing on all


sports Vaughn Lake!. one
of a kind 3 bedroom 2 bath
with pride and craftsmanship
throughout the home - very
unique and inviting. From the
kitchen to the Volkswagen
beetle bar to the hot tub on
the lakefront deck $199,000

3305 W F-30, Glennie, 40


acres with 1200 sf, 3
bedroom, 2 bath home with
a full finished basement.
Large deck, paved drive,
den and fireplace. Hardwood
forest with isolated ponds,
fruit trees, hunting blinds and
trails. New listing - $194,500

1649 Sunrise, Greenbush


100 of gorgeous Lake
Huron with 3 bedrooms 2
baths. Finished walk out
basement, attached garage,
Furnishings and appliances
stay. Enjoy the views and
the sound of the waves. New
on the market at $199,900

Van Ettan Lk Front Home


Best value on the lake!!! 50
feet of luxurious sand beach.
Breathtaking view from the
deck, screen porch, or one
of many lakeside windows. 3
BR, 2.5 baths, basement.
Includes a Guest Cottage
NEGOTIABLE AT $149,900

800 on the AuSable River,


20+ acres, 3 bed, 1 bath
with a 2 bedroom guest
house. This is truly a unique,
beautiful, quiet serene area
with wildlife galore...so much
to offer!!! The steps take you
down to the deck on the
AuSable, .$190,000

900 N Barlow Rd, Lincoln,


Ranch style home on full
basement. Large lot, storage
building, extra garage or
workshop, heated attached
garage. The home offers
hardwood floors, tile bath,
gas fireplace, deck for easy
entertainment. $80,000

3011 Lake Shore, Glennie,


2 bedroom 1 bath, knotty
pine interior, 2 car garage, 3
lots on North Lake!. Bonus
room over garage, most
furnishings stay. Enclosed 3
season porch. Fantastic
lakefront opportunity at a
great price of only $111,000

Call 800-650-5566 - Glennie or 800-982-0102 - Harrisville - www.HeritageHouseRealty.com

WEST BRANCH
M-33/M-55 OFFICE
1953 S. M-33
West Branch, MI 48661

HALE
OFFICE

ALE
S
R
O

Local: 989-345-2662
Toll Free: 800-535-6520

3160 North M-65


Hale, MI48739

10 miles north of I-75 exit 202

WEST BRANCH
LOOP OFFICE

ALE
S
R
O

2575 S. I-75 Business Loop,


West Branch, MI 48661

Gateway to Huron National Forest

1 mile north of I-75 Exit 212

Local: 989-728-2540
Toll Free: 800-495-2540

www.CAHANES.com

www.CAHANES.com

Local: 989-345-0315
Toll Free: 866-345-0315

FANTASTIC HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES!!


1816945

1808514

1821383

1820748

1819515

NEAR STATE
LAND AND
TRAILS!!

18.44
ACRES!!!

110 ACRES!!

37 ACRES!!

94
ACRES!!!

This cozy 2-bdrm home sits on 5 WOODED


ACRES and would make a nice place to call
your hunt camp. Move-in ready, most
furnished and also in great recreational area!!

Located on county maintained road with a water


view of West Twin Lake. Property has a 30x40
pole barn already constructed and there is a
variety and abundance of wildlife in the area!!

ULTIMATE hunting property, mostly wooded with


a creek running thru, several trails, lots of mature
trees and wildlife galore in the area. This property
also BORDERS STATE LAND ON THREE SIDES!!!

This property is not far from town for your hunting


supplies and near I-75 for easy commute. Heavily
wooded with a variety of mature trees and lots of
wildlife, including deer & turkey, in the area!

Excellent hunting property with driveway already in


plus electric at road to conveniently build your hunt
cabin!! Heavily wooded with a great variety of
mature trees, including hardwoods!!!

$37,900

$46,500

$209,000

$84,000

$159,900

1763946

1818920

1804978

1811256

72
ACRES!!

45 ACRES!!

53 ACRES!!

STATE
LAND ON
2 SIDES!!

59+
ACRES!!
This parcel is mostly wooded and has a pond,
some lowlands, areas for possible food plots, 3
blinds, trails, a building for storage, nice mix of
trees and a bunk area for sleeping and/or resting!!

This excellent hunting property comes w/2 lots


in adjoining subd plus an interest in waterfront
lot. You will find a variety of wildlife wandering
this beautiful wooded & rolling property!!

Property is just a short walk to all sports Loon Lake


and has trails thru-out, a cleared 2 acre area for
potential building your hunt cabin, is heavily wooded
w/driveway in and 4 hunting blinds!!

Excellent wooded property to call your hunting camp


and with a ton of wildlife in the area, including an
abundance of deer and turkey, and located in great
recreational area for year round fun!!

An acre of property on w/elec at paved road


& an excellent spot to potentially build your
hunt camp where you can also swim and fish
at nearby all sports & popular Clear Lake!!

$95,000

$135,000

$119,900

$111,300

$6,900

1794250

1820330

1791955

1804694

ON
MAINTAINED
ROAD!!

ADJOINS
STATE
LAND!!

1817909

103+ ACRES!!

BACKS UP TO
STATE LAND!!

80 ACRES!!

SECLUSION AT ITS FINEST comes with this


beautiful 3 bedroom home that sits back off the
road for privacy. Perfect property for hunting with
trails thru-out, wildlife galore, blinds and ponds!!

BEAUTIFUL ROLLING property in perfect


recreational area for year round fun and fantastic
hunting within walking distance and not far from
Island Lake for fishing and swimming!!

Excellent location to make your hunt camp with a


great variety of wildlife, including deer and turkey
and property has a stocked pond, garage, pole
barn & workshop plus very nice 3 bedroom home!!

10 BEAUTFUL ACRES for great hunting or place


to build your hunting cabin, with trails, some
lowlands, tons of wildlife, and an abundance of
mature trees, including hardwoods!!

This 40 ACRE farm has spacious 2 bedroom


home and lots of outbuildings for your horses
plus you can walk to State land for hunting to
bag your buck just outside your front door!!

$375,000

$14,900

$309,000

$26,500

$260,000

1822183

1816928

1787819

1820093

1778297

SECLUDED!!

MOVE
RIGHT IN!!

11 ACRES!!

54+ ACRES!!

10 ACRES!!

Older 3 bedroom mobile home ON 5 WOODED


ACRES would make a perfect hunt cabin or
year round residence for the Up North hunter w/
large barn-style building for additional storage!!

1200 square foot home comes mostly furnished


& would make a nice place to call your hunt camp
on 70 WOODED ACRES with pole barn & a pond
in area that boasts an abundance of wildlife!!

This wooded 11 acre parcel is also not far from


thousands of acres of State land for fantastic
hunting opportunities and would be a great place
to park your camper while tracking your big buck!!

This property really does have it all with super


nice 3-bdrm home with tons of great amenities &
awesome hunting wooded acreage w/pond, RV
hook-ups AND ALSO BORDERS STATE LAND!!

$249,900

$27,900

$192,500

$54,900

Beautiful wooded property in great area with lots


of hunting potential and wildlife in the vicinity.
There is electric at the road, the driveway is in
for convenience & a camping trailer is included!!

$27,995

1819170

1811769

1820230

1819756

76+ ACRES!!

JUST OVER
10 ACRES!!

NEAR
TRAILS!!

13+
ACRES!!

54 ACRES!!

Ultimate hunting property, mostly wooded, with


Harpers Creek running thru and spacious home
for year round or hunt camp, with trails and all
SURROUNDED BY NATL FOREST & STATE LAND!!

Partly wooded 10.7 acres would make an excellent


hunt camp in great year round recreational area,
an abundance of deer, turkey and other wildlife in
the area and really priced to sell!!

This property has neat and clean 2 bedroom


home on partial basement w/barn for storage
and also not far from popular Clear Lake. Great
hunting property BORDERING STATE LAND!!

Just over 13 acres, wooded, and conveniently


located just minutes from town and near popular
all sports Clear Lake. Great property for hunting
in super area for year round recreational fun!!

Mostly wooded property not far from Rifle River,


Lake Huron and acres of State Land and easy
commute from I-75. Unfinished home could be
made your year round residence or hunt cabin!!

$165,000

$28,000

$54,900

$39,000

$145,000

1817896

1818364

1816105

1810897

1811740

10+ ACRES!!

21
ACRES!!

15
WATERFRONT
ACRES!!

12 ACRES!

1811676

20 ACRES!!

1794245

40 ACRES!!

Nice property, mostly wooded, conveniently


located between Hale and West Branch, and a
short distance to Stylus Lake. Great mix of mature
trees and a nice variety of wildlife in the area!!

Super nice year round home in perfect recreational


area. Property is mostly wooded with RV
hook-ups, trails thru-out and lots of wildlife and
easy access by ORV/snowmobile to more trails!!

Beautiful property with 150 feet of frontage on


all sports 179 acre Stylus Lake. Rolling and
wooded acreage with nice mix of wildlife in the
area and perfect place for your hunt camp!!

3-4 bedroom home w/garage and partial basement


for year round living or perfect hunting spot. Large
barn for storage & fantastic views plus located in
great area for 4 season recreational fun!!

Gorgeous country acreage in area known for many


lakes and near thousands of acres of State land
and National Forest for hunting and site to build
your deam home or hunting cabin w/elec at road!!

Rectangular acreage, mostly wooded, with


mature trees and blueberry and raspberry
bushes! Convenient location on paved
road with a creek in rear of property!!

$30,000

$142,900

$32,000

$54,900

$32,000

$61,000

FOR MORE LISTINGS


VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

WWW.CAHANES.COM

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

1799832

125

Luxury Recreational Property


184 acres in Gaylord, Michigan
Hunting Lake Frontage Golf
Guest House Pole Barn Heated Blinds

CHAPPLE REALTY INC.


YOUR LAKE AND RECREATIONAL PROPERTY CONNECTION!

www.WESTMICHIGANLAKES.com

(269) 623-4058

269-207-3280

118 E Orchard St. Delton MI 49046

Drew Chapple Associate Broker

68 ACRES, Baltimore Twp, Barry County. Property includes frontage


on Cedar Creek and Prichardville Pond, plus 35 tillable acres, and the
remaining acreage in Hardwoods. Its a Sport persons Paradise and
within walking distance to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute , a 742 Acre
Nature and Education Center. Has been under the Quality Deer
Management Program for the last 5 Years. Priced @ $325,000
(16016729) Call Drew Chapple 269-207-3280.
70 ACRES - Attention Farmers, Hunters and Nature Lovers take
a look at this 70 Acres in Bedford Twp, Calhoun County. This
property includes 45 acres tillable, and 25 acres of woods.
Convenient Location to Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids,
and Lansing. Priced @ $279,900 (16045701) Call Drew Chapple
269-207-3280
40 PRISTINE WOODED ACRES Contemporary 2 Bedroom, 3 Bath Walkout with Hilltop setting with
Spectacular views of Barry County Countryside and Zigler Lake in Hope Twp. Open floor plan, vaulted
ceilings, spacious kitchen w/custom cabinets, dining area, bedroom with woodstove, bathroom, and living
room. Upper Level spacious master bedroom and bath. Lower level boasts a rec room, bathroom, and office/
den. Attached 2 car garage, 24x32 pole barn, plus storage shed. Centrally located between Kalamazoo,
Grand Rapids and Battle Creek. Priced @ $289,000 (16036285) Call Drew Chapple 269-207-3280

Visit www.tedschweitzer.com to learn more.

Ted Schweitzer

48 ACRES - Gorgeous Wooded 48 acres which includes a private lake


(Caruthers Lake) located in Allegan County. 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Ranch Walkout
with spectacular views of the lake and natural beauty surrounding property.
Desirable location for hunting, fishing, bird watching or just to enjoy nature.
Property is 30 min from either Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids Area.
Priced @ $249,900 (16027782) Call Drew Chapple 269-207-3280
40 ACRES - Take the opportunity to see this absolutely beautiful 40
acre parcel with over 800' of private water frontage on Casey Lake in
Barry County, Hope Twp before its gone!! The rolling hills,
hardwoods, and wetland would be a perfect place to build your dream
home, or hunt the abundant wildlife! Priced @ $135,000 (16046178)
Call Jane Drewyor 269-317-7994

VACANT LAND

Call or Text: (231) 645-5656


E-mail: ted@tedschweitzer.com

16 ACRES, 700' of Cox Lake Frontage. Woods, water, wetlands and wildlife. $74,900
10 ACRES, Barry Co., Barry Twp, Beautifully wooded with a 24x40 Pole Barn $59,900
18 ACRES, Barry Co., Hope Twp, Wooded w/4 Lot splits & road installed. $119,900
10 ACRES, Barry Co., Barry Twp, Tillable, Close to Town. $69,900
LITTLE CEDAR LAKE, Barry Co., Hope Twp, 2 Acres w/200 of Lake front. Great Fish Camp. $54,900

Looking for a Great hunting/fishing parcel with the Mitchigan River flowing thru?? Big Mature Bucks, small game, Moose,
Waterfowl and Excellent trout fishing are just a few of the many things you will enjoy on the 280 Wild acres. Bordered by
Corporate CFA Land, you can hunt to your hearts content!! Located in the heart of the Upper Peninsula Near Republic you can
enjoy access by snowmobile or ATV or seasonally along many trails roads. MLS#1097390 ONLY $139,900
Stunning Rapid River Rustic Log Cabin!!!! 160 Acres!!! Hunting Camp most people Dream about. Located south of Round Lake in Delta County
providing all the solitude, peace and quiet you could want. Built in 2002 with amenities not often seen in remote cabin, AGA Stove (look this up on internet),
Soap Stone free standing wood stove, granite counter-tops, custom furniture, full bath, one bedroom on main floor and generous loft that sleeps 8, wonderful
wrap around deck (covered on one side), large pole barn, Rapid River Log Sauna, LP Generator and Solar panels for electric. Large Pole Barn for your vehicles
or toys!! Come stay and enjoy hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling and fishing nearby. At night the stars are sooooo bright and Northern Lights evident
often. And the access road is gated and locked so privacy abounds. Owner is licensed Realtor in Michigan MLS#1091204 $310,000

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

ONE OF A KIND!!!!!!!!!!! This is a real GEM. Over 5,000 feet of frontage on Pristine, Majestic Baldy Lake in Alger County. Right in the
middle of Hiawatha National Forest. This 166.4 Acre parcel has been untouched for many decades, you really need to spend some time
here to appreciate the Beauty!!!!! Come enjoy the wildlife, watch the Powerful Bald Eagles fish or the ducks, loons or swans float along
the lake. The lake boasts a good fishery with crappie, bluegill, bass and perch. Drift around the island and fish or watch the turtles
and small mammals. This parcel borders thousands of acres of Federal land and has many streams and lakes nearby. All your UP North
Dreams come true on this SPECIAL parcel. Just minutes from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore!! MLS#1095028 $699,998

126

From the minute you drive down the paved driveway you will realize this a a very SPECIAL Property!!!!!!!!!!!! The entry boasts a drive over the wonderful pond and thru the
manicured lawn/flower gardens and on to view the spectacular back yard with Gazebo, Deck, Pergola and walking path thru garden. It is evident that the owners are meticulous!!! The Hand
Crafted Log Home boasts over 2600 square feet of living space. The main floor features Ash hardwood floors, Custom Kitchen, Expansive Living room with Stone Fireplace and vaulted ceiling
and Master suite. Step up the custom 1/2 log curved staircase to the second floor - here you will find a wrap around family room with a view to Lake Michigan, a den, 2 more bedrooms and
a 3/4 bath. Also included are a Workshop to die for!! (30x36 with another floor for storage), a 12x22 storage shed, a 9x12 Square/log shed, an open air workshop, and a 16x24 1 1/2 story log
Bunkhouse (this one is special also)!! All Buildings are hand crafted and one of a kind!!! All this nestled on 48 Acres just across the highway from 2 miles of State owned public sand beach.
Wonderful Privacy!!!! A Dream Home or Seasonal Cottage in the Gorgeous Upper Peninsula. Come Explore and Live the Dream!!!!!!!!!!!! MLS#1090487 $375,000

Betty Kinnunen
Associtate Broker

Helping you find the property of your dreams.


Call me today for all your Real Estate needs

906-202-2223

1901 W. Ridge Street, Suite 9 Marquette, MI 49855

www.BettyKinnunen.com

LOG CABIN & 177 ACRES!

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

330 ACRES OF GORGEOUS HUNTING


PROPERTY & BORDERING STATE LAND!

Cedar Valley Lodge is a variety of mixed woods,


hardwoods, soft, open areas and low ground! Some
open areas perfect for deer feed plots, low ground for
dense cover, nice hardwoods through and an amazing amount of blackberry bushes everywhere! Perfect
for wildlife and the outdoorsman! Trails throughout
the property, small cabin on the property with underground electric, plumbing, woodstove and bunks that
will sleep several! Also includes a 24x18 pole barn for
hunting equipment or RVs. Great location just north
of Manistee Lake! Gorgeous property with a variety
of terrain! Borders State land to the east!

$399,900

MLS: #1822130

GREAT LOCATION BETWEEN


TRAVERSE CITY AND KALKASKA!

20 ACRES & CHALET ON


LITTLE CANNON CREEK!!

YOUR DREAM CHALET NESTLED IN 86 ACRES


OF HARDWOODS! Rolling property, trails throughou,
sharp 24x36 chalet with loft, mostly finished basement
with non-conforming bedroom, bath, office space and
more! Would make a wonderful year round home or
perfect getaway! So much potential! Simply gorgeous
setting, wildlife, raspberries, blackberries, and plenty of
room for long walks! Super location between Kalkaska
and Traverse City, just off M-72.
Fabulous up-north getaway!!

Definitely for the outdoor


enthusiast! Perfect getaway
setting! Chalet has been
a family owned property
with many memories over
the years! Ideal setting
with creek frontage PLUS
a small creek meandering
through the back yard - and
not to mention a natural
pond! This property has it all! Not only the privacy of
acreage, creek frontage, & pond but very close to the
Manistee River for trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking! Perfect
for family vacations, hunting, fishing or just relaxing on the
deck! And wildlife galore! Well maintained 3BR chalet sleeps
several, has a walkout basement with small kitchen area,
and perfect place for hunting equipment, fishing rods & more!
Large deck is the ideal place to relax and perfect for parking
your ATV underneath. Great property, great setting and so
much to offer!

MLS#1822308

MLS: #1818415

$289,900

$159,900

Sandy Gunning
ASSOCIATE BROKER

REMAX Bayshore Properties, Ltd.


303 N Cedar, Kalkaska
*Each office independently owned and operated.

(231) 620-0160
9326 S. M-37 | P.O. Box 843
Baldwin, MI 49304
www.cbnwr.com
231-745-4646

10 Acres Hunting Land,


RV & Storage Shed
MLS 16043971 $27,900

9 Acres,
2 Bed 2 Bath
MLS 16044803 $46,900

Duck Lake,
1 Bed Cabin
MLS 16041559 $39,000

100 Baldwin River,


2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16037231 $58,900

Little Manistee River,


1 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16024708 $45,000

864 Pere Marquette River,


2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 15061722 $87,900

100 Little Manistee River,


2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16023480 $70,000

All Sports Lake,


1 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16010716 $114,900

100 Isaac Lake,


3 Bed 2 Bath
MLS 16041311 $59,900

75 Little Star Lake,


2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16016273 $129,900

Hunting Cabin,
1 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16033841 $34,900

Vacation Cabin,
2 Bed 1 Bath
MLS 16041257 $49,900

Beautifully wooded lot on the 54 acre All Sports Little Bass Lake! 1.41 acres makes for a great build able
lot whether its for a getaway cabin or a year round home. Federal Land is less than a 1/2 mile away, best of
both worlds! Possible land contract terms available. MLS 16036443 $36,500
All Sports Idlewild Lake Front Lot. Wooded and a great spot for a walkout basement cottage or home offering 50 of frontage, paved road access, electric available at the road, and in an area of thousands of acres of
public lands only a few miles away. Great camping site as well. MLS 16020582 $19,500
Beautifully wooded 41 acres with Federal Land on 2 sides. Access is through a Federal Forest Road 6262.
Great hunting and trails, secluded but not far from town. Great location. MLS 15056995 $59,900
Beautiful build able lots on 53 acre Paradise Lake! This is a great area to build a getaway cottage or a year
round home. Nice frontage and great location! Come walk this property today! MLS 16042237 $27,000
160 Acres of prime hunting land with deer, bear, partridge, and much more!!! This property borders hundreds of acres of federal land and offers nice high spots for building and nice low spots for hunting! MLS
16006839 $200,000

Here is a great 4 acres right in the heart of the snowmobiling and ORV trails. Great hunting with thousands of acres of Federal land to the north and west. Great camping area. MLS 16017638 $15,900
Baldwin Riverfront- buildable 2 acre parcel with utilities available at the road. Close to state land. Great
Location for fishing and hunting but still have electric and county maintained road. MLS 16042551
$19,900
Perfectly situated right on #35 snowmobile trail, this 40 acre parcel is priced to sell! Bordering Federal
Land on 3 sides, there is plenty of land to bring in the best deer, bear, and partridge. The parcel also offers
high land if you wanted to build or just camp. As secluded as it gets. Only access is off the DNR snowmobile trail. Youll never be bothered here! MLS 16019440 $42,000
One mile Rd splits this into 1.4 acre to the south and 2.6 acre to the north. Located in the heart of the ORV
trails within 1/8 mile, thousands of acres of State Land to the east, south, and west, and electric available.
MLS 16019550 $14,000
Square 10 acre parcel with access off a county road with Federal land on one side. All high with mixed
trees, selective cut 5 years ago. Great location for hunting, snowmobiling and year around use. Electric
is close, ORV trails are close and lots of seclusion. Low Down Land Contract Terms. MLS 16012724
$23,900

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Peaceful wooded setting for this two bedroom cabin with 80 feet of lakefront on Orchard Lake. Additional
day room facing the lake for extra space, 8x8 playhouse outside, and a playground nearby. An underground
tornado shelter has been built on the property too. MLS 16025817 $72,250

127

59 acres of prime hunting land located in


Quality Deer Management Area This ready
to hunt parcel has rustic cabin, blinds, both
ground and raised, trails and planted green
fields. $119,000 # 303829
Affordable smaller parcel of 8 +/- acres
has it all. Pond, camping site and two green
fields. The fields are planted and ready for this
fall. The seller will consider a land contract to
qualified buyer. $19,800 # 299102
Looking for privacy and peace & quiet of
northern rural setting? Located on dead end
road. Had driveway in, small wildlife pond
and could be excellent hunting and building
site. $55,500 # 294278
Just bring your RV, this property all set with
electric, well & septic. A 30 x 40 pole for
storage. Includes a 12 deep stocked pond.
Can hunt the 9.9 acres also. The lake side of
the parcel has gravel trails. $74,500 # 304063

Estate Auction of 80+ Acres of Land

Auction of 128+ Acres of Land

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 10:00 AM

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2016 1:00PM

Tillable Land Woods Home & Personal Property

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

Secluded country living and less the


4 miles from Rogers City. This beautiful
wooded parcel has Trout River on one
border. Seller will split down into 10 acre
parcel. Electric on site. $79,900 # 301791

128

STATE WIDE REAL


ESTATE OF HAWKS
OF HAWKS

Check out our web site for


additional properties of all types.

www.statewideofhawks.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ONE OF OUR AGENTS:

989.734.4840

Call for flyers on both of these auctions


or see www.stantons-auctions.com

STANTONS AUCTIONEERS

144 S. Main, Vermontville, MI 49096


Phone 517.726.0181

Kalkaska County
Stunning Log Home with countryside and
water views for milessituated on 5 acres
bordering 1000s of acres of state land for
boundless recreation. Home is impeccably
maintained and has seen little uses as was
primarily a second home for most of its life
so far. Only 9 miles to Kalkaska, 15 miles to
Traverse City and short distances to many
other Northern MI locales.

80 acres with river frontage & hunting camp.


Beautiful wooded acreage includes 6 blinds,
trails through property with area for food plots.
River frontage on back of the property with
bridge across. $134,900 # 304178
Affordable get away with many upgrades.
Mobile locate on 8+ acres including a pond
and borders state land. You have access to
sandy Lake Huron frontage across the road.
24 x 40 pole barn. $55,500 # 301865
Upland acreage with camping and building
site established. The driveway and trail roads
are in and green field spots established. The
property is wooded with matures trees. Terms
available. $59,000 #293468

Nice hunting property or build your


dream home only 3 miles from beautiful
Lake Huron. 30 + acres with 4 blinds and
ready to hunt. Land evaluation on file.
$49,900 # 302896

Located at 22520 M-66 North, Battle Creek, MI


(4 miles north of Battle Creek on M-66). Selling 128+
acres of recreational, hunting and wooded land as well as
four homes and a seven acre vacant parcel at auction.
Ponds, Winadoga Creek crossing the property, woods.
OPEN HOUSES: Sunday, Sept. 25
& Sunday, Oct. 2 1:00pm 2:30pm each day
KEN & PAT RABBITT, OWNERS

Located at 10881 Walander Road, Cedar Springs, MI


(north of Grand Rapids on US-131 to M-57 then 7 miles
east to Harvard Road, or 7 miles west of Greenville on
M-57) then 5 miles north to Hatch Road and left mile
to sale site OR north of downtown Cedar Springs on N.
Main to 18 Mile Road, 7 Miles east to Harvard Road, north
to Hatch and left to sale site). 80+ acre farm with approx.
40 tillable acres, woods, 2 story, four bed. Home and barns
and a creek crossing the property.
OPEN HOUSES: Sunday, Sept. 11
and Sunday, Sept. 18, 1:00pm 2:30pm each day
ESTATE OF EDITH TISDEL

Affordable parcel central located for outdoor


activities. Close to 1000s of acres of state land,
miles of trail roads for ATV & dirt bike riding.
Near several excellent fishing and swimming
lakes. Terms available. $16,273 # 257301

Affordable 40 acres of good hunting


land. Hunt deer, small game and bear.
1000s of acres of state land across
the road for additional hunting spots.
$38,000 # 278195

FOUR HOMES - PERSONAL PROPERTY

Call Stephen or Carol


for an appt today
231-342-4686 or 3794

Carole Porretta

THE WEATHER IS COOLING DOWN, BUT THESE PROPERTIES ARE STILL HOT!

5186 CURTIS
PRICE REDUCED

5600 GARDNER

$659,900

Brick Country
Estate.
First
floor master suite with turret sitting
area & 6 bedrooms & 6.5 baths.
Finished lower level. 44 acres with
Morton horse barn, paddocks,
pool and pond.

3248 SUTTON
PRICE REDUCED

$2,199,000 - 25
min. to Chrysler
Tech Center in
Metamora Hunt
Country is a stone
gate
entrance!
Cross a Class A bridge, pass an orchard &
find yourself on this 47+ acre retreat,featuring
an exquisitely designed European post &
beam lodge with 47+ acres of privacy, sandhill
cranes, deer AND a trout pond to fish before
entertaining in River Valley Lodge.

6340 WOLF

$790,000 Metamoras
Vanderbilt Castle!
Custom w/reclaimed artifacts, limestone, Cider
mill floors, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, Granite kitchen,
fieldstone fireplace in Vaulted Hunt Room,
barnwood beams. 5 acres, English garden. See
aerial tour at www.coventryrealtyllc.com

$2,950,000 Hunters Paradise!


10K sqft Barnum
log home & 11K
sqft huntsmans retreat. 20+ car collectors garage. 120 Acres featuring
a true pheasant preserve that boasts
turkey and trophy deer!

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME!


Steeplechase.....................$49,900 Christine Drive.................. $89,900 Metamora Golf & CC.....Starting at
1 Acre
21 Acres Lakefront
$28,900
Thornville Rd......................$49,900 Christine Drive...................$49,900 Equestrian Trail, Attica......$57,900
4 Acres

10 Acres Lakefront

2.75 Acres

Genesee Rd......................$267,900 Sutton Rd, Metamora......$598,000 Peters Lane, Dryden..........$48,500


44 Acres

90 Acres

3 Acres

Bordman Rd.....................$133,900 S. Shore............................$103,900 Rochester Rd, Dryden.......$44,900


11 Acres

Lake Nepessing

6 Acres

HUNT TILL YOUR HEARTS DELIGHT!

Offices Serving Lower &


Upper Michigan

Attention Hunters! 103 breathtaking wooded acres full of wildlife!


Includes deer blinds, a beaver pond & trails! Corner parcel, no close
neighbors! Millington Twp, Millington MI. $244,900
Hunting heaven! 20.78 acres, 2 adjoining parcels (1 wooded, 1
mostly clear), fabulous perked building site, lots of turkey, deer &
rabbit. Just a short distance from State Land! Vassar Twp, MI $79,900

J. McLeod
Realty Inc.
Millington

989.871.4567

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!

Private lake & 8.78 wooded acres! Great fishing, swimming,


snowmobiling, hiking and hunting! Gorgeous rolling acreage,
Otisville MI $74,400.

statewiderealestate.net

209 Acre All Sports Murphy Lake Frontage! 2.49 wooded acres
w/80frontage! No close neighbors, the entire East shore of the lake
is State Land, wildlife galore! Terms Available.
Millington Twp, MI $178,900
70+ Acres fronting Lake Ontoo. Wooded & beautiful! Nice
ranch home 500 off main road. Barn, pole barn, workshop & much
more! Millington Twp MI $329,900

LOOKING FOR OFFERS!!! DISCOUNTED PRICES!

*LAND CONTRACTS
AVAILABLE O.A.C.*
SPRING BEAR SEASON IS
BACK ON
FALL BEAR SEASON OPENS
AUG. 15 TILL OCT. 30
GOOSE SEPT. 1
DUCK SEPT. 10
SMALL GAME SEPT. 15
MOOSE & DEER SEASON
FOLLOWS

ALL PROPERTIES ARE IN


TROPHY DEER & BEAR AREA
WITH GREAT FISHING!!!
NO GUIDE OR OUTFITTER
REQUIRED IF YOU BUY
PROPERTY IN ONTARIO!
Land Management and
Maintenance Also Available
Brokers and sales agents
welcomed and protected.

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.

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. 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. $69,900
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 $269,900.
($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 yearround maintained road. $124,900
EXCLUSIVE LAKE HURON WATERFRONT & WATERVIEW 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. 20% Discount if
signed by October 15.
REILLY PROPERTY: 80 acre parcel with beaver pond,
hardwood and softwood mixed forestland 30 minutes from
International Bridge. NORTH PROPERTY: 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).
LOG CABIN WITH LOFT AND 162 ACRES: Trails and tree
stands ready for the avid hunter or nature lover. Mixed hardwood and softwood bush with some water on the property and
a magnificent mountain scenic view of a large walleye and
pike lake awaiting the angler. Only 45 minutes from the
International Bridge. Asking price $129,900.
5 ACRES - Waterfront on outflow river from Desbarats Lake.
Year-round access with power. Driveway and building site
ready. Excellent Walleye, Pike and Bass fishing. 30 miles from
International border. Excellent bear and deer hunting. $29,900
160 ACRES Timberland surrounded by government land, 40
min. east of Soo International border. Timber value $30,000
plus. Asking price $69,900.

LOOKING FOR OFFERS!!! DISCOUNTED PRICES!

DONT BE SHY MAKE AN OFFER ALL PROPERTIES MUST BE SOLD

ALL OFFERS WELCOME!!!

CANADIAN WATERFRONT AND


RECREATIONAL PROPERTY.
CLOSE TO SAULT STE. MARIE,
MICHIGAN BORDER

DONT BE SHY MAKE AN OFFER ALL PROPERTIES MUST BE SOLD

WOW CHECK THIS OUT! DISCOUNTED PRICES!


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 $79,900.00 as is or
make an offer. Standing timber value is $30,000 plus.

Bringing people and places together since 1945

OTHER PROPERTIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Houghton
Marquette

Curtis
Manistique

Escanaba

Powers
Menominee
Marinette

Newberry

Fife Lake

Onaway
Hawks
Hillman
Alpena

Atlanta
Harrisville
Mio

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

MARQUETTE
856 W. Washington, 49855
email: sw@statewiderealestate.org
906-228-9312 Fax: 906-228-8069

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

MENOMINEE
3631 10th Street, 49858
email: statewideone@newbc.rr.com
906-863-9905
Fax: 906-863-7935

CLARE
308 E. 5th Street, 48617
email: statewideclare@voyager.net
989-386-3396 Fax: 989-386-3800
CURTIS/NEWBERRY
Main Street, P.O. Box 305, 49820
email: swcurtis@sbcglobal.net
906-586-9606 Fax: 906-586-9607

HOUGHTON
500 Shelden Ave., 49931
email: dick@statewideofhoughton.com
906-482-6955 800-676-6323
Fax: 906-482-7699
HOWELL/LINDEN
1285 S. Michigan Ave., Howell, MI 48843
email: statewid@earthlink.net
517-546-9060 800-531-4449
Fax: 517-546-9148

ESCANABA
2209 Ludington Street, 49829
IRON MOUNTAIN - KINGSFORD
email: escanaba@statewiderealestate.net
112 S. Carpenter Ave., Kingsford, 49802
906-786-1308 800-900-0777
906-828-9079
Fax: 906-786-1388
FIFE LAKE
127 State Street, P.O. Box 190, 49633
email: swfife@charterinternet.com
231-879-4471 Fax: 231-879-4362

MANISTIQUE
10 N. State Highway M-149
Cooks, MI 49817
906-644-2304
email: dekeysermary@yahoo.com

HARRISVILLE
430 S. US-23, 48740
email: sold@anjstatewide.com
989-724-5711 800-655-5735
Fax: 989-724-6833

MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
1460 Marinette Ave., 54143
email: statewidemarinette@yahoo.com
715-735-9964 Fax: 715-732-1107

MIO
102 West 8th St., P.O. Box 395, 48647
email: info@statewidemio.com
989-826-3292
Fax: 989-826-2108
ONAWAY
M-33 & M-68,
P.O. Box 478, 49765
email: bigdan@frontier.com
989-733-6522
Fax: 989-733-2427
POWERS
W3776 US2 & 41, 49874
906-497-4190
Fax: 906-497-5328
holly@statewiderealestate.net
SKIDWAY LAKE
2228 Greenwood Rd.,
Prescott, 48756
email: atlas@m33access.com
989-873-3601
Fax: 989-873-6914

OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

129

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


OCTOBER 2016 - WNW NEWS

from

130

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

Fall Hunting Specials


2016 Polar Kraft Sportsman 2072 XSE

Mercury 115ELPT CT,


Side Console

*plus tax, title & freight

24,995

2016 Excel 1751 SWV4

Mud Buddy 37 EFI


HDR VG BD

*plus tax, title & freight

17,995

2016 Gator Trax 14' Marsh

Backwater 23HP LS
Swomp, Fast Grass Blind
*plus tax, title & freight

Gator Tail GTR 37LS,


Center Console

*plus tax, title & freight

11,995

2016 Gator Tail GTB1754

2016 Alweld 1860 Mud

Used Mud Buddy


4400 Sport V, Trailer

*plus tax, title & freight

23,995

17,990

*plus tax, title & freight

9,995

Yamaha 90 HP,
Trailer

*plus tax, title & freight

24,995*

2016 Bankes 19ft Crusader


Yamaha 115,
Trailer

*plus tax, title & freight

2015 Gator Trax 14X38 Rogue


Copperhead
18HP VG Twin

2016 Polarkraft 2010Tiller

37,900*

2016 War Eagle 548LDV

Suzuki
DF25AQHEL

*plus tax, title & freight

9,495*

Chene Anchor

THE KNOWLEDGEABLE BOATERS

Holding Power
Retrievability Durability

BEST CHOICE

Slip Ring Anchors that use rope ONLY, no chain!

517-202-2949 Sales@Cheneanchor.com

SPORTS
CENTER

Manufactured by Epic Machine Inc. Fenton, Michigan

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

SUPER BLACK EAGLE II 12-GA, 3"


ITEM # 10123 Realtree Max-5

Super Black Eagle II - 25th Anniversary Limited Edition


The legendary Super Black Eagle has relentlessly dominated the waterfowl arena for a quarter of a century. To recognize
this unrivaled milestone Benelli is now offering an enhanced SBE II 25th anniversary limited edition model. Premium
features include a corrosion-resistant brushed nickel bolt, an over-sized bolt handle and bolt release, an elongated
front sight, and extended chokes. Available in Realtree Max-5TM or with a black CerakoteTM finish.

Target acquisition is aided by the inclusion of an elongated front sight, especially


in low light conditions. Extended choke tubes make for quick, in-field changing.
An over-sized bolt handle and bolt release make for easier operation
of the SBE II limited edition when conditions are less than ideal.

S TA N DA RD F E AT URE S

25TH ANNIVERSARY SUPER BLACK EAGLE II


IT EM
NUMBER

BA RREL
L ENGT H

S T OCK

OV ER A L L
L ENGT H

AV ER AGE
W EIGH T

MSRP

SUPER BL ACK E AGLE II 12- GAUGE 2", 3" AND 3"


10124

28"

Black Cerakote

49.6"

7.3 lbs.

$1999

10123

28"

Realtree Max-5

49.6"

7.3 lbs.

$1999

COMMON SPECIFICATIONS: Magazine Capacity: 3+1 Extended Crio Chokes: IC,M,F


Type of Sights: Red-bar front sight and metal bead mid-sight Length of Pull: 14 3 / 8 "
Drop at heel: 2" Drop at Comb: 13/8" Minimum recommended load: 3-dram, 11/8 oz loads (12-ga.).
Receiver drilled and tapped for 93A Weaver base.

E X T E N DE D CHOKE TUBES: IC, M, F Crio choke and wrench.


, or Black CerakoteTM.
FINISHES: Realtree Max-5
BARRELS: Crio treated barrel.
GEL PADS: ComforTech gel recoil and comb pads.
SHIM KIT: For adjustment of drop and cast.

O P TI O N A L F E AT URE S
CHOKE TUBES: Extended choke for turkey hunting (XF).
Flush Crio chokes C, IC, M, IM, F.
GEL RECOIL PADS: Three options to customize length of pull to 137/8", 14 3/8" or 14 3/4"
RAISED COMB PADS: Three options to customize sight plane for different shooting
scenarios from field to target shooting to scoped hunting.

MAP PRICING POLICY IN EFFECT

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Benelli USA 17603 Indian Head Highway Accokeek, MD 20607 301-283-6981 benelliusa.com
31516 Harper Avenue
St. Clair Shores, MI 48082

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

www.michigunandtackle.com

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